Daily Current Affairs- 6th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 6th September 2025

Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Green Hydrogen Project at Tuticorin Port

In the News: On September 5, 2025, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated India’s first port-based green hydrogen pilot project at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The inauguration was held on the 154th birth anniversary of freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar. This project marks a significant step in India’s clean energy transition by introducing green hydrogen production within a port ecosystem.

Key Points:

• The pilot project at VOC Port has been established with a production capacity of 10 Nm³ per hour and has been implemented at a cost of ₹3.87 crore. The hydrogen generated from this project will be used to power the streetlights within the port colony and to operate an electric vehicle charging facility.
• With this development, VOC Port has become the first port in India to produce green hydrogen. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader objectives of achieving net-zero emissions and promoting clean energy in the maritime sector.
• Alongside the green hydrogen facility, the Union Minister also inaugurated a pilot project for green methanol bunkering and refuelling with a storage capacity of 750 cubic metres at an investment of ₹35.34 crore. This facility will support the upcoming Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin.
• A rooftop solar power plant of 400 kW capacity was inaugurated at a cost of ₹1.46 crore, raising the total rooftop solar capacity at VOC Port to 1.04 MW, which is the highest among Indian ports.
• A link conveyor system for coal handling was launched at a cost of ₹24.5 crore. This facility is expected to improve berth utilization, increase the port’s handling capacity by 0.72 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), and reduce vessel turnaround time.
• The Union Minister also inaugurated a 6 MW wind farm project with an investment of ₹59.2 crore. This project forms a part of the port’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality and net-zero energy consumption.
• The foundation stone was laid for Multi-Cargo Berth No. 10, which is being developed at a cost of ₹90 crore and will have a capacity of 10 million tonnes with the ability to handle vessels up to 1,25,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT).
• A four-lane road project from TTPS Roundana to Check Post No. 2, spanning 3.37 kilometres and costing ₹34.77 crore, was inaugurated to improve port connectivity and ease the flow of cargo.
• A Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum, developed at a cost of ₹3 crore, was also inaugurated to showcase the region’s maritime history and cultural legacy.
• During the event, VOC Port signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) for outer harbour rail connectivity and with NTPC for implementing green mobility initiatives at the port.

Justice Shree Chandrashekhar Sworn in as Bombay HC Chief Justice

In the News: On September 5, 2025, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan during a ceremonial event at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, which began with the National Anthem and State Song, and concluded with the police band playing the National Anthem. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, other senior officials, judges from various high courts, and government dignitaries.

Key Points:

• Appointment Process and Background: The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai, recommended Justice Chandrashekhar’s elevation to Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court on August 25, 2025. The Central Government issued the official notification on September 4, 2025, confirming the President’s approval following consultations with the Chief Justice of India.
• Judicial and Professional Journey: Born on May 25, 1965, he completed his LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi in 1993 and enrolled as an advocate later that year.  Over approximately 19 years of legal practice, he argued around 3,500 cases in the Supreme Court, with about 140 reported judgments to his credit. He also served as Standing Counsel for entities like AICTE, Jharkhand State, Bihar State Housing Board, ICAR, among others.
• Judicial Tenure Across High Courts: Appointed as Additional Judge of the Jharkhand High Court on January 17, 2013, he became a Permanent Judge on June 27, 2014.  Served as Acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court from December 29, 2023 to July 4, 2024.  Transferred to Rajasthan High Court in July 2024, and subsequently to Bombay High Court on July 20–21, 2025. Assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice of Bombay High Court from August 29 to September 5, 2025, following the elevation of Justice Alok Aradhye to the Supreme Court.

India’s Birth Rate Declines, First Dip in Total Fertility Rate in Two Years According to SRS Report

In the News: On September 5, 2025, the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2023 was released, revealing that India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 1.9 in 2023, down from 2.0 in 2022. This marks the first reduction in TFR in two years, further moving the country below the replacement level fertility of 2.1 children per woman.

Key Points:

• The report highlights that for the first time, rural India's TFR has reached the replacement level of 2.1, suggesting a turning point in demographic stability for non-urban regions.
• India's Crude Birth Rate (CBR) also dropped, from 19.1 per 1,000 in 2022 to 18.4 in 2023, indicating a broader slowdown in birth rates across the country.
• These trends are seen as a notable demographic shift, due to the TFR dip being the first in two years, reinforcing concerns about population momentum and long-term demographic sustainability.
• State-level data shows stark regional variations: Bihar continues to have the highest CBR, while Tamil Nadu reports the lowest CBR. Similarly, Bihar has the highest TFR at 2.8, while Delhi shows the lowest at 1.2.
• Supporting figures from the SRS data confirm that in 2023, India's natural growth and fertility indicators are moving further below replacement thresholds.

Singapore Supports India’s Malacca Strait Patrol Plan

In the News: On September 5, 2025, during a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Singapore formally acknowledged and supported India’s interest in joining the Malacca Strait Patrol (MSP). This endorsement came as part of a broader roadmap to deepen cooperation across maritime security, emerging technologies, and regional stability.

Key Points:

• Strategic Acknowledgment: Singapore’s recognition of India’s interest represents a significant shift, as MSP has primarily involved only the four littoral states—Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand—since its inception in 2004.
• Importance of the Strait: The Strait of Malacca is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, linking the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. Nearly 60% of India’s seaborne trade and almost all of its LNG imports pass through this vital waterway. Control and coordination in this area are essential to India’s energy security and maritime interests.
• What MSP Entails: The MSP comprises three coordinated layers:
  • Sea Patrols – regular joint naval patrols by participating countries.
  • Eyes-in-the-Sky – combined aerial surveillance for enhanced detection.
  • Intelligence Exchange Group – real-time data sharing among the nations involved. MSP is credited with reducing piracy incidents to single digits in recent years.
• India’s Rationale for Joining: India considers itself a “contiguous state” to the Strait, thanks to the strategic positioning of its Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which provide maritime access to the Malacca region. Inclusion in MSP would allow India to contribute assets, intelligence, and training more effectively—aligning with its evolving Act East Policy and strengthening regional integration.
• Technological and Defence Cooperation: Alongside support for MSP, India and Singapore agreed to enhance defence-technology collaboration in advanced domains like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, automation, and unmanned vessel systems. These technologies could directly augment MSP operations and improve regional maritime surveillance and response capabilities.
• Geopolitical Significance: If India formally joins the MSP, it would represent a pivotal move from a purely littoral security framework to one that includes a significant external maritime power. This would strengthen India's role as a "net security provider" in the Indo-Pacific and set a precedent for other regional stakeholders like Japan or Australia to potentially participate.

26 Nations Pledge Postwar Security Guarantees for Ukraine

In the News: On September 4, 2025, during a summit held in Paris under the aegis of the “coalition of the willing”, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 allied nations have committed to providing postwar security guarantees for Ukraine once the conflict with Russia concludes. These guarantees encompass land, sea, and air support to form a “reassurance force” to deter future aggression and help maintain stability in Ukraine.

Key Points:

• Scope of Guarantees: The pledged support includes deployment of troops within Ukraine, and contributions through naval or air presence, aiming to reassure Ukraine’s security—but explicitly not to wage war against Russia.
• Timing and Purpose: The “reassurance force” is intended to be deployed the very day a ceasefire or peace agreement is achieved. Its main objective is to prevent any future major aggression against Ukraine.
• United States’ Role: U.S. participation has been expressed positively by both President Macron and President Zelenskyy, although details regarding the extent and format of American involvement remain undecided. Planning is still ongoing.
• European Leadership: France and the United Kingdom are spearheading the initiative, advocating for tangible military and security support. Other European nations, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, have offered conditional backing, focusing initially on training, equipment, or air and naval support, rather than troop deployments.
• Global Coordination and Sanctions: At the summit, leaders also reinforced the importance of heightened economic pressure on Russia, including new rounds of sanctions if Moscow delays peace, with U.S. discussions involving cutting off funding lines like fuel sales.

Total Lunar Eclipse and the ‘Blood Moon’

In the News: On the night of September 7–8, 2025, a total lunar eclipse, commonly known as a “Blood Moon”, will occur. During this rare celestial event, the Moon will pass completely through Earth's darkest shadow, the umbra, causing it to turn a reddish hue visible to a large part of the world.  

Key Points:

• What is a Total Lunar Eclipse: A total lunar eclipse happens when Earth comes directly between the Sun and the full Moon. Earth’s shadow is cast onto the Moon, resulting in a darkened lunar surface that often appears red due to atmospheric light filtering.
• Why is it Called a “Blood Moon”: The Moon appears deep red or coppery because Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of light (like blue), while longer red and orange wavelengths are refracted onto the Moon. This same effect creates red skies at sunrise and sunset.
• Duration and Rarity: The eclipse will feature an extended totality lasting about 82 minutes, making it one of the most prolonged lunar eclipses of the past decade. This extended duration is due to the Moon’s slower movement near its farthest point (apogee) and its central trajectory through the umbra.
• Global Visibility: Approximately 85% of the global population will have the opportunity to witness this spectacle. It will be fully visible across much of Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe, while the Americas will miss it as the Moon will have already set.