News of The Day: 17th September 2025

News of The Day –  17th September 2025

SOURCES: The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS1: Art and Culture)

• What is Chhath Puja, and why is it culturally significant?
• What is the process for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage nomination? 
• How does a multinational nomination (e.g., with Nepal, Mauritius) work? 

• What prompted Israel’s military strikes on Hodeidah port?
• About the Red Sea port of Hodeidah.
• What are the implications for India’s maritime security and trade routes?

• About Israel’s Doha Attack.
• Role of the UN Human Rights Council in addressing sovereignty issues.
• India’s advocacy for a rules-based global order.
• What are the implications for India-Qatar bilateral relations?

(GS3: Economy)

• What is the new geothermal energy policy?
• How does geothermal energy contribute to India’s renewable energy goals?
• What are the potential sites for geothermal projects in India?
• How does this align with India’s net-zero commitments?
• What challenges exist in scaling geothermal energy?

(GS3: Economy)

• What is the current status of India’s dairy sector (production, exports, employment)?
• Schemes to  support growth in the Dairy sector.
• What are the challenges (e.g., productivity, feed costs, cooperatives)?
• How does the sector contribute to rural livelihoods and food security? 
• What role does technology (e.g., AI, IoT) play in dairy farming?

(GS3: Economy)

• Why is integration with global supply chains crucial for India’s economy? 
• What are the current tariff and non-tariff barriers in India? 
• How do high tariffs impact India’s competitiveness in global trade? 
• What reforms (e.g., FTAs, trade policy) can enhance supply chain integration? 
• How does this align with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision?

(GS3: Economy)

• What is the PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Park scheme?
• Achievements of the Scheme?
• What are the economic benefits (e.g., jobs, FDI) of PM MITRA Parks? 

(GS3: Economy)

• What factors (e.g., production, sales, exports) led to India surpassing Japan?
• How does India’s auto sector contribute to GDP and employment? 
• What policies (e.g., PLI scheme, EV push) support India’s ambition to be No. 1? 
• What challenges (e.g., infrastructure, global competition) exist? 
• How does this align with India’s sustainable mobility goals?

(GS3: Economy)

• What is the MoU between India and the International Labour Organization (ILO)? 
• What benefits does this bring to India’s workforce and global labor markets?
• How does it support skill development and labor mobility?
• What is the role of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO)?

• What is the significance of the 362.50 million tonne foodgrain target? 
• Which crops are prioritized in the rabi season (e.g., wheat, barley)? 
• How do government schemes (e.g., MSP, PM-AASHA) support this target? 
• How does this contribute to India’s food security and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)?

(GS3: Economy)

• What are stablecoins, and how do they differ from other cryptocurrencies? 
• What are the risks (e.g., financial stability, fraud) associated with stablecoins? 
• How does India regulate cryptocurrencies and stablecoins? 

(GS3: Economy)

• What is the sex-sorted semen technology, and how does it work?
• How does the Purnea facility boost India’s dairy sector productivity?
• How does this align with India’s livestock development programs?

(GS3: Security)

• What is INS Nistar, and what are its capabilities?
• What is Exercise Pacific Reach 2025?
• Strategic importance of Changi Naval Base for Indo-Pacific security.

(GS3: Environment)

• About India’s Cooling Action Plan (ICAP).
  • Impact of refrigerants on the environment.
• How does ICAP contribute to India’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement? 
• How does India’s strategy serve as a global model?