UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 October 2025

 

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 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 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 October (2025)

1. The State of Social Justice 2025

GS Paper 4:

2. Passive Euthanasia in India

 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Indian Diet

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Nobel Medicine Prize 2025

2. International Stabilization Force for Gaza

3. Trade Watch Quarterly Report

4. The Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Project

5. UNESCO Elect New Chief

 Mapping:

1. Port of Pasni

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 October 2025

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GS Paper 2:

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The State of Social Justice 2025

Syllabus: Social Justice

Source:  ILO

Context: The International Labour Organization (ILO) released its landmark report The State of Social Justice: A Work in Progress (2025) ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development marking 30 years since the 1995 Copenhagen Summit.

About The State of Social Justice 2025:

Key Summary of “The State of Social Justice 2025”

• Purpose: Evaluates 30 years of global progress since the 1995 Social Development Summit and assesses ongoing deficits in justice, equality, and inclusion.
• Four Foundational Pillars:
  1. Fundamental human rights and capabilities — ensuring freedoms, equality, and social protection.
  2. Equal access to opportunities — removing barriers to education, employment, and fair wages.
  3. Fair distribution — equitable sharing of economic growth benefits.
  4. Fair transitions — managing environmental, digital, and demographic changes inclusively.
• Global Progress:

• • Extreme poverty fell from 39% (1995) to 10% (2025).
  • Child labour (5–14 years) declined from 250 million to 106 million.
  • Working poverty dropped from 28% to 7%.
  • Over 50% of the global population now covered by some form of social protection.

• Persistent Inequalities:

• • Top 1% control 20% of global income and 38% of wealth.
  • Gender wage gap: Women earn 78% of men’s wages; at current pace, it will take 50–100 years to close.
  • 55% of income inequality determined by country of birth, showing global location bias.

• Erosion of Trust: Confidence in governments, unions, and businesses has declined since 1982 due to perceptions of unfair reward systems and widening inequality.

Trends and Progress in India:

• Poverty Reduction: Multidimensional poverty in India fell from 29% (2013–14) to 11% (2022–23), aligning with ILO’s global progress theme.
• Education Gains: Secondary completion rate reached 79% (2024); female literacy at 77%—reflecting major strides in human capability building.
• Social Protection: Schemes such as PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, and e-Shram have expanded inclusion, covering over 55 crore unorganised workers.
• Labour Market: Despite reforms, informality persists—over 80% of India’s workforce remains outside formal contracts, reflecting the global trend of limited improvement in job quality.
• Gender Gaps: Female labour participation stands at 37% (PLFS 2024–25), still below the global average, mirroring ILO’s findings on structural inequality.

Improvements So Far:

• Human Development: Increase in literacy, skill training (PMKVY, Skill India), and access to healthcare.
• Child Labour Reduction: Strengthened monitoring through NCLP and education incentives.
• Social Security: Growth in pension and maternity schemes under the Social Security Code, 2020.
• Digital Empowerment: Initiatives like Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile (JAM) have reduced leakages and enhanced equity in resource delivery.

Challenges Identified by ILO:

• Stalled Inequality Reduction: The wealth gap has widened; redistribution remains weak.
• Informal Economy: 58% of global workers are informal, with limited access to labour rights and protection.
• Gender and Birth Inequality: 71% of income outcomes depend on birth circumstances; gender gap remains static.
• Declining Trust in Institutions: Public disillusionment with fairness and accountability threatens democracy.
• Transition Risks: Digital divide, climate job losses, and ageing populations may deepen inequality

ILO Recommendations:

1. Embed Social Justice in All Policies: Integrate equity considerations in finance, trade, climate, and health governance.
2. Rebuild Trust in Institutions: Strengthen transparency, accountability, and inclusive dialogue.
3. Invest in People: Expand access to education, skills, and lifelong learning to close digital and gender gaps.
4. Strengthen Social Protection: Universal coverage, portable benefits, and fair minimum wages.
5. Promote Fair Transitions: Ensure climate and digital transitions create decent work and protect displaced workers.
6. Global Cooperation: Reinforce multilateralism to address global inequality and migration fairly.

Conclusion:

The ILO’s State of Social Justice 2025 underscores a paradox — while humanity is richer and more educated than ever, inequality and mistrust erode the gains. For India and the world, the way forward lies in embedding fairness in all transitions, ensuring that growth translates into shared dignity, inclusion, and institutional trust — the true pillars of social justice.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 October 2025 GS Paper 4:

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Passive Euthanasia in India

Syllabus: Applied Ethics

Source:  TH

Context: The recent debate in the U.K. over the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2025 has reignited global reflection on the ethics of dying.

• For India, the task is not to legalise active euthanasia but to reform the existing framework so that it becomes humane, transparent, and truly accessible.

About Passive Euthanasia in India:

What it is?

• Definition: Passive euthanasia is the withdrawal or withholding of life-support or medical treatment when a terminally ill patient has no realistic chance of recovery, allowing death to occur naturally.
• Purpose: Aims to protect the right to die with dignity and prevent prolonged, futile suffering for patients in irreversible conditions.

Legal Status and Key Judgments:

• Early position: Until 2011, euthanasia was not legally permitted; attempt to suicide was criminalised under Section 309, IPC.
• Aruna Shanbaug v. Union of India (2011):
  • Recognised passive euthanasia under judicial supervision.
  • Allowed withdrawal of life support in exceptional cases with High Court approval.
  • Drew distinction between active (illegal) and passive (conditionally legal) euthanasia.
  • Emphasised that life without dignity is not constitutionally protected.
• Common Cause v. Union of India (2018):
  • Expanded the right to include advance medical directives (living wills).
  • Held that the Right to Die with Dignity is an inseparable part of Article 21 – Right to Life.
  • Laid down detailed procedural guidelines for authorising passive euthanasia.

Existing Procedure (as per Supreme Court guidelines, 2018 – modified 2023)

1. Advance Directive (Living Will):
   • Any adult of sound mind can record a living will, specifying circumstances for withdrawal of life support.
   • Must be signed before two witnesses and attested by a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC).
2. Medical Board Approval:
   • The treating hospital must constitute a primary medical board of three senior doctors to certify the patient’s condition as irreversible.
   • Their decision is reviewed by a secondary board constituted by the district’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
3. Magisterial Oversight:
   • The JMFC verifies the authenticity of the living will and medical opinions before allowing withdrawal of life support.
4. In Absence of Living Will:
   • Family members, next of kin, or doctors can approach the court for permission under the same two-tier medical scrutiny.
5. Recent Simplification (SC Order, Jan 2023):
   • Removed the need for district collector approval.
   • Empowered hospital-level ethics committees to authorise decisions more quickly.
   • Retained double medical-board review to prevent misuse.

Why the Current System Fails?

• Bureaucratic delay: Multi-tier clearance defeats the purpose of timely relief to terminally ill patients.
• Lack of awareness: Citizens and many doctors remain unaware of legal procedures for end-of-life decisions.
• Ethical pressure: Families struggle between moral guilt and financial constraints, making formal consent rare.
• Unequal healthcare: Fragmented public health and absence of institutional ethics committees hinder fair application.
• Legal vacuum: Doctors hesitate to act, fearing prosecution under IPC Section 309 or medical negligence laws.

Ethical and Constitutional Imperatives

• Article 21 interpretation: The right to life includes freedom from prolonged, undignified suffering.
• Ethical balance: Passive euthanasia aligns with autonomy (self-determination) and non-maleficence (avoiding harm).
• Judicial caution: Courts draw a moral line between allowing death and causing death, ensuring ethical restraint.
• Cultural resonance: Indian philosophy accepts death as a natural stage of existence, advocating conscious acceptance rather than denial.
• Administrative duty: The State’s role under Article 47 demands accessible palliative and end-of-life care as part of public health.

Comparative Perspective and Indian Adaptation

• Global lessons: The U.K. and Netherlands models rely on robust healthcare and strict oversight, difficult to replicate in India.
• Indian approach: Prioritise procedural simplicity, ethical clarity, and institutional capacity before expanding legal scope.
• Balanced model: Combine compassion with caution—making the existing right operational rather than introducing active euthanasia.

Reforming the Framework

• Digital Advance Directives

• • Launch a National Euthanasia Portal linked with Aadhaar to register and authenticate living wills.
  • Enable patients to file, modify, or withdraw directives online with doctor certification for mental competence.
  • Reduce dependence on paperwork and judicial verification.

• Hospital-Level Ethics Committees

• • Establish committees including senior physicians, palliative experts, and an independent member.
  • Authorise withdrawal of life support within 48 hours, ensuring prompt yet accountable decisions.
  • Decentralises authority and reduces court burden.

• Transparent Oversight

• • Replace a single ombudsman with state-level health commissioners or digital dashboards for monitoring.
  • Periodic random audits and public reporting promote trust and transparency.

• Mandatory Safeguards

• • Impose a 7-day cooling-off period with mandatory counselling for family and patient.
  • Review by palliative-care specialists ensures decisions are informed, not coerced.
  • Protects elderly and vulnerable citizens from financial or emotional pressure.

• Capacity Building & Awareness

• • Introduce end-of-life ethics modules in medical and nursing curricula.
  • Run public awareness drives explaining living wills and palliative options.
  • Encourage community dialogue through local health missions and NGOs.

Conclusion:

India’s progress on euthanasia must balance legality with humanity. The aim is not to legalise death but to humanise dying—where the law upholds compassion, autonomy, and dignity. By embracing digital tools, hospital-level ethics, and public awareness, India can transform passive euthanasia from a theoretical right into a humane, workable reality consistent with its moral and constitutional ethos.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 October 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

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Indian Diet

Context: A new ICMR–INDIAB national study (2025) has revealed that Indian diets are dominated by low-quality carbohydrates, high saturated fats, and inadequate protein, driving the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

About Indian Diet:

• Composition of the Indian Diet:

• • The average Indian derives 65–75% of daily calories from carbohydrates, 9–11% from protein, and 14–23% from fats, making it one of the most carbohydrate-heavy diets globally.

• Emerging Trends:

• • The shift from traditional, balanced diets to processed, calorie-dense foods mirrors India’s rapid urbanisation and income growth.
  • Rice and wheat have a similar metabolic impact on obesity and diabetes risk.
  • A 5% carbohydrate reduction, replaced with protein, can significantly cut metabolic disease risk.

• Implications for Health:

• • India faces a dual burden — malnutrition at one end and over-nutrition-driven NCDs at the other.
  • NCD prevalence: Type 2 Diabetes (11.4%), Prediabetes (15.3%), Obesity (28.6%), Abdominal Obesity (39.5%).
  • 68% of all deaths (6.3 million annually) are attributed to NCDs.
  • Projected economic loss by 2060: $839 billion (≈2.5% of India’s GDP).

Relevance in UPSC Exam:

• GS Paper II – Health & Social Justice: Highlights nutrition-related health challenges, preventive healthcare, and policy gaps under National Health Policy 2017 and Poshan 2.0.
• GS Paper III – Economy & Development: Links poor diet to rising NCD burden, productivity loss, and healthcare costs — key for questions on human capital and sustainable development.
• GS Paper IV – Ethics: Raises issues of lifestyle responsibility, public health equity, and ethical governance in food policy.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 October 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

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Nobel Medicine Prize 2025

Source:  HT

Context: The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Frederick J. Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance.

About Nobel Medicine Prize 2025:

What it is?

• The world’s top biomedical award, conferred by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute; prize money ~SEK 11 million and a gold medal.

Winners:

• Shimon Sakaguchi (Osaka University, Japan)
• Mary E. Brunkow (Institute for Systems Biology, USA)
• Frederick J. Ramsdell (Sonoma Biotherapeutics, USA)

Their Work:

• Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) and Peripheral Tolerance

• • In 1995, Shimon Sakaguchi discovered a special kind of immune cell — regulatory T cells, or Tregs — that act like police officers of the immune system.
  • These cells stop other immune cells from attacking the body’s own healthy tissues. When the thymus (an immune organ) was removed in baby mice, they developed autoimmune diseases, but when normal T cells were added back, they became healthy again — proving such “policing” cells exist.

• FOXP3 — The Master Control Gene of Tregs

• • Scientists Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell studied “scurfy” mice that developed severe autoimmune diseases and found a single faulty gene called FOXP3 caused it.
  • This gene acts like a switch — turning normal T cells into regulatory ones. Without FOXP3, Tregs can’t form, and the body starts attacking itself, leading to autoimmune disorders like IPEX syndrome in humans.

• Peripheral Immune Tolerance

• • The immune system has two levels of control: “central tolerance” (inside the thymus, where bad cells are removed) and “peripheral tolerance” (in the rest of the body).
  • Tregs are key to peripheral tolerance — they constantly guard tissues, prevent unnecessary inflammation, and stop the immune system from going out of control.

Scientific Significance:

• Cancer therapy: Many tumors recruit Tregs to shield themselves. Strategies that deplete or disable Tregs in the tumor microenvironment can boost anti-tumor immunity and improve checkpoint inhibitors or CAR-T outcomes.
• Autoimmune diseases: Expanding or engineering Tregs (e.g., FOXP3+ Treg cell therapies) offers targeted ways to calm pathogenic immunity in conditions like type 1 diabetes, IBD, MS, and lupus.
• Transplantation & tolerance: Treg-based approaches may reduce long-term immunosuppression, lowering infection and toxicity risks after organ or cell transplants.
• Diagnostics & biomarkers: FOXP3 and Treg signatures aid disease stratification, response prediction, and trial design.
• Balanced risk awareness: Inhibiting Tregs can unmask autoimmunity; boosting Tregs may increase risks of infection or tumor escape—guiding safer, precision dosing and monitoring.

 

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International Stabilization Force for Gaza

Source:  IE

Context: The International Stabilization Force for Gaza (ISF) was proposed under U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict (2025).

About International Stabilization Force for Gaza:

What it is?

• The ISF is a proposed multinational security force intended to maintain stability and oversee security transition in post-war Gaza.
• It will function as the temporary internal security component of a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian transitional committee” under U.S. oversight.

Control: The ISF will be controlled and overseen by the United States, under the direct supervision of the “Board of Peace” chaired by U.S. President.

Aim:

• To demilitarize Gaza, prevent the re-emergence of Hamas or armed militias, and create conditions for a transitional Palestinian governance framework.
• To enable phased Israeli military withdrawal from designated “terror-free” areas of Gaza.

Functions:

1. Security Oversight: Maintain law and order in areas vacated by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
2. Disarmament: Oversee the confiscation and destruction of Hamas weaponry and block arms smuggling routes.
3. Training Local Forces: Build and train a reformed Palestinian police force to handle future internal security.
4. Monitoring Compliance: Set and verify milestones and timelines for demilitarization and withdrawal.
5. Coordination Role: Work under a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump, involving Arab and international partners, but not under the UN mandate.

Significance:

• Peacekeeping Innovation: Represents the first non-UN multinational stabilisation model for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance.
• Regional Balance: Aims to involve Arab partners while keeping U.S. strategic oversight intact.
• Conflict De-escalation: Seeks to break the cycle of violence through structured demilitarization and power transition.

 

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Trade Watch Quarterly Report

Source:  PIB

Context: NITI Aayog released the fourth edition of its “Trade Watch Quarterly” report for Q4 of FY 2024–25 in New Delhi.

About Trade Watch Quarterly Report:

What it is?

• A flagship analytical publication by NITI Aayog that tracks India’s quarterly trade performance, covering both merchandise and services sectors.

Published by: NITI Aayog

Aim:

• To provide evidence-based insights on trade patterns, export competitiveness, and sectoral challenges.
• To guide policy interventions for strengthening India’s manufacturing base, boosting exports, and enhancing participation in global value chains (GVCs).

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Trade Analysis: Covers trends in merchandise, services, and regional trade; identifies key drivers and bottlenecks.
• Data-Driven Insights: Provides region-wise and product-wise trade breakdowns to support policy planning and trade negotiations.

Recent Trade Trends (FY25):

• Total Trade: $1.73 trillion (+6% YoY) — Exports: $823 billion, Imports: $908 billion.
• Services Exports: Reached a record $387.5 billion, led by IT, aviation, and financial services.
• Regional Trends:
  • North America emerged as India’s top export market, accounting for 25% of exports (+25% YoY).
  • EU, GCC, and ASEAN markets showed slower growth.
• Import Shifts:
  • UAE overtook Russia as 2nd-largest supplier, mainly due to gold inflows under CEPA.
  • Imports from China surged on higher demand for electronics and machinery.

 

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The Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Project

Source:  HT

Context: During Wildlife Week 2025 celebrations at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, Union Environment Minister launched five major conservation projects and four national-level wildlife monitoring programmes.

About The Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Project:

What it is?

• The Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) is a new national-level initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• The project will be implemented over 2025–28, with a total outlay of ₹88.7 crore, coordinated centrally by NTCA and executed through state forest departments.

Aim:

• To reduce human–tiger conflicts in non-reserve landscapes by ensuring safe coexistence between people and dispersing tigers.
• To protect tigers that move beyond reserve boundaries due to habitat fragmentation, growing populations, and shrinking corridors.
• To foster a landscape-level conservation approach, balancing ecological sustainability with human safety and livelihoods.

Key Features of the Project:

• Geographical Coverage:

• Encompasses 80 forest divisions in 17 tiger-range states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Focuses on buffer and corridor areas adjoining high-density tiger reserves.

• Scientific Monitoring & Technology Use: Deployment of AI-based early warning systems, camera traps, GPS-enabled patrolling, and data analytics for wildlife tracking.
• Community & Youth Involvement: Formation of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) with local youth, equipped with rescue tools, tranquilization gear, and vehicles.

• Launch of “Bagh Mitra” (Tiger Friends) outreach programmes and jungle camps for students to promote coexistence.

• Institutional Mechanism:

• NTCA will oversee project implementation.
• Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWLWs) and State CAMPA authorities will manage funds and execution at the ground level.

About Other Conservation Projects Launched:

1. Project Dolphin (Phase II): Conservation of river and marine cetaceans, including the endangered Ganga River Dolphin and Indus Dolphin.
2. Project Sloth Bear:
   • Establishing the first-ever national conservation framework for sloth bears, which face habitat loss and poaching threats.
   • Features: Habitat protection, mitigation of bear–human conflict, rescue and rehabilitation centres, and awareness campaigns.
3. Project Gharial: Strengthening recovery of the critically endangered gharial population in river ecosystems such as the Chambal and Gandak.
4. Centre of Excellence for Human–Wildlife Conflict Management (CoE–HWC)

• Location: Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON).
• Role: Serve as a research and policy hub to develop AI-based conflict prediction models, field-based mitigation tools, and capacity-building for forest officials and communities.

 

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UNESCO Elect New Chief

Source:  DH

Context: UNESCO’s Executive Board has elected Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany, as the new Director-General of the organization for a four-year term, succeeding France’s Audrey Azoulay.

About UNESCO Elect New Chief:

What It Is?

• The Director-General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is the organization’s top executive authority responsible for implementing the decisions of the General Conference and Executive Board.
• The position carries a four-year term, renewable once, and plays a key role in shaping UNESCO’s global agenda on education, culture, science, and heritage preservation.

Process of Election:

• Nomination and Voting:
  • Candidates are nominated by member states and evaluated by the 58-member Executive Board.
  • The Board conducts a secret ballot, requiring an absolute majority to select one nominee.
• Approval:
  • The selected candidate’s name is forwarded to the General Conference (194 members) for formal confirmation.
• 2025 Election Outcome:
  • Khaled El-Enany received 55 votes, defeating Édouard Firmin Matoko of Congo (2 votes).
  • The United States abstained from voting.
  • El-Enany will serve from 2025 to 2029, pending ratification.

Functions:

• Leadership and administration: Oversees UNESCO’s global operations, including World Heritage conservation, education initiatives, and scientific cooperation.
• Policy execution: Implements decisions of the General Conference and Executive Board.
• Representation: Acts as the organization’s international spokesperson and engages in global diplomacy on cultural and educational issues.
• Budget management: Mobilizes funding and diversifies resources, especially crucial after the U.S. withdrawal cuts 8% of UNESCO’s budget.

Significance:

• Symbolic importance: Egypt’s leadership marks a shift toward greater African and Arab representation in UN bodies.
• Institutional revival: El-Enany faces the challenge of sustaining UNESCO’s global initiatives amid funding shortfalls and political polarization.

 

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 7 October 2025 Mapping:

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Port of Pasni

Source:  IT

Context: Pakistan has proposed allowing the United States to build and operate a commercial deep-water port at Pasni, Balochistan, aimed at exporting critical minerals like copper and rare earths.

About Port of Pasni:

What it is?

• The Port of Pasni is a small deep-water harbour in Balochistan’s Gwadar district, equipped with a fish harbour, cargo jetty, and a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) base.
• Originally designed for fisheries and coastal trade, it now figures in Pakistan’s proposal as a strategic mineral export terminal.

Location:

• Situated on the Arabian Sea, about 70 miles east of China-backed Gwadar Port and 100 miles from the Iran-Pakistan border.
• Its proximity to India’s Chabahar Port in Iran (≈300 km) places it at the heart of South Asia’s emerging geostrategic maritime triangle — Chabahar (India-Iran), Gwadar (China-Pakistan), and Pasni (US-Pakistan).

Aim of the Proposal:

• Pakistan seeks to reduce dependence on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and attract US investment through a purely commercial project.
• It aims to export critical minerals such as copper, antimony, and neodymium, essential for defence and green technologies.

Key Features:

• Proposed investment of $1.2 billion, combining Pakistani federal funding and US private finance.
• Plans include rail connectivity to the mineral-rich Reko Diq belt and advanced cargo handling infrastructure.
• Officials emphasise the project is non-military, focusing solely on economic collaboration.

Strategic and Economic Implications:

• Gives the US a potential foothold near China’s Gwadar and Iran’s Chabahar, reshaping the Arabian Sea’s security map.
• For India, it raises strategic concerns—the port’s location near Chabahar could affect maritime surveillance, logistics routes, and intelligence dynamics in the western seaboard.

 

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