Daily Current Affairs | UPSC CSE
Here are the most important UPSC-relevant current affairs from 23 October 2025 — presented in crisp, prelims-focused notes with visuals for faster retention and future interlinking.
Daily Current Affairs 23 October 2025: Index
- Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025
- National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
- Japan India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 2025
- India Germany Relations
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development – UNCTAD
Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025
India has moved up to 9th position globally in total forest area (from 10th earlier) in the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali. India also retains 3rd rank globally in annual forest area gain.
Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 — Key Points
- Conducted by: FAO (UN agency)
- First initiated: 1946 → 80 years of continuous monitoring in 2025
- Coverage: 236 countries
- Frequency: Every 5 years
Global Highlights (2025 Edition):
- Total Global Forest Cover: 4.14 billion ha
- Top 5 countries by forest area: Russia, Brazil, Canada, USA, China
- Global deforestation rate: 10.9 million ha/year (2015–2025) — slowing down
- Global forest gain: 6.78 million ha/year, mainly in Asia & Europe
- Planted forests: 8% of total forests | Asia contributes 23%
- Protected forests: 20% (813 million ha) — +250 million ha since 1990
- Forest carbon stock: 714 Gt → 46% soil, 44% biomass
- Ownership: 71% public, 24% private/community
United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests, 2017–2030
- Adopted by: UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) in 2017
- Mission: Promote sustainable forest management (SFM) & support 2030 SDGs
- Features:
- 6 Global Forest Goals & 26 voluntary targets
- Target: +3% global forest cover by 2030 (~120 million hectares)
- Calls for global cooperation beyond UN system
Source: PIB
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
In a significant step toward empowering local communities and facilitating equitable benefit sharing, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released a sum of ₹67 lakhs to the Dapur Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), located in Sinnar Taluk, Nashik District, Maharashtra.
Establishment and Legal Framework
- Established under: Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Formally set up: 2003
- Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- Objective: To ensure conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of India’s biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
Three-Tier Institutional Framework under the BDA
| Level | Institution | Primary Function |
| National | National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) | Regulates access to biological resources and associated knowledge for research, commercial use, and bio-survey/bioutilization by foreign entities. |
| State | State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) | Advise the state governments on biodiversity conservation and regulate commercial use by Indian entities. |
| Local | Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) | Prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) to document local biological resources and traditional knowledge. |
Composition of the National Biodiversity Authority
- Chairperson:
- An eminent person with experience in biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit sharing.
- 10 Ex-Officio Members:
- 1 from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs,
- 2 from the MoEFCC,
- 7 from other key ministries
- 5 Non-Official Members:
- Experts from fields related to biodiversity management.
Functions of the NBA
- Regulation and Approval
- Grant approvals for access to biological resources and traditional knowledge by foreign individuals, companies, or organizations.
- Oversee the transfer of research results related to biological resources.
- Conservation and Sustainable Use
- Advise the Central Government on measures for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
- Identify and notify threatened species to regulate or prohibit their collection & use.
- Benefit Sharing Mechanism
- Traders/manufacturers of biodiversity-based products must share benefits with local communities and collectors.
- Benefit sharing structure:
- 1–5% of purchase price (or) 0.1–0.5% of sale price depending on business scale.
- Of this, 95% goes to BMCs or benefit claimers, and 5% is retained by national or state biodiversity boards for administrative purposes.
- Repository Designation
- Designate institutions as repositories for different categories of biological resources (e.g., botanical gardens, zoological collections, seed banks, gene banks).
- Advisory and Monitoring
- Recommend policy measures for bio-piracy prevention and for safeguarding traditional knowledge.
Key Legal Provisions under the Biological Diversity Act
- Cognizable and Non-Bailable Offences:
- All offences under the Act are classified as cognizable and non-bailable, signifying the seriousness of biodiversity violations.
- Dispute Redressal:
- Grievances regarding benefit-sharing determination or orders of the NBA or State Boards can be appealed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Source: PIB
Japan India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 2025
INS Sahyadri participated in the sea phase of JAIMEX-25 (Japan–India Maritime Exercise) from 16–18 October 2025, followed by a port call at Yokosuka, Japan on 21 October 2025.
JAIMEX-25 (Japan India Maritime Exercise)
- Bilateral naval exercise between Indian Navy & Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
- First held: 2012 (earlier known as JIMEX)
- Phases:
- Harbour phase – professional, social, and sports interactions
- Sea phase – advanced naval operations
- Participating vessels (2025):
- India: INS Sahyadri (Shivalik-class stealth frigate)
- Japan: JMSDF ships Asahi, Oumi, and submarine Jinryu
Other India–Japan Military Exercises
- Malabar – Multilateral Naval (India, Japan, USA, Australia)
- Veer Guardian / SHINYUU Maitri – Air Force
- Dharma Guardian – Army
Source: PIB
India Germany Relations
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is on an official visit to Berlin, Germany (Oct 23, 2025) — a key moment as 2025 marks 25 years of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership.
India–Germany Relations (Prelims Essentials)
- Strategic Partnership established: 2000
- Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) launched in 2011 → Held at PM–Chancellor level (unique format Germany reserves for few countries)
- Both part of G4 along with Japan & Brazil → jointly lobby for UNSC permanent seats
- Germany participates in India-led global platforms:
- ISA – International Solar Alliance
- CDRI – Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Economic & Development Cooperation
- 2022 Indo-German Green & Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP):
→ Germany pledged €10 billion in preferential loans & grants over 10 years - FTA under negotiation: India–EU Free Trade Agreement (could boost market access, secure supply chains)
Defence & Security
- Framework: Bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement
- Exercise: Tarang Shakti (2024) — India’s first ever multilateral air exercise, Germany participated
- Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT): → Enables joint anti-terror operations & intelligence sharing
Source: PIB
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development – UNCTAD
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the 16th Session of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) held in Geneva, themed “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Development.”
UNCTAD – Key Facts for Prelims
- Founded: 1964
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Type: Permanent intergovernmental body of the United Nations
- Mandate: Help developing countries integrate fairly and effectively into the global economy
- Focus Areas:
- Trade & Development
- Investment & Enterprise
- Technology & Innovation
- Macroeconomic & Development Policies
Recent Update: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
- In 2024, UNCTAD rebranded as “UN Trade and Development” during its 60th anniversary — new name & logo rolled out in all 6 UN languages.
Flagship Reports by UNCTAD
- Trade and Development Report
- World Investment Report
- Digital Economy Report
- Technology and Innovation Report
Source: PIB
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