Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 8th November 2025

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary:

The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has come alive with the arrival of thousands of migratory birds marking the start of the season.

• It is located in the Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu
• It is one of the oldest bird protected areas in the country as well as in the State of Tamil Nadu.
• This freshwater wetland is a people-protected water bird area.
• The history of which goes back to centuries where local people have been protecting this heronry (Breeding ground of Herons) and in return, have been benefited by the manure-rich water from the lake that increases the agriculture yield multifold–Liquid Guano Effect.
• This site is also recognized internationally, as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). It belongs to the Coromandel Coast biotic province.
• It was designated as Ramsar Site in 2022.
• It includes Alangium salviflorum trees, Acacia nilotica, thorn forests and dry evergreen scrub.
• It is home to black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala).

Vande Mataram-150 years Celebration:

The Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the year-long commemoration of 150 years of the National Song “Vande Mataram” in New Delhi.

• “Vande Mataram,” written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, is the National Song of India.
• It was first featured in his novel Anand Math in 1882, with its tune composed by Yadunath Bhattacharya.
• It became a symbol of patriotism during India’s freedom struggle.
• It was initially composed independently and later included in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel “Anandamath” (published in 1882).
• It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress Session in Calcutta.
• Vande Mataram, as a political slogan, was first used on 7 August 1905.
• In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama raised the tricolour flag for the first-time outside India in Stuttgart, Berlin. The words Vande Mataram were written on the flag.
• On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted Vande Mataram as the National Song of India.
• The National Song is held in equal reverence to the national anthem, but it is not mandatory to sing it at any given occasion.

Baliyatra Festival:

The President of India extended greetings on the occasion of the historic ‘Baliyatra’ festival and ‘Boita Bandana’ to all the countrymen.

• It is celebrated annually in Cuttack, Odisha.
• The term Bali Jatra literally means ‘Voyage to Bali’.
• It is celebrated every year on Kartika Purnima that marks the day that the seafaring traders departed for the Indonesian islands.
• It is organised every year to commemorate the 2,000-year-old maritime and cultural links between ancient Kalinga (today’s Odisha) and Bali and other South and Southeast Asian regions like Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Burma (Myanmar) and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
• The celebration features grand fairs, elaborate rides, food and dance.
• Indian women perform ‘Boita Bandana’, they make boats of paper or banana leaf (sholapith) with lighted lamps inside and float them down the Mahanadi as a part of the celebrations.
• The Bali Jatra celebrates the ingenuity and skill of those expert sailors who made Kalinga, one of the most prosperous empires of its time.

UN Water Convention:

Bangladesh became the first country in South Asia to join the U.N.’s Water Convention earlier.

• It is also known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakeswhich was adopted in Helsinki in 1992 and entered into force in 1996.
• It was originally negotiated as a regional framework for the pan-European region.
• Following an amendment procedure, since March 2016 all UN Member States can accede to it.
• It is a unique legally binding instrument promoting the sustainable management of shared water resources, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the prevention of conflicts, and the promotion of peace and regional integration.
• It requires Parties to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact, use transboundary waters in a reasonable and equitable way and ensure their sustainable management.
• Parties bordering the same transboundary waters have to cooperate by entering into specific agreements and establishing joint bodies.
• As a framework agreement, the Convention does not replace bilateral and multilateral agreements for specific basins or aquifers; instead, it fosters their establishment and implementation, as well as further development.
• The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe(UNECE), which services the UN Water Convention.
• It is a powerful tool to promote and operationalize the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs.

Alprazolam:

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a clandestine factory manufacturing alprazolam in Valsad under “Operation White Cauldron”.

• Alprazolam is a psychotropic substance under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.
• This drug falls under the benzodiazepines class of drugs, and is a tranquillizing agent used in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
• Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.
• It is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.
• Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 prohibits any individual from engaging in any activity consisting of the production, cultivation, sale, purchase, transport, storage, and/or consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
• Objectives:
  • To take measures for preventing, combating, and regulating operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
  • To provide for the forfeiture of property derived from or used in, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
  • To implement the provisions of the international conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and for all relevant matters.
  • To add or omit the list of psychotropic substances.

Project Suncatcher:

Google announced a new research initiative called Project Suncatcher

• It is a research initiative exploring how constellations of solar-powered satellites could host data centres in space.
• It is an initiative of Google.
• Google aims to deploy high-performance AI accelerators in space and build a space-based infrastructure.
• Project Suncatcher will build modular satellite arrays linked by high-speed free-space optical communication, supporting data transfer at tens of terabits per second.
• It will send AI data centers into space by launching solar-powered satellites equipped with its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), specialized AI chips.
• The plan includes launching two prototype satellites in partnership with Planet Labs by early 2027 to test the hardware’s durability and performance in space.
• The proposed system consists of a constellation of networked satellites, likely operating in a dawn–dusk sun-synchronous low earth orbit.
• Early tests have shown Google’s Trillium-generation TPUs withstand radiation at levels similar to those found in space.

Emissions Gap Report, 2025:

Emissions Gap Report 2025 assessment has found that updated global climate pledges have resulted in only marginal progress towards limiting global warming.

• Emissions Gap Report is an annual report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The EGR series tracks our progress in limiting global warming well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement.
• It is launched every year ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP).
• The EGR is co-produced by UNEP, the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) and partners.

Key Highlights of Emissions Gap Report, 2025:

• Even after countries fully implement their latest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, global temperatures are projected to rise by 2.3-2.5 degrees Celsius (°C) this century.
• Global GHG emissions rose 2.3% in 2024, reaching 7 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
• Only 60 Parties, covering 63% of global emissions, have submitted new NDCs for 2035.
• To align with the 1.5°C target, emissions would need to fall by 55 per cent by 2035

Second World Summit for Social Development, 2025:

The Minister for Labour & Employment is representing India at the World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2) held in Doha, Qatar.

• It is a United Nations convened summit which reaffirms to eradicate poverty, promote full and productive employment and decent work for all, and foster social inclusion.
• It is designed to align with other recent global processes, such as the 2023 SDG Summit Political Declaration, the Pact of the Future and the forthcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4).
• The first World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen in March 1995.
• The second World Summit for Social Development is held in Doha, Qatar.
• Main Objectives of Second World Summit for Social Development 2025
  • Global solidarity and accelerate action on social development by assessing progress, addressing gaps.
  • Strengthening implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Reaffirm the 10 Commitments of the Copenhagen
  • Declaration
  • Promote equality, inclusion, and well-being for all
  • Strengthen global solidarity and cooperation.

VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme:

The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology interacted with Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellows from across the world.

• It is awarded to outstanding scientists/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
• It identifies an Indian Institution for collaboration and may spend up to two months in a year for a maximum of 3 years.
• The government offers the researchers an amount of INR 4,00,000 per month for the entire period.
• Aim is Improving the research ecosystem of India’s Higher Educational Institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world.
• It connects Indian diaspora scientists with Indian institutions by simplifying travel, extending fellowships, and creating structured student mobility.
• Researchers from institutions featuring in the top 500 QS World University Rankings will be eligible for the fellowship.
• The applicant must have obtained aD/M.D/M.S degree from a recognized University.
• The 75 selected fellows would be invited to work in 18 identified knowledge verticals including quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences amongst others.
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology.

Striped Hyena : Spotted

A rare striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) was spotted in the Kali Tiger Reserve in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka.

• The Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is a mammal belonging to the family Hyaenidae.
• The Hyaenidae family has four members: Striped hyenas, Spotted hyenas, Brown hyenas, and the aardwolf (which is not a wolf)
• It is a bit smaller than the spotted hyenas and has stripes all over their bodies.
• It is mainly found in South Asia (India, Nepal, Afghanistan), North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia, and Central Asia.
• It lives in open savannas, grasslands, and scrub woodlands in arid to semi-arid environments.
• They are territorial creatures and scent-mark their territorial boundaries as a warning to their rivals.
• Striped hyenas are primarily scavengers and eat mainly carrion and human refuse
• Adult Striped hyena females are dominant over males and aggressive toward other females.
• The striped hyena is generally considered solitary, but has some social organization.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Near Threatened.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana:

There are glaring irregularities found in the execution of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship blacklisted 178 training partners.

• It is a skill development programme launched by government of India in 2015.
• It aims to empower the youth of India to engage in industry relevant skill training and secure a better livelihood.
• It is being implemented by the National Skill Development Corporations in partnership with multiple stakeholders.
• Candidates aged 14 to 35 yearsare generally eligible for PMKVY training programs.
• Applicants must be Indian citizens to qualify for the scheme.
• PMKVY caters to individuals from diverse educational backgrounds, including those without formal education.
• Priority is given to unemployed or underemployed individuals to enhance their employability.
• Aadhar Card: An Aadhar card is often a mandatory requirement for applying to PMKVY programs.
• Features of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana:
  • Industry experts are consulted regularly in order to ensure that updated skill training is provided according to industry demands.
  • Short term training courses make it easy for people to acquire new skills within a short period of time.
  • Recognition to Prior Learning is also acknowledged through certification without undergoing the same training.
  • The scheme also aims to provide placement assistance for all the candidates trained in a certain skill.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease : Leading Cause Of Death Worldwide

According to the World Health Organization, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.5 million deaths in 2021.

• It is a condition caused by damage to the lungs that results in breathing difficulties.
• The damage, which is inflammation and scarring, can be in the airways to the lungs, in the air sacs of the lungs, or both.
• Types of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Chronic bronchitis: It is caused by inflammation of the lining of the airways, or the tubes that bring air into your lungs. When these bronchi are inflamed, they become narrower, leading to restricted airflow, and causing the formation of extra, thick mucus, making it hard to breathe, and causing coughing.
  • Emphysema: It develops when the air sacs of the lungs, known as alveoli, are damaged. This makes it difficult for the lungs to pass adequate oxygen into the bloodstream, causing shortness of breath.
• Causes: One of the main causes of COPD is smoking and another is indoor air pollution.
• Symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • A cough with mucus that lasts for three months or more at a time;
  • Experiencing tightness in the chest;
  • Shortness of breath especially during physical activities;
  • Wheezing or whistling sounds in the breath;
  • Frequent chest infections and fatigue or extreme tiredness.
• Treatment: There is no cure for COPD. Treatment is based on the severity and is focused on managing symptoms and reducing flare ups.

Sudan Civil War:

Sudan is gripped by a devastating civil war that has derailed its democratic transition and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The war stems from a power struggle between two rival military factions — the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). The 2019 ouster of dictator Omar al-Bashir raised hopes for civilian rule, but the 2021 military coup dissolved the transitional government, restoring power to rival security factions After the 2021 military coup, the conflict spread from Khartoum to Darfur, Kordofan, El Fasher and Gezira, erupting in 2023 into Sudan’s worst crisis in decades as the SAF and RSF clashed violently.

India Celebrates 100 Years of Hockey:

Hockey India celebrates 100 years of Indian Hockey (1925–2025) with nationwide events on 7th November, led by a major ceremony at New Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Hockey dates back nearly 4,000 years, with early references in Iran, Egypt, and Greece, while the modern game emerged in the UK, where formal rules were drafted in 1876. The two major forms of Hockey are field hockey and ice hockey. Field hockey is played on an artificial pitch, while ice hockey is played by teams of skaters on an ice rink. Hockey arrived in India in the 1850s under British rule and quickly grew popular, leading to the first Hockey club in Calcutta (1855). Domestic tournaments like the Beighton Cup (Calcutta) and Aga Khan Tournament (Bombay) further popularised the sport. The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), the country’s first governing body for the sport was founded on 7th November 1925, one year after the formation of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Speciality Fertilisers:

India is bracing for higher fertiliser prices ahead of the crucial Rabi crop season due to China’s suspension of Urea and Speciality Fertiliser exports.Speciality fertilisers are advanced formulations beyond basic NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur), including water-soluble, slow or controlled-release, and micronutrient-based products that enhance nutrient efficiency and crop-specific performance. Examples: Chelated micronutrients (Fe-EDTA, Zn-EDTA, Fe-EDDHA), water-soluble fertilisers (WSFs) such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃); and stabilised nitrogen fertilisers with urease inhibitors (NBPT).

Puducherry’s Innovative Green Transformation:

Puducherry has launched innovative, community-driven greening initiatives under IFS officer Dr. P. Arulrajan, integrating science, spirituality, and citizen engagement to double its green cover by 2030.A holistic environmental program led by Dr. P. Arulrajan (IFS, 2009 batch), blending scientific forestry, administrative innovation, and spiritual engagement to expand Puducherry’s Forest and tree cover.
Aim is To increase Puducherry’s green cover from 12.57% to at least 24% by 2030, through large-scale tree planting, community participation, and ecosystem restoration.

CAG’s Plan for Two New Cadres:

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has approved the creation of two new specialised cadres — Central Revenue Audit (CRA) and Central Expenditure Audit (CEA) within its department to enhance centralisation and audit quality from 1st January 2026. The CAG plans to restructure its Indian Audit and Accounts Department by creating two new cadres — the Central Revenue Audit (CRA) and Central Expenditure Audit (CEA) — for improved centralised auditing.
Names of the cadres:
Central Revenue Audit (CRA) Cadre – will handle specialised audits of Central Government receipts and revenues.
Central Expenditure Audit (CEA) Cadre – will focus on expenditure audits of ministries and departments.

Bihar’s Gogabeel Lake – 94th Ramsar Site of India:

Gogabeel Lake in Katihar district, Bihar, has been officially added to the list of Ramsar Sites, becoming India’s 94th Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Gogabeel is a natural oxbow lake—a crescent-shaped waterbody formed by the meandering of rivers—located between the Ganga and Mahananda rivers in Katihar district, Bihar. It acts as a seasonal floodplain connecting both rivers during high water levels.
Location and formation: Formed from the flow of Mahananda and Kankhar rivers in the north and Ganga in the south and east. Spread over 57 hectares as a Community Reserve and 30 hectares as a Conservation Reserve. Declared Bihar’s first Community Reserve in 2019 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Typhoon Kalmaegi:

Typhoon Kalmaegi struck Vietnam’s central coast, forcing flight cancellations and mass evacuations after killing over 114 people in the Philippines, where it caused widespread flooding, destruction, and displacement.Typhoon Kalmaegi is a tropical cyclone that developed over the western Pacific Ocean, characterized by strong winds, torrential rains, and high tidal waves. It intensified rapidly before making landfall in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Kalmaegi formed over the Philippine Sea, moving westward toward Luzon (Philippines) before crossing the South China Sea and hitting central Vietnam.
It is named after the Korean word for “seagull.”