03^rd November 2025 

1. National Geo-Spatial Platform: Recently, the Survey of India (SoI) partnered with C.E. Info Systems Pvt. Ltd. to develop a National Geo-Spatial Platform.

• Objective: Strengthen India’s National Geospatial Ecosystem and implement the National Geospatial Policy, 2022.
• Purpose of the platform Create a unified digital infrastructure for authentic and accurate foundational geospatial data.
• Support governance, research, industry, and citizen-centric applications.
• Build an integrated and collaborative ecosystem for geospatial data dissemination.
• Key components of the platform: Geospatial Data Integration & Dissemination System
• Integrated Geospatial Application Interface (IGAI)
• Spatial Data Registry (SDR) for metadata management.
• Significance: Reinforces the Survey of India’s leadership as the nodal agency for geospatial data.
• Promotes a data-driven, spatially enabled economy.
• Aims to contribute to India’s progress and sustainable development.

2. Gogabeel Lake: Recently Gogabeel Lake, located in the Katihar district of Bihar, has been recognized as a Ramsar Site of international importance, adding another wetland from India to the global conservation list.

• About Gogabeel Lake: Situated in the trans-Gangetic plains of Bihar.
• Classified as an ox-bow type wetland.
• Bordered by the Mahananda River to the northeast and the Ganga River to the south.
• Declared as Bihar’s first Community Reserve, highlighting local participation in its conservation.
• The area hosts several traditional and cultural festivals, including Sirva, Adra, and Chhath.
• Ecological Significance: Flora: Dominated by tropical dry deciduous forests, contributing to rich biodiversity.
• Fauna: Serves as a wintering habitat for migratory birds and supports species of global conservation importance.
  • Home to species such as the Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) and the Helicopter Catfish (Wallago attu).
  • Acts as a breeding ground for vulnerable fish species like Wallago attu.

3. Black Spot Data: Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced plans to release black spot data for 2023 and 2024 based on its Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) and Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) systems.

• About Black Spot Data: The initiative aims to prevent road accidents and fatalities by using real-time, geo-tagged accident data collected by state police.
• Definition of a black spot: A 500-metre stretch with either five or more accidents involving fatalities or grievous injuries, or 10 deaths within a 3-year period.
• Existing data (2016–2022): 13,795 black spots identified on National Highways.
• 5,036 black spots have undergone long-term rectification.
• Current data collection: Under the old method, black spot data covered 3-year periods, with the last dataset for 2020–2022 identifying 1,330 critical stretches. Data was physically collected and validated by the Transport Research Wing (TRW).
• Introduction of e-DAR/iRAD system: Rolled out in 2021–2022 across states.
• Enables real-time accident recording and geo-tagging using mobile devices operated by police first responders.
• Significance: The release of new data will enable advanced planning and targeted interventions to reduce accidents and save lives on National Highways.

4. Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland: Recently, conservationists, wildlife experts, researchers, and students have urged the designation of the Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex in Assam’s Nagaon district as a Ramsar Site.

• About Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland: Located within the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (70.13 sq. km), part of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
• Forms part of the Kaziranga–Orang landscape, acting as a connectivity corridor for wildlife moving between Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and Orang National Park.
• Biodiversity significance: The complex records an average of 120 species of resident and migratory birds each year.
• Includes globally threatened species such as the knob-billed duck, black-necked stork, and ferruginous pochard.
• The 6th Kaziranga Waterbird Census reported 20,653 birds of 75 species at Rowmari Beel and 26,480 birds of 88 species at Donduwa Beel.
• Combined counts exceed bird populations at existing Ramsar Sites Deepor Beel (Assam) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Ecological importance: The wetlands show rich habitat diversity and strong ecological connectivity, meeting Ramsar eligibility criteria.
• India hosts 93 Ramsar Sites, covering 6 lakh hectares, contributing significantly to wetland conservation. Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.

5. UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN): Recently, Lucknow was officially inducted into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the Gastronomy category during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference.

• About UCCN: Established in 2004, the network fosters cooperation among cities that view creativity as a key driver of sustainable urban development.
• It was launched to advance UNESCO’s goals of cultural diversity and to enhance resilience against global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and rapid urbanisation.
• The network encompasses seven creative fields — Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music.
• Aim: To harness the creative, social, and economic potential of cultural industries for inclusive urban growth.
• Objectives of the UCCN: To help member cities integrate creativity into urban development, promoting partnerships between the public and private sectors and civil society.
• To develop innovation and creativity hubs that expand opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural professionals.
• To align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through creative and cultural advancement.

6. RBI Financial Accounts Data: Recently, RBI financial accounts data revealed that Indian households are accumulating debt at a faster pace than assets, with annual liabilities rising by 102% since 2019–20, outpacing the 48% growth in financial assets.

• About RBI financial accounts data: It capture how households build financial assets and take on liabilities each year, providing insights into savings trends, investment patterns, and economic resilience.
• Key Trends: Asset Growth: Household financial assets rose from ₹24.1 lakh crore (2019–20) to ₹35.6 lakh crore (2024–25) — a 48% increase.
• Liability Growth: Annual financial liabilities more than doubled, from ₹7.5 lakh crore to ₹15.7 lakh crore, reflecting a 102% surge.
• GDP Contribution: Financial asset formation fell from 12% to 10.8% of GDP.
• Financial liabilities climbed from 9% to 4.7% of GDP.
• Savings Pattern Shift: Bank deposits remain the mainstay of household savings.
• Increasing preference for mutual funds and market-linked instruments highlights diversification.
• Debt Moderation: Household debt reached 2% of GDP in 2023–24, then eased slightly in 2024–25, indicating gradual stabilization.
• Implications: A decline in household savings rates could constrain domestic investment and capital formation.
• Rising consumer leverage may heighten vulnerability to interest rate fluctuations or income shocks.
• The shift toward market-based assets reflects improving financial awareness, but also increases exposure to market volatility.

7. Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2025: Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) honoured 1,466 personnel from various States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) with the ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2025’.

• About Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak: Established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in February 2024.
• Annual Announcement: Declared each year on 31st October, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister.
• Purpose: Recognises excellence and efficiency in critical domains such as: Special Operations, Investigation, Intelligence and Forensic Science
• The award seeks to encourage professionalism, uphold ethical standards, and motivate security and police personnel towards higher performance.
• Scope: Conferred upon members of: Police Forces, Security Organisations, Intelligence Wings, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and Forensic Science Institutions across India

8. Mining and Mine Closure Plan for UCG Blocks: Recently, the Ministry of Coal released the Draft Guidelines for Mining and Mine Closure Plan for UCG Blocks, 2025, aimed at promoting sustainable, safe, and accountable underground coal and lignite gasification practices.

• Key Highlights: A mandatory feasibility study by an accredited institution must precede project approval.
  • The study will assess technical viability, environmental impact, and risk parameters to ensure responsible project execution.
  • Environmental Safeguards: Target coal seams must be located below 300 metres in low-permeability strata.
• Projects must maintain a safe distance from aquifers and avoid seismic or eco-sensitive zones.
• Emphasis on sustainable resource use, optimal syngas generation, and minimal waste production.

9. Employee’s Enrolment Scheme: Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the Employee’s Enrolment Scheme 2025 to expand Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) coverage and promote voluntary compliance among employers.

• About the Scheme: The Employee’s Enrolment Scheme 2025 is a one-time special compliance window under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
• It allows employers to voluntarily enrol eligible employees who were not brought under EPF coverage between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025.
• Implementing Agency: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• Objectives: To extend social security benefits to all eligible workers under the EPF Act, 1952.
• To encourage voluntary compliance and build trust between employers and regulators.
• To support workforce formalisation and ensure financial security for employees previously excluded from EPF benefits.