Daily PIB Highlights – 26th & 27th SEPTEMBER 2025

Topic 1: President Presents National Geoscience Awards 2024

GS Paper 3: Economy, Environment | GS Paper 2: Governance

Context: The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the National Geoscience Awards 2024 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on 26 September 2025, recognising outstanding contributions in the field of geoscience.

Key Highlights

• • Minerals have shaped human progress through the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages.
  • While mining fuels economic growth and jobs, it also causes displacement, deforestation, and pollution, necessitating strict compliance and sustainable mine closure practices.
  • India must responsibly tap oceanic resources with minimal harm to marine biodiversity.
  • Ensure sustainable practices, value addition, and minimal wastage in mineral utilisation.
  • The Ministry of Mines adopting AI, machine learning, drone surveys, and promoting recovery of valuable elements from mine tailings.
  • Backbone of EVs, smartphones, defence, and clean energy.
  • Developing indigenous refining technologies is essential for REE self-reliance, national security, and the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

Strategic Significance

• • Reinforces the strategic role of geosciences in resource security, innovation, and sustainability.
  • Self-reliant REE production strengthens India’s technological sovereignty, clean energy transition, and economic resilience.

Conclusion:

The awards underscore the dual responsibility of geoscientists—to advance national development while ensuring ecological sustainability.

Topic 2: Prime Minister Launches Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana

GS Paper 2: Governance | GS Paper 3: Economy, Women Empowerment

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana of Bihar through video conferencing to promote women’s self-employment, financial independence, and empowerment.

Key Highlights

• • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): ₹10,000 each to 75 lakh women, totalling ₹7,500 crore. Coverage expected to reach 1 crore women.
  • Financial Assistance: Seed support of ₹10,000, expandable up to ₹2 lakh based on enterprise success.
  • Livelihood Options: Grocery shops, tailoring, weaving, handicrafts, livestock rearing, agriculture-linked activities, and small enterprises.
  • Training & Support: Community Resource Persons (linked with SHGs) for capacity building. Strengthening of Gramin Haat-Bazaars for local marketing.

Integration with Central Schemes

• • Complements Lakhpati Didi campaign (target 3 crore women; 2 crore achieved).
  • Linked with Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Mudra Yojana, Drone Didi, Bima Sakhi, Bank Didi.
  • Integrated with Bihar’s Jeevika Nidhi Credit Cooperative Society and 11 lakh SHGs.

Social & Economic Impact

• • Expands financial inclusion, women’s dignity, and grassroots entrepreneurship.
  • Improves health security through Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan (4.25 lakh health camps screening women for anemia, BP, diabetes, cancer).
  • Ensures holistic empowerment through PM Awas Yojana (co-ownership), Ayushman Bharat, and Matru Vandana Yojana.

Prime Minister’s Remarks

• • Emphasised: “When women progress, society moves forward.”
  • Noted Bihar’s transformation from lawlessness and poor infrastructure to improved connectivity, safety, and women’s workforce participation.
  • Highlighted recent GST reductions (Sept 2025) on essentials—soap, toothpaste, shampoo, ghee, clothes, stationery—providing relief to households during festivals.

Strategic Significance

• • Represents a Union–State partnership (PM with CM Nitish Kumar) for women-centric governance.
  • Promotes Atmanirbhar Bihar and contributes to the national vision of women-led development.

Conclusion:

The scheme is a landmark in grassroots empowerment, aligning welfare, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion to strengthen women’s role in India’s growth story.

 

Topic 3: Lok Sabha Speaker on Importance of Legislative Drafting

GS Paper 2: Polity & Governance | GS Paper 2: Legislature–Executive–Judiciary Relations

Context: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla inaugurated a training programme on legislative drafting at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Chandigarh, organised by the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) in collaboration with the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. Nearly 400 officials and staff participated in this two-day programme.

Key Highlights

• • Role of Legislative Drafting:
    • Legislative drafting is not merely a technical process but “the very soul of democracy.”
    • Any ambiguity or ‘grey area’ in drafting increases the scope for judicial intervention.
    • Clear, precise, and simple language ensures accountability and minimises unnecessary litigation.
  • Citizen-Centric Laws:
    • Drafting should be simple enough for citizens to understand their rights by reading the law.
    • Better drafting strengthens people’s trust in legislatures and enhances the dignity of democratic institutions.
  • Constitutional Values:
    • Drafting must uphold the principles of the separation of powers among the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
    • Purpose of law: ensure accountability of the executive and provide speedy justice to the people.
  • Democracy and Consensus:
    • Agreement and disagreement are democratic strengths, but strong drafting confines differences to ideology, not language.
    • Prevents confusion and makes parliamentary debates more meaningful.
  • Training Emphasis:
    • Attention to punctuation (commas, full stops, semicolons) is as crucial as language.
    • Programmes like these enhance the capacity of officials and make institutions more transparent, accountable, and people-centric.
  • National Legislative Drafting Programme:
    • Launched in 2023 by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah.
    • Similar workshops held in Gandhinagar, Lucknow, Shimla, Ranchi, Jabalpur, and Patna.

Strategic Significance

• • Strengthens the quality of legislation by making it precise, transparent, and reflective of constitutional values.
  • Reduces judicial burden by minimising scope for interpretational disputes.
  • Empowers officials and legislatures to draft laws aligned with citizens’ aspirations, enhancing trust in democratic governance.

Conclusion:

Legislative drafting, when clear and accessible, ensures justice delivery, reduces judicial intervention, and strengthens democracy by aligning laws with constitutional values and citizen expectations.

Topic 4: “Prayas” – First-of-its-Kind Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre at AIIA Goa

GS Paper 2: Health & Social Justice | GS Paper 3: Science & Technology | GS Paper 2: Governance

Context: The Ministry of Ayush inaugurated “Prayas”, an Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, on the occasion of the 10th Ayurveda Day. The centre was inaugurated by Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush & MoS Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, in the presence of Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and senior officials.

Key Highlights

• • Integrative Care Model:
    • First-of-its-kind multi-disciplinary centre combining Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, Yoga, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Modern Paediatrics.
    • Special focus on children with neurological and developmental conditions.
  • Holistic Rehabilitation Approach:
    • Aims to provide not just treatment but also improved quality of life and hope for patients and families.
    • Offers evidence-based integrative solutions to complex paediatric neuro-care challenges.
  • Leadership Remarks:
    • Shri Prataprao Jadhav: “Prayas is a model of integrative rehabilitation, synergising traditional wisdom with modern medicine.”
    • Shri Shripad Yesso Naik: Centre provides “new hope for countless families navigating health challenges.”
    • Prof. P.K. Prajapati (Director AIIA): Vision to pioneer Ayush–modern medicine integration with strong research orientation.
    • Prof. Sujata Kadam (Dean, AIIA Goa): Centre will also focus on training, research, and innovation in Ayush-based paediatric neuro care.
  • Institutional Support:
    • Developed under the Ministry of Ayush.
    • Faculty of Kaumarbhritya (Paediatrics) Department involved in execution and delivery.

Strategic Significance

• • Reinforces Ayush integration with modern healthcare, aligning with National Health Policy.
  • Establishes a benchmark for holistic paediatric rehabilitation blending traditional and modern sciences.
  • Positions AIIA Goa as a centre of excellence in integrative neuro-care and innovation.
  • Strengthens India’s global image as a leader in evidence-based integrative medicine.

 

Topic 5: India Hosts World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi

GS Paper 2: Social Justice | GS Paper 2: International Relations | GS Paper 3: Sports Development

Context: India is hosting the 12th World Para Athletics Championships 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, from 27th September – 5th October. This is the first time the event is being held in India, featuring more than 1,000 athletes from over 100 nations competing across 186 medal events.

Key Highlights

• • India’s Rising Para-Sport Profile:
    • India’s medal tally has risen from 2 silvers (Doha 2015) → 9 medals (Dubai 2019) → 17 medals, including 6 gold (Kobe 2024).
    • At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, India won 84 medals, including 17 in para-athletics.
    • Para-athletics is India’s strongest para-sport, with 8 Paralympic gold medals to date.
  • Athletes to Watch:
    • Sumit (javelin), Preeti Pal (sprints), Praveen Kumar (high jump), Dharambir (club throw), Navdeep (javelin).
    • Over 70 Indian athletes are competing in Delhi 2025, aiming for a record performance on home soil.
  • Infrastructure & Accessibility:
    • Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium upgraded with a new MONDO track and athlete-friendly facilities.
    • Symbol of inclusion and accessibility, ensuring global-standard competition for para-athletes.
  • Global Significance:
    • The Championships are the biggest competition for para-athletes after the Paralympics.
    • Broadcast live by Prasar Bharati (DD Sports) and digitally on the Waves app.
  • Historical Context of Para Athletics:
    • Originated in the Stoke Mandeville Games (1950s) for WWII veterans.
    • First Paralympic inclusion: 1960 Rome Games (25 medal events).
    • Expanded steadily to include wheelchair racing, visually impaired, amputees, cerebral palsy categories, and marathon (1984).
    • Today governed by World Para Athletics (IPC, Bonn) with participation from 150+ countries.
  • Delhi 2025 Programme:
    • 186 medal events: 101 men, 84 women, 1 mixed relay.
    • Morning & evening sessions with finals every day, spanning sprints, relays, distance races, jumps, throws, and mixed relay.

Strategic Significance

• • Strengthens India’s reputation as a global sporting destination.
  • Advances the agenda of inclusion and accessibility in sports, aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047.
  • Encourages mass awareness and support for para-athletes, creating role models who inspire beyond sport.
  • Positions India as a leader in para-sport development within Asia and the Global South.

Conclusion:

Hosting the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 is not just a sporting milestone but a symbol of inclusivity and resilience. It cements India’s place on the global para-sport map, inspiring hope, pride, and a more inclusive sporting future.

 

Topic 6: India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves

GS Paper 3: Environment & Ecology | GS Paper 2: Governance

Context: During the 37th Session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council – Man and the Biosphere (MAB), held on 27th September 2025, India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). With this, India now has 13 sites listed under UNESCO WNBR, showcasing its commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Key Highlights:

• • The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is known for its fragile high-altitude ecosystems, unique cold-arid biodiversity, and indigenous community-led conservation practices.
  • This inclusion reflects recognition of India’s model of combining ecological preservation with community livelihoods.
  • The announcement came soon after India expanded its network of internationally recognised wetlands with two new Ramsar Sites in Bihar:
    • Gokul Jalashay (448 ha, Buxar district)
    • Udaipur Jheel (319 ha, West Champaran district)
  • With these additions, India now has 93 Ramsar Sites covering 13.6 lakh hectares, reinforcing its commitment to wetlands conservation.

Strategic Significance:

• • Strengthens India’s global environmental leadership under UNESCO and Ramsar frameworks.
  • Protects fragile Himalayan ecosystems, contributing to climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, and water security.
  • Advances community-centric conservation, ensuring that local populations benefit through eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and traditional livelihood practices.
  • Enhances India’s ability to meet international biodiversity and climate commitments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Reinforces Prime Minister’s vision of ecological preservation as a pillar of Viksit Bharat @2047.

 

Topic 7: Fourth Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2025) – “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times”

GS Paper 3: Economy | GS Paper 2: Governance & International Relations

Context: The Fourth Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2025), organised by the Ministry of Finance in partnership with the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), will be held in New Delhi from 3rd–5th October 2025. Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the conclave, while External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will deliver the valedictory address on India’s foreign and economic policy.

Key Highlights:

• • Theme: “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times” – reflects India’s growth aspirations amid global uncertainty and shifting geopolitics.
  • High-Level Sessions:
    • Opening address by Finance Minister; closing reflections by External Affairs Minister.
    • Plenary on global macroeconomic prudence, chaired by Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM.
    • Communications & Emerging Technologies session led by Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, with experts on AI and digital infrastructure.
    • Special dialogue: Jean-Claude Trichet (Banque de France) with Shri Sanjay Malhotra (RBI Governor) on central banking challenges.
  • International Participation: 75 delegates from over 30 countries, including leaders such as Mari Elka Pangestu (Indonesia), Taro Kono (Japan), Bai Chong-En (China), Lord Karan Bilimoria (UK), Andres Velasco (LSE), Lord Nick Stern (LSE), and Jean-Pierre Landau (France).
  • Legal & Governance Focus: Session chaired by Shri Shaktikanta Das with Larry Kramer (LSE) and Harish Salve on legal reforms to strengthen growth and rule of law.
  • Other Themes: Asia’s rise as a growth hub, BRICS architecture, industrial policy, universal healthcare, youth employment, urbanisation, trade, and risks of emerging technologies.
  • Format: By-invitation conclave with interactive panels, networking, and cross-border dialogue.

Strategic Significance:

• • Positions India as a thought leader in global economic discourse, linking domestic reforms with international cooperation.
  • Reinforces India’s role in shaping debates on financial stability, central banking, and legal-institutional reforms.
  • Supports India’s long-term vision of inclusive growth, resilient governance, and technological leadership.
  • Builds continuity with past themes: “Redefining the Future” (2022), “Navigating a World on Fire” (2023), “The Indian Era” (2024) – showing India’s proactive adaptation to evolving global challenges.
  • Strengthens the Ministry of Finance–IEG partnership in creating a premier intellectual space for policy exchange.

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