UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 September 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 September 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 September (2025)
• Rationalising Tariffs for a Competitive India
Rationalising Tariffs for a Competitive India
• Global Plastic Pollution Crisis
Global Plastic Pollution Crisis
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Judicial Backlog
Judicial Backlog
• Nepal: From Discord to Accord
Nepal: From Discord to Accord
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Manki-Munda System
Manki-Munda System
• SC Guidelines on DNA
SC Guidelines on DNA
• Eustoma
Eustoma
• India’s First Bamboo-Based Ethanol Plant in Assam
India’s First Bamboo-Based Ethanol Plant in Assam
• Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025
Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025
• Grey Rhino Event
Grey Rhino Event
Mapping:
• Salamis Bay
Salamis Bay
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 September 2025
#### GS Paper 3:
Rationalising Tariffs for a Competitive India
Syllabus: Economics
Source: IE
Context: India has been labelled the “Tariff King” by the US, which recently imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, reigniting debate on India’s high import duties.
• Experts argue that India must rationalise tariffs to boost competitiveness, attract investment, and integrate into global value chains.
About Rationalising Tariffs for a Competitive India:
India’s Tariff Landscape:
• High Average Tariffs – India has the 2nd highest simple average tariff (16.2%) among G20 countries, after Turkey.
• Agriculture Protectionism – Trade-weighted agricultural tariffs are 64.3%, the highest globally, to shield 46% of workforce dependent on farming.
• Non-Agricultural Duties – Industrial goods face 9.2% trade-weighted tariff, lower but still higher than Argentina, EU, and China.
• Irrational Dispersion – Duties vary widely (e.g., cotton duty-free, milk powder 60%, food preparations 150%), distorting resource allocation.
• Trade Negotiation Barrier – High tariffs are a sticking point in India-UK FTA and India-EU BTIA, limiting deeper trade integration.
Need for Tariff Rationalisation:
• Boost Competitiveness – Lower tariffs encourage efficiency and innovation, helping Indian firms compete globally (post-1991 auto sector case study).
• Consumer Welfare – Reduces prices of essential imports like edible oil, easing inflationary pressure and improving nutrition security.
• Attracting FDI & GVC Entry – Predictable tariff regime helps India join global value chains and draw manufacturing investment (China+1 strategy).
• Diplomatic Leverage – Strengthens India’s credibility in trade negotiations, helping finalise pending FTAs with EU, UK, and GCC.
• Avoid Trade Retaliation – Rational tariffs reduce risk of punitive duties like recent US 50% tariff on Indian exports.
Implications of Tariff Rationalisation:
• Economic Growth – Boosts exports, integrates India with global supply chains, raising GDP and job creation.
• Farmer Transition – Controlled liberalisation with support schemes can shift farmers to high-value crops (horticulture, pulses).
• Price Stability – Cheaper imports of raw materials reduce production costs, benefiting MSMEs and consumers.
• Global Image – Projects India as a responsible trade partner, improving negotiating power in WTO and G20.
• Innovation Push – Competition incentivises domestic firms to invest in R&D, improving productivity and product quality.
Challenges to Tariff Rationalisation:
• Farmer Backlash – Lower duties may hurt small farmers growing crops like milk, sugar, and pulses, risking political protests.
• Revenue Dependence – Customs duties contribute a significant share to tax revenue, creating fiscal constraints.
• MSME Protection – Small industries fear cheap imports could wipe them out without adequate support or productivity boost.
• Infrastructure Deficit – Poor logistics and storage facilities weaken India’s competitiveness despite lower tariffs.
• Policy Inertia & Lobbying – Strong sectoral lobbies resist duty cuts on protected commodities (dairy, poultry).
Suggested Reforms:
• Rational Tariff Structure:
• Tiered Approach: Raw materials: 0–10% Non-sensitive goods: 10–20% Sensitive goods: 20–35% Luxury items: 35–50% Adopt Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs): Protect small farmers while allowing limited low-duty imports (e.g., pulses, dairy).
• Tiered Approach: Raw materials: 0–10% Non-sensitive goods: 10–20% Sensitive goods: 20–35% Luxury items: 35–50%
• Raw materials: 0–10%
• Non-sensitive goods: 10–20%
• Sensitive goods: 20–35%
• Luxury items: 35–50%
• Adopt Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs): Protect small farmers while allowing limited low-duty imports (e.g., pulses, dairy).
• Boost Agricultural Productivity:
• Double Agri-R&D spending to 1% of Agri-GDP (OECD average is 3%). Promote precision farming & micro-irrigation for better yield per drop.
• Double Agri-R&D spending to 1% of Agri-GDP (OECD average is 3%).
• Promote precision farming & micro-irrigation for better yield per drop.
• Reform Fertiliser Subsidies:
• Shift to DBT-based direct cash support to farmers, reduce leakage, free prices for efficiency.
• Shift to DBT-based direct cash support to farmers, reduce leakage, free prices for efficiency.
• Strengthen Value Chains:
• Invest in storage, cold chains, and logistics to reduce post-harvest losses (≈15–20%). Encourage Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for aggregation and better market access.
• Invest in storage, cold chains, and logistics to reduce post-harvest losses (≈15–20%).
• Encourage Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for aggregation and better market access.
• Align with GST Logic:
• Create a simple, transparent tariff code to reduce litigation and discretion. Use digital customs platforms for faster clearance, reducing compliance burden.
• Create a simple, transparent tariff code to reduce litigation and discretion.
• Use digital customs platforms for faster clearance, reducing compliance burden.
Conclusion:
India must shed its “Tariff Maharaja” image and move towards competitive, innovation-led trade policy. Imports should be seen as a growth strategy, not a threat, aligning with Ricardo’s principle of comparative advantage. Reforms will make India globally resilient, benefit farmers through higher productivity, and improve consumer welfare.
Global Plastic Pollution Crisis
Syllabus: Pollution
Source: TH
Context: Global plastic pollution is reaching alarming levels, with waste projected to triple by 2060 to 1.2 billion tonnes, posing a grave ecological threat.
About Global Plastic Pollution Crisis:
Scale of the Crisis:
• Explosive Growth: Global plastic production doubled between 2000–2019, touching 460 MT; this growth is driven by packaging and fast consumption.
• Low Recycling Rate: Only 9% of plastic is recycled, leading to massive leakage into landfills, rivers, and open dumps.
• Marine Catastrophe: 11 MT of plastic enters oceans annually, harming marine species and contaminating the food chain.
• Microplastic Spread: Plastics degrade into micro/nano particles that infiltrate air, water, soil, and even human blood and lungs.
• Future Outlook: Without urgent reforms, OECD projects plastic waste will nearly triple by 2060, overwhelming waste systems globally.
Grave Problems of Plastic Pollution:
• Persistence: Plastics take centuries to decompose, resulting in permanent accumulation in ecosystems.
• Climate Impact: Plastic production and burning contribute 3.4% of global GHG emissions, intensifying climate change.
• Biodiversity Threat: Turtles, seabirds, and fish ingest plastic, causing starvation, poisoning, and reproductive harm.
• Human Health Risks: Carcinogens and endocrine disruptors in plastics leach into food and water, impacting fertility and immunity.
• Economic Burden: Marine plastic pollution causes losses worth $13 billion yearly in fisheries, tourism, and shipping sectors.
Initiatives Taken:
• Global Efforts:
• UNEA-5 Treaty (2022): 193 nations agreed to negotiate a binding treaty to end plastic pollution by 2024. SDG Alignment: Plastic reduction supports SDG-12 (sustainable consumption), SDG-13 (climate action), SDG-14 (life below water). Circular Economy Push: Global campaigns promote reuse, redesign, and recycling to reduce virgin plastic production.
• UNEA-5 Treaty (2022): 193 nations agreed to negotiate a binding treaty to end plastic pollution by 2024.
• SDG Alignment: Plastic reduction supports SDG-12 (sustainable consumption), SDG-13 (climate action), SDG-14 (life below water).
• Circular Economy Push: Global campaigns promote reuse, redesign, and recycling to reduce virgin plastic production.
• Indian Efforts:
• Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016/2022: Bans selected single-use plastic items and enforces producer responsibility. Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0: Focuses on 100% door-to-door waste collection, segregation, and processing. Plastic Roads: Over 1.2 lakh km of Indian roads use waste plastic, reducing bitumen use and improving durability.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016/2022: Bans selected single-use plastic items and enforces producer responsibility.
• Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0: Focuses on 100% door-to-door waste collection, segregation, and processing.
• Plastic Roads: Over 1.2 lakh km of Indian roads use waste plastic, reducing bitumen use and improving durability.
Role in Eliminating Plastic Crisis:
• Individuals
• Refuse Single-Use Plastics: Avoid disposable bags, straws, bottles to reduce daily plastic footprint. Segregate Waste: Separate wet and dry waste at home to enable efficient recycling and composting. Conscious Consumerism: Choose products with eco-friendly packaging and brands with EPR compliance.
• Refuse Single-Use Plastics: Avoid disposable bags, straws, bottles to reduce daily plastic footprint.
• Segregate Waste: Separate wet and dry waste at home to enable efficient recycling and composting.
• Conscious Consumerism: Choose products with eco-friendly packaging and brands with EPR compliance.
• Society & Community:
• Community Clean-ups: Organise beach, river, and park clean-ups to remove plastic litter collectively. Plastic Banks: Set up local collection centres offering incentives for returning plastic waste. PPP Collaboration: Engage private recyclers and NGOs to manage local waste efficiently.
• Community Clean-ups: Organise beach, river, and park clean-ups to remove plastic litter collectively.
• Plastic Banks: Set up local collection centres offering incentives for returning plastic waste.
• PPP Collaboration: Engage private recyclers and NGOs to manage local waste efficiently.
• Governments:
• Strict Legislation: Enforce penalties for illegal production, sale, and use of banned plastics. EPR Enforcement: Mandate companies to take back used packaging and meet recycling targets. Tax and Incentives: Levy landfill/incineration taxes, subsidise eco-friendly packaging and R&D.
• Strict Legislation: Enforce penalties for illegal production, sale, and use of banned plastics.
• EPR Enforcement: Mandate companies to take back used packaging and meet recycling targets.
• Tax and Incentives: Levy landfill/incineration taxes, subsidise eco-friendly packaging and R&D.
Way Ahead
• Adopt 6Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, and Redesign should guide all plastic use.
• Promote Circular Economy: Design products that can be reused and recycled without loss of value.
• Boost R&D: Invest in bio-based, compostable plastics and innovative recycling technologies.
• Decentralise Waste Management: Empower panchayats and ULBs with funds and autonomy for waste handling.
• Behavioural Shift: Use media, influencers, and campaigns to make zero-plastic living aspirational.
Conclusion:
Plastic pollution is a man-made ecological disaster threatening climate, health, and biodiversity. It requires multi-level action — strong governance, industry responsibility, and citizen participation. A plastic-free future is essential for environmental justice and sustainable development.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 September 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Judicial Backlog
Context: The pendency of cases in the Supreme Court has hit an all-time high of 88,417, despite the court functioning at its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.
• Fresh filings in August 2025 (7,080) exceeded the disposal rate (5,667), pushing pendency further.
About Judicial Backlog:
• Definition: Judicial backlog refers to the accumulation of cases that remain pending for disposal beyond a reasonable timeframe, creating delays in access to justice.
• Trends at Supreme Court Level:
• Rising Caseload: 69,553 civil and 18,864 criminal cases pending (NJDG data, Sept 2025). Disposal Rate: ~80% of monthly filings disposed (August 2025). Annual Snapshot: In 2025, 52,630 cases filed vs. 46,309 disposed (~88% disposal rate). Historic High: Pendency rising steadily since 2023 despite full judge strength and swift appointments. Institutional Efforts: CJI renamed summer vacation as “partial working days,” constituting 21 Benches to hear cases during recess — yet pendency continues to rise.
• Rising Caseload: 69,553 civil and 18,864 criminal cases pending (NJDG data, Sept 2025).
• Disposal Rate: ~80% of monthly filings disposed (August 2025).
• Annual Snapshot: In 2025, 52,630 cases filed vs. 46,309 disposed (~88% disposal rate).
• Historic High: Pendency rising steadily since 2023 despite full judge strength and swift appointments.
• Institutional Efforts: CJI renamed summer vacation as “partial working days,” constituting 21 Benches to hear cases during recess — yet pendency continues to rise.
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:
• GS-II (Polity): Topics on Indian Judiciary, Structure & Functioning, Issues of Pendency, Judicial Reforms, Collegium System, Speedy Justice.
• GS-II (Governance): Impact of pendency on rule of law, access to justice, and public trust.
• GS-IV (Ethics): Ethical dimension of timely justice — “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Nepal: From Discord to Accord
Anecdote:
“In the age of digital revolutions, power no longer flows only through palaces and parliaments but also through servers and smartphones.”
The recent events in Nepal capture this truth vividly. A nation with a turbulent past — monarchy, Maoist insurgency, fragile coalitions — has witnessed a Gen-Z-driven digital uprising. Using Discord, a U.S.-based communication platform, young citizens formed the “Youth Against Corruption” community, coordinated peaceful protests, and even voted online for their preferred leader — eventually catapulting Justice Sushila Karki to the post of interim Prime Minister.
The spark was the government’s sweeping ban on social media on 4 September 2025, seen as an attempt to suppress dissent. Within days, protests spread from Maitighar Mandala to the entire country, leading to Oli’s resignation, vandalism of government offices, and deployment of the army. The episode has become a 21st-century case study of digital democracy, public accountability, and people-powered change, showing that when governance fails, citizen networks can fill the void.
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:
• GS-II – Polity & Governance Case study of popular participation and democratic transitions in South Asia. Illustrates constitutionalism, federal challenges, and people’s movements shaping leadership change.
• Case study of popular participation and democratic transitions in South Asia.
• Illustrates constitutionalism, federal challenges, and people’s movements shaping leadership change.
• GS-IV – Ethics & Integrity
• Protest highlights values of justice, equality, and probity in public life. Ethical dilemma: balancing national security with freedom of expression.
• Protest highlights values of justice, equality, and probity in public life.
• Ethical dilemma: balancing national security with freedom of expression.
• Essay Paper
• Themes on Youth & Democracy, Social Media & Accountability, People’s Power vs. Institutional Failure, Corruption & Governance Crisis.
• Themes on Youth & Democracy, Social Media & Accountability, People’s Power vs. Institutional Failure, Corruption & Governance Crisis.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 September 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Manki-Munda System
Source: IE
Context: Ho tribals in Jharkhand’s Kolhan region staged protests alleging interference in their traditional Manki-Munda self-governance system after some Mundas were removed.
About Manki-Munda System:
What it is?
• A traditional, decentralised self-governance model followed by the Ho tribe of Jharkhand’s Kolhan region.
• It revolves around village heads (Mundas) and pidh heads (Mankis) who collectively resolve disputes and maintain order.
Origin & History:
• Pre-British era: Functioned as a community-driven governance system with no concept of land tax or external sovereign control.
• British Era Recognition: After early Ho and Kol revolts, the British realised direct control was unsustainable. In 1833, Captain Thomas Wilkinson codified the system in 31 rules (Wilkinson’s Rules), later implemented in Kolhan Government Estate (KGE) in 1837. Mankis and Mundas were made intermediaries between colonial administration and the community, integrating Kolhan into British India while preserving autonomy.
• After early Ho and Kol revolts, the British realised direct control was unsustainable.
• In 1833, Captain Thomas Wilkinson codified the system in 31 rules (Wilkinson’s Rules), later implemented in Kolhan Government Estate (KGE) in 1837.
• Mankis and Mundas were made intermediaries between colonial administration and the community, integrating Kolhan into British India while preserving autonomy.
How it Works?
• Munda: Head of a single village, resolves socio-political disputes locally.
• Manki: Head of a pidh (cluster of 8–15 villages), hears appeals when Munda-level resolution fails.
• System relies on customary law, not formal legislation, and continues in use even after Independence.
Key Features:
• Hereditary Leadership: Roles are passed from father to son.
• Decentralised & Community-based: Gram Sabha–like participation in dispute resolution.
• Cultural Autonomy: Protects Ho identity, traditions, and land rights.
• Legal Continuity: Though challenged, courts have allowed Wilkinson’s Rules to continue due to lack of alternatives.
SC Guidelines on DNA
Source: TH
Context: The Supreme Court in Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu issued uniform guidelines for the collection, preservation, and presentation of DNA samples in criminal cases.
About SC Guidelines on DNA:
What it is?
• A landmark set of four procedural guidelines issued by SC to ensure integrity, reliability, and timely handling of DNA evidence in criminal investigations.
• Aims to standardise chain of custody across all States despite policing being a State subject.
Case Name: Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu (2025) – involved rape, murder, and robbery.
Key Features:
• Proper Documentation: Every DNA sample must be packaged with FIR details, case sections, names of IO, medical officer, and independent witnesses, ensuring traceability from the start.
• Timely Dispatch (48-Hour Rule): Investigating Officer must transport DNA samples to Forensic Science Laboratory within 48 hours of collection. Any delay must be explained in writing, and proper refrigeration/preservation is mandatory.
• Any delay must be explained in writing, and proper refrigeration/preservation is mandatory.
• No Tampering During Storage: Once sealed, the package cannot be opened, altered, or resealed without trial court’s explicit permission.
• Chain of Custody Register: A detailed register must record every transfer of the sample—from collection to court disposal—signed by all handlers.
Judicial Precedent:
• Anil v. State of Maharashtra (2014): DNA profile valid but depends on lab quality control.
• Manoj v. MP (2022): DNA report rejected due to contamination risk from open recovery site.
• Rahul v. Delhi (2022): DNA report rejected due to 2-month Malkhana storage without safeguards.
Eustoma
Source: TH
Context: Exotic Eustoma has bloomed for the first time in Odisha in a polyhouse at Sanatanpali, Sambalpur district, developed by CSIR–NBRI.
• Until NBRI’s breakthrough, Eustoma (Lisianthus) was mostly imported from countries like the Netherlands and Kenya for premium events, weddings, and luxury décor.
About Eustoma:
• What it is? Eustoma, also known as Lisianthus or Prairie Gentian, is a herbaceous annual flower from the gentian family. It is prized globally for its long vase life and vibrant colors, making it a premium ornamental flower.
• Eustoma, also known as Lisianthus or Prairie Gentian, is a herbaceous annual flower from the gentian family.
• It is prized globally for its long vase life and vibrant colors, making it a premium ornamental flower.
• Habitat & Native Region: Native to Mexico, southern USA, Caribbean, and northern South America. Typically grows in grasslands and disturbed areas, thriving in warm climates.
• Typically grows in grasslands and disturbed areas, thriving in warm climates.
• Key Features of Eustoma:
• Premium Ornamental Flower: Large, funnel-shaped blooms in multiple colors (pink, purple, white, blue) with long vase life, making it a florist favorite. Adaptability & Growth: Thrives in warm climates, grows 30–90 cm tall; Sambalpur success shows it can be cultivated even in hot Indian conditions. High Economic Potential: Can be harvested twice a year, with profit potential up to ₹2 lakh per acre per season — a boost for farmer incomes. Diversity & Appeal: Available in single and double-flowered varieties, including rare bicolored types, ideal for weddings, décor, and exports. Sustainability & Market Substitution: Reduces reliance on imported cut flowers, encourages local production, and supports CSIR-NBRI’s 400+ farmer clusters.
• Premium Ornamental Flower: Large, funnel-shaped blooms in multiple colors (pink, purple, white, blue) with long vase life, making it a florist favorite.
• Adaptability & Growth: Thrives in warm climates, grows 30–90 cm tall; Sambalpur success shows it can be cultivated even in hot Indian conditions.
• High Economic Potential: Can be harvested twice a year, with profit potential up to ₹2 lakh per acre per season — a boost for farmer incomes.
• Diversity & Appeal: Available in single and double-flowered varieties, including rare bicolored types, ideal for weddings, décor, and exports.
• Sustainability & Market Substitution: Reduces reliance on imported cut flowers, encourages local production, and supports CSIR-NBRI’s 400+ farmer clusters.
• Uses of Eustoma
• Cut Flower Industry – Popular in bouquets, décor; stays fresh for 2+ weeks.
• Export Floriculture – New export option; reduces reliance on rose exports.
• Retail & Hospitality – Ideal for hotels, events; lasts longer than roses/gerberas.
• Gardening & Landscaping – Dwarf varieties for pots, balconies, landscaping.
India’s First Bamboo-Based Ethanol Plant in Assam
Source: NIE
Context: Prime Minister of India inaugurated India’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant at Numaligarh Refinery, Golaghat, Assam, and laid the foundation stone of a polypropylene plant.
About India’s First Bamboo-Based Ethanol Plant in Assam:
What it is?
• A bioethanol plant that converts bamboo biomass into 2G ethanol, a renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
• Part of India’s National Bio-Energy Mission and Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2025.
Developed by:
• Assam Bio-Ethanol Private Limited (ABEL) in collaboration with Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
• To reduce crude oil imports by producing ethanol locally from bamboo.
• To boost bamboo cultivation in the Northeast, creating an assured market for farmers.
• To promote circular economy and energy security through waste-to-fuel technology.
Key Features:
• Feedstock: Utilises bamboo biomass, which grows abundantly in Assam and NE states.
• Capacity: Produces 60,000 KL of ethanol annually for blending with petrol.
• Technology: Advanced 2G bio-refinery using enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation process.
• Sustainability: Reduces GHG emissions and prevents stubble/bamboo waste burning.
• Livelihood: Creates thousands of jobs in bamboo cultivation, collection, transport, and processing.
Significance:
• Energy Security: Reduces dependence on imported crude oil, saving ₹1,000+ crore annually.
• Farmer Empowerment: Provides steady income through bamboo procurement contracts.
• Green Economy: Contributes to India’s Net Zero 2070 commitment and biofuel roadmap.
Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025
Source: News on Air
Context: Ministry of Defence approved Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, replacing the 2009 manual to accelerate revenue procurement and promote Aatmanirbharta.
About Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025:
What it is?
• A policy document guiding all revenue procurement of goods/services for Armed Forces & MoD organisations, worth ~₹1 lakh crore annually.
• Updated after 16 years to align with public procurement norms, technology adoption, and operational needs of modern warfare.
• Streamline & Simplify: Cut red tape, enable faster approvals, and avoid file movement delays.
• Support Industry: Address working capital issues, ease penalties, and provide order assurance.
• Boost R&D & Innovation: Collaborate with IITs, IISc, academia, and industry for indigenisation.
Key Features:
• Ease of Doing Business: Removes redundant approvals, ensures timely payment, and promotes transparent, competitive bidding. NOC requirement from DPSUs for open tenders dispensed with for level playing field.
• Removes redundant approvals, ensures timely payment, and promotes transparent, competitive bidding.
• NOC requirement from DPSUs for open tenders dispensed with for level playing field.
• Industry-Friendly Provisions: Assured orders up to 5 years (+5 years in special cases) for industry confidence. Government to provide technical handholding, equipment sharing for prototype development.
• Assured orders up to 5 years (+5 years in special cases) for industry confidence.
• Government to provide technical handholding, equipment sharing for prototype development.
• Relaxed Penalties: No Liquidated Damages (LD) during development phase; minimal 0.1% LD post-prototype. LD capped at 5% normally (10% only in exceptional, prolonged delays) – incentivises genuine suppliers.
• No Liquidated Damages (LD) during development phase; minimal 0.1% LD post-prototype.
• LD capped at 5% normally (10% only in exceptional, prolonged delays) – incentivises genuine suppliers.
• Decentralised Decision-Making: Empowers Competent Financial Authorities (CFAs) at field level to extend delivery periods, revise bid dates, approve cases without file movement to higher levels.
• Technology & Innovation Push: New chapter on Innovation & Indigenisation for in-house design, R&D with academia–industry collaboration. Encourages development of import substitutes and local spare part production.
• New chapter on Innovation & Indigenisation for in-house design, R&D with academia–industry collaboration.
• Encourages development of import substitutes and local spare part production.
• Collegiate Decision-Making: Strengthens multi-level consultation for fair, transparent, and quicker decision-making process.
• Repair & Maintenance Efficiency: Upfront 15% growth provision in work contracts for aerial & naval platforms to reduce downtime.
• Limited Tendering & Proprietary Procurement: Allows limited tenders for goods/services up to ₹50 lakh (higher in special cases). Proprietary Article Certificate procurement allowed with parallel efforts to identify alternate sources.
• Allows limited tenders for goods/services up to ₹50 lakh (higher in special cases).
• Proprietary Article Certificate procurement allowed with parallel efforts to identify alternate sources.
• Government-to-Government (G2G) Procurement: Clear procedure for high-value G2G deals for faster acquisition of critical equipment.
• Alignment with Finance Ministry Guidelines: Fully synchronised with Manual for Procurement of Goods (MoF) ensuring transparency, fairness, and audit compliance.
Grey Rhino Event
Source: DTE
Context: Kerala’s Wayanad landslide (July 2024) has been described as a “grey rhino event” by scientists in the report Sliding Earth, Scattered Lives (Sept 2025), highlighting how policymakers ignored years of warnings about ecological fragility and rainfall risks.
About Grey Rhino Event:
What it is?
• A “grey rhino” is a highly probable, high-impact event that is visible and foreseeable but often neglected until it causes catastrophic damage.
• It contrasts with “black swan events” (rare, unpredictable) and focuses on obvious but ignored risks.
Concept Developed by:
• Coined by Michele Wucker, a U.S.-based policy analyst, in her 2016 book The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore.
Key Features:
• Predictable: The risk is known and well-documented (e.g., ESA reports flagged Wayanad slopes as unstable).
• Visible: Early warning signs are apparent (e.g., heavy rainfall exceeding 600 mm in 48 hrs was modeled as a trigger).
• Neglected: Authorities fail to act due to complacency, politics, or economic interests.
• High-Impact: When triggered, it causes large-scale social, economic, and environmental damage.
• Actionable: Unlike black swans, preventive action is possible if timely measures are taken.
Significance:
• Risk Governance: Helps policymakers identify and prioritise visible but under-addressed threats.
• Disaster Preparedness: Promotes proactive planning—early evacuation, strict zoning laws, and eco-sensitive development.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 September 2025 Mapping:
Salamis Bay
Source: PIB
Context: INS Trikand, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, reached Salamis Bay, Greece.
• It will participate in the first-ever bilateral maritime exercise between India and Greece to boost interoperability and naval cooperation.
About Salamis Bay:
• What it is? A natural bay on the west coast of Salamis Island, Greece, connected to the Saronic Gulf.
• A natural bay on the west coast of Salamis Island, Greece, connected to the Saronic Gulf.
• Location: Situated in the Aegean Sea region, about 16 km from Athens, near Salamis town.
• Features: Maximum length ~9 km, Cape Petriti forms its southwestern end. Historically significant — site of the famous Battle of Salamis (480 BCE) where the Greeks defeated the Persians.
• Maximum length ~9 km, Cape Petriti forms its southwestern end.
• Historically significant — site of the famous Battle of Salamis (480 BCE) where the Greeks defeated the Persians.
About Greece:
• Location: Southeastern Europe, southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula.
• Capital: Athens (largest city), followed by Thessaloniki and Patras.
• Neighbouring Nations: Shares borders with Albania, North Macedonia & Bulgaria, Turkey.
• Key Features: Known as the cradle of Western civilisation and birthplace of democracy. Possesses the longest Mediterranean coastline with thousands of islands. Home to 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserving ancient temples, theatres, and Byzantine monuments.
• Known as the cradle of Western civilisation and birthplace of democracy.
• Possesses the longest Mediterranean coastline with thousands of islands.
• Home to 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserving ancient temples, theatres, and Byzantine monuments.
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