UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 8 October 2025

2025 Nobel Prize in Physics

Context

John Clarke, Michel Devoret and John Martinis will share the 2025 Nobel Prize in physics for their discovery of a phenomenon called quantum mechanical tunneling in an electrical circuit.

About

They showed that the process of tunneling can occur not only in subatomic particles but also in an electrical circuit made of superconductors.

Tunneling literally is the ability of particles to pass through physical walls.

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in collaboration with Gautam Buddha University (GBU), Antarrashtriya Baudh Shodh Sansthan and the Ministry of Culture celebrated International Abhidhamma Day.

Background

Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the day when Lord Buddha descended from the celestial realm, Tāvatiṃsa-devaloka, to Sankassiya (now Sankisa Basantapur) in Uttar Pradesh.

The Asokan Elephant Pillar, a historical marker at the site, marks this significant event.

According to Theravāda Buddhist texts, Lord Buddha spent three months teaching the Abhidhamma to the deities in Tāvatiṃsa, including his mother.

Europe’s Growing Role in India’s Diplomacy

Context

British PM Keir Starmer’s visit to India, new EFTA trade pact, and EU trade negotiations indicate Europe’s growing role in India’s diplomacy.

Triggers for Western Pluralism:

US Policy Shifts under Trump: “America First” nationalism questioned alliances and security commitments.

It undermined the global institutions and trade norms.

Internal Divisions within the West: The western countries have disagreements on various global issues such as Russia, China, trade, and technology.

Europe itself begins to develop its own geopolitical act rather than remain a mere extension of the US within the so-called “collective West.”

e-Governance: Digital Transformation of Governance in India

Context

The evolution of e-governance in India has reshaped governance from a top-down administrative model into a participatory, transparent, and citizen-centric ecosystem.

About e-Governance in India

It represents a paradigm shift in how the government interacts with citizens, businesses, and other arms of the state.

India has reimagined governance to be more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric by leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Evolution of Bat Wings

Context

A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution explores how bats evolved wings from the same five-digit mammalian limb structure.

Key Points

Bats are the only mammals that can fly. Their wings formed from the same five-fingered limbs found in other mammals.

Earlier, scientists thought bats kept the skin between their fingers by stopping cell death, but the study shows cell death still happens.

Researchers found special fibroblast cells in bats’ wings that help form the thin skin (called chiropatagium) used for flying.

News in Short – 8 October, 2025

Context

According to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Sri Lanka acts as a natural land barrier shielding the southeastern coast of the country from the long-period swell waves generated in the Southern Ocean.

Significance

Findings are valuable for India’s coastal zone management, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation planning under frameworks like the National Coastal Mission and Blue Economy initiatives.