Daily Current Affairs 2025  

24/09/2025

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CA-24/09/2025

 
Why in news?
ECI Net Portal (ECINET) introduce a new e-sign feature launched by the Election Commission of India in September 2025. 

ECI Net Portal (ECINET) e-sign feature:

• It mandates Aadhaar-linked mobile number authentication via a one-time password (OTP) for submitting applications related to voter addition, deletion, or correction (Forms 6, 7, 8).
• The e-sign process ensures that the applicant's identity is verified digitally, preventing fraudulent or unauthorized changes in the electoral roll.
• This system strengthens safeguards against misuse of identity in electoral roll modifications and addresses challenges highlighted by recent electoral fraud allegations.
• The introduction of e-sign complements other ECINET features aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and ease of access for voters and officials.

Key points of the ECI Net Portal (ECINET):

• ECINET is a unified digital platform launched by the Election Commission of India to simplify and streamline all election-related services.
• It integrates more than 40 existing mobile and web applications (such as Voter Helpline, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, Voter Turnout App, Saksham, and KYC App) into a single user-friendly interface.
• The portal serves voters, election officials, political parties, and civil society by providing a one-stop platform for accessing electoral services.
• It supports new voter registration, correction of voter details, voter card cancellation, application status tracking, name search in voter lists, e-voter card download, and complaint filing.
• It aims to benefit about 100 crore electors along with millions of election officials and stakeholders nationwide.
• This consolidation enhances transparency, accountability, and accessibility in the electoral process while modernizing the electoral infrastructure.

 
   
Why in news?
A shift in U.S. immigration policy due to a significant fee increase on H-1B visas, prompting multinational tech companies to consider L-1 visas as an alternative for intracompany transfers. 
 
About L-1 visa
The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows multinational companies to transfer employees temporarily to the United States.
 
Key Points of L-1 Visa

• Eligibility: The employee must have worked for the foreign company continuously for at least one year within the last three years in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity, and must be transferring to a related U.S. company (parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch).

• Types:
  • L-1A: For executives or managers. Typically involves overseeing significant operations or functions. Valid up to 7 years.
  • L-1B: For specialized knowledge employees who have advanced knowledge of the company's products, services, or proprietary processes. Valid up to 5 years.

• Employer Requirements: The U.S. employer must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company, be actively doing business in the U.S., and offer a valid employment position.
• No Annual Cap: There is no limit on the number of L1 visas issued each year.
• Family Benefits: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can accompany the L1 holder under L-2 status. The spouse can apply for work authorization.

 Comparison between H1B Visa and L1 Visa
 

Feature	H1B Visa	L1 Visa
Purpose	Employment in specialty occupations	Intra-company transfer
Employer Sponsorship	US employer sponsors	Same multinational company with foreign & US offices
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field	1 year employment with company abroad (past 3 years)
Annual Cap	65,000 + 20,000 lottery, recent fee $100,000	No cap
Validity	3 years, extendable to 6 years	L1A: 7 years, L1B: 5 years
Job Portability	Can change employers with H1B transfer	Must remain with same company
Prevailing Wage	Must be paid “actual” or “prevailing” wage	No specific wage requirement
Green Card Pathway	Through PERM labor certification (EB-2, EB-3)	L1A: Smoother EB-1C path, no labor cert
Dependents	H4 visa, spouses usually not eligible for EAD	L2 visa, spouses can get EAD
Payroll	Must be paid by US company	Can be paid by foreign or US company
Lottery	Yes, mandatory unless exempt	No lottery

 
 
 
 
 
 






















   
Why in news?
Typhoon Ragasa, the world's strongest storm of 2025, made landfall in southern China after causing severe destruction and loss of life in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Aspect	Details
Origin	Western Pacific, north of Yap (Micronesia), via tropical disturbance on Sept 16-17, 2025
Intensification	Driven by record warm seas, low wind shear, strong outflow, rapid intensification
Peak Strength	Category 5, 270-280 km/h winds, 905 hPa pressure
Impact Regions	Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South China, Vietnam
Casualties	At least 27 dead, 143 injured, dozens missing, millions displaced
Main Hazards	Flooding, landslides, deadly storm surge, power outages, infrastructure destruction

 

















The storm became a tropical depression, was designated "Nando" locally in the Philippines, and was named "Ragasa" by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Typhoon Ragasa’s exceptional intensity and devastating track exemplify the growing risks posed by increasingly powerful cyclones in a warming climate.
 
 
   
Why in news?
The central government has granted environmental clearance for 2,220 MW Oju hydroelectric project located in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district near the China border. 
 
Key details include:

• Installed capacity: 2,220 MW (main plant 2,100 MW, dam-toe plant 120 MW)
• Catchment area: 9,827 sq. km
• Annual yield: 11,339 million cubic meters
• Project cost: Approx. ?17,113 crores
• Construction period: 6 years
• Environmental clearance granted by the Union Environment Ministry in 2025
• Requires diversion of 750 hectares of forest land with minimal displacement
• Part of a cascade of hydropower projects on the Subansiri river, including Niare, Naba, Nalo, Dengser, Upper, and Lower Subansiri projects.

This clearance makes way for construction of one of India's largest hydropower projects, expected to contribute significantly to country's renewable energy capacity and strategic border development.
 
 
   
Why in news?
The 71st National Film Awards 2025 honored the best of Indian cinema from the year 2023. The winners were announced on August 1, 2025, and the awards ceremony was held on September 23, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
 
Key highlights of the 71st National Film Awards 2025:

• Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Mohanlal
• Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Hindi)
• Best Hindi Film: Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery
• Best Actor (shared): Shah Rukh Khan (for Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (for 12th Fail)
• Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway)
• Best Director: Sudipto Sen (for The Kerala Story)
• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
• Best Male Playback Singer: P.V.N.S. Rohit (for Baby, Telugu)
• Best Female Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (for Jawan)
• Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: Sam Bahadur.

 
 
Why in news?
India's first dedicated center for dental technology innovation, was inaugurated at the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi, on September 24, 2025.
 
Key Features of the DTIH

• It supports development and clinical validation of dental technologies tailored to India's healthcare needs.
• Provides an ecosystem for collaboration among researchers, industry, start-ups, and academia.
• Offers training, workshops, and support to enhance skill development in dental product innovation.
• Aligns with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives to promote indigenous production.
• The hub currently supports 16 dental technologies, with plans to incubate more and translate ideas into market-ready products.

Importance and Impact

• India imports nearly 85-90% of dental technologies, making treatments costly and less accessible.
• DTIH aims to bridge this gap by fostering affordable, quality indigenous technologies.
• It also helps enhance India's global competitiveness in dental healthcare innovations.
• The hub supports research, diagnostics, and therapeutic developments in dentistry.

The facility is seen as a significant step to advance dental technology innovation in India and promote indigenous healthcare aiming to reduce India's dependence on imported dental products, lower treatment costs, and boost indigenous dental technology competitiveness.
 
 
   
Why in news?
Union Cabinet's approved the "Capacity Building and Human Resource Development" scheme under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
 
Key Features of the DSIR Scheme:

• The DSIR scheme, officially called the "Capacity Building and Human Resource Development" (CBHRD) scheme
• Implementing Agency: The scheme is implemented by CSIR and covers all R&D institutions, national laboratories, Institutes of National Importance, Institutes of Eminence, and universities across India.
• Objective: It aims to foster capacity building and human resource development in Science, Technology & Engineering, Medical, and Mathematical Sciences (STEMM).
• Target Group: The scheme provides a broad platform for young and enthusiastic researchers aspiring to build careers in universities, industry, national R&D laboratories, and academic institutions.
• Support Mechanism: Researchers are guided by eminent scientists and professors, strengthening research capacity and innovation.
• Role in Development: It contributes significantly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Science & Technology sector by increasing the number of researchers per million population in India.
• Impact: The scheme supports thousands of research scholars and scientists, contributing to India's rise in the Global Innovation Index (ranked 39th in 2024) and placing India among the top three countries for scientific paper publications.
• Milestone: The scheme marks a historical milestone in CSIR's 84 years of service to Indian scientific and industrial research.

The CBHRD scheme comprises four sub-schemes:

• Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Extramural Research Scheme, Emeritus Scientist Scheme, and Bhatnagar Fellowship Programme
• Promotion and Recognition of Excellence through Awards
• Knowledge Sharing through Travel and Symposia Grant Scheme

The scheme reflects the Government's commitment to developing a robust R&D-driven innovation ecosystem, preparing Indian science for global leadership in the 21st century.
 
 
 
4-Pillar Approach to Strengthen Shipbuilding, Maritime Financing, and Domestic Capacity
 
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet approved a major Rs. 69,725 crore packages to strengthen shipbuilding, maritime financing, and domestic capacity to revitalize the country's maritime sector. 
 
Pillars of the Approach:

1. Strengthening Domestic Shipbuilding Capacity
   • Expansion of domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million Gross Tonnage annually.
   • Support for mega shipbuilding clusters and infrastructure development.
   • Establishment of the India Ship Technology Centre under Indian Maritime University.
   • Creation of a National Shipbuilding Mission to oversee the initiatives.
   • Aim: Position India as a global shipbuilding player to reduce dependence on foreign vessels which currently dominate imports.

2. Improving Long-term Maritime Financing
   • Creation of a Maritime Development Fund (MDF) with Rs. 25,000 crore corpus.
   • Includes Maritime Investment Fund of Rs. 20,000 crore (with 49% Government participation) and Interest Incentivization Fund of Rs. 5,000 crore to reduce cost of debt and improve project bankability.
   • Financial assistance and incentives for shipbuilding projects.

3. Promoting Greenfield and Brownfield Shipyard Development
   • Support for both greenfield (new) and brownfield (existing) shipyard projects to enhance capacity and technical capabilities.
   • Risk coverage including insurance support for shipbuilding projects.

4. Legal, Taxation, and Policy Reforms
   • Implementation of reforms to create a robust maritime infrastructure.
   • Inclusion of Shipbreaking Credit Note scheme enabling scrap value utilization towards new vessel construction.
   • Technical skill enhancement and capacity building for the maritime workforce.

Additional Highlights

• The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) extended till March 2036 with Rs. 24,736 crore corpus.
• Expected to attract investments of approximately Rs. 4.5 lakh crore into the maritime sector.
• Strategic importance: Enhances national security, energy, and food security by building resilient maritime supply chains and routes.
• Aims to reduce India's current reliance on foreign ships, which is about 95% by volume of trade.

This package is considered the most significant reform in Indian shipbuilding since independence and addresses capacity, financing, infrastructure, and policy in a coordinated manner to foster long-term growth and global competitiveness.
 
   
Why in news?
 
WAVES initiative, has launched seven new incubation centres across India. These centres aim to support startups in the Media, Entertainment, AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics), and XR (Extended Reality) sectors.
 
About WAVEX
WAVEX 2025 is a flagship startup initiative under the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), launched by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
 
Key points about WAVEX 2025:

• Purpose and Vision: WAVEX 2025 aims to nurture startups in the media and entertainment (M&E) sector by providing national exposure, investment opportunities, mentorship, and networking with industry leaders.
• Focus Areas: WAVEX targets startups focusing on gaming, animation, extended reality (XR), metaverse, generative AI, next-generation content platforms, and emerging entertainment technologies.
• Investment Opportunities: The event features two pitching sessions – one with venture capitalists and angel investors, and another with celebrity angel investors – culminating in a televised finale for maximum visibility.
• Mentorship and Networking: Selected startups benefit from structured mentorship programs, investor networking, and collaboration opportunities with major media and tech firms.
• Strategic Impact: WAVEX is changing the funding mindset in media and entertainment by encouraging investor interest in this sector and aiming to build a dedicated angel network for M&E startups, including exploring global collaborations.
• Applications and Access: Entrepreneurs seeking exposure, funding, and mentorship can apply through the official platform at WAVEX.

These points encapsulate WAVEX 2025 as a catalytic platform accelerating innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in India's media-tech startup ecosystem, driving transformative growth and global leadership in digital content and entertainment technology.
 

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