CURRENT AFFAIRS 07 October, 2025
1. CYCLONE SHAKHTI, A NAME GIVEN BY SRI LANKA, WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE ARABIAN SEA, HAS STRENGTHENED INTO A SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM (SCS) WITH WIND SPEEDS REACHING 100 KMPH –
• About: Cyclones are fast air circulations around low-pressure areas, rotating anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern, often causing storms and severe weather.
• Cyclone Formation in Arabian Sea: The Arabian Sea, particularly its central and southern parts, serves as a warm pool with ideal Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (at least 27°C) favourable for cyclone formation.
• Also, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a large weather system that moves eastward around the tropics.
• When its active phase is over the Arabian Sea, it creates favorable conditions for cyclones — including more moisture, low wind shear, and strong upward air movement.
• Classification of Cyclones: IMD classifies low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea by damage potential, following World Meteorological Organization (WMO) guidelines.
• Naming of Cyclones: The WMO/ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) Panel on Tropical Cyclones, which includes 13 North Indian Ocean countries, manages cyclone naming for the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
• The panel has a pre-set list of names submitted by 13 countries to be used sequentially.
• Names are chosen in order, column by column, regardless of where the cyclone forms.
2. RBI POLICY MEASURES TO BOOST INDIA’S BANKING SYSTEM –
• RBI has kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.50% with a neutral stance. As part of the MPC statement Reserve Bank of India (RBI) four key measures aimed at enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of India’s banking sector.
• Aim: To enhance credit flow, strengthen banking resilience, simplify regulations, and promote the internationalisation of the Indian Rupee.
• Timing of the Announcement: These announcements come amid global trade tensions, tariff uncertainties, and geopolitical volatility that affect commodity and currency movements. Despite global headwinds, India’s growth outlook remains strong, supported by domestic consumption, public investment, and stable inflation.
Key Takeaways of RBI MPC Meeting 2025–26
• Policy decision – Repo rate unchanged: The MPC unanimously voted to keep the repo rate steady at 5.5 percent, with the SDF at 5.25 percent and the MSF and Bank Rate at 5.75 percent.
• The stance remains neutral.
• Inflation Outlook: RBI has lowered its CPI inflation forecast for FY 2025–26 to 2.6%, down from 3.1%.
• Reason: This drop is because of GST rate cuts, cheaper food prices, and healthy foodgrain stocks.
• GST rationalisation has helped cool prices and simplify taxes, benefiting consumers and businesses alike. However, new U.S. tariffs on Indian exports (as high as 50%) could hurt external demand and slow export growth.
3. PM TO INAUGURATE IMC 2025 IN DELHI ON OCTOBER 8TH –
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 on October 8, 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The event will run till October 11, and is poised to be one of Asia’s premier telecom and tech gatherings, centered around the theme “Innovate to Transform.”
Key Highlights of IMC 2025
• Theme & Focus Areas
IMC 2025 aims to bolster Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in telecom and digital technologies. The major thematic domains include,
• 6G ecosystem and Bharat 6G Alliance
• Cybersecurity
• Satellite communications (Satcom)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Internet of Things (IoT)
• Telecom manufacturing and indigenous innovation
Scale & Participation
• Over 1.5 lakh visitors expected
• More than 7,000 global delegates from over 150 countries
• Around 400 exhibitors spread across 4.5 lakh sq ft of exhibition space
• More than 1,600 new technology use‑cases to be showcased across 5G, AI, cybersecurity, and related domains
• Over 100 sessions featuring 800+ speakers exploring transformative technologies
Flagship Summits & Programs
• IMC 2025 will host six major global summits and programs,
• International Bharat 6G Symposium (to highlight India’s 6G research)
• International AI Summit (focus on AI in communication networks)
• Cyber Security Summit (emphasis on protecting India’s expansive telecom network)
• Satcom Summit (future of satellite-based communications)
• IMC Aspire Programme (bringing together startups, VCs, investors)
• Global Startup World Cup – India Edition (15 finalists compete for USD 1 million investment)
4. FRANCE’S PM SEBASTIEN LECORNU RESIGNS HOURS AFTER CABINET FORMATION –
• In a dramatic and unprecedented move, France’s Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned just 14 hours after appointing his cabinet, plunging the country deeper into political turmoil. His resignation has sparked renewed calls for snap elections and rattled both the French stock market and the euro, underscoring the fragility of France’s political landscape.
What Led to the Resignation?
• Lecornu’s cabinet appointments sparked strong backlash from across the political spectrum. Despite weeks of consultations with major parties, his lineup was viewed by many as either too right-wing or not right-wing enough, failing to secure support from both allies and opponents.
• In a fragmented National Assembly, where no party commands a majority, any government is vulnerable to collapse.
• Fearing a no-confidence motion, Lecornu submitted his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron early Monday.
• The Élysée Palace confirmed that Macron accepted the resignation.
Political Context & Instability
• France has faced growing instability since President Macron’s re-election in 2022, as his centrist alliance failed to secure a majority in parliament.
• His move to call a snap election in 2024 backfired, resulting in an even more divided legislature.
• Lecornu, a close Macron ally and the fifth prime minister in two years, was appointed only last month.
• His abrupt exit is emblematic of the governance gridlock now gripping France.
5. INDIAN NAVY AND ROYAL NAVY EXERCISE KONKAN 2025 –
• Exercise Konkan 2025 began on 5 October 2025 off India’s western coast. This biennial naval exercise between India and the United Kingdom has matured over two decades. It now involves advanced maritime operations, strengthening cooperation and readiness between the two navies. The 2025 edition features the largest and most complex drills to date, reflecting deepening strategic ties.
Overview of Exercise Konkan
• Exercise Konkan is a bilateral maritime drill conducted by the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy. It aims to improve interoperability and mutual understanding in naval operations. The exercise takes place in two phases – harbour and sea. Over the years, it has evolved from simple drills to multifaceted operations involving surface, sub-surface, and air assets.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. What is the name of the scheme launched by the Government of India to modernize government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) ?
a) PM–SETU
b) Skill India Mission
c) Digital India Yojana
d) Make in India Initiative
Q2. As per the news, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually on_________
a) 1st October
b) 20th October
c) 15th October
d) 5th October
Q3. As per the news, Dr. G G Parikh, who passed away on October 2, 2025, was popularly known as______________.
a) Father of the Socialism
b) Saint of the Socialists
c) Iron Man of India
d) Architect of Modern India
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine:
1. The prize was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.
2. Their research identified the FOXP3 gene as essential for the development and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs).
3. The laureates discovered a novel cytokine that suppresses T-cell activation.
Which of the above statements are correct ?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their groundbreaking discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance. Their work elucidated how regulatory T cells (Tregs) prevent the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues, a mechanism critical in preventing autoimmune diseases and enhancing transplant acceptance.
• Statement 2 is correct. Their research identified the FOXP3 gene as essential for the development and function of regulatory T cells. Mutations in this gene are linked to autoimmune disorders such as IPEX syndrome in humans and scurfy in mice.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The laureates did not discover a novel cytokine that suppresses T-cell activation. Instead, their work focused on understanding the role of regulatory T cells and the FOXP3 gene in immune system regulation.
Q5. Which of the following statements about NITI Aayog is/are correct ?
1. It is a constitutional body established by an act of Parliament.
2. The Prime Minister is the ex officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
3. It has the power to allocate funds to states for centrally sponsored schemes.
4. It fosters cooperative federalism by involving state governments in policy deliberations.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1,3 and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is incorrect: NITI Aayog is not a constitutional body; it was created by Cabinet resolution (i.e. executive action), not by a law or constitutional amendment.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Prime Minister serves as the Chairperson of NITI Aayog in an ex officio capacity.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: NITI Aayog does not have allocative or budgetary powers to disburse funds; it has an advisory and coordination role
• Statement 4 is correct: One of the core principles of NITI Aayog is cooperative federalism, which means involving states in policy formulation and planning.
Answer Key
1 2 3 4 5
A D B A C