CURRENT AFFAIRS 12 September, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 12 September, 2025

1. INDIA–SRI LANKA FISHING DISPUTE AND WAY FORWARD –

• The India–Sri Lanka fishing dispute highlights the need for a “humane approach” that balances fishing livelihoods with ecological conservation in the Palk Strait and around Katchatheevu island.

What is the India–Sri Lanka Fishing Dispute?

• Location: The dispute centers around the Palk Strait, the narrow body of water separating Tamil Nadu (India) and the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Palk Strait connects the Palk Bay to the Bay of Bengal.
• Katchatheevu is a tiny, uninhabited islet in the Palk Strait. The dispute concerns this 285-acre island, which was ceded to Sri Lanka under the 1974 Maritime Boundary Agreement.
• While sovereignty is legally settled in Sri Lanka’s favour, Indian fishermen are allowed to visit the islet for drying nets and for religious purposes.
• Fishing rights remain a separate matter governed by historic practice, international law (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982), and bilateral agreements.
• Communities involved: Traditional Tamil Nadu fishers and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province fishers have shared these waters for centuries.
• Key conflict: Indian mechanised trawlers enter Sri Lankan waters, engaging in bottom trawling, which is banned in Sri Lanka since 2017. This damages coral reefs, shrimp habitats, and depletes fish stocks.
• Small-scale artisanal fishers struggle to survive as mechanised trawlers pursue commercial profit, often damaging shared marine resources.
• The conflict is thus both cross-border (India–Sri Lanka) and intra-community (artisanal vs trawler operators in Tamil Nadu).
• High Seas Issues: Due to depleted fish stocks, Indian fishermen are increasingly venturing into the High Seas, leading to arrests in Maldivian waters and by the British Navy near Diego Garcia for allegedly crossing maritime boundaries.

2. FIRST TFR DIP IN 2 YEARS –

• The Sample Registration Survey (SRS) Statistical Report 2023, released by the Office of the Registrar General of India, reveals a notable decline in India’s birth rate and fertility trends.

Key Findings of the SRS 2023

• Demographic Implications: For the first time in two years, the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped, raising significant demographic and policy implications.
• Crude Birth Rate (CBR): Declined from 19.1 (2022) to 18.4 (2023) per 1,000 population.
• Highest CBR: Bihar (25.8).
• Lowest CBR: Tamil Nadu (12).
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Fell to 1.9 in 2023, down from 2.0 in 2021 and 2022.
• Highest TFR: Bihar (2.8), followed by Uttar Pradesh (2.6), Madhya Pradesh (2.4), Rajasthan (2.3), and Chhattisgarh (2.2).
• Lowest TFR: Delhi (1.2), West Bengal (1.3), Tamil Nadu (1.3), Maharashtra (1.4).
• Crude Death Rate (CDR): Reduced from 6.8 (2022) to 6.4 (2023).
• Highest CDR: Odisha (8.3).
• Lowest CDR: Delhi (4.1).
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): National IMR stands at 25 per 1,000 live births, a one-point decline from 2022 and a 7-point fall over the last five years.
• Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Stood at 917 females per 1,000 males in 2023, improving by three points over the previous year.
• SRB: Highest in Chhattisgarh (974) and Kerala (971); lowest in Uttarakhand (868). Bihar’s SRB declined from 964 (2020) to 897 (2023).
• Ageing Population: Elderly proportion rose to 9.7% in 2023, up by 0.7 percentage points in one year.
• Elderly Population Share: Highest in Kerala (15%), lowest in Assam, Delhi, and Jharkhand (~7.6–7.7%).

3. INDIA’S BLUE REVOLUTION TRANSFORMS FISHERIES SECTOR –

• India’s fisheries sector has witnessed a remarkable transformation under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), launched in 2020. As the scheme completes five years, it has strengthened the sector’s ecological sustainability, economic viability, and social inclusiveness. Production has surged, infrastructure has improved, and thousands of livelihoods have been empowered. The government’s decision to extend the scheme through 2025–26 signals continued commitment to this vital sector.

Fish Production

• Since 2013–14, fish production in India has more than doubled, reaching 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25. Inland fisheries have grown even faster, by 142%. This growth positions India as the world’s second-largest fish producer. The surge reflects improved farming methods, better infrastructure, and effective policy support.

Infrastructure and Financial Investment

• The scheme has approved projects worth over ₹21,274 crore. Central government funding accounts for ₹9,189 crore, with ₹5,587 crore already released for implementation. Infrastructure development includes harbours, cold storage, and markets, with ₹17,210 crore allocated. These investments reduce post-harvest losses and improve supply chain efficiency.

4. INDIAN ARMY LEADS MAJOR FLOOD RELIEF OPERATIONS 2025 –

• The Indian Army’s Western Command has been at the forefront of extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions in flood-affected regions of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. Since mid-August 2025, the Army has executed 82 relief missions, evacuating over 6,000 people and delivering essential supplies to devastated communities. These efforts demonstrate a well-coordinated response to one of the season’s worst natural disasters in northern India.

Scope of Relief Operations

• The Army deployed 59 columns including 17 Engineer Task Forces to assist flood victims. More than 13,000 people received medical aid including emergency evacuation of critical cases. Supplies such as medicines, water, and 48 tons of rations were delivered through air drops and ground transport. Air assets included Advanced Light Helicopters, MI 17s, Cheetah helicopters, and a Chinook, flying over 250 hours to support relief.

Coordination and Integrated Approach

• Operations were conducted in close coordination with civil administration, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF). This integrated approach ensured efficient use of resources and timely assistance. The joint effort reflects India’s resilience and unity in crisis management.

5. UNDERSTANDING ETHANOL: COMPOSITION, USES, AND BENEFITS –

• Ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol, is one of the most widely used alcohols in the world. From being a key ingredient in alcoholic beverages to playing a vital role in industries and renewable energy, ethanol has become an important compound in modern life. For government job aspirants and curious readers, understanding ethanol’s composition, uses, and benefits is highly relevant, especially as questions related to energy, health, and industry often appear in exams.

What is Ethanol?

• Ethanol is a simple alcohol with the chemical formula C₂H₅OH. It is a clear, colorless, and volatile liquid with a distinct odor. Ethanol is naturally produced through the fermentation of sugars by yeast, making it one of the oldest known alcohols to humankind.

Key Properties of Ethanol

• Chemical Formula: C₂H₅OH
• Molecular Weight: 46.07 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 78.37 °C
• Soluble in water, making it highly versatile in applications.

Major Uses of Ethanol

1. Alcoholic Beverages
2. Fuel and Energy
3. Industrial Applications
4. Medical and Sanitation

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   The Bonda tribe is mainly found in which state ?

1. a) Madhya Pradesh
2. b) Odisha
3. c) Jharkhand
4. d) Bihar

Q2.   What is the name of the world’s first Digital Tribal University launched in New Delhi ?

1. a) Janjatiya Kala Kendra
2. b) Adi Sanskriti
3. c) Vanvasi Vishwavidyalaya
4. d) Aadi Mahotsav

Q3.   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

Q4.   Consider the following statements regarding Exercise Zapad 2025:

1. It is a bilateral military exercise exclusively between India and Russia.
2. The primary focus of the exercise is on high-intensity conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations.

          Which of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Exercise Zapad is a multilateral military exercise hosted by Russia, with participation from India and several other partner nations. It is not an exclusive bilateral exercise between India and Russia.
• Statement 2 is correct. The exercise is designed to simulate high-intensity conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations in a multinational setting, aiming to enhance the interoperability and tactical capabilities of the participating forces.
• The modern iteration of the Zapad series of exercises is conducted on a quadrennial basis (every four years). The first of the modern series was held in 2009.

Q5.   Regarding the Office of the Vice President of India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Vice President must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.
2. The Vice President acts as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
3. The Vice President can be removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha with a simple majority and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.
4. The Vice President assumes the office of the President for the remaining term if a vacancy occurs due to the President’s death.

          Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. To be eligible for the office of Vice President, a person must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), not the Lok Sabha.
• Statement 2 is correct. As per Article 64 of the Constitution, the Vice President is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The Vice President can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an effective majority (majority of the then total members of the House) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha with a simple majority.
• Statement 4 is incorrect. If the office of the President falls vacant due to death, resignation, or removal, the Vice President acts as President only until a new President is elected, which must be held within six months of the vacancy. The Vice President does not serve the remainder of the deceased President’s term.

Answer Key