Daily Current Affairs – 19-10-2025
Sports News
Hyderabad FC Rebranded as Sporting Club Delhi Under Jindal Group Ownership
In a major development in Indian football, Jindal Football Private Limited (JFPL), owned by the BC Jindal Group, has announced the launch of Sporting Club Delhi, marking its entry into the Delhi–National Capital Region (NCR) football ecosystem.
The newly formed club will make its competitive debut in the upcoming AIFF Super Cup, signaling a new chapter in Delhi’s football landscape.
Sporting Club Delhi is a rebranded and relocated version of the former Indian Super League (ISL) champion Hyderabad FC. JFPL, which was incorporated in 2024, had acquired the sporting licence of Hyderabad FC ahead of the 2024–25 season.
This rebranding aims to strengthen Delhi’s representation in Indian football and expand the professional football footprint in North India, aligning with the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) vision to enhance regional participation and club development.
Jyothi Surekha Vennam Creates History with Bronze at Archery World Cup Final
In a historic moment for Indian archery, V. Jyothi Surekha Vennam became the first Indian woman compound archer to win a medal at the World Cup Final, clinching the bronze medal with a stunning performance in Nanjing, China.
The reigning Asian Games champion displayed exceptional precision and composure as she defeated World No. 2 Ella Gibson of Great Britain with a perfect score of 150–145, shooting 15 flawless arrows in the process.
This victory marks Jyothi’s maiden podium finish at the World Cup Final and adds another significant milestone to her illustrious career. Her consistent performances on the international stage have established her as one of India’s most successful and dependable compound archers.
Environment News
The Ancient Indian Wolf Set to Be Recognized as a New Species by IUCN
The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), one of the oldest surviving lineages of wolves in the world, is likely to be classified as a distinct new species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Found mainly across the scrublands and grasslands of India and Pakistan, its population has dropped to around 3,000 individuals.
Initially grouped under the grey wolf genus, new genetic studies reveal that the Indian wolf represents the most ancient lineage among modern wolves. The species is currently listed as “Vulnerable”, drawing international attention to its conservation and the urgent need to protect its rapidly shrinking habitat.
According to Y.V. Jhala, Senior Scientist at the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian wolf faces multiple threats — including poisoning due to livestock predation, habitat loss from highways, and solar or renewable energy projects. He cited the example of a den site in Kutch, now overrun by the Adani Solar Farm, as evidence of habitat encroachment.
Although wolves rarely attack humans, recent human-wolf conflicts have been reported in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, where six people, including four children, were killed since September, leading to the entire pack being shot.
Abi Vanak, Director of the Centre for Policy Design at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology (ATREE), stated that scientists have long called for its recognition as a distinct species. He emphasized that the Indian wolf, already protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, is an ideal example of human-wildlife coexistence rather than strict area-based protection.
Experts believe that the wolf’s “Vulnerable” status may help attract global funding and conservation support. Dr. Jhala further stressed the need for a national policy and management plan to ensure the survival of this unique and ancient Indian predator.
International News
Dubai’s Emirates NBD to Acquire 60% Stake in India’s RBL Bank for $3 Billion
In a landmark cross-border investment, Dubai-based Emirates NBD has announced its plan to acquire a 60% stake in India’s private sector lender, RBL Bank, marking one of the largest foreign banking deals in the country.
According to an exchange filing, Emirates NBD will invest ₹268.53 billion ($3.05 billion) in RBL Bank through a preferential issue of shares. This strategic investment gives the Middle Eastern bank a controlling interest in RBL Bank, significantly boosting its presence in the Indian banking sector.
The deal represents the largest investment by a Middle Eastern bank in India to date. It comes just months after Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) announced plans to acquire up to 25% stake in Yes Bank, reflecting growing global investor interest in India’s expanding financial sector.
This partnership is expected to strengthen bilateral UAE–India financial ties, enhance foreign capital inflow, and improve banking sector competitiveness in India.
57 Nations Vote to Delay Carbon-Free Shipping Framework at IMO
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has postponed the adoption of a framework to make global shipping carbon-free by 2050.
The decision came after pressure from the United States and strong opposition from President Donald Trump, who termed the move a “Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping.”
The framework included a new fuel standard for ships and a global carbon pricing mechanism, planned for implementation from 2027.
A formal vote, scheduled for October 2025, was delayed by one year following a proposal by Singapore, supported by Saudi Arabia.
In the final voting: 57 countries supported the delay, 49 countries opposed it, and 21 countries abstained.
Earlier, 63 nations, including India, China, Brazil, the U.K., Japan, Korea, Canada, and all 27 EU members, had supported the framework.
The United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia opposed the plan.
Ralph Regenvanu, Climate Change Minister of Vanuatu, called the decision an unacceptable failure of IMO to act on climate change and vowed to continue the fight for climate justice.
The 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy aims to:
Reduce carbon intensity of global shipping by 40% by 2030.
Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
National News
Women Constitute 49% of Total Hospital Admissions Under Ayushman Bharat
According to the 2024–25 Annual Report of the National Health Authority (NHA), women account for 49% of total hospital admissions under the government’s flagship health insurance scheme, the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Officials said this reflects improved access to institutional healthcare for women across India.
The report revealed that haemodialysis was the most frequently availed treatment, contributing 14% of all hospitalizations. This was followed by multiple treatment packages (7%), acute febrile illness (4%), acute gastroenteritis (4%), and cataract procedures (3%).
Launched in 2018, AB-PMJAY is one of the largest health insurance schemes in the world, offering ₹5 lakh health cover per family per year. With the inclusion of Odisha and Delhi, a total of 35 States and Union Territories now implement the scheme, with West Bengal being the only exception.
As of March 31, 2025, the scheme covers 15.14 crore eligible families, along with 8.57 crore families under State-specific schemes. So far, over 9.19 crore hospital admissions have been recorded, covering treatments worth ₹1,29,386 crore.
A total of 31,005 hospitals have been empanelled nationwide, including 55% public and 45% private facilities, ensuring widespread access. Under the Ayushman card saturation drive, over 40.45 crore cards have been issued, covering 14.69 crore families.
To enhance inclusivity, the 2023 Interim Budget extended the scheme to 37 lakh families of frontline workers, including ASHA and Anganwadi workers. In October 2024, the government expanded the scheme to include all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or social status.
Tamil Nadu News
Gudalur’s Violet Revival: Kurinji Blooms Again after Eight Years
Location: Gudalur, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu.
Event: Mass blooming of kurinji flowers (Strobilanthes sessilis) after eight years.
Species details:
Strobilanthes sessilis – blooms once in 8 years.
Strobilanthes kunthiana (Neelakurinji) – blooms once in 12 years, native to Western Ghats.
Significance: Indicator of climate change and grassland health; healthy grasslands show mass flowering.
Location highlight: Bloom occurred inside Tamil Nadu’s newly notified reserve forest in Gudalur.
Government initiative: Tamil Nadu has notified over 90 new forest areas in the last 4½ years.
Ecological value: Provides nectar and habitat for butterflies, honeybees, and insects.
Biodiversity note:
Around 60 kurinji species endemic to the Western Ghats.
33 varieties of kurinji found in the Nilgiris.
Tamil Nadu Government Subsidies Rise Sharply Between 2019-20 and 2023-24: CAG Report
A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Tamil Nadu’s state finances for 2023-24 has revealed a significant increase in government subsidies over the past five years. The total value of subsidies rose from ₹20,114 crore in 2019-20 to ₹37,749 crore in 2023-24, marking a growth of nearly 27%.
The report attributes this sharp rise partly to the launch of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) scheme, among other welfare initiatives. It also notes that subsidies, as a share of revenue receipts (RR) and revenue expenditure (RE), increased from 11.54% to 14.27% (RR) and 9.57% to 12.19% (RE), respectively. Similarly, the share of subsidies in non-committed expenditure grew from 35.12% to 38.91%.
The CAG categorizes subsidies into two types — explicit and implicit.
Explicit subsidies include schemes such as KMUT, public distribution system (PDS), subsidised domestic power supply, free bus travel for women, and student fare concessions.
Implicit subsidies arise when goods or services are provided below cost, such as free bicycles or distribution of quality seeds, which cost the state ₹801.77 crore in 2023-24.
The report urged the state government to adopt strategies to earn adequate returns on investments and to recover the cost of borrowed funds instead of absorbing these costs through implicit subsidies. This recommendation aims to ensure fiscal discipline while maintaining welfare measures.
Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit 2025 attracts ₹127 crore in investments
The two-day Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit (TNGSS) 2025, held in Coimbatore and inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on October 9, has emerged as a major success for the state’s startup ecosystem. The event has attracted ₹127 crore worth of investments, marking a significant step toward realizing the Chief Minister’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy for Tamil Nadu.
According to an official release, the summit witnessed participation from 45 countries, drawing over 72,000 visitors and 115 investors. A total of 23 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event, securing investments amounting to ₹127.09 crore. Officials also indicated that more MoUs are expected in the coming months.
The summit served as a crucial platform for startups to showcase innovation and collaborate with global investors. The Tamil Nadu government expressed confidence that the overwhelming response to TNGSS 2025 will strengthen the state’s position as a leading hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in India.