Daily UPSC Current Affairs

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently raised serious concerns about an attempt to delete over 6,000 voter names from the electoral rolls in Karnataka's Aland Assembly constituency in 2023. He claimed that fake deletion forms were filed online without the voters' knowledge, mostly targeting Congress supporters, and that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not shared key details with investigators despite multiple requests. This has sparked a debate on the safety of voter lists and how deletions happen, highlighting potential misuse in the system.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a new defence agreement that treats an attack on one as an attack on both, raising questions about regional security. This pact, agreed upon during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Riyadh, comes at a time of growing tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas war and recent strikes. India is closely watching this development because of its strong ties with Saudi Arabia and ongoing issues with Pakistan, leading to statements from Indian officials about protecting national interests.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has unveiled a pioneering decadal study on the finances of all 28 Indian states, spanning from 2013-14 to 2022-23. This report spotlights a dramatic threefold rise in combined public debt, climbing from Rs 17.57 lakh crore to Rs 59.60 lakh crore, amid warnings about states increasingly borrowing for everyday expenses rather than long-term investments, potentially jeopardizing economic stability.

Pakistan, with support from China, recently submitted a joint proposal to the UN Security Council's 1267 Sanctions Committee to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide squad, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist entities. However, the United States, United Kingdom, and France placed a six-month technical hold on this bid, stating there is not enough evidence to link these groups to Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (ISIL), which is required under the committee's rules. This development comes amid rising tensions in Pakistan's Balochistan province, where the BLA has carried out several attacks, and highlights geopolitical differences in how countries view regional insurgencies versus global terrorism.

The US Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, cut interest rates by 25 basis points on September 17, 2025, bringing the target range to 4-4.25 percent. This move comes at a time when both inflation and unemployment are going up together, making it hard for the Fed to meet its two main goals of keeping prices stable and ensuring as many people as possible have jobs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell shared his thoughts in a press meet, pointing out the tough choices ahead, especially with political pressure from US President Donald Trump. This situation is important for India because US policies affect global trade, oil prices, and the value of the Indian rupee.

Pakistan and China have jointly proposed to the United Nations Security Council to label the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist groups under the UN's 1267 sanctions list. This move comes amid rising attacks claimed by BLA in Pakistan, but it was blocked by the United States, United Kingdom, and France, who said there was not enough proof connecting these groups to Al-Qaeda or ISIL. This highlights ongoing tensions in how countries define and handle terrorism, especially in South Asia, where India watches closely due to its own security concerns with Pakistan.

Indian javelin thrower Sachin Yadav made a strong debut at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo by finishing fourth with a personal best throw of 86.27 meters, coming very close to a medal but missing bronze by just 40 centimeters. This performance stood out as he did better than his role model, defending champion Neeraj Chopra, who finished eighth, highlighting a new chapter for Indian athletes in this event amid tough competition.

India has nominated the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath for the UNESCO World Heritage List in the 2025-26 cycle, spotlighting its profound role in history and culture. Located near Varanasi, Sarnath is where Buddha gave his first sermon around 528 BCE, and it later inspired the Lion Capital that became India's State Emblem in 1950. This push comes as the Archaeological Survey of India plans to update a plaque to honor local ruler Babu Jagat Singh for its 18th-century rediscovery, aiming to preserve and celebrate Sarnath's legacy amid growing global interest in Buddhist heritage.

The Indian Army has kicked off urgent procurement of advanced radars to strengthen its air defence against low-flying drones and swarms, learning key lessons from Operation Sindoor in May 2025. During this short border clash with Pakistan, hundreds of enemy drones slipped through older detection systems, pushing the Army to issue Requests for Information for up to 45 enhanced low-level radars and 48 fire control systems. This move aims to plug gaps along northern and western borders, boosting overall readiness in a time of rising aerial threats from neighbors.

The Indian government has set up a special committee to make Quality Control Orders (QCOs) simpler and less strict. This will help over 6 crore micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) import affordable raw materials without long delays or high costs. The move comes after MSMEs complained that current rules block cheap imports and raise their production expenses. The committee, led by former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, will give monthly suggestions to cut red tape while keeping product safety intact.

For the first time outside the COVID-19 years, India's power sector saw a 1% drop in CO2 emissions during January to June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, as per a latest analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) for Carbon Brief. This milestone in the sector, which contributes nearly 40% of India's total greenhouse gas emissions, signals a potential early peak in power-related emissions by 2030, supporting the country's push towards 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net-zero by 2070. The dip comes amid record renewable additions and milder weather, highlighting progress in India's clean energy transition.

On September 17, 2025, the European Union released its New Strategic EU-India Agenda, a detailed plan to strengthen ties in key areas like trade, technology, and defence. This comes as leaders from both sides push to wrap up a Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025 and set up a formal security partnership. The move highlights India's growing role in global affairs and the need for stronger links to handle issues like supply chain risks and regional security, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it a step toward mutual benefits.