News of The Day –  16th October 2025

News of The Day –  16th October 2025

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Dangers of hero-worship in society. 
• Event: Op-ed citing Ambedkar’s warnings; links to rally tragedies.
• Issues: Disempowerment, inequality; prevents mature democracy.
• Relevance: Upholds Art. 14 equality; calls for ethical awareness.

• About the 3rd India-Central Asia NSAs meet (Oct 15-16); 
• Bilateral Relations with Kyrgyz 
• Focus: Counter-terrorism, drugs, defence; Afghanistan stability.
• Additional Reading:
  • India-Central Asia dialogue

(GS-2: International Relations)

• About the 5th edition of Samudra Shakti
• Focus: ASW, anti-piracy, interoperability.
• Strengthens Act East Policy, SAGAR in Indo-Pacific.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• Event: CWG Board recommends Ahmedabad for 2030 centenary (vote Nov 2026).
• About the Commonwealth Games.
• Benefits: Infrastructure boost, tourism, youth sports.
• Relevance: Leverages 2010 Delhi legacy;aids 2036 Olympics bid.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• AI-robotics applications.
• Sectors: Healthcare (surgery), agriculture (drones), industry (maintenance).
• Benefits: Precision, job creation, skilling.
• Relevance: Supports Digital India; addresses automation challenges.

(GS-3: Economy)

• GHI 2025 shows a global score at 18.3 (moderate). 
• Projection: 56 countries fail SDG 2 by 2030;
• Causes: Conflicts, climate shocks. 
• Relevance: India moderate; urges recommitment to Zero Hunger.

(GS-3: Economy)

• 8th Codex Committee Session in Guwahati
  • 16 standards finalized (e.g., turmeric).
• Participants: 81 delegates from 27 countries.
• Relevance: Enhances exports, FSSAI alignment; NE as spice hub.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About World Food Day
• Theme: Collective action for peace, sustainability, zero hunger (FAO 80th anniversary).
• India Focus: NFSA, PMGKAY; agrifood transformation. 
• Relevance: Aligns with SDG 2; emphasizes smallholders, women.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Event: 2024 CO2 rise to 3.5 ppm (52% above pre-industrial).
• Gases: Methane (+16%), nitrous oxide (+25%).
• Issues: Fuels climate extremes like floods.
• Relevance: Aligns with India’s NDCs; calls for emission cuts.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Event: SAIEE 2025 reports
  • 22,446 elephants (down from 27,312),
  • Western Ghats hosts most.
  • India has 60% of Asian elephants.
• Method: Dung DNA for accuracy; 
• Issues: Habitat loss, human conflicts.
• Relevance: Baseline for Project Elephant

(GS-3: Environment)

• Human-wildlife conflict management. 
• Kerala’s Wild Life Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 allows state decisions on relocation/birth control.
• Balancing safety and conservation; need for science-based solutions.
• Aligns with Project Elephant, biodiversity goals.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Event: SC allows NEERI-approved green crackers (e.g., SWAS, SAFE) Oct 18-21.
• Rules: QR verification; timed bursting at sites; AQI monitoring.
• Issues: Pollution control vs. tradition.
• Relevance: First in 5 years; balances via CPCB.

• Forest Declaration Assessment 2025: Rising deforestation despite 2021 pledges.
• Causes: Commodity demand (soy, beef); subsidies on monocrops. 
• Issues: Biodiversity/climate threats.
• Relevance: India focuses on sustainable forestry under GBF 2030.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Recognition by FAO
• About SAIME Model
• Economic Impact
• Sustainable Practices in Sundarbans
• Environmental and Climate Benefits

(GS-3: Internal Security)

• Event: MHA data: LWE districts down to 11 (most affected: 3 in Chhattisgarh).
• Progress: From 126 (2013) to 18; 312 eliminated, 1,639 surrendered in 2025.
• Goal: Naxal-free by March 2026.
• Strategy: Multi-pronged security approach.