9th October 2025 – Current Affairs

1. Online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS) Portal – Governance

Why in News?

• 18 State Drug Control Authorities have adopted ONDLS for drug licensing.

• Union Health Ministry reports non-compliance with CAPA guidelines by all 18 states.

• Raises concerns over drug quality and regulatory enforcement.

What is ONDLS?

• A centralized, digital, single-window platform for drug licensing.

• Developed by CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing).

• Aims to create a uniform and transparent licensing process across India.

Key Functions

• Processes applications for:

  • Manufacturing & sales licenses

  • Blood bank certifications

  • COPP, GMP, WHO-GMP, Market Standing certificates

• Ensures:

  • Uniform documentation requirements

  • Faster processing

  • Transparency & accountability

Issues: CAPA Non-Compliance

• CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) ensures drug safety through:

  • Root cause analysis of failures

  • Implementation of corrective/preventive measures

• States not following CAPA risk:

  • Substandard drug production

  • Regulatory failures

  • International export issues

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims 

1. Which of the following statements are correct about ONDLS?
1.Developed by CDAC
2.Processes WHO-GMP certification
3.Applicable only to Union Territories
A. 1 and 2 only 
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

2. CAPA guidelines are primarily related to:
A. Effluent treatment in pharma units
B. Drug pricing policy
C. Drug quality assurance and manufacturing standards 
D. Patient data privacy
Answer: C. Drug quality assurance and manufacturing standards

Mains 

1. Discuss the significance of ONDLS in improving drug licensing transparency. Highlight key challenges in CAPA guideline compliance.

2. Evaluate the potential impact of ONDLS on Himachal Pradesh’s pharmaceutical sector, especially in the context of regulatory uniformity and global competitiveness.

2. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) – Governance

Why in News?

As of September 2025, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have sanctioned over 5.79 lakh loan applications worth ₹10,907 crore under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, indicating strong public participation and financial support for rooftop solar adoption.

Overview of the Scheme

• Launched: 15 February 2024

• Aim: To provide free electricity to households through the installation of rooftop solar panels.

• Focus: Enhance household-level renewable energy generation and reduce power bills.

Key Objectives

• Promote clean and sustainable energy at the domestic level.

• Reduce dependence on grid electricity for households.

• Support India’s commitment to renewable energy and reduce carbon footprint.

• Encourage community-level participation in energy transition.

Subsidy Structure

• 60% subsidy for systems up to 2 kW.

• 40% subsidy for systems between 2 kW and 3 kW.

• Subsidy cap: Based on unit size; exact limit set by implementing agencies.

Model Solar Villages

• Each district will develop a Model Solar Village to showcase solar adoption.

• Aims to create demonstration hubs for replication across rural and semi-urban areas.

Incentives for Local Bodies

• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) will receive ₹1,000 per rooftop solar installation within their jurisdiction.

• Encourages grassroots engagement and administrative support for wider adoption.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be an Indian citizen.

• Household must:

  • Own a house with a suitable roof.

  • Have a valid electricity connection.

  • Not have received any prior solar subsidy.

Implementation Framework

• National Level: Implemented by the National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA).

• State Level: Executed by State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) – primarily the Distribution Companies (DISCOMs).

• DISCOMs’ Role:

  • Facilitate net metering.

  • Ensure timely inspections and commissioning.

  • Receive performance-based incentives for added rooftop capacity beyond baseline.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, what is the subsidy offered for solar systems up to 2 kW capacity?
A. 100%
B. 80%
C. 60%
D. 40%
Answer: C. 60%

2. Which of the following entities is primarily responsible for implementing the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana at the state level?
A. Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
B. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
C. Distribution Companies (DISCOMs)
D. Renewable Energy Development Authorities
Answer: C. Distribution Companies (DISCOMs)

Mains

1. Discuss the significance of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in promoting inclusive renewable energy access and grassroots-level climate action in India.

2. How does the implementation mechanism of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana reflect the principles of cooperative federalism and decentralized governance?

3. Supreme Court Upholds Property Inheritance Rights for Gond Tribal Women – Polity

Why in News?

On July 17, 2025, the Supreme Court of India upheld the right of women from the Gond Scheduled Tribe to inherit ancestral property, even in the absence of explicit tribal customs permitting such inheritance—marking a significant step for gender justice and tribal rights.

Background of the Case

• Gond women filed a claim to inherit their maternal grandfather’s ancestral property.

• Lower courts rejected the claim, citing the lack of tribal custom allowing inheritance by women.

• The women were asked to prove that such a custom existed, placing the burden of proof on them.

Supreme Court’s Key Observations

• A Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Joymalya Bagchi ruled in favour of the women.

• Held that constitutional principles of equality override discriminatory customary practices, unless such customs are proven, valid, and reasonable.

• Burden of proof lies on the party claiming exclusion, not the one asserting equality.

• Highlighted the need for judicial decisions to be grounded in justice, equity, and good conscience.

Legal & Constitutional Context

Hindu Succession Act, 1956 – Section 2(2):

• Excludes Scheduled Tribes unless the Act is specifically extended to them.

• In this case, no specific notification exists to exclude Gond women.

Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005:

• Cited to reflect the legislative intent for gender equality in inheritance, though not directly applicable here.

Constitutional Provisions Invoked

Conflict Between Constitution & Customary Law

• Tribal communities enjoy a degree of autonomy under Fifth and Sixth Schedules.

• However, customary laws must not override fundamental rights.

• The Court emphasized that constitutional morality and gender justice must prevail when customs are unproven or discriminatory.

Precedent and Judicial Shift

• Diverged from Madhu Kishwar v. State of Bihar (1996), which upheld male-only inheritance based on tribal customs.

• The 2025 ruling is a progressive shift, asserting that unverified or unjust customs cannot override constitutional guarantees.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution was cited in the 2025 Supreme Court judgment upholding inheritance rights for Gond tribal women?
A. Article 19
B. Article 29
C. Article 14
D. Article 370
Answer: C. Article 14

2. The 2025 Supreme Court ruling diverged from which earlier case that upheld male-only inheritance among Scheduled Tribes?
A. Shah Bano Case
B. Kesavananda Bharati Case
C. Madhu Kishwar v. State of Bihar
D. Olga Tellis Case
Answer: C. Madhu Kishwar v. State of Bihar

Mains

1. Discuss the significance of the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling on property inheritance rights for Gond tribal women. How does it reconcile constitutional equality with tribal autonomy?

2. Do you think customary laws should override fundamental rights in matters related to personal laws among Scheduled Tribes? Critically evaluate with reference to recent judicial developments.

4. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary – Environment

Why in News?

In March 2025, nearly 100 wild boars were found dead in the Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary. Postmortem reports indicate the likely cause was toxic industrial waste contamination in Nangal Lake, raising concerns over environmental safety and wildlife health.

Location and Background

• Situated in the Rupnagar district of Punjab, in the foothills of the Shivalik range.

• Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 2009.

• Designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2019, recognizing its global ecological significance.

Nangal Lake & Bhakra-Nangal Project

• Nangal Lake is a man-made reservoir, formed as part of the Bhakra-Nangal hydropower project (commissioned in 1961).

• The sanctuary lies within the larger Nangal Wetland system.

• Nangal Wetland is one of the most important freshwater wetlands in northwestern India.

Ecological Significance

• Supports over 150 bird species, including migratory and resident birds.

• Hosts threatened species such as:

  • Indian pangolin

  • Egyptian vulture

  • Leopard

• Serves as an important migratory stopover for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species.

Historical Importance

• The site gained diplomatic importance in 1954, when Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese PM Zhou Enlai announced the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel) at Nangal.

Current Environmental Challenge

• The mass death of wild boars suggests severe water pollution, likely due to toxic industrial effluents entering Nangal Lake.

• Raises alarm over:

  • Pollution control lapses

  • Weak implementation of environmental regulations

  • Lack of ecological monitoring in protected areas

Conservation Implications

• Incident highlights the conflict between industrial activity and ecological protection.

• Reinforces the need for:

  • Stronger pollution regulation near wetlands

  • Regular monitoring of water quality and wildlife health

  • Coordinated action between Pollution Control Boards, Forest Departments, and Local Industries

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which of the following states?
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Punjab
C. Haryana
D. Uttarakhand
Answer: B. Punjab

2. Which of the following statements about Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary is correct?
A. It is a natural lake formed in the Himalayan foothills.
B. It was designated a Ramsar site in 2009.
C. It is part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project and supports migratory birds.
D. It is located in the Great Himalayan National Park.
Answer: C. It is part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project and supports migratory birds.

Mains

1. The Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary incident highlights the threat posed by industrial pollution to wetland ecosystems. Discuss the ecological importance of wetlands and suggest measures to strengthen their protection.

2. How can India reconcile its developmental priorities with environmental protection in ecologically sensitive zones like Ramsar wetlands? Use recent examples to support your answer.

5. India–UK Ties Rebooted: Keir Starmer’s Visit and the Vision 2035 Roadmap – International Relations 

Why in News?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited India on October 8–9, 2025, in his first official bilateral tour, marking a key moment in India–UK strategic relations. This visit reciprocates PM Modi’s earlier visit to the UK and strengthens momentum toward a deeper, future-oriented partnership.

Significance of the Visit

• Occurs amidst global geopolitical realignments, post-Brexit economic recalibration, and new trade challenges (e.g., US tariffs, EU CBAM).

• Aims to reset ties and implement a “Vision 2035” roadmap for long-term cooperation.

Key Agreements and Initiatives

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

• A proposed free trade agreement aimed at:

  • Enhancing bilateral trade to £90 billion ($120 billion) by 2030.

  • Increasing annual trade by £25.5 billion.

• Key focus sectors:

  • Textiles, engineering goods, chemicals from India

  • Boosts to UK services, education, and finance industries

Vision 2035 Roadmap

• A long-term strategic framework covering:

  • Trade & Investment

  • Defence & Security

  • Science & Technology

  • Climate Change & Sustainability

  • Education & Mobility

Strategic and Geopolitical Cooperation

• Defence Ties:

  • Joint military exercise: Konkan 2025 (naval cooperation)

  • Focus on co-production and co-development in defense manufacturing

  • Enhanced defense consultations and technology partnerships

• Multilateral Collaborations:

  • One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG): Joint work on global solar energy networks

  • Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Promoting resilient infrastructure in climate-vulnerable nations

• Technology & Innovation:

  • Collaboration on fintech innovations

  • Active participation in the 6th Global Fintech Fest, Mumbai

Trade and Economic Relevance

• India–UK CETA could diversify India’s export markets amid:

  • US tariff hikes

  • EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• Aims to promote inclusive growth, investment flows, and supply chain resilience

Education & People-to-People Ties

• Enhanced student and professional mobility

• Focus on mutual recognition of qualifications

• UK to support Indian students in STEM and higher education sectors

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. The “Vision 2035 Roadmap,” recently in the news, is related to India’s bilateral engagement with which of the following countries?
A. France
B. United Kingdom
C. Japan
D. United States
Answer: B. United Kingdom

2. Which of the following joint military exercises is held between India and the United Kingdom?
A. Indra
B. Garuda
C. Konkan
D. Malabar
Answer: C. Konkan

Mains

1. Critically examine the strategic importance of the India–UK Vision 2035 roadmap in the context of changing global trade and geopolitical dynamics.

2. How does the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the UK complement India’s broader economic and strategic interests?

6. Indian Capital Must Refocus on Domestic Investment – Economy

Why in News?

Experts are urging Indian private capital to redirect focus towards domestic investments, emphasizing the need for self-reliant and inclusive economic growth in the face of global uncertainties, disrupted supply chains, and geopolitical tensions.

Current Investment Trends

• Public investment has grown rapidly:

  • From ₹3.4 lakh crore (FY20) to ₹10.2 lakh crore (FY25).

  • Growth rate: 25% annually.

• Private investment, in contrast, has stagnated:

  • Remains around 22–23% of GDP, despite robust corporate profits.

Why Refocus on Domestic Investment?

1. Reviving Internal Demand

• Real wages have stagnated, despite high corporate profits.

• Weak wage growth → low household consumption.

• Stronger domestic demand is essential for sustainable GDP growth.

2. Job Creation and Inclusive Growth

• Domestic investments, especially in labour-intensive sectors, are crucial for generating employment at scale.

• Supports regional development and reduces economic disparity.

3. Boosting Innovation and Competitiveness

• India’s R&D spending is just 0.64% of GDP, far below:

  • 2–3% in developed countries like the US, Japan, South Korea.

• Private sector participation in R&D is essential for long-term competitiveness in:

  • Digital economy

  • Green technologies

  • Advanced manufacturing

4. Utilizing Favourable Policy Conditions

• Reforms and incentives supporting domestic investment:

  • Reduced corporate tax rate (22%)

  • PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes

  • Startup ecosystem and ease of doing business reforms

🧭 Policy and Governance Implications (GS3 Context)

Challenges Hindering Private Investment

• High risk aversion in uncertain global climate

• Focus on financial assets over productive investment

• Supply chain uncertainties and lack of skilled labour in certain sectors

• Credit access issues for MSMEs and new industries

Way Forward

• Incentivize domestic reinvestment in productive sectors.

• Link corporate incentives to employment and wage growth.

• Encourage private participation in R&D, innovation hubs, and rural industrialization.

• Align capital flows with national development priorities to ensure economic resilience.

Exam Connect – Possible Questions

Prelims

1. What is the approximate percentage of GDP currently attributed to private investment in India?
A. 15–16%
B. 18–19%
C. 22–23%
D. 25–26%
Answer: C. 22–23%

2. Which of the following best explains the need for increased private investment in R&D in India?
A. To meet WTO obligations
B. To reduce inflation
C. To enhance global competitiveness and innovation
D. To control fiscal deficit
Answer: C. To enhance global competitiveness and innovation

Mains

1. In the context of India’s economic goals, analyze the importance of redirecting private capital toward domestic investment. What policy measures are needed to facilitate this shift?

2. Stagnant private investment alongside rising public investment presents both challenges and opportunities. Discuss the implications for inclusive growth and innovation in India.