Daily Insights November 1, 2025
Contents
Daily Insights November 1, 2025
1. Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025 – Expanded Social Security Coverage
Source: PIB | Ministry: Labour and Employment | Date: November 1, 2025
The government launched the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme (EES) 2025, effective November 1 to April 30, 2026, to bring workers under organized social security through EPFO. Employees who joined between July 2017 and October 2025 but weren’t enrolled can now be registered with waived employee contributions for the past period. Employers pay only a nominal penalty of ₹100 (reduced from standard penalties). Eligible employers can also avail benefits of the Pradhan Mantri-Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana. This addresses informal sector coverage and eases compliance burden.
UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (Social Policy) | GS-3 (Labour Policy, Welfare Schemes)
2. 8th International Solar Alliance Assembly – “One Sun, One World, One Grid”
Source: PIB/News | Date: October 27-30, 2025 | Venue: New Delhi
India hosted the 8th ISA Assembly with China joining the alliance. Key initiatives launched include SUNRISE (Solar Upcycling Network), OSOWOG (One Sun One World One Grid) with UK, and SIDS Solar Procurement Platform. The theme emphasized global renewable interconnectivity and energy transition, with five ISA knowledge reports highlighting solar sector trends.
UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Climate Change, Renewable Energy) | GS-2 (International Relations, Multilateral Forums)
3. DRDO Technology Transfer: 12 LAToTs to Industry Partners
Source: PIB | Event: SAMANVAY 2025 | Date: October 2025 | Venue: Bengaluru
DRDO handed over 12 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) covering eight indigenous defence products to industry during SAMANVAY 2025. Over 150 industry participants, including MSMEs, participated. DRDO announced creation of Industry Interaction Groups at all laboratories. The initiative aligns with the Revised DRDO Transfer of Technology Policy 2025, with Technology Development Fund providing up to ₹50 crore per project—supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Science & Technology, Defence Production, MSMEs)
4. India’s Power Capacity Crosses 500 GW; Renewables Exceed 50% for First Time
Source: PIB/Ministry of Power | Date: October 2025 | Milestone: 500.89 GW
India’s installed power capacity reached 500.89 GW (Sept 2025) with non-fossil fuels at 256.09 GW (51%) and fossil fuels at 244.80 GW (49%). Solar leads at 127.33 GW, followed by wind at 53.12 GW. India achieved its COP26 “Panchamrit” goal five years early, targeting 50% non-fossil capacity by 2030. The achievement demonstrates rapid renewable energy expansion and India’s climate commitment leadership.
UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Renewable Energy, Climate Change, Paris Agreement) | GS-2 (International Climate Commitments)
5. Chabahar Port: US Extends 6-Month Sanctions Waiver
Source: The Hindu/News | Date: October 31, 2025 | Strategic Context: Iran-US Relations
The Trump administration granted India a six-month extension on US sanctions waivers for Iran’s Chabahar Port operations. India holds a 10-year operational contract (signed May 2024). The port is crucial for India-Afghanistan connectivity, humanitarian aid, and trade with Central Asia. Plans include linking it to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Uzbekistan and Russia also show interest, providing strategic alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (Foreign Policy, Regional Connectivity, Strategic Partnership) | GS-3 (Infrastructure, Trade Routes)
6. US-China Trade Deal: Tariff Reduction & Rare Earth Agreement
Source: News/International | Date: October 30-31, 2025 | Venue: Busan, South Korea (APEC Summit)
Trump and Xi agreed to reduce US tariffs from 57% to 47% on Chinese goods, suspend rare earth export controls for one year, and pause port fees on Chinese vessels. The deal suspends the “50% ownership rule” for one year. Both sides will cooperate on fentanyl controls and agricultural trade. Trump announced plans to visit China in April 2026.
UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations, US-China Relations, Global Trade) | GS-3 (Supply Chain Implications for India)
7. India Ready to Support Afghanistan’s Hydroelectric Projects on Kunar River
Source: MEA Statement | Date: October 30, 2025 | Regional Context: India-Afghanistan Relations
India’s MEA indicated readiness to support Afghanistan’s announced dam projects on the Kunar River, citing historical cooperation including the Salma Dam in Herat Province. Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced rapid construction plans, raising concerns in Pakistan (where the river flows). India emphasizes sustainable water management and energy security for Afghanistan while maintaining neighbourhood diplomacy balance.
UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (Neighbourhood Policy, Bilateral Relations, Transboundary Rivers) | GS-3 (Water Security, Hydropower)
8. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2025 – 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Source: PIB | Date: October 31, 2025 | Venue: Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
PM Modi led the Unity Parade and administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge. Highlights included release of a ₹150 commemorative coin and postage stamp honoring Sardar Patel. The Bharat Parv festival (Nov 1-15) features cultural performances and food festivals. Special recognition for 1,466 personnel awarded for excellence in 2025. This celebrates Patel’s role in India’s integration and national unity.
UPSC Relevance: GS-1 (History, National Integration) | GS-2 (Governance, Nation-Building)
9. Justice Surya Kant Appointed as 53rd Chief Justice of India
Source: PIB/Ministry of Law | Date: October 31, 2025 | Oath Date: November 24, 2025
Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most Supreme Court judge, was appointed 53rd CJI under Article 124(2) of the Constitution. He will be the first CJI from Haryana. He was India’s youngest Advocate General (age 38, 2000) and has served as NALSA Executive Chairman since May 2025. He will retire on February 9, 2027. He succeeds CJI BR Gavai.
UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (Judiciary, Constitutional Appointments, Polity)
10. Toshiba Delivers India’s First 220kV Mobile GIS System to POWERGRID
Source: PIB/News | Date: October 2025 | Venue: Rudraram, Telangana
Toshiba TTDI delivered India’s first indigenously manufactured 220kV Mobile Gas-Insulated Switchgear (m-GIS) System to POWERGRID. The modular system enables rapid deployment for emergency grid restoration and temporary power evacuation. Future deliveries include 132kV m-GIS (November 2025) and 400kV m-GIS (August 2026). This supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat in high-voltage infrastructure and grid resilience.
UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Energy Infrastructure, Transmission Technology, Make in India)
11. India-Sri Lanka 1st Joint Working Group on Agriculture
Source: PIB | Date: October 2025 | Venue: Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi
India and Sri Lanka held the 1st JWG meeting on Agriculture focusing on strengthening cooperation in food security, farm mechanization, organic farming, seed development, agri-entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient agriculture. Co-chaired by Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi (India) and D.P. Wickramasinghe (Sri Lanka), discussions covered digital agriculture, crop insurance, and agri-startups. The Sri Lankan delegation visited IARI to study India’s agricultural research ecosystem.
UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (Bilateral Relations, Neighbourhood Policy) | GS-3 (Agricultural Cooperation, Food Security)
12. India-ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting: Strategic Partnership Deepening
Source: PIB | Date: October 31, 2025 | Venue: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met ASEAN defence ministers during the 2nd India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting. Key announcements include ASEAN-India Initiative on Women in UN Peacekeeping and ASEAN-India Defence Think-Tank Interaction. ASEAN appreciated India’s role in Indo-Pacific peace and stability. Discussions covered cyber defence, maritime cooperation, and defence industry collaboration, advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2026-2030.
UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations, Regional Security, Maritime Cooperation) | GS-3 (Defence Cooperation)
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