1. Demographic Mission: High-Powered Panel Announced
- PM Modi announced a Demographic Mission in his Independence Day 2025 speech.
- It targets illegal infiltration and demographic challenges.
- A National Demographic Commission is proposed.
Daily Current Affairs: 11 & 12 October 2025
Current affairs of 11 & 12 October 2025: India Upgrades Kabul Technical Mission to Embassy; Exercise KONKAN 25: Indian Navy and Royal Navy Drills; Demographic Mission: High-Powered Panel Announced, and 12 more topics. Key facts for every exam, with a quiz.
In this issue: 15 topics
National Affairs
- Demographic Mission: High-Powered Panel Announced
- RTI Act 2005 Completes 20 Years: Gaps in Information Commissions
Government Schemes
- CCRAS SPARK 4.0 Offers Research Studentships to BAMS Students
- PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: 100-District Farm Mission
Banking & Finance
- RBI Merges 9,000 Circulars into 238 Master Circulars
- IRDAI Fraud Monitoring Framework 2025: Anti-Fraud Policy Rule
- UPI and PayPal World: NPCI-PayPal Global Partnership
- RBI Kehta Hai: Official Contact Numbers and Verified Channels
Economy
International Affairs
- India Upgrades Kabul Technical Mission to Embassy
- Cameroon Votes: Paul Biya, 92, Seeks Eighth Term as President
Agriculture & Rural
Defence & Security
Reports & Indexes
Awards & Persons
National Affairs
2. RTI Act 2005 Completes 20 Years: Gaps in Information Commissions
- The RTI Act, 2005 came fully into force on 12 October 2005 and marks 20 years in 2025.
- It replaced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002; replies are due in 30 days, or 48 hours for life or liberty.
- The 2019 amendment let the Centre set commissioners' terms and pay, reducing their autonomy.
- Many commissions face vacancies and waits of over a year to resolve cases.
Government Schemes
3. CCRAS SPARK 4.0 Offers Research Studentships to BAMS Students
- SPARK-4.0 (2025-26) is the fourth edition of CCRAS's programme for BAMS students.
- 300 students receive ₹50,000 each over two months.
- Open to students of NCISM-recognised colleges.
4. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: 100-District Farm Mission
- PM Modi launched PMDDKY on 12 October 2025 for 100 low-performing districts.
- Outlay: ₹1.44 lakh crore over six years, ₹24,000 crore annually.
- It merges 36 existing schemes in one digital framework.
Banking & Finance
5. RBI Merges 9,000 Circulars into 238 Master Circulars
- RBI will merge instructions issued up to October 9, 2025 into 238 master circulars.
- About 9,000 circulars of the Department of Regulation will be repealed.
- The master circulars cover 11 entity types and up to 30 areas.
6. IRDAI Fraud Monitoring Framework 2025: Anti-Fraud Policy Rule
- IRDAI issued the Insurance Fraud Monitoring Framework Guidelines, 2025.
- Every insurer must have a board-approved Anti-Fraud Policy, reviewed at least once a year.
- Insurers must set up a Risk Management Committee and a robust cybersecurity framework.
7. UPI and PayPal World: NPCI-PayPal Global Partnership
- NPCI and PayPal will link UPI with PayPal World, a global interoperable payments platform.
- UPI is the first instant payments platform to join PayPal World.
- The announcement came at Global Fintech Fest 2025, Mumbai.
8. RBI Kehta Hai: Official Contact Numbers and Verified Channels
- RBI's official numbers are 99990 41935, already active, and 99309 91935, being added.
- Only accounts with blue tick verification are official RBI channels.
- RBI urges the public to use its website for circulars, press releases and notifications and to avoid unverified claims.
Economy
9. EPFO Reform Advice from RBI: Investment and Accounting
- RBI advised the Centre to reform EPFO's investing, accounting and governance at the Labour Ministry's request.
- EPFO manages over ₹25 trillion for nearly 300 million workers.
- RBI wants market-value accounting and an independent regulator.
International Affairs
10. India Upgrades Kabul Technical Mission to Embassy
- India upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged Embassy.
- The old Kabul Embassy had been closed in August 2021 after the Taliban takeover.
- Amir Khan Muttaqi said Afghan diplomats will come to New Delhi; no ambassador yet.
11. Cameroon Votes: Paul Biya, 92, Seeks Eighth Term as President
- Cameroon held its presidential election on 12 October 2025.
- President Paul Biya, aged 92, has governed since 1982 and is seeking another term.
- A 2008 constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits, allowing him to run again.
- Issa Tchiroma stands as a prominent opposition candidate; about 8.08 million voters are registered.
Agriculture & Rural
12. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Pulses Mission Launched
- PM launched two farm schemes at IARI, New Delhi, on 11 October 2025, totalling ₹35,440 crore.
- PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (₹24,000 crore) covers 100 low-performing districts and merges 36 schemes.
- Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission (₹11,440 crore) seeks 35 lakh hectares more pulse area.
Defence & Security
13. Exercise KONKAN 25: Indian Navy and Royal Navy Drills
- Exercise KONKAN 25 began on 5 October 2025 off India's western coast.
- It involves the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.
- The exercise has grown in scale and complexity over two decades.
- Drills cover air defence, anti-submarine warfare, underway replenishment and manoeuvring.
Reports & Indexes
14. Sa-Dhan Report: Microfinance Delinquencies Jump in FY25
- Sa-Dhan's 2025 Bharat Microfinance Report showed 30+ day overdue loans at 6.2% in FY25, up from 2.1%.
- Loans overdue beyond 90 days reached 4.8%, against 1.6% in FY24.
- Bihar had the biggest loan book at ₹57,712 crore.
Awards & Persons
15. María Corina Machado Wins Nobel Peace Prize
- Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- The award was announced on Friday.
- It recognised her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in Venezuela.
- She was described as a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid growing darkness.
Test yourself
15 questions from the news of 11 & 12 October 2025, with answers and explanations.
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