Daily Current Affairs- 13th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 13th September 2025

Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line to Connect Aizawl

In the News:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge railway line, finally linking Aizawl (Mizoram’s capital) to India’s national railway network for the first time.

Key Points:

• Project Overview: The Bairabi–Sairang railway line is 51.38 km long.  It connects Bairabi (on Mizoram’s border with Assam) to Sairang, which is about 18-20 km from Aizawl. There are four new stations on this line (Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, Sairang) in addition to the Bairabi end.
• Cost, Sanction, and Timeline: The project cost is around ₹8,000-₹8,215 crore.  Sanctioned in 2008-09, foundation stone laid in 2014, and construction began in 2015.  It faced delays due to difficult terrain, inclement weather, logistics, and workmanship issues.
• Engineering & Structural Features:  There are 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, along with road overbridges and underbridges.  A standout structure is Bridge No. 196, about 114 metres high, which is taller than Delhi’s Qutub Minar by ~42 metres.  The route also includes the longest tunnel (No. 40) of over 1.37 km.
• Operational & Connectivity Benefits: With this line, Aizawl becomes the fourth northeastern capital connected by rail after Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar.  It will reduce travel time significantly: e.g., from Aizawl to Silchar (by road many hours) to about 3 hours by train.  It is expected to lower transport costs, boost trade & tourism, generate employment, and improve access to services like healthcare and education.
• Train Services Introduced:  On inauguration, three new express/Rajdhani services were flagged off: Sairang-Delhi Rajdhani, Sairang-Guwahati Express, Sairang-Kolkata Express.   The Guwahati-Sairang Express will run daily, while the Kolkata-Sairang service will be thrice weekly.
• Challenges & Additional Issues: The terrain is difficult: hilly, landslide-prone areas, unstable slopes, heavy rains.  There was a tragic accident in August 2023, when a bridge span under construction collapsed, killing 26 workers.   Logistical difficulties: sourcing construction materials from other states; transporting them through difficult access routes.
• Broader Impacts: Expected fall in cost of commodities by at least 20% due to better transportation.  Boost to Mizoram’s state domestic product estimated in the range of ₹500-700 crore annually after operation.  Tourism likely to increase significantly (projected ~50% growth over 5 years). Helps implement the Central government’s Act East Policy by improving connectivity in the Northeast.

Goa to Host Historic 10th Ayurveda Day with Global Outreach

In the News: The Government of India announced that the 10th Ayurveda Day will be celebrated on 23 September 2025 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, with the theme “Ayurveda for People & Planet,” marking a new phase of global outreach for promoting traditional Indian medicine.

Key Points:

• Fixed Date Declaration: For the first time, Ayurveda Day will always be observed on 23 September, instead of tying it to Dhanvantari Jayanti. 
• Venue & Host: The main event is to be held at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, which is under the Ministry of Ayush. Goa is chosen to highlight its international outlook and reputation as a wellness destination.
• Theme: The 2025 theme is “Ayurveda for People & Planet”. The focus is dual: human health + environmental wellbeing, promoting Ayurveda as both sustainable and integrative.
• Global Outreach & Participation: The Ministry of Ayush plans nationwide events in all states/union territories, and also global outreach via Indian Missions abroad, international universities, wellness organisations, and diaspora networks.  They aim to exceed last year’s participation from over 150+ countries.

Indian Navy Commissions INS Aravali at Gurugram

In the News:  The Indian Navy commissioned INS Aravali, its newest naval base, at Gurugram (Haryana). The ceremony was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff.

Key Points:

• Commissioning & Location: INS Aravali was officially commissioned on 12 September 2025 in Gurugram.
•  Leadership Present: The commissioning was attended by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi (Chief of Naval Staff), along with other senior naval officers.
• First Commanding Officer & Ceremony Details: Captain Sachin Kumar Singh has been appointed the first Commanding Officer of INS Aravali. The ceremony included the unveiling of the commissioning plaque, hoisting of the Naval Ensign, and raising the commissioning pennant. Mrs. Shashi Tripathi (President of the Naval Wives Welfare Association) performed the plaque unveiling.
• Strategic Role & Purpose: INS Aravali is intended to bolster India’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and strengthen its communication & information infrastructure for naval operations. It will support the Indian Navy’s Command, Control, Communication, and Information (C3I) / MDA capabilities.
•  Motto & Symbolism: The base’s motto is “सामुद्रिक सुरक्षा याः सहयोगं” which translates roughly to “Maritime Security through Collaboration.” The name “Aravali” is drawn from the Aravali mountain range, symbolizing resilience and strength.

Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2025: Larry Ellison Briefly Surpasses Elon Musk as World’s Richest

In the News: Larry Ellison, co-founder and CTO of Oracle, briefly overtook Elon Musk to become the world’s richest person according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, following a sharp rise in Oracle’s stock after a strong earnings report.

Key Points: 

• Who & When: Larry Ellison briefly surpassed Elon Musk on September 10-11, 2025 as the world’s richest person. 
• What Triggered the Shift: Oracle’s stock soared (by ~36-41%) driven by its strong quarterly earnings and robust performance in its cloud infrastructure and AI contracts. This surge sharply increased the value of Ellison’s ~40-41% stake in Oracle, propelling his net worth past Musk’s.
•  Net Worth Figures:
  • Ellison’s peak net worth during this surge was reported as about US$393 billion. Musk’s net worth, at that time, was about US$384-385 billion.
  • The wealth increase for Ellison was roughly US$88-101 billion in a single day, the largest one-day gain recorded in the Bloomberg index.
•  Duration & Reversion : Ellison held the top spot only briefly; by the end of the trading day or shortly thereafter, Musk regained the position as the richest person.

India Participates in 4th Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome

In the News: India sent a delegation to the 4th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) held in Rome, Italy. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), led by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, participated actively. India also expressed its intent to host the 5th CGGS in 2027.

Key Points:

• Participation & Leadership : A two-member Indian Coast Guard delegation, under DG Paramesh Sivamani, represented India at the Summit.
• Hosts & Attendance: The Summit was co-chaired by Italy and Japan, and attended by delegates from about 115 countries and international organisations.
• India’s Contribution ICG delivered a lecture titled “Guardians Against the Blaze: ICG’s Tactical Response to Fire Emergencies,” showcasing India’s tactical response capability in maritime fire emergencies.
• Themes & Areas of Dialogue: 
  • Key areas discussed included:Maritime safety and protection of the marine environment  .
  • Emergency response to pollution, natural disasters, marine accidents.
  •  Maritime Search & Rescue (M-SAR), maritime law enforcement .Countering transnational maritime crimes, capacity building, human resource development, and strengthening inter-regional / international cooperation under shared principles of conduct (“Guardians at Sea”) .
• India’s Commitment & Future Plans: 
  • India reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening global maritime governance and positioning the ICG as a partner in shaping the global agenda for safer, cleaner, more secure seas.
  • India also announced its bid to host the 5th CGGS in 2027.

Nepal to Get First Woman Prime Minister as Sushila Karki as Interim Leader

In the News:  Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, becoming the first woman to hold that office in the country. The appointment followed intense Gen Z-led protests over corruption, nepotism, and a social media ban, which led to the resignation of then-PM K. P. Sharma Oli.

Key Points:

• Who & Background: Sushila Karki is a former Chief Justice of Nepal (served 2016-2017), and had been known for her strong stand against corruption and judicial integrity.
• What Led to Her Appointment:
  • Mass protests, largely driven by Nepal’s Gen Z, erupted following a temporarily imposed social media ban and allegations of corruption, nepotism, and government misgovernance.
  •  At least 51 people were killed and over 1,300 injured during the unrest. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned in response to the protests.
•  Constitutional & Political Actions:
  • President Ram Chandra Poudel administered the oath of office to Karki.
  • Nepal’s parliament (House of Representatives) was dissolved. Fresh general elections are scheduled for 5 March 2026.
• Historical Significance: She is the first woman to become Prime Minister of Nepal. Also, she was earlier the only woman to serve as Chief Justice of Nepal.

India Backs UNGA Resolution on Palestine Two-State Solution

In the News: India voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution endorsing the “New York Declaration” for the peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue and the implementation of the two-state solution. The resolution was adopted with overwhelming support.

Key Points:

• What India Did: India voted in favour of the UNGA resolution titled “Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.”
•  Vote Counts & Opponents/Abstentions: The resolution was passed with 142 votes in favour, 10 votes against, and 12 abstentions. Those voting against include Israel, the United States, Argentina, Hungary, etc. 
• What the “New York Declaration” Says / Key Provisions:  Calls for a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a viable two-state solution. Urges an end to violence, occupation, settlement expansion, annexation, and land grabs in occupied territories, including East Jerusalem.  Calls for respect for international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, and stopping settler violence.
• Significance of India’s Vote / Shift: This represents a clearer signal by New Delhi in favour of global efforts to revive negotiations toward a two-state solution.  In recent past, India has sometimes abstained on Gaza / Palestine related resolutions (especially those calling for ceasefires) but this vote shows a more explicit alignment with the New York Declaration.
• Global Context & Related Outcomes: The resolution was introduced by France and co-sponsored or co-chaired by Saudi Arabia. It follows an international conference in July 2025 at the UN, which was focused on implementing the two-state solution, disarmament of Hamas, release of hostages, and post-conflict planning. The vote takes place amid ongoing war in Gaza, large scale humanitarian crisis, and international calls for peace.

Albania Inducts World’s First AI Minister

In the News: Albania became the first country in the world to appoint an artificial intelligence-powered entity, named Diella, as a virtual minister. Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed Diella at the Socialist Party assembly in Tirana, giving her the portfolio of Public Procurement, aiming to use AI to reduce corruption and increase transparency.

Key Points:

• What & Who:  The AI minister is called Diella (meaning “Sun” in Albanian). She is a virtual/non-human entity made of code and pixels, operating via voice/text, with an avatar dressed in traditional Albanian costume.
• Portfolio / Role:  Diella has been tasked with overseeing public procurement and is to manage the evaluation and awarding of government tenders where private firms contract with the state.  The goal is to remove human bias, reduce corruption, ensure transparency in public spending, and improve administrative efficiency.
• Origin & Function till Now:  Diella was launched earlier in January 2025 as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform, helping citizens access and navigate about 95% of online public services, issuing documents, guiding bureaucratic processes.  By September, Diella had processed over 36,600 digital documents and provided nearly 1,000 services.
• Significance & Objectives : The move is intended to tackle a long-standing problem of corruption in procurement in Albania, which has been a stumbling block in its public administration and part of the criteria for EU membership.  Diella is meant to serve as a “cabinet member who is not physically present, but virtually created by artificial intelligence.”
• Concerns & Challenges:  There are questions about legal and constitutional status, since Diella is not a human minister. Some opposition figures have labelled it as unconstitutional.  Unclear what level of human oversight or controls will be in place to handle any bias, manipulation, or error Public skepticism remains: some citizens doubt whether even an AI can be immune from corruption in a system with deep-rooted graft.
• Context & Global Implications:  Albania’s ambition to join the European Union by 2030 makes corruption control and institutional transparency a priority. This is a precedent globally: Diella is the first example of an AI system being given a cabinet-level governmental role, moving beyond advisory or assistant AI to actual decision responsibility.