Daily Current Affairs- 15th October 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 15th October 2025

India’s Female Workforce Participation Rises to 42% in 2023–24

In the News: India’s female workforce participation rate has reached 42% in 2023–24, marking a sharp increase from 23.3% in 2017–18, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). The growth reflects a significant shift in rural employment dynamics, with more women entering the labour market, particularly in agriculture and informal sectors.

Key Points:

• Rising Participation: The female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) in India surged to 42% in 2023–24, nearly doubling in six years. This rise highlights the growing contribution of women to the Indian economy.
• Rural Workforce Dominance: The bulk of the increase is driven by rural women, many of whom have joined the agricultural and informal sectors due to household economic pressures and expanded self-employment opportunities.
• Shift in Employment Patterns: A significant share of female workers is engaged in low-paying, informal, or unpaid family work, pointing to persistent challenges in accessing quality, secure jobs.
• Urban Trends: While urban women’s participation has also grown modestly, it remains lower than rural rates, constrained by safety concerns, household responsibilities, and limited flexible work options.
• Policy Implications: The rise underscores the need for stronger measures to create formal, better-paying jobs for women through skilling programmes, childcare support, and gender-sensitive workplace policies.
• Statistical Source: The findings are based on CMIE’s Consumer Pyramids Household Survey (CPHS) data, supplemented by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), reflecting consistent upward momentum in female participation since 2018.

Govt Extends 16th Finance Commission Tenure Till Nov 30

In the News: The Government of India has extended the tenure of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (XVI FC) till November 30, 2025, granting it additional time to finalize its report. The Commission, chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, was initially required to submit its recommendations by October 31, 2025.

Key Points:

• Extension of Tenure: The Union Cabinet approved the extension of the Sixteenth Finance Commission’s term till November 30, 2025, providing an extra month for comprehensive analysis and consultations before final submission.
• Mandate of the Commission: Constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution, the 16th Finance Commission is tasked with recommending the distribution of tax revenues between the Centre and the States, and among the States themselves, for the period 2026–31.
• Chairmanship and Composition: The Commission is chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, former Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, and includes experts in public finance, economics, and fiscal policy to ensure a balanced approach to fiscal federalism.
• Scope of Recommendations: The Commission will assess vertical and horizontal devolution, grants-in-aid, fiscal consolidation of both the Centre and States, and examine mechanisms for enhancing resource efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

Henley Passport Index 2025: Singapore Tops the World, India Slips to Rank 85

In the News: According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, Singapore has retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, granting visa-free access to 195 destinations. India, however, has slipped two places to rank 85, with its passport holders able to travel to 62 countries without a prior visa. The index is compiled by London-based global citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Key Points:

• Global Leader: Singapore continues to top the Henley Passport Index 2025, maintaining visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 195 destinations worldwide, underscoring its strong diplomatic and travel freedom credentials.
• Top Rankings: Japan, South Korea, and Germany jointly hold the second position, while countries like Spain, Finland, and Italy follow closely, reflecting Europe and East Asia’s dominance in global mobility.
• India’s Position: India’s passport ranks 85th globally, down from 83rd in the previous year, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 62 destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Kenya, and Sri Lanka.
• Comparative Rankings: India now ranks below countries like Kenya and Mongolia, highlighting the relatively limited travel freedom for Indian citizens compared to other emerging economies.
• Regional Insights: Among Asian nations, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea continue to lead, while China stands at 64th position, and Bangladesh and Pakistan remain much lower at 98th and 106th respectively.

India–Mongolia Sign MoUs, Announce Free Visas, Mark 70 Years

In the News: India and Mongolia marked the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations by signing a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and announcing a reciprocal visa-free travel arrangement for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The agreements reflect a renewed commitment to strengthening strategic, cultural, and economic cooperation between the two nations.

Key Points:

• Commemoration of 70 Years: The celebration marks seven decades of India–Mongolia diplomatic ties established in 1955, underscoring their shared values rooted in Buddhism, democracy, and mutual respect in foreign relations.
• MoUs Signed: Both countries signed multiple MoUs covering renewable energy development, cyber security collaboration, information technology cooperation, cultural exchange, and Buddhist heritage preservation, reflecting a broadening of their strategic engagement.
• Visa-Free Agreement: A reciprocal visa-free travel arrangement was announced for diplomatic and official passport holders, aimed at promoting frequent exchanges and easing official visits to enhance governmental and institutional coordination.
• Cultural and Spiritual Ties: The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist heritage, including cooperation in restoring monasteries, archaeological research, and cultural documentation projects.
• Strategic Importance: India reiterated its support for Mongolia as part of its “Act East Policy” and Indo-Pacific vision, emphasizing Mongolia’s role as a trusted partner and democratic ally in Central Asia.

US and Middle East Leaders Sign Declaration to End Gaza War

In the News: The United States, along with key Middle Eastern nations — Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan — signed a historic Declaration to End the Gaza War on October 14, 2025, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough after two years of conflict. The agreement outlines a permanent ceasefire, the expansion of humanitarian aid, and a roadmap for Palestinian governance reform and regional stability.

Key Points:

• Peace Declaration: The declaration, signed in Cairo, aims to bring an end to the prolonged Gaza war by ensuring a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, cessation of hostilities, and withdrawal of all military forces from densely populated civilian areas.
• Participating Nations: The accord was endorsed by U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders from Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, with broad support from the United Nations and the European Union, signaling global backing for Middle East peace efforts.
• Humanitarian Commitments: The declaration includes provisions for large-scale humanitarian assistance, reopening of Gaza’s border crossings, and the creation of an international reconstruction fund to rebuild war-damaged infrastructure under transparent international supervision.
• Hostage and Prisoner Provisions: All parties agreed to the immediate release of hostages held by armed groups in Gaza and the phased release of Palestinian prisoners, overseen by neutral international mediators.
• Political Roadmap: The agreement calls for the revival of the two-state solution, placing Gaza and the West Bank under a reformed Palestinian Authority, with elections to be held within 18 months under UN oversight to establish a unified Palestinian government.

Who is Ashley Tellis, Indian-origin US strategist charged with keeping secret defence files?

In the News: The U.S. Justice Department has charged Ashley J. Tellis, a prominent Indian-origin American foreign policy strategist, with unlawfully retaining classified defence documents at his Washington residence. Tellis, who played a key role in shaping the U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Agreement and broader Indo-Pacific strategic policy, faces charges under the U.S. Espionage Act, though authorities have found no evidence of espionage or foreign collaboration.

Key Points:

• Background and Career: Ashley Tellis is a renowned scholar of international relations and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He previously served as a senior adviser at the U.S. State Department and as a key architect of Washington’s strategic engagement with India and the Indo-Pacific.
• Nature of Charges: Tellis has been charged with the unlawful retention of classified defence files, reportedly concerning U.S. military alliances, defence frameworks, and security partnerships in Asia. The files were discovered during a federal investigation into handling of sensitive materials.
• Legal Proceedings: The Justice Department stated that the case involves mishandling of classified information rather than intentional disclosure or espionage. Tellis has cooperated with authorities and denied any intent to misuse or distribute the materials.
• Official Response: U.S. officials emphasized that the documents were not shared with any foreign entity, and the investigation remains focused on procedural breaches of federal classification rules.
• Global Repercussions: The case has drawn wide attention in diplomatic and academic communities due to Tellis’s stature as one of the foremost voices on U.S.–India relations and Indo-Pacific security cooperation. It also renews debate on information security protocols for senior policy advisers handling classified materials.

GalaxEye Launches India’s First Multi-Sensor Earth Observation Satellite

In the News: Indian spacetech startup GalaxEye has successfully launched ‘Drishti,’ India’s first multi-sensor Earth observation satellite, aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C60 from Sriharikota. The satellite represents a major milestone in India’s private space sector, combining optical and radar imaging on a single platform to deliver advanced, all-weather Earth observation data.

Key Points:

• Launch and Collaboration: The satellite ‘Drishti’ was launched in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marking a significant achievement for India’s growing private space ecosystem. GalaxEye, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, developed the satellite with support from the IN-SPACe framework promoting private participation in space technology.
• Technological Innovation: ‘Drishti’ integrates Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical payloads into a unified system, enabling simultaneous radar and visual imaging. This hybrid configuration allows the satellite to capture high-resolution, day-and-night, all-weather imagery, overcoming limitations of conventional optical systems.
• Applications and Utility: The mission aims to provide Analysis Ready Data (ARD) for a broad range of uses including climate change monitoring, agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, and national security. Its multi-sensor design allows for faster and more precise situational awareness in critical events such as floods, forest fires, and infrastructure damage.
• Vision and Future Plans: GalaxEye envisions building a constellation of multi-sensor satellites to provide continuous, global Earth monitoring capabilities. The launch aligns with India’s Space Policy 2023, which encourages innovation-led private participation and technological self-reliance in space-based services.

India’s Vital Statistics Report 2023

In the News: The Office of the Registrar General, India (ORGI) released the Vital Statistics Report 2023, based on the Civil Registration System (CRS), highlighting significant improvements in the registration of births and deaths across the country. The report marks a milestone in India’s demographic data collection, showing enhanced coverage, better health indicators, and progress in public service delivery.

Key Points:

• Comprehensive Registration: The report records 100% birth registration nationwide and 94.4% death registration, indicating substantial improvement in civil documentation and the efficiency of local registration authorities under the CRS framework.
• Infant Mortality Decline: India’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has reduced to 25 per 1,000 live births, reflecting progress in maternal and child healthcare outcomes. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra registered the lowest IMR, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar continue to lag behind the national average.
• Public Health Indicators: The report highlights continued decline in maternal mortality and improvements in life expectancy and health infrastructure coverage, attributing gains to expanding institutional births, vaccination programmes, and access to primary healthcare services
• Regional Performance: Southern and western states lead in registration completeness and health outcomes, while several northeastern and central states have made notable progress in digitizing registration processes and reducing delays in certification.
• Digital Integration: The use of online registration platforms and interlinking with Aadhaar and health databases has strengthened transparency, enabling real-time monitoring and improved policy formulation for social welfare and health planning.
• Future Outlook: The government aims to achieve universal death registration by 2025 and further integrate CRS data with national health and population registries to enhance accuracy, accessibility, and planning in India’s demographic governance system.