UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 25 October 2025

Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme

October 25, 2025

Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme Latest News

Recently, the World Trade Organization credits India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme for boosting exports from the poorest nation.

About Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme

It was initiated in 2008 and offers Least Developed Countries (LDCs) preferential access to the Indian market.
The DFTP scheme aims to boost LDCs' economic growth, diversify exports, and strengthen trade relations.
Objective: The objective of the scheme for LDCs is grant of tariff preferences on the exports of the Least Developed Countries on imports to India.

Key Features of India’s DFTP Scheme

Duty-Free Access to Indian Market: Under the DFTP scheme, products from LDCs are eligible for duty-free access to the Indian market.
Eligible Countries: It is available to all LDCs recognized by the United Nations. India offers this preferential access to around 48 countries classified as LDCs, including countries in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
Eligible Products: A wide range of products from LDCs can benefit from the DFTP scheme. These include:
- Agricultural products: Fruits, vegetables, spices, and grains.
- Textiles and garments: Clothing, fabrics, and textiles made in LDCs.
- Handicrafts and traditional goods: Handwoven textiles, jewelry, and locally produced crafts.
- Leather goods: Leather garments, bags, and accessories.
- Minerals and metals: Products like gold, diamonds, and other raw materials.

Source: LM

Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme FAQs

Q1: When was the DFTP Scheme introduced by India?

Ans: 2008

Q2: What is the primary objective of the Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme?

Ans: To provide duty-free access to products from Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Kopi Luwak

October 25, 2025

Kopi Luwak Latest News

A recent study revealed that civet-processed Robusta coffee, known as Kopi Luwak, differs significantly from naturally harvested Robusta beans in its fatty acid composition and total fat content, providing new scientific insight into the unique aroma and flavour that make it famous.

About Kopi Luwak

Kopi Luwak, also known as Civet Coffee, is one of the world’s most expensive and exclusive coffees.
It’s made from beans that have been partially digested and excreted by the Asian Palm Civet.
After the civet eats ripe coffee cherries, the beans are excreted, collected, washed, dried, and then roasted to produce coffee with a unique, smooth, and silky texture.
- The beans’ fermentation process results in a coffee with distinctive flavor notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, accompanied by low acidity.
- The distinct flavour may derive from the animal’s gut and digestive fluids.
- Gastric juices and enzymes from the civet’s stomach increase the level of citric acid in the beans, resulting in a coffee with a lemony tanginess and a more delicate aroma.
This rare coffee is highly sought after and is considered a luxury item.
However, the production of Kopi Luwak has sparked ethical concerns.
Civets are sometimes kept in small cages and are force-fed coffee cherries, leading to calls for more ethical and sustainable production methods.
Despite these concerns, Kopi Luwak remains a highly prized delicacy, and can cost more than US$1,300 per kilogram.

Key Facts about Asian Palm Civet

The Asian Palm Civet, also known as the Toddy Cat or Common Palm Civet, is a small, nocturnal mammal that is found throughout South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
It is a member of the Viverridae family, which also includes other civet and mongoose species.
Scientific Name: Paradoxurus hermaphroditus.
Features:
- It has a long, slender body, short legs, and a pointed snout.
- It weighs between 2 to 5 kg and measures around 53 to 71 cm in length, including the tail.
- Its fur is brownish-gray with black spots, and it has a white mask-like marking around its eyes.
- It is a nocturnal animal and feeds on a variety of prey, including insects, small mammals, and fruits.
- They are also known for their strong sense of smell and excellent climbing skills, allowing them to easily climb trees and forage for food.
- They are not very social animals.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Source: TH

Kopi Luwak FAQs

Q1: What is Kopi Luwak commonly known as?

Ans: Civet Coffee

Q2: Kopi Luwak is made from coffee beans that have been partially digested and excreted by which animal?

Ans: Asian Palm Civet

Q3: Which ethical issue is most commonly associated with Kopi Luwak production?

Ans: Captive civets being force-fed coffee cherries in poor conditions.

Q4: What is the approximate market price of Kopi Luwak coffee?

Ans: More than US$1,300 per kilogram.

Q5: What gives Kopi Luwak its smooth and silky texture?

Ans: Natural fermentation during digestion.

Project Arunank

October 25, 2025

Project Arunank Latest News

Recently, the Project Arunank of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) marked its 18th Raising Day.

About Project Arunank

It has been implemented since 2008 by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in Arunachal Pradesh.
The name of the Project has been conceived from the name of the State of Arunachal Pradesh.
Objective: To provide vital connectivity to remote valleys & forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh while meeting the operational requirements of the Armed Forces.
It has adopted innovative and sustainable technologies such as Steel Slag, Cut-and-Cover Tunnels, Geo Cells, Plastic Sheets, GGBFS Concrete and Gabion Walls, enhancing the durability and environmental sustainability of road infrastructure in the region.
Achievements of Project Arunank
- It has completed the 278 km Hapoli-Sarli-Huri Road, blacktopped for the first time since Independence, connecting one of the remotest regions of Kurung Kumey district.
- It played a critical role in developing communication systems for socio-economic and strategic growth in the region.

Key Facts about Border Roads Organization

It is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to the Indian Armed Forces.
It works under the Ministry of Defence.
Establishment: It was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India’s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.
It develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.

Source: DD News

Project Arunank FAQs

Q1: What is Project Arunank?

Ans: A project under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to develop critical infrastructure

Q2: Which organization is responsible for executing Project Arunank?

Ans: Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

Network Survey Vehicle

October 25, 2025

Network Survey Vehicle Latest News

Recently, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that it will deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) in 23 states.

About Network Survey Vehicle

It is a specialized infrastructure management tool comprising vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and data acquisition systems.
These vehicles systematically collect data on road inventory and condition of National Highways.

Working of Network Survey Vehicle

It is usually a specialised van or SUV equipped with multiple sensors and instruments.
It consists of Laser, Global Positioning System (GPS), Video image processing tools, High-resolution cameras, Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), and DMI (Distance Measuring Indicator).
The survey will capture 13 types of defects, including crack measurement, ravelling, patch area, potholes, edge break, roughness, rutting, lane marking, etc.
It will also cover details like carriageway type, road type, pavement and shoulder width, topography, median details, right of way, utilities, land use, etc.
The data will be collected for all projects involving 2/4/6 and 8 lanes with NSV before the start of work and thereafter at regular intervals of six months.
Data collected through NSV survey will be uploaded on NHAI’s ‘AI’ based portal Data Lake, where it will be analysed to transform data into knowledge and subsequent actionable insights.

Source: IE

Network Survey Vehicle FAQs

Q1: What is a Network Survey Vehicle (NSV)?

Ans: A vehicle equipped with advanced technology to collect road data

Q2: What is the primary purpose of a Network Survey Vehicle?

Ans: To collect data on road conditions, infrastructure, and assets.

Mahe- Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

October 25, 2025

Mahe- Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Latest News

Recently, the Mahe -Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) was delivered to the Indian Navy.

About Mahe- Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

It is the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC).
Built by: It was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Kochi.
It was named after the historic port town in the Union Territory of Puducherry, symbolises India's rich maritime heritage.
The warship has been designed and constructed as per the classification rules of Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

Features of Mahe Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

Capacity: It has a displacement of around 1,100 tons.
It carries torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets, and sophisticated radar and sonar systems that allow it to detect underwater threats with precision.
The ship can also perform underwater surveillance, lay naval mines if required, and take part in smaller-scale coastal operations known as Low Intensity Maritime Operations.
Significance: It will significantly augment the Indian Navy's ASW capability, enhancing maritime security in the littorals.

Source: PIB

Mahe- Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft FAQs

Q1: What is the primary purpose of Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts?

Ans: To undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters

Q2: What is the maximum speed of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts?

Ans: 25 knots

Leachate

October 25, 2025

Leachate Latest News

Environmentalists, wildlife activists, and locals recently sought immediate intervention by the Union Environment Ministry into the recurring illegal discharge of highly toxic, untreated leachate into the Aravalis.

About Leachate

Leachate is a highly toxic and contaminated liquid usually generated from municipal landfills.
This toxic liquid accumulates at the bottom of the landfill.
Landfill leachate water forms through waste decomposition, water infiltration, and chemical reactions within a landfill.
The composition of leachate varies depending on the type of waste in the landfill, the landfill’s age, and environmental conditions such as rainfall and temperature.
In general, leachate generally contains a mix of organic pollutants, inorganic compounds, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants.
The chemical composition of leachate makes it dangerous; It can contaminate the environment and pose serious health risks if not properly managed.
Leachate management is critical to landfill operations due to its potential to spread pollution and contaminate virgin groundwater sources.
Strict environmental regulations mandate proper leachate collection and disposal to prevent environmental degradation.

Source: TH

Leachate FAQs

Q1: What is leachate?

Ans: A highly toxic liquid generated from municipal landfills

Q2: Where does leachate typically accumulate in a landfill?

Ans: At the bottom of the landfill.

Q3: Why is leachate considered dangerous to the environment?

Ans: It can contaminate groundwater and pose health risks.

International Convention against Doping in Sport

October 25, 2025

International Convention against Doping in Sport Latest News

India has been re-elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau for the Asia-Pacific (Group IV) at the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP10) to the International Convention against Doping in Sport.

About International Convention against Doping in Sport

It is a multilateral treaty by which States agree to adopt national and international measures to prevent and eliminate doping in sport.
The Convention was adopted during the 33rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference (19 October 2005) and entered into force on 1 February 2007.
Members: It consists of 192 States Parties, making it UNESCO’s second most ratified treaty.
Aim: The Convention aims to harmonize anti-doping legislation, guidelines, regulations, and rules internationally in order to provide a level and safe playing environment for all athletes.
Governance: The Conference of Parties (COP) is the sovereign body of the Convention, meeting in ordinary session biennially.
It has overall responsibility for its implementation and evolution.

Features of International Convention against Doping in Sport

The convention allows governments to formally recognize the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Code.
It works under a positive implementation approach, providing guidance, financial support, skill-training and capacity-building to empower States Parties aiming to enhance their implementation of the Convention.
It also provides a global forum for public and private stakeholders of the sport integrity ecosystem.
Funding mechanism: Anti-Doping Fund was formed to create awareness about doping.

Source: PIB

International Convention against Doping in Sport FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of the International Convention against Doping in Sport?

Ans: To eliminate doping in sport.

Q2: Which organization is responsible for promoting the International Convention against Doping in Sport?

Ans: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Pseudorhombus bahudaensis

October 25, 2025

Pseudorhombus bahudaensis Latest News

A team of researchers from the Estuarine Biology Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India recently discovered a new fish species named Pseudorhombus bahudaensis in the Bahuda estuary in Odisha.

About Pseudorhombus bahudaensis

It is a new species of flounder fish.
It was discovered in the Bahuda estuary in Odisha.
It bears close resemblance to Pseudorhombus arsius, commonly known as the Gangetic largetooth flounder.
Scientists believe the species may be widespread across the Indo-Pacific region.

What is a Flounder?

Flounder is not a specific fish but rather a group of fish, specifically flatfish, that encompass different species and different families, though they all belong to the order Pleuronectiformes.
They are bottom-dwelling fish, where they lie on their wide, flat bodies and have both eyes on one side of their heads (either the left or right, depending on the species).
Flounder are a migratory species, mainly living in inshore water to a depth of around 50 m, and can move between saltwater and freshwater environments.

Source: NIE

Pseudorhombus bahudaensis FAQs

Q1: What is Pseudorhombus bahudaensis, recently discovered?

Ans: It is a new species of flounder fish.

Q2: Pseudorhombus bahudaensis was discovered in which location?

Ans: It was discovered in the Bahuda estuary in Odisha.

Q3: Pseudorhombus bahudaensis closely resembles which of the following species?

Ans: It bears close resemblance to Pseudorhombus arsius, commonly known as the Gangetic largetooth flounder.

Q4: What is a Flounder?

Ans: Flounder is not a specific fish but rather a group of fish, specifically flatfish.

Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM)

October 25, 2025

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Latest News

India recently issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a large-scale tri-services military exercise, “Ex Trishul,” to be conducted along the Pakistan border.

About Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

Notice to Airmen, also known as Notice to Air Mission, is a notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure, or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
In short, a NOTAM is a notification from an official body alerting airspace users to hazards along their route, both in the air and on the ground.
NOTAMs update pilots about changes in airspace, airports, and equipment that affect aircraft operations.
NOTAMs are issued by national aviation authorities for a number of reasons, such as:
- Hazards such as air-shows, parachute jumps, and glider or micro-light flying;
- Flights by important people such as heads of state;
- Closed runways, taxiways, etc;
- Unserviceable radio navigational aids;
- Military exercises with resulting airspace restrictions;
- Unserviceable lights on tall obstructions;
- Temporary erection of obstacles near airfields (e.g. cranes).
For reasons of conciseness and precision, NOTAMs are encoded, although the code is usually sufficiently self-evident to allow the user to identify a hazard.
NOTAMs are communicated by the issuing agency using the fastest available means to all addressees for whom the information is assessed as being of direct operational significance, and who would not otherwise have at least seven days’ prior notification.
NOTAMs are typically accessible through online platforms, electronic flight planning tools, and aviation weather services, allowing pilots to conveniently access up-to-date information and make informed decisions regarding their flight activities.
Pilots who do not review NOTAMs before flight put themselves (and others) in danger.

Source: MC

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FAQs

Q1: What does the acronym NOTAM stand for?

Ans: Notice to Airmen or Notice to Air Mission

Q2: What is the primary purpose of a NOTAM?

Ans: To alert airspace users about hazards and operational changes.

Q3: Who issues NOTAMs?

Ans: National aviation authorities

Q4: Why are NOTAMs encoded?

Ans: For reasons of conciseness and precision, NOTAMs are encoded.

National Unity Day

October 25, 2025

National Unity Day Latest News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations of National Unity Day at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Narmada Valley on October 31.

About National Unity Day

National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, is observed on October 31st every year.
This significant day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a pivotal figure in India's struggle for independence and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
It was introduced by the Government of India in 2014.
Renowned for his exceptional leadership and unyielding commitment to national integration, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is fondly remembered as the "Iron Man of India."
National Unity Day serves as a reminder of his efforts to unite the diverse princely states into a single nation and fosters a spirit of solidarity among the people of India.
This year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel.
One of the key highlights of the day is the Run for Unity, a nationwide marathon held to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of a united India.

Key Facts about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

He was born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat.
A successful lawyer by profession, his life encountered a turning point when Mahatma Gandhi chose him as his deputy commander to lead the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918.
Patel led the Satyagraha movement in Nagpur in 1923 against the British law of banning the hoisting of the Indian flag.
In 1924, he was elected President of the Ahmedabad Municipal Board.
- Taking charge, he revamped the drainage, sanitation, cleanliness, and water distribution systems of Ahmedabad.
He became increasingly involved with the struggle for independence.
It was his role in the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 that elevated him to a new pinnacle of national glory. It was here that he earned the title of ‘Sardar’.
At the time of Independence, India consisted of 17 British Indian provinces, and the Princely States-comprising about two-fifths of the geographic territory of the country-numbered more than 560.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel stepped in to ensure the accession of the princely states and integrate them into the Union of India.
He was appointed as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India from 1947 to 1950. He also took charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Source: ET

National Unity Day FAQs

Q1: When is National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) observed in India?

Ans: October 31

Q2: National Unity Day commemorates the birth anniversary of which prominent Indian leader?

Ans: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Q3: In which year was National Unity Day first introduced by the Government of India?

Ans: It was introduced by the Government of India in 2014.

Q4: What event is commonly organized across India to mark National Unity Day?

Ans: One of the key highlights of the day is the Run for Unity, a nationwide marathon.