Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 6th October 2025

Compressive Asphyxia:

The death toll in the stampede at Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’s (TVK) rally at Velusamypuram has climbed to 41, with doctors attributing most fatalities to compressive asphyxia due to crowd crush.

• Asphyxia or asphyxiation occurs when the body does not get enough oxygen.
• Respiration is the process of air moving in and out of your lungs.
• Humans take in oxygen, which is circulated to all of the cells throughout the body via the blood, and carbon dioxide is then removed through the same system.
• When asphyxia occurs, and the body does not get the amount of oxygen it needs, it can cause a person to become unconscious or even die.
• This type of physical asphyxia happens when an outside force keeps you from expanding your chest to breathe.
• Your lungs are “crushed” and can’t take in air.
• This can happen from a crowd of people pressing against your body or a person’s weight on your chest.

Dhvani Missile:

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is on the verge of a historic breakthrough with the upcoming test of Dhvani, a cutting-edge hypersonic missile that promises to catapult the nation into an elite club of military superpowers.

• It is an hypersonic missile being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The Dhvani is being developed as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), a revolutionary weapon system that combines blistering speed with unprecedented maneuverability.
• Unlike conventional cruise missiles that follow predictable flight paths, the Dhvani will be launched to extreme altitudes before gliding toward its target at hypersonic speeds.
• This unique capability makes it nearly impossible to detect and even harder to intercept, rendering most existing missile defense systems obsolete.
• It will be capable of striking both land-based and maritime targets with pinpoint precision.
• It can fly at speeds exceeding Mach 5 or 6, nearly 7,400 km per hour.
• It has estimated ranges between 6,000 to 10,000 kilometers.
• The missile features a blended wing-body configuration measuring approximately 9 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width.
• Its advanced heat protection system, utilizing ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites, can withstand temperatures between 2,000-3,000°C generated during atmospheric reentry.
• The stealth-optimized geometry, including angled surfaces and smooth contours, dramatically reduces its radar cross-section, making it virtually invisible to enemy tracking systems.

Dark Stars:

Astronomers recently unearthed evidence that some of the earliest luminous objects in the universe may be “dark stars”, stars powered not by nuclear fusion but by dark matter annihilation.

• Dark stars are hypothetical objects that may have inhabited the early universe.
• Scientists believe that dark stars might be the oldest stars in the history of the universe and may represent the first phase of stellar evolution.
• These stars are giant, much larger than our sun or any of the other stars around today.
• Dark stars aren’t actually dark; they just don’t emit any visible light.
• That’s because instead of nuclear fusion, which is the process that converts hydrogen into helium in the core of an ordinary star, dark stars are powered differently.
• Astronomers believe that dark matter heating is what powers them.
• Because there’s no fusion happening inside them, they aren’t very hot.
• Because dark stars don’t rely on core fusion to stave off gravitational collapse, they’re not extremely compressed like normal stars.
• Instead, dark stars are likely giant, puffy clouds that shine extremely bright.
• A single dark star from the early Universe could be as bright as an early galaxy containing many more standard stars.
• And even though they’d be massive — and potentially spewing gamma rays, neutrinos, and antimatter — so far, they’ve been too faint to be detected because they don’t emit visible light.

Mono Ethylene Glycol:

The textile industry has appealed to the government not to levy anti-dumping duty on Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG), which is one of the main raw materials used in the production of polyester fibre and filament.

• Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) is an organic compound with the formula C2H6O2.
• It is also called ethylene glycol or just glycol.
• It is a slightly viscous liquid with a clear, colourless appearance and a sweet taste that emits virtually no odour.
• It’s miscible with water, alcohol, and many other organic compounds.
• It is produced from the reaction between water and ethylene oxide.
• It is hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb water from its surroundings, and this property makes it useful as a dehydrating agent in various applications.
• MEG has a relatively low toxicity and is considered safe for many industrial and commercial uses.
• MEG is most commonly used in the manufacture of polyester fibre, fabrics, and polyethylene tereph­thalate (PET) resin used for the production of plastic bottles.
• Other industrial uses are as a coolant, heat transfer agent, antifreeze, and hydrate inhibitor in gas pipelines.

NATO Pipeline System:

Poland government said that it will finally join the NATO Pipeline System (NPS).

• It was set up during the Cold War to supply NATO forces with fuel.
• It is approximately 10,000 kilometres long, runs through 12 NATO countries and has a storage capacity of 4.1 million cubic metres.
• The NPS links together storage depots, military air bases, civil airports, pumping stations, truck and rail loading stations, refineries and entry/discharge points.
• Funding: Bulk distribution is carried out using facilities from the common-funded NATO Security Investment Programme.
• Controlled by: The networks are controlled by national organisations, with the exception of the Central Europe Pipeline System (CEPS), which is a multinational system managed by the CEPS Programme Office under the aegis of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
• It is overseen by the Petroleum Committee, which is the senior advisory body in NATO on consumer logistics and, more specifically, on petroleum issues.
• It reports to the Logistics Committee on all matters of concern to NATO in connection with military fuels and other petroleum installations.
• The NPS consists of eight national pipeline systems and two multinational systems.

Pulicat Lake:

Pulicat lake fishermen demanded a long-term solution as silt threatens lake livelihoods.

• Pulicat Lake is a vast coastal shallow, brackish water lagoon along the coast of Bay of Bengal.
• It is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India after Chilika, sprawling across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• This lagoon is separated from the Bay of Bengal by the Sriharikota island.
• It is fed by the Aarani River at the southern tip and the Kalangi River from the northwest. The Buckingham Canal, a navigation channel, passes through the lagoon.
• It was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002.
• It is a unique ecotone that supports rich biodiversity — from aquatic life such as mudskippers, seagrass beds, and oyster reefs to more than 200 avian species,
• The green kingdom is represented with about 132 plant species like Walsura piscida; Manilkara elengi, Excoecaria agallocaha, Spinifex littoreus, Calamus viminalis, etc.
• It includes migratory birds such as Eurasian curlews, oystercatchers, bar-tailed godwits, sand plovers, and greater flamingos.

Painted stork:

After a four-year hiatus, a pair of painted storks has been spotted in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR).

• It is a large wading bird belonging to the stork family.
• These birds are found across the plains of tropical Asia, from the Indian Subcontinent extending into Southeast Asia, south of the Himalayas.
• They favor freshwater wetlands, but they also frequent irrigation canals and agricultural fields, particularly during the monsoon when rice fields are flooded.
• They are not migratory and only make short-distance movements in some parts of their range in response to changes in weather or food availability or for breeding.
• Painted storks are carnivores (piscivores).
• Their diet consists mainly of small fish, but also crustaceans, amphibians, insects, and reptiles.
• Painted storks are the only storks within the genus Mycteria that have a black pectoral band.
• Males and females are not sexually dimorphic; however, male painted storks tend to be slightly larger than female storks.
• Conservation Status: It is classified as near threatened under the IUCN Red List

Akshar Fast Patrol Vessel:

Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Akshar was commissioned at Karaikal, Puducherry.

• It is the second in a series of eight Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs).
• The name ‘Akshar’ meaning ‘imperishable’, symbolises the ICG’s steadfast resolve and commitment to ensuring safe, secure, and clean seas.
• It has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited and contains over 60% indigenous content.
• The ship displaces approx. 320 tons and is propelled by two 3,000 KW diesel engines, enabling a maximum speed of 27 Knots.
• It has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at an economical speed.
• ICGS Akshar is fitted with indigenously developed two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) and gearboxes, offering superior maneuverability, operational flexibility and enhanced performance at sea.
• The vessel also features an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), and Automated Power Management System (APMS), augmenting operational efficiency and automation.
• The ship will be based at Karaikal, Puducherry, under the administrative and operational control of Commander Coast Guard Region (East).

Baratang Island:

India’s only mud volcano at Baratang in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has again erupted.

• It is located in the North and Middle Andaman district, and it is nearly 150 km away from Port Blair.
• It is a very popular tourist spot because it is India’s only mud volcano.
• It was erupted recently in 2005 owing to the oceanic seismic shifts.
• The mud volcanoes in Baratang Islands are the only known volcanoes in the Indian sub-continent.
• It is also home to the Jarawa tribe, one of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Mud volcanoes, also called ‘Mud Domes,’ are formed by the eruption of mud slurries, water, and gases involving a series of geological processes.
• Unlike actual ingenious volcanoes, mud volcanoes don’t throw out lava when they erupt.
• It is a geological formation where a mixture of mud, water, and gases (mainly methane, sometimes carbon dioxide or nitrogen) erupts to the surface, creating cone-like structures that resemble true volcanoes without molten lava.
• The sizes of mud volcanoes lie between one and two meters to 700 meters high and between one and two meters to 10 kilometers wide.
• Mud volcanoes also exist on the floor of the sea and can form islands and banks that alter the topography and shape of the coastline.

E- Waste : Report

India generated 2.2 million metric tonnes (MT) of e-waste in 2025, becoming the third-largest global generator after China and the US. However, informal recycling exposes millions, especially marginalised communities, to serious health risks, making it a major urban challenge.

• E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded or end-of-life electronic devices and equipment. It includes items such as computers, televisions, mobile phones, printers, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
• These products often contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium.

Current Status of E-waste in India:

• Rapid Growth: E-waste generation recorded a 150% surge from the 0.71 million MT recorded in 2017–18. At current rates, this volume is expected to nearly double by 2030 in India.
• Urban Hotspots: The crisis is concentrated in cities, with over 60% of e-waste originating from just 65 urban centers. Key hotspots include Seelampur and Mustafabad in Delhi, Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Bhiwandi in Maharashtra.
• Informal Recycling: India has 322 registered formal recycling units with a capacity of 2.2 million MT annually, yet over half of e-waste (43% officially processed in 2023–24) is processed informally or not recycled.

E-waste Management Frameworks in India:

• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016: It introduced the concept of a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).
• E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022: Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), producers must meet annual recycling targets through registered recyclers, with EPR certificates ensuring accountability for recycled products.
• Public institutions must dispose of e-waste through registered recyclers/refurbishers, who handle collection and processing.
• E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023: Under Rule 5 of the E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022, Clause 4 was added to ensure safe and sustainable management of refrigerants in refrigeration and air-conditioning manufacturing.
• E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2024: The rules provide for the creation of platforms for trading EPR certificates as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines with its approval.
• The CPCB will set the EPR certificate price range between 30% (minimum) and 100% (maximum) of the environmental compensation for non-compliance.
• Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2025: It introduces a comprehensive EPR framework for non-ferrous metal scrap, making producers responsible for recycling targets rising from 10% in 2026-27 to 75% by 2032-33.

White Rhino:

The Resurrection Quest, a documentary on cloning, gene editing, and species de-extinction, won the Gold Dolphin Award for showcasing efforts to save the northern white rhino.

• White Rhino are the second-largest land mammal.
• The species is split into two genetically distinct subspecies – Northern white rhino and Southern white rhino.
• Northern White Rhino: Only two females left (functionally extinct), both living in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya.
• Southern White Rhino: Found mostly in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya (98.8% population).
• IUCN Status of White Rhino: Near threatened.
• Groups of up to 14 rhinos form, mainly females with calves. Adult males defend territories marked with scraped dung piles.
• Adult females have larger home ranges, while breeding females stay within a dominant male’s territory.
• Poaching is the primary threat.
• The northern white rhino nears extinction from decades of horn poaching.

Model Youth Gram Sabha(MYGS):

The Centre is set to launch the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS), a school-based initiative inspired by Model UN simulations, to provide students practical exposure to local governance and Panchayati Raj functioning.

• Model UN simulations involve hundreds of thousands of students each year, helping them learn about the UN’s principles and functions.
• MYGS is a school-based initiative that introduces the democratic process of Gram Sabhas into classrooms across India, marking the first structured effort to involve students in grassroots governance.
• It aims to develop informed and responsible citizens who understand local governance, with students discussing issues and preparing village budgets and plans.
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with Ministries of Education and Tribal Affairs.
• It will be launched in a phased manner, beginning with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
• Each participating school will receive Rs. 20,000 to conduct the mock Gram Sabha.
• Students of Classes 9–12 to role-play as sarpanch, ward members, village secretary, Anganwadi worker, ANM, junior engineers, etc.
• Teacher training provided through National Level Master Trainers (NLMTs).
• It features regional and national competitions with substantial prize money, along with certificates.

Safeguarding India’s Digital Economy:

The Indian digital economy is in the spotlight after a sharp rise in sophisticated cyber frauds such as phishing, UPI/OTP scams, identity theft, and digital arrests.

• Over 13.9 lakh cybercrime cases were reported in India in 2023 (NCRB), but experts estimate many go unreported due to stigma or distrust in institutions.
• Social engineering is at the core—fear, greed, urgency—exploited via phishing, OTP/UPI frauds, loan/job scams, remote access malware, and fake government impersonations.
• Elderly and rural citizens: digitally illiterate yet financially vulnerable.
• Banks: often issue generic advisories, fail to detect abnormal transactions, and allow mule accounts with weak KYC.
• Cyber police: lack manpower, training, and AI-driven tools, reducing their effectiveness.

Constitutional and Institutional Dimensions:

• Right to Privacy (Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India, 2017): Citizens’ personal and financial data must be protected as a fundamental right under Article 21.
• Article 300A: Protects property; digital financial frauds threaten citizens’ legitimate wealth.
• RBI Regulations: Banks are mandated to provide zero liability protection for victims in certain categories of digital fraud.
• CERT-In: Nodal agency under the IT Act for cybersecurity incidents, but lacks proactive capacity for retail-level fraud detection.

Cyclone Shakhti:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the formation of Cyclone Shakhti over the northeast Arabian Sea.

• A tropical cyclonic storm that developed in the northeast Arabian Sea, ~340 km west of Dwarka (Gujarat).
• Named “Shakhti” under the World Meteorological Organisation’s regional naming system.
• Formed due to low-pressure development over warm Arabian Sea waters in early October 2025.
• The system strengthened into a cyclonic storm (CS) on October 3 and is forecast to become a severe cyclonic storm (SCS) as it tracks west-southwestwards.
• Features:
  • Brings strong winds, high sea waves, and heavy rainfall potential along coastal belts.
  • Part of a trend of increasing Arabian Sea cyclones due to rising sea surface temperatures.

Presumptive Taxation:

NITI Aayog, in its first Tax Policy Working Paper (2025), proposed an optional presumptive taxation regime for foreign firms to reduce litigation, simplify compliance, and bring certainty on Permanent Establishment (PE) disputes.

• Taxation based on a fixed deemed profit percentage of gross receipts, instead of detailed profit attribution through transfer pricing or functional analysis.
• Aim is to Provide certainty, reduce litigation, simplify compliance, and secure predictable revenue.
• It is Already applied in shipping (Sec. 44B), oil & gas services (44BB), airlines (44BBA), and small businesses (44AD/44ADA).
• Litigation-heavy regime : PE disputes take over a decade to resolve (e.g., Hyatt International 2025).
• Ambiguity in rules : Broad interpretation of “business connection” and Significant Economic Presence (SEP) deters investment.
• Retrospective taxation legacy : Vodafone-type cases damaged India’s image.
• Industry-specific deemed profit rates (e.g., 10% for EPC, 15% for marketing, 20% for services, 30% for digital/e-commerce).
• Firms can opt in, or opt out and file regular returns if actual profits are lower.
• If presumptive scheme is chosen, tax authorities will not separately litigate PE existence.
• Reduced need for audits and complex books; compliance burden minimized.
• Optional nature ensures alignment with DTAAs.
• Presumptive Taxation is based on a fixed deemed profit percentage of gross receipts, instead of detailed profit attribution through transfer pricing or functional analysis. Aim is to Provide certainty, reduce litigation, simplify compliance, and secure predictable revenue. Already applied in shipping (Sec. 44B), oil & gas services (44BB), airlines (44BBA), and small businesses (44AD/44ADA).

Australia Approves Alzheimer’s Drug Lecanemab for Early Stage Use:

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Lecanemab (marketed as Leqembi) for treating early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. This makes it only the second disease-modifying therapy to receive regulatory clearance in Australia. The decision, finalized in September 2025, comes amid rising Alzheimer’s prevalence—now the leading cause of death in the country. While Lecanemab offers hope to patients in early stages, it also raises critical questions about cost, accessibility, and safety.Lecanemab is a monoclonal antibody therapy that targets amyloid-beta plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques form when abnormal protein builds up between brain cells, disrupting communication and function.

Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver at 2025 World Championships:

Mirabai Chanu wins silver in 48 kg at 2025 World Championships, setting new national records in clean & jerk and total lift. Held on 2 October 2025, the women’s 48 kg event saw participation from top lifters across 26 countries. The final standings showcased intense competition.

• Gold: Ri Song-gum (North Korea) – 213 kg (World Record)
• Silver: Mirabai Chanu (India) – 199 kg (National Record)
• Bronze: Thanyathon Sukcharoen (Thailand) – 198 kg
• Ri Song-gum was in dominant form, setting new world records in snatch (91 kg), clean & jerk (122 kg), and total lift (213 kg).

OpenAI Hits $500 Billion Valuation After Share Sale to SoftBank:

OpenAI the creator of ChatGPT has reached a $500 billion valuation following a major secondary share sale to SoftBank, as reported by Reuters. The deal involved $6.6 billion worth of shares sold by current and former OpenAI employees, reflecting the company’s skyrocketing growth in value and revenue.The valuation jump—from a previous $300 billion to $500 billion illustrates surging investor confidence in OpenAI’s future. This secondary sale does not dilute the company’s capital but instead enables early stakeholders to realize gains, often a sign of internal liquidity strength. The company had earlier authorized over $10 billion worth of shares for secondary market sales.

National Conference on Land & Disaster Management:

A two‑day national conference on land administration and disaster management begins in Gandhinagar, launching digital systems, SVAMITVA cards, and new revenue offices.The event is part of a nationwide push to modernize land governance, strengthen disaster resilience, and ensure citizens’ land rights through digitization and innovation. Organised by the Department of Land Resources (Ministry of Rural Development) in collaboration with Gujarat’s Revenue Department, the conference will delve into a wide range of topics.

Key themes include:

• Modernising revenue laws in tune with new land governance goals
• Upgrading registration and land record systems, including efforts for paperless and online workflows
• Urban land record mapping and resurveying, integrating GIS/remote sensing technologies
• Process reforms in revenue courts and land acquisition
• Disaster risk management best practices, particularly in land use planning and resilient infrastructure
• Human resource and capacity building in land administration

NHAI to Install QR Code Sign Boards on Highways:

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced the installation of QR Code Sign Boards across National Highway stretches. This move aims to improve transparency, ensure easy access to project-specific details, and enhance road safety for highway users. Launched under the broader goal of offering ‘Ease of Commuting’, the initiative aligns with the government’s emphasis on smart infrastructure and technology-driven governance. The newly designed vertical QR code sign boards will be strategically placed along highways and will offer real-time, project-specific details through a simple QR code scan. These details include,

• National Highway number and chainage (location markers)
• Project length and construction/maintenance timelines

India wins ISSA Award 2025:

India wins ISSA Award 2025 for expanding social security coverage from 19% (2015) to 64.3%, benefiting over 940 million citizens. At the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted India’s remarkable journey in expanding social security coverage. He stated that over the last decade, India’s coverage rose from 19 percent in 2015 to 64.3 percent in 2025, reaching over 940 million citizens an achievement officially recognised by the International Labour Organization (ILO). In recognition of this transformation, India was awarded the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for “Outstanding Achievement in Social Security.” The award was presented at the forum attended by more than 1,200 policymakers and professionals from 163 countries.

A Ramachandran Museum to Open in Kerala on October 5:

A museum dedicated to one of India’s most celebrated modern artists, A Ramachandran, will be inaugurated in Kollam, Kerala, by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This tribute comes less than two years after his death in February 2024 at the age of 88, marking a significant milestone in preserving and celebrating his artistic legacy.The museum will be housed within the Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex in Kollam, a city known for its rich artistic and cultural heritage. The choice of location reinforces Ramachandran’s deep connection to Kerala’s aesthetic traditions, even though much of his professional journey was centered around Delhi and Rajasthan.