Daily Current Affairs 2025  

11/10/2025

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CA-11/10/2025

 
Why in news?

• Union Health Minister launched an enhanced Tele-MANAS app, now featuring a multilingual user interface, improved accessibility for visually impaired users, and an emergency guidance module.
• The app now includes 'Asmi,' an AI-powered chatbot to provide users with instant information and mental health support.

About Tele-MANAS app

• Provides immediate access to trained counsellors and mental health specialists through the toll-free helpline 14416.
• Services are offered in over 20 languages, ensuring accessibility for all sections of society.
• Operates a two-tier system: Tier 1 connects callers to counsellors for basic psychosocial support, while Tier 2 arranges specialist consultations and referrals for more advanced care.
• Confidential and professional support is available for a range of mental health concerns, including stress, sleep issues, substance misuse, and psychiatric disorders.

• Universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality mental health care.
• Enhanced capacity for mental healthcare across community, primary, district, and state networks.
• Support for everyday stressors and developmental disorders in children and adolescents.

 

   
Why in news?
Ministry of Ayush, officially launched the fourth edition of its flagship Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) for the academic year 2025-26. 
 
About SPARK–4.0

• The SPARK–4.0 Initiative is the fourth edition of the SPARK launched by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of Ayush for the academic year 2025-26.
• The program aims to foster scientific curiosity and research aptitude among undergraduate Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) students across India.

Key features of SPARK–4.0

• Selection of 300 BAMS students from NCISM-recognized Ayurveda colleges.
• Each selected student receives a research studentship of ?50,000 (?25,000 per month for two months).
• Students undertake short-term, independent research projects under faculty mentorship.
• The program provides hands-on exposure to research methodologies, experimental design, and data analysis.
• Successful participants receive a certificate upon completion and approval of their research report.
• The initiative seeks to bridge classical Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific inquiry and strengthen India's traditional medicine research capacity.

 
 
   
Why in news?

• India is set to revise the base year of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to 2022–23.
• This revision aims to provide more accurate and timely industrial data that better reflects India’s evolving economic structure, technological advancements, and new industries.
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has formed a Technical Advisory Committee which recommended this alignment with the new GDP base year to capture recent economic and industrial changes effectively.

Key Reasons for Revision

• Industrial production significantly contributes over one-fifth of India's output and has extensive linkages with other sectors.
• The old base year (2011–12) no longer captures the rapid technological shifts, product diversification, and market dynamics.
• Updating the base year helps in removing outdated product categories and adding new ones like laptops, vaccines, aerospace components, and minor minerals.
• The revision aligns the IIP with international standards (IRIIP 2010) and includes methodological improvements like a dynamic factory substitution mechanism and de-seasonalized IIP for better trend analysis.

Expected Improvements

• Expanded coverage to include new products and sectors, removing obsolete items.
• Enhanced data accuracy by reclassifying previously non-specified items.
• Potential integration of GST data to provide near real-time industrial production insights.
• Greater precision in capturing structural shifts in India’s industrial landscape.

 
   
Overview
India’s industrial growth has made noteworthy progress over recent years, driven by increasing manufacturing output, strategic government initiatives, and rising investments.
However, despite these advancements, there remains significant untapped potential in the industrial sector, especially in manufacturing and exports.

Progress in Industrial Growth

• The industrial sector grew robustly at around 9.5% in the recent fiscal period, with manufacturing maintaining an average growth rate of 5.2% over the last decade, contributing about 14.3% to GDP and accounting for over 35% of total industrial output.
• Government initiatives such as Make in India, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and the National Manufacturing Mission have boosted investment and capacity expansion. FDI in manufacturing has notably increased by 69%, reaching Rs. 14.45 lakh crore (about US$165 billion).
• Technological advancements like automation, AI, and Industry 4.0 tools are being integrated, improving efficiency and competitiveness, particularly in electronics and automobile sectors. The manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) also reflects sustained expansion.

Untapped Potential

• Industrial exports, especially in services and manufacturing, hold considerable untapped potential for foreign investments. Expanding export capabilities could enhance global market share and economic resilience.
• The engineering and power tools sectors represent emerging opportunities, currently underrepresented in global trade but with strong growth and export potential if infrastructural and regulatory bottlenecks are addressed.
• Structural challenges like infrastructure gaps, complex regulatory frameworks, skill shortages, and outdated technology hinder the industrial sector’s full potential. MSMEs face significant compliance burdens, and the negative perception of manufacturing jobs limits skilled labor availability.

Key Challenges to Address

• Improving multimodal connectivity, power supply, and logistics infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance supply chain efficiency.
• Simplifying regulatory compliance particularly for MSMEs to reduce transaction costs and promote ease of doing business.
• Bridging the skill gap in manufacturing roles through formal training and vocational education to align workforce skills with industry needs.
• Encouraging innovation and adoption of new technologies at scale to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Conclusion

• India’s industrial sector has demonstrated strong growth momentum driven by policy support, investment, and increasing domestic demand.
• Unlocking its untapped potential will require focused efforts to resolve infrastructural and regulatory challenges, skill development, and promotion of technology adoption along with leveraging export possibilities.

 
   
Why in news?

• The upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), scheduled for November 17-28 in Baku, Azerbaijan,
• It will engage global ICT leaders to shape a new roadmap for inclusive digital development,
• Will be emphasizing universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for the 2.6 billion people still unconnected. 

About International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies (ICT).
• Established in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, it is the oldest UN agency.
• ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum, satellite orbits, and develops worldwide technical standards for telecommunications and ICTs.
• It also works to improve telecommunication infrastructure and promote equitable access to ICTs, especially in developing countries.
• ITU has 194 member countries and around 900 other members from businesses, academic, and regional organizations, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Governance of ITU includes a Plenipotentiary Conference held every four years as the supreme decision-making body and an annually meeting ITU Council which governs between conferences.

The ITU is divided into three main sectors:

• ITU-R (Radio communication): Manages international radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
• ITU-T (Standardization): Develops global technical standards for telecommunications.
• ITU-D (Development): Supports improving ICT access and infrastructure, especially in underserved regions.

India's role

• Hosting the ITU's “AI for Good – Impact India” Conference 2025 as part of India Mobile Congress, focusing on responsible and inclusive AI innovation.
• Emphasizing the vigilance needed against AI risks such as deep fakes and fraud while leveraging AI for network intelligence, self-healing networks, and improved customer service.
• Supporting global AI standards and governance aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
• The National Telecom Policy 2025 aligns with ITU goals, aiming for universal and meaningful connectivity by 2030, doubling the telecom sector’s contribution to GDP.
• India’s SATCOM (Satellite Communication) ambitions include a rapidly growing satellite communication market projected from $4.3 billion in 2024 to $14.8 billion by 2033.
• Expansion plans include connecting over 38,000 remote villages under the Universal Service Obligation Fund and Digital Bharat Nidhi, aiming for broadband and telecom access.
• Hosting international events like the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge in collaboration with ITU, highlighting youth engagement in innovation.
• Strengthening India's role in telecom standardization, performance quality, and global cooperation through continued coordination with ITU.

 
   
Why in news?

• The legally binding emission cut targets for four industrial sectors notified by the Indian government for 2025-26 and 2026-27 are focused on aluminium, cement, chlor-alkali, and pulp and paper. 
• These targets are part of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025 and support India's commitment to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. 

Reduction varying by sector

• Cement sector: around 3.4% reduction

• Aluminium sector: about 5.8% reduction
• Chlor-alkali sector: around 7.5% reduction
• Pulp and paper sector: about 7.1% reduction

Key Features of Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI)

• The GEI is the amount of greenhouse gases emitted per unit of production, measured in tonnes of CO? equivalent (tCO?e) per tonne of product.
• The rules offer a framework for carbon credit trading under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.
• Industries failing to meet the targets must buy carbon credits or pay environmental compensation enforced by the Central Pollution Control Board.
• Targets require progressive emission intensity reductions: roughly 2-3% in 2025-26 and up to 7.5% by 2026-27.
• Cement sector targets range between 4.7% and 7.6%, while for pulp and paper, reductions can be as high as 15% over two years.
• The rules aim to support India's commitment to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, aligning with the Paris Climate Agreement.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is the implementing agency issuing carbon credit certificates.
• This framework replaces the earlier Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) scheme by incorporating a market-based carbon trading system.

Sector Coverage and Compliance

• 186 cement units
• 13 aluminium units
• 30 chlor-alkali units
• 53 pulp and paper units

Importance and Challenges

• The GEI Rules are integral to operationalising India’s domestic carbon market and encouraging clean technologies.
• Challenges include accurate emissions monitoring, technical capacities of smaller industries, and ensuring robust carbon market participation.
• The government plans to expand these schemes to more sectors and strengthen monitoring and enforcement protocols.

This rule represents a significant step toward India's long-term net-zero emissions target by 2070, by making industries accountable through legally binding emission reduction mandates and linking economic incentives to environmental performance.
 
 
   
Why in news?
PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana was launched in October 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification and sustainable agriculture practices.
 
Key features of PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana

• A total budget of ?1.44 lakh crore, spread as ?24,000 crore annually from 2025-26 to 2030-31.
• Support for about 1.7 crore farmers, mainly small and marginal farmers owning less than 2 hectares of land.
• Covering 100 districts identified based on low crop yields, moderate cropping intensity, and limited access to credit.
• Implemented and Managed by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare with oversight committees at national, state, and district levels.
• Consolidation of 36 existing agricultural schemes from 11 ministries to streamline efforts, including PM-KISAN, PMFBY (crop insurance), PMKSY (irrigation), and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
• Focus on improving irrigation facilities, increasing crop productivity, providing loans and storage infrastructure, and encouraging modern sustainable farming practices.
• Monitoring through a governance structure involving National Steering Committee, state nodal committees, and District Dhan Dhaanya Samitis led by District Collectors.
• Official launch in October 2025, coinciding with the Rabi season, with applications opening from September 2025.

• The plan also seeks to reduce crop wastage, enhance farmers' financial security, and raise the districts' agricultural productivity to national average levels by 2030.

This launch is seen as a major boost for Indian farmers, especially in less developed agricultural districts, providing comprehensive support from production to marketing and financial security.
 
 
   
Why in news?
Dalhan Atmanirbhar Mission highlights its official launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11, 2025, with a budget allocation of Rs 11,440 crore to boost pulse production and achieve self-reliance by 2030-31. 
 
Key highlights of the mission

• Distribution of 12.6 million quintals of certified seeds, including the free provision of 8.8 million quintals to targeted farmers.
• Focus on increasing productivity from the current 880 kg/ha to 1,130 kg/ha.
• Special emphasis on pulses such as Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masoor.
• Implementation of climate-resilient agricultural practices and dissemination of high-yielding, pest-resistant pulses varieties.
• Promotion of sustainable farming practices supported by science and technology, alongside assured income through minimum support prices (MSP).
• Integration of soil health management, balanced fertilizer use, and post-harvest management to boost production and farmer incomes.

Objectives of Dalhan Atmanirbhar Mission

• Achieve self-reliance in pulses through significant enhancement of domestic production, reducing import dependence, and improving farmers' incomes sustainably.
• Expand pulses cultivation by an additional 35 lakh hectares, focusing on rice fallows and other suitable lands.
• Develop and disseminate high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient pulses varieties supported by a robust seed system.
• Target pulses production of 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31 from an expanded area of 310 lakh hectares with productivity aiming at 1,130 kg/ha.

This mission is a comprehensive strategy to make India self-reliant in pulses, benefiting farmers directly and contributing to the nation's food and economic security.
 

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