News of The Day: 18th October 2025

News of The Day –  18th October 2025

SOURCES: The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-2: International Relations)

• Topic: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Context: Strategic connectivity initiative linking India, Middle East, and Europe.
• Issues: Geopolitical challenges post–West Asia conflict; competition with China’s BRI; funding and infrastructure gaps.
• Impact: Strengthens India’s trade, logistics, and geopolitical influence.
• Relevance: Highlights India’s role in global supply chains and multilateral diplomacy.

(GS-2: Polity and Social Justice)

• Topic: Legal protection and inclusion of transgender persons.
• Event: Supreme Court sets up a committee for policy on equal opportunities.
• Issues: Discrimination, lack of workplace inclusion, weak implementation of Transgender Persons Act, 2019.
• Impact: Paves way for structured institutional inclusion.
• Relevance: Promotes constitutional equality (Articles 14, 15, 16).

(GS-2: Health)

• Topic: Public health and immunization.
• Event: Study confirms effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine in preventing severe diarrheal disease in children.
• Issues: Vaccine coverage and awareness gaps.
• Impact: Supports India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
• Relevance: Strengthens preventive healthcare and child survival indicators (SDG 3).

(GS-1: Geography)

• Topic: Earth’s geomagnetic field and anomalies.
• Concept: Weak zones due to variations in the outer core’s convection currents.
• Impact: Affects satellite operations and communication systems.
• Relevance: Important for space and earth science understanding.

(GS-3: Science and Technology)

• Topic: Artificial intelligence in healthcare.
• Event: Google’s AI model identifies new molecular pathways for cancer therapy.
• Issues: Ethical use of AI, data privacy, clinical validation.
• Impact: Potential breakthrough in precision medicine.
• Relevance: Illustrates convergence of AI and biomedical innovation.

(GS-3: Agriculture – Intellectual Property Rights)

• Topic: International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
• Issues: Farmers’ rights vs breeders’ rights; India’s non-membership due to concerns over seed sovereignty.
• Impact: Affects innovation and access to plant varieties.
• Relevance: Relates to WTO-TRIPS, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture.

(GS-3: Environment and Biodiversity)

• Topic: Global conservation initiatives.
• Event: IUCN Congress discusses climate resilience, biodiversity loss, and marine conservation.
• Issues: Financing, climate justice, and indigenous participation.
• Impact: Sets global conservation agenda post-2025.
• Relevance: Supports India’s environmental diplomacy and SDG 13, 15.

(GS-3: Defence Technology)

• Topic: Indigenous defence innovation.
• Event: DRDO develops and tests combat parachute system for armed forces.
• Impact: Reduces import dependence; boosts “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
• Relevance: Advances India’s strategic and technological self-reliance.

(GS-2: Governance and Social Development)

• Topic: Youth skill development and governance exposure.
• Event: Government launches internship Scheme for students in ministries and PSUs.
• Impact: Promotes experiential learning and governance participation.
• Relevance: Linked to National Education Policy and employability reforms.

(GS-2: Health and Governance)

• Topic: Food regulation and consumer safety.
• Event: FSSAI bans misuse of ‘ORS’ labeling on food products after long legal battle.
• Issues: Misleading marketing, regulatory delay, and consumer awareness.
• Impact: Strengthens accountability in food safety.
• Relevance: Reflects rule of law and health governance.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• Topic: India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations.
• Event: Cultural and educational diplomacy during Sri Lankan PM’s India visit.
• Impact: Reinforces people-to-people ties and soft power.
• Relevance: Example of neighborhood-first policy.

(GS-3: Defence)

• Topic: Expansion of indigenous aircraft production.
• Event: Inauguration of new HAL production lines for fighter and trainer aircraft.
• Impact: Boosts defence manufacturing and export potential.
• Relevance: Aligns with Make in India and national security goals.

(GS-3: Agriculture)

• Topic: Codex standards and agricultural exports.
• Event: 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8) concluded successfully in Guwahati
• Impact: Strengthens quality assurance in spices export.
• Relevance: Enhances India’s soft power and trade competitiveness.

(GS-2: Health,; GS-3: Science)

• Topic: Women’s health and traditional medicine.
• Event: Observance of World Menopause Day with focus on Ayurvedic wellness approaches.
• Impact: Encourages holistic health awareness and integration of AYUSH systems.
• Relevance: Supports gender-sensitive health policy and preventive care.