Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 20th September 2025

Red-necked Phalarope:

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus), a rare species, has been spotted at the Nanjarayan bird for the first time.

• Red-necked Phalarope is a fairly small shorebird known for spinning frantically on water to stir up small invertebrates.
• It is found in both boreal and tundra ecosystems.
• Appearance and behavior of Red-necked Phalarope:
• The bird mainly feeds on small aquatic invertebrates and plankton.
• It exhibits a typical feeding behavior of spinning on the surface of water.
• Conservation status: IUCN: Least concern

Exercise Amogh Fury:

Indian Army recently conducted a major integrated firepower exercise, codenamed ‘AMOGH FURY’, at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan’s Thar desert.

• It is an Integrated Fire Power Exercise conducted by the Sapta Shakti Command of the Indian Army.
• Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert.
• The drill aimed to test combat power, coordination, and operational readiness in real-time battle scenarios, reflecting the force’s preparedness for multi-domain operations.
• A key focus of ‘Amogh Fury’ was the integration of modern technologies, including network-centric communication, command-and-control architecture, and real-time surveillance and targeting

Papikonda National Park:

A recent study has documented 51 species of herpetofauna in Papikonda National Park.

• Papikonda National Park is located in the East Godavari and West Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• Established in 2008, the park lies along the banks of the Godavari River, encompassing a rugged landscape with steep slopes, hills, and deep valleys.
• The geology of the park is characterized by the Eastern Ghats range
• Devara Konda is the highest point.
• The national park has been recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International.
• A unique dwarf breed of goat known locally as the “kanchu mekha” is found in this region.
• Wildlife in Papikonda includes Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, and Indian wild dog (dhole).
• The park is also home to various deer species, including sambar and spotted deer.

One-In, One-Out Scheme:

An Indian migrant has become the first to be deported from the UK under the new “one-in, one-out” migration deal with France, which swaps illegal arrivals for approved asylum seekers

• One-In, One-Out Scheme is a migration agreement between the UK and France.
• The deal is aimed at deterring migrants from making dangerous trips across the English Channel from France to the UK in small boats.
• Many migrants without visas or permits departing France by sea attempt to cross to the UK in small, inflatable boats.
• They frequently pay large sums of money to gangs who arrange the boats in northern France.
• Journeys can be incredibly dangerous, and people have died making the crossing.
• Under the new agreement, France will agree to take back asylum seekers who have crossed over to the UK and who cannot prove a family connection to the UK.
• For each migrant France takes back, the UK will grant asylum to one migrant from France who can prove a family connection to the UK and who have not previously attempted to enter the country illegally.

Striped Dolphin:

A pod of striped dolphins was recently spotted off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

• The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is a streamlined oceanic dolphin, similar in shape and size to the common dolphin.
• It is among the most abundant and widespread dolphins in the world.
• It is found in temperate and tropical waters of all the world’s oceans.
• They tend to prefer deeper, more offshore waters and can be found in oceanic waters over the continental shelves.
• The striped dolphin reaches 2.5-2.6 m (averaging around 2.2-2.3 m) in length, the males being slightly larger.
• They have a long, defined rostrum and round forehead (known as a melon).
• As the name suggests, the most recognisable features are the ‘stripes’. A dark grey stripe runs from the beak, above the eye, across the flank, and then down to the underside of the body. A second stripe runs below the eye to the pectoral flipper.
• They are usually found in tight, cohesive groups of about 25 to 100 individuals.
• They display a unique behavior called roto-tailing, when the animal leaps high out of the water and vigorously rotates its tail while airborne.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Singer Zubeen Garg dies in Singapore after a scuba diving accident:

Zubeen Garg, a legendary Assamese singer and cultural icon, passed away at the age of 52 following a scuba diving accident in Singapore. He was visiting the country to perform at the North East Festival, where he was scheduled to appear on Friday. According to reports, he was rescued from the sea in an unconscious state and taken to a hospital, where he was placed in intensive care. Despite doctors’ efforts, he could not be revived, leaving fans and the cultural world stunned.

CM Dhami inaugurates the Asian Cadet Cup 2025 in Haldwani : Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand marked a historic moment in Indian sports by hosting the Asian Cadet Cup India-2025 in Haldwani, inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on September 19, 2025. Organised by the Fencing Association of India, the international tournament is being held at Manaskhand Hall in the Indira Gandhi International Sports Stadium. This is the first-ever international fencing event held in India, drawing participation from over 250 athletes, including 150 Indian competitors, as well as teams from countries like Tajikistan, Syria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia.

India and Canada to Restart Trade Talks and Deepen Cooperation:

Indian and Canadian officials met for pre-Foreign Office consultations on September 19, 2025, and agreed to reignite bilateral dialogue on multiple strategic fronts including trade, defence, and critical minerals. This move follows the understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the G7 Summit in June 2025, where both leaders emphasized the importance of restoring stability and building a constructive partnership.

Androth Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship:

The Indian Navy has inducted ‘Androth’, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. It Is Indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). It is Part of 8-ship series being inducted into the Indian Navy. Positioned In Intended for coastal security, anti-submarine patrols, and shallow-water operations in India’s maritime zones, especially around the Lakshadweep archipelago and other critical sea lanes. Developed By Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata – one of India’s premier defence shipyards. Aim is to Enhance anti-submarine warfare capability against underwater threats, Strengthen coastal surveillance and safeguard maritime borders.

Trump Imposes $100,000 Fee On H-1B Visas:

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 (₹88 lakh) fee on H-1B visa sponsorships, dramatically raising the cost for US firms hiring foreign skilled workers.Employers sponsoring H-1B visas must now pay $100,000 per applicant (up from a few thousand dollars earlier).
Objective is to Deter misuse, ensure only “highly skilled” professionals are hired, and protect American workers from wage displacement. H-1B Visa Is Non-immigrant US visa allowing employers to hire foreign workers in “specialty occupations” requiring technical expertise. Aim is to Address shortage of skilled workers in sectors like STEM, finance, IT, medicine, and ensure fair pay to prevent wage undercutting of American workers.

Surajpur district in Chhattisgarh has declared 75 village panchayats as Child Marriage-Free:

Surajpur district in Chhattisgarh has declared 75 village panchayats as “Child Marriage-Free”, marking a major milestone in the fight against child marriage. A district-level social reform initiative aimed at eliminating child marriage through awareness, community participation, and strict monitoring.
Recognized as a model for other districts and states seeking to eradicate child marriage. Aim is to End child marriage through education, awareness, and enforcement of legal provisions, Improve maternal and child health outcomes by delaying early pregnancies.

Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defence pact:

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh (Sept 2025), pledging that any aggression against one country would be treated as aggression against both formalising a long-standing security partnership. It Is a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) committing both nations to mutual security cooperation and joint deterrence.