Explore the Daily Current Affairs 29 September 2025, relevant for UPSC exam. Download quick REVISION NOTES.
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 6)
Artificial Intelligence
Context: AI may be accelerating productivity, but it is not yet delivering broad-based prosperity, thus demonstrating the 19th-century phenomenon called the Engels’ Pause.
What is the Engel’s Pause?
Engels’ Pause refers to a period in 19th century Britain when industrial output surged but real wages and living standards stagnated. This period saw rising inequality and worker discontent despite technological progress.
Challenges of AI:
| Area | Issues |
| Employment | Job losses in routine tasks, skill mismatch (e.g., “Engels’ Pause”) |
| Ethics | Bias in AI models, data privacy concerns |
| Security | Deepfakes, AI-driven cyber attacks |
| Digital Divide | Disproportionate access to AI tools and training |
| Regulation | No comprehensive AI law in India yet |
Initiatives:
- “National Strategy for AI” by NITI Aayog
Key sectors:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Education
- Smart mobility
- Smart cities
2. Responsible AI (AI with ethics and transparency)
3. IndiaAI: New AI Mission to promote innovation & infrastructure
4. Bhashini: NLP initiative for Indian languages
UPSC Takeaways:
- Use “Engels’ Pause” to explain tech-led inequality
- Important for GS3 answers on AI, automation, job losses
- Shows why economic growth ≠ equitable growth
Mains practice Question:
Q1. Artificial Intelligence holds transformative potential for India’s development, yet it risks widening socio-economic inequalities. Discuss the role of public policy in balancing innovation with inclusion. (250 words)
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 6)
Food wastage
Context: As per FAO data, 1/3 of food produced globally is lost or wasted every year. India, as a major food producer, faces huge post-harvest losses.
Key Highlights for Prelims and Mains:
- Post-harvest losses cost India approx ₹1.5 trillion annually (3.7% of agricultural GDP).
- India’s losses translate into millions of tonnes of food lost annually, affecting farmer incomes, food availability, sustainability, and climate targets.
- FAO & NIFTEM study: losses from 30 crops/livestock emit 33 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent annually.
Way Forward:
- Strengthening cold chains (pre-cooling, refrigerated transport, modern storage) especially for perishables.
- Use of affordable tech: solar cold storage, moisture-proof silos, cooling chambers.
- Digital innovations like IoT sensors, AI forecasting, FAO Food Loss App (FLAPP) help track and reduce losses.
- Circular economy approaches: surplus food to food banks/community kitchens; waste to compost, bioenergy.
- Need for policy support: subsidies, credit guarantees, loans.
Mains practice Question:
Q2. How can India leverage the circular economy model to address food loss and waste? Illustrate with examples.
Global South
What is Global South?
The term Global South refers to countries that are considered developing or underdeveloped, primarily located in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. It contrasts with the Global North, which includes developed, industrialized countries mostly in North America, Europe, and parts of East Asia.
Why is the Global South Important?
- Economic and Demographic Weight:
- Over 80% of the world’s population resides in the Global South.
- Rapid economic growth in some Global South countries (India, Brazil, South Africa, etc.) is reshaping global trade and geopolitics.
2. Shared Development Challenges:
- Food security, poverty alleviation, health crises, education, infrastructure deficits.
- Vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation.
3. Global Governance and Diplomacy:
- The Global South often unites to demand fairer international economic and political systems (trade justice, climate finance, reform of global institutions like the UN Security Council).
- Many Global South countries were founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), emphasizing independence from Cold War power blocs.
India and the Global South:
- India positions itself as a leader of the Global South, advocating for their collective interests at global platforms like the UN, WTO, BRICS, G20, etc.
- India’s foreign policy emphasizes South-South cooperation, providing development assistance, technical expertise, and capacity building to fellow developing countries.
Mains practice Question:
Q3. Examine India’s role as a leader of the Global South and its impact on India’s foreign policy and global standing.
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 11)
Naxalism in India
Definition: Naxalism refers to the armed insurgency by Maoist groups inspired by the ideology of communism, aiming to overthrow the government through a “people’s war” led by peasants and tribal populations.
Root causes:
- Landlessness, exploitation of marginalized tribal and rural poor, caste discrimination, and lack of basic amenities.
- Poor implementation of land reforms and neglect of tribal rights.
Current Status:
- The CPI (Maoist) is the largest Naxalite group today.
- Main regions affected: Red Corridor stretching from Odisha and Jharkhand through Chhattisgarh to Telangana and Maharashtra.
Mains practice Question:
Q4. Naxalism continues to pose a serious challenge to India’s internal security despite sustained counter-insurgency efforts. Discuss the root causes of Naxalism and suggest measures to effectively address them.
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 18.2)
Maize Crop
Context: Recent scientific research highlights that clustering or planting maize plants close together can improve their resistance to insect pests.
Highlights:
- Maize is a globally significant crop as it is staple food, animal feed, biofuel source, and raw material for various industries.
- Challenges: Maize faces increased pest and disease pressure, worsened by climate change (rising temperatures, unpredictable weather).
- Global maize productivity is projected to decline by up to 24% by the late 21st century under high-emission scenarios.
Recent scientific discovery:
When maize plants in dense clusters are attacked by insects, they release linalool which acts as a warning signal to neighboring plants. This triggers a defensive system. Therefore, Maize plants grown in close proximity suffer less insect damage.
Mains practice Question:
Q5. How can advances in plant genetics and molecular biology help India address the challenges of pest resistance and climate change in agriculture?