Current Affairs – September 30, 2025

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Crime in India 2023 Report **

• Context (HT): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) published its annual Crime in India report for the 2023 edition, offering key insights into national crime trends and data.

Overall Findings of the NCRB Report

• India recorded 6.24 million crimes in 2023, a 7.2% increase from 2022, indicating steadily expanding recorded caseloads.
• A cognisable offence occurred every 4.9 seconds in 2023, compared to 5.2 seconds in 2022.
• Murders declined 2.8%, while abductions and crimes against children increased 5.6% and 9.2% respectively, highlighting shifting risk hotspots.
• Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, reported the most crime cases, reflecting a population-driven scale.
• Kerala, Delhi, and Andaman and Nicobar reported the highest crime rates per lakh population.

Indian Penal Code (IPC)

• IPC offences reached 3.76 million in 2023, rising 5.7% after two consecutive years of decline.
• Obstructions on public ways rose 62%, while thefts also showed notable increases.
• Uttar Pradesh reported the highest IPC cases in absolute terms, while Kerala registered the highest per capita crime rate.

Special & Local Laws (SLL)

• SLL offences totalled 2.48 million in 2023, representing a 9.5% growth over the previous year. It shows an increasing use of non-IPC statutes in policing.
• Motor Vehicles Act violations doubled to 1,91,828 cases, reflecting a vigorous enforcement of urban road-safety measures.

Cybercrimes

• Cybercrime cases increased by 31.2% to 86,420 in 2023, highlighting digital adoption as a risk amplifier.
• Fraud accounted for 68.9% of cybercrime cases, followed by sexual exploitation and extortion.
• Karnataka led in cybercrime case numbers, followed by Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

Economic Offences

• Economic offences rose 6% in 2023 to 2,04,973 cases, mirroring vulnerabilities in the financial system.
• Forgery, cheating, and fraud cases dominated, followed by criminal breach of trust and a marginal counterfeiting segment.

Crimes Against SC/ST

• Crimes against Scheduled Tribes rose by 28.8% to 12,960, with Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan reporting the highest number of cases.
• Crime rate per lakh ST population rose to 12.4 from 9.6 in 2022, indicating increased incidence severity.
• Crimes against the Scheduled Castes increased marginally by 0.4% to 57,789, signalling stagnant progress in SC protection.

Crime Against Women

• Crime against women observed a 0.7% increase, with the total touching 4,48,211 cases in 2023.
• Uttar Pradesh (66,381) recorded the highest cases, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
• Registered crime rate per lakh women declined slightly to 66.2 in 2023, signalling statistical plateauing.

Crime Against Children

• Crimes against children increased by 9.2% in 2023, with 1,77,335 cases recorded nationwide, and the crime rate per lakh child population rose to 39.9 in 2023.
• Kidnapping & abduction (45%), followed by POCSO offences, formed the major crime categories.
• Uttar Pradesh (15%), Maharashtra (14%), and Madhya Pradesh (13%) accounted for the most cases.

Cases Against Juveniles

• Juvenile apprehensions increased 2.7% in 2023, with 40,036 individuals booked across 31,365 cases.
• 86.6% were booked under the IPC, and 13.4% under the SLL, reflecting an IPC dominance in cases.
• 79% of apprehended juveniles were aged 16-18, marking late adolescence as the most crime-prone.

Metropolitan Arrests & Disposal

• 19 metropolitan cities recorded 7.33 lakh arrests in 2023, reflecting a heavy enforcement in urban centres.
• Of arrested persons, 29.7% were convicted, 19.4% acquitted, and 2.6% discharged, indicating a strong investigation-to-prosecution pipeline.
• Kochi reported the highest chargesheet rates, followed by Kolkata and Pune.

About the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB)

• Formation: NCRB was established in 1986 by executive order, based on recommendations of the Tandon Committee and the National Police Commission.
• Central Repository: Operating under the Union Home Ministry, it functions as India’s national crime database to aid investigations and policymaking.
• Annual Reports: It publishes Crime in India, Accidental Deaths and Suicides, and Prison Statistics, providing comprehensive nationwide crime data annually.
• Digital Projects: It manages the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems, Inter-operable Criminal Justice System, Digital Police Portal, and National Database of Sexual Offenders.
• Oversight: It supervises the Central Fingerprint Bureau, Cybercrime Reporting Portal, and Crime Multi-Agency Centre (Cri-MAC) for inter-agency information exchange and coordination.

{GS2 – Governance – Initiatives} Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)

• Context (ET): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mandated Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules for both new and existing electric vehicles (EVs).

• Pedestrian Safety: EVs are almost silent at low speeds because they do not have an internal combustion engine. Therefore, sound alerts are necessary to warn pedestrians and prevent accidents.
• Applicability: This requirement applies to all M and N category vehicles, including cars, buses, trucks, e-rickshaws, and e-carts.
• Timeline: Compliance required from October 2026 for new models and October 2027 for existing ones.

About Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)

• The Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is a device that produces artificial sound cues to improve pedestrian safety for electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Activation Range: The system activates automatically between 0 and 20 km/h, a range where electric vehicles are usually near silent.
• Sound Design: It emits a steady, low-volume artificial tone to alert pedestrians.
• Higher Speeds: Above 20 km/h, tyre and aerodynamic noise produce enough sound, removing the need for extra artificial signals.

Read More > Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles vs. Electric Vehicles

{GS2 – IR – India-Bhutan} India and Bhutan to Get First Railway Links

• Context (TH | TOI): India announced the first two rail links with Bhutan, Kokrajhar-Gelephu (Assam) and Banarhat-Samtse (West Bengal), covering 89 km at a cost of ₹4,033 crore.

• The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has designated the proposed rail line as a Special Railway Project under the Railways Act, 1989.

{GS2 – IR – UN} United Nations Needs Structural Reform **

• Context (TH): At the 80^th session of the UNGA, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised the urgent need for UN reforms and highlighted India’s roles in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

Need for UN Reforms

• Representation Gap: The Security Council’s outdated framework excludes Africa, Latin America, and India, diminishing its legitimacy and undermining equitable representation.
• Veto Paralysis: The veto powers of the P5 countries have obstructed collective responses in crises such as Ukraine and Gaza, resulting in stalemates and weakening trust in global security.
• Mandate Overload: Expanding mandates in development, climate, and terrorism, with a stagnant resource base, strain institutions and hinder SDG advancements.
• Consensus Deficit: The UN has failed to build consensus on issues such as terrorism, energy, and conflicts, which undermines its credibility and erodes multilateral trust.
• Funding Crisis: Persistent arrears and reliance on donors like the US and EU restrict budgetary stability, reducing resources for Global South missions.

India’s Recent Roles in the United Nations

• Security Role: India deploys 5,000+ peacekeepers across nine UN missions and has escorted ~3,000 vessels during anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
• Humanitarian Responder: In 2024, India carried out 19 UN-supported relief missions, including Afghanistan and Myanmar, while cumulatively implementing 600 development projects in 78 countries.
• Reform Advocate: As a member of the G4 group, India demands the expansion of the UNSC, pushing for both permanent and non-permanent seats to represent current global realities.
• Food Security: In August 2025, India and UN-WFP initiated the “Indian rice goes global” program, committing to provide 200,000 tonnes of fortified rice for humanitarian assistance.
• Development Financier: Since 2017, India has jointly overseen the $150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund with UNOSSC, aiding SDG initiatives in African, Pacific, and Caribbean countries.

Read More > United Nations

{GS3 – Envi – Wetlands} India Adds Two More Ramsar Wetlands *

• Context (DD): Two wetlands in Bihar, Gokul Jalashay in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran, have been designated as Ramsar sites, taking India’s total count to 93 as of September 2025.

About New Wetlands

Gokul Jalashay, Buxar, Bihar

• Type, Location & Area: Oxbow Lake of 448 hectares, located on the southern edge of the Ganga River.
• Biodiversity: Supports over 50 bird species; pre-monsoon marshlands and shrubs provide food and breeding habitats.
• Community Interaction: Local communities depend on the wetland for fishing, farming, and irrigation; the annual traditional festival involves cleaning and weed removal.
• Ecological Importance: Supports both biodiversity and livelihoods, showcasing the human-nature interdependence.

Udaipur Jheel, West Champaran, Bihar

• Type, Location & Area: Oxbow Lake of 319 hectares, bordered by dense forest of Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary, surrounding a village.
• Biodiversity: Home to over 280 plant species, including Alysicarpus roxburghianus (endemic).
• Avifauna: Important wintering ground for ~35 migratory bird species, including the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina).
• Ecological Features: Jamun trees (Syzygium cumini) line the wetland; fallen fruits help purify water.
• Threats: Illegal fishing and intensive agriculture, including chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Read More > Ramsar Sites in India | New Ramsar sites of India

{GS3 – Envi – Species} India’s First Cheetah Cub Attains Adulthood

• Context (TH): Mukhi, a cheetah born at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, is set to become the first India-born Cheetah to reach adulthood.

• A cheetah with a lifespan of 12-14 years typically reaches adulthood by 30 months of age.
• Currently, India has a total of 27 cheetahs, with 24 in Kuno and 3 in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Sixteen of them are born in this country.
• Survival Rate: Kuno’s cub survival rate is 61%, significantly higher than the global rate of 40%.

Factors for Cheetah Cub Survival in India

• Abundant prey, including chital and blackbuck, facilitates efficient hunting for survival.
• Radio collars and a 3-person monitoring team for every cheetah ensure continuous health surveillance.
• Extensive grasslands and open ecosystems support natural hunting behaviour and juvenile adaptation.
• Phased imports from Namibia and South Africa ensure genetic diversity, strengthening the resilience.

Concerns for Cheetah Cub Survival in India

• Extreme summer temperatures cause dehydration and heat stress, leading to high cub mortality rates.
• A high density of leopards creates inter-carnivore competition, affecting prey availability for cheetahs.
• Low genetic diversity heightens disease susceptibility & reduces fertility among captive-bred cheetahs.
• Transitioning from enclosures to free-ranging conditions impacts hunting skills & territorial behaviours.

Read More > Cheetah Population Stabilisation

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} Desert Solidification Technology

• Context (TH): Researchers in Rajasthan have used ‘solidification’ technology to cultivate wheat on desert land, demonstrating its potential to combat desertification.

About Desertification

• Desertification refers to the gradual process by which fertile land in dry areas becomes barren and unproductive due to climate change and human activities.
• Nearly 30% of India’s land is degraded, and about a quarter of this land faces desertification. (ISRO’s Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas)
• Drylands in Rajasthan alone account for more than 23% of India’s desertified land, making it one of the worst-affected regions. (MoEFCC)

About the ‘Solidification’ Technology

• Solidification is a scientific method that transforms desert sand into fertile, crop-supporting soil using bioformulations of natural polymers.
• These polymers stabilise sand particles by cross-linking them into a soil-like material that traps water, retains nutrients and promotes microbial activity, thereby enhancing soil fertility.
• Significance: Solidification technology enables farming on barren deserts, conserves water, improves yields, and offers scalable solutions for other arid ecosystems to combat desertification.

Read More > Land Degradation and Restoration

{GS3 – S&T – Space} NISAR Satellite Sends First Radar Images of Earth *

• Context (TH): The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has sent its first radar images of Earth’s surface.

• First Images Captured:
  • August 21, 2025: Mount Desert Island, Maine (USA).
  • August 23, 2025: Northeastern North Dakota (USA) includes forests, wetlands along the Forest River, and agricultural fields.

Key Features of NISAR

• ISRO launched NISAR on July 30, 2025. NASA and ISRO jointly developed it.
• Equipped with L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) (provided by NASA) & S-band SAR (by ISRO).
• L-band radar can detect objects as small as 5 metres (15 feet), providing high-resolution surface imaging.
• Designed for all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation, penetrating cloud cover and vegetation.

{Prelims – MoHUA – Initiatives} Swachh Shehar Jodi Initiative *

• Context (IE): The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the Swachh Shehar Jodi, a structured mentorship and collaboration programme for urban waste management.

• Top-performing cities (mentor cities) from Swachh Survekshan rankings will be paired with lower-performing cities (mentee cities).
• Each mentor–mentee pair will collaboratively create action plans to improve waste management.
• Objective: The initiative aims to promote knowledge sharing, peer learning, and the replication of best practices in sanitation and waste management across urban India.
• Implementation: It will be implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban, and progress will be evaluated in Swachh Survekshan 2026.

Read More > Waste Management in India

{Prelims – Festivals} Telangana’s Bathukamma Enters Guinness World Records

• Context (TH): On 29 September 2025, Hyderabad’s Saroornagar Stadium witnessed Bathukamma festivities that set two Guinness World Records.

• Key Highlights:
  • Largest Floral Installation: A 63.11-foot Bathukamma was created, weighing 10.7 tonnes of flowers, in 11 layers.
  • Synchronised Dance Performance: Around 1,354 women performed in synchronised concentric circles around the floral goddess.

About Bathukamma Festival

• Telangana’s state festival, celebrated as worship of Goddess Gauri/Parvati, is associated with fertility and womanhood.
• Duration: 9 days, begins with Mahalaya Amavasya (usually Sep-Oct) and culminates on Saddula Bathukamma, two days before Dussehra (Dasara).
• Women arrange seasonal flowers (marigold, gunuka, tangedu, banthi, chrysanthemum) in a conical stack (Bathukamma) resembling a temple gopuram.
• Agricultural Significance: It coincides with the end of the monsoon and the onset of the winter cropping season.