CURRENT AFFAIRS 13 October, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 13 October, 2025

1. THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH LAUNCHED THE DRAVYA PORTAL (DIGITISED RETRIEVAL APPLICATION FOR VERSATILE YARDSTICK OF AYUSH) IN GOA, MARKING THE CREATION OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE DIGITAL REPOSITORY OF AYURVEDIC INGREDIENTS AND FORMULATIONS –

• About: The DRAVYA Portal is a landmark in India’s Ayush digital transformation, bridging traditional knowledge and modern innovation.
• AI-ready platform, enabling integration with the Ayush Grid and other Ministry initiatives to strengthen research, regulation, and global recognition of India’s rich medicinal heritage.
• In its first phase, it aims to catalogue 100 key medicinal substances, ensuring precision and authenticity through a dedicated data-entry software.
• Developed by: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH.

Key Features:

• Contains detailed profiles of Ayurvedic substances across pharmacotherapeutics, botany, chemistry, pharmacology, and safety data.
• Facilitates intelligent data analysis, linking with the Ayush Grid and national health databases for policy, research, and innovation.
• Supports researchers, practitioners, students, and policymakers in evidence-based study, pharmacopoeial harmonisation, and drug validation.

2. NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2025 –

• The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2025 to Maria Corina Machado in recognition of her tireless efforts to promote democratic rights in Venezuela and her unwavering struggle for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

What are the Key Highlights of the Nobel Peace Prize 2025?

• Laureate: María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan politician and pro-democracy activist, widely known as the “Iron Lady of Venezuela” for her courageous stand against authoritarianism.
• Since 1999, Venezuela has shifted from a relatively stable democracy to a deeply entrenched authoritarian state. With citizens facing poverty and limited freedoms, while the opposition struggles under constant threats.
• Maria Corina Machado Contributions: She founded the Atenea Foundation in 1992 to support street children and co-founded Súmate to monitor elections and promote free and fair voting.
• Mobilised citizens and opposition groups by advocating “ballots over bullets,” promoting peaceful civic participation over violent resistance.
• She stood firmly against authoritarian rule while remaining in Venezuela under threats, working to unify the pro-democracy movement.
• Global Significance: 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado highlights that democracy is the foundation of peace, both within countries and internationally.

3. INDIA’S FIRST SEMICONDUCTOR INNOVATION MUSEUM OPENS –

• In a landmark development for India’s tech sector, the Semiconductor Innovation Museum was inaugurated on October 12, 2025, in Hyderabad by the Technology Chip Innovation Program (T-Chip). The museum is the first of its kind in India, aiming to bolster public engagement and industry collaboration in the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem.

Vision and Purpose

• The museum has been established to,
• Showcase India’s growing capabilities in semiconductor design and manufacturing
• Act as a hub for innovation, investment, and talent discovery
• Inspire the next generation of engineers, developers, and policymakers
• Host monthly demo days, global showcases, and networking events for investors and tech leaders
• This initiative strengthens Hyderabad’s role as an emerging semiconductor innovation cluster, aligning with India’s broader ambition to become a global semiconductor hub.

4. PM MODI LAUNCHES RS 35,440 CRORE AGRICULTURE SCHEMES –

• The Government of India launched two agricultural schemes in 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. These initiatives aim to boost productivity, strengthen rural economies, and enhance farmers’ incomes across the country. The schemes come with a combined investment of over Rs 35,000 crore and target 100 specially selected districts.

Recent Agricultural Initiatives

• The PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana focuses on crop diversification, sustainable farming, irrigation, storage, and credit availability. It integrates 36 government schemes for a unified approach. The Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission aims to increase pulse production by expanding cultivation area and improving procurement and processing. It targets nutritional security and benefits nearly two crore pulse farmers.

Focus on Aspirational Districts

• The schemes draw inspiration from the Aspirational Districts Programme. Over 100 districts once labelled backward are now priority areas for development. The approach combines convergence, collaboration, and competition among districts to accelerate progress. Infrastructure improvements include roads, electrification of schools, and healthcare coverage, transforming rural livelihoods.

5. PRESIDENT MURMU MEETS SIDDI TRIBE, URGES EDUCATION –

• The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, recently engaged with the Siddi community in Junagadh district, Gujarat. The Siddis are a tribal group with African origins and classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The interaction focused on education, tribal welfare, and sustainable living.

Recent Interaction with Siddi Community

• On 10 October 2025, President Murmu met members of the Siddi tribe. She praised their literacy rate of over 72 per cent, achievement for a PVTG. The President encouraged the community to continue pursuing education as a tool for empowerment and progress.

Government Initiatives for Tribal Welfare

• President Murmu brought into light the Central government’s commitment to tribal development. She urged the community to stay informed about welfare schemes and actively use them. The President also called on the Siddis to assist others in their villages to access these benefits.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS) was started by which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2. b) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
3. c) Ministry of Women and Child Development
4. d) Ministry of Home Affairs

Q2.  Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project is proposed on which river ?

1. a) Jhelum
2. b) Chenab
3. c) Indus
4. d) Ravi

Q3.  Palamau Tiger Reserve is located in which state ?

1. a) Kerala
2. b) Jharkhand
3. c) West Bengal
4. d) Karnataka

Q4.  With reference to the National Red List Assessment (NRLA) recently launched by the Government of India, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to assess the extinction risk of only faunal species in India.
2. The assessment will align with internationally accepted IUCN guidelines.
3. It is linked to India’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The NRLA will assess both flora (≈7,000 species) and fauna (≈4,000 species).
• Statement 2 is correct: It will follow IUCN-aligned scientific guidelines.
• Statement 3 is correct: It aligns with India’s obligations under CBD and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Q5.  Regarding the components of PM-AASHA, consider the following statements:

1. Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), the government covers procurement costs and losses incurred by nodal agencies.
2. The Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) involves both physical procurement and price difference compensation for oilseeds.
3. The Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS) is primarily aimed at rice and wheat procurement.
4. PM-AASHA is focused on ensuring MSP assurance for farmers’ produce.

         Which of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) 1, 2 and 4 only
2. b) 1 and 4 only
3. c) 1, 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), central nodal agencies such as NAFED and FCI procure pulses, oilseeds, and copra, and the government bears the procurement costs and any losses incurred.
• PM-AASHA is designed to ensure MSP assurance for farmers, helping to stabilize prices and support their income.
• Statement 2 is incorrect because the PDPS does not involve physical procurement; it only compensates the price difference between the mandi prices and MSP for oilseeds.
• Statement 3 is also incorrect as the PPPS is focused on oilseeds, not rice and wheat.

Answer Key