CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 September, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 September, 2025

1. SWACHHATA HI SEVA 2025 –

• The Government of India launched the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 campaign, conducting cleanliness drives nationwide.
• Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 continues the momentum of the Swachh Bharat Mission (2014), reinforcing India’s commitment to sanitation and hygiene.
• SHS 2025 theme, “Swachhotsav”, blends the spirit of festive celebrations with the responsibility of cleanliness.
• The campaign focuses on voluntarism, collective action, and public participation, promoting the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to engage citizens in maintaining clean surroundings.

Swachh Bharat Mission(SBM)

• Launch & Objective: SBM (Grameen) and SBM (Urban) were launched in 2014 to eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation in rural and urban India.

SBM-Grameen:

• Phase I (2014-2019): Achieved 100% sanitation coverage, over 10 crore household toilets, and declared all villages ODF.
• Phase II (2020-2025/26): Focuses on sustaining ODF, solid and liquid waste management, and transforming villages to ODF Plus Model.

SBM-Urban (SBM-U):

• Phase I (2014-2021): Targeted ODF cities and 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste across 4,041 statutory towns.
• Phase II / SBM-U 2.0 (2021-2026): Aims for “Garbage Free” cities, institutionalizing Swachh behavior, and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
• Impact: SBM has significantly improved sanitation, hygiene, and waste management infrastructure, contributing to public health, quality of life, and urban-rural transformation.

2. 2ND ANNIVERSARY PM VISHWAKARMA YOJANA –

• The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) organised a ‘PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub Mega Conclave’ in Bodh Gaya, Bihar to mark the 2nd anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

PM Vishwakarma Scheme

• About: Launched on 17th September 2023, it is a Central Sector Scheme offering comprehensive support to traditional artisans and craftspeople involved in manual and tool-based work.
• Implementation: The scheme will be jointly implemented by the Union Ministries of MSME, Skill Development, and Finance.
• Eligibility: The applicant must be an artisan or craftsperson in one of the 18 traditional trades in the unorganized sector, self-employed, above 18 years, and actively working at the time of registration.
• The 18 eligible trades include Carpenter, Boat Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith, Locksmith, Goldsmith, Potter among others.
• Exclusion: Beneficiaries who have availed loans under similar credit-based schemes of the Centre or State for self-employment or business development in the past 5 years.
• Achievements: Over two years, 23 lakh people received free skill training, 8 lakh toolkits were provided, and ₹4,100 crore in collateral-free loans were disbursed.

3. US FED CUTS RATE BY 25 BPS, SIGNALS EASING CYCLE –

• In a notable monetary policy shift, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) has cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.00%–4.25%, marking its first rate reduction in 2025. This move signals the beginning of a possible rate easing cycle, aimed at balancing persistent inflation with signs of a cooling labour market and economic growth moderation. This development is crucial for aspirants studying global economic trends, central bank tools, and international monetary dynamics.

Key Announcements

• The Fed acknowledged moderating economic growth in the first half of 2025.
• Job gains have slowed, and the unemployment rate has edged slightly higher.
• Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, but has shown signs of easing.
• The Fed reaffirmed its commitment to its dual mandate: price stability and maximum employment.
• One committee member dissented, preferring a more aggressive rate cut.

Why the Fed Cut Rates

1. Labour Market Weakening: While still relatively strong, job creation has declined, and the signs of softening labour indicators have raised concerns about economic resilience.
2. Growth Slowdown: Consumer spending, manufacturing activity, and housing markets have moderated, prompting the Fed to adopt a more accommodative stance.
3. Inflation Control: Although inflation remains above target, its decelerating trend gives the Fed room to act without igniting price instability.

4. VYOMMITRA: ISRO’S AI HALF-HUMANOID FOR GAGANYAAN –

• India’s ambitious Gaganyaan space mission is set to achieve a key milestone with the deployment of Vyommitra, an AI-powered half-humanoid robot, in an uncrewed test flight scheduled for December 2025. According to ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, this robot will simulate human functions during flight, enabling scientists to assess conditions inside the crew module ahead of India’s first manned space mission.
• This development underscores India’s technological capabilities in robotics, space medicine, AI integration, and human spaceflight—important themes for science and technology sections in competitive exams.

What Is Vyommitra?

• Vyommitra (from Sanskrit: Vyoma meaning sky and Mitra meaning friend) is a half-humanoid female robot developed by ISRO to perform functions similar to that of a human astronaut.

Key Features

• AI-enabled: Capable of speech, environmental monitoring, system control, and human interaction
• Half-humanoid: Upper body only—designed to mimic key human functions relevant to space missions
• Sensory capabilities: Monitors parameters like temperature, pressure, humidity, and CO₂ levels inside the crew module
• Command execution: Can operate switch panels and interact with ground control
• Vyommitra is part of the preparatory phase of the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program.

5. SAUDI ARABIA–PAKISTAN DEFENCE PACT WHAT IS IT? –

• In a move that marks a significant shift in the regional security landscape, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Mutual Defence Agreement on September 17, 2025. The agreement explicitly states that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” reflecting a deepened strategic alliance. This pact, signed amid rising instability in West Asia, particularly following escalating tensions involving Israel and Qatar, is being viewed as a turning point in the Saudi–Pakistan relationship. For India, the agreement raises critical geopolitical questions, especially concerning balance of power and regional diplomacy.

What the Defence Pact Entails

• The Saudi–Pakistan defence pact formalises long-standing security cooperation between the two nations and expands it significantly in scope and commitment.

Key features include

• Mutual Defence Clause: Any military aggression against one party will be treated as an attack on both.
• Joint Deterrence Measures: Enhanced coordination in intelligence sharing, defence logistics, and military preparedness.
• Possibility of Expanded Military Cooperation: Including future joint exercises and interoperability of forces.
• Long-Term Strategic Commitment: Reflecting a shared vision of defence partnership beyond transactional ties.
• This level of alliance suggests a move towards treaty-level strategic depth, uncommon in the region’s traditionally transactional diplomacy.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   The foundation stone of India’s first PM MITRA Park was laid in which state ?

1. a) Uttar Pradesh
2. b) Madhya Pradesh
3. c) Rajasthan
4. d) Gujarat

Q2.   Which organizations jointly launched the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 campaign ?

1. a) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs & Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
2. b) Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation & Ministry of Panchayati Raj
3. c) Reserve Bank of India & Ministry of Jal Shakti
4. d) NITI Aayog & Ministry of Rural Development

Q3.   As of now, the base year for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculation in India is:

1. a) 2004
2. b) 2012
3. c) 2015
4. d) 2018

Q4.   With reference to the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Yojana, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Textiles.
2. The scheme aims to integrate the textile value chain from fibre to fashion.
3. One of its objectives is to promote the export of handloom products exclusively.
4. It seeks to reduce logistics costs and generate employment.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct – The PM MITRA Yojana was indeed launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Textiles.
• Statement 2 is correct – It aims to integrate the entire textile value chain – from fibre to fashion – in a single location.
• Statement 3 is incorrect – The scheme does not focus exclusively on handloom exports; it targets the broader textile manufacturing and value chain, including technical textiles, garments, and industrial fabrics.
• Statement 4 is correct – One of the scheme’s objectives is to reduce logistics costs, attract private investment, and generate employment through integrated textile parks.

Q5.   Consider the following statements regarding the Parliament of India:

1. The Parliament can legislate on a subject in the State List in the national interest.
2. The Parliament has exclusive power to legislate on any subject during a national emergency.
3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides on the disqualification of a member under the anti-defection law.

          Which of the statements is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 249, Parliament can legislate on a State List subject if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by 2/3rd majority declaring it necessary in the national interest.
• Statement 2 correct: During a national emergency, Parliament can legislate on any subject including State List (Article 250).
• Statement 3 correct: The Speaker of Lok Sabha has the power to decide disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law).

Answer Key