Current Affairs 30/09/2025
1. Who has been awarded the Agriculture Media Award 2025?
Answer : Amshi Prasannakumar
Amshi Prasannakumar Honoured with Agriculture Media Award 2025
Renowned journalist and writer Amshi Prasannakumar has been conferred with the Agriculture Media Award 2025 for his outstanding contributions to agricultural journalism. The award recognizes his consistent efforts in highlighting the challenges, innovations, and success stories of India’s farming community.
Prasannakumar has established himself as a credible voice in the field of rural and agricultural reporting. Through his insightful writings, he has not only brought attention to farmers’ issues but also promoted awareness about sustainable farming practices, government policies, and technological advancements in agriculture. His balanced reporting has served as a bridge between policymakers and farmers, enabling better communication and understanding.
The Agriculture Media Award is one of the prestigious recognitions aimed at honoring journalists who dedicate their work to strengthening the agricultural sector. By documenting the realities of rural life and advocating for farmers’ welfare, awardees like Prasannakumar play a vital role in shaping public opinion and influencing progressive policies.
This recognition of Amshi Prasannakumar underscores the significance of agricultural journalism in India’s socio-economic development and highlights the growing need for accurate and empathetic reporting in the sector.
2. Who has become the first mycologist director of the Botanical Survey of India?
Answer : Kanad Das
Dr. Kanad Das Appointed as First Mycologist Director of Botanical Survey of India
In a landmark development, Dr. Kanad Das has been appointed as the Director of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), becoming the first mycologist to lead the prestigious institution since its establishment in 1890. This appointment marks a significant recognition of the importance of fungi and their role in biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Das is an eminent expert in fungal taxonomy and systematics, with a distinguished career dedicated to the study of mushrooms and other cryptogamic groups. His research spans across morpho-taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, and the discovery of several new species, particularly from the Himalayan region and other forest ecosystems of India. Over the years, he has contributed extensively to scientific literature, strengthening India’s position in global mycological research.
The Botanical Survey of India, functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has historically focused on the documentation and conservation of plant diversity. With Dr. Das’s appointment, the institution is expected to give greater attention to fungi, a group often underrepresented in conservation efforts despite their crucial ecological roles in nutrient cycling, soil health, and symbiotic relationships.
Experts believe that under Dr. Das’s leadership, BSI will integrate modern molecular tools with traditional taxonomy, expand research on fungal diversity, and enhance awareness about their economic and ecological significance. His vision is likely to open new directions for biodiversity studies in India, ensuring that fungi are placed alongside plants in national and global conservation priorities.
3. Who has become the first World Para Archery Champion without arms?
Answer : Sheetal Devi
Sheetal Devi Creates History as First Armless World Para Archery Champion
In an extraordinary display of courage and skill, Sheetal Devi, an 18-year-old para-archer from Jammu & Kashmir, has become the first armless athlete in history to win the World Para Archery Championship title. Competing in the 2025 Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea, she claimed the gold medal in the women’s individual compound event, defeating the reigning champion with remarkable precision.
Born with phocomelia, a rare condition that left her without arms, Sheetal overcame enormous odds to master the sport of archery. Using a unique technique that combines her legs, shoulder, and chin, she has redefined what is possible in competitive archery. Her journey, supported by dedicated coaches and the Indian Army’s assistance programs, is a testament to resilience and innovation in sports.
Sheetal’s rise to global prominence has been swift. After making headlines at the 2022 Asian Para Games with two golds and a silver, she went on to secure medals at the 2023 World Para Archery Championships and the 2024 Paris Paralympics, before finally clinching the ultimate world title in 2025.
Her victory is not just a personal triumph but a milestone for para-sports worldwide. It highlights the power of adaptive training, the importance of institutional support, and the indomitable human spirit. Recognized with the Arjuna Award in 2023, Sheetal is now an inspirational figure for millions, proving that limitations can be transformed into strengths.
With her historic achievement, Sheetal Devi has etched her name in sporting history, ensuring that her story becomes a beacon of hope and determination for generations to come.
4. India’s first dugong conservation reserve, recognized by IUCN, is located in which state?
Answer : Tamil Nadu
India’s First Dugong Conservation Reserve Established in Tamil Nadu
India has taken a pioneering step in marine biodiversity protection by establishing the country’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu, an initiative that has also been recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Located in Palk Bay near the Gulf of Mannar, the reserve spans nearly 500 square kilometers and is dedicated to safeguarding the endangered dugong, commonly known as the sea cow. Dugongs are gentle, herbivorous marine mammals that depend on seagrass meadows for survival. Once widely found across the Indian coastline, their numbers have dwindled drastically due to habitat degradation, accidental entanglement in fishing nets, and hunting pressures.
Tamil Nadu’s coastline is home to India’s most significant dugong population, making the state a natural choice for this conservation initiative. The reserve not only protects dugongs but also ensures the preservation of seagrass ecosystems, which are vital for carbon sequestration, fisheries productivity, and coastal protection.
The creation of the Dugong Conservation Reserve represents a model of community-inclusive conservation, with active involvement of local fishing communities. By promoting eco-tourism, sustainable fishing practices, and habitat restoration, the initiative aims to balance livelihood needs with marine conservation.
With IUCN recognition, this reserve has gained global significance, positioning India as a responsible steward of marine biodiversity. It is expected to serve as a benchmark for future marine conservation projects in the country.
5. Which country will build the world’s first closed fuel cycle nuclear power system?
Answer : Russia
Russia to Build World’s First Closed Fuel Cycle Nuclear Power System
Russia is set to make a landmark advancement in nuclear energy with plans to construct the world’s first nuclear power system employing a closed fuel cycle, a project expected to be operational by 2030 in the Tomsk region under the auspices of Rosatom, the state nuclear corporation.
Unlike the conventional open nuclear fuel cycle, where spent fuel is stored or disposed of, a closed fuel cycle reprocesses used nuclear fuel to recover valuable fissile materials for reuse. This approach allows up to 95% of spent fuel to be recycled, dramatically reducing radioactive waste, optimizing uranium utilization, and significantly enhancing the sustainability of nuclear energy.
The project will incorporate the BREST‑OD‑300 lead-cooled fast reactor integrated with on-site fuel reprocessing and fabrication facilities. This innovative design ensures efficient resource use while maintaining high safety standards. Russia’s initiative reflects a global push toward advanced nuclear technologies that minimize environmental impact and reduce dependence on fresh uranium resources.
Experts suggest that successful implementation of a closed fuel cycle could redefine nuclear energy sustainability, influencing international energy policies and prompting similar initiatives worldwide. Russia’s breakthrough project positions the country at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technology, demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term energy security and environmental stewardship.
6. In which state has AYUSH Ministry launched India’s first Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre?
Answer : Goa
India’s First Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre “Prayas” Launched in Goa
The Ministry of AYUSH has inaugurated “Prayas”, India’s first Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre, at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Goa. This landmark initiative aims to provide holistic neuro-rehabilitation services, combining traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern therapeutic techniques to address neurological and developmental disorders.
“Prayas” is a multidisciplinary centre that brings together Ayurveda, Yoga, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and modern neurology under one roof. The facility is designed to offer comprehensive care for patients, particularly children, suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, stroke, and other neuro-motor impairments.
The centre’s approach is integrative and patient-centred, focusing not only on symptom management but also on improving the overall quality of life. By combining time-tested traditional practices with evidence-based modern therapies, “Prayas” represents a model for future neuro-rehabilitation services in India.
The inauguration was part of the celebrations of Ayurveda Day 2025, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and promoting integrative medicine. With this centre, India takes a significant step toward advancing rehabilitative care and creating a framework where traditional knowledge and modern science work in synergy for the benefit of patients.