UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 1 November 2025

150 Years of Foundation of Arya Samaj

In News

The Prime Minister addressed the International Arya Mahasammelan 2025 in New Delhi, praising Arya Samaj’s 150-year legacy in social reform, education, and Vedic thought.

About Arya Samaj

Swami Dayanand Saraswati, inspired by Vedic teachings, established Arya Samaj with ten principles in 1875 in Bombay, which were finalized in Lahore in 1877.

The movement's core principles are based on the infallible authority of the Vedas, emphasizing rationality and a return to Vedic values, encapsulated in its slogan "Back to the Vedas" and motto "Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam" ("Let us ennoble the world").

Land Subsidence Threat in India’s Megacities

Context

A recent study titled “Building Damage Risk in Sinking Indian Megacities” has revealed that approximately 878 km² of land across five major Indian cities—Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru—is subsiding.

What is Land Subsidence?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Land subsidence refers to the gradual sinking, lowering, or collapse of the Earth’s surface due to the removal or loss of subsurface materials, such as soil, groundwater, or minerals.

It can occur naturally (Karst processes, tectonic activities or Soil compaction) or be induced by human activities (mining or construction activities).

Across the world, many cities are slowly sinking from tropical megacities like Jakarta in Indonesia and Manila in the Philippines, to India’s own Joshimath, which recently faced land subsidence.

India – US Sign 10 Year Roadmap for Major Defense Partnership

In News

India and the U.S. signed a landmark 10-yearroad map to guide strategic collaboration and cooperation between the two countries across the defence spectrum.

Key Features of the 10-Year Roadmap

It emphasizes joint defence production, intelligence sharing, technology co-development, and enhanced military interoperability.

Both sides committed to strengthening multilateral exercises such as Yudh Abhyas, Malabar, and Tiger Triumph, and to expanding partnerships in disaster response and counter-terrorism.

The pact encourages direct defence sales and joint development of advanced equipment like munitions, drones, and surveillance aircraft.

The agreement supports indigenous manufacturing under "Make in India, Make for the World," and aims to boost India’s defence production capabilities and military modernization.

Joint Leaders’ Declaration: APEC Summit in South Korea

Context

Recently, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit (2025), held in Gyeongju, South Korea, concluded with the adoption of APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration (2025), the APEC Artificial Intelligence Initiative, and the APEC Framework for Cooperation on Population Structure Changes.

About Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

It is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to strengthen the interdependence of economies across the Asia-Pacific region.

It uses the term ‘economies’ instead of ‘countries or nations’ to emphasize its focus on economic and trade collaboration rather than political or territorial representation.

It operates through cooperation and consensus, emphasizing voluntary participation rather than binding treaties.

All member economies have an equal voice, and decisions are made collectively through dialogue.

India will be a $30 Trillion Economy in 25 years

Context

The Minister of Commerce and Industry has said that in 20-25 years from now India will be a $30 trillion economy.

Projected Growth

Data reveals that India’s nominal GDP has registered a CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) of 11.9% since the financial year 2000.

Further, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the dollar at a CAGR of 2.7% since 2000.

So, if one presumes that India’s growth will be exactly the same and the rupee will depreciate exactly in the same manner over the coming 25 years, then India’s GDP will cross $30 trillion in 2048.

Rising Energy Demand of AI Data Centres

Context

India is exploring the use of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to meet the surging electricity demand from AI-driven and data-intensive data centres.

Rising Power Demand from Data Centres

The demand for data centres in India is being driven by the need for data storage due to India’s Digital India push, data-localisation policies, expanding internet users and the 5G rollout which is expected to enable adoption of data intensive technologies such as IoTs and AI.

Global electricity supplied to data centres is projected to rise from ~460 TWh in 2024 to over 1,000 TWh by 2030 and to about 1,300 TWh by 2035.

Power Demand by Data Centres: AI workloads use large numbers of Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) with individual racks consuming 80-150 KW compared to 15-20 KW for traditional enterprise servers.

This computational intensity drives an insatiable demand for electricity, making AI the most significant driver of increased energy consumption within the data centre sector.

Carbon Capture for Net-Zero India

Context

Ocean-based carbon capture can help India reach net-zero by 2070, turning its seas into engines of carbon removal and blue growth.

What is Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS)?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) defines CCUS as a group of technologies for capturing of CO2 from large and stationary CO2 emitting sources, such as fossil fuel based power plants and other industries.

CCUS also involves the transport of the captured CO2 to sites, either for utilization in different applications or injection into geological formations or depleted oil & gas fields for permanent storage and trapping of the CO2.

News in Short – 1 November, 2025

Context

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Museum of Royal Kingdoms of India near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.

About

Aim: To preserve the memory of the past while inspiring future generations with the timeless spirit of unity and sacrifice.

This museum, costing ₹367 crore, will have four thematic galleries.

This museum will be built on five acres of land near the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar.