Daily Current Affairs 2025  

03/09/2025

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CA-03-09-2025

 
Why in news?
A catastrophic landslide struck the village of Tarasin in Sudan's Marrah Mountains (Central Darfur) on August 31, 2025, killing an estimated 1,000 people and destroying the entire community, with only one reported survivor.

Main Facts

• The landslide was triggered by heavy, sustained rainfall that loosened the mountainside bedrock, causing it to collapse and level Tarasin village.
• The disaster was announced by the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), which controls the affected region; they estimate the death toll may reach a thousand, as all residents are feared dead except one critically injured survivor.
• The village, known for citrus farming, was buried instantly, leaving homes and infrastructure completely destroyed.
• Most victims were already displaced by ongoing conflict in Darfur and had sought refuge in the Marrah Mountains.

Context

• The Marrah Mountains are a volcanic region often struck by intense rains during August, which was unusually heavy this year.
• The disaster has compounded an already dire humanitarian situation, as Sudan is mired in civil war and mass displacement crises.
• Recovery and relief operations are expected to take considerable time, with calls for specialized international teams to manage search and recovery.

This event is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters in Sudan's recent history, spotlighting both climate risks and the challenges posed by conflict zones.
 
   
Why in news?
Cabinet has recently approved a ?1,500 crore scheme as part of the National Critical Mineral Mission to develop recycling facilities for separating and producing critical minerals from secondary sources, including e-waste and lithium-ion battery scrap.
 
Policy Updates and Schemes

• The scheme will run from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31 and targets both established and new recyclers, including startups, promoting investment in new recycling units and expansion of existing facilities.
• Eligible materials will include e-waste, lithium-ion battery scrap, and other sources such as end-of-life vehicles.
• The government previously eliminated customs duties on imported waste and scrap materials containing critical minerals to further support recycling and supply for the EV industry.

Indian Legislative and International Action

• The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025, also passed recently, empowers the government to promote sustainable mining, zero-waste practices, and facilitates mineral trading, benefiting the critical minerals sector.
• India is cooperating with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to develop compliant mining practices, increase recycling capabilities, and integrate advanced technology and resource modeling.
• Offshore mineral block auctions and strategic global mineral agreements, including with Argentina and Zambia, have reinforced efforts in securing supply chains for critical minerals.

Global and Industry Developments

• Demand for critical minerals worldwide, particularly for energy transition technologies, continues to rise, with industry-focused events such as the AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference highlighting sector challenges and opportunities for meeting net-zero goals.
• ASEAN nations and the Global South are also advancing critical mineral supply chain management through coordinated policy and investment strategies.
• The role of critical mineral recycling in achieving sustainability, driving innovation, and supporting the circular economy is increasingly recognized globally, with India aiming to attract up to ?8,000 crore in new investments and generate approximately 70,000 jobs by 2031.

About Critical mineral cycling

• Critical minerals are defined as minerals essential for economic growth, national security, and environmental sustainability,
• Critical mineral cycling refers to the movement, use, reuse, and recycling of critical minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements—within natural ecosystems and human industrial systems, ensuring their responsible management and sustainable availability for key technologies and economic needs.

Challenges and Key Processes

• Many critical minerals are only found in trace amounts, often concentrated in specific regions, making their supply vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and market fluctuations.
• Current recycling technologies for critical minerals such as those in solar panels and batteries are still developing, limiting their large-scale recovery and reintegration into production cycles.
• Mining, industrial processing, use, and recycling all contribute to the anthropogenic (human-caused) flux of critical minerals in the environment, sometimes exceeding natural cycles and highlighting the need for controlled and safe management.

 
   
Why in news?
The latest news highlights for the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) focus on the departmental summit held on September 3–4, 2025, at AIIA, New Delhi.
The summit is the last in a series of six thematic events directed by NITI Aayog and the Prime Minister, focusing on strengthening AYUSH integration.
 
Key Outcomes & Announcements

• Release of standard treatment guidelines (STGs) for common metabolic disorders—diabetes, obesity, gout, NAFLD, and dyslipidemia—incorporating AYUSH protocols for broader medical integration.
• Expansion and accreditation of AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres, with new NABH entry-level certifications and the launch of specialty blocks at government AYUSH hospitals.
• Over 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs established, increasing healthcare reach from 1.5 crore beneficiaries in 2021 to more than 11.5 crore in 2025.

About National AYUSH Mission (NAM) 
 
The National AYUSH Mission (NAM) is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India in 2014 to promote AYUSH systems—Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy—as an integral part of the country’s healthcare system.
 
Objectives and Vision

• The mission aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality AYUSH healthcare services across India.
• It strives to mainstream AYUSH systems within public health frameworks, develop evidence-based management protocols, and strengthen AYUSH educational, research, and service infrastructures.

Key Features

• Funding Pattern: The scheme is centrally sponsored, with 60% of the funding provided by the Central Government and 40% by State Governments.
• Service Integration: AYUSH facilities are co-located with modern medicine hospitals to increase patient choice and care options.
• Infrastructure: The mission supports the establishment of AYUSH hospitals, health and wellness centers, and specialized clinics at primary, community, and district levels.
• Human Resources: It ensures deployment and training of AYUSH doctors, para-medical staff, and integrates AYUSH in health programs with the involvement of ASHA and ANM workers.
• Special Initiatives: Projects address issues like women’s health, mental healthcare for children, palliative care, rural healthcare disparities, and support for endosulfan victims.
• Capacity Building: Ongoing departmental summits foster coordination and capacity building at State and UT levels, focusing on financial management, quality assurance, and digital health integration.

Impact and Achievements

• NAM has led to widespread integration of AYUSH services in government health centers, increased public awareness of Indian systems of medicine, and improved infrastructure for AYUSH education and research.
• Regular campaigns like Ayurveda Day, International Day of Yoga, and Homoeopathy Day help further promote AYUSH practices and public engagement.

Governance and Structure

• The mission operates through a structured program management unit at both state and district levels, ensuring monitoring, evaluation, and efficient delivery of mission objectives.

The National AYUSH Mission is central to India’s push for holistic, pluralistic, and accessible health solutions—expanding the reach of traditional systems to all sections of society.
 
 
   
Why in news?
The latest news on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as of September 2025 highlights major advances in India’s sustainable aviation strategy and global policy developments.
 
Key Developments

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation, ICAO, and European Union released India’s SAF Feasibility Study, analyzing feedstock capacity, production potential, policy frameworks, and infrastructure readiness for scaling SAF use.
• The study sets clear targets: 1% SAF blending by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030 for international flights, aligning with ICAO CORSIA mandates on aviation emissions.
• Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat refinery will begin producing SAF from used cooking oil in December 2025, with a capacity of 35,000 tonnes per year—the first such plant in India, certified under ISCC CORSIA standards.
• Crop residue and food industry waste are emphasized as core feedstocks for India’s forthcoming SAF supply.
• The government expects these moves to cut crude oil imports, boost farmer incomes, and position India as a global SAF exporter by leveraging its surplus biomass and agricultural residues.

About Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an alternative to conventional jet fuel, made from renewable, non-petroleum feedstocks, which can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil-based fuels.
 
Key Features

• Sources: SAF is produced from materials such as agricultural waste, used cooking oil, industrial waste, animal fat, forestry residues, and even municipal solid waste.
• Compatibility: It is a 'drop-in' fuel, meaning it works seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and airport fueling infrastructure without the need for modifications.
• Emission Reduction: SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and even more as technology evolves.

Production Pathways

• Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA): Converts oils and fats into jet fuel and is among the most used processes.
• Fischer-Tropsch (FT): Uses woody biomass or waste to produce synthetic paraffinic kerosene.
• Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ): Uses alcohols derived from cellulosic or starchy biomass.
• Others: Include Catalytic Hydrothermolysis, Hydroprocessed Fermented Sugars, and more.

Sustainability Principles

• Feedstock Selection: Leading providers avoid food crop feedstocks like soy and palm oil to prevent issues such as deforestation and food security risks.
• Certification & Auditing: SAF producers are subject to third-party certification and regular audits to ensure sourcing and production sustainability.

Impact and Usage

• Current Adoption: SAF is commercially available and already used in thousands of flights globally, primarily in the US and Europe.
• Indian Context: The Ministry of Civil Aviation recently highlighted SAF as an immediate and practical solution to decarbonize the aviation sector in India.
• Goals: International aviation is targeting net zero carbon by 2050, with increasing SAF adoption crucial to achieving these ambitions.

Policy and Market Developments

• Governments and industry bodies are launching initiatives to expand SAF production and usage, such as the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge and the ICAO’s CORSIA framework, aiming for large-scale global adoption and emissions reduction.

Challenges

• Supply Limitations: Current SAF production faces constraints due to limited feedstock supply, though new production pathways and technological advances are being explored to address these challenges.
• Cost: SAF is currently more expensive than conventional jet fuel due to feedstock and production costs.

Sustainable aviation fuel thus represents a critical solution for decarbonizing air transport, supporting global climate objectives, and enabling more environmentally responsible growth of the aviation sector.
 
 
   
Why in news?
The 99th meeting of the NPG was held on September 2, 2025, chaired by Shri Pankaj Kumar (Joint Secretary, Logistics, DPIIT).
 
Recent Activities

• Four major infrastructure projects were evaluated: one highway/road project (Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways) and three rail projects (Ministry of Railways), including greenfield and brownfield developments.
• The projects were scrutinized for PM GatiShakti’s principles: integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic/social nodes, and “whole of government” coordination.
• The anticipated outcomes include reduced travel times, improved logistics efficiency, and significant socio-economic benefits for the regions impacted.

About Network Planning Group (NPG)

The Network Planning Group (NPG) is an institutional mechanism under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, responsible for unified and integrated planning of connectivity infrastructure across India by facilitating inter-ministerial coordination and data-driven decision-making for major projects.
 
Structure and Composition

• NPG comprises heads of Network Planning Divisions from all connectivity infrastructure ministries and departments, including roads, railways, ports, aviation, power, telecommunications, and more.
• It works closely with the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), which approves changes to the master plan and monitors its implementation.

Functions and Mandate

• NPG evaluates infrastructure proposals for technical viability, last-mile connectivity, multimodal integration, and adherence to PM GatiShakti objectives.
• Infrastructure projects with investment above ?500 crore are routed through NPG for scrutiny before implementation.
• The group helps synchronize project timelines, avoid duplication, and promote holistic regional development.
• NPG also aims to reduce logistics costs and travel time by optimizing network design and supporting economic zones creation.

Approach and Importance

• NPG’s collaborative framework bridges silos between government departments, state governments, and private stakeholders.
• It leverages geospatial and technical data to identify infrastructure gaps, prioritize projects, and enable integrated solutions that deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits.
• By maintaining regular consultations and planning at a national level, the group ensures robust multimodal connectivity and efficient utilization of resources.
• The Network Planning Group is thus central to India’s modern infrastructure development, ensuring projects are planned and executed efficiently, sustainably, and in alignment with national priorities.

 
 
   
Why in news?
Recent news on the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, 2019, highlights ongoing amendments by the Union Health Ministry as of 2025 to simplify and accelerate the drug testing and clinical trial processes in India.
 
The key updates include:

• The Ministry proposes reducing regulatory compliance by converting the current test license system into a notification/intimation system, where applicants no longer wait for licenses except in high-risk drug categories.
• This change is expected to reduce the number of license applications by about 50%, halving processing time for test licenses from 90 days to 45 days.
• Amendments also simplify submission procedures for Bioavailability (BA) and Bioequivalence (BE) study applications, allowing certain categories of BA/BE studies to start upon mere intimation to the Central Licensing Authority.
• These reforms aim to facilitate quicker initiation of studies, drug testing, and reduce delays in drug development and approval, enhancing India’s attractiveness as a global hub for pharmaceutical research.
• The amendments are part of the government’s broader efforts toward Ease of Doing Business and alignment with global best practices.
• Some experts have expressed concerns regarding reduced timelines and potential risks to public health related to BA/BE study requirements and regulatory rigor.

These developments reflect the government’s commitment to regulatory reform to promote clinical research and faster access to new drugs in India.
 
 

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