Daily Current Affairs — 27 September 2025
6 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal
In News The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for another six months. Criticisms Alleged human rights violations including cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances. Considered against democratic ethos, limiting fundamental rights such as life and liberty (Article 21).
Desertification in India & Farming Technology
Context Recently, researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) have successfully grown wheat on desert land using an innovative ‘soilification technology’ powered by an indigenous bioformulation. About Desertification Desertification is defined as land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas due to various factors including climatic variations and human activities. According to the Space Applications Centre of ISRO, about 30% of India’s total geographical area suff
Survey on R&D Postponed Due to Weak Response from Private Sector
Context The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has postponed the publication of its latest science and technology analysis due to a weak response from private Research Development (RD) firms. Findings of the 2023 Survey In 2020–21, India spent only 0.64% of its GDP on scientific research – the lowest since 1996 (excluding defence research). Industrially developed countries such as the United States, China, Japan, Finland, South Korea, and Germany spend anywhere from 1.5% to 3.5% of their
World Tourism Day
Context India celebrated World Tourism Day 2025, highlighting sustainable tourism and advancing the vision of a Viksit Bharat. About World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, is an initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). It commemorates the adoption of the UNWTO statutes in 1970 and was celebrated for the first time in 1980.
Firecracker Ban: Balancing Environmental Protection and Social Justice
Context The Supreme Court acknowledged that a complete firecracker ban could lead to illegal market capture by the mafia, citing a past example in Bihars mining industry. About The SC called for a “balanced approach”, a policy that would ensure that the right to earn a livelihood in the firecracker industry would co-exist with the right to a clean environment without suffering from the after-effects of air pollution. The Bench directed the Environment Ministry to find a solution that would weigh
Natural Gas Discovery in Andaman Basin
In News Oil India Ltd (OIL) has reported a significant natural gas discovery off the Andaman Islands, marking the first confirmed hydrocarbon occurrence in the region. Hydrocarbon Potential of Andaman Basin Hydrocarbon Resource Assessment Study (HRAS): Estimates 371 MMTOE (Million Metric Tons of Oil Equivalent) in the AN Basin. It is part of the Bengal-Arakan sedimentary system.