Daily Current Affairs- 1st October 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 1st October 2025

Cabinet Approves 3% DA Hike for Central Government Employees and Pensioners

In the News: The Union Cabinet approved a 3 % increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and a 3 % increase in Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from July 1, 2025.

Key Points:

• Nature of Increase: The Cabinet decision authorizes an additional instalment of 3 % over the existing DA/DR rate of 55 % of basic pay/pension, raising it to 58 %. 
• Effective Date & Arrears: The hike is retroactive from July 1, 2025. Arrears for the months July, August, and September will be paid along with the October salary.
• Beneficiaries: Approximately 49.19 lakh central government employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners will benefit from this increase.
•  Fiscal Impact: The combined annual burden on the exchequer due to the rise in DA and DR is estimated at Rs 10,083.96 crore.
• Purpose & Rationale: The increase is intended to partially offset rising inflation and help employees and pensioners maintain their purchasing power. It follows the accepted formula under the 7th Central Pay Commission.
• Context in Pay Commission Cycle: This 3 % increase is likely to be the last DA/DR revision under the 7th Pay Commission, given that the 8th Pay Commission is expected to commence from January 2026.

Manipur Tops Northeast in Violent Crimes, Rioting: NCRB 2023

In the News: In the Crime in India 2023 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau, Manipur has emerged as the leading state in the Northeast in terms of violent crimes and rioting, signaling a severe law and order challenge in that region.

Key Points:

• Violent Crime & Rioting Lead: Manipur recorded the highest incidence of violent crimes and rioting among the states in the northeastern region, according to NCRB 2023 data.
• Underlying Ethnic Tensions: The spike in violence is tied to the prolonged ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which began in May 2023, and has seen outbreaks of arson, mob violence, killings, plundering and vandalism.
• Human Toll & Displacement: Official figures as of late 2024 indicate 258 persons killed, over 1,100 injured, and more than 60,000 people displaced from their homes as a consequence of repeated bouts of violence.
• Extent of Damage: The violence has resulted in massive property loss: more than 4,700 houses burned, 386 religious structures (temples, churches) vandalised, and widespread looting of arms and ammunition. 
• Major Incidents – Khamenlok Clash: One of the deadliest clashes occurred during 12–14 June 2023 in Khamenlok valley (Kangpokpi district), where a large mob attacked Kuki villages, burning homes and causing substantial damage.
• State & Central Response: Authorities imposed curfews in multiple districts, issued shoot-at-sight orders, and deployed thousands of army, paramilitary and central police forces to control the situation and evacuate vulnerable populations.

President Murmu Presents Special Honour to President’s Bodyguard on 75 Years of Service

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu presented a Diamond Jubilee Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in recognition of 75 years of service since its designation as the President’s Bodyguard in 1950.

Key Points:

• Ceremonial Honour & Symbolism: The presentation of the silver trumpet and banner is a symbolic honour marking the 75-year milestone, celebrating the PBG’s distinguished service and legacy to the nation.
• Presidential Remarks: In her remarks, President Murmu praised the PBG’s professional excellence and adherence to the finest military traditions, and reminded them that such honours carry great responsibility.
• Viraat & Tradition: The retired charger horse Viraat—the Commandant’s Charger—was present on the occasion. The PBG has adopted Viraat after his retirement, symbolizing the enduring bond between the regiment and its horses. 
• Historical Legacy of PBG: The PBG is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army, tracing its origins to 1773 as the Governor-General’s Bodyguard. On January 27, 1950, it was officially renamed the President’s Bodyguard.
• Unique Status & Traditions: The PBG is the only regiment permitted to carry two Standards — the President’s Standard of Body Guard and its Regimental Standard.
•  Continuity of Service: Since India’s independence, the PBG has served one Governor-General and fifteen Presidents, maintaining its ceremonial and protective roles.

Chhattisgarh’s Balod Becomes India’s First Officially Child Marriage-Free District

In the News: Chhattisgarh officially declared Balod district as India’s first certified child marriage-free district under the “Child Marriage-Free India” campaign, following a two-year period during which no cases of child marriage were reported in any part of the district.

Key Points:

• Zero Incidents & Verification: Over the past two years, not a single case of child marriage was registered in Balod, and after rigorous verification, all 436 gram panchayats and nine urban bodies in the district were awarded formal certificates declaring them free from child marriage.
• Collective Effort & Stakeholders: The achievement is credited to coordinated efforts from the district administration, public representatives, anganwadi workers, NGOs, and the local community who together strengthened awareness, surveillance and preventive systems.
• National Campaign Framework: This district-level success falls under the “Child Marriage-Free India” campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 27, 2024, aimed at eliminating child marriage across the country.
• State’s Vision & Timeline: The Chhattisgarh government, through Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has pledged to declare the entire state child marriage-free by 2028–29, considering Balod’s recognition as a model for replication. 
• Replication Beyond Balod: Alongside Balod, 75 gram panchayats in Surajpur district were also certified as child marriage-free, having recorded no incidents over the past two years.

PM Modi Releases Stamp and Coin to Mark 100 Years of RSS

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a special commemorative postage stamp and a ₹100 coin to mark the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in a ceremony held in New Delhi at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.

Key Points:

• First depiction of Bharat Mata on currency: The ₹100 coin features the national emblem on one side, and for the first time in independent India, portrays Bharat Mata in Varada Mudra with a lion, with swayamsevaks bowing before her, symbolizing devotion and national pride.
• RSS motto & inscription: The coin also carries the RSS motto “Rashtriya Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama,” which translates to “Everything is dedicated to the nation, everything belongs to the nation, nothing is mine.”
• Stamp significance: The postage stamp highlights the participation of RSS swayamsevaks in the 1963 Republic Day Parade, celebrating one of the RSS’s early public roles in national ceremonies.
• PM Modi’s remarks: In his address, the Prime Minister lauded the RSS’s century-long journey of sacrifice, selfless service, discipline and nation-building, linking its founding on Dussehra 100 years ago to symbolic themes of renewal and moral victory.
• Historical stresses & struggles: Modi recalled that RSS leaders, including founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, endured imprisonment under British and Nizam rule for their convictions, and that the organization remained steadfast through challenges to its vision of “Nation First.” 
• Cultural & symbolic impact: The release of the coin with Bharat Mata’s image and the stamp portraying RSS’s public presence are intended as symbols of the organization’s cultural influence, its claim to historical continuity, and its role in shaping civic and national values.
• Broader context & reception: Leaders of RSS and government dignitaries attended the event. RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale described the release of the stamp and coin as societal recognition of the Sangh’s civilisational philosophy.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department Wins Global Tourism Award 2025

In the News: In 2025, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department was honoured with the Global Tourism Award 2025 in recognition of its exemplary efforts to position Andhra Pradesh as a world-class tourism destination through sustainable, heritage, cultural and innovation initiatives.

Key Points:

• Basis for Award: The state earned special commendation for designing new tourism circuits that weave together historical, natural, spiritual and ecological attractions, for implementing community-based and eco-friendly tourism models, for promoting heritage preservation while encouraging modern tourism infrastructure, and for leveraging digital and global campaigns to broaden reach.
• Presentation & Recognition: The award was accepted on behalf of the department by a tourism consultant, Nishitha Goyal, during the official ceremony in New Delhi.
• Diversity of Tourism Portfolio: Andhra Pradesh’s tourism offerings include spiritual destinations like Tirupati, heritage sites such as Lepakshi and Undavalli, the Buddhist complexes in Amaravathi and Thotlakonda, coastal and beach destinations like Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam, and eco-adventure zones like Araku Valley and Papikondalu.
•  Vision & Strategy: The award underscores Andhra Pradesh’s vision of inclusive tourism growth, where local communities benefit economically, and cultural and natural resources are protected and integrated into the tourism model. The strategy includes infrastructure development, public-private partnerships (PPP), skill building in hospitality, and adoption of smart tourism technologies such as AI-based guides and digital ticketing.
• Expected Impact: This recognition is expected to boost international tourist arrivals, help attract foreign investment in hospitality infrastructure, elevate Andhra Pradesh’s global tourism brand, and generate employment opportunities in allied sectors.

Wassenaar Arrangement

In the News: Protests erupted globally against Microsoft after allegations surfaced that its Azure cloud services were being used to support Israeli military operations in Palestine, contributing to civilian harm. Critics argue the incident exposes significant loopholes in the Wassenaar Arrangement’s export control framework in relation to software, surveillance, and cloud services.

Key Points:

• What is the Wassenaar Arrangement: The Wassenaar Arrangement, established in 1996, is a multilateral export control regime aimed at promoting transparency and responsibility in the trade of conventional arms and dual-use technologies. It requires participating states to share information, deny licenses where necessary, and coordinate controls.
• Membership & India’s Role: The regime includes 42 participating countries. India became a member in 2017, aligning its export control (SCOMET) regime more closely with global norms and gaining access to advanced technologies subject to stricter oversight.
• Export Control Lists & Scope: The Wassenaar Arrangement maintains two primary control lists — the Munitions List (for weapons and military hardware) and the Dual-Use List (technologies usable for both civilian and military ends). Over time, the scope was expanded (e.g. in 2013) to include “intrusion software” that can bypass or defeat cyber protections.
• The Azure / Microsoft Controversy & Loopholes: The recent allegations against Microsoft exposed critical gaps in how the Wassenaar framework handles cloud, software, surveillance and remote access technologies. Since the framework was originally oriented toward hardware and physical exports, it struggles to account for remote software access, cloud computing, and data flow across borders.
• Protests & Corporate Response: In light of investigative reports showing that Microsoft’s Azure was used by Israel’s military intelligence (Unit 8200) to store and analyze intercepted communications (used in targeting operations), employees and activists (notably the “No Azure for Apartheid” campaign) staged protests demanding Microsoft sever ties. Microsoft later disabled some Azure subscriptions used by one Israeli defense unit in response to those findings. 
• Why the Wassenaar Framework Fell Short: The Microsoft case shows that software and cloud access can act as de facto exports, enabling remote military capabilities without physical transfer. The traditional Wassenaar mechanism does not clearly define how to tax or control remote access, data derivative flows, or AI/analytics layers. This gap allows misuse without triggering export license scrutiny.
• Reforms & Future Directions: Observers suggest that to remain relevant, the Wassenaar regime needs to explicitly include cloud services, AI tools, surveillance systems, and biometric platforms in its control lists; to treat remote access as exports; to update definitions frequently to keep pace with emerging tech; and to create agile oversight bodies for real-time monitoring.

India has been re-elected to the Part II of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the 2025–2028 term.

In the News:  During the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, India was re-elected to Part II of the ICAO Council for the 2025–2028 term, receiving more votes than in the previous 2022 election, thereby reaffirming its growing stature and commitment in global civil aviation.

Key Points:

• Role & Meaning of Part II: The ICAO Council is structured into three parts: Part I includes states of “chief importance” in air transport; Part II covers states that make major contributions to international civil air navigation infrastructure and services; Part III ensures geographic representation.
• India’s Mandate & Voting Strength: India not only secured its seat but did so with its highest ever mandate, obtaining more votes than in 2022, a clear signal of growing confidence among ICAO member states in India’s leadership in aviation.
• Campaign & Diplomacy: Ahead of the election, the Ministry of Civil Aviation hosted receptions for diplomats in New Delhi and engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach through the Ministry of External Affairs. India’s representative at ICAO also canvassed support in Montreal, and bilateral meetings were held with other States.
• Strategic Significance: Re-election to Part II gives India a stronger voice in setting international norms, standards and policies in civil aviation. It positions India to influence global decisions on aviation safety, security, sustainability, air connectivity, and infrastructural development.
• Colleagues in Part II: For 2025–2028, other states elected to Part II include Argentina, Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland, among others.
• India’s Commitments: In its official statements, India reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen international aviation safety, security, sustainability, and equitable growth in air connectivity. It also pledged support to ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative, promote technological innovation and engage meaningfully with all stakeholders.

The US government shut down

In the News: At 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time, the U.S. federal government shut down following a failure by both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate to pass legislation approving federal funding, marking the first shutdown in nearly seven years.

Key Points:

• Cause of Shutdown: The shutdown resulted from partisan deadlock in Congress, with Republicans and Democrats unable to agree on a continuing resolution to extend funding, particularly over disagreements about health care subsidies, Medicaid cuts, and rescissions in foreign aid.
• Scope & Scale of Impact: The shutdown led to furloughs of over 900,000 federal employees and left hundreds of thousands more to continue working without pay, while many federal agencies curtailed or suspended operations.
• Essential Services & Continuing Operations: Some services deemed “essential” such as Medicare, Medicaid, border control, air traffic control, and parts of national defense remained operational, though typically under constrained conditions. Other functions, including public health agencies, research labs, and non-urgent programs, faced partial or full suspension. 
• Economic Consequences: A White House memo projected that each week of shutdown could cost the U.S. economy $15 billion in GDP, with ripple effects on consumer spending, job losses and market disruptions.
• Political Tactics & Fallout: In conjunction with the shutdown, the Trump administration froze $26 billion in federal funds targeting predominantly Democratic states, as a political pressure tactic.  
• Institutional Strains & Delays: Many federal agencies began to shutter or furlough staff, including financial regulators like the SEC, which retained minimal operations.
• Domestic & Global Repercussions: The shutdown introduced uncertainty in U.S. governance, weakened public confidence, strained services for millions, and at an international level signalled instability in America’s fiscal and administrative machinery.

Gandhi Jayanti 2025: Timeline of Gandhi Era from 1869 to 1948

In the News: As India prepares to observe Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October 2025, commemorating the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, we look back at the key phases of his life between 1869 and 1948, tracing his evolution from a young student to the leader of nonviolent resistance and martyr of the nation.

Key Points:

• Early Life & Formation (1869–1888): Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, into a devout Hindu family influenced by Vaishnavism and Jainism. He completed his foundational schooling in Rajkot, and in 1883, at age 13 or 14, married Kasturba Kapadia. In 1888, he travelled to London to study law at the Inner Temple, exposing himself to Western philosophy, religion and social thought.
• South Africa & Emergence of Satyagraha (1893–1915): In 1893, Gandhi accepted a legal assignment in South Africa, where he experienced racial discrimination firsthand and soon became active in organizing Indian rights. Over the years he developed and experimented with satyagraha (truth-force / civil resistance), leading campaigns against oppressive laws and instituting nonviolent protest as a political tool. In 1915, Gandhi returned to India permanently, bringing with him not only political philosophy but experience of mass mobilisation.
• Early Indian Activism & Mass Movements (1915–1930): After a period of traveling across India to understand its social and economic conditions, Gandhi began taking a leadership role in the Indian National Congress. In 1920, he launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, calling for boycott of British goods, institutions and titles. In 1930, he led the iconic Dandi Salt March, defying the salt tax imposed by the British, and engaged in civil disobedience nationwide. In 1931, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed, leading to temporary suspension of protests in return for concessions.
• Later Struggles & Final Years (1932–1948): In 1932, while imprisoned, Gandhi fasted to oppose the British plan to give separate electorates to “untouchables,” leading to the Poona Pact as a negotiated alternative. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, Gandhi intensified campaigns of civil disobedience, participated in Quit India Movement (1942), and persistently called for communal harmony during the Partition crisis. On 30 January 1948, while conducting evening prayers at Birla House in New Delhi, Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse.
• Legacy in Retrospect: Gandhi’s life is divided into phases of formative learning, experimentation in South Africa, mass mobilization in India, and leadership during freedom struggle, culminating in his martyrdom. His methods of nonviolence, civil disobedience, and emphasis on social reform influenced not only India’s independence but global movements for civil rights and justice.