Daily Current Affairs- 7th October 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 7th October 2025

President of India Presents “My Bharat – NSS” Awards for 2022‑23

In the News:  The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented the “My Bharat – NSS Awards” for the year 2022-23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The awards recognized the exceptional contributions of National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, programme officers, and universities in community service and nation-building.

Key Points:

• Award Presentation: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the “My Bharat – NSS Awards” to 51 awardees across three categories — NSS Volunteers, Programme Officers, and NSS Units/Universities — for their outstanding social service and leadership.
• Objective: The awards celebrate exemplary efforts in promoting values of selfless service, social harmony, environmental conservation, and national integration among youth.
• Institutional Support: The awards are instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the Department of Youth Affairs, aligning with the government’s “My Bharat” digital youth engagement platform.
• My Bharat Integration: The ceremony underscored the synergy between the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the My Bharat portal, aimed at digitally connecting youth with volunteering, skill development, and nation-building initiatives.
• President’s Address: The President praised the spirit of volunteerism among India’s youth, urging them to contribute actively towards Viksit Bharat @2047 through environmental, health, and community welfare initiatives.
• Background: The National Service Scheme (NSS), launched in 1969, operates under the motto “Not Me, But You,” fostering a sense of social responsibility and civic duty among students across schools and colleges.

Arunachal Launches First Commercial Coal Mine at Namchik

In the News:  Arunachal Pradesh inaugurated its first commercial coal mining project at Namchik in Changlang district, marking a major milestone in the state’s energy and industrial development. The launch signifies the beginning of regulated coal production in the state after decades of delay.

Key Points:

• Project Launch: The Namchik coal mine was officially launched by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, highlighting the state’s entry into commercial coal production under a transparent and sustainable framework.
• Location: The mine is located in the Namchik-Namphuk coalfield of Changlang district, known for high-quality coal reserves suitable for power generation and industrial use.
• Operational Management: The mining operations will be carried out by the Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited (APMDTCL) in collaboration with private partners, ensuring adherence to environmental and safety standards
• Economic Impact: The project is expected to generate significant revenue for the state, create local employment opportunities, and promote regional industrial growth, particularly in the energy and cement sectors.
• Environmental Safeguards: The government emphasized strict compliance with environmental clearances, sustainable extraction practices, and rehabilitation measures for affected communities.

Cabinet Approves Nationwide Celebration of 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram

In the News: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the nationwide celebration of the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram”, marking 150 years since the composition of the iconic national song by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875. The year-long celebrations aim to honor India’s cultural heritage, national pride, and spirit of freedom.

Key Points:

• Cabinet Approval: The Union Cabinet approved a comprehensive plan to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram through cultural, educational, and public engagement programmes across the country.
• Historical Context: Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and later included in his celebrated novel Anandamath (1882). It became a rallying cry for India’s freedom movement, symbolizing unity and patriotism.
• Nationwide Celebrations: The anniversary will be celebrated through art exhibitions, music festivals, essay competitions, theatre performances, and public recitations highlighting the song’s historical and cultural significance.
• Institutional Involvement: The Ministry of Culture will be the nodal agency coordinating activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Prasar Bharati, and state governments to ensure broad participation.
• Special Events: A national-level inaugural event will be held in Kolkata, the birthplace of the song, featuring performances by renowned artists, scholars, and youth groups.
• Educational Outreach: The government will introduce special modules in schools and universities to educate students about the origin, meaning, and legacy of Vande Mataram as part of India’s freedom struggle.
• Cultural Integration: The celebrations will align with the “Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal” vision, reinforcing India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat @2047 by connecting cultural pride with national progress.
• Commemorative Initiatives: The Cabinet also approved the release of a commemorative postal stamp and coin and a documentary film tracing the evolution of Vande Mataram as India’s symbol of unity and devotion.

India’s First Cooperative‑Run CBG & Potash Project Launched at Kopargaon

In the News: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India’s first cooperative-run Compressed Biogas (CBG) and Potash Project at Kopargaon, Maharashtra. The initiative marks a significant milestone in integrating renewable energy generation with cooperative sector participation and sustainable rural development.

Key Points:

• Project Launch: The CBG and Potash project at Kopargaon was launched under the leadership of Union Minister Amit Shah, emphasizing the cooperative sector’s role in advancing India’s green energy and fertilizer self-reliance goals
• Implementing Agency: The project is developed by the Kopargaon Cooperative Sugar Factory, making it the first cooperative-owned initiative to combine compressed biogas production with potash generation.
• Technology & Output: The facility will process sugarcane press-mud and agricultural residues to produce Compressed Biogas (CBG) and bio-potash, contributing to circular economy principles and reducing dependency on imported fertilizers.
• Sustainability Focus: The project aligns with the government’s Waste-to-Wealth and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions, promoting renewable energy adoption and zero-waste industrial practices in the rural sector.
• Economic Benefits: It is expected to generate additional revenue streams for farmers, create rural employment, and enhance profitability for cooperative sugar mills through value-added by-products.
• Government Support: The initiative is supported under the GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme and the National Bioenergy Programme, promoting decentralized biogas production.

INS Androth Commissioned into Indian Navy

In the News: The Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth, the second ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. The induction strengthens India’s coastal defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

Key Points:

• Commissioning Ceremony: INS Androth was commissioned in the presence of Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, symbolizing the Navy’s growing focus on indigenous shipbuilding and maritime security
• Ship Class & Builder: It is the second vessel in the Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft, designed by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under the “Make in India” program.
• Capabilities: The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art sonar systems, advanced weaponry, and surveillance sensors to detect and neutralize underwater threats in coastal and island territories.
• Operational Role: Designed for anti-submarine operations in shallow waters, the vessel will also perform roles such as mine laying, coastal patrol, and search-and-rescue missions, ensuring multi-dimensional maritime security.
• Technical Specifications: The 77.6-meter-long vessel displaces approximately 900 tonnes and can achieve speeds up to 25 knots, powered by water-jet propulsion for high maneuverability.Indigenization Drive: Over 80% of the equipment on board is sourced from Indian industries, reflecting India’s technological maturity in naval manufacturing.
• Strategic Importance: The commissioning of INS Androth boosts India’s coastal surveillance grid, particularly in the Eastern Seaboard, enhancing preparedness against asymmetric and undersea threats.
• Future Plans: The Indian Navy plans to induct all eight ASW-SWC vessels by 2027, ensuring comprehensive coverage of India’s coastal and island chains under the Sagarmala and Maritime Vision 2030 frameworks.

Toxic Chemical Diethylene Glycol in Cough Syrup

In the News: Health authorities issued a nationwide alert after laboratory tests detected the toxic chemical Diethylene Glycol (DEG) in samples of certain cough syrups manufactured by small-scale pharmaceutical firms. The contamination raised concerns over drug safety, regulatory oversight, and the need for stricter quality control in India’s pharmaceutical exports and domestic markets.

Key Points:

• Toxic Substance Identified: Diethylene Glycol (DEG), an industrial solvent used in antifreeze and brake fluids, was found in some cough syrup samples. DEG is highly toxic when ingested and can cause acute kidney failure, metabolic acidosis, and death, particularly among children.
• Health Impact: Exposure to DEG-contaminated medicines has historically led to multiple poisoning incidents worldwide, including cases in India, The Gambia, and Uzbekistan, prompting WHO alerts.
• Regulatory Response: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and State Drug Controllers have launched a coordinated inspection and recall drive to remove affected batches and identify manufacturing lapses.
• WHO Involvement: The World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated its warning on untested and substandard cough syrups, urging all countries to strengthen pharmaceutical supply chain monitoring and testing.
• Preventive Measures: The Union Health Ministry has mandated mandatory batch-wise testing for all syrup formulations containing propylene glycol, glycerin, or sorbitol — ingredients vulnerable to DEG contamination.

Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 awarded to Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis

In the News: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 was awarded jointly to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their pioneering contributions to the development of superconducting circuits for quantum computing. Their work laid the foundation for scalable quantum technologies, bridging fundamental physics and next-generation computation.

Key Points:

• Award Announcement: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis were being recognized for their “groundbreaking experiments and innovations in superconducting quantum bits (qubits) that enabled stable and controllable quantum computation.”
• Scientific Contribution: The trio developed superconducting Josephson junction circuits, enabling the manipulation of quantum states with exceptional precision — a crucial step toward practical quantum computers.
• John Clarke (UK/USA): Credited for advancing SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) technology, which became the basis for measuring quantum signals at extremely low noise levels
• .Michel Devoret (France/USA): Known for creating the “quantum toolbox” — a set of techniques allowing precise control and measurement of superconducting qubits, paving the way for error-corrected quantum operations.
• John Martinis (USA): Led teams that built some of the first quantum processors, including Google’s 2019 “quantum supremacy” experiment demonstrating computation beyond classical capabilities.

India Launches UPI at Supermarkets in Qatar

In the News: India officially launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at major supermarkets and retail outlets in Qatar, marking a key milestone in expanding India’s digital payment ecosystem to the Gulf region. The initiative strengthens cross-border digital financial connectivity and enhances convenience for Indian expatriates and tourists.

Key Points:

• Launch Initiative: The launch of UPI in Qatar was jointly facilitated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Qatar Central Bank (QCB), with support from major Qatari retail chains.
• Objective: The initiative aims to enable instant, secure, and low-cost digital payments for Indian visitors and residents in Qatar, promoting financial inclusion and reducing dependence on cash and cards.
• Operational Details: Indian consumers can now scan QR codes using any UPI-enabled app (such as BHIM, Paytm, or Google Pay) at participating supermarkets, allowing seamless rupee-based transactions converted to Qatari Riyals.
• Diplomatic Context: The move follows the strengthening of India–Qatar economic and fintech cooperation, reflecting growing trust in India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model.
• Economic Impact: With over 750,000 Indian expatriates in Qatar, UPI integration is expected to boost retail transactions, tourism spending, and remittance efficiency.
• Broader Expansion: Qatar becomes the fifth Gulf nation to adopt UPI after the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, expanding India’s global digital payments footprint.

Philippines Launches Southeast Asia’s First Coral Cryobank

In the News: The Philippines launched Southeast Asia’s first Coral Cryobank in Manila, marking a groundbreaking step toward preserving marine biodiversity amid growing threats from climate change and ocean acidification. The initiative aims to secure genetic materials of coral species to support reef restoration and long-term ecological resilience.

Key Points:

• Project Launch: The Coral Cryobank was inaugurated by the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and the Philippine Coral Restoration Consortium.
• Objective: The cryobank will collect, freeze, and store coral gametes, embryos, and tissue samples using advanced cryogenic techniques to safeguard coral diversity for future restoration efforts.
• Technological Innovation: Using liquid nitrogen storage systems, coral specimens will be preserved at ultra-low temperatures, allowing scientists to maintain genetic material for hundreds of years without degradation.
• Climate Response: The initiative addresses the accelerating loss of coral reefs across the Coral Triangle — one of the world’s richest marine biodiversity zones — due to rising sea temperatures and pollution.
• Regional Collaboration: The Philippines aims to share research and technology with neighboring ASEAN countries to create a regional coral genome network, enhancing collective climate resilience.
• Funding and Support: The project is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UNESCO’s Ocean Decade Programme, highlighting global collaboration for marine conservation.

India’s First Red List Unveiled At IUCN Congress

In the News: India unveiled its first national “Red List” of threatened species during the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress held in Geneva. The initiative marks a major milestone in India’s biodiversity documentation and aligns with global conservation standards under the IUCN Red List framework.

Key Points:

• Launch Event: The Red List was jointly unveiled by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at the IUCN Congress, with participation from leading conservation scientists and international delegates.
• Objective: The list aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the conservation status of India’s flora and fauna, helping policymakers prioritize species protection and habitat restoration.
• Coverage: The initial edition documents over 12,000 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and plants — evaluated based on IUCN’s global criteria for extinction risk.
•  Key Findings: Several endemic species from biodiversity hotspots such as the Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and Andaman-Nicobar Islands were categorized as “Vulnerable” or “Endangered,” highlighting urgent conservation needs.
• Scientific Collaboration: The assessment involved contributions from over 50 research institutions, universities, and state forest departments, ensuring regional data integration and scientific accuracy
• .Policy Integration: The Red List will serve as a baseline tool for India’s future wildlife management, environmental impact assessments, and climate adaptation strategies under the National Biodiversity Mission (NBM).
• Global Significance: India’s Red List contributes to IUCN’s global biodiversity monitoring and reinforces the country’s commitment to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.