Daily Current Affairs- 10th November 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 10th November 2025

Centre Notifies New Deep-Sea Fishing Rules for EEZ

In the News: The Central Government notified the Deep-Sea Fishing Rules for India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), introducing a modern regulatory framework to promote sustainable fishing, ensure marine biodiversity protection, and strengthen coastal livelihoods. The move aligns with India’s Blue Economy Vision 2047.

Key Points:

• Policy Notification:  The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying issued the Deep-Sea Fishing Rules 2025 under the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981.
• Objective: The new rules aim to regulate fishing operations within India’s EEZ (12–200 nautical miles), ensuring ecological balance and fair access for domestic fishing fleets.
• Licensing System: All deep-sea fishing vessels must obtain a centralised permit through a National Fisheries Digital Portal, with mandatory vessel tracking and catch reporting systems.
• Ban on Foreign Vessels: The rules reinforce the prohibition of foreign vessels from operating in Indian waters, safeguarding national marine resources for Indian fishermen.
• Sustainability Measures: Fishing will be regulated through species-specific quotas, seasonal restrictions, and bycatch control norms, aligned with FAO guidelines on responsible fisheries.
• Support for Fisherfolk: The government announced schemes for modernising fishing vessels, cold-chain infrastructure, and capacity-building programmes for coastal communities

Mumbai Tops Asia’s Happiest Cities in 2025

In the News: Mumbai was ranked as Asia’s Happiest City in the World Happiness Index 2025 – Asian Cities Edition, marking a historic first for India. The city topped the regional rankings for its strong sense of community, cultural vibrancy, and rapid improvements in urban well-being and inclusivity.

Key Points:

• Report Release: The findings were published in the World Happiness Index 2025 (Asian Cities Report), compiled by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) in collaboration with Gallup World Poll.
• Top Ranking: Mumbai secured the #1 position in Asia and #12 globally, ahead of cities like Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul, due to its rising urban resilience and social optimism.
• Evaluation Criteria: The ranking assessed mental well-being, social trust, environmental quality, healthcare access, cultural engagement, and economic satisfaction among city residents.
• India’s Performance: Other Indian cities — Bengaluru (6th) and Delhi (9th) — also featured in the Asian top ten, reflecting India’s growing urban happiness and livability quotient.
• Government Initiatives: Mumbai’s ranking was attributed to projects under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, Mumbai Climate Action Plan, and Ease of Living Index reforms, which improved sustainability and civic engagement.

National Urban Conclave 2025

In the News: The National Urban Conclave 2025 concluded in New Delhi, marking a major step toward achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision through the launch of transformative initiatives focused on urban renewal, smart governance, and sustainable infrastructure. The conclave brought together policymakers, state ministers, and urban planners to chart India’s roadmap for inclusive and resilient cities.

Key Points:

• Event Overview: The National Urban Conclave 2025 was organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to align urban development goals with India’s long-term Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• Major Launches: Key initiatives unveiled included the National Smart Mobility Mission, the Urban Climate Resilience Framework, and the Digital City Dashboard 2.0 for real-time governance and citizen engagement.
• Focus Areas: Discussions centred on affordable housing, clean water and sanitation, public transport modernisation, and waste-to-energy projects in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Participation: The conclave saw participation from urban development ministers of all states, mayors of 100 Smart Cities, and representatives from NITI Aayog, World Bank, and UN-Habitat.
• Sustainability Goals: A renewed emphasis was placed on net-zero urban planning, green building codes, and the integration of renewable energy in municipal systems.
• Citizen-Centric Approach: The government announced measures to enhance urban employment, promote women-led entrepreneurship, and strengthen digital service delivery in cities.

FAIFA criticises WHO-FCTC COP11 for excluding tobacco farmers

In the News: The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) strongly criticised the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) for excluding tobacco farmers and their representatives from the upcoming 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11), scheduled in Geneva from November 17 to 22, 2025. FAIFA expressed concern that farmer voices were being ignored in global policy discussions affecting their livelihoods.

Key Points:

• Event Context: The WHO-FCTC COP11 aims to discuss tobacco control measures among 180 member countries, focusing on reducing production and consumption through stricter global regulations.
• FAIFA’s Criticism: The Federation of All India Farmer Associations condemned the exclusion of tobacco growers from the deliberations, arguing that decisions on tobacco policy should include stakeholder consultation with farming communities.
• Farmers’ Concerns: FAIFA stated that millions of Indian farmers depend on tobacco cultivation for their livelihood, and unilateral restrictions without alternative livelihood planning could harm rural economies.
• Policy Demand: The organisation urged WHO and FCTC member states to adopt a participatory approach, allowing representation from tobacco-growing nations and farmer bodies during policy discussions.
• India’s Stake: India, being the second-largest producer and exporter of tobacco, is expected to advocate for balanced regulation that considers both public health and farmer welfare.

Inside India’s First Tribal-Focused Genome Project

In the News: India launched its first tribal-focused genome project, a pioneering scientific initiative aimed at decoding the genetic diversity of India’s indigenous communities. The project seeks to enhance understanding of tribal population health, genetic traits, and disease patterns while ensuring ethical research and community participation.

Key Points:

• Project Launch: The first tribal-focused genome project was launched under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to map the genetic diversity of India’s Scheduled Tribes.
• Objective: The initiative aims to study tribe-specific genetic variations, identify rare hereditary diseases, and improve public health and precision medicine outcomes for indigenous populations.
• Coverage: The project will initially cover 50 tribal groups across regions such as the Northeast, Central India, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, representing India’s vast ethno-genetic spectrum.
• Research Partners: Leading institutes including the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), and AIIMS are key collaborators.
• Ethical Framework: The project follows a strict consent-based and culturally sensitive model, ensuring that tribal data remains secure, anonymized, and used only for health research.
• Global Impact: The project positions India among global leaders in inclusive genomic research, complementing efforts like the Human Genome Diversity Project and All of Us (USA) initiative.

Repatriation of India’s Gold: RBI’s New Strategy

In the News: Between 2023 and 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repatriated dozens of tonnes of gold from its overseas vaults to domestic storage facilities, as part of a new strategic approach to strengthen India’s foreign exchange reserves and mitigate geopolitical and logistical risks. This marks one of the largest gold relocations in decades, reflecting India’s evolving reserve management policy.

Key Points:

• Strategic Move: The RBI initiated the repatriation of physical gold held in foreign custodians, including the Bank of England, to secure reserves within India’s own vaults.
• Objective: The strategy aims to reduce dependence on foreign storage, enhance sovereign control over gold assets, and diversify reserve management amid rising global uncertainties.
• Scale of Repatriation: Over 100 tonnes of gold were brought back between 2023–2025, marking the largest transfer since the 1991 economic crisis period when India had pledged gold to raise foreign capital.
• Storage Facilities: The gold is now stored in RBI’s high-security vaults in Nagpur and Mumbai, equipped with advanced surveillance and climate-control systems.
• Economic Context: The move aligns with India’s efforts to strengthen its forex reserves, which exceed $650 billion, and hedge against fluctuations in global currencies.
• Global Practice: Similar repatriations have been undertaken by countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey, as part of post-pandemic efforts to ensure strategic control over monetary assets.

COP30 (2025 UN Climate Change Conference)

In the News: The COP30 (2025 UN Climate Change Conference) is scheduled to take place from November 10 to 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, marking the first-ever UN Climate Conference to be hosted in the Amazon region. The summit aims to accelerate global action on climate finance, biodiversity protection, and emission reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Key Points:

• Conference Dates and Venue: COP30 will be held from November 10–21, 2025, in Belém, Pará, Brazil, emphasizing the Amazon’s vital role in global climate balance.
• Theme: The theme of COP30 is “From Commitments to Action: Accelerating Climate Solutions”, focusing on implementing pledges made under previous climate accords and ensuring measurable progress toward net-zero goals.
• Participating Countries: More than 190 nations, including all UNFCCC member states, the European Union, and observer organizations, will participate. Key delegations include India, the United States, China, Brazil, and members of the European Union.
• Agenda Focus: Discussions will center on climate finance, loss and damage fund implementation, carbon markets (Article 6), renewable energy transition, and adaptation measures for vulnerable nations.
• Host Nation’s Goals: Brazil intends to highlight the Amazon rainforest’s global importance, advocate for forest-based carbon credits, and promote sustainable livelihood models for local communities.India’s Role: India will focus on climate equity, technology transfer, green energy financing, and reaffirm its Net Zero 2070 commitment.Significance: COP30 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement (2015–2025), making it a crucial moment for assessing global progress toward limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C.

India Enters Global Forest Fund: What It Means

In the News: India officially joined the Global Forest Fund (GFF), a multilateral initiative aimed at financing sustainable forest management, conservation, and climate resilience. The move reinforces India’s leadership in global environmental governance and its commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Key Points:

• Initiative Entry: India became a member of the Global Forest Fund (GFF), which mobilizes international financing to protect and restore forests in developing countries.
• Objective of the Fund: The GFF supports projects that enhance carbon sequestration, curb deforestation, and promote community-led forest restoration aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 15.
• India’s Role: As part of its membership, India will contribute to and benefit from forest conservation investments, particularly in the Western Ghats, Sundarbans, and Himalayan ecosystems.
• Funding Mechanism: The Fund pools resources from G20 nations, multilateral banks, and climate funds, channeling them toward verified forest-based carbon and biodiversity projects.
• Policy Integration: India plans to integrate GFF participation with domestic missions such as the National Afforestation Programme and the Green Credit Programme, enhancing both climate and livelihood outcomes.

India's Top 1% Grew its Wealth by 62% Since 2000: G20 Report

In the News: A G20 Report on Global Wealth Inequality revealed that India’s top 1% population increased its wealth by 62% since 2000, highlighting the widening gap between the richest and the rest. The report underscores the urgent need for inclusive economic policies and equitable distribution of resources.

Key Points:

• Report Release: The findings were published in the G20 Report on Global Wealth Inequality 2025, focusing on disparities in wealth accumulation among member countries.
• India’s Wealth Growth: The top 1% of India’s population witnessed a 62% increase in their share of national wealth since 2000, while the bottom 50% saw only marginal growth.
• Global Context: The report ranked India among countries with the fastest-growing income inequality, alongside Brazil and South Africa.
• Economic Implications: The report cautioned that such disparities could impact social mobility, economic stability, and sustainable development goals.
• Policy Recommendations: It urged governments to strengthen progressive taxation, expand social safety nets, and promote inclusive digital and financial access
• G20’s Objective: The G20 aims to address global wealth imbalances by fostering cooperation on taxation reforms, fair trade, and equitable economic growth among its member nations.

Anish Bhanwala Wins Silver at ISSF World Championships 2025

In the News: Indian shooter Anish Bhanwala won the silver medal in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event at the ISSF World Championships 2025 held in Cairo, Egypt. His performance marked a major milestone for Indian shooting on the global stage.

Key Points:

• Event Achievement: Anish Bhanwala clinched the silver medal in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol category after a closely contested final with Germany’s Christian Reitz.
• Venue and Occasion: The ISSF World Championships 2025 were held in Cairo, Egypt, attracting top shooters from around the world.
• India’s Performance: This was India’s fourth medal at the 2025 edition of the championships, further highlighting the nation’s growing prowess in competitive shooting.
• Athlete Background: Anish Bhanwala, a Commonwealth Games medallist, has been one of India’s most consistent pistol shooters, known for his composure and precision
• Significance: The silver adds to India’s medal tally and strengthens its preparations ahead of the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Past Record: Bhanwala had previously won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and multiple medals in ISSF World Cups, making this silver a continuation of his remarkable career trajectory.