NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Dragonfly Surge Signals Wetland Health in
Delhi Parks: Recent
surveys across seven Delhi Development Authority (DDA) biodiversity parks
reveal rise in dragonfly and damselfly populations. Between September 25 and
27, 2025, a 54% increase was recorded compared to the previous year. The total
count rose from 8,630 to 13,253 individuals. This surge marks improving wetland
ecosystems and biodiversity resilience in urban Delhi. The survey covered seven
major biodiversity parks in Delhi. Kamla Nehru Ridge led with 3,935 individuals
and 26 species. Kalindi followed with 3,682 individuals and 20 species.
Aravalli recorded 2,249 individuals across 16 species. Other parks included
Yamuna Biodiversity Park (1,730 individuals, 21 species), Tughlaqabad (1,061
individuals, 14 species), Neela Hauz (523 individuals, 15 species), and Tilpath
Valley (73 individuals, 6 species). Notably, the Yellow-tailed Ashy Skimmer
(Potamarcha congener) was documented for the first time at Yamuna Biodiversity
Park.
2. Unmesha Festival: The third edition of
Unmesha – International Literature Festival was held in Patna, Bihar, from 25th
to 28th September 2025. The event brought together writers, poets, scholars,
and publishers from 15 countries representing over 100 languages. The
Vice-President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, graced the valedictory session
as the Chief Guest during his first visit to Bihar since assuming office. The
festival celebrated literature’s role in shaping society and encouraging
cultural unity. Bihar is recognised as a land of dharma, culture, and
knowledge. It is a unique spiritual hub where Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu
traditions converge. Bodh Gaya, where Siddhartha Gautama attained
enlightenment, is a global symbol of peace and mindfulness. Vaishali, the
birthplace of Lord Mahavira, represents the Jain ideals of non-violence and truth.
Ancient universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila attracted scholars from
across Asia, marking Bihar as an intellectual powerhouse in antiquity.
3. NAVYA Initiative Empowers Adolescent Girls
Through Vocational Training: The NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young
Adolescent Girls) initiative was launched in June 2025. It is a joint effort by
the Ministry of
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
NAVYA aims to provide skill training to adolescent girls aged 16 to 18 years.
The focus is on underserved and tribal regions, with an initial target of 3,850
girls. The programme blends vocational skills with essential life skills to
encourage employability, confidence, and entrepreneurship. NAVYA was launched
in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. It targets girls with at least a class ten
qualification. The initiative integrates flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and PM Vishwakarma. These schemes provide demand-driven
training in emerging and non-traditional sectors. The goal is to bridge the gap
between education and livelihood.
4. India’s Food Grain Storage Infrastructure
Advances 2025: India’s
record foodgrain production in 2024-25 has telld the critical role of storage
infrastructure in securing national food
security. With a harvest of nearly
354 million tonnes, including over 117 million tonnes of wheat and 149 million
tonnes of rice, India continues to lead globally. Efficient storage systems
minimise losses, stabilise prices, and empower farmers. The nation’s food grain
storage landscape encompasses centralised, decentralised, and cold storage
facilities supported by various government schemes aimed at modernisation and
expansion. Storage infrastructure is essential to reduce post-harvest losses
and maintain food quality. It supports buffer stocks that stabilise prices and
ensure food availability year-round. Proper storage prevents distress sales by
enabling farmers to sell produce at optimal times, thus improving incomes.
Scientific storage controls moisture and pests, preserving nutritional value
and safety.
5. India’s Sustainable Livestock
Transformation Initiatives: India has emerged as a global leader in sustainable
livestock development. At the 2nd Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock
Transformation held by the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome in 2025, India showcased its innovative and inclusive
approaches. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh brought into light India’s
achievements and future plans. The country’s livestock sector plays a vital
role in rural livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. India’s livestock sector has recorded
a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.77% in recent years. It contributes
31% to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and 5.5% to the national economy.
India is the world’s largest milk producer, accounting for nearly 25% of global
output with 239 million tonnes annually. It is also the second-largest egg
producer and a leading exporter of buffalo meat. This growth supports nearly
two-thirds of rural households and millions of small and marginal farmers.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. New Discoveries in Western Ghats Lizard
Diversity: Recent
biodiversity surveys in the Western Ghats have revealed findings about rare and
endemic lizard species. For the first time, Beddome’s cat skink (Ristella
beddomii) has been recorded in the Aralam and Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The survey also reconfirmed the presence of the critically endangered Kottiyoor
Day Gecko (Cnemaspis kottiyoorensis), a species rediscovered after decades.
These discoveries show the rich reptilian diversity and emphasise the
importance of ongoing conservation efforts in this fragile ecosystem. The
survey was conducted from 20 to 23 September, organised jointly by the Forest
Department and the Malabar Awareness and Rescue Centre for Wildlife (MARC). It
recorded six previously unreported agamid lizards, four skinks, and five
geckos. The Kottiyoor Day Gecko was found in the Suryamudi forest area of
Kottiyoor Sanctuary. This survey is the first to document Beddome’s cat skink
in these sanctuaries.
2. Ground-Level Ozone Pollution in India’s
Major Cities: The Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently reported alarming levels of ground-level ozone pollution
in India’s urban regions. The National Capital Region (NCR) faces the highest
ozone concentrations, followed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This
has raised concerns due to ozone’s harmful effects on health and the
environment. Ground-level ozone is a toxic air pollutant formed by chemical
reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
These reactions are intensified by sunlight. Unlike the protective ozone layer
in the stratosphere, surface ozone harms respiratory health and vegetation.
CPCB analysed ozone data from 10 major Indian regions during 2023 and early
2024. NCR recorded the highest exceedances, with 25 of 57 monitoring stations
surpassing the national eight-hour ozone limit of 100 micrograms per cubic
metre by over 2%. MMR followed with 22 of 45 stations exceeding the same limit.
Other cities like Pune, Chennai, and Bengaluru showed comparatively lower but
notable ozone levels.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Navy’s Jal Prahar 2025 Joint
Amphibious Exercise: The Indian Navy successfully completed the
biannual joint exercise ‘Jal Prahar 2025’ with the Indian
Army. Held along India’s eastern
coast, the exercise aimed to strengthen inter-service cooperation and
operational readiness in amphibious warfare. Conducted in two phases from 16 to
23 September 2025, it demonstrated enhanced coordination and tactical
proficiency between the naval and land forces. Jal Prahar is a large-scale
amphibious exercise conducted every two years by the Indian Navy and Army. The
2025 edition focused on joint operational planning and execution along the
eastern seaboard of India. This exercise tested the ability of both forces to
conduct complex amphibious operations involving landing troops from sea to
shore under realistic conditions.
2. India’s First Maritime Simulation Centre
Inaugurated: India’s maritime education
took a leap forward in 2025 with the inauguration of the country’s first
Maritime Simulation Centre. Located at AMET Knowledge Park near Chennai, Tamil
Nadu, this centre is a result of a strategic partnership between the Academy of
Maritime Education and Training (AMET) and global shipping giant A.P. Moller –
Maersk. The facility features cutting-edge technology to provide immersive
hands-on training for future seafarers. The Maritime Simulation Centre is equipped
with Full Mission Simulators for both Deck and Engine operations. It also
includes Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and advanced
Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) labs. These technologies simulate
real-world maritime scenarios, enabling cadets to practise navigation,
collision avoidance, watchkeeping, steering, and engine troubleshooting in a
controlled environment.
3. BSF Develops Drone-Mounted Radar Systems
for Border Surveillance: The Border Security Force (BSF) of India is advancing its
border surveillance capabilities by developing drone-mounted radar systems with
assistance from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These systems
are designed to monitor India’s western and eastern frontiers without crossing
borders. This initiative marks step in integrating technology with traditional
security measures to enhance real-time border management. The BSF has completed
the development of drone-based radar systems. ISRO is supporting the project by
helping fit small radars onto drones. These radars enable continuous monitoring
of enemy movements and intrusions. The BSF will manufacture the sensitive
equipment at its Tekanpur Academy in Madhya Pradesh. This move follows
operational lessons from ‘Operation Sindoor’, which brought into light the importance of drones in
future warfare.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. PM E-DRIVE Scheme Boosts EV Charging
Infrastructure: The
Government of India has launched operational guidelines for installing over
72,300 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country. This
initiative under the PM E-DRIVE
scheme aims to accelerate EV
adoption by expanding accessible charging infrastructure. The Heavy Industries
Ministry has outlined a tiered subsidy model to support installations at key public
and commercial locations. The scheme offers a tiered subsidy to promote electric vehicle
charging infrastructure.
Government offices, hospitals, educational institutions, and residential
colonies receive a 100% subsidy on upstream infrastructure and charging
equipment if they provide free public access. High-traffic public locations
such as airports, railway stations, metro stations, bus terminals, municipal
parking lots, and toll plazas are eligible for 80% subsidy on upstream
infrastructure and 70% on charging equipment. Commercial spaces like shopping
malls, markets, and highway roadside facilities qualify for 80% subsidy on
upstream infrastructure. Battery swapping stations also receive 80% support on
upstream costs.
2. NASA-ISRO NISAR Satellite Sends First
Earth Images: The NASA-ISRO
Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has recently transmitted its inaugural images of
Earth’s surface. This milestone marks step as the joint mission prepares to
enter full science operations later in 2025. The data promises to enhance
disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and agricultural management
worldwide. NISAR is a collaborative Earth-observing
satellite mission by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Launched on 30 July 2025, it uses advanced L-band synthetic aperture radar
(SAR) technology. The satellite provides detailed radar images regardless of
weather or daylight. This capability is crucial for continuous monitoring of
Earth’s dynamic surface. The initial images include Mount Desert Island in
Maine and parts of northeastern North Dakota. The radar data shows water
bodies, forests, bare ground, and human-made structures with high precision.
Objects as small as five metres are distinguishable. The images reveal detailed
land use patterns such as wetlands, agricultural fields, and irrigation
methods.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Child Marriage Declines Sharply in India
by 2025: Recent data
reveals reduction in child marriage across India. A new report by Just
Rights for Children marks a 69% decline among girls and 72% among boys. This
progress results from coordinated efforts by the government, state authorities,
and civil society. The report was revealed at a UN General Assembly side event
in New York, marking a hopeful shift towards a child marriage-free India. Child
marriage rates have dropped dramatically in recent years. Assam leads with an
84% decline in girl child marriages. Maharashtra and Bihar follow with 70%
declines each. Rajasthan and Karnataka show 66% and 55% decreases respectively.
Arrests and FIRs have been key deterrents. The government’s Bal Vivah Mukt
Bharat Campaign has achieved
near-universal awareness. Most people now know the laws against child marriage
and feel comfortable reporting violations.
2. Oil India Discovers Natural Gas Off Andaman Islands: Oil India Limited (OIL) has reported natural gas discovery off the Andaman Islands. This is the first confirmed hydrocarbon find in the region’s shallow offshore block. The discovery may mark a new chapter in India’s energy exploration efforts, potentially reducing its heavy dependence on imports. OIL’s exploratory well, Vijayapuram-2, located about 17 km from the Andaman shoreline, encountered natural gas at a depth of around 2,212-2,250 metres under 295 metres of water. Initial production tests showed intermittent gas inflow. Gas samples tested contained 87% methane, confirming the presence of natural gas. Further isotope studies are underway to understand the origin of the gas. India imports about 88% of its oil and 50% of its natural gas. Discoveries like this could help reduce import dependence and enhance energy security. The Andaman basin’s potential has been compared to the Guyana oil fields, suggesting large-scale reserves might exist. Successful commercialisation could transform India’s eastern offshore energy landscape.