CURRENT AFFAIRS 28 October, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 28 October, 2025

1. 2ND INTERNATIONAL BHARAT 6G SYMPOSIUM –

• At the India Mobile Congress(IMC) 2025, India highlighted its growing leadership in next-generation telecom through the 2nd International Bharat 6G Symposium, marking a key step towards building a self-reliant, innovative, and globally connected 6G ecosystem for Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The IMC is Asia’s most prominent technology expos, jointly organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

What are the Key Outcomes of 2nd International Bharat 6G Symposium at IMC 2025?

• New Delhi Declaration on 6G: At the Symposium, global research alliances including Bharat 6G, 6G-IA (European organization), ATIS’ Next G Alliance (North American organization), and others issued a Joint Declaration to shape 6G as a global public good.
• The declaration outlines five core principles for 6G networks that are trusted and secure, resilient and reliable, open and interoperable, inclusive and affordable, and sustainable and globally connected.
• The declaration also calls for skills development and global collaboration to build a future-ready, inclusive 6G ecosystem aligned with India’s 6G Vision 2030.
• Economic Vision: The symposium highlighted India’s 6G roadmap aiming for USD 1.2 trillion GDP impact by 2035 and 10% of global 6G patents, along with a threefold growth in satellite communications by 2033.
• The Symposium showcased India’s indigenous 4G stack as a milestone toward technological self-reliance and export readiness.
• Focus on Collaboration and Inclusivity: The symposium urged stronger global collaboration, indigenous R&D, and industry- academia synergy to build an inclusive 6G framework.
• It highlighted India’s shift from a technology consumer to a co-creator and global leader, backed by milestones like the rollout of one lakh indigenous 4G towers.

2. RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR 2025 –

• The Government of India has announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025, the nation’s highest recognition for outstanding contributions in diverse fields of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.
• Prominent Awardees of 2025: Vigyan Ratna (Posthumous)-Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar – noted astrophysicist.
• Known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity that supports the steady-state model of the universe.
• Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
• About: The award has been instituted by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• It aims to inspire excellence in Indian science and technology, promote innovation, and acknowledge achievements that contribute to national development.
• Disciplinary Coverage: It covers 13 fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Agriculture, Environment, Atomic Energy, Space, etc.
• Categories of Awards: The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is conferred under four categories:
• Vigyan Ratna (VR): Lifetime achievement recognition.
• Vigyan Shri (VS): Distinguished contributions.
• Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY–SSB): For scientists below 45 years.
• Vigyan Team (VT): For exceptional collaborative work.

3. CABINET APPROVES TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR 8TH PAY COMMISSION, REPORT EXPECTED IN 18 MONTHS –

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), marking a major step towards revising pay structures and benefits for central government employees and pensioners. The Commission will submit its report within 18 months of its constitution, paving the way for possible implementation of new pay scales from January 1, 2026.

8th Pay Commission to Revise Pay and Pension Structure

• The 8th Pay Commission is tasked with reviewing and recommending changes to the pay structure, allowances, and pension benefits of nearly 50 lakh central government employees and about 69 lakh pensioners. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the ToR was finalised after detailed consultations with ministries, state governments, and staff representatives. The recommendations will be made keeping in view the country’s economic conditions, fiscal prudence, and the financial impact on both central and state governments.

4. INDIA’S SERVICES EMPLOYMENT SHARE RISES TO 30%, ADDS 40 MILLION JOBS IN SIX YEARS: NITI AAYOG –

• India’s services sector has solidified its position as the country’s most dynamic employment engine, with its share in total employment increasing to nearly 30% in 2023–24, according to two new reports released by NITI Aayog. The sector has generated about 40 million new jobs over the past six years, underscoring its growing role in shaping India’s transition toward a developed economy.

Services Sector Driving India’s Economic Transformation

• NITI Aayog’s reports, ““India’s Services Sector: Insights from Employment Trends and State-Level Dynamics”” and ““India’s Services Sector: Insights from GVA Trends and State-Level Dynamics,”” highlight that the services employment share rose from 26.9% in 2011–12 to 29.7% in 2023–24. Total services employment now stands at around 188 million. Despite this robust expansion, India’s services share still lags behind the global average of 50%, signalling ongoing structural shifts in the economy.

5. US MILITARY BUILDUP IN THE CARIBBEAN SPARKS FRESH TENSIONS WITH VENEZUELA –

• The United States has intensified its military presence in the Caribbean amid escalating tensions with Venezuela, deploying advanced naval and air assets in what marks the region’s largest American buildup since the Cuban Missile Crisis. The move, led by the Pentagon, has drawn strong condemnation from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who accuses Washington of fabricating grounds for war.

Massive US Naval Deployment Near Venezuela

• The US has positioned at least eight Navy ships, a submarine, and ten F-35 stealth fighter jets off Venezuela’s coast. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s most advanced aircraft carrier, will add to an already formidable presence of roughly 6,500 Marines and sailors, and 3,500 additional troops nearby. The Southern Command released footage showing US Marines conducting live-fire exercises aboard the USS San Antonio as part of “Southcom missions.”

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  The Ollo Tribe is primarily found in which state ?

1. a) Arunachal Pradesh
2. b) Sikkim
3. c) Manipur
4. d) Assam

Q2.  The MISHTI initiative was launched by which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Earth Sciences
2. b) Ministry of Jal Shakti
3. c) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
4. d) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Q3.  National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is observed every year on which day ?

1. a) October 28
2. b) October 29
3. c) October 30
4. d) October 31

Q4.  Consider the following statements about the 47th ASEAN Summit :

1. It was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 26-28 October 2025.
2. It marked the formal accession of Timor‑Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN.
3. PM of India attended the summit in person as India’s representative.

         Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: The summit took place in Kuala Lumpur 26-28 October 2025.
• Statement 2 is correct: Timor-Leste became the 11th member of ASEAN during this summit.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Prime Minister Modi participated virtually, not in person.

Q5.  Consider the following statements about outcomes from the 47th ASEAN Summit :

1. A peace declaration between Cambodia and Thailand was signed on the sidelines of the summit.
2. The theme of the summit was “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

         Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: A peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand was signed during the summit.
• Statement 2 is correct: The summit’s theme was “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

Answer Key