Daily Current Affair 06-October-2025

Topic: Assam–Nagaland Border Dispute

Context:
The Assam–Nagaland border flared up after armed miscreants allegedly from Nagaland torched nearly 100 houses in a minority-dominated village in the disputed B Sector of Golaghat district, Assam. The incident has once again brought attention to the decades-old territorial conflict between the two northeastern states.

Key Facts:

• The dispute concerns Nagaland’s territorial claims over parts of Assam’s Golaghat, Jorhat, and Sivasagar districts, especially within the Disputed Area Belt (DAB).
  
  
• The CRPF has been deployed as a neutral force along the border since 1979 to prevent escalation.
  
  
• The origins trace back to colonial boundary demarcations (1826–1925) following the Treaty of Yandabo and the creation of the Naga Hills District in 1866, whose limits were altered several times without local consent.
  
• After Independence, Nagas declared independence in 1947, and the Naga Hills–Tuensang Area was formed in 1957; Nagaland gained statehood in 1963 under the Nagaland State Act, but boundaries remained unsettled.
  
  
• Multiple commissions, including the Sundaram Commission (1972), Shastri Commission (1985), J.K. Pillai Commission (1997), and Variava & Chatterjee Commissions (2006), attempted resolution but failed.
  
  
• The DAB runs for about 512 km along Assam’s boundary, covering reserved forest tracts in Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Karbi Anglong districts.
  
  
• Assam adheres to the constitutional boundary of 1963, while Nagaland bases its claims on historical Naga territories and the 16-Point Agreement of 1960.
  
  
• Assam accuses Nagaland of encroaching upon over 60,000 hectares of its land within the DAB.
  
  
• The dispute remains sub judice in the Supreme Court since 1988, and periodic violence continues despite peace efforts.
  
  
• Similar boundary disputes exist between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, reflecting a broader challenge of unresolved inter-state demarcations in Northeast India.
  
  

Topic: Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
Context:
A new survey by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department recorded 83 snow leopards in the state, up from 51 in 2021, indicating positive conservation outcomes under national and state-level protection programmes.

Key Facts:

• The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is a large, elusive wild cat often called the “Ghost of the Mountains” due to its exceptional camouflage and secretive nature.
  
  
• It is the State Animal of Himachal Pradesh and a key indicator species for high-altitude ecosystems of the Himalayas.
  
  
• Geographical range: Native to the high mountains of Central and South Asia, found across 12 countries including India, China, Nepal, Mongolia, and Afghanistan.
  
• In India: Found in the Western Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh).
  
  
• IUCN Red List: Classified as Vulnerable (VU) due to habitat loss, poaching, and declining prey populations.
  
  
• Physical features: Thick grey-white fur with dark rosettes; powerful hind limbs enable leaps up to six times body length; short muzzle and long tail aid balance in rocky terrain.
  
  
• Diet: Carnivorous — preys on blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, marmots, pikas, and hares.
  
  
• Habitat: Inhabits cold deserts and alpine regions above 3,000–5,500 metres, preferring steep, rugged slopes.
  
  
• Behaviour: Solitary, territorial, and mostly nocturnal; females rear cubs alone.
  
  
• Conservation initiatives:
  
  
  • Project Snow Leopard (2009): Launched by the Government of India to protect snow leopards and their habitats across five Himalayan states.
    
    
  • SECURE Himalaya Project: Joint initiative of the MoEFCC and UNDP, aimed at conservation of snow leopards and sustainable livelihoods in high-altitude landscapes.
    
    
  • Himachal Pradesh Snow Leopard Population Assessment (2021–2025): Uses camera traps and genetic analysis for accurate population estimation.
    
    
• The recent population increase in Himachal Pradesh reflects improved monitoring, community participation, and anti-poaching efforts under these programmes.
  
  

Topic: Cyclone Shakhti
Context:
 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed the formation of Cyclone Shakhti over the northeast Arabian Sea, marking another instance of increasing cyclonic activity in the region.

Key Facts:

• Cyclone Shakhti is a tropical cyclonic storm that developed over the northeast Arabian Sea, about 340 km west of Dwarka (Gujarat).
  
  
• It was named “Shakhti” under the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)’s regional cyclone naming system for the North Indian Ocean.
  
  
• The cyclone formed from a low-pressure area over the warm Arabian Sea waters in early October 2025, intensifying into a Cyclonic Storm (CS) on October 3, and is expected to further strengthen into a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) as it tracks west-southwestwards.
  
  
• Associated weather impacts: strong winds, high sea waves, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding along the Gujarat coast and adjoining coastal areas.
  
  
• The cyclone reflects a rising frequency and intensity of Arabian Sea cyclones, attributed to warming sea surface temperatures and climate change–driven alterations in oceanic conditions.
  
  
• Arabian Sea vs. Bay of Bengal cyclones:
  
  
  • Warmer Waters: Bay of Bengal retains warm water (29–30°C year-round) due to its semi-enclosed geography, while the Arabian Sea remains cooler because of stronger winds and evaporation.
    
    
  • Moisture Availability: Bay of Bengal receives abundant moisture from monsoonal flows and river discharge; the Arabian Sea experiences dry winds from Oman and Yemen that reduce moisture content.
    
    
  • External Triggers: The Bay often receives remnants of Pacific typhoons, which evolve into cyclonic systems — a process not seen in the Arabian Sea.
    
    
• IMD Classification (for context):
  
  
  • Depression: 31–49 km/h
    
    
  • Deep Depression: 50–61 km/h
    
    
  • Cyclonic Storm: 62–88 km/h
    
    
  • Severe Cyclonic Storm: 89–117 km/h
    
    
  • Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: 118–165 km/h
    
    
  • Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: 166–220 km/h
    
    

New UGC Rules for Foreign Students Registration

Context:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced new guidelines mandating that from the academic year 2025–26, all foreign nationals studying in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must register on the “Study in India (SII)” portal. The move aims to streamline data management, improve monitoring, and strengthen compliance regarding foreign student admissions.

Key Facts:

• Until now, foreign students applied directly to individual universities, and visa processes were handled institution-wise, leading to the absence of a centralised database of foreign students in India.
  
  
• The new guidelines require every HEI admitting foreign students to register them through the SII portal instead of direct admissions.
  
  
• Institutions must appoint a Compliance Officer responsible for ensuring that all foreign student data and documentation are correctly uploaded and maintained on the portal.
  
  
• The study visa of each foreign student will now be linked to the SII portal, allowing real-time tracking of student status and preventing issues like visa overstays.
  
  
• The system aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the admission and monitoring process, ensuring that only UGC-recognized institutions admit foreign students.
  
  
• The SII portal will act as a one-stop platform for managing admissions, visa processes, accommodation, and welfare services for international students.
  
  
• The rule supports India’s goal of becoming a global higher education hub under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages internationalization of higher education.
  
  
• States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi, which already host large numbers of international students, are expected to benefit most from the centralized system.
  
  
• The reform aims to improve campus security, ensure data consistency, and enhance ease of governance for both institutions and regulatory bodies.