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Daily Current Affairs – 2nd October 2025 | Top News

Daily Current Affairs–2nd October 2025 : A Comprehensive Overview

Farmer Suicides in India

The NCRB’s 2023 report revealed that over 10,700 farmers and agricultural workers died by suicide, with Maharashtra and Karnataka recording the highest numbers.

Farmer Suicides in India: A Chronic Crisis –

India’s agricultural sector sustains nearly half of its population, yet farmers often remain economically vulnerable. The recurring phenomenon of farmer suicides is not new and has been deeply linked to issues such as —
- Debt Burden: Dependence on informal credit and high-interest loans often traps farmers in cycles of unmanageable debt.
- Crop Failures: Erratic monsoons, droughts, floods, and pest infestations leave farmers unable to recover investments.
- Market Volatility: Price fluctuations in key crops like cotton, soybean, onion, and pulses reduce profitability.
- Policy Gaps: Inadequate crop insurance, lack of irrigation coverage, and insufficient procurement mechanisms worsen rural distress.
- Regional Concentration: Farmer suicides are often concentrated in cotton and soybean belts like Vidarbha and Marathwada in Maharashtra, highlighting the vulnerability of monocrop-dependent regions.
Various governments have attempted measures such as loan waivers, crop insurance schemes, and MSP (Minimum Support Price) expansions.
However, the persistence of suicides suggests structural reforms are required, particularly in rural credit systems, diversification of crops, and ensuring stable incomes.

Key Highlights of the NCRB Report on Farmer Suicides –

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 report, 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers died by suicide across India, accounting for 3% of all suicides in the country.

• State-wise Distribution —

Maharashtra: Reported the highest share at 5% of farmer suicides, with Marathwada and Vidarbha remaining epicentres.
Karnataka: Accounted for 5%, reflecting widespread distress across drought-prone regions.

• Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu: Reported 8.6%, 7.2%, and 5.9%

respectively.

Zero Reports: States like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and several north-eastern states officially reported no farmer suicides, though experts question the accuracy of this data.

• Occupation-wise Split —

Cultivators (Farmers): 4,690 suicides (mostly male).
Agricultural Workers: 6,096 suicides, indicating that landless labourers also face severe economic stress.

• Broader Trends —

The NCRB data highlights that more than 10,000 suicides annually have been consistently reported from the farming sector in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Experts and farmer organisations argue that the figures may be underreported due to discrepancies in state-level data recording.

Criticism and Concerns Raised –

Farmer organisations such as the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) argue that the government’s policies have aggravated rural distress rather than alleviating it.

• Key criticisms include —

Trade Liberalisation: Removal of the 11% import duty on cotton has sparked fears that cheaper American cotton will further undercut Indian farmers.
Impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Concerns that upcoming FTAs could threaten domestic agriculture, dairy, and edible oil sectors.
Policy Indifference: Critics argue that successive governments have failed to draw lessons from the crisis, remaining focused on corporate-driven models of growth.

The data also underscores a cotton and soybean crisis, with farmer suicides most pronounced in these crop belts.
This makes it evident that agricultural reforms cannot be piecemeal but must focus on holistic rural livelihood security.

Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”, marking one of the most ambitious peace initiatives as the war nears its second anniversary.

The plan, prepared over eight months, was announced following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. While it outlines measures with significant implications for the Middle East, Trump’s political standing, and India’s interests, its future remains uncertain as Hamas has not yet accepted the proposal.

Broad Contours of Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan –

US President Donald Trump’s 20-point “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” lays out ambitious measures to end hostilities, ensure security, and rebuild Gaza.
The war in Gaza has left more than 66,000 people dead, after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas killed 1,200 people and led to about 250 people being taken hostage.

• Hamas Disarmament and Safe Passage —

The plan’s most critical element requires Hamas to surrender and disarm.
Members committing to peaceful coexistence will be granted amnesty, while those unwilling can leave Gaza with safe passage to countries like Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, or Iran.
Given Hamas’s two-decade rule and history of armed conflict, this is seen as the plan’s toughest hurdle.

• International Stabilisation Force (ISF) —

A temporary ISF, backed by the US and Arab partners, will be deployed in
Its role includes training vetted Palestinian police, stopping arms inflow, and facilitating aid and goods movement.
Israel has pledged not to annex Gaza and will gradually withdraw its forces as the ISF establishes control, though it plans to retain a security buffer zone until stability is ensured.

• Governance and Transitional Authority —

Gaza will be run by a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, with oversight from an international Board of Peace led by Trump, alongside other leaders, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
This arrangement aims to provide neutral governance and oversee reconstruction, though Blair’s inclusion has drawn skepticism given his controversial Iraq War legacy.

• Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction —

The plan permits the resumption of large-scale humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of water, electricity, sewage, and healthcare systems.
Aid distribution will be overseen by the UN, Red Crescent, and international agencies, ensuring transparent and interference-free relief for Gaza’s population.

• Hostage-Prisoner Exchange —

Within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance, all hostages — alive and deceased — must be
In exchange, Israel will release 250 prisoners serving life terms and 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023, including all women and children.
The deal also covers a 15:1 exchange ratio for remains of deceased hostages and
With 48 hostages still held by Hamas, this remains a sensitive issue fuelling public protests in Israel.

• Regional and Global Guarantees —

The plan ensures compliance through guarantees from regional partners. Eight nations — Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — have welcomed the proposal.
Major powers like China and Russia have also expressed support, indicating broad international backing.

India’s Stand on Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan –

PM Modi welcomed Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, calling it a “viable pathway” to long- term peace, security, and development for Palestinians, Israelis, and the wider West Asian
India views West Asia as part of its extended neighbourhood, with deep ties to Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
PM Modi’s endorsement, despite ongoing India-US frictions, is seen as a positive diplomatic gesture, acknowledging Trump’s role as peacemaker and aligning India with efforts to stabilise the region for its strategic and economic interests.

What the Gaza Peace Plan Means for India?

Trump’s Gaza peace proposal carries direct implications for India’s diaspora, economy, energy security, and strategic standing in the Middle East.
While peace could open opportunities, some geopolitical concerns

• Impact on Indian Diaspora —

Nearly 90 lakh Indians live in the wider Middle East, including 18,000 in Israel and up to 10,000 in Iran.
Stability in the region is critical for their safety and well-

• Energy Security and Trade —

India sources 80% of its crude oil from the Middle East. Any reduction in regional tensions can stabilise energy prices, directly benefiting India’s economy.
Moreover, peace may encourage greater Arab investment in India and accelerate initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which New Delhi sees as a game-changing connectivity project.

• Strategic Concerns: Pakistan’s Role —

A worrying element for New Delhi is the visible involvement of Pakistan in the peace
Trump publicly thanked leaders from Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, noting Pakistan’s Prime Minister and field marshal were engaged from the beginning.
This revived US-Pakistan engagement could complicate India’s regional strategy and tilt diplomatic equations in ways unfavourable to New Delhi.

International Civil Aviation Organisation

Recently, India has been re-elected to Part II of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

About International Civil Aviation Organisation –

ICAO is a United Nations (UN) specialised agency, established in 1944, by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944) known as Chicago Convention.
It is dedicated to developing safe and efficient international air transport for peaceful
Member countries — It consists of 193 Member States
Headquarters — Montreal,

• Governance of International Civil Aviation Organisation —

ICAO Assembly: It is convened every three years, is the organisation’s sovereign body, comprising all 193 signatory States to the Chicago Convention.
ICAO Council: It consists of 36-member, elected by the 193 Member States during the Assembly, and serves as the governing body for a three-year term.

• Functions of International Civil Aviation Organisation —

It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security and facilitation, efficiency, and economic development of air transport as well as to improve the environmental performance of aviation.
It also serves as a clearinghouse for cooperation and discussion on civil aviation issues among its 193 member states.
It also promotes regional and international agreements aimed at liberalising aviation
It helps to establish legal standards to ensure that the growth of aviation does not compromise safety, and encourages the development of other aspects of international aviation law.

Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe

Recently, NASA launched the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) to show how solar particles are energised and shield us.

About Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe –

Its goal is to map the heliosphere’s boundary, trace energetic particles, and improve space weather forecasting.
- The heliosphere is a huge bubble created by the Sun’s wind that encapsulates our entire solar system.
IMAP will support real-time observations of the solar wind and energetic particles, which can produce hazardous conditions in the space environment near Earth.
It is situated at the first Earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1), at around one million miles from Earth toward the Sun.
IMAP will also send data in near real-time to help scientists monitor space weather

• Components of Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe —

IMAP is equipped with 10 scientific instruments, each designed to detect different types of

particles or phenomena in space.

Some of them are energetic neutral-atom detectors (IMAP-Lo, IMAP-Hi, IMAP-Ultra), which capture neutral atoms that were once charged ions but were changed by acquiring
Other instruments detect charged particles directly, magnetic fields, interstellar dust, and solar-wind structures.

• The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe will —

Uncover fundamental physics at scales both tiny and
Improve forecasting of solar wind disturbances and particle radiation hazards from
Draw a picture of our nearby galactic
Help determine some of the basic cosmic building materials of the
Increase understanding of how the heliosphere shields life in the solar system from cosmic

RoDTEP Scheme

The Government recently extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) incentive scheme for exporters until March 31, 2026.

About Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) –

It was introduced through an amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, and it became

effective for exports starting January 1, 2021.

The primary aim of this scheme is to offset the taxes and duties incurred on exported goods that wouldn’t otherwise be credited, reimbursed, or refunded in any way, and are integrated into the exported goods.
It is designed to reimburse exporters for embedded duties, taxes, and levies that are not otherwise refunded under any other existing scheme.
It is compliant with World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms and is implemented via a comprehensive end-to-end digital platform to ensure transparency and efficiency.
It was enforced to repeal and reduce taxes on exported products, thereby encouraging exports and increasing the number of exports in the country.

• The scheme is administered by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

It replaced the Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme (MEIS), in response to the US challenging Indian export subsidies under the MEIS at the WTO.

• Tax Reimbursement under RoDTEP Scheme —

The Scheme provides a mechanism for reimbursement of taxes, duties, and levies, which are currently not being refunded under any other mechanism at the central, state, and local levels, but which are incurred by the export entities in the process of manufacture and distribution of exported products.
This not only includes the direct cost incurred by the exporter but also the prior stage cumulative indirect taxes on goods.

• RoDTEP Scheme Eligibility Criteria —

All sectors are covered under the
Labor-intensive sectors will be accorded priority.
Both manufacturer exporters and merchant exporters (traders) are eligible for the
There is no turnover threshold for availing of benefits under the
The exported products should have India as their country of origin to be eligible for benefits under the scheme.

• Special Economic Zone Units and Export Oriented Units are also eligible.

The scheme also applies to goods that have been exported via courier through e- commerce platforms.
Re-exported products are not eligible under this

• Process of Refund —

Rebates under the scheme are provided to eligible exporters as a percentage of the freight on board (FOB) value of exports.
Remission is issued in the form of transferable e-scrips (a type of certificate with some monetary value) maintained in an electronic credit ledger by the CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs).

• e-scrips used to pay basic customs duty on imported goods. The credits can also be transferred to other importers.

Speedy Clearance Through Digitalisation: Faster clearance through a digital platform will be facilitated through a monitoring & audit mechanism, with an IT-based risk management system that would physically verify the exporters’ records.

Lecanemab Drug

Recently, Australia approved Lecanemab drug for early stage Alzheimer’s diseases.

About Lecanemab Drug –

It is a monoclonal antibody drug to treat early stages of Alzheimer’s
It is designed to slow early Alzheimer’s progression by targeting amyloid proteins in the
It was developed to tackle the causes of Alzheimer’s disease rather than only relieving the

• Working of Lecanemab Drug —

It uses antibodies to recognise amyloid in the brain and works with the brain’s immune cells to clear amyloid protein build-up from the brains of people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
These amyloid protein build-ups are thought to be toxic to brain cells, causing them to get sick and eventually die, leading to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Lecanemab is given to patients intravenously, which means into a vein through a drip
Recent clinical trials show a 27 per cent reduction in disease progression.
Issues with Lecanemab Drug — High cost and potential side effects, including brain swelling, limit its accessibility and raise safety concerns.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
It is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia
It involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and
The condition usually affects people aged 65 years and over, with only 10% of cases occurring in people younger than this.

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement faces challenges in adapting to cloud technology, requiring updates to control lists and enforcement mechanisms.

About Wassenaar Arrangement –

It is a multilateral “export control regime” for conventional arms and dual-use goods and
The body came into being in 1996 to succeed the Cold War-era Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls.
The name comes from Wassenaar, a suburb of the Hague, Netherlands, where the agreement to start such a multi-lateral cooperation was reached in 1995.
Purpose — To promote transparency and greater responsibilities for transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods, as well as technologies, to prevent destabilizing actions.
Member countries — 42
India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in 2017 and incorporated its lists into its Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies framework.
Headquarters: Vienna,

• How does Wassenaar Arrangement work?

The group works by regularly exchanging information in respect of technology, both conventional and nuclear-capable, that is sold to, or denied to countries outside the
This is done through maintenance and updating of detailed lists of chemicals, technologies, processes and products that are considered militarily significant.
Through this exchange of information, the group aims at controlling the movement of technology, material or components to countries or entities which undermine international security and stability.

False Smut Disease

According to reports, the paddy crop, which is at the maturing and harvest stage, has been infested with false smut disease, causing widespread damage across Punjab.

About False Smut Disease –

False smut (haldi rog) is an important fungal disease of rice (paddy).
It is caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea
It is also known as Lakshmi disease or Oothupathi disease of
It doesn’t directly impact other plant
It causes chalkiness of grains, which leads to reduction in grain weight. It also reduces seed
The percentage of infected panicles and the extent of infection within each panicle significantly impact yield loss.

Favorable Factors for False Smut in Paddy Crops?
- Warm and humid weather: Temperatures between 25-30°C and high humidity (>80%) promote fungal growth.
- Presence of infected plant debris: Spores can survive on leftover stubble and straw from previous harvests.

High nitrogen content in soil: Excessive nitrogen application can increase

Control of false smut of rice through fungicide application is feasible; however, high usage of fungicides has led to the resistance development in causal agents besides environmental

Leyte Island

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has hit Leyte Island in the Philippines recently.

About Leyte Island –

It is a large island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines.
It is the eighth-largest island in the Philippines and the sixth most
It spans 7056 km. with a coastline of 969 km.
In the north it nearly joins the island of Samar, separated by the San Juanico Strait, which becomes as narrow as 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) in some places.
- The San Juanico Bridge (2.16 kilometers) connects the islands of Leyte and
Most of Leyte is covered in thick forests and mountain However, the Leyte Valley in the northeast is a major farming area.
The two biggest cities on Leyte are Tacloban, located on the eastern coast, and Ormoc, on the west coast, with the latter hosting geothermal power plants.

• History —

The island was known to 16th-century Spanish explorers as Tandaya.
Its population grew rapidly after 1900, especially in the Leyte and Ormoc
In World War II, forces landed on Leyte (October 20, 1944), and, after the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese were expelled.

• Economy —

Most people on Leyte are farmers, growing crops like rice, corn, coconuts, and
Fishing is also an important
The island has some valuable minerals like manganese, and people also quarry sandstone and limestone.

Daily Current Affairs 2nd October 2025 MCQs