Daily Current Affair 03-September-2025

News at a Glance

Topic	GS Paper	Context & Key Facts
Geo-Tagging of Buildings in Census 2027	GS1 – IS – Population	Census 2027 will move away from manual sketch-mapping: every building (residential, non-residential, mixed-use, landmarks) will be geo-tagged using GIS and assigned a precise latitude-longitude. This digital approach enables more accurate houselisting, tracks rural–urban transitions, improves vacancy counts, and allows real-time monitoring via mobile apps and CMMS.
India’s Trade Deficit with China	GS2 – IR – India-China	India’s trade deficit with China reached $99.2 billion in 2024–25, making up 35% of India’s total trade gap. China dominates imports in critical sectors (renewables, electronics, bulk drugs, consumer goods), exposing India to supply chain weaponisation and undermining domestic manufacturing. Policy responses include PLI schemes, stricter standards, anti-dumping duties, and diversification.
Panchsheel Doctrine for India–China Ties	GS2 – IR – India-China	In a recent summit, both countries referenced the Panchsheel (Five Principles: sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, peaceful coexistence) as the bedrock of their relationship. While Panchsheel underlies NAM, BRICS, SCO, and G20 diplomacy, its enforcement faces hurdles due to ongoing border disputes, trade asymmetries, strategic suspicions, and the BRI/PoK issues.
India’s Climate Finance Challenge	GS3 – Envi – CC	India will need $467 billion by 2030 for decarbonising steel, cement (80% of need, as CCS tech is expensive), power, and transport. Sector-wise, renewables need less than expected due to falling costs, whereas EV adoption and storage remain capital-intensive. Policy thrust must incentivise private investment, R&D, fiscal flexibility, and robust frameworks for climate finance mobilization.
Study on Gangotri Glacier Discharge	GS3 – Envi – CC	New IIT Indore–ICIMOD research finds Gangotri Glacier System’s discharge now peaks in July (earlier August), with snowmelt’s share dropping and rainfall rising due to warming. Shifted peaks and reduced late-summer flows mean more mid-monsoon flood risk and worsening water scarcity in autumn, threatening downstream water security for millions.
Revised Tree Plantation Norms	GS3 – Envi – Conservation	MoEFCC’s Green Credit Programme will now grant credits for tree planting only after five years (with 40% canopy), limit credits to a single qualifying tree, restrict credit tradability, and enforce site verification. The move aims to shift focus from quantity to genuine ecological restoration, curbing tokenistic or short-lived plantation efforts.
Microatolls as Sea Level Rise Indicator	GS3 – Envi – Degradation	Researchers used coral microatolls in the Maldives to reconstruct 90 years of local sea-level rise, showing acceleration since the 1950s (from ~1.5 mm/yr to ~4.5 mm/yr). The study reveals Indian Ocean sea-level increase is both earlier and faster than previously documented by tide gauges, providing critical historic baselines for climate adaptation in vulnerable archipelagos.
Rising Natural Disasters in Himalayas	GS3 – DM – Issues	In 2025, Himalayan states saw a record 70% “disaster days,” including cloudbursts, landslides, GLOFs (Sikkim), and catastrophic floods (Mandi, Harsil). Intensified by climate anomalies (monsoon shifts, Arctic warming, orographic effects), unregulated construction and poor hazard mapping, there is urgent need for development moratoriums in fragile zones, resilient relocation, and real-time alerts.
Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea)	Prelims – Envi – Species	The elusive high-altitude dragonfly was recently spotted in the southern Western Ghats. As an “Ice Age relict” and freshwater ecosystem indicator, its presence signals both montane climate stability and long ecological continuity, highlighting the biodiversity value of isolated, cool highland habitats.
IMF Executive Director: Urjit Patel	Prelims – International	Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel appointed IMF Executive Director, representing India’s growing voice at the multilateral lender (25 total EDs).
Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave	Prelims – Economy	India hosted its first business conclave focused on indigenous sports goods manufacturing, aiming at boosting exports, Make in India, and new job creation in the sports sector.
Afghanistan Earthquake	Prelims – Disaster	Eastern Afghanistan was struck by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake (near Jalalabad), resulting in over 1000 deaths, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to seismically-triggered disasters and need for transboundary humanitarian response.
Delhi’s AQI (Jan–Aug 2025 Best Since 2018)	Prelims – Environment	Delhi’s January–August 2025 air quality (average AQI: 172) was the city’s best in eight years (except the 2020 lockdown), indicating some improved pollution management, though levels remain above safe limits.
India–Saudi Naval Exercise	Prelims – IR/Defence	Indian Navy ships INS Tamal and INS Surat conducted exercises with the Saudi Navy, strengthening maritime cooperation (part of the “Sada Tanseeq” and “Al-Mohed Al-Hindi” series).
Aarogya Pathshala – Telangana	Prelims – Social Sector	School programme delivers daily health, hygiene, and social education assemblies tackling absenteeism, substance abuse, and promoting nutrition and mental health, serving as a practical, low-cost model for school-based child well-being.

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