23 Sept 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS 1 – History, Geography, Culture

1. Topic: Bagram Airbase

Subtopic: Strategic Geopolitics in AfghanistanValue Addition:

• Built by Soviets in 1950s; became largest US military base during Afghan war (2001–21).

• Equipped with 2 heavy runways, drone facilities, intel hubs.

• US vacated July 2021; Taliban control since.

• Key location: close to Iran, Pakistan, Central Asia, western China.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: World geography – Afghanistan’s location.

• GS 2: IR – Counterterrorism, US strategy in Asia.

• Prelims: Base location, historic role.
  

2. Topic: Javari Temple (Khajuraho)

Subtopic: Nagara-Style Architecture & Heritage ConcernsValue Addition:

• Built 1075–1100 CE under Chandella dynasty.

• Dedicated to Vishnu; UNESCO WHS (Khajuraho Group).

• Features: raised plinth, sanctum, mandapa, shikhara, Makara Torana, sculptures of navagrahas.

• Current issue: idol of Vishnu headless, court case ongoing.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: Art & Culture – temple architecture.

• Prelims: Nagara style, Chandella dynasty, UNESCO sites.
  

GS 2 – Governance, IR, Polity

3. Topic: Recognition of the State of Palestine

Subtopic: Montevideo Criteria & Global PoliticsValue Addition:

• Recently recognised by UK, Canada, Portugal, Australia.

• India recognised Palestine in 1988; supports Two-State Solution.

• Montevideo Convention (1933) → statehood needs population, territory, govt., external relations.

• Palestine = UN Permanent Observer State, not full member.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: IR – India’s Middle East policy.

• Prelims: Montevideo criteria, Palestine UN status.
  

4. Topic: National Archives of India (NAI)

Subtopic: Custodian of Government RecordsValue Addition:

• Established 1891 (Imperial Records Dept., Kolkata); shifted to Delhi in 1911.

• Nodal under Public Records Act 1993 & Rules 1997.

• Holds records in Sanskrit, Persian, Odia, etc.

• HQ Delhi + Regional Office Bhopal + Centres in Jaipur, Puducherry, Bhubaneswar.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance – record management, culture preservation.

• Prelims: Year of establishment, nodal ministry (Culture).
  

5. Topic: Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0

Subtopic: Benchmarking Industrial InfrastructureValue Addition:

• Launched by DPIIT with ADB support.

• Ranks industrial parks as Leaders, Challengers, Aspirers.

• New focus: sustainability, green infra, skill linkages, tenant feedback.

• Began in 2018; IPRS 2.0 in 2021.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance – industry policy.

• GS 3: Economy – investment climate.

• Prelims: Nodal agency, categories, year started.
  

GS 3 – Economy, Environment, S&T, Defence

6. Topic: Integrated State & City Logistics Plans

Subtopic: Reducing Logistics CostValue Addition:

• Launched under SMILE Programme with ADB support.

• Logistics cost in India = 7.97% of GDP (₹24 lakh cr, FY24).

• Road transport 41.7% share; storage next highest.

• LDB 2.0 → real-time container tracking, multimodal visibility.

• LEADS 2025 → assesses states’ logistics on corridor efficiency, journey time, truck speeds.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Economy – logistics, competitiveness.

• Prelims: SMILE programme, LDB 2.0, LEADS.
  

7. Topic: Yellow-Crested Cockatoo

Subtopic: Critically Endangered Bird SpeciesValue Addition:

• Native to East Timor & Indonesian islands; Hong Kong pop. from released pets.

• Features: white plumage, retractile yellow crest.

• Habitat: forests, scrublands, cultivated landscapes (up to 1,500m).

• Threats: pet trade, habitat loss, climate change (forest drying).

• Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN).

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Biodiversity conservation.

• Prelims: Features, habitat, IUCN status.
  

8. Topic: Iridogorgia Chewbacca

Subtopic: Deep-Sea Coral DiscoveryValue Addition:

• Found in tropical W. Pacific, near Mariana Trench.

• Genus: Iridogorgia; spiralling, hairy-looking branches.

• First seen 2006 (Moloka’i), later 2016.

• Isolated colonies on deep rocky seabeds.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Environment – deep-sea ecosystems.

• Prelims: Genus, location, naming reason.
  

9. Topic: Infrastructure Status to Large Ships

Subtopic: Boosting Domestic ShipbuildingValue Addition:

• Added under Transport & Logistics in Harmonized Master List.

• Criteria: ≥10,000 GT Indian-owned, or ≥1,500 GT built in India.

• Benefits: cheaper infra lending, ECBs, tax incentives, IIFCL loans.

• Current issue: India = only 0.06% of global shipbuilding; 95% trade via foreign ships.

• Vision 2047: make India top-5 shipbuilders.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Economy – shipping, logistics.

• Prelims: HML categories, GT criteria, global share.
  

10. Topic: Red-Necked Phalarope

Subtopic: Rare Shorebird in IndiaValue Addition:

• First spotted at Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, TN.

• Distribution: Arctic circumpolar (60–70° latitudes).

• Winter migration → South America, Arabian Sea, SE Asia.

• Features: chestnut-red breeding plumage, spinning feeding style, polyandrous mating (males brood).

• IUCN: Least Concern.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Biodiversity, migratory birds.

• Prelims: Feeding behaviour, polyandry, location spotted.