Daily Current Affairs 2025  

06/11/2025

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CA-06/11/2025

 

• IndiaAI is an AI mission initiative focused on accelerating AI development and adoption in India, promoting AI research, innovation, and responsible use.
• It also emphasizes AI governance, which involves creating frameworks and norms to ensure ethical, transparent, and accountable AI deployment.
• The mission operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and runs until 2028.

• Aims to democratize AI access across India
• Focuses on building indigenous AI capabilities
• Emphasizes responsible AI development aligned with Indian values
• Targets both research and commercial applications
• Promotes public-private partnerships

• Establishes AI computing infrastructure with 10,000+ GPUs across multiple tiers
• Provides subsidized access to startups, researchers, and institutions
• Targets computational needs for large-scale AI model development

• Develops indigenous large multimodal models and domain-specific AI applications
• Focuses on Indian languages and cultural contexts
• Supports development of foundation models

• Creates non-personal datasets for AI training and research
• Focuses on Indian languages, agriculture, healthcare, and other sectors
• Ensures data quality and accessibility

• Catalyzes AI adoption across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and governance
• Supports development of AI-powered solutions for Indian challenges
• Promotes responsible AI deployment

• Aims to train over 1 lakh professionals in AI
• Offers specialized courses and certification programs
• Collaborates with academic institutions and industry

• Provides funding support through venture capital and grants
• Supports early-stage and growth-stage AI startups
• Facilitates access to global markets

• Develops frameworks for responsible and ethical AI development
• Focuses on bias mitigation, transparency, and accountability
• Establishes standards and guidelines for AI deployment

 
 
   
Why in news?
The Indian government is working on new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) norms aimed at reviving manufacturing and helping exporters cope with steep US tariffs that have disrupted export competitiveness. 
 
Need of New SEZ Norms for Exporters
 
1. Reverse Job Work Policy

• SEZ units will be allowed to undertake work for the domestic market, addressing underutilization of labor and equipment during seasonal export demand fluctuations.
• This policy helps optimize operational efficiency and makes SEZ units more viable amid export market uncertainties.

2. Boosting Manufacturing and Competitiveness

• The norms aim to revive manufacturing capabilities in SEZs that have been hit by tariff pressures.
• They seek to reduce dependence on uncertain overseas markets by integrating SEZ production with domestic demand.

3. Enhancing Export Competitiveness

• By allowing partial access to the domestic market and easing restrictions, SEZ units can sustain business despite adverse international tariffs, particularly from the US.
• Exporters are enabled to hold on to key markets while cutting losses.

4. Facilitating Investments and Innovation

• New norms encourage foreign direct investments (FDI) and technology adoption to match global SEZ standards seen in countries like China and Vietnam.
• There's a focus on promoting sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing within SEZs.

5. Simplification and Flexibility

• Land use norms have been relaxed (e.g., up to 25% land can be used for non-processing activities).
• Streamlined approval and compliance processes through single-window interfaces for faster functioning.

6. Strategic Alignment with National Missions

• New SEZ rules support initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and chip self-reliance missions by prioritizing semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing.

Objectives

• Optimize utilization of SEZ infrastructure and labor.
• Enable better domestic market access for exports-oriented units.
• Enhance global competitiveness of Indian SEZs.
• Attract investments including FDI and R&D.
• Provide an enabling environment for evolving industries.
• Strengthen contribution of SEZs to economic growth and export revenues.

These new norms reflect a strategic shift to make SEZs adaptive to global trade challenges and domestic economic priorities, ensuring sustainable growth for exporters and manufacturers in India.?
 
 

   
Why in news?

• In 2025, Indian deeptech startups raised over $1 billion in funding, a doubling from the previous year, showing increasing investor confidence.
• This sector spans advanced technologies such as semiconductors, space and defense tech, life sciences, AI, robotics, and climate tech.

Key Aspects of India’s Deeptech Startup Ecosystem:

• Government Push: Policies such as the RDI scheme and National Mission on Quantum Technologies actively support innovation and investment in deeptech.
• Funding Growth: Deeptech startups attracted $900 million investments in the first half of 2025 alone, and total funding crossed $1 billion by mid-year.
• Innovation Hubs: Major technology campuses like IIT Madras have spawned large numbers of deeptech startups and patents.
• Diverse Sectors: Covering AI, space, robotics, semiconductors, quantum tech, healthcare, agri-tech, and telecom innovations.
• Notable Startups: Examples include Cogknit Semantics, Atreya Innovations, EndureAir Systems, Streamoid Technologies, and others pioneering solutions in their domains.
• Global Recognition: India ranks 6th globally in the deeptech ecosystem, positioning to become a science-led innovation economy by 2047.

India's Deeptech Startup Initiatives

• PitchX @ ESTIC 2025: Showcased 30 breakthrough deeptech startups in sectors like Space & Defence, Quantum Technologies, Cybersecurity, Health, Semiconductors, AI, AgriTech, and Industry 4.0.
• ?1 Lakh Crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme: Launched to incentivize private sector participation and fund projects in energy, quantum computing, robotics, space tech, biotech, and AI, supporting deeptech startups with long-term loans and equity infusions.
• Investment Alliance with Global Firms: Nvidia joined as a founding member in a $2 billion deeptech investment alliance mentoring AI startups in India. Qualcomm Ventures and US-Indian VCs contributed over $850 million to boost India's deeptech ecosystem over the next 5-10 years.
• Focus on Industry Linkages and Investor Engagement: Government emphasis on early industry linkages and sustained investor participation to accelerate deeptech commercialization.

Major Global Tech Collaborations

• Airbus: Expanding manufacturing and sourcing aircraft components worth $2 billion by 2030 in India, also collaborating with Tata Advanced Systems on military transport aircraft for Indian Air Force.
• Microsoft: Committed $3 billion in next two years for cloud and AI infrastructure expansion in India, with growing data center capacity.?
• Apple & Foxconn: Apple significantly ramped up iPhone production in India, with Foxconn investing $1.48 billion and building new manufacturing plants including a semiconductor unit in Uttar Pradesh.
• Amazon: Invested $11 billion over a decade, with $8.2 billion upcoming investments in cloud infrastructure and AI-driven local data storage in Maharashtra.
• Samsung: Running two of the world's largest mobile manufacturing plants in India, looking to expand and diversify beyond Vietnam.?
• NTT Data: Developed next-gen network tech connecting major data centers in India and surrounding regions, supporting AI mission with high-capacity submarine cables.
• Bharat 6G Alliance: Established 10 global partnerships targeting 10% of worldwide 6G patents by 2030.

This comprehensive support system is fostering an emerging class of high-impact startups aimed at complex scientific problems with potential for significant national and global impact.
 
 

   
Why in news?
Recently, scientists observed the most luminous flare ever detected from a supermassive black hole, shining with the light equivalent to 10 trillion suns. This flare, likely caused by a massive star being shredded by the black hole, enhances understanding of these massive objects. 
 
Key facts about supermassive black holes

• Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are the largest type of black holes, with masses ranging from hundreds of thousands to billions of times the mass of our Sun.
• They are typically found at the centers of large galaxies, including the Milky Way, which hosts Sagittarius A*, a SMBH of about 4 million solar masses.
• The tidal forces near the event horizon of SMBHs are much weaker than those of smaller black holes, meaning one would not be torn apart until well inside the event horizon.
• The density of SMBHs can be surprisingly low, sometimes less than that of water, owing to their enormous size and the relationship between mass and Schwarzschild radius.
• SMBHs emit enormous energy by converting gravitational energy into light, observed in quasars and bright flares when matter falls into them.
• Some SMBHs are extremely massive, for example, black holes with masses of over 10 billion solar masses have been observed in some galaxies.
• The formation of SMBHs is still not fully understood; theories include collapse of massive gas clouds, merging of many smaller black holes, or growth by consumption of stars and other matter.
• SMBHs can grow by feeding on smaller objects and merging with other black holes when galaxies collide.
• The largest black hole flares recorded can be billions of times more energetic than the Sun, observed as stars get devoured by SMBHs.
• Not all galaxies have SMBHs; some large galaxies might lack a visible SMBH or have one that is inactive and thus harder to detect.

 
 
   
Why in news?
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is set to become India's third home for cheetahs, following Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. 
 
Key Features and Geography

• Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, spans approximately 1,197 km².
• Sits at the trijunction of Sagar, Damoh, and Narsingpur districts.
• It lies on the upper Vindhyan range and forms a crucial ecological corridor linking reserves like Panna, Satpura, and Bandhavgarh.

• Encompasses both Ganges (Yamuna) and Narmada river basins, offering unique transitional biodiversity.
• The sanctuary was established in 1975 and is managed as part of the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic region.

Flora and Fauna

• Keystone species: Indian wolf, with significant populations of tiger, leopard, dhole (wild dog), golden jackal, hyena, sloth bear, and mugger crocodile.
• Herbivores include nilgai, chinkara, chital, sambar, blackbuck, four-horned antelope (chousingha), barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, and grey langur.
• Also home to various reptiles such as monitor lizard, turtle, tortoise, and snakes.
• The sanctuary’s grassland and prey base have been significantly improved to support sustainable predator populations.

 

 
   
Why in news?
The Maharashtra government signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited on November 4, 2025, becoming the first Indian state to partner with Elon Musk's Starlink for satellite-based internet services. 
 
Objectives of the Maharashtra–Starlink partnership

• Provide high-speed, low-latency satellite internet to rural and underserved areas.
• Support digital inclusion, enhancing access to education, healthcare, and government services.
• Strengthen digital infrastructure as part of the Digital Maharashtra mission.
• Enable connectivity in remote districts poorly served by traditional internet infrastructure.
• Integrate satellite internet with the state's other initiatives such as EV infrastructure, coastal development, and disaster resilience programs.?

Key features of Starlink Satellite

• Low Earth orbit satellite constellation for low-latency, high-speed connectivity.
• Autonomous satellite collision avoidance and on-orbit maneuvering.
• Optical inter-satellite laser links allowing data relay without ground stations.
• Use of krypton ion thrusters and single solar arrays for efficient power and orbit management.
• Coverage across diverse terrains including rural, mountainous, island, and oceanic regions.?

 
 
   
Why in news?

• The Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 is a United Nations-convened global event held from 4 to 6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar, at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
• It is organized under UN General Assembly resolutions 78/261 and 78/318 and convenes at the level of Heads of State or Government. 

Key Features

• Focus on integrated, people-centered social policies addressing persistent gaps and new global challenges such as inequality, demographic shifts, and rapid technological and environmental changes.
• Adoption of the Doha Political Declaration which emphasizes social justice, inclusion, and strengthened international cooperation.
• Alignment and coherence with recent global processes including the 2023 SDG Summit Political Declaration, the Pact of the Future, and the upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
• Pre-summit events including the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and the Doha Solutions Forum for Social Development.

Main Objectives

• Reaffirm global solidarity and accelerate action on social development by assessing progress and addressing implementation gaps.
• Strengthen the implementation framework for the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
• Promote full employment and decent work particularly for vulnerable groups including youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
• Foster social inclusion ensuring no one is left behind.
• Promote international cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement involving governments, civil society, academia, private sector, and UN agencies.
• Strengthen social protection systems, governance, digital and AI transformation, gender equality, and sustainable financing mechanisms for social development.

 
 
   
Why in news?
The Emissions Gap Report 2025, released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), assesses global progress toward limiting warming to well below 2°C and pursuing the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. 
 
Key Findings

• Even if all current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are fully implemented, global temperatures are projected to increase by 2.3–2.5°C this century, missing the Paris Agreement’s targets of well below 2°C and preferably 1.5°C.
• Global GHG emissions rose by 2.3% in 2024, reaching 57.7 gigatonnes of CO? equivalent.
• Only 60 Parties, covering just 63% of global emissions, have submitted new NDCs for 2035.
• Emissions would need to fall by 55% by 2035 to align with the 1.5°C target.
• India and China recorded the highest absolute increases in total GHG emissions, but India’s per capita emissions remain below the world average.
• G20 nations are projected to see annual emissions drop to 35 GtCO? by 2030 and 33 Gt by 2035, with China, the EU, and the US contributing most to this reduction, although the gap remains significant.
• The report calls for a rapid acceleration of global ambition and implementation, aiming for global net-zero emissions by 2050 and steep, irreversible declines thereafter to bring warming back below 1.5°C by the end of the century.

About emissions Gap Report

• The Emissions Gap Report is an annual publication by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• It assesses the current state of global greenhouse gas emissions and compares them with the levels required to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement, primarily limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to stay below 1.5°C.

 
 

   
Why in news?

• Project Suncatcher is a recent research initiative launched by Google aimed at building scalable AI data centers in space.
• The core idea is to deploy constellations of solar-powered satellites equipped with Google's custom AI chips called Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) in low Earth orbit.
• These satellites will operate almost continuously on solar energy, harnessing the vast power of the Sun to run AI workloads while minimizing terrestrial resource usage.

Key features of Project Suncatcher

• Building modular arrays of satellites linked by high-speed free-space optical communication, enabling data transfer rates in tens of terabits per second.
• Launching two prototype satellites with Planet Labs by early 2027 to test the hardware’s performance and durability in orbit.
• Operating in sun-synchronous low Earth orbit for maximum solar energy harnessing.
• Google's TPUs have shown promising radiation resistance in initial tests, suitable for space environments.
• The project is seen as a long-term moonshot research initiative, inspired by other Google moonshots like quantum computing and autonomous vehicles.

The project aims to overcome challenges like tight satellite formation control, thermal management, and system reliability in space to eventually build a vast, green AI computation infrastructure beyond Earth’s limits.
 
 

   
Why in news?
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a large illegal alprazolam factory in Atgam village, Valsad district, Gujarat, seizing about 9.55 kg of finished alprazolam, 104.15 kg in semi-finished form, and 431 kg of raw materials. 
 
Key facts about Alprazolam

• Alprazolam is a psychotropic substance falls under benzodiazepines class of drugs and regulated by Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.

• It works by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA at the GABA-A receptor, which produces a calming effect on the nervous system. 

• It is mainly prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders, and it helps reduce symptoms within about a week.
• Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, memory issues, and in some cases, depression.
• Alprazolam has a relatively short half-life (8-16 hours), with effects that are dose-dependent.
• It carries a risk of dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and potential misuse or abuse due to its rapid onset and potency.

About Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985

• A law enacted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• The Act aims to make stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations related to these substances, including manufacture, possession, sale, transport, and consumption, with the goal to prevent abuse and illicit trafficking.
• It also provides for the forfeiture of property derived from or used in illicit drug trafficking and enforces India's obligations under international drug control conventions.

 
 
   
Why in news?

• The NCDC has shown significant growth and progress in strengthening India's cooperative sector.
• As of October 2025 in the financial year 2025–26, NCDC has disbursed approximately Rs. 49,799.06 crore, continuing a strong upward trend from Rs. 95,182.88 crore disbursed in 2024–25.

Key points about NCDC

• Established in 1963 under an Act of Indian Parliament as a statutory corporation.
• Functions under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India.
  • Primary objective: promote, strengthen, and develop farmer cooperatives for increasing production and productivity.
  • Supports programs for production, processing, marketing, storage, export, and import of agricultural produce and other notified commodities on cooperative principles.
  • Provides financial assistance including loans and grants to cooperative societies at primary, secondary, and national levels.
  • Focuses on agricultural marketing, input supply (seeds, fertilizers), cold chains, storage, and post-harvest facilities.
  • Supports income-generating cooperatives in non-farm sectors such as dairy, livestock, handloom, sericulture, poultry, and fishery.

Schemes and Initiatives 

• NCDC implements its own schemes and central government sponsored schemes to strengthen cooperative societies.
• Notable initiatives include "Yuva Sahakar" for promoting cooperative start-ups led by youth, "Ayushman Sahakar" for healthcare sector cooperatives, "Dairy Sahakar," "Digital Sahakar," "Swayam Shakti Sahakar" targeting women-led cooperatives, and "Nandini Sahakar."
• It also supports the formation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) nationwide.

 
 
   
Why in news?
The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) Report 2025, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, focuses on the critical issue of human-induced land degradation and its impact on agricultural productivity, food security, and ecosystem health worldwide. 
 
Key points from the SOFA 2025 report

• Agricultural expansion remains the primary driver of global deforestation, accounting for nearly 90% of forest loss.
• The largest affected populations are concentrated in eastern and southern Asia, including India, which faces some of the highest agricultural yield gaps due to land degradation.
• Around 3.6 million hectares of croplands are abandoned annually, with degradation playing a significant role in these losses.
• The report calls for integrated sustainable land-use and management practices, tailored policies, and regulatory measures such as deforestation controls, incentive-based programs, and linking subsidies to environmental outcomes.

Indian context

• States  like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are significant degradation hotspots.

The report suggests effective practices such as water harvesting, agroecological farming methods (e.g., Zero Budget Natural Farming), afforestation, and sustainable management of water and soil resources to combat degradation and ensure food security.
 
 
   
Why in news?

• As of November 2025, the government has selected 75 fellows to work across 18 knowledge verticals, including areas like quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, and space research.
• The government is considering extending the fellowship duration from three to five years, with discussions on performance-linked continuation and strengthening public-private and cross-border partnerships for translating research into industry applications.

About VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme
Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik Fellowship (VAIBHAV) is an initiative by the Government of India, implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), to foster collaboration between Indian diaspora scientists and Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), universities, and public funded scientific institutions. 
 
Key Points of the VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme

• Purpose: To connect Indian STEMM diaspora scientists with Indian higher educational and scientific research institutions for collaborative research and knowledge sharing.?
• Eligibility: Researchers from institutions featuring in the top 500 QS World University Rankings will be eligible for the fellowship but the applicant must have obtained a Ph.D/M.D/M.S degree from a recognized University.
• Duration & Activities: Fellows identify an Indian institution for collaboration and may spend up to two months per year at the host institution, for a maximum of three years. They are expected to initiate research activities and foster long-term research collaborations.?
• Funding & Incentives: The fellowship provides a grant of INR 4,00,000 per month, along with coverage for international and domestic travel, accommodation, and contingencies. Research grants are also provided to host institutions for collaborative projects.?

The VAIBHAV Fellowship also aims at engaging the Indian diaspora to share best practices, initiate new projects, and build sustainable research networks within India, thus contributing significantly to India's scientific and technological progress.?
 

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