Cyclone Montha recently made landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, causing significant rainfall and damage to crops and infrastructure. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms in the Bay of Bengal to rising Sea Surface Temperatures (SST), which have consistently exceeded the 28°C to 30°C threshold. While disaster management and evacuation protocols have improved, reducing human casualties, the economic impact on agriculture and livestock remains a major challenge. The role of climate phenomena like the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and La Niña in creating favorable conditions for cyclonic formations is also highlighted as a contributing factor.
Sea Surface Temperatures in the Bay of Bengal have risen by 0.5°C to 1°C over the last 50 years, creating ideal conditions for tropical cyclones.
Improved preparedness by Union and State governments has significantly reduced the death toll compared to historical super cyclones like those in 1977 and 1999.
Deforestation and the degradation of coastal ecosystems like mangroves have reduced natural buffers, amplifying the damage caused by storm surges.
Exam Points
Cyclone Montha landfall occurred near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh around 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
SST threshold for tropical cyclone formation is typically 28°C to 30°C.
IITM Pune studies indicate a consistent rise in Bay of Bengal SST over the last five decades.
India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth slowed to a three-month low of 4% in September 2025. This deceleration was primarily driven by a contraction in the mining sector and a significant slowdown in consumer non-durables and primary goods. Data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) indicates that the first half of the current financial year saw the slowest industrial activity in five years. While the manufacturing sector showed some resilience with 4.8% growth, economists suggest that delayed GST rate cuts might have impacted consumer demand and dealer inventory during the month.
The mining sector contracted by 0.45% in September 2025, a sharp decline from the 6.6% growth recorded in August.
Consumer non-durables contracted for the second consecutive month by 2.9%, reflecting weak rural and urban demand.
The overall IIP growth for the April-September period of 2025-26 stood at 3%, the lowest in at least five years.
Exam Points
IIP is released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
September 2025 IIP growth stood at 4%.
Mining sector growth contracted by 0.45% in September 2025.
The annual ASEAN and East Asia Summits serve as critical platforms for India to engage with Southeast Asian nations and global powers like the U.S. and China. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence from the recent summit in Kuala Lumpur is viewed by some as a missed opportunity for direct high-level diplomacy. Despite this, India reaffirmed its support for 'ASEAN Centrality' and the 'ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.' Key announcements included designating 2026 as the year of ASEAN-India maritime cooperation, focusing on humanitarian assistance, disaster response, maritime security, and the regional blue economy.
India became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1995 and reached summit-level status in 2002.
The East Asia Summit includes the U.S., China, Russia, and the Quad nations, making it a vital forum for Indo-Pacific issues.
India and ASEAN are working toward finalizing the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to address trade imbalances.
Exam Points
2026 designated as the Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation.
The 2025 ASEAN Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Quad (Australia-India-Japan-U.S.) was reborn on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in 2017.
The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has issued a new policy framework stating that the relocation of forest-dwelling communities from tiger reserves must be 'exceptional, voluntary, and evidence-based.' This directive aligns with the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 and counters previous attempts to prioritize relocation in core areas. The policy emphasizes obtaining informed consent and ensuring that communities have the option to continue living in their traditional habitats while exercising their rights. It also proposes a National Database to track relocation, compensation, and post-relocation status to ensure accountability and transparency in the process.
Relocation must strictly comply with the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the Wildlife Protection Act, ensuring human rights standards.
The policy calls for a 'National Framework for Community-Centred Conservation' involving the Environment and Tribal Affairs Ministries.
Authorities must ensure in situ development of basic infrastructure for those choosing to stay in forest habitats within tiger reserves.
Exam Points
Forest Rights Act (FRA) was enacted in 2006.
There are 591 villages and 64,801 families residing within the core areas of tiger reserves according to the NTCA.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the body overseeing tiger reserve management.
The Union Cabinet has formally approved the Terms of Reference for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), which will recommend changes to the salary and pension structures for approximately 50 lakh Central government employees and pensioners. The commission, headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is expected to submit its report within 18 months. The panel will consider various factors, including the country's economic conditions, fiscal prudence, and the need for developmental expenditure. This move follows the usual ten-year cycle for revising government pay scales, with the previous commission's recommendations implemented in 2016.
The commission includes Chairperson Justice Ranjana Desai, one part-time member, and one member-secretary.
It will evaluate the impact of its recommendations on State finances and the unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes.
Consultations will be held with various Ministries, including Defence, Home, and Railways, which employ the largest number of personnel.
Exam Points
8th CPC is headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (retd.).
The commission has an 18-month deadline from its date of constitution to submit recommendations.
The commission affects approximately 50 lakh Central government employees.
To support farmers during the ongoing rabi (winter) season, the Union Cabinet has approved a fertilizer subsidy of ₹37,952 crore. This represents an increase of approximately ₹14,000 crore compared to the previous rabi season. The subsidy specifically targets Phosphorous (P) and Sulphur (S) fertilizers, while rates for Nitrogen (N) and Potash (K) remain unchanged from the kharif season. The government aims to ensure the adequate availability of essential fertilizers like Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) despite fluctuating international prices, thereby protecting farmers from rising input costs.
The subsidy for phosphate will increase to ₹47.96 per kg, and sulphur will rise to ₹2.87 per kg for the 2025 rabi season.
The new rates are applicable from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, covering the entire winter crop cycle.
This special package is designed to maintain the retail price of fertilizers and ensure national food security.
Exam Points
Total approved fertilizer subsidy for 2025 rabi season is ₹37,952 crore.
The subsidy is ₹14,000 crore higher than the 2024 rabi season.
DAP stands for Di-ammonium Phosphate and TSP stands for Triple Super Phosphate.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to manufacture the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India. The SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft designed for short-haul flights. Under this agreement, HAL will have the rights to produce the aircraft for domestic customers, which is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity under the government's UDAN scheme. This collaboration marks a major step toward indigenous production of complete passenger aircraft in India, a feat not attempted since the AVRO HS-748 project ended in 1988.
The SJ-100 is intended to meet the growing demand for regional connectivity, with an estimated requirement of over 200 such jets in India.
The project will strengthen the private sector and create numerous direct and indirect jobs in the aviation industry.
This is the first instance of a complete passenger aircraft being produced in India through a foreign collaboration in decades.
Exam Points
SJ-100 is a twin-engine, narrow-body civil commuter aircraft.
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is the regional airport development and connectivity scheme.
The MoU was signed in Moscow between HAL and Russia's UAC.
A new United Nations 'synthesis report' released ahead of COP 30 in Brazil reveals that current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Countries are currently on track to reduce emissions by only 17% of 2019 levels by 2035, far below the 37% to 57% reduction required. The report highlights that while many NDCs now include adaptation components, the overall ambition remains low. India is among the countries yet to submit an updated NDC since its last submission in August 2022, as the world looks toward more aggressive climate action by the end of the century.
The report is based on updated NDCs, which are promises to cut fossil fuel emissions or enhance carbon sinks like forests.
To meet the 1.5°C target, global emissions must be cut significantly more than current projections by 2035.
Domestic pledges often focus on tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and expanding Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).
Exam Points
COP 30 (Conference of the Parties) will be held in Belem, Brazil.
Countries are projected to reduce emissions by only 17% of 2019 levels by 2035.
The Paris Agreement goal is to keep global heating below 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that India is ready to share its extensive experience in the solar sector with other countries, particularly in Africa. Speaking at the International Solar Alliance (ISA) meeting, he highlighted the success of domestic initiatives like PM Surya Ghar (rooftop solar) and PM-Kusum (solar pumps for farmers). India aims to showcase these models as scalable solutions for regions with low rural power access. Currently, 10 lakh solar rooftops have been completed under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, and India is supporting the ISA to expand these technologies globally to combat energy poverty and climate change.
PM-Kusum (Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) focuses on solarizing the agricultural sector and providing energy security to farmers.
The International Solar Alliance is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization launched by India and France to promote solar energy.
Africa has currently tapped only 4% of its arable land through irrigation due to lack of power, presenting a major opportunity for solar intervention.
Exam Points
10 lakh solar rooftops have been completed under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
PM-Kusum stands for Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan.
ISA (International Solar Alliance) is headquartered in Gurugram, India.
China and the 11-member ASEAN bloc have signed an upgrade to their Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) protocol. The deal aims to improve market access in sectors such as agriculture, the digital economy, and green industries. This upgrade comes as both parties seek to buffer against global economic turbulence and trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs. ASEAN is currently China's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $771 billion last year. The agreement also complements the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), further integrating the Indo-Pacific supply chains and promoting regional economic stability through industrial integration.
ACFTA 3.0 focuses on emerging sectors like the digital economy, green industries, and supply chain reliability.
The agreement is seen as a strategic move by China to position itself as a champion of open economies amidst rising global protectionism.
Both China and ASEAN are members of RCEP, the world's largest trading bloc, covering nearly a third of the global population.
Exam Points
ACFTA 3.0 (ASEAN-China Free Trade Area) upgrade protocol was signed in Kuala Lumpur.
Bilateral trade volume between China and ASEAN totaled $771 billion last year.
RCEP stands for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
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