Daily Current Affairs 2025  

26/10/2025

WhatsApp Email Facebook Share

CA-26/10/2025

Why in news?

• The MAHA MedTech Mission (Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas - Medical Technology) is an initiative launched by the Government of India through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation.
• It aims to accelerate innovation in India's medical technology sector, reduce dependence on high-cost imported medical technologies, and promote equitable access to high-quality, affordable, and innovative medical technologies to improve healthcare outcomes across the country.

Key points of the MAHA MedTech Mission include:
 
Objectives:

• Support development and commercialization of indigenous, innovative, affordable, and high-quality medical technologies.
• Drive public health impact by supporting solutions addressing national priority diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, cancer, neonatal care, primary healthcare).
• Enhance self-reliance and competitiveness by catalyzing domestic MedTech development, manufacturing, and strong industry-academia collaboration.?
• Covers innovative medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics (IVD), including advanced imaging, radiotherapy equipment, robotics, minimal invasive technologies, implants, AI/ML-enabled platforms, surgical and assistive devices, consumables, and software-based medical solutions.?

Funding:

• The mission has a total financial outlay of ?750 crore over 5 years.
• Supports a wide range of entities including academic and R&D institutions, hospitals, startups, MSMEs, industry players, and multi-stakeholder collaborations.?

Enabling support measures:

• Includes national initiatives like Patent Mitra (intellectual property protection and technology transfer), MedTech Mitra (regulatory guidance and clearances), and a Clinical Trial Network for evidence generation.
• Provides mentorship from industry experts and promotes collaborations among biomedical engineering institutes, hospitals, startups, and MSMEs.?
• The mission follows a two-stage application involving concept note submission followed by full proposal evaluation.

MAHA MedTech Mission is a strategic, well-funded program focused on boosting India’s medical technology innovation ecosystem for affordable, accessible, and high-impact healthcare solutions, aligned with national health priorities and self-reliance goals.






  Why in news?
Recently, more than two dozen pilot whales have died after becoming stranded on a remote beach in New Zealand.

Key points about Pilot Whales

• Pilot whales belong to the genus Globicephala with two species: long-finned (G. melas) and short-finned (G. macrorhynchus).?
• They are among the largest oceanic dolphins, with males larger than females; lengths range 4-7 meters and weights up to 3,200 kg.?
• Pilot whales have a distinctive large, bulbous forehead known as the melon and long, sickle-shaped flippers.?
• They are highly social, traveling in pods typically of 20-100 individuals, sometimes hundreds, with lifelong pod bonds.?
• These whales primarily feed on squid, supplemented by fish such as cod and mackerel, using deep dives over 1000 meters and echolocation to hunt.?
• Long-finned pilot whales prefer colder waters like the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean, while short-finned species inhabit tropical and subtropical waters such as near New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Pacific Islands.?
• Short-finned pilot whales are found around Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans and common near Andaman and Nicobar islands.?
• Females of short-finned pilot whales show menopause and postreproductive females help their pod.?
• Pilot whales are known for mass strandings, potentially caused by inner ear damage from ocean noise pollution which affects their navigation.?
• The conservation status of both species is currently listed as least concern.

 




 
Why in news?
Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched two advanced Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) — ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit — at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

About ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit
The ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit are advanced Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), launched on October 24, 2025. They are the seventh and eighth ships, respectively, in a series of eight FPVs built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the ICG. Their launch is a major step toward enhancing India's maritime security and self-reliance in defense manufacturing. 

Specifications

• Builder: Indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) as part of the "Make in India" initiative.
• Dimensions: Each vessel is 52 meters long and has a displacement of 320 tonnes.
• Propulsion: The FPVs are equipped with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP), a first for this class of ship in India, which provides superior maneuverability and propulsion efficiency.
• Speed: They can reach an impressive top speed of 35 knots (about 65 km/h).
• Engines: Each ship is powered by three diesel engines, each producing 2,720 kilowatts of power, driving three separate water jets. 

Operational capabilities
These multi-mission FPVs are designed for a variety of maritime roles: 

• Coastal Security: Patrolling India's coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Anti-smuggling and Anti-piracy: Conducting missions to combat illegal activities at sea.
• Fisheries Protection: Monitoring and protecting fishing resources in Indian waters.
• Search and Rescue: Executing search and rescue operations to safeguard lives at sea.
• Maritime Surveillance: Enhancing overall surveillance capabilities, especially around India's island territories. 

Significance
The induction of ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit bolsters the Indian Coast Guard's operational readiness with modern, high-speed platforms. As the final two ships in their series, their completion marks a significant achievement for GSL and for India's self-reliance in shipbuilding. 



  Why in news?
Recently, Timor Leste (East Timor) formally admitted to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s.

About Timor Leste
Timor Leste, also known as East Timor, is a semi-presidential republic in Southeast Asia. It gained full independence in 2002 after centuries of Portuguese colonization and 24 years of Indonesian occupation. 
History

• Portuguese Rule: The Portuguese arrived in the 16th century and colonized the eastern half of the island of Timor. West Timor was held by the Dutch, a division that remains today with West Timor being part of Indonesia.
• Indonesian Invasion: Following Portugal's decolonization efforts in 1975, Indonesia invaded and occupied East Timor, incorporating it as a province.
• Independence: After a UN-supervised referendum in 1999, the East Timorese overwhelmingly voted for independence. The nation officially gained independence on May 20, 2002.

Geography
Timor-Leste occupies the eastern half of the island of Timor, along with the islands of Atauro and Jaco, and the exclave of Oecusse in the northwest.

• Capital: Dili is the capital and largest city.
• Terrain: The interior is rugged and mountainous, with the highest point being Mount Tatamailau.
• Climate: The country has a dry tropical climate, with a distinct wet season from December to May.
• Biodiversity: Located within the Coral Triangle, the waters around Atauro Island are considered among the most biodiverse in the world.

Economy

• Oil and Gas: The economy is heavily dependent on offshore oil and gas reserves, which account for the majority of government revenue.
• Petroleum Fund: To manage its natural resource wealth, the government established a Petroleum Fund in 2005.
• Non-Oil Sector: Beyond petroleum, agriculture is a major employer, primarily subsistence farming. Coffee is the second-largest export. 

Culture and society

• Languages: The official languages are Tetum and Portuguese. Indonesian and English are also considered working languages.
• Religion: Approximately 97% of the population is Roman Catholic, a legacy of Portuguese rule that was also a focus of resistance during the Indonesian occupation.
• Traditional Culture: Indigenous and animist beliefs are blended with Catholicism in daily life. The country has a strong tradition of oral storytelling, music, and dance.
• Tais Weaving: The traditional hand-woven textile, known as tais, is a significant part of the cultural heritage.

Government and politics

• System: Timor-Leste operates as a semi-presidential republic.
• President: The head of state is the president, who is elected by popular vote. The current president is José Ramos-Horta.
• Prime Minister: The head of government is the prime minister, appointed from the majority party or coalition in the National Parliament. The current prime minister is Xanana Gusmão. 

  Why in news?
The Reserve Bank of India will exempt a government-backed SWAMIH fund from its tightened rules for alternate investment funds (AIF).

About SWAMIH Fund

• The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Fund is a government-backed initiative that provides last-mile debt financing to complete stalled and stressed residential housing projects.
• Launched in 2019, the fund aims to deliver homes to distressed homebuyers and revive the real estate sector.

Key features

• Fund manager and sponsor: The SWAMIH Fund is managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd., a subsidiary of the State Bank of India, and sponsored by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• Fund type: It is a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) debt fund, which is a pooled investment vehicle that invests in assets other than traditional securities.
• Corpus: The fund has raised approximately ?15,530 crore through investments from the government, banks, and other financial institutions.
• Lender of last resort: The fund is often considered a "lender of last resort" for stalled projects, providing financing where traditional lenders are unwilling to take on the risk.
• Project focus: It finances stalled, brownfield, and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)-registered projects that fall under the affordable and mid-income housing categories. 

Eligibility criteria for projects
For a project to qualify for SWAMIH funding, it must meet the following criteria: 

• Be registered under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA).
• Be classified as a stressed or stalled project in need of last-mile funding.
• Be "net-worth positive," meaning the value of its unsold inventory and receivables is greater than the cost to complete construction and repay existing liabilities.
• Have at least 30% of the construction and development work completed.
• Be primarily focused on affordable and mid-income housing, with a cap on unit prices depending on the city.
• Not be used to repay existing lenders. 

Benefits of the fund
The SWAMIH fund provides relief to multiple parties in the real estate sector: 

• For homebuyers: Ensures the timely completion and delivery of their long-awaited homes, providing a reliable path to possession.
• For developers: Offers a financial lifeline to complete stalled projects, which helps clear unsold inventory and restore credibility.
• For the economy: Revives construction activity, creates employment for construction workers, and boosts allied industries such as cement and steel.
• For banks and NBFCs: Prevents incomplete projects from becoming Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), which reduces bad loans and strengthens the financial system.
• Boosts confidence: The government backing and oversight restore confidence in the real estate market, encouraging further investment. 

Achievements and future plans

• Success of SWAMIH Fund I: As of early 2025, Fund I had sanctioned over ?12,000 crore for more than 130 projects, completing over 50,000 homes. Notable projects include Rivali Park in Mumbai and several from the Amrapali Group.
• SWAMIH Fund 2.0: In the 2025 Union Budget, the government announced SWAMIH Fund 2.0 with an additional ?15,000 crore corpus. This second phase aims to complete another 1 lakh stalled housing units through a blended finance model.

 
Why in news?
India’s largest hydroelectric project, the 2000-MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, has begun its commissioning phase.

About Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project

• The  Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHEP) is India's largest hydroelectric project, with an installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts.
• Operated by the state-run National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), the project is a run-of-the-river scheme built on the Subansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. 

Location and structure

• Location: The LSHEP is situated at Gerukamukh on the border between the northeastern Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• Dam type: It features a concrete gravity dam that is 116 meters high from the riverbed and 130 meters high from its foundation.
• Powerhouse: Located on the right bank of the river, the powerhouse contains eight Francis-type turbines, each with a capacity of 250 MW.
• Tunnels: The project includes eight headrace tunnels and eight surge tunnels to direct water to the powerhouse for power generation.
• Reservoir: The dam has created a reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 1.37 cubic kilometers. 

Controversies and issues
The project has faced significant opposition and delays due to several issues: 

• Downstream impact: Local groups in Assam, including the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), have protested against the potential environmental and social consequences downstream.
• Geological concerns: The dam is located in a highly seismic zone, Zone V, which has raised safety concerns.
• Ecological impact: The reservoir will submerge forests, wildlife habitats, and agricultural land, impacting the local ecosystem.
• Landslides: The project has been impacted by landslides, including one in October 2023 that blocked a diversion tunnel.

Benefits and output
Once fully operational, the project is expected to deliver the following benefits:

• Annual generation: It is expected to generate approximately 7,500 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power annually.
• Energy security: It will supply power to 17 states in India, strengthening the renewable energy capacity of the North-East region.

 
Why in news?
Prime Minister recently extended greetings to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on its 64th Raising Day.

About Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

• Established in 1962 after the Sino-Indian War to guard India's border with Tibet Autonomous Region of China.?
• Mandate includes guarding India's 3,488 km border from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.?
• Operations involve border surveillance, counter-insurgency, and rescue missions in the Himalayan region.?
• Training emphasizes mountaineering, skiing, high-altitude warfare, and tactical skills, with personnel often stationed at altitudes between 9,000 and 18,800 feet.?
• Involvement extends beyond border security to disaster relief, rescue efforts, and internal security operations against extremism and insurgency.?
• Headquarters located in New Delhi, with a motto reflecting valor, steadfastness, and duty: “Shaurya – Dridhata – Karm Nishtha”.?
• Specialized Skills include mountain warfare, trekking, skiing, and high-altitude survival, making it uniquely equipped for the Himalayan terrain.?
• History includes its formation for border security, expansion for internal security in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, and taking over responsibilities previously held by Assam Rifles in 2004.?
• Current role involves border patrol, counter-terrorism, disaster response, and humanitarian aid in the Himalayan and border areas.

 
Why in news?
The Centre recently announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) — its Padma-style national awards for scientific achievement — with 24 individual awards and one team award.

About rashtriya vigyan puraskar

• The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is a prestigious national award presented by the Government of India to recognize exceptional contributions in science, technology, and innovation.
• Instituted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the awards are inspired by the Padma awards to honor and motivate the nation's visionaries in science and technology.

Objectives

• To acknowledge and inspire remarkable contributions made by scientists, technologists, and innovators, whether individually or in teams.
• To strengthen India's research ecosystem and accelerate the nation's journey as a global leader in science and technology innovation. 

Award categories

• Vigyan Ratna (VR): For lifetime achievements in science and technology (maximum 3 annually).
• Vigyan Shri (VS): For distinguished contributions in science and technology (maximum 25 annually).
• Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): For exceptional contributions by young scientists (up to 45 years of age) (maximum 25 annually).
• Vigyan Team (VT): For exceptional contributions by a team of three or more individuals (maximum 3 annually).

Eligible fields

• The awards cover 13 fields of science and technology, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Medical Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Atomic Energy, Space Science, and Technology-led Innovation. 

 

Download Pdf