DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th September – 2025

Category: AGRICULTURE

Context:  Researchers in Rajasthan successfully grew wheat in desert land using an indigenous bioformulation-based soilification technology, showing potential to stop desertification and boost agriculture in arid regions.

• Experiment site: Conducted by Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) at Banseli village, Ajmer district.
• Technology: Used desert ‘soilification’ with indigenous bioformulation to convert desert sand into soil-like structure.
• Water efficiency: Wheat required only 3 irrigations (vs. 5–6 normally) due to high water retention.
• Key features: Bioformulation enhanced water retention, improved soil structure, stimulated microbial activity, and increased crop stress resistance.
• Pilot results: 13 kg wheat seeds yielded 26 kg harvest per 100 sq. metres in April 2025.
• Higher yield: Experimental field with bajra, guar gum, and chickpea showed 54% higher yield in bioformulation-amended sand.
• Support: Facilitated by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Rajasthan Horticulture Department.
• Impact: Reduced water input, higher productivity, and potential to curb desertification in Thar desert region.
• Future plan: Expand technology to crops like millet and green gram in Rajasthan’s dry regions.

Learning Corner:

Soilification

• Meaning:
  Soilification is a process of transforming loose, infertile sand (desert soil) into soil-like material that can support plant growth.
• How it works:
  • Uses polymers, bioformulations, or natural binders to cross-link sand particles.
  • Improves soil aggregation and water retention capacity.
  • Enriches the substrate with microbial activity to provide nutrients and resilience to crops.
• Key Objectives:
  • Convert arid, barren desert land into productive agricultural fields.
  • Reduce irrigation demand by retaining more water in sandy soils.
  • Combat desertification and land degradation.
• Applications:
  • Tested in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert for wheat, bajra, guar gum, and chickpea cultivation.
  • Used in dry and semi-arid regions globally (China, Middle East, Africa) to reclaim deserts.
• Significance:
  • Provides a sustainable land restoration method.
  • Helps ensure food security in desert-prone countries.
  • Supports climate change adaptation by reclaiming degraded lands.

Source: THE HINDU

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context : India has formally decommissioned the MiG-21 jets after six decades of service, marking the end of an iconic era in the Indian Air Force.

• Key Statement: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called MiG-21 a “symbol of India-Russia ties” and a lesson for future indigenous platforms.
• Aircraft: Last MiG-21 jets belonged to No. 23 Squadron (Panthers).
• Ceremony: Included symbolic switch-off of six MiG-21s and handing over of aircraft documents to Air Chief.
• Attendees: Senior IAF officials, veterans, pilots, engineers, and technicians who worked with MiG-21.
• Tribute Performances: Surya Kiran aerobatic team, Tejas, and Jaguar fighter jets performed aerial manoeuvres.
• Legacy: Played crucial roles in 1971 war, Kargil conflict, Balakot air strike, and Operation Sindoor.
• Impact: Reduced IAF’s effective fighter squadron strength to 29, the lowest since 1960s.
• Future Outlook: Govt emphasized success of indigenous platforms like LCA-Tejas and upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Learning Corner:

MiG-21 Fighter Aircraft

• Full Name: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21.
• Origin: Developed by the Soviet Union (first flew in 1956).
• Induction in India: Entered Indian Air Force (IAF) service in 1963, becoming the first supersonic fighter jet of India.
• Service Duration: Served for over 60 years, the longest-serving combat aircraft in IAF history.
• Role in Wars:
  • 1971 India-Pakistan War: Played a decisive role, including shooting down enemy aircraft.
  • Kargil War (1999): Actively used in ground attack and support missions.
  • Balakot Air Strike (2019): MiG-21 Bison piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman engaged in aerial combat.
  • Operation Sindoor and other missions.
• Variants in India: MiG-21FL, MiG-21M, MiG-21MF, and upgraded MiG-21 Bison.
• Legacy:
  • Known as the “backbone” of the IAF for decades.
  • Symbol of India-Russia defence cooperation.
  • Provided combat experience to generations of IAF pilots.

Source:  THE HINDU

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Delhi and nearby cities are witnessing a surge in H3N2 influenza cases, with doctors urging precautions due to rising infections, especially among vulnerable groups.

• Disease: H3N2 is an Influenza A subtype virus causing respiratory illness.
• Current trend: Hospitals report rise in cases; August saw ~80, September ~100 cases.
• Symptoms: Fever, body ache, cough, sore throat, congestion; symptoms more intense this year.
• Spread: Transmitted through coughing, close contact, and contaminated surfaces.
• Vulnerable groups: Elderly, children, pregnant women, people with diabetes, asthma, heart/kidney disease, or low immunity.
• Illness duration: Typically lasts 5–7 days; cough and weakness may persist for weeks.
• Complications: Risk of secondary bacterial infection in those with comorbidities.
• Precaution: Avoid close contact, wear masks, maintain hygiene, get vaccinated.
• Challenge: Difficult to confirm if H3N2 cases are rising due to inadequate surveillance.
• Doctors’ advice: Urgent need for vaccination, especially for high-risk groups.

Learning Corner:

Avian Influenza (Avian Flu) 

• A zoonotic viral infection caused by Influenza A viruses that primarily affect birds but can infect humans and other animals.
• Classified into Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) depending on severity in poultry.

Major Types / Strains

1. H5N1
   • First detected in humans in 1997 (Hong Kong).
   • Highly pathogenic; causes severe respiratory illness with high fatality rate.
   • Endemic in parts of Asia and Africa.
   • Limited human-to-human transmission.
2. H7N9
   • First reported in humans in China (2013).
   • Usually low pathogenic in birds but can cause severe illness in humans.
   • High mortality among reported human cases.
3. H5N6
   • Reported in poultry outbreaks in Asia.
   • Sporadic human infections (mostly in China).
   • Causes severe respiratory disease in humans.
4. H9N2
   • Low pathogenic in birds.
   • Human infections are usually mild.
   • Important because it can mix with other influenza viruses, acting as a “gene donor” for new strains.
5. H10N3 / H10N8
   • Rare human cases reported in China.
   • H10N8 caused fatal cases in 2013.
   • Still considered sporadic but monitored for pandemic potential.
6. H3N2 (variant of concern for humans, not birds alone)
   • Causes seasonal influenza in humans, but also linked with zoonotic spillover.
   • Not classified as a classic “avian flu,” but shares cross-species transmission risks.

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context India has signed its largest-ever contract for indigenous fighter jets with HAL to procure 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft for the IAF.”

• Deal Value: ₹62,370 crore
• Date Finalized: 25 September 2025
• Aircraft Ordered:
  • 68 single-seat Tejas Mk1A
  • 29 twin-seat Tejas Mk1A
• Delivery Timeline: From 2027, spread over six years
• Indigenous Content: Over 64%
• Key Features:
  • UTTAM AESA radar
  • Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) systems
• Impact:
  • Boosts IAF squadron strength
  • Generates employment opportunities
  • Strengthens India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem
  • Advances Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance in defence)

Learning Corner:

Tejas Mk1A 

• Type: Lightweight, single-engine, 4.5 generation multirole fighter aircraft.
• Developer: Designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Category: Indigenous aircraft under India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program.

Key Features

• Avionics & Radar: Equipped with UTTAM AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar.
• Electronic Warfare: Advanced EW suite with self-protection jammers and countermeasures.
• Weapons Capability: Can carry BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles, precision-guided munitions, and air-to-air/air-to-ground missiles.
• Airframe: Composite materials for reduced weight and radar cross-section.
• Refueling: In-flight refueling capability.
• Indigenous Content: Over 60–65% indigenous systems, contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Operational Role

• Designed for air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions.
• Enhances IAF squadron strength, replacing older MiG-21 aircraft.

Source: PIB

Category: ECONOMICS

Context The Indian Rupee has been steadily weakening against the US Dollar in 2025, driven by external factors like exchange rate dependencies and falling foreign investments.

• Current exchange value: Rupee dropped to ₹88.6 per USD, an all-time low.
• Comparative trend:
  • USD has weakened against most global currencies (Euro, Yuan, Real).
  • INR, however, lost ~13% of value since Jan 2025, making it weaker than Euro and Pound.
• Reason for slide:
  • Exchange rate fluctuations tied to global demand for USD.
  • India’s weaker appeal for foreign investors → fall in FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investment) and FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) inflows.
• Impact:
  • Makes imports costlier (oil, goods priced in USD).
  • But provides a silver lining by making Indian exports more competitive globally.
  • Weak rupee could offset US tariff barriers.
• Underlying issue: Reflects India’s sluggish GDP growth, stagnant exports, and lower foreign capital inflows, leading to pressure on the rupee.

Learning Corner:

Impact of Rupee Sliding on Indian Economy

1. On Trade Balance

• Imports: Costlier imports as payments are in USD. For example, India imports crude oil (~85% of its requirement). If rupee slides from ₹83/$ to ₹88/$, the oil bill rises sharply, worsening Current Account Deficit (CAD).
• Exports: Becomes more competitive globally since Indian goods priced in USD become cheaper for foreign buyers. For instance, Indian IT services or pharmaceutical exports may gain demand.
• Net Effect: If exports don’t rise enough to offset higher import bill, trade deficit widens.

2. On Inflation

• Imported inflation rises as global commodities (oil, fertilizers, edible oils, electronics) get costlier in rupee terms.
• Higher fuel cost → raises transport and logistics cost, feeding into retail inflation (CPI).
• Example: If crude rises to $80/barrel, a weaker rupee amplifies the domestic petrol/diesel price hike.

3. On Other Macro Variables

• Foreign Capital Flows: Investors pull out due to currency instability → FPI outflows increase.
• Corporate Sector: Companies with foreign currency borrowings (ECBs) face higher repayment burden.
• Growth: Rising input costs and investment slowdown → dampens GDP growth.
• External Debt: India’s external debt servicing cost rises in rupee terms.
• Exchange Reserves: RBI may need to intervene, depleting forex reserves.

RBI Tools to Handle Impact

1. Direct Intervention

• Spot and Forward Market Operations: RBI sells USD from its forex reserves to reduce volatility and stabilize rupee.
• Example: In 2013 “Taper Tantrum,” RBI sold dollars heavily to contain rupee fall.

2. Monetary Policy Tools

• Repo Rate Hike: To control inflationary pressure and make rupee assets attractive for foreign investors.
• CRR/SLR Adjustments: Manage liquidity in banking system.

3. Market Measures

• Open Market Operations (OMO): Buying/selling government securities to manage rupee liquidity.
• Special Swap Windows: Offered to oil companies or banks to ease USD demand.

4. Macroprudential / Administrative Measures

• Easing FPI/FDI norms: To attract foreign inflows.
• External Borrowing Norms: Adjusting limits for corporates to borrow abroad.
• Import Controls: Temporary measures to curb non-essential imports (e.g., gold curbs in 2013).

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Introduction (Context) 

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has recently filed a complaint with the Delhi Police alleging misappropriation of funds at the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). 

• This comes only months after the NSDC board removed its CEO, highlighting deep-rooted governance issues in an institution once envisioned as the principal architect of India’s skill development ecosystem.

Rising Unemployment: The Urgency of Skilling

• India’s unemployment rate stood at 5.6% in June 2025, up from 5.1% in May (PLFS).
• Postgraduates face 17.2% unemployment, higher than 10.8% among those with only secondary education (CMIE, 2024).
• Over 5 crore youth are enrolled in higher education institutions, yet less than 15% are employable by industry standards (India Skills Report 2024).
• Only 27% of arts and 33% of science graduates are considered job-ready (CII, 2023).
• Despite a Gross Enrolment Ratio of 28.4% in higher education (AISHE, 2023), graduate unemployment remains persistently high.
• This mismatch between education and employability underscores the urgency of large-scale skilling and reskilling initiatives.

About National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)

• Established in 2008 as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under Section 25 of the Companies Act (now Section 8).
• Equity structure: 49% Government of India (via NSDF) and 51% private sector entities.
• Objective: To skill/upskill 150 million people by 2022 (now aligned with India@2047).
• Key roles:
  • Implementing agency for Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
  • Partnerships with 600+ private training partners and 37 Sector Skill Councils.
  • Support through funding, programme design, and industry partnerships.

Issues and Concerns in NSDC Operations

• Financial irregularities: FIRs against training partners for tampering with attendance to claim funds.
• Weak governance: Allegations of fund misappropriation and lack of internal checks.
• Audit observations: The CAG (2015) flagged serious gaps in governance, accountability, and role implementation in NSDF and NSDC.
• Quality concerns: Questionable training standards and poor employment prospects.
• Placement gap: Under PMKVY and STAR (till March 2024), 1.13 crore candidates certified but only 24.4 lakh placed.
• Low employability: Certified candidates remain poorly prepared for industry requirements.

Way Forward

1. Strengthen governance and audits – introduce stricter financial oversight, internal audits, and independent monitoring.
2. Outcome-based evaluation – focus on placements, wage gains, and long-term employability, not enrolment numbers.
3. Industry integration – deepen collaboration with industry to ensure market-relevant curricula, apprenticeships, and skill mapping.
4. Curriculum innovation – update training with digital tools, AI-based assessments, and lifelong learning modules.
5. Inclusivity focus – target vulnerable groups, rural youth, women, and marginalized communities for equitable skilling access.

Conclusion

Skill development is a critical pillar to harness India’s demographic dividend and achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047. However, persistent issues of governance failures, poor accountability, and low-quality outcomes at NSDC threaten this mission. Urgent reforms in governance, quality control, and industry alignment are essential to restore credibility and make skilling a true driver of employment and inclusive growth.

Mains Practice Question

1. Skill development is key to harnessing India’s demographic dividend, yet governance failures at NSDC threaten this mission. Analyse. (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/irregularities-national-skill-development-corporation-addressed-urgently-10271581/?ref=opinion_pg

Introduction

The Supreme Court’s judgment in Vasanta Sampat Dupare v. Union of India (August 2025) marks a watershed moment in India’s death penalty jurisprudence. For the first time, the Court has held that failure to follow death penalty sentencing procedures is not merely an irregularity but a violation of fundamental rights, particularly the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Embodying Justice S B Sinha’s vision in Santosh Bariyar v. State of Maharashtra (May 2009), this judgment anchors the death penalty sentencing process firmly within the constitutional guarantees of equality, fairness, and due process. 

Provisions of death penalty in India

• The death penalty (capital punishment) is the state-sanctioned execution of a person after conviction for a grave offence. 
• India retains the death penalty for the “rarest of rare” cases as laid down in Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980). 
• Provisions include:
• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty, permitting deprivation only by procedure established by law.
• Articles 72 & 161: Power of the President and Governors to grant pardon, reprieve, or commute death sentences.
• Section 354(3), CrPC 1973: Mandates “special reasons” for awarding the death sentence.
• IPC Sections: Capital punishment is prescribed for offences such as murder (Sec. 302), waging war against the State, terrorism-related crimes, and certain cases of rape (POCSO amendments).

Evolution of Jurisprudence

• Bachan Singh (1980) upheld the constitutional validity of the death penalty but required a careful balancing of aggravating and mitigating circumstances, considering both the crime and the accused
• Santosh Bariyar (2009), led by Justice S B Sinha, framed non-compliance with sentencing safeguards as a constitutional breach but stopped short of declaring mandatory reversal of death sentences.
• Manoj v. State of MP (2022) mandated the state to submit reports on personal circumstances of the accused by a probation officer, a psychological and psychiatric assessment, and conduct in prison. However, trial courts widely ignored these directives; research shows 94% of death sentences after Manoj violated these safeguards.

Dupare judgment

The Dupare judgment builds upon these precedents by:

• Declaring that breach of Manoj guidelines is a violation of fundamental rights, not a mere procedural lapse.
• Mandating that death sentences imposed in violation of sentencing safeguards must be set aside.

Significance

• The judgment firmly anchors the death penalty within constitutional demands of equality, fairness, and due process.
• Nearly 600 prisoners currently on death row in India could potentially benefit from this ruling, given the routine disregard of sentencing procedure. 
• By making procedural safeguards non-negotiable, the Court has significantly limited the constitutional legitimacy of capital punishment.

Conclusion

The Dupare ruling is more than a procedural correction—it is a constitutional turning point. By recognising that death penalty sentencing must fully comply with fundamental rights, the Supreme Court has tightened the constitutional noose around capital punishment.

Mains Practice Question

Q The Supreme Court’s Dupare judgment has elevated death penalty sentencing safeguards to the level of fundamental rights. Critically examine (250 words, 15 marks)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/death-penalty-has-been-widely-unfairly-imposed-supreme-court-dupare-10272792/