Daily Current Affairs - 11th October 2025

Preparing for UPSC 2026 or State PCS? This 11th October 2025 Current Affairs edition compiles concise yet comprehensive updates with Prelims facts and Mains-relevant insights across polity, governance, environment, economy, defence, science, and international relations.

Key highlights include the Nobel Peace Prize 2025 awarded to Venezuelan leader María Corina Machado for her struggle toward democratic transition, and the Ministry of External Affairs’ Draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025, aiming to overhaul India’s migration governance.

On the diplomatic front, India’s upgraded embassy in Kabul during the Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit underscores a pragmatic recalibration of ties with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Meanwhile, NITI Aayog’s “Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy” charts a strategic plan to generate 4 million new AI-driven jobs through talent missions and open-source innovation frameworks.

Among environmental and scientific updates, the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project in Jammu & Kashmir receives green clearance post–Indus Waters Treaty suspension, reflecting strategic and ecological implications.

Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).

Nobel Peace Prize 2025

1. The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 has been awarded to Maria Corina Machado.

2. She is recognized for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.

3. The Nobel Peace Prize was first established in 1901 under the will of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite.

4. Since World War II, the prize has primarily recognized contributions in four major areas.

   • The first area is arms control and disarmament, which refers to reducing or eliminating military weapons and preventing armed conflicts.

   • The second area is peace negotiation, which involves diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts and end wars through dialogue and agreement.

   • The third area is democracy and human rights, which focuses on ensuring free governance and protection of individual freedoms and dignity.

   • The fourth area includes work aimed at creating a better organized and more peaceful world, which often covers efforts in international cooperation, humanitarian aid, and institution building.

5. So far, two Indian citizens have received the Nobel Peace Prize.

6. The first is Mother Teresa, who was awarded in 1979 for her humanitarian work with the poor and sick in Kolkata.

7. The second is Kailash Satyarthi, who was awarded in 2014 for his efforts to combat child labour and promote children's rights.

Ministry of External Affairs Invites Comments on Draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025

1. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has invited public comments on the Draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025.

2. The Bill aims to consolidate and amend laws concerning Indian citizens accessing the global workplace.

3. It seeks to create a robust, transparent framework to ensure safe, legal, orderly, and regular mobility for employment and work-related stays abroad.

   • Mobility in this context refers to the movement of Indian citizens to foreign countries for employment opportunities.

4. The Bill is set to replace the existing Emigration Act, 1983, which currently governs overseas employment procedures.

5. The need for this new legislation arises due to deepening globalization, which has expanded employment opportunities abroad.

6. It also aims to safeguard vulnerable Indian citizens who seek jobs overseas and may be at risk of exploitation.

Key Highlights of the Bill

1. The Bill proposes the formation of an Overseas Mobility and Welfare Council to implement the provisions of the Act.

2. The Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs shall serve as the ex-officio Chairperson of this Council.

   • Ex-officio means the position is held by virtue of holding another office, in this case, Secretary of MEA.

3. The Bill mandates the establishment of Mobility Resource Centers across the country.

4. These centers will provide emigrants with information, guidance, resources, and pre-departure training.

5. An Integrated Information System on Mobility may be developed to aid in policy formulation and implementation.

6. This system will help collect, manage, and analyze data related to overseas employment and migration trends.

7. The Bill includes measures to counter irregular emigration, irregular migration, and human trafficking.

   • Irregular emigration refers to leaving the country for work without following legal procedures or documentation.

   • Human trafficking involves the illegal movement of people, typically for forced labor or exploitation.

8. The Bill provides for the accreditation of Overseas Placement Agencies, which help place Indian workers in foreign jobs.

9. It also lays down mandatory procedures for certain categories of Foreign Employers engaging Indian workers.

10. The Bill introduces penalties for Overseas Placement Agencies that violate directives from the Competent Authority.

11. The minimum penalty for such violations is set at not less than ₹5 lakh for each offence.

Government notifies first Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) Target Rules

1. The Government of India has notified the first legally binding Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025.

2. These rules specifically target four high-emission industrial sectors: aluminium, cement, pulp & paper, and chlor-alkali.

   • Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) refers to the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted per unit of product output.

   • For example, GEI measures GHG emissions per tonne of cement or aluminium produced.

3. These rules are issued under the Compliance Mechanism of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.

About Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023

1. The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023 was created to establish India’s first domestic carbon market.

2. Its objective is to reduce GHG emission intensity in accordance with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

   • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are national climate pledges under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

3. The scheme was notified under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

Indian Carbon Market Structure

1. The Indian Carbon Market will operate through two mechanisms: Compliance and Offset.

   • The Compliance Mechanism is a mandatory program for energy-intensive sectors, where the government sets emission intensity targets.

   • The Offset Mechanism is a voluntary project-based mechanism for entities not covered under the compliance mechanism.

2. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for enforcing compliance under this scheme.

3. The objective is to reduce GHG emissions per unit of output (measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of product or tCO₂e/tonne) in carbon-intensive sectors.

4. The system also aims to facilitate carbon credit trading across industries.

How the Compliance Mechanism Works

1. Entities that reduce emissions below their assigned targets will earn tradable carbon credit certificates.

2. These carbon credit certificates will be issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

3. Entities that fail to meet their targets must either purchase additional certificates or pay an environmental compensation.

4. This environmental compensation will be twice the average market price of carbon credits for that compliance year.

Significance of GEI Target Rules & Carbon Market

1. These rules enable a market-based compliance system, where earned carbon credits can be traded on the domestic carbon market.

2. The rules aim to operationalize India’s domestic carbon market under CCTS, 2023.

3. To ensure transparency, registration and documentation will be conducted on the Indian Carbon Market portal.

4. Environmental compensation funds collected from non-compliant entities will be used to support carbon market infrastructure and sustainability efforts.

5. The initiative directly supports India’s climate action goals and commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Visited India

1. The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan recently paid an official visit to India.

2. During the visit, India upgraded its “technical mission” in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy.

3. This marks a significant shift in India’s diplomatic approach toward Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

4. India allowed the Taliban to appoint its diplomats at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi.

   • Earlier, India had closed its embassy in Kabul following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.

5. However, in June 2022, India re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul through a “technical team”.

   • A technical mission refers to a limited diplomatic presence focused on humanitarian and administrative tasks, without full political engagement.

Agreements and Outcomes of the Visit

1. Both sides agreed to coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

2. The Afghan Foreign Minister assured that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against any other country.

3. This commitment addresses India’s long-standing concern about cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan territory.

4. The visit also marked the commencement of the India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor.

   • The Air Freight Corridor aims to enhance trade and connectivity between the two nations despite overland restrictions.

5. Afghanistan invited Indian companies to explore mining opportunities, especially in the country’s resource-rich regions.

Reasons for India’s Recent Engagement with Afghanistan

1. India is engaging Afghanistan to advance its national interests and address security concerns.

2. A key objective is to monitor and counter terror outfits that may operate from Afghan soil.

3. India also seeks to counter the growing regional influence of countries like Pakistan and China in Afghanistan.

4. Geopolitical shifts, including worsening Pakistan-Taliban relations, have created opportunities for Indian engagement.

5. India is also focusing on realpolitik, a foreign policy approach based on pragmatic and strategic interests rather than ideology.

6. Through this engagement, India aims to build goodwill and trust via capacity-building and humanitarian initiatives.

7. These include infrastructure projects, educational scholarships, and food and medical aid to the Afghan people.

Key Concerns in India-Afghanistan Relations

1. A major concern is the Taliban’s autocratic regime, which shows little regard for human rights, especially women’s rights.

2. The lack of democratic governance and inclusive representation remains a barrier to deeper engagement.

3. Another key issue is the absence of diplomatic recognition of the Taliban government by India and most countries.

4. Without international recognition, the Taliban remains diplomatically isolated, limiting the scope of formal cooperation.

Quarterly Microfinance Report Released by Sa-Dhan

1. Sa-Dhan, a key self-regulatory organization for microfinance institutions (MFIs), has released its Quarterly Microfinance Report.

2. This report is part of the broader Annual Bharat Microfinance Report.

3. The latest findings show a sharp rise in loan delinquencies across the microfinance sector in FY 2024–25.

4. This trend indicates stress in microfinance repayment cycles, posing a serious concern for the sector.

5. The report attributes the rising defaults to factors like rural economic distress, climate-related shocks, and limited financial literacy among borrowers.

Understanding Microfinance Sector in India

1. Microfinance refers to banking and financial services provided to low-income individuals or groups who are usually excluded from the formal banking system.

2. The primary goal of microfinance is to promote financial inclusion by enabling the poor to access credit and other financial products.

3. It plays a major role in rural penetration, with 71% of microfinance clients residing in rural areas.

4. This rural outreach highlights the effectiveness of Micro Lending Institutions (MLIs) in reaching underserved populations.

5. Microfinance has also contributed significantly to women empowerment, particularly through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

6. Notably, 88% of bank-linked SHGs are led by women, reflecting their increasing financial participation and leadership.

Key Challenges in the Microfinance Sector

1. The sector is currently facing asset quality deterioration, with Portfolio at Risk (PAR) worsening across all time buckets compared to last year.

   • PAR measures the proportion of loan portfolios where repayments are overdue, indicating the level of credit risk.

2. Bihar has emerged as the worst-performing state in terms of delinquency and outstanding loan amounts.

3. The state recorded both the highest volume of outstanding loans and the highest rate of defaults.

4. Operational and financial headwinds are further straining the sector.

5. There are growing issues in client retention, as borrowers increasingly default or drop out of microfinance programs.

   • Staff retention has also become difficult, with MLIs experiencing a shrinking workforce.

6. The Cost of Funds—the interest rate MFIs pay to raise capital—has risen to 11.33% on a weighted average basis.

7. Smaller MLIs are bearing the highest burden of this increased funding cost.

8. As a result, profitability is declining, with a rising number of MLIs reporting Return on Equity (RoE) below 1%.

   • RoE is a financial ratio indicating how well a company uses shareholders’ capital to generate profits.

Pathways for Long-Term Growth of Microfinance Sector

1. The long-term sustainability of the microfinance industry will depend on improving customer underwriting standards.

   • Underwriting refers to the process of evaluating the creditworthiness of borrowers before extending loans.

2. Greater digital adoption will be essential to streamline operations and enhance financial inclusion.

3. The sector also requires strong policy interventions to build resilience and improve efficiency.

4. A focused approach on responsible lending practices and improved loan collection mechanisms will further strengthen the sector.

Government Initiatives to Strengthen Microfinance

1. The Self-Help Group (SHG)-Bank Linkage Program was launched to increase loan availability to SHGs.

2. This initiative also encourages SHGs to shift from non-productive borrowing to production-based, income-generating activities.

3. The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) enables small businesses to access microcredit without collateral.

4. Collateral-free loans under PMMY have enhanced entrepreneurial opportunities for small and micro enterprises.

5. The government, through NABARD, provides Refinance Support to MFIs under its Long-Term Refinance Facility.

6. This refinance support ensures that MFIs have sufficient liquidity to lend to underserved segments.

NITI Aayog Releases 'Roadmap for Job Creation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Economy'

1. NITI Aayog has released a strategic document titled ‘Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy’.

2. The roadmap addresses both the potential job losses and the opportunity to create 4 million new jobs in India’s tech sector over the next 5 years.

3. The approach uses a Work-Worker-Workforce lens to understand the dynamics of AI-led job transformation.

4. This framework analyzes how types of work (tasks), the workers (individuals), and the broader workforce (labour market) will evolve in an AI-driven economy.

5. The report aims to help India convert disruption into opportunity and position itself as the AI workforce capital of the world.

Three Critical Challenges Related to AI in India

1. The first challenge is the massive job displacement risk due to automation.

2. By 2030, over 60% of formal jobs in India are projected to be susceptible to automation.

3. The second challenge is the gap in AI-related skills among Indian graduates.

4. Many Indian students lag in specialized and research-intensive AI education, including advanced topics like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG).

   • RAG is an AI model design technique that retrieves external knowledge to enhance responses from language models.

5. The third challenge is the AI talent supply-demand mismatch, where current supply meets only 50% of the market demand.

Recommendations by NITI Aayog to Address These Challenges

1. NITI Aayog recommends launching an India AI Talent Mission as a central strategic body.

2. This mission should unify strategy, provide oversight, and ensure execution of AI talent development goals.

3. The first recommendation is to integrate AI education across all levels, from schools to universities.

4. The second recommendation is to launch national AI literacy programs for general public awareness.

5. There should be flexible AI master’s and doctoral programs designed for the existing tech workforce.

6. To retain top talent, India must offer attractive grants and competitive salaries for leading AI researchers.

7. India should establish autonomous Centres of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to advanced AI research.

8. The roadmap proposes a dedicated AI Talent Visa to provide fast-track residency for global experts.

9. Additional incentives include startup relocation support to bring global AI startups into India.

Coordination with the IndiaAI Mission

1. The AI Talent Mission must work in close coordination with the existing IndiaAI Mission.

2. A key recommendation is to build an India Open-Source AI Commons.

3. This commons should include a central portal with high-quality datasets, pre-trained AI models, and open benchmarks.

4. Another initiative is to establish a Federated National Compute and Innovation Grid.

5. A federated compute grid connects distributed computing resources across the country to power AI innovation at scale.

Environmental Clearance for Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project

1. The Apex Committee of the Environment Ministry has granted environmental clearance to the Sawalkote hydroelectric project.

2. The project is located on the Chenab River in the Ramban and Udhampur districts of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

3. Sawalkote is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project with a total capacity of 1,856 megawatts (MW).

   • A run-of-the-river project generates electricity by utilizing the natural flow of the river, with minimal or no water storage.

4. This method is considered environmentally less disruptive compared to large dam-based projects with significant reservoirs.

5. The Sawalkote project is the first major hydropower project on the Indus river system to receive clearance after recent geopolitical developments.

6. Specifically, it is the first to be approved following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

7. The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) was a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, facilitated by the World Bank.

8. India’s suspension of the treaty reflects strategic shifts in water diplomacy and national security policy.

9. The clearance of the Sawalkote project thus carries strategic, environmental, and geopolitical significance.

Quantum Random Number Generation by Raman Research Institute

1. Researchers from the Raman Research Institute have developed new quantum techniques for generating and certifying truly random numbers.

2. This advancement is significant for the future of digital encryption, authentication, and cybersecurity.

Understanding Random Numbers

1. Random numbers are crucial for secure digital systems, as they form the foundation of encryption algorithms and authentication protocols.

2. Most current systems rely on pseudorandom numbers, which are generated using mathematical algorithms.

3. Pseudorandom numbers appear random but are ultimately predictable, especially if the algorithm or initial input (seed) is known.

4. With the advent of quantum computers, these pseudorandom numbers can be cracked more easily, posing a threat to digital security.

What Are True Random Numbers?

1. True random numbers are generated from natural or physical processes that are inherently unpredictable.

2. Unlike pseudorandom numbers, they do not rely on algorithms and hence cannot be replicated or reverse-engineered.

   • Examples of such naturally random phenomena include radioactive decay and weather events.

3. These sources produce outcomes that are fundamentally uncertain, aligning with principles of quantum physics.

4. Quantum techniques utilize such principles to generate numbers that are genuinely random and impossible to predict.

Significance of True Randomness in Digital Security

1. The generation of true random numbers enables the creation of encryption keys that are completely unpredictable.

2. Such encryption keys can potentially make digital systems unhackable, even in the face of future computing advancements.

3. This breakthrough enhances cybersecurity infrastructure, offering robust protection against sophisticated digital threats.

National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) and Port Recognitions

1. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has formally recognised three major ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).

2. These ports are Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip Port Authority (Odisha).

3. Recognition as hydrogen hubs is expected to catalyse industrial participation and attract green investments.

4. It will also promote innovation in clean fuel technologies, especially in the area of green hydrogen production and usage.

About National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

1. The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) was officially announced in January 2023.

2. The primary objective of NGHM is to make India a global hub for the production, usage, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

   • Green Hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources like solar or wind, with no carbon emissions.

3. Derivatives of green hydrogen include products like green ammonia and green methanol, which can be used in various industries.

4. The mission has set a target to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Green Hydrogen per annum by 2030.

Siddi Tribal Community

1. The Siddi tribal community has recently achieved a literacy rate of over 72%, marking a significant social development.

2. Siddis are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) under India’s affirmative action framework.

3. PVTGs are the most marginalized sub-category within Scheduled Tribes, identified based on criteria like pre-agricultural technology, stagnant population, low literacy, and subsistence economy.

Historical Background of the Siddi Community

1. The Siddi are also known by the names Habshi or Badsha in different regions.

2. They are an Afro-Indian tribal group, believed to have migrated from East Africa to India centuries ago.

3. Historical records suggest that Siddis first arrived in India with Arab merchants in the 7th century.

4. Later, many more came during the Portuguese and British colonial periods in the 16th century, often brought as slaves or soldiers.

Geographical Presence and Lifestyle

1. The Siddi community primarily resides along India’s western coast, especially in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

2. They were traditionally hunters and gatherers, relying on forest-based livelihoods.

3. Today, most Siddis are employed as agricultural labourers or daily-wage workers, reflecting a shift toward a rural agrarian lifestyle.

Constitutional and Legal Status

1. The Siddi community is officially recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) by the Union Government of India.

2. This recognition provides them access to constitutional safeguards, developmental benefits, and reservation policies.

Bamiyan Buddhas

1. The Bamiyan Buddhas were two monumental statues carved into the sandstone cliffs of the Bamiyan Valley in central Afghanistan.

2. These statues stood at heights of 115 feet and 174 feet, making them among the largest standing Buddha statues in the world.

3. They were created during the 6th century, reflecting the art and religious culture of that period.

4. The statues are a prime example of Gandharan Buddhist art, which is known for blending Greek, Persian, and Indian artistic influences.

5. Gandharan art is significant as it was closely connected to the spread of Buddhism across Central Asia through ancient trade routes like the Silk Road.

6. Unfortunately, the statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, a loss that shocked the international community.

7. Despite their destruction, the Bamiyan Valley was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, recognizing its cultural and historical importance.

8. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are landmarks or areas with legal protection due to their outstanding cultural, historical, or natural significance.

Explore more on UPSC Content

Click for Daily Quotes:

Stay updated with the latest news by joining our Telegram channel – The PRESS Pad , and follow us on Instagram.