Daily Current Affairs | UPSC CSE | 30 Oct

The Daily Current Affairs for October 30, 2025, covers significant topics including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, National e-Vidhan Application, and highlights on Dayanand Saraswati. It addresses India’s achievements in renewable energy, initiatives for farmer empowerment, and enhancements in India-Japan relations.

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Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)

Why in News: As per the latest reports, so far, 395 Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure units, also known as cold chain projects, have been approved under PMKSY scheme and 291 of them are now complete and operational.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY):

PMKSY is an umbrella Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). It aims to create modern infrastructure with efficient linkages and supply chain management from the farm gate to the retail outlet.

Key Details and Funding:

• Initial Approval: Approved in 2017 with the name SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-marine processing and Development of Agro-processing Clusters). It was later renamed PMKSY.
• Ministry: Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• Outlay Increase (July 2025): The Union Cabinet approved an additional ₹1,920 crore, raising the total outlay (for the 15th Finance Commission cycle, till March 2026) to ₹6,520 crore.

Components of PMKSY:

PMKSY is implemented through the following six components:

1. Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI)
   • This scheme, often called the Cold Chain scheme, was restructured and included under PMKSY in 2016-17.
   • Goal: Build a seamless cold chain from farm gate to retail outlet, reduce post-harvest losses, and help farmers get better returns.
2. Creation/Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities (Unit Scheme).
3. Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters.
4. Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure.
5. Human Resources and Institutions – Research & Development.
6. Operation Greens.

Source: PIB

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PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2025

Why in News: Recently, a meeting was held to check the status of implementation of the scheme for Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, 2025.

Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration:

This scheme was instituted by the Government of India in 2006 to acknowledge, recognize, and reward extraordinary and innovative work done by Districts/Organizations of the Central and State Governments.

• Award Date: The awards are presented annually on Civil Services Day, which is 21st April.

Award Categories for 2025

The scheme includes three awards categories for the year 2025:

1. Category 1: Holistic Development of Districts across 11 priority sector schemes.
2. Category 2: Aspirational Blocks Programme.
3. Category 3: Innovation (Centre/State/District).

Award Components

The PM Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2025 consist of:

• A trophy.
• A scroll.
• An incentive of ₹20 lacs (to be utilized for implementation of a project/programme or bridging resource gaps in public welfare).

Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP):

The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) is one of the key areas of focus for the 2025 awards.

• Launch Date: Launched in January 2023.
• Coverage: Aims to transform 500 blocks across 329 districts from 27 States & 4 Union Territories.
• Measurement: Progress is measured using 38 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• 5 Themes of Progress:
  1. Health and Nutrition.
  2. Education.
  3. Agriculture and Allied Services.
  4. Social Development.
  5. Basic Infrastructure.

Source: PIB

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 National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)

Why in News: The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs recently organized the 3rd National Conference on the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) to review and promote the implementation of this Mission Mode Project (MMP).

The conference serves to encourage states to adopt and fully utilize the NeVA platform, which aims to achieve paperless functioning and digital transformation across all State Legislatures in India.

National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA):

NeVA is a crucial project under the Government of India’s Digital India Programme designed to modernize the legislative process.

Core Objective

The primary goal is to transform all State Legislatures into ‘Digital Houses’ by making their functioning paperless.

Key Features

• ‘One Nation, One Application’: It is designed to integrate all 37 Legislative Houses (State Assemblies and Councils) onto a single, standardized digital platform.
• Workflow System: It is a workflow-based system deployed on the NIC Cloud, MeghRaj, which assists the Chair and members in conducting and participating in House proceedings seamlessly.
• Mission Mode Project (MMP): NeVA is one of the 44 Mission Mode Projects under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), which focuses on delivering specific e-governance services.

Funding and Implementation

• Implementation Agency: The project is spearheaded by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
• Cost Sharing: The implementation costs are shared between the central and state governments in a 60:40 ratio (60% funded by the Government of India and 40% by the state governments).

Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) and NeGP

NeVA is part of the larger National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), which outlines a framework for electronic governance across the country.

• Definition of an MMP: An MMP is an individual project within the NeGP that focuses on one specific aspect of electronic governance, such as banking, land records, or, in the case of NeVA, the legislative process.
• Scope of NeGP: NeGP comprises 44 MMPs categorized into:
  • Central MMPs (15)
  • State MMPs (17)
  • Integrated MMPs (12)
• Spearheading and Facilitation:
  • MMPs are owned and spearheaded by various Line Ministries (e.g., NeVA is by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs).
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) acts as the facilitator and catalyst, providing technical assistance for the implementation of the NeGP.

Source: PIB

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Model Youth Gram Sabha

Why in News: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised a National launch of a first of its kind initiative the “Model Youth Gram Sabha” (MYGS) in October 2025.

The Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) is a pioneering initiative launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level by engaging students in a simulated environment.

Implementation Details

Feature	Detail
Lead Ministry	Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Collaborating Ministries	Ministry of Education (Department of School Education and Literacy) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Launch Date	October 30, 2025, in New Delhi
Initial Rollout	Across more than 1,000 schools nationwide
Target Schools	Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), and State Government Schools
Target Participants	Students of Classes 9–12
Activity	Students role-play as various officials (Sarpanch, Ward Members, Village Secretary, ANM, Junior Engineers, etc.) to conduct a mock Gram Sabha.
Funding	Each participating school will receive Rs. 20,000 to conduct the mock Gram Sabha.

Source: PIB

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 Dayanand Saraswati

Why in News: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the International Aryan Summit 2025 at Rohini, New Delhi, on 31st October 2025. The event is part of the Jyāna Jyoti Festival, commemorating 200 years of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati’s birth and 150 years of Arya Samaj’s service to society.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati – Key Facts

He vehemently opposed idol worship, polytheism, ritualism, and the monopoly of the priestly class. He advocated for monotheism and rational spirituality.

• Birth: February 12, 1824, Tankara (present-day Gujarat).
• Parents: Karshanji Lalji Tiwari and Yashodabai.
• Death: October 30, 1883, at Ajmer.
• Early Life: Born as Mool Shankar Tiwari; exhibited spiritual curiosity early in life.

Turning Point: At age 14, during Shivaratri, he saw a mouse nibbling at offerings to a Shiva idol—this made him question idol worship and religious orthodoxy.

Renunciation: The deaths of his younger sister and uncle from cholera deeply affected him. At 21, he left home to become an ascetic and travelled widely, studying the Vedas and Upanishads.

Guru and Influences

• Guru: Swami Virajanand Dandeesha (Mathura) — blind sage who shaped Dayanand’s anti-idolatry and Vedic reform ideology. Virjanand Saraswati gave him the name Dayanand.
• Promise as Gurudakshina: To dedicate his life to reviving true Hinduism.

Major Contributions

1. Foundation of Arya Samaj (1875):

• Founded in Bombay (Mumbai); later headquartered at Lahore.
• Motto: “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam” (Make the world noble).
• Promoted truth, equality, and Vedic purity; opposed idol worship, casteism, and superstition.

2. Vedic & Educational Reform:

• Advocated Vedic education and rational thinking.
• Inspired establishment (post his death, his followers established it) of Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) schools (1886, Lahore; Mahatma Hansraj as first headmaster).

3. Social Reforms:

• Opposed untouchability, caste hierarchy, and child marriage.
• Supported widow remarriage and women’s education.
• Founded Paropkarini Sabha (1882–83) to publish and spread Vedic works.

Major Works

• Satyarth Prakash (The Light of Truth) – His most famous book; critical of social ills and religious orthodoxy.
• Panchmahayajya Vidhi (1874)
• Veda Bhashya Bhumika, Veda Bhashya
• Sanskar Vidhi, Rigved Bhashyam, etc.

Nationalism and Legacy

• Coined the term “Swaraj” (Self-rule) in 1876, later adopted by Tilak and Gandhi.
• Advocated “Back to the Vedas” – a call for revival of ancient Indian values.
• Opposed conversion; started the Shuddhi Movement for re-conversion to Hinduism.
• Influenced nationalist leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Subhas Chandra Bose.

Arya Samaj – At a Glance

• Founded: 1875, Bombay
• Founder: Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati
• Headquarters (historical): Lahore
• Objective: Reform Hindu society based on Vedic principles, promote education, equality, and national consciousness.

Important Points:

• Slogan: “Back to the Vedas”
• First DAV School: 1886, Lahore
• Term “Swaraj”: Coined by Dayanand (1876)
• Key Work: Satyarth Prakash
• Guru: Swami Virajanand Dandeesha
• Organization Founded: Arya Samaj (1875)
• Movement: Shuddhi Movement (Reconversion to Hinduism)
• Birthplace: Tankara, Gujaratcombat the cultural bias against the girl child.

Source: PIB

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India Japan Relations

Why in News: Prime Minister Modi congratulated Japanese Prime Minister, H.E. Sanae Takaichi and discussed advancing India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

State–Prefecture Pairings (People-to-People + Economic Connect)

• Andhra Pradesh – Toyama
• Tamil Nadu – Ehime
• Uttar Pradesh – Yamanashi
• Gujarat – Shizuoka

Economic Partnership

• CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement)
  • In effect since 2011
  • Covers trade in goods & services, investments, movement of people, IPR, etc.
• Bilateral Trade (2023–24):
  • Total: US$ 22.85 billion
  • Japan → India exports: $17.69 billion

Defence Cooperation

• Bilateral Exercises:
  • JIMEX (Navy)
  • Dharma Guardian (Army)
• Multilateral Exercises:
  • MALABAR (Quad naval)
  • MILAN (India-led Indo-Pacific naval multilateral)
• Flagship Infrastructure Project:
  • Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR)
    — uses Japanese Shinkansen bullet train technology

Source: PIB

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 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

Why in News: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare organized the National FPO Samagam 2025 in New Delhi to celebrate the success of the Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) Scheme and to enhance collaboration, technology use, and value addition among farmer collectives.

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• Concept Origin: Proposed by economist Y. K. Alagh (2002) leading to amendments in the Companies Act, 1956.
• Existence: FPOs formally came into existence in 2008.
• Nature: An FPO is a type of Producer Organisation (PO) in which farmers are members.
• Legal Registration Options:
  • Cooperatives – under State Cooperative Societies Acts
  • Producer Companies – under Companies Act, 2013
  • Societies – under Societies Registration Act, 1860
  • Public Trusts – under Indian Trusts Act, 1882
• Key Objective: To enable small and marginal farmers to collectively access inputs, technology, credit, and markets to improve income.
• Nodal Agency: Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) supports the promotion of FPOs.

Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) Scheme:

• Launch Year: 2020
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Budget Outlay: ₹6,865 crore (till 2027–28)
• Objective:
  To create 10,000 new FPOs for building a vibrant, sustainable, income-oriented farming ecosystem ensuring socio-economic upliftment of rural communities.
• Implementing Agencies (IAs):
  • SFAC, NCDC, NABARD, NAFED, and others (9 in total).
• Cluster Based Business Organizations (CBBOs):
  • Act as facilitators for FPO registration, aggregation, and professional handholding for 5 years.
  • Serve as a knowledge hub for FPO operations and growth.

Special Focus Areas

• Inclusion of small, marginal, and women farmers, SC/ST farmers, and economically weaker categories.
• “One District One Product” (ODOP) approach for product specialization, branding, and export promotion.
• Produce Cluster Area and Commodity-Based Approach for efficiency and market linkages.

Financial Support to FPOs

• Management Cost Assistance: ₹18 lakh per FPO (for 3 years).
• Equity Grant: Up to ₹2,000 per farmer member, capped at ₹15 lakh per FPO.
• Credit Guarantee: Up to ₹2 crore of project loan per FPO through eligible lending institutions.

Prelims Pointers:

• First introduced: 2008 (after Y.K. Alagh’s 2002 recommendation)
• Scheme type: Central Sector Scheme
• Launched: 2020
• Implementing Agencies: SFAC, NCDC, NABARD, NAFED, etc.
• Key mechanism: Cluster Based Business Organizations (CBBOs)
• Focus: Small, marginal, women, and SC/ST farmers; ODOP-based development
• Financial Outlay: ₹6,865 crore till 2027–28
• Equity Grant: ₹2,000 per member (max ₹15 lakh per FPO)

Source: PIB

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 Geographical Indication Tag (GI Tag)

Why in News: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated the first-ever air shipment of India’s GI-tagged Indi Lime (Vijayapura, Karnataka – 350 kg) and Puliyankudi Lime (Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu – 150 kg) to the United Kingdom on 28th October 2025. This marks a major milestone in expanding India’s global presence in GI-tagged horticultural produce.

About Indi Lime (Karnataka)

• Region: Vijayapura district, Karnataka.
• Features: Known for superior quality, zesty aroma, balanced acidity, and high juice yield.
• Cultural value: Used in traditional medicine and local cultural practices.
• Recognition: Reflects Karnataka’s rich agricultural legacy and geographical uniqueness.

About Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu)

• Region: Tenkasi district — known as the “Lemon City of Tamil Nadu”.
• Variety: Kadayam Lime.
• Features: Thin peel, high acidity, strong flavour, and high juice content (~55%).
• Nutritional value: High ascorbic acid (Vitamin C – 34.3 mg/100g) and antioxidant-rich.
• GI Status: Received GI Tag in April 2025.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag — Overview

• Definition: A sign or label used on products that originate from a specific geographical region and have unique qualities, reputation, or characteristics due to that origin.
• Coverage: Applicable to agricultural, natural, or manufactured goods, including handicrafts, food products, and industrial items.
• Type of IPR: A collective Intellectual Property Right (IPR) – ownership belongs to the producer community, not an individual.
• Legal Framework:
  • WTO-TRIPS Agreement: International recognition of GI.
  • Domestic Law: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
  • Registry: Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai — under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
  • Protection Period: Valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely.
• Classification:
  • In EU: Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
  • In India: Only PGI category exists.
• Benefits of GI Tag:
  • Prevents unauthorized use of product names.
  • Enhances market recognition and export potential.
  • Promotes rural development and traditional knowledge preservation.

Current GI Status in India

• Total GI Tags (as of 2025): Just over 660.
• Target by 2030: 10,000 GI Tags.
• First GI Tag: Darjeeling Tea (2004–05).
• Top States:
  • 1st: Uttar Pradesh
  • 2nd: Tamil Nadu

Prelims Pointers:

• First GI in India: Darjeeling Tea (2004-05)
• Administered by: DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
• Registry Location: Chennai
• Legal Basis: GI Act, 1999
• Protection Duration: 10 years (renewable)
• India’s Top GI States: Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
• GI Tag Nature: Collective Intellectual Property
• Recent GI Export: Indi Lime (Karnataka) & Puliyankudi Lime (Tamil Nadu) to UK (2025)

Source: PIB

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 Samriddh Gram Phygital Services

Why in News: The Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE) has signed agreements with leading implementation partners to roll out the Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot, an initiative to transform rural India through an integrated “phygital” (physical + digital) model leveraging BharatNet infrastructure.

Overview of the Initiative

• Implementing Body: Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• Partners:
  • Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) – for Ari & Umri (Madhya Pradesh)
  • I-Novate Infotech Pvt. Ltd. – for Chaurawala (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Corpus Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. – for Narakoduru (Andhra Pradesh)
• Objective: To create a seamless integration of physical and digital rural services using BharatNet connectivity, ensuring equitable digital empowerment across villages.

Key Features

• Three Pilot Villages:
  1. Ari & Umri (Madhya Pradesh)
  2. Narakoduru (Andhra Pradesh)
  3. Chaurawala (Uttar Pradesh)
• Samriddhi Kendras: Each identified village will establish a Samriddhi Kendra—an integrated digital service hub that provides:

• Education and Digital Skilling
• Agriculture Advisory and Market Linkages
• Healthcare and Telemedicine
• E-Governance Services (certificates, applications, etc.)
• E-Commerce & Financial Inclusion Services
• Digital Connectivity & Communication Facilities

Significance

• Phygital Integration: Combines local physical presence with digital infrastructure for inclusivity.
• Leverages BharatNet: Uses India’s rural broadband backbone to ensure high-speed internet access for service delivery.
• Empowers Villages: Promotes self-reliant, digitally connected, and economically vibrant rural communities.
• Supports Digital India & Viksit Bharat 2047 vision: By ensuring last-mile digital empowerment and citizen-centric governance.

Prelims Pointers:

• Three Pilot States: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
• Lead Implementing Body: Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE)
• Digital Backbone: BharatNet
• Concept: “Phygital” = Physical + Digital integration
• Name of the Service Hubs: Samriddhi Kendras
• Key Areas Covered: Education, Health, Agriculture, Finance, E-Governance, E-Commerce

Source: PIB

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 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – India

Why in News: India’s total installed electricity capacity has crossed 500.89 GW (as of 30 September 2025), with non-fossil fuel sources (renewable, hydro, and nuclear) accounting for 256.09 GW (over 51%) — achieving one of its key COP26 “Panchamrit” goals five years ahead of schedule: 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):

• Definition: A non-binding climate action plan submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement (COP21, 2015) outlining efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
• Nature:
  • Voluntary, but signatories are legally required to report progress and updates every five years.
  • Some countries (e.g., UK, Chile) have made NDCs legally binding domestically.
• Purpose: To collectively limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

India’s NDC Journey:

1. First NDC (2015):

India submitted its first NDC with 8 total goals, including 3 quantitative targets:
i. Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33–35% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
ii. Achieve 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
iii. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through increased forest cover.

Targets (i) & (ii) achieved ahead of schedule, by 2023.

2. Updated NDC (2022):

Aligned with India’s “Panchamrit” goals announced at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021), India submitted an updated NDC in August 2022:

• Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
• Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
• Cut total projected emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
• Fulfil 50% of total energy requirements from renewables by 2030.
• Achieve Net-Zero emissions by 2070.

Recent Developments (2025)

• Total Installed Power Capacity: 500.89 GW
• Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity: 256.09 GW (51%)
  • Solar Power: 127.33 GW
• Recent Additions (Apr–Sep 2025):
  • 28 GW non-fossil capacity
  • 5.1 GW fossil-fuel capacity
    → Reflecting India’s rapid shift toward a clean energy mix.

Significance

• India is among the few countries on track to meet or exceed its climate goals.
• The milestone reinforces India’s leadership in global climate action through renewable expansion, emission reduction, and sustainable growth.
• These efforts contribute directly to the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Prelims Pointers:

• NDC Origin: Paris Agreement (COP21, 2015) under UNFCCC.
• India’s First NDC Submitted: 2015.
• Updated NDC (Panchamrit goals): 2022 (post COP26).
• Net-Zero Target Year: 2070.
• India’s Current Non-Fossil Capacity: 51% (as of 2025).
• Legal Nature: Voluntary but reportable; non-binding.
• Key International Reference:COP26, Glasgow (2021).

Source: PIB

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