Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 29th October 2025

AmazonFACE Project:

Scientists in Brazil have launched the AmazonFACE Project near Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon.

• It is a field experiment that exposes mature tropical trees to projected future CO2 concentrations in an old-growth Amazon forest stand located near Manaus, Brazil.
• This is the first experiment in a natural forest of this size in the tropics.
• The project uses Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) technology to increase understanding of the functioning of the world’s largest tropical forest in light of climate change.
• Six rings of steel towers loom above the jungle canopy, each surrounding groups of 50 to 70 mature trees.
• Scientists will fumigate trees in three of the rings with carbon dioxide at levels simulating climate forecasts for coming decades, while the rest serve as control samples.
• Sensors record the forest’s response to changing conditions like absorption of carbon dioxide, oxygen and water vapor release in response to rain, storms and sunshine every 10 minutes.
• Supported by: The project is supported by Brazil’s federal government and the United Kingdom.

Model Youth Gram Sabha:

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs will jointly launch the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) in New Delhi.

• Model Youth Gram Sabha is a simulated forum for School Children to participate in mock Gram Sabha sessions.
• It is a pioneering initiative to strengthen Janbhagidari and promote participatory local governance by engaging students in simulated Gram Sabha sessions.
• It is an initiative based on the Model UN – an educational simulation of the United Nations – in schools across the country
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• It will be rolled out across more than 1,000 schools nationwide, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), and State Government Schools.
• Key Features of Model Youth Gram Sabha
  • Students from classes 9-12 will play the roles of sarpanch, ward members, and village-level officials, including village secretary, Anganwadi worker etc.
  • They will hold mock meetings of the Gram Sabha, discuss various issues, and prepare the village budget and development plans.
  • The Panchayati Raj Ministry will also provide a support of Rs 20,000 to each school for holding the mock Gram Sabha.

Coelacanth:

Paleontologists in China have described a new species of the coelacanth genus Whiteia on the basis of two fossilized specimens.

• The Coelacanth is a prehistoric, lobe-finned fish (belonging to the order Coelacanthiformes) that was once thought to be extinct for about 66 million years, until it was rediscovered alive in 1938 off the coast of South Africa.
• It is often called a “living fossil”.
• The earliest coelacanth fossils date back as far as the Devonian period, approximately 420 mya.
• At one time coelacanths were a large group comprising about 90 valid species that were distributed worldwide in both marine and freshwaters.
• At present, there are two living species of coelacanth, the West Indian Ocean coelacanth and the Indonesian coelacanth.
• These fish live in deep saltwater environments and can grow to be nearly 2 meters long.
• They have fleshy, limb-like fins that are internally supported by bone.
• Their fins are also paired and move in a synchronized pattern similar to four-limbed animals.
• As one of the last lobe-finned fish, coelacanths have numerous characteristics unique among living fish.
• Among them is the presence of a special electrosensory organ in the snout called the “rostral organ.”
• This organ is filled with a gel and enables the coelacanth to sense low-frequency electrical signals and “see” in the dark.
• Another is a joint or “hinge” in the skull that allows the front portion of the braincase to swing upwards, greatly enlarging the gape of the mouth.

SJ-100:

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for production of civil commuter aircraft SJ-100.

• SJ-100 is a new generation short-haul jet aircraft of Russian origin.
• Earlier called the Sukhoi Superjet 100, it originally was designed by the now-merged Russian aircraft company Sukhoi Civil Aircraft.
• It is a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft.
• The aircraft is primarily used for commercial purposes.
• As on date, over 200 SJ-100 aircraft have been manufactured.
• The aircraft are being operated by more than 16 airlines across the world, nine of them being from Russia.
• It is capable of accommodating 103 seats and has a flight range of 3,530 kilometres.
• The aircraft has been touted as having low operating costs for airlines.
• It can operate at extreme weather conditions, from -55 degrees Celsius to +45 degrees Celsius.

Rehabilitation Council of India : In News

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has announced a sweeping set of reforms designed to bring transparency, efficiency and inclusivity to the rehabilitation ecosystem across the country.

• Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament.
• It was set up as a registered society in 1986. In September 1992, the RCI Act was enacted by Parliament and it became a Statutory Body on 22 June 1993.
• Mandate is to regulate and monitor services given to persons with disabilities, to standardise syllabi and to maintain a Central Rehabilitation Register of all qualified professionals and personnel working in the field of Rehabilitation and Special Education.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
• Objectives of Rehabilitation Council of India:
  • To regulate the training policies and programmes in the field of rehabilitation of persons with disabilities
  • To bring about standardization of training courses for professionals dealing with persons with disabilities
  • To maintain Central Rehabilitation Register for registration of professionals/ personnel
  • The Council also prescribes minimum standards of education and training for 16 categories of professionals and personnel allocated to RCI.
  • To recognize the national institutes and apex institutions on disability as manpower development centres.
  • The Council also prescribes minimum standards of education and training for 16 categories of professionals and personnel allocated to RCI.

United Nations Convention against Cybercrime:

The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (UNCC), the world’s first global framework to tackle cybercrime, moved closer to becoming legally binding after 72 of 193 UN member states signed the treaty.

• The UNCC officially called the Convention on Cybercrime: Strengthening International Cooperation to Combat Crimes Committed Through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Systems, is the first international criminal justice treaty to have been negotiated in over 20 years.
• The convention, developed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was adopted by consensus under UN General Assembly Resolution 79/243 in December 2024.
• UNCC provides legal measures to address crimes committed via ICT systems.
• It facilitates cross-border sharing of electronic evidence in serious crimes crimes such as illegal data interception, hacking, money laundering, and online child sexual abuse material.
• The convention promotes capacity building and technical assistance for developing nations.
• UNCC also includes human rights protections while enabling digital law enforcement.
• UNCC establishes a Conference of the States Parties to monitor and review implementation.
• UNODC serves as the secretariat for the Convention, providing technical support, training, and assistance for national implementation, along with guidance through its Global Programme on Cybercrime.
• States that did not sign may later accede by depositing an instrument of accession.
• India has not signed the UNCC as of October 2025, despite being an active participant in its drafting.
• Earlier India also declined to sign the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, consistent with its approach of wanting a greater role in shaping global digital frameworks.

8th Central Pay Commission:

The Union Cabinet has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission.

• Pay Commission (PC): A new PC is established every 10 years under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
• PC determines the salary, allowances, and pensions of Central government employees by assessing both monetary and non-monetary benefits, taking into account inflation, cost of living, and the need for parity and fairness in compensation.
• Usually, a retired Supreme Court judge heads the PC. Its recommendations are often adopted by state-owned organizations as well.
• The 8th Pay Commission will be chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The Commission will submit its report within 18 months and may issue interim recommendations on specific matters before completion.
• ToR serves as a blueprint outlining the mandate, scope, and timelines for the 8th Pay Commission.
• 8th Pay Commission recommendations are expected to take effect retrospectively from 1st January, 2026, continuing the 10-year pay revision cycle tradition.
• Implementation leads to higher consumption and economic growth, improving the quality of life of employees and pensioners.
• Over 49 lakh Central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners will benefit under the 8th CPC.

8th Session of the International Solar Alliance(ISA):

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly in New Delhi, urging the Global South to lead an inclusive solar revolution and reaffirming India’s commitment to a solar-powered world.

Key Highlights of the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly:

• ISA launched the SUNRISE (Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement) initiative to promote a circular economy in the solar sector.
• It focuses on recycling, innovation, and creating green jobs through sustainable solar waste management.
• One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) programme was introduced to build regional solar interconnections across continents.
• The plan identifies key transmission links between Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, with feasibility studies to be conducted in the next 2–3 years.
• Solar Procurement Platform: Sixteen Small Island Developing States (SIDS) signed an MoU with ISA and the World Bank to collaborate on joint solar procurement, digital integration, and capacity building for stronger energy resilience.
• ISA announced the Global Capability Centre in India as a “Silicon Valley for Solar,” connecting global centres of excellence.
• The ISA Academy, an AI-based e-learning platform, will offer training and resources to strengthen global solar skills and knowledge.

UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025:

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released the Adaptation Gap Report 2025: “Running on Empty”, warning that the global finance gap for climate adaptation in developing countries has widened drastically.

• UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025 is an annual flagship publication of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that tracks global progress on climate adaptation planning, implementation, and finance, assessing how far the world is from achieving climate resilience goals.
• Published By: UNEP–Copenhagen Climate Centre with contributions from multiple global institutions and experts.
• Aim is to evaluate whether nations—especially developing ones—are adapting fast enough to climate impacts, and to quantify the adaptation finance gap to support global negotiations under the UNFCCC and COP30

Highlights:

• Developing countries require US$310–365 billion annually by 2035, while current adaptation finance stands at only US$26 billion (2023) — 12–14 times lower than the need.
• Adaptation finance declined from US$28 billion (2022), meaning the Glasgow Climate Pact target of doubling finance by 2025 will be missed.
• 58% of adaptation finance is loan-based, including non-concessional debt, deepening inequality for vulnerable countries.
• 172 countries have at least one national adaptation plan (NAP), but 36 are outdated, limiting real impact.
• Over 1,600 adaptation actions were reported globally, mostly in biodiversity, agriculture, water, and infrastructure, yet few measure tangible outcomes.
• The private sector contributes only ~US$5 billion, but could potentially invest up to US$50 billion annually with policy support.
• Baku–Belém Roadmap (2024): Envisions US$1.3 trillion per year by 2035 in total climate finance; calls for grants and non-debt instruments to prevent debt traps.
• The report stresses a “global collective effort (mutirão global)” led by Brazil’s presidency to align climate finance, transparency, and adaptation goals.

Trump Receives South Korea’s Top Honour and Golden Crown:

U.S. President Donald Trump was welcomed to South Korea on October 29, 2025, with a replica golden crown and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa—South Korea’s highest national honour. His visit comes during a crucial moment for Asia-Pacific diplomacy, with economic and security discussions unfolding amid the upcoming APEC Summit.The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is South Korea’s highest order of merit, typically reserved for heads of state and royalty. By awarding this decoration to Donald Trump, the South Korean government recognised his role as a “peacemaker,” particularly for his previous engagements with North Korea during his presidency. According to the presidential office, Trump is the first U.S. president to receive this honour.

President Murmu Becomes First President to Fly in Rafale Jet:

President Droupadi Murmu took a 30-minute sortie in the Rafale fighter jet on October 29, 2025, from Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. This made her the first President of India to fly in the Rafale, and notably, the only one to have flown in two different Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft—the Rafale and the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI.The sortie is a symbolic reaffirmation of her position as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. Earlier, on April 8, 2023, President Murmu had taken a sortie in a Sukhoi Su‑30 MKI from Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam. With the Rafale flight, she set a precedent by becoming the first Indian head of state to experience both frontline jets of the IAF.

Uttar Pradesh to Get 76th District Named Kalyan Singh Nagar:

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the creation of a new district named Kalyan Singh Nagar, in honour of former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, a towering figure in the state’s political history. This will be Uttar Pradesh’s 76th district, carved out from tehsils in Aligarh and Bulandshahr districts. The move not only pays tribute to the late leader but also aims to enhance administrative efficiency in the region.

Paytm Enables UPI for NRIs with Foreign Numbers:

Paytm has introduced UPI payment support for NRIs using international mobile numbers. Announced on 27 October 2025, this new service empowers Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from 12 countries to make seamless UPI payments in India through the Paytm app, without needing an Indian SIM card.Users only need to link their NRE/NRO account with the UPI ecosystem via Paytm and register using their international mobile number—a first for Indian fintech platforms.

The new feature enables NRIs to,

Make instant UPI transfers to Indian UPI IDs and mobile numbers
Pay merchants by scanning UPI QR codes across India
Shop online on Indian platforms using their existing NRE or NRO bank accounts
Skip forex conversion and traditional remittance charges

James Anderson Receives Knighthood for Services to Cricket:

James Anderson, England’s legendary fast bowler, was formally knighted during an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle on 28 October 2025. He received the honour from Princess Anne in recognition of his monumental contribution to cricket. The knighthood, awarded as part of Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list in April 2025, celebrates a career defined by excellence, longevity, and record-breaking achievements.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor honoured by the World Food Prize Foundation as a 2025:

Celebrated chef, author and Padma Shri awardee Sanjeev Kapoor has been recognised by the World Food Prize Foundation (WFPF) as one of its 2025 Top Agri‑Food Pioneers (TAP). The honour highlights his work far beyond the kitchen linking culinary expertise, nutrition advocacy, and agricultural sourcing into a unified agenda for better food systems. According to the Foundation’s profile, Kapoor has helped deliver over 2.5 million nutrient‑rich meals to schoolchildren and championed bio‑fortified crops such as iron‑rich pearl millet and zinc‑rich wheat.