Summary of UPSC Current Affairs – 16 September 2025
Overview
This content highlights significant current affairs in India, focusing on various areas such as governance, agriculture, trade, technology, and health. Key discussions revolve around NITI Aayog’s AI strategy, the dairy sector, foreign direct investment (FDI) trends, and ongoing health initiatives.
1. AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap**
NITI Aayog has launched its ‘AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap’ to harness Artificial Intelligence as a growth engine, aiming for an 8% GDP growth by 2035. This comprehensive framework targets sectors like banking and manufacturing for AI deployment, anticipates a $500-$600 billion GDP boost from AI, and emphasizes creating an inclusive AI ecosystem. Concerns revolve around talent shortages, fragmented data governance, and a potential divide in AI adoption among smaller enterprises. Structured implementation of the National AI Mission and robust governance frameworks are proposed.
2. Indian Dairy Sector
India’s dairy sector remains crucial, employing over 80 million small farmers and contributing 31% to the agricultural GDP. With milk production reaching 248 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024-25, the sector is self-sufficient yet resistant to liberalization for fear of cheap imports affecting farmer livelihoods. Key issues include low productivity and fragmented supply chains, where 70% of milk is managed by the unorganized sector. Proposed reforms emphasize improving productivity through better feed and breeding practices and enhancing infrastructure.
3. Outward FDI and Tax Havens
Recent RBI data indicates that 56% of India’s outward FDI in 2024-25 was routed through tax havens like Singapore and Mauritius. This trend raises concerns about potential tax evasion and lends insights into the strategic motives behind using these jurisdictions. It highlights the need for a robust regulatory framework to mitigate abuse while facilitating Indian firms’ access to global markets.
4. Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan
Launching alongside the 8th Poshan Maah, this initiative aims to mobilize efforts for women and child health. It will conduct over 100,000 health camps addressing various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and nutrition issues. By integrating health, nutrition, and awareness campaigns, the initiative aims to improve health outcomes significantly.
5. Additional Highlights
- 5th Coast Guard Global Summit: India will host this summit in 2027, focusing on global maritime cooperation.
- Frontier 50 Initiative: NITI Aayog’s flagship program for deploying new technologies in 50 aspirational districts aims to enhance service delivery and bridge the digital divide.
- Involution in China’s EV Sector: A phenomenon of internal competition leading to financial stress and unsustainable practices in electric vehicle manufacturing.
- WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: This pivotal agreement now in force aims to curb harmful fishing subsidies and promote sustainable fishing practices globally.
Conclusion
The discussed initiatives and issues reflect India’s multifaceted challenges and opportunities in driving economic and social growth. The adoption of technology, health mobilization, and structural reforms, especially in the dairy and investment sectors, will be vital for achieving sustainable development goals. These developments underscore India’s commitment to economic resilience, global trade dynamics, and self-sufficiency in critical sectors.
