UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 September 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 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:

• From Promises to Participation: Reimagining Transgender Rights in India

From Promises to Participation: Reimagining Transgender Rights in India

GS Paper 3:

• Protecting India’s Satellites

Protecting India’s Satellites

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

• CPCB Report on Polluted River Sites

CPCB Report on Polluted River Sites

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

• Phytosaur fossil

Phytosaur fossil

• Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme

Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme

• Barren Island Volcano

Barren Island Volcano

• Bonnet Macaques

Bonnet Macaques

• GST 2.0

GST 2.0

• AI-enabled Centre at Betla National Park

AI-enabled Centre at Betla National Park

Mapping:

• Tirah Valley

Tirah Valley

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 September 2025

#### GS Paper 2:

From Promises to Participation: Reimagining Transgender Rights in India

Syllabus: Vulnerable Sections

Source: TH

Context: Recently leading trans activist, argued that India must move from symbolic welfare promises to genuine participation of transgender persons in politics and policymaking.

• Despite legal recognition since NALSA (2014), the gap between rights on paper and lived realities remains stark.

About From Promises to Participation: Reimagining Transgender Rights in India:

What is the Issue?

• Legal recognition vs lived reality: The NALSA v. Union of India (2014) judgment recognised transgender persons as the “third gender” under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21. Yet, exclusion and stigma persist.

• Tokenistic quotas: Announced quotas in jobs, education, and housing remain inaccessible due to corruption, humiliating verification, and bureaucratic hurdles.

• Lack of political voice: No trans MPs or Union ministers exist; exclusion from statutory boards (e.g., censor board) means policies are framed about trans persons but rarely with them.

• Everyday discrimination: Landlords refuse rentals, workplaces marginalise, and ridicule in buses or markets makes dignity a daily struggle.

• Economic vulnerability: Gender transition costs ₹2–5 lakh in private hospitals; coupled with family abandonment, many are pushed into unsafe livelihoods.

What are the Implications?

• Democratic deficit: Without structural political participation, democracy reproduces privilege.

Eg: Women and SC/ST have reservations in Panchayats, but trans persons lack such entry points.

• Loss of human capital: As Apsara Reddy notes, “Every time a trans person is denied education, a scientist is lost; every time housing is denied, an artist is displaced.”

• Cycle of poverty: NHRC survey (2017) found 92% of trans persons are denied jobs, and nearly 50% face workplace harassment.

• Social injustice: NCRB data shows trans persons face higher vulnerability to violence; WHO reports elevated suicide risks among trans youth.

• Developmental setback: Exclusion wastes diversity that historically drives reform.

Eg: Women’s entry into universities advanced medicine; Dalits’ entry into legislatures deepened democracy.

What Has Been Done?

• Judicial recognition: NALSA (2014) affirmed right to self-identify and directed governments to extend reservations.

• Legislation: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 prohibits discrimination but is criticised for requiring District Magistrate certification.

• Institutional framework: National Council for Transgender Persons (2020) created to advise policy.

• State-level initiatives: Tamil Nadu: Aravanis Welfare Board (2008), monthly pensions. Karnataka: 1% reservation (2021) in education and jobs. Kerala: State-funded aid for gender reassignment surgeries.

• Tamil Nadu: Aravanis Welfare Board (2008), monthly pensions.

• Karnataka: 1% reservation (2021) in education and jobs.

• Kerala: State-funded aid for gender reassignment surgeries.

• Symbolic representation: Shabnam Mausi (first trans MLA, 1998), Joyita Mondal (first trans judge, 2017), and Madhu Bai Kinnar (Mayor, 2015) broke barriers but remain exceptions.

What More Needs to be Done?

• Education: Scholarships, inclusive curricula, hostels, and anti-bullying protocols must be institutionalised.

Eg: NCERT’s 2021 inclusion of gender identity in textbooks should be expanded nationwide.

• Healthcare: Affordable, state-supported transition procedures, insurance under Ayushman Bharat, and targeted mental health counselling are essential.

Eg: Kerala’s policy for gender reassignment surgery aid is a replicable model.

• Employment & Housing: Strict enforcement of anti-discrimination laws with penalties, rental protections, and skilling under Skill India are needed.

Eg: Karnataka’s 1% reservation proves feasibility of affirmative action.

• Political representation: Reserved seats in local bodies, nomination in legislatures, and inclusion in statutory boards like the censor board are vital.

Eg: Despite recurring derogatory portrayals, no trans person has been appointed to the censor board.

• Social sensitisation: Mass campaigns, neighbourhood awareness, and affirmative media narratives must dismantle stereotypes.

Eg: Just as Swachh Bharat reshaped sanitation attitudes, similar campaigns can normalise gender diversity.

Conclusion:

Policy for gender minorities must move from symbolic welfare to structural inclusion. Ensuring rights in education, healthcare, housing, employment, and political representation is essential. Only when trans persons are integrated into India’s democratic fabric will the constitutional promise of dignity and justice be realised.

#### GS Paper 3:

Protecting India’s Satellites

Syllabus: Science & Tech

Source: TH

Context: India approved a ₹27,000-crore programme to launch 52 surveillance satellites from 2026.

• Reports suggest India is also considering “bodyguard satellites” to protect its space assets after near-miss incidents.

About: Protecting India’s Satellites:

Need for Protecting India’s Satellites

• Vital role – Satellites are the backbone for communication, navigation (NavIC), weather forecasts, internet, defence and surveillance, making them critical for national security and economy.

• Multiple threats – They face risks from space debris, collisions, hostile manoeuvres, jamming, spoofing, cyber intrusions, and solar storms that can disrupt services or destroy satellites.

• High costs – Launching and maintaining satellites involves billions; protecting them ensures return on investment and safeguards India’s strategic autonomy.

Initiatives Taken:

• IS4OM Centre (Bengaluru) – Tracks Indian satellites and issues timely alerts for possible collisions, enabling manoeuvres to prevent accidents.

• Project NETRA – Expanding India’s space surveillance with radars and telescopes to build indigenous space situational awareness capabilities.

• Aditya-L1 Mission – Observes the sun to forecast solar storms and coronal mass ejections that could damage satellites’ electronics and shorten orbital lifespans.

• CERT-In Guidelines (2025) – Mandate strong encryption, network segmentation, and cyber hygiene protocols to safeguard satellites from hacking attempts.

• IN-SPACe Licensing – Ensures private space firms adopt safety standards so that commercialisation of space remains secure and reliable.

• Debris-Free Space Mission by 2030 – India’s pledge to avoid space debris creation and adopt sustainable practices announced at IADC 2024.

Bodyguard Satellites

• What it is? Special satellites designed to escort and shield India’s high-value orbital assets from external threats. Monitor close approaches – They can detect when foreign satellites or debris move dangerously close to Indian spacecraft. Warn against manoeuvres – Capable of identifying suspicious activities such as shadowing or hostile proximity operations. Physical intervention – May reposition themselves or the protected satellite to prevent collisions or jamming. Global alignment – Reflects global defence trends where major powers are developing proximity and protection satellites.

• Special satellites designed to escort and shield India’s high-value orbital assets from external threats.

• Monitor close approaches – They can detect when foreign satellites or debris move dangerously close to Indian spacecraft.

• Warn against manoeuvres – Capable of identifying suspicious activities such as shadowing or hostile proximity operations.

• Physical intervention – May reposition themselves or the protected satellite to prevent collisions or jamming.

• Global alignment – Reflects global defence trends where major powers are developing proximity and protection satellites.

Challenges:

• Technological – Requires advanced sensors, AI-based autonomy, and precision manoeuvring not yet fully mastered by India.

• Financial – Developing and deploying escort satellites involves high costs, demanding sustained budgetary commitment.

• Cybersecurity – Ground stations and user terminals remain weak links vulnerable to hacking or spoofing attacks.

• Geopolitical – Deployment of defensive satellites may trigger mistrust or arms race in outer space among global powers.

• Sustainability – Protecting satellites must not worsen the problem of orbital debris or overcrowding in space.

Way Ahead:

• Indigenous SSA tech – Invest in LiDAR-based and radar satellites to strengthen India’s ability to track debris and hostile movements.

• Anti-jamming systems – Develop encrypted signals, hardened waveforms, and autonomous avoidance technologies for resilience.

• Public–Private partnerships – Leverage start-ups and private industry to innovate low-cost solutions for satellite safety.

• Global engagement – Actively participate in COPUOS, IADC and multilateral platforms to promote responsible space behaviour.

• Defensive-first strategy – Focus on sustainable, non-weaponised measures that ensure security without escalating conflict.

Conclusion:

Protecting satellites is no longer optional but a strategic imperative for India’s security and economy. A layered defence of technology, governance, and diplomacy is essential. With careful planning, India can secure its orbital assets while championing peaceful, sustainable use of space.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 September 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

CPCB Report on Polluted River Sites

Source: TH

Context: The CPCB 2023 report shows India’s polluted river sites declined slightly to 807 (2023) from 815 (2022), with fewer “Priority-1” stretches needing urgent remediation.

About CPCB Report on Polluted River Sites:

What it is?

• A nationwide assessment by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the health of rivers.

• Uses Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as a proxy for organic pollution.

• BOD > 3 mg/L → water unfit for bathing and BOD > 30 mg/L → Priority-1 (most polluted).

Trends in Report (2023 vs 2022):

• Polluted Sites – Reduced from 815 (2022) to 807 (2023).

• Polluted River Stretches (PRS) – 296 PRS across 271 rivers (down from 311 across 279 rivers in 2022).

• State-wise – Maharashtra (54) highest PRS, followed by Kerala (31), MP & Manipur (18 each), Karnataka (14).

• Priority-1 Stretches – Reduced to 37 (2023) from 45 (2022).

• Monitoring Network – 4,736 locations including rivers, lakes, canals, drains.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:

• GS-III (Environment) – River pollution, water quality indicators, CPCB role, BOD as pollution metric.

• GS-II (Governance/Policy) – River rejuvenation schemes (Namami Gange, NRCP, AMRUT).

• Essay / Ethics – Sustainable development, inter-generational equity, water security.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 September 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Phytosaur fossil

Source: NIE

Context: Ancient fossilised remains discovered in Megha village, Jaisalmer, have sparked speculation of being a Phytosaur fossil dating back to the Late Triassic–Jurassic period.

About Phytosaur fossil:

What it is?

• Phytosaurs are extinct, large, semi-aquatic reptiles resembling modern crocodiles, belonging to the order Phytosauria.

• They thrived during the Late Triassic and possibly Early Jurassic, showing features like long snouts, heavy armour, and diverse feeding adaptations.

Found in:

• Recent suspected fossil: Megha village, Fatehgarh subdivision, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan.

• Earlier finds: Akal and Thaiyat (confirmed dinosaur remains), plus shark and marine fossils in the region.

Features:

• Fossil specimen: ~6–7 feet long, spine structure visible, possibly Jurassic-age.

• Morphological diversity: long-snouted (fish-eating), short-snouted (terrestrial prey), and high-snouted (generalist feeders).

• Distribution: Phytosaur fossils reported from India, Europe, North America, Brazil, Morocco, Thailand, Madagascar.

Significance:

• Enhances Jaisalmer’s reputation as a paleontological hotspot.

• Provides insights into prehistoric biodiversity, convergent evolution with crocodilians, and climate-fauna history of India’s Jurassic formations.

Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme

Source: PIB

Context: Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) launched the Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme in New Delhi.

About Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme:

What it is?

• A five-day professional engagement programme on national and regional security issues.

• Acts as a forum for civil–military dialogue, strategic review, and leadership development.

Organisation Involved:

• HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) as the nodal organiser.

• Participants include senior officers from Armed Forces, and ministries of Defence, External Affairs, and Home Affairs.

• To strengthen civil–military synergy in addressing multidimensional threats.

• To enhance strategic awareness and foster balanced decision-making among future leaders.

Features:

• Themes – regional/global security, tech transformation of warfare, strategic communication, inter-agency synergy.

• Method – lectures, discussions, and interactions with subject-matter experts and professionals.

• Focus – joint problem-solving, leadership exposure, cross-domain learning.

• Participants – senior civil and military officers for holistic security perspectives.

Significance:

• Builds intellectual foundations for senior leadership.

• Encourages jointness in Armed Forces and coordination with civilian agencies.

• Enhances preparedness for complex, multidimensional threats at national and international levels.

Barren Island Volcano

Source: TP

Context: India’s only active volcano at Barren Island, Andaman Sea, witnessed two mild eruptions on 13 and 20 September 2025.

About Barren Island Volcano:

What it is?

• India’s only active volcano and South Asia’s only confirmed active volcanic site.

• An uninhabited island with rugged volcanic cones, ash deposits, and sparse vegetation.

Located in:

• Situated in the Andaman Sea, about 138 km northeast of Port Blair.

• Part of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, within the Indian Union Territory.

Origin:

• Belongs to a volcanic belt formed at the convergent boundary of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates.

• Geological history: Oldest lava flows are ~1.6 million years old, formed on an oceanic crust ~106 million years old.

Features:

• Size: Island spans ~3 sq km, rises 354 m above sea level.

• Structure: Contains a 2 km wide caldera formed by collapse of an earlier volcanic cone.

• Eruption record: First in 1787, followed by multiple episodes (1991, 2005–07, 2017, 2022, 2025).

• Activity type: Low Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI 2), mild lava flows and ash clouds.

• Ecology: Harsh terrain; past eruptions reduced local bird and fauna diversity.

Significance:

• Geological importance – Only active subaerial volcano between Sumatra and Myanmar.

• Scientific research – Helps study plate tectonics, volcanology, and oceanic crust evolution.

• Strategic location – Enhances India’s maritime significance in the Andaman Sea.

Bonnet Macaques

Source: TH

Context: Nine bonnet macaques were found dead in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, raising fears of poisoning or disease.

About Bonnet Macaques:

What it is?

• A primate species endemic to southern India, often found living close to human settlements.

• Known for the distinctive “bonnet-shaped” hair whorl on its head.

Habitat:

• Found across Western Ghats, southern plains, and urban fringes.

• Thrive in evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests, plantations, and village edges.

• Highly arboreal but also terrestrial; adapt well near humans.

IUCN Status: Listed as Least Concern (LC) due to wide distribution.

Features:

• Physical: Color: Greyish-brown to golden-brown fur, pinkish hairless face. Size: 3.9 kg (female) to 6.7 kg (male); body length 35–60 cm (excluding tail). Males larger than females (sexual dimorphism).

• Color: Greyish-brown to golden-brown fur, pinkish hairless face.

• Size: 3.9 kg (female) to 6.7 kg (male); body length 35–60 cm (excluding tail).

• Males larger than females (sexual dimorphism).

• Biological: Reproduction: Annual breeding season (Sept–Oct); single offspring after ~24 weeks gestation. Lifespan: 20–25 years in wild; up to 35 years in captivity. Females give birth to ~5 offspring before menopause (~27 years).

• Reproduction: Annual breeding season (Sept–Oct); single offspring after ~24 weeks gestation.

• Lifespan: 20–25 years in wild; up to 35 years in captivity.

• Females give birth to ~5 offspring before menopause (~27 years).

• Social: Live in multi-male, multi-female troops averaging ~30 individuals. Linear dominance hierarchy; females are philopatric (stay in natal groups). Strong social grooming bonds; unique tolerance of juveniles by dominant males.

• Live in multi-male, multi-female troops averaging ~30 individuals.

• Linear dominance hierarchy; females are philopatric (stay in natal groups).

• Strong social grooming bonds; unique tolerance of juveniles by dominant males.

• Food Habits: Omnivorous and opportunistic. Diet: Fruits, seeds, insects, crops, and human food waste. Frequently forage in urban and semi-urban areas, often raiding households and plantations.

• Omnivorous and opportunistic.

• Diet: Fruits, seeds, insects, crops, and human food waste.

• Frequently forage in urban and semi-urban areas, often raiding households and plantations.

GST 2.0

Source: IE

Context: The Government rolled out GST 2.0 from September 22, 2025, termed the “GST Bachat Utsav” by Prime Minister of India.

• The reform rationalises tax slabs, cuts rates on over 375 items, and simplifies compliance to boost consumption and investment.

About GST 2.0:

What it is?

• A major tax reform under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime introduced in 2017.

• Focuses on rate rationalisation, consumer relief, and compliance simplification.

• To leave more disposable income with households → spur consumption.

• To reduce litigation by aligning similar goods in same tax slab.

Features of the New System:

• Rate Rationalisation – Shift to broad two-slab structure: 5% (merit rate) and 18% (standard rate) and 40% (demerit goods).

• Consumer Relief – Tax exemptions/reductions on food items, life & health insurance, and beauty/wellness services.

• Simplified Compliance – Tech-driven registration, pre-filled returns, automated refunds (90% provisional refund in IDS cases).

• Correction of IDS – Placing related goods in same slab to reduce input-output tax mismatch.

• Boost to Industry – Encourages investment by cutting costs, particularly in textiles, agriculture, construction, and services.

Important Slab Changes:

• 0.25% – Rough diamonds, precious stones.

• 1.5% – Cut & polished diamonds.

• 3% – Precious metals (gold, silver, pearls).

• 5% – 516 items: food, agricultural machinery, medical devices, hydrogen vehicles, health & life insurance, salons.

• 18% – 640 items: machinery, chemicals, paints, automobile parts, small cars/bikes.

• 40% (Demerit Rate) – Sin goods like pan masala, tobacco, aerated beverages, luxury yachts, private aircraft, big cars/bikes.

• Special Case – Bricks continue under 6% (no ITC) / 12% (with ITC) scheme.

AI-enabled Centre at Betla National Park

Source: NIE

Context: Betla National Park, Jharkhand, will host India’s first AI-enabled nature experience centre.

• It will use AI, AR/VR, holograms, and immersive sound to simulate real jungle life.

About AI-enabled Centre at Betla National Park:

• What it is?

• A high-tech nature interpretation and experience hub inside Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). Designed to recreate wildlife movements, sounds, and natural ecosystem dynamics.

• A high-tech nature interpretation and experience hub inside Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).

• Designed to recreate wildlife movements, sounds, and natural ecosystem dynamics.

• Developed by: Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) authorities, led by Deputy Director Prajesh Kant Jena.

• Features:

• AI Assistants for guided learning. 3D holographic projections to display lifelike animals. Augmented reality & immersive sound effects (waterfalls, bird calls, animal hunts). Simulation of ecosystem behaviours like food-sharing, herd movement, predator-prey interactions.

• AI Assistants for guided learning.

• 3D holographic projections to display lifelike animals.

• Augmented reality & immersive sound effects (waterfalls, bird calls, animal hunts).

• Simulation of ecosystem behaviours like food-sharing, herd movement, predator-prey interactions.

• Function:

• Enhances eco-tourism and education in PTR. Provides interactive conservation awareness. Supports researchers with virtual wildlife observation tools.

• Enhances eco-tourism and education in PTR.

• Provides interactive conservation awareness.

• Supports researchers with virtual wildlife observation tools.

About Betla National Park:

• What it is?

• The only National Park of Jharkhand, known for its rich flora and fauna. Famous for elephant rides, jeep safaris, waterfalls, and tribal eco-tourism. Forms the core area of Palamau Tiger Reserve.

• The only National Park of Jharkhand, known for its rich flora and fauna.

• Famous for elephant rides, jeep safaris, waterfalls, and tribal eco-tourism.

• Forms the core area of Palamau Tiger Reserve.

• Located in: Situated in Latehar district, Jharkhand, about 170 km from Ranchi.

• History:

• Notified as a National Park in 1986. Part of Palamau Tiger Reserve (Total area: 1129.93 sq. km). Among the first nine tiger reserves established under Project Tiger (1973). Developed as the main tourism hub of Palamau Tiger Reserve with elephant rides and jeep safaris.

• Notified as a National Park in 1986.

• Part of Palamau Tiger Reserve (Total area: 1129.93 sq. km).

• Among the first nine tiger reserves established under Project Tiger (1973).

• Developed as the main tourism hub of Palamau Tiger Reserve with elephant rides and jeep safaris.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23 September 2025 Mapping:

Tirah Valley

• •Source: NIE*

Context: At least 23 people were killed in a blast in Pakistan’s Tirah Valley (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).

About Tirah Valley:

What it is?

• A mountainous region and tribal stronghold historically known for resistance to external control.

• Noted for fertile valleys, terraced agriculture, and as a hub of militant activity in recent decades.

Located in:

• Lies in Khyber District and Orakzai District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan.

• Positioned between Khyber Pass and Khanki Valley.

Neighbouring Nations:

• Close to the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, making it strategically sensitive.

• Serves as a corridor between South Asia and Central Asia, historically contested by Mughals, British, and modern Pakistan.

Features:

• Geography: About 600–700 sq miles, with five main valleys – Maidan, Rajgul, Waran, Bara, and Mastura.

• Terrain: High passes (Sampagha, Tseri Kandao, Saran Sar), fertile alluvial soil, walnut and mulberry trees, summer pastures.

• Population: Predominantly Pashtun tribes – Afridis and Orakzais; with minority Sikh traders and Hamsaya communities.

• History: Site of the 1897 Tirah Campaign by the British; frequent uprisings against Mughal and later Pakistani rule.

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