Current Affairs for 17 October 2025
India Elected Unopposed to UN Human Rights Council for the Seventh Time
India is elected for a three-year term (2026–28) starting next year. About UN Human Rights Council Overview: It is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system that promotes and protects human rights globally. Genesis: Established in 2006 by the General Assembly by replacing the Commission on Human Rights. Membership: It has 47 members elected annually by the UN General Assembly, serving three-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms. Function: Provides a global forum on human rights, adopts resolutions, reviews member states, and mandates investigations and special procedures.
5th Samudra Shakti exercise commenced in Visakhapatnam
- It is an India-Indonesia joint bilateral maritime exercise.
- It has two phases i.e., Harbour phase and Sea phase.
IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)
India’s renowned wildlife conservationist, Vivek Menon, has been elected as the new Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) for the 2025-2029.
IUCN SSC
- It was established in 1949.
- It is a science-based network of more than 10,500 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world.
- Role: To provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, etc.
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+)
- Developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- REDD stands for ‘Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.
- The ‘+’ stands for additional forest-related activities that protect the climate, namely sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
- Under it, developing countries can receive results-based payments for emission reductions when they reduce deforestation.
- Part of the Paris Agreement.
Time Rondeau Crystal
Scientists have discovered a new phase of matter called a time rondeau crystal.
About Time Rondeau Crystal
- It is a state of matter that exhibits a unique mix of order and disorder over time.
- Unlike normal crystals, which have a repeating pattern in space, this crystal shows a pattern in time.
- Its behavior is partly ordered and partly random, not repeating exactly like traditional time crystals.
- This phase has been observed in quantum systems, such as nuclear spins in diamonds, under controlled experimental conditions.
- Significance: Enhances quantum computing , applications in time-sensitive technologies etc.
Henley Passport Index 2025
India’s passport has slipped to 85th rank in Henley Passport Index, 2025.
Singapore has strongest passports in the world
About Henley Passport Index
- It is released by Henley & Partners, a global leader in residence and citizenship planning.
- It is a ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations and their holders can access without a prior visa.
- The index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
- Significance: The stronger the passport, the more countries its holders can enter without a prior visa, a privilege that reflects diplomatic ties, economic influence, and international trust.
