CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 September, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 September, 2025

1. GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2025 –

• India has climbed to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, improving from 48th place in 2020.

Global Innovation Index

• The Global Innovation Index (GII), introduced in 2007, was developed to provide comprehensive metrics and methodologies for assessing the wide spectrum of innovations across economies.
• Published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the GII has become a key benchmark for evaluating an economy’s innovation ecosystem.
• Recognized by the UN General Assembly as an authoritative reference for shaping Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policies.

What are the Key Highlights of the GII 2025?

• India Related Findings: India rose from 81st (2015) to 38th (2025), ranking 1st among lower-middle-income economies and in Central & Southern Asia.
• Its strengths are Knowledge & Technology Outputs (22) and Market Sophistication (38); weaknesses lie in Business Sophistication (64), Infrastructure (61), and Institutions (58).
• Top-Ranked Economies: The top five most innovative economies are Switzerland (1st), Sweden (2nd), USA (3rd), South Korea (4th), and Singapore (5th). China ranked in the top 10 for the first time, securing the 10th position.
• Top Innovation Clusters: The world’s top innovation clusters are Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou (1st) in China and Hong Kong, and Tokyo–Yokohama (2nd) in Japan.
• Positive Socioeconomic Impact: Labor productivity rose 2.5% in 2024, global life expectancy reached 73 years, and extreme poverty fell to 817 million, under half of 2004 levels.
• Rapid Technological Advancement: In 2024, technology advanced with notable gains in supercomputing efficiency and battery prices. However, adoption slowed, progress in wind power and genome sequencing lagged, and novel drug development regressed.

What is the Current Status of India’s Innovation Landscape?

• Funding Mechanism: As per the latest available R&D statistics, India invested 0.65% of GDP in R&D, compared to China (2.43%), Brazil (1.15%), and South Korea (2.5%).
• Patent Filings: India now ranks 6th globally in terms of patent applications. Meanwhile, India’s patent-to-GDP ratio—a measure of the economic impact of patent activity—grew significantly, from 144 in 2013 to 381 in 2023.
• Strategic Policy Support: Programs like Startup India, Make in India, and Production Linked Initiative (PLI) scheme offer foundational support.

2. INDIA’S FIRST OVERSEAS DEFENCE FACILITY IN MOROCCO –

• The Defence Minister of India inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) defence manufacturing facility in Morocco and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation with Morocco, marking a historic milestone in India-Morocco defence ties.
• Significance: It is the first overseas defence facility by an Indian private company; largest defence manufacturing plant in Morocco.
• The facility supports India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and represents India’s Make in India, Make with Friends, Make for the World strategy.
• It strengthens India-Morocco strategic partnership, local capacity, and contributes to regional security.
• Morocco’s strategic location as gateway to Africa and Europe enhances export potential and bilateral defence cooperation.
• Facility Purpose: Production of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, jointly designed by TASL and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The WhAP is an indigenously developed modular combat vehicle offering advanced protection, mobility, and versatility.
• It can be configured as an infantry fighting vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, command post, mortar carrier, or ambulance, with options for remote weapon stations and anti-tank missiles.

3. PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA EXPANDS LPG CONNECTIONS –

• The Union Government in September 2025 approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the financial year 2025-26. This move raises the total LPG connections distributed under the scheme to 10.58 crore since its launch in 2016. The scheme aims to provide clean cooking fuel to women from economically weaker households without upfront costs.

Overview of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

• PMUY was launched in 2016 to replace traditional cooking fuels like firewood and coal with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It targets women from poor households, providing them free LPG connections. The government and oil marketing companies (OMCs) bear the cost of installation, first refill, stove, hose, and regulator. This initiative aims to improve health, reduce pollution, and empower women.

4. NATIONAL AYURVEDA DAY 2025 –

• The 10th National Ayurveda Day was celebrated in 2025 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa. The event marked a decade of efforts to promote Ayurveda as a holistic health system. Dignitaries including the Governor of Goa, Chief Minister of Goa, and Union Ministers participated. The theme, Ayurveda for People and Planet, aligned with global sustainability goals and brought into light Ayurveda’s growing global influence.

Global Recognition and Expansion

• Ayurveda has expanded beyond India to over 150 countries. It is now recognised as a comprehensive healthcare system rather than just an alternative therapy. The celebration of Ayurveda Day worldwide reflects this growth. The use of digital platforms such as the NAMASTE portal and Ayush HMIS is increasing accessibility and supporting evidence-based practices.

5. RUSSIA TO COMPLETE S‑400 MISSILE SYSTEM DELIVERIES TO INDIA BY 2026 –

• India’s long-awaited S‑400 missile deal with Russia is heading toward completion, with the final delivery scheduled for 2026. Signed in 2018, the agreement includes five S‑400 Triumf air defence systems aimed at significantly strengthening India’s airspace defence capabilities. With four systems already delivered, the upcoming final unit underscores the enduring defence partnership between India and Russia—despite geopolitical tensions and external pressures such as the threat of U.S. sanctions.

What Is the S‑400 Deal About?

• India inked a US$5.43 billion contract with Russia for the procurement of five S‑400 Triumf systems, among the most advanced long-range air defence systems globally. The deal was strategic, aimed at countering threats from adversaries across land borders and maritime zones.
• These systems are capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising multiple airborne targets, including fighter jets, UAVs, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats, at ranges up to 400 km and altitudes up to 30 km.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Barren Island, which was seen in news due to volcanic eruption, is located in which sea ?

1. a) Red Sea
2. b) Black Sea
3. c) Mediterranean Sea
4. d) Andaman Sea

Q2.   On which date is the International Day of Sign Languages observed, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly ?

1. a) 15th September
2. b) 20th September
3. c) 23rd September
4. d) 25th September

Q3.   Where was the three-day Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) of 2025, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, held ?

1. a) Bhopal
2. b) New Delhi
3. c) Vijay Durg (Fort William), Kolkata
4. d) Mumbai

Q4.   Consider the following statements about the United Nations membership process:

1. An entity must receive a recommendation from the Security Council to become a full UN member.
2. A veto by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council can block a membership recommendation.
3. After a Security Council recommendation, a simple majority in the General Assembly is sufficient for full membership.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: Security Council recommendation is mandatory before the General Assembly can vote.
• Statement 2 is correct: Any permanent member can veto and block the recommendation.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Full membership requires a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly, not a simple majority.

Q5.   With reference to defamation in India, consider the following statements:

1. Both civil and criminal defamation is punishable under only civil law in India.
2. The Supreme Court has previously upheld the constitutionality of criminal defamation.
3. Criminal defamation was earlier governed under IPC Sections 499 and 500.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Defamation is both a civil wrong and a criminal offence in India and thus punishable under both civil and criminal law.
• Statement 2 is correct: In the Subramanian Swamy vs Union of India (2016) case, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of criminal defamation.
• Statement 3 is correct: Criminal defamation was governed under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC, now replaced by Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Answer Key