Explore the Daily Current Affairs 28 September 2025, relevant for UPSC exam. Download quick REVISION NOTES.
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 1)
Stampede and Crowd crush
Context: A stampede occurred during a political rally held by actor‑turned‑politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu.
| Stampede | Crowd Crush |
|---|---|
| A stampede is a sudden, uncoordinated movement of a large crowd, typically caused by panic or excitement leading to injuries or deaths due to trampling. | A crowd crush occurs when density becomes too high (above 6–7 people/m²) and people are unable to move or breathe leading to suffocation. |
IMPACTS (GS3 – Disaster Management / GS2 – Governance):
➤ Social
- Mass casualties, especially women, elderly, and children
- Trauma among survivors
- Public outrage and loss of trust
➤ Economic
- Cost of compensation, rescue, emergency care
- Damage to infrastructure
- Litigation costs
➤ Political/Administrative
- Erosion of public trust in leadership
- Politicization of tragedy
- Demand for accountability
RECENT EXAMPLES (Use as Case Studies in GS2/GS3 or Essay):
| Year | Incident | Notes |
| 2025 | Karur, Tamil Nadu (Actor Vijay rally) | Crowd surged before speech; poor crowd control |
| 2022 | South Korea, Itaewon Halloween Crush | Narrow lanes, no crowd control |
| 2015 | Hajj, Mina (Saudi Arabia) | One of the deadliest |
| 2008 | Naina Devi Temple (Himachal Pradesh) | Rumor induced panic |
NDMA Guidelines on Crowd Management (2014):
- Site selection and layout plan
- Maximum crowd capacity estimation
- Risk categorization of event
- Emergency response plan
- Real-time monitoring (CCTV, drones)
- Medical aid & fire safety
Mains practice Question:
Q1. “Mass political gatherings are a democratic right, but when mismanaged, they become a threat to public safety.” Discuss in the context of the recent Karur stampede incident.
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 7)
UN Reforms
Why Are UN Reforms Important?
The United Nations, established in 1945, was meant to ensure global peace, security, cooperation, and development. However, the world has changed drastically since then:
- Rise of developing economies like India, Brazil, South Africa.
- New threats: terrorism, climate change, cyber warfare, pandemics.
- Global order is now multipolar, not West-dominated.
What Is the Problem with the UNSC?
| Issue | Explanation |
| Representation Deficit | No permanent seat for Africa, Latin America, or India |
| Veto Inequality | P5 (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) can block any resolution |
| Gridlock | Inaction in crises like Ukraine, Syria, Gaza due to P5 veto |
| Colonial Legacy | Reflects WWII power structure, not today’s realities |
| Legitimacy Crisis | Seen as undemocratic, especially by Global South |
India’s Stand on UN Reforms:
India has been a strong advocate for comprehensive reforms, especially of the UNSC – permanent seat in the UNSC with equal rights and responsibilities.
India’s Arguments:
- World’s largest democracy
- Top 5 economy (IMF 2024)
- Major contributor to UN Peacekeeping
- Nuclear power with responsible record
- Founding member of the UN
- Represents 1/6th of humanity
Global Calls for Reform:
- G4 Countries (India, Germany, Brazil, Japan): Demand permanent seats.
- L.69 Group: 42 developing countries pushing for equitable representation.
- African Union: Demands at least two permanent African members.
Mains practice Question:
Essay 1: “Multilateralism in crisis: Reforming the United Nations for a fairer global order.”
Malaria
Context: A large trial called BOHEMIA tested mass drug administration of ivermectin in high malaria burden regions Kenya, Africa.
What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Malaria burden:
As per WHO findings:
- India contributed 1.7% of malaria cases and 1.2% deaths globally.
- India marked 80.5% reduction in malaria cases and 78.3% reduction in deaths between 2015 and 2023.
India’s Commitment and National Goals:
- National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India (2016–2030)
- National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023–2027) – aligns with the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030.
| WHO Initiative | Detail |
| Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030 | Target: Reduce incidence & mortality by 90% by 2030 |
| E-2025 Initiative | 25 countries (including India) supported for malaria elimination by 2025 |
| World Malaria Report | Annual WHO report monitoring global trends |
Mains practice Question:
Q2. Discuss the role of new technologies and scientific innovations, like vaccines and drug-based transmission control, in malaria elimination.
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 11)
Microplastics
Context: As per recent study, Indus River Dolphins (2025), found with hundreds of microplastics in their gut.
Definition: Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 mm in size. They originate from the breakdown of larger plastic waste or are manufactured directly for commercial use.
Classification:
| Type | Description | Examples |
| Primary microplastics | Intentionally made small | Microbeads in cosmetics, industrial abrasives, plastic pellets |
| Secondary microplastics | Result from breakdown of larger plastic items | Fibres from clothes, fragments from bottles, fishing nets |
Scientific Studies (for UPSC Mains):
- 2025 Indus River Dolphin Study: Dolphins found with 180–429 microplastic particles in their gut. Risk classified as high.
- Plastics in Arctic snow & Antarctic ice: Indicates global dispersion.
- Microplastics in human blood, lungs, and placenta: First evidence seen in 2021–22.
Environmental Impacts
| Ecosystem | Impact |
| Marine | Ingested by fish, turtles, seabirds → gut blockage, starvation, death |
| Freshwater | Seen in river dolphins, fish → bioaccumulation |
| Soil | Changes in microbial activity, reduced fertility |
| Air | Microplastics found in urban dust and air → inhaled by humans and animals |
India’s action plan:
| Action | Description |
| Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (Amended 2022) | Bans on single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility (EPR) |
| Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 | Focus on solid and plastic waste segregation |
| Project Dolphin | Could integrate microplastic risk monitoring for river dolphins |
| National River Conservation Programme | Indirect linkage through water quality |
| Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) | Studies on microplastic pollution in rivers (e.g., Yamuna, Ganga) |
Global Initiatives:
| Initiative | Description |
| UNEP Clean Seas Campaign | Aims to eliminate marine litter & microplastics |
| Basel Convention (Plastic Amendments) | Regulates transboundary movement of plastic waste |
| EU Microbeads Ban (2018) | Bans use in cosmetics |
| UN Treaty on Plastics (under negotiation) | Legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040 |
| G20 Osaka Blue Ocean Vision | Reduce marine plastic litter to zero by 2050 |
Mains practice Question:
Q3. Microplastic pollution poses a growing threat to biodiversity. Suggest regulatory and technological measures to control its spread. (GS3 – Science & Environment)