Current Affairs: 30th Sept 2025

• Industrial output growth slows to 4% in August

Context: Country’s IIP growth gets pulled down by consumer-related sectors; primary goods sector sees a turnaround with seven-month-high of 5.2%; experts say no effect of GST reforms that came in later

• Growth in industrial activity in India slowed to 4% in August from its six-month high growth of 4.3% in July.

• Growth was dragged down by the consumer durables and non-durables sectors, as well as slower growth in manufacturing, capital goods, and infrastructure sectors, government data showed.
• On the other hand, mining activity, the primary goods sector, and electricity output saw a positive turnaround.
• Data on the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, showed that growth in the index this August was considerably faster than the 0% seen in August last year.
• “This data should be read with caution as it captures neither the tariff nor GST effect which have been in the news and affected sentiment in business,” Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at the Bank of Baroda, said. “Tariffs were implemented from August 27 while GST benefits kicked in late September.”
• The mining and quarrying sector in particular saw a significant turnaround. It grew 6% in August, a 14-month high, snapping a four-month streak of contractions.
• The second sector to see a robust turnaround was the primary goods sector, which saw growth coming in at a seven-month high of 5.2%. The electricity sector grew at a five-month high of 4.1%.
• The manufacturing sector, however, slowed to 3.8% in August, down from 6% in July. This was quicker than the 1.2% growth the sector saw in August last year. Similarly, growth in the capital goods sector slowed in August to 4.4% from 6.7% in July. This was, however, quicker than the 0% seen in August last year.
• The growth in the consumer durables sector slowed to 3.5% in August from 7.3% in July and 5.4% in August last year. The consumer non-durables sector saw activity contracting 6.3%, the worst performance in eight months.

• More women employed in agriculture, but half of them are unpaid

Context: Global trade trends, technology, and land and labour reforms can help bridge the gap

• Women-led development has been recognised as a structural game-changer for advancing India’s economic ambitions, yet its full potential remains under-leveraged. Nowhere is harnessing this potential more urgently than in the agriculture sector, the backbone of India’s economy and the largest employer of its women.

• Despite their growing presence on farms, women’s contributions remain systematically unremunerative. By leveraging recent shifts in trade and technology, India has an unprecedented opportunity to unlock pathways that recognise women as equal partners in agricultural transformation.
• In the past decade, structural shifts in the Indian workforce have drawn rural men into higher-paying non-farm jobs, leaving women to replace them to do the agricultural work. As a result, women’s employment in agriculture surged by 135%, and they now account for over 42% of the sector’s workforce. Two out of every three working women are now in agriculture.
• Yet, this rise has come with diminishing returns. Nearly half of the women in agriculture are unpaid family workers, with their numbers jumping 2.5 times from 23.6 million to 59.1 million in just eight years (Chart 1). As a result, today, one in three working women in India is unpaid. In States such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, more than 80% of women workers are in agriculture, and over half of them receive no wages (Map 2).
• Much of this invisibility stems from systemic inequities. Women are not officially recognised as farmers, own only 13-14% of land holdings, and earn 20-30% less than men for equivalent work. Asset ownership, decision-making power, and access to credit and government support remain male-dominated, trapping women in low-value activities.
• As a result, women’s greater participation has not translated into higher income for the economy, as agriculture’s share of the national GVA fell from 15.3% in 2017-18 to 14.4% in 2024-25. Therefore, the ‘feminisation of agriculture; has, in a way, reinforced inequities rather than enabling women’s economic empowerment.
• Global trade trends are opening new windows for women’s economic inclusion in agriculture. The India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), for example, is projected to boost Indian agricultural exports by 20% within three years, granting duty-free access to over 95% of agricultural and processed food products. From rice, spices, and dairy to ready-to-eat meals, Indian producers will benefit from premium market access, with safeguards in place for sensitive sectors. Many of these export-oriented value chains employ a significant share of women (Chart 3). If FTA-embedded provisions for women, such as training, credit access, and market linkages, are catalysed, it could enable women’s transition from farm labourers to income-generating entrepreneurs.
• The greatest opportunity lies in enabling women to move from unpaid, low-value tasks into higher-margin segments such as processing, packaging, branding, and exporting. With global demand rising for organic products and superfoods, India’s value chains for tea, spices, millets and certified organic produce are poised for expansion — sectors where women are already strongly represented. Geographical Indications, branding initiatives, and support for meeting export standards can help women producers shift from subsistence farming toward premium, value-added product markets.
• Without targeted measures, women risk being excluded from the export-led opportunities emerging in Indian agriculture. Digital innovations can play a decisive role in bridging this gap. Platforms such as e-NAM, mobile-based advisory services, voice-assisted applications, and precision agriculture tools are already connecting women to markets, knowledge systems, and financial services. These solutions help formalise women’s labour while expanding access to schemes, credit, and fair pricing.
• However, these benefits are contingent on overcoming structural barriers such as low digital literacy, language gaps, and limited access to affordable devices. Tackling these challenges requires collective action by all ecosystem actors — government, private sector, NGOs, self-help groups, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
• Encouragingly, promising models are emerging. AI-enabled solutions such as the government’s BHASHINI platform and Microsoft–AI4Bharat’s Jugalbandi are extending multilingual, voice-first access to government services. L&T Finance’s Digital Sakhi programme has trained rural women in digital and financial literacy across seven States.
• At the State level, Odisha’s Swayam Sampurna FPOs showcase how technology can position women farmers at the forefront of export competitiveness. The Jhalawari Mahila Kisan Producer Company in Rajasthan leverages digital tools for direct sales and branding. Multi-stakeholder training programs for women farmers in Assam’s tea sector focus on diverse areas. It is important to scale up and emulate these platforms.
• To transform women’s role in agriculture, land and labour reforms are equally vital. Policies must recognise women as independent farmers by promoting joint or individual land ownership, which in turn strengthens their eligibility for credit, insurance, and institutional support.

• X to appeal HC judgment upholding Sahyog portal

Context: X, formerly Twitter, said that it would appeal the Karnataka High Court’s decision that rejected its challenge to the Union government’s Sahyog portal.

• The Sahyog portal was set up last year to allow the police and other authorised government agencies to send takedown notices to social media platforms, a move that X has argued is a broad and illegal censorship regime that would leave it with criminal liability if it did not comply.
• The company said it was “deeply concerned” by the judgment handed down by the single Bench of judge M. Nagaprasanna, and that it would appeal. It did not indicate whether this appeal would be directed to a larger bench of the Karnataka High Court, or to the Supreme Court.
• “The Sahyog [portal] enables officers to order content removal based solely on allegations of ‘illegality,’ without judicial review or due process for the speakers, and threatens platforms with criminal liability for non-compliance,” the platform said.
• “X respects and complies with Indian law, but this order… is inconsistent with the Bombay High Court’s recent ruling that a similar regime was unconstitutional.”
• X is referring to the Centre’s fact checking unit, which was designed to flag misinformation about the Centre that, once a given post was notified, would strip away the “safe harbour” that a platform would enjoy for continuing to host it; the “intermediary,” X, in this case, would be liable for posts made by users as though it were a publisher. The Sahyog portal, X argues, is similar.
• Justice Nagaprasanna argued in his ruling that X was not in a position to take umbrage under constitutional guarantees as its parent, X Corp., is a foreign company.

• Two railway links to offer easy connectivity to Bhutan

Context: Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse lines will run to a total distance of 89 km; they will be developed at a cost of ₹4,033 crore; Railway Minister says project will boost economy, tourism.

• The Centre announced two rail links with a total distance of 89 km between India and Bhutan — Kokrajhar-Gelephu (Assam) and Banarhat-Samtse (West Bengal) — at a cost of ₹4,033 crore.
• These two projects are part of the first set of rail connectivity projects between India and Bhutan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced at a press conference.
• The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for these projects was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan in March 2024 and a formal agreement was signed here on the occasion of the Bhutanese Foreign Secretary’s visit to New Delhi.
• “India is the largest trading partner of Bhutan. Most of the EXIM trade of Bhutan is through Indian ports, therefore, it becomes very important to have seamless rail connectivity for the Bhutanese economy to grow, and for the Bhutanese people to have better access to the global network,” Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

For Vande Bharat trains

• The Minister said the two rail links would provide Bhutan access to 1,50,000 km of the Indian railway network. While the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link would be developed over the next four years, the Banarhat-Samtse line would be constructed over a period of three years. The railway lines would be designed for running Vande Bharat trains. The former will have six stations, two viaducts, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, two good sheds, one flyover and 39 underpasses. The latter will include two stations, one major flyover, 24 minor flyovers, and 37 under passes. It will be developed at a cost of ₹577 crore.
• “This will provide a lot of economic benefits to the people, in terms of tourism, industrial growth, people-to-people movement, and goods movement. Practically, every benefit that railway brings will happen with this,” Mr. Vaishnaw added.
• The Government of India has pledged ₹10,000 crore in development assistance to Bhutan for its 13th Five-Year Plan running from 2024 to 2029. This funding doubles the support provided during the 12th Plan.
• Bhutan is also set to benefit from the Jogighopha Inland Waterways Transport Terminal, opened in February. The two nations have also collaborated on five major hydropower projects — Chukha, Tala, Mangdechhu, Kurichhu, and the recently completed Punatsangchhu II.

• Govt. norms for EV charging infra subsidy

Context: The Centre has issued norms offering up to 100% subsidies for setting up vehicle charging stations, battery swapping and charging stations, targeting high-density cities, satellite towns, and key national and state highways.

• The guidelines were issued under the ₹10,000- crore PM E-drive scheme for promotion of EVs within which ₹2,000 crores has been apportioned for charging infrastructure.
• The government is aiming at installing 72,300 EV chargers for cars, two- wheelers, buses and trucks, said Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Dr. Hanif Qureshi in a LinkedIn post.
• The post mentioned the government was aiming at a charging grid coverage of at least one charging station in every 3km × 3km grid; on highways, one every 25 km, plus long-range EV chargers every 100 km.
• The ₹2000 crore subsidy offers support for chargers in government buildings like offices and hospitals, private establishments, including malls and metro stations and other locations as determined by State/ UT governments.
• “India is ensuring infrastructure leads the way — breaking the adoption bottleneck, boosting consumer confidence, and building a strong public-private ecosystem for clean mobility,” Dr. Qureshi added.

• State launches Unified Land Acquisition System to ensure transparency and efficiency

Context: The Karnataka government on Monday launched the Unified Land Acquisition System (ULMS) Data Module, aimed at streamlining and digitising the land acquisition process across the State. Officials said the platform will bring greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in land acquisition proposals and ongoing litigations.

• Developed by the Centre for Smart Governance under the e-Governance Department, the module has been created with inputs from an expert committee of the Revenue Department, senior officers, Special Land Acquisition Officers (SLAOs), and field officials.

Common platform

• The system will serve as a common platform for multiple land-acquiring agencies, including Revenue, Irrigation, Urban Development, BDA, BMRDA, Metro, K-Ride, KSHIP, KIADB, KHB, and NHAI. It will provide a consolidated dashboard offering real-time updates on the status of land acquisition proposals.
• Officials said the module will cover the full life cycle of acquisition — from proposal submission to award, compensation, and rehabilitation — in line with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
• Integration with systems such as Bhoomi, e-Swathu, e-Aasthi, Kaveri 2.0, and Khajane II will ensure that authentic data is sourced directly from respective departments.
• Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who launched the module, said, “With ULMS, Karnataka is setting a new benchmark in citizen-centric governance. The platform ensures transparency for landowners and affected families while providing officials with a robust workflow. It balances the State’s development needs with the rights of citizens.”

• HC: Charge created earlier will prevail during conflict between GST Act and SARFAESI Act

Context: If there is a conflict between the GST Act and the SARFAESI Act, the priority of the charge must be determined based on the order in which the charges were created, said the Karnataka High Court.

• “If the charge under the Goods and Services Tax (Tax) Act was created prior to that under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002, the GST Act will prevail, and vice versa,” the court said while clarifying the position of law when charges were created separately on a same property under these two enactments.
• Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order while allowing a petition filed by Canara Bank while challenging the charge/encumbrance created by the State Commercial Tax Department over an immovable property, which was already mortgaged to the bank, for GST dues. The court declined to accept the Commercial Tax Department’s argument that only the claims under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) can override those under the GST Act, and that, since the GST Act is subsequent to the SARFAESI Act, the GST Act should prevail in all circumstances of charges.
• The claim under the GST Act, the court said, is not directly enforceable until the tax authorities have made an assessment and an entry is made on public records, like the encumbrance certificate or property card. What needs to be considered is the date of creation of the charge, the court pointed out.
• If the charge under the SARFAESI Act was created before the charge under the GST Act, the SARFAESI Act charge would take precedence, the court said while pointing that the charge in the present was created in 2017 by the Bank and the charge over the same immovable property was created by the department only in 2019
• While directing the department to remove the encumbrance or charge created over the property in question, the court permitted the bank to auction the property to recover dues to it and if any surplus amount remains after dues to the bank, the same should be deposited with the department for adjustment towards GST dues.

Current Affairs: 29th Sept 2025

• At UNGA week, India signals realignment with the Global South

Context; India stepped up its engagement with the Global South quite visibly during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s hectic consultations at the United Nation’s 80th high-level week, with strong criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza, U.S.-led trade turmoil, and the lack of UN reform in focus in statements.

• More than half of his approximately 30 one-on-one bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers were with countries of the developing nations, while nearly all the multilateral meetings India hosted or Mr. Jaishankar hosted focused on the Global South’s issues, and non-western groupings.
• The multilateral meetings included the BRICS, IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa), India-CELAC (South American countries), India-SICA (Central American Integration System), FIPIC (Pacific Island countries), L-69 (developing countries from the Global South) and C-10 (African Union representatives) and the “High-Level Like-Minded countries of the Global South”.
• Meanwhile, Mr. Jaishankar also met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and his Japanese counterpart on the sidelines of other groupings, but there was no Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, raising questions about whether a date can still be agreed on for the Quad Summit India is due to host this year.

Gaza situation

• A significant shift at the UNGA week was indicated by India’s position on the Israel war on Gaza. New Delhi, which has been an outlier from other Global South countries thus far and abstained on resolutions calling for a ceasefire, was instead seen backing a number of statements sharply critical of Israel during the UNGA. These included statements by the BRICS Foreign Ministers and the IBSA Trilateral Commission, which said the “Ministers expressed grave concern about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and strongly condemned the Israeli attacks against Gaza, which, after almost two years, continue to cause unprecedented suffering to the civilian population of the territory, ravaged by deaths, destruction, forced displacement, and famine”.
• The statements are much tougher than previous statements that India has agreed to being a part of, indicating a greater alignment with Global South priorities on the issue.
• Referring to India’s commitment to dealing with the “especially acute” “predicament of the Global South” during India’s statement at the General Debate, Mr. Jaishankar listed a number of issues they faced: from the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, to energy and food security, “non-market trade practices”, tariff volatility and uncertain market access.
• “The resource-stressed ones scrambled to survive, only to hear sanctimonious lectures thereafter,” he said, in a sharp dig at global superpowers for not doing more for the Global South.
• In its 48-point “priority paper”, the Permanent Mission of India expressed its disappointment over the lack of movement on UN Security Council reform in the previous session.
• It also stressed maintaining “India’s active engagement as a leading voice of the Global South”, emphasising different areas such as climate finance, development financing, etc, and strengthening coordination with important groups like the Landlocked Developing Countries, Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States as well.

• Astrosat, India’s first space observatory, completes a decade among the stars

Context: India’s first dedicated space astronomy observatory, AstroSat, completed a decade of operations.

• Ten years ago, on September 28, 2015, the PSLV-C30 (XL) rocket carrying AstroSat lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

• Though the designed mission life of AstroSat was five years, it continues to provide valuable data.
• In the last decade, the multi-wavelength space observatory with five payloads aboard has made major interesting discoveries.
• Commemorating the milestone in a post on X, the Indian Space Research Organisation said, “On this day 10 years ago, AstroSat, India’s first multi wavelength astronomy observatory was launched by ISRO. From black holes to neutron stars, from the nearest star Proxima Centauri to first time detection of FUV photons from galaxies 9.3 billion light years away, AstroSat enabled groundbreaking insights across the electromagnetic spectrum from UV/Visible to high energy X-rays.

Five payloads

• AstroSat was designed to observe the universe in the visible, ultraviolet, low and high energy X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously with the help of its five payloads.
• The five payloads are the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC), Cadmium–Zinc–Telluride Imager (CZTI), Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT), and the Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM).

Collaborative effort

• Astrosat was realised by the ISRO with the participation of all major astronomy institutions, including the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, and the Raman Research Institute (RRI), some universities of India and two institutions from Canada and the U.K.

Current Affairs: 28th Sept 2025

Guarantees offered financial fillip to women

An independent study has shown several women reporting that the Karnataka government’s five guarantee schemes have helped reduce the financial stress on their families. 

It was found that 91% of respondents used the money received or saved from the guarantees for purchasing food, supplementing the family diet; 84% affirmed that the schemes eased the financial burden of their families

An independent study has shown a large number of women reporting that the Karnataka government’s five guarantee schemes have helped reduce the financial stress on their families.

The mixed-methodology survey, led by independent policy consultant Tara Krishnaswamy, in collaboration with Lokniti-CSDS, Bangalore University, Tumkur University and Indus Action, was conducted over a period of one year. It covered around 6,300 women across 15 districts in the State, 84% of whom affirmed that the schemes eased their families’ financial burden. Around 89% affirmed that it helped their financial upliftment.

“In addition to the ₹2,000 from Gruha Lakshmi, over 90% saved up to ₹1,000 per month due to Gruha Jyoti, and up to ₹1,000 per week from Shakti,” read the report, which also showed that 27% repaid loans using savings from the five guarantees.

Boost to nutrition

According to the study, 91% of respondents use the money received or saved from the guarantees for purchasing food, supplementing the family diet with essentials such as grains, pulses, vegetables, fruits, eggs and meat. Around 95% of the women stated that their families ingested better nutrition and improved diets due to the benefits, while 90% reported increased access to healthcare.

Over 80% of women reported improvements in personal nutrition, own healthcare and personal financial security, and more than 50% respondents engaged in furthering their education.

Scheme-wise highlights

According to the study, Gruha Lakshmi and Shakti schemes have specifically contributed to the empowerment and independence of female beneficiaries.

Highlighting the impact of Shakti scheme, the study found that 19% women found a better-paying job or took up a job due to zero ticket travel offered by the scheme.

“In Bengaluru, it’s even higher; around 34% have secured new or better jobs. They are from low income households and get jobs with marginally high wages, which, without free mobility, is not worth it. But the money they save from the free mobility, combined with the earnings from the job, really help with their financial distress and also boost the economy,” said Ms. Krishnaswamy.

With respect to Gruha Lakshmi, around 95% beneficiaries reported financial upliftment due to the scheme. More than 90% reported improvement in their relationships with their own families and increase in influence on family decisions. Around 92% reported experiencing financial upliftment from Gruha Jyoti scheme as well.

Safety net

“These schemes are a social safety net. The money is not sitting idle somewhere. Whether it is money received through Gruha Lakshmi or any savings that they have because of these schemes, it is all being spent mainly on food, nutrition and health,” remarked Ms. Krishnaswamy.

She noted that Karnataka lags behind peer States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in terms of health and nutrition indicators. The stunting and wasting of children is over 30% to 35%. The anaemia of women is at 66%.

“You can’t secure your GDP with an underfed and anaemic population. But the money that’s saved through these schemes go back into the economy and boosts the economy. The fact that it is being spent on nutrition and health tells you that there are real unmet needs in core areas,” she added.

Penetration of scheme

When it comes to penetration of the schemes, Bengaluru Urban and Tumakuru districts seem to have done well, with the saturation figures around the median for all schemes.

Bengaluru Rural, on the other hand, shows poor penetration of Anna Bhagya, Shakti and Yuvanidhi schemes.

State records sharp fall in child marriages in 3 years

Karnataka has recorded one of the sharpest declines in child marriages in the country, with cases falling by 55% among girls and 88% among boys over the past three years, according to a new study.

The report, “Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India”, was released by Just Rights for Children (JRC), a network of over 250 NGOs. It attributes the fall to awareness campaigns, stronger legal deterrence, and community-level interventions that created trust in reporting mechanisms.

Steepest in Assam

At the national level, child marriages dropped by 69% among girls and 72% among boys. Assam registered the steepest fall among girls at 84%, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar (70% each), and Rajasthan (66%). The study, covering 757 villages across five States, was prepared by the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change for Children (C-LAB), an initiative of JRC partner India Child Protection.

Karnataka’s approach

Unlike most other States, Karnataka relied more on helplines (75%) and Child Welfare Committees (53%) than police stations (40%) for reporting cases. This shift, the report noted, shows a “critical link between trust in community-based systems and action against child marriage.”

The State government’s move to empower Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) to register marriages was described as a “turning point.” Being accessible to villagers, PDOs built awareness and prevented nearly 2,000 child marriages in 2021 alone. Karnataka also became the first State to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, making even engagements involving minors a punishable offence, the study noted.

Awareness

Awareness campaigns were identified by 92% of respondents as the most effective tool to end child marriage, followed by prosecutions through FIRs and arrests (50%).

Nearly 99% of respondents said they had heard of the Union government’s Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign, mostly through NGOs, schools, and gram panchayats. In Karnataka, all respondents reported taking a pledge against child marriage, while 78% identified NGOs as lead facilitators.

However, despite these gains, challenges remain. Fear of social stigma (79%) and lack of awareness (62%) continue to prevent people from reporting cases. While Census 2011 recorded 4.8 lakh children married before the legal age in Karnataka, only 783 cases were reported between 2019 and 2022.

Ravi Kant, National Convener of JRC, said, “By declaring even engagements in child marriage cases a punishable offence, the government has fortified the child protection ecosystem. Such strict measures are vital to dismantle this centuries-old crime.”

The report recommends stricter enforcement of the law, compulsory marriage registration, and wider dissemination of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat portal. It urges designating a National Day Against Child Marriage to mobilise support for a child marriage-free India by 2030.

Kalaloka to be launched at KIA in October to showcase State’s heritage products

Following a delay of over a month, Kalaloka, an aesthetically designed stall that will showcase and sell six products representing Karnataka’s heritage, along with 28 Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products, is now slated for inauguration at the Kempegowda International Airport’s (KIA) Terminal-2 in October.

While the exact dates are not confirmed, the stall is expected to open after October 15, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to preside over the launch, sources told The Hindu.

Delayed by a month

Sources added that the store’s setup was delayed by a month due to pending approval from airport security agencies, but now everything is in place, and it is set to be launched in October.

“Kalaloka is envisioned as a cultural experience that captures the essence of Karnataka. The stall will feature six flagship state-run products alongside 28 GI-tagged items. Among the products to be showcased are Mysore Silk, Mysore Sandal Soap, among other products under Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium. These products will provide travellers with an opportunity to take home a piece of the state’s heritage,” M.B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries, said.

The products from Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium will include Channapatna toys and dolls, sandalwood and rosewood carvings, Bidriware, Navalgund Dhurries, among others.

In addition to the Terminal-2 outlet, plans are also under way to establish another Kalaloka stall at the international departure lounge of the airport. While tenders are being prepared and cost estimates have been drawn, a formal timeline for this expansion has not been confirmed.

For the Kalaloka stall, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) has also introduced an ultra-luxury soap line under the “Kala Loka – Treasure of Karnataka” label. The Mysore Sandal “Millennium Super Premium Soap”, weighing 150 gm and priced at around ₹3,000, is made from high-quality natural sandalwood oil and features premium packaging.

Additionally, KSDL is conducting trials of a jasmine oil–based soap, made from the rare Mysore Mallige variety, to cater to demand in markets like Europe.

Plans in London

The Karnataka government, through Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) and KSDL, is also exploring opportunities in London under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Officials are reportedly planning to showcase Karnataka’s heritage goods, particularly KSDL’s premium soaps and MSIL’s textile exports, such as the Mysore Silk portfolio, in boutique retail settings. The officials told The Hindu that discussions are going on, and currently they are looking at various ideas and ways to execute them.

First bullet train section to be completed by 2027

India’s first bullet train project is progressing steadily, with the initial 50-km stretch between Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat set to open in 2027, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday. The entire Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor is expected to be operational by 2029.

Once launched, the high-speed train will cover the 508-km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours and seven minutes.

“The project is advancing very well. The Surat–Bilimora section will be ready by 2027, the Thane–Ahmedabad stretch by 2028, and the full corridor by 2029,” Mr. Vaishnaw said, after inspecting works at the under-construction Surat station, including track installation and the project’s first turnout (a point where tracks join or separate).

The main line has been designed for speeds up to 320 kmph, with 80 kmph for the loop line. To ensure safety and efficiency, advanced technologies have been deployed. “This is a highly complex train operation, which is why the most modern systems are being used. Special vibration mechanisms and utility cables have been set up to absorb the impact when trains run at 320 kmph. Even the tracks have inbuilt systems to counter vibrations,” the Minister explained.

He added that the tracks featured safety measures to keep trains stable during heavy winds or earthquakes.

Work at the Surat station has entered the final stages, with major construction works complete. Mr. Vaishnaw highlighted the use of new technologies, including roller bearings for track movement and composite sleepers.

“Today, we installed the first turnout at Surat station using innovations being applied in India for the first time,” he said. Calling the bullet train a game-changer, he said the project would link economies of all major cities along the route, similar to the growth in Japan after the Shinkansen’s launch.

He also noted that the BJP has promised to expand the network, with three more corridors planned in the north, one in the east, and one in the south, in addition to the western Mumbai–Ahmedabad line.

UNESCO includes India’s Cold Desert to global biosphere list

India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve has been named among 26 new biosphere reserves across several countries, UNESCO announced on Saturday. With this addition, India now has 13 biospheres listed in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). Spanning about 7,770 sq. km across the dramatic landscapes of Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve was included in the WNBR at the 37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) held in Paris, Union Minister for Environment and Forests Bhupender Yadav said in a post on X.

Not just one-horned rhino, Kaziranga Park also harbours a rich variety of insects, spiders

The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, the world’s safest address for the one-horned rhino, has revealed a rich community of insects and spiders.

A new rapid survey report documented 283 species of insects and spiders in a woodland habitat of the tiger reserve. It was conducted by entomologists with the Corbett Foundation, along with Kaziranga’s frontline forest personnel.

The report and related information booklets were released on September 26 by Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, the MP representing the Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency, Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia, and Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Vinay Gupta.

The study recorded 254 species of insects and 29 species of spiders, which forest officials said was a vital step toward understanding Kaziranga’s “overlooked” biodiversity. They said the findings highlight the urgent need to take insect conservation seriously, especially as climate change threatens to accelerate species loss.

Butterflies and moths accounted for 85 species or 30% of Kaziranga’s insects, while 40 species (14%) of ants, bees, and wasps, and 35 species (12%) of beetles were recorded.

“Conducted through visual estimation with photographs using scientific sampling methods, this landmark survey reveals the park’s often-overlooked micro-faunal richness,” Assam’s Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, said.

He said the State government was committed to conserving all forms of biodiversity, including the smallest but crucial life forms.

“Worldwide, nearly 40% of insect species are in decline due to habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change. While Kaziranga is celebrated for its megafauna, this study shows that its resilience depends just as much on the small pollinators, soil aerators, and natural pest-controllers that keep the ecosystem functioning,” Sonali Ghosh, the Director of the tiger reserve, said.

Officials underlined the vital ecological role the insects and spiders play, facilitating seed dispersal, helping maintain soil health and regenerate plants, forming the very foundation of the food web that sustains Kaziranga’s iconic wildlife.

“The findings highlight the park’s status as a true hotspot of invertebrate diversity,” Ms Ghosh said.

Kaziranga is better known for its Big Five species — the Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, and eastern swamp deer.

The 1,307.49-sq. km tiger reserve has the most one-horned rhinos on earth, the last estimation recording 2,613 individuals. It also has the third-highest density of tigers (18.65 individuals per 100 sq. km), according to a 2024 report.

PNGRB moots natural gas pipeline from Ennore to Kondapalli

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has set in motion the process for developing a natural gas pipeline from Ennore LNG Terminal in Tamil Nadu to Kondapalli, Andhra Pradesh.

The facility is being mooted with an eye on meeting the requirement of natural gas in the two States, the regulator said, initiating a suomotu proposal earlier this month. It estimated the length of the proposed pipeline from Ennore – Nellore – Ongole – Guntur – Amravati – Kondapalli to be around 450 kms.

The minimum system capacity, including common carrier capacity, will be 5 MMSCMD, PNGRB said, announcing the commencement of the public consultation process.

Oil India discovers natural gas in Andaman

Press Trust of India 

New Delhi

Oil India Ltd. has discovered natural gas reserves off the Andaman Islands, the state-owned firm said without putting an estimate of the size of the find.

In a statement, OIL said “occurrence of natural gas” was reported in the second exploratory well Vijayapuram-2 drilled in the Offshore Andaman Block AN-OSHP-2018/1, which the company had won under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy. “Further gas isotope studies are being undertaken so as to understand the genesis of the gas,” Oil India said.

BRICS nations criticise protectionism, condemn Israeli strikes against Qatar

The BRICS group of countries, a club of 11 emerging markets, called out protectionism and tariff volatility at a Foreign Ministers meeting on the fringes of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The statement comes as countries are navigating the upheaval to global trade following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff polices this year — which have seen both higher tariffs and repeated changes to rates.

The BRICS meeting, which was hosted by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, condemned Israel’s attack earlier this month on Qatar as well as expressed “grave concerns” for Palestine after “persistent” Israeli attacks. It also condemned the April terror attacks in Pahalgam.

“As rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system,” Mr. Jaishankar said on social media site X on Friday.

The BRICS group has been on the radar of Mr. Trump, who views it as anti-American and a threat to the U.S. dollar. Mr Trump has tariffed some of its other members at high rates such as China as well as Brazil, which currently faces 50% tariffs.

The BRICS statement notes “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules”. Countries warned that these could fragment global trade and marginalise the Global South. The statement does not name the U.S. or explicitly point to Mr. Trump’s policies.

On Friday, BRICS countries also “ rejected” climate-related unilateral tariffs such as Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs). This has been a concern in trade relationships for instance between India and the EU, which is among the jurisdictions rolling out such a tax. BRICS ministers condemned Israel’s September 9 airstrike on Qatar, which, they said, was a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and “a grave breach of international law, including the UN Charter”.

On Iran, the joint statement condemned attacks “since June 13, 2025”, including on Iran’s “civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities”that are under the safeguard of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear safety must always be upheld, the countries said. It does not mention Israel or the U.S. explicitly as having conducted the strikes on Iran.

On the Israel-Gaza conflict, the ministers said Israel’s “ persistent” attack on Gaza had caused “ unprecedented suffering to the civilian population of the territory, ravaged by deaths, destruction, and famine”.

The countries called for an immediate ceasefire in the region and they called on Israel to stop its attacks and to withdraw troops. They also condemned the displacement of the Palestinian people and reiterated their support for a two-state solution , recognising a Palestine state, which contains the Gaza Strip and West Bank, with its capital in East Jerusalem.

The statement called for the release of the remaining October 7 hostages . There was, however, no mention of Hamas , which is holding the hostages.

BRICS countries called for more equitable representation at the UN and reform of multilateral organisations, including the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the Bretton Woods institutions. Significantly, BRICS-member China, has not supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

Current Affairs: 27th Sept 2025

• Study says astronauts with diabetes can undertake space missions

Context: In a study conducted during the recent Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, of which Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was a part, it has been revealed that astronauts with diabetes can undertake space missions.

• Axiom Space, along with Burjeel Holdings, released the preliminary results of the ‘Suite Ride’ research conducted during the Ax-4 mission.
• “The research concluded that everyday diabetes tools used by millions on Earth can be used comprehensively to provide end-to-end diabetes monitoring from space to the ground and back to space — a breakthrough in opening the door to future astronauts with diabetes and providing new solutions in remote healthcare,” Axiom Space said.
• Burjeel Holdings is a healthcare services provider in the UAE, and building on these findings, it also announced its ambition of working towards sending the first astronaut with diabetes to space. Axiom Space and Burjeel Holdings had joined hands to conduct the research during the Ax-4 mission at International Space Station.
• “Sending up a suite of remote care capabilities, the Suite Ride initiative explored how to manage diabetes in space, marking a meaningful step towards making spaceflight accessible for those with historically disqualifying conditions,” Axiom Space said.
• It further said the research results found that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pens can operate reliably in the extreme conditions of space.

Inspiring people

• “Early results suggest that CGM devices can perform with accuracy comparable to Earth-based readings, enabling real-time glucose monitoring of astronauts in microgravity and can communicate readings to the ground.
• Insulin pens flown on the space station are now undergoing post-flight testing to evaluate the integrity of the formulation,” it said.

Inspiring people

• “This is about inspiring people everywhere. A diagnosis shouldn’t end your dream of space exploration. Together, we’re advancing the potential to fly the first astronaut with diabetes and to unlock innovation in healthcare,” said Gavin D’Elia, global head of pharma at Axiom Space.
• The Ax-4 mission was launched on June 25, and during the 20-day mission, the crew comprising Group Captain Shukla and three others completed 320 orbits around the Earth,, covering 8.4 million miles of spaceflight, Axiom Space said. They also performed over 60 research activities and 23 outreach events.

• NISAR sends first radar images of Earth’s surface

Context: The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Earth-observing radar satellite has sent the first images of Earth’s surface as the joint mission between NASA and ISRO approaches full science operations later this year.

• NASA said that the images from the spacecraft, which was launched by ISRO on July 30, display the level of detail with which NISAR scans Earth to provide unique, actionable information to decision-makers in a diverse range of areas, including disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and agricultural management.
• “By understanding how our home planet works, we can produce models and analysis of how other planets in our solar system and beyond work as we prepare to send humanity on an epic journey back to the Moon and onward to Mars,” said NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya.
• He added that the successful capture of these first images from NISAR is a remarkable example of how partnership and collaboration between two nations, on opposite sides of the world, can achieve great things together for the benefit of all.
• NASA said that on August 21, the satellite’s L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system, which was provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, captured Mount Desert Island on the Maine coast.
• “Dark areas represent water, while green areas are forest, and magenta areas are hard or regular surfaces, such as bare ground and buildings. The L-band radar system can resolve objects as small as 15 feet (five metres), enabling the image to display narrow waterways cutting across the island, as well as the islets dotting the waters around it,” NASA said.
• It added that on August 23, the L-band SAR captured data of a portion of northeastern North Dakota straddling Grand Forks and Walsh counties.
• The U.S. space agency further said that the images demonstrate how the L-band SAR can discern what type of land cover — low-lying vegetation, trees, and human structures — is present in each area.
• “This capability is vital both for monitoring the gain and loss of forest and wetland ecosystems, as well as for tracking the progress of crops through growing seasons around the world,” it said.

• ISRO invites proposals from nation’s scientists

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) issued an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) inviting scientists within India to analyse archival data from past Venus missions.

• India’s maiden mission to Venus, Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024.

Sun-Venus interaction

• The mission will involve a spacecraft orbiting Venus to study its surface, atmosphere, and the Sun-Venus interaction.
• “In order to promote, strengthen and to increase the scientific user community for the VOM, ISRO invites researchers through the AO call for promoting the analysis and modelling of archival data available for the planet Venus,” ISRO said.
• The space agency said that proposals could be submitted by individuals or a group of scientists and academicians belonging to national institutions, universities, colleges, planetaria and government organisations of India. “Only those having a minimum remaining service of four years before superannuation are eligible to lead the project as Principal Investigators (PI),” the space agency said.

Research areas

• The research proposals are invited in the following research areas: venusian morphology, topography and sub-surface studies, geological mapping, mineralogy and surface composition of Venus, venusian atmosphere structure, dynamics and composition, venusian Ionosphere and solar wind interaction and modelling of venusian atmospheres and Ionospheres.
• The space agency said that it expects the project to be completed within three years.
• On October 1, 2024, ISRO revealed the targeted launch window for the mission.
• According to the targeted launch window for the VOM, the Earth departure date is scheduled on March 29, 2028, and the arrival date on Venus is July 19, 2028.
• The space agency had said that the VOM will be launched by the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3).

• State records highest maternal mortality in 2023; experts call for urgent action

Context: With Karnataka recording the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) among southern States during 2021–2023, public health experts and policymakers have called for urgent measures to address the gap.

• According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2023, released this month, Karnataka’s MMR has shot up to 68 deaths per one lakh live births in 2021-23 from 58 in 2020-22, while Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu report figures largely in 30s. Telangana’s MMR is 59.
• The issue was the focus of a day-long conference on “Reducing Maternal Mortality in Karnataka,” organised by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Karnataka Regional Branch, in partnership with R.V. University’s Centre for Global Health and Development, in Bengaluru.
• Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, in his keynote address, said the State Cabinet had approved a mission to guarantee round-the-clock maternal health services at taluk hospitals and major community health centres. “In this year’s Budget, our Chief Minister has announced a ₹320-crore mission to bring preventable maternal deaths to zero.
• Our immediate target is to bring MMR down from 68 to 40 within two-and-a-half years, and eventually to 20 to meet global benchmarks,” he said.
• Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Sharan Prakash R. Patil stressed the need to integrate maternal health priorities into medical training and workforce planning.
• Calling preventable maternal deaths a “silent crisis,” Ranjini C. Raghavendra, Director of the Centre for Global Health and Development, R.V. University, observed that Karnataka’s achievements were inadequate compared to neighbouring States. “For a State of our intellect and resources, failing to keep pace with our neighbours is a harsh truth. The ₹320-crore mission must be more than an allocation — it must be a guarantee,” she said.
• B. L. Sujatha Rathod, Director of Medical Education, underlined the need for continuous upgrading of skills to handle high-risk pregnancies.
• The conference concluded with a call for a State-level maternal mortality acceleration plan, combining immediate lifesaving interventions with long-term investments in infrastructure, workforce and community engagement.

• In 2019, three Ministries gave nod to Ladakh’s tribal status

Context: Ministries of Home, Tribal Affairs, and Law, and NCST concurred on Sixth Schedule; but in 2022, Centre said the UT administration was ensuring the ‘development’ that tribal status would bring.

• Weeks after the Union Territory of Ladakh was created in August 2019, three Ministries of the Union government gave a green light to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to recommend Ladakh’s inclusion as a tribal area under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, according to minutes of an NCST meeting held on September 11, 2019.
• Six years ago, the NCST had taken suo motu cognisance of the demand for the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule. In a meeting on September 11, 2019, it had recommended “after careful consideration” that the “UT of Ladakh be brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution”.

‘No objection’

• As per the minutes of this 119th meeting of the Commission, the panel had consulted the Ministries of Home, Tribal Affairs, and Law and Justice in a meeting on September 4, 2019, to discuss the issue. In this meeting, the Commission said that after deliberations, the “Ministries were of the opinion that they have no objection in case the Commission recommends for granting Tribal area status to the UT of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.”
• Accordingly, the Commission had recommended the UT’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, also noting that before the creation of Ladakh as a UT, the locals had certain agrarian rights and rights over land that restricted people from outside the region from purchasing or acquiring land in Ladakh.
• In its recommendation, the committee said it felt that Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule would protect these agrarian rights, including rights on land.
• While the Ministry of Tribal Affairs issued a statement on this recommendation of the Commission at the time, this statement had left out the opinion of the Ministries.
• The Home Ministry told Parliament in December 2019 that the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1997, already provided for the creation of autonomous hill development councils in the Ladakh region, the powers for which are “more or less in line with the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India”.

BJP’s poll promise

• However, the following year, when the Hill Council of Leh went to polls in 2020, the Bharatiya Janata Party had promised constitutional safeguards for the region under the Sixth Schedule in its manifesto.
• Yet, in December 2022, responding to a Parliamentary panel’s suggestion to explore the possibility of Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh, the Home Ministry had said: “The main objective for inclusion of tribal population under Fifth/Sixth Schedule is to ensure their overall socio-economic development, which, the UT Administration has already been taking care of since its creation. Sufficient funds are being provided to Ladakh to meet its overall developmental requirements.”

• Modi unveils scheme for women in Bihar, criticises RJD’s reign

Context: 75 lakh women get ₹10,000 each to start business; PM says women bore the brunt of lawlessness and corruption under previous RJD regim.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, a State-funded assistance scheme for women in Bihar.
• He rolled out the self-employment scheme through videoconferencing from Delhi, and directly transferred ₹10,000 each into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women in the poll-bound State.
• Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar as well as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of the BJP joined the event from Patna.
• The scheme is meant to help women start their own business. Based on their performance, the government will provide an additional ₹2 lakh after six months. The assistance can be utilised in areas of their choice, including agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, tailoring, weaving, and other small-scale enterprises.

• AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Arunachal, and Nagaland for six months

Context: The Union Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for six months.

• In Manipur, the AFSPA has been extended in the whole State, except in jurisdictions of 13 police stations in five valley districts.
• The excluded police station limits are Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching.
• In Nagaland, the AFSPA was extended for six months in nine districts — Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri — and 21 police station limits of five districts (Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto), another notification said.
• Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh, and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, bordering Assam, were declared “disturbed areas” for six months.
• The 1958 law gives power to the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search any premises without a warrant, and protection from prosecution and legal suits without the Union government’s sanction.

• MiG-21 jets fly into history after 6 decades of service

Context: Defence Minister calls aircraft symbol of India-Russia ties, says its legacy must serve as lesson for upcoming indigenous platforms; highlights its role in 1971 war, Kargil conflict, Operation Sindoor

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday described the MiG-21 as not just an aircraft or a machine but a testament to the deep ties between India and Russia, as the Indian Air Force formally decommissioned the iconic fighter jet at the Chandigarh Air Force Station.
• “We bid farewell to the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 from its operational journey. I believe we are closing a chapter that will be written in golden letters not only in the history of the Indian Air Force, but in the history of our entire military aviation,” Mr. Singh said.
• The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to No. 23 Squadron, nicknamed Panthers, were given a grand send-off.
• Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh led the final sortie of the MiG-21 Bison with the call sign Badal 3, demonstrating what the Defence Minister called “the credibility of this machine and the respect it holds in the hearts of air warriors”.
• A ceremonial switch-off of six MiG-21 aircraft in front of the dignitaries marked the culmination of the aircraft’s operational service. The aircraft document Form-700 was handed over to the Chief of the Air Staff by officers and airmen of No. 23 and Commanding Officer of 28 Squadron.
• The event was attended by former IAF chiefs A.Y. Tipnis, S.P. Tyagi, and B.S. Dhanoa, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and scores of veterans, many of whom had flown the aircraft. Pilots, engineers, technicians, and ground staff who had worked with the MiG-21 also joined the farewell.
• The Surya Kiran aerobatic team, along with Tejas and Jaguar fighters, performed breathtaking manoeuvres during the ceremony.
• Mr. Singh highlighted role of MiG-21 in the 1971 war, the Kargil conflict, the Balakot air strike, and Operation Sindoor.
• On the future of India’s air power, the Defence Minister said the MiG-21’s legacy must serve as “a lesson and a DNA” for upcoming indigenous platforms. “We must consider the success of the LCA-Tejas as the beginning of our next mission, and instil confidence in our upcoming fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),” he said.
• The decommissioning of the last squadrons has brought down the Air Force’s jet squadron strength to a mere 29 for all practical purposes, the lowest since the 1960s when MiG-21s were inducted.

• Kodava community confused over how to record religious identity

Context: The Kodava community appears to be in a dilemma over how to record their identity in the ongoing Social and Educational Survey being conducted by the government of Karnataka.

• At the heart of the debate is whether Kodavas should be registered as followers of the Hindu religion or as adherents of a separate ‘Kodava’ faith.
• A section of community leaders have been urging Kodavas to declare ‘Kodava’ in the caste, language, and religion columns, while another section has been appealing to people to continue identifying themselves as ‘Hindu’ in religion column.
• Paradanda Subramani Kaverappa, president of the Akhila Kodava Samaja, maintained that the community should be recorded as ‘Kodava’ across all three categories.
• “Before the 1941 census, Kodavas were classified as a rare and distinct tribal group. Kodavas do not follow caste divisions, sects, or a formalised religion,” he argued.
• The small population of Kodavas, which has been shrinking in recent decades, risks losing its unique cultural essence if subsumed within larger communities, he added.
• Mr. Kaverappa acknowledged that there are differing viewpoints within the community. A recent meeting convened by the Samaja failed to arrive at a consensus.
• He said that the choice ultimately rests with individuals.
• “There is no compulsion. Each family can decide for themselves. This survey is only meant to reflect the current social and economic situation of communities to the government,” Mr. Kaverappa said.
• He clarified that documenting Kodavas under a separate religion would not alter existing practices. “Even if people mention Kodava as their religion, traditional rituals, temple worship, and the influence of Hindu practices will continue as they always have. Our customs have drawn inspiration from Hinduism for generations,” he explained.
• Mr Kaverappa highlighted concerns among Kodava youth regarding shrinking opportunities. He said recognising Kodava as a distinct category could eventually open doors to benefits, such as reservations.
• “This survey could also help establish a record for the future, especially when the Central Government carries out its census. We are encouraging people to document their identity as Kodava, but it is entirely voluntary,” he added.

Debate over identity

• On the other side of the debate, several leaders from the community have been appealing to Kodavas to continue identifying with Hinduism.
• “Our culture reflects Hindu traditions, be it the worship of Naga and Aiyappa deities in our homes and villages, or the celebration of festivals like Tula Sankramana and Puthari, which follow Hindu customs,” said A. Manu Muthappa, former president of the Napoklu Kodava Samaja.
• Some Kodava families have been holding discussions in their ainmane (ancestral homes) on how the religion column should be filled in during the survey.
• Mohan Devaiah, a resident of Ponnampet, said, “I have come across several videos from different clans where meetings were convened, and decisions were taken to either mark Hindu or Kodava under the religion category.”

Recognition of Kodavas

• The Codava National Council (CNC) has launched a campaign urging Kodavas to declare their identity solely as ‘Kodava’ in all three columns.
• CNC president Nandineravanda U. Nachappa said, “This is about cultural survival and legal recognition. Only when the government documents us as Kodava across all categories can we preserve our uniqueness.”
• Karnataka Backward Classes Commission Chairperson Madhusudan Naik has said that there is not much significance for the religion column in the enumeration in the current survey since religion does not come under the purview of the commission. “We will not be evaluating on the basis of religion, and information is being sought under a broader category,” he had said.

• ‘Give location of usage of Aadhaar to police to trace missing person’

Context: Though the High Court of Karnataka found no fault with the action of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in rejecting the plea of a man for providing Aadhaar data to the police to trace his elder son, missing since 2019, the court directed the authority to issue details of location of use of his Aadhaar from the time of filing of the missing complaint till date to the Hubballi-Dharwad police to probe the case.

• Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued the direction for sharing only location of use of Aadhaar by the petitioner’s missing son to the police after noticing that certain data of Aadhaar could be disclosed only on the direction given by a High Court as per Section 33(1) of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
• The court passed the order on the petition filed by Krishnamurthy, a resident of Hubballi whose son, Vijay K.S, went missing in December 2019 during apprenticeship in a technological servicing company.
• Making it clear that apart from the location of usage of Aadhaar of the petitioner’s son no other details shall be furnished, the court said the police should not share such details/information with anyone else, apart from that required for the purposes of investigation.

Current Affairs: 26th Sept 2025

• Centre cancels FCRA licence of activist’s outfit

Context: The Union Home Ministry cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration of an organisation founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, citing alleged violations.

• The CBI is also conducting an inquiry involving another non-profit organisation established by Mr. Wangchuk regarding similar allegations.
• Day after Leh violence, Home Ministry cancels SECMOL’s FCRA nod; activist calls charges baseless; allegations include accepting foreign funds to study ‘national sovereignty’ and poor accounting.
• The development comes a day after violence erupted in Leh city of Ladakh, during an ongoing protest demanding Statehood. ”.
• In 2021-22, SECMOL received ₹4.93 lakh from a Swedish organisation, Framtidsjorden, for “awareness on youth migration, food security, and sovereignty”. The government held that accepting foreign funds for studies involving “national sovereignty” violated FCRA rules.

• Amendments to be brought to Karnataka Rent Act to rationalise offences, penalties

Context: Aligning with a Central law, the State Cabinet has decided to amend the Karnataka Rent Act, 1999, mainly to decriminalise or rationalise certain offences and penalties.

• Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said the proposed amendments to the Act are intended to ease giving buildings on rent and it would be a “win-win situation” for both the owner and the tenant, particularly in industrial sheds.
• Amendments will be made to Sections 24, 25, 53, 54, and 55 of the Act, he said, to ensure compliance on rent payments as well as penalties.
• The decision comes as Karnataka’s rental market, particularly in Bengaluru, expands rapidly, accompanied by an increase in disputes between landlords and tenants.
• Among other decisions, the Cabinet has approved ₹16.3 crore for the construction of Karnataka Bhavan-II building at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi.
• It has approved the Male Mahadeshwara Hill Authority Bill, 2025, for inclusion of a list of persons in the authority to govern M.M. Hills and the temple. A sum of ₹128.74 crore was approved for drainage work in Channapatna in Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara) district and ₹95.6 crore for upgradation of the government hospital at Virajpet in Kodagu from 60 beds to 250.
• To ensure necessary skills during promotions of directors, deputy directors, and secretaries in government departments, it has approved the Karnataka Civil Service Rules, 2025. The new rules make the consideration of necessary skills mandatory during promotions, Mr. Patil said.

• Cabinet approves skill development policy; ₹4,432.5 crore needed for seven-year period

Context: The State Cabinet approved the Karnataka State Skill Development Policy 2025-32 with requirement of a whopping ₹4,432.5 crore, during the seven-year period.

• Its vision is to position Karnataka as a premier hub for skilled workforce and a $1 trillion economy by 2032.
• The policy envisions “transforming the State into a hub for skill development, fostering an inclusive and future-ready workforce that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.”
• Its mission is focused on empowering youth and marginalised communities through access to industry-aligned skills, promoting continuous learning, and enhancing collaboration between industry and educational institutions.
• The comprehensive approach is aligned with the Skill India Mission aimed at bridging regional disparities and supporting sustainable economic growth.
• The policy objectives are to focus on lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling to keep pace with changing technologies and industry needs, and integration of vocational education within schools, higher educational institutions, and universities through credit-based programmes.
• It laid a strong emphasis on industry collaboration, including apprenticeships, industry-led training, and ITI adoption.
• It aims to leverage digital technologies and Al-driven tools for training, assessment, and career guidance through a unified digital portal.

Funding need

• The funding needed for implementing the policy is ₹4,432.5 crore, including ₹1,386 crore from the Asian Development Bank.
• It has been decided that ₹410 crore would be raised from projects in the PPP model and ₹904 crore from projects already announced in previous State Budgets (ongoing projects with Budget from State or organisations like KKRDB, KMERC, NABARD); ₹807 crore from continuing schemes under the department, funded irrespective of policy provisions; ₹38.5 crore from the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, and ₹887 crore from the Department of Skill Development.

What CAG report said

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India report tabled in the Monsoon Session of the legislature said that only 18% of the trained candidates under the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation secured placements post-training, falling short of the mandated 70%.
• The Skill Mission was unrealistic in its target during 2017-23, and only 1,15,822 individuals were trained against the target of five lakh youth per year during 2017-2023, the report added.

• Defence Ministry, HAL ink ₹62,370-cr. deal for 97 light combat aircraft for IAF

Context: The Defence Ministry signed a contract to buy 97 light combat aircraft, of the Tejas Mark-1A variant, for the Indian Air Force from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., in a ₹62,370-crore deal.

• The order is for 68 fighter jets and 29 twin-seaters, along with associated equipment. Deliveries will begin in 2027-28 and be completed over six years.
• “The supply of these aircraft by HAL would enhance operational capability of the Indian Air Force to continue their unhindered operations and strengthen defence preparedness of the country,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a post on X.
• “This contract reflects the trust and confidence of the Government and the Armed Forces in the indigenously developed aircraft ‘Tejas’, which will be the mainstay of the IAF in the years to come,” he added.
• With more than 64% indigenous content and 67 new items in comparison to the 2021 contract, this Tejas Mk-1A will feature advanced systems such as the UTTAM AESA Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and indigenous control surface actuators, reinforcing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to move towards a self-reliant India.
• The programme is backed by a supply chain of around 105 Indian companies and is expected to generate nearly 11,750 direct and indirect jobs annually during the production period, according to the Ministry
• under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, the Tejas Mk-1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed fighter jet and will serve as a powerful platform to meet the IAF’s operational needs, the Ministry added.

• Rajnath’s Morocco visit marks new chapter in India-Africa defence ties

Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s maiden visit to Morocco to inaugurate India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility has marked the beginning of a new chapter in the long-standing friendship between India and Morocco.

• Mr. Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdelatif Loudyi jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) state-of-the-art defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid. The plant will produce India’s indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), making it a significant milestone in India’s growing global defence footprint.
• Morocco as a gateway to Africa and a potential market for Indian defence equipment. “There is a strong demand in Africa for small arms, bulletproof jackets, armoured vehicles, tanks, and helicopters. This is the right time for India to strengthen its presence in the African defence market by also establishing Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. Russia has traditionally been the major supplier to the continent, but the Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions disrupted its supply chains. Since India has long experience with Russian defence equipment as a major importer, it has a better understanding of maintaining these systems,” the official noted.
• On India’s defence outreach to African nations, Professor Harsh V. Pant, Vice-President – Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research Foundation, said, “India is expanding its defence outreach, particularly focusing on enhancing defence exports. Africa presents good opportunities due to historical links and strategic comfort levels with India.
• India straddles a unique position in global politics by not being part of either the U.S.-China or Russia-West binaries… Sanctions against Russia may create opportunities for India in the African market due to its neutral stance.”

• DRDO conducts rail-based launch of Agni-Prime missile

Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) successfully test-fired the Intermediate Range Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher, under full operational conditions.

• The Defence Ministry said the next-generation missile, designed for a range of up to 2,000 km, incorporates advanced features and marks the first launch from a specially developed rail-based system capable of rapid, low-visibility deployment with cross-country mobility.
• The missile’s trajectory was tracked by multiple ground stations, with the test meeting all mission objectives.

• India, Russia discuss BRICS grain exchange plan to boost agriculture trade ties

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev and discussed plans of creating a common agricultural food exchange that will help in boosting agriculture trade among the BRICS member-countries.

• Mr. Modi conveyed his greetings to President Vladimir Putin saying he is looking forward to welcoming him for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit to be hosted here later this year.
• “Happy to meet Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev at the World Food India 2025. We discussed ways to strengthen our win-win cooperation in agriculture, fertilizers and food processing,” said Mr. Modi after the meeting.
• The Russian Embassy said the two sides discussed the ongoing work on a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. “Additionally, the topic of creating a BRICS Grain Exchange was raised — a move that will help boost mutual agricultural trade,” said the Embassy.
• “Russia highly values its special and privileged partnership with India. India is one of Russia’s key allies in the international arena. Every year, Russian-Indian economic cooperation reaches impressive levels. In 2024, the trade turnover between our two countries reached a historic high,” said Mr. Patrushev.

• Outward remittances under LRS dips 11% in July to $2,452.93 mn

Context: Outward remittances by resident individuals under the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) were almost 11% lower year on year in July at $2,452.93 million on the back of a decline towards travel as well as studies abroad.

• In the year earlier period, the outward remittances were $2,754.05 million.
• For 2024-25, the remittances totalled $29,563.12 million.
• LRS details for July 2025 released on Thursday by RBI showed that of the total $2,452.93 million, the remittance towards travel stood at $1,445.34 million as against $1,662.13 million, while for studies abroad it was $229.25 million ($272.16 million) and under the head gift $223.53 million ($275.26 million).
• However, during the month the remittance was higher towards purchase of immovable property at $39.48 million ($24.54 million); investment in equity/debt $156.19 million ($120.86 million); and deposit $46.24 million ($41.68 milion).
• The RBI data showed the monthly outward remittances under LRS for May stood at $2,313.16 million and for June at $2,127.39 million.
• The Liberalised Remittance Scheme was introduced on February 4, 2004, with a limit of $25,000, which the RBI revised to the present limit of $2,50,000 in phases consistent with prevailing macro and micro economic conditions.

• RBI makes authentication tougher for digital transactions

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to further secure digital payments transactions, has mandated introduction of additional risk-based checks beyond the minimum two-factor authentication by leveraging upon technological advancements.

• “It shall be ensured that for digital payment transactions, other than card present transactions, at least one of the factors of authentication is dynamically created or proven, i.e., the proof of possession of the factor, being sent as part of the transaction, is unique to that transaction,” the RBI said.
• The factor of authentication will be such that compromise of one factor would not affect reliability of the other.

• There can be no justice if Palestine is not freed, says Abbas at UNGA

Context: The Palestinian Authority President reaffirms his commitment to a two-state solution, says Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza once the war is over; at least 17 people were killed in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, including nine children

• Speaking over video after the United States revoked his visa, the Palestinian leader told world leaders that his people reject the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and pledged that the militant group would have no role in governing the Gaza Strip after war ends and must hand over its weapons to his administration. Mahmoud Abbas said to his people: “The dawn of freedom will emerge.”
• Mr. Abbas told the UN General Assembly that Palestinians in Gaza “have been facing a war of genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement” by Israel. His speech came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to New York to give his own address in person.
• In a short but resolute speech, Mr. Abbas lay out his continued vision for a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel.
• That two-state solution has gained traction after a string of countries – including top U.S. allies — announced recognition of a Palestinian state this past week. But it also appears further than ever from realities on the ground. Mr. Netanyahu’s government has rejected the creation of a Palestinian state.
• Israeli troops control most of the Gaza Strip. Mr. Netanyahu says Israel will maintain security control over the territory after Hamas is defeated, and he has rejected giving Mr. Abbas’s Palestinian Authority any role in there. Some Ministers in Mr. Netanyahu’s government have pushed for annexing the occupied West Bank, where Mr. Abbas’s authority currently administers small pockets of territory.
• “There can be no justice if Palestine is not freed,” Mr. Abbas said. He said the Palestinian Authority is “ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security” in Gaza.
• Meanwhile, at least 17 people were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to local health officials. Nine children were among the victims, according to the hospital.