Daily Current Affairs- 12th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 12th September 2025

India Hits 250 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Power Capacity

In the News: Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced that India has achieved 250 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity. The announcement was made during the State Review Meeting on Renewable Energy in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• Milestone Reached: India’s non-fossil fuel capacity has grown to 250 GW in 2025, up from about 81 GW in 2014.
• Energy Mix Breakdown: The 250 GW comprises capacities across solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and nuclear power. Solar: ~123.13 GW .Wind: ~52.68 GW . Hydropower: ~55.22 GW .Bio-energy: ~11.60 GW. Nuclear: ~8.78 GW
• 2030 Target: The government reaffirmed its goal of reaching 500 GW of renewable/non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
• Policy and Social Initiatives: A utility-led solar model has been used to provide free electricity to 20 lakh households so far; target is to scale this to 1 crore households. The push aligns with broader programmes: “Swachh Bharat” and “Swachh Energy” are cited as parts of the sustainability strategy.

Namo Bharat Becomes India’s Fastest Train

In the News: Namo Bharat, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train operating between New Ashok Nagar (Delhi) and Meerut South (Uttar Pradesh), achieved a top speed of 160 km/h, making it the fastest train service currently in India.

Key Points:

• Record Speed: Namo Bharat clocked 160 km/h on a 55-km operational stretch (New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South), overtaking previous semi-high speed record-holders like Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat that were limited to ~130 km/h.
•  Corridor Details: The operational portion is part of a larger 82.15-km corridor from Sarai Kale Khan (Delhi) to Modipuram (UP), with 16 stations planned. Station spacing in the operational part ranges between 5 to 8 km, which is enabling the train to reach high speeds between stations.
• Manufacture & Design: The trainsets are manufactured by Alstom, at its Savli factory in Gujarat. They feature advanced design including aerodynamic rolling stock and modern signalling/automation systems (Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Automatic Train Control (ATC), Automatic Train Operations (ATO)).
•  Frequency & Capacity: Trains run every 15 minutes from each station in the current operational stretch. There are multiple trainsets (six-car formations) serving commuters. 
• Comparison with Other Trains: Earlier, Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat were India’s semi-high speed premium services, but their speeds were reduced (from 160 to 130 km/h) in June 2024 for safety/operational reasons. Thus, Namo Bharat regains “fastest train” status.
•  Travel Time & Connectivity Impact: With the full corridor operational, travel time between Delhi and Meerut is expected to drop to under one hour, even with intermediate stops.
• Ridership & Public Reception: The service has already carried a large number of passengers (over 1.5 crore on the operational stretch, by some reports) indicating strong public acceptance.

Srinivas Injeti Appointed Chairperson of NSE Governing Board with SEBI Approval

In the News: Srinivas Injeti was appointed as the Chairperson of the Governing Board of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), with the approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Key Points:

• Appointment & Authority:  Injeti will serve as Chairperson of NSE’s Governing Board, effective immediately, after getting the requisite approval from SEBI.
•  Predecessor:  He succeeds Girish Chandra Chaturvedi, whose term as chairperson had ended in July 2024. There was a gap of some time in leadership of this position.
• Professional Background:
  • Injeti is a 1983-batch IAS officer from the Odisha cadre. He has over four decades of experience in regulation, governance, financial services, corporate law and policy.
  • He earlier served as Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, where he led reforms relating to insolvency, company law, corporate governance, etc.
  • Founding Chairperson of IFSCA (International Financial Services Centres Authority) from 2020 to 2023.

Acharya Devvrat Gets Additional Charge as Maharashtra Governor

In the News: Following the election of C. P. Radhakrishnan as the Vice President of India, Acharya Devvrat, currently Governor of Gujarat, was given additional charge to discharge the duties of the Governor of Maharashtra.

Key Points:

• Reason for Change: C. P. Radhakrishnan, who was serving as Governor of Maharashtra since July 2024, demitted that office upon being elected Vice President of India.
• Appointment: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, appointed Acharya Devvrat, the Governor of Gujarat, to hold additional charge of Maharashtra, in addition to his existing duties.
•  Profile of Acharya Devvrat:Age is about 66. He has been Governor of Gujarat since 22 July 2019. Earlier, he served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh (2015-2019). Known for promoting natural farming, cow-breed improvement, tree plantation, water conservation, “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao”, and social harmony among other welfare initiatives.
• Tenure & Terms: He continues in his role as Governor of Gujarat. The additional charge of Maharashtra is temporary until a full-time Governor is appointed for Maharashtra. The assumption of additional duties is meant to ensure continuity in constitutional and executive functions in Maharashtra.
• Other Relevant Details: C. P. Radhakrishnan was elected Vice President with 452 votes, defeating the INDIA bloc’s candidate B. Sudershan Reddy who secured 300 votes.  The decision was formalised via an official release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

As PM Modi visits Manipur, 5 key issues in conflict-torn state

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Manipur on  September 2025, his first trip to the state since the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted in May 2023. During his visit, he will interact with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur and Imphal, and inaugurate several development projects.

Key Points: Here are the 5 major unresolved issues in Manipur that continue to feature as challenges, which PM Modi’s visit is expected to address:

1. Ethnic Violence & Displacement : Conflict between Meitei (majority group in the Imphal Valley) and Kuki-Zo (tribal communities in the hills) that began in May 2023, resulted in over 260 deaths and displacement of tens of thousands of people. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) remain in camps; their rehabilitation, access to essential services, and justice for victims remain major concerns.
2. Political & Administrative Vacuum / President’s Rule: Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 2025 after the incumbent state govt failed to contain the violence.  Absence of a full functioning elected government raises questions about political accountability, governance, and how decisions are made for peace and restoration.
3. Security & Law & Order: Frequent clashes, insurgent activity, accusations of bias in security force operations.  Tightened security ahead of PM’s visit; review of security in key districts like Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Imphal to prevent further violence or protests linked to displacement or unmet grievances.
4. Resentment / Unaddressed Grievances Among Affected Communities: Kuki-Zo and other tribal communities have expressed emotional resistance to the visit, citing lack of sufficient government action, delayed rehabilitation, and sense of neglect.  Issues include land rights, identity, representation, justice for those affected.
5. Development Backlog & Socio-Economic Needs: Large scale infrastructure projects have been promised; for example, multiple projects worth several thousand crores are to be inaugurated during this visit.  Needs include healthcare, education, connectivity, employment, rehabilitation of displaced persons, normalising lives in conflict-hit areas.

Samudra Pradakshina

In the News: India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off Samudra Pradakshina — a historic tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, from the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

Key Points:

• What is Samudra Pradakshina: First-ever tri-service (Army, Navy, Air Force) all-women circumnavigation sailing mission by India.
• Flag-off & Symbolism: Flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Gateway of India, Mumbai. It is intended as a symbol of Nari Shakti, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, jointness of the three armed forces, maritime vision of India, and military diplomacy.
• Route, Duration & Scale:
  • Duration: approx. 9 months, from September 2025 to May 2026. Distance: ~ 26,000 nautical miles to be covered.
  • Route includes crossing the Equator twice, rounding the three great Capes — Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and Cape of Good Hope.
  • It will traverse major oceans including the challenging Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage.
• Vessel & Crew :
  • Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, a 50-foot indigenously built yacht, Class A, built in Puducherry.
  • Crew: 10 women officers across the three services, led by Lt Col Anuja Varudkar, with Deputy Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju. Others include Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Captain Dauli Butola, Lt Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev, Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.
  • Preparation: Crew has undergone three years of rigorous training, starting with smaller offshore expeditions on lower class vessels, then moving to the IASV Triveni.
• Scientific, Diplomatic & Other Components:
  • Scientific research: Collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography to study micro-plastics, marine biodiversity, ocean health.
  • Port calls: There will be several international port calls (e.g. Fremantle in Australia, Lyttelton in New Zealand, Cape Town in South Africa, others) which serve diplomatic, cultural and strategic outreach roles.
• Operational Standards & Challenges:
  • The expedition follows norms set by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (for true circumnavigation): crossing all longitudes, no use of powered transit or canals, covering required minimum nautical miles under sail, etc. 
  • Some phases anticipated to be especially demanding, e.g. rounding Cape Horn, dealing with Southern Ocean storms, freezing winds, unpredictable weather.

Manmohan Singh Posthumously Honoured with PV Narasimha Rao Award for Economics

In the News: Former Prime Minister and eminent economist Dr. Manmohan Singh was posthumously awarded the P. V. Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Economics. His wife, Gursharan Kaur, accepted the award on his behalf in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• Award & Institution: The award is conferred by the P. V. Narasimha Rao Memorial Foundation (PVNMF). It recognises outstanding contributions in the field of economics.
• Recipient & Acceptance: Dr. Manmohan Singh is the recipient, posthumously. His wife, Gursharan Kaur, received the award on his behalf. 
• Presenter: The award was presented by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and distinguished fellow at the Centre for Social & Economic Progress.
• Reason for Honour: The award recognises Singh’s pivotal role in India’s economic transformation and nation-building. This includes his leadership in the liberalisation reforms of the early 1990s (when he was Finance Minister under P. V. Narasimha Rao), along with later contributions.
• Attendees & Ceremony Details: The ceremony took place in New Delhi. Key figures from PVNMF including President K Ramchandra Murthy and General Secretary Madhamchetty Anil Kumar were present.