Daily Current Affairs- 24th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 24th September 2025

Visakhapatnam Declaration 2025: Charting India’s Digital Transformation

In the News: The 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) concluded in Visakhapatnam and the Visakhapatnam Declaration was formally adopted. This Declaration sets out India’s roadmap for digital governance and transformation in the years ahead, placing civil service reform, technology adoption, and inclusive reach at its core.

Key Points:

• Theme & Philosophy: The conference was held under the theme “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation,” and the Declaration reaffirmed the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” along with the principle of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”
• Civil Service Transformation: The Declaration mandates a whole-of-government approach to equip civil servants with digital skills, data-driven decision frameworks, and better inter-departmental coordination.
• Technology as Enabler: It calls for harnessing AI, machine learning, blockchain, GIS, IoT, and data analytics to drive transparent, sustainable and citizen-centric governance.
• Scaling Digital Platforms: The Declaration proposes expanding use of AI-driven platforms such as Digital India BHASHINI, Digi Yatra, and NADRES V2 to deliver multilingual, real-time and sector-specific services, ensuring ethical and transparent adoption of AI.
• Replication of Best Practices: It emphasizes replicating and scaling successful state or local digital governance models like SAMPADA 2.0 (Madhya Pradesh), eKhata (Bengaluru), Rohini Gram Panchayat (Maharashtra), and NHAI’s Drone Analytics Monitoring System (DAMS).
• Geographic & Social Inclusion: The Declaration stresses extending digital governance to underserved regions (e.g. North-East and Ladakh) by bolstering infrastructure and ensuring mandatory e-services under NeSDA. It also highlights increasing digital literacy among women, youth and marginalized communities.
•  Cybersecurity, Trust & Resilience: It underscores adoption of robust measures such as Zero-Trust architecture, post-quantum security, and AI-based monitoring across sectors like transport, defence and citizen services to build cyber resilience.
• Agriculture & Rural Empowerment: The Declaration commits to accelerating deployment of the National Agri Stack so farmers can better access credit, advisory services and markets, and promotes climate-smart, sustainable farming methods.

World Food India 2025 Set to Begin in New Delhi

In the News: World Food India 2025 will take place in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam. The event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is being billed as the largest edition yet, and aims to position India as a global hub in food processing, innovation and investment.

Key Points:

• Scale & Participation: The 2025 edition is expected to host over 90 countries and 2,000 exhibitors, with thousands of stakeholders spanning the entire food value chain—from producers to technology providers.
• Objectives & Vision: The event is designed not merely as a trade fair but as a transformative platform to showcase India’s strengths in food processing, sustainability and innovation, and to attract global partnerships.
• Flagship Initiatives & Government Support: Under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, credit-linked support of over ₹770 crore is being offered to nearly 26,000 micro enterprises in food processing. The government has also permitted 100 % FDI in food processing and launched incentive schemes such as PLISFPI (Production Linked Incentive for Food Processing Industry).
• Event Features & Structure: The fair will include high-level knowledge sessions, thematic panel discussions, B2B and B2G networking, sectoral exhibitions (machinery, cold chain, processing, packaging), culinary shows, and start-up innovation showcases. Parallel events include the 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit (FSSAI) and the 24th India International Seafood Show (IISS).
• Partner & Focus Countries: This edition features New Zealand and Saudi Arabia as Partner Countries, while Japan, UAE, Vietnam, and Russia are designated as Focus Countries.
• Strategic Importance & Sectoral Growth: India is currently the largest producer of milk, pulses and onions, and ranks second globally in production of rice, wheat, tea, fruits, vegetables and eggs. The food processing sector has attracted USD 7.33 billion in FDI equity inflows over the past decade. In 2024-25, agricultural and processed food exports reached USD 49.4 billion, with processed foods contributing over 20 % of that share.

MDL Signs MoU with Tamil Nadu to Develop World-Class Shipyard on East Coast

In the News: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state’s investment promotion agency, to explore development of a world-class greenfield shipyard on India’s eastern coast. This deal was executed under the aegis of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Key Points:

• Strategic Alignment & Vision: The MoU is part of India’s broader Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which seeks to build the country into a global maritime power by investing in port infrastructure, shipping, inland waterways, and maritime logistics.
• Parties & Signing: The agreement was signed by Biju George (Director, Shipbuilding, MDL) and Dr. Darez Ahamed (MD & CEO, Guidance Tamil Nadu) during a ceremony in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, witnessed by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
• Purpose & Scope: The MoU contemplates feasibility studies, planning, and implementation frameworks for a greenfield shipyard facility on India’s east coast. It signals intent rather than committing to fixed timelines or investment figures at this stage.
• Strategic Importance: This shipyard would strengthen India’s shipbuilding capacity in the eastern region, reduce dependence on foreign facilities, support naval and commercial maritime infrastructure, and contribute to the Make in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda.
• Economic & Regional Impact: Tamil Nadu’s coastal geography and existing maritime infrastructure make it a favorable location for such a facility. The project is expected to generate employment, boost local industry, and catalyze ancillary activities in shipbuilding, maintenance, and logistics.

Indian Navy to Commission ‘Androth’: Second Anti-Submarine Warfare

In the News:  The Indian Navy will commission INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. This induction is part of a larger plan to bolster India’s coastal and underwater defence capabilities.

Key Points:

• Second in Class & Fleet Expansion: INS Androth is the second vessel in a planned series of 16 ASW-SWCs aimed at enhancing India’s anti-submarine warfare strength in shallow coastal waters. 
• Indigenous Construction & Self-Reliance: The ship is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, using over 80 % indigenous components, in line with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing goals.
• Delivery and Hand-Over: Androth was handed over to the Indian Navy on September 13, 2025, following its construction and trials under the supervision of the Directorate of Ship Production and the Warship Overseeing Team.
• Capabilities & Role: The vessel is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and water-jet propulsion, designed for underwater threat detection, tracking and neutralisation, maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and coastal defence operations. 
• Namesake & Symbolism: INS Androth is named after Androth Island in Lakshadweep, reflecting India’s commitment to securing its maritime periphery. The name also pays homage to a previously decommissioned ship, INS Androth (P69), which served the Navy for decades.
• Strategic Significance: The commissioning of Androth strengthens India’s ability to combat submarine threats in shallow waters around the Indian coastline and in the Indian Ocean region. It also underscores India’s progress in developing modern warships indigenously.

 Russia to Complete S‑400 Missile System Deliveries to India by 2026 

In the News: Russia has confirmed that it will complete the delivery of the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems to India by 2026. The commitment follows the 2018 defence deal between the two countries, signed during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi, and marks one of the largest arms contracts India has ever concluded with Russia.

Key Points:

• Major Defence Deal: India signed a USD 5.43 billion agreement with Russia in October 2018 for the procurement of five S-400 regiments. The system is among the most advanced in the world, capable of neutralising aircraft, drones, and ballistic and cruise missiles at ranges up to 400 kilometres and altitudes of up to 30 kilometres.
•  Delivery Timeline: Four units have already been delivered despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The final regiment is expected to arrive in India by 2026, thereby completing the full contract.
• Strategic Importance: The deployment of S-400 systems strengthens India’s multi-layered air defence architecture, providing a credible deterrence against aerial threats along the borders with both China and Pakistan. It also integrates with India’s indigenous air defence systems to provide seamless coverage.
• Sanctions Concerns: The deal has attracted scrutiny under the United States’ Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). While Washington has repeatedly expressed concern, India has defended its decision on grounds of national security, and sanctions have not been imposed so far.
• Operational Use: The S-400 has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force and deployed at strategic locations to cover sensitive sectors. Reports indicate its systems were successfully tested in operational exercises, underscoring their role as a force multiplier.
• Future Outlook: India is also in discussions with Russia for potential procurement of additional regiments beyond the existing contract, reflecting its continued reliance on advanced Russian defence platforms while simultaneously seeking to strengthen its domestic defence industry under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

UK PM Keir Starmer Honoured with ‘Living Bridge’ Award for India-UK FTA

In the News: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was honoured with the “Living Bridge” award by the India Business Group (IBG) in recognition of his role in advancing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The award ceremony was held in London’s House of Lords, and the honour was accepted on his behalf by Seema Malhotra, Britain’s Indian-origin Minister for the Indo-Pacific.

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Award: The “Living Bridge” awards celebrate individuals and organizations that act as bridges between India and the UK, strengthening bilateral relations in trade, investment, education, culture, and diplomacy.
• Recognition of FTA Role: Starmer was specifically recognised for championing and helping conclude the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The award highlights his efforts in facilitating stronger commercial and strategic ties between the two nations.
• Acceptance & Ceremony: Seema Malhotra received the award on his behalf at a ceremony in the House of Lords. 
• Other Honourees: Alongside Starmer, the 2025 awards honoured the GMR Group, businessman G.P. Hinduja, Bina Mehta (Chair, KPMG UK), and the University of Southampton for their roles in deepening India-UK collaboration. 
• FTA Ambitions & Trade Target: The India-UK FTA (CETA) aims to double bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030 once ratified by the UK Parliament.

Super Typhoon Ragasa

In the News: Super Typhoon Ragasa, also known as Typhoon Nando in the Philippines, has ravaged parts of East and Southeast Asia in September 2025. It struck Taiwan, the Philippines, and southern China—including Hong Kong and Guangdong—causing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, evacuations, and loss of life.

Key Points:

• Origin & Intensification: Typhoon Ragasa formed in mid-September 2025 north of Yap and entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on September 17, when it was named “Nando.” It rapidly intensified over warm seas, achieving super typhoon status by September 21 with sustained winds nearing 270 km/h (1-minute average as per JTWC).
• Peak Strength & Path: At its height, Ragasa’s central pressure dropped to around 905 hPa, making it the most intense tropical cyclone recorded in 2025. It made landfall over Panuitan Island, Cagayan, in the Philippines then tracked northwestwards across the Luzon Strait toward Taiwan, Hong Kong, and finally Guangdong in southern China.
• Impact in Taiwan & Barrier Lake Overflow: In Taiwan, heavy rains led to the overflow of a barrier lake in Hualien County, triggering a flash flood that destroyed infrastructure and claimed dozens of lives. As many as 17 people died, and dozens were missing. The lake had been formed earlier by landslides blocking a tributary of the Matai’an Creek. 
• Devastation in Hong Kong & Southern China: Ragasa battered Hong Kong with hurricane-force winds, flooding roads and damaging buildings, including hotels where waves broke through glass lobbies. Hundreds of flights were canceled, transport systems ground to a halt, and emergency shelters were activated. In Guangdong, more than 400,000 people were evacuated, schools and businesses shut down, and transport was disrupted
• Regional Toll & Aftermath: At least 27 people died across Taiwan and the Philippines, and millions were impacted by flooding, displacement and storm damage. The destruction of infrastructure, power outages, landslides and coastal inundation added to the scale of the disaster.
• Lessons & Climate Context: Meteorologists warn that climate change is raising the intensity and frequency of extreme storms in East Asia. Ragasa’s rapid intensification and destructive trajectory underscore the growing risks to coastal populations and infrastructure.

Child Nutrition Report 2025

In the News: UNICEF released its Child Nutrition Report 2025, titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children. The report highlights alarming global trends in child nutrition, especially the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, and examines how poor food environments are accelerating these trends.

Key Points:

• A Turning Point: Overweight Surpasses Underweight: For the first time in history, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents aged 5–19 (9.4 %) has overtaken underweight prevalence (9.2 %). This marks a substantial shift in the global malnutrition burden.
• Rapid Growth of Obesity & Overweight: Since 2000, the number of school-age children and adolescents living with overweight has more than doubled—from 194 million to 391 million globally. Low- and middle-income countries now account for over 80 % of such cases. 
• Unhealthy Food Environments as a Driver: Children are increasingly exposed to ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, and aggressive marketing tactics. Many are consuming them as staples, beginning in early childhood, rather than more nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, eggs or flesh foods. 
• Marketing & Policy Gaps : A UNICEF U-Report survey found that three in four young people saw junk food advertisements in the prior week, often via digital channels. Only a small minority of countries have binding nutrition standards for schools or levy taxes on sugar-sweetened products.
• India’s Nutrition Landscape: In India, obesity among children under five has grown from 1.5 % (in NFHS-3) to 3.4 % (in NFHS-5). Among adolescents, overweight/obesity has risen sharply—125 % in girls and 288 % in boys over time. Projections suggest India could have 27 million children aged 5–19 with obesity by 2030, representing 11 % of the global burden.
• Health, Economic & Social Costs: Childhood obesity increases risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. In India, obesity already costs an estimated USD 29 billion (about 1 % of GDP), with a projected rise to 2.5 % of GDP by 2060 if unchecked.
• Global Nutrition Targets & Challenges: WHO/UNICEF have set six global nutrition targets for 2025: 40 % reduction in stunting, 50 % reduction in anaemia in women, 30 % reduction in low birth weight, no increase in childhood overweight, exclusive breastfeeding rate of at least 50 % in first six months, and reduce wasting below 5 %. Many countries are off track, especially for overweight, wasting, anaemia targets.
•  Call to Action: The report urges governments to adopt bold policies: regulate marketing to children, establish mandatory school nutrition standards, impose taxes on unhealthy products, and transform food systems to prioritize healthy diets over profit. Delay in action locks in higher future health costs, perpetuates inequality, and places a heavy burden on public health systems.