Daily Current Affairs | 8 November 2025

On 8 November 2025, key topics include the Global Coalition for Social Justice, highlighting India’s social progress, the National Technical Textiles Mission advancing indigenous textile testing, updates on the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam regarding forest land use, the National Social Assistance Programme’s financial aid efforts, and milestones in the Jal Marg Vikas Project.

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Global Coalition for Social Justice

Why in News: At the Spotlight Session of the Global Coalition for Social Justice organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), India’s Health and Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted India’s strong progress in advancing social justice, inclusive growth, and poverty reduction.

He noted that India has lifted nearly 250 million people out of multidimensional poverty and expanded social security coverage from 19% (2015) to 64.3% (2025) — a major milestone in ensuring equity and dignity of labour.

About the Global Coalition for Social Justice

• Launch: Initiative by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, endorsed by the ILO Governing Body in November 2023.
• Nature: A multi-stakeholder global platform for accelerating action to promote social justice and decent work worldwide.
• Objective:
  • To intensify global efforts to address social justice deficits.
  • To accelerate implementation of:
  • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  • The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • The ILO Decent Work Agenda
• Participants: Governments, employers, workers’ organizations, UN agencies, international financial institutions, and academic & civil society networks.
• Focus Areas:
  • Inclusive economic growth
  • Social protection for all
  • Gender equality and workplace safety
  • Employment opportunities and decent work
  • Eradicating forced and child labour

About the International Labour Organization (ILO):

Aspect	Details
Founded	1919 (under the Treaty of Versailles)
Became UN Agency	1946
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Membership	187 countries (186 UN states + Cook Islands)
India’s Status	Founding Member
Unique Feature	Tripartite Structure — Governments, Employers, and Workers’ Representatives
Award	Nobel Peace Prize (1969) for improving peace through social justice

Core Mandate of the ILO

• Promote Decent Work for All through:
  1. Employment creation
  2. Social protection
  3. Workers’ rights
  4. Social dialogue between labour, employers, and government

Fundamental ILO Conventions

ILO has adopted 8 Fundamental Conventions, forming the core of international labour standards and human rights protection.

Convention Name	Ratified by India
Forced Labour Convention	Yes
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention	Yes
Equal Remuneration Convention	Yes
Discrimination (Employment & Occupation) Convention	Yes
Minimum Age Convention	Yes
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention	Yes
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention	No
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention	No

India has ratified 6 of the 8 Fundamental Conventions.

Source: PIB

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National Technical Textiles Mission

Why in News: The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), under the Ministry of Textiles, has successfully supported the indigenous development of three instruments to test Convective, Radiant, and Contact (Conductive) Heat Resistance in protective textiles.

These instruments enhance India’s self-reliance in testing and certification of advanced technical textile materials used in defence, firefighting, and industrial safety.

What are Technical Textiles?

• Definition: Technical Textiles are functional textile materials designed primarily for performance and utility, not aesthetics.

They are used in industries such as agriculture, defence, construction, healthcare, and transport.

• Core Focus: Innovation, performance, safety, and sustainability — rather than fashion or comfort.
• Global Significance: The technical textiles sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global textile industry, driven by technology, high-value manufacturing, and advanced applications.

Classification of Technical Textiles (12 Segments)

Category	Application Area
Agrotech	Agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, crop protection
Buildtech	Construction and building materials
Clothtech	Clothing components (interlinings, sewing threads, etc.)
Geotech	Civil engineering, soil stabilization, and road construction
Hometech	Home furnishings and interiors
Indutech	Industrial applications (filtration, insulation, conveyor belts)
Meditech	Medical and hygiene (masks, sutures, PPE, etc.)
Mobiltech	Automotive and aerospace (airbags, seatbelts, tires)
Packtech	Packaging materials
Protech	Personal and occupational safety (fire-resistant suits, bulletproof vests)
Sportstech	Sports and leisure goods
Oekotech	Environmental protection (waste treatment, erosion control)

National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM): Key Features

Aspect	Details
Launched By	Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Approved In	2020
Implementation Period	FY 2020–21 to FY 2023–24 (extended till March 2026)
Total Outlay	₹1,480 crore
Aim	To position India as a global leader in Technical Textiles and boost domestic manufacturing, R&D, and exports.

Objectives

1. Increase penetration and consumption of technical textiles in India.
2. Encourage research, innovation, and indigenous development.
3. Strengthen testing, standardization, and certification systems.
4. Enhance exports and integrate India into the global value chain.
5. Develop skilled human resources for the technical textile ecosystem.

Mission Components

1. Research, Innovation, and Development:
   • Outlay: ₹1,000 crore.
   • For projects undertaken by government organizations, premier research institutes, and Textile Research Associations (TRAs).
   • Focus on developing new fibres, composites, and functional materials.
2. Promotion and Market Development:
   • Awareness creation among industries, farmers, and consumers.
   • Integration with flagship schemes (PM GatiShakti, Jal Jeevan Mission, PMAY).
3. Export Promotion:
   • Encourage export competitiveness.
   • Develop specialized export clusters and hubs.
4. Education, Training, and Skill Development:
   • Introduce specialized technical textile courses.
   • Establish Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in institutes like IITs, NITs, and TRAs.

Source: PIB

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Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 1980

Why in News: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recommended a uniform penalty mechanism for violations under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
This move follows observations (since 2018) that different penalties were being imposed for similar violations due to lack of standardized guidelines.

Background

• The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now renamed as the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, was enacted to regulate the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
• It ensures that no forest land is diverted or de-reserved without prior approval of the Central Government.
• It forms the statutory foundation for forest clearance in projects such as infrastructure, mining, industries, and defence.

Objective of the Act

1. To prevent deforestation and maintain ecological balance.
2. To regulate the use of forest land for non-forest purposes.
3. To ensure compensatory afforestation and environmental restoration when diversion is unavoidable.
4. To empower the Centre to oversee and control forest land use across States.

When the Act is Considered Violated

Violation occurs when forest land is used for:

• De-reservation (removing the forest status),
• Non-forest use (e.g., building roads, dams, or factories),
• Leasing forest land without approval, or
• Clear felling of trees, without prior approval of the Central Government.

Such unauthorized use attracts penal actions, including penal compensatory afforestation and penal Net Present Value (NPV) payments.

Penal Compensatory Afforestation (CA)

• It is a restoration measure imposed in addition to the mandatory compensatory afforestation for non-forest land use.
• It ensures extra plantation and environmental recovery in proportion to the damage caused by violation.
• The penalty amount is calculated based on:
  • Extent of land used in contravention, and
  • Severity of violation.

Penal Net Present Value (NPV)

• NPV represents the monetary value of ecosystem services provided by a forest (like carbon sequestration, soil conservation, water regulation, etc.).
• For violations, a penal NPV of up to five times the standard rate is levied.
• This ensures violators pay for the ecological loss beyond legal limits.

Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 made major updates to the 1980 law, reflecting new environmental priorities.

1. New Preamble Added

The Preamble now highlights India’s:

• Commitment to preserving forests and biodiversity,
• Efforts in addressing climate change, and
• Focus on sustainable development through forest augmentation.

2. New Name

The Act has been renamed as: Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (Meaning: Forest Conservation and Augmentation Act)

3. Scope of the Act

The Act applies only to lands recorded as “forest” in any government record on or after 25 October 1980. This means:

• Private or community lands not recorded as forest before 1980 will not fall under this law, even if they have forest-like characteristics.

4. Exemptions Introduced

The Act does not apply to certain categories of forest land in specific national interest situations:

Exemption Category	Details
Pre-1996 Diversions	Forest land legally diverted between 1980 and 1996 for non-forest use will not be re-assessed.
Strategic Projects near Borders	Forest lands within 100 km of international borders, Line of Actual Control (LAC), or Line of Control (LoC) used for strategic or national security projects are exempt.
Security & Defence Infrastructure	Up to 5–10 hectares of forest land may be used without prior approval for defence-related or paramilitary infrastructure.
Public Utility Projects	Projects like roadside amenities, small hydropower, or eco-tourism may get relaxed norms under specific conditions.

Institutional Framework

Body	Function
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)	Examines proposals for forest land diversion and violations.
State Advisory Groups	Scrutinize smaller projects before recommending to the FAC.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)	Manages the funds collected for NPV and afforestation.

Source: Indian Express

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National Social Assistance Programme

Why in News: The Union Government has shared an update (November 2025) on the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) — a flagship social security scheme aimed at providing financial support to the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, and families below the poverty line (BPL).

• Current Beneficiaries: Over 3.09 crore across India.
• Aadhaar Linkage: More than 2.5 crore beneficiaries now have Aadhaar-linked accounts ensuring Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Digital Life Certification (DLC): Jeevan Pramaan Patra
  • A new Aadhaar-based mobile app was launched on 15th July 2025 by the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • It enables pensioners to submit their annual life certificates digitally, eliminating manual verification and easing the process for elderly beneficiaries.

About the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

• Launch Date: 15 August 1995
• Nature: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) — fully funded by the Government of India
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• Coverage: Applicable in both rural and urban areas
• Objective: To provide financial assistance to BPL households in cases of:
  • old age,
  • widowhood,
  • disability, or
  • death of the breadwinner.
• The programme represents a major step toward realizing the Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 41) — which urges the State to provide public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.

Current Components of NSAP (Five Sub-Schemes)

Scheme Name	Target Group	Central Assistance (per month)	Remarks
1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)	Senior citizens aged 60+ years, belonging to BPL families	₹200 (60–79 yrs); ₹500 (80+ yrs)	States/UTs encouraged to add top-up contribution
2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)	Widows aged 40–79 years, BPL families	₹300 (40–79 yrs); ₹500 (80+ yrs)	Basic income support for destitute widows
3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)	Persons aged 18–79 years with severe/multiple disabilities, BPL families	₹300 (18–79 yrs); ₹500 (80+ yrs)	Ensures dignity and inclusion for persons with disabilities
4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)	BPL households facing death of the primary breadwinner (18–59 yrs)	₹20,000 (one-time lump sum)	Provides immediate financial support to the bereaved family
5. Annapurna Scheme	Senior citizens eligible under IGNOAPS but not receiving pension	10 kg of foodgrains per month free of cost	Ensures food security for unpensioned elderly citizens

Implementation & Administration

• Selection of Beneficiaries:
  • Done by Gram Panchayats and Municipalities under State supervision.
  • Selection is based on BPL lists and eligibility criteria prescribed by the Centre.
• Disbursement of Benefits:
  • Primarily through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) (currently 94%).
  • Mode: Bank accounts, post office savings accounts, or postal money orders.
  • In extreme cases, cash at doorstep delivery is allowed (for bedridden or severely disabled beneficiaries).
• Monitoring Mechanism:
  • States/UTs appoint a State Nodal Secretary for coordination and monitoring.
  • Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs) must be submitted by the 15th day of the month following each quarter.
  • Central Monitoring: Ministry of Rural Development reviews state-wise progress and disbursement.

Constitutional & Policy Significance

• Constitutional Basis: Article 41 (Directive Principles of State Policy)
  • “The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.”
• Alignment with SDGs:
  • SDG 1 – No Poverty
  • SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
  • SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Source: PIB

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Jal Marg Vikas Project

Why in News: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has achieved two key operational milestones under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) on National Waterway–1 (NW–1):

1. Kalughat Intermodal Terminal (Saran district, Bihar) has been handed over to Summit Alliance Port East Gateway (India) Pvt. Ltd. (SAPL) for operations and maintenance.
2. Cargo operations have begun at the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) in West Bengal, operated by IRC Natural Resources Pvt. Ltd., with the first consignment of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) from Tata Steel bound for Pandu, Guwahati (Assam).

About the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)

Aspect	Details
Launch Year	Announced in Union Budget 2014–15
Project Objective	Development and capacity augmentation of National Waterway–1 (NW–1), ensuring navigation of vessels up to 1500 tonnes
River Stretch Covered	River Ganga, from Varanasi (U.P.) to Haldia (W.B.), covering 1620 km
States Covered	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal
Implementing Agency	Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
Funding Support	World Bank-assisted project (loan-cum-grant model)
Expected Completion	December 2025

Key Objectives

• To create a fairway (navigable channel) with:
  • Depth: Minimum 2.2–3.0 metres
  • Width: 45 metres
• To enable the smooth movement of 1500–2000 tonne vessels on NW–1 throughout the year.
• To develop modern riverine infrastructure including terminals, jetties, navigational aids, and vessel repair facilities.
• To promote inland water transport (IWT) as a fuel-efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly logistics alternative to rail and road.

Infrastructure Developed under JMVP

Facility	Location	State	Status / Function
Multimodal Terminal (MMT)	Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh	Operational
Multimodal Terminal (MMT)	Sahibganj	Jharkhand	Operational
Multimodal Terminal (MMT)	Haldia	West Bengal	Cargo operations commenced (FY 2025–26)
Intermodal Terminal	Kalughat (Saran)	Bihar	Handed over for operations (2025)

Economic and Strategic Significance

• Boosts cargo movement between Northern and Eastern India through the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly River system.
• Connects to Kolkata and Haldia ports, providing seamless multimodal connectivity to road and rail networks.
• Enables cross-border trade and connectivity with Bangladesh, and potentially with Myanmar, Thailand, and Nepal through regional waterways.
• Reduces logistics costs and carbon footprint, complementing PM GatiShakti and National Logistics Policy goals.

About the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

Aspect	Details
Established	1986
Status	Autonomous body under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)
Mandate	Development, regulation, and maintenance of National Waterways (NWs)
Total National Waterways	111, declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016
Major Waterways	NW–1 (Ganga), NW–2 (Brahmaputra), NW–3 (West Coast Canal), NW–4 (Godavari–Krishna), NW–5 (Mahanadi–Brahmani)

Source: PIB

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Vande Mataram – National Song

Why in News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the year-long commemoration of 150 Years of the National Song “Vande Mataram” on 7 November 2025, coinciding with the date it was composed — Akshaya Navami, 1875.
He will also release a Commemorative Stamp and Coin to mark the occasion.

Historical Background

• Author: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838 – 1894)
• Date of Composition: 7 November 1875 (Akshaya Navami)
• First Publication: In Bangadarshan, a literary journal founded and edited by Bankim Chandra.
• Later Inclusion: Incorporated in his novel Anandamath (1882) — a patriotic work portraying ascetic warriors (Santans) devoted to liberating the Motherland.
• Music Composition: Rabindranath Tagore later set the song to music.

Meaning and Spirit

“Vande Mataram” (I Bow to Thee, Mother) personifies the Motherland as a goddess symbolizing strength, prosperity, and divinity, inspiring India’s struggle for freedom and self-respect.
It became the rallying cry for national unity during the freedom movement.

Adoption as National Song

• 1896 – First sung at the Indian National Congress Session in Calcutta by Rabindranath Tagore.
• 1905 – Adopted for all-India occasions at the Varanasi Session of the INC.
• 1907 – Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled the first tricolour flag with the words “Vande Mataram” in Stuttgart (Germany).
• 1950 – On 24 January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, declared that “Vande Mataram” shall have equal status with the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana.”
• Official Recognition: Only the first two stanzas are recognized as the National Song of India.

Vande Mataram in the Freedom Movement

• Swadeshi Movement (1905):First raised as a political slogan on 7 August 1905 by students protesting the Partition of Bengal.
• Bande Mataram Sampradaya (1905): Formed in North Calcutta to spread patriotic consciousness through Prabhat Pheris singing Vande Mataram and collecting funds for the cause. Rabindranath Tagore also joined these marches.
• Barisal Conference (1906): British authorities banned the public chanting of Vande Mataram and even dissolved the conference.
• Bande Mataram Newspaper (1906): Launched in Calcutta under Bipin Chandra Pal; Sri Aurobindo later became joint editor.
• Paris–Geneva Publication (1909): Indian patriots abroad published Bande Mataram journal to sustain nationalist fervour.
• Martyrdom of Madan Lal Dhingra (1909): His last words before execution in London were “Bande Mataram.”

About the Novel – Anandamath (1882)

• Depicts a band of ascetic revolutionaries (Santans) fighting against foreign oppression for the liberation of Mother Bharat.
• Introduced the Motherland as the supreme divine ideal — a unifying symbol for national resurgence.
• Other major works of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee:
  • Durgeshnandini (1865), Kapalkundala (1866), and Devi Chaudhurani (1884).

Source: PIB

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