UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 September 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 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 – 24 September (2025)
• Artificial Intelligence and India’s Global Race
Artificial Intelligence and India’s Global Race
• India’s Fusion Energy Roadmap
India’s Fusion Energy Roadmap
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
• Antifa
Antifa
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Exercise Cold Start
Exercise Cold Start
• World Food India (WFI) 2025
World Food India (WFI) 2025
• India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility
India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility
• Almatti Dam
Almatti Dam
• Paracetamol (Tylenol)
Paracetamol (Tylenol)
• L-1 Visa
L-1 Visa
Mapping:
• Estonia
Estonia
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 September 2025
#### GS Paper 3:
Artificial Intelligence and India’s Global Race
Syllabus: Science and Tech
Source: YT
Context: India’s growing role in the global AI race was discussed on Surrokar (Sansad TV), highlighting opportunities in healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance, alongside challenges of regulation, research, and ethics.
About Artificial Intelligence and India’s Global Race:
India’s Position in the Global AI Race:
• Government Push: The India AI Mission with a ₹10,372 crore budget aims to foster infrastructure, compute power, and research.
• Digital Strength: Over 1 billion smartphone users and 20 billion UPI transactions monthly make India one of the most digitally connected nations.
• Global Comparison: China invested $30 billion and the US $20 billion in AI in 2024, highlighting India’s relative funding gap.
• Talent Pool: With 18 million software engineers and AI in school curricula, India has scale but lags in depth of research.
Opportunities of AI for India:
• Healthcare: AI-assisted diagnostics for cancer and rural telemedicine. Predictive models for epidemics and personalised treatment.
• AI-assisted diagnostics for cancer and rural telemedicine.
• Predictive models for epidemics and personalised treatment.
• Education: Real-time translation in Parliament and classrooms (Bhashini project). Ed-tech platforms using AI for personalised learning in local dialects.
• Real-time translation in Parliament and classrooms (Bhashini project).
• Ed-tech platforms using AI for personalised learning in local dialects.
• Agriculture: Precision farming and weather-based advisory systems. Drought and disaster prediction for farmers.
• Precision farming and weather-based advisory systems.
• Drought and disaster prediction for farmers.
• Financial Inclusion: UPI-integrated AI for rural banking (“Hello UPI”). Fraud detection and credit scoring for underserved populations.
• UPI-integrated AI for rural banking (“Hello UPI”).
• Fraud detection and credit scoring for underserved populations.
• Disaster Management: Odisha’s cyclone prediction models. AI-enabled geospatial mapping for flood and forest management.
• Odisha’s cyclone prediction models.
• AI-enabled geospatial mapping for flood and forest management.
Challenges in India’s AI Ecosystem:
• Infrastructure Gap: Delayed availability of GPUs and slow growth of data centres. Lack of world-class supercomputing facilities at scale.
• Delayed availability of GPUs and slow growth of data centres.
• Lack of world-class supercomputing facilities at scale.
• R&D and Innovation Deficit: India contributes only 1.4% of global AI research papers. Less than 2% of global AI PhDs are from India.
• India contributes only 1.4% of global AI research papers.
• Less than 2% of global AI PhDs are from India.
• Regulation and Ethics: Outdated IT Act (2000) still governs digital space. Concerns over privacy, accountability, and mental health risks from chatbots.
• Outdated IT Act (2000) still governs digital space.
• Concerns over privacy, accountability, and mental health risks from chatbots.
• Talent Bottlenecks: Certificate courses produce surface-level skills. Shortage of high-quality AI researchers and professors to train future leaders.
• Certificate courses produce surface-level skills.
• Shortage of high-quality AI researchers and professors to train future leaders.
• Geopolitical Competition: US, EU, and China already racing ahead with LLMs. India risks being a “market for AI” rather than a creator.
• US, EU, and China already racing ahead with LLMs.
• India risks being a “market for AI” rather than a creator.
Way Forward:
• Strengthen R&D Ecosystem: Increase funding for fundamental AI research. Incentivise private sector and start-ups to invest in innovation.
• Increase funding for fundamental AI research.
• Incentivise private sector and start-ups to invest in innovation.
• Build Human Capital: Scale AI training beyond IITs and top universities. Train teachers and professors for deeper expertise.
• Scale AI training beyond IITs and top universities.
• Train teachers and professors for deeper expertise.
• Policy and Regulation: Enact a Digital India Act and AI-specific framework, balancing innovation and safeguards. Adopt an India-specific ethical charter, drawing lessons from the EU AI Act.
• Enact a Digital India Act and AI-specific framework, balancing innovation and safeguards.
• Adopt an India-specific ethical charter, drawing lessons from the EU AI Act.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaborations between government, academia, and industry. Create AI innovation hubs for healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability.
• Encourage collaborations between government, academia, and industry.
• Create AI innovation hubs for healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability.
• Global Engagement: Collaborate with projects like ITER (fusion), EAST (China), and STEP (UK) in AI contexts. Position India as a responsible AI power through the G20 and BRICS.
• Collaborate with projects like ITER (fusion), EAST (China), and STEP (UK) in AI contexts.
• Position India as a responsible AI power through the G20 and BRICS.
Conclusion:
India’s AI journey offers vast opportunities but faces systemic gaps. It can transform healthcare, education, and finance, yet without regulation and innovation depth, India risks being only a consumer. Balancing ambition with ethics is key for India to lead the AI-driven digital century.
India’s Fusion Energy Roadmap
Syllabus: Nuclear Energy
Source: TH
Context: Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, unveiled a roadmap for India’s fusion energy programme.
• It proposes developing SST-Bharat, a superconducting tokamak aiming for a demonstration reactor by 2060.
About India’s Fusion Energy Roadmap:
What is Nuclear Fusion?
• Fusion vs. Fission: Unlike fission (splitting heavy atoms), fusion joins light nuclei (e.g., isotopes of hydrogen) to form heavier atoms, releasing massive energy.
• Advantages: Minimal radioactive waste compared to fission. Abundant fuel (deuterium from water, tritium from lithium). No greenhouse gas emissions. Inherent safety — no meltdown risk.
• Minimal radioactive waste compared to fission.
• Abundant fuel (deuterium from water, tritium from lithium).
• No greenhouse gas emissions.
• Inherent safety — no meltdown risk.
India’s Fusion Power Plans:
• Current Research Base:
• SST-1 Tokamak (IPR, Gandhinagar): Research reactor, plasma duration up to 650 ms.
• Participation in ITER (France): India contributes technology and funding to the world’s largest magnetic confinement experiment.
• Roadmap Highlights:
• SST-Bharat: A fusion-fission hybrid reactor, producing ~130 MW (100 MW fission, 30 MW fusion) at estimated cost ₹25,000 crore.
• Demonstration Reactor (by 2060): 250 MW output, with Q=20 (20x more power output than input).
• Innovations Proposed: Digital twinning for plasma simulation. Machine learning-assisted plasma confinement. Development of radiation-resistant materials.
• Digital twinning for plasma simulation.
• Machine learning-assisted plasma confinement.
• Development of radiation-resistant materials.
• International Benchmarks:
• UK STEP programme: Prototype by 2040.
• US Start-ups: Grid-connected fusion targeted by 2030s.
• China’s EAST tokamak: World record in plasma duration.
• France WEST Tokamak: Maintained plasma for 22 minutes (2025).
Key Features of India’s Fusion Strategy:
• Magnetic confinement using tokamaks: India relies on tokamak reactors, which use powerful magnetic fields to confine plasma at ultra-high temperatures, mimicking stellar conditions for fusion.
• Focus on steady-state superconducting technology: Superconducting magnets enable continuous plasma confinement with minimal energy loss, ensuring stability and efficiency in long-duration operations.
• Fusion-fission hybrid as a bridge to pure fusion: The proposed SST-Bharat will combine fission and fusion, generating partial power from fusion while using fission as a stabilising backup source.
• State-led R&D with limited private-sector involvement: Most funding and projects are led by the Institute for Plasma Research and Department of Atomic Energy, unlike the US and Europe where start-ups drive progress.
• Alignment with Net Zero 2070 energy roadmap: Fusion research is part of India’s long-term clean energy strategy, complementing solar, wind, and fission to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Challenges Ahead:
• Technological: Sustaining high-temperature plasma for longer durations. Achieving Q>1 consistently (ITER aims for 10, India targets 20). Developing durable superconducting magnets and radiation-resistant materials.
• Sustaining high-temperature plasma for longer durations.
• Achieving Q>1 consistently (ITER aims for 10, India targets 20).
• Developing durable superconducting magnets and radiation-resistant materials.
• Financial: SST-Bharat alone costs ₹25,000 crore. Competes with cheaper renewables (solar, wind). Lack of private investment unlike US/Europe.
• SST-Bharat alone costs ₹25,000 crore.
• Competes with cheaper renewables (solar, wind).
• Lack of private investment unlike US/Europe.
• Policy & Governance: No clear legislative or regulatory framework for fusion. India’s energy priorities currently lean on solar, wind, and nuclear fission.
• No clear legislative or regulatory framework for fusion.
• India’s energy priorities currently lean on solar, wind, and nuclear fission.
• Global Competition: Western and Chinese projects target earlier timelines (2030s–40s). India’s 2060 target risks technological lag.
• Western and Chinese projects target earlier timelines (2030s–40s).
• India’s 2060 target risks technological lag.
• Economic Viability: Fusion electricity affordability remains unproven. Potential cost overruns and long gestation periods.
• Fusion electricity affordability remains unproven.
• Potential cost overruns and long gestation periods.
Way Forward:
• R&D Boost: Increase funding for plasma physics, superconductors, and AI-based simulations.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage Indian start-ups to enter fusion R&D.
• International Cooperation: Deepen engagement with ITER, collaborate with UK STEP, US start-ups, and China’s EAST programme.
• Policy Framework: Create a National Fusion Energy Mission under NITI Aayog/Department of Atomic Energy.
• Skill Development: Train engineers, physicists, and technicians in fusion sciences.
• Strategic Value: Use spin-off technologies (superconducting magnets, radiation-resistant alloys) to upgrade India’s defence, space, and industrial sectors.
Conclusion:
India’s fusion roadmap balances ambition with fiscal caution, aiming for a 2060 prototype. Even if commercial fusion is distant, spin-offs in superconductivity, plasma modelling, and materials science will strengthen technology. This ensures India emerges as a co-creator, not just a consumer, in the future energy revolution.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 September 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
Context: Union Education Minister launched the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, India’s largest-ever school hackathon.
About Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025:
• What it is?
• A nationwide innovation movement for school students. Organised by DoSEL (MoE) in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and AICTE.
• A nationwide innovation movement for school students.
• Organised by DoSEL (MoE) in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and AICTE.
• Foster grassroots innovation and problem-solving culture. Encourage students to design solutions on four themes: Vocal for Local, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Samriddhi. Position India as a global hub of student-led innovation.
• Foster grassroots innovation and problem-solving culture.
• Encourage students to design solutions on four themes: Vocal for Local, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Samriddhi.
• Position India as a global hub of student-led innovation.
• Features:
• Timeline: Sep 2025 – Jan 2026. Largest school hackathon engaging lakhs of students nationwide. Recognition of 1,000+ winners, with pathways to patents, startups, and entrepreneurship programmes.
• Timeline: Sep 2025 – Jan 2026.
• Largest school hackathon engaging lakhs of students nationwide.
• Recognition of 1,000+ winners, with pathways to patents, startups, and entrepreneurship programmes.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS-II (Governance, Welfare Schemes): Strengthens innovation ecosystem and youth empowerment policies.
• GS-III (Science & Tech, Economy): Promotes research, startups, and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• GS-IV (Ethics & Essay): Illustrates values of creativity, self-reliance, and social responsibility.
Antifa
Context: U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to designate Antifa a terrorist organisation after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
About Antifa:
• What it is?
• Antifa = “Anti-Fascist” movement. Not an organisation but a loosely connected network of activists opposing fascism, white supremacy, and far-right extremism.
• Antifa = “Anti-Fascist” movement.
• Not an organisation but a loosely connected network of activists opposing fascism, white supremacy, and far-right extremism.
• Origin:
• Roots in 1930s Europe, e.g., Antifaschistische Aktion (1932, Germany) and the Battle of Cable Street (1936, UK).
• Roots in 1930s Europe, e.g., Antifaschistische Aktion (1932, Germany) and the Battle of Cable Street (1936, UK).
• Confront groups perceived as fascist, authoritarian, or racist. Prevent rise of extremist ideologies through direct action and activism.
• Confront groups perceived as fascist, authoritarian, or racist.
• Prevent rise of extremist ideologies through direct action and activism.
• Features:
• Structure: Decentralised, no hierarchy or leadership. Ideology: Left-leaning, anarchist, anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian beliefs. Tactics: Range from peaceful protests to confrontational methods (e.g., doxxing, disrupting far-right rallies).
• Structure: Decentralised, no hierarchy or leadership.
• Ideology: Left-leaning, anarchist, anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian beliefs.
• Tactics: Range from peaceful protests to confrontational methods (e.g., doxxing, disrupting far-right rallies).
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS-I (World History): Links to resistance against fascism in Europe (Nazism, WWII).
• GS-II (Polity & Governance): Raises issues of freedom of speech, protest rights, and state power in democracies.
• GS-III (Internal Security): Illustrates challenges of tackling decentralised movements and cyber-activism.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 September 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Exercise Cold Start
Source: TH
Context: India will hold a mega tri-service drone drill ‘Cold Start’ in Madhya Pradesh in October 2025.
• It will be the largest joint exercise on drones and counter-drone systems since Operation Sindoor.
About Exercise Cold Start:
• What it is?
• A tri-service military exercise focused on testing drones and counter-drone systems. Designed to simulate aerial threats and defence responses in modern warfare.
• A tri-service military exercise focused on testing drones and counter-drone systems.
• Designed to simulate aerial threats and defence responses in modern warfare.
• Host: To be conducted in Madhya Pradesh, in the first week of October 2025.
• Organisations Involved:
• Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force (joint participation). Industry partners, R&D agencies, and academic institutions as knowledge collaborators.
• Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force (joint participation).
• Industry partners, R&D agencies, and academic institutions as knowledge collaborators.
• To evaluate operational readiness against drones, UAVs, and aerial threats. To identify gaps and enhance air defence capabilities. To stay ahead of adversaries like Pakistan in counter-drone and jamming technologies.
• To evaluate operational readiness against drones, UAVs, and aerial threats.
• To identify gaps and enhance air defence capabilities.
• To stay ahead of adversaries like Pakistan in counter-drone and jamming technologies.
• Features:
• Live drills with drones and counter-drone systems. Integration of GPS jamming, electronic warfare, and surveillance systems. Concept inspired by Sudarshan Chakra for integrated defence against drones, UAVs, hypersonic missiles, and other threats. Testing of indigenous technologies developed with industry and academia.
• Live drills with drones and counter-drone systems.
• Integration of GPS jamming, electronic warfare, and surveillance systems.
• Concept inspired by Sudarshan Chakra for integrated defence against drones, UAVs, hypersonic missiles, and other threats.
• Testing of indigenous technologies developed with industry and academia.
• Significance:
• Strengthens jointness among armed forces in counter-drone warfare. Demonstrates India’s preparedness for future technology-driven conflicts. Provides a platform for military–industry–academia synergy in defence R&D.
• Strengthens jointness among armed forces in counter-drone warfare.
• Demonstrates India’s preparedness for future technology-driven conflicts.
• Provides a platform for military–industry–academia synergy in defence R&D.
World Food India (WFI) 2025
Source: PIB
Context: The 4th edition of World Food India (WFI) 2025 will be inaugurated by Prime Minister of India on 25th September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
About World Food India (WFI) 2025:
• What it is?
• A flagship international event hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). Serves as a global platform for food innovation, investment, technology, and sustainability in India’s food ecosystem.
• A flagship international event hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
• Serves as a global platform for food innovation, investment, technology, and sustainability in India’s food ecosystem.
• Origin & History:
• Conceptualised by MoFPI to showcase India as a food processing hub. First edition in 2017, followed by 2nd in 2023, 3rd in 2024, and now the 4th in 2025. Structured to strengthen India’s positioning as the “Food Basket of the World.”
• Conceptualised by MoFPI to showcase India as a food processing hub.
• First edition in 2017, followed by 2nd in 2023, 3rd in 2024, and now the 4th in 2025.
• Structured to strengthen India’s positioning as the “Food Basket of the World.”
• Promote foreign and domestic investment in India’s food processing sector. Strengthen farm-to-fork linkages and value addition. Encourage sustainable and future-ready food systems. Showcase India’s diverse food culture to the global community.
• Promote foreign and domestic investment in India’s food processing sector.
• Strengthen farm-to-fork linkages and value addition.
• Encourage sustainable and future-ready food systems.
• Showcase India’s diverse food culture to the global community.
• Features of WFI 2025:
• Parallel Events: 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit (FSSAI). 24th India International Seafood Show (SEAI). Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (APEDA). Core Pillars: Sustainability & Net Zero Food Processing. India as a Global Food Hub. Frontiers in Processing & Packaging Technologies. Food for Nutrition, Health & Wellness. Livestock & Marine Products driving rural economy.
• Parallel Events: 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit (FSSAI). 24th India International Seafood Show (SEAI). Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (APEDA).
• 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit (FSSAI).
• 24th India International Seafood Show (SEAI).
• Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (APEDA).
• Core Pillars: Sustainability & Net Zero Food Processing. India as a Global Food Hub. Frontiers in Processing & Packaging Technologies. Food for Nutrition, Health & Wellness. Livestock & Marine Products driving rural economy.
• Sustainability & Net Zero Food Processing.
• India as a Global Food Hub.
• Frontiers in Processing & Packaging Technologies.
• Food for Nutrition, Health & Wellness.
• Livestock & Marine Products driving rural economy.
• Significance:
• Economic: Strengthens investments in R&D, cold chains, startups, logistics, and retail. Global positioning: Positions India as a global food hub and innovation leader. Strategic: Promotes sustainable food systems in line with SDGs.
• Economic: Strengthens investments in R&D, cold chains, startups, logistics, and retail.
• Global positioning: Positions India as a global food hub and innovation leader.
• Strategic: Promotes sustainable food systems in line with SDGs.
India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility
Source: News on Air
Context: India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility was inaugurated at Berrechid, Morocco by Defence Minister of India and his Moroccan counterpart Abdelatif Loudyi.
• The facility, set up by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), will produce the indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) for the Royal Moroccan Army.
About India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility:
What it is?
• A 20,000 sq. metre state-of-the-art defence plant established by TASL in partnership with DRDO.
• Marks the first overseas defence facility by an Indian private company in Africa.
Launched in: Berrechid, Morocco (2025).
• To promote India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat → Make with Friends → Make for the World.
• Strengthen India–Morocco defence partnership, enhance exports, and support regional security.
Features:
• Production of WhAP 8×8 Modular Combat Platform, jointly developed by DRDO & TASL.
• Configurations include: Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Armoured Personnel Carrier, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Command Post, Mortar Carrier, and Ambulance.
• Equipped with advanced mobility, protection, remote weapon stations, and anti-tank guided missile options.
• Local sourcing: one-third of components from Morocco initially, rising to 50% in future.
Importance:
• Strategic: Positions Morocco as an export hub to Africa & Europe.
• Diplomatic: Deepens India–Morocco bilateral ties and showcases India’s defence diplomacy.
• Economic: Generates local employment, creates supplier ecosystem, and boosts defence exports.
Almatti Dam
Source: TOI
Context: Karnataka has proposed raising the Almatti Dam height from 519.60 m to 524.256 m, expanding its capacity from 173 TMC to 300 TMC.
About Almatti Dam:
• What it is?
• A hydroelectric and irrigation project forming the main reservoir of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project. Commissioned in 2005, with an installed power generation capacity of 290 MW.
• A hydroelectric and irrigation project forming the main reservoir of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project.
• Commissioned in 2005, with an installed power generation capacity of 290 MW.
• Located in:
• Bijapur (Vijayapura) district, Karnataka (with submergence in Bagalkot).
• Bijapur (Vijayapura) district, Karnataka (with submergence in Bagalkot).
• River:
• Built across the Krishna River, one of South India’s major east-flowing rivers.
• Built across the Krishna River, one of South India’s major east-flowing rivers.
• States Involved: Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (all riparian states of the Krishna basin).
• Features: Current gross storage:08 TMC at 519 m MSL. Planned expansion: 300 TMC at 524.256 m MSL. Downstream release to Narayanpur reservoir for irrigation.
• Current gross storage:08 TMC at 519 m MSL.
• Planned expansion: 300 TMC at 524.256 m MSL.
• Downstream release to Narayanpur reservoir for irrigation.
• Major Dams on Krishna River:
• Almatti Dam – Karnataka.
• Narayanpur Dam – Karnataka.
• Srisailam Dam – Andhra Pradesh/Telangana border.
• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – Telangana/Andhra Pradesh.
• Jurala Project (Priyadarshini Dam) – Telangana.
• Pulichintala Project – Andhra Pradesh.
• Prakasam Barrage – Andhra Pradesh.
• Issue: AP’s Concerns: Raising Almatti’s capacity and Telangana’s new projects could reduce Krishna water availability to Andhra, the tail-end state.
• AP’s Concerns: Raising Almatti’s capacity and Telangana’s new projects could reduce Krishna water availability to Andhra, the tail-end state.
• Legal Dispute: Alleged violation of Bachawat Tribunal (KWDT-I) allocations. Financial Stakes: Karnataka approved ₹70,000 crore for canals, while Telangana plans 100 TMC diversion for 11.3 lakh acres ayacut.
• Legal Dispute: Alleged violation of Bachawat Tribunal (KWDT-I) allocations.
• Financial Stakes: Karnataka approved ₹70,000 crore for canals, while Telangana plans 100 TMC diversion for 11.3 lakh acres ayacut.
Paracetamol (Tylenol)
Source: NIE
Context: U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy is linked to autism.
• Experts, including former WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan, dismissed the claim as unscientific.
About Paracetamol (Tylenol):
• What it is? A non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic drug. Known as paracetamol globally and acetaminophen in the U.S. Listed in the WHO’s Essential Medicines for safe and widespread use.
• A non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic drug.
• Known as paracetamol globally and acetaminophen in the U.S.
• Listed in the WHO’s Essential Medicines for safe and widespread use.
• Ingredients Used: Acetaminophen (paracetamol).
• Used For: Relieves mild to moderate pain (headache, backache, arthritis, toothache, menstrual cramps, post-surgery pain). Reduces fever in adults and children. Preferred pain relief during pregnancy and for those who cannot tolerate NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, aspirin).
• Relieves mild to moderate pain (headache, backache, arthritis, toothache, menstrual cramps, post-surgery pain).
• Reduces fever in adults and children.
• Preferred pain relief during pregnancy and for those who cannot tolerate NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, aspirin).
• Features: Safe short-term use when taken as per dosage. Available in multiple forms: tablets, syrups, chewables, dissolvable packs. First-line treatment for pain and fever in pregnancy. Can be combined with ibuprofen for enhanced pain relief.
• Safe short-term use when taken as per dosage.
• Available in multiple forms: tablets, syrups, chewables, dissolvable packs.
• First-line treatment for pain and fever in pregnancy.
• Can be combined with ibuprofen for enhanced pain relief.
• Limitations: Less effective than NSAIDs for inflammation-related pain (e.g., arthritis). Excessive use (above 3–4 g/day in adults) can cause liver damage or failure. Limited effectiveness in chronic pain (e.g., osteoarthritis, cancer pain).
• Less effective than NSAIDs for inflammation-related pain (e.g., arthritis).
• Excessive use (above 3–4 g/day in adults) can cause liver damage or failure.
• Limited effectiveness in chronic pain (e.g., osteoarthritis, cancer pain).
L-1 Visa
Source: IE
Context: The U.S. administration under Donald Trump announced a $100,000 fee hike on fresh H-1B applications, sparking debate on whether the L-1 visa could be an alternative for Indian professionals.
About L-1 Visa:
• What it is?
• Two types: L-1A employees (executives/managers) and L-1B (specialized knowledge A non-immigrant work visa for intra-company transfers. Allows multinational firms to send employees from overseas branches to their U.S. offices.
• Two types: L-1A employees (executives/managers) and L-1B (specialized knowledge A non-immigrant work visa for intra-company transfers.
• Allows multinational firms to send employees from overseas branches to their U.S. offices.
• Origin:
• Created under the Immigration and Nationality Act (1965) framework. Designed to support global operations of multinational corporations.
• Created under the Immigration and Nationality Act (1965) framework.
• Designed to support global operations of multinational corporations.
• To facilitate transfer of talent within the same company across borders. Strengthen U.S. business operations without relying on external labour markets.
• To facilitate transfer of talent within the same company across borders.
• Strengthen U.S. business operations without relying on external labour markets.
• Features:
• No annual cap or lottery system, unlike H-1B. Allows dual intent – holders can apply for a green card without affecting visa status. Spouses (L-2 visa) can work without restriction in the U.S. Maximum stay: 5 years (L-1B), 7 years (L-1A). Companies can use blanket petitions for faster processing.
• No annual cap or lottery system, unlike H-1B.
• Allows dual intent – holders can apply for a green card without affecting visa status.
• Spouses (L-2 visa) can work without restriction in the U.S.
• Maximum stay: 5 years (L-1B), 7 years (L-1A).
• Companies can use blanket petitions for faster processing.
• Limitations:
• Eligibility narrow: Employee must have worked abroad for the same company for at least 1 continuous year in the last 3 years. High scrutiny: Especially in India, rejection rates are higher due to “specialized knowledge” being vaguely defined. Time-bound: Fixed maximum stay; cannot extend indefinitely while awaiting green card. No flexibility: Employees cannot switch to another U.S. employer.
• Eligibility narrow: Employee must have worked abroad for the same company for at least 1 continuous year in the last 3 years.
• High scrutiny: Especially in India, rejection rates are higher due to “specialized knowledge” being vaguely defined.
• Time-bound: Fixed maximum stay; cannot extend indefinitely while awaiting green card.
• No flexibility: Employees cannot switch to another U.S. employer.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 September 2025 Mapping:
Estonia
Source: TOI
Context: NATO condemned Russia for violating Estonian airspace with three MiG-31 fighter jets.
• Estonia invoked Article 4 of NATO treaty to seek urgent consultations on territorial security.
About Estonia:
• Situated in northeastern Europe, northernmost of the Baltic States.
• Capital: Tallinn.
• Neighbouring Nations: Russia (via Narva River, Lake Peipus), Latvia, Baltic Sea.
• Key Features:
• Relief: Mostly low-lying glacial plains, mean elevation ~50m. Highest Point: Suur Munamägi (318m). Rivers: Narva, Pärnu, Pedja, Kasari. Climate: Temperate, humid and mild coasts due to North Atlantic air masses, colder inland.
• Relief: Mostly low-lying glacial plains, mean elevation ~50m.
• Highest Point: Suur Munamägi (318m).
• Rivers: Narva, Pärnu, Pedja, Kasari.
• Climate: Temperate, humid and mild coasts due to North Atlantic air masses, colder inland.
• Flora & Fauna:
• Forests cover ~50% land (pines, birches, firs). Rich biodiversity: elk, deer, lynx, bears and migratory birds common.
• Forests cover ~50% land (pines, birches, firs).
• Rich biodiversity: elk, deer, lynx, bears and migratory birds common.
• NATO Articles: Article 4: Members consult whenever territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.
• Article 4: Members consult whenever territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.
• Article 5: Collective defence clause – attack on one is considered an attack on all (invoked only once, post-9/11). Estonia joined NATO & EU in 2004, ensuring security umbrella against external threats.
• Article 5: Collective defence clause – attack on one is considered an attack on all (invoked only once, post-9/11).
• Estonia joined NATO & EU in 2004, ensuring security umbrella against external threats.
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