Daily Insights November 2, 2025

Daily Insights November 2, 2025

1. ISRO’s Heaviest Satellite Launch (CMS-03 Mission)

Source: ISRO Official Release, PIB |

Key Points:

• ISRO successfully launched CMS-03, India’s heaviest communication satellite (4,410 kg) to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) on November 2, 2025

• Launch vehicle: LVM3-M5 ‘Bahubali’ from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 5:26 PM IST

• First time India has launched a satellite exceeding 4,000 kg to GTO from Indian soil

• Multi-band communication satellite will provide services across Indian subcontinent and oceanic regions

• Marks India’s achievement in self-reliance in space technology and reduces dependency on foreign space agencies

UPSC Relevance: Space technology, Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), Infrastructure development, Science & Technology

2. Andhra Pradesh Temple Stampede – Administrative Failure

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express |

Key Points:

• Devastating stampede at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kashibugga, Srikakulam district (Andhra Pradesh)

• Deaths: 10 people (9 women, 1 child); several injured

• Crowd surge: ~25,000 devotees at a temple designed for 2,000-3,000 capacity

• Cause: Metal railing collapse; lack of proper entry/exit routes

• Private temple operated without official endowment department oversight

• PM Modi announced ex-gratia: ₹2 lakh for deceased families, ₹50,000 for injured

UPSC Relevance: Disaster management, Public safety, Constitutional governance, Role of government bodies, Community welfare

3. RBI Monetary Policy October 2025 – Repo Rate Maintained

Source: PIB, RBI Official Release |

Key Points:

• RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained policy repo rate at 5.50% with neutral stance (October 2025)

• MPC decision unanimous among all members

• Key changes to RBI projections:

  • FY26 GDP growth estimate revised upwards to 6.8% (from 6.5%)

  • CPI inflation forecast cut to 2.6% (from 3.1%)

  • Q1 FY26 real GDP growth: 7.8% – fastest pace in seven quarters

• Quarterly GDP growth estimates FY26: Q1: 6.5%, Q2: 7.0%, Q3: 6.4%, Q4: 6.2%

• Strong consumption, investments, government spending driving growth

• RBI noted above-normal monsoon and adequate reservoir levels supporting agriculture and rural demand

• GST rationalization expected to strengthen domestic demand

• Structural reforms and financial stability emphasized over rate cuts

UPSC Relevance: Monetary policy, Central bank role, Economic growth, Inflation control, Fiscal management

4. India Manufacturing PMI Reaches 58.4 in October 2025

Source: HSBC Manufacturing PMI Data, Trading Economics |

Key Points:

• HSBC India Manufacturing PMI rose to 58.4 in October 2025 from 57.7 in September

• Substantial improvement in manufacturing conditions with faster increase in new orders

• International demand remained favorable despite US tariff pressures

• Export order growth weakest since March due to US tariff threats

• Manufacturers reported softer cost input pressures attributed to GST relief measures

• Output charge inflation continued to rise despite input relief

• Strong business confidence (126.2 points in September)

• Companies optimistic about production over next year due to GST rate cuts, new products, tech investment

• PMI reading above 50 indicates sector expansion; 58.4 shows robust growth trajectory

UPSC Relevance: Economic growth indicators, Manufacturing sector, Make in India, Trade policy, GST impact, Inflation trends

5. International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2025

Source: PIB, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy |

Key Points:

• International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2025) scheduled for November 6-7, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

• Part of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission launched January 2023

• Mission targets 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) annual green hydrogen production by 2030

• Associated renewable energy capacity addition target: 125 GW

• Expected investments: Over ₹8 lakh crore

• Job creation target: Over 6 lakh jobs by 2030

• Projected fossil fuel import reduction: ₹1 lakh crore savings

• GHG emissions reduction: 50 MMT annually

• Conference to explore hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and applications in hard-to-abate sectors (refineries, fertilizers, steel, chemicals, aviation, shipping)

• Topics: Green financing, workforce upskilling, start-up innovation

UPSC Relevance: Renewable energy, Climate change mitigation, Net Zero 2070 commitment, Energy independence, Technology innovation, Sustainable development

6. Delhi Air Quality Crisis – Pollution Worsens to ‘Severe’

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express |

Key Points:

• Delhi’s AQI deteriorated to ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ category (372-425+ at various locations)

• Peak stubble burning season in Punjab coinciding with calm weather conditions

• Visibility reduced to 900-1,300 meters due to fog and smog

• November 1-15 identified as most polluted fortnight (average AQI: 371, 2018-2023 data)

• Last year: 8 ‘severe’ AQI days in November, 6 of them Nov 1-15

• Authorities warned of persistent pollution without strong winds or rainfall

• Structural issue: Agricultural burning practices in neighboring states affecting NCR region

• Public health concern: Vulnerable population (children, elderly, persons with respiratory conditions) at high risk

UPSC Relevance: Environmental pollution, Climate change, Agricultural practices, Public health, Interstate cooperation (Punjab-Delhi), Pollution control measures

7. Defence Acquisition Council Approves ₹79,000 Crore Proposals

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence |

Key Points:

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹79,000 crore (October 23, 2025)

• For Indian Army:

  • Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS) – neutralize enemy combat vehicles and fortifications

  • Ground-Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) – round-the-clock electronic intelligence

  • High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with cranes – improve logistic support across terrains

• For Indian Navy:

  • Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) – enhance amphibious warfare and HADR capabilities

  • 30mm Naval Surface Guns (NSGs)

  • Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWTs)

  • Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track Systems

  • Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mounts

• For Indian Air Force:

  • Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System

• Emphasis on ‘Buy (Indian)’ category: Indigenous manufacturing with 50%+ local content

• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India in defence sector

UPSC Relevance: Defence procurement, Self-reliant defence, Armed forces modernization, Defence budgeting, Make in India, Military strategy

8. Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹14,260 Crore in Chhattisgarh

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways |

Key Points:

• PM Modi inaugurated/initiated major infrastructure projects during Chhattisgarh’s 25th statehood celebration

• Key Projects:

  • HPCL Petroleum Oil Depot in Raipur: ₹460 crore investment, 54,000 kilolitres storage capacity; improves fuel supply to Chhattisgarh and adjoining states; supports ethanol blending

  • Nagpur-Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline: 489 km length, ₹1,950 crore cost; connects 11 Chhattisgarh districts to National Gas Grid; expands access to cleaner fuel; promotes industrial development

  • NH-130D initiation: Narayanpur-Kasturmeta-Kutul-Nilangur-Maharashtra border connectivity

  • NH-130C inauguration: Madangmuda-Deobhog-Odisha border upgraded; improves access and trade routes in tribal and interior regions

• Total project value: ₹14,260 crore across road, power, and industrial sectors

• Focus: Regional development, connectivity, industrial growth, cleaner fuel adoption

UPSC Relevance: Infrastructure development, Regional development, PM GatiShakti, Connectivity, Energy sector, Industrial policy, National integration

9. National Red List for Flora and Fauna Assessment

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, IUCN |

Key Points:

• India launched National Red List Roadmap at IUCN World Conservation Congress (Abu Dhabi)

• Vision document: National Red List Assessment (NRLA) 2025-2030

• Developed by: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

• Collaboration: IUCN-India and Centre for Species Survival

• India’s biodiversity status:

  • One of 17 megadiverse countries globally

  • Home to 4 biodiversity hotspots: Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, Sundaland

  • Covers 2.4% world’s land but has 8% global flora and 7.5% global fauna

  • 28% plants and 30%+ animals are endemic to India

• Objective: Nationally coordinated, inclusive, science-based system to assess and monitor conservation status

• Related budget allocation: ₹450 crore for Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (2025-26); ₹290 crore (64%) for Project Tiger and Elephant (18% increase from 2024-25)

• Total Protected Areas: 1,014 (106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 115 Conservation Reserves, 220 Community Reserves)

• Alignment: CBD and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commitments

UPSC Relevance: Wildlife conservation, Biodiversity assessment, IUCN standards, Environmental policy, Global commitments, Species protection, Conservation funding

10. Government Disinvestment Plan – LIC and PSU Banks

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance |

• Government planning large-scale stake sales in LIC and 5 PSU banks to meet SEBI public shareholding norms

• LIC Disinvestment:

  • Current government stake: 96.5% (needs to reduce to minimum 10%)

  • IPO 2022 sold 3.5% for ₹21,000 crore

  • Additional 6.5% sale required by May 16, 2027

  • Current market cap: ₹5.85 lakh crore

  • Expected sale value: ₹14,000-17,000 crore (2.5-3% offer for sale)

• Five PSU Banks (holdings above 75%):

  • Indian Overseas Bank: 94.61%

  • UCO Bank: 90.95%

  • Punjab & Sind Bank: 93.85%

  • Central Bank of India: 89.27%

  • Bank of Maharashtra: 79.60%

• Deadline extension: SEBI deadline extended to May 2027 from May 2024

• Reason for acceleration: Record profits in PSU banks (Q2 2025: ₹44,218 crore profit, 11% YoY growth)

• Government hiring merchant bankers for stake sale management

UPSC Relevance: Public sector disinvestment, Fiscal policy, Banking sector, SEBI regulations, PSU reform, Capital markets

11. Chhattisgarh Vidhansabha New Building – Green Architecture

Source: PIB |

Key Points:

• PM Modi inaugurated new Chhattisgarh Vidhansabha building at Nava Raipur on November 1, 2025

• Timing: Coincided with state’s 25th statehood anniversary (October 31)

• Green building features:

  • Fully solar-powered renewable energy system

  • Rainwater harvesting infrastructure

  • Eco-friendly sustainable design

• Democratic significance: Reflects 75 years of Indian Constitution

• Historical connection: PM recalled 6 Constituent Assembly members from Chhattisgarh region who contributed to Constitution drafting

• Symbolic message: Emphasized “duty above all” principle in democracy

• Part of celebrations: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand all completed 25 years of statehood

• Development philosophy: “Development of states fuels progress of nation”

UPSC Relevance: Constitutional governance, Federalism, State autonomy, Green infrastructure, Democratic institutions, Constitutional history, Sustainable architecture

PIB

Daily Insights