Daily Current Affairs - 23rd, 24th & 25th October 2025

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Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter’s First Observation of Solar CME Effects on Moon

1. The Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter has made the first-ever observation of the effects of the Sun’s Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on the Moon.

2. This observation was made using the Chandra’s Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2 (CHACE-2) instrument onboard the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter.

About CHACE-2 Instrument

1. CHACE-2 is a neutral gas mass spectrometer, which measures and analyzes neutral gas particles.

2. It studies the composition of the lunar neutral exosphere, which is the extremely thin outer layer of gases surrounding the Moon.

3. The instrument operates in the mass range of 1–300 AMU (atomic mass units) to identify different atomic and molecular species.

About Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

1. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona, which is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.

2. CMEs are often associated with solar flares and active sunspot regions, where magnetic fields are highly strong and twisted.

3. CMEs occur more frequently during the solar maximum phase of the 11-year solar cycle, when solar activity peaks.

4. During solar minima, when solar activity is low, CMEs are relatively rare.

5. On Earth, CMEs can cause multiple impacts such as damage to satellite electronics, GPS and communication disruptions, power grid failures, and radio signal disturbances.

6. CMEs can also produce auroras (natural light displays near poles) and pose radiation hazards to astronauts in space.

Key Findings from CHACE-2 Observation

1. When the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) struck the Moon, it intensified the ejection of atoms from the lunar surface.

2. This resulted in a notable rise in the number of neutral atoms per unit volume within the dayside lunar exosphere.

3. The lunar exosphere is so tenuous (extremely thin) that gas particles rarely collide with each other.

About Chandrayaan-2 Mission

1. Chandrayaan-2 was launched in 2019 by the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) MkIII-M1.

2. The mission consisted of three components — an Orbiter, a Lander (Vikram), and a Rover (Pragyan).

3. Its primary aim was to explore the unexplored South Pole region of the Moon.

4. It marked India’s first attempt at achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface.

5. The scientific objectives of Chandrayaan-2 included the study of lunar topography, seismography (moonquakes), mineral identification and distribution, and composition analysis of the tenuous lunar atmosphere.

6. Through these studies, the mission sought to expand scientific understanding of the Moon’s origin, evolution, and surface processes.

MeitY’s Proposed Amendments to IT Rules, 2021 to Regulate AI-Generated Content

1. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, commonly known as the IT Rules, 2021.

2. These amendments are proposed by exercising powers under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), which provides the legal framework for governing digital and online activities in India.

Key Proposed Amendments

1. The amendments introduce the definition of “Synthetically Generated Information”, which refers to deepfake or AI-generated content.

   • Synthetically Generated Information means any data or media that is artificially or algorithmically created, generated, modified, or altered using a computer resource.

   • Such information is created in a way that appears reasonably authentic or true, even though it is not real.

2. The rules mandate a Mandatory Declaration by content creators to clearly label all AI-generated or modified content before uploading it online.

3. The amendments also impose Enhanced Obligations on Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs), such as large platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).

4. These SSMIs must obtain a user declaration confirming whether the uploaded information is synthetically generated or genuine.

Need for the Proposed Amendments

1. The rise of AI-generated content and deepfakes poses a serious national security risk.

2. Deepfakes can be misused for propaganda by anti-national elements, including terrorist recruitment and spreading extremist ideologies.

3. They contribute to the spreading of misinformation, which can manipulate public opinion and influence elections by creating false narratives.

4. Deepfakes also cause gender-based harm, as they are frequently used to target women through non-consensual explicit content and online harassment.

5. They can lead to defamation, where fabricated videos or statements are used to damage the reputation of individuals or institutions.

6. Deepfakes enable fraud and impersonation, allowing identity theft, financial scams, and social engineering attacks.

7. For instance, deepfake phishing can trick users into sharing sensitive data or transferring money by impersonating trusted individuals.

CAQM Invokes Stage-II of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in NCR

1. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR).

2. This decision was taken by the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP due to a deterioration in the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the region.

3. Under Stage-II of GRAP, the use of coal and firewood in eateries, hotels, and open areas is restricted to curb pollution.

4. The operation of diesel generator (DG) sets is also limited, except for essential and emergency services.

About the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

1. GRAP is an emergency response mechanism designed to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR based on the severity of the AQI (Air Quality Index).

2. It was formulated to ensure predefined, graded actions are implemented when air quality deteriorates beyond set thresholds.

3. GRAP is divided into four stages, each corresponding to a specific AQI category.

   • Stage 1 corresponds to the ‘Poor’ category, when AQI is between 201 and 300.

   • Stage 2 corresponds to the ‘Very Poor’ category, when AQI ranges from 301 to 400.

   • Stage 3 is for the ‘Severe’ category, when AQI is between 401 and 450.

   • Stage 4 is the ‘Severe+’ category, when AQI exceeds 451.

4. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas is responsible for implementing and monitoring GRAP measures.

5. The CAQM was established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

6. This Act replaced the earlier Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which previously managed Delhi’s air pollution response.

Reasons for Rising Air Pollution in Delhi During Winters

1. Wind direction changes after the monsoon withdrawal, becoming northwesterly, which brings dust from Rajasthan and occasionally from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

2. A temperature inversion occurs when a layer of cool air traps warm air above it, preventing vertical mixing of air and trapping pollutants near the surface.

3. Low wind speeds during winter further reduce the dispersion of pollutants, leading to accumulation near the ground.

4. Stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh releases large amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere.

5. Additional factors include vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, construction dust, and garbage burning, all of which worsen air quality.

About the National Air Quality Index (AQI)

1. The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched by the Government of India in 2014 to measure and communicate air pollution levels to the public.

2. It simplifies complex air quality data into a single number (index value), making it easier for citizens to understand pollution severity.

3. The AQI categorizes air quality into six categories — Good (0–50), Satisfactory (51–100), Moderately Polluted (101–200), Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400), and Severe (401–500).

4. The calculation of AQI is based on eight key pollutants — PM10, PM2.5, NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide), SO₂ (Sulphur Dioxide), CO (Carbon Monoxide), O₃ (Ozone), NH₃ (Ammonia), and Pb (Lead).

State of Global Air (SoGA) Report 2025

1. The State of Global Air (SoGA) 2025 Report has been released jointly by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), both based in the United States.

2. The report provides a comprehensive global assessment of air pollution exposure and its health impacts across countries.

3. It uses data on ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution, analyzing trends in mortality, exposure, and disease burden.

Key Findings About Air Pollution in India

1. In 2023, around 2 million deaths in India were linked to air pollution-related causes.

2. This represents a 43% increase in air pollution-linked mortality since the year 2000.

3. India alone accounted for 52% of the total global deaths associated with air pollution, making it a major contributor to the global burden.

4. The report highlights that India has the third-highest exposure to ozone (O₃) pollution among all countries.

   • Ozone pollution refers to the presence of ground-level ozone, a harmful gas formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

5. About 75% of India’s population is exposed to PM2.5 concentrations that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality limits.

   • PM2.5 stands for particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Role of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

1. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a government initiative aimed at providing free LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections to poor households to reduce dependence on solid fuels like wood and dung.

2. According to the report, modelling studies suggest that transitioning all PMUY households to exclusive LPG use could significantly reduce household air pollution.

3. Such a complete transition is estimated to avert more than 150,000 deaths every year in India.

Conclusion

1. The findings of the SoGA 2025 report underline the urgent need for stronger air pollution control measures in India.

2. It emphasizes the importance of clean energy adoption, better air quality management, and public health interventions to reduce the national and global health burden from pollution.

UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) – “An Eye on Methane” Report

1. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released the fifth edition of its International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) publication titled “An Eye on Methane: From Measurement to Momentum.”

2. The report provides a comprehensive global assessment of methane emissions and their impact on climate change.

3. It aims to strengthen monitoring, transparency, and mitigation efforts by compiling verified methane data from multiple sources.

Key Highlights of the Report

1. The report states that atmospheric methane continues to be the second biggest driver of climate change, after carbon dioxide (CO₂).

2. Methane is responsible for about one-third of the planet’s total warming, making it a critical greenhouse gas (GHG) to target for climate mitigation.

3. It is classified as a high-impact gas due to its extremely strong heat-trapping ability in the atmosphere.

4. Methane (CH₄) is over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂) in warming the Earth over a 20-year period.

5. However, methane remains in the atmosphere for a shorter duration of about 7 to 12 years, unlike CO₂ which persists for centuries.

6. Around 60% of total global methane emissions today come from human activities.

7. The major anthropogenic (human-caused) sources include agriculture, fossil fuel extraction and use, and landfill waste decomposition.

8. Agriculture contributes mainly through enteric fermentation in livestock and rice cultivation.

9. Fossil fuel operations, including oil, gas, and coal industries, release methane through leaks and venting.

10. Landfills and waste management sites emit methane as organic matter decomposes in the absence of oxygen.

11. In contrast, natural sources account for about 40% of global methane emissions.

12. Among these, wetlands are identified as the largest natural source, releasing methane through microbial decomposition of organic material in waterlogged soils.

Conclusion

1. The report emphasizes the urgent need for rapid methane mitigation to achieve near-term climate benefits.

2. It highlights that reducing methane emissions is one of the most effective strategies for slowing global warming in the coming decades.

3. UNEP calls for stronger international collaboration, scientific measurement, and policy implementation to move from “measurement to momentum.”

WMO Congress Calls for Accelerated Implementation of Early Warnings for All (EW4All)

1. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Congress has called for the accelerated implementation of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative across all nations.

2. During the Congress, the WMO also released a report titled “Early Warnings for All in Focus: Hazard Monitoring and Forecasting.”

3. This report tracks global progress in the detection, monitoring, and forecasting of hazards under the EW4All initiative.

4. It highlights significant gaps in basic forecasting capacity across several countries.

5. The report also points to low compliance with the Global Basic Observation Network (GBON), which provides essential climate and weather data worldwide.

6. It further notes limited utilization of satellite data, which restricts the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts.

About Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative

1. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aims to ensure universal protection from hazardous hydrometeorological, climatological, and environmental events by 2027.

   • Hydrometeorological events refer to weather and water-related hazards such as storms, floods, droughts, and heatwaves.

2. The initiative seeks to establish life-saving multi-hazard early warning systems in every country.

3. It was launched at COP27 of the UNFCCC in 2022 by the United Nations Secretary-General.

4. The EW4All initiative is jointly led by four UN agencies — WMO, UNDRR (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction), ITU (International Telecommunication Union), and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies).

5. Initially, EW4All focused on 30 high-risk countries, but it has now expanded to more than 100 participating nations worldwide.

Four Pillars of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS)

The EW4All framework is structured around four key pillars of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS).

1. Disaster Risk Knowledge: This pillar focuses on collecting data and conducting risk assessments to improve understanding of hazards and vulnerabilities.

   • It is led by UNDRR, which develops strategies to enhance risk knowledge and community awareness.

2. Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis, and Forecasting: This pillar aims to develop and sustain operational capacity for hazard detection, observation, and forecasting.

   • It ensures continuous monitoring and analysis of natural hazards to provide timely early warning services.

   • This pillar is led by WMO, which coordinates global meteorological and hydrological efforts.

3. Warning Dissemination and Communication: This pillar ensures that risk information is effectively communicated to all relevant users and communities at risk.

   • It focuses on using modern communication systems for quick and reliable warning dissemination.

   • The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) leads this component by improving digital communication networks for early warning delivery.

4. Preparedness and Response Capabilities. This pillar strengthens national and community-level preparedness to enable effective response when warnings are issued.

   • It emphasizes capacity-building, training, and community engagement for disaster response.

   • The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) leads this pillar globally.

About Early Warning Systems (EWS)

1. An Early Warning System (EWS) is an integrated mechanism combining hazard monitoring, forecasting, risk assessment, communication, and preparedness.

2. The primary goal of an EWS is to enable early action that saves lives, livelihoods, and property before disasters occur.

3. Research shows that damage from disasters can be reduced by 30% if an early warning is issued at least 24 hours in advance.

4. Countries without multi-hazard early warning systems experience six times higher disaster mortality than those with strong systems.

5. The number of people affected by disasters in such countries is four times higher due to the absence of timely alerts.

6. Since 1970, economic losses from extreme weather events have exceeded US $4 trillion globally, underlining the need for effective warning systems.

Conclusion

1. The WMO Congress underscores that accelerating EW4All implementation is essential for climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

2. Strengthening forecasting systems, data networks, and community preparedness will help ensure no one is left behind in receiving life-saving early warnings.

U.S.–Australia Critical Minerals Framework

1. The United States and Australia have signed a Critical Minerals Framework to reduce dependency on China’s near-monopoly in the global critical minerals market.

2. This partnership aims to diversify the sources of critical minerals essential for energy security and defense manufacturing.

3. The framework includes funding for multiple projects designed to boost the supply of key materials vital for defense, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

4. It introduces a minimum price floor mechanism for critical minerals to counter China’s market manipulation strategy.

5. China often floods global markets with low-priced minerals, making international competitors economically unviable.

What are Critical Minerals?

1. Critical minerals are essential minerals required for modern technologies and clean energy systems, but they carry a high supply risk due to limited global sources.

   • Examples include lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper, which are crucial for batteries, renewable energy, and electronic components.

   • Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a subset of critical minerals used in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, smartphones, and defense equipment.

2. Rare Earth Elements are indispensable because they enable magnetic, catalytic, and electronic functions in advanced technologies.

Concerns with the Critical Minerals Supply Chain

1. The global production and processing of critical minerals are highly geographically concentrated, creating significant political and economic supply risks.

2. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) supplies about 70% of the world’s cobalt, making global industries heavily dependent on one country.

3. This concentration exposes supply chains to geopolitical instability, trade restrictions, or regulatory uncertainties.

4. Additionally, the weaponization of resources has emerged as a major challenge in the global minerals trade.

5. China has restricted exports of key materials like gallium and germanium, using them as strategic trade weapons.

6. China also dominates the rare earth sector, meeting approximately 85–95% of global demand, giving it substantial leverage over international supply chains.

India’s Initiatives to Secure Critical Minerals

1. India has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission to secure its supply chain of essential minerals for domestic industries.

2. The mission focuses on ensuring mineral availability from both domestic reserves and international partnerships.

3. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 empowers India to explore and mine critical minerals within its territory.

4. India has also joined the U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Finance Network to collaboratively develop sustainable and resilient supply chains.

5. Through these initiatives, India aims to reduce import dependency, strengthen resource security, and align with global partners in securing critical minerals.

New Strategic EU–India Agenda

1. The European Council has approved the EU–India Strategic Agenda to guide future cooperation between the European Union (EU) and India.

2. This agenda identifies five priority pillars to address emerging opportunities, challenges, and threats in the evolving geopolitical context.

1. Prosperity and Sustainability

• The Prosperity and Sustainability pillar focuses on economic growth, job creation, and decarbonization of industries.

  • Decarbonization refers to reducing carbon emissions to achieve cleaner and more sustainable economic development.

• It also emphasizes strengthening global supply chains to make trade more resilient and diversified.

• The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a key goal under this pillar to enable free movement of goods and services between India and the EU.

• Another major goal is the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA), which aims to safeguard investments and boost investor confidence between both sides.

2. Technology and Innovation

• The Technology and Innovation pillar deepens cooperation on critical emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and clean tech.

• It also strengthens collaboration in digital infrastructure, ensuring secure and inclusive digital connectivity.

• This pillar promotes research collaboration through mechanisms like the EU–India Trade and Technology Council (TTC).

• It also enhances joint research through Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation funding program.

3. Security and Defence

• The Security and Defence pillar addresses global security threats, geopolitical tensions, and technological transformations affecting defense systems.

• It focuses on coordination in the Indo-Pacific region, which is vital for maintaining global stability and maritime trade routes.

• Both sides aim to promote a rule-based maritime order, ensuring freedom of navigation and respect for international law at sea.

4. Connectivity and Global Issues

• The Connectivity and Global Issues pillar seeks to strengthen regional and global connectivity through sustainable infrastructure.

• It also focuses on enhancing global governance and cooperation in third countries, especially in regions of mutual interest.

• Key initiatives under this include the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which aims to improve trade and logistics connectivity.

• Another major initiative is the Global Gateway, an EU program to promote transparent, sustainable, and secure global infrastructure development.

5. Enablers Across Pillars

• The Enablers across Pillars component supports all four main pillars through skills mobility, knowledge exchange, and institutional cooperation.

• It also promotes business engagement and people-to-people collaboration, enhancing mutual understanding and capacity building.

India–EU Relations

1. India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1962.

2. In 2004, this relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership, reflecting deeper political and economic engagement.

3. Trade in goods between India and the EU reached €120 billion in 2024, showcasing strong economic interdependence.

4. The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership.

5. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows from the EU to India totaled USD 107.27 billion between April 2000 and December 2023.

‘Future Farming in India: AI Playbook for Agriculture’

1. The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India has released a report titled ‘Future Farming in India: AI Playbook for Agriculture.’

2. This report was launched as part of the AI for India 2030 initiative, which is led by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

3. The AI for India 2030 initiative was launched under the guidance of the OPSA and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

4. The initiative aims to create responsible, inclusive, and scalable Artificial Intelligence (AI) frameworks at the core of India’s digital economy.

   • Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Key Highlights of the Report

The report identifies multiple potential AI use cases in agriculture that can transform Indian farming practices.

1. Intelligent Crop Planning

• Intelligent Crop Planning involves the use of AI to analyze diverse data sets such as soil health, weather patterns, historical price trends, and food import–export data.

• Based on this data, AI systems can recommend optimal crop choices to maximize productivity and profitability for farmers.

2. Smart Farming

• The report highlights Smart Farming applications such as satellite-based crop monitoring for real-time tracking of agricultural activities.

• It includes decision support systems that assist farmers in making informed agronomic choices.

• It also covers rapid soil health analysis, enabling timely soil management decisions.

• AI-driven pest prediction systems help farmers prevent crop losses by anticipating pest outbreaks.

• Hyperlocal weather advisory systems deliver location-specific forecasts and farming recommendations.

• Yield prediction models estimate potential crop output using data and machine learning algorithms.

• The use of automated farm machinery further enhances efficiency and precision in farming operations.

3. Farm-to-Fork Solutions

• The report also emphasizes Farm-to-Fork Solutions to ensure the quality, traceability, and transparency of agricultural produce.

• These solutions help optimize agricultural supply chains, reducing waste and improving market efficiency.

• They promote fintech adoption in agriculture to provide farmers better access to credit and digital payment systems.

• AI systems are also used for market linkage creation, demand forecasting, and price prediction to improve farmers’ income stability.

Framework for Developing AI Ecosystems in Agriculture

1. The report introduces a framework called the Inclusive Multistakeholder Pathway for the Accelerated Convergence of AI Technologies (IMPACT-AI) Framework.

2. The IMPACT-AI Framework provides a structured approach for developing a sustainable and inclusive AI ecosystem in agriculture.

3. It consists of three pillars — Enable, Create, and Deliver, each addressing a specific stage of AI ecosystem development.

Pillar 1: Enable

1. The Enable pillar focuses on formulating national AI strategies tailored for agriculture.

2. It emphasizes developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for AI, which refers to open digital platforms that support large-scale public access to AI tools and data.

3. It also promotes AI upskilling programs to build technical capacity among farmers, innovators, and policymakers.

Pillar 2: Create

1. The Create pillar encourages the development of innovative AI products and solutions for the agriculture sector.

2. It supports the establishment of an AI sandbox, which serves as a testing environment for experimenting with new AI applications safely before large-scale deployment.

Pillar 3: Deliver

1. The Deliver pillar focuses on empowering frontline agricultural extension systems that connect farmers with new technologies.

2. It aims to create an AI marketplace, a digital platform where AI-based agricultural solutions can be accessed and exchanged.

3. This pillar also promotes awareness generation and community outreach to increase trust and adoption of AI in farming.

Challenges in AI Adoption for Agriculture

1. One major challenge is the limited exposure of Indian farmers to digital technology, with fewer than 20% of farmers currently using digital tools.

2. The low income levels of farmers restrict their financial capacity and willingness to invest in AI-based solutions.

3. Fragmentation of farmland further complicates technology adoption, as 85% of India’s 150 million farmers are smallholders.

4. The average landholding in India is just 1.08 hectares, limiting the economies of scale required for technology investment.

5. There is a lack of investment in the necessary infrastructure and research resources needed to develop and implement AI solutions.

6. A strong perception of risk also exists among farmers and stakeholders regarding the reliability of AI tools.

7. This is worsened by the absence of institutional mechanisms to validate and certify AI technologies before deployment.

‘Transforming Small Businesses: An AI Playbook for India’s SMEs’

1. The ‘Transforming Small Businesses: An AI Playbook for India’s SMEs’ has been released to guide India’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) toward AI-driven growth.

   • SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) are businesses with limited scale and workforce but play a crucial role in employment and economic output.

2. The playbook provides a strategic roadmap to help SMEs overcome long-standing challenges related to productivity, credit access, and market reach.

3. It focuses on democratising Artificial Intelligence (AI) — making AI accessible and affordable to small businesses across India.

   • Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the use of advanced algorithms and data systems to simulate human decision-making and automate complex tasks.

4. The playbook emphasises the adoption of the Inclusive Multistakeholder Pathway for the Accelerated Convergence of AI Technologies (IMPACT-AI) Framework.

5. The IMPACT-AI Framework aims to enable collaborative, inclusive, and scalable adoption of AI across sectors through multi-stakeholder participation.

Challenges Faced by India’s SMEs

The playbook identifies multiple structural and operational challenges that hinder the competitiveness of Indian SMEs.

1. Operational and Supply-Chain Efficiency

• Small manufacturers in India incur 15–20% higher raw material costs compared to large enterprises.

• They also face 20% greater logistics costs, which increases total production expenses.

• These inefficiencies reduce SMEs’ ability to compete on price and delivery time in both domestic and global markets.

2. Quality Management

• Many SMEs face high defect rates in production due to limited automation and quality monitoring.

• High defect rates result in operational disruptions and increased compliance risks with regulatory standards.

3. Sustainability Challenges

• SMEs often experience high energy consumption, which raises production costs and environmental impact.

• Inefficient waste management systems lead to higher operational waste and regulatory penalties.

• The overuse of water resources further adds to sustainability and cost challenges.

4. Financial Efficiency

• The cost of capital for SMEs is typically 12–14%, significantly higher than 8–10% for large Indian corporations.

• This higher borrowing cost limits SMEs’ ability to invest in technology upgrades or expand operations.

5. Virtual Prototyping Constraints

• SMEs face challenges in virtual prototyping, which involves digitally simulating product designs before manufacturing.

• The high cost of simulation tools makes it difficult for smaller enterprises to adopt such advanced design technologies.

6. Workforce and Talent Shortage

• Indian SMEs face an acute shortage of skilled labour, especially in digital and AI-related domains.

• This limits their ability to deploy and maintain advanced technological systems effectively.

AI Applications Suggested in the Playbook

• The report proposes several AI-based applications to address these operational, financial, and productivity challenges.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) released the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025

1. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, which is published every five years to provide a comprehensive overview of the world’s forests.

2. The report was released during the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) Plenary in Bali, Indonesia.

   • GFOI is a flagship programme of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), a network of governments, academia, organizations, civil society, and the private sector aiming to harness the power of Earth Intelligence, which is the use of satellite and ground-based observations to monitor the planet.

3. India is a member of GEO, contributing to global earth observation and forest monitoring efforts.

Global Forest Extent

1. Forests currently cover 4.14 billion hectares, which is 32% of the global land area.

2. Nearly half of the world’s forests are located in the tropics, regions near the equator characterized by high rainfall and biodiversity.

3. The remaining forests are in boreal, temperate, and subtropical domains; boreal refers to forests in cold, northern regions, temperate refers to moderate climates, and subtropical refers to warm regions just outside the tropics.

4. Europe has the largest forest area among continents, accounting for 25% of the world’s total forest area.

India’s Forest Extent

1. India moved up one rank to 9th position globally in terms of total forest area.

2. India’s forests account for 2% of the global forest area.

3. India ranks 5th in rubber plantation, highlighting its contribution to commercially important tree crops.

Deforestation and Forest Expansion

1. Global deforestation slowed to 10.9 million hectares per year in 2015–2025.

2. This is a decline from 17.6 million hectares per year in 1990–2000, indicating a reduction in forest loss.

Natural Regeneration

1. More than 90% of the world’s forests are regenerating naturally, meaning they recover through natural processes without human intervention.

Forest Carbon Stock

1. Global forest carbon stocks have increased, reaching 714 gigatonnes; carbon stock refers to the amount of carbon stored in forests, important for mitigating climate change.

2. The soil holds the majority of forest carbon, followed by living biomass, which includes trees and plants, and then litter and deadwood.

Forest Disturbances

1. Fire is the most prevalent disturbance in subtropical forests, often caused by human activity or natural factors.

2. Insects, diseases, and severe weather mainly affect temperate and boreal forests, causing damage to trees and forest ecosystems.

Sevilla Forum on Debt launched

1. The Sevilla Forum on Debt was launched at the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16).

2. The forum aims to tackle the entrenched debt crisis in developing countries, which refers to the persistent inability of some nations to manage their national debt sustainably.

About Sevilla Forum on Debt

1. The forum is led by Spain and supported by UNCTAD and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

2. It will bring together all stakeholders, including creditors, borrowers, international financial institutions, and academia, to focus on debt sustainability, debt management, and innovative solutions.

3. The forum is one of the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and is part of the Sevilla Platform for Action.

   • The other three outcomes of FfD4 are the Debt Swaps for Development Hub, the Debt-for-Development Swap Programme, and the Debt “Pause Clause” Alliance.

4. This initiative will complement the Sevilla Commitment, which lays out a path to close the $4 trillion annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) financing gap in developing countries.

5. The Sevilla Commitment is the first inter-governmentally agreed financing for development framework since 2015, providing a roadmap for sustainable funding.

Debt Crisis

1. In 2024, global public debt reached $102 trillion, with developing countries carrying a burden of $31 trillion.

2. Developing countries spend $1.4 trillion annually on debt service, which is the money paid to service or repay their debts.

3. Over 3.4 billion people live in countries where governments spend more on debt servicing than on health or education, highlighting the social impact of high debt levels.

Saranda Forest

1. The Supreme Court Bench ordered the Jharkhand government to give an undertaking to notify a new wildlife sanctuary in Saranda Forest.

2. Saranda Forest is the largest Sal forest in Asia, located in Jharkhand.

3. The Sal tree is a moist deciduous tree, meaning it sheds its leaves seasonally and grows in regions with moderate rainfall.

4. The name Saranda means “the land of seven hundred hills”, reflecting its hilly terrain.

5. The forest is home to various fauna, including endangered species of flying lizards and elephants.

6. Its flora includes Sal, Kusum, Mahua, and mushrooms, representing both commercially valuable and ecologically important plant species.

7. Nearly 80% of the human population in Saranda belongs to Ho, Munda, Oraon, and some primitive tribes, highlighting the presence of indigenous communities.

Gallantry Awards

1. The Central Government has issued a gazette notification listing gallantry award citations for defence personnel.

2. Gallantry Awards are given to recognize acts of bravery, valour, or self-sacrifice, both during wartime and peacetime.

3. The first three gallantry awards—Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra—were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January 1950.

4. These awards were deemed to have effect from 15th August 1947, the date of India’s independence.

5. Ashok Chakra Class First, Ashok Chakra Class Second, and Ashok Chakra Class Third were instituted in 1952 to recognize peacetime gallantry.

6. In January 1967, Ashok Chakra Class First, Second, and Third were renamed as Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, respectively.

7. These awards are announced twice a year, on Republic Day (26th January) and Independence Day (15th August), highlighting their national significance.

Kurinji Flowers

1. Tamil Nadu has recently notified a new reserve forest in the Gudalur hills, which is now covered in violet kurinji flowers.

2. Kurinji flowers bloom only once in a plant’s lifetime, making them rare and unique.

3. The more famous Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) blooms once every 12 years.

4. Neelakurinji typically grows at relatively higher altitudes, above 1,300 meters.

5. These flowers are prominently found in Shola Forests, which are tropical montane forests in the Western Ghats.

6. The flowering of kurinji indicates healthy grasslands, as disturbances lead to patchy or reduced blooms.

7. Kurinji blooms also act as a barometer of biodiversity, reflecting the richness of species in an ecosystem.

8. Additionally, kurinji flowering can serve as an indicator of climate change, showing shifts in environmental patterns over time.

Specialty Fertilizers

1. India is currently facing a surge in specialty fertilizer prices as China has suspended its exports.

2. Specialty fertilizers are formulations designed to supply nutrients efficiently to crops.

3. These fertilizers are tailored to meet the specific needs of different crops and soil types.

4. They often use controlled, targeted, or slow-release mechanisms to deliver nutrients.

   • Controlled-release fertilizers release nutrients gradually over time to match crop needs.

   • Slow-release fertilizers similarly provide nutrients slowly to prevent leaching and wastage.

   • Stabilized fertilizers are modified to reduce nutrient losses and improve efficiency.

   • Customized fertilizers are designed specifically for particular crops or soil conditions.

   • Fortified fertilizers are enriched with additional nutrients to address specific deficiencies.

5. The use of specialty fertilizers improves nutrient use efficiency (NUE), which is the proportion of nutrients absorbed by crops versus lost to the environment.

6. They also help minimize environmental impact by reducing runoff, leaching, and pollution.

7. In India, the consumption of specialty fertilizers is approximately 1.2 to 1.5 million tonnes (MT) per year.

Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)

1. The Rupee has weakened to a record low, reflecting pressures in the currency market.

2. The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) indicates that the Rupee remains undervalued.

   • REER is a measure of a country’s currency value against a basket of major trading partners’ currencies.

3. It is adjusted for relative inflation, capturing the impact of price differences between countries.

4. REER is derived by adjusting the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) for relative consumer prices.

5. NEER represents the weighted average of a country’s currency against major trading partners without adjusting for inflation.

6. A higher REER makes a country’s exports more expensive.

7. When the REER is higher, imports become cheaper, affecting domestic production.

8. A higher REER reduces trade competitiveness because exports decline and imports rise.

9. Conversely, a lower REER indicates that a currency is undervalued.

10. An undervalued currency, reflected by a lower REER, can potentially boost exports by making them cheaper for foreign buyers.

Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)

1. Central Asian countries have joined together under the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) to protect 17 shared species, including the Saiga antelope and Bukhara Deer.

2. CAMI was launched in 2014 at the 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

3. The CMS is an international treaty aimed at conserving migratory animals, which are species that travel across national boundaries during their life cycle.

4. The primary objective of CAMI is to coordinate conservation efforts for 17 key migratory mammal species in Central Asia, ensuring their protection and sustainable management.

Star Formation

1. A study by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics shows that supermassive black holes and their relativistic jets suppress star formation in nearby galaxies.

   • Relativistic jets are streams of charged particles moving close to the speed of light, which, along with radiation, eject gas from molecular clouds, preventing new stars from forming.

2. This process regulates galactic growth by controlling the availability of gas needed for star formation.

3. Star formation occurs in cold, dense molecular clouds, where gravity condenses gas and dust into protostars, which ignite nuclear fusion.

4. The lifespan of stars depends on their mass: low-mass stars evolve into white dwarfs, while high-mass stars explode as supernovae, leaving behind neutron stars or black holes.

Trachoma

Fiji has officially become the 26th country worldwide to eliminate trachoma as a public health concern.

About Trachoma Disease:

1. Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.

2. Cause: By Chlamydia trachomatis Bacteria, 

3. Spread: Via personal contact, contaminated surfaces, and flies exposed to eye or nasal discharge.

4. Repeated infections cause eyelid scarring, inward-turning eyelids, and eventual blindness.

5. Endemic in vulnerable communities with limited clean water and sanitation access.

6. India has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.

Edible Oil

1. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has amended the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2011 (VOPPA Order).

2. The VOPPA Order regulates the production, distribution, and availability of edible vegetable oils in India.

3. The amendment mandates registration of all stakeholders involved in the processing chain of edible oil, ensuring traceability and accountability.

4. It also requires stakeholders to submit monthly production and stock returns through a designated online portal, enabling better monitoring of supply.

5. In the edible oil sector, India ranks fourth in the world after the United States, China, and Brazil in the vegetable oil market.

6. India contributes about 5-6% of the world’s oilseeds production, which are crops like soybean, sunflower, and groundnut that yield edible oils.

7. Despite domestic production, India imports 57% of its edible oil demand, making it heavily reliant on international supplies.

Patna Sahib Gurudwara

1. The sacred ‘Jore Sahib’, the revered sandals of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, are being carried through the Guru Charan Yatra from New Delhi to Patna Sahib Gurudwara.

2. Patna Sahib Gurudwara is located in Patna, Bihar, and is one of the five Takhts, which are the seats of Sikh religious authority.

3. The construction of Patna Sahib Takht was commissioned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 18th century to commemorate the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.

4. The architecture of Patna Sahib Gurudwara is a blend of Mughal and Sikh styles, featuring a golden dome and intricate artwork.

Quantum Echoes Algorithm

1. Google’s Willow quantum chip demonstrated the first-ever algorithm called the ‘Quantum Echoes algorithm.’

2. This achievement marked the first verifiable quantum advantage on actual hardware.

   • Quantum advantage refers to the ability of a quantum computer to solve a problem faster than the most powerful classical supercomputers.

3. The Quantum Echoes algorithm runs 13,000 times faster than one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

4. The algorithm is verifiable, meaning the results can be repeated to obtain the same answer, confirming their accuracy.

5. The technique works like a highly advanced echo by sending quantum signals forward.

6. It perturbs one of the qubits, the basic unit of quantum information, during the signal’s evolution.

7. The signal is then precisely reversed to detect the "echo" that comes back.

8. Potential applications of the Quantum Echoes algorithm include the study of molecular structures.

9. It can also accelerate research in drug discovery and other complex scientific simulations.

JAIMEX-2025

1. INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, participated in the sea phase of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX)-25.

2. A Shivalik-class Frigate is a modern warship equipped with stealth features to reduce radar detection.

3. JAIMEX is a biennial naval exercise conducted every two years.

4. The exercise is organised to enhance maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

5. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is Japan’s naval branch responsible for maritime security and defense.

6. JAIMEX is conducted in two phases: the Sea Phase and the Harbour Phase.

7. The Sea Phase involves naval drills at sea to improve operational coordination between the two navies.

8. The Harbour Phase includes planning, discussions, and port-based activities to strengthen strategic ties.

International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism

1. Iran has ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

2. The convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999.

3. It officially entered into force in 2002.

4. The purpose of the convention is to criminalize the financing of terrorism.

5. Financing of terrorism refers to providing funds or financial support intended to carry out terrorist acts.

6. The convention also holds funders of terrorist acts legally accountable.

7. India has also ratified the convention, showing its commitment to global counter-terrorism efforts.

Tapioca (Cassava)

1. Tapioca, also called cassava, is a tropical tuber crop cultivated mainly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

2. Kerala and Tamil Nadu account for about 80% of the total acreage of tapioca in India.

3. Tapioca requires a tropical, warm, and humid climate for optimal growth.

4. The crop thrives with well-distributed rainfall of over 100 cm per annum.

5. Well-drained soil is preferred, especially red lateritic loam, which allows proper root development.

6. Tapioca is used as a raw material for starch extraction, which is applied in the yarn textile and paper industries.

7. The tuber is also used in manufacturing sago, a starchy food product.

Pest Management in Tapioca

1. The cassava mealybug is an invasive pest that significantly damages tapioca crops.

2. A tiny parasitic wasp, Anagyrus lopezi, has been successfully used to control cassava mealybugs.

3. Parasitic wasps are insects that lay their eggs inside or on a host pest, eventually killing it.

4. The use of Anagyrus lopezi highlights an effective biological pest control method in tapioca plantations.

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