CURRENT AFFAIRS 27 September, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 27 September, 2025

1. SUPREME COURT RULING ON GREEN CRACKER –

• Recently, the Supreme Court allowed the manufacture of green firecrackers in Delhi, but prohibits their sale in Delhi-NCR.

Key Highlights of the SC direction

• Rationale of Decision: Certified manufacturers approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) are permitted to produce green crackers under strict conditions to protect livelihoods.
• Restriction: Manufacturers must undertake not to sell crackers in prohibited areas to prevent pollution increase in Delhi-NCR.
• Green Crackers though reduce the pollution as compared to Conventional crackers they still can increase pollution level in Delhi-NCR.

About Green Crackers

• They are eco-friendly firecrackers developed in 2018 by National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) under CSIR.
• They reduce air and noise pollution by 30–40% compared to traditional crackers and use safer alternatives like potassium nitrate and aluminium instead of toxic barium nitrates.
• They have noise levels 100–130 dB, lower than traditional crackers (160–200 dB).
• Come with a QR code and green logo for authenticity.

2. 118TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF BHAGAT SINGH –

• The nation paid homage to revolutionary Bhagat Singh on his 118th birth anniversary on 28th September, 2025.

What are Key Facts Related to Bhagat Singh?

• Early Life: Bhagat Singh, born on 28th September 1907 in Banga, Punjab (now Pakistan), came from a Sikh family active in the freedom struggle.
• His father Kishan Singh and uncle Ajit Singh were notable revolutionaries, with his uncle deported to Mandalay and later associated with the San Francisco-based Ghadar Party.
• Formative Experiences: At the age of 12, Bhagat Singh witnessed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, shaping his resolve for independence. He later joined National College, Lahore, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, where he was exposed to Swadeshi and revolutionary ideas.
• Revolutionary Politics: In 1924, Bhagat Singh joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), which in 1928 became the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
• In 1926, he founded the Naujawan Bharat Sabha to mobilize youth for the freedom movement.
• In 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw low-intensity bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly to protest the Public Safety Bill (suppressing political activities and deporting individuals) and the Trade Dispute Bill (curbing workers’ right to strike).
• Trial, and Execution: Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were convicted in the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1928), which involved the murder of British police officer J.P. Saunders in Lahore, carried out to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
• All three were hanged on 23rd March 1931 in Lahore Central Jail. 

3. CHILD MARRIAGE DECLINES SHARPLY IN INDIA BY 2025 –

• Recent data reveals reduction in child marriage across India. A new report by Just Rights for Children marks a 69% decline among girls and 72% among boys. This progress results from coordinated efforts by the government, state authorities, and civil society. The report was revealed at a UN General Assembly side event in New York, marking a hopeful shift towards a child marriage-free India.

Current Status of Child Marriage in India

• Child marriage rates have dropped dramatically in recent years. Assam leads with an 84% decline in girl child marriages. Maharashtra and Bihar follow with 70% declines each. Rajasthan and Karnataka show 66% and 55% decreases respectively. Arrests and FIRs have been key deterrents. The government’s Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign has achieved near-universal awareness. Most people now know the laws against child marriage and feel comfortable reporting violations.

Role of Government and Civil Society

• The decline is credited to joint action by the Government of India, state governments, and NGOs. Over 250 organisations under the Just Rights for Children network have played a vital role. Campaigns through schools, panchayats, and community workers have increased awareness. Frontline workers like ASHA, anganwadi workers, and PRI members helped collect data and support interventions. Legal enforcement has improved with more arrests and FIRs filed against offenders.

4. INDIA ADDS TWO MORE RAMSAR WETLANDS IN BIHAR –

• India has recently added two more wetlands from Bihar to the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance. This increases India’s total Ramsar sites to 93, the highest in Asia and third globally. The new sites are Gokul Jalashay in Buxar district and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran district. These additions reflect India’s growing commitment to wetland conservation and biodiversity protection.

Ramsar Convention and Its Importance

• The Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is an international treaty for wetland protection. It aims to conserve wetlands and promote their wise use. Currently, 172 countries are members. Wetlands are crucial for water regulation, flood control, and supporting biodiversity. They also provide resources like food and raw materials.

India’s Progress in Ramsar Site Designation

• India’s Ramsar sites increased from 26 in 2012 to 93 in 2025. These sites cover over 1.36 million hectares. Since 2020, 51 wetlands were added, showing accelerated conservation efforts. India ranks third worldwide after the UK and Mexico in the number of Ramsar sites.

5. INDIA’S FIRST ELECTRIC HEAVY TRUCK FLEET LAUNCHED –

• India has taken a major step in green logistics with the launch of its first fleet of electric heavy trucks at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). The initiative, flagged off by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, marks move towards sustainable port operations. The fleet currently includes 50 electric trucks with swappable batteries and will expand to 80 by the end of 2025. This effort supports India’s broader goal of decarbonising the logistics sector and promoting clean energy.

Introduction to Electric Heavy Trucks at JNPA

• JNPA introduced India’s first fleet of electric heavy trucks designed for port logistics. These trucks use swappable batteries to reduce downtime and enhance operational efficiency. The fleet currently operates 50 trucks and plans to increase to 80 within the year. This makes JNPA home to the largest electric truck fleet at any Indian port.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Which region of India has been recognized as India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve ?

1. a) Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu
2. b) Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh
3. c) Chilika Lake, Odisha
4. d) None of the Above

Q2.   What significant research facility has IIT-Madras recently commissioned at its Discovery campus in Thaiyur ?

1. a) Asia’s largest shallow wave basin
2. b) Asia’s largest wind tunnel
3. c) India’s largest earthquake simulation lab
4. d) India’s largest solar testing facility

Q3.   Where is the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) located ?

1. a) Beijing, China
2. b) New Delhi, India
3. c) Islamabad, Pakistan
4. d) Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Q4.   Consider the following statements about the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Tiger Reserves:

1. NTCA is a constitutional body established under Article 48A of the Indian Constitution.
2. The NTCA is responsible for funding and monitoring all Tiger Reserves in India.
3. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, gives NTCA the authority to take direct action against poachers and illegal encroachers.

          How many of the above statements is/are incorrect ?

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

Explanation-

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body, not a constitutional body, as it was established under Section 38L of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, rather than Article 48A of the Constitution. Article 48A, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to protect and improve the environment and wildlife, but it does not create the NTCA. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• NTCA is responsible for funding, monitoring, and implementing policies for Tiger Reserves in India, working under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It provides financial assistance to state governments for tiger conservation projects, making Statement 2 correct.
• However, Statement 3 is incorrect because NTCA does not have direct enforcement powers to take action against poachers or encroachers. Instead, it collaborates with state forest departments and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to combat wildlife crimes.

Q5.   Which of the following best explains why the National Statistical Office (NSO)’s GDP estimates sometimes differ from the RBI’s projections ?

1. a) NSO does not include services sector performance in GDP calculations, leading to different estimates.
2. b) RBI’s projections are calculated based on business sentiment, whereas NSO directly surveys economic sectors.
3. c) NSO estimates GDP based on real economic activity, whereas RBI projections rely on monetary policy trends.
4. d) NSO’s data is seasonally adjusted, while RBI’s projections consider only annual trends.

Explanation-

• The National Statistical Office (NSO) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) use different methodologies for estimating GDP, leading to occasional discrepancies in their figures.
• The NSO calculates GDP based on real economic activity, collecting data directly from various sectors, including agriculture, industry, and services. It follows established statistical methodologies, relying on actual output and expenditure figures.
• On the other hand, the RBI’s GDP projections are based on monetary policy indicators, credit growth, inflation trends, and business sentiment. It uses economic modeling, surveys, and high-frequency indicators rather than direct sectoral surveys.
• Since NSO’s estimates reflect real-time economic activity, while RBI’s projections are more forward-looking and influenced by monetary policy trends, their figures can sometimes differ.

Answer Key