Daily Current Affairs 2025  

01/11/2025

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CA-01/11/2025

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has not yet entered into force, and recent developments are dominated by ongoing geopolitical tensions and the persistent holdout of nine specific states required for its enforcement. Russia's 2023 de-ratification is a major recent setback, though a global norm against testing remains. 

Key Latest Developments

• Treaty Status: As of late 2025, the CTBT has been signed by 187 states and ratified by 178. However, it requires ratification by all 44 "Annex 2" states (those possessing nuclear power or research reactors at the time of negotiation) to enter into force.
• Nine Holdout States: Nine Annex 2 states have yet to take the necessary action:
  • Signed but not ratified: China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, and the United States.
  • Not signed: India, North Korea, and Pakistan.
  • De-ratified: Russia withdrew its ratification in November 2023 to match the US's posture, though it remains a signatory and has pledged to maintain its testing moratorium unless the US tests.

• Continued Moratoriums and Concerns: Despite the lack of formal entry into force, a strong de facto global norm against nuclear testing exists, with only North Korea conducting nuclear tests this century.

• The CTBTO Executive Secretary, Robert Floyd, issued a statement on October 30, 2025, acknowledging recent public remarks about potential nuclear testing and reiterating that the International Monitoring System (IMS) stands ready to detect any such explosion, emphasizing the harmful and destabilizing impact any test would have.
• Recent conferences, such as the 14th Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force in September 2025, highlighted the urgent need for political will and courage to accelerate the ratification process amidst a complex global security environment.

• Verification System: The CTBTO continues to build its robust verification regime, which includes a global network of over 300 monitoring stations (seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide) that have successfully detected all six declared North Korean nuclear tests. This system provides data to member states and offers additional benefits like tsunami warnings and climate research. 

The CTBT remains a cornerstone of global non-proliferation efforts, but its full legal effectiveness hinges on the political will of the remaining Annex 2 states. The U.S. Senate filibuster rule remains in effect, generally requiring 60 votes to end debate on most legislation (known as invoking cloture). There have been no recent changes to the rule, despite renewed calls to eliminate it during the October 2025 government shutdown. 

Current Status and Latest Developments

• 60-Vote Threshold Intact: The long-standing rule that "three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn" (usually 60 out of 100 senators) are needed to stop a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote is still the active rule for most legislation.
• Trump's Calls for Elimination: During the 2025 federal government shutdown, then-President Donald Trump publicly urged Republicans to use the "nuclear option" (changing Senate rules by a simple majority vote) to eliminate the filibuster and pass a funding bill without Democratic support.
• Republican Leaders' Pushback: Top Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, quickly dismissed Trump's calls, reaffirming their support for the 60-vote threshold as an important institutional check.
• Continued Political Tool: The filibuster remains a powerful legislative tool that allows the minority party to block bills, a dynamic evident in the ongoing political standoffs and the 2025 government shutdown, where a Republican-led spending bill failed because it couldn't reach the 60-vote supermajority.
• No Recent Rule Changes: The last significant vote to change the legislative filibuster was on January 19, 2022, when an attempt by Democrats to create a carve-out for voting rights legislation failed due to a lack of unanimous support within their caucus. 

In short, the filibuster is alive and well in the U.S. Senate, and while there is ongoing debate about its future, the rules have not changed.
India and the US have recently signed a new 10-year 'Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership' (2025-2035), replacing the 2015 agreement. This landmark pact provides a unified vision for deepening cooperation across all domains, including defence-industrial collaboration, military interoperability, and maritime domain awareness, with a focus on ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

Key Highlights of the 2025 Framework
The new framework outlines an ambitious roadmap for comprehensive defense collaboration with the following key focus areas:

• Defence-Industrial Collaboration: A major emphasis is on expanded co-production and co-development of advanced defense systems, aligning with India's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives.
• Technology Cooperation: The agreement aims to accelerate cooperation in critical and emerging technologies (under the iCET initiative), including space security, cyber defense, AI warfare, and undersea technologies.
• Enhanced Interoperability: The framework aims to strengthen the abilities of the two militaries to coordinate and respond quickly to regional threats and disasters through expanded military-to-military exercises (such as Yudh Abhyas, Malabar, and Tiger Triumph), information sharing, and liaison officer exchanges.
• Regional Security: Both nations committed to working together to ensure a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, reinforcing India's role as a net security provider in the region.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Building on existing foundational agreements, the framework aims to mitigate supply chain risks and ensure the security of supply chains in critical defence materials. 

Foundational Agreements
The new framework is built upon several existing foundational agreements that enhance interoperability and information sharing: 

• LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) (2016): Enables reciprocal access to military facilities for logistics support.
• COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) (2018): Facilitates secure communications between the two militaries.
• BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) (2020): Enables the exchange of geospatial intelligence and mapping data.
• SOSA (Security of Supply Arrangement) (2024): Allows either country to request priority delivery of defence goods and services from the other's firms during a crisis. 

Current Status
The 2025 Framework was signed on October 31, 2025, during a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The two sides view defense as a major pillar of their bilateral relationship, which remains strong despite ongoing trade tensions. 
The Supreme Court recently held that the Doctrine of Party Autonomy is not limitless, and the same is the bedrock of arbitration.

About Doctrine of Party Autonomy india

The Doctrine of Party Autonomy in India refers to the principle that parties involved in arbitration have the freedom to shape important aspects of the dispute resolution process, including determining the governing laws, choosing the location (seat) of arbitration, selecting arbitrators, and customizing procedural rules to suit their specific needs.?

Key Features in India

• Party autonomy is the “guiding spirit” of arbitration recognized by Indian law, particularly under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.?
• It enables parties to contractually decide the law applicable to the arbitration, the seat of arbitration, and procedural details, reflecting flexibility in dispute resolution.?
• Both international conventions (like the New York Convention, UNCITRAL Model Law) and Indian statutes uphold party autonomy as a cornerstone principle.?

Legal and Practical Limits

• Party autonomy is not unlimited; it may be restricted by mandatory Indian legal provisions, public policy considerations, or questions of morality and justice.?
• The Supreme Court has clarified that meaningful participation from all parties is required, so one party cannot exercise undue influence in matters such as arbitrator appointment or selection of laws.?
• In some scenarios, courts or arbitral institutions may intervene to ensure impartiality if parties fail to appoint arbitrators or there is an imbalance of power.?

Judicial Developments

• Indian courts have supported party autonomy in landmark judgments (e.g., Bharat Aluminium Co. v. Kaiser Aluminium), but also clarified distinctions between domestic and international arbitration, especially regarding the seat of arbitration and scope of judicial intervention.?

Recent Supreme Court judgments emphasize that the autonomy must always be exercised so as not to violate Indian public policy or statutory requirements.? India’s approach to party autonomy aligns broadly with international arbitration frameworks but occasionally differs from global standards due to Indian public policy exceptions and judicial interpretation.?
Continuous judicial and legislative efforts seek to balance autonomy with impartiality, efficiency, and access to competent arbitrators.?

Summary Table: Doctrine of Party Autonomy (India)

Aspect	Explanation	Legal Reference
Governing Law	Parties choose applicable law ?	Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996
Seat of Arbitration	Free to select location ?	Section 20, ACA 1996
Arbitrator Selection	Parties appoint arbitrators ?	Sections 10-15, ACA 1996
Procedure Choice	Customize rules/process ?	Arbitration Agreement
Limitations	Subject to law, public policy ?	Supreme Court judgments

 
In conclusion, party autonomy is a foundational but regulated principle in Indian arbitration, empowering parties to tailor dispute resolution while ensuring fairness, impartiality, and public policy compliance.?
Recently, the union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, launched the Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025.

About National Marine Fisheries Census 2025
The National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 is India's fifth and first-ever fully digital, geo-referenced census of its marine fishing communities, infrastructure, and socio-economic indicators. It aims to create a comprehensive national database for evidence-based planning and effective implementation of welfare schemes. 
 
Key Details

• It is the fifth edition of the Marine Fisheries Census, covering all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories of India, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
• The census covers around 1.2 million fisher households across 5,000 marine fishing villages, 1,200+ landing centers, 50 fishing harbors, jetties, markets, and processing plants.
• The enumeration is scheduled over an extended period of 45 days (from November 3 to December 18, 2025).
• It is fully digital and paperless, employing a suite of custom-built multilingual Android applications developed by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI): VyAS-NAV for validation of fishing villages and harbors, VyAS-BHARAT for household and infrastructure enumeration, and VyAS-SUTRA for real-time supervision and monitoring.
• Data collection is real-time, geo-referenced, eliminating manual errors and speeding up processing accuracy.
• The census scope is expanded to include detailed socio-economic data such as total family income, homeownership, outstanding liabilities, and sources of credit.
• It records data on vulnerabilities like insurance status, major losses or disabilities, COVID-19 socio-economic impact on fisher families, and benefits from schemes like PMMSY/PM-MKSSY.
• New schedules focus on institutional mapping of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for strengthening collectivization and the fisheries value chain.
• The census also incorporates technological innovations like drone-based aerial enumeration of fishing crafts during trawl ban periods at major harbors for neutral, verifiable data.
• This census aims to create the most granular, evidence-based national fisheries database to enable targeted welfare programs, climate-resilient policies, and inclusive development strategies fostering community-led growth and entrepreneurship among women and youth in coastal areas.

 Objectives
The census aims to build a comprehensive, geo-referenced national database of marine fisher families, vessels, and infrastructure. It will collect detailed socio-economic data on income, homeownership, liabilities, credit sources, insurance, and the impact of COVID-19. The census also seeks to map Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen the value chain and provide data for refining government welfare programs and designing climate-resilient strategies. 
Recently, seven countries have secured $5.8 million from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to enhance nature-friendly agriculture.

About Kunming Biodiversity Fund

The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) is a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) established to help developing countries implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), a global roadmap to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. 

Establishment and Administration

• Establishment: The KBF was launched in 2021 at COP15 in Kunming, China, and became fully operational in May 2024.
• Founders & Administrators: Established by China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with input from the CBD Secretariat and UNDP.
• Initial Funding: China provided initial seed funding of 1.5 billion Yuan (approximately USD 220-230 million), inviting other partners to contribute.
• Governance: An Executive Council oversees the fund, a Secretariat hosted by UNEP in Montréal manages daily operations, and a Technical Advisory Group provides expert advice. 

Purpose and Focus Areas
The KBF aims to address the finance gap in global conservation and support developing countries in achieving KMGBF goals and targets. Key focus areas include: 

• Implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
• Supporting ecosystem restoration and protection projects.
• Promoting sustainable use of wild species and natural resources.
• Funding community-based invasive alien species management.
• Strengthening data systems and promoting sustainable practices, including empowering women and youth.
• Integrating biodiversity into national policies and economic planning across various sectors. 

Project Implementation
As a Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the KBF channels resources through participating UN organizations to work with national authorities and local NGOs. In October 2025, the KBF endorsed its first 22 projects, supporting 34 countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, focusing on species protection, sustainable land use, and ecosystem resilience. 
Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said that Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in the state.

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said that Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in the state.

About Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Madhya Pradesh, India, is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the state, covering an area of nearly 1,197 square kilometers. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and was recently designated as part of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. 

Key Features

• Location: The sanctuary spans across the districts of Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur, situated on a plateau that forms part of the upper Vindhyan range.
• River Basins: A unique geographical feature is that the sanctuary encompasses two major river basins: three-fourths of the area falls within the Ganges (Yamuna) basin, and one-fourth in the Narmada basin.
• Wildlife Corridor: It serves as a vital wildlife corridor, connecting the Panna Tiger Reserve, Satpura Tiger Reserve, and indirectly the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve through the Rani Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Vegetation: The forest type is primarily dry mixed deciduous, with dominant trees including teak, saja, dhawda, and tendu. 

Fauna and Flora
Nauradehi is known for its rich biodiversity and is a prominent location for the conservation of the Indian wolf, which is considered the keystone species of the sanctuary. 
Notable Fauna:

• Carnivores: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Indian wolf, striped hyena, wild dog (dhole), sloth bear, and Bengal fox.
• Herbivores: Nilgai (blue bull), chinkara (Indian gazelle), chital (spotted deer), sambar, blackbuck, four-horned antelope (chousingha), and wild boar.
• Reptiles: Freshwater turtles, monitor lizards, and mugger crocodiles (found in the Bamner river and Chakai Kunda Nala).
• Birds: Over 150 species of birds, including various eagles, vultures (like the white-rumped and long-billed vultures), storks, cranes, and owls. 

Flora: Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Bhirra, Ber, Bel, Mahua, Tendu, Gunja and Amla etc.
 

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