Daily Current Affairs (02 – Sep – 25)

Daily Current Affairs  (02 – Sep – 25)

1. Vikram-32 Bit Chip Presented at Semicon India 2025 –

• India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, Vikram-32, developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), was presented to PM Modi at Semicon India 2025, marking a milestone in India’s semiconductor self-reliance journey.

About SEMICON India 

• Organisers: Jointly hosted by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and SEMI, the global semiconductor industry association.
• Stakeholder Engagement:Brings together industry leaders, policymakers, academia, and startups.
• Catalytic Role:Drives cross-border partnerships, technology advancement, and showcases India’s growing potential in the global semiconductor value chain.
• Previous Editions:2022 (Bangalore), 2023 (Gandhinagar), 2024 (Greater Noida).

Key Features of the 2025 Conference

• Focus: Building a robust, resilient, and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.
• Features: Country pavilions, six international roundtable discussions, dedicated zones for workforce development and startup innovation.

2. Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025 –

• Recently, Foundation to Educate Girls Globally (popularly known as Educate Girls) became the first Indian organisation to win the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s most prestigious public service honour.

About Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025

• It is often dubbed Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, established in 1957 to honour individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional courage, integrity, and selfless service to the people of Asia.
• Recognition for Educate Girls:For its commitment to addressing cultural stereotyping and empowering girls with skills, courage, and agency to achieve their full potential.

Other 2025 Awardees:

• Shaahina Ali (Maldives):Grassroots environmentalist fighting plastic pollution.
• Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva (Philippines):Priest supporting families of extrajudicial killing victims.
• Award Components:Medallion (embossed with Magsaysay’s image), Certificate, Cash Prize.
• Past Indian Recipients (Individuals):Vinoba Bhave, Arvind Kejriwal, Ravish Kumar, Bezwada Wilson, Sonam Wangchuk, among others.
• Acharya Vinoba Bhave was the first Indian recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1958.

About the Ramon Magsaysay Award

• Established by: Trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (US) and the Philippine Government in 1957.
• Nature: Considered Asia’s Nobel Prize, recognising leadership, public service, and community impact.
• Process: Confidential nominations, followed by trustee investigation.
• Presentation:Every year on August 31 (Magsaysay’s birth anniversary), followed by a formal ceremony in November in Manila.
• Awarded to date: Over 300 individuals/organisations across Asia  

3. Semicon India 2025 –

• India’s semiconductor sector took a major leap forward with the inauguration of Semicon India 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd September at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The three-day event from 2nd to 4th September is set to witness over 20,750 participants, including 2,500 delegates from 48 countries, to discuss India’s growing role in global semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Overview

• Semicon India 2025 aimed to catalyse a robust and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem. Key topics included semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs), advanced packaging, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, research and development, and investment opportunities. The conference also focused on state-level policy implementation and international cooperation to strengthen India’s semiconductor industry.

4. India-US Joint Military Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 –

• The 21st edition of the India–USA joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 commenced in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Scheduled from 1st to 14th September 2025, this exercise involves troops from the Indian Army’s Madras Regiment and the US 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment Bobcats of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.
• The exercise takes place amid ongoing bilateral trade tensions but marks the continuing strategic defence partnership between the two nations.

Yudh Abhyas 2025

• Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest joint military exercises between India and the US.
• This year’s edition focuses on integrated warfare tactics and high-altitude operations.
• The two-week event includes training in heliborne operations, mountain warfare, rock craft, casualty evacuation, and combat medical aid.
• It also emphasises the combined use of artillery, aviation, and electronic warfare systems to enhance operational synergy.

5. India’s Current Account Deficit at $2.4 Billion in Q1 FY26 –

• India’s current account slipped into a deficit of $2.4 billion in the first quarter of FY26, reversing a significant $13.5 billion surplus in Q4 FY25. However, the deficit is notably lower than the $8.6 billion deficit seen in the year-ago quarter, thanks to robust services exports and a sharp increase in remittances.

What is CAD and Why It Matters?

• The current account deficit (CAD) represents the shortfall when a country imports more goods, services, and capital than it exports. A high CAD may put pressure on a country’s currency and foreign exchange reserves, while a low or narrowing CAD often signals external stability.

Quarterly Performance Overview

• From Surplus to Deficit
• Q1 FY26 CAD: $2.4 billion, 0.2% of GDP
• Q4 FY25: Surplus of $13.5 billion (1.3% of GDP)
• Q1 FY25: Deficit of $8.6 billion (0.9% of GDP)
• Despite reverting to a deficit in Q1 FY26, the outcome is significantly better than anticipated by economists, who had projected a CAD of around $7 billion.

MCQ Quiz

Q1. The Kaushalya Dam, which is important for flood control in the Ghaggar river basin, is situated in which Indian state ?

1. a) Punjab
2. b) Himachal Pradesh
3. c) Rajasthan
4. d) Haryana

Q2. The Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called the “Asian Nobel Prize,” was established in which year ?

1. a) 1957
2. b) 1959
3. c) 1962
4. d) 1970

Q3. According to the 2025 Global Peace Index, what is India’s rank among 163 countries ?

1. a) 108th
2. b) 115th
3. c) 120th
4. d) 102nd

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the SCO Summit 2025:

• The summit was held in Tianji , China.
• It was the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO.
• The Tianjin Declaration was adopted which focused on economic and security cooperation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: The 2025 summit was held in Tianjin, China.
• Statement 2 is correct: It was indeed the 25th SCO Heads of State Summit.
• Statement 3 is correct:  The Tianjin Declaration was adopted which emphasized counter-terrorism, multipolarity, and trade in national currencies (de-dollarization).

Q5. Consider the following statements about the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):

1. It was founded in 2001 after evolving from the Shanghai Five mechanism.
2. Its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is based in Beijing.
3. The current SCO Secretariat is located in Tashkent.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 correct: The SCO was founded in 2001, building on the Shanghai Five (1996).
• Statement 2 incorrect: RATS is based in Tashkent, not Beijing.
• Statement 3 incorrect: The Secretariat is in Beijing, not Tashkent.