Daily Current Affairs- 24th October 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 24th October 2025

Jammu & Kashmir – First Rajya Sabha Elections since abrogation of Article 370

In the News: Jammu & Kashmir is set to hold its first Rajya Sabha elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, marking a major step in restoring full parliamentary representation to the Union Territory. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that the polls will be conducted in late October 2025 to fill vacant seats in the Upper House, reflecting the ongoing normalization of democratic processes in the region.

Key Points:

• Historic Election: This will be the first Rajya Sabha election in Jammu & Kashmir after it was reorganized into a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation into Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in 2019.
• Seats and Representation: The elections will fill four Rajya Sabha seats that have remained vacant since February 2021, as the Union Territory had no Legislative Assembly functioning since the reorganization.
• ECI Announcement: The Election Commission of India released the schedule for the elections following the successful conclusion of the Assembly polls in J&K, paving the way for the reconstitution of the region’s legislative and parliamentary representation..
• Eligible Voters: The newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the 90 constituencies of Jammu & Kashmir will form the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha elections.
• Background Context: Jammu & Kashmir had been under President’s Rule and later Lieutenant Governor’s administration since 2018. The reorganization removed its special status under Article 370 and Article 35A, integrating it fully into the Indian Union.

India Re-Elected Vice-Chair of COP10 Bureau on Anti-Doping

In the News: India has been re-elected as the Vice-Chair of the COP10 Bureau to the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport (ICADS), reaffirming its strong global leadership in promoting clean and fair sports. The decision was made during the 10th session of the Conference of Parties (COP10) held in Paris in October 2025.

Key Points:

• Re-Election: India’s re-election as Vice-Chair of the COP10 Bureau underscores its continued commitment to global anti-doping governance and reflects the trust of the international sports community in India’s anti-doping framework.
• Representation: India was represented by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), which functions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, ensuring compliance with global anti-doping regulations and awareness initiatives.
• About COP10: The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making body of the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport, which reviews global implementation of anti-doping measures, fosters cooperation, and sets policy directions for clean sport.
• Global Participation: The COP10 meeting witnessed participation from over 190 member countries, alongside representatives from UNESCO, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and international sports organizations.
• India’s Achievements in Anti-Doping: India has established Asia’s largest National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi and introduced athlete education and testing programs across national and state levels to ensure fairness and integrity in sports.
• Policy Initiatives: The Government of India has enacted the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, giving NADA statutory powers for investigation, enforcement, and testing, making India one of the few countries with dedicated anti-doping legislation.

Five Maharashtra Beaches Earn Blue Flag Global Recognition

In the News: Five beaches from Maharashtra have earned the prestigious Blue Flag certification in 2025, marking a major milestone in India’s coastal conservation efforts. This global recognition is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark, to beaches that meet stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility standards.

Key Points:

• Award Recognition: The five Maharashtra beaches that received the Blue Flag certification are Kunkeshwar (Sindhudurg), Tarkarli (Malvan), Guhagar (Ratnagiri), Diveagar (Raigad), and Aare Ware (Ratnagiri). This achievement places Maharashtra among India’s leading states in sustainable beach management.
• Blue Flag Certification: The Blue Flag label is an internationally recognized eco-label for clean, safe, and environmentally sustainable beaches, marinas, and tourism boats. It is granted based on 33 stringent criteria covering water quality, waste management, environmental education, and coastal ecosystem protection.
• India’s Progress: With these additions, India now has 20 Blue Flag beaches, up from 15 in 2024, reflecting the country’s growing focus on eco-tourism and the Clean Coasts, Safe Seas initiative under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Implementation Agency: The Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), under MoEFCC, is the national implementing body for achieving Blue Flag standards across Indian beaches under the BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) programme.
• Environmental and Tourism Benefits: The recognition boosts local tourism, ensures scientific coastal management, and promotes livelihood opportunities through sustainable eco-tourism. It also enhances global visibility for India’s coastal conservation efforts.
• Previous Recognitions: Earlier, beaches such as Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghogra (Diu), Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar), and Kovalam (Tamil Nadu) had already received the certification, establishing India’s position among top nations with multiple Blue Flag beaches.

Cyclone Montha Set to Intensify Over Bay of Bengal, IMD Issues Orange Alert for Tamil Nadu

In the News: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Montha intensifies over the Bay of Bengal in October 2025. The system, currently classified as a deep depression, is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm, bringing heavy rainfall, high winds, and rough sea conditions along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coasts.

Key Points:

• Cyclone Development: Cyclone Montha formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and is gradually moving northwestward. According to the IMD, it is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm within the next 24–36 hours.
• Orange Alert: The IMD has placed Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh under an Orange Alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds exceeding 80 km/h. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
• Predicted Landfall: Preliminary forecasts suggest the cyclone may make landfall near the north Tamil Nadu–south Andhra coast around October 27–28, accompanied by intense rainfall and potential flooding in low-lying areas.
• Preparedness Measures: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Teams (SDRF) have been deployed in coastal districts, while authorities are conducting evacuations in vulnerable zones and ensuring readiness of relief shelters.
• Impact on Coastal Regions: Coastal areas including Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Nellore are expected to experience storm surges, waterlogging, and power disruptions. The IMD has advised suspension of port operations and fishing activities in affected regions.
• Climatic Context: Cyclone Montha is the third major storm to form over the Bay of Bengal in 2025, reflecting an active post-monsoon cyclonic season influenced by elevated sea surface temperatures and the ongoing El Niño conditions.
• Past Cyclone Comparisons: The IMD has compared Montha’s trajectory to previous cyclones such as Mandous (2022) and Michaung (2023), which caused widespread rainfall and flooding in southern India.

United Nations Day 2025 – History, Significance, and Objectives

In the News: United Nations Day 2025 was observed on October 24, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter in 1945. The day celebrates the founding of the UN and its enduring mission to maintain global peace, promote human rights, foster international cooperation, and advance sustainable development across the world.

Key Points:

• Historical Background: United Nations Day commemorates the establishment of the United Nations on October 24, 1945, when the UN Charter came into effect after being ratified by the majority of signatory nations, including the five permanent members of the Security Council.
• 2025 Theme: The theme for UN Day 2025, “Uniting for Peace, People, and Planet,” highlights the importance of multilateral cooperation to address global challenges such as climate change, inequality, conflicts, and humanitarian crises.
• Global Observance: Member states, UN agencies, schools, and civil society organizations worldwide organize seminars, cultural events, and campaigns to spread awareness about the UN’s contributions and its Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
• India’s Participation: India, a founding member of the UN, reaffirmed its commitment to global peacekeeping, climate action, and multilateralism. Indian peacekeepers currently serve in several UN missions, and the country plays a leading role in advocating Global South interests.
• UN Flag and Symbolism: The UN flag — featuring a world map surrounded by olive branches — symbolizes peace and unity among nations, reflecting the organization’s core ideals of harmony and cooperation.

Government Introduces Standards for Navigation with NavIC

In the News: The Government of India has introduced new standards for navigation with NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) in October 2025 to enhance the accuracy, interoperability, and adoption of India’s indigenous satellite navigation system. These standards aim to promote the integration of NavIC across sectors including transportation, telecommunications, disaster management, and consumer electronics, aligning with India’s vision for technological self-reliance in space-based navigation.

Key Points:

• Standardization Initiative: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released the NavIC-Based Navigation Performance Standards (NNPS-2025), defining benchmarks for signal accuracy, integrity, availability, and coverage.
• About NavIC: NavIC is India’s indigenous satellite-based navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It provides accurate positioning services over India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders using a constellation of seven satellites in geostationary and geosynchronous orbits.
• Objective: The new standards aim to ensure uniformity in the performance of NavIC receivers and enable seamless integration with international systems like GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS for global compatibility.
• Applications: The standards will support critical national sectors such as maritime navigation, aviation, road transport, disaster management, fisheries tracking, and precision agriculture. They also mandate NavIC compatibility in smartphones and vehicle navigation systems to enhance domestic usage.
• Policy Alignment: The initiative aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India missions, promoting indigenous technology adoption and reducing dependence on foreign navigation systems.
• Technical Specifications: The NNPS outlines parameters like horizontal accuracy (<10 meters), time to first fix (TTFF), signal integrity metrics, and data authentication standards for public and restricted services.
• International Recognition: With these standards, India joins a select group of countries—such as the USA, Russia, China, and the EU—that have independently defined national navigation performance standards.