UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 October 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 October 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

 

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 October (2025)

1. Landslides

2. India’s Direction for Disaster Resilience

3. Towards a Unified National Employment Framework

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Doomscrolling

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme

2. Blizzard

3. Schedule M Norms

4. Southeast Asia’s First Coral Larvae Cryobank

5. IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025

6. Exercise in News

Mapping:

1. Namchik Namphuk Coal Block

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 October 2025

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GS Paper 3:

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Landslides

Syllabus: Disaster Management

Source: IE

Context: Heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, killing at least 14 people and destroying vital infrastructure including the Dudhia bridge and Teesta Bazaar link road.

About Landslides:

What it is?

• A landslide is the downward movement of rock, debris, or soil along a slope under gravity.
• It occurs when the shear stress exceeds the shear strength of slope materials, often due to heavy rainfall, earthquakes, deforestation, or human activity.
• These events disrupt slope stability and can destroy roads, settlements, and infrastructure, especially in hilly terrains.

India’s Vulnerability:

• Nearly 13% of India’s land area (0.42 million sq. km) is landslide-prone, as per the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
• High-risk zones include the Himalayas, Northeastern hills, Western Ghats, Nilgiris, and Eastern Ghats.
• The Northeast alone accounts for 42% of the total hazard zone due to fragile geology, steep gradients, heavy monsoons, and unregulated construction.
• India’s tectonic activity and population pressure amplify the frequency and intensity of slope failures.

About Darjeeling Landslide:

• Geographical Reasons:

• • Darjeeling, in the Eastern Himalayas, sits on young, unconsolidated rock strata prone to erosion and slope failure.
  • The region receives intense monsoon rainfall, causing water saturation and loss of soil cohesion.
  • Unscientific construction, deforestation, road cutting, and hydropower tunneling have degraded natural drainage and slope stability.
  • The district’s seismic vulnerability adds to the cumulative risk of recurrent landslides.

• Historical Record:

• • Darjeeling has a century-long record of catastrophic landslides — major events occurred in 1899, 1934, 1950, 1968, 1975, 1980, 1991, 2011, and 2015.
  • The 1968 floods were among the worst, killing over 1,000 people and reshaping the region’s terrain.
  • The 2023 Sikkim GLOF disaster caused ₹25,000 crore in damage, illustrating how hydro-climatic hazards are now linked across Himalayan states.
  • These recurring events show a pattern of high exposure and weak mitigation in the region.

Current Concern:

• Rapid urbanization and expansion of roads, hotels, and hydropower projects have far exceeded the area’s carrying capacity.
• Encroachments along rivers and jhoras (mountain streams) have blocked natural drainage, increasing waterlogging and slope pressure.
• Frequent slope collapses now threaten key infrastructure like bridges, highways, and rail lines that connect the Siliguri Corridor (“Chicken’s Neck”), a strategic link to the Northeast and Bhutan.
• Hence, Darjeeling’s ecological fragility has evolved into a national security concern, demanding integrated Himalayan policy and sustainable planning.

NDMA Guidelines on Landslides:

• National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019): Focuses on vulnerability mapping, hazard zonation, and early warning systems using IMD rainfall forecasts and ISRO terrain data.
• Zonation Maps: Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) maps at 1:50,000 scale identify risk-prone zones for planning and regulation.
• Mitigation Measures: Recommend slope stabilization through vegetation, bio-engineering, drainage improvement, retaining walls, and relocation from chronic slide zones.
• Institutional Coordination: NDMA collaborates with GSI, NRSC, DST, and CSIR to develop real-time data-sharing and GIS-based monitoring.

Way Ahead:

• Scientific planning: Enforce hill zone building codes and prohibit construction in high-risk slopes and drainage corridors.
• Early warning expansion: Extend rainfall-linked landslide forecasting systems (trialed in Kerala, Sikkim, Uttarakhand) across all Himalayan states.
• Eco-restoration: Promote afforestation, jhora rejuvenation, and slope bio-engineering to stabilize fragile hills.
• Institutional reform: Establish a Himalayan Disaster Research and Management Centre in Darjeeling for coordinated response and capacity building.
• Strategic integration: Treat the Darjeeling–Sikkim belt as a national security-sensitive eco-zone under the Act East Policy framework.

Conclusion:

The Darjeeling disaster is a reminder that the Himalayas are ecologically fragile yet geopolitically crucial. Sustainable planning, scientific monitoring, and community-based preparedness must replace ad-hoc development. India’s mountain policy must blend ecological prudence with strategic foresight to safeguard both lives and national interests.

 

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India’s Direction for Disaster Resilience

Syllabus: Disaster Management

Source: TH

Context: India is strengthening its disaster resilience framework using science-based, nature-driven, and finance-linked strategies, guided by the Prime Minister’s 10-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (2016) and the 15th Finance Commission’s ₹2.28-lakh-crore allocation for disaster management (2021-26).

About India’s Direction for Disaster Resilience:

Institutional and Policy Framework

1. Home Ministry & NDMA – Oversee pre- and post-disaster management through multi-hazard planning and state coordination.

Eg: NDMA’s National Guidelines for Landslides (2023) and Urban Flood Management Framework (2024).

1. 15th Finance Commission (2021–26) – Allocated ₹2.28 lakh crore to strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR) capacities:
   • Preparedness & capacity-building: 10%
   • Mitigation: 20%
   • Response: 40%
   • Reconstruction: 30%
2. Prime Minister’s 10-Point Agenda (2016) – Mainstream disaster risk reduction into development planning, use technology, and strengthen local capacities.

Key Features of the New Disaster Resilience Model

• Financial Innovation

• • Integrates public finance with scientific hazard modelling.
  • Moves beyond relief to risk prevention and climate adaptation.
  • Multilateral debt dependence replaced by domestic budget-linked funding.
  • Eg: ₹5,000 crore reconstruction packages in 2025 for Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, and Kerala.

• Nature-based and Technological Solutions

• • NDMA promotes bio-engineering for slope stabilization, revival of wetlands (beels) to mitigate floods, and forest-fire fuel breaks.
  • Encourages remote sensing and automated weather stations for glacial-lake monitoring.
  • Eg: National Cyclone Mitigation Programme (2011-22) built 700 cyclone shelters and early-warning systems across 8 states.

• Capacity Building

• • Establishment of geo-spatial training labs and expansion of National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) courses across 36 disciplines.
  • Creation of Apda Mitra and Yuva Apda Mitra volunteer corps (2.5 lakh trained).
    Eg: Fire safety modernisation received ₹5,000 crore allocation.

• Community-Centric Preparedness

• • Panchayat-level disaster plans being mainstreamed into local development.
  • School safety programmes and mock drills promote behavioural readiness.

Challenges in India’s Disaster Resilience Framework:

• Fragmented Implementation – Disaster management responsibilities are divided among multiple ministries and state agencies, often leading to duplication, coordination delays, and inconsistent policy execution during crises.
• Urban Vulnerability – Rapid urbanisation, weak zoning laws, and encroachments on wetlands and floodplains have increased exposure to heatwaves, flash floods, and infrastructure collapse in cities.
• Funding Absorption – Many states lack technical capacity and trained personnel to design, execute, and monitor projects under DRR funds, leading to underutilisation of central allocations.
• Data Integration – Absence of a unified, real-time disaster database linking IMD, NDMA, ISRO, and state units hampers accurate risk mapping, forecasting, and timely decision-making.
• Climate Uncertainty – Erratic monsoons, retreating glaciers, and extreme weather events make hazard prediction complex, challenging traditional planning and long-term adaptation strategies.

Way forward:

• Local Governance: Strengthen panchayats with real-time early-warning systems and micro-insurance schemes to enable faster local response and quick recovery after disasters.
• Green Infrastructure: Restore mangroves, rivers, and urban green corridors to naturally absorb shocks from floods, heatwaves, and cyclones, promoting eco-based resilience.
• Data-Driven DRR: Build an integrated risk-mapping platform linking NDMA, IMD, and ISRO data for real-time monitoring, early warnings, and predictive disaster analytics.
• Private Sector Role: Encourage corporate investment in disaster insurance, resilient infrastructure, and CSR-led preparedness projects to expand national resilience capacity.
• Education & Ethics: Integrate climate ethics and disaster awareness in curricula to foster responsible, informed citizens who value sustainability and preparedness.

Conclusion:

India’s disaster resilience journey reflects a shift from reactive recovery to anticipatory governance, blending finance, technology, and community stewardship. By integrating nature-based solutions with ethical climate responsibility and global cooperation, India is poised to become a model for sustainable disaster management by 2047 — Viksit Bharat’s centenary vision.

 

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Towards a Unified National Employment Framework

Syllabus: Economics

Source: TH

Context: India’s employment challenge has re-emerged as a national priority as experts from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) called for a unified National Employment Framework to harness the demographic dividend and address the growing job-skill mismatch.

About Towards a Unified National Employment Framework:

Trends in Employment Opportunity:

• Demographic advantage: India will add 133 million workers by 2050, forming nearly 18% of the global workforce.
• Shift to informal and gig sectors: Gig economy jobs could reach 9 crores by 2030, but lack formal protections.
• Urban job distress: Automation and migration pressures have widened rural–urban employment disparities.
• Female participation gap: Female Labour Force Participation Rate remains below 35% (PLFS 2024) despite rising education levels.

Need for a Unified Employment Framework:

• Fragmented approach: Existing skilling, welfare, and job programmes function in silos, weakening coordination and policy outcomes.
• Demographic urgency: With India’s workforce set to peak by 2043, delayed reforms may squander the demographic dividend opportunity.
• Economic inclusivity: A unified policy ensures job growth that is regionally balanced, gender-sensitive, and technology-driven.
• Policy coherence: It integrates trade, industrial, and labour policies toward common, measurable employment outcomes.

Initiatives Taken:

• Skill India Mission & PMKVY: Aims to skill 40 crore youth through short-term and industry-linked training programmes.
• National Career Service Portal: Provides a digital bridge between job seekers, employers, and career counsellors.
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI): Encourages manufacturing-led job creation through performance-based sectoral incentives.
• Labour Codes (2020): Consolidates 29 labour laws to simplify compliance and improve worker protection.
• Gig and Platform Worker Schemes: Expands social security and welfare coverage to informal and gig economy workers.

Challenges Involved:

• Graduate unemployability: Academic curricula remain disconnected from the practical skill needs of modern industries.
• Implementation delays: Labour reforms and skill programmes face uneven execution across states and sectors.
• Regional disparity: Job growth is concentrated in metros, widening economic inequality in backward regions.
• Gender gap: Societal barriers and lack of workplace support systems reduce women’s labour participation.
• Weak data systems: Fragmented, outdated employment statistics obstruct evidence-based policymaking.

Way Ahead:

• Integrated National Employment Policy: Combine central and state schemes under one coordinated employment framework.
• Focus on MSMEs and gig workers: Strengthen access to finance, digital tools, and safety nets for these job-rich sectors.
• Skill–industry linkage: Reform higher education and training to align with AI, robotics, and green industry needs.
• Inclusive job creation: Launch targeted programmes like urban employment guarantees and women-centric incentives.
• Real-time data dashboard: Establish a unified labour observatory for timely, transparent workforce insights.

Conclusion:

India stands at a pivotal moment to convert its demographic dividend into a growth engine. A coherent, inclusive, and data-driven employment strategy can bridge inequality and unlock resilience. Making jobs the core of economic policy, not a by-product, is vital for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 October 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

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Doomscrolling

Context: Doctors have warned that doomscrolling — the habit of continuously consuming negative news online — is altering brain functions, increasing anxiety, and affecting focus and decision-making among young professionals.

About Doomscrolling:

• What it is: Doomscrolling means endlessly scrolling through bad or distressing news on phones or social media, even when it causes stress.
• How it works: Each shocking headline triggers a small dopamine release, similar to gambling rewards. This keeps the brain trapped in a loop of checking for the next update.
• Brain areas affected:
  • Amygdala becomes overactive, heightening fear and anxiety.
  • Prefrontal cortex weakens, reducing self-control and clear thinking.
  • Hippocampus struggles with memory and emotional balance.
• Why we do it: The human brain has a negativity bias—it pays more attention to threats. Combined with FOMO (fear of missing out), this makes people scroll for reassurance or control.

Impacts:

• Mental health: Leads to anxiety, stress, mood swings, and even depression.
• Cognitive effects: Weakens concentration, memory, and rational decision-making.
• Work and productivity: Causes fatigue, poor focus, and emotional burnout.
• Physical health: Disrupts sleep cycles and increases cortisol, the stress hormone.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:

• GS-IV (Ethics): Relates to emotional intelligence, self-management, and ethical use of technology.
• GS-II (Governance): Highlights the role of media responsibility and information ethics.
• Essay Paper: Useful for topics on information overload, technology and human well-being, or emotional resilience

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 October 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

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Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme

Source: EET

Context: The Ministry of Mines has issued detailed guidelines for the ₹1,500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, a key component of the National Critical Mineral Mission, to promote domestic recycling and reduce import dependence.

About Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme:

What it is?

• A centrally sponsored incentive scheme under the Ministry of Mines designed to promote recycling of critical minerals from secondary sources such as e-waste and spent lithium-ion batteries.

Parent Scheme: National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)

Aim:

• To reduce import dependence for essential minerals used in EVs, batteries, electronics, and renewable energy systems.
• To build circular economy capacity by encouraging extraction and reuse of critical minerals from waste streams.

Key Features:

1. Financial Outlay: ₹1,500 crore total incentive allocation.
2. Eligibility: Covers new units, capacity expansion, and modernisation of existing recycling units.
3. Feedstock Source: Includes e-waste, spent lithium-ion batteries, and other metal-rich scraps.
4. Beneficiaries: Both large recyclers and start-ups, with ceilings of ₹50 crore and ₹25 crore respectively (including Capital Expenditure + Operational Expenditure support).
5. Focus Area: Incentives limited to the actual extraction of critical minerals, excluding black mass production stage.
6. Expected Outcomes:
   • Develop 270 kilo tonnes/year recycling capacity.
   • Yield 40 kilo tonnes of critical minerals annually.
   • Mobilise ₹8,000 crore private investment.
   • Create 70,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Significance:

• Strategic Independence: Reduces reliance on China and other nations for critical minerals essential for EVs and renewable technologies.
• Circular Economy Boost: Encourages sustainable reuse of resources, aligning with India’s LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) mission.

 

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Blizzard

Source: DD News

Context: A severe blizzard struck the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet, trapping nearly 1,000 trekkers in the remote Karma valley.

About Blizzard:

What it is?

• A blizzard is a severe mid-latitude snowstorm characterized by strong winds (≥56 km/h), low temperatures, and near-zero visibility caused by blowing snow.
• It occurs when polar or continental cold air masses interact with moist maritime or tropical air, producing intense snowfall accompanied by violent winds.

How It Develops?

1. Cold Air Supply: Cold, dense air from high latitudes or elevated terrain ensures snow formation instead of rain.
2. Moisture Source: Moist air masses, often from nearby oceans or large lakes, provide water vapour for condensation and precipitation.
3. Uplift Mechanism: Warm, moist air is forced to rise over cold air (frontal uplift) or up mountain slopes (orographic uplift), forming snow-laden clouds.
4. Strong Pressure Gradient: A steep pressure difference generates high wind speeds, driving snow horizontally and drastically reducing visibility.

Features:

• Wind Velocity: 80–100 km/h (often exceeding 120 km/h in severe cases).
• Temperature: Falls below freezing, intensifying wind chill effects.
• Visibility: Drops below 0.4 km for over three hours, leading to whiteout conditions.
• Duration: Can persist for several hours to days, often followed by cold wave conditions.
• Variants:
  • Ground Blizzard: Pre-existing snow lifted by strong winds.
  • Nor’easter: Coastal blizzard type common along North Atlantic coasts.

Impact:

• Environmental:

• • Causes snow accumulation, avalanches, and temporary glacial expansion.
  • Alters albedo and local energy balance, affecting regional climate feedbacks.

• Human:

• • Leads to frostbite, hypothermia, and loss of life among trekkers and residents.
  • Transport and communication networks collapse due to snow-blocked roads and damaged power lines.

 

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Schedule M Norms

Source: DH

Context: The Union Health Ministry has directed strict enforcement of the revised Schedule M norms under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

• The move follows reports of child deaths linked to a cough syrup adulterated with diethylene glycol (DEG), highlighting serious lapses in manufacturing quality.

About Schedule M Norms:

What it is?

• Schedule M is a section of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, prescribing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical products in India.
• It defines the minimum requirements for facilities, equipment, quality systems, documentation, and personnel to ensure safe, effective, and consistent drug production.

Origin and Evolution:

• Origin: Introduced under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, to regulate drug manufacturing quality across India.
• Earlier Framework: Focused mainly on facility hygiene and record-keeping, with limited emphasis on process validation or data integrity.
• Recent Revision (2023–24): The revised Schedule M brings Indian GMP norms in alignment with WHO-GMP and PIC/S standards, strengthening India’s position as a global pharmaceutical hub.
• Implementation Deadline: All units must achieve compliance by December 31, 2025.

Key Features of Revised Schedule M:

1. Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS): Mandatory adoption of a structured quality and risk management framework across all manufacturing stages.
2. Quality Risk Management (QRM): Identification and mitigation of product risks through scientific and evidence-based evaluation.
3. Data Integrity – ALCOA+ Principles: All records must be Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, and Available.
4. Pharmacovigilance System: Compulsory reporting and tracking of adverse drug events to ensure post-market surveillance.
5. Equipment & Process Validation: Lifecycle-based validation (Design, Installation, Operation, Performance Qualification).
6. Supply Chain & Vendor Traceability: Complete raw material traceability with supplier audits and digital monitoring systems.
7. Infrastructure Modernisation: Requirement for computerised storage systems, controlled environments, and regular self-inspections.

About Diethylene Glycol (DEG):

• Definition

• • Diethylene Glycol (DEG) is a colorless, odorless, syrupy organic chemical compound (formula: C₄H₁₀O₃).
  • It is a synthetic industrial solvent, belonging to the glycol family, and is not approved for pharmaceutical or food use.
  • Chemically, DEG is a by-product of ethylene oxide hydrolysis, often used where water-miscible, low-volatility liquids are required.

• Applications:

• • Antifreeze and Coolants: Used as a de-icing and coolant agent in automobile and aircraft industries.
  • Paints and Plastics: Acts as a solvent in paints, plasticizers, resins, and polyurethane foams.
  • Brake Fluids and Lubricants: Used to maintain fluid stability in hydraulic and brake systems.

• Pharmaceutical contamination occurs when industrial-grade DEG is mistakenly or fraudulently substituted for pharmaceutical-grade glycerine or propylene glycol during drug formulation — often due to poor quality control or cost-cutting.

 

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Southeast Asia’s First Coral Larvae Cryobank

Source: TH

Context: The Philippines has launched Southeast Asia’s first coral larvae cryobank, a pioneering initiative to freeze and preserve coral “seeds” to protect marine biodiversity and revive damaged reefs.

About Southeast Asia’s First Coral Larvae Cryobank:

What it is?

• A scientific facility that freezes and stores coral larvae at ultra-low temperatures to preserve their genetic material for future use in reef restoration or research.
• Functions as a “genetic seed vault” for corals, helping safeguard biodiversity that could be lost due to climate change and coral bleaching.

Nations Involved:

• The project is part of a regional network under the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform.
• Participating countries include the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

How It Works?

• Collection of Coral Larvae: Coral larvae — the free-swimming reproductive stage — are collected during spawning events.
• Cryoprotection: The larvae are exposed to cryoprotective solutions that prevent ice crystal formation during freezing.
• Vitrification Process: Using a rapid freezing technique, larvae are plunged into liquid nitrogen at –196°C, turning them into a glass-like state without crystallisation.
• Revival Process: When needed, laser-based rapid warming thaws the samples within seconds, preventing cell damage.
• Rehydration & Growth: Revived larvae are rehydrated in seawater, monitored for movement and settling, then transferred to controlled tanks for coral regrowth.

Features:

• Preserves Coral Genetic Diversity: Maintains coral genotypes for decades, even if species vanish in the wild.
• Climate-Resilient Restoration: Enables reef revival using cryopreserved material, supporting adaptive restoration in warming oceans.
• Research Resource: Provides a long-term data bank for studying coral evolution, reproduction, and stress resistance.
• Collaborative Network: Integrates regional expertise to create a Coral Triangle Cryobank Network, ensuring shared protocols and data.
• Model Species Approach: Begins with hardy corals like Pocillopora, Acropora, and Galaxsia before expanding to endangered ones.

Limitations:

• Technical Complexity: Coral larvae are large, lipid-rich, and heat-sensitive, making vitrification challenging.
• Species-Specific Protocols: Each coral species requires different freezing and revival parameters.
• Low Survival Rates: Not all thawed larvae survive or successfully recolonise reefs.
• Infrastructure and Cost: Requires specialised labs, liquid nitrogen systems, and expert training, limiting scalability in developing nations.

 

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IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025

Source: DTE

Context: India will unveil its first-ever Red List of Endangered Species at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

About IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025:

What it is?

• The IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) is a quadrennial (every 4 year) global summit organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• It brings together governments, civil society, scientists, indigenous groups, and private sector leaders to decide global priorities for nature conservation, climate action, and sustainable development.
• It is regarded as the world’s largest and most influential conservation policy forum.

Host Country: United Arab Emirates

History:

• The first IUCN Congress was held in 1948, soon after IUCN’s founding.
• India has been an IUCN State Member since 1969.
• The previous Congress took place in Marseille, France (2021) — focusing on post-COVID recovery, biodiversity loss, and the climate emergency.

Themes of IUCN Congress 2025:

The Abu Dhabi Congress will focus on five transformative themes to drive the global conservation roadmap:

1. Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action – Expanding effective ecosystem restoration and species protection efforts.
2. Reducing Climate Overshoot Risks – Accelerating climate mitigation to prevent irreversible ecological tipping points.
3. Delivering on Equity – Ensuring inclusive, just, and community-driven conservation.
4. Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies and Societies – Promoting sustainable production, circular economy, and green finance.
5. Disruptive Innovation and Leadership for Conservation – Harnessing technology, AI, and youth leadership for conservation breakthroughs.

Participants:

• Over 9,000 global delegates including heads of state, scientists, policy experts, and business leaders.
• Representation from major multilateral organisations such as CBD, UNFCCC, Ramsar Convention, and UNEP.

Key Features:

• Global Voting Forum: IUCN’s 1,400+ member organisations vote on resolutions guiding global conservation policy.
• Marketplace for Innovation: A platform for research, technology, and nature-based solutions exchange.
• Networking Hub: Connects scientists, NGOs, policymakers, and corporations for joint conservation action.
• Public Outreach: Engages the wider public through exhibitions, film screenings, and educational events.
• Outcome Document: Adoption of a Global Conservation Declaration guiding 2030 biodiversity targets.

 

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Exercise in News

Source: PIB

Context: The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are conducting two major maritime exercises — NATPOLREX-X (2025) off Chennai and Exercise Konkan-25 off the western coast — to strengthen India’s preparedness.

About Exercise in News:

NATPOLREX-X 2025

• Host & Organiser: Conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) from October 5–6, 2025, off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• Participants: Central ministries, coastal state governments, major ports, oil-handling agencies, maritime organisations, and over 40 foreign observers from 32 countries.
• Aim: To assess and enhance India’s national capability to respond to marine oil spills and test inter-agency coordination under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP).
• Features:
  • Deployment of ships and aircraft equipped with pollution-control technology.
  • Demonstration of India’s multi-tiered pollution response strategy.
  • Focus on sustainable maritime practices and environmental protection.

Exercise KONKAN-25:

• Host & Nations Involved: A bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy (United Kingdom), conducted from October 5–12, 2025, off India’s western coast.
• Aim: To improve interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and joint operational readiness between the two navies.
• Features:
  • Two phases — harbour and sea phase — including professional exchanges, joint working groups, and complex maritime drills.
  • Focus areas: anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, flying operations, and seamanship evolutions.
  • Assets: Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and UK’s HMS Prince of Wales (UK Carrier Strike Group 25), along with assets from Norway and Japan.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 6 October 2025 Mapping:

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Namchik Namphuk Coal Block

Source: LM

Context: Arunachal Pradesh launched its first commercial coal mine at the Namchik-Namphuk coal block in Changlang district.

About Namchik-Namphuk Coal Block:

• What it is?
  • The Namchik-Namphuk coal block is Arunachal Pradesh’s first commercial coal mining project and part of India’s broader push to develop domestic energy resources under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Location: Situated in Changlang district, southeastern Arunachal Pradesh, within the Upper Assam coal belt region.
• Reserves: Holds an estimated 1.5 crore tonnes of coal reserves, sufficient for long-term production.
• Features:
  • Expected to generate ₹100 crore annual revenue for the state.
  • Will create local employment opportunities and curb illegal mining.
  • Emphasises eco-sensitive mining under “Mission Green Coal Regions,” ensuring land reclamation and afforestation.
  • Supports PM EAST vision — Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform — for balanced Northeast development.

About Commercial Coal Mining in India:

• What it is?
  • Commercial coal mining allows private players to mine coal for open market sale, ending the monopoly of Coal India Ltd. (CIL).
• Origin:
  • Concept introduced under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and operationalised in 2020 under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat reforms.
  • Aimed at increasing competition, efficiency, and self-reliance in the coal sector.
• Law Governing:
  • Governed by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, and related environmental and land laws.
  • Auction process is regulated by the Ministry of Coal, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Objectives:
  • Boost domestic coal production and reduce imports.
  • Encourage private investment, technology adoption, and environmental stewardship.
  • Ensure sustainable mining practices with community participation and rehabilitation.

 

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