September 25, 2025

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  2. Daily GK Current Affairs
  3. September
  4. September 25, 2025

Quick Overview

India is advancing its clean energy goals with a roadmap for fusion power, led by the planned SST-Bharat reactor, while continuing to contribute to the global ITER project. However, high costs and long timelines remain challenges. On the climate front, the Production Gap Report 2025 exposes a global mismatch between fossil fuel expansion and Paris Agreement goals, with India caught between coal reliance and green transition under its GRIDS strategy. Meanwhile, India’s tea industry, though globally significant, faces threats from climate change, stagnant prices, and global competition, pushing the need for premium exports and small-grower empowerment. In governance, the debate over criminal defamation laws highlights tensions between protecting reputation and ensuring free speech, with calls for reform through civil remedies and anti-misuse safeguards. Additionally, India has hosted the ISA deep-sea meeting, cleared the Oju Hydel Project, and advanced projects worth USD 205 billion via PRAGATI.

Science & Technology

India’s Roadmap for Fusion Power

Why in News?
Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, have proposed a roadmap for India’s fusion power development, with plans for the Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat) reactor. This marks a crucial step in India’s clean energy ambitions.

What is Fusion?

  • Fusion is the process of combining two light nuclei (like hydrogen isotopes) into a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy.

  • Conditions: Extremely high temperatures (100 million °C), pressure, and plasma state.

  • Reactor Type: Tokamaks confine plasma using strong magnetic fields.

  • Advantage: Unlike fission, fusion produces minimal radioactive waste.

India’s Fusion Path:

  • Current system: SST-1 at Gandhinagar (experimental, not for power).

  • Global link: India is part of ITER (France), the world’s largest fusion experiment.

  • Vision: Build SST-Bharat – a 130 MW hybrid reactor (Q=5), moving to a 250 MW demonstration reactor by 2060 (Q=20).

Challenges:

  • High costs, long timelines, limited private involvement, and competition with faster-moving countries like the US and China.

Way Forward:

  • Long-term funding, global partnerships, and using fusion R&D to boost advances in superconductors, AI, defense, and space technologies.

👉 Fusion power is often described as the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy – but for India, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Environment & Climate

Production Gap Report 2025

Why in News?
The Production Gap Report 2025, released by SEI, IISD, and UN-backed institutions, reveals that countries plan to produce far more fossil fuels than allowed under the Paris Agreement targets.

Key Findings:

  • Global coal production by 2030 is projected to be 500% higher than the 1.5°C pathway permits.

  • Planned fossil fuel production by 2030 will exceed climate limits by 120% (1.5°C) and 77% (2°C).

  • India: Actively expanding coal gasification and subsidies, while aiming to increase natural gas’s share to 15% by 2030.

India’s Balancing Act – GRIDS Strategy:

  • Grid modernization (storage, green corridors)

  • Reskilling coal workers

  • Increase efficiency (PAT Scheme)

  • Develop natural gas as a bridge fuel

  • Sustainability through integrated policy (carbon pricing, subsidies reform)

👉 The report highlights the global contradiction between climate commitments and fossil fuel dependence.

Economy & Agriculture

India’s Tea Industry – A Brewing Challenge

Why in News?
The International Tea Committee highlights India’s potential to become a global tea superpower. However, climate shocks and stagnant prices threaten the industry’s future.

Current Status:

  • 2nd largest producer & consumer; 3rd largest exporter.

  • Major states: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala.

  • Exports: Over 25 countries; 96% black tea.

Challenges:

  • Climate impact: Heatwaves and floods cut production by 30% in 2024.

  • Stagnant prices and rising input costs.

  • Intense global competition from Kenya and others.

Way Forward:

  • Promote GI-tagged specialty teas for higher value.

  • Expand exports to new markets.

  • Empower small growers through FPOs and fair auctions.

  • Boost domestic consumption via flavored & wellness teas.

👉 India’s tea industry must shift focus from quantity to quality to ensure sustainability.

Governance & Law

Debate on Defamation Laws

Why in News?
A Supreme Court judge recently emphasized the need to decriminalize defamation, citing its misuse by politicians and individuals.

Key Points:

  • Defamation Types: Libel (written) and Slander (spoken).

  • Law in India: Sections 499 & 500 IPC (now BNS, 2023).

  • 2016 SC Ruling: Criminal defamation upheld as a “reasonable restriction” on free speech.

Why Reform?

  • Misuse to silence journalists and critics.

  • Overburdens courts.

  • Most democracies treat it as a civil matter, not criminal.

Way Forward:

  • Restrict criminal defamation to public interest cases.

  • Fast-track civil defamation courts.

  • Introduce safeguards against misuse (e.g., anti-SLAPP laws).

👉 Balancing dignity with free expression remains a sensitive democratic challenge.

Rapid Fire Updates

  •  ISA Meeting 2025: India hosted the 8th Annual Contractors’ Meeting of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Goa, reaffirming its lead in deep-sea exploration.

  •  PRAGATI: PM chaired the 49th PRAGATI meet, expediting projects worth USD 205 billion and resolving key citizen grievances.

  • Oju Hydel Project: India granted clearance for the 2,220 MW Oju Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, near the China border, boosting renewable capacity and strategic security.

 

CLAT Relevance Summary 

Science & Technology – Fusion Power

  • Concept of nuclear fusion vs fission (important for GK & legal reasoning passages).

  • India’s participation in ITER (France) → global collaboration.

  • Policy link: energy security + climate goals.

Environment & Climate – Production Gap Report 2025

  • Relates to Paris Agreement (2015), 1.5°C and 2°C targets.

  • Highlights India’s coal dependence vs clean energy commitments.

  • Key for environmental law, international law, and current affairs.

Economy & Agriculture – Tea Industry

  • India’s rank in production, consumption, exports.

  • Impact of climate change on agriculture (direct CLAT GK).

  • GI tags, FPOs, and export strategies → connect to IPR & trade law.

Governance & Law – Defamation Debate

  • Sections 499 & 500 IPC (now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023).

  • 2016 SC ruling upholding criminal defamation as a reasonable restriction under Article 19(2).

  • Current debate: decriminalization, civil remedies, anti-SLAPP laws → core constitutional law issue.

Rapid Fire Updates

  • ISA meeting (Goa) → India’s role in deep-sea mining & international law (UNCLOS).

  • PRAGATI → governance & e-administration.

  • Oju Hydel Project → renewable energy + strategic importance near China border.

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