UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 5 November 2025

by Vajiram & Ravi - 5 November 2025

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 5 November 2025, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

INS Savitri

November 5, 2025
INS Savitri

INS Savitri Latest News

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Savitri recently arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius as part of a Long-Range Operational Deployment to the South West Indian Ocean Region.

About INS Savitri

  • It is an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy.
  • It was built by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, and commissioned on 7 June 1990.
  • It is under the Eastern Naval Command based at Visakhapatnam.
  • The ship has wide-ranging operational roles, including aerial surveillance and in search & rescue roles. 
  • With a top speed of 15 knots (30 km/h), the ship boasts impressive features such as the 40×60 Bofors Gun and a helicopter deck capable of operating the Chetak helicopter. 
  • In the past, INS Savitri has been deployed for various expeditionary missions.  
  • It has taken part in patrols off the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Source: PIB

INS Savitri FAQs

Q1: INS Savitri is classified as which type of naval vessel?

Ans: Offshore Patrol Vessel

Q2: INS Savitri was built by which Indian shipyard?

Ans: Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai

Q3: In which year was INS Savitri commissioned into the Indian Navy?

Ans: 1990

Q4: INS Savitri operates under which Naval Command?

Ans: Eastern Naval Command

Cycad Plant

November 5, 2025
Cycad Plant

Cycad Plant Latest News

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar has initiated a research on Cycad, over concerns that the plant contains BMAA, a potential neurotoxin.

About Cycad Plant

  • It is the palmlike woody gymnospermous plants.
  • It is an ancient plant species that is believed to have coexisted with dinosaurs for over 300 million years.
  • Habitat: They occupy a variety of habitats. Some are native to wet rainforests while others are from semidesert climates; others grow in grasslands or seasonally dry forests.
  • Distribution: Tropical and subtropical latitudes in the Americas, Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, eastern India, China, Japan, southeast Asia, Oceania and Australia. 

Features of Cycad Plant

  • They are woody, long-lived, unisexual plants and their main roots thickened, fleshy and often tuberous.
  • They are distinguished by crowns of large pinnately compound leaves and by cones.
  • Cycads in general are fire-adapted, losing leaves to the blaze but soon restoring them in a growth flush.
  • Soil: They may be found growing in rich, organic soils, sand, or rock, in swampy soils or even in halophytic (salty) soils.
  • Cycads are long-lived, don’t reproduce frequently, and most populations are small, putting them at risk of extinction.
  • Threats:   Habitat conversion through agriculture or development, illegal removal of wild plants for horticultural collection, and climate change.

Source: TOI

Cycad Plant FAQs

Q1: What is the primary habitat of Cycad plants?

Ans: Tropical and subtropical regions

Q2: What is a characteristic feature of Cycad plants?

Ans: They are gymnosperms

Ramman Festival

November 5, 2025
Ramman Festival

Ramman Festival Latest News

Recently, the President of India was presented with a Ramman mask at a special session of the Uttarakhand Assembly.

About Ramman Festival

  • It is an annual religious festival celebrated in late April in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra, Uttarakhand, in honour of the local deity Bhumiyal Devta. 
  • In 2009, Ramman was inscribed in the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Features of Ramman Festival

  • It features complex rituals, recitations of the Ramayana, songs, and masked dances, with each caste and group playing distinct roles.
  • Divine Storytelling: The performances include recitations of the Rama Katha (episodes from the Ramayana), combined with masked dances of deities and local legends, blending mythic and local narrative layers.
  • Sacred Space: It is held in the courtyard of the Bhumiyal Devta temple in Saloor Dungra.
  • Community Participation: Entire village households contribute: roles are caste-based (priests, mask-makers, drum players), funding comes from the village, and participation spans elders to youth.
  • Transmission of Knowledge & Values: Oral transmission of epic songs, dance forms, and ritual lore across generations. 
  • Fusion of Art Forms: It blends narration, masked dances, ritual drama, music, and mask craft into one integrated festival.
  • The festival involves theatrical performances of the Ramayana and local legends, in which people sing songs and wear masks while dancing.
  • There are 18 different types of masks made of Bhojpatra, Himalayan birch, that performers wear during the event.
  • Some of the instruments documented include: Dhol (a type of drum) Damau (smaller percussion drum), Manjira (small hand cymbals), Jhanjhar (larger cymbals), Bhankora (a kind of trumpet).

Source: IE

Ramman Festival FAQs

Q1: Where is the Ramman festival primarily celebrated?

Ans: Uttarakhand

Q2: What is the Ramman festival dedicated to?

Ans: Local deity Bhumiyal Devta

River Umngot

November 5, 2025
River Umngot

River Umngot Latest News

Recently, a concern has been raised that the pristine waters of River Umngot are turning murky due to massive dumping of soil and construction debris into river systems.

About River Umngot

  • It is popularly known as Dawki river which flows through the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. 
  • Origin: It originates from the Eastern Shillong Peak, which is located 1,800 m above sea level.
  • It is famous for its picturesque crystal-clear water.
  • The water is so transparent that it often creates an illusion of boats floating in mid-air.
  • This surreal phenomenon has earned it the reputation of being the cleanest river in India.
  • The river builds up an innate boundary between two hills district of Meghalaya one being the Jaintia Hills and other being the Khasi hills.
  • Umngot River is also known for the annual boat race in the month of March-April.
  • It also helps in building a natural one of the international boundary between India (Meghalaya) and Bangladesh.
  • Transportation: The suspension bridge over the Dawki River on NH-40 was constructed way back in 1932 and it is one of the busiest bilateral trade routes between India and Bangladesh. 

Source: IE

River Umngot FAQs

Q1: Where is the River Umngot located?

Ans: Meghalaya

Q2: What is a notable feature of the River Umngot?

Ans: It's known for its crystal-clear waters.

Indian Mouse Deer

November 5, 2025
Indian Mouse Deer

Indian Mouse Deer Latest News

A rare Indian mouse deer was recently photographed at Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Vasai.

About Indian Mouse Deer

  • The Indian Mouse Deer, or Indian Spotted Chevrotain, is a species of even-toed ungulate belonging to the family Tragulidae. 
  • Scientific Name: Moschiola indica
  • It is the smallest deer species found in India and is known for its elusive and shy nature.

Indian Mouse Deer Distribution

  • It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent.
  • It is mainly found in peninsular India, with some old records from Nepal.
  • Sri Lanka has a separate species called the spotted chevrotain (Moschiola meminna).
  • Within India, it is commonly encountered in a number of forest areas along the Western Ghats, in the Eastern Ghats up to Orissa, and in the forests of central India.

Indian Mouse Deer Features

  • It is small, 25-30 cm at shoulder height, and weighs from two to four kg.
  • The fur color is dark brown with white underparts.
  • There are four or five light rows of white spots on the back. 
  • Males of this species have tusk-like upper canines.
  • A unique feature of this group is that instead of a four-chambered stomach like in other ruminants, they have a three-chambered stomach.
  • Diet: It forages on the forest floor for fruits, roots, leaves, and herbs. It has occasionally been observed eating insects, crustaceans, and even small mammals.
  • Life Span: 8 to 12 years.

Indian Mouse Deer Conservation Status

It is classified as 'Least Concern' under the IUCN Red List. 

Source: MD

Indian Mouse Deer FAQs

Q1: What is the scientific name of the Indian Mouse Deer?

Ans: Moschiola indica

Q2: The Indian Mouse Deer is endemic to which region?

Ans: Indian Subcontinent

Q3: What is the IUCN conservation status of the Indian Mouse Deer?

Ans: Least Concern

Mussel

November 5, 2025
Mussel

Mussel Latest News

Recently, Greek scientists have deployed thousands of mussels on the seafloor to help detect microplastics.

About Mussel

  • It is a bivalve of mollusks belonging to the marine family Mytilidae and to the freshwater family Unionidae. 
  • Distribution: They are most common in cool seas. Freshwater mussels known as naiads inhabit streams, lakes, and ponds over most of the world.

Features of Mussel

  • Appearance: Marine mussels are usually wedge-shaped or pear-shaped and range in size from about 5 to 15 centimetres. 
  • They may be smooth or ribbed and often have a hairy covering.
  • The shells of many species are dark blue or dark greenish brown on the outside; on the inside they are often pearly.
  • They attach themselves to solid objects or to one another by proteinaceous threads called byssus threads.
  • They often occur in dense clusters.
  • Ecological Role: These species are filter-feeding organisms that absorb a range of contaminants into their tissue, including invisible microplastics.
  • They have been used globally for decades as a barometer of marine pollution.

Benefits of Mussel

  • Food Source: They are edible and considered nutritious, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals.
  • Pearl Production: Freshwater mussels are used for pearl cultivation.
  • Ecological Role: These species are filter-feeding organisms that absorb a range of contaminants into their tissue, including invisible microplastics.
  • They have been used globally for decades as a barometer of marine pollution.

 Source: Reuters

Mussel FAQs

Q1: What type of creature is a mussel?

Ans: Mollusk

Q2: What is the term for the process by which mussels filter water to obtain food?

Ans: Filter feeding

Bandipur Tiger Reserve

November 5, 2025
Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR)

Bandipur Tiger Reserve Latest News

As per the order by Minister for Environment, Ecology and Forests Eshwar B Khandre, one late evening safari trip - each in jeep and bus - are being stopped at Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR), in the first phase.

About Bandipur Tiger Reserve 

  • It is situated in the Mysore and Chamarajanagar revenue districts of southern Karnataka. 
  • It is located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
  • Geographically, it is an “ecological confluence” of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
  • It was once a hunting ground for the rulers of the neighbouring kingdom of Mysore.
  • It is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • BTR is surrounded by:
    • Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two).
    • Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South.
    • Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the South West.
  • Rivers: It is surrounded by River Kabini in its north and River Moyar in its south.
  • Climate: Bandipur has a typical tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
  • Flora:
    • It comprises diverse vegetation of dry deciduous to tropical mixed deciduous.
    • It includes rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, clumping bamboo, and giant clumping bamboo, etc.
  • Fauna:
    • It is a shelter for the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia. 
    • It comprises other mammals such as the Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole, and four-horned antelope, etc.

Source: DH

Bandipur Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Bandipur Tiger Reserve lies at the tri-junction of which three states?

Ans: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu

Q2: Bandipur Tiger Reserve represents an ecological confluence of which two major mountain ranges?

Ans: Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

Q3: Bandipur Tiger Reserve forms part of which UNESCO-recognized Biosphere Reserve?

Ans: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Q4: Which river forms the northern boundary of Bandipur Tiger Reserve?

Ans: Kabini River

Q5: Which river forms the southern boundary of Bandipur Tiger Reserve?

Ans: Moyar River

Scrub Typhus

November 5, 2025
Scrub Typhus

Scrub Typhus Latest News

A Gulf Keralite’s impulsive decision to return home to treat a persistent fever turned out to be life-saving after he was diagnosed with scrub typhus — a potentially fatal infection that requires early treatment.

About Scrub Typhus

  • It is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi.
  • It is transmitted through infected chiggers (young mites).
  • Several factors, like vector abundance, climatic factors, exposures like farming and owning domestic animals, outdoor activities and sanitation, affect its prevalence.
  • This disease is more prevalent in cooler months.
  • It will not spread from person to person.
  • Symptoms:
    • The symptoms typically include fever, headache, body ache, and sometimes a rash.
    • In severe cases, the infection can lead to respiratory distress, brain and lung inflammation, kidney failure, and multi-organ failure, ultimately resulting in death.
  • Treatment: 
    • It is treated with doxycycline, which is most effective when administered early.
    • There is no vaccine available for this disease.

Key Facts about Typhus Fever

  • Typhus (or typhus fever) is the name used for several different types of bacterial infections spread by bug bites that cause similar symptoms, like high fever and rash. 
  • These symptoms can be severe and lead to serious complications if left untreated.
  • There are three types of illnesses commonly called typhus:
    • Epidemic Typhus: It is caused by Rickettsia prowazeki and it is spread to people through contact with infected body lice. 
    • Scrub Typhus: It is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and spread by chiggers.
    • Murine Typhus: It is caused by Rickettsia typhi spread by fleas. It occurs in tropical and subtropical climates around the world.

Source: NIE

Scrub Typhus FAQs

Q1: What is the causative organism of Scrub Typhus?

Ans: It is caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi.

Q2: Through which vector is Scrub Typhus transmitted to humans?

Ans: It is transmitted through infected chiggers (young mites).

Q3: Can Scrub Typhus spread from person to person?

Ans: It will not spread from person to person.

Q4: What are the common symptoms of Scrub Typhus?

Ans: The symptoms typically include fever, headache, body ache, and sometimes a rash.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

November 5, 2025
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Latest News

Recently, NASA astronomers have confirmed the detection of water’s chemical fingerprint on the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.

About Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

  • It is the third known interstellar object from outside our solar system after 1I/ʻOumuamua(2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). 
  • It has hyperbolic orbit and travels at 57–68 km/s speed relative to the Sun.
  • It will exit the solar system permanently after a brief interaction with the Sun.
  • This interstellar comet was first seen by a NASA-supported telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, which is part of the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey.

Physical Characteristics of Interstellar  Comet 3I/ATLAS

  • 3I/ATLAS is confirmed to be an active comet, with a visible coma, a cloud of ice particles and dust surrounding the nucleus.
  • As it nears the Sun, it is expected to develop a tail, a characteristic cometary feature formed by solar heating.
  • Photometric analysis shows a reddish hue suggests the surface may be rich in complex organic compounds or water ice.
  • The nucleus is estimated to be 10–30 km wide.

What are interstellar Objects?

  • These are celestial bodies that originate outside the solar system, and travel through it. These objects are not gravitationally bound to a star.
  • They can come from other solar systems and be thrown into interstellar space (the area between the stars) due to collisions or be slingshotted by a planet’s or star’s gravity.
  • The trajectory of these objects is basically open-ended hyperbolic orbit, where there is a perihelion point (closest to the Sun) but no aphelion.

Source: ET

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS FAQs

Q1: What is the origin of the Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS?

Ans: Outside our solar system

Q2: What is unique about the orbit of 3I/ATLAS?

Ans: It is hyperbolic.

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