Daily Current Affair 18-September-2025

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Seven Indian Sites Added to UNESCO’s Tentative List

Context (BS):
 India has added seven natural sites to UNESCO’s Tentative List, taking the total to 69 sites (49 cultural, 17 natural, 3 mixed). This is the mandatory first step before any site can be nominated for World Heritage status.

About UNESCO & Tentative List:

• UNESCO (1945): Promotes global cooperation in education, science, and culture. HQ: Paris; 194 members. India joined in 1946.
  
  
• Tentative List: Inventory of properties proposed by countries for future nomination.
  
  

Newly Added Sites:

• Deccan Traps, Maharashtra: Vast basaltic lava formations; one of the world’s largest volcanic provinces linked to mass extinction events.
  
  
• St. Mary’s Islands, Karnataka: Columnar basaltic lava formations; recognised as geo-heritage by GSI.
  
  
• Meghalayan Caves, Meghalaya: Karst caves with speleothems (stalactites, stalagmites) that preserve past climate records.
  
  
• Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland: Rare surface evidence of oceanic crust and tectonic processes.
  
  
• Erra Matti Dibbalu, Andhra Pradesh: Red dunes from the Late Quaternary period showing climate and sea-level shifts.
  
  
• Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh: Silathoranam quartzite arch, ~1.5 billion years old.
  
  
• Varkala Cliffs, Kerala: Mio-Pliocene lateritic cliffs facing the Arabian Sea.
  
  

Significance:

• Enhances India’s heritage diplomacy and cultural soft power.
  
  
• Boosts scientific study of geology, tectonics, and climate change.
  
  
• Promotes eco-tourism and local livelihoods.
  
  

Challenges:

• Fragile landscapes vulnerable to unregulated tourism.
  
  
• Funding gaps for conservation and community participation.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Integrate geo-heritage conservation with eco-tourism.
  
  
• Build state-level capacities for UNESCO nomination process.
  
  
• Encourage public awareness and local stewardship.
  
  

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Water Resources} India’s Contract for Deep-Sea Exploration

Context (TH):
 India signed an agreement with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exploration of polymetallic sulphides (PMS) in the Carlsberg Ridge, making it the first country to do so.

About ISA & Legal Framework:

• ISA is a body under UNCLOS (1982), regulating exploration of seabed resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction. HQ: Jamaica.
  
  
• Seabed in the high seas is designated as the common heritage of mankind.
  
  

About PMS & Carlsberg Ridge:

• PMS are mineral-rich deposits formed near hydrothermal vents, containing copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese.
  
  
• These are critical for clean energy technologies like EV batteries, electronics, and renewable systems.
  
  
• Carlsberg Ridge: ~300,000 sq. km underwater mountain range between the Indian and Arabian plates.
  
  

India’s Exploration History:

• 2002: Exploration rights in Central Indian Ocean Basin (till 2027).
  
  
• 2016: PMS exploration licence in Indian Ocean Ridge (till 2031).
  
  
• 2024: Applications for Carlsberg Ridge (approved) and Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount (contested by Sri Lanka).
  
  

Significance:

• Ensures mineral security for energy transition and digital economy.
  
  
• Enhances India’s Deep Ocean Mission and R&D in deep-sea robotics and submersibles.
  
  
• Strengthens India’s strategic role in Indo-Pacific ocean governance.
  
  

Challenges:

• Fragile deep-sea ecosystems face biodiversity risks.
  
  
• High costs and technological complexity of deep-sea mining.
  
  
• Geopolitical sensitivities with neighbours over maritime claims.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Adopt precautionary principle with environmental safeguards.
  
  
• Build indigenous technology and human capital in marine science.
  
  
• Work with global partners on sustainable seabed mining standards.
  
  

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Women’s Economic Empowerment Index

Context (TH):
 Uttar Pradesh has launched India’s first district-level Women’s Economic Empowerment Index (WEE) to promote data-driven policymaking.

About the Index:

• Covers all 75 districts, using 49 indicators across 5 pillars: Employment, Education & Skilling, Entrepreneurship, Livelihood & Mobility, Safety & Inclusive Infrastructure.
  
  
• Classifies districts as Champions, Leaders, Contenders, Aspirational.
  
  

Significance:

• Highlights gaps in women’s participation often masked by aggregate data.
  
  
• Enables targeted allocation of funds through gender budgeting.
  
  
• Moves beyond participation to address structural barriers such as safety, credit, and mobility.
  
  
• Provides actionable evidence to improve policies in transport, skilling, and workplace safety.
  
  

Challenges:

• Quality and comparability of district-level data.
  
  
• Need for cross-department coordination to implement corrective measures.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Replicate in other states for a national index.
  
  
• Integrate with NITI Aayog’s SDG Index and India’s gender budgeting framework.
  
  
• Build local capacities for data collection and policy monitoring.
  
  

{GS2 – Social Sector – Education} Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL)

Context (IE | TH):
 An independent study in Andhra Pradesh by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer showed that PAL doubled learning rates compared to traditional methods.

About PAL:

• Software-based approach that tailors content to each student’s learning level.
  
  
• Uses gamified features to enhance engagement.
  
  
• Based on Bloom’s mastery learning principle.
  
  

Study Findings (2023–25):

• Students using PAL achieved ~1.9 years of extra learning.
  
  
• Girls recorded higher gains as they spent more time on the platform.
  
  
• The weakest students benefitted most, reducing learning inequality.
  
  

Significance:

• Addresses learning crisis: ASER 2024 shows only 44.8% of Class 5 students can read a Class 2 text.
  
  
• Complements NEP 2020’s vision for technology-enabled education.
  
  
• Enhances equity by adapting to individual student needs.
  
  

Challenges:

• Digital divide in rural areas limits adoption.
  
  
• Teachers require training to integrate PAL effectively.
  
  
• Data privacy of minors is a concern under the DPDP Act 2023.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Scale up through PPP models with EdTech firms.
  
  
• Localise content in Indian languages.
  
  
• Link with NIPUN Bharat Mission and government school systems.
  
  

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Involution in China’s EV Sector

Context (TH):
 China’s EV sector faces “involution” – destructive price wars triggered by overcapacity and global trade barriers.

About Involution:

• Refers to excessive internal competition that erodes profitability despite higher output.
  
  
• In China’s EV market, oversupply and shrinking exports forced firms into unsustainable price cuts.
  
  

Factors:

• US imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs in 2024; EU also levied duties.
  
  
• Domestic oversupply worsened by limited foreign market access.
  
  
• Fierce price competition drove prices below production costs.
  
  

Implications:

• Financial stress on Chinese EV firms, consolidation likely.
  
  
• Global supply chains risk disruption due to Chinese dominance in EV components.
  
  
• For India: Opportunity to attract EV investments leaving China and boost domestic production under PLI and FAME schemes.
  
  

Way Forward for India:

• Focus on balanced capacity building aligned with demand.
  
  
• Strengthen EV ecosystems (battery recycling, charging infra).
  
  
• Avoid over-subsidisation that leads to oversupply.
  
  

{GS3 – Agri – Dairy} Sorted Semen Facility in Bihar

Context (PIB):
PM inaugurated a ₹10 crore Sex-Sorted Semen Facility at Purnea, Bihar, under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).

About the Facility:

• First such facility in Eastern and North-Eastern India.
  
  
• Uses indigenous ‘Gausort’ sex-sorting technology (2024).
  
  
• Located at Purnea Semen Station, one of India’s largest government-run semen stations.
  
  

Significance:

• Helps farmers produce more female calves, enhancing milk productivity.
  
  
• Direct benefit to small and marginal farmers, the backbone of India’s dairy sector.
  
  
• Supports India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer.
  
  

About RGM:

• Launched in 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.
  
  
• Objective: Conservation of indigenous breeds and improved productivity.
  
  
• Nodal: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
  
  

Challenges:

• High cost of technology for small farmers.
  
  
• Need to ensure genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding risks.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Provide subsidies and training for adoption.
  
  
• Integrate with digital livestock management platforms.
  
  

{GS3 – Agri – Sustainability} Diversification of Food Production in India

Context (TH):
 FAO reported that the share of Indians unable to afford a healthy diet fell from 74.1% in 2021 to 40.4% in 2024, but diversification of food production remains crucial.

About Diversification:

• Expanding beyond cereals to include pulses, vegetables, fruits, dairy, fisheries, and millets.
  
  

Need:

• Nutrition: NFHS-5 shows 35.5% children under 5 are stunted, with high anaemia prevalence.
  
  
• Farmer Security: Overreliance on wheat and rice increases vulnerability to price shocks.
  
  
• Jobs: Horticulture and dairy create rural employment, especially for women.
  
  
• Climate Resilience: ISRO-SAC (2021) reported 29.77% of India’s land is degraded. Millets and pulses are drought-resistant.
  
  
• Global Goals: Supports SDG-2 (Zero Hunger).
  
  

Challenges:

• MSP and procurement skewed towards rice and wheat.
  
  
• Limited cold storage and value chain infrastructure.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Strengthen MSP for pulses and oilseeds.
  
  
• Diversify PDS menus to include millets and pulses.
  
  
• Invest in horticulture clusters, irrigation, and value chains.
  
  

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Supreme Court Guidelines on DNA Evidence (2025)

Context (TH):
 In Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu (2025), the SC issued guidelines for handling DNA evidence to ensure reliability and prevent misuse.

Key Guidelines:

• Collection must include FIR details and signatures of doctor, investigator, and witness.
  
  
• Samples must reach FSLs within 48 hours, with reasons for any delay recorded.
  
  
• Samples cannot be opened or resealed without court approval.
  
  
• Chain-of-custody register is mandatory.
  
  

Legal Framework:

• Article 20(3): Protection against self-incrimination does not apply to DNA.
  
  
• Article 21: Protects privacy and dignity.
  
  
• BNSS 2023: Sections 53, 53A permit DNA examination of accused.
  
  
• Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022: Allows DNA collection from detainees/convicts.
  
  
• BSA 2023: Section 39 recognises DNA analysis as expert opinion.
  
  

Significance:

• Enhances forensic reliability in criminal trials.
  
  
• Helps exonerate innocents and identify victims in disasters.
  
  
• Used in civil disputes like paternity and inheritance.
  
  

Challenges:

• Limited FSL capacity and training gaps.
  
  
• Risk of contamination or procedural lapses.
  
  
• Privacy concerns due to lack of standalone DNA legislation.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Enact the DNA Technology Regulation Bill.
  
  
• Upgrade FSLs and train investigators.
  
  
• Create an independent oversight body for DNA profiling.
  
  

{GS3 – S&T – AI} NITI Aayog Report on AI for Viksit Bharat (2025)

Context (TOI):
NITI Aayog’s report projects AI could add $500–600 billion annually to India’s GDP by 2035, making it central to growth strategy.

Potential Impact:

• Manufacturing output could rise by 30% (~$90 bn).
  
  
• Financial inclusion: AI-based credit could reach 150 million borrowers.
  
  
• Agriculture: AI advisories could improve yields by 20–25%.
  
  
• Health: AI triage tools could reduce rural diagnostic backlogs.
  
  

Enablers Needed:

• Compute capacity of ~50,000 GPUs by 2027.
  
  
• Indian-language foundation models for accessibility.
  
  
• Large public datasets under IDMO.
  
  
• Workforce of 2.5 million AI professionals by 2030.
  
  
• Regional AI hubs in Tier-2/3 cities.
  
  

Barriers:

• India holds <2% of global compute capacity.
  
  
• Fragmented datasets and brain drain.
  
  
• MSMEs lack awareness and resources.
  
  
• Absence of sectoral AI regulations.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Scale IndiaAI Mission to build compute clusters.
  
  
• Establish data governance standards via IDMO.
  
  
• Integrate AI skilling into education.
  
  
• Develop regulatory sandboxes for healthcare and fintech.
  
  

{GS3 – S&T – IPR} Patent Revocation of Novartis’ Vymada

Context (BT):
The Indian Patent Office revoked Novartis’ patent on Vymada (Entresto) under Section 3(d) of the Patents Act, 1970.

About Patents in India:

• Patents Act, 1970 amended in 2005 to align with TRIPS.
  
  
• Section 3(d): Prevents “evergreening” of known drugs without proven higher efficacy.
  
  
• Provides mechanisms for pre- and post-grant opposition.
  
  

Significance of Revocation:

• Opens market to generics, reducing costs by ~70%.
  
  
• Reinforces India’s reputation as “pharmacy of the world.”
  
  
• Aligns with the Doha Declaration (2001), which prioritises public health over IP monopolies.
  
  

Challenges:

• Balancing IP protection with affordable healthcare.
  
  
• Risk of trade disputes with global pharma.
  
  

Way Forward:

• Continue using TRIPS flexibilities.
  
  
• Promote domestic pharma R&D while protecting patient interests.
  
  

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} NITI Frontier Tech Repository

Context (PIB):
NITI Aayog launched the Frontier Tech Repository to accelerate adoption of emerging technologies for Viksit Bharat 2047.

About the Repository:

• Contains 200+ case studies showing tech impact in agriculture, health, education, and security.
  
  
• Acts as a knowledge-sharing platform for scalable innovations.
  
  

Initiatives:

• Frontier 50: Guides 50 aspirational districts to adopt frontier tech solutions.
  
  
• Frontier Tech Impact Awards: Recognises 3 states annually for innovation.
  
  

Significance:

• Bridges the gap between pilots and large-scale implementation.
  
  
• Promotes inclusive adoption of frontier technologies across states.
  
  

{Prelims – MoHUA – Initiatives} Swachhata Hi Seva 2025

Context (PIB):
The 9th edition of Swachhata Hi Seva campaign launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Nodal Agencies:

• Urban: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
  
  
• Rural: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  
  

Focus & Features:

• Theme: “Swachhotsav” linking joy with civic responsibility.
  
  
• Focus on Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) – neglected and hard-to-reach waste zones.
  
  
• Five pillars: CTU transformation, clean public spaces, SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivir, green festivities, advocacy.
  
  
• National mass campaign: “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath”.
  
  

Significance:

• Revitalises SBM after a decade.
  
  
• Encourages citizen participation in community-led cleaning drives.
  
  

Moran Community

Context (IE):
 The Moran community in Assam’s Tinsukia district launched an economic blockade demanding Scheduled Tribe recognition.

About the Community:

• Indigenous group of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh; part of Tibeto-Burman Kachari tribes (Bodo, Dimasa, Chutia).
  
  
• Language: Moran (related to Dimasa) now extinct; most speak Assamese.
  
  
• Religion: Predominantly Neo-Vaishnavism through satras and namghars.
  
  
• History: Played key role in Moamoria Rebellion (1769–1805) that weakened the Ahom monarchy.
  
  

Significance:

• ST status would bring affirmative action benefits.
  
  
• Raises questions about balancing recognition with existing tribal claims.