07^th November 2025

1. UNEP Report: Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2025 highlighted that India recorded the highest absolute rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally in 2023–24, adding 165 million tonnes.

• Key Findings: Despite the rise, India’s per capita emissions remain the lowest among major economies, though they are increasing.

• India missed the September 30 deadline to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which may place it under greater scrutiny at COP30 in Brazil.
• The report warns the world is currently headed for 8°C of warming by the end of the century — nearly double the 1.5°C Paris target, posing serious global risks.
• China remains the highest total emitter, followed by the United States, while India showed the largest year-on-year emissions increase.
• Emissions are rising across almost all G20 countries, except the European Union.
• Only one-third of countries submitted their updated climate action plans (NDCs) on time, reflecting weak global political commitment.
• Experts argue that insufficient international climate finance is limiting developing countries like India in transitioning to clean energy.
• India is seen as being in a “climate justice trap” — low per capita emissions but rising total emissions and delayed reporting create pressure.

2. India and Latin America: Recently, India has strengthened its trade engagement with Latin America by completing two rounds of trade negotiations with Peru and Chile.

• Key Highlights: The 9th Round of India–Peru Trade Agreement talks took place in Lima (3–5 November 2025) and made significant progress on several chapters, including: Trade in Goods & Services, Rules of Origin, Technical Barriers to Trade, Customs Procedures, Dispute Settlement and Critical Minerals

• Both countries emphasized the complementary nature of their economies and expressed a shared interest in increasing trade and investment.
• The agreement is expected to boost cooperation in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, food processing, and especially critical minerals.
• Both sides stressed early and time-bound completion of the CEPA to improve market access, supply chain resilience, and economic integration.
• Overall, India’s stronger engagement with Peru and Chile aligns with its strategic focus on expanding trade partnerships and building long-term economic cooperation with Latin America.

3. CAG: Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) decided to conduct audits of four major programmes of the Indian Railways.

• Key Highlights: These include:
  - Multi-Modal Transport and Logistics Initiatives
  - Suburban Train Services
  - Indian Railways’ e-Procurement System
  - Sustainable Rail Transport (ESG and Green Energy)

• The audit of Multi-Modal Transport and Logistics Initiatives will especially focus on “First Mile–Last Mile” connectivity with logistics hubs and origin-destination pairs.
• This audit aligns with the National Rail Plan (NRP) 2030, which aims to create a “future-ready” Railway system and increase rail’s freight share to 45%.
• Key infrastructure segments to be audited include:
  • Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)
  • Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC)
  • Golden Quadrilateral rail network

4. Khangchendzonga National Park: Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) rated Khangchendzonga National Park as “good” in its latest evaluation of natural World Heritage Sites.

• About Khangchendzonga National Park: Located in North Sikkim, the park is part of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR).

• India’s first “mixed” UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 for its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
• The park includes Khangchendzonga, the third-highest peak in the world, and stretches along the Sikkim–Nepal border.
• It falls within the Himalayan global biodiversity hotspot and spans 1,784 sq. km.
• The park has an exceptional altitudinal range, from 1,220 m to 8,586 m, making it one of the widest vertical landscapes protected globally.
• Landscapes include valleys, lakes, glaciers, plains, and snow-covered mountains with ancient forests.
• Contains 18 glaciers, with Zemu Glacier being the largest and among the biggest in Asia.
• Also notable for Lepcha tribal settlements, reflecting deep cultural significance.
• Flora: Subtropical to alpine vegetation — oak, birch, fir, maple, rhododendron, etc.
• Fauna: Supports key species such as: Snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Red panda, Blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, Mainland serow, etc.

5. Two New Applications: Recently, India initiated preparations for its first fully digital Census, set to take place in 2027. To support digital data gathering, two mobile apps — Digital Layout Map (DLM) and Census 2027-Houselist — have been launched.

• Key Highlights: These apps are available on the Google Play Store but can only be accessed by authorised census personnel.

• Enumerators (including government teachers, revenue officials, etc.) have been trained to use the apps for house listing and housing operations.
• A self-enumeration test portal (https://test.census.gov.in/se) is open for people in selected pre-test areas to submit their details online.
• The pre-test phase for House Listing and Housing Operations will take place from November 10 to 30 in select areas across India.
• The DLM app captures: Geo-tagging of buildings (latitude & longitude), Building type (pucca/kutcha), Usage (residential / non-residential), Number of floors and Census houses, Locality and street details and No personal resident data is collected through this app.
• The digital approach aims to ensure more accuracy, faster processing, and real-time monitoring compared to previous paper-based census methods.

6. Black-headed Ibis: Recently, a rare flock of Black-headed Ibis (also known as White Ibis) was observed in the salt pan regions of Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu.
   
   

• About Black-headed Ibis: Common Names: Oriental White Ibis, Indian White Ibis, Black-necked Ibis

• Scientific Name: Threskiornis melanocephalus
• It belongs to the ibis family Threskiornithidae and is a wading bird, adapted to various aquatic habitats.
• Found widely across South and Southeast Asia, from India to Japan.
• Commonly seen around wetlands, agricultural fields, coastal areas, and even human-altered landscapes.

• Key Features: A large wader measuring 65–76 cm in length.
  - The only native ibis in the region with white plumage and a black head and neck.
  - Both sexes appear similar.

• Tail feathers are grey, but turn black during the breeding season.
• Conservation: Listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List.

7. Maharashtra: Recently, Maharashtra became the first state in India to sign an agreement with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd. to deliver satellite-based internet services to government institutions and remote rural areas.

• Key Highlights: Starlink is a satellite broadband network developed by SpaceX (founded by Elon Musk).

• It offers high-speed, low-latency internet through a constellation of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

• Purpose of the Partnership: To supply reliable, high-speed internet to: Remote schools, Health centres and various rural government facilities
  - Supports digital inclusion, enabling: Online education, Telemedicine and E-governance services

8. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD): Recently, QNu Labs Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based startup supported under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), successfully demonstrated India’s first 500 km Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)-secured communication network.

• About QKD: A secure communication technology that uses quantum physics to create and share encryption keys between two communicating parties.

• Any attempt to intercept or observe the key disturbs the quantum state, immediately revealing eavesdropping, ensuring high security.
• How QKD Works: Uses photons (light particles) transmitted through optical fibers to encode quantum bits (qubits).
  - Any unauthorized measurement changes the photon state → intrusion is detected.
  - After verification and correction steps, both users receive a shared secret key for encrypted communication.

• Key Features of the Demonstrated Network: 500 km quantum-secure optical fiber link established using existing telecom infrastructure.

• Uses trusted nodes for stable, long-distance secure communication.
  - Integrated with Quantum Suraksha Kavach hardware for strong encryption.
  - Includes Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) for high-assurance cryptographic key creation.
  - Demonstration reflects coordination between civilian, industrial, and defense sectors (STRIDE model).
  - Marks India’s advancement toward quantum-safe cybersecurity and places it among global leaders in secure quantum communication.

9. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary: Recently, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, entered its migratory bird season, with thousands of birds arriving to nest and breed.

• About Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary: One of India’s oldest and Tamil Nadu’s oldest protected bird habitats.

• It is a freshwater wetland that has historically been community-managed.
• Local villagers have traditionally protected the heronry, while benefiting from nutrient-rich water that boosts agricultural productivity — known as the Liquid Guano Effect.
• Flora: Includes Alangium salviflorum, Acacia nilotica, thorn forests, and dry evergreen scrub vegetation.
• Fauna: Supports many waterbirds, including: Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
  - Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
  - Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
  - Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
• Ecological Significance: Recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
  - Lies in the Coromandel Coast biotic zone.
  - Declared a Ramsar Site in 2022 for its international ecological importance.