Daily Current Affairs 2025  

27/10/2025

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CA-27/10/2025

Why in news?
The 2025 APEC summit held in Gyeongju, South Korea, under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,"
 
Key outcomes of the APEC Summit 2025

• Adoption of the Gyeongju Declaration reaffirming commitment to inclusive economic growth with AI and demographic shifts as key focuses.
• Launch of the APEC Artificial Intelligence Initiative (2026-2030) to boost inclusive, resilient, and sustainable AI development.
• Framework adopted for demographic changes addressing ageing populations, declining birth rates, and urbanization.
• Strengthened economic and technological cooperation, including China-South Korea currency swap renewal and US-China trade talks resumption signals.
• Support reaffirmed for rules-based multilateralism and the Putrajaya Vision 2040 for an open, dynamic, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.
• Emphasis on digital trade, AI integration, and supply-chain resilience including support for SMEs.

Key Features of APEC:

• Membership includes 21 economies, such as the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Taiwan (participating as "Chinese Taipei"). These members collectively represent over 60% of global GDP and more than 2.9 billion people.
• APEC emphasizes trade liberalization, business facilitation, economic and technical cooperation, and connectivity across the region.
• Its decision-making is by consensus, and every member economy has an equal voice.
• The forum promotes streamlined customs procedures, aligned regulations, and standards to facilitate the free flow of goods, services, investments, and people.

Membership and Enlargement:

• India has sought APEC membership but has not been admitted largely because it does not border the Pacific Ocean, a criterion for current members.
• Several other economies such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others have also applied for membership or observer status.

 
Why in news?
In an effort to promote self-reliance and inclusive growth, the Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles recently launched a skill-based initiative to empower women of the Ollo tribe under Operation Sadbhavana.

About Ollo Tribe

Identity and Location

• The Ollo Tribe, also known as Lazu Naga or Oloh, is a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group.
• They primarily inhabit the Laju Circle of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Myanmar's Naga Self-Administered Zone.
• Despite living in two countries, they maintain close cultural and familial ties, sharing the same dialect, religion, and customs.?

• The Ollo people trace their origins to migrations from places called Tangnyu and Sansit (believed to be locations in China and Burma).
• Longkho is the oldest known village of the Ollo tribe.

Social Structure

• The tribe has a clan-based social system with hereditary chieftaincy.
• The society is deeply patriarchal, emphasizing male succession and property inheritance.
• Leadership roles such as Lowang (chiefs) and Ngongpa (leaders) play important roles in the clan hierarchy.

Culture and Customs

• They practice ancestral worship and preserve rich oral traditions through storytelling and folksongs.
• The Ollo people build houses on stilts.
• Their culture includes annual festivals like the Voorang festival reflecting their agrarian lifestyle and mythic past.

Present Day

• Population in India is around 1,500 individuals as per the 2011 Census.
• Development initiatives, such as skill development for Ollo women by Assam Rifles under Operation Sadbhavana, aim to empower the community.
• They continue to preserve their cultural heritage while embracing modern development.?

 




 
Why in news?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch military communications satellite CMS-03 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

About CMS-03 Satellite

• The CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) is a military communication satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the Indian armed forces, particularly the Navy.

Purpose and capabilities

• Military communication: The CMS-03 is a multi-band satellite that will provide secure, high-bandwidth communication links for the Navy, Air Force, and Army.
• Maritime defense: It is intended to strengthen the Indian Navy's communication network and expand its operational reach across the Indian Ocean and other critical maritime zones. 
• Civilian and strategic applications: In addition to military use, the satellite will aid civilian agencies and improve digital access for remote territories by offering sharper, higher-capacity bandwidth.
• Modernization: As the replacement for the GSAT-7 satellite, CMS-03 features upgraded payloads and improved signal clarity. 

Launch details

• Launch vehicle: The CMS-03 will be launched aboard India's most powerful operational rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).
• Launch site: The mission will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Payload weight: At approximately 4,400 kg, it will be the heaviest communication satellite launched from Indian soil.
• Orbit: The satellite will be placed into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) before maneuvering into a geostationary orbit, where it will remain over a fixed longitude. 

Significance

• Strategic autonomy: The CMS-03 mission is a major step toward achieving self-reliance in India's defense communication systems and maritime domain awareness.
• Technological advancement: The launch demonstrates ISRO's capabilities in heavy satellite technology and advanced transponder systems.
• Enhanced security: By ensuring seamless, secure communication, the satellite will significantly strengthen India's defense preparedness. 

 
Why in news?
Recently, a White-cheeked Partridge (Arborophila atrogularis) was rescued near Dehing Patkai National Park.

About White-Cheeked Partridge
The White-cheeked Partridge (Arborophila atrogularis) is a shy, ground-dwelling bird native to the forests of Southeast Asia. Due to habitat loss and hunting, its population is in decline, and it is classified as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN. 

Characteristics

• Appearance: A gray-brown partridge with a contrasting white cheek patch, a dark throat, and finely patterned feathers. It has red skin around its eyes, a black bill, and orange to red legs.
• Size: The bird is relatively small, measuring about 25–28 cm in length.
• Behavior: Like other Arborophila partridges, it is secretive and seldom seen in the open, preferring to move furtively within dense undergrowth. It is most active at dawn and dusk.
• Vocalization: Its call is a series of paired, mellow whistles, which are often heard early or late in the day. 

Habitat and distribution

• Habitat: It inhabits the dense undergrowth of primary and secondary evergreen forests, as well as adjacent scrubland, bamboo, and grassland areas.
• Distribution: Its range includes Northeast India (particularly Assam, Mizoram, and Meghalaya), northern Myanmar, northeast Bangladesh, and southern China. It is typically found at altitudes below 750 m in India but up to 1,220 m in other parts of Southeast Asia. 

 

Why in news?
Scientists at the National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP), Bengaluru, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), have developed a ready-to-use, egg yolk-free solution – CRYODIL.

About CRYODIL

• Based on recent developments reported by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), 
• CRYODIL is an egg yolk-free semen extender developed for the cryopreservation (freezing) of buffalo semen. 

Key features

• Egg yolk-free: Unlike traditional extenders, CRYODIL does not use egg yolk, which eliminates the risk of microbial contamination. The new solution uses purified whey proteins instead.
• Extended shelf life: It can preserve buffalo semen for up to 18 months, which is a significantly longer shelf life compared to conventional extenders.
• Improved sperm motility: Tests have shown that sperm cryopreserved in CRYODIL have significantly higher "post-thaw progressive motility"—the ability to swim after being frozen and thawed—which is crucial for successful fertilization.
• Cost-effective and indigenous: CRYODIL is cheaper and easier to produce than traditional and imported commercial extenders. This fosters self-reliance for India in animal breeding technology. 

Significance and development

• Developed by NIANP: CRYODIL was created by scientists at the National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP) in Bengaluru, which operates under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Enhances buffalo breeding: By improving the success rate of artificial insemination (AI), the solution is expected to enhance India's dairy productivity and contribute to the dairy economy. 

 
Why in news?
The forest department's relocation drive at Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur taluk has hit a hurdle, as residents of Amagaon village have set several conditions before agreeing to move out.

About Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary

• Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest reserve located in the Belgaum district of Karnataka, India, in the Western Ghats near the Goa border.

• Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary covers around 190 sq km of tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests and grasslands.?
• The forests are famous for the Barapede caves, the only known breeding site of the endangered Wroughton’s free-tailed bat.?
• The area is named after the historic Bhimgad Fort, built by Shivaji in the 17th century to defend against Portuguese incursions from Goa.
• The region forms the headwaters for several important rivers like the Mhadei (Mandovi in Goa), Malaprabha, and Tillari.

• The sanctuary is contiguous with other protected areas such as Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa), Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park (Goa), Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa), and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka).?

• Bhimgad is a biodiversity hotspot featuring tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur, sambar, chital, wild dogs, elephants, foxes, king cobras, and many other endangered species.?
• It is also home to a range of avifauna including the Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Imperial Pigeon, Emerald Dove, and the rare Malabar Trogon.?

• The sanctuary features natural attractions like the Vajrapoha Waterfalls and scenic landscapes amidst the Western Ghats.?

 




 
Why in news?
Recently, the Cabinet Secretary chaired a meeting of the National Crises Management Committee (NCMC) to review preparedness for the impending cyclone in Bay of Bengal.

About National Crisis Management Committee

• The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) is India's apex body for coordinating an effective response to major disasters with national implications.
• NCMC was recently given statutory backing under the amended Disaster Management Act, 2025, which formalizes its role in overseeing relief and rescue operations. 

Composition

• Chairman: The Cabinet Secretary.
• Members: The Union Home Secretary, Defence Secretary, Secretary (Coordination) from the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Member and Head of Department of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• Co-opted members: The chairperson has the authority to invite experts or officials from central/state governments or other organizations to assist the committee, depending on the specific nature of a crisis. 

Key functions

• Evaluates preparedness: The committee assesses the nation's readiness to respond to any disaster situation, whether it is threatening, emerging, or ongoing, and issues directions to enhance preparation.
• Coordinates and monitors: It coordinates and monitors the actions of all relevant ministries, central government departments, state governments, and disaster management authorities. This ensures that relief and rescue efforts are unified and effective.
• Mobilizes resources: It facilitates the speedy mobilization of resources, including financial, human, and material aid, to the affected regions.
• Issues directives: The NCMC issues necessary directions to the Crisis Management Group (CMG) and other agencies to ensure proper coordination and monitoring of the response efforts.
• Provides high-level information: It keeps high-level authorities, including the Prime Minister, informed about the crisis situation and the progress of the response. 

Operation and significance

• Statutory backing: The NCMC's newly formalized status under Section 8A(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, reinforces its authority as the apex decision-making body for national disaster response.
• Unified leadership: By aligning central and state disaster response efforts under a single leadership, the NCMC minimizes fragmentation during emergencies.
• Activation: The NCMC is activated when a crisis exceeds the capacity of state governments and requires intervention at the national level.

 
Why in news?
The Union government has taken up about 22,560 hectares of land to restore and conserve mangroves under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) initiative over the past two years.

About MISHTI Scheme

• The MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme is an initiative by the Government of India to protect and restore mangrove ecosystems along the country's coastline.
• Launched in 2023, the scheme aims to address climate change and promote sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. 

Objectives

• Ecological restoration: The primary goal is to restore and expand India's mangrove cover through afforestation and reforestation efforts in coastal regions and on saltpan lands.
• Climate change mitigation: Mangroves are highly effective in sequestering carbon and act as natural bio-shields against coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and storm surges. The scheme works to enhance this natural protection.
• Livelihood generation: MISHTI aims to provide tangible economic benefits and alternative income opportunities for coastal communities that depend on mangrove ecosystems, for example, through ecotourism.
• Community empowerment: The scheme involves local communities and various stakeholder groups in the planning and implementation of conservation activities.
• International commitments: The initiative aligns with India's membership in the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), launched at COP27 in 2022.
• Target area: MISHTI targets the restoration of approximately 540 square kilometers of mangroves across nine states and four Union Territories.

Funding mechanism: 
The scheme uses a convergence approach, drawing funds from multiple sources, including:

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Fund.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
• State government plans.

Stakeholder involvement: 
The program is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) through the respective State Forest Departments. It encourages participation from local communities, NGOs, and research institutions.

Benefits

• Ecological benefits: Improved coastal ecosystem health, richer biodiversity, and increased carbon storage.
• Economic benefits: Enhanced livelihoods for coastal communities through sustainable resources and ecotourism.
• Climate resilience: Better protection for coastal communities and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change. 

 
About BHASKAR Platform
The  BHASKAR platform (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) is a centralized digital registry for India's startup ecosystem, developed under the Startup India program.
Launched in September 2024 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), it is intended to connect and facilitate collaboration among startups, investors, mentors, and government bodies. 

Core objectives

• Centralized registry: The primary goal is to create the world's largest digital registry of startup ecosystem stakeholders.
• Networking and collaboration: BHASKAR aims to streamline interaction among startups, investors, mentors, service providers, and government entities to foster collaboration.
• Enhanced access to resources: It provides a one-stop digital platform for startups to access a wide array of resources, tools, and knowledge necessary for growth.
• Greater discoverability: The platform enhances the visibility and searchability of startups for investors and mentors.
• Driving innovation: By connecting key players, BHASKAR seeks to catalyze the growth and success of India's startup ecosystem and promote innovation. 

Key features

• Personalized BHASKAR ID: Each stakeholder receives a unique ID tied to a personalized dashboard for streamlined and tailored interactions.
• Enhanced visibility and discoverability: Profile cards help startups gain visibility, and powerful search features help users find relevant collaborators and opportunities.
• Centralized resource access: The platform aggregates valuable information and resources for entrepreneurs to aid in their journey from ideation to scaling.
• Tailored resources for students: BHASKAR offers free tools and expert mentorship opportunities for students interested in entrepreneurship.
• Collaborative opportunities for investors: It provides investors curated access to high-potential startups and facilitates collaborative engagements with other investors. 

Significance

• Support for non-metro regions: BHASKAR aims to empower entrepreneurs in smaller cities and regions by connecting them to the larger national ecosystem.
• Growth monitoring: The platform provides analytics to monitor the health of the ecosystem and track cross-organizational collaborations.
• Strengthening the Startup India mission: BHASKAR is a key initiative under the government's Startup India program to support entrepreneurship and transform India into a hub for job creators. 

 
About Grain ATM
A Grain ATM (often called "Annapurti") is an automated machine designed to dispense grains to beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India.

Key points

• Functionality: It works like a bank ATM, but instead of cash, it dispenses a pre-determined quantity of grains (like wheat or rice) to eligible ration cardholders.
• Purpose: The main aim is to ensure food security, transparency, and efficiency in the PDS. It helps eliminate long queues and reduces the possibility of leakage or short measurement of grains by Fair Price Shop dealers.
• Access: Beneficiaries can typically access their grain entitlement using their ration card and biometric authentication, such as a fingerprint scan (Aadhaar enabled Public Distribution System - AePDS).
• Development: The "Annapurti" grain ATM was designed and developed by the World Food Programme (WFP) India in collaboration with government bodies.
• Pioneer Locations: The first Grain ATM in India was reportedly set up in Gurugram, Haryana, and later in other states like Odisha (Bhubaneshwar) and Gujarat (Bhavnagar).
• Universal Access: The system is often designed to provide universal access, meaning anyone with a valid PDS ration card in India can access their entitlement, regardless of the State or Union Territory where the card was issued.

 
About Jiyo Parsi Scheme

• The Jiyo Parsi Scheme is a unique Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.
• Its primary focus is to address the rapid population decline within the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community in India.

Key details about the scheme

1. Core Objective
The main goal is to reverse the decline in the population of the Parsi community in India, which has been steadily falling over the past decades. The scheme was launched in 2013-14.

2. Components & Benefits
The scheme has two main components:
Medical Assistance (Fertility Treatment): This is the core component. It provides financial assistance to Parsi couples for various fertility treatments under standard medical protocols, such as:

• In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

3. Eligibility
The medical assistance is primarily for Parsi couples who are facing fertility issues and are willing to have children.

4. Implementation

• The scheme is implemented through designated agencies and medical centers.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning it is fully funded by the Central Government.
• The government has also launched a portal for the scheme to allow eligible Parsi couples to apply for assistance online.

In essence, the Jiyo Parsi Scheme is a targeted social engineering effort to preserve and revitalize the Parsi community by directly tackling the low fertility rate and population decline.



  About Supercapacitors

• A supercapacitor, also known as an ultracapacitor or electrochemical capacitor, is an advanced energy storage device that bridges the gap between traditional capacitors and rechargeable batteries.
• Unlike traditional capacitors that use a soliddielectric, supercapacitors use a different mechanism to store a significantly higher amount of energy.

How Supercapacitors Work?
Supercapacitors store energy through a combination of two mechanisms:

• Electric Double-Layer Capacitance (EDLC): This is a purely electrostatic storage mechanism,  uses highly porous carbon electrodes (like activated carbon) immersed in an electrolyte. When a voltage is applied, ions from the electrolyte are attracted to the surface of the electrodes, forming two opposite charge layers separated by only a few nanometers (the electric double layer). This ultra-small separation distance is what gives the supercapacitor its high capacitance.
• Pseudocapacitance: This is an electrochemical storage mechanism that involves a rapid, reversible Faradaic (redox) reaction between the electrode material and the electrolyte ions. This transfer of charge adds to the total stored energy.

Types of Supercapacitors

• Electric Double-Layer Capacitors (EDLCs): Primarily rely on the electrostatic EDLC mechanism. They use high-surface-area carbon electrodes.
• Pseudocapacitors: Rely mainly on the electrochemical pseudocapacitance mechanism, often using metal oxides or conductive polymers as electrode materials.
• Hybrid Capacitors: Combine one electrode with EDLC storage and another with pseudocapacitance (or battery-like chemical storage) to achieve a balance between high energy density and high power density.

Supercapacitors vs. Batteries
Supercapacitors excel in power density and cycle life, while batteries have a higher energy density. They are often used to complement batteries in systems.

Feature	Supercapacitor	Battery (e.g., Lithium-ion)
Energy Storage	Primarily electrostatic (physical)	Electrochemical (chemical reaction)
Power Density	Very High (Rapid charge/discharge)	Lower
Charging Time	Seconds to a few minutes	Minutes to hours
Cycle Life	Very Long (Hundreds of thousands or millions)	Shorter (Hundreds to a few thousand)
Energy Density	Lower (Stores less energy per unit weight/volume)	High (Stores more energy)
Operating Temp.	Wider range, less prone to overheating	Narrower range, risk of thermal runaway

 
Applications

• Transportation: Used in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles for regenerative braking (quickly capturing energy) and providing peak power during acceleration.
• Grid Systems: Used for frequency regulation and stabilizing power output from renewable energy sources like wind turbines and solar panels.
• Electronics: Used for backup power in devices like RAM, memory cards, and dash cameras, especially where batteries would fail due to high temperatures.
• Industrial: Used in heavy machinery and cranes for quick, high-power lifting and braking cycles.

 

• Teal Carbon is an emerging term in environmental science that refers to the carbon sequestered and stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands.
• It is part of a color-based nomenclature used to classify organic carbon based on its ecosystem location and function in the global carbon cycle.

Key Features of Teal Carbon
Location: It is stored in inland, non-tidal freshwater ecosystems, which include:

• Marshes and Swamps
• Lakes and Ponds
• Peatlands (which are the most significant reservoir)
• River floodplains and natural freshwater marshes
• Storage Mechanism: Carbon is sequestered in:
• The vegetation (aquatic and semi-aquatic plants)
• Microbial biomass
• Dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM/POM)
• Waterlogged soils and sediments, where the anaerobic conditions slow down decomposition, allowing carbon to be trapped for long periods.

Significance: 

• Freshwater wetlands are considered highly efficient carbon sinks. 
• They cover a relatively small portion of the Earth's land surface but store a disproportionately large amount of global soil organic carbon. 
• Peatlands, for instance, can store vast amounts of carbon, sometimes for thousands of years.

Teal Carbon vs. Blue Carbon
 

Feature	Teal Carbon	Blue Carbon
Ecosystem	Non-tidal Freshwater Wetlands	Tidal Coastal/Marine Ecosystems
Examples	Peatlands, Freshwater Marshes, Lakes, Swamps	Mangroves, Seagrass Meadows, Salt Marshes

Challenges

• Methane Emissions: Wetlands can be a natural source of methane (CH4?), a powerful greenhouse gas. If the wetland is degraded or heavily polluted, methane emissions can increase, potentially offsetting the CO2? sequestration benefit.
• Degradation: They are highly vulnerable to human activities like pollution, drainage, agriculture, and water extraction, which can convert them from carbon sinks into carbon sources.

The concept highlights the crucial, yet often overlooked, role of inland wetlands in global climate change mitigation and the urgent need for their conservation.
   

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