Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 25th Oct 2025

  Regulatory Failures and Gaps

• The incident occurred even though the Union Health Ministry had banned certain cough syrup formulations for children under five, as early as April 2025, due to toxicity risks.
• Agencies responsible—Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Directorate General of Health Services, and State Drug Control Officers—failed to monitor and prevent the sale of such drugs.
• This calls for a stronger regulatory mechanism to oversee the manufacture, sale, and distribution of paediatric medicines, especially by small and medium pharmaceutical firms.

Where the Focus Needs to Be

• Instead of assigning blame, emphasis should be placed on reforming the regulatory framework for paediatric medicines.
• India has numerous policies—like the National Policy for Children (1974) and the National Action Plan for Children (2014)—but implementation remains weak.
• Protecting children’s rights under Article 39(f) of the Constitution is a Directive Principle of State Policy, mandating the State to ensure children grow in safe conditions.

• Children are not small adults — their physiological and metabolic responses differ widely.
• Most clinical trials are conducted on adults; paediatric dosages are extrapolated, leading to under- or over-dosing and severe side effects.
• There is an urgent need for paediatric-specific drug development guidelines and better pharmacovigilance infrastructure.

• The European Union’s Paediatric Use Marketing Authorisation (PUMA) and U.S. Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) provide incentives for paediatric drug research.
• India lacks similar legislation, leaving children dependent on adult formulations.
• With several child deaths linked to exported contaminated syrups, India must also ensure stringent international compliance to protect its global reputation.

• Healthcare costs force many families into poverty, making essential medicine access vital.
• The Essential Medicines List (EML)—recommended by the WHO—should be updated regularly to include child-specific formulations.
• India should create a holistic framework to ensure paediatric medicines meet safety, affordability, and availability standards.

• Establish a robust pharmacovigilance system dedicated to paediatric drugs.
• Strengthen oversight of manufacturing units and ensure real-time monitoring of production.
• Implement mandatory clinical trials for children’s formulations under ethical supervision.
• Promote education for pharmacists and caregivers on correct dosage, labelling, and side effects.
• Hold policymakers and regulators accountable for negligence in enforcing child safety norms.

The mirage of port-led development in Great Nicobar

• GS Paper 3: Infrastructure – Ports, Shipping, and Inland Waterways; Conservation, Environmental Impact Assessment; Sustainable Development and Economic Growth.

  A Flawed Rationale

• Proponents argue that the port will help India capture traffic from foreign ports like Colombo and Singapore, which currently dominate transshipment.
• The logic assumes that creating port capacity automatically attracts traffic, an assumption refuted by the experience of Vallarpadam Port in Kerala.
• Transshipment success depends not only on capacity but also on connectivity, feeder links, cargo base, and logistics ecosystems—all of which Galathea Bay lacks.

• Great Nicobar has no real hinterland—no industrial or economic zones that could sustain the port.
• All cargo and personnel would need to be shipped in from the mainland, raising operational costs.
• The remote location, 1,200 km from the Indian mainland, makes cost-effective operations difficult and long-term economic sustainability questionable.

• Advocates justify the port by citing India’s strategic presence in the eastern Indian Ocean and the need to counter China’s influence.
• India already has INS Baaz, a naval air station at Great Nicobar that provides surveillance coverage.
• The argument that the port enhances maritime deterrence lacks transparency and evidence of long-term strategic necessity.

• Colombo Port handles over eight million TEUs annually, while Nicobar’s target of one million TEUs appears unrealistic given its isolation.
• Existing ports like Vizhinjam (Kerala) and Vadhavan (Maharashtra) are already better positioned and face fewer ecological challenges.

• The ecological cost of building the port is significant. Large-scale deforestation, soil erosion, and habitat loss threaten Nicobar’s fragile ecosystem.
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are part of a sensitive seismic zone, making massive infrastructure projects risky.
• Proposals often downplay the socio-ecological consequences and the displacement of indigenous communities.

• Major global transshipment hubs like Singapore and Colombo succeed due to integrated logistics, rebates, and maritime relationships, which India currently lacks.
• Even high-performing Indian ports like Krishnapatnam and Vizhinjam illustrate that sustained success depends on network integration and liner connectivity, not isolated port expansion.
• Galathea Bay, being geographically remote and logistically isolated, faces a high risk of becoming commercially nonviable.

• Objective: To identify, digitise, conserve, and disseminate India’s vast manuscript heritage through a unified digital platform.
• Platform: Establishes the National Digital Repository (NDR) to share India’s manuscript legacy globally.
• Structure:
• Institutions are categorised as Cluster Centres and Independent Centres.
• Each cluster centre will execute activities related to manuscript preservation and guide partner institutions.
• Activities include:
• Survey and cataloguing of manuscripts.
• Conservation, translation, and digital archiving.
• Capacity building and research.

• Funding to be released in phased instalments (70% initially, 30% after progress verification).
• The mission ensures accountability through periodic reports and audits.

• Preserves India’s knowledge heritage spanning ancient literature, science, art, and philosophy.
• Strengthens digital cultural diplomacy by sharing India’s intellectual legacy worldwide.

 Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Japan’s new PM commits to higher defence spend, ties with India, Quad

GS Paper 2: International Relations India and its neighbourhood; bilateral, regional and global groupings; effect of policies of developed countries on India’s interests. 

Context:

  Key Highlights: 

  1. Defence Spending Commitment:  Japan will increase its defence expenditure to 2% of its GDP by March 2026, two years ahead of schedule. o This move aligns with Japan’s 2022 National Security Strategy, aiming to counter regional threats from China, Russia, and North Korea.

  2. Strengthening Indo-Pacific Partnerships:  PM Takaichi reiterated Japan’s commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) — a key diplomatic framework initiated under former PM Shinzo Abe. o She emphasised that India is a crucial partner in this vision and pledged deeper cooperation under the Japan-India Strategic and Global Partnership. 

  3. Domestic Priorities:  Takaichi also prioritised tackling inflation, boosting fiscal spending, and addressing Japan’s population decline, which she termed as a “biggest problem.” o Her stance on immigration remains conservative, continuing restrictions on foreign labour inflows. 4. Foreign Policy Outlook: o Japan plans to strengthen multilateral security consultations with the U.S., South Korea, Australia, and ASEAN countries. o She is expected to attend upcoming ASEAN and U.S.-Japan meetings, reflecting Japan’s active global diplomacy.

  Significance:

• Marks Japan’s continued evolution from its post-war pacifist stance towards a proactive defence posture.
• Reinforces India’s position as a key strategic partner in maintaining regional stability in the Indo-Pacific amid China’s assertiveness.

 Answer: (b) Japan

Activists seek Centre’s help to check leachate discharge into Aravalis 

GS Paper 3 – Environment & Ecology: Environmental pollution, solid waste management, and conservation of ecosystems.

  Key Points: 

  1. Environmental and Health Hazard: The Bandhwari landfill, located on the Gurugram-Faridabad road, is reportedly releasing untreated leachate into nearby forest areas and Bandhwari village outskirts. o The leachate contains highly toxic substances harmful to both humans and wildlife in the Aravali ecosystem.

  2. Repeated Complaints Ignored: o Activists, led by Vaishali Rana, have made multiple complaints to authorities, including the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), Chief Wildlife Warden, and the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC). Despite National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, there has been no significant improvement in managing the landfill. 

  3. Government Inaction: o The MCG had claimed to construct a “garland drain” to prevent leachate flow, but activists allege that no such structure exists. o The HHRC has sought a report from the Chief Secretary after confirming that the issue persists due to delay in managing legacy waste.

  Environmental Significance:

• The Aravalis serve as a critical ecological barrier, preventing desertification and recharging groundwater.
• Continuous contamination could irreversibly damage local biodiversity, forest soil health, and water quality.

 Answer: (b)

India opposed to any move that may affect truce in Gaza 

GS Paper: 2 – International Relations: India and its Neighbourhood, Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings 

  Context: India reiterated its opposition to any unilateral moves that could undermine peace efforts between Israel and Palestine, following Israel’s Knesset passing a preliminary Bill on annexing parts of the West Bank.

   Key Highlights:

• India’s Stand:
• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, stated that India’s position is based on the “overall Palestinian question”, emphasizing that essential supplies like food and fuel must flow into Gaza unhindered.
• India opposed any move that could derail the ongoing peace process and urged all sides to adhere to their international obligations.
• Support for Two-State Solution:
• India reaffirmed support for the “two-state solution” — the creation of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine, living peacefully with Israel within secure and recognized borders.
• Humanitarian Emphasis:
• India called for an end to terrorism, the protection of civilians, and the release of hostages, while stressing the need for humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
• Historical Context:
• India recognized Palestine in 1988 and has since advocated for peaceful coexistence and the resolution of the conflict through dialogue.

• Balances its historic support for the Palestinian cause with its strategic ties to Israel.
• Emphasizes peace, stability, and adherence to international law in West Asia.
• Advocates a multilateral solution involving the UN and major powers to sustain ceasefire and rebuild Gaza.

 Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Iran Ratifies CFT Treaty in Bid to Ease Economic Isolation 

  Syllabus:

  Context:

  Key Points:

• What the CFT is: A UN treaty (1999) that criminalises the financing of terrorism and entered into force in 2002.
  
  
• Primary obligation: States must criminalise terrorist financing in national law aligned with the Convention.
  
  
• International cooperation: Parties commit to provide the greatest measure of assistance in investigations and proceedings.
  
  
• Mutual legal assistance: The treaty limits refusals based on bank secrecy for terrorism-financing probes.
  
  
• Evidence sharing: States must assist each other in gathering and exchanging evidence for criminal, civil, or administrative cases.
  
  
• Freezing and confiscation: The convention requires measures to freeze, seize or confiscate terrorist assets.
  
  
• FATF linkage: Ratification helps address FATF deficiencies, a step toward possible delisting from high-risk lists.
  
  
• Economic motive: The decision aims to improve Iran’s access to international finance and reduce sanctions-related isolation.
  
  
• Implementation challenge: Ratification alone is insufficient — effective enforcement and transparency are required for international trust.
  
  
• Geopolitical caveat: Progress will also depend on broader diplomatic and sanction dynamics with Western countries.
  
  
  

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas Web Browser

  Context:

  Key Points

• What it is: A full-service browser with ChatGPT embedded directly into webpages for seamless assistance.
  
  
• Availability: Globally for macOS (Free, Plus, Pro, Go users); Business users in beta; Windows, iOS & Android versions coming soon.
  
  
• Built-In Memory: Remembers context, past research & preferences to personalize browsing; users retain full control to delete/manage memory.
  
  
• Agent Mode: Automates tasks—research, planning, scheduling—representing OpenAI’s shift toward hands-free browsing; in preview for Plus/Pro/Business users.
  
  
• User Benefits: Enhances efficiency by allowing AI support without switching tabs or copying content.
  
  
  

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) 

Syllabus: GS Paper II – Government Policies & Interventions

  Context:

• Launch: 2008, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
  
  
• Objective: Prevent dropouts after Class VIII and support meritorious students from economically weaker sections to pursue secondary education.
  
  
• Platform: Implemented via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
  
  

• 1 lakh new scholarships every year (Classes IX–XII).
  
  
• Scholarship amount: ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000/month).
  
  
• Disbursed directly to students’ bank accounts via electronic transfer.
  
  
• State/UT-wise quota of scholarships.
  
  

• Family income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh/year.
  
  
• Minimum 55% in Class VII (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST).
  
  
• Must be studying in Govt./Govt.-aided/local body school.
  
  
• Not eligible: Students of KVS, NVS, and other residential schools.
  
  
• Reservations as per State norms.
  
  

• State/UT-level test for Class VIII students — Mental Ability & Scholastic Aptitude.
  
  

• Minimum 60% in Class X (5% relaxation for SC/ST).
  
  
• Must be promoted in first attempt from Class IX → X and Class XI → XII.
  
  

NPCI launches “UPI Help” AI Assistant

  Context:

  Key Points

• Purpose: AI-powered assistant to resolve UPI transaction issues in real-time.
  
  
• Scope: Helps users with failed or pending payments, unclear transaction status, and error resolution.
  
  
• UDIR Integration: Built on the UPI Dispute Resolution system for quick grievance filing and tracking.
  
  
• Automation: Enables automated sharing of transaction details with issuing banks for faster settlement.
  
  
• Mandate Management: Offers a unified view of UPI Autopay mandates to manage recurring payments easily.
  
  
• User Benefit: Improves response time, transparency, and empowering users with payment insights.
  
  
• UPI Snapshot: UPI launched in 2016 by NPCI; handles 12+ billion monthly transactions (₹20 lakh crore+).