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Daily Current Affairs – 29 October, 2025

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DCA 29 Oct 2025

    Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI)

    Context

  • Post-harvest losses remain a significant challenge in India, particularly for perishable commodities and there is a need for integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure.

    • Scale of Post Harvest Loss 

  • India ranks second in global agriculture production, but its share in global agricultural exports is only 2.4%, placing it eighth in the world.
  • India’s post-harvest losses amount to approximately ₹1,52,790 crore annually, according to a Ministry of Food Processing Industries 2022 study.
  • The biggest loss is from perishable commodities, which include livestock produce such as eggs, fish and meat (22%), fruits (19%) and vegetables (18%).
    • Read More

    India Unveils Major Global Solar Initiatives at ISA Assembly

    Context

  • India launched a set of flagship global initiatives to accelerate the world’s transition to clean, equitable, and circular solar energy systems at the Eighth session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 

    • Initiatives Launched

  • The SUNRISE platform: The Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling will connect governments, industries, and innovators to unlock the value embedded in solar waste.
  • By promoting recycling and upcycling, SUNRISE aims to make solar deployment truly sustainable.
  • One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG): The plan identifies priority links between East Asia-South Asia, South Asia-Middle East, Middle East-Europe, and Europe-Africa, enabling clean energy trade and greater energy resilience over the next decade.
  • Global Capability Centre (GCC): GCC is a hub-and-spoke network connecting national research and training institutions under a new Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) model.
    • Read More

    Rethinking Urban Planning in India

    Context

  • India’s urban centers need to evolve from being reactive spaces to proactive engines of growth and focus on land-use zoning, as it aspires to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047 under the vision of Viksit Bharat.

    • Need of Urban Planning in India & Strategic Role of Cities

  • Economic Growth: Cities contribute over 63% of India’s GDP and are projected to account for 75% by 2030.
  • Urban planning ensures that this growth is spatially efficient and economically inclusive.
  • Population Surge: Over 400 million people live in cities, and it is expected to increase nearly 600 million people by 2036 and 800 million people by 2050, planning is essential to manage density, infrastructure, and services.
  • Frontline of Climate Action: India’s pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2070 demands urban leadership.
    • Read More

    Union Cabinet Decides to Raise Fertilizer Subsidy 

    In News

  • The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for RABI Season 2025-26 (from 01.10.2025 to 31.03.2026) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.

    • About the proposal

  • The government is making available 28 grades of P&K fertilizers including DAP to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/importers. 
  • The subsidy on P&K fertilizers is governed by NBS Scheme w.e.f. 01.04.2010. 
  • In accordance with its farmer friendly approach, the Government is committed to ensure the availability of P&K fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices.
  • The subsidy would be provided to the fertilizer companies as per approved and notified rates.
    • Read More

    Early Warning Systems in the Himalayas

    Context

  • The Himalayan region often referred to as the Third Pole, needs robust Early Warning Systems (EWS) to tackle rising climate-induced disasters amid inadequate disaster preparedness.

    • Rising Vulnerability of the Himalayas

  • According to a report, out of 687 disasters that occurred in India between 1900 and 2022, nearly 240 were concentrated in the Himalayan belt.
  • The Himalayas are warming 0.15°C–0.60°C per decade, faster than the global average, making the region increasingly unpredictable and prone to extreme weather events.
  • NASA’s data shows that between 2007 and 2017, over 1,100 landslides occurred in the Himalayan region.
    • Read More

    Global Emission Cuts Fall Short of Paris Goals

    Context

  • The United Nations Synthesis Report has found that global emission reduction efforts are falling short of the targets set under the Paris Agreement (2015). 

    • Concerns raised by the Report 

  • The report is based on countries' updated nationally determined contributions (NDC), which are promises to cut fossil fuel emissions or plant forests (to capture carbon dioxide) until 2035.
  • The report is based on submissions from 64 out of 190 countries. India is yet to submit its updated NDC, with its last submission made in August 2022.
  • The Countries are on track to reduce emissions by only 17% of 2019 levels by 2035, far below the levels required to keep global warming within 1.5°C or even 2°C by the end of the century.
  • However, to keep global temperature rise below 2°C and 1.5°C, countries must cut emissions by 37% and 57% of 2019 levels respectively by 2035.
    • Read More

    News in Short – 29 October, 2025

    Context

  • The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister approved the Terms of Reference of 8th Central Pay Commission.

    • About

  • The 8th Central Pay Commission was announced in January, 2025.
  • The commission aimed to examine and recommend changes in the Salaries and other benefits of Central Government employees.
  • It will be a temporary body. 
  • The Commission will comprise one Chairperson Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai; One Member (Part Time) and one Member-Secretary.  
    • Read More
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