Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 31st October 2025

The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently praised India’s liberalised Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme for boosting participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in international trade. The AEO programme operates under the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade. WCO adopted the SAFE Framework in June 2005 to strengthen international supply chain security. AEO is one of the three pillars of the SAFE Framework and promotes customs–trade partnership. It was launched by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) as a pilot in 2011 and revised in 2016. It is implemented by the Directorate of International Customs under CBIC.

Researchers recently discovered a new plant species named Tetrataenium manilalianum, adding to the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. It belongs to the carrot family (Umbelliferae/Apiaceae). The species was found in Eravikulam National Park, located in Idukki district of Kerala. It was named in honour of Prof. K.S. Manilal, founder president of the Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy. The plant grows in grasslands bordering shola forests at high altitudes. It is the first of its kind identified globally and the 48th species in the carrot family. It bears white flowers, has underground rhizomes, and blooms during the monsoon.

A rare Malabar Gliding Frog was recently spotted at Hirebagewadi near Belagavi, Karnataka. Its scientific name is Rhacophorus malabaricus. It is endemic to the rainforests of the Western Ghats in India. The frog lives on tree leaves near streams or riverbanks and breeds on overhanging trees above water bodies. It can glide through the air using the webbing between its toes, leaping up to 9–12 metres, nearly 115 times its body length. It grows up to 10 cm, with males smaller than females. It has a bright green back, pale yellow belly, and orange-red webbed toes. It is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Recently, the Prime Minister of India celebrated Deepavali aboard INS Vikrant and praised armed forces’ unity during Operation Sindoor. INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier. It was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited. The carrier was commissioned in 2022. It measures 262 metres in length and 62 metres in width, with 14 decks. Its full-load displacement is 43,000 tonnes.

Researchers studied the ratio of small to large earthquakes beneath Mount Etna and found it strongly linked to volcanic activity over the past 20 years. Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily is a part of Italy. It lies at the convergent boundary of the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate. It is the tallest active volcano in Europe and the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. The volcano’s eruptive history dates back 500,000 years, with 2,700 years well documented. It was featured in ancient Greek legends. Mount Etna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ukraine recently carried out a bold strike on a Russian chemical plant in Bryansk using UK-made Storm Shadow long-range missiles, breaching Moscow’s air defenses. Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile. It was jointly developed by the United Kingdom and France. The missile is called SCALP in France. It is designed for stealth and precision strikes in all weather conditions. It targets high-value stationary assets like airbases, radar sites, and communication hubs. It is used by the air forces of Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. India has integrated SCALP missiles with Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.

Birdwatchers recently made the first-ever sighting of the Indian Scops Owl near the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Karnataka. The Indian Scops Owl is a small woodland owl native to southern Asia. It is found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Iran. It lives in forests, scrublands, and agricultural areas and is non-migratory. The owl measures 17–20 cm in height with a wingspan of about 45 cm. It has large bright yellow eyes, a round head, and brown-grey feathers with fine patterns. It hunts at night, mainly feeding on insects. It is listed as Least Concern under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

India is promoting an AI-ready generation through the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme. Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). It aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) learning into school education and teacher training. The programme targets students from class six to twelve and educators across India. Students receive three 15-hour modules; teachers receive a 45-hour module covering AI, machine learning, data literacy, and ethical technology use. Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹500 crore to establish a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education.

South Korea is set to deploy its ‘monster missile’ Hyunmoo-5 by the end of this year. It marks a major upgrade in South Korea’s conventional arsenal against North Korea. Hyunmoo-5 is a ballistic missile developed by South Korea. It is designed for deep penetration strikes using a large conventional warhead. The missile can destroy heavily fortified underground targets. It is part of the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) strategy to deter North Korea without nuclear weapons. It was officially unveiled in October 2024.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually attend the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit. The summit is being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 26 to 28, 2025. The country will become the diplomatic capital of Southeast Asia during the event. More than 30 heads of state and government will attend, including leaders from ASEAN nations and dialogue partners like the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Discussions will focus on regional peace, economic resilience, and inclusive growth. The summit theme is ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship.

The Intrusion Detection System (IDS) has been launched by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) under the Ministry of Railways. It has successfully completed trial works in four key railway sections. The system aims to protect wildlife, especially elephants, while maintaining operational efficiency in forested areas. The IDS runs parallel to railway tracks at a distance of 10 metres. It uses advanced optical fibre sensing technology to detect elephant movements near tracks. The system sends real-time alerts to train drivers and control rooms for preventive action. Elephant-generated vibrations are detected by sensor cables and transmitted to the control room.

Kashmir’s first Chrysanthemum garden has recently been opened for tourists. Chrysanthemum is a genus of about 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Asia and northeastern Europe and blooms in autumn. The plant grows 50–150 cm tall with deeply lobed leaves and large flowerheads in white, yellow, or pink. It thrives in subtropical and temperate areas with tropical and subtropical climate.

A new fish species named Pseudorhombus bahudaensis was recently discovered by researchers from the Estuarine Biology Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India. It was found in the Bahuda estuary located in Odisha. This species belongs to the flounder fish group under the order Pleuronectiformes. It closely resembles Pseudorhombus arsius, also known as the Gangetic largetooth flounder. They usually live in inshore waters up to 50 metres deep and can move between saltwater and freshwater environments.

Recently, environmentalists, wildlife activists, and locals urged the Union Environment Ministry to act against the illegal discharge of toxic leachate into the Aravalli hills. Leachate is a highly toxic liquid formed in municipal landfills. It collects at the bottom of landfills through waste decomposition, water infiltration, and chemical reactions. Its composition depends on waste type, landfill age, rainfall, and temperature. It contains organic pollutants, inorganic compounds, heavy metals, and microbes. Leachate can pollute soil, groundwater, and ecosystems, posing serious health risks. Proper leachate collection and disposal are essential under strict environmental regulations to prevent contamination.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead National Unity Day celebrations on October 31 at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Narmada Valley. National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is observed every year on October 31. It marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. The day was introduced in 2014 by the Government of India. Patel, known as the “Iron Man of India,” played a key role in uniting India’s princely states.

India has launched its annual Trishul 2025 tri-Service combat exercise along the western border with Pakistan. It involves the Army, Navy, and Air Force and follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s warning over Pakistan’s military buildup near Sir Creek. Sir Creek is a 96 km tidal estuary between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan’s Sindh province. India issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting airspace from October 30 to November 10, while Pakistan also restricted routes on October 28–29. The exercise, though routine, is larger and more complex this year.

The Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles launched a skill-based initiative under Operation Sadbhavana to empower women of the Ollo Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh. The Ollo Tribe, also called Oloh or Lazu Naga, lives in the Laju Circle of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Myanmar. Despite living in two countries, they share the same language, religion, and traditions. They follow a clan-based hereditary chieftain system and a patriarchal society with male-dominated property rights. Historically known for facial tattoos and headhunting, they now focus on development while preserving heritage.

The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit will be held from October 31 to November 1, 2025. The summit will take place in the historic city of Gyeongju, South Korea. It will serve as the annual meeting of APEC leaders to discuss regional economic cooperation. APEC, founded in 1989, is a regional economic forum promoting trade, sustainable growth, and integration across the Asia-Pacific region. The forum aims to ensure inclusive and innovative development among member economies. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attend the summit. APEC operates through voluntary cooperation with no binding treaty commitments.

A rare bird White-cheeked Partridge (Arborophila atrogularis) was recently rescued near Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam. It belongs to the Phasianidae family, which includes pheasants and partridges. It inhabits dense undergrowth of evergreen forests, along with scrub, bamboo, and grassland areas. In India, it is found below 750 meters altitude, and up to 1,220 meters in Southeast Asia. It is found mainly in Northeast India. Its IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) status is Near Threatened.

The Union Government has restored and conserved about 22,560 hectares of mangroves in the last two years under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme. MISHTI aims to increase mangrove cover along coastlines and salt pan lands. It was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. The initiative followed India’s joining of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate at COP27 (Conference of Parties 27) to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in 2022. It focuses mainly on the Sundarbans delta, Hooghly Estuary, and other coastal regions.

Recently, Goa’s only zoo inside Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is set to welcome new animals after 12 years — a barking deer and a pair of sloth bears. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the northeastern part of Goa. It was established as a refuge for orphaned and injured animals. It has moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests with cane along streams.

Recently, archaeologists discovered a 4,000-year-old temple on Failaka Island in Kuwait, linked to the ancient Dilmun Civilization. The Dilmun Civilization, also known as Telmun, flourished in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Its main centers were the islands of Bahrain and Failaka Island in Kuwait. It also extended to regions of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the Iranian coast along the Persian Gulf. Dilmun was a powerful Bronze Age trading hub connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Though ancient and influential, it is less known than major early civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, and Yellow River.

Recently, the Indian Navy’s indigenously built Survey Vessel (Large) Ikshak is set to be commissioned at Naval Base Kochi. The name Ikshak, meaning “The Guide,” reflects its role in charting unexplored waters for safe navigation. It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, Kolkata. The ship will study underwater hydrography and aid marine navigation. It has over 80% indigenous content, showing India’s self-reliance in naval technology. Besides surveys, it can serve as a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and hospital ship.

Recently, Japan launched the world’s first yen-pegged stablecoin, named JPYC, marking a major step in digital finance. It is issued by the startup JPYC and is fully backed by Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) and domestic savings. The coin is fully convertible to the yen and aims for widespread international use. JPYC plans to issue 10 trillion yen ($66 billion) worth of coins in three years. The aim is to promote innovation and reduce transaction costs for startups. Blockchain-based stablecoins enable faster, cheaper, and secure transactions. Dollar-pegged stablecoins currently dominate 99% of global supply, but Japan seeks diversification

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has sought records from the Forest and Revenue Departments and the Angul Collector regarding alleged irregularities in village relocation at Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in central Odisha across Angul, Cuttack, Boudh, and Nayagarh districts. The reserve includes Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, divided by the Mahanadi River. It is also part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve. It lies at the junction of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats, creating rich biodiversity.

Recently, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare inaugurated the National Seeds Corporation’s (NSC) advanced seed processing plant at Pusa Complex, New Delhi. National Seeds Corporation (NSC) was established in 1963 for producing foundation and certified seeds. It functions under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. It is a Schedule ‘B’ Mini Ratna Category-I company fully owned by the Government of India. It ensures supply of quality seeds and supports schemes like National Mission on Oil Seed and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

Recently, paleontologists in China discovered a new species of the coelacanth genus Whiteia from two fossilized specimens. The Coelacanth is a prehistoric, lobe-finned fish belonging to the order Coelacanthiformes. It was believed extinct for 66 million years until rediscovered alive in 1938 off the coast of South Africa. It is known as a “living fossil.” Coelacanth fossils date back to the Devonian period, around 420 million years ago. Once, about 90 species existed globally in both marine and freshwater habitats. Today, only two living species exist — the West Indian Ocean coelacanth and the Indonesian coelacanth.

The Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), the world’s largest moth, was recently spotted in Guddehalli, Karwar, in Davangere district, Karnataka. It is native to tropical and subtropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. The species is found in countries like Nepal, northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. It is known for its massive wingspan that can reach up to 25–30 cm. The moth produces a type of silk called “fagara,” which is coarse and woolly. Its presence indicates a healthy rainforest ecosystem.

A forest department team recently arrested four people for illegally cutting khair trees in Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh. Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. It stretches along the northern banks of the River Ganga and covers parts of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor districts. It lies near the ancient town of Hastinapur, known for its cultural and mythological significance.

The Union Minister of Coal and Mines recently launched two digital platforms — KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard and CLAMP Portal. The Coal Land Acquisition, Management, and Payment (CLAMP) Portal is a unified digital system of the Ministry of Coal. It streamlines land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation & resettlement (R&R) processes in the coal sector. It serves as a central repository of land records to ensure data integration and transparency. The KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard integrates the entire coal value chain from mine to market. It enables real-time coordination among coal companies, railways, ports, and end users. It ensures transparency and faster decision-making through live analytics and digital monitoring.