Daily current affairs:October 24, 2025

Long Description : Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent Diwali 2025 with Indian Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant, India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1), during a two-day sea sortie from October 19 to 20. The visit, part of his tradition of celebrating festivals with troops in strategic locations, highlighted the government’s commitment to national defence and morale. INS Vikrant, designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, symbolises India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The carrier, commissioned in 2022, has advanced capabilities including multi-role operations and humanitarian assistance. The Prime Minister’s presence on the vessel reinforced its strategic importance and celebrated the dedication of sailors safeguarding India’s maritime interests. The event also spotlighted Vikrant’s role in regional security under the SAGAR doctrine.

Long Description : India and the United States are on the verge of concluding a landmark bilateral trade agreement, with officials stating they are “very near” to a resolution. Five rounds of negotiations have been completed, focusing on removing trade barriers and enhancing economic cooperation. The deal, targeted for completion by November 2025, seeks to increase bilateral trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. A key hurdle has been the 50% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian exports, partly linked to India’s Russian oil imports. Indian officials, including CEA V Anantha Nageswaran, express confidence the penal tariffs will be withdrawn by November 30. The agreement could be announced at the ASEAN Summit, where PM Modi will participate virtually. The US remains India’s largest merchandise export market, with $86.51 billion in FY25 exports.

Long Description : The United States imposed sanctions on Russia’s top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, on October 22, 2025, as part of efforts to pressure Moscow over the Ukraine war. These sanctions, enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), prohibit US entities from dealing with the firms and pose secondary sanctions risks for non-US companies. India, which imports about one-third of its crude from Russia (1.7 million barrels per day in 2025), faces supply chain challenges. Private refiners like Reliance Industries plan to reduce or halt direct imports, while state-owned firms are reviewing procurement to avoid sanctioned entities. Although Russian crude flows remain stable until November 21, Indian refiners are expected to increase imports from the US, Middle East, and Latin America. This shift may facilitate progress in India-US trade negotiations.

Long Description : The Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of India, ordered the Jharkhand government to notify 314 sq km of Saranda Forest in West Singhbhum as a wildlife sanctuary. The directive, issued on October 10, 2025, stems from a 2022 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order and addresses long-standing delays in implementation. Saranda, known for its dense Sal forests and home to elephants and sloth bears, is a biodiversity hotspot and holds 26% of India’s iron ore reserves. The state government had argued that sanctuary status could criminalise tribal subsistence activities under the Forest Rights Act. The Court’s intervention underscores the need to protect ecologically sensitive areas while ensuring tribal rights are safeguarded. The region also hosts three elephant corridors, linking forests in Jharkhand and Odisha.

Long Description : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a national Rozgar Mela via videoconference, distributing over 51,000 appointment letters to youth across sectors. He highlighted that over 11 lakh youth have received jobs through such melas, reinforcing the government’s focus on youth employment. Modi launched the ‘Pratibha Setu Portal’ to connect UPSC aspirants who cleared the final stage but were not selected with job opportunities in public and private institutions. He linked the GST Bachat Utsav to job creation, noting that cheaper goods boost demand, production, and employment. The government’s ‘PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana’ targets 3.5 crore jobs, supported by Skill India and the National Career Service portal, which has shared over 7 crore vacancies. Modi stressed that youth are central to India’s vision of a developed nation by 2047.

Long Description : The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore to modernise India’s armed forces. The package includes the Nag missile system (Tracked Mk-II) for the Army, Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) and Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes for the Navy, and the Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System for the Air Force. LPDs will enhance amphibious warfare and humanitarian operations, while the Nag missile offers fire-and-forget capability against enemy tanks. The procurement supports India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, with significant indigenous content. This is the second major approval after ₹67,000 crore in August, reflecting sustained investment in self-reliance and operational readiness across land, sea, and air domains.

Long Description : Indian pharmaceutical major Cipla announced a strategic partnership with US-based Eli Lilly to market Mounjaro, a breakthrough weight-loss and diabetes drug, in India under the brand name Yurpeak. Mounjaro, based on tirzepatide, works by mimicking GLP-1 and GIP hormones to reduce appetite and improve glucose control. It is approved for adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidities. Cipla’s extensive distribution network will make the drug accessible beyond major metros. The deal comes ahead of the patent expiry of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide (Wegovy) in 2026, potentially paving the way for affordable generics. This collaboration highlights India’s growing role in delivering advanced therapeutics and addressing rising lifestyle diseases.

Long Description : The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 ranks India 9th globally in total forest area. The report acknowledges India’s sustained efforts in afforestation, urban forestry, and community-based forest management. Initiatives like the Green India Mission and the National Afforestation Programme have contributed to increasing forest and tree cover. India’s forest policy emphasises balancing ecological conservation with livelihood needs, particularly for tribal communities. The country’s commitment to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 under its NDCs is also noted. The assessment serves as a benchmark for tracking progress toward SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Long Description : In response to US sanctions on Russian oil majors, Indian refiners are diversifying their crude import basket by increasing purchases from the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States. Russia currently supplies about one-third of India’s crude, with 1.2 million barrels per day sourced from Rosneft and Lukoil. While direct shipments may decline post-November 21, refiners may still access Russian crude through third-party intermediaries. The shift supports India’s energy security and strengthens ties with the US, potentially easing trade tensions. State-owned refiners like IOCL and BPCL are reviewing contracts to avoid sanctioned entities, while private players like Reliance align with government guidelines. This strategic recalibration reflects India’s balancing act between economic interests and geopolitical pressures.

Long Description : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that the banking system’s liquidity was in deficit mode, with a shortfall of ₹2,645 crore on October 23, 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive day of deficit, driven by increased government expenditure and seasonal currency demand ahead of festivals. Deficit liquidity indicates higher demand for funds in the system, potentially influencing short-term interest rates. The RBI has been using tools like Variable Rate Repo Auctions to manage liquidity. Persistent deficit conditions may signal tightening monetary policy, although inflation remains within the target band. The situation reflects normal seasonal patterns but is being monitored for any impact on credit growth and financial stability.

Long Description : Javelin thrower and Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra was awarded the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in recognition of his exceptional achievements in sports and for inspiring national pride. The honour, conferred in a ceremonial event, acknowledges athletes who bring glory to the nation. Chopra, who won gold at Tokyo 2020 and silver at Paris 2024, is seen as a role model for youth. The Territorial Army, a reserve force, often honours distinguished personalities from various fields. This recognition aligns with the government’s policy of integrating sports excellence with national service and motivating young athletes to pursue excellence.

Long Description : India and the United Kingdom launched the Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme to strengthen scientific ties and promote innovation in mathematics, artificial intelligence, and data science. The initiative supports early-career researchers through funding, mentorship, and collaborative projects between Indian and UK institutions. Named after the legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, the programme aims to nurture talent and build long-term research partnerships. It aligns with the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and recent agreements on AI and clean energy. The collaboration reflects a shared vision of leveraging science and technology for economic growth and global challenges.

Long Description : Coal India Limited (CIL) and IIT Madras signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy at the institute. The centre will focus on research in clean coal technologies, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and integration of renewables with thermal power. This partnership aims to support India’s energy transition while ensuring the sustainable use of coal resources. IIT Madras will provide technical expertise, while CIL will fund research and pilot projects. The initiative aligns with national goals of reducing emissions and achieving net-zero by 2070, promoting innovation in the energy sector.

Long Description : The bilateral maritime exercise JAIMAX 2025 between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) concluded successfully in Japanese waters. The exercise focused on anti-submarine warfare, surface drills, and communication protocols, enhancing interoperability between the two navies. JAIMAX is part of India’s growing defence ties with Indo-Pacific partners and supports the Quad’s vision of a free, open, and inclusive region. The drill reflects shared concerns over maritime security and freedom of navigation. India also participates in other bilateral exercises like MALABAR (with US, Japan, Australia) and SIMBEX (with Singapore).