UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 22-09-2025

One Liners 22-09-2025

History, Art and Culture

‘Dongar’ cultivation

‘Dongar’ cultivation is in danger due to eucalyptus monoculture by outsiders.

An age-old dongar practice is a traditional mixed cropping system practised on hill slopes.
Practised by – Kondh tribals in Odisha’s Rayagada.
Crops – Millets, pulses and oilseeds are grown together.

Eucalyptus

It is a fast-growing evergreen tree commonly known as gum trees or stringybark trees.
Native – Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands.
Related to – Myrtle family (Myrtaceae).
Uses – Act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidants due to its flavonoids and tannins properties.
To relieve congestion and ease breathing in colds.
Act as a pain reliever for sore and overextended muscles.

Security

3^rd Edition of Dweep Diksha Dialogue

Hosted by – Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).
Theme – ‘Evolution of ANC as a Strategic Hub and Beyond.’
Objectives – To established as a premier strategic forum, brought together eminent personalities from the Armed Forces, diplomacy, academia, media, and strategic affairs
To explore the ANC’s unique role in shaping India’s maritime and security posture in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
To emphasize the growing importance of multi-domain warfare, grey-zone strategies, and maritime security.

Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)

ANC – It is India’s 1^st and only joint services operational command, integrating the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Established in – 2001
Headquartered at – Sri Vijaya Puram, formally called as Port Blair.
Aim – To safeguard national interests in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region.

Science

Black Box Problem

Artificial intelligence can do things that humans can’t, but in many cases, we have no idea how AI systems make their decisions.
It refers to the difficulty in understanding and interpreting the internal workings of AI models, especially those that use deep learning.
For example, in disease diagnosis, AI’s decision-making process is complicated for doctors to understand, which can make them hesitant to trust it.

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

It formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
It is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates.
1^st discovered in – 1976.
1^st EVD outbreaks occurred in – Remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests.
Transmitted to people from Wild animals - Such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates.
Spreads among humans through – Direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.

Project Vijayak

Project Vijayak celebrated its 15^th Raising Day at Kargil, expanding infrastructure projects worth over Rs 1,200 crore as it enters its 16th year.

Started in – 2010, by Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Aim – To connect Ladakh’s remote valleys and forward areas with the national mainstream while fulfilling the operational requirements of the Armed Forces.
Achievement – The project has built and maintained more than 1,400 km of roads and 80 major bridges across Ladakh.
It includes the record-setting reopening of the strategic Zojila Pass within just 31 days of its winter closure in April 2025, an unprecedented feat in high-altitude connectivity.

Index

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3

India is not on track for most SDG 3 targets despite improved overall SDG ranking.

SDG Index 2025 – 99^th rank out of 167, reflecting steady progress since 2021.
SDG Index 2024 – 109^th rank.
SDG 3 Goal – "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages."
Not on track
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) – Number of mothers dying after childbirth per 100,000 live births — stands at 97 deaths, higher than the 2030 target of 70.
- Under-5 mortality – Remains at 32 deaths per 1,000 live births against the target of 25.
- Life expectancy – As of now is only 70 years, falling short of the target of 73.63 years.
- Out-of-pocket – Health-care expenditure continues to burden families at 13% of total consumption, nearly double the targeted 7.83%.
Reasons for gaps
- Lack of access to quality health care partially due to poor infrastructure and economic factors.
- Non-economic factors such as poor nutrition, hygiene and sanitation and other lifestyle choices.
- Cultural practices and stigma around physical and mental health.

Miscellaneous

International Day of Sign Languages

It is a part of the International Week of the Deaf, that took place during on 22^nd to 28^th September 2025.
Annually celebrated on – 23^rd September
Started in – 2018.
Established in – 2017, through UN General Assembly Resolution.
Commemorate to – Formation of World Federation of the Deaf, 1951.
Theme 2025 – “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights”.

5-Day Live Programme on Indian Sign Language (ISL)

Organized by – Ministry of Education with Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT.
Aim – To spread awareness about the importance of Indian Sign Language as a medium for communication and learning, especially for children with hearing impairments.
Significance – It emphasized the role of ISL in promoting inclusive and equitable education, as highlighted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-4: Quality Education).