UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 September 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 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 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 September (2025)
• NITI Aayog’s ‘AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap’
NITI Aayog’s ‘AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap’
GS Paper 3:
• Indian Dairy Sector
Indian Dairy Sector
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• India’s Outward FDI & Tax Havens
India’s Outward FDI & Tax Havens
• Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan
Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• 5th Coast Guard Global Summit
5th Coast Guard Global Summit
• Frontier 50 Initiative
Frontier 50 Initiative
• Involution
Involution
• WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
• Legal Provisions for Acquisition of Animals
Legal Provisions for Acquisition of Animals
Mapping:
• Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS)
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS)
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 September 2025
#### GS Paper 2:
NITI Aayog’s ‘AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap’
- •Syllabus: Governance and Technology*
Source: PIB
Context: NITI Aayog launched the ‘AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap’ and ‘Frontier Tech Repository’ under its Frontier Tech Hub.
About NITI Aayog’s AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap:
What it is?
A comprehensive national blueprint to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a growth accelerator.
• Focus: Productivity enhancement, sector-specific AI adoption, innovation-driven R&D.
• Objective: Bridge 30–35% of India’s growth gap to achieve sustained 8%+ GDP growth by 2035.
• Approach: Accelerate AI adoption in key industries (banking, manufacturing, pharma, auto). Transform R&D with generative AI to leapfrog innovation. Strengthen data, compute, talent, and governance infrastructure for inclusive growth.
• Accelerate AI adoption in key industries (banking, manufacturing, pharma, auto).
• Transform R&D with generative AI to leapfrog innovation.
• Strengthen data, compute, talent, and governance infrastructure for inclusive growth.
Key Summary of Report:
• AI’s Economic Potential: Can add $500–600B to GDP by 2035 through productivity gains and efficiency
• Sectoral Priority: Banking & manufacturing could derive 20–25% of sectoral GDP from AI; pharma & auto identified for leapfrog innovation
• Data Capital of the World: India to become global hub of trusted, anonymized data ecosystems through AI Kosh, sectoral data grids, and DPI integration
• AI Skilling Ecosystem: Plans for AI Open University, AI Chairs in top institutes, national certification programs, and workforce reskilling to close skill gaps
• Generative AI in R&D: Can cut drug discovery timelines by 60–80%, speed automotive design validation, and reduce costs of innovation
• Frontier Tech Repository: 200+ case studies in agriculture, healthcare, education, and national security to inspire states & districts
• Frontier 50 Initiative: Support for 50 aspirational districts to implement frontier tech solutions for service saturation
• Impact Awards: Recognition for top 3 states leveraging technology for governance, education, health & livelihood transformation
India’s Opportunity:
• Demographic Dividend: Large STEM workforce to lead global AI innovation and service exports.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): UPI, Aadhaar, ABHA, and Account Aggregator create scalable AI use cases.
• Global AI Hub Potential: AI Kosh + 38,000+ GPU compute network can attract global R&D investments.
• Export Competitiveness: AI-enabled manufacturing, pharma, and auto components can boost India’s share in global value chains.
• Inclusive Growth: AI adoption in agriculture, health, education can improve service delivery in rural and underserved regions.
Challenges:
• Talent Gaps: Limited high-end AI researchers and applied AI professionals.
• Fragmented Data Ecosystem: Need for standardised, privacy-compliant, sectoral data-sharing frameworks.
• Compute Infrastructure: GPU shortages, lack of edge-cloud networks could slow deployment.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Patent norms for AI-discovered drugs, cybersecurity compliance for AI models need clarity.
• Adoption Divide: MSMEs and small financial institutions may struggle to afford AI solutions, widening inequality in adoption.
Way Ahead:
• National AI Mission Execution: Fast-track implementation of IndiaAI Mission with periodic monitoring.
• AI-Ready Infrastructure: Invest in AI-ready industrial parks, federated compute networks, and data exchanges.
• Skilling at Scale: Launch AI micro-credentials, lifelong learning pathways, and reverse diaspora programs for top talent.
• Robust AI Governance: Build frameworks for ethical AI, explainability, risk audits, and consumer protection.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Incentivise startups, industry, and academia to co-develop solutions and scale innovation.
Conclusion:
The AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap is a bold step to make India a global AI powerhouse. If executed well, it can close the growth gap, generate millions of new-age jobs, and place India at the forefront of responsible, inclusive, innovation-driven growth. Timely execution, governance, and skilling will decide whether India leads or lags in the global AI revolution.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 September 2025 GS Paper 3:
Indian Dairy Sector
Syllabus: Agriculture Allied Activities
Source: LM
Context: India–U.S. trade talks have stalled as India refuses to open its dairy sector, citing risks to farmer livelihoods and milk self-sufficiency.
About India’s Dairy Sector:
Background:
• Operation Flood (1970–1996): Transformed India from a milk-deficient country to the largest milk producer globally, accounting for 26% of world output.
• Present Status: Milk production in 2024–25: 248 MMT, consumption: 243 MMT (self-sufficient). 80+ million small farmers, average herd size 3–4 cows, yield per cow 1/8th of US or NZ levels. 70% of marketed milk handled by the unorganised sector, 30% by co-operatives & private dairies.
• Milk production in 2024–25: 248 MMT, consumption: 243 MMT (self-sufficient).
• 80+ million small farmers, average herd size 3–4 cows, yield per cow 1/8th of US or NZ levels.
• 70% of marketed milk handled by the unorganised sector, 30% by co-operatives & private dairies.
Significance of Dairy Sector in India:
• Largest Agricultural Contributor: Dairy contributes 31% of India’s agricultural GDP, higher than cereals, pulses, or oilseeds.
• Rural Livelihood Backbone: Engages 80 million households, especially women, providing steady cash flow even in drought years.
• Nutrition Security: Key source of affordable protein, calcium, and micronutrients for a predominantly vegetarian population.
• Socio-Economic Equaliser: Offers income opportunities to landless farmers and marginal communities, helping reduce rural poverty.
• Employment Generation: One of the biggest employers in rural India after crop farming, with multiplier effects in transport, retail, and processing sectors.
India’s Resistance to Dairy Sector Liberalisation:
• Farmer Protection: Tariff cuts would invite cheap imports, crash procurement prices, and force farmers to exit dairy farming.
• Self-Sufficiency Concerns: Dependence on foreign dairy may erode domestic capacity, leading to future shortages and price volatility.
• Social Stability: Dairy is a rural shock absorber; sudden market disruption could lead to social unrest and livelihood crisis.
• Infant Industry Argument: Indian dairy lacks economies of scale and efficiency; premature liberalisation risks wiping out regional brands.
• Political Economy: Co-operatives like Amul, Nandini, Verka are politically sensitive institutions tied to rural vote banks.
Dairy Sector and Global Trade:
• Global Surplus: U.S., EU, NZ have rising production but flat domestic demand, making India a lucrative export destination.
• Trade Pact Stalemate: Dairy market access is a key sticking point in India–U.S. FTA talks; India continues to retain high tariffs.
• Export Growth: India’s dairy exports have doubled in the last 3 years (ghee, butter, milk powder) with Bangladesh & UAE as top buyers.
• Competitive Pressure: MNCs like Lactalis, Fonterra, Danone possess surplus capacity & deep pockets to undercut Indian players.
• Strategic Importance: Dairy liberalisation may give India leverage in broader trade negotiations but risks rural backlash.
Challenges to India’s Dairy Sector:
• Low Productivity: Yield per cow far below global standards, hurting cost competitiveness and export viability.
• Feed & Housing Deficit: Paddy-straw diet, unhygienic sheds, heat stress reduce milk output & animal health.
• Breeding Gaps: Weak adoption of artificial insemination and lack of sex-sorted semen reduce high-yield progeny pool.
• Supply Chain Inefficiency: 70% milk handled by unorganised sector → poor cold chain, high spoilage, low value addition.
• Underinvestment: Budget allocation for dairy is only 4% of agri budget, despite its large GDP contribution.
Reform Agenda:
• Productivity Enhancement: Promote balanced cattle feed, supplements, and breed selection based on agro-climatic zones. Introduce IVF & sex-sorted semen to produce high-yield female calves and improve fertility of 25% infertile cows.
• Promote balanced cattle feed, supplements, and breed selection based on agro-climatic zones.
• Introduce IVF & sex-sorted semen to produce high-yield female calves and improve fertility of 25% infertile cows.
• Infrastructure & Scale: Develop cluster-based dairy parks, chilling units, and mechanised milking systems. Encourage FPO-led aggregation for scale economies.
• Develop cluster-based dairy parks, chilling units, and mechanised milking systems.
• Encourage FPO-led aggregation for scale economies.
• Policy & Budgetary Support: Increase dairy sector allocation in line with its 31% agri-GDP share. Promote credit support and insurance for smallholder dairy farmers.
• Increase dairy sector allocation in line with its 31% agri-GDP share.
• Promote credit support and insurance for smallholder dairy farmers.
• Value Chain & Exports: Expand processing for cheese, butter, and whey to capture higher margins. Build Indian dairy brands globally, leveraging “A2 milk” and organic dairy.
• Expand processing for cheese, butter, and whey to capture higher margins.
• Build Indian dairy brands globally, leveraging “A2 milk” and organic dairy.
• Behavioural Change: Encourage farmers to view dairy as a standalone business, not just supplementary income. Invest in farmer training & extension services to raise awareness.
• Encourage farmers to view dairy as a standalone business, not just supplementary income.
• Invest in farmer training & extension services to raise awareness.
Conclusion:
India’s dairy sector is too critical to be left vulnerable to global price shocks. Protection must go hand-in-hand with deep structural reforms to raise yield, strengthen value chains, and ensure competitiveness. With the right mix of investment, technology, and farmer capacity-building, India can become a global dairy powerhouse while safeguarding rural livelihoods.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 September 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
India’s Outward FDI & Tax Havens
Context: RBI data shows nearly 56% of India’s outward FDI in 2024-25 went to low-tax jurisdictions such as Singapore, Mauritius, UAE, Netherlands, U.K. and Switzerland.
About India’s Outward FDI & Tax Havens:
What it is?
• Outward FDI (OFDI): Investment by Indian firms to establish or acquire businesses abroad, often through special purpose vehicles (SPVs) in low-tax jurisdictions.
• Tax Havens / Low-Tax Jurisdictions: Countries offering favourable tax regimes, regulatory ease, and fund-transfer flexibility.
Trends:
• High Concentration: 56% of India’s OFDI routed through 6 jurisdictions in FY 2024-25.
• Top Three Destinations: Singapore (22.6%), Mauritius (10.9%), UAE (9.1%) account for >40% of total OFDI.
• Joint Ventures Dominance: Nearly 60% of OFDI through these destinations were for JV formation.
• Strategic Motive: Firms use them for fundraising, investor comfort, and regulatory flexibility, not just tax minimisation.
Implications:
• Tax Policy Concerns: Raises questions of round-tripping and potential base erosion.
• Capital Efficiency: Improves access to global capital markets and facilitates cross-border deals.
• Regulatory Impact: Highlights need for clear FDI and tax treaty frameworks to curb misuse.
• Competitiveness: Helps Indian firms escape high tariffs and improve global market presence.
Relevance in UPSC Exam:
• GS Paper II: Governance, regulatory reforms, double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs).
• GS Paper III: Indian Economy, Globalisation, Capital Account convertibility, Tax Avoidance vs. Evasion.
• Ethics Paper: Moral dimensions of profit-shifting and responsible corporate behaviour.
Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan
Context: Prime Minister of India to launch ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan’ and 8th Poshan Maah.
About Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan:
What it is?
• India’s largest-ever women and child health mobilisation campaign.
• A whole-of-government, whole-of-society effort combining health, nutrition, and awareness under one umbrella.
• Jointly led by MoHFW & MoWCD, integrated with Poshan Maah 2025 activities.
• Achieve early detection and timely treatment of NCDs, cancer, TB, anaemia, sickle cell disease.
• Promote nutrition awareness, menstrual hygiene, healthy lifestyles, and mental well-being.
Key Features:
• Nationwide Health Camps: Over 1 lakh camps from 17 Sept – 2 Oct 2025 in CHCs, district hospitals, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
• Specialist Services: Gynaecology, paediatrics, eye, ENT, dental, dermatology, psychiatry.
• NCD & Cancer Screening: BP, sugar, BMI checks, breast & cervical cancer screening, oral cavity checks.
• Anaemia & Nutrition: Hb testing, IFA supplements, deworming, Annaprashan, recipe demos, FSSAI Eat Right campaign.
• Maternal & Child Health: ANC, growth monitoring, immunisation, MCP card distribution.
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus
• GS Paper II: Health, Welfare Schemes, Governance & Social Sector Interventions.
• GS Paper III: Public Health, Nutrition, Demography, Disaster & Disease Management.
• GS Paper IV (Ethics): Social responsibility, public service values, community mobilisation.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 September 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
5th Coast Guard Global Summit
Source: PIB
Context: India will host the 5th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) in Chennai in 2027, aligning with the Golden Jubilee of the Indian Coast Guard.
About 5th Coast Guard Global Summit:
• What it is: A premier multilateral forum bringing together Coast Guards, maritime security agencies, and international organisations to discuss global maritime challenges.
• Host: Chennai.
• Aim: Strengthen global maritime cooperation and interoperability. Promote trust-building, information exchange, and collective response to maritime threats.
• Strengthen global maritime cooperation and interoperability.
• Promote trust-building, information exchange, and collective response to maritime threats.
• Features: International Coast Guard Fleet Review – showcasing global maritime capability and unity. Symbolic of India’s commitment to SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• International Coast Guard Fleet Review – showcasing global maritime capability and unity.
• Symbolic of India’s commitment to SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
• Who They Are? The Indian Coast Guard is India’s maritime law enforcement and search & rescue force, operating under the Ministry of Defence. It is the fourth armed force of India and plays a crucial role in coastal security and EEZ protection.
• The Indian Coast Guard is India’s maritime law enforcement and search & rescue force, operating under the Ministry of Defence. It is the fourth armed force of India and plays a crucial role in coastal security and EEZ protection.
• Establishment:
• Concept accepted in early 1970s after recommendations of Nag Committee (1970) and K.F. Rustamji Committee (1974). Formally raised on 1 February 1977 with 2 frigates & 5 patrol boats (transferred from Navy). Inaugurated on 19 August 1978 by PM Morarji Desai at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
• Concept accepted in early 1970s after recommendations of Nag Committee (1970) and K.F. Rustamji Committee (1974).
• Formally raised on 1 February 1977 with 2 frigates & 5 patrol boats (transferred from Navy).
• Inaugurated on 19 August 1978 by PM Morarji Desai at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
• First Director General: Vice Admiral V.A. Kamath.
• Functions:
• Maritime Law Enforcement: Anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, enforcement of Maritime Zones of India Act. Search & Rescue (SAR): Protects fishermen & seafarers in distress. Maritime Environment Protection: Pollution control & marine ecosystem preservation. Offshore Security: Safeguards vital offshore installations (e.g., Mumbai High). Maritime Surveillance: Patrols India’s EEZ (2.01 million sq km). National Security: Works with Navy & other agencies for coastal defence.
• Maritime Law Enforcement: Anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, enforcement of Maritime Zones of India Act.
• Search & Rescue (SAR): Protects fishermen & seafarers in distress.
• Maritime Environment Protection: Pollution control & marine ecosystem preservation.
• Offshore Security: Safeguards vital offshore installations (e.g., Mumbai High).
• Maritime Surveillance: Patrols India’s EEZ (2.01 million sq km).
• National Security: Works with Navy & other agencies for coastal defence.
Frontier 50 Initiative
Source: PIB
Context: Niti Aayog announced the ‘Frontier 50 Initiative’ to implement frontier technology solutions in 50 Aspirational Districts/Blocks, fast-tracking India’s march towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
About Frontier 50 Initiative:
• What it is? A flagship program by NITI Aayog to deploy frontier technologies (AI, IoT, drones, blockchain) in 50 Aspirational Districts/Blocks to improve service delivery, productivity, and citizen well-being.
• A flagship program by NITI Aayog to deploy frontier technologies (AI, IoT, drones, blockchain) in 50 Aspirational Districts/Blocks to improve service delivery, productivity, and citizen well-being.
• Launched By: NITI Aayog under its Frontier Tech Hub.
• Objective:
• Fast-track adoption of proven frontier tech use cases from the Frontier Tech Repository. Achieve saturation of government services (health, education, skilling, welfare delivery). Bridge the digital and development divide in under-served regions by 2047.
• Fast-track adoption of proven frontier tech use cases from the Frontier Tech Repository.
• Achieve saturation of government services (health, education, skilling, welfare delivery).
• Bridge the digital and development divide in under-served regions by 2047.
• Key Features:
• 50 Pilot Districts/Blocks: Selected from Aspirational District Programme (ADP) / Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) for maximum impact. Use-Case Deployment: Each district/block to select priority use cases in agriculture, health, education, livelihoods. Capacity Building: Local administration trained to scale up tech adoption. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration with startups, industry, and academia to co-create solutions. Monitoring & Outcomes: KPIs defined to measure service delivery, citizen impact, and replicability across India.
• 50 Pilot Districts/Blocks: Selected from Aspirational District Programme (ADP) / Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) for maximum impact.
• Use-Case Deployment: Each district/block to select priority use cases in agriculture, health, education, livelihoods.
• Capacity Building: Local administration trained to scale up tech adoption.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration with startups, industry, and academia to co-create solutions.
• Monitoring & Outcomes: KPIs defined to measure service delivery, citizen impact, and replicability across India.
Involution
Source: TH
Context: China’s EV sector is facing severe “involution” — a cycle of destructive price wars and oversupply leading to financial stress for manufacturers.
About Involution:
• What it is?
• Involution (Chinese: nèijuǎn) is a socio-economic phenomenon where competition becomes excessively inward-looking, leading to diminishing returns. In the EV sector, it refers to price wars so extreme that firms sell below production cost, eroding profits and threatening survival.
• Involution (Chinese: nèijuǎn) is a socio-economic phenomenon where competition becomes excessively inward-looking, leading to diminishing returns.
• In the EV sector, it refers to price wars so extreme that firms sell below production cost, eroding profits and threatening survival.
• Origin:
• Word History: Derived from Latin involūtiōn-em – “to turn inwards.” Academic Usage: Popularised by anthropologist Clifford Geertz in Agricultural Involution (1969), describing labour intensification in Java that raised output per acre but not per worker — leading to stagnant incomes despite rising effort.
• Word History: Derived from Latin involūtiōn-em – “to turn inwards.”
• Academic Usage: Popularised by anthropologist Clifford Geertz in Agricultural Involution (1969), describing labour intensification in Java that raised output per acre but not per worker — leading to stagnant incomes despite rising effort.
• Features:
• Hyper-Competition: Price wars between 120–130 EV makers push prices unsustainably low. Below-Cost Selling: Retail prices drop below production costs, leading to mounting losses. Excess Capacity: Overproduction with insufficient demand worsens inventory build-up. Trade War Trigger: High U.S./EU tariffs redirect Chinese EVs to domestic markets, intensifying competition. Social & Policy Response: Seen as a drag on economic stability, prompting government intervention.
• Hyper-Competition: Price wars between 120–130 EV makers push prices unsustainably low.
• Below-Cost Selling: Retail prices drop below production costs, leading to mounting losses.
• Excess Capacity: Overproduction with insufficient demand worsens inventory build-up.
• Trade War Trigger: High U.S./EU tariffs redirect Chinese EVs to domestic markets, intensifying competition.
• Social & Policy Response: Seen as a drag on economic stability, prompting government intervention.
• Implications:
• Industry Consolidation: Small players risk bankruptcy, leading to mergers and shakeouts. Profit Erosion: Threatens R&D investment and long-term competitiveness of Chinese EV makers. Employment Impact: Layoffs possible as weaker firms exit market. Global Spillover: Cheaper exports flood emerging markets, affecting local auto industries.
• Industry Consolidation: Small players risk bankruptcy, leading to mergers and shakeouts.
• Profit Erosion: Threatens R&D investment and long-term competitiveness of Chinese EV makers.
• Employment Impact: Layoffs possible as weaker firms exit market.
• Global Spillover: Cheaper exports flood emerging markets, affecting local auto industries.
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Source: WTO
Context: WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has entered into force after crossing the two-thirds acceptance threshold with recent ratifications by Brazil, Kenya, Viet Nam, and Tonga.
• It is the first WTO agreement focused on environmental sustainability, targeting illegal and harmful fishing subsidies to protect marine resources.
About WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies:
• What it is?
• A binding multilateral agreement under the aegis of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Designed to curb harmful government subsidies that encourage overfishing and depletion of marine stocks.
• A binding multilateral agreement under the aegis of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Designed to curb harmful government subsidies that encourage overfishing and depletion of marine stocks.
• Under the Aegis of:
• Negotiated and adopted at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022, Geneva.
• Negotiated and adopted at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022, Geneva.
• Objectives:
• Prevent Overexploitation: Prohibit subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity. Ensure Food Security: Secure livelihoods of millions dependent on fisheries for nutrition and income. Promote Fair Trade: Create a level playing field by disciplining subsidies that distort competition.
• Prevent Overexploitation: Prohibit subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity.
• Ensure Food Security: Secure livelihoods of millions dependent on fisheries for nutrition and income.
• Promote Fair Trade: Create a level playing field by disciplining subsidies that distort competition.
• Key Features:
• Subsidy Prohibitions: Bans subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fishing of overfished stocks, and fishing on unregulated high seas. Transparency Mechanism: Members must notify subsidies and fishing activities for monitoring. Implementation Support: Establishment of WTO Fish Fund ($18+ million pledged) to aid developing countries and LDCs. Committee on Fisheries Subsidies: Regular dialogue, compliance review, and technical assistance. Multilateral Milestone: First WTO agreement focused on environmental sustainability and ocean governance.
• Subsidy Prohibitions: Bans subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fishing of overfished stocks, and fishing on unregulated high seas.
• Transparency Mechanism: Members must notify subsidies and fishing activities for monitoring.
• Implementation Support: Establishment of WTO Fish Fund ($18+ million pledged) to aid developing countries and LDCs.
• Committee on Fisheries Subsidies: Regular dialogue, compliance review, and technical assistance.
• Multilateral Milestone: First WTO agreement focused on environmental sustainability and ocean governance.
• Significance:
• Global Marine Protection: Helps address the fact that 35.5% of global fish stocks are overfished. Economic Equity: Reduces unfair advantage of heavily subsidised fleets from large fishing nations. Support to Small Fishers: Protects livelihoods of hundreds of millions dependent on artisanal fisheries
• Global Marine Protection: Helps address the fact that 35.5% of global fish stocks are overfished.
• Economic Equity: Reduces unfair advantage of heavily subsidised fleets from large fishing nations.
• Support to Small Fishers: Protects livelihoods of hundreds of millions dependent on artisanal fisheries
Legal Provisions for Acquisition of Animals
Source: TH
Context: The Supreme Court-appointed SIT has found no statutory irregularities in Reliance-owned Vantara’s acquisition of animals, affirming compliance with all wildlife and trade laws.
About Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
• What it is? A comprehensive legislation enacted by Parliament to protect India’s wildlife, habitats, and regulate human-wildlife interaction. It provides a legal framework for the protection of endangered species and creation of protected areas.
• A comprehensive legislation enacted by Parliament to protect India’s wildlife, habitats, and regulate human-wildlife interaction. It provides a legal framework for the protection of endangered species and creation of protected areas.
• Aim: To ensure the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. To maintain ecological and environmental security by preventing extinction of species. To regulate hunting, trade, and possession of wildlife products.
• To ensure the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants.
• To maintain ecological and environmental security by preventing extinction of species.
• To regulate hunting, trade, and possession of wildlife products.
• Key Features: Six Schedules (I–VI) classifying species based on protection level (Schedule I & II provide absolute protection; Schedule VI regulates cultivation of certain plants).
• Six Schedules (I–VI) classifying species based on protection level (Schedule I & II provide absolute protection; Schedule VI regulates cultivation of certain plants).
Note: It has been amended into 4 schedules by Wildlife (Protection) Act, 2022.
• Creation of Protected Areas: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, Community Reserves.
• Regulation of Hunting: Complete ban on hunting of endangered species; permits only for special purposes like scientific research or population control.
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): Established to fight wildlife crimes and illegal trade.
• Zoo Regulation: Chapter IV-A provides for recognition, management, and regulation of zoos through the Central Zoo Authority.
• Penalties: Stringent fines and imprisonment for offences, especially involving Schedule I animals.
About Legal Provision for Acquisition of Animals:
• What the Law Says: Section 40 & 42 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act require any person acquiring, possessing, or transferring a scheduled wild animal (or article) to seek prior permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW). Section 43 prohibits transfer by sale or offer unless with CWW permission. Section 49 & 49B regulate trade and transport of scheduled animals, ensuring they are not procured illegally or smuggled.
• Section 40 & 42 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act require any person acquiring, possessing, or transferring a scheduled wild animal (or article) to seek prior permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW).
• Section 43 prohibits transfer by sale or offer unless with CWW permission.
• Section 49 & 49B regulate trade and transport of scheduled animals, ensuring they are not procured illegally or smuggled.
• Process for Acquisition: Application: Individual/organisation applies to CWW specifying species, purpose, and source. Verification: Authority verifies legality of source (domestic zoo, rescue centre, or permitted foreign institution). Permit/License: Permit issued under Zoo Rules, 2009 (for recognised zoos) or under international agreements like CITES for imports/exports. Transport & Quarantine: Transport must comply with IATA Live Animal Regulations; post-arrival, animals undergo veterinary quarantine. Reporting & Record-Keeping: Acquirer must maintain inventory and submit records to authorities periodically.
• Application: Individual/organisation applies to CWW specifying species, purpose, and source.
• Verification: Authority verifies legality of source (domestic zoo, rescue centre, or permitted foreign institution).
• Permit/License: Permit issued under Zoo Rules, 2009 (for recognised zoos) or under international agreements like CITES for imports/exports.
• Transport & Quarantine: Transport must comply with IATA Live Animal Regulations; post-arrival, animals undergo veterinary quarantine.
• Reporting & Record-Keeping: Acquirer must maintain inventory and submit records to authorities periodically.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 16 September 2025 Mapping:
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS)
Source: TOI
Context: Five individuals were arrested for poaching an Indian Pangolin in Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS), Yavatmal, Maharashtra.
About Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS):
• What it is?
• A protected wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve in Maharashtra. Known for its high tiger density and rich biodiversity. Offers a lesser-crowded safari experience compared to Tadoba.
• A protected wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve in Maharashtra.
• Known for its high tiger density and rich biodiversity.
• Offers a lesser-crowded safari experience compared to Tadoba.
• Location:
• Situated in Pandarkawada region of Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. Covers an area of 148.63 sq. km. Named after Goddess Tipai whose shrine lies in Tipeshwar village.
• Situated in Pandarkawada region of Yavatmal district, Maharashtra.
• Covers an area of 148.63 sq. km.
• Named after Goddess Tipai whose shrine lies in Tipeshwar village.
• History & Conservation:
• Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Gained attention as the home of Tigress Avni, on whom Vidya Balan’s film Sherni was loosely based. Dedicated conservation efforts since 2010 have increased tiger population from 3 to 20.
• Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Gained attention as the home of Tigress Avni, on whom Vidya Balan’s film Sherni was loosely based.
• Dedicated conservation efforts since 2010 have increased tiger population from 3 to 20.
• Key Features:
• Flora: Teak covers ~60% of vegetation; Red Sandalwood ~15%. Rich in Mahua, Achar, Lendia, Tiwas, and ~250 species of bamboo. Fauna: Hosts tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, chital, sambar, wild boar, and Indian pangolins. Home to 26 reptile species and rare mammals like Rusty Spotted Cat & False Vampire Bat. Avifauna: Birdwatcher’s paradise with 256 bird species — resident, migratory, and rare. Painted Francolin, Rain Quail, Lesser Whistling Duck, and Eurasian Wryneck are highlights. Butterfly Diversity: 97 butterfly species, including rare ones like Black Rajah & Peacock Royal. Ecotourism Potential: Offers jeep safaris, nature trails, and rural tourism opportunities supporting local livelihoods.
• Flora: Teak covers ~60% of vegetation; Red Sandalwood ~15%. Rich in Mahua, Achar, Lendia, Tiwas, and ~250 species of bamboo.
• Teak covers ~60% of vegetation; Red Sandalwood ~15%.
• Rich in Mahua, Achar, Lendia, Tiwas, and ~250 species of bamboo.
• Fauna: Hosts tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, chital, sambar, wild boar, and Indian pangolins. Home to 26 reptile species and rare mammals like Rusty Spotted Cat & False Vampire Bat.
• Hosts tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, chital, sambar, wild boar, and Indian pangolins.
• Home to 26 reptile species and rare mammals like Rusty Spotted Cat & False Vampire Bat.
• Avifauna: Birdwatcher’s paradise with 256 bird species — resident, migratory, and rare. Painted Francolin, Rain Quail, Lesser Whistling Duck, and Eurasian Wryneck are highlights.
• Birdwatcher’s paradise with 256 bird species — resident, migratory, and rare.
• Painted Francolin, Rain Quail, Lesser Whistling Duck, and Eurasian Wryneck are highlights.
• Butterfly Diversity: 97 butterfly species, including rare ones like Black Rajah & Peacock Royal.
• Ecotourism Potential: Offers jeep safaris, nature trails, and rural tourism opportunities supporting local livelihoods.
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