Daily Current Affair 22-September-2025

GS2 – IR – India-UAE Joint Task Force on Investments

Why in News:
The 13th meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments was held in Abu Dhabi, reviewing bilateral investment and strategic partnership progress.

Established in 2013, the task force seeks to resolve bilateral investment issues, deepen economic ties, and explore new cooperation.
Non-oil trade between India and UAE reached $38 billion in H1 2025—up 34% over previous year reflecting robust CEPA gains.
“Bharat Mart”—a 2.7 million sq. ft. facility in UAE—will showcase Indian export products, boosting Middle East and African trade.
Both central banks are working on local currency trade settlements, digital payment system integration, and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) collaboration.
CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) since 2022 underpins accelerated trade, tariff reduction, and regulatory harmonisation.
UAE is a key strategic partner for India, not only in energy but in technology, infrastructure, and the Indo-Pacific (West Asia) strategy.
Collaboration includes joint investments in energy, logistics, food security, and emerging technologies.
Geopolitically, robust India-UAE relations act as a buffer amidst regional turbulence in the Gulf and expand India’s reach into Africa and Arab economies.

GS2 – IR – Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defence Pact

Why in News:
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement”; India is assessing implications for its regional security.

The agreement ensures that any external aggression against either country would be considered an aggression against both, deepening strategic ties.
Could shift the security balance in West Asia, traditionally more aligned with Western and Gulf partners, and potentially complicate India’s own strategic calculus.
Saudi Arabia’s defence engagement with multiple regional actors highlights a shifting, multipolar Gulf security environment.
India must maintain diplomatic balance—Saudi Arabia is a Strategic Partnership Council member, $100 billion investment pledge, and a major energy, diaspora, and Hajj partner.
The agreement amplifies India’s concerns over China–Pakistan–Gulf axis and underlines the importance of robust India-Saudi ties in West Asian diplomacy.

GS3 – Infra – National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal

Why in News:
PM Modi is reviewing the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, which is set to become the world’s largest maritime museum.

Being developed under the Sagarmala Programme, the Complex will showcase 4,500+ years of Indian maritime heritage.
Lothal is one of the oldest known Harappan port cities with the world’s oldest artificial dock; an example of ancient riverine-sea trade.
The complex will include replica Harappan township, a lighthouse museum (tallest globally), galleries on navigation, archaeology, naval warfare, shipbuilding, and interactive exhibits.
Key objective is to promote port-led development and maritime tourism, enhance cultural soft power, and educate the public about India’s ancient trade networks.
The project is an example of leveraging cultural heritage for economic growth, job creation, and coastal community engagement.

GS3 – Infra/Energy – AI in National Electricity Grid

Why in News:
India will embed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its national grid for reliability, cyber-security, and renewable integration.

India’s grid is the world’s largest synchronised system (“One Nation, One Frequency”); integrates five regions for efficient national power flow.
AI will be used for real-time grid risk detection, predictive equipment maintenance, renewable supply balancing, market surveillance, and cyberdefence.
Grid-India/NLDC manages the system; AI analytics will support faster responses to outages, hacking threats, and market manipulation.
Challenges include algorithm bias, cyber-vulnerability, skills shortage among engineers, and regulatory gaps for AI accountability.
Way forward: phased AI deployment, clear ethics rules, updated CERC norms, and national training through NPTI.

GS3 – Agri – India–FAO Cooperation for Blue Ports

Why in News:
India signed a Technical Cooperation Programme with FAO to develop “blue port” infrastructure, piloting in Diu and Gujarat.

Blue Ports are modern fishing harbours that integrate AI, IoT, clean energy, waste recycling, and sustainable fishing technologies.
Aim to boost blue economy: enhance food/nutritional security, generate coastal jobs, integrate fishery value chains, and promote climate resilience.
India’s PMMSY and FIDF support smart harbour development and upgradation.
FAO pilots will provide investment design tools, mentoring, and stakeholder training to improve port management, inclusion, and sustainability.
Blue economy aligns with SDGs and India’s vision of sustainable, tech-enabled marine resource utilisation.

GS3 – S&T – Army’s Radar Upgradation

Why in News:
Indian Army began procurement of advanced air defence radars to address gaps exposed by drones during Operation Sindoor.

Modern radars: Low-Level Light Weight Radars (LLLRs) to detect drone swarms; Air Defence Fire Control Radars for Drones (ADFCR-DDs) for threat classification, friend-foe distinction, and weapons integration.
Part of India’s layered air defence, integrating with systems like Akash, S-400, Akashteer (real-time C4I), and IAF’s IACCS network.
Aim: Full-spectrum protection against low-altitude threats and coordinated national air defence amid evolving drone warfare.
Supports “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” through indigenous DRDO development and private sector participation.
Operationalises lessons learned from recent conflicts and multi-domain warfare.

GS2 – Gov – CAG-Connect Digital Portal

Why in News:
CAG of India is set to launch ‘CAG-Connect’, a unified digital portal for public audit.

Will enable over 10 lakh auditee entities (from ministries to PSUs, ULBs) to respond to audit queries efficiently and transparently.
Expected to expedite compliance, reduce paperwork, and enhance accountability in public money management.
Part of CAG’s digital transformation drive for “faceless” and tech-enabled audits, aligning with Digital India and RTI reforms.
Enhances real-time data analysis, reduces delays in government financial reporting, and strengthens oversight.

GS3 – Economy – PLI Scheme for White Goods

Why in News:
PLI scheme for manufacturing of white goods (ACs, refrigerators, washing machines, LED lights) reopened application window in Sept 2025 with already 83 approved applicants investing ₹10,406 crore.

Launched in 2021 with ₹6,238 crore outlay over 7 years (2021-28) to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
Covers production of components, sub-assemblies, and finished goods with financial incentives linked to incremental sales.
Aims to strengthen Atmanirbhar Bharat, generate employment, and crowd in private investment in the electronics appliance sector.
Emphasises localisation of inputs critical to supply chain security.
Open to new and existing manufacturers to encourage competition.

GS2 – Polity – Judicial Pendency in Supreme Court

Why in News:
Supreme Court’s case pendency crossed 88,000, the highest ever, despite functioning with full strength of 34 judges.

Pendency worsened as fresh filings (7,080 in Aug 2025) outnumbered disposals (5,667).
Major causes include complex cases, procedural delays, and backlogs exacerbated by COVID-19 disruptions.
Impacts include violation of Article 21 (right to speedy justice), undermining public trust, and economic costs due to contract enforcement delays.
Recent measures: summer working days extended; collegium urged to fill all vacancies promptly.
Recommended reforms: increase judicial strength, digitise case management, promote alternate dispute resolution, curtail frivolous litigation.

GS1 – Infra – Airways – Use of Porta Cabins in Regional Airports

Why in News:
Bihar’s Purnea Airport, inaugurated under UDAN scheme, uses prefabricated portable cabins to address cost and time constraints.

Porta cabins are modular, factory-built units made of steel/polyurethane randomly shipped and assembled onsite.
Offer rapid deployment, cost-effectiveness, and scalability amidst land acquisition hurdles for airport expansion.
Key drawback: limited durability, ergonomics, and amenities, suitable mainly for low-traffic airports.
Similar implementations at Darbhanga, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and Chitrakoot airports.
Aligns with government efforts to improve regional connectivity and boost socio-economic development via UDAN.

GS3 – Agriculture – Impact of Shifting Monsoon Patterns on Indian Agriculture

Why in News:
Early onset and early retreat of 2025 southwest monsoon, along with 7% excess rainfall, highlight climatic variability affecting agriculture.

Enhanced reservoir storage provides better irrigation but heavy rains cause floods, landslides, and crop damage.
Increased temperatures and early cold spells affect crop cycles variably; e.g., wheat and barley benefited, but frost risk remains in some regions.
Predicted record wheat output may aid food security but flooding during harvest impacts perishable crops.
Agricultural exports up 9% in early 2025—good for farmer incomes—yet climate shocks raise instability risks.
Recommended: invest in precision weather systems (WINDS, Krishi DSS), promote diversification, bolster infrastructure, and expand crop insurance coverage.

GS3 – Environment – Stubble Burning and Air Pollution

Why in News:
The Supreme Court urged the Centre to consider jail terms to curb stubble burning, a critical source of northern India’s winter air pollution.

Stubble burning clears residue cheaply but emits harmful smog-causing particulates, impacting health and soil fertility.
Alternatives include Happy Seeder machines, bio-decomposers, crop diversification, and biomass utilisation for energy.
Laws like EPA (1986) and CAQM mandate bans and fines; enforcement remains weak.
Government subsidies for mechanised residue management prioritize smallholder farmers.
Promotion of circular economy and farmers’ livelihood protection key to sustainable solutions.

GS3 – Science & Tech – India’s Opportunity to Attract Top Scientific Talent

Why in News:
Global funding cuts by the US and visa restrictions create opportunities for India to attract world-class scientists.

Indian research contributes only ~2.5% of highly cited papers and 2% of top scientists globally despite ranking 5th in many fields.
Challenges: low remuneration, lacking research infrastructure, fragmented ecosystem.
Govt initiatives: National Research Foundation (NRF), ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund, and reforms easing research environment.
Strategic suggestions: create Focused Research Organisations (FROs), attract 500 top researchers in key technologies, promote multi-institute appointments.
Long-term sustainability requires pooled funding, global talent integration, and dedicated sovereign technology missions.

GS3 – Ethics – Human Cost of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Why in News:
Growing awareness of the human labour behind AI: often invisible, low-paid workers before AI’s consumer benefits.

Critical human roles include data annotation, content moderation, and training AI algorithms.
Workers, often from South Asia and other developing regions, endure low pay (~$2/hr), poor working conditions, and psychological trauma.
AI content moderators exposed to graphic, disturbing content face mental health risks.
Gig-platform labor model fosters precarious employment with no formal protections.
Calls for transparency in AI supply chains, fair wages, ethical standards, and consumer awareness of AI’s real costs.
Important for policymakers to balance AI progress with ethical labor practices.