Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 22nd September 2025

Bonnard Standard:

The Supreme Court (SC) of India has reaffirmed the Bonnard standard, emphasizing strict conditions for granting pre-trial injunctions in defamation cases, particularly involving journalists, to safeguard freedom of speech and public interest.

• Established in Bonnard vs Perryman (1891, United Kingdom); sets the standard that an injunction can only be granted if the court is satisfied the defendant cannot justify the defamation claim, and not just based on suspicion.
• An injunction is a court order that requires someone to do or stop doing a specific action.
• 2024 Bloomberg Case: The SC in 2024 upheld this principle or standard, striking down an ex parte injunction against Bloomberg.
• The Court emphasized the importance of protecting free speech and public debate, stating such injunctions should be granted only when not granting them would cause greater injustice.
  • A Delhi trial court order barred journalists from publishing allegedly defamatory content about Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) and permitted the plaintiff (Adani) to demand takedowns within 36 hours violated this standard by:
    Issuing an ex parte ad interim injunction without hearing the journalists’ defenses.
  • Acting as a “prior restraint” on publication, seen as an unconstitutional restriction on the fundamental right to free speech under Article 19(1)(a).

NE-SPARKS program:

The Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region interacted with school students from the North Eastern Region (NER) who participated in the NE-SPARKS program.

• The ‘North East Students’ Programme for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space’ (NE-SPARKS) is a flagship initiative to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) from NER.
• It is supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in collaboration with the 8 North Eastern States, North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC)-ISRO.
• The program is funded by the MDoNER and the state Govt. in 60:40 ratio respectively. NESAC is the nodal agency.
• The program aims to facilitate exposure visits for 800 meritorious science students (100 from each NE state) to premier ISRO centres, like those in Bengaluru.

India Adds 7 Natural Sites to UNESCO Tentative List:

India has added seven natural sites to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites (WHS), taking its total to 69 (49 cultural, 17 natural, and 3 mixed properties). This highlights the country’s commitment to preserving its rich natural and cultural heritage.

India’s Newly Added Sites:

• Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra :Home to some of the best-preserved and studied lava flows in the world, these sites form part of the massive Deccan Traps and are located within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary (already a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Geological Heritage of St. Mary’s Island Cluster, Karnataka: Known for its rare columnar basaltic rock formations, this island cluster dates back to the Late Cretaceous period (101 to 66 million years ago).
• Meghalayan Age Caves, Meghalaya: The stunning cave systems of Meghalaya, particularly the Mawmluh Cave, serve as the global reference point for the Meghalayan Age in the Holocene Epoch (last 11,000 years of the Earth’s history till date), reflecting significant climate and geological transitions.
• Naga Hill Ophiolite, Nagaland: A rare exposure to ophiolite rocks of , these hills represent oceanic crust uplifted onto continental plates (offering deep insights into tectonic processes and mid-ocean ridge dynamics).
• Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Hills), Andhra Pradesh: Red sand formations near Visakhapatnam showcase unique paleo-climatic and coastal geomorphological features that reveal Earth’s climatic history and dynamic evolution.Erra Matti Dibbalu was declared a GeoHeritage Monument by Geological Survey of India (GSI) in 2016.
• Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills, Andhra Pradesh: Featuring the Eparchaean Unconformity and the iconic Silathoranam (Natural Arch), this site holds immense geological significance, representing over 1.5 billion years of Earth’s history. They are part of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve and Venkateswara National Park.
• Varkala Cliffs, Kerala: Cliff along Kerala’s coastline expose the Warkalli Formation of the Mio-Pliocene age, along with natural springs and striking erosional landforms, offering both scientific and touristic value.

Yellow-Crested Cockatoos:

Yellow-crested cockatoos in Hong Kong are losing natural nesting due to typhoons and tree trimming and conservationists installing artificial nest boxes that mimic natural nests of these birds.

• The Yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) is a medium-sized cockatoo with a retractile yellow or orange crest.
• It usually has white plumage, and on its head is a yellow crest that curves forwards.
• This cockatoo inhabits forest, forest edge, scrub and cultivated areas from sea-level up to about 1500 meters.
• It is native to East Timor and Indonesia’s islands of Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas. It is also introduced in Hong Kong developed from caged birds that have been released.
• It is an omnivorous feeder, with a diet that consists primarily of seeds, fruits, nuts, and berries. It is also known to feed on the occasional insect, small reptiles, and roots,
• They are monogamous birds, and pairs stay together for life.
• They are very gregarious animals and learn quickly to mimic.
• The main threats to the Yellow-crested cockatoo are illegal pet trade, habitat loss and climate change (rising temperatures dry out forests, leaving them more vulnerable to fires).
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered.

Javari Temple:

A seven-foot-tall headless Vishnu idol at the Javari temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho has grabbed headlines following the Chief Justice of India’s remark during a recent hearing on a petition seeking its restoration.

• Javari Temple is a Hindu temple, which forms part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Madhya Pradesh.
• The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050 AD.
• The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.
• Built between 1075 and 1100 AD, the Javari Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• The temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture.
• Situated on a plinth, it contains a sanctum, vestibule, mandapa, and portico but without pradakshinapatha.
• It has an exquisitely carved Makara Torana (Capricorn Arch) and shikhara.
• The sanctum of Javari Temple contains a four-armed idol of Lord Vishnu, though it is now broken and headless.
• There are sculptures of Hindu Gods and navagrahas.
• The elaborate gateway of the temple is beautiful, and there are images of men and women carved on the walls.

Registered Unrecognised Political Parties:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently de-listed a total of 474 more Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP) for flouting norms, including not contesting elections in the last six years.

• RUPP are the parties which are either newly registered parties or those which have not secured enough percentage of votes in the assembly or general elections to become a state party, or those which have never contested elections since being registered.
• Despite not having official recognition, RUPPs enjoy certain benefits:
• Tax exemption under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• Eligibility for common poll symbols during elections. Common symbols are provided to RUPPs based upon an undertaking that they would put up “at least 5% of total candidates with regard to said Legislative Assembly election of a State”.
• Permission to nominate up to 20 ‘star campaigners’ for canvassing.
• They are, however, required to:
  • Contest elections periodically.
  • File annual audit accounts and contribution reports.
  • Disclose donations exceeding Rs. 20,000, and ensure that no donations above Rs. 2,000 are accepted in cash.

Kurmi Community : Protest

Defying prohibitory orders, Kurmis began their rail blockade at various stations in Jharkhand recently to press demand for a ST status for the community and inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

• Kurmis, also known as Kunbi, are a Hindu farming caste in India and Nepal.
• The term “Kurmi” is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word “Krishi,” which means agriculture.
• They are mostly found in the lower regions of the Indo-Gangetic plains, especially southern regions of Awadh, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Bihar.
• It is believed that the Kurmis were descendants of ancient Kshatriya warriors who practiced agriculture.
• There are several sub-groups within the Kurmi caste called gotras. Some common Kurmi gotras include Chandel, Chauhan, Solanki, Tomar, Baghel and Sengar.
• The Kurmis came to be known for their exceptional work ethic, superior tillage and manuring, and gender-neutral culture, bringing praise from Mughal and British administrators alike.
• The Kurmali language, primarily spoken by the Kurmi community in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, is part of the Indo-Aryan language family.
• Nowadays, Kurmis are placed in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category in most parts of India.
• However, Kurmis tend to believe that they have tribal roots and have long been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for their community and inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

INS Rajali:

The Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command recently hosted a two-day seminar on Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, underscoring India’s growing maritime responsibilities and surveillance capabilities.

• INS Rajali is an Indian Naval Air Station located near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu.
• It was commissioned on March 11, 1992.
• It was named as ‘Rajali’, named after an aggressive bird of the Hawk family, predominant in the Tamil Nadu coastal belt.
• The air station is spread over 2,200 acres and is located 80 km west of Chennai.
• INS Rajali is the most modern and largest Naval Air Station, with a garrison strength of 4,700 personnel.
• It contributes towards two very distinct tasks -Operations and Training.
• It operates under the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy and has the longest military runway in Asia.
• It is home to the navy’s INAS 312 squadron which has been at the forefront of maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare with the P8I.
• Apart from hosting the P8I fleet, it also operates MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones, providing a technological edge for high-endurance operations in the vast expanses of the Indian Ocean.
• INS Rajali is also home to the navy’s Helicopter Training School

Industrial Park Rating System 3.0:

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry launched the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0 in New Delhi.

• It is developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• It aims to further strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem and enhance the competitiveness of industrial infrastructure.
• It will help assess and benchmark facilities, infrastructure, and competitiveness of industrial parks across the country.
• The initiative will provide stakeholders with reliable data, encourage best practices, and support the creation of world-class infrastructure.
• It introduced an expanded framework with new parameters, including sustainability, green infrastructure, logistics connectivity, digitalization, skill linkages, and enhanced tenant feedback.
• Under IPRS 3.0, industrial parks will be benchmarked and categorized as Leaders, Challengers, and Aspirers based on their performance across key indicators.

Iridogorgia Chewbacca:

Scientists have discovered a unique deep-sea coral and given it the name Iridogorgia Chewbacca.

• Iridogorgia Chewbacca is a new deep-sea coral species of genus Iridogorgia.
• It is named after the furry Star Wars fictional character Chewbacca because of its hairy-looking branches.
• The species belongs to the genus Iridogorgia, a group of deep-sea corals with long, spiraling structures.
• It is known for its long, flexible branches and shiny surface.
• Despite its large size and striking appearance, I. chewbacca usually occurs alone, scattered across deep-sea rocky bottoms.
• Corals are essentially animals, which are sessile, meaning they permanently attach themselves to the ocean floor.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023:

The Government of India announced that Shri. Mohanlal will be conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2023.

• Dadasaheb Phalke Award is given by the Indian government for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
• It was instituted in 1969 the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke.
• It is the highest award in the field of cinema in India.
• The award’s inaugural recipient was Devika Rani, aptly titled “the first lady of Indian cinema”.
• The recipients are recognized for their ‘outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema’.
• The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.
• It is presented by the President of India.

PM Modi Launches Next-Generation GST Reforms:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on 21 September 2025, unveiling Next-Generation GST reforms that come into effect from 22 September. Announcing the beginning of a “GST Bachat Utsav”, the Prime Minister emphasized that the new system will enhance savings for households, reduce costs of essential goods, and strengthen Aatmanirbhar Bharat by boosting MSMEs and local manufacturing.

Highlights of the Address

• New GST Structure: Only 5% and 18% slabs will remain.
• Lower Costs: Everyday items like food, medicines, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, health and life insurance will now attract either 0% or 5% tax.
• Savings Festival: Citizens expected to save over INR 2.5 lakh crore annually due to GST and income tax reforms combined.
• Support to MSMEs: Simplified tax structures to help small businesses, cottage industries, and entrepreneurs.
• Swadeshi Push: Citizens encouraged to buy and sell Made in India products to promote self-reliance.

Australia sets a new emissions reduction target of 62% by 2035 under the Paris Agreement:

Australia has raised its national emissions reduction target to 62% by 2035, based on 2005 levels. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, marks a substantial increase from the country’s previous commitment of a 43% cut by 2030. The decision aligns with Australia’s obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement and comes amid growing concerns over the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events driven by climate change.

M.K. Stalin Launches ‘Anbu Karangal’ Scheme For Orphaned Children : Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme on September 16, 2025. This welfare initiative promises monthly financial support of ₹2,000 to orphaned children, ensuring that education and basic needs are not compromised due to the absence of parental guidance. The scheme is a key part of the DMK government’s larger social security framework and is expected to directly impact thousands of children across the state. It reflects Tamil Nadu’s growing emphasis on inclusive and child-focused governance. The ‘Anbu Karangal’ scheme is designed to benefit, Children who have lost both parents, Children with only one surviving parent who is incapable of providing care

First Hilsa Consignment from Bangladesh Reaches India:

Bangladesh has resumed its seasonal export of hilsa fish to India, but in its lowest volume since 2019. On September 17, 2025, the first consignment of around 32 tonnes arrived in West Bengal via the Petrapole border, marking the beginning of a restricted trade window approved by the Bangladesh government. Hilsa, often called the “Queen of Fish”, holds not only culinary but also cultural significance during Bengal’s biggest festival. However, this year’s reduced quota and tight shipment window have raised concerns among importers and consumers alike.

The US Fed lowers interest rates to 4‑4.25% in its first 2025 rate cut:

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.00%–4.25%, marking its first rate reduction in 2025. This move signals the beginning of a possible rate easing cycle, aimed at balancing persistent inflation with signs of a cooling labour market and economic growth moderation. This development is crucial for aspirants studying global economic trends, central bank tools, and international monetary dynamics.

International Red Panda Day 2025:

International Red Panda Day 2025, observed on third Saturday of September this year Sept. 20, raises global awareness and action for the endangered Himalayan red panda, now fewer than 10,000 in the wild.To spotlight this endangered species and build global momentum for its protection, International Red Panda Day 2025 is being celebrated on Saturday, September 20 (3rd Saturday of September) Launched in 2010 by the Red Panda Network, this day has grown into a global campaign involving zoos, schools, and communities worldwide. What began as a grassroots awareness effort is now a powerful force in the international fight to prevent this species from vanishing silently into extinction