Daily Current Affairs | UPSC CSE | 28 Oct
The Daily Current Affairs for 28 October 2025 covers key events, including the Bharat International Rice Conference, highlighting India’s rice production and genome-edited varieties, and the inauguration of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Other topics include Shaurya Diwas, India’s Electronics Manufacturing Scheme, and India’s Maritime Week. Additionally, five languages were recognized as Classical Languages, expanding the list to eleven.
Daily Current Affairs 28 October 2025: Index
- Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
- Shaurya Diwas
- Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)
- India Maritime Week – 2025
- Classical Languages of India
Note: The topics in the index are clickable, and the notes can be read separately.
Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025
The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has announced that the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025 will be held in October 2025.
The Indian government has been promoting high-yield, genome-edited varieties like DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice, with a ‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ formula.
Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025
| Aspect | Details |
| Date & Venue | 30th – 31st October 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. |
| Organizers | Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) in collaboration with APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority). |
| Objective | To strengthen transparency, efficiency, and resilience in the global rice trade, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. |
| Participants | Producers, exporters, importers, policymakers, financiers, logisticians, research institutions, and allied service providers. |
India’s Rice Sector at a Glance
| Metric | Details |
| Global Standing | Second-largest producer of rice (after China) and the largest rice exporter globally. |
| Production (2024–25) | Around 150 million tonnes from nearly 47 million hectares, accounting for about 28% of global output. |
| Exports (FY 2024–25) | 20.1 million metric tonnes valued at approx. USD 12.95 billion, reaching over 172 countries. |
| Yield Improvement | Average yields improved from $2.72$ tonnes/hectare in 2014–15 to about $3.2$ tonnes/hectare in 2024–25. |
| Crop Type & Conditions | Majorly a Kharif crop requiring high temperatures (above 25 degree) and high humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm. |
Strategic Initiatives and Innovation:
1. The ‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ Formula
This is the Union Government’s ambitious strategy in agriculture for land optimization, food security, and sustainability.
| Component | Goal | Mechanism |
| Minus 5 | Reduce the land used for rice cultivation by 5 million hectares. | The freed-up land is to be used for growing pulses and oilseeds to improve nutritional security and reduce import dependency. |
| Plus 10 | Increase total rice production by 10 million tonnes in the remaining cultivation area. | Achieved through the use of high-yield, genome-edited rice varieties that produce more rice on less land. |
2. Genome-Edited Rice Varieties
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) developed India’s first genome-edited rice varieties, which are key to the ‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ formula:
- DRR Rice 100 (Kamla)
- Pusa DST Rice
These high-yield varieties are expected to herald a major change in crop patterns and sustainability by maximizing output per unit of land.
3. Rice Nutritional Value
- Unpolished rice is considered highly nutritious, being rich in Vitamins A, B, and Calcium.
- Polished rice lacks these essential vitamins due to the milling process.
Source: PIB
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
Why in News: Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Deep Sea Fishing Vessels under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at Mazgaon Dock, Mumbai — reinforcing India’s push for modern, sustainable, high-value marine fisheries.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
PMMSY is a flagship scheme with a total financial outlay of ₹20,050 crore, aimed at bringing about the ‘Blue Revolution’ through the sustainable and responsible development of India’s fisheries sector.
Here are the key details about the scheme’s structure, components, and objectives:
Structure and Components
The PMMSY is implemented as an umbrella scheme with two main components:
- Central Sector Scheme (CS):
- Non-beneficiary oriented: The entire project cost is borne by the Central Government (100% central funding).
- Beneficiary-oriented (Direct): Central assistance is up to 40% of the unit cost for the General category and 60% for the SC/ST/Women category when activities are undertaken by Central Government entities, including the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): This component is implemented by the States/UTs and is further divided into sub-components under three broad heads:
- Enhancement of Production and Productivity.
- Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Management.
- Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework.
CSS Funding Pattern (Beneficiary-Oriented)
Government financial assistance (Centre and State/UTs combined) is limited to 40% of the project cost for the General category and 60% for the SC/ST/Women category. The sharing ratio is:
- North Eastern & Himalayan States: 90% Central share and 10% State share.
- Other States: 60% Central share and 40% State share.
- Union Territories (UTs): 100% Central share (for non-beneficiary oriented activities).
Financial Outlay and Duration
- Total Outlay: ₹20,050 crore.
- Central Government’s Share: ₹9,407 crore
- Launch Year: 2020.
- Duration: Initially from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. Now extended up to 2025–26.
Key Aims and Objectives
The primary objectives of PMMSY are:
- Increase Production: Enhance fish production to 220 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) by 2024-25.
- Enhance Productivity: Increase aquaculture productivity to 5 tons per hectare (from the current national average of 3 tons).
- Export and GVA: Double export earnings to ₹1,00,000 crore by 2024-25 and enhance the fisheries sector’s contribution to Agriculture GVA to about 9% by 2024-25.
- Welfare and Employment: Generate 55 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities and double the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.
- Reduce Loss: Reduce post-harvest losses from the reported 20-25% to about 10%.
- Fisheries Management: Establish a robust fisheries management and regulatory framework.
- Infrastructure: Address critical gaps in technology, post-harvest infrastructure, and management, including boosting deep-sea fishing vessels and upgrading existing ones.
Source: PIB
Shaurya Diwas
The Indian Army commemorated Infantry Day, also known as Shaurya Diwas, paying tribute to the valour, sacrifice and indomitable spirit of the Infantry. Observed on 27 October every year, Infantry Day holds a special place in the Nation’s history. On this day in 1947, Infantrymen of the Indian Army were the first troops to land at Srinagar airport.
Source: PIB
Electronics Manufacturing Component Scheme
Why in News: Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced the approval of the first tranche of seven projects under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). This marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s electronics value chain and boosting domestic value addition.
Overview of the ECMS:
The ECMS is a scheme launched in April 2025 to complement the India Semiconductor Mission.
- Objective: It aims to strengthen India’s electronics value chain beyond finished goods and chip fabrication. The core goal is to boost Domestic Value Addition (DVA) and integrate Indian firms into Global Value Chains (GVCs) by encouraging the local production of critical electronic components and sub-assemblies.
- Funding: The scheme has a total funding outlay of ₹22,919 crore (approximately $2.7 billion).
- Tenure: The total scheme tenure is 6 years (from FY2025-26 to FY2031-32), which includes a 1-year gestation period.
- Horizontal Linkages: The ECMS supports horizontal linkages by benefiting multiple sectors, including automobile, power, and industrial sectors.
Incentive Structure
The ECMS provides differentiated fiscal incentives to Indian manufacturers to overcome structural challenges and achieve economies of scale.
The scheme offers three types of incentives, with a portion of the incentives linked to employment generation:
- Turnover-linked fiscal incentives.
- Capex-linked (Capital Expenditure) fiscal incentives.
- Hybrid fiscal incentives (a combination of both turnover and capex).
Growth of India’s Electronics Sector
The ECMS is building upon the rapid growth already seen in India’s electronics sector over the past decade:
- Domestic Production: The domestic production of electronic goods increased from ₹1.90 lakh crore in FY 2014-15 to ₹9.52 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 17%.
- Exports: Exports of electronic goods have also significantly increased, rising from ₹0.38 lakh crore in FY 2014-15 to ₹2.41 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, with a CAGR of more than 20%.
Source: PIB
Electronics Manufacturing Component Scheme
Why in News: Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced the approval of the first tranche of seven projects under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). This marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s electronics value chain and boosting domestic value addition.
Overview of the ECMS:
The ECMS is a scheme launched in April 2025 to complement the India Semiconductor Mission.
- Objective: It aims to strengthen India’s electronics value chain beyond finished goods and chip fabrication. The core goal is to boost Domestic Value Addition (DVA) and integrate Indian firms into Global Value Chains (GVCs) by encouraging the local production of critical electronic components and sub-assemblies.
- Funding: The scheme has a total funding outlay of ₹22,919 crore (approximately $2.7 billion).
- Tenure: The total scheme tenure is 6 years (from FY2025-26 to FY2031-32), which includes a 1-year gestation period.
- Horizontal Linkages: The ECMS supports horizontal linkages by benefiting multiple sectors, including automobile, power, and industrial sectors.
Incentive Structure
The ECMS provides differentiated fiscal incentives to Indian manufacturers to overcome structural challenges and achieve economies of scale.
The scheme offers three types of incentives, with a portion of the incentives linked to employment generation:
- Turnover-linked fiscal incentives.
- Capex-linked (Capital Expenditure) fiscal incentives.
- Hybrid fiscal incentives (a combination of both turnover and capex).
Growth of India’s Electronics Sector
The ECMS is building upon the rapid growth already seen in India’s electronics sector over the past decade:
- Domestic Production: The domestic production of electronic goods increased from ₹1.90 lakh crore in FY 2014-15 to ₹9.52 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 17%.
- Exports: Exports of electronic goods have also significantly increased, rising from ₹0.38 lakh crore in FY 2014-15 to ₹2.41 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, with a CAGR of more than 20%.
Source: PIB
India Maritime Week 2025
Why in News: India is hosting the India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025) from 27–31 October 2025 in Mumbai, being positioned as the largest global maritime gathering — signalling India’s intent to lead the Blue Economy and global maritime logistics.
India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025) — Key Facts:
- Organised by – Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW)
- Venue – NESCO Grounds, Mumbai
- Theme – “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision”
- Objective – Project India as a global maritime hub, strengthen shipbuilding, logistics, port-led development, inland waterways & blue economy leadership.
India’s Maritime & Coastal Strength
- Total coastline (revised) – 11,098.81 km (Increased from earlier 7,516.6 km after high-resolution GIS-based measurement)
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – 23.7 lakh sq km
- 13 coastal States/UTs contribute 60% of India’s GDP
Source: PIB
Classical Languages of India
Why in News: As of October 2025, India now has 11 Classical Languages after the Union Cabinet (2024) approved adding Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali to the list.
Classical Languages of India — Current List (11)
- Tamil (2004)
- Sanskrit (2005)
- Kannada (2008)
- Telugu (2008)
- Malayalam (2013)
- Odia (2014)
- Marathi (2024)
- Pali (2024)
- Prakrit (2024)
- Assamese (2024)
- Bengali (2024)
All 11 are listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
Criteria to be Declared a Classical Language:
- High antiquity — early texts or history from at least 1500–2000 years ago.
- A rich body of ancient literature considered culturally valuable across generations
- Knowledge texts beyond poetry — prose + inscriptions + grammatical/philosophical texts (2024 revision)
- Clear distinction from the modern form or historical continuity/gap
Recognition process is evaluated by the Linguistic Experts Committee under Ministry of Culture / Sahitya Akademi.
Source: PIB
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