UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 October 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 October 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 3 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 October (2025)

• India’s Blue Economy – Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries

India’s Blue Economy – Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries

• The Dangerous Blind Spot in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

The Dangerous Blind Spot in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

• Toyoake’s Screen Time Ordinance

Toyoake’s Screen Time Ordinance

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

• Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025

Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025

• Mission Drishti – The World’s First Multi-Sensor Earth Observation (EO) Satellite

Mission Drishti – The World’s First Multi-Sensor Earth Observation (EO) Satellite

• Fare Se Fursat Fixed Airfare Scheme

Fare Se Fursat Fixed Airfare Scheme

• Economics Nobel Prize 2025

Economics Nobel Prize 2025

• IUCN Classifies Indian Wolf as Potential Distinct Species

IUCN Classifies Indian Wolf as Potential Distinct Species

• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Mapping:

• Maldives Achieves Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT)

Maldives Achieves Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT)

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 October 2025

#### GS Paper 3:

India’s Blue Economy – Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries

Syllabus: Economy & Ecology

Source: PIB

Context: NITI Aayog released a report “India’s Blue Economy – Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries” outlining a scientific, sustainable, and inclusive roadmap for developing India’s deep-sea and offshore fisheries.

About India’s Blue Economy – Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries:

Current Status and Overview:

• Underdeveloped Sector: India’s deep-sea fishing remains nascent, despite an estimated 7.16 million tonnes (MT) potential within its EEZ.

• Limited High-Seas Presence: Only 4 Indian-flagged vessels operate in high seas versus Sri Lanka’s 1,883 and Iran’s 1,216, reflecting weak international engagement.

• Regulatory Void: No specific law governs fishing between 12–200 nautical miles, leading to IUU fishing and legal ambiguity.

• Jurisdictional Limitation: States regulate only up to 12 nmi, restricting oversight of larger marine zones.

Opportunities and Potential:

• Economic Growth: Deep-sea expansion could enhance exports beyond the ₹60,523 crore earned in FY 2023–24.

• Livelihood Creation: A modern vessel can yield ₹32 lakh annual profit, 10× more than small motorised boats.

• Coastal Relief: Shifting effort offshore will reduce pressure on inshore fish stocks and aid sustainability.

• Non-Conventional Resources: Untapped 1.847 MT in lanternfish, squids, and deep-sea shrimp holds new value.

• Strategic Edge: A strong offshore fleet strengthens India’s food security and maritime presence in the Indian Ocean.

Major Challenges:

• Policy Gaps: India lacks a unified EEZ Fisheries Act and effective coordination among maritime, environmental, and defence agencies, causing fragmented regulation.

• Infrastructure Deficit: Only a few of the 90 fishing harbours can berth large vessels; absence of cold storage and processing units’ limits export competitiveness.

• High Costs: Deep-sea fishing demands high fuel, capital, and maintenance costs, making it unaffordable for small and traditional fishers.

• Data Deficiency: There’s no central database for fish stock, species mapping, or catch trends, leading to poor planning and risk of overfishing.

• Environmental Risks: Bottom trawling, bycatch, and marine pollution degrade habitats and endanger species in fragile deep-sea ecosystems.

Global Best Practices:

• China: Operates large distant-water fleets and “motherships,” showing scale potential but also risks of resource depletion from overfishing.

• Spain: Employs Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), eco-friendly gear, and traceability tools for responsible fishing practices.

• New Zealand: Implements Quota Management System (QMS) assigning catch rights to maintain balance between economy and ecology.

NITI Aayog’s Key Recommendations:

• Policy Overhaul: Draft a national EEZ Fisheries Act harmonized with UNCLOS and revise subsidies to reward sustainable practices.

• Institutional Strengthening: Establish a Deep-Sea Fisheries Authority and invest in research, data systems, and scientific manpower.

• Fleet Modernisation: Provide incentives for modern, GPS and cold-storage-equipped vessels, promoting cooperative ownership models.

• Sustainable Management: Adopt ecosystem-based catch limits, enforce marine spatial planning, and enable real-time vessel tracking.

• Financing Mechanism: Set up a Deep-Sea Fishing Development Fund supported by PPPs, soft loans, and insurance for risk mitigation.

• Stakeholder Inclusion: Empower fishing communities in governance, ensure capacity-building, and include small-scale fishers in policy benefits.

Conclusion:

The report charts a blue revolution 2.0—integrating economic growth with ecological balance. A robust, regulated deep-sea sector can boost exports, secure livelihoods, and strengthen India’s maritime footprint, aligning with the vision of a sustainable Blue Economy.

The Dangerous Blind Spot in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Syllabus: Cyber Security

Source: WEF

Context: The World Economic Forum highlighted a major “blind spot” in cybersecurity — the vulnerability of critical infrastructure’s operational technology (OT) systems — following repeated global power outages such as the Spain–Portugal blackout.

About The Dangerous Blind Spot in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity:

What is Operational Technology (OT)?

Operational Technology refers to hardware and software systems that control physical processes — such as electric grids, pipelines, water treatment plants, and transport networks.

• Unlike IT (information systems), OT manages real-world machinery like turbines, valves, or pumps.

• Traditionally air-gapped or offline, OT is now interconnected with IT systems due to digitalization.

• It forms the backbone of critical infrastructure, and any cyber breach can cause massive physical and economic damage.

• Example: In 2022, a cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline (US) halted fuel supplies across the East Coast, showing the risk of OT failure.

Reasons for Growing Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure:

• Digital Integration of OT & IT: Modernization has merged industrial control systems with the internet, expanding the attack surface.

• Eg: Global OT–IT convergence grew by 40% between 2020–2024 (Dragos Report).

• Rise of Sophisticated Threat Actors: State-sponsored hackers increasingly target OT systems for geopolitical leverage.

• Eg: Russia’s “NotPetya” attack (2017) crippled Ukraine’s power systems.

• Outdated Legacy Systems: Many plants still run decades-old SCADA platforms lacking encryption or monitoring.

• Inadequate Cyber Investment: Firms spend 10x more on IT than OT security, leaving industrial networks unprotected.

• Data Blindness in OT Networks: Most OT data isn’t logged, making real-time detection and forensics nearly impossible after an incident.

Challenges to Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

• Lack of Visibility & Monitoring: 60% of OT networks lack intrusion detection systems, creating forensic blind spots.

• Fragmented Regulatory Oversight: No uniform global standard exists; countries follow disparate frameworks (e.g., NIST vs. EU NIS2).

• Shortage of Skilled Workforce: Only 15% of cybersecurity professionals specialize in OT systems (WEF, 2024).

• Complexity of Incident Attribution: Difficulty in distinguishing technical faults from cyberattacks delays response.

• High Integration Cost: Retrofitting legacy infrastructure with security tools is cost-intensive for developing nations.

Implications of OT Cyber Vulnerability:

• Organizational Impacts:

• Operational Disruption: Outages halt production — a single-hour power plant downtime can cost $1 million+. Reputational Damage: Undetected breaches reduce public trust in utilities and regulators. Insurance Risks: Lack of forensic clarity complicates claims and increases premium costs by 20–30%.

• Operational Disruption: Outages halt production — a single-hour power plant downtime can cost $1 million+.

• Reputational Damage: Undetected breaches reduce public trust in utilities and regulators.

• Insurance Risks: Lack of forensic clarity complicates claims and increases premium costs by 20–30%.

• Economic Impacts:

• Massive Economic Losses: Global cyberattacks on infrastructure cost $10.5 trillion annually (Cybercrime Report 2024). Supply Chain Disruption: Attacks on ports or grids paralyze trade and logistics (Eg: Maersk cyberattack 2017 cost $300M). Inflationary Pressures: Energy or fuel disruptions drive commodity prices up (e.g., Colonial Pipeline case).

• Massive Economic Losses: Global cyberattacks on infrastructure cost $10.5 trillion annually (Cybercrime Report 2024).

• Supply Chain Disruption: Attacks on ports or grids paralyze trade and logistics (Eg: Maersk cyberattack 2017 cost $300M).

• Inflationary Pressures: Energy or fuel disruptions drive commodity prices up (e.g., Colonial Pipeline case).

• National Security Impacts:

• Strategic Sabotage Risk: Adversaries may infiltrate grids or water systems to cause covert damage. Plausible Deniability in Warfare: Cyberattacks are hard to trace, complicating retaliatory diplomacy. Civilian Harm: Attacks on water treatment or hospitals can directly endanger public health.

• Strategic Sabotage Risk: Adversaries may infiltrate grids or water systems to cause covert damage.

• Plausible Deniability in Warfare: Cyberattacks are hard to trace, complicating retaliatory diplomacy.

• Civilian Harm: Attacks on water treatment or hospitals can directly endanger public health.

World Economic Forum (WEF) Recommendations:

• Internal Network Security Monitoring (INSM): Adopt models like US FERC’s CIP-015-1, mandating real-time OT traffic surveillance.

• Integrated Cyber-Physical Governance: Treat OT security as national infrastructure, not an IT subset.

• Invest in Detection Technologies: Deploy AI-driven anomaly detection and forensic data recorders for rapid attribution.

• Public–Private Coordination: Build sectoral cyber fusion centers to share threat intelligence across energy, transport, and health.

• Workforce Capacity-Building: Upskill engineers in OT cybersecurity through global WEF–NATO–ITU partnerships.

Conclusion:

Critical infrastructure lies at the heart of national resilience — yet its cybersecurity lag leaves nations exposed to both economic paralysis and strategic coercion. The WEF warns that without urgent investment in OT visibility and cross-sector coordination, the next major cyberattack could shut down cities, not just servers. Strengthening cyber-physical security is thus no longer optional — it is existential.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 October 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Toyoake’s Screen Time Ordinance

Context: The Japanese city of Toyoake, near Nagoya, has enacted a local ordinance limiting residents’ screen time to two hours a day, becoming one of the first cities globally to officially encourage reduced smartphone dependence.

About Toyoake’s Screen Time Ordinance:

What It Is?

A municipal guideline introduced in October 2025, recommending citizens—both adults and children—to restrict recreational screen use (phones, laptops, tablets) to two hours daily.

Aim: To promote mental well-being, real-world social interaction, and reduce the “digital isolation” caused by excessive smartphone use.

Key Features:

• Voluntary and non-punitive — no fines or penalties for exceeding limits.

• Applies to all residents, excluding work and study hours.

• Approved by city council (12–7 vote) after public consultations.

• Encourages self-regulation and awareness of digital addiction.

• Seeks to restore face-to-face communication and community engagement.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper II – Governance & Policy: Reflects local governance innovation in addressing behavioral and technological issues.

• Reflects local governance innovation in addressing behavioral and technological issues.

• GS Paper III – Science & Technology: Relevant under cyber ethics, digital dependency, and human–technology interface.

• Relevant under cyber ethics, digital dependency, and human–technology interface.

• GS Paper IV – Ethics: Illustrates self-regulation, civic responsibility, and ethical use of technology.

• Illustrates self-regulation, civic responsibility, and ethical use of technology.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 October 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025

Source: PIB

Context: Union Minister for Commerce and Industry launched the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking the 4th Anniversary of PM GatiShakti.

About Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025:

• What it is? LEAPS 2025 is a national benchmarking initiative designed to recognize excellence, innovation, and leadership across India’s logistics sector, enhancing its global competitiveness.

• LEAPS 2025 is a national benchmarking initiative designed to recognize excellence, innovation, and leadership across India’s logistics sector, enhancing its global competitiveness.

• Launched in: October 2025, during the 4th Anniversary of PM GatiShakti celebrations in New Delhi.

• Published by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

• Aim: To benchmark logistics performance, celebrate sectoral innovation, and align industry practices with the National Logistics Policy (2022) and PM GatiShakti’s vision of integrated, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.

• Criteria: Applications are invited under 13 categories covering air, rail, road, and maritime freight operators; warehousing (industrial and agricultural); MSMEs, Startups, academic institutions, and e-commerce logistics providers, promoting diversity and inclusion in logistics excellence.

• Features:

• Promotes ESG compliance, green logistics, and sustainability goals. Encourages collaboration between Government, Industry, and Academia. Serves as a national recognition platform for logistics innovation, efficiency, and technology adoption. Strengthens India’s efforts toward Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Viksit Bharat 2047. Registration open on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (awards.gov.in).

• Promotes ESG compliance, green logistics, and sustainability goals.

• Encourages collaboration between Government, Industry, and Academia.

• Serves as a national recognition platform for logistics innovation, efficiency, and technology adoption.

• Strengthens India’s efforts toward Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

• Registration open on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (awards.gov.in).

Mission Drishti – The World’s First Multi-Sensor Earth Observation (EO) Satellite

Source: ITV

Context: Indian space-tech startup GalaxEye has announced the launch of ‘Mission Drishti,’ the world’s first multi-sensor Earth Observation (EO) satellite, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

About Mission Drishti – The World’s First Multi-Sensor Earth Observation (EO) Satellite:

• What it is? Mission Drishti is the world’s first satellite integrating multiple sensing technologies—Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical sensors—on a single platform, enabling real-time, all-weather Earth observation.

• Mission Drishti is the world’s first satellite integrating multiple sensing technologies—Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Optical sensors—on a single platform, enabling real-time, all-weather Earth observation.

• Organisation Involved: Developed by GalaxEye Space, a Bengaluru-based private space startup founded by alumni of IIT Madras.

• Aim: To provide high-resolution, multi-source geospatial intelligence for applications in defense, disaster management, infrastructure, utilities, agriculture, and financial risk assessment, strengthening India’s data-driven governance and security capabilities.

• Key Features:

• World’s first multi-sensor integration: Combines SAR and optical imaging, ensuring 24×7, all-weather monitoring. High-resolution imaging: Offers 1.5-meter resolution, among the highest in its category. Largest private satellite: Weighs 160 kg, India’s largest privately-built satellite to date. AI-driven analytics: Enables advanced data fusion and geospatial insights for precision planning. Constellation plan: 8–10 satellites to be launched over four years, forming an integrated global observation network.

• World’s first multi-sensor integration: Combines SAR and optical imaging, ensuring 24×7, all-weather monitoring.

• High-resolution imaging: Offers 1.5-meter resolution, among the highest in its category.

• Largest private satellite: Weighs 160 kg, India’s largest privately-built satellite to date.

• AI-driven analytics: Enables advanced data fusion and geospatial insights for precision planning.

• Constellation plan: 8–10 satellites to be launched over four years, forming an integrated global observation network.

• Significance:

• Positions India as a global leader in private EO technology, enhancing its strategic and commercial space footprint. Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat and SpaceTech innovation, reducing dependence on foreign EO data. Strengthens national capabilities in border surveillance, disaster prediction, and climate monitoring.

• Positions India as a global leader in private EO technology, enhancing its strategic and commercial space footprint.

• Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat and SpaceTech innovation, reducing dependence on foreign EO data.

• Strengthens national capabilities in border surveillance, disaster prediction, and climate monitoring.

Fare Se Fursat Fixed Airfare Scheme

Source: LM

Context: Union Civil Aviation Minister launched Alliance Air’s “Fare Se Fursat” Fixed Airfare Scheme, giving passengers freedom from fluctuating airfares and promoting affordable, predictable air travel under the UDAN vision.

About Fare Se Fursat Fixed Airfare Scheme:

• What it is? A first-of-its-kind initiative by Alliance Air that introduces a single, fixed airfare which remains constant irrespective of booking dates, including last-minute travel.

• A first-of-its-kind initiative by Alliance Air that introduces a single, fixed airfare which remains constant irrespective of booking dates, including last-minute travel.

• Airline Involved: Implemented by Alliance Air, a government-owned regional carrier.

• Aim: To democratize aviation by making air travel affordable, transparent, and stress-free for middle-class and first-time flyers.

• Key Features:

• Fixed pricing: One fare for each route—unchanged even on the day of travel. Pilot phase: Operational from October 13 to December 31, 2025, across select UDAN routes. Passenger-friendly approach: Eliminates uncertainty caused by dynamic ticket pricing. Focus on inclusion: Encourages flyers from smaller towns and Tier-2/3 cities to use air transport. Aligned with UDAN: Promotes “Naye Bharat ki Udaan” — aviation as a public service, not merely profit-driven.

• Fixed pricing: One fare for each route—unchanged even on the day of travel.

• Pilot phase: Operational from October 13 to December 31, 2025, across select UDAN routes.

• Passenger-friendly approach: Eliminates uncertainty caused by dynamic ticket pricing.

• Focus on inclusion: Encourages flyers from smaller towns and Tier-2/3 cities to use air transport.

• Aligned with UDAN: Promotes “Naye Bharat ki Udaan” — aviation as a public service, not merely profit-driven.

About Alliance Air:

• What it is? Alliance Air is a government-owned regional airline operating under Air India Asset Holdings Limited (AIAHL), serving as the backbone of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN).

• Alliance Air is a government-owned regional airline operating under Air India Asset Holdings Limited (AIAHL), serving as the backbone of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN).

• Established in: April 1996, originally as a subsidiary of Indian Airlines, and later continued as a separate state-owned carrier after Air India’s privatization in 2021.

• History:

• Started operations in 1996 with Boeing 737 aircraft to connect smaller cities. In 1997, merged with Vayudoot Airlines to expand regional routes. Became a key player in UDAN (2016), enhancing last-mile air connectivity.

• Started operations in 1996 with Boeing 737 aircraft to connect smaller cities.

• In 1997, merged with Vayudoot Airlines to expand regional routes.

• Became a key player in UDAN (2016), enhancing last-mile air connectivity.

• Functions:

• Provides regional air links connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to metros. Supports government’s “Affordable Aviation” initiatives through UDAN and Fare Se Fursat.

• Provides regional air links connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to metros.

• Supports government’s “Affordable Aviation” initiatives through UDAN and Fare Se Fursat.

Economics Nobel Prize 2025

Source: ET

Context: The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their groundbreaking contributions in explaining how innovation drives sustained economic growth.

About Economics Nobel Prize 2025:

• What it is? Formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, the award honors exceptional research in economics that advances understanding of growth, markets, and human welfare.

• Formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, the award honors exceptional research in economics that advances understanding of growth, markets, and human welfare.

• Winners of 2025:

• Joel Mokyr (Northwestern University, USA): Recognized “for identifying the prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress.”

• Philippe Aghion (Collège de France, INSEAD, and LSE) and Peter Howitt (Brown University, USA): Jointly awarded “for developing the theory of sustained growth through creative destruction.”

Their Work and Contributions

• Joel Mokyr’s Contribution:

• Highlighted the role of “useful knowledge” — combining propositional (theoretical) and prescriptive (practical) understanding — as the foundation of the Industrial Revolution and modern growth. Argued that scientific experimentation, reproducibility, and skilled artisanship created a feedback loop between science and technology, enabling sustained innovation. Policy insight: Emphasized investment in skills, technical education, and openness to change as essential for continuous innovation. Eg: Britain’s early industrial rise due to its network of skilled engineers and artisans converting ideas into practical machinery.

• Highlighted the role of “useful knowledge” — combining propositional (theoretical) and prescriptive (practical) understanding — as the foundation of the Industrial Revolution and modern growth.

• Argued that scientific experimentation, reproducibility, and skilled artisanship created a feedback loop between science and technology, enabling sustained innovation.

• Policy insight: Emphasized investment in skills, technical education, and openness to change as essential for continuous innovation.

• Eg: Britain’s early industrial rise due to its network of skilled engineers and artisans converting ideas into practical machinery.

• Philippe Aghion & Peter Howitt’s Contribution:

• Developed a mathematical model of “creative destruction,” showing how innovation drives progress by replacing outdated technologies with superior ones. Explained that R&D investment spurs growth but also displaces incumbents — requiring policies that balance innovation incentives with social stability. Provided a framework to assess optimal R&D subsidies, competition policy, and long-term productivity strategies.

• Developed a mathematical model of “creative destruction,” showing how innovation drives progress by replacing outdated technologies with superior ones.

• Explained that R&D investment spurs growth but also displaces incumbents — requiring policies that balance innovation incentives with social stability.

• Provided a framework to assess optimal R&D subsidies, competition policy, and long-term productivity strategies.

Significance of the 2025 Nobel Work:

• Bridges economic history and modern growth theory, showing why the post-Industrial era achieved sustained prosperity.

• Offers practical policy lessons — from promoting education and openness to managing creative destruction and fair competition.

• Reinforces innovation as the core driver of productivity, jobs, and living standards, guiding 21st-century strategies for inclusive and sustainable development.

IUCN Classifies Indian Wolf as Potential Distinct Species

Source: HT

Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has, for the first time, evaluated the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) as a potential distinct species, listing it as ‘Vulnerable’ on the Red List with only about 3,000 individuals left in the wild

About IUCN Classifies Indian Wolf as ‘Potential Distinct Species’:

• What it is? The Indian wolf is one of the most ancient and genetically unique wolf lineages in the world, endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

• The Indian wolf is one of the most ancient and genetically unique wolf lineages in the world, endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus pallipes, commonly referred to as the Peninsular wolf or Indian grey wolf.

• IUCN Status (2025): Conservation status: Classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Population estimate: Only 2,877–3,310 mature individuals remain in the wild across India and Pakistan.

• Conservation status: Classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

• Population estimate: Only 2,877–3,310 mature individuals remain in the wild across India and Pakistan.

• History: Once widespread distribution: The Indian wolf was historically found across northern and western India, from Punjab and Haryana to Rajasthan and Maharashtra, thriving in open plains and semi-arid regions. Local extinction in several regions: Due to habitat loss, persecution, and expanding agriculture, the species has now vanished from many areas, including parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Ancient evolutionary lineage: Fossil and genetic studies show it diverged from other wolf species thousands of years ago, making it one of the oldest wolf lineages in the world. Evolution in India’s ecosystems: The species evolved uniquely in India’s semi-arid and grassland ecosystems, long before human civilization spread across the subcontinent.

• Once widespread distribution: The Indian wolf was historically found across northern and western India, from Punjab and Haryana to Rajasthan and Maharashtra, thriving in open plains and semi-arid regions.

• Local extinction in several regions: Due to habitat loss, persecution, and expanding agriculture, the species has now vanished from many areas, including parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

• Ancient evolutionary lineage: Fossil and genetic studies show it diverged from other wolf species thousands of years ago, making it one of the oldest wolf lineages in the world.

• Evolution in India’s ecosystems: The species evolved uniquely in India’s semi-arid and grassland ecosystems, long before human civilization spread across the subcontinent.

• Physical Characteristics: Smaller and leaner build: The Indian wolf is smaller and slimmer than Himalayan or Eurasian wolves, reflecting adaptation to open and dry landscapes. Distinct coat coloration: It has a light brown-grey coat and short fur, which helps it camouflage in scrub and grassland habitats. Adaptation to heat: The wolf lacks the thick undercoat found in northern wolves, enabling it to survive in high temperatures and low-rainfall regions. Agile and long-limbed: Its long limbs and narrow body allow for speed and endurance during hunting in open terrains.

• Smaller and leaner build: The Indian wolf is smaller and slimmer than Himalayan or Eurasian wolves, reflecting adaptation to open and dry landscapes.

• Distinct coat coloration: It has a light brown-grey coat and short fur, which helps it camouflage in scrub and grassland habitats.

• Adaptation to heat: The wolf lacks the thick undercoat found in northern wolves, enabling it to survive in high temperatures and low-rainfall regions.

• Agile and long-limbed: Its long limbs and narrow body allow for speed and endurance during hunting in open terrains.

Other Species and Their Updated IUCN Status (2025)

• Hooded Seal – Upgraded to Endangered

• Bearded Seal – Now classified as Near Threatened

• Harp Seal – Now classified as Near Threatened

• Green Turtle – Now classified as Vulnerable (Downgraded)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Source: DH

Context: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been playing a key role in the Israel–Hamas hostage and prisoner exchanges (2023–2025).

About The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC):

• What It Is? A global humanitarian network of over 80 million members and volunteers, dedicated to protecting human life and dignity during war, disaster, and crisis.

• A global humanitarian network of over 80 million members and volunteers, dedicated to protecting human life and dignity during war, disaster, and crisis.

• Established In: 1863, by Henry Dunant, a Swiss humanitarian, after witnessing the horrors of the Battle of Solferino (1859).

• Aim: To provide neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian assistance to those affected by armed conflict and natural disasters, ensuring adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Historical Background:

• Founded as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, it marked the start of organized humanitarian response in wartime.

• The idea evolved into a global movement, leading to the establishment of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems as symbols of protection and neutrality.

• In 2005, the Red Crystal emblem was added for use by countries not using the cross or crescent for cultural or political reasons.

Structure and Key Components

Component | Role and Function

ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) | Coordinates relief in conflict zones, ensures respect for IHL, protects detainees, assists refugees, and facilitates humanitarian access.

IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) | Umbrella organization for 191 National Societies, managing global disaster response and promoting community resilience.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies | Operate within their own countries, assist governments in humanitarian efforts, and support both domestic and international relief missions.

Functions and Significance:

• Humanitarian Protection: Safeguards civilians, detainees, and displaced persons in conflict zones.

• Medical and Relief Aid: Provides healthcare, shelter, and emergency supplies in war and disaster situations.

• Restoring Family Links: Reunites families separated by conflict or disaster through tracing services.

• Promotion of International Humanitarian Law (IHL): Advocates for compliance with the Geneva Conventions and humane treatment of war victims.

• Neutral Mediation: Acts as a trusted intermediary in hostage exchanges and ceasefire arrangements, as seen in Gaza 2025.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 October 2025 Mapping:

Maldives Achieves Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT)

Source: WHO

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated the Maldives as the first country in the world to achieve “triple elimination” — stopping mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, marking a historic global public health milestone

About Maldives Achieves Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT):

• What It Is?

• Triple Elimination refers to a country successfully preventing mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B — three major infectious diseases affecting newborns globally. WHO validates countries only when zero new infant cases are reported for at least two consecutive years, with strong monitoring systems and universal maternal healthcare.

• Triple Elimination refers to a country successfully preventing mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B — three major infectious diseases affecting newborns globally.

• WHO validates countries only when zero new infant cases are reported for at least two consecutive years, with strong monitoring systems and universal maternal healthcare.

• Achievements of Maldives:

• Global First: Maldives is the first nation ever to achieve WHO “triple elimination” status (HIV, syphilis & hepatitis B). Universal Maternal Health Coverage: Over 95% of pregnant women receive antenatal care and are tested for all three infections. Immunization Success: Over 95% of newborns receive the hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours, ensuring early protection. Zero Transmission: Since 2022, no babies were born with HIV or syphilis, and 2023 surveys showed zero hepatitis B among children.

• Global First: Maldives is the first nation ever to achieve WHO “triple elimination” status (HIV, syphilis & hepatitis B).

• Universal Maternal Health Coverage: Over 95% of pregnant women receive antenatal care and are tested for all three infections.

• Immunization Success: Over 95% of newborns receive the hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours, ensuring early protection.

• Zero Transmission: Since 2022, no babies were born with HIV or syphilis, and 2023 surveys showed zero hepatitis B among children.

About Maldives:

• Location: Maldives is an independent island nation in the north-central Indian Ocean, about 600 km southwest of India and 645 km southwest of Sri Lanka.

• Capital: Malé.

• Population: Estimated 561,900 (2025); official language Dhivehi; state religion Islam.

• Geographic Features:

• Island Composition: Comprises about 1,200 small coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, of which around 200 are inhabited. Elevation: One of the world’s lowest-lying nations, with no island rising above 1.8 meters (6 feet) above sea level. Climate: Tropical climate with southwest monsoon (May–Aug) bringing rain and northeast monsoon (Dec–Mar) bringing dry weather.

• Island Composition: Comprises about 1,200 small coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, of which around 200 are inhabited.

• Elevation: One of the world’s lowest-lying nations, with no island rising above 1.8 meters (6 feet) above sea level.

• Climate: Tropical climate with southwest monsoon (May–Aug) bringing rain and northeast monsoon (Dec–Mar) bringing dry weather.

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