Daily Current Affairs | 13 November 2025
Daily Current Affairs (13 November 2025) – Delhi’s worsening air quality prompted the activation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat pollution. The Orange Economy expands opportunities in creative sectors, contributing significantly to GDP. Recent CPI data shows low inflation rates, while the National Green Hydrogen Mission aims for sustainable energy advancements. Additionally, the Election Commission of India is undertaking an intensive revision of electoral rolls ahead of elections.
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Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) | UPSC CSE
Why in News: Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has recently crossed danger levels, prompting authorities to activate the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) — a structured set of emergency measures designed to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.
What is GRAP?
- The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a dynamic emergency framework that prescribes graded measures to tackle air pollution depending on the severity of the AQI levels.
- It was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), following Supreme Court directives on controlling Delhi’s chronic air pollution problem.
- The plan acts as a trigger-based system, automatically enforcing stricter actions as air quality worsens.
Implementation and Oversight
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas oversees the implementation of GRAP.
- A Sub-Committee of CAQM has been constituted to operationalize GRAP.
Sub-Committee Composition:
Includes representatives from:
- CAQM
- Pollution Control Boards of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
- Health Advisor
The Sub-Committee meets regularly and issues orders to activate the relevant stage of GRAP.
In case of conflicting directions, CAQM’s orders override State Government directives.
Revised Measures under GRAP (as per AQI levels)
| Stage | AQI Range | Category | Key Measures |
| Stage I | 201–300 | Poor | – Enforce NGT / Supreme Court orders on banning over-aged diesel/petrol vehicles. – Control road dust and open waste burning. – Promote use of public transport. |
| Stage II | 301–400 | Very Poor | – Intensify pollution control at identified hotspots. – Strict enforcement of construction dust control norms. – Increase frequency of mechanised road sweeping and water sprinkling. – Promote remote working and staggered office timings. |
| Stage III | 401–450 | Severe | – Ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in select areas. – Possible suspension of primary classes (up to Class 5). – Ban on construction activities (except public utility projects). |
| Stage IV | >450 | Severe Plus / Emergency | – Ban entry of non-essential four-wheelers registered outside Delhi, except EVs, CNG, and BS-VI diesel vehicles. – Closure of schools, colleges, and non-essential construction work. – Stop movement of trucks (except essential goods). |
Supporting Data and Enforcement
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) publishes the Daily AQI Bulletin that guides GRAP stage activation.
- Air quality monitoring is done through Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) across Delhi-NCR.
- CPCB classifies AQI from 0–500, where 0–50 = Good, and >450 = Severe+.
Why GRAP Matters
- Delhi-NCR faces seasonal smog due to a mix of vehicular emissions, construction dust, and stubble burning.
- GRAP acts as a preventive mechanism, ensuring timely escalation of measures instead of ad hoc responses.
- It represents India’s first structured air-quality emergency protocol, integrating scientific forecasting (IMD/IITM) with real-time enforcement.
Source: PIB
Orange Economy | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The IndiaJoy B2B 2025 initiative, held in collaboration with WAVES Bazaar, ProducerBazaar, and Aha, successfully showcased India’s growing creative and digital content industries. It featured two major events — the Indian Film Market and WAVES Animation Bazaar — creating new business opportunities in the AVGC-XR sector (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality).
This initiative further strengthened WAVES Bazaar’s position as a leading hub for creative professionals, content producers, and investors in India’s rapidly expanding Orange Economy.
The Orange Economy: India’s Creative Growth Engine
- The “Orange Economy” (also called the Creative Economy) includes all economic activities driven by culture, creativity, and intellectual property (IP).
- It covers sectors such as:
- Art and Design
- Film, Music, and Performing Arts
- Animation, Gaming, and Visual Effects
- Digital Media and Advertising
- Fashion and Cultural Heritage Products
- These industries combine innovation with cultural expression — making creativity a key driver of sustainable and inclusive growth.
Global Recognition
- The United Nations declared 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, recognizing the role of creativity in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Economic Potential in India
- India’s Orange Economy currently contributes around $30 billion to the national GDP.
- With initiatives like WAVES Bazaar and IndiaJoy, the sector aims to expand to a $50 billion market by FY 2029–30.
- It plays a crucial role in:
- Job creation, particularly for youth and freelancers,
- Export promotion through media and entertainment content,
- Strengthening India’s soft power globally.
Nifty WAVES Index
- Launched on 2 May 2025 by the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
- Tracks 43 listed companies from media, entertainment, and gaming sectors.
- Designed to reflect the financial performance and growth of India’s creative industries.
- Base date: 1 April 2005
- Base value: 1000
The index helps investors monitor the market performance of companies shaping India’s digital and creative economy, marking the financial mainstreaming of the Orange Economy.
Source: PIB
Consumer Price Index (CPI) | UPSC CSE
Why in News: Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of October, 2025 over October, 2024 is 0.25%. There is decrease of 119 basis points in headline inflation of October, 2025 in comparison to September, 2025.
Notably, Consumer Food Price Index (Food Inflation) has dropped by -5.02%.
About Consumer Price Index (CPI):
- Measures the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services.
- Computed by taking changes in price over time for each item in the fixed basket and averaging them based on assigned weights.
Compiling Authorities:
- National Statistical Office (Ministry of SPI Compiles CPI (Rural, Urban, Combined).
- Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment:
- CPI for Industrial Workers – Base: 2016
- CPI for Agricultural Labourers – Base: 2019.
- CPI for Rural Labourers – Base: 2019
Adoption by RBI:
- Since 2014, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has adopted CPI-Combined as the key measure of retail inflation for monetary policy formulation.
Structure of CPI:
| Major Groups under CPI | Rural Weight (%) | Urban Weight (%) | Combined Weight (%) |
| Food & Beverages | 54.18 | 36.29 | 45.86 |
| Pan, Tobacco & Intoxicants | 3.26 | 1.36 | 2.38 |
| Clothing & Footwear | 7.36 | 5.57 | 6.53 |
| Housing | 0.00 | 21.67 | 10.07 |
| Fuel & Light | 7.94 | 5.58 | 6.84 |
| Miscellaneous | 27.26 | 29.53 | 28.32 |
| Total CPI Weight | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI):
- Derived from 10 of the 12 sub-groups under Food and Beverages, excluding Non-alcoholic beverages and Prepared meals, snacks, sweets, etc.
- Weights: Rural – 47.25%, Urban – 29.62%, Combined – 39.06%.
Additional Notes:
- CPI (Rural) for housing is not compiled.
- CPI data serves as the primary indicator of inflation trends in India’s retail economy.
Source: PIB
National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) | UPSC CSE
Why in News: In October 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced the recognition of three major ports Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip Port Authority (Odisha) as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the NGHM.
National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) — Key Facts
The Mission aims to build the capacity and ecosystem required to position India as a global leader in clean hydrogen. By 2030, the Mission will be supported by about 125 GW of new renewable energy capacity dedicated to green hydrogen production
- Approved by: Union Cabinet (headed by PM Modi)
- Total Outlay:₹19,744 crore
- ₹17,490 crore for SIGHT Programme (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) — largest component
- Nodal Ministry: MNRE (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy)
- Four Pillars:
- Policy and Regulatory Framework
- Demand Creation
- R&D and Innovation
- Infrastructure and ecosystem development
Mission Targets by 2030
- Minimum 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen per year
- ~125 GW renewable energy capacity addition
- ₹8 lakh crore+ investments
- 6 lakh+ green jobs
- ₹1 lakh crore fossil fuel import savings
- 50 MMT CO₂ emissions reduction per year
What is Green Hydrogen?
- Hydrogen can be produced from water, fossil fuels, or biomass.
- Electrolysis method: Electricity splits water into H₂ + O₂
- If renewable energy (solar/wind/hydro) powers electrolysis
- → Hydrogen produced is “Green Hydrogen” (zero carbon emissions in entire process)
- → Considered one of the cleanest future fuels
Source: PIB
Election Commission | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the commencement of the Enumeration Phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – Phase-II, a critical step aimed at ensuring the accuracy and inclusiveness of India’s electoral rolls ahead of major upcoming elections.
What is the Enumeration Phase?
- The Enumeration Phase marks the first and most crucial stage of the SIR process.
- It involves house-to-house field verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to collect and verify voter data.
Activities during Enumeration Phase:
- BLOs visit every household in their assigned area.
- They verify existing voter details and identify:
- New voters (those who have turned 18 or above).
- Deletions (due to death, migration, or disqualification).
- Corrections (in name, address, or other particulars).
- This ensures that the electoral rolls are accurate, updated, and error-free before elections.
About Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- The SIR is a targeted, time-bound exercise carried out to cleanse and update the voter list before major elections.
- Conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) under ECI supervision.
- It supplements the annual summary revision process.
Objectives:
- To maintain accuracy, inclusivity, and transparency in the electoral rolls.
- To ensure no eligible citizen is left out and no ineligible entry remains.
Legal Basis:
- Conducted under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which empowers the ECI to prepare and revise electoral rolls and to order special revisions when necessary.
Constitutional Authority:
- Rooted in Article 324 of the Constitution, which grants the Election Commission of India the power of superintendence, direction, and control over the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections.
Election Commission of India (ECI): Overview
- Established: 25 January 1950 (celebrated as National Voters’ Day).
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Type: Autonomous Constitutional Authority.
Functions:
- Conducts elections to:
- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- State Legislative Assemblies
- Offices of the President and Vice President of India
- Does not conduct local body (Panchayat or Municipality) elections — those fall under State Election Commissions.
Constitutional Provisions (Part XV: Articles 324–329)
- Article 324: Superintendence, direction, and control of elections vested in the ECI.
- Article 325: No discrimination in electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex.
- Article 326: Adult suffrage for elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Article 327: Parliament’s power to legislate on electoral matters.
- Article 328: State Legislature’s power to make laws on State elections.
- Article 329: Bar on judicial interference in electoral matters.
Structure of ECI
- Originally: Single-member body.
- Now: Multi-member body since the Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989.
- Composition:
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
- Two Election Commissioners (ECs)
At the State Level:
- Assisted by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
Appointment, Tenure, and Removal
- Appointing Authority: The President of India, under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
- Tenure: 6 years or up to 65 years of age (whichever is earlier).
- Status: Salary and service conditions equivalent to a Supreme Court Judge.
Removal:
- CEC: Can be removed only through a process similar to that of a Supreme Court Judge (by Parliament).
- Other ECs: Can be removed only on the recommendation of the CEC.
Source: PIB
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