Society
Celebration of “Sign Language Day – 2025”:
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- The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) organized a grand event on 23rd September 2025 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, to mark Sign Language Day.
- 23rd September is the International Day of Sign Languages, as declared by the United Nations, with the 2025 theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights” highlighting the significance of sign language for equality and dignity.
- Major focus was on digital learning resources, new initiatives, and innovative approaches to enhance accessibility, awareness, and educational and job opportunities for the Deaf community.
- The event aimed to reinforce sign language as an essential pillar of inclusion and human rights in India.
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International Developments
New START Treaty:
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- It is a bilateral arms control agreement between the United States and Russia aimed at limiting strategic nuclear weapons.
- Signed in 2010 and in force since 2011, the New START mandates both countries to cap deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 each and limits delivery vehicles (missiles, bombers, submarines) to 700 deployed and 800 total.
- The treaty includes strict verification measures, allowing each side up to 18 annual on-site inspections, with detailed data exchanges and notifications on changes to nuclear forces.
- New START does not restrict tactical nuclear weapons or new advanced nuclear systems, which are not covered by its provisions.
- Russia suspended its participation in inspections and data sharing in 2023 but continues to abide by the numerical limits; the U.S. reciprocated by halting some treaty activities.
- The treaty is set to expire in February 2026, with uncertain prospects for renewal due to geopolitical tensions and lack of negotiations for a successor agreement.
- New START succeeded previous arms reduction treaties (START I, START II proposals, SORT/Moscow Treaty) and has played a crucial role in promoting arms control transparency and reducing doctrines of nuclear rivalry.
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Geography & Environment
Super Typhoon Ragasa:
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- It is the strongest tropical cyclone recorded in 2025, causing major impacts across the Philippines, Hong Kong, and southern China.
- Ragasa reached maximum sustained winds of 267 km/h (165 mph) with gusts up to 295 km/h (183 mph), making it a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon, the most powerful storm on earth this year.
- It formed in the Philippine Sea around September 17, rapidly intensified, and made landfall on Panuitan Island, northern Philippines, on September 22 at peak strength.
- After leaving the Philippines, Ragasa moved northwest, threatening southern China, Hong Kong, and Macau, leading to closures of schools, businesses, and the Hong Kong International Airport, with hundreds of flights suspended.
- The storm underwent an eyewall replacement cycle after peak intensity, causing minor weakening but maintaining very high wind speeds and severe rainfall.
- The name “Ragasa” was assigned to this typhoon by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), and it is a Filipino word.
- In the Philippines, the same storm is locally referred to as “Nando,” as designated by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
- Thus, the name “Ragasa” was officially contributed by the Philippines and adopted by Japan’s JMA for international use.
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Biological oxygen demand (BOD):
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- It measures the amount of dissolved oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic matter in a water sample, indicating the level of organic pollution.
- A high BOD value signifies more organic pollution, consuming more dissolved oxygen, which stresses and can lead to the death of aquatic life.
- Common sources of BOD include wastewater, animal manure, and decaying organic materials like leaves.
- A BOD greater than 3 milligrams per litre indicates rising pollution and is considered unfit for bathing.
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Captions and Quotations
Security:
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- “The Indian Navy has transformed from a ‘Buyer’s Navy’ to a ‘Builder’s Navy’, with significant number of warships under construction in Indian shipyards.”
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Polity:
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- “Judges must know what is the task before them and must deliver. This is the legitimate expectation of the public at large,” Justice Kant said.
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- The top court, in Subramanian Swamy versus Union of India, in 2016, had concluded that the criminal defamation law was a “reasonable restriction” to the right to free speech and expression enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
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Facts and Data
Economy:
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- Import substitution through ethanol blending of 20% of petrol can potentially prevent $10 billion of forex outgo every year, which could in turn go into the pockets of Indians including farmers.
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Geography:
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- About 46% of the world’s low-income regions, especially in Africa and Asia may be forced to continue living in coastal areas or move closer to the coast, revealing a large gap in adapting to and addressing risks due to climate change, a study has suggested.
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Places in News
Panuitan Island:
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- It is one of the Babuyan Islands, located in the northern part of the Philippines’ Cagayan Province.
- It is part of a geologically active region with volcanic islands and a unique ecosystem.
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Philippine Sea:
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- It is a massive body of water in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippine archipelago, and is considered the largest sea on Earth by surface area.
- The sea is underlain by the Philippine Sea Plate and features the deepest point, the Philippine Trench, which plunges to depths of over 10,000 meters.
- It is bounded by several island chains and landmasses, including Philippines, Japanese islands (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu), Ryukyu Islands (including Okinawa), Taiwan, and Marianas Islands (including Guam).
- The warm waters of the Philippine Sea are teeming with marine life, making it an important area for various species of fish, coral reefs, and other marine animals.
- The sea was also the location of the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot,” the largest naval battle in history, during World War II.
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PRACTICE MCQ’S
Q1. Consider the following statements about Philippine Sea:
1. The sea is surrounded by island groups such as Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands on western border.
2. The sea is surrounded by island groups such as The Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu on eastern border.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The sea is surrounded by island groups such as Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands on western border.
Statement 2 is correct: The sea is surrounded by island groups such as The Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu on eastern border.
Q2. Consider the following statements about Tropical cyclones:
1. Cyclones need warm ocean waters (at least 80°F or 27°C) to form.
2. They feature a central area of very high atmospheric pressure.
3. The storms rotate counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Cyclones need warm ocean waters (at least 80°F or 27°C) to form.
Statement 2 is incorrect: They feature a central area of very low atmospheric pressure.
Statement 3 is correct: The storms rotate counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Q3. With reference to the Biological oxygen demand, consider the following statements:
1. High BOD signifies high levels of organic pollution.
2. Low BOD indicates cleaner water with less organic waste.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: High BOD signifies high levels of organic pollution.
Statement 2 is correct: Low BOD indicates cleaner water with less organic waste.
Q4. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: New START Treaty is a bilateral arms control agreement between the United States and Russia.
Statement II: It was aimed at banning of strategic nuclear weapons.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not correct
d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correct
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: New START Treaty is a bilateral arms control agreement between the United States and Russia.
Statement 2 is incorrect: It was aimed at limiting strategic nuclear weapons.
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