Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 31 October, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
31 October, 2025

National Affairs

1. PM-Poshan

Source: IE

Context:

Several Indian states and union territories such as Rajasthan, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Lakshadweep, Gujarat, and Delhi have proposed expanding the PM-Poshan midday meal scheme to include breakfast for students in government and aided schools.

About PM-Poshan Scheme

• Full Name: Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Launch: Originally started in 1995, revamped in 2021 as PM-Poshan.
• Objective: To improve nutritional status, school attendance, and learning outcomes of children studying in government and government-aided schools.
• Coverage: Students of Classes I to VIII (ages 6–14 years).

Proposed Expansion

• The proposal for adding breakfast stems from growing recognition of the importance of morning nutrition for children’s cognitive performance and classroom engagement.
• States such as Kerala and Sikkim already implement breakfast programmes from their own budgets, setting successful examples for others.
• The Union government is examining these proposals in light of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends providing nutritious meals including breakfast in schools.

Significance

• Nutritional Impact: Addresses early-morning hunger and ensures better daily nutrient intake among children.
• Educational Benefits: Improves student concentration, attendance, and learning outcomes.
• Equity and Inclusion: Supports children from economically weaker and marginalised communities, reducing classroom hunger disparities.
• Alignment with SDGs: Contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

2. UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025

Source: TH

Context:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released its flagship report Adaptation Gap Report 2025, warning that the global finance gap for climate adaptation in developing countries has widened sharply. The report highlights an urgent need for scaling up grant-based and concessional finance to prevent climate vulnerability from turning into a development crisis.

About the Report

• Released by: UNEP–Copenhagen Climate Centre
• Type: Annual global assessment tracking progress on climate adaptation planning, implementation, and financing
• Purpose: To evaluate whether the world—especially developing countries—is adapting fast enough to climate impacts and to quantify the adaptation finance gap.
• Relevance: Serves as an input document for UNFCCC negotiations and the upcoming COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

Key Findings

1. Massive Adaptation Finance Gap

• Developing countries need US$310–365 billion annually by 2035.
• Current adaptation finance stands at only US$26 billion (2023) — 12–14 times lower than the requirement.
• Commitments declined from US$28 billion in 2022, indicating that the Glasgow Climate Pact (COP26) goal of doubling adaptation finance by 2025 will likely be missed.

2. Debt-Heavy Financing

• About 58% of adaptation finance is provided through loans, including non-concessional credit, raising debt concerns for vulnerable nations.

3. Uneven and Outdated Planning

• 172 countries have at least one National Adaptation Plan (NAP), but 36 are outdated.
• Implementation progress is slow, with 1,600 adaptation actions recorded globally, mainly in agriculture, water, and biodiversity, yet few with measurable outcomes.

4. Weak Private Sector Participation

• The private sector contributes just US$5 billion annually, despite having potential to mobilise US$50 billion with appropriate de-risking policies.

5. Baku–Belém Roadmap (2024)

• Envisions US$1.3 trillion per year by 2035 in total climate finance.
• Calls for greater grant-based flows and non-debt instruments to prevent adaptation debt traps.

6. Global Call to Action at COP30

• The report urges a “global collective effort (mutirão global)” under Brazil’s presidency at COP30 to align adaptation goals, transparency mechanisms, and finance commitments.

India’s Position and Relevance

Aspect	Description
1. Alignment with UNEP Goals	India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) align with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) framework for mainstreamed adaptation in agriculture, water, and infrastructure sectors.
2. Vulnerability Context	India faces increasing climate risks such as heatwaves, floods, cyclones, and glacial melt, emphasizing the urgent need for climate-resilient investments and adaptive infrastructure.
3. Leadership Initiatives	India demonstrates global leadership through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), strengthening its role in global climate adaptation diplomacy.
4. Financing Challenges	Scaling up adaptation efforts in India requires enhanced access to global concessional finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building support for both national and local implementation.

Limitations

• Severe Finance Shortfall: Available funding covers only one-twelfth of the global requirement.
• Debt-heavy Structure: Over half of adaptation funding is loan-based, risking “adaptation debt traps.”
• Low Private Sector Role: Due to high risk and lack of blended-finance frameworks.
• Weak Monitoring Systems: Absence of strong MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) frameworks in most nations.
• Risk of Maladaptation: Poorly designed adaptation projects could inadvertently increase vulnerability.

Way Forward

• Shift to Grant-based Finance: Prioritise concessional and grant flows over loans.
• Mobilise Private Capital: Use public–private partnerships, guarantees, and de-risking mechanisms to attract investors.
• Strengthen Resilience Metrics: Integrate climate risk indicators in banking, insurance, and investment systems.
• Regularly Update NAPs: Ensure alignment with new scientific and local climate data.
• Enhance South–South Cooperation: Promote technology sharing and capacity building via ISA, CDRI, and other platforms.

3. KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard and CLAMP

Source: PIB

Context:

The Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, launched two major digital platforms — KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard and Coal Land Acquisition, Management Portal (CLAMP) — marking a significant step towards digitization and transparent governance in India’s coal sector.

Objective:

To enhance efficiency, transparency, and data-driven governance across the coal value chain, aligning with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.

KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard

• A comprehensive digital platform integrating the entire coal value chain — from production and logistics to consumption — on a unified, real-time interface.
• Facilitates real-time coordination between coal companies, railways, ports, and power utilities.
• Promotes data-driven governance and predictive analytics for better demand forecasting and supply chain optimization.

Key Features:

• Unified Visibility: Consolidates data from multiple stakeholders — ministries, PSUs, private miners, ports, and power companies.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Tracks coal production, dispatch, and logistics operations continuously.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Enables evidence-based policy and operational management.
• Transparency and Accountability: Improves visibility across government and industry partners.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduces manual processes, enhances response time, and minimizes reporting errors.
• Policy Planning & Forecasting: Supports strategic decisions with analytical insights.

CLAMP (Coal Land Acquisition, Management Portal):

• A unified digital platform designed to streamline land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation & resettlement (R&R) in coal-bearing areas.
• Functions as a centralized repository of land records, improving coordination among agencies and ensuring time-bound compensation.
• Aims to reduce procedural delays, promote transparency, and ensure equitable outcomes for affected communities.

4. India Backs Afghanistan’s Plan to Build Dam on Kunar River

Source: TOI

Context:

Amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, India has extended support to Afghanistan’s plan to construct a dam on the Kunar River, reinforcing its commitment to the country’s sovereignty, independence, and sustainable water management.

About the Kunar River Dam Project

• Location: The Kunar River originates in Afghanistan and joins the Kabul River, which eventually flows into Pakistan.
• Purpose: The proposed dam aims to boost irrigation, hydropower generation, and drinking water supply in eastern Afghanistan.
• Strategic Importance: The project will reduce Afghanistan’s dependency on downstream water flows into Pakistan, enhancing water security and regional self-reliance.

India’s Role

• India has expressed technical and developmental support for the project under its ongoing cooperation with Afghanistan.
• The move aligns with India’s long-standing policy of supporting infrastructure, capacity building, and energy projects in Afghanistan.
• India views the project as a step toward regional stability and sustainable resource management.

Geopolitical Context

• Pakistan’s Concerns: Islamabad has raised objections, fearing reduced water flow into its territory through the Kabul River basin.
• Afghanistan’s Stand: Kabul asserts its sovereign right to utilize its water resources for domestic development.
• India’s Position: Supports Afghanistan’s right to pursue development projects that ensure equitable and sustainable water use.

Significance

• Hydro-diplomacy: Strengthens India–Afghanistan partnership in regional water resource management.
• Strategic Leverage: Counters Pakistan’s influence in the region.
• Development Impact: Supports Afghanistan’s efforts in achieving energy security, food sustainability, and economic resilience.

5. NITI Aayog’s Employment Report

Source: PIB

Context:

A recent NITI Aayog report on employment trends in India’s services sector highlights both its growing role in economic output and its deep structural challenges. While the sector contributes the largest share to India’s GDP and has seen rising employment post-COVID, much of this growth remains informal and insecure.

Key Highlights:

Expanding Role of the Services Sector

• The sector’s share in total employment rose from 26.9% (2011–12) to 29.7% (2023–24).
• It accounts for the largest share of India’s GDP and employs nearly 188 million workers.
• Employment elasticity (the ratio of job growth to output growth) in services increased from 0.35 to 0.63 post-COVID, showing that output growth is leading to some employment generation, though still below parity (less than 1).

Persistent Informality

• 51% of workers in services hold regular wage jobs, while 45% are self-employed.
• When factoring in wage jobs without social security, 69% of services employment is classified as informal.
• Owner-driven and family-based enterprises dominate the services sector, accounting for 82.5% of all enterprises.
• This “informal trap” highlights weak formalisation, low social protection, and limited upward mobility.

Constraints to Formalisation

• For informal enterprises, formalisation brings higher costs (regulatory compliance, taxes) without immediate benefits, reducing their viability.
• For formal enterprises, extending social security raises long-term labour costs and limits flexibility.
• A large pool of low-skilled workers depresses bargaining power, maintaining informality as a stable equilibrium.

Demand-Side Challenges and the Role of Policy

• Expanding domestic demand can make formalisation feasible. Targeted income transfers to lower-income households, especially women, could stimulate consumption and push enterprises towards formality.
• The government could treat social security as a public service, reducing the burden on employers while expanding coverage for workers.
• Financing such programmes may require broadening the income-tax base and rationalising exemptions.

Artificial Intelligence and Future Employment Risks

• AI is projected to displace 40–50% of white-collar jobs, particularly in IT and fintech.
• While demand for AI and data specialists may rise, the net employment effect is likely negative.
• This could push more workers into the informal economy, unless proactive reskilling and upskilling initiatives are implemented.

Policy Recommendations

• Strengthen formalisation frameworks and ensure social security coverage for informal workers.
• Promote demand-led growth through targeted welfare transfers to low-income groups.
• Integrate AI and digital literacy into skilling programmes.
• Support micro and small enterprises with simplified compliance and fiscal incentives.
• Launch the proposed Annual Survey of Service Sector Enterprises for better data-driven policymaking.

Banking/Finance

1. Insurance Sector at Unstable Equilibrium

Source: BS

Context:

At a major financial sector summit, senior policymakers and industry leaders discussed the evolving landscape of India’s insurance, pension, banking, and fintech sectors. The event featured key addresses from IRDAI, PFRDA, RBI, and industry executives, covering reforms in FDI, rupee internationalisation, CBDC adoption, and regulatory clarity for digital assets.

Key Focus Areas

• Insurance Sector Reforms:
  • The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) highlighted ongoing reforms to promote FDI inflows, enhance ease of doing business, and expand micro-insurance coverage.
  • Emphasis was placed on the ‘Insurance for All by 2047’ vision, aimed at improving penetration and inclusivity through technology-led distribution and regulatory simplification.
• Pension and Retirement Planning:
  • The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) underscored efforts to increase participation in the National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
  • Discussions centred on product innovation, portability of pension accounts, and digital interfaces for seamless subscriber experience.
• Banking and Monetary Policy Insights:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) presented updates on the internationalisation of the rupee, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) trials, and fintech regulations.
  • Deputy Governors noted that greater rupee invoicing in trade and CBDC adoption would reduce transaction costs and support India’s developed economy goal by 2047.
• Fintech and Digital Assets Regulation:
  • Policymakers discussed the need for regulatory clarity on digital assets, including crypto-linked instruments, while maintaining financial stability and consumer protection.
  • Fintech leaders called for a balanced framework encouraging innovation in digital lending, payments, and wealth management.

2. Relief for Investment and Research Advisers on Performance Data Disclosure

Source: TOI

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has granted interim relief to Investment Advisers (IAs) and Research Analysts (RAs), allowing them to share their past performance data with clients until the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) becomes operational.

Investment Advisers (IAs)

• Investment Advisers are individuals or firms registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) who provide personalized financial advice to clients about investments in securities or financial products.
• Regulation:
  Governed by the SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013.
• Role and Functions:
  • Offer advice tailored to the client’s financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon.
  • Prepare and share financial plans, asset allocation strategies, and investment recommendations.
  • Must disclose conflicts of interest and avoid product-based commissions (fee-only advisory model).
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must have specific qualifications and certifications (such as NISM-Series-X-A & B).
  • Must be registered with SEBI before providing advice.

Research Analysts (RAs)

• Research Analysts are individuals or entities that analyze securities or sectors and publish research reports or recommendations for investors.
• Regulation:
  Governed by the SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014.
• Role and Functions:
  • Conduct research and analysis on listed companies, sectors, or financial instruments.
  • Provide investment opinions, price targets, and buy/sell/hold recommendations.
  • Ensure that research is independent, data-driven, and free from conflict of interest.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must have relevant qualifications (finance, commerce, economics, etc.) and NISM certification.
  • Must maintain transparency and record-keeping for published research.

Interim Permission Before PaRRVA Launch

• SEBI has allowed IAs and RAs to share verified past performance records with clients on a one-to-one basis.
• This data must be verified by a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a Chartered Management Accountant (CMA).
• The data can only be shared upon specific client request, not publicly through websites, social media, or advertisements.

Creation of PaRRVA

• In April 2025, SEBI approved a framework to create PaRRVA to standardize and verify the risk and return metrics of IAs and RAs.
• PaRRVA will operate prospectively, meaning it will verify performance after IAs/RAs are onboarded with the agency.
• The system aims to enhance transparency and investor trust, while curbing misleading performance claims.

SEBI’s Conditional Relief

• Advisers sharing past performance data must register with PaRRVA within three months of its launch.
• Failure to enrol within this timeline will bar them from sharing any performance data.
• The shared data must include a disclaimer specifying that it was verified by a CA/CMA and not by PaRRVA.
• Once PaRRVA becomes operational, only PaRRVA-verified data can be used for client communication or advertising.

3. SEBI Tightens Rules for Non-Benchmark Indices like BankNifty and FinNifty

Source: ET

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced new norms for exchanges that list derivative products on non-benchmark indices such as BankNifty, Bankex, and FinNifty, to prevent concentration risk and reduce chances of index manipulation.

Objective of the New Rules

• The move aims to ensure that no single stock dominates an index on which derivatives (futures and options) are traded.
• SEBI’s regulatory intent is to create fair, diversified, and less manipulable indices, following concerns raised in the Jane Street case, where index constituents were allegedly manipulated for derivative trading profits.

Applicability

• Applies to non-benchmark indices (e.g., BankNifty, FinNifty, Bankex) that already have derivative products listed.
• Will also apply to any future non-benchmark indices on which exchanges plan to launch derivative contracts.
• Benchmark indices such as Nifty and Sensex are not covered under these new rules.

New Structural Norms for Non-Benchmark Indices

• Minimum Constituents: At least 14 stocks must be included in the index.
• Top Stock Cap: The largest constituent cannot have more than 20% weight.
• Top Three Cap: The combined weight of the top three constituents must not exceed 45%.
• These measures ensure greater diversification and reduce market manipulation risks.

Implementation Timeline and Glide Path

• Bankex (BSE) and FinNifty (NSE): Must comply by December 31, 2025.
• BankNifty (NSE): Given an extended glide path up to March 31, 2026, to allow orderly rebalancing of assets under management (AUM) tracking the index.
• The transition will be executed in multiple tranches, with adjustments made gradually to meet prudential norms for top constituents.

4. RBI Pushes for Rupee Internationalisation

Source: ET

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is accelerating efforts to internationalise the Indian rupee, with growing instances of exporters invoicing cross-border trade in the local currency. Deputy Governor T. Rabi Sankar stated that rupee internationalisation will be a key pillar in India’s journey towards becoming a developed economy.

Rupee Invoicing on the Rise

• Indian exporters have begun invoicing trade in rupees, though the proportion remains small.
• RBI expects a surge in rupee-denominated trade settlements as businesses gradually shift from dollar or euro invoicing.
• Sankar noted that exporters and importers need time to adjust their mindset and practices, but momentum is building.

Economic Rationale

• Advanced economies benefit from invoicing in their own currencies, which reduces exchange-rate risk and enhances business competitiveness.
• By promoting rupee invoicing, India aims to minimise forex risk exposure for domestic businesses and strengthen economic stability.

Strategic Benefits of Rupee Internationalisation

• Reduces India’s dependence on major global currencies like the US dollar.
• Enhances India’s financial sovereignty and cushions the economy from global currency shocks.
• Supports the creation of a more balanced and resilient global financial system, where multiple currencies play an active global role instead of a few dominant ones.

RBI’s Broader Vision

• The central bank views rupee internationalisation as crucial to achieving India’s developed economy goal by 2047.
• It is part of a long-term framework to deepen financial markets, simplify trade settlement, and expand India’s global economic footprint.

Background and Policy Initiatives

• In 2022, RBI allowed international trade settlement in rupees, enabling Indian banks to open Vostro accounts for partner countries.
• Several nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have already shown interest in rupee trade settlement.

Agriculture

1. Govt to Bring Law Against Substandard Pesticides & Seeds

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

• The future law is expected to be a “Seed Act”, with specific provisions for stringent action against sellers of inferior seeds.
• It will include traceability, certification, and quality control provisions to ensure only certified, high-quality inputs reach farmers.
• The law may also amend existing legislation (such as the Seeds Act) to integrate stricter regulatory measures.
• To operationalise sample testing credibility, NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accreditation of testing labs is being emphasised.
• New mechanisms will use random sampling (with QR codes and encoded packaging) to reduce bias and manipulation in testing and enforcement.

Rationale & Drivers

• Farmers have reported significant losses due to fake or substandard seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides in multiple states.
• Current regulatory mechanisms (existing acts, sample testing, licensing) have been weak in enforcement, leaving loopholes for spurious manufacturers.
• The new law aims to restore farmers’ trust, safeguard yields and incomes, and prevent exploitation by unscrupulous dealers.

Challenges & Implementation Risks

• Lab Infrastructure Capacity: Many testing labs currently lack NABL accreditation; upgrading them is resource-intensive.
• Effective Enforcement Across States: Agriculture is a concurrent subject; ensuring uniform compliance across states will be challenging.
• Sampling Integrity & Corruption Risks: Even with random selection, there is risk of tampering or manipulation in field-level sampling.
• Cost and Compliance Burden: Stricter regulation may increase costs for legitimate seed companies, potentially passed on to farmers.
• Legal & Institutional Overlap: The new law must align with related laws (Pesticides Act, Fertilizer Control Order, Seeds Act) to avoid regulatory fragmentation.

Significance & Expected Impact

• If effectively implemented, the law could significantly reduce crop losses, soil health damage, and wastage of farmer investments caused by poor-quality inputs.
• It can strengthen input market discipline, disincentivize fraudulent trade, and encourage quality-focused agriculture.
• The move also signals a stronger farmer-centric regulatory approach, showcasing responsiveness to ground-level grievances.
• Over time, it could help India’s agro-input ecosystem by raising standards, fostering innovation, and leveraging accreditation-based trust.

2. APEDA Facilitates First-Ever Air Shipment of GI-Tagged Indi and Puliyankudi Limes to the UK

Context:

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged Indi Lime (Karnataka) and Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu) to the United Kingdom, marking a milestone in promoting India’s unique horticultural products globally.

About the GI Tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) is a form of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) that identifies products as originating from a specific region, where their unique qualities or reputation are intrinsically linked to that origin.
• Legal Basis: Registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Issued By: Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Objective: To protect traditional products, ensure authenticity, enhance market value, and provide economic benefits to local producers by preventing misuse of registered names.

About Indi Lime (Karnataka)

• Region: Cultivated mainly in Vijayapura district, Karnataka.
• Distinct Features: Known for its high juice yield, zesty aroma, and balanced acidity.
• Cultural Value: Extensively used in culinary practices, traditional medicine, and cultural rituals, reflecting Karnataka’s agrarian heritage.

About Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu)

• Region: Grown extensively in Tenkasi district, popularly known as the “Lemon City of Tamil Nadu.”
• Variety: Especially the Kadayam Lime, known for its thin peel, strong acidity, and high juice content (~55%).
• Nutritional Value: Contains 34.3 mg/100g of ascorbic acid, rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, beneficial for immunity and digestion.
• Recognition: Received its GI tag in April 2025, highlighting its regional uniqueness and superior quality.

Facts To Remember

1. Justice Surya Kant to take over as 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24

The apppointment of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) was notified. He will assume charge on November 24 and will remain CJI for nearly 16 months, till February 9, 2027.

2. Indian boxers’ medal rush continues at Youth Asiad

Indian boxers continued their impressive show at the Youth Asian Games, clinching three gold and one silver medal.