Explore the Daily Current Affairs 13 October 2025, relevant for UPSC exam. Also download quick REVISION NOTES.
Iron age culture
Context: Excavations carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) at Thirumalapuram has highlighted the presence of Iron Age culture close to the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.
What is the Iron Age?
The Iron Age is the period after the Chalcolithic (Copper-Bronze Age), marked by the use of iron tools and weapons.
| Region | Approximate Timeframe |
| Northern India | ~1200 BCE onwards |
| Central India | ~1000 BCE onwards |
| Southern India | ~1000 BCE onwards (Megalithic) |
| New evidence (Tamil Nadu) | As early as 2172 BCE (recent C-14 dating) |
Iron Age Cultures in India:
1. North India
- Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Culture – linked with Later Vedic society
- Sites: Hastinapur, Atranjikhera, Mathura
2. Central India
- Sites: Malhar, Nagina, Jhusi
3. South India – Megalithic Culture
- Defined by unique burial practices
- Cairns, dolmens, cists, urn burials
- Sites: Adichanallur, Paiyampalli, Hallur, Sivagalai, Thirumalapuram (recent)
Pottery Types:
| Type of Ware | Features |
| Black and Red Ware (BRW) | Common in Iron Age burials |
| Painted Grey Ware (PGW) | Northern India, later Vedic phase |
| Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) | Associated with early urbanization |
| Coarse Red Ware | Found in southern megalithic sites |
Burial Practices:
Megalithic Burials:
- Urn burials
- Stone cists and dolmens
- Often buried with grave goods: weapons, pottery, ornaments
This indicates belief in afterlife, social stratification, and cultural complexity
Mains practice question:
Q1. Discuss the role of iron technology in the emergence of urban centres in ancient India.
(150 words | GS I – Indian Culture and History)
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 7)
India a global hub for dispute resolution
Context: The Bar Council of India (BCI) introduced the 2025 Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Law Firms, which is a landmark move. Further, India ADR Week 2025 has showcased top global arbitration professionals collaborating with Indian counterparts.
2025 BCI Rules: Key Features:
- Foreign Firms/Lawyers can provide advice on:
- Home country law
- International law
- Appear in international arbitrations seated in India
- Establish offices subject to registration and compliance
2. “Fly-in, fly-out” advisory work allowed for max 60 days/year. This implies temporary legal work in India by foreign lawyers is capped at 60 days/year.
3. Strict compliance: registrations, annual filings, Ministry certifications
4. Reciprocity clause: Indian lawyers must get equal rights in foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, foreign firms can operate in India only if Indian firms are allowed in that country
India’s strategic positioning:
- High global interest in India as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) hub
- Platforms like Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA) attracting international clients
- Legal Infrastructure Boost: Emphasis on international arbitration aligned with global standards
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
ADR refers to methods of resolving disputes outside traditional courts. It is faster, cheaper, less formal, and more private than going to court.
Types of ADR:
| Type | What it Means |
| Arbitration | Neutral third party (arbitrator) gives a binding decision, like a private judge |
| Mediation | A mediator helps both parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement (non-binding) |
| Conciliation | Similar to mediation, but the conciliator may suggest solutions |
| Negotiation | Parties resolve disputes among themselves with or without lawyers |
Mains practice Question:
Q2. Discuss the significance of the Bar Council of India’s 2025 regulations on foreign law firms in positioning India as a hub for international dispute resolution.
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page no. 7)
Women empowerment through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT)
Context: India is witnessing a growing trend of gender-focused welfare schemes involving direct cash transfers to women.
Facts to remember for prelims and mains:
- 56+ crore Jan Dhan accounts (as of Aug 2025), 55.7% owned by women.
- 89% of Indian women now have a bank account (Above global average of 77%)
- 54% of Indian women opened their first bank account to receive govt benefits
- 38 crore RuPay cards issued
- UPI transactions surged from ₹2 crore (FY17) to ₹18,600 crore (FY25)
Positive Implications:
- Women gain formal financial identity
- Increased control over household resources
- Improves child welfare, elderly care, and decision-making power
- First step towards seeing women as economic actors, not passive recipients
Challenges & Gaps:
| Area | Problem |
| Account Usage | ~20% accounts are dormant |
| Digital Divide | Women are 19% less likely to own mobile phones |
| Literacy | Low digital & financial literacy, especially in rural areas |
| Autonomy | Many women still rely on male relatives for transactions |
| Usage Pattern | Accounts used mostly for cash withdrawals, not savings or digital payments |
| Bank Access | Physical distance from banks limits usage |
| Mobile Access | Shared phones, fear of cyber fraud, low privacy |
Mains practice question:
Q3. Examine the role of direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes in promoting women’s empowerment in India. What challenges remain in ensuring full financial inclusion?
cGAS – DNA repair mechanism
Context: A recent study by Tongji University, uncovers how a specific DNA-sensing molecule, cGAS, behaves differently in naked mole rats compared to humans and mice. The naked mole rat, native to East Africa, lives up to 37 years, exceptionally long for a small rodent. Scientists have long linked its longevity to efficient DNA repair mechanisms.
What is DNA Damage and Repair?
- Ageing is partly caused by accumulation of DNA damage.
- One important repair system is homologous recombination — a precise method to fix double-strand DNA breaks.
What is cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase)?
cGAS, or cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, is a cellular enzyme that plays a key role in the immune system and in DNA sensing inside cells.
Key Functions of cGAS:
| Function | Description |
| DNA Sensor | Detects foreign DNA in the cell’s cytoplasm, such as from viruses or damaged mitochondria. |
| Activates Immune Response | Once it detects DNA, cGAS produces a molecule called cGAMP, which activates STING, a protein that triggers inflammation and antiviral defense. |
| Interacts with DNA Repair | In humans and mice, cGAS inhibits a key DNA repair pathway (homologous recombination), which may contribute to ageing and cancer. In naked mole rats, however, it enhances DNA repair and promotes genome stability. |