Daily Current Affairs – 25 September 2025 | Top News

Daily Current Affairs: Key highlights and Insights

Indian Tea Sector

India’s tea sector is in the news after experts highlighted its vast potential to become a tea superpower by focusing on quality, new export markets, and boosting domestic consumption.

Introduction –

• India’s tea sector holds a unique position in the global economy, being one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of tea.
• With tea deeply ingrained in the country’s cultural fabric and economy, the industry plays a vital role in rural livelihoods, exports, and domestic consumption.
• Recent assessments by global experts point toward vast untapped potential, particularly in improving quality standards, exploring emerging markets, and enhancing per capita consumption within India.

The Indian Tea Sector: An Overview –

• India is the second-largest producer and consumer of tea and the third-largest
• Tea cultivation spans across Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, providing employment to over 2 million workers directly and sustaining millions more indirectly.
• Production: In 2024, India produced 303 billion kg of tea, contributing significantly to the global production of 7.074 billion kg.
• Consumption: Domestic consumption stood at 22 billion kg, highlighting India’s centrality in balancing global supply and demand.
• Exports: India exported 255 million kg, valued at nearly $800 million, positioning itself after Kenya, China, and Sri Lanka.

Challenges in the Sector –

• Low realisation per export unit compared to Sri Lanka and Kenya due to quality
• Stagnant domestic per capita consumption of 840 grams per year, compared with Turkey’s 3 kg per year, the highest globally.
• Pressure from climate change, ageing tea bushes, and rising labour costs is affecting

Recent Steps by the Government and Industry –

• Initiatives under the Tea Development Board to modernise tea
• Promotional efforts through the India Tea brand to improve recognition in global
• Incentives for organic and speciality tea production to capture premium

News Summary –

• At the India International Tea Convention in Kochi, experts underscored India’s untapped potential in the global tea trade.
• Focus on Quality: India must improve quality standards to secure better prices in international
• Exploring New Markets: India needs to expand exports beyond traditional buyers to newer markets such as South America and Africa, where demand is rising.
• Domestic Market Potential: Indian consumers are increasingly willing to pay for quality. The participants noted that if per capita consumption rises even to 1 kg annually, India could absorb its entire production domestically.
• Comparative Position: While Kenya exports almost its entire tea output and Sri Lanka earns

$1.4 billion from 245 million kg exports, India earns significantly less despite exporting a higher volume.

• The experts concluded that with its scale, heritage, and growing consumer sophistication, India has all the “ingredients to become a tea superpower.”

Conclusion –

• The Indian tea sector stands at a critical juncture. While it enjoys the advantage of scale and deep-rooted cultural demand, the focus must shift toward quality enhancement, brand positioning, and diversification into new global markets.
• Rising domestic consumer aspirations also present opportunities to boost per capita
• If these challenges are addressed, India has the potential to transform from being a large producer into a true global tea superpower.

France recognises Palestine

At the UN General Assembly, France joined the UK, Canada, Australia, and several European nations in recognising Palestine statehood. Israel strongly criticised the move, calling it a reward for terrorism.

Impact of Palestine Recognition on Gaza War –

• Palestine enjoys wide international recognition, has diplomatic missions, and competes in global
• Yet, it lacks agreed borders, a capital, and full sovereignty due to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

•     Recognition is thus symbolic, signalling moral and political support rather than immediate change on the ground.

• The growing recognition of Palestinian statehood adds diplomatic pressure but has little effect on the Gaza war.
• Israel continues its offensive, with Netanyahu declaring the war will persist regardless of hostage releases.
• While some European states are restricting military exports, the US maintains unconditional support, recently approving $6.4 billion in arms sales.
  • Germany also remains a key supplier, alongside Washington, together accounting for over 90% of Israel’s defence imports.
• Thus, despite international momentum, recognition alone has minimal impact on halting the

The Question of Palestinian Statehood –

• Under the 1933 Montevideo Convention, statehood requires defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and capacity for international relations.
• For Palestine, these pillars remain contested under Israeli

•     Territory —

• Palestinian lands — West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza — are effectively under Israel’s
• Settlement expansion and annexation efforts further erode prospects of territorial

•     Permanent Population —

• The Gaza war has devastated the population, with over 65,000 deaths estimated and widespread famine.
• Such conditions threaten the very survival of Palestinians as a

•     Government —

• The Palestinian Authority (PA) governs limited West Bank areas, while Hamas controls Gaza under blockade.
• Calls for PA reform and Hamas’ disarmament highlight governance challenges, leaving sovereignty curtailed.

•     International Recognition —

• Global recognition strengthens Palestine’s ability to engage diplomatically, even as effective control of land, population, and governance remains compromised.
• Recognition thus primarily boosts Palestine’s lobbying capacity on the world

Israel’s Response to Growing Recognition of Palestine –

• Israel has reacted to increasing global recognition of Palestine by intensifying military action and deepening its occupation.
• After the UK’s recognition, Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that a Palestinian state “will never be established” and claimed credit for blocking it despite international pressure.
• Similar defiance followed the UNGA’s vote for a two-state
• Each escalation on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank strengthens Israel’s control, further diminishing the feasibility of a Palestinian state.

India’s Stand on Palestine –

• India has long supported the Palestinian cause as part of its foreign
• In 1974, India became the first non-Arab state to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
• In 1988, India was among the first to recognise the State of
• In 1996, India opened its Representative Office in Gaza, later moved to Ramallah in

•     Support at Multilateral Fora —

• India has actively supported Palestine at global
• Backed UN resolutions affirming Palestinians’ right to self-determination and urging Israeli compliance with international law.
• Supported Palestine’s status as a UN non-member state and, in 2011, voted for its full membership in UNESCO.

•     Policy Approach —

• India advocates a negotiated Two-State solution, seeking a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel.
  • The Two-State solution refers to establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders.
• It emphasises diplomacy, dialogue, de-escalation, and early resumption of peace

Belem Health Action Plan

The Global Conference on Climate and Health held in Brazil in July 2025 shaped the Belém Health Action Plan which will be launched at COP30. The plan marks a global shift towards placing health at the centre of climate action.

Belém Health Action Plan –

The Belém Health Action Plan aims to become a global reference for strengthening climate- resilient health systems. The draft plan is structured around three main pillars —

• Surveillance and Monitoring: Aims to strengthen health surveillance systems to effectively respond to climate-related threats, such as vector-borne disease outbreaks and mental health impacts from extreme weather events.
• Evidence-Based Policy Strategy: Seeks to accelerate the implementation of proven solutions by fostering cooperation among governments, academic institutions, civil society, and other key actors.
• Innovation and Production: Proposes investments in research and technology to develop solutions tailored to the specific needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Why does the Climate-Health link matter?

Climate change exacerbates malnutrition, heat stress, respiratory ailments and vector-borne diseases. This makes it imperative to frame climate action not as a distant environmental agenda but as an immediate public health priority.

Insights from India’s Welfare Experience –

India’s welfare policies demonstrate how non-health interventions can generate substantial health and climate co-benefits. For example —

• The PM POSHAN scheme has simultaneously improved child nutrition, strengthened education outcomes, promoted agricultural diversification, and built climate-resilient food systems through the use of millets.
• The Swachh Bharat Mission has tackled sanitation, dignity, and public health while mobilising communities through cultural symbolism rooted in Gandhian ideals.
• The MNREGA programme has improved rural livelihoods while restoring degraded ecosystems through water conservation and afforestation works.
• The PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has reduced household air pollution and carbon emissions by providing clean cooking fuel to rural households.

These initiatives demonstrate that intentional, intersectoral action can multiply impacts across health, environment, and development.

From this experience, three insights emerge for integrated climate-health governance —

• Strong political leadership ensures inter-ministerial cooperation and elevates climate action as a public health and empowerment issue rather than a technocratic agenda.
• Community engagement enhances legitimacy when policies are anchored in local culture and participatory structures, as seen in parent–teacher committees under PM POSHAN or mass mobilisation under Swachh Bharat.
• Embedding climate goals within existing delivery systems such as ASHAs, self-help groups and panchayats ensures sustainability without creating parallel structures.

Challenges in Implementation –

Despite these successes, certain barriers persist —

• Administrative silos reduce effectiveness when multiple departments are
• Economic barriers such as high LPG refill costs in PMUY hinder access for poor
• Social and cultural practices limit adoption unless supported by long-term behavioural
• Monitoring remains focused on outputs (E.g., toilets built) rather than real outcomes like improved health.

Way Forward –

To overcome these challenges and build effective climate-health governance, India’s experience points towards a three-pillar framework —

• Strategic Prioritisation: Reframe climate policies as immediate health
• Procedural Integration: Mandate health impact assessments across all climate-relevant
• Participatory Implementation: Mobilise communities around tangible health gains like clean air, safe water, and nutritious food.

Queer Couples’ Rights in India

Under the Income Tax Act, no such tax on gifts is levied on heterosexual couples. No such exemption exists for queer couples, which violates Articles 14 and Article 15 of the Constitution. The case highlights the persistent problem of how to operationalise queer rights recognised in court verdicts and government advisories without a legal framework of relationship recognition.

Who are Queer Couples?

• Queer couples are partners where one or both identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other non-heteronormative identities.
• Such couples do not fall within the conventional legal framework of marriage in India, as the marriage laws (like the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 or Special Marriage Act, 1954) recognise only heterosexual unions.
• They may cohabit, share financial and emotional responsibilities, and live as families, but the state does not currently grant them the same legal status and protections as heterosexual

Evolution of Queer Rights in India –

• Navtej Singh Johar Union of India (2018): The SC decriminalised consensual same-sex relations by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
• Deepika Singh Central Administrative Tribunal (2022): The SC expanded the definition of family beyond marital ties to include non-traditional households. The legal understanding of “family” may include manifestations like queer families as well as single parents.
• Supriya Chakraborty v. Union of India (2023): The SC upheld the validity of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and held that the right to marry is not a fundamental right for queer persons. There is no unqualified fundamental right to marry under the Constitution. But it unanimously recognised that queer persons have the right to relationship, cohabitation, and choice of partner. The SC also directed the Union Government to set up a Cabinet Secretary-led committee to identify entitlements of queer couples in the absence of marriage recognition.

Right To Marry in India —

• As per Article 21 of Indian Constitution, Marriage is an element of the Right to Life. Article 21 guarantees the Right to Marry the person of one’s choice.
• For Queers: The government has already acknowledged the right to love, right to cohabit, right to choose one’s partner, right to one’s sexual orientation as fundamental rights under Article

Policy Measures after the 2023 Verdict –

• The Department of Food and Public Distribution issued an advisory directing states to treat queer partners as members of the same household for ration cards.
• The Department of Financial Services issued an advisory clarifying that queer persons can open joint bank accounts and nominate their partners.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued guidelines prohibiting discrimination in hospitals and allowing queer partners to claim the body of a deceased partner.
• These measures are steps forward, but they remain limited to advisories and face challenges in practical implementation.

Challenges in Realising Queer Rights –

• Even if courts or government issue favourable orders, queer couples require a recognised mechanism to prove that they are in a partnership.
• Departments and authorities lack a uniform way to identify queer couples who should receive
• Without a recognised proof of association, advisories and court verdicts risk remaining ineffective in practice.

The Bombay High Court admitted the petition of the same-sex couple challenging discriminatory taxation of gifts. A favourable ruling could extend equality in tax treatment to queer couples.

However, implementation of such a verdict will still require a credible method to verify who qualifies as a partner in a queer relationship.

The Deed of Familial Association (DoFA) as a Possible Solution –

• In 2023, Justice Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court suggested that the Tamil Nadu government should consider recognising a Deed of Familial Association (DoFA).
• A DoFA would allow queer partners to submit affidavits of their free will to a District Magistrate or other authorised officer to register their association.
• The issuance of a DoFA would give official proof of a queer relationship that could be presented before departments or institutions.
• It could help operationalise court orders, advisories, and government circulars by creating a uniform recognition of queer partnerships.
• Such a mechanism would reduce arbitrariness, help protect rights, and ensure that entitlements already granted are actually accessible.

Super Typhoon Ragasa

The Philippines issued high alerts, halting work and classes, as Super Typhoon Ragasa, which originated over western Pacific Ocean, made its approach toward the northern island of Luzon.

What is Super Typhoon Ragasa?

Super Typhoon Ragasa, locally called “Nando,” is a Category 5 storm with winds of 205 km/h and gusts up to 250 km/h. Originating in the warm western Pacific, it moves across the Luzon Strait toward the Babuyan Islands and southern China.

Super Typhoons (Tropical Cyclones) –

Tropical cyclones are intense, rotating storm systems with a low-pressure centre, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. They are known by different names in different parts of the world —

• Typhoon: In the Northwest Pacific Ocean (affecting East and Southeast Asia).
• Hurricane: In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific
• Cyclone: In the South Pacific and Indian

A Super Typhoon is an extremely intense typhoon, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds exceeding 240 km/h.

How are they named?

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) maintains rotating lists of names for cyclones. National meteorological agencies in affected regions often assign their own local names. For example, the Philippine agency PAGASA gives local names (like “Nando” for Ragasa) to typhoons entering its area of responsibility to make warnings more relatable to local citizens.

How do they form?

The formation of a powerful typhoon like Ragasa requires a specific set of conditions –

• Warm Ocean Waters: Sea surface temperatures must be above 5°C, providing the necessary heat and moisture to fuel the storm.
• Coriolis Force: The Earth’s rotation provides the spin necessary for the cyclone to form. This is why these storms do not form at the Equator, where the Coriolis effect is zero.
• Low Vertical Wind Shear: Wind speeds at different altitudes must be relatively High wind shear rips a developing storm apart.
• Pre-existing Weather Disturbance: A low-level atmospheric disturbance acts as a seed for the storm to develop around.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

The World Health Organisation has dismissed claims that vaccines or paracetamol during pregnancy cause autism, reaffirming the scientific consensus on vaccine safety.

About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) –

• ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social communication, interaction, and repetitive behaviours. It manifests before age 3 & persists lifelong.
• Factors — Genetic predisposition (E.g., family history, older parental age) and environmental influences (E.g., prenatal pollution, prematurity) jointly elevate risk without direct causation.
• Co-Morbidities — Individuals with ASD often experience concurrent conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and sleep disorders, thus requiring holistic care.
• Interventions — ASD has no cure. But early evidence-based behavioural, speech-language, occupational, and play-based therapies can improve long-term quality of life.
• Prevalence — Globally, ~1 in 100 children has ASD (WHO); in India, estimates vary from 1 in 68 to 1.12% among children aged 2 to 9.

India’s ASD Policy Framework –

• Legal Recognition — The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, explicitly recognises ADS as one of the 21 disabilities, ensuring legal entitlements and safeguards against
• Guardianship — The National Trust Act, 1999, provides a legal framework for guardianship and lifelong care for individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities.
• Early Intervention — The DISHA scheme offers early intervention and school readiness for children with autism aged 0 to 10.
• Community Support — Through the Sahyogi scheme, trained Care Associates provide expert, community-based support for autistic individuals.

Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project

Following the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in 2025, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) is now reviewing environmental clearance for the Sawalkote Dam on the Chenab River.

About the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project –

• Sawalkote is a 1,856 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project featuring a concrete gravity dam, poised to become the largest in Jammu & Kashmir.
• It is under construction on the Chenab River in the Ramban district, featuring a 550 MCM
• The project is being carried out in two phases by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
• Originally conceived in the 1980s, it was delayed for years due to limitations imposed by the

Significance of the Project –

• Energy Security — The project will generate about 7,000 million units annually, reducing J&K’s winter shortages and supplying surplus electricity to India’s northern grid.
• Strategic Leverage — After the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, it reinforces India’s control over the Chenab waters and bolsters its stance in transboundary water disputes.
• Water Management — By controlling the Chenab’s flow, the reservoir mitigates downstream flooding while improving irrigation and domestic water availability.

Issues and Concerns –

• Ecological Impact — The project will divert 846 hectares of forest and require felling over 2.22 lakh trees, threatening biodiversity and fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
• Classification Dispute — Although described as run-of-river, its large reservoir alters natural flows, disrupting sediment movement, fish migration, and ecological balance in the Chenab
• Regulatory Challenges — Delays arise from centre-state disputes, outdated environmental data, forest clearance hurdles, seismic risks, and the displacement of local communities.

Geoglyphs

The prehistoric geoglyphs of the Konkan coast, nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status, may date back 24,000 years, ranking among the world’s oldest rock art traditions.

About Geoglyphs –

• Geoglyphs are large designs or motifs created on the ground by arranging, removing, or contrasting natural materials such as stones, soil, or vegetation.
• They are usually so vast that they are best viewed from an elevated point or even from the air.
• They often hold cultural, ritualistic, or symbolic significance for the communities that created

Key Discoveries –

• Earlier estimates dated them to 10,000 years, but new evidence from Koloshi caves excavations indicates much older cultural layers, nearly 38,000 years.
• Evidence suggests geoglyphs span from the late Pleistocene to the historical
• Panels depict extinct fauna such as rhinoceros and hippopotamus, pointing to a very ancient timeline.
• The official report compares Konkan geoglyphs with Peru’s Nazca Lines, Chile’s Atacama Giant, and California’s Blythe intaglios.
  • Unlike desert engravings, Konkan geoglyphs are smaller but more
• Sites Identified — Nine major sites, Kasheli, Barsu, Jambharun, Ukshi, Rundhye Tali, Devache Gothane, Devi Hasol, Kudopi (Maharashtra), and Phansaymal (Goa).

Unique Features Discovered –

• At Barsu, a human figure flanked by two tigers resembles motifs found on Harappan seals.
• At Kasheli, microliths found near a carved elephant link the site to the terminal Pleistocene period.
• At Devi Hasol, carvings continue to be used in rituals at the Aryadurga temple, showing ritual
• At Devache Gothane, a standing human figure is associated with magnetic anomalies.

Booker Prize 2025

Kiran Desai, who previously won the Booker Prize in 2006, has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2025 for her novel ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’.

About the Booker Prize –

• The Booker Prize is a renowned global literary award given annually to writers of any nationality for the best English fiction novel published in the UK or Ireland.
• It was referred to as the “Man Booker Prize” until 2019, when it was changed to “The Booker ”
• The UK-based Booker Prize Foundation manages and funds the award; they also present the International Booker Prize annually for the best fiction translated into English.
• Prize Money — The winner gets a £50,000 cash prize and international publishing
• Notable Winners — The first winner of Indian origin was S. Naipaul, while the first Indian citizen to win was Arundhati Roy.
  • Recent laureates include Samantha Harvey (UK, 2024) and Paul Lynch (Ireland, 2023).

Exercise Cold Start

India will conduct a tri-service exercise called the ‘Cold Start’ in Madhya Pradesh to evaluate the drones and counter-drone systems.

About the Exercise Cold Start –

• It is the largest such drill since Operation Sindoor, aimed at developing and refining drone technology and improving readiness for emerging aerial threats.
• Participants — The Army, Navy, Air Force, industry partners, research and development agencies, academia, and other stakeholders will participate in the exercise.
• Significance — It strengthens India’s integrated defence system, often compared to the
• Sudarshan Chakra, offering protection in multiple directions and a strategic edge.

Daily Current Affairs – 25 September 2025 MCQs

1.  Consider the following statements regarding the Indian tea industry –

1. India is the world’s largest consumer of tea
2. The tea industry in India provides direct employment to over 2 million workers.
3. In 2024, India’s tea exports by volume were higher than those of Sri Lanka

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – B

 

Explanation – India is the second-largest producer and consumer of tea and the third-largest exporter. Tea cultivation spans across Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, providing employment to over 1.2 million workers directly and sustaining millions more indirectly. Production: In 2024, India produced 1.303 billion kg of tea, contributing significantly to the global production of 7.074 billion kg. Consumption: Domestic consumption stood at 1.22 billion kg,

highlighting India’s centrality in balancing global supply and demand. Exports: India exported 255 million kg, valued at nearly $800 million, positioning itself after Kenya, China, and Sri Lanka.

2.  The Belém Health Action Plan, slated for launch at COP30, represents a significant global initiative. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the key pillars of this plan?

1. Its surveillance and monitoring pillar focuses on strengthening systems to tackle climate- related health threats like vector-borne diseases.
2. The evidence-based policy strategy aims to foster cooperation among various stakeholders to scale up proven interventions.
3. The innovation and production pillar primarily advocates for increased public funding for pharmaceutical research in developed countries.

Select the correct answer using the code given below –

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – B

 

Explanation – The Global Conference on Climate and Health held in Brazil in July 2025 shaped the Belém Health Action Plan which will be launched at COP30. The plan marks a global shift towards placing health at the centre of climate action. Belém Health Action Plan – The Belém Health Action Plan aims to become a global reference for strengthening climate-resilient health systems. The draft plan is structured around three main pillars — Surveillance and Monitoring: Aims to strengthen health surveillance systems to effectively respond to climate-related threats, such as vector-borne disease outbreaks and mental health impacts from extreme weather events. Evidence-Based Policy Strategy: Seeks to accelerate the implementation of proven solutions by fostering cooperation among governments, academic institutions, civil society, and other key actors. Innovation and Production: Proposes investments in research and technology to develop solutions tailored to the specific needs of the most vulnerable populations.

3.  Consider the following statements regarding tropical cyclones –

1. The Coriolis force is maximum at the Equator, which is why tropical cyclones frequently form in that region.
2. The term ‘Super Typhoon’ is used exclusively for storms in the Atlantic Ocean basin
3. A primary condition for the formation of a tropical cyclone is warm ocean waters with temperatures typically above 26.5°C.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – B

 

Explanation – Tropical cyclones are intense, rotating storm systems with a low-pressure centre, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. They are known by different names in different parts of the world — Typhoon: In the Northwest Pacific Ocean (affecting East and Southeast Asia). Hurricane: In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific Oceans. Cyclone: In the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. A Super Typhoon is an extremely intense typhoon, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds exceeding 240 km/h.

How are they named? The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) maintains rotating lists of names for cyclones. National meteorological agencies in affected regions often assign their own local names. For example, the Philippine agency PAGASA gives local names (like “Nando” for Ragasa) to typhoons entering its area of responsibility to make warnings more relatable to local citizens.

How do they form? The formation of a powerful typhoon like Ragasa requires a specific set of conditions – Warm Ocean Waters: Sea surface temperatures must be above 26.5°C, providing the necessary heat and moisture to fuel the storm. Coriolis Force: The Earth’s rotation provides the spin necessary for the cyclone to form. This is why these storms do not form at the Equator, where the Coriolis effect is zero. Low Vertical Wind Shear: Wind speeds at different altitudes must be relatively uniform. High wind shear rips a developing storm apart. Pre-existing Weather Disturbance: A low-level atmospheric disturbance acts as a seed for the storm to develop around.

4.  Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the ‘autism spectrum disorder’?

1. It is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain
2. It begins mostly in senior citizens and can last throughout their life
3. Autism has been added as a type of disability in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act,

Select the correct codes from below –

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Answer – C

Explanation – Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. ASD begins before the age of 3 years and can last throughout a person’s life, although symptoms may improve over time. Symptoms — People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests. They may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. Initiatives to Raise Awareness on ASD — United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Sustainable Development Goals deal with rights of people with disabilities including autism. The Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 increased the types of disabilities from 7 to 21. It also added autism spectrum disorder among others.

5.  What are geoglyphs, often associated with the Nazca Lines in Peru?

1. Large ancient rock formations found in the Andes mountains
2. Intricate carvings on ancient temples in South America
3. Massive drawings or designs created on the ground, typically using stones or other natural materials
4. Elaborate irrigation systems used by ancient civilisations in arid regions

Answer – C

Explanation – It is a large design or motif (generally longer than 4 metres) produced on the ground and typically formed by clastic rocks or similarly durable elements of the landscape, such as stones, stone fragments, gravel, or earth. A geoglyph is created by arranging or moving objects within a landscape.

There are two types of geoglyphs, namely positive and negative geoglyphs.

• Positive geoglyph — It is formed by the arrangement and alignment of materials on the ground in a manner akin topetroforms (which are simply outlines created using boulders).
• Negative geoglyph — It is formed by removing part of the natural ground surface to create differently coloured or textured ground in a manner akin to petroglyphs.

There is another variation of a geoglyph that involves seeding plants in a special design. The design usually takes years to see since it depends on the plants growing. This type of geoglyph is called an arbour glyph. Another type of geoglyph often referred to as ‘chalk giants’ are those carved into hillsides, exposing the bedrock beneath.

Geoglyphs in History —

• From ancient times, the most widely known geoglyphs are the Nazca Lines of Peru, which have been a mystery to this day.
• Other geoglyphs from the past include the Megaliths in the Urals, the Uffington White Horse, the Long Man of Wilmington, and many others.

Source –The Indian Express

Also read Daily Current Affairs – 24 September 2025 | Top News