Daily current affairs:October 19, 2025

Long Description : Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced India’s first indigenously developed antibiotic, Nafithromycin, a key milestone for self-reliance in pharmaceuticals. Developed under the Department of Biotechnology, the drug targets antibiotic-resistant respiratory infections, particularly aiding cancer and diabetic patients. Dr. Singh also revealed the success of India’s first clinical gene therapy trial for Hemophilia, achieving a 70% correction rate. India has sequenced over 10,000 human genomes and is expanding AI-driven health initiatives. These advancements reflect India’s growing capacity for innovation and healthcare breakthroughs.

Long Description : A five-year conservation program in Chhattisgarh has revived the blackbuck population, a species once locally extinct for five decades. Through coordinated efforts by the State Wildlife Board, 77 blackbucks were translocated from Delhi and Bilaspur zoological parks. The initiative has increased the population to 190 in Barnawapara Sanctuary, stabilizing biodiversity and restoring grassland ecosystems. The project overcame initial challenges such as disease outbreaks and habitat loss by improving management and veterinary care. The state plans to replicate this success in other sanctuaries like Gomardha.

Long Description : A Goldman Sachs report suggests that India is nearing the end of its fiscal tightening phase and may implement a fresh repo rate cut before 2025-end. The RBI’s policy of keeping rates steady at 5.5% has already boosted liquidity and improved lending conditions. The report emphasizes that easing inflation, improved GST compliance, and credit demand recovery are key drivers of possible monetary easing. However, global headwinds — such as high U.S. tariffs and tighter visa regulations — could moderate the pace of credit expansion. The RBI’s MPC hinted at more accommodative action in future reviews.

Long Description : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that GST 2.0 reforms implemented on September 22 have significantly increased consumer demand and reduced prices of essential goods. The previous four-rate structure was replaced by a simplified two-slab system — 5% and 18% — plus a 40% demerit rate. Improved compliance and record monthly GST collections above ₹2 lakh crore have given fiscal space for tax cuts. The reforms aim to improve supply-chain transparency, widen the tax base, and promote consumer savings. The government’s “GST Bachat Utsav” initiative highlighted how rate rationalization will continue beyond the festive season.

Long Description : RBI’s Department of Economic and Policy Research updated C. Rangarajan’s 2014 poverty line using the 2022–23 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey. Findings reveal a remarkable fall in poverty — Odisha and Bihar showed the steepest declines, while Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu recorded minimal poverty levels. The study noted that rural poverty fell to 4.86% and urban poverty to 4.09% nationwide. This shift underlines India’s transition toward multidimensional poverty metrics, measuring health, education, and living standards rather than income alone. The Rangarajan line remains an essential benchmark for policy dialogue on inclusive development.

Long Description : India has been re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–2028 term with overwhelming support from member states. This marks another recognition of India’s democratic credentials and commitment to global human rights cooperation. India’s campaign emphasized gender equality, freedom of speech, and technology-driven governance reforms. The External Affairs Ministry said India would work to make the Council more efficient and representative. This achievement strengthens India’s role in shaping multilateral dialogues on climate justice, migration, and digital human rights frameworks.

Long Description : The RBI, in its October policy, introduced a risk-based deposit insurance model under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). This reform rewards banks with robust risk management by lowering their insurance premiums, replacing the earlier uniform charge system. The new model aligns with global banking standards and aims to strengthen depositors’ trust while improving capital utilization. Additional policy shifts — including capital market lending liberalization and removal of older frameworks for large borrowers — aim to deepen the financial system’s resilience amid changing macroeconomic conditions.

Long Description : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the Digital India anniversary celebration, declared India a global powerhouse of digital financial transactions. He emphasized the success of UPI, Aadhaar, and Digital Public Infrastructure as transformative tools of financial inclusion. India now processes over 46% of global real-time digital payments annually. The Prime Minister outlined plans to scale AI-enabled citizen services and integrate rural networks through BharatNet Phase III. These efforts aim to position India as a digitally empowered economy contributing to the vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047.”

Long Description : The Uttar Pradesh government announced that Ayodhya will light 26 lakh earthen lamps during Deepotsav 2025, surpassing previous records. The event, organized under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s supervision, symbolizes Lord Rama’s homecoming to Ayodhya. The program will include cultural performances, laser shows, and participation from 5000 volunteers. The initiative highlights India’s soft cultural power, drawing global tourists, and underlines sustainable celebration practices using eco-friendly materials. The Guinness World Records team will be present to officially certify the feat.

Long Description : India’s trade deficit widened to $154.99 billion for April–September FY26, as per Commerce Ministry data. Exports rose 3.02% to $220.12 billion, while imports increased 4.53% to $375.11 billion. The uptick was driven by crude oil and electronics imports amid higher global energy prices. However, service exports and resilient domestic consumption cushioned the deficit. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. focus on mitigating tariff hikes and promoting “win-win” cooperation, targeting sustainable trade growth for FY26.