CURRENT AFFAIRS 30 October, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 30 October, 2025

1. 10 YEARS OF PARIS AGREEMENT –

• Ten years after the 2015 Paris Agreement, carbon emissions and climate disasters still rise, yet it has sparked a global move toward clean energy, showing that joint global efforts can change climate outcomes.
• Background to the Paris Agreement- Evolution of Global Climate Responsibility from Kyoto
• Kyoto Protocol Legacy: Adopted in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol operationalised the 1992 UNFCCC principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
• It placed binding emission reduction obligations on developed nations, while developing countries contributed voluntarily based on their capabilities.
• Shift at Paris: However, geopolitical and economic changes—particularly the rise of emerging economies like China—prompted developed countries to push for a universal framework.
• The Paris Agreement (2015) replaced Kyoto’s rigid, top-down targets with voluntary, nationally determined actions, ensuring inclusivity but diluting accountability for historical emitters.

2. RBI GOLD RESERVES SURPASS USD 100 BILLION –

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stepped up its gold repatriation efforts, bringing back nearly 64 tonnes of gold from abroad between April and September 2025, raising India’s gold reserves to USD 108 billion.
• Over the past decade, India saw its gold share in foreign exchange reserves almost double from less than 7% to nearly 15%.
• As of September 2025, the RBI held 880.8 tonnes of gold — 575.8 tonnes in India, 290.3 tonnes abroad (Bank of England & Bank for International Settlements), and 14 tonnes as deposits.

What are the Key Reasons Behind the RBI’s Increase in Its Gold Reserves?

• Diversification of Forex Reserves: India’s forex reserves are mainly in US dollars, euros, and other currencies. Increasing gold holdings diversifies risks, protecting reserves from currency volatility.
• Hedge Against Global Uncertainty: During global crises like wars, inflation spikes, or financial instability, gold acts as a safe-haven asset.
• Rising geopolitical tensions and market uncertainty drive the RBI to boost gold holdings as a safety buffer.
• Strong Returns: Gold prices show long-term appreciation, often outperforming currencies in uncertainty. The RBI’s increased gold holdings ensure asset gains and reserve security.
• De-dollarization Trend: Many central banks like China, Russia, Turkey, and Poland are buying gold to cut US dollar dependence.
• The RBI’s gold purchases align with this de-dollarization trend, boosting monetary autonomy.
• Domestic Factors and Management: Part of the RBI’s gold accumulation comes from domestic banks that import gold, adding to reserves without using foreign currency.
• This marks a return to prudent reserve management, reflecting lessons from the 1991 crisis and 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

3. INDIA AND US SIGN LANDMARK 10-YEAR DEFENCE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT –

• India and the United States have signed a landmark 10-year Defence Framework Agreement in Kuala Lumpur, marking a major step forward in deepening strategic and military cooperation between the two nations. The accord underscores their shared commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Strengthening Strategic Partnership

• The agreement was exchanged between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting. Both leaders described the pact as a significant milestone in bilateral ties, setting the stage for enhanced coordination, information sharing, and defence technology collaboration.
• Hegseth said that the agreement would serve as a “cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence,” emphasising that US-India defence relations “have never been stronger.”

4. CHINA PAUSES RARE EARTH EXPORT CONTROLS AFTER TRUMP-XI TRUCE –

• China has agreed to temporarily lift its export restrictions on rare earth elements for one year following a landmark meeting between President Xi Jinping and United States President Donald Trump in Busan. The accord marks a pause in one of the most fraught chapters of the ongoing trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies.

Tariff Reduction and Trade Concessions

• As part of the agreement, the United States will cut tariffs on Chinese goods from 57 per cent to 47 per cent and suspend the introduction of new technology sanctions. In return, Beijing will resume exports of rare earths, continue buying American soybeans, and strengthen efforts to suppress the illegal fentanyl trade. China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed the one-year suspension, signalling a rare diplomatic easing amid heightened economic rivalry.

5. GLOBAL FIREPOWER INDEX 2025: WORLD’S STRONGEST MILITARIES REVEALED –

• The Global Firepower (GFP) Index 2025 presents a detailed analysis of the world’s most powerful armed forces. Covering more than 60 assessment factors — from manpower and defence budgets to logistics and technology — it evaluates each nation’s ability to project and sustain military strength. A lower Power Index (PwrIndx) score signifies greater overall capability, reflecting modernisation trends and global strategic realignments.

United States Retains Global Military Dominance

• The United States continues to lead the GFP 2025 rankings, maintaining its position as the most powerful military in the world. With a defence budget surpassing $860 billion and a vast global base network, America’s superiority extends across land, sea, air, and cyber domains. Advanced assets such as F-35 fighter jets, nuclear submarines, and space-based systems give it unmatched power projection and deterrence. Its global influence remains unparalleled, sustained by continuous innovation and strategic reach.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Cyclone Montha recently made landfall along which region ?

1. a) Arabian Sea coast
2. b) Bay of Bengal coast
3. c) South China Sea coast
4. d) Indian Ocean

Q2.  Recently, archaeologists discovered a 4,000-year-old temple of the Dilmun Civilization on which island in Kuwait ?

1. a) Hawar Islands
2. b) Failaka Island
3. c) Bubiyan Island
4. d) Muharraq Island

Q3.  Recently, National Unity Day 2025, celebrated on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is observed on which date ?

1. a) 31 October
2. b) 30 October
3. c) 15 August
4. d) 26 January

Q4.  Consider the following statements regarding the appointment of the Chief Justice of India (CJI):

1. The process is initiated by the incumbent CJI, who recommends their successor to the Union Law Minister.
2. The Constitution, under Article 124(2), explicitly mandates that the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed as the CJI.
3. The Prime Minister advises the President to make the appointment after receiving the recommendation from the Union Law Minister.

         How many of the above statements are incorrect ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All three
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The process is initiated by the Union Law Minister, not the incumbent CJI. The Law Minister seeks the recommendation of the outgoing CJI at least one month before their retirement. The CJI’s role is to recommend, not to initiate the process.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. Article 124(2) governs the appointment but does not explicitly state that the “senior-most” judge must be appointed. The “seniority principle” is a convention, not a codified constitutional law. The convention has been upheld (with a few exceptions in the past) and reinforced by Supreme Court judgments (e.g., Second Judges Case), but it is not written into Article 124(2) itself.
• Statement 3 is correct. This describes the final stages of the process. The CJI’s recommendation is submitted by the Law Minister to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister then advises the President, who formally appoints the CJI. This reflects the constitutional position where the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers (headed by the PM).

Q5.  Consider the following statements regarding the PM SHRI scheme:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a funding share of 75:25 between the Centre and general states.
2. The scheme aims to upgrade existing schools by focusing on rote memorization and exam-centric grading.
3. All schools in the country will be automatically upgraded under the scheme based on their UDISE+ data.

         How many of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All three
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect. While it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the funding pattern for general states is 60:40 (Centre:State), not 75:25. The 90:10 ratio applies to NE & Himalayan States, and it is 100% Central support for UTs without a legislature. The 60:40 ratio is standard for many CSS.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The scheme’s objective is to shift from rote methods to inquiry-driven, experiential pedagogy and from exam-centric grading to continuous, competency-linked evaluation, as mandated by the NEP 2020.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. Selection is not automatic. Schools are selected through a competitive challenge-mode. While UDISE+ data is used in the initial shortlisting, the process also involves field verification and approval by an expert committee, ensuring that only schools meeting the criteria are chosen to become “lighthouse schools.”

Answer Key