Current Affairs – September 19, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} India Nominated Sarnath for UNESCO World Heritage List

• Context (IE): India has officially nominated Sarnath for the UNESCO World Heritage List 2025–26, and ASI is planning to install a plaque recognising Jagat Singh for its rediscovery.

• Babu Jagat Singh, diwan of Raja Chait Singh of Benares, rediscovered relics in 1787–88, but Jonathan Duncan and Colonel Mackenzie were credited.
• Recent Excavations: B R Mani’s 2013-14 excavations revealed activities at Sarnath before Ashoka’s era.

About Sarnath

• Sarnath, 10 km northeast of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakkappavattana) after enlightenment.
• Alternate Names: Known historically as Rishipatana, Mrigadava, or Saranganatha (Lord of the Deer).

Historical and Cultural Significance of Sarnath

• Buddhist Stupas: Dhamek Stupa (500 CE) with Gupta floral carvings marks Buddha’s sermon; Dharmarajika Stupa (3rd BCE) enshrined relics under Ashoka; Chaukhandi Stupa (5th century) later gained a Mughal-era octagonal tower.
• Viharas: Dharmachakra Jina Vihara (11^th century, Kumaradevi) and Mulagandha Kuti Vihara (1930s Mahabodhi Society) served as monastic centres, the latter featuring murals of Buddha’s life.
• National Emblem: The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath was adopted as India’s emblem in 1950
• Plural Traditions: The site also preserves Jain temples like the Digambara Jain Temple.

Credit: Wikipedia

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Elections} EVMs to Display Colour Photographs

• Context (TH): Election Commission of India has mandated colour photographs of the candidates on EVM ballot papers from the 2025 Bihar polls under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.

• Candidate photographs will be printed with faces occupying three-fourths of the 2 cm × 2.5 cm space, thereby enhancing identification and reducing voter error.
• Serial numbers for candidates and NOTA will appear in bold Indian numerals, with a maximum of 15 names allowed per sheet to ensure uniformity and legibility.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Issues} COVID-19’s Impact on Vascular Ageing

• Context (TH): A recent study shows COVID-19 infection accelerated arterial stiffening, effectively advancing vascular ageing and elevating future cardiovascular risks.

COVID-Accelerated Vascular Ageing

• Increased Stiffness: Post-COVID survivors showed a ~0.4 m/s faster PWV, equivalent to five years of accelerated vascular ageing compared to uninfected individuals.
• Gender disparity: Women survivors exhibited 5-10 years more vascular ageing than men, likely because of longer immune responses compared to their male counterparts.
• Prolonged Symptoms: Survivors with persistent fatigue or breathlessness developed higher stiffness than asymptomatic ones, indicating that prolonged symptoms directly impair arterial elasticity.
• Vaccination: Vaccinated survivors, particularly women, demonstrated lower arterial stiffness than unvaccinated peers, highlighting vaccination’s preventive role in vascular health.
• Trajectory: Arterial stiffness stabilised or slightly improved after one year, though baseline elasticity was never fully restored.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} India’s Progress on SDG 3 and Health Challenges

• Context (TH): India ranked 99 out of 167 nations in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2025, improving from 109 in 2024.

• While progress is seen in services and infrastructure, health indicators under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) remain a significant concern.

Current Gaps in Health Targets

• MMR: Maternal Mortality Ratio is 97 per 100,000 live births, above the 2030 target of 70.
• Child Mortality: Under-five mortality is 32 per 1,000 live births, higher than the target of 25; developed nations average 2-6.
• Life Expectancy: Stands at 70 years, short of the 2030 target of 73.63 years.
• Health Spending: Out-of-pocket spending is 13% of total consumption, nearly double the SDG target of 7.83%.
• Immunisation Coverage: Reached 93.23%, just below the universal target of 100%.

Reasons for Gaps

• Healthcare Access: Limited availability of quality healthcare due to inadequate infrastructure and financial barriers.
  • Over 80% of India’s healthcare professionals are concentrated in urban areas, despite 68% of the population living in rural areas.
• Nutrition & Hygiene: Poor diet, sanitation gaps, and rising lifestyle diseases worsen health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable groups.
• Social Awareness: Cultural taboos and low awareness restrict communities from using available healthcare and mental health services.
  • The WHO World Mental Health Report (2025) says 70-92% of Indians with mental disorders go untreated due to stigma and low awareness.

Key Policy Measures Needed

• Universal Health Insurance: Expanding affordable health insurance can reduce catastrophic expenses and promote equity, as per World Bank research.
• Primary Care: High-quality, accessible primary health centres and seamless coordination between care levels lead to early detection and better outcomes.
• Digital Health Integration: Telemedicine and digital health records bridge care gaps in rural/underserved areas.
• School Health Education: Implementing compulsory health education in schools can change lifelong health behaviours, covering hygiene, reproductive health, road safety, and mental health.

Role of Stakeholders

• Policymakers: Government must mainstream health education in curricula and invest in primary care and universal coverage.
• Parents: Parents should engage with schools to ensure comprehensive health education; communities and educators must encourage healthy habits from a young age.
• Society: Individual actions, policy reforms, and multi-level coordination will be critical to closing the health SDG gap.

Read More > Universal Health Coverage in India

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – STs} Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

• Context (PIB): PM Modi launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.

• It is the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership programme, targeting 11 crore citizens in 1 lakh villages across 30 States/UTs.
• The mission embodies Seva, Samarpan, and Sankalp for responsive governance and last-mile delivery.

Key Highlights

• Participatory Governance: Villages will co-create Tribal Village Vision 2030 through walks, group discussions, and gap analysis, ensuring bottom-up planning.
• Technology Support: Launch of Adi Vaani App, an AI-based language bridge (initially in 4 tribal languages), to connect officials with tribal citizens.
• Adi Sewa Parv: A fortnight-long campaign in tribal-dominated villages, where each village will draft Vision 2030 Action Plans, linked to schemes like Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan 2.0 and PM JANMAN.
• Youth Engagement:
  • Adi Sahyogi: Village youth to participate in creating Vision 2030.
  • Adi Karmayogi Student Chapters: To be launched in IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, and central universities.
  • Adi Karmayogi Fellowship: Engage young professionals in tribal areas for inclusive governance models and scalable solutions.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} India-UAE Joint Task Force on Investments

• Context (PIB): The 13^th meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments was held in Abu Dhabi.
• Established in 2013, it promotes bilateral investments, resolves investor concerns, and explores new cooperation areas.

Key Highlights of the 13th Meeting

• Trade Momentum: Non-oil bilateral trade reached US$38 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 34% rise compared to 2024.
• Bharat Mart Project: A 2.7 million sq. ft. hub in UAE, designed to enable Indian exporters to showcase products globally, was reviewed as a flagship investment initiative.
• Financial Initiatives: Central Banks of both countries progressing towards:
  • Bilateral trade in local currencies.
  • Integration of payment systems.
  • Cooperation on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

• Strategic Significance: CEPA is positioned as a cornerstone of India-UAE economic ties and a global example of cooperative trade.
  • Geopolitical Importance: UAE is a critical partner in India’s West Asia outreach, not just for energy but also for trade diversification & technology.

Read More > India-UAE Bilateral Relations | Importance of UAE for India

{GS2 – IR – Pakistan-Saudi Arabia} Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defence Pact

• Context (DH): India stated it will assess the implications of the recently signed “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia for its national security and regional stability.

• Key Clause: Any aggression toward either country will be considered aggression against both.
• Implication: The pact strengthens Pakistan’s defence and raises regional stability concerns, while highlighting the importance of India’s strategic diplomatic balancing with Saudi Arabia.
• India–Saudi Arabia Ties: Strengthened through the 2019 Strategic Partnership Council, $100 billion Saudi investment pledge, and expanding energy security cooperation.

Read More > India-Saudi Arabia Relations

{GS3 – Infra – Initiatives} National Maritime Heritage Complex

• Context (TH): PM Narendra Modi will review the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, which is planned to be the world’s largest maritime museum complex.

• Implementing Agency: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) under the Sagarmala Programme to showcase India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage.
• Key Features: The complex will include a recreation of Lothal’s historic township and a Lighthouse Museum, which is set to be the tallest in the world.

Read More About > National Maritime Heritage Complex

{GS3 – Infra – Energy} India to Embed AI in National Electricity Grid

• Context (DTE): India is set to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its national electricity grid for predictive reliability, cyber-resilience, and market transparency.

Potential Functions Played by AI in Grid

• Predictive Maintenance: AI analyses real-time sensor data to anticipate equipment failures, facilitating pre-emptive repairs, and minimising unexpected downtimes.
• Cyber Defence: Behavioural analytics safeguard SCADA systems by detecting anomalies, preventing malware intrusions and reducing risks from insider threats.
• Market Surveillance: AI monitors trading patterns in physical power and financial derivatives to detect manipulative practices, ensuring market integrity and transparency.
• Renewable Integration: Forecasting and dispatch optimisation balance fluctuating solar and wind supply, ensuring stability as India advances towards 500-gigawatt renewable capacity.
• Cascade Prevention: AI detects at-risk grid sections and triggers automatic corrections in real-time, containing local disruptions to prevent widespread blackouts.

Associated Challenges

• Algorithmic Bias: AI models trained on historical data may reinforce existing biases, leading to false alarms or missed threats that threaten grid security.
• Cyber Vulnerability: The AI’s deep integration into grid operations increases its digital attack surface, making it a prime target for state-sponsored cyberattacks.
• Skill Deficit: A shortage of control-room engineers trained in data science and AI ethics leads to over-reliance on automated systems without sufficient oversight.
• Regulatory Lag: The current electricity governance framework lacks specific protocols for AI accountability, creating ambiguity in liability for algorithmic errors.
• Standards Gap: The inconsistent adoption of Model Smart Grid Regulations hampers interoperability and delays AI integration across regions.

Way Forward

• AI Assurance: Create a national AI assurance framework mandating transparent models and human supervision, drawing on best practices from the EU AI Act.
• Phased Deployment: Roll out AI systems gradually from the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) to regional and state centres, ensuring interoperability and reliability at each stage.
• Capacity Building: Expand training at the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) focused on AI ethics, data science, and algorithmic risk management.
• Regulatory Update: Amend the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) rules to enforce AI accountability, periodic audits, and liability protocols for failures.
• Standardisation Drive: Fast-track the nationwide adoption of Model Smart Grid Regulations, establishing uniform data formats and secure AI integration.

Read More > Power Markets in India | India’s Electricity Sector

{GS3 – Agri – Fisheries} India–FAO Cooperation for Blue Ports

• Context (PIB): The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, signed a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) agreement with the FAO to strengthen India’s Blue Port infrastructure.

• It will support two pilot ports, Vanakbara in Diu and Jakhau in Gujarat, with investment design tools and stakeholder training.

About Blue Ports

• A Blue Port is a sustainable, technologically advanced, and inclusive fishing harbour that supports long-term food and nutritional security.
• Key Features: Uses AI, 5G, digital monitoring, IoT devices, and eco-friendly measures like sewage treatment, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.
• Significance: Supports India’s Blue Economy by promoting sustainable marine resource use, creating coastal jobs, increasing exports and strengthening climate resilience.
• India’s Initiatives: Three Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbours, Vanakbara, Jakhau, and Karaikal (Puducherry), are being developed under PMMSY with support from the FIDF.

Read More > Blue Economy 2.0

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Army’s Radar Upgradation

• Context (IE): The Indian Army has initiated a procurement of advanced Air Defence (AD) radars after Operation Sindoor exposed vulnerabilities to drone breaches.

How Radars Work

• Radar systems use radio waves to detect direction, distance, and velocity of aerial objects.
• Two main categories are employed:
  • Surveillance Radars: Scan skies to detect and identify objects.
  • Fire Control Radars: Direct weapon systems for engagement.
• The Army and Air Force already operate a mix of high-medium power radars, but low-level radar coverage remains critical for drones and low-flying objects.

Features of the New System

• Enhanced Low-Level Light Weight Radars (LLLRs) detect swarms of drones and transmit targeting data up to 10 km.
• Air Defence Fire Control Radars for Drones (ADFCR-DDs) classify threats, distinguish friend from foe, and direct air defence weapons against hostile drones.

India’s Existing Air Defence Infrastructure

• Missile Systems: Russian S-400 and indigenous Akash missile system.
• Akashteer System: Provides a real-time air picture by integrating radars, AD guns, & communication systems.
• IAF’s IACCS: Integrated Air Command and Control System, combines all AD assets for coordinated defence and offensive control.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Current focus to create a comprehensive air defence shield; DRDO recently tested the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS).

Read More > Operation Sindoor: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’s Defence Innovation | Counter-Drone System

{Prelims} One Liners

• In News – CAG-Connect (IE): The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is set to launch CAG-Connect, a unified digital portal enabling 10 lakh auditee entities to respond to audit queries directly.
• In News – Operation Weed Out (PIB): It is a nationwide anti-drug drive by India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) targeting syndicates smuggling high-potency hydroponic cannabis from Southeast Asia.