17 September 2025 Current Affairs (With PDF)

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NITI Aayog Report on “AI for Viksit Bharat: The Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth”

Why in News

NITI Aayog has released a report titled “AI for Viksit Bharat: The Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth” (September 2025). The report highlights how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can act as a transformative force, enabling India to achieve over 8% annual GDP growth and significantly narrow the economic gap towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Key Highlights of the Report

1. Growth Potential of AI:

• GDP Boost: AI could help bridge almost half the gap needed for India to move from a projected GDP of $6.6 trillion to $8.3 trillion by 2035.
• Growth Contribution: AI-driven adoption across industries is projected to deliver a substantial economic step-up.

2. Three Major AI Unlocks:

a. Accelerated AI Adoption Across Industries:

• Expected to bridge 30–35% of the required growth gap.
• Examples: AI integration in banking, manufacturing.

b. R&D Transformation through Generative AI:

• Can contribute 20–30% of the growth uplift.
• Examples: AI-driven drug discovery, AI-enabled vehicles, software innovation.

c. Innovation in Technology Services:

• Potential to add another 15–20%.
• Strengthening India’s tech-service leadership.

3. Opportunities for AI-Led Value Creation/l

a. India as a Global Data Capital:

• Development of anonymized data frameworks.
• Building certified data marketplaces.

b. AI-Skilling and Research Ecosystem/l

• Fostering skilled professionals.
• Advancing AI research and model development.

c. Sectoral Growth Drivers/l

• AI enablers identified in manufacturing, finance, pharmaceuticals, automotive.

d. Job Creation and Industry Transformation/l

• Continuous workforce upskilling.
• Faster digital adoption by firms.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes that India’s AI-driven growth requires:

• Robust digital infrastructure.
• Responsible governance frameworks.
• Smooth labor transitions.
• Industry-academia collaboration.

If executed effectively, AI can enable India to pioneer a new model of inclusive and sustainable growth, realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat.

First National Conference of Parliamentary & Legislative Committees on Women Empowerment

Why in News

The First National Conference of Parliamentary and Legislative Committees on Women Empowerment was held in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh (September 2025). The conference adopted the Tirupati Resolution, reaffirming the vision of women-led development as a cornerstone of India’s growth strategy.

Key Outcomes - Tirupati Resolution

• Governance with a Gender Lens – ensuring policies address women’s specific needs.
• Institutionalizing Gender Responsive Budgeting – mainstreaming women’s concerns into fiscal planning.
• Bridging the Digital Divide – expanding digital literacy among women.
• Promoting Women in STEM – encouraging participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Women-Led Development - Concept

A paradigm shift from viewing women as welfare recipients to recognizing them as active agents of change in development.

India’s Progress in Women-Led Development

1. Grassroots Leadership:

• 46% of elected representatives in Panchayati Raj and local bodies are women.

2. Education:

• Women constitute 43% of STEMM graduates.

3. Financial Empowerment:

• PM Mudra Yojana: 69% of beneficiaries are women.
• Stand Up India: 84% beneficiaries are women, boosting entrepreneurship.

Challenges

• Political Representation: Only 14% of MPs in Parliament are women.
• Economic Barriers: Women form just 27% of India’s STEM workforce, despite high graduation numbers.
• Social & Cultural Norms: Patriarchal mindsets, safety issues, early marriage, unequal household responsibilities.
• Digital Divide: Only 33% women (15–49 years) use the internet vs 57% men (NFHS-5).

Government Initiatives for Women Empowerment

• Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023: Reservation of 33% seats for women in Lok Sabha & State Assemblies.
• 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992): Reserved 33% seats for women in local bodies.
• Mission Shakti: Safety initiative through One Stop Centres (police, legal, medical aid).
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP): Promotes girl child education and combats discrimination.

Conclusion

The conference underlined that achieving gender equality in governance, economy, education, and technology is crucial for India’s transformation. Strengthening women-led development not only ensures social justice but also enhances the nation’s overall growth trajectory.

First National Policy on Geothermal Energy Unveiled

Why in News

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched India’s first National Policy on Geothermal Energy (September 2025). The policy aims to mainstream geothermal energy into the renewable mix and support India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Key Features of the Policy

1. Recognition & Scope:

• Identifies 381 hot springs and 10 geothermal provinces across India.
• Focuses on both:
  - High-enthalpy applications – electricity generation.
  - Low/medium enthalpy uses – heating, cooling, agriculture, industry.
• Covers the full value chain: resource assessment → hybrid systems → storage → repurposing oil/gas wells.

2. Sustainability & Regulation:

• Safe reinjection to protect geothermal reservoirs.
• Mandatory stakeholder consultation in ecologically sensitive areas.
• Single-window clearances through state nodal agencies.

3. Development & Financing Model:

• 100% FDI allowed.
• Incentivizes domestic innovation and collaboration with oil & gas sector.
• Financing tools include:
  - Risk-sharing & concessional loans.
  - Viability Gap Financing (VGF).
  - Green bonds, feed-in tariffs, blended finance.
• Fiscal support: tax/GST exemptions, tax holidays, accelerated depreciation, property tax relief.

4. Collaboration & Capacity Building:

• Encourages international cooperation and peer learning.
• Promotes training, R&D, and knowledge sharing.

5. Sites, Leases & Data Infrastructure:

• Exploration leases: 3–5 years.
• Development leases: up to 30+ years, with concessional land availability.
• Creation of a centralized geothermal data repository with compulsory data submission.

About Geothermal Energy

• Derived from heat within the Earth (geo = earth, thermal = heat).
• Sources: natural or engineered reservoirs of hot water/steam.
• Applications: electricity generation, heating, cooling, agriculture, industrial use.

Conclusion

The policy is a landmark step in diversifying India’s clean energy portfolio. By combining global best practices, sustainable resource use, and strong financial incentives, it positions geothermal energy as a reliable, indigenous, and eco-friendly power source for India’s long-term energy security.

India Signs 15-Year Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) Exploration Contract with ISA

Why in News

India has signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the exploration of polymetallic sulphides (PMS) in the Carlsberg Ridge of the Arabian Sea. This marks India’s third contract with ISA and the first global license for PMS exploration in this region.

Key Highlights

1. India’s Exploration Contracts with ISA:

• Polymetallic Nodules (PMN): Central Indian Ocean Basin.
• PMS: Indian Ocean Ridge.
• New PMS Contract (2025): Carlsberg Ridge.

2. Carlsberg Ridge – Strategic Location:

• Spread over 3,00,000 sq. km in the northwest Indian Ocean.
• Forms a boundary between the Indian and Arabian tectonic plates.
• Extends from Rodrigues Island to the Owen fracture zone.
• Rich in mineral resources, offering strategic and economic significance.

3. Pending Application:

• India has applied for exploration rights in Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount (ANS), Central Indian Ocean.
• Sri Lanka has also claimed rights over ANS – highlighting geopolitical sensitivity.

About Polymetallic Nodules (PMN)

• Also called manganese nodules.
• Formed as rock concretions with concentric layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a nucleus (e.g., shark tooth, shell).

About Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS)

• Found in hydrothermal vent regions where hot, mineral-rich fluids from the Earth’s mantle mix with seawater.
• Rich in copper, zinc, gold, silver and other strategic minerals.
• Offer potential for green technologies, renewable energy systems, and electronics industries.

International Seabed Authority (ISA)

• Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica.
• Established under: 1982 UNCLOS and 1994 Agreement on Part XI of UNCLOS.
• Mandate: Organizes, regulates, and controls mineral-resource-related activities in international seabed areas ("the Area") for the benefit of humankind.
• Membership: 170 countries (including India).

Significance for India

• Strengthens India’s position in deep-sea resource exploration.
• Supports the Deep Ocean Mission and India’s Blue Economy strategy.
• Ensures access to strategic minerals critical for clean energy and high-tech manufacturing.

Supreme Court on POSH Act and Political Parties

Why in News

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that political parties cannot be treated as “workplaces” under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), thereby excluding them from the Act’s ambit.

About the POSH Act, 2013

1. Judicial Background:

• Enacted following the landmark Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) judgment, which laid down guidelines for protection of women at workplaces.

2. Scope & Coverage:

a. Applies to all workplaces including:

• Government & private sector offices.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Educational institutions, hospitals, and sports facilities.

b. Also covers domestic workers.

Institutional Mechanisms

1. Internal Complaints Committee (ICC):

• Mandatory for every workplace with 10 or more employees.
• 50% members must be women.
• Presiding officer must be a woman at senior level.

2. Local Complaints Committee (LCC):

• To be set up in each district.
• Handles complaints from workplaces with fewer than 10 employees or when the employer is the respondent.

Complaint Procedure

• Complaint to be filed within 3 months of the incident (extendable in certain cases).
• ICC/LCC must complete inquiry within 90 days.
• Ensures confidentiality and protection for complainants.

Significance of the Ruling

• Clarifies the limited applicability of POSH Act.
• Highlights the legal gap in addressing harassment in political spaces.
• Opens up debate on the need for special legal provisions to safeguard women in politics.

Bank of England’s Proposal on Stablecoins

Why in News

The Bank of England has recently proposed restrictions on stablecoin ownership in the UK, citing concerns about financial stability, systemic risks, and misuse for illicit activities.

About Stablecoins

Definition:

• Stablecoins are a category of cryptocurrencies whose value is pegged to another stable asset, such as:
  - Fiat currency (e.g., USD, GBP, INR).
  - Commodities (e.g., gold).
• Their design aims to minimize volatility compared to other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Types of Stablecoins

1. Fiat-Collateralized:

• Backed 1:1 by fiat currency reserves.
• Example: USDT (Tether).

2. Crypto-Collateralized:

• Backed by other cryptocurrencies.
• Uses over-collateralization to absorb volatility.

3. Non-Collateralized (Algorithmic):

• Maintain stability through algorithms and smart contracts, adjusting supply based on demand.

Advantages

• Price Stability compared to other cryptocurrencies.
• Low-cost and fast cross-border transactions.
• Facilitates digital payments and remittances.
• Can support financial inclusion in developing economies.

Disadvantages / Risks

• Mass Withdrawals (Run Risk): Sudden large-scale redemptions can destabilize the system.
• Elasticity Constraint: Cannot expand money supply quickly to meet liquidity needs in high-demand situations.
• Financial Crime Risks: Potential misuse in money laundering, terror financing, tax evasion.
• Systemic Concerns: If widely adopted, could threaten the central bank’s monetary policy control.

Significance

The debate around stablecoins reflects the tension between innovation and regulation. While they promise efficient digital finance, unchecked growth could create parallel monetary systems, challenging financial sovereignty and stability.

Section 3(d) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970

Why in News

The Indian Patent Office (IPO) has revoked the patent granted to Novartis’ cardiac drug Vymada, citing Section 3(d) of the Patents Act, 1970.

About Section 3(d)

• Introduced to prevent the practice of “evergreening”, where pharmaceutical companies seek to extend monopoly by making minor modifications to existing drugs without significant therapeutic advancement.
• The provision requires proof of enhanced efficacy before a patent can be granted for a new form of a known substance.

Significance of Section 3(d)

1. Affordable Access to Medicines:

• Prevents unjustified patent extensions, ensuring generic competition and lower drug prices.
• Strengthens India’s role as the “Pharmacy of the World”, especially for developing countries.

2. Consistency with Global Norms:

• Aligned with the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health (2001), which allows countries to prioritize public health over patent rights.

3. Encourages Genuine Innovation:

• Promotes research into truly novel drugs and therapeutic breakthroughs rather than minor tweaks.

4. Balancing Innovation & Public Interest:

• Strikes a middle ground: rewards genuine innovation while safeguarding public access to affordable medicines.

Conclusion

Section 3(d) has become a cornerstone of India’s patent regime, reflecting its commitment to public health, innovation, and global equity. The revocation of patents like Novartis’ Vymada reaffirms India’s stand against evergreening practices while encouraging pharmaceutical innovation that delivers real therapeutic benefits.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

Why in News

The Prime Minister inaugurated a Sex-Sorted Semen facility in Bihar under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, aimed at improving the productivity of India’s bovine population.

Key Facts about Sex-Sorted Semen Technology

• A scientific technique that enhances the chances of producing female calves with nearly 90% accuracy.
• Helps in strengthening milk production potential as female cattle are the primary milk producers.
• Reduces the economic burden of maintaining non-lactating male cattle.

About Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

• Launch Year: 2014
• Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
• Scheme Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Implementing Body: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Objectives

• Breed Development & Conservation: Preserve and promote indigenous bovine breeds.
• Genetic Upgradation: Improve the genetic quality of cattle for higher productivity.
• Milk Productivity: Enhance milk yield to meet rising domestic demand and strengthen rural incomes.

East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)

Why in News

A recent study revealed that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) could generate around 34 million tons of carbon emissions, raising significant environmental concerns.

About EACOP

• Length: 1,443 km
• Route: Connects Tilenga and Kingfisher oilfields in western Uganda to the Port of Tanga in eastern Tanzania.
• Purpose: Facilitates transportation of crude oil for export, positioning Uganda and Tanzania as emerging players in the global energy sector.

Concerns

1. Environmental Impact:

• Potential emission of 34 million tons of CO₂, worsening climate change.
• Threats to biodiversity, including Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda’s oldest and largest national park).

2. Social Concerns:

• Displacement of indigenous and tribal communities, disrupting livelihoods and cultural heritage.

3. Sustainability Issues:

• Risk of locking the region into a fossil fuel-dependent future, contrary to global energy transition goals.

Pacific Reach 2025 Exercise

Why in News

The Indian Navy’s indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) INS Nistar is taking part in the Pacific Reach 2025 exercise being hosted in Singapore.

About Pacific Reach

1. Nature of the Exercise:

• A biennial, multilateral naval exercise.
• Focuses primarily on submarine rescue and intervention operations.

2. Phases of the Exercise:

a. Harbour Phase:

• Exchange of expertise through Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE).
• Medical symposiums on underwater safety and rescue.
• Cross-deck visits among participating navies.
• Technical deliberations on submarine rescue systems.

b. Sea Phase:

• Practical deployment involving intervention techniques.
• Execution of rescue operations at sea with naval assets.

Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950

Why in News

The Supreme Court of India has upheld that Aadhaar can be used by voters for verification purposes, citing the provisions under Section 23(4) of the RPA, 1950.

About Section 23(4) of RPA

1. Legal Provision:

• Empowers the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to request an individual’s Aadhaar number under the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
• This is done for identity verification during the process of electoral registration.

2. Applicability:

• New Voters: Individuals applying for inclusion in the electoral roll.
• Existing Voters: Those already registered in the electoral roll.

3. Purpose:

• To authenticate voter identity and ensure accuracy in electoral rolls.
• To identify and eliminate duplicate or multiple registrations, whether within the same constituency or across different constituencies.

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