Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for October 5, 2025. If you missed the October 4, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here.Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.What’s the ongoing story: Israel and Hamas signalled a readiness to move forward with parts of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan in what many hoped would lead to a diplomatic breakthrough, but significant gaps will need to be negotiated to bring an end to the war in Gaza ahead of its second anniversary.Key Points to Ponder:— What is Trump’s 20 point Gaza peace plan?— Read about the Israel-Hamas war.— Know about the historical background of the Israel-Palestine conflict?— What are the geopolitical issues in West Asia?— What is the Abraham Accord?— How significant is the peace in the region for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor?— Map work: Location of Gaza, Israel and other countries in West Asia.Key Takeaways:— The Israeli government said Saturday that it was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first steps of Trump’s proposal. Hours earlier, Hamas said in a statement that it would release all of its remaining hostages, a key part of the plan, but the group did not directly address many other parts of it. Story continues below this ad— Trump exuded confidence that a deal was imminent, saying it was a “big day” while also exhorting Israel to stop bombing Gaza. He conceded that negotiators still needed “to get the final word down in concrete.”— On Friday, Netanyahu’s office said Israel was committed to ending the war that began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, without addressing potential gaps with the militant group.— Israel’s army said Saturday it would advance preparations for the first phase of Trump’s plan and return all the remaining hostages. The army said it was instructed by Israel’s leaders to “advance readiness” for the implementation of the plan.— An official who was not authorised to speak to the media said that Israel has moved to a defensive-only position in Gaza and will not actively strike. The official said no forces have been removed from the strip. But whether Israel and Hamas can reach an agreement to fully carry out Trump’s ambitious plan—which would compel the group to disarm and establish an international security force in Gaza—remains a serious challenge.Story continues below this ad— Hamas’s statement did not say whether it would accept many of the conditions stipulated in Trump’s plan, including laying down its weapons.And it was unclear if Israel was willing to negotiate major changes to the plan’s post-war vision for Gaza, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said he supported during a visit to the White House this week.From the World Page “Trump’s peace plan puts Netanyahu in a tough spot as Hamas ‘accepts’ the deal”— This did not go the way Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted. On Monday, the Israeli leader won a peace plan from President Trump that promised him total victory, in the form of a take-it-or-leave-it message to Hamas. The militant group would have to release all the Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza within 72 hours, lay down its arms and surrender any role in the territory’s future — or Israel would be given a free hand to pursue the group’s destruction.— On Friday, responding to a new ultimatum from Mr Trump, Hamas announced that it was ready to release all the hostages. But it said nothing about how soon it would do so, demurred on laying down its arms, and said it wanted to “discuss the details” of Mr. Trump’s plan.Story continues below this ad— To Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Mr. Netanyahu’s, this was “in essence, a rejection by Hamas” of the president’s proposal, he wrote on social media.— Yet Mr. Trump embraced the Hamas statement as an unqualified “yes.” “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” he wrote on social media. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”Do You Know:— For India, peace in the region is important, for its diaspora, its economic interests and its strategic needs. There are about 18,000 Indians in Israel, about 5,000-10,000 in Iran, and some 90 lakh in the region as a whole.— The region provides India with 80 per cent of its oil supplies. Also, major Arab countries have been keen to invest in the Indian economy; those plans will get a boost with peace. Then there is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor, which India has high hopes from.Story continues below this ad— India hopes to reap the dividends from peace in the region, which is beneficial for its access to Europe and Central Asia, and its economic and trade corridor. That was evident during the post-Abraham Accords period, since the first Trump administration, and the formation of an economic grouping like the I2U2 with India, Israel, US and UAE as its members.Highlights of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan— The 20-point document released by White House calls for an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament and a transitional government led by an international body.— According to the plan, Hamas would have no part in administering Gaza, and all its military infrastructure — including tunnels – would be dismantled. Hamas members who pledge to live peacefully would be granted amnesty, and those who wish to leave Gaza would be allowed to do so. — The international security force would ensure Hamas’ disarmament and keep order. It would also train Palestinian police to take over law enforcement.Story continues below this ad— Humanitarian aid would be allowed to flow into Gaza in large amounts and would be run by “neutral international bodies”, including the UN and the Red Crescent.— The US, Arab and international partners will develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to deploy immediately in Gaza.— The plan envisages the governance structure of Gaza — what is doctrinally called the “The Day After plan”. This says that Gaza will be governed under the “temporary transitional governance” of a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee”, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza.— The plan says that a guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas and its factions comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbours or its people.Story continues below this ad— In this context, eight Arab and Muslim nations — Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — on Tuesday issued a joint statement welcoming Trump’s proposal. China and Russia have also welcomed the plan.Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:PM Modi hails Trump’s Gaza peace efforts, calls it decisive progressGaza peace planPrevious year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:(1) The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (UPSC CSE 2018)(a) China(b) Israel(c) Iraq(d) YemenPrevious year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss (UPSC CSE 2018)Story continues below this adNepal GenZ protests in mind, Delhi Police chief asks units to prepare ‘contingency plan’Syllabus:Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Rights Issues.Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation, Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States.What’s the ongoing story: Against the backdrop of the recent Gen Z protests in Nepal, which spiralled into violence and forced a regime change, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha is learnt to have directed three units — the Intelligence branch, Operations unit and Delhi Armed Police — to draft a “contingency action plan” to deal with a similar situation if it were to arise in the national capital.Key Points to Ponder:— Read about Nepal’s GenZ protest. — What is the right to protest?— What are the restrictions on Right to Protest?— What is the difference between a ‘bandh’ and other protests?— What is the importance of a contingency action plan for maintaining law and order in India?— What are the challenges for police in maintaining law and order while protecting the right to protest?— How can political unrest in neighbouring countries affect India’s internal security?Key Takeaways:— In a recent meeting, Golchha is also learnt to have asked two Special Commissioners of Police to form a committee to conduct an audit of their inventory of non-lethal weapons and to suggest if more such weapons or technology are required.— Senior officers said the development comes keeping in mind the fact that “large-scale, youth-driven, leaderless demonstrations — similar to the ones witnessed in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal — could spill over into India or inspire parallel mobilisations in Delhi”.— In the recent meeting with all Special CPs, Golchha is learnt to have discussed the situation in Nepal. “After a brainstorming session, he directed the Special CP of the Intelligence Division to work along with two other Special CPs — Delhi Armed Police and Operations — to prepare a detailed contingency action to handle such a situation. He asked him to put up this contingency action plan in the coming days,” a senior police officer said.ALSO READ | Knowledge Nugget: Stampedes and NDMA Guidelines — What you must know for the UPSC exam— The instructions, issued a few days ago, call for coordinated preparedness between the district police units, cyber cell, and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Police sources indicated that draft measures include enhanced monitoring of border movements, extensive use of drone surveillance in sensitive areas, and quicker coordination with paramilitary forces in case of large gatherings.Do You Know:— When dealing with cases concerning the right to protest in the past, the Supreme Court has traced it to Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India. Specifically, it has held that the right to freedom of speech and expression and to assemble peacefully without arms gives people the right to protest peacefully.— However, the court has often been tasked with balancing it with the “reasonable restriction” of maintaining public order under Article 19(2).Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:The Supreme Court wants the state to let people protest peacefullyUPSC Issue at a Glance | Turmoil in Nepal: GenZ Protest and India-Nepal RelationsUPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:(2) The provisions under Article 19 of the Constitution of India are:1. to assemble peaceably and with arms2. to form unions3. to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India4. to carry on any occupationSelect the correct answer using the codes given below:(a) 1, 2 and 3 only(b) 2, 3 and 4 only(c) 3 and 4 only(d) 2 and 4 only EXPRESS NETWORKCyclone Shakthi: Coastal Gujarat on alertSyllabus:Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance, Geography Mains Examination: General Studies-I,III: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc, disaster management.What’s the ongoing story: Even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings to the fishermen against venturing out to sea in view of the building up of Cyclone Shakhti, collectors of the coastal districts of Saurashtra who were attending a two-day national conference on land administration and disaster management in Gandhinagar, headed back to base by Saturday evening.Key Points to Ponder:— What is a cyclone?— What are tropical depressions?— Read about cyclone Shakhti.— What are the favourable conditions for the formation of tropical cyclones?— What are the factors behind the more frequent cyclones in the Arabian Sea?— What is the difference between cyclones and anticyclones?— What are the challenges in cyclone disaster management in India?— How is climate change impacting tropical cyclones?— What are the cyclone disaster management, mitigation and preparedness measures in India?Key Takeaways:— Meanwhile, Sunday leaves for Collectorate staff were ordered cancelled as the IMD issued warnings over the severe cyclonic storm Shakhti, currently situated more than 500 km off the coastline.— All districts are keeping a close tab over the developing situation even as the predictions say Shakhti is likely to move out at sea without making landfall in Gujarat.— According to the IMD’s national bulletin, issued on Saturday, “Shakhti moved west-southwest with a speed of 13 kmph during last six hours and lay centered at 1730 hrs IST of on October 4, 2025 over northwest Arabian Sea about 580 km west of Dwarka, 580 km west-southwest of Naliya, 510 km southwest of Karachi (Pakistan), 390 km east of Ras Al Hadd (Oman) and 490 km east-northeast of Masirah (Oman).”Do You Know:— Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters near the equator. When the warm, moist air from the ocean surface rises upward, a lower air pressure area is formed below. Air from surrounding areas with higher air pressure rushes into this low-pressure area, eventually rising, and it becomes warm and moist.— As warm, moist air rises, it cools down, and the water in the air forms clouds and thunderstorms. This whole system of clouds and winds gains strength and momentum using the ocean’s heat, and the water that evaporates from its surface.— “The weakest tropical cyclones are called tropical depressions. If a depression intensifies such that its maximum sustained winds reach 39 miles per hour [63 kmph], the tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Storm systems with wind speeds of 119 kmph and above are classified as hurricanes, typhoons, or tropical cyclones.— The category of a tropical cyclone is determined by its sustained wind speed, as measured by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. It is classified into five categories — Category 1 to Category 5. While Category 1 tropical cyclones bring winds of 119 to 153 kmph, Category 5 tropical cyclones, which are the strongest, have winds of 252 kmph or higher. Storms that reach Category 3 and higher are considered major tropical cyclones due to their potential to inflict significant damage.— A tropical cyclone has a ‘clean’ side and a ‘dirty’ side. In the northern hemisphere, the right-hand side of the storm (relative to its motion) is called the ‘dirty’ side, and the left-hand side is known as the ‘clean’ side.— The ‘dirty’ side can bring more devastation as the forward motion of the storm is added to the background rotating circulation of the system, which is always in an anti-clockwise direction. The location at which the two movements — rotation around the eye and forward motion — combine is where the most powerful winds are found.Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:What is a cyclone and what are its typesPrevious year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme:(3) In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason? (UPSC CSE 2015)(a) Sea surface temperatures are low(b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs(c) Coriolis force is too weak(d) Absence of land in those regionsPrevious year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:Tropical cyclones are largely confined to the South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why? (UPSC CSE 2014) GOVT & POLITICSMonths after FTA sealed, Starmer to visit India on Oct 8-9, hold talks with ModiSyllabus:Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.What’s the ongoing story: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Mumbai on October 8 and 9 during his first official visit to India after he assumed charge of the top office in July last year.Key Points to Ponder:— What are the key highlights of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)?— What is the significance of the India-UK CETA?— What are the areas of cooperation between India and the UK?— What is the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?— What are India’s concerns regarding CBAM?Key Takeaways:— Starmer will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai, where both leaders are scheduled to attend the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest and deliver keynote addresses. They will also engage with industry experts, policymakers and innovators. This comes two-and-half months after the two countries inked a free trade pact.— On October 9, the Ministry statement said that the two Prime Ministers will take stock of progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with ‘Vision 2035’, a focused and time bound 10-year roadmap of programmes and initiatives in key pillars of trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people to people relations.— It also said that both leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on opportunities presented by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a central pillar of the future India-UK economic partnership.— On July 24, the much-awaited landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed. PM Modi called it a historic day, as “after years of hard work, both nations have completed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement”. The trade deal, which is forecast to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually, is both India’s most comprehensive deal ever, and the UK’s most economically significant bilateral trade deal since leaving the EU, he had added.— On May 6, PM Modi and his UK counterpart had announced the successful conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK FTA, after three years of negotiations. The agreement aims to eliminate or cut tariffs on imports and exports between the two nations. Both countries want to increase their trade to $120 billion by 2030.— It is expected to boost key sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, sports goods and toys, marine products, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, auto parts and engines, and organic chemicals.Do You Know:— From defence and security, critical technologies to education, Indian diaspora to tourism — India and UK are working towards strengthening ties across sectors. — Major highlights of the India-UK trade deal include: The trade deal paves the way for “unprecedented duty-free access for 99 per cent of India’s exports to the UK”, covering almost the entire trade basket. This includes key job-creating sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear and gems and jewellery, as well as sectors like engineering goods and automobile components. For instance, the UK will eliminate duties of up to 20 per cent on textiles, giving a competitive edge to India – the fourth-largest textile supplier to the UK – over other competitors like China and Bangladesh. Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), which have a dominant presence in the sector, are also expected to benefit from the agreement. India extracted enhanced market access in export-oriented sectors such as marine and animal products, including seafood, dairy, and meat products, with tariffs reduced to zero from up to 20 per cent. Tariffs on tea and coffee have also been scrapped. The UK and India have also agreed to ease the exchange of services. They will now require temporary employees to pay social security contributions only in their home countries, which would mean greater take-home salaries. The agreement increases market access in critical areas such as IT and IT-enabled services as well as financial, legal, professional and educational services.Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:India-UK: Deal’s DonePrevious year UPSC Main Question Covering similar theme:How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? (UPSC CSE 2018) ECONOMYTrump’s $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas challenged in courtSyllabus:Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests, Indian economy.What’s the ongoing story: A coalition of unions, employers and religious groups filed a lawsuit on Friday seeking to block President Donald Trump’s bid to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly-skilled foreign workers.Key Points to Ponder:— What is the H-1B visa programme?— How have Indians benefited from the H-1B visa?— What are the issues related to the H-1B visa? What are the criticisms of H-1B visas?— Why is the recent increase in the H-1B visa fee a matter of concern for India?— What is a Green Card programme?— What are the implications of H-1B visa restrictions on global talent mobility?— What is the contribution of Indian Americans to US society and the economy?Key Takeaways:— The lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco is the first to challenge a proclamation Trump issued two weeks ago announcing the fee as the Republican president moves to further restrict immigration to the United States.— Plaintiffs argued that Trump’s power to restrict the entry of certain foreign nationals does not allow him to override the law that created the H-1B visa program.— White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in a statement said Trump’s administration engaged in lawful actions “discouraging companies from spamming the system and driving down American wages, while providing certainty to employers who need to bring the best talent from overseas.”— The program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty fields, and technology companies in particular rely heavily on workers who receive H-1B visas.— Critics of H-1Bs and other work visa programs say they are often used to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. But business groups and major companies have said H-1Bs are a critical means to address a shortage of qualified American workers.— Employers who sponsor H-1B workers currently typically pay between $2,000 and $5,000 in fees, depending on the size of the company and other factors.— Trump’s order, bars new H-1B recipients from entering the United States unless the employer sponsoring their visa has made an additional $100,000 payment. The administration has said the order does not apply to people who already hold H-1B visas or those who submitted applications before September 21.Do You Know:— The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire immigrant workers in specialty occupations that require “a high level of skill” and “at least a bachelor’s degree”, according to the US Department of Labour. — The program was started in 1990, with the intention of helping “employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the US workforce by authorising the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorised to work in the United States”.— The initial validity of the H-1B visa is up to three years. It can be extended once, for another three years, giving a total of up to six years in most cases.— Currently, there is an annual numerical limit (regular cap) of 65,000 new statuses/ visas under this program each fiscal year, with an extra 20,000 visas available to those with a master’s degree or higher from a US university.Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:Explained | As H-1B costs soar in US, other global alternatives opening up for Indian talentUPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme:(4) With reference to the H-1B visa program, consider the following statements:1. It allows American employers to hire non-immigrant workers in specialty occupations that require a high level of skills.2. There is no capping in the total number of new H-1B visas.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme:Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries.’ Comment with examples (UPSC CSE 2020)ALSO IN NEWSUPSC to SC: Will give provisional answer key after preliminary testThe Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) has agreed to release the provisional answer key soon after the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examinations instead of the current practice of waiting till the end of the entire examination process. The Commission said this in a counter-affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in response to a petition that had challenged the practice.‘Jore Sahib’ to be kept at Patna Sahib, announces Hardeep PuriThe Jore Sahib, a pair of sacred footwear belonging to Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the 10 Sikh Gurus, and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur, will be kept at the Patna Sahib Gurudwara, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Saturday.The footwear, measuring 11” by 3½” for the right foot of Guru Gobind Singh and 9” by 3” for the left foot of Mata Sahib Kaur, has been safeguarded by the Puri family for over three centuries. They are considered sacred relics in Sikhism.Tulips in spring, chrysanthemums to keep Kashmir’s autumn tourism in full bloom As the lush greens of summer fade and a hush of grey settles over Kashmir’s Valley of colours, a quiet burst of life is taking root at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST). The Valley’s first chrysanthemum garden is set to bloom this autumn, infusing fragrance, colour and a renewed sense of hope into the fading landscape — and perhaps, a fresh lease of life into Kashmir’s waning tourist season.Nearly two decades after Srinagar’s tulip bloom transformed the Valley’s spring tourism — advancing the tourist calendar by almost a month — the chrysanthemum bloom aims to do the same at the other end of the season, extending it well into winter.Taking a cue from SKUAST’s experimental garden, the Jammu and Kashmir government has already begun work on an exclusive chrysanthemum (or Gul-e-Dawood) garden at the Srinagar Botanical Garden, adjacent to the famed Tulip Garden Prelims Answer Key 1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (a)Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Anniversary Special: Read the UPSC Essentials September 2025 special edition, celebrating two years of the magazine! Share your views and suggestions at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com