Source: IE Context: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the Centre will soon introduce a stringent law targeting the sale of substandard seeds and spurious pesticides. The decision comes amid widespread farmer complaints during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan about poor-quality agricultural inputs leading to crop losses. Key Proposals & Features Rationale & Drivers Challenges & Implementation Risks Significance & Expected Impact
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 30 October, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz30 October, 2025 National Affairs 1. Elderly in India Source: PIB Context: India is experiencing a rapid demographic transition, with the population of elderly (60 years and above) expected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036. This demographic shift is creating new socio-economic challenges and opportunities, including the emergence of a ‘silver economy’ driven by goods and services catering to older adults. Key Highlights: Government Initiatives for Elderly in India Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE)MoSJE coordinates with Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Ayush, State Governments, NGOs, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to ensure comprehensive welfare programs for senior citizens. Key initiatives include: 1. Financial Security & Pension Schemes 2. Healthcare & Geriatric Support 3. Social Inclusion & Empowerment 4. Digital & Technology Initiatives 5. Capacity Building 6. Legal Framework & Family Support 7. Digital Initiatives & Technology Integration: 8. Legal Framework & Family Support: 9. Housing & Intergenerational Initiatives: 2. RoDTEP and RoSCTL Schemes Source: ET Context: The Government of India has set up a committee headed by former Secretary Neeraj Kumar Gupta to review the notified rates under two key export support schemes — Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL). About the RoDTEP Scheme: About the RoSCTL Scheme: Significance: 3. NITI Aayog Proposes IP and Technology Push to Strengthen India’s Manufacturing Sector Context: The NITI Aayog has released a roadmap titled “Reimagining Manufacturing: India’s Roadmap to Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing”, developed jointly with CII and Deloitte, outlining a 10-year strategy to transform India’s manufacturing sector into a frontier technology-enabled, globally competitive ecosystem. Key Objectives: Challenges Identified: Proposed Interventions: Phase 1 (FY2026–FY2028) Focus: 4. National Blockchain Framework (NBF) Source: PIB Context: Launched in September 2024 with a budget of ₹64.76 crore, NBF provides a unified, secure, and scalable architecture for blockchain adoption in governance and public services. India is leveraging blockchain to improve transparency, accountability, efficiency, and trust in government operations, moving beyond its early association with cryptocurrencies. What is Blockchain? Types of Blockchain: Core Components of NBF 1. Vishvasya Blockchain Stack 2. NBFLite 3. Praamaanik 4. National Blockchain Portal Key Blockchain-Enabled Use Cases in India Strategic & Regulatory Initiatives Capacity Building & Skill Development Way Forward Key Terms (One-Line Explanations) Banking/Finance 1. SEBI Proposes Simpler Mutual Fund Rules to Cut Investor Costs Source: ET Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of Mutual Fund (MF) regulations, aiming to make them simpler, more transparent, and investor-friendly. The proposals seek to remove outdated provisions, streamline fee structures, and reduce investor costs, reflecting SEBI’s push for regulatory modernisation in India’s fast-growing mutual fund industry. Key Objectives Major Proposals 1. Cost Rationalisation 2. Transparency in Fee Disclosure 3. Governance & Oversight 4. Compliance & Operational Simplification 5. Updating Definitions & Removing Redundancies Key Terms – SEBI Mutual Fund Overhaul 2. RBI Proposes Measures to Speed Up Cross-Border Remittances Source: IE Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a draft circular aimed at accelerating the credit of inward cross-border remittances to beneficiaries’ accounts, enhancing efficiency in foreign exchange transactions and aligning India with global standards. Key Proposals: Background: Significance: Key Terms 3. India’s UPI Ecosystem Source: BL Context: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India continues to lead global digital payment innovation. A report by Worldline highlights the upcoming growth drivers for UPI, focusing on enhanced user experience, global adoption, and embedded financial services. Growth Drivers Emerging Patterns Key Terms Agriculture 1. Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme Source: IE Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved NBS rates for Rabi 2025–26 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers to ensure smooth availability at affordable prices. Definition Objectives Key Features Facts To Remember 1. ASTraM App To curb traffic violations near educational institutions, the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) will roll out a new feature on the ASTraM app, enabling college students to report offences occurring around their campuses. 2. President Droupadi Murmu Takes Historic Sortie in Rafale Fighter Jet President Droupadi Murmu created history by taking a sortie in a Rafale fighter aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF) Station in Ambala, Haryana, on October 30, 2025. This marked her as the first President of India to fly in two different fighter jets of the IAF. 3. Govt to Launch Mobile Number Verification Platform to Curb Online Frauds The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will soon launch a Mobile Number Verification (MNV) platform to help banks and financial institutions verify the ownership of mobile numbers linked to accounts, aiming to reduce online frauds such as phishing and identity theft. 4. RBI Accelerates Repatriation of Gold to Strengthen Reserve Control The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has intensified its efforts to bring gold reserves back to domestic storage, with over 65% of its holdings now in India, nearly double the share from four years ago. This move enhances control over national bullion assets amid global geopolitical uncertainties. 5. Over 10,000 Farmer-Producer Organisations Established Across India, Says Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that so far ten thousand Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) have been established in the country and the turnover of some FPOs have reached 100 crore rupees. 6. Union Home Minister Amit Shah Pays Tribute to Arya Samaj Founder Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati on Death Anniversary Union Home Minister Amit Shah today paid tribute to the founder of the Arya Samaj, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, on his death anniversary. 7. Government to Launch Model Youth Gram Sabha Initiative in New Delhi Today The government will launch the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative in New Delhi 8. 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa With the 56th International Film Festival of India – IFFI 2025 scheduled to be held from 20th to 28th November 2025 at Panaji in Goa
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme
Source: IE Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved NBS rates for Rabi 2025–26 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers to ensure smooth availability at affordable prices. Definition Objectives Key Features
India’s UPI Ecosystem
Source: BL Context: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India continues to lead global digital payment innovation. A report by Worldline highlights the upcoming growth drivers for UPI, focusing on enhanced user experience, global adoption, and embedded financial services. Growth Drivers Emerging Patterns Key Terms
RBI Proposes Measures to Speed Up Cross-Border Remittances
Source: IE Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a draft circular aimed at accelerating the credit of inward cross-border remittances to beneficiaries’ accounts, enhancing efficiency in foreign exchange transactions and aligning India with global standards. Key Proposals: Background: Significance: Key Terms
SEBI Proposes Simpler Mutual Fund Rules to Cut Investor Costs
Source: ET Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of Mutual Fund (MF) regulations, aiming to make them simpler, more transparent, and investor-friendly. The proposals seek to remove outdated provisions, streamline fee structures, and reduce investor costs, reflecting SEBI’s push for regulatory modernisation in India’s fast-growing mutual fund industry. Key Objectives Major Proposals 1. Cost Rationalisation 2. Transparency in Fee Disclosure 3. Governance & Oversight 4. Compliance & Operational Simplification 5. Updating Definitions & Removing Redundancies Key Terms – SEBI Mutual Fund Overhaul
National Blockchain Framework (NBF)
Source: PIB Context: Launched in September 2024 with a budget of ₹64.76 crore, NBF provides a unified, secure, and scalable architecture for blockchain adoption in governance and public services. India is leveraging blockchain to improve transparency, accountability, efficiency, and trust in government operations, moving beyond its early association with cryptocurrencies. What is Blockchain? Types of Blockchain: Core Components of NBF 1. Vishvasya Blockchain Stack 2. NBFLite 3. Praamaanik 4. National Blockchain Portal Key Blockchain-Enabled Use Cases in India Strategic & Regulatory Initiatives Capacity Building & Skill Development Way Forward Key Terms (One-Line Explanations)
NITI Aayog Proposes IP and Technology Push to Strengthen India’s Manufacturing Sector
Context: The NITI Aayog has released a roadmap titled “Reimagining Manufacturing: India’s Roadmap to Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing”, developed jointly with CII and Deloitte, outlining a 10-year strategy to transform India’s manufacturing sector into a frontier technology-enabled, globally competitive ecosystem. Key Objectives: Challenges Identified: Proposed Interventions: Phase 1 (FY2026–FY2028) Focus:
RoDTEP and RoSCTL Schemes
Source: ET Context: The Government of India has set up a committee headed by former Secretary Neeraj Kumar Gupta to review the notified rates under two key export support schemes — Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL). About the RoDTEP Scheme: About the RoSCTL Scheme: Significance:
Elderly in India
Source: PIB Context: India is experiencing a rapid demographic transition, with the population of elderly (60 years and above) expected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036. This demographic shift is creating new socio-economic challenges and opportunities, including the emergence of a ‘silver economy’ driven by goods and services catering to older adults. Key Highlights: Government Initiatives for Elderly in India Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE)MoSJE coordinates with Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Ayush, State Governments, NGOs, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to ensure comprehensive welfare programs for senior citizens. Key initiatives include: 1. Financial Security & Pension Schemes 2. Healthcare & Geriatric Support 3. Social Inclusion & Empowerment 4. Digital & Technology Initiatives 5. Capacity Building 6. Legal Framework & Family Support 7. Digital Initiatives & Technology Integration: 8. Legal Framework & Family Support: 9. Housing & Intergenerational Initiatives:
