Daily GK Update- 30th Sept, 2025

 

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.