Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 7 November, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
7 November, 2025

National Affairs

1. Centre Argues Right to Vote Not Same as Freedom of Voting

Source: The Hindu

Context:

The Central government has informed the Supreme Court that the “right to vote” and the “freedom of voting” are distinct concepts under the Constitution and election law. This argument was made in response to a petition challenging provisions related to uncontested elections under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Key Issue

• The petition seeks to declare Section 53(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Rule 11 read with Forms 21 and 21B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, as unconstitutional.
• These provisions allow a Returning Officer (RO) to declare candidates as duly elected without holding a poll if the number of candidates equals the number of available seats (uncontested elections).

Petitioners’ Argument

• Argued that automatic declaration without polling deprives voters of their freedom to express dissent by voting for ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA).
• They contended that this violates Article 19(1)(a) — the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

Constitutional Provision

• The government distinguished between:
  • Right to vote – a statutory right, granted and regulated by law (Representation of the People Act).
  • Freedom of voting – an aspect of the fundamental right to free expression under Article 19(1)(a).
• The Centre argued that while freedom of voting may be a constitutional expression of choice, the right itself to vote is not inherent or fundamental, but rather conferred by statute.

Background on NOTA

• The NOTA (None of the Above) option, introduced in 2013 following a Supreme Court judgment, allows voters to express disapproval of all candidates while maintaining their secrecy of vote.
• The petition raises the question of whether NOTA should also apply to uncontested elections, where no polling currently occurs.

2. Justice in Food: EAT-Lancet Commission Report

Source: The Hindu

Context:

The new EAT-Lancet Commission Report highlights how global food systems have become central to multiple environmental crises — from climate change and biodiversity loss to water pollution and nutrient imbalance. It calls for a just transition toward sustainable, equitable, and healthy diets that do not compromise affordability or cultural diversity.

Food Systems and Planetary Boundaries

• Food systems alone are responsible for five of the six breached planetary boundaries, making them a major driver of ecological degradation.
• They contribute about 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Animal-based foods account for most agricultural emissions, while grain cultivation dominates nitrogen, phosphorus, and water use.
• The report warns that current agricultural practices leave a global nitrogen surplus more than double the safe ecological limit.

Key Drivers of Unsustainability

1. Inefficient nutrient use (nitrogen, phosphorus).
2. Overexploitation of freshwater for irrigation.
3. Rising livestock emissions.
4. Food waste and overproduction.
5. Policy incentives that promote resource-intensive output.

Global Outlook

Even with comprehensive interventions — such as cutting food waste, raising productivity, and shifting diets — the world may only partially return to planetary safety by mid-century. The Commission also questions the assumption of 127% global GDP growth in 30 years, noting that lower growth and worsening climate shocks may be more realistic scenarios.

India’s Food System Challenge

Diet Patterns and Nutritional Transition

• India’s diet remains cereal-heavy, largely due to procurement policies and public distribution priorities.
• Meeting EAT-Lancet 2050 benchmarks requires greater consumption of vegetables, fruits, pulses, nuts, and legumes.
• Such a shift could raise consumer prices, especially in import-dependent regions, threatening food affordability.

Affordability and Justice

• Justice in food systems entails making diverse, nutritious diets affordable while respecting cultural and regional food habits.
• Sudden dietary shifts could clash with religious, caste, and local preferences, as well as with state nutrition schemes (e.g., midday meals).

Supply-Side Imperatives

To ensure a sustainable and just transition, the report suggests:

• Reducing groundwater extraction and input-intensive practices.
• Promoting climate-resilient crops and soil regeneration.
• Shifting to renewable energy in cold chains and processing units.
• Reforming procurement and fiscal incentives to make minimally processed, local foods cheaper.

Governance and Structural Justice

Addressing Market Power

• Market concentration and corporate influence distort food systems and hinder equitable reform.
• Justice requires transparent governance, worker representation, and collective bargaining rights for farmers and small producers.

Strengthening Regulation and Accountability

• There is a need for stronger institutional safeguards ensuring that ecological and labour harms are prevented, not externalised.
• Consumers should have representation in food regulatory processes to check corporate capture.

Conclusion

The idea of justice in food extends beyond nutrition to encompass environmental integrity, equity, and cultural inclusion. India must reorient its food policy toward:

• Sustainable production,
• Affordable, diverse diets, and
• Democratic control over food systems.

The path to food justice lies not merely in changing what people eat, but in transforming how food is produced, distributed, and governed — ensuring that both people and the planet can thrive within safe ecological limits.

3. INS Ikshak

Source: PIB

Context:

INS Ikshak, the third of the Survey Vessel Large (SVL), was commissioned into the Indian Navy in a ceremonial event at Naval Base, Kochi on 06 Nov 2025. The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff. 

Capabilities & Features of INS Ikshak

• Dual Role:
  1. Hydrographic survey vessel
  2. Platform for Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) or hospital ship
• Equipment: Advanced hydrographic and oceanographic systems; helicopter support.
• Inclusivity: First SVL with dedicated women’s accommodation.
• Strategic Role:
  • Enhances India’s hydrographic survey capability
  • Strengthens indigenous shipbuilding and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision
  • Improves maritime safety and national security across key sea lanes

4. Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Source: TH

Context:

As India faces deepening wealth inequality, rapid automation, and climate-induced displacement, the article argues for Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a central pillar of a modern welfare state. The author contends that UBI, long viewed as utopian, now represents a moral, economic, and democratic necessity for India’s future.

Why India Needs a Universal Basic Income

Socioeconomic Rationale

• India’s wealth inequality has reached historic highs.
  • Gini coefficient (wealth inequality): 75 (2023, World Inequality Database).
  • Top 1% own 40% of wealth; top 10% control 77%.
• Despite 8.4% GDP growth (2023–24), prosperity remains uneven.
• India ranks 126/137 in the World Happiness Report 2023, underscoring rising insecurity and inequality.
• GDP growth without equitable distribution leads to social stress, declining trust, and precarity.

Administrative and Ethical Advantages

• India’s welfare system is fragmented and inefficient, plagued by leakages, duplication, and exclusions.
• A UBI, built on Aadhaar and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) infrastructure, offers:
  • Simplified delivery of welfare.
  • Reduction of targeting errors and bureaucratic discretion.
  • Elimination of stigma tied to poverty-based entitlements.
• UBI anchors income security in citizenship, not employment or eligibility filters — transforming welfare into a rights-based social contract.

Economic Impact and Pilot Evidence

• Indian trials (SEWA, Madhya Pradesh, 2011–13): Showed gains in nutrition, schooling, and earnings.
• Global evidence: Finland, Kenya, Iran — improved mental health, food security, and work participation.
• Automation risk: Up to 800 million jobs could be displaced globally by 2030 (McKinsey Global Institute).
  • India’s informal and semi-skilled workforce is especially vulnerable.
  • A UBI can cushion structural unemployment and enable upskilling.

UBI as a Democratic Reform

Shifting the Citizen–State Relationship

• Current welfare is transactional and populist, driven by election-time freebies and subsidies.
• UBI redefines this relationship by:
  • Reducing partisan dependency.
  • Encouraging voters to demand governance outcomes (education, healthcare, law).
  • Replacing the politics of patronage with a politics of rights.

Promoting Dignity and Autonomy

• UBI supports unpaid and care labour, especially by women.
• It enhances individual agency and mental well-being, providing a baseline of dignity and security.
• The author argues UBI is not about dependency but expanding opportunity.

Implementation Challenges and Fiscal Concerns

Cost and Fiscal Feasibility

• A minimal UBI (₹7,620 per person/year) would cost ~5% of GDP.
• Possible funding mechanisms:
  • Rationalising subsidies.
  • Progressive taxation.
  • Controlled deficit spending.
• Inflation fears are overstated — past hyperinflations (Weimar, Zimbabwe) were not caused by modest cash transfers.

Phased Rollout

• Begin with vulnerable groups: women, elderly, disabled, and low-income workers.
• Gradually expand coverage based on fiscal capacity and infrastructure readiness.
• UBI should complement, not replace, essential programs like PDS and MGNREGA during early stages.

Digital and Institutional Gaps

• Despite Aadhaar and Jan Dhan, challenges persist in bank connectivity, digital literacy, and last-mile access, especially in tribal and remote regions.
• These must be bridged to ensure true universality.

5. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) Scheme

Context:

The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, launched in 2016 to boost regional air connectivity and make flying affordable, is facing critical challenges in achieving its objectives. The programme aimed to connect smaller towns and promote regional development through enhanced air travel.

About UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)

Launched: 2016 by Government of India.

Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Objective:

• Enhance regional air connectivity by making air travel affordable.
• Connect smaller towns and cities to major hubs, boosting economic development.

Key Features:

• Subsidized Fares: Capped airfares to make flying accessible to the common citizen.
• Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Financial support for airlines to operate on unprofitable regional routes.
• Airport Development: Focus on developing regional airports, particularly in underserved areas.
• Route Selection: Prioritizes routes with low connectivity and high regional importance.

UDAN 2.0

• Budget Announcement: The government promised 120 new destinations and 4 crore additional passengers over the next decade.
• Cautionary Note: Without a fundamental policy rethink, UDAN 2.0 risks creating more “white elephant” airports, wasting public funds, and failing to spur regional economic growth.

6. India Supports Afghanistan’s Kunar Dam

Source: TOI

Context:

India has expressed support for Afghanistan’s plan to construct a dam on the Kunar River, a move that could significantly affect water availability in Pakistan.

• Geopolitical Significance:
  • Strengthens India-Afghanistan ties in the water and energy sector.
  • Potentially intensifies Pakistan’s water scarcity, adding a new dimension to regional water geopolitics.

About Kunar River

• Other Name: Known as the Chitral River in Pakistan.
• Origin: Chiantar Glacier, near the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Length: Approximately 480 km.

Course & Flow

• Originates in Pakistan’s Chitral region.
• Enters Afghanistan through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.
• Re-enters Pakistan to merge with the Kabul River near Attock.

Tributaries

• Major tributaries: Pech River and Lotkoh River.

Mouth

• Merges with Kabul River near Jalalabad (Afghanistan).
• Combined flow eventually joins the Indus River near Attock, Pakistan.

Key Features

• Transboundary River: Part of the Indus Basin system, shared by Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Glacial Origin: Fed by snowmelt and glacial runoff, ensuring perennial flow.
• Strategic Importance: Vital for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower in both countries.

Banking/Finance

1. Big Bank Pursuit: FM

Source: BS

Context:

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed that talks have begun with the RBI and public-sector banks (PSBs) on forming larger banking entities through potential mergers or other structural routes.

Objective: To create world-class banks in India, strengthen the banking ecosystem, and support economic growth.

Public Sector Bank Consolidation

• Background:
  • Phase 1 (2018–20): 13 PSBs merged into 5; SBI merged with its associates and Bharatiya Mahila Bank.
  • Current status: India now has 12 PSBs, with only SBI in the top 50 global banks by assets.
• Rationale: Larger banks can compete globally, improve efficiency, and widen financial inclusion.
• Next Steps: Discussions ongoing with RBI and PSBs; the government has not yet given final approval.

Customer Engagement & Branch-Level Reforms

• FM stressed local language proficiency for branch staff to deepen customer connect.
• Emphasis on old-fashioned banking combined with digital innovation for better outreach.
• Performance appraisals may include efficiency in local language communication.

Credit & Lending

• Need to simplify loan processes and reduce paperwork burdens on borrowers.
• Banks should ensure credit availability and ease of access, promoting financial inclusion.

Financial Markets & Investor Awareness

• Govt. not banning Futures & Options (F&O) trading; focus on removing hurdles and educating investors.
• Stress on building financial literacy at the grassroots level for safer market participation.

Fiscal Prudence & Financial Inclusion

• Banks play a key role in economic Atmanirbharta through credit creation and financial inclusion.
• India now has 56 crore Jan Dhan Accounts, reflecting progress in inclusive banking.

2. SEBI Expands IPO Anchor Book Size to Boost Domestic Institutional Participation

Source: Mint

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has amended its regulations to revamp the share allocation framework for anchor investors in initial public offerings (IPOs). The move is designed to enhance domestic institutional participation, particularly from mutual funds (MFs), insurance companies, and pension funds.

Increased Anchor Portion Reservation

• What changed: The total portion of shares reserved for anchor investors in an IPO has been increased from 33% to 40%.
• Breakup:
  • Mutual funds: 33%
  • Insurance companies and pension funds: 7%
• Reason: This ensures more participation from long-term institutional investors, while also prioritizing mutual funds if the 7% reserved for insurers/pension funds is not fully subscribed.

Simplified: More shares are reserved for anchor investors, and mutual funds get extra if insurance/pension funds don’t take their full share.

Higher Number of Anchor Investors

• What changed: For IPOs with a large anchor portion (> ₹250 crore), the number of anchor investors allowed is increased from 10 → 15 per ₹250 crore.
• Minimum and maximum:
  • Up to ₹250 crore: 5–15 investors
  • For every additional ₹250 crore (or part): 15 more investors, each getting at least ₹5 crore.

Simplified: Bigger IPOs now allow more anchor investors, reducing concentration and spreading investment among multiple long-term players.

Simplification of Discretionary Allotment

• What changed:
  • Earlier, discretionary allocation to anchors had two categories:
    • Category I: up to ₹10 crore
    • Category II: ₹10–250 crore
  • Now, both categories are merged into a single category for allocations up to ₹250 crore.
• Effect: Minimum 5 anchor investors, maximum 15, minimum allocation ₹5 crore each.

Simplified: The allocation process is easier and more uniform for anchors, avoiding complicated categories.

Regulatory Update

• These changes are part of ICDR (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) rules.
• Effective date: 30 November 2025

3. SEBI to Review Short Selling and Securities Lending Frameworks

Source: BL

Context:

Markets regulator SEBI will set up a working group to conduct a comprehensive review of short selling and Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) frameworks. The move is aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and market depth in India’s capital markets.

Background

• The short selling framework, introduced in 2007, and the SLB mechanism, launched in 2008, have remained largely unchanged since inception.
• Despite multiple tweaks, India’s SLB market remains underdeveloped compared to global peers, necessitating a structural review.

Key Details

Formation of Working Group

• SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced the plan during the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit.
• The group will undertake a holistic assessment of both frameworks to identify regulatory gaps and global best practices.

Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB)

The Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) mechanism is a regulated framework that allows investors to lend or borrow shares (securities) for a specified period, usually to facilitate short selling, arbitrage, or to prevent settlement failures.

It was introduced in India in 2008 by SEBI through stock exchange platforms and is managed by clearing corporations to ensure safety, transparency, and guaranteed settlement.

How It Works

• Lender (Investor/Institution):
  • An investor who holds shares in their demat account can lend them through the exchange platform.
  • The lender earns a fee or interest (lending fee) for the period the shares are lent.
  • After the borrowing period ends, the same quantity of shares is returned to the lender.
• Borrower (Trader/Participant):
  • A market participant can borrow shares for purposes like short selling, hedging, or to avoid delivery failure in case of short positions.
  • The borrower must return the shares after the lending period expires.
• Exchange and Clearing Corporation:
  • The stock exchange acts as a platform for lending and borrowing transactions.
  • The clearing corporation acts as a guarantor, ensuring that both parties meet their obligations and the settlement happens smoothly.

About the SLB Mechanism

• Under SLB, investors or institutions can lend shares held in demat accounts to other market participants for a fee.
• These transactions are executed through stock exchanges, with the clearing corporation acting as a counter-guarantor.
• Borrowers use such securities mainly for short-selling or avoiding settlement failures.
• The system allows investors to earn passive income on idle shares, improving market liquidity and efficiency.

4. Insurance Brokers Seek ‘Zero-Rate’ GST

Source: Mint

Context:

The Insurance Brokers’ Association of India (IBAI) is pushing for a zero-rated GST structure for insurance products, following the recent GST exemption on retail term and health insurance. The exemption blocked input tax credits (ITC), causing insurers to bear higher costs and trim broker commissions, potentially leading to higher premiums for customers.

Key Points

• Zero-Rate GST Proposal:
  • No GST on output, but input tax credit can be claimed.
  • Would remove the cascading tax burden on insurers and brokers.
  • Aims to align incentives, protect broker commissions, and maintain affordability for policyholders.
• Legal and Policy Considerations:
  • Currently, zero-rating with ITC is limited to exports and deemed exports.
  • Extending it domestically would require a major policy shift and could affect Centre-state revenue sharing.

What Zero-Rate GST Means

• No GST is charged on output (insurance premiums).
• Input tax credit can still be claimed on expenses (commissions, office rent, brokerage, etc.).
• Reduces cascading tax burden in the value chain.

5. Sebi to Streamline Processes

Source: BS

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is taking measures to simplify the initial public offering (IPO) process, improve transparency, and prevent delays in listings. These reforms aim to make it easier for companies to raise capital while keeping investor interests protected.

Key Announcements by Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey

• Rationalisation of Offer Document:
  • Sebi plans to reduce the contents of the offer document summary for IPO-bound companies.
  • The summary will be available separately to investors, promoting informed decision-making and feedback.
• Streamlining Pledged Shares:
  • Companies with pre-IPO pledged shares will have an automatic enforcement framework to handle pledge invocation or release.
  • This is expected to prevent listing delays and improve market efficiency.
• Market-Determined Valuation:
  • Sebi does not determine IPO pricing; valuations are decided by the market and investors.
  • The regulator focuses on disclosure and information transparency, not price control.
  • This clarification comes amid debates around high-profile IPOs like Lenskart, valued at ₹70,000 crore.

Implications

• Improved efficiency and reduced regulatory friction for companies going public.
• Enhanced investor awareness through a clear and concise summary document.
• Market-driven pricing ensures transparency and reflects genuine investor sentiment.

6. SEBI Widens Net to Keep Investors Safe in Securities Markets

Source: TOI

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has intensified efforts to curb online investment scams and protect retail investors amid rising instances of fraudulent financial promotions and fake trading platforms across digital spaces.

Key Development

• SEBI has formally written to major social media and search engine companies, urging them to adopt robust verification and monitoring mechanisms to prevent misuse of their platforms for securities frauds.
• This move aligns with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)’s global call for stricter online safeguards against financial harm to investors.

SEBI’s Key Requests to Digital Platforms

• Verification of Advertisers:
  Only SEBI-registered entities should be allowed to advertise investment products or services on social media or search engines.
• Distinct Labelling for Authentic Apps:
  Introduce a unique label or verification badge for genuine trading and investment apps on app stores to help users distinguish them from fraudulent ones.
• Prompt Implementation:
  SEBI urged these platforms to prioritize and fast-track the adoption of these measures for the Indian market.

Supporting Investor Protection Initiatives

To further enhance market safety, SEBI has recently launched:

• UPI Verification Feature:
  Investors can now verify if a UPI QR code used to transfer funds to a market intermediary is legitimate. SEBI has developed an app to facilitate this check.
• Intermediary Verification Tools:
  Investors can visit SEBI’s official website to confirm whether:
  • The app or platform they are using is registered with SEBI.
  • The market intermediary they are dealing with holds a valid SEBI registration.

Agriculture

1. WEF Launches ‘Shaping the Deep-Tech Revolution in Agriculture’ Report

Source: BL

Context:

The World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with leading stakeholders from industry and academia, has released a new insights report titled ‘Shaping the Deep-Tech Revolution in Agriculture’. The report aims to advance the integration of next-generation technologies into agriculture to enhance productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience across global food systems.

Released by: WEF’s Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Initiative (AI4AI)

Key Deep-Tech Domains Identified

The report highlights seven deep-tech domains with the greatest potential to transform agricultural practices:

1. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) – for data-driven decision-making and crop prediction.
2. Computer Vision – enabling visual crop analysis and disease detection.
3. Robotics – for precision operations and autonomous fieldwork.
4. Edge Internet of Things (IoT) – to support real-time monitoring and local data processing.
5. Satellite-Enabled Remote Sensing – for large-scale climate and soil assessment.
6. CRISPR Technology – for developing climate-resilient and high-yield crop varieties.
7. Nanotechnology – for improving soil health, pest control, and nutrient delivery systems.

These technologies, when converged, can fundamentally alter how crops are grown, monitored, protected, and distributed.

High-Impact Use Cases

The WEF report showcases innovative applications of deep-tech across global agriculture, including:

• Climate-resilient rice varieties emitting 20% fewer greenhouse gases.
• Precision agriculture in sugarcane, improving yields by up to 40%.
• Remote sensing tools to anticipate supply chain risks and facilitate carbon finance for farmers.
• Autonomous swarm robotics, agentic AI systems, and precision farm management as emerging cross-domain solutions.

Strategic Recommendations

The report emphasizes a collaborative, cross-sectoral approach to scale these innovations:

• Stronger collaboration among industry, research institutions, and investors to pool expertise and manage early-stage technological risks.
• Government support through agile policy frameworks and regulatory sandboxes to adapt to rapid technological advancements.
• Investment in multidisciplinary ecosystems connecting science, finance, and policy to accelerate innovation and adoption.

About AI4AI Initiative

• Launched in 2021, WEF’s Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Initiative (AI4AI) works to integrate emerging technologies into agriculture across regions.
• The initiative supports inclusive, sustainable, and efficient agricultural systems through data-driven innovation.
• Going forward, AI4AI will expand in India via a dedicated platform to promote knowledge exchange, collaboration, and best practice sharing among agritech stakeholders.

2. PRADAN Empowers 5 Lakh Rural Households to Earn Over ₹1 Lakh Annually in FY 2024–25

Source: BL

Context:

The Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), a leading rural development organisation, announced significant progress in improving rural livelihoods and women’s empowerment across India. According to its press release dated November 6, 2025, PRADAN has enabled 5 lakh rural households to earn over ₹1 lakh annually in FY 2024–25 through sustainable, locally viable livelihood interventions.

Women-Led Collectives and FPOs

• PRADAN has promoted 93 women-led Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), uniting 1.43 lakh women shareholders.
• Additionally, 69 FPOs are supported through partnerships.
• Together, these collectives report an annual turnover of ₹1.2 billion, enhancing market access, income diversification, and agricultural inclusivity.

PRADAN’s FPO model is aligned with the Government of India’s “10,000 FPO Scheme”, fostering crop diversification and value-chain integration in pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruit orchards.

Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) Programme

• The APC programme reached 8.13 lakh households via 9,609 producer groups.
• The initiative has built robust value chains and expanded soil moisture conservation and irrigation coverage, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in collaboration with State governments.

Holistic Livelihood Diversification

According to Saroj Kumar Mahapatra, Executive Director, PRADAN, the organisation and its partners are currently working with 2.5 million households to:

• Diversify income sources across farm, off-farm, and non-farm activities.
• Promote climate-resilient livelihoods through innovation and collaboration with government and local institutions.
• Develop scalable models for long-term, sustainable change.

3. UPL Launches Global ‘#AFarmerCan’ Campaign Ahead of COP30

Source: BL

Context:

UPL, a global provider of sustainable agricultural products and solutions, has launched a worldwide campaign titled ‘#AFarmerCan – The hero you don’t know you need’ ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) scheduled from November 10 to 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil. The campaign seeks to position farmers as key climate heroes and advocates for their recognition in global climate policy dialogues.

Campaign Objective

The #AFarmerCan campaign highlights farmers’ central role in advancing climate resilience and sustainable development. It urges world leaders, policymakers, and consumers to acknowledge farmers as critical agents of change in the fight against climate change.

UPL’s Four-Pillar Incentive Framework for Farmer Resilience

As part of its advocacy at COP30, UPL has proposed a four-pillar incentive model to strengthen farmers’ economic and environmental resilience:

Pillar	Focus	Objective
Pay	Financial rewards	Incentivise adoption of climate-smart practices.
Protect	Subsidies & insurance	Safeguard farmers against climate and market risks.
Procure	Market access	Facilitate entry to public procurement channels for certified sustainable produce.
Promote	Digital empowerment	Scale digital tools, soil data, and capacity-building initiatives.

This framework aims to integrate economic incentives with sustainability goals, empowering farmers to become active contributors to climate solutions.

Facts To Remember

1. Govt. to Inaugurate ₹4-Crore Mist Spraying Project to Curb Air Pollution in Delhi

Amid Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, the Public Works Department (PWD) will soon install a mist spraying system in Anand Vihar, one of the city’s most polluted localities. The initiative aims to control dust and particulate pollution during peak smog season.

2. India Ranks Third Globally in Metro Connectivity: Minister Manohar Lal

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal today said that India ranks third globally in metro connectivity. 

3. Labour & Sports Minister Highlights India’s Social Development Achievements at ILO and NITI Aayog Sessions in Doha

Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh L. Mandaviya, concluded his three-day visit to Qatar after representing India at the 2nd World Summit for Social Development in Doha.

4. Indian Hockey to celebrate its glorious 100 years with special events across the country today

Nationwide celebrations will commence today to commemorate 100 glorious years of Indian Hockey.