Explore the Daily Current Affairs 4 November 2025, relevant for UPSC exam. Also download quick REVISION NOTES.
Heavy metals pollution in the Cauvery River
Context: Study was conducted by researchers from Tamil Nadu, found high accumulation of heavy metals – cadmium and lead in Cauvery fishes, exceeding safety thresholds, posing carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to humans consuming fish.
What are Heavy metals?
Heavy metals are metals or metalloids with high atomic weight and density (usually > 5 g/cm³) that are toxic even at low concentrations. Examples: Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni).
Sources of Heavy Metals
- Natural Sources
• Weathering of rocks and soil erosion
• Volcanic eruptions
• Mineral deposits and geogenic activity - Anthropogenic (Human-made) Sources
| Sector | Examples |
| Industrial effluents | Electroplating, tanneries, textile dyeing, battery & paint industries |
| Agriculture | Phosphate fertilizers, pesticides |
| Mining & Smelting | Ore processing releases lead, cadmium, arsenic |
| Urban Wastewater | Sewage, municipal waste discharge |
| Fossil Fuel Combustion | Coal-fired power plants emit mercury, lead |
Global initiatives for heavy metals:
- Basel Convention – control of hazardous waste movement.
- Minamata Convention – control of mercury pollution.
- Stockholm Convention – covers persistent organic pollutants (some heavy metals indirectly included).
| Metal | Health Effects |
| Lead (Pb) | Affects nervous system, causes learning disabilities, anemia |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Kidney and bone damage, carcinogenic |
| Mercury (Hg) | Neurological disorders (Minamata disease) |
| Arsenic (As) | Skin lesions, cancers (Arsenicosis) |
| Chromium (Cr VI) | Carcinogenic, causes respiratory issues |
| Copper (Cu) | Liver and kidney damage (in excess) |
| Zinc (Zn) | Nausea, immune dysfunction (in excess) |
Prelims practice Question:
Q1. Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) recently in news is used to assess:
(a) Groundwater salinity
(b) Heavy metal contamination in sediments
(c) Air quality index
(d) Biodiversity index
Answer: (b)
Moving from Food Security to Nutrition Security
(GS Paper 3 – Food Security, Health, and Social Development)
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural address at the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC), calls for generating ideas to move from food security to nutrition security.
Nutritional Security: Nutritional Security goes beyond food security, focusing not only on calorie sufficiency but also on balanced intake of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc).
Key Government Initiatives for Nutritional Security:
1. POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission, 2018)
- Flagship program to reduce stunting, wasting, anemia, and low birth weight.
- Promotes convergence of health, women & child, water, and sanitation ministries.
- Uses technology (POSHAN Tracker) and Jan Andolan (mass movement) for community participation.
- Most important umbrella scheme for nutrition.A
2. Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 (2021)
- Integrates ICDS, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and Adolescent Girls Scheme.
- Provides supplementary nutrition, early childhood care, and maternal support.
- Focus on 0–6 years children and pregnant/lactating women.
3. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- Launched in 1975; backbone of India’s nutrition delivery system.
- Provides supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, and pre-school education through Anganwadi Centres.
4. PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme, renamed 2021)
- Ensures hot cooked meals for school children (Class 1–8).
- Improves nutrition, learning outcomes, and school attendance.
- Now includes pre-primary students and promotes diet diversification & fortification.
5. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- Maternity benefit scheme for pregnant and lactating women.
- ₹5,000 incentive for first living child, promoting rest and better nutrition during pregnancy.
6. Anemia Mukt Bharat (2018)
- Target: Reduce anemia among children, adolescents, and women by Iron-Folic Acid supplementation and deworming.
7. Food Fortification Initiative
- Fortification of rice, wheat flour, edible oil, salt, and milk with iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and iodine.
- Fortified rice through PDS, ICDS, and Mid-Day Meals is a national priority.
8. Biofortified Crops (ICAR Initiative)
- Supports “nutrition-sensitive agriculture” as mentioned by the PM in ESTIC.
- Development of crops naturally rich in micronutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin A.
- Examples: Iron-rich rice, zinc wheat, vitamin A maize.
Mains practice Question:
Q1. India has achieved food security but continues to struggle with nutritional security. Discuss the key challenges and evaluate the government initiatives taken to address them.
High Seas Treaty
GS Paper 2: International Relations, Global Governance, Treaties and Agreements. GS Paper 3: Environment, Biodiversity, Sustainable Development, Climate Change
Context: The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, was ratified by over 60 countries in September 2025 and will be enforced from January 2026.
Objective: To protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction while promoting sustainable use and addressing threats like climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
Key Provisions:
- Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs): Declared as the common heritage of humankind; requires equitable sharing of benefits.
- Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) & Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): For conserving biodiversity and improving climate resilience.
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): Mandatory for activities affecting these areas, especially considering transboundary and cumulative impacts.
- Capacity Building & Technology Transfer: Encourages support for developing countries.
Challenges:
- Ambiguity in principles: “Common heritage of humankind” vs. “freedom of the high seas” creates legal and operational uncertainty.
- MGR governance: Lack of clarity on benefit-sharing calculations; concerns over biopiracy.
- Non-participation of major powers: U.S., China, and Russia have not ratified the treaty.
- Coordination with other bodies: Must align with ISA, RFMOs, and other multilateral institutions to avoid fragmentation.
Mains practice Question:
Q2. “The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) marks a milestone in global ocean governance. Examine its significance, challenges in implementation, and implications for India’s maritime and environmental interests.”
Source: The Hindu newspaper (Page 10)
India’s Bioeconomy
GS Paper 3: Science & Technology, Environment, Economic Development, Agriculture
Context: As per a NITI Aayog report, India’s bioeconomy sector, encompassing agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture, is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
Key Facts for mains:
- India’s bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030.
- The sector contributes 4.25% to GDP with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the past four years.
- BioE3 promotes regenerative biomanufacturing and supports a circular bioeconomy aligned with India’s net-zero goals.
- The National Biopharma Mission, co-funded with the World Bank ($250 million), supports over 100 projects and 30 MSMEs.
- India is among the top producers of vaccines globally and developed the world’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- Ethanol blending increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024, with a target of 20% by 2025.
What is Bioeconomy?
Bioeconomy refers to the part of the economy that uses renewable biological resources from land and sea, such as crops, forests, fish, animals, and microorganisms—to produce food, bio-based products, and energy, in a sustainable and innovative way. It integrates biology, biotechnology, and bio-based innovation into economic activities to address challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and sustainable development.
Mains practice Question:
Q3. Bioeconomy offers a pathway to sustainable development by harnessing biological resources. Discuss its concept, relevance, and challenges for India.
IT Sector Layoffs
GS Paper 3: Indian Economy, Science & Technology, Employment, Skill Development, Innovation Ecosystem
Context: The Information Technology (IT) sector is witnessing a wave of layoffs, e.g., TCS cutting ~20,000 jobs, mostly mid and senior level positions. Layoffs are not isolated to India; globally, firms like Amazon and Meta are reducing workforce due to AI adoption and economic uncertainty.
Key Drivers of Change:
- AI and Automation: Routine coding, reporting, and coordination are increasingly automated. AI improves productivity, shifting focus to high-value digital transformation services.
- Immigration & Cost Pressures: Restrictive U.S. visa policies and high costs of relocating professionals reduce the feasibility of outsourcing low- and mid-level jobs abroad.
- Client Budget Tightening: Economic uncertainty in U.S. and Europe has made companies prefer specialized, lean teams over large coding armies.
India’s IT sector is not collapsing, but evolving: from manpower to mindpower, outsourcing to innovation, and quantity to quality. The transition is painful but necessary, demanding reskilling, curriculum overhaul, startup support, and policy leadership.
Way forward:
- Upskilling: AI literacy, machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, product thinking.
- Curriculum reform: Engineering education must move beyond rote coding, including ethics, critical thinking, and collaboration.
- Support for startups: Promote AI startups, deep-tech ventures, and innovation hubs for job creation and diversification.
- Policy interventions: Government should ensure severance pay, career transition support, mental health resources, and training subsidies.
- Global engagement: Ensure visa access, data sovereignty, and trade stability amid protectionism abroad.
Mains practice Question:
Q4. AI and automation are reshaping India’s IT sector, leading to workforce restructuring and skill mismatches. Examine the challenges and opportunities this transformation presents, and suggest strategies for policy, education, and industry to ensure India remains a global IT leader.