Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 10 October, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
10 October, 2025

National Affairs

1. India Upgrades Kabul Mission to Embassy Status

Source: TH

Context:

India has announced the upgradation of its “technical mission” in Kabul to a full-fledged Embassy of India, signaling a significant step in diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To strengthen cooperation in Afghanistan’s national development, regional stability, and counterterrorism efforts.
• India’s Stand: India remains committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.
• Security Concern: Jaishankar raised India’s concerns over forced repatriation of Afghan refugees by Pakistan and identified cross-border terrorism as a shared regional threat.
• Taliban Response: Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed the move, stating that Afghanistan would send diplomats to the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, though no ambassador will be appointed immediately.
• Significance:
  • Enhances India’s diplomatic footprint and humanitarian presence in Afghanistan.
  • Enables direct communication with the Taliban for regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation.

Background:

• India closed its Kabul Embassy in August 2021 after the U.S.-led withdrawal and Taliban’s takeover.
• A technical mission was established later to oversee humanitarian and consular work.
• The upgrade marks India’s cautious yet strategic re-engagement with Afghanistan.

2. India–U.K. Bilateral Maritime Exercise KONKAN 2025

Source: PIB

Context:

The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom commenced the bilateral maritime Exercise KONKAN 25 on 5 October 2025 off the western coast of India. Over the past two decades, this exercise has evolved in scale and complexity, enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies.

Key Highlights:

• Exercise Name: KONKAN 25
• Participants: Indian Navy and the Royal Navy (U.K.)
• Objective: To enhance coordination and cooperation in complex maritime operations and strengthen the long-standing naval partnership between India and the U.K.
• Activities Conducted:
  • Tactical air warfare and air defence drills
  • Surface and anti-submarine warfare operations
  • Underway replenishment exercises
  • Communication and manoeuvring drills to refine joint operational capability

3. Demographic Mission 2025

Source: TH

Context:

In his Independence Day 2025 address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of a high-powered Demographic Mission, aimed at countering illegal infiltration and addressing India’s emerging demographic challenges.

About the Demographic Mission

The Demographic Mission is a proposed national initiative to monitor, manage, and analyse India’s demographic transformations — including fertility, mortality, migration, and population distribution — to ensure balanced growth, national security, and sustainable development.

Objectives

• Curb Illegal Infiltration: Strengthen border management and prevent demographic shifts in vulnerable regions.
• Data-Driven Governance: Build a demographic intelligence system for evidence-based policymaking.
• Promote Balanced Population Growth: Ensure equitable access to resources, education, and employment.
• Integrate Security with Development: Link border protection with socio-economic planning.

Key Features

• National Demographic Commission: A high-powered body for population assessment and migration management.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Use of data analytics, satellite mapping, and digital census tools to track demographic changes.
• Human Capability Focus: Emphasis on education, health, skill-building, ageing, and mobility.
• Cross-Sector Integration: Coordination between ministries handling home affairs, labour, health, and rural development.

4. CCRAS Launches SPARK–4.0

Context:

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched SPARK–4.0 (2025–26), the fourth edition of its flagship program aimed at encouraging research orientation among BAMS undergraduates.

About SPARK–4.0

• Full Form: Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken
• Implemented By: CCRAS, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India
• Aim:
  • Cultivate scientific curiosity among young Ayurveda scholars.
  • Develop a research mindset while bridging classical Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific methods.

Key Features

• Studentships: 300 BAMS students to receive ₹50,000 each (₹25,000 per month for 2 months).
• Eligibility: Open to students from NCISM-recognized Ayurvedic colleges across India.
• Research Methodology: Faculty-guided, short-term independent research projects.
• Certification: Students receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program.

Significance

• Strengthens the research ecosystem in the Ayush sector.
• Builds a pipeline of trained researchers for future innovation.
• Supports the integration of traditional medicine into public health and evidence-based Ayurveda.

Banking/Finance

1. Microfinance Loan Defaults Surge in FY 2024-25: Sa-Dhan Report

Source: TH

Context:

According to the 2025 Bharat Microfinance Report by Sa-Dhan, a self-regulatory organization for microfinance institutions (MFIs), loan delinquencies in the microfinance sector rose sharply in FY 2024-25, indicating growing financial stress among small borrowers.

Key Findings:

• Rising Delinquencies:
  • Loans overdue more than 30 days (PAR 30+) rose to 6.2% in FY25 from 2.1% in FY24.
• Non-Performing Assets (NPAs):
  • Loans overdue more than 90 days increased to 4.8%, up from 1.6% in FY24.
• State-Level Insights:
  • Bihar had the highest outstanding microfinance loans at ₹57,712 crore.
  • Of these, 7.2% were overdue beyond 30 days and 4.6% beyond 90 days.
• Rural Borrower Stress:
  • Out of ₹2.3 lakh crore rural loans, 6.4% were overdue beyond 30 days.
  • Semi-urban and urban delinquencies were 6.1% and 6%, respectively.

Significance:

• The data suggests a post-pandemic stress persistence in rural credit markets despite economic recovery.
• Rising delinquencies may impact microfinance institutions’ balance sheets and credit availability for low-income households.
• Calls for stronger credit risk management, restructuring support, and financial literacy interventions in high-risk states like Bihar.

2. RBI Suggests Overhaul of EPFO’s Investment and Accounting Framework

Source: BS

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised the Central Government to introduce reforms in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to strengthen its investment management, accounting systems, and governance structure. The recommendations come as the EPFO continues to declare annual interest rates significantly higher than prevailing government bond yields, creating long-term sustainability risks.

Background:

• The advisory was issued following a request from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which sought the RBI’s technical expertise to assess EPFO’s investment practices, risk management, and accounting mechanisms.
• EPFO manages over ₹25 trillion in retirement savings for nearly 300 million formal-sector workers, making it India’s largest retirement fund.

RBI’s Recommendations:

• Differentiated Investment Strategy:
  • Introduce portfolio diversification beyond government securities, based on risk appetite and member demographics.
  • Adopt market-linked investment frameworks that align with modern pension fund practices.
• Market-Linked Accounting System:
  • Shift from a book-value-based system to market-value accounting to reflect the true financial position of the fund.
• Enhanced Risk and Governance Framework:
  • Strengthen internal controls, actuarial assessments, and treasury management capabilities.
  • Establish an independent regulatory mechanism to mitigate conflicts of interest, as EPFO currently both manages and regulates its own funds.
• Capacity Building:
  • Expand the expertise of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) and the investment committee in portfolio management, accounting, and actuarial science.
• EPFO’s Current Investment Pattern:
  • 45–65% in Government Securities
  • 20–45% in Debt Instruments
  • 5–15% in Equities (via index funds)
  • 0–5% in Short-Term Debt Instruments
• Yield Comparison (FY19–FY25):
  • EPFO interest rate: 8.1%–8.5% range
  • Average 10-year G-Sec yield: around 6.5%–7%
  • Nifty 50 returns: Highly volatile (ranging from -26% in FY20 to +70.9% in FY21)

3. RBI Consolidates 9,000 Regulatory Circulars into 238 Master Circulars

Source: BS

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a major consolidation of its regulatory framework, streamlining thousands of circulars into a simplified structure to enhance clarity, accessibility, and compliance ease for regulated entities.

Key Highlights:

• Massive Consolidation Drive:
  • The RBI will consolidate all regulatory instructions issued up to October 9, 2025, into 238 master circulars across 11 types of regulated entities and up to 30 regulatory areas.
• 9,000 Circulars to be Repealed:
  • Around 9,000 circulars currently administered by the Department of Regulation will be repealed as part of this exercise.
• Objective:
  • Simplify and improve accessibility of regulatory instructions.
  • Reduce compliance costs for banks and other regulated entities.
  • Ensure clarity on applicability of instructions to specific entities.
• Background:
  • This consolidation continues the work initiated by the Regulations Review Authority (RRA), which had earlier reviewed RBI’s regulatory framework based on stakeholder feedback.
    • The RRA had recommended:
      • Withdrawal of 714 circulars, and
      • Discontinuation/merger/conversion of 65 returns into online formats.

4. IRDAI Issues New Guidelines Mandating Board-Approved Anti-Fraud Policy for Insurers

Source: BL

Context:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced the Insurance Fraud Monitoring Framework Guidelines, 2025, requiring all insurers to adopt a board-approved Anti-Fraud Policy to strengthen fraud prevention and risk management practices across the insurance sector.

Key Highlights:

• Zero-Tolerance Policy for Fraud:
  • Insurers must implement a comprehensive fraud risk management framework aimed at deterring, preventing, detecting, reporting, and remedying insurance frauds across all lines of business.
• Board-Approved Anti-Fraud Policy:
  • To cover all business operations and activities.
  • Must be reviewed at least once a year.
  • Should identify red-flag indicators and suggest procedures to manage fraud risk in each category of insurance activity.
• Cyber and New-Age Fraud Protection:
  Insurers are required to build and maintain a robust cybersecurity framework to counter emerging digital and cyber fraud risks.
  • Must include systems for incident tracking, customer verification, and access control.
  • Continuous monitoring and upgrading of cybersecurity measures are mandated.
• Formation of Risk Management Committee (RMC):
  • Insurers must constitute a Risk Management Committee responsible for implementing and overseeing the fraud risk management framework.
  • The framework should be tailored to the insurer’s business, considering factors like size, product mix, risk profile, and distribution channels.
• Guidelines Objective:
  • To ensure proactive fraud governance, improve market integrity, and safeguard policyholders’ interests through enhanced oversight and accountability.

5. NPCI and PayPal Partner to Integrate UPI with Global PayPal World Platform

Source: BS

Context:

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and PayPal announced a major global partnership to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with PayPal World, a new interoperable platform connecting payment systems and digital wallets across countries. The announcement was made at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai.

Key Highlights:

• UPI Goes Global via PayPal World:
  • India’s UPI will be the first instant payments platform to be integrated into PayPal World, marking a significant step toward global payment interoperability.
• Objective of Collaboration:
  • The initiative aims to create a frictionless, seamless, and interoperable payments ecosystem allowing users and merchants across different countries to transact easily.
• Strategic Importance of India:
  • PayPal considers India a key innovation and workforce hub, with the second-largest employee base globally.
  • Chriss emphasized that instead of competing with UPI, PayPal aims to connect India’s UPI network to the global payments ecosystem.
• About PayPal World:
  • PayPal World is designed as a global interoperable payments network, enabling cross-border wallet-to-wallet transactions, supporting local payment systems, and enhancing digital financial inclusion.

6. RBI Advisories and Public Communication (“RBI Kehta Hai”)

Source: BL

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) often issues advisories to citizens, banks, and financial institutions to promote financial awareness, safety, and compliance. Recently, it emphasized the importance of following only verified communication channels, such as WhatsApp and official websites, to prevent misinformation and fraud.

Key Points from RBI’s Communication

• Verified WhatsApp Accounts
  • Official RBI numbers: 99990 41935 (already active) and 99309 91935 (being added).
  • Only accounts with blue tick verification are official.
  • Purpose: Deliver updates on policies, financial literacy, and public advisories.
• Caution Against Misinformation
  • RBI warns against trusting unverified sources that circulate incorrect or misleading information about banking, finance, or monetary policy.
• Use of Official Website
  • Citizens are encouraged to refer to the RBI website for authentic circulars, press releases, and notifications.
• Financial Awareness
  • Through verified channels, RBI spreads awareness about digital banking, fraud prevention, and schemes like UPI and financial inclusion initiatives.

Agriculture

1. Prime Minister Launches PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana & Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission

Source: PIB

Date: 11 October 2025
Location: Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
Total Outlay: ₹35,440 crore

Schemes Launched

a) PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (₹24,000 crore)

• Aim: Transform agriculture in 100 low-performing districts by enhancing crop productivity, sustainable farming, post-harvest storage, irrigation, and credit access.
• Focus: Crop diversification, modern technology, and climate-resilient practices.
• Implementation: Integration of 36 existing schemes under one unified framework, including natural farming, oilseeds, and livestock development.
• Target Beneficiaries: Small and marginal farmers, FPOs, women farmers.

b) Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission / Pulse Self-Reliance Mission (₹11,440 crore)

• Aim: Boost domestic pulse production, enhance nutritional security, and ensure self-reliance.
• Target: Expand pulse cultivation area by 35 lakh hectares; increase production of tur, urad, and masoor pulses.
• Beneficiaries: ~2 crore pulse farmers.
• Focus: Strengthening the entire pulse value chain – procurement, storage, processing, and reduction of losses.

Key Highlights from PM’s Address

• Agricultural Growth (2014–2025):
  • Foodgrain production ↑ 90 million tonnes
  • Fruits & vegetables ↑ 64 million tonnes
  • India ranks 1st in milk, 2nd in fish production globally
  • Honey and egg production doubled
  • Agricultural exports nearly doubled
• Infrastructure & Support:
  • 25 crore Soil Health Cards distributed
  • Micro-irrigation covering 100 lakh hectares
  • PM Fasal Bima Yojana insurance claims: ₹2 lakh crore
  • 10,000 FPOs formed for better market access
• Women in Agriculture:
  • Initiatives like “Namo Drone Didis” and Krishi Sakhis empowering rural women
  • Over 17,000 natural farming clusters established
• GST & Cost Reduction:
  • Tractor prices ↓ ₹40,000
  • Lower GST on drip irrigation, sprinklers, and organic inputs
• District Focus:
  • 100 districts selected based on crop output per hectare, cropping intensity, and access to institutional loans
  • Inspired by Aspirational Districts Programme with convergence, collaboration, and healthy competition

2. Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) 2025

Context:

On October 12, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a landmark scheme targeting 100 low-performing districts to modernize farming, enhance productivity, and double farmers’ income by 2030.

About PMDDKY

A comprehensive agricultural mission under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, aimed at technology integration, irrigation expansion, credit facilitation, and market reforms to make Indian agriculture climate-resilient, technology-driven, and sustainable.

Objectives

• Increase Crop Productivity: Targeting 20–30% growth.
• Reduce Post-Harvest Losses: Limit losses to below 5%.
• Double Farmers’ Income: By 2030 through modern farming and market access.
• Inclusive Growth: Support for women farmers, youth agripreneurs, and FPOs.
• Sustainable Practices: Promotion of green, organic, and climate-smart agriculture.

Eligibility

• Geographic Focus: 100 low-performing districts identified by NITI Aayog.
• Priority Beneficiaries: Women farmers, youth, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

Key Features

• Budget Allocation: ₹1.44 lakh crore over 6 years (₹24,000 crore annually, 2025–31).
• Scheme Convergence: Integrates 36 existing schemes under a single digital framework.
• Smart Agriculture Tools: IoT sensors, drones, precision farming, and AI dashboards for monitoring.
• Digital KPI Tracking: 117 indicators covering yield, storage, irrigation, and market access.
• Infrastructure Development: Irrigation systems, warehouses, cold chains, processing units, and market linkages.
• Women Empowerment: 10,000 Women Producer Groups benefiting 5 lakh women farmers.
• Training & Global Exposure: Workshops via KVKs and international training for 500 farmers in Israel, Japan, and the Netherlands.

Facts To Remember

1. Ceasefire takes effect as Israel forces pull back to agreed area

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect in Gaza, the Israeli military said, hours after Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal to pause the fighting and exchange the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

2. ‘Kitchen Mogul’ Jagannathan of TTK Prestige passes away at 77

T. T. Jagannathan, chairman emeritus, T. T. K. Prestige, passed away in Bengaluru. He was 77.

3. Venezuela’s María Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan Opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in the South American nation, winning recognition as a woman “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness”.

4. RBI appoints Sonali Sen Gupta as Executive Director

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Sonali Sen Gupta as Executive Director (ED) with effect from October 09, 2025.