Current Affairs 22-October-2025

WHO Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report (2023-24)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report highlighting a growing global health threat.
The report reveals that resistance to essential, life-saving antibiotics is critically high and increasing, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when germs such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi develop the ability to survive drugs designed to kill them.
Antibiotic resistance, a form of AMR, specifically refers to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.
AMR superbugs directly cause over 1 million deaths annually and contribute to nearly 5 million deaths every year, according to WHO.

Global Findings from the Report

In 2023, approximately 1 in every 6 bacterial infections globally was caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The regions with the highest levels of AMR were identified as South-East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, followed by the African Region.
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and nations with weak health systems were found to be disproportionately affected by AMR.

India-Specific Data

Around 41% of global bloodstream infection reports originated from China, India, and Pakistan combined, reflecting a regional burden.

Key Challenges Driving AMR in India

Overconsumption of antibiotics is a major issue, mainly due to their easy over-the-counter availability without prescriptions.
Poor hygiene, overcrowded living conditions, and the over-prescription of antibiotics in hospitals and clinics—especially in rural areas—worsen the crisis.
Antibiotic misuse in agriculture and poultry farming further contributes to the development of resistance.
Socio-economic inequalities and climate change are identified as exacerbating factors that intensify the AMR crisis in India.

Measures to Address AMR

WHO has initiated the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) to track and monitor AMR trends globally.
India launched the National Action Plan on AMR (NAP–AMR) in 2017 to develop sustainable strategies against AMR.
Operation AMRITH (AMR Intervention For Total Health) was launched in Kerala to monitor and prevent the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics.
The Indian government has banned inappropriate Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) to curb irrational drug use.

Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2025 Report

The Global MPI 2025 Report has been jointly released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) has been published annually since 2010 to capture poverty beyond income, covering multiple overlapping deprivations.

Global Overview of Poverty

Out of a population of 6.3 billion people across 109 countries, 1.1 billion people (18.3%) are living in acute multidimensional poverty.
- Multidimensional poverty refers to deprivation in multiple basic needs, including health, education, and standard of living.
Among the poor, 43.6% suffer from severe poverty, meaning they are deprived in half or more of the MPI indicators.
A total of 83.2% of the global multidimensionally poor live in just two regions: sub-Saharan Africa (565 million) and South Asia (390 million).

Multidimensional Poverty Trends in India

India has made significant progress, reducing multidimensional poverty to 16.4% during 2019–2021.
This is a sharp decline from 55.1% in 2005–06, indicating major improvements in basic living conditions.
Approximately 414 million people in India were lifted out of multidimensional poverty during this period.

Common Deprivations and Vulnerabilities

The most common deprivations globally include lack of access to clean cooking fuel, inadequate housing, and poor sanitation.
Over 80% of people living in multidimensional poverty also reside in climate hazard-prone regions.
This represents a double burden of poverty and climate vulnerability, compounding their hardships.
South Asia has the highest number of poor people living in areas that face climate hazards.

Poverty in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

A group of 22 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) shows a collective poverty rate of 23.5%.
This is higher than the global average of 18.3%, indicating disproportionate impact.
Countries like Belize, Comoros, and Samoa are at critical risk from sea-level rise.
Sea levels are projected to rise up to 70 cm between 2080 and 2099, posing an escalating threat to these nations.

MPI Methodology – Key Dimensions and Indicators

The MPI measures poverty across 3 dimensions, namely Health, Education, and Living Standard.
These dimensions are assessed through 10 specific indicators to identify overlapping deprivations.

Health Indicators

Nutrition deprivation is recorded when any household member under 70 years is found to be undernourished.
Child mortality deprivation is noted if any child under 18 has died in the household within the last five years.

Education Indicators

Years of schooling deprivation is flagged when no eligible household member has completed at least six years of formal education.
School attendance deprivation occurs if any school-aged child is not attending school up to the age of completing Class 8.

Living Standard Indicators

The Living Standard dimension evaluates access to clean energy, sanitation, safe drinking water, and adequate housing.

Supreme Court Initiative on Transgender Rights

The Supreme Court of India has constituted a Committee to formulate a National Equal Opportunity Policy for Transgender Persons.
This direction was issued in the case of Jane Kaushik v. Union of India & Others.
The Court simultaneously highlighted several shortcomings in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

Key Issues Faced by Transgender Persons as Identified by the Supreme Court

The Act links welfare benefits to the possession of a Transgender Identity Card, making access conditional and complicated.
This card-based process can exclude many genuine beneficiaries, especially those unable to navigate bureaucratic hurdles.
There is a lack of reasonable accommodation for transgender persons in public institutions such as schools, colleges, and shelter homes like ‘Garima Greh’.
- The term “reasonable accommodation” refers to making necessary adjustments in systems or environments to ensure equal access for all.
Many states have failed to establish Transgender Protection Cells, showing administrative inefficiency in implementing the Act.
Transgender persons continue to face deep-rooted societal stigma and a lack of social acceptance.
There is also a lack of awareness and empathy towards issues of gender inclusivity among the general public.
The 2019 Act requires certification of gender identity by a District Magistrate (DM), which violates the right to self-identify.
The right to self-identify gender was recognized by the Supreme Court in earlier judgments and is considered fundamental to human dignity.

Key Provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

The Act defines a transgender person as someone whose gender identity does not match the gender assigned at birth.
It recognizes the right to a self-perceived gender identity.
A Certificate of Identity, issued by the District Magistrate, grants access to rights and benefits under the Act.
The Act prohibits discrimination against transgender persons in areas like education, employment, and housing.
It mandates the government to create welfare schemes, including vocational training and healthcare services, for the transgender community.
The Act also provides for the establishment of the National Council for Transgender Persons.

Other Significant Measures for Transgender Welfare

In the landmark NALSA Judgment (2014), the Supreme Court legally recognised transgender persons as the ‘third gender’.
The National Portal for Transgender Persons allows individuals to apply for a Certificate of Identity and Identity Card through an online, contactless process.
The SMILE Scheme (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is aimed at the comprehensive rehabilitation and welfare of transgender persons.

8th Session of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH)

At the 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), 3 new Codex standards were finalized.
The finalized standards are for vanilla, large cardamom, and coriander.
With this, the total number of spice standards finalized by CCSCH has reached 19.

About CCSCH (Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs)

CCSCH was established in 2013 following a proposal by India.
It functions under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the international body for food standards.
The Spice Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, based in Kochi, acts as the Secretariat of CCSCH.

Understanding Codex Standards and Codex Alimentarius (CA)

Codex standards are international food texts including standards, guidelines, and codes of hygienic practice.
These are established to protect consumer health and to ensure fair practices in international food trade.
The collection of all such food standards and related texts is known as the Codex Alimentarius (CA).
Codex standards are not legally binding, and member countries adopt them by consensus in most cases.
However, under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Codex standards serve as the international benchmark for food safety.

About Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) was established in 1963.
It was jointly founded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The main objective of CAC is to protect consumers’ health and to ensure fair practices in global food trade.
CAC has 189 members, including 188 countries (such as India) and 1 organization, the European Union (EU).
The Commission meets once a year, alternating its location between Geneva and Rome.
The headquarters of CAC is located in Rome.

About Vanilla – A Finalized Standard in 8th Session

Vanilla is a high-value spice crop that belongs to the orchid family.
It is widely used as a flavoring agent in food and beverages.
Vanilla is native to the Atlantic Coast region stretching from Mexico to Brazil.
Major global producers of vanilla include Madagascar, Indonesia, and Mexico.
In India, vanilla is mainly cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
India is a net importer of vanilla, as domestic production does not meet demand.

Agro-Climatic Conditions for Vanilla Cultivation

Vanilla grows well at altitudes up to 1000 meters above sea level.
It requires a warm and humid tropical climate, with temperatures between 21°C and 32°C.
The crop thrives in high humidity conditions, ideally around 80%.
Annual rainfall should be well-distributed, in the range of 2000–2500 mm, with a dry period of about 2 months.
The ideal soil for vanilla is light, porous, and friable, with partial shade for optimal growth.

India’s Gold Reserves Cross $100 Billion Mark – RBI Data

According to the latest foreign exchange reserves data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s gold reserves have reached $102.3 billion.
This is the first time that India’s gold reserves have crossed the $100 billion mark.
The share of gold in India’s total foreign exchange reserves has increased to nearly 15% in 2025.
A decade ago, gold accounted for around 7% of the foreign exchange reserves.

Why RBI is Increasing Gold Reserves

The RBI is increasing gold reserves to diversify its foreign currency asset base.
This diversification helps reduce dependency on the US dollar, a process referred to as de-dollarization.
Accumulating gold helps mitigate risks from currency volatility in the global financial system.
Gold helps protect against revaluation losses in the RBI’s foreign exchange portfolio.
Gold is considered a hedge against inflation, meaning it helps preserve the purchasing power of foreign reserves during inflationary periods.
Gold acts as a safe haven asset, especially during geopolitical tensions or global economic crises.
This makes gold a strategic buffer in times of financial instability.

Risks Associated with Increasing Gold in Reserves

One major risk is reduced liquidity, as converting gold to cash is slower and more expensive than liquidating currency assets.
Gold also provides zero yield, meaning it does not generate interest, unlike foreign currency deposits.
Storing physical gold involves high security and storage costs, which add to maintenance expenses.

Components of India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves

India’s foreign exchange reserves include four main components.
The first component is Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), which are held in currencies such as the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, Australian dollar, and Japanese yen.
The second component is gold reserves, physically held by the RBI.
The third component is holdings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the form of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
- SDRs are interest-bearing international reserve assets created by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of member countries.
The fourth component is the Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) in the IMF.
- RTP is the portion of a member country’s quota in the IMF that is readily available for withdrawal without conditionality.
- It is calculated as the difference between India’s total quota and the IMF’s holdings of Indian currency.

IEA Report on Sustainable Fuels – “Delivering Sustainable Fuels: Pathways to 2035”

The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report titled “Delivering Sustainable Fuels: Pathways to 2035.”
The report emphasizes the critical role of sustainable fuels in supporting electrification efforts.
It also highlights how these fuels can reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.

What are Sustainable Fuels?

Sustainable fuels are defined as energy sources that produce significantly lower carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.
These include biofuels, biogases, low-emissions hydrogen, and hydrogen-based fuels.

Biofuels are derived from biomass, such as agricultural or organic waste, and can replace petroleum-based fuels.
Biogases are methane-rich gases produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic matter.
Low-emissions hydrogen is produced using renewable energy or technologies that minimize carbon output.
Hydrogen-based fuels, such as ammonia or synthetic hydrocarbons, are made from hydrogen and serve as substitutes in transport and industry.

Key Findings of the IEA Report

The report projects that global use of sustainable fuels could increase fourfold by 2035.
In 2024, sustainable fuels have already reduced global oil demand by approximately 2.5 million barrels per day.
This shows their growing impact in reducing fossil fuel consumption and emissions.

IEA’s Six Priority Actions for a Sustainable Fuel Transition

The IEA outlines six priority actions required to accelerate the transition to sustainable fuels.

First, countries must establish region-specific roadmaps and policies to guide development and adoption.
Second, there is a need to increase demand predictability, which can help attract private investment into the sector.
Third, transparent carbon accounting methods must be developed to accurately track emissions reductions.
Fourth, innovation must be supported to help drive down the cost of sustainable fuel production.
Fifth, efforts must focus on building integrated supply chains and infrastructure to support large-scale deployment.
Sixth, it is essential to expand access to finance, especially for developing countries and emerging technologies.

Rotavirus Vaccine – Recent Study

A recent study has evaluated the effectiveness of the indigenous rotavirus vaccine ‘Rotavac’.
The study found that Rotavac’s real-world effectiveness is comparable to its efficacy in clinical trials.
Rotavac is an oral vaccine, meaning it is administered by mouth rather than injection.
It is a live attenuated vaccine, which means it uses a weakened form of the virus to trigger immunity.
It is also a monovalent vaccine, meaning it is targeted against a single strain of rotavirus.
Rotavac is manufactured as a liquid formulation, making it easier for mass administration.

Development of Rotavac – A Public-Private Partnership

The vaccine was developed through a public-private partnership model.
Key collaborators include the Department of Biotechnology (Government of India), Bharat Biotech, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

About Rotavirus – The Target Disease

Rotavirus is a viral infection that primarily affects children.
It is one of the most common causes of diarrhoeal illness in infants and young children.
There is no specific antiviral medicine available to treat rotavirus infection.
Therefore, vaccination is the most effective and preventive measure against rotavirus.

Bathou Religion of Bodo Community – Census Recognition

The Bathou religion, followed by the Bodo community in Assam, has been granted a separate code in the upcoming national census.

About Bathou Religion (Bathouism)

Bathouism is the traditional indigenous faith of the Bodo people.
The Bodo community is primarily found in Assam and parts of North Bengal.
The term “Bathou” translates to “Five Principles” in the Bodo language.
These five principles refer to the five natural elements, similar to the concept of Panchabhuta in Indian philosophy.
The elements are: Ha (Earth), Dwi (Water), Or (Fire), Bar (Air), and Okhrang (Sky).
Bathouism emphasizes the need to live in harmony with nature and to maintain ecological balance.

Worship and Symbols in Bathouism

The followers of Bathouism worship the Almighty in the name of BathouBwrai.
- BathouBwrai is also referred to by other names such as Sibwrai, Siu Bwrai, Jiu Bwrai, and Nuathari.
The Sijou plant is used as the symbol of BathouBwrai, representing the divine presence.

FSSAI Order on Use of the Term “ORS”

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued an official order under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The order bans the use of the term “ORS” in the names of beverages that do not comply with WHO-prescribed standards.
This step aims to prevent misleading claims by manufacturers and protect public health, especially during illness-related dehydration.

About ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution)

ORS stands for Oral Rehydration Solution, which is a life-saving medical formulation used to treat dehydration.
It is a simple mixture of salt and sugar, which must be dissolved in clean drinking water before use.
ORS is primarily used to rehydrate the body in cases of severe diarrhoea, heat stroke, and other dehydration-causing conditions.

WHO-UNICEF Standard Formula of ORS

The composition of standard ORS is fixed and internationally recognized by both WHO and UNICEF.
The formula includes Sodium Chloride – 2.6 g/L.
It also contains Glucose (anhydrous) – 13.5 g/L.
In addition, it includes Potassium Chloride – 1.5 g/L.
It further consists of Trisodium Citrate (dihydrate) – 2.9 g/L.
These ingredients, when combined with one litre of clean water, help restore the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance.

Historical Background

ORS was first developed in 1971 by Dilip Mahalanabis, a renowned Indian public health specialist.
He introduced it during a cholera outbreak in refugee camps in West Bengal, saving thousands of lives.

‘We Rise’ Initiative – Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

The ‘We Rise’ initiative stands for Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises.
It was launched recently to support women-led businesses in scaling up and reaching global markets.

Launch and Collaboration

The initiative is launched by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under NITI Aayog.
It operates under WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative, which aims to identify and support promising women entrepreneurs.
The initiative is launched in collaboration with DP World, a global logistics and trade facilitation company.

Objectives of ‘We Rise’

The main objective is to support women entrepreneurs, including those running Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
It aims to help them scale their businesses globally through structured support mechanisms.
The initiative focuses on trade facilitation, enabling easier access to global markets and export opportunities.
It also provides mentorship to women entrepreneurs through expert guidance and knowledge sharing.
Additionally, it promotes strategic partnerships, helping women-led enterprises connect with industry leaders and global stakeholders.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and India Partnership

On World Food Day 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) celebrated 80 years of partnership with India.

About FAO

The FAO was established in 1945 as a specialized agency of the United Nations.
Its primary mission is to lead international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security worldwide.
The headquarters of FAO is located in Rome, Italy.
The FAO currently has 195 members, which include 194 countries and the European Union (EU) as a member organization.

Flagship Publications of FAO

FAO publishes key reports such as The State of the World’s Forests, which assesses global forest resources.
Another major publication is The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, focusing on hunger and nutrition trends.
FAO also releases The State of Food and Agriculture, which provides comprehensive data on agriculture worldwide.

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