CURRENT AFFAIRS 11 September, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 11 September, 2025

1. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA –

• NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan won the Vice-Presidential election on September 9, 2025, securing 452 votes against Opposition nominee B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes.

About the Vice-President of India

• Constitutional Provision: The office of the Vice-President is provided under Article 63 of the Constitution.
• Position: Holds the second-highest constitutional office after the President of India.

Powers and Functions of the Vice-President

• Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
• Presides over Rajya Sabha proceedings with powers similar to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• Draws salary and allowances in this capacity.
• Holds the authority to cast a decisive vote in case of a tie.
• Acting as the President of India: Performs the duties of the President when:
• The office of President falls vacant due to resignation, impeachment, death, or any other reason (for a maximum of six months, until a new President is elected).
• The President is temporarily unable to discharge duties due to absence, illness, or other causes.
• During this period, the Vice-President does not act as Chairman of Rajya Sabha; those duties are performed by the Deputy Chairman.
• When functioning as President, the Vice-President receives the salary and allowances of the President, not those of the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
• Succession in Rajya Sabha: In case of the Vice-President’s resignation, removal, or death, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha discharges the functions of the Chairman.

2. SHOULD THE 50% RESERVATION CAP BE RAISED? –

• Bihar’s Opposition leader has proposed increasing quotas to 85% if voted to power, while the Supreme Court has sought the Centre’s response on applying the ‘creamy layer’ concept to SCs and STs.
• These debates on reservation challenge the 50% constitutional cap and raise concerns about equitable distribution of benefits among marginalised groups.

What are the Key Provisions Related to Reservations in India?

• About: Reservation is a form of positive discrimination aimed at promoting equality for marginalized groups and addressing social and historical injustices. It provides preferential treatment in education and employment to uplift disadvantaged communities.
• At the central level, reservations include 27% for OBCs, 15% for SCs, 7.5% for STs, and 10% for EWS, making a total of about 59.5%, though the share differs across States as per their policies and demographics.
• Key Provisions: The Constitution of India incorporates various provisions to promote social justice and ensure adequate representation for historically disadvantaged communities.
• These provisions span across Part III (Fundamental Rights) and Part XVI (Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes).
• Articles under Part III on Reservation:
• Article 15(3): Empowers the State to make special provisions for women and children.
• Article 15(4): Enables the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, including SCs and STs.
• Article 15(5): Allows for reservation in educational institutions (including private, unaided institutions but excluding minority institutions) for socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs.
• Article 15(6): Introduced via the 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019), allows the State to make special provisions, including reservations, for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) among unreserved categories.
• Article 16(4): Permits reservation in appointments/posts for any backward class of citizens not adequately represented in state services.
• Article 16(4A): Allows reservation in promotions for SCs and STs (77th Amendment Act, 1995, modified by the 85th Amendment Act, 2001 to include consequential seniority).
• Article 16(4B): Allows the State to carry forward unfilled reserved vacancies from previous years without breaching the 50% ceiling (81st Amendment Act, 2000).
• Article 16(6): Provides for reservation in public employment for EWS, distinct from the backward class reservations.

3. INDIA’S MISSION SUDARSHAN CHAKRA AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM –

• India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made stride by successfully testing an integrated air defence system. This development is part of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed to be fully operational by 2035.
• The system demonstrated the ability to intercept targets at multiple altitudes and ranges. This marks a major step towards a multi-layered air defence shield combining legacy and modern weaponry to counter evolving aerial threats.

Recent Developments

• DRDO’s recent tests showcased the engagement of three targets simultaneously at different heights and distances. This marks the multi-tiered nature of the system, integrating Indian Air Force and Army air defence capabilities. It reflects India’s strategic focus on preparing for future warfare, which is expected to be fought at stand-off distances using advanced technologies.

4. ISRO TRANSFERS SSLV TECHNOLOGY TO HAL FOR INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION –

• India’s space sector reached a historic milestone as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed its 100th technology transfer agreement, enabling Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to independently manufacture Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs).
• The agreement was formalised with the participation of ISRO, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and HAL. It represents a significant step in building India’s self-reliant space ecosystem while tapping into the booming global small-satellite launch market.

Key Details of the Agreement

• Outcome: Two SSLV missions will be executed during the agreement period under ISRO guidance.
• The deal ensures that HAL will gradually transition to full-scale independent SSLV production, strengthening the private-sector role in India’s space programme.

Why SSLVs Matter

• Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) are designed for launching small satellites (500 kg or less) into low Earth orbit. They offer

5. FIVE YEARS OF BLUE REVOLUTION: GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY IN FISHERIES –

• Launched on September 10, 2020, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has completed five transformative years, reshaping India’s fisheries into a sector that is ecologically sustainable, economically resilient, and socially inclusive. Extended through 2025–26 with its original funding structure, PMMSY continues to strengthen India’s Blue Revolution by bridging gaps in production, quality, technology, and post-harvest infrastructure.

Record-Breaking Achievements in Fisheries

• The numbers highlight PMMSY’s success,
• Fish Production: Reached 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, a 104% increase since 2013–14.
• Inland Fisheries: Grew 142% in the same period.
• Global Standing: India is now the world’s second-largest fish producer.
• Exports: Fisheries exports have surged, boosting India’s global competitiveness.

Financial Commitments and Infrastructure Development

• PMMSY has rapidly expanded in scale and investment,
• ₹21,274 crore worth of projects approved across states and agencies (till mid-2025).
• ₹9,189 crore central share, with ₹5,587 crore already released for execution.
• ₹17,210 crore allocated for infrastructure such as harbours, cold storage, and markets.
• PM-MKSSY (Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana) launched in 2024 with a ₹6,000 crore budget to formalize fisheries, expand insurance, and strengthen value chains.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Which city topped the list of million-plus-population cities in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025 ?

1. a) Lucknow
2. b) Indore
3. c) Surat
4. d) Varanasi

Q2.   What is the theme of Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) 2025 ?

1. a) Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future
2. b) Defence Preparedness in a New Era
3. c) Technology and Strategy for Future Conflicts
4. d) Self Reliance in Defence Production

Q3.   Which state has become the fifth State/Union Territory (UT) to achieve full functional literacy ?

1. a) Himachal Pradesh
2. b) Lakshadweep
3. c) Uttarakhand
4. d) Manipur

Q4.   Regarding the election of the Vice-President of India, consider the following statements:

1. The Electoral College for the Vice-Presidential election consists of elected members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, but not the nominated members.
2. The value of the vote of each Member of Parliament is the same in the Vice-Presidential election.
3. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, and party whips are not applicable, allowing for cross-voting.

          How many of the above statements is/are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All three
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The Electoral College for the Vice-President’s election is composed of all members (both elected and nominated) of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. This is a key difference from the Presidential election, where nominated members do not participate.
• Statement 2 is correct. In the Vice-Presidential election, the vote of every Member of Parliament has a uniform value, which is 1. This simplifies the counting process compared to the Presidential election, where the value of an MLA’s vote varies from state to state based on population.
• Statement 3 is correct. The election employs the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (STV) to ensure the winning candidate has broad support. Furthermore, the voting is conducted by secret ballot, and the provisions of the anti-defection law (which mandates following a party whip) do not apply to this election. This principle of a secret ballot allows MPs to vote according to their conscience, making cross-voting possible.

Q5.   The mascot for the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025, held in Rajgir, Bihar, was ‘Chaand’. What does this mascot symbolize ?

1. a) The historical significance of the Mauryan Empire in Bihar.
2. b) The spirit of non-violence and peace associated with Bihar’s history.
3. c) The cultural heritage of Mithila painting from the region.
4. d) The biodiversity of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, representing skill, courage, and pride.

Explanation-

• The mascot ‘Chaand’ was designed to be a fierce tiger, symbolizing a combination of key attributes relevant to sport and the host region’s natural heritage. The choice of a tiger is directly inspired by the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, which is a prominent wildlife sanctuary located in the state of Bihar.
• The mascot’s characteristics—skill, courage, agility, and pride—are meant to reflect the qualities of the athletes competing in the high-stakes tournament. By linking the mascot to a significant ecological site, the event also promoted awareness of Bihar’s rich biodiversity and its conservation efforts.

Answer Key