Explore the Daily Current Affairs 5 November 2025, relevant for UPSC exam. Also download quick REVISION NOTES from our telegram channel – https://t.me/CivilMentorIAS
Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
GS Paper 2 – Polity & Governance (Topics: Election Commission of India, Electoral Reforms, Role of Constitutional Bodies, Governance & Transparency)
Context: Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 9 States and 3 Union Territories, covering about 51 crore voters.
What is SIR?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a large-scale voter roll verification and correction exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Its main purpose is to clean, update, and verify the electoral rolls to ensure that every eligible voter is included and no ineligible name remains.
Objective:
- To ensure accuracy and transparency in voter lists.
- To remove duplicate, deceased, or shifted electors.
- To include new and eligible voters, especially first-time voters.
- To enhance public confidence in the electoral process before elections.
| Article 326 of the Constitution stipulates that: 1. Every person who is a citizen of India & 2. who is not less than 18 years of age on the qualifying date & 3. is not otherwise disqualified under any law shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll | Article 324: Empowers the Election Commission to supervise, direct, and control elections. Section 21, RPA 1950: Electoral rolls are to be revised before each general election and at least once a year. The ECI can order a special revision if needed. |
Significance
- Ensures electoral integrity — prevents bogus voting and electoral fraud.
- Promotes inclusivity — brings new and eligible voters (esp. youth) into the electoral process.
- Enhances transparency — through the participation of BLOs, political parties, and citizens.
- Strengthens democratic legitimacy — clean rolls → fair elections → public trust.
Issues & Criticisms:
- Allegations of Disenfranchisement – Risk of eligible voters’ names being wrongly deleted.
- Political Controversy – Perceived as biased in timing or execution (for example, opposition claims of “silent rigging”).
- Administrative Challenges – Massive manpower needs, errors in manual data entry.
- Digital Divide – Limited awareness or access to online roll verification in rural areas.
- Lack of Public Awareness – Many citizens don’t check their entries during the claims period.
Mains practice Question:
Q1. “Frequent revisions of electoral rolls are essential to the health of democracy, yet they often attract political controversy.” Examine the need and challenges of the Special Intensive Revision process in India.
India – Israel relations
GS Paper 2 – International Relations (Topics: India’s Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, West Asia, Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, Strategic Partnerships)
Context: With the Gaza ceasefire under strain, Israel’s Foreign Minister visited India and met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on strengthening India–Israel strategic partnership and counter-terrorism cooperation.
India-Israel Cooperation:
| Sector | Key Cooperation Areas |
| Defence & Security | – Israel is among India’s top three defence suppliers (after Russia, USA). – Joint R&D projects: Barak-8 missile, drones, radar systems. – Intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism collaboration. |
| Agriculture & Water Tech | – Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence in horticulture and water conservation (over 30 centers across states). – Drip irrigation, desert farming, water recycling. |
| Science & Technology | – Joint R&D under i4F (India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund). – Cooperation in AI, clean energy, and nanotech. |
| Cybersecurity & Innovation | – Joint projects to secure digital infrastructure. – Start-up collaborations under “Innovation Bridge”. |
| Education & People-to-People | – 2025: MoU between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Israel’s Foreign Ministry for diplomat training. |
| Trade & Economy | – bilateral merchandise trade grew from USD 200 million in 1992 to USD 10.1 billion (excluding defence) during the FY 2022-2023 – Focus sectors: defence, diamonds, agriculture tech, pharma, water management. |
| Tourism & Culture | – Growing Indian tourism to Israel (esp. young travelers, professionals). – Bollywood–Tel Aviv cultural exchanges. |
India’s Balancing Act in West Asia: India continues to support the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution. Simultaneously, it expands ties with Israel, as well as UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Thus, reflecting “de-hyphenation policy”.
What is “De-hyphenation policy”?
The “De-hyphenation” policy of India with respect to Israel and Palestine refers to India’s attempt to separate its relationship with Israel from its relationship with Palestine. That means, engaging with Israel and Palestine separately based on national interest.
Example: India condemned terror attacks on Israel but called for restraint and humanitarian support for Palestinians.
Mains practice Question:
Q2. Examine how India’s engagement with Israel complements its West Asia policy without compromising its traditional stance on Palestine.
Prelims practice Question:
Q1. India and Israel jointly established the i2U2 grouping, which also includes:
a) USA and UK
b) UAE and USA
c) Saudi Arabia and Egypt
d) Japan and France
Answer: (b) UAE and USA
Explanation: i2U2 = India + Israel + UAE + USA; focus areas – food security, energy, infrastructure, technology.
Q2. In the context of India’s foreign policy, the term “de-hyphenation policy” refers to which of the following?
a) India’s effort to delink its relations with rival countries and pursue each relationship on its own merit.
b) India’s move to simultaneously balance its relations with all P-5 countries.
c) India’s shift from non-alignment to alliance-based diplomacy.
d) India’s policy of reducing dependence on the United States in West Asia.
Answer: (a)
Explanation: De-hyphenation means India does not view its ties with one country through the prism of another, e.g., engaging Israel and Palestine separately based on national interests.
Reducing Dollar Dependency
GS Paper 2: International Relations, Global Governance, Economic Diplomacy
Context: Over the last decade, BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) have taken steps to reduce dependence on the dollar-dominated global financial system.
Key Initiatives:
- New Development Bank (NDB) – development financing for member and other developing countries.
- Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) – acts as a lender of last resort for BRICS nations.
- Currency Cooperation (2015 onwards) – use of national currencies in inter se transactions, currency swaps, local currency settlements.
- BRICS Payments Task Force (2020s) – working toward BRICS Pay, a cross-border payment system to bypass SWIFT.
Significance:
- Financial sovereignty
- Reduced exposure to U.S. sanctions
- Challenge Western financial dominance.
What is “SWIFT network”?
The SWIFT network is the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. It is a global messaging system used by over 11,000 banks and financial institutions in more than 200 countries to securely transmit information and instructions for international money transfers.
SWIFT does not transfer money itself, instead, it sends payment orders and instructions between banks securely and reliably. Example: If a bank in India wants to send money to a bank in Germany, it uses SWIFT to communicate the payment details.
It is the backbone of cross-border payments and international trade finance. Dominated by G-10 central banks and heavily influenced by Western financial institutions.
Strategic Significance:
Countries under sanctions (like Russia or Iran) can be cut off from SWIFT, making international transactions difficult. This is why BRICS Pay and other alternative systems are being developed to bypass SWIFT.
Mains practice Question:
Q3. “The BRICS initiative to develop BRICS Pay and reduce dependence on the dollar-dominated global financial system marks a shift in the international economic order.” Critically examine the potential of BRICS Pay in reshaping global finance. Discuss the challenges and opportunities it presents for India and other member countries.
Black hole morsels
GS Paper III – Science and Technology (Space technology, advancements in physics, fundamental research in astrophysics and quantum mechanics.)
Context: Gravity governs large-scale phenomena, but its behavior at quantum scales remains poorly understood. Black holes, due to their extreme gravitational fields, serve as natural laboratories to study quantum gravity.
What are “Black hole morsels”?
“Black hole morsels” are micro-black holes formed during violent cosmic events like black hole mergers. These are much smaller and hotter than stellar black holes. These morsels would emit strong Hawking radiation, producing bursts of high-energy photons and neutrinos.
Relevance: Detection of morsels would provide direct observational access to quantum gravity, potentially revealing new insights about the quantum structure of spacetime and energy regimes beyond terrestrial experiments.
Quantum gravity:
Quantum Gravity is the field of theoretical physics that seeks to describe gravity according to the principles of quantum mechanics, which governs the behavior of particles at very small scales.
Quantum mechanics governs very small scales (atoms, subatomic particles). Gravity is currently described by General Relativity, which works extremely well at large scales (planets, stars, galaxies). The two theories are mathematically incompatible in extreme conditions, such as black holes or the Big Bang. In short, quantum gravity is about “how gravity works at the smallest scales”, bridging the gap between Einstein’s relativity and quantum physics.
Prelims practice Question
Q2. Which of the following statements about “black hole morsels” is/are correct?
- They are hypothetical micro-black holes formed during black hole mergers.
- They are cooler than stellar black holes and emit low-energy radiation.
- Detection of their Hawking radiation could provide insights into quantum gravity.
Options:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 Correct: Morsels are tiny black holes formed in cosmic collisions.
Statement 2 Incorrect: They are hotter, not cooler, than large black holes.
Statement 3 Correct: Their radiation can help probe quantum gravity.