UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 September 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 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 – 3 September (2025)
• Education Exemption for Minority Schools and the RTE Debate
• Gender Imbalance in the Supreme Court of India
GS Paper 3:
• India Green Energy Paradox
India Green Energy Paradox
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) & Soft Diplomacy
India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) & Soft Diplomacy
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Vikram 32-bit Processor
Vikram 32-bit Processor
• The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025
The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025
• Land Subsidence
Land Subsidence
• BHARATI initiative
BHARATI initiative
• Foreigners Tribunals
Foreigners Tribunals
Mapping:
• Seychelles
Seychelles
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 September 2025
#### GS Paper 2:
Education Exemption for Minority Schools and the RTE Debate
Syllabus: Polity
Source: IE
Context: The Supreme Court recently questioned the validity of the 2014 Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust judgment, which exempted minority schools — aided and unaided — from the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
About Education Exemption for Minority Schools and the RTE Debate:
Right to Education Act (2009): Aims and Mandates
• Operationalises Article 21A, guaranteeing free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14.
• Requires: Government schools: free education for all. Aided schools: free seats proportionate to government aid. Private unaided schools: reserve 25% of entry-level seats for disadvantaged children (Section 12(1)(c)).
• Government schools: free education for all.
• Aided schools: free seats proportionate to government aid.
• Private unaided schools: reserve 25% of entry-level seats for disadvantaged children (Section 12(1)(c)).
• Sets norms for pupil-teacher ratios, infrastructure, teacher eligibility, and prohibits corporal punishment/capitation fees.
• It is child-centric, designed to promote equality, social justice, and democracy through inclusive classrooms.
The 2014 *Pramati* Judgment:
• A 5-judge Constitution Bench held that applying RTE to minority institutions violated Article 30(1) (minority rights to establish and administer institutions).
• It exempted both aided and unaided minority schools from RTE provisions, especially the 25% quota.
• Fallout: many schools sought “minority” status, diluting the spirit of inclusion.
What’s the Contention Now?
• Blanket Exemption from RTE (2014 *Pramati* Judgment) Minority institutions — both aided and unaided — were given complete immunity from the Right to Education Act (2009). This meant they did not have to follow key provisions like the 25% reservation for disadvantaged groups (Section 12(1)(c)), teacher eligibility norms, or infrastructure standards.
• Minority institutions — both aided and unaided — were given complete immunity from the Right to Education Act (2009).
• This meant they did not have to follow key provisions like the 25% reservation for disadvantaged groups (Section 12(1)(c)), teacher eligibility norms, or infrastructure standards.
• Problem with the Exemption Led to misuse of minority status by many private schools seeking to avoid RTE compliance. Resulted in erosion of inclusivity, denying disadvantaged children access to quality education. Created a regulatory loophole, undermining the universal character of Article 21A (Right to Education).
• Led to misuse of minority status by many private schools seeking to avoid RTE compliance.
• Resulted in erosion of inclusivity, denying disadvantaged children access to quality education.
• Created a regulatory loophole, undermining the universal character of Article 21A (Right to Education).
2025 Court Judgement:
• Bench Observations A two-judge bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta held that Pramati went “too far” in granting absolute immunity. Said that Articles 21A and 30 must co-exist, and children’s rights cannot be sidelined for institutional autonomy.
• A two-judge bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta held that Pramati went “too far” in granting absolute immunity.
• Said that Articles 21A and 30 must co-exist, and children’s rights cannot be sidelined for institutional autonomy.
• On the 25% Quota The bench suggested a case-by-case approach rather than blanket exemption.
• The bench suggested a case-by-case approach rather than blanket exemption.
• On Inclusivity Warned that the exemption erodes the balance between autonomy and public interest. Emphasised that RTE is child-centric, not institution-centric, and exemptions weaken its intent.
• Warned that the exemption erodes the balance between autonomy and public interest.
• Emphasised that RTE is child-centric, not institution-centric, and exemptions weaken its intent.
• Next Step Since a larger bench (five or more judges) can only overturn Pramati, the matter has been referred to the Chief Justice of India for constitution of a bigger bench.
• Since a larger bench (five or more judges) can only overturn Pramati, the matter has been referred to the Chief Justice of India for constitution of a bigger bench.
Challenges in Correcting RTE–Minority Exemption:
• Legal Precedent – Pramati (2014) is a Constitution Bench ruling; only a larger bench can overturn it, delaying reform.
• Autonomy vs Inclusivity – Balancing minority rights under Article 30 with children’s right to education under Article 21A is constitutionally complex.
• Weak Enforcement – Even where RTE applies, poor compliance on quotas, infrastructure, and teacher norms undermines outcomes.
• Social Resistance – Elite parents and institutions resist socio-economic mixing in classrooms, making implementation politically sensitive.
Implications:
• On Education & Children
• Denial of access for disadvantaged groups to elite minority schools. Weakens the democratic ethos of shared classrooms. Undermines the philosophy of equity in education policy.
• Denial of access for disadvantaged groups to elite minority schools.
• Weakens the democratic ethos of shared classrooms.
• Undermines the philosophy of equity in education policy.
• On Constitutional Values
• Skews interpretation of Articles 21A and 30, privileging group rights over individual rights. Dilutes constitutional morality of equality and social justice.
• Skews interpretation of Articles 21A and 30, privileging group rights over individual rights.
• Dilutes constitutional morality of equality and social justice.
• On Governance & Society
• Creates regulatory loopholes for misuse of minority status. Exacerbates inequality in schooling outcomes, weakening India’s human capital base. Erodes trust in state’s commitment to universal education.
• Creates regulatory loopholes for misuse of minority status.
• Exacerbates inequality in schooling outcomes, weakening India’s human capital base.
• Erodes trust in state’s commitment to universal education.
Way Forward:
• Judicial Rebalancing Larger bench must harmonise Articles 21A and 30 to ensure inclusivity. Clarify that autonomy ≠ immunity from child-centric standards.
• Larger bench must harmonise Articles 21A and 30 to ensure inclusivity.
• Clarify that autonomy ≠ immunity from child-centric standards.
• Policy Realignment Mandate at least teacher qualification and infrastructure norms for all institutions. Quotas could be adapted — e.g., prioritising disadvantaged children from the same minority.
• Mandate at least teacher qualification and infrastructure norms for all institutions.
• Quotas could be adapted — e.g., prioritising disadvantaged children from the same minority.
• Strengthen Public Education Ensure government schools deliver quality, reducing over-reliance on private/minority schools. Investment in equity-based education as per NEP 2020.
• Ensure government schools deliver quality, reducing over-reliance on private/minority schools.
• Investment in equity-based education as per NEP 2020.
• Promote Diversity as a Value Social campaigns to highlight classrooms as spaces of democratic socialisation. Encourage acceptance of mixed socio-economic schooling.
• Social campaigns to highlight classrooms as spaces of democratic socialisation.
• Encourage acceptance of mixed socio-economic schooling.
Conclusion:
The exemption of minority schools from RTE is not merely a legal debate — it is a test of India’s constitutional morality. Upholding the child’s right to inclusive education must take precedence over institutional privileges. The Supreme Court now has the opportunity to ensure that Articles 21A and 30 co-exist in harmony, reaffirming that education is not a privilege but a universal right essential to democracy.
Gender Imbalance in the Supreme Court of India
Syllabus: Judiciary
Source: TH
Context: With the retirement of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia in August 2025, only one woman judge (Justice B.V. Nagarathna) remains in the Supreme Court out of 34.
• The acute gender imbalance raises questions about diversity, representation, and inclusivity in India’s top court.
About Gender Imbalance in the Supreme Court of India:
What it is?
• Gender imbalance refers to the gross under-representation of women judges in the Supreme Court, despite constitutional guarantees of equality (Articles 14, 15, 16).
Current Status:
• Since 1950, only 11 women judges (3.8%) out of 287 have been appointed.
• Presently, just 1 out of 34 judges is a woman.
• First woman judge: Justice Fathima Beevi (1989).
• Women judge often serve shorter tenures due to late appointments, limiting chances of rising to the Chief Justice position.
Causes of Gender Imbalance:
• Structural Barriers – Collegium system lacks institutionalised diversity criteria; gender not prioritised in appointments.
• Societal Factors – Gender stereotypes in the legal profession discourage women from leadership roles.
• Institutional Inertia – Late elevation of women judges limits tenure and prevents entry into the Collegium.
• Barriers from the Bar – Very few women Senior Advocates elevated directly to SC (only Justice Indu Malhotra so far).
• Opaque Processes – Collegium lacks transparency, making selection discretionary and exclusionary.
Challenges in Correcting Gender Imbalance:
• Opaque Collegium System – No written policy on diversity; reasons for appointments not disclosed consistently.
• Seniority & Tenure Limitations – Women are often elevated late, leaving them little time to serve in senior positions.
• Male-Dominated Legal Culture – Women face resistance in both High Courts and the Bar, limiting their pipeline to SC.
• Lack of Political & Institutional Will – Gender not treated as an “appointment criterion” unlike caste, region, or religion.
• Absence of Accountability – No mechanism to monitor or ensure gender diversity in higher judiciary.
Implications of Gender Imbalance:
• On Judiciary:
• Narrow Perspectives – Lack of diverse viewpoints in judgments reduces inclusivity. Weaker Legitimacy – Undermines the Court’s claim to represent all sections of society. Missed Jurisprudential Growth – Women’s lived experiences enrich interpretation of rights (e.g., gender justice, workplace equality). Short Tenures = Limited Leadership – Late appointments deny women chances to serve as CJI or influence Collegium decisions.
• Narrow Perspectives – Lack of diverse viewpoints in judgments reduces inclusivity.
• Weaker Legitimacy – Undermines the Court’s claim to represent all sections of society.
• Missed Jurisprudential Growth – Women’s lived experiences enrich interpretation of rights (e.g., gender justice, workplace equality).
• Short Tenures = Limited Leadership – Late appointments deny women chances to serve as CJI or influence Collegium decisions.
• On Society:
• Trust Deficit – Citizens may question judiciary’s sincerity in advancing equality while failing to reflect it internally. Discouragement for Women Lawyers – Aspiring women see fewer role models at the highest level. Undermining Constitutional Morality – Violates the spirit of Articles 14 and 15 that promote substantive equality. Democratic Deficit – Judiciary fails to mirror India’s gender diversity, weakening its representative legitimacy.
• Trust Deficit – Citizens may question judiciary’s sincerity in advancing equality while failing to reflect it internally.
• Discouragement for Women Lawyers – Aspiring women see fewer role models at the highest level.
• Undermining Constitutional Morality – Violates the spirit of Articles 14 and 15 that promote substantive equality.
• Democratic Deficit – Judiciary fails to mirror India’s gender diversity, weakening its representative legitimacy.
Way Forward:
• Institutional Reforms Collegium resolutions must mandate gender diversity as a criterion. Transparent criteria for appointments with public disclosure of reasons.
• Collegium resolutions must mandate gender diversity as a criterion.
• Transparent criteria for appointments with public disclosure of reasons.
• Pipeline Development Greater appointments of women in High Courts. Encourage women from the Bar through structured mentorship and reservation in judicial services.
• Greater appointments of women in High Courts.
• Encourage women from the Bar through structured mentorship and reservation in judicial services.
• Policy & Ethical Anchoring Adopt a written diversity policy for higher judiciary (as suggested by 2nd ARC). Embed constitutional morality and substantive equality in judicial appointments.
• Adopt a written diversity policy for higher judiciary (as suggested by 2nd ARC).
• Embed constitutional morality and substantive equality in judicial appointments.
• Global Lessons Countries like Canada and the UK actively pursue diversity in top courts. India can adapt similar institutionalised approaches.
• Countries like Canada and the UK actively pursue diversity in top courts.
• India can adapt similar institutionalised approaches.
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court’s credibility as the custodian of equality depends not just on its judgments but also on its own composition. Bridging the gender gap is not tokenism; it is an ethical imperative and a constitutional necessity. A judiciary that reflects the diversity of society will deepen public trust and make justice more inclusive.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 September 2025 GS Paper 3:
India Green Energy Paradox
- •Syllabus: Energy*
Source: DTE
Context: India faces a “green energy paradox” — despite having 44 GW of renewable energy capacity ready for deployment, demand-side weaknesses and lack of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have left it stranded.
About India Green Energy Paradox:
What is the Green Energy Paradox?
The term refers to a contradiction where renewable energy capacity is available but underutilised due to systemic barriers. In India, while supply capacity in renewables is expanding rapidly, demand-side absorption, financial viability, and policy mechanisms lag behind.
• Current Status (India’s Energy Coal Dependency: Coal and lignite still contribute ~79% of domestic energy (FY23).
Low RE Share: Excluding large hydro, renewables account for just 3.8% of domestic Mix & Renewables):
• production.
• Import Dependence: Over 85% oil and 50% gas imports make India vulnerable.
• Idle Capacity: 44 GW RE capacity is stuck without PPAs, despite being deployment-ready.
• Reliability Deficit: Power interruptions (SAIDI ~600 mins/year) far exceed regional peers (Thailand 35, Malaysia 46).
Green Energy Paradox – Two Dimensions
• Supply-Side Readiness
• 44 GW RE projects ready: India has built large-scale solar and wind projects, but they remain unused without Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
• Falling global costs: Solar and wind are cheaper globally, but India’s tariffs remain inflated due to policy and financial barriers.
• PLI and VGF support: Government incentives like Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) aim to cut costs and promote investment.
• Storage-backed RE costly: Battery-based or pumped hydro storage raises tariffs to ₹6.6–₹9/unit, making RE uncompetitive compared to coal.
• Demand-Side Weaknesses
• Discom reluctance: Power distribution companies prefer long-term coal PPAs as they are cheaper and financially predictable.
• Integration costs: Adding variable solar and wind power strains grids, raising costs for frequency balancing and transmission upgrades.
• Grid inflexibility: India lacks smart meters and demand-response systems, limiting the ability to adjust loads in real time.
• Slow electrification: Weak adoption of EVs, electric cooking, and industrial electrification means RE demand remains suppressed.
Barriers to RE Integration:
• Structural:
• Discom finances weak: Heavy cross-subsidies and debt make discoms unwilling to buy costlier RE power. No smart grids: Absence of nationwide flexible grids hampers efficient integration of renewable supply.
• Discom finances weak: Heavy cross-subsidies and debt make discoms unwilling to buy costlier RE power.
• No smart grids: Absence of nationwide flexible grids hampers efficient integration of renewable supply.
• Environmental:
• Coal lock-in: Long-term coal PPAs commit states to high emissions, undermining India’s net-zero targets. Idle RE waste: Non-use of green power delays emission reductions and wastes-built infrastructure.
• Coal lock-in: Long-term coal PPAs commit states to high emissions, undermining India’s net-zero targets.
• Idle RE waste: Non-use of green power delays emission reductions and wastes-built infrastructure.
• Economic:
• High capital costs: Duties, GST, and expensive borrowing inflate India’s solar and wind tariffs beyond global averages. Storage unviable: Batteries and pumped hydro are still too costly without large subsidies or incentives.
• High capital costs: Duties, GST, and expensive borrowing inflate India’s solar and wind tariffs beyond global averages.
• Storage unviable: Batteries and pumped hydro are still too costly without large subsidies or incentives.
Initiatives Already Taken:
• National Solar Mission & Hybrid Policy: Expanded solar and promoted blending of wind-solar to balance intermittency.
• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): Boosts storage and electronics ecosystem indirectly supporting RE integration.
• PLI for batteries: Incentivises domestic storage manufacturing to reduce costs and import dependency.
• Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs): Legally mandate states to procure a share of power from renewables.
• Green Open Access Rules 2022: Allow industries to bypass discoms and buy renewable energy directly.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Promotes hydrogen as long-term storage and clean fuel, complementing RE adoption.
Way Forward – Targeted Reforms:
• Enhance Storage Ecosystem Scale up Viability Gap Funding for battery storage. Encourage pumped hydro and indigenous battery manufacturing under PLI schemes.
• Scale up Viability Gap Funding for battery storage.
• Encourage pumped hydro and indigenous battery manufacturing under PLI schemes.
• Accelerate Demand Electrification Promote EV adoption with charging infrastructure. Push electric cooking and industrial heating to expand RE demand base.
• Promote EV adoption with charging infrastructure.
• Push electric cooking and industrial heating to expand RE demand base.
• Smart Grid and Market Reforms Deploy smart meters nationwide for real-time load balancing. Transition from rigid must-run rules to market-based RE dispatch.
• Deploy smart meters nationwide for real-time load balancing.
• Transition from rigid must-run rules to market-based RE dispatch.
• Discom Reform Financial restructuring with accountability. Introduce cost-reflective tariffs and reduce political interference.
• Financial restructuring with accountability.
• Introduce cost-reflective tariffs and reduce political interference.
• Differentiated RPO Trajectories State-specific RPOs considering local grid capability and resource availability.
• State-specific RPOs considering local grid capability and resource availability.
Conclusion:
India’s renewable paradox highlights that energy transition is not just about generation capacity, but about systemic absorption and demand-side reforms. Unless grid flexibility, storage, and discom viability improve, RE will remain stranded. To meet its climate and economic goals, India must move from capacity addition to capacity utilisation, aligning green growth with affordability, reliability, and security.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 September 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) & Soft Diplomacy
Context: A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near Jalalabad, killing over 1,400 people. In response, India has sent 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including medicines, tents, blankets, and water purifiers.
About India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) & Soft Diplomacy:
What it is?
• HADR refers to India’s coordinated relief operations in disaster-hit regions, both domestic and international.
• Soft diplomacy uses humanitarian aid, cultural goodwill, and non-coercive measures to enhance India’s global image and influence.
Features:
• Quick Response: Airlift of emergency supplies via IAF and INS ships.
• Inclusive Aid: Focus on essential goods – food, water, medicines, shelter, sanitation.
• Neutral & Non-Interfering: Assistance without political preconditions.
• Global Outreach: Aid to neighbours (Nepal 2015 earthquake, Sri Lanka floods), Africa, Pacific islands.
• Institutional Mechanisms: NDMA, NDRF, IAF, Indian Navy, and MEA coordinate large-scale responses.
Importance:
• Strategic Goodwill: Enhances India’s role as a “first responder” in South Asia & Indian Ocean.
• Trust & Stability: Strengthens ties with neighbours like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives.
• Global Image: Projects India as a responsible power upholding Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:
• GS-II (IR): India’s neighbourhood policy, soft power, humanitarian diplomacy.
• GS-III (Disaster Management): Role of India in disaster relief, HADR mechanisms.
• GS-IV (Ethics): Application of values like compassion, trusteeship, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in foreign policy.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 September 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Vikram 32-bit Processor
Source: DH
Context: Prime Minister of India unveiled India’s first indigenously developed semiconductor — the ‘Vikram 32-bit processor’ at Semicon India 2025, marking a milestone in India’s journey towards semiconductor self-reliance.
About Vikram 32-bit Processor:
• What it is?
• A 32-bit indigenously designed semiconductor chip, officially named VIKRAM3201. Built as India’s first made-in-India processor, suitable for use in space, defence, and advanced technologies.
• A 32-bit indigenously designed semiconductor chip, officially named VIKRAM3201.
• Built as India’s first made-in-India processor, suitable for use in space, defence, and advanced technologies.
• Developed by:
• ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, Punjab, under the India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021.
• ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, Punjab, under the India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021.
• To reduce India’s dependence on imported chips. To build strategic self-reliance in critical technologies. To power applications in aerospace, defence, automotive, and high-reliability energy systems.
• To reduce India’s dependence on imported chips.
• To build strategic self-reliance in critical technologies.
• To power applications in aerospace, defence, automotive, and high-reliability energy systems.
• Features:
• 32-bit architecture, robust enough for advanced applications. Designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as those in space launch vehicles. Suitable for defence, aerospace, automotive, and industrial electronics. Supports next-gen technologies like mRNA medicines, immersive tech, and digital security systems (as per ISRO & Semicon Mission’s broader design focus).
• 32-bit architecture, robust enough for advanced applications.
• Designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as those in space launch vehicles.
• Suitable for defence, aerospace, automotive, and industrial electronics.
• Supports next-gen technologies like mRNA medicines, immersive tech, and digital security systems (as per ISRO & Semicon Mission’s broader design focus).
• Significance:
• Strategic: Boosts India’s technological sovereignty, crucial amid global chip supply chain vulnerabilities. Economic: Supports India’s ambition of becoming a semiconductor hub, with projects worth ₹1.6 lakh crore approved across states.
• Strategic: Boosts India’s technological sovereignty, crucial amid global chip supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Economic: Supports India’s ambition of becoming a semiconductor hub, with projects worth ₹1.6 lakh crore approved across states.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025
Source: FE
Context: The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 ranked Iceland as the most peaceful country, while India stood at 115th out of 163 nations, reflecting a modest improvement in its peace score.
About The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025:
What it is?
• An annual ranking of countries on peacefulness.
• Covers 163 states and territories, representing 99.7% of the world’s population.
Published by:
• The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an international think tank headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
Criteria:
• GPI assesses countries on 23 indicators across 3 broad domains: Societal Safety & Security (crime rates, political stability, refugee impact). Ongoing Domestic & International Conflict (war, terrorism, civil unrest). Militarisation (military expenditure, weapons imports/exports, armed personnel).
• Societal Safety & Security (crime rates, political stability, refugee impact).
• Ongoing Domestic & International Conflict (war, terrorism, civil unrest).
• Militarisation (military expenditure, weapons imports/exports, armed personnel).
Trends and Rankings (2025):
• Top performers: Iceland (1st), followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia.
• Least peaceful: Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, DR Congo, Yemen.
• Regional trends: Europe dominates the top 10. South America showed improvements (Argentina, Peru). Sub-Saharan Africa & Middle East remain least peaceful. Global average peacefulness declined due to internal conflicts, militarisation, and geopolitical divides.
• Europe dominates the top 10.
• South America showed improvements (Argentina, Peru).
• Sub-Saharan Africa & Middle East remain least peaceful.
• Global average peacefulness declined due to internal conflicts, militarisation, and geopolitical divides.
India & GPI 2025:
• India ranked 115th with a score of 2.229, an improvement of 0.58% over last year.
• Factors behind improvement: gradual decline in domestic violence & disputes, better societal stability.
• Challenges: high militarisation, cross-border tensions, and sporadic internal unrest.
Land Subsidence
Source: NIE
Context: Severe land subsidence in Chamoli’s Nanda Nagar, Uttarakhand has destroyed seven buildings and left 16 others at risk, forcing evacuations and triggering panic among residents.
About Land Subsidence:
What it is?
• Land subsidence is the gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth’s surface due to movement of underground materials.
• It may occur naturally or be induced by human activities.
Regions Affected:
• Globally: Parts of the US (Chesapeake Bay, Louisiana), China, Indonesia, Iran.
• In India: Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Chamoli, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi NCR (due to groundwater depletion).
• Current hotspot: Chamoli’s Nanda Nagar (Uttarakhand Himalayas).
How Land Subsidence Happens?
• Tectonic Setting: In regions like the Himalayas, active plate convergence (Indian Plate pushing into Eurasian Plate) creates fractured and unstable bedrock. These weak zones allow ground layers to sink more easily.
• Lithology (Soil & Rock Type): Fine-grained alluvial soils, loess deposits, or unconsolidated sediments compact when water is removed. Clay-rich layers are especially prone to shrinkage.
• Hydrology (Water Movement): Over-extraction of groundwater lowers the water table. Pore pressure in sediments drops, causing soil grains to compress, leading to vertical sinking.
• Geomorphic Processes: Heavy rainfall, floods, and glacial meltwater infiltrate slopes, adding weight and reducing shear strength. This destabilises the slope–valley system.
• Anthropogenic Impact: Mining, tunneling, hydropower projects, and unregulated construction disturb the natural load balance and accelerate downward movement.
Implications:
• Humanitarian: Displacement of families, loss of homes, trauma.
• Infrastructure: Cracks in roads, collapse of buildings, damage to utilities (pipelines, power lines).
• Economic: Rehabilitation costs, loss of tourism, strain on state disaster relief funds.
BHARATI initiative
Source: TW
Context: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has launched the BHARATI initiative to support 100 agri-food startups and target $50 billion agri-food exports by 2030.
About BHARATI Initiative:
What it is?
• BHARATI stands for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement.
• It is a national startup-support and export-acceleration platform for India’s agri-food and agri-tech ecosystem.
Organisation Involved:
• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), an arm of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and aligned with Startup India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Objective:
• Empower 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups.
• Boost exports to $50 billion by 2030.
• Foster innovation in agri-food production, processing, packaging, and logistics.
Features:
• Startup Cohort: 100 startups selected via APEDA’s website (starting September 2025).
• Acceleration Programme: 3-month training on product development, export readiness, compliance, and market access.
• Innovation Focus: High-value GI products, organic foods, superfoods, livestock products, AYUSH products.
• Technology Adoption: AI-based quality checks, blockchain-enabled traceability, IoT-enabled cold chains, agri-fintech solutions.
• Problem Solving: Addressing export challenges of perishability, wastage, logistics, packaging, and quality assurance.
• Awareness Campaign: Nationwide outreach to attract startups and stakeholders.
Significance:
• Economic – Positions India as a global agri-food export hub, unlocking $50B trade potential.
• Innovation – Encourages tech-driven agriculture solutions, enhancing resilience and competitiveness.
• Employment – Creates jobs across food processing, logistics, packaging, and value chains.
Foreigners Tribunals
Source: HT
Context: The Union Home Ministry has empowered Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 to issue arrest warrants and send suspected illegal immigrants to detention centres.
• This replaces the 1964 order and gives FTs powers equal to a first-class judicial magistrate.
About Foreigners Tribunals:
• What it is? Quasi-judicial bodies set up to determine whether a person is a “foreigner” under Indian law. Unique to Assam; elsewhere, illegal migrants are tried in local courts.
• Quasi-judicial bodies set up to determine whether a person is a “foreigner” under Indian law.
• Unique to Assam; elsewhere, illegal migrants are tried in local courts.
• Established in: 1964, through the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
• 1964, through the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
• Act Powered: Now governed by the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which repealed older laws and replaced the 1964 order.
• Now governed by the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which repealed older laws and replaced the 1964 order.
• Aim: To decide citizenship status of suspected individuals. Provide due process before declaring anyone a foreigner.
• To decide citizenship status of suspected individuals.
• Provide due process before declaring anyone a foreigner.
• Functions: Issue notices to suspected individuals to prove citizenship within 10 days. Examine documents and witnesses related to nationality claims. Dispose of cases within 60 days of reference. Send declared foreigners to detention/transit camps for deportation.
• Issue notices to suspected individuals to prove citizenship within 10 days.
• Examine documents and witnesses related to nationality claims.
• Dispose of cases within 60 days of reference.
• Send declared foreigners to detention/transit camps for deportation.
New Powers (2025 Order)
• Authority of a civil court and a first-class magistrate.
• Powers include: Summoning and examining persons on oath. Requiring discovery and production of documents. Issuing commissions for witness examination. Directing personal appearance of the accused. Issuing arrest warrants for non-appearance. Sending individuals to detention centres if proof of citizenship is not produced.
• Summoning and examining persons on oath.
• Requiring discovery and production of documents.
• Issuing commissions for witness examination.
• Directing personal appearance of the accused.
• Issuing arrest warrants for non-appearance.
• Sending individuals to detention centres if proof of citizenship is not produced.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 3 September 2025 Mapping:
Seychelles
Source: ET
Context: The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (INS Tir, INS Shardul, and ICGS Sarathi) docked at Port Victoria, Seychelles, for a long-range training deployment, strengthening maritime ties between India and Seychelles.
About Seychelles:
• What it is?
• A small island nation and archipelagic state in the Indian Ocean. Known for its diverse cultural blend and high human development in Africa.
• A small island nation and archipelagic state in the Indian Ocean.
• Known for its diverse cultural blend and high human development in Africa.
• Location:
• Northeast of Madagascar and about 1,500 km east of mainland Africa. Lies in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region, strategically close to key sea lanes.
• Northeast of Madagascar and about 1,500 km east of mainland Africa.
• Lies in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region, strategically close to key sea lanes.
• Capital: Victoria, one of the world’s smallest capitals.
• Neighbours:
• Island countries and territories nearby include Maldives, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, and French territories like Réunion and Mayotte.
• Island countries and territories nearby include Maldives, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, and French territories like Réunion and Mayotte.
• Key Features:
• Geography – An archipelago of 115 islands, only a few are inhabited. Society – Multicultural mix (French, British, Indian, African, Chinese) reflected in Creole language, festivals, cuisine, and architecture.
• Geography – An archipelago of 115 islands, only a few are inhabited.
• Society – Multicultural mix (French, British, Indian, African, Chinese) reflected in Creole language, festivals, cuisine, and architecture.
• Significance for India:
• Maritime Security – Strategic location in the Indian Ocean; key partner in ensuring freedom of navigation and countering piracy. Defence Partnership – India provides capacity-building, naval training, and equipment support to Seychelles’ Defence Forces.
• Maritime Security – Strategic location in the Indian Ocean; key partner in ensuring freedom of navigation and countering piracy.
• Defence Partnership – India provides capacity-building, naval training, and equipment support to Seychelles’ Defence Forces.
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