25 Sept 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS 1 – Geography, History, Culture

1. Topic: Barren Island

Subtopic: India’s Only Active VolcanoValue Addition:

• Location: ~140 km NE of Port Blair, Andaman Sea.

• Only confirmed active volcano in Indian subcontinent & South Asia.

• Type: Stratovolcano; 3 km diameter; crater 354 m high.

• Tectonics: Subduction of Indian Plate under Burmese Plate.

• Eruptions: Since 1787 → major 1991 eruption (6 months), recent minor activity 2025.

• Geological Significance: Lava flows ~1.6 million yrs old; oceanic crust ~106 million yrs old.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: Physical Geography – volcanoes, plate tectonics.

• Prelims: Location, type, tectonic setting.

GS 2 – Governance, Polity, International Relations

2. Topic: Visakhapatnam Declaration on e-Governance

Subtopic: Roadmap for Digital TransformationValue Addition:

• Adopted at 28th National e-Governance Conference (DARPG, MeitY, AP govt).

• Theme: “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation”.

• Focus Areas:

  • Expand NeSDA e-services to NE & Ladakh.

  • Scale AI platforms (BHASHINI, DigiYatra, NADRES V2).

  • Accelerate National Agri Stack → climate-smart farming.

  • Digital Panchayat models, local innovations replication.

  • Upskilling civil services with data-driven, agile frameworks.

  • Support Vizag as IT hub.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance – e-gov reforms, AI in service delivery.

• GS 3: Tech-enabled agriculture & disaster management.

• Prelims: NeSDA, BHASHINI, NADRES, Agri Stack.

3. Topic: Adi Yuva Fellowship & Adi Karmayogi Volunteers

Subtopic: Empowering Tribal YouthValue Addition:

• Launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs + UN.

• Adi Yuva Fellowship:

  • 12-month paid fellowship for tribal youth.

  • Includes mentorship, training, placement with UN agencies.

  • Links with PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, PM Rozgar Yojana.

• Adi Karmayogi Volunteers:

  • With UNFPA; 82 volunteers deployed in MP & Rajasthan.

  • Roles: Village Vision 2030 planning, awareness drives, scheme facilitation.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance & social justice – tribal empowerment.

• Essay: “Youth as agents of grassroots transformation.”

• Prelims: Schemes linked – PMKVY, NAPS.

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

4. Topic: Panchamrit Commitments & Solar Potential

Subtopic: Updated Solar PV Potential ReportValue Addition:

• Panchamrit (COP26 Glasgow):

  • 500 GW non-fossil by 2030.

  • 50% energy from RE by 2030.

  • Cut carbon emissions by 1 bn tonnes till 2030.

  • Cut emission intensity by 45% by 2030.

  • Net zero by 2070.

• NISE Report:

  • India’s feasible solar PV = 3,343 GWp (vs 2014 estimate of 749 GWp).

  • Rajasthan leads (829 GWp), followed by MH, MP, AP, Gujarat.

  • West India → 45% share due to wastelands & high irradiance.

• Initiatives: Solar training, Solar Didi Vision, PM Surya Ghar Yojana.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Renewable energy, climate action.

• Prelims: Panchamrit 5 goals, NISE role, solar potential leaders.

5. Topic: Impatiens selvasinghii

Subtopic: New Balsam Plant Discovery in Western GhatsValue Addition:

• Found in Kudremukh (Karnataka), altitude 1,630 m.

• Features: Smallest-flowered balsam, distinct wing petals.

• Importance: Supports insect species, high endemism.

• Context: India has 280+ Impatiens taxa; 210 endemic; 80% endangered.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Biodiversity – endemic flora.

• Prelims: Kudremukh range, Impatiens genus.

6. Topic: India’s First Overseas Defence Manufacturing Facility (Morocco)

Subtopic: WhAP 8×8 Armoured Vehicle PlantValue Addition:

• Developed by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. + DRDO.

• Plant size: 20,000 sq. m; capacity 100 WhAPs/year.

• WhAP 8×8: India’s first amphibious wheeled ICV, integrated powerpack, flotation & propulsion.

• First deliveries: Oct 2025 to Moroccan Army.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Defence exports & Atmanirbhar Bharat.

• GS 2: IR – India–Africa defence cooperation.

• Prelims: WhAP features, developer.

7. Topic: Oju Hydroelectric Project

Subtopic: India’s 3rd Largest Hydropower ProjectValue Addition:

• Location: Subansiri River, Arunachal Pradesh (Upper Subansiri, near China border).

• Capacity: 2,220 MW run-of-river project.

• Subansiri River: originates Tibet; Brahmaputra’s largest tributary; aka “Gold River.”

• Significance: Energy + borderland development.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Infrastructure – hydropower, border development.

• Prelims: Subansiri river features, “Gold River” tag.

Prelims Facts

• Ayurveda Day 2025: 10th edition; theme “Ayurveda for People & Planet.” First observed 2016.

• World Ayurveda Congress (WAC): Biennial, est. 2002 by World Ayurveda Foundation.

• New Govt Initiatives:

  • Desh ka Swasthya Parikshan (nationwide health checkup).

  • DRAVYA Portal (largest Ayurveda ingredient database).

  • APTA Portal (biographies of Ayurveda luminaries).

  • Ran-Bhaji Utsav (Goa) for healthy lifestyle promotion.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: Culture – Ayurveda heritage.

• GS 2: Health policy & traditional systems.

• Prelims: WAC year, portals launched.