The Indian Express UPSC Key for November 10, 2025, highlights three pivotal current affairs topics that hold substantial relevance for aspirants preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination and other competitive exams. Understanding the intricate connections between global climate diplomacy at COP30, India's strategic military posture in Central Asia through the Ayni airbase withdrawal, and emerging health concerns related to indoor air quality will significantly enhance your preparation for both Preliminary and Main examinations.​

COP30 Summit 2025: Implementation Takes Center Stage in Belém, Brazil

The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commenced on November 10, 2025, in Belém, Brazil—strategically located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This landmark summit marks a decade since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and is being termed the "Implementation COP" as nations shift focus from pledges to concrete, actionable climate measures.​

Key Highlights of COP30

Theme and Focus: COP30 operates under the overarching theme of "Delivering on the Paris Promise," emphasizing implementation, inclusion, and innovation. The summit addresses critical areas including climate adaptation, mitigation, finance mobilization, technology transfer, and capacity building.​​

The Paris Agreement Goal: Adopted in 2015, the Paris Agreement aims to hold the global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. However, current trajectories suggest a potential rise of 2.6-2.8°C, with some scenarios projecting as high as 3.1°C without additional interventions.​

Participation: Nearly 198 countries are participating in COP30, representing global commitment to collaborative climate action. The conference runs from November 10-21, 2025, with a Heads of State Summit held on November 6-7, 2025.​

Six Pillars of COP30's Action Agenda

COP30 structures its climate response through six foundational pillars:​

Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning to renewable energy sources

Adaptation: Enhancing resilience of communities and infrastructure against climate impacts

Finance: Mobilizing funds to support global climate initiatives

Technology: Promoting innovation and clean technology sharing

Capacity-Building: Strengthening local governance and institutional expertise

Means of Implementation: Integrating commitments into actionable policy frameworks

Climate Finance Roadmap: Baku to Belém

A central initiative at COP30 is the Baku-to-Belém Climate Finance Roadmap, designed to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. This roadmap follows the five R framework:​

Replenishing: Grants and concessional funds

Rebalancing: Fiscal space and debt relief

Rechanneling: Private finance mobilization

Revamping: Capacity building enhancement

Reshaping: Fair and equitable distribution mechanisms

The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) aims to scale climate finance from the existing $100 billion to $300 billion annually by 2035, establishing a framework for predictable funding to developing nations.​

India's Position at COP30

India's delegation is led by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, with India's Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, representing the nation at the Leaders' Summit. India has emphasized that COP30 must be the "COP of Adaptation," stressing the importance of trust restoration, grant-based predictable funding, and technology transfer from developed nations.​​

India's Climate Achievements:

Reduced emission intensity of GDP by 36% between 2005 and 2020​

Non-fossil power installed capacity now accounts for over 50% of total installed capacity​

Currently the world's third-largest producer of renewable energy with approximately 200 gigawatts​

Forest and tree cover expanded to 25.17% of total geographical area​

India has also joined Brazil's Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) as an Observer, recognizing it as a significant step toward collective global action for tropical forest preservation.​

India Withdraws from Ayni Airbase: End of Strategic Presence in Tajikistan

In a significant strategic development, India has officially concluded its military presence at the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan, marking the end of a two-decade chapter in Central Asia. The withdrawal process, which began quietly in 2022 and was completed by 2023, came to public attention only in late October 2025.​

Strategic Significance of Ayni Airbase

Location and Geographic Importance: Ayni Airbase is located approximately 10 km west of Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital, and about 20 km from Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor. This strategic position provided India with proximity to:​

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)

China's Xinjiang province

Central Asian republics

Afghanistan's northern territories

India's Investment: Over the last two decades, India invested approximately $80 million to renovate this Soviet-era airbase. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) led the modernization efforts, which included:​

Upgrading the runway to 3,200 meters suitable for combat jets and heavy transport aircraft

Constructing hangars and fuel depots

Installing air traffic control facilities

Establishing comprehensive operational infrastructure

At its operational peak, approximately 200 Indian military personnel from the Army and Indian Air Force were stationed at Ayni, along with Mi-17 helicopters and a few Sukhoi-30 MKI jets.​

Historical Context and Operational Purpose

India established its presence in Tajikistan in 1998 with the Farkhor base, which operated until approximately 2008. Ayni became India's second overseas base and was built to support the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan against the Taliban through logistics, aerial support, and intelligence operations.​

The Northern Alliance Connection: India maintained strong ties with the Northern Alliance—a multi-ethnic military coalition led by Ahmad Shah Massoud that opposed Taliban rule between 1996 and 2001. India provided the Alliance with cash assistance, ground radar, aircraft spares, military advisers, and high-altitude warfare equipment. Indian technicians also maintained the Alliance's MiG and Sukhoi fighter aircraft, while a field hospital at Farkhar housed 25 Indian Army doctors.​

2021 Evacuation Operations: During the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, India utilized the Ayni Airbase for evacuation operations, extracting Indian nationals and officials from Afghanistan via military and civilian aircraft.​

Reasons for Withdrawal

According to official statements, India's bilateral arrangement with Tajikistan for aerodrome rehabilitation and development concluded in 2022, after which the facility was handed back to the Tajik government. However, diplomatic sources indicate that pressure from Russia and China—both major regional powers in Central Asia—influenced Dushanbe's reluctance to renew India's lease.​

Strategic Implications for India

The withdrawal represents a loss of strategic depth for India in several dimensions:​

Military Foothold: Ayni was India's only full-fledged overseas military base, providing a presence in a region dominated by Russia and China.​

Geopolitical Leverage: The base's location offered India strategic leverage over Pakistan and monitoring capabilities regarding developments in Xinjiang and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions.​

Regional Influence: The closure underscores India's challenges in maintaining sustained military presence beyond its immediate neighborhood, despite its aspirations for greater influence in Central Asia.​

India's First Indoor Air Quality Scale: Addressing the Hidden Health Crisis

While outdoor air pollution receives widespread attention, a groundbreaking study by researchers from BITS Pilani Hyderabad has revealed that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted and hazardous than outdoor air. In response to this critical gap, the research team led by Professor Sankar Ganesh and Dr. Atun Roy Choudhury has developed India's first customized Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) scale.​

The Indoor Air Quality Crisis

Exposure Reality: Indians spend approximately 90% of their day indoors, yet monitoring and regulations for indoor air quality remain largely absent in the country. Pollutants from construction dust, cooking emissions, household fuels, cleaning agents, incense sticks, and stored waste silently degrade indoor air quality.​

Health Impact: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 3.2 million annual deaths globally are attributed to household air pollution. In India specifically, over 700,000 deaths annually are linked to indoor air pollution, with vulnerable groups including children, elderly persons, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions particularly at risk.​

India's First IAQ Scale: Key Features

The BITS Pilani IAQ scale represents a significant advancement over conventional air purifiers, which typically measure only particulate matter and humidity. Published in the Royal Society of Chemistry Journal, this comprehensive measurement system evaluates multiple pollutant categories.​

Weighted Parameters: The IAQ scale assigns weights based on four critical parameters reflecting India's unique environmental challenges:​

Pollution Concentration: 59.5%

Exposure Time: 25.9%

Ventilation Efficiency: 9.8%

Enclosure Size: 4.4%

Scoring System: The scale ranges from 22 to 100, with 22 representing the most severe air quality and 100 indicating the best quality. This weighting specifically accounts for India's dense urban living conditions, varied housing sizes, and ventilation challenges.​

Major Indoor Pollutants Identified

Benzene (Most Dangerous): Emerged as the most dangerous indoor pollutant in the study. Benzene is emitted by aromatic disinfectants, fuels, and solvents, with long-term exposure linked to leukemia, anemia, birth defects, and cancer. The World Health Organization recognizes benzene as a known carcinogen.​

Carbon Monoxide (CO): Generated from gas stoves, incomplete burning of incense sticks in closed settings, oil-burning furnaces, and charcoal grills. CO causes oxygen deprivation and accumulates in poorly ventilated rooms, leading to poisoning and long-term toxicity.​

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Fine particulate matter can rise well above safe exposure limits during routine activities like cooking and cleaning. Poor ventilation causes these pollutants to accumulate, making indoor environments increasingly harmful.​

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Released from paints, cleaners, fuels, and many household products and processes.​

Methane: Produced when organic waste is not segregated and left to decay in bins. Methane is approximately 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, contributing to ozone layer damage and harmful ground-level ozone that affects breathing.​

Unexpected Indoor Pollution Sources

The research identified several surprising sources of indoor pollution that many households overlook:​

Aromatic Disinfectants: Release benzene and toxic VOCs during use

Incomplete Combustion: Burning incense sticks in closed rooms with low oxygen

Organic Waste Decay: Poor waste segregation creates landfill-like conditions indoors

Construction Materials: Amplify pollution accumulation in poorly ventilated spaces

Seasonal Fluctuations: Winter months show higher toxicity as households remain closed

Simple Household Interventions

The researchers recommend practical measures to improve indoor air quality:​

Enhanced Ventilation: Open windows during low-pollution hours and use exhaust fans while cooking

Waste Segregation: Keep dry and wet waste separate to prevent methane buildup

Regulated Burning: Reduce incense burning and switch to non-toxic cleaning products

Natural Fresheners: Avoid synthetic air fresheners; use herbal or essential oil-based alternatives

Routine Maintenance: Regular cleaning with minimal chemical cleaners and proper ventilation

Why This Matters for Your Exam Preparation

Understanding these three interconnected topics provides comprehensive coverage across multiple dimensions of the UPSC syllabus:

For UPSC Prelims

Static-Dynamic Linkage: Questions on climate change conferences (COP series), international agreements (Paris Agreement, UNFCCC), India's military infrastructure, geographical locations (Tajikistan, Wakhan Corridor, Amazon rainforest), and environmental health issues are frequently asked in Prelims.​

Current Affairs Integration: Direct questions on recent developments such as COP30 outcomes, India's overseas military presence, and new scientific initiatives like the IAQ scale are highly probable.​

Factual Knowledge: Remember specific data points—COP30 dates (November 10-21, 2025), Paris Agreement temperature goals (well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C), India's renewable energy capacity (200 GW), Ayni airbase location (10 km from Dushanbe), and indoor air pollution statistics (2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air).​

For UPSC Mains

GS Paper 2 (International Relations): COP30 provides excellent material for questions on multilateral diplomacy, India's climate diplomacy, Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC), climate finance mechanisms, and India's role in global climate governance.​

GS Paper 3 (Environment, Internal Security):

Environment: Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, renewable energy initiatives, forest conservation, and indoor air pollution as an emerging environmental health concern​

Internal Security: India's strategic presence in Central Asia, implications of Ayni airbase withdrawal on India's security architecture, and regional power dynamics involving Russia and China​

GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology): Indoor Air Quality measurement technologies, development of India-specific environmental monitoring systems, and scientific innovations addressing health challenges​

Essay Paper: These topics offer rich material for essays on climate justice, sustainable development, geopolitical challenges in the 21st century, public health and environmental degradation, and India's evolving strategic posture.​

For UPSC Interview

Contemporary Awareness: Panel members frequently probe candidates' understanding of recent international summits, India's strategic decisions, and emerging policy challenges.​

Analytical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the implications of climate finance gaps, India's strategic choices in Central Asia amidst great power competition, and policy interventions needed for indoor air quality regulation.​

Interdisciplinary Connections: Link these topics with broader themes—sustainable development goals, India's Act East and Connect Central Asia policies, urbanization challenges, and health infrastructure development.​

For State PCS and Other Competitive Exams

General Awareness: These topics enhance overall current affairs knowledge essential for preliminary stages of state civil services, banking exams (IBPS, SBI), SSC examinations, and defense services exams.​

Governance and Policy: Understanding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes mentioned in the context helps with questions on government initiatives—DBT is crucial for delivering subsidies and welfare payments directly to beneficiaries, reducing leakages and improving transparency.​

Environmental Awareness: Indoor air quality concerns are increasingly relevant for state-level policy questions, particularly for states facing severe air pollution challenges.​

Key Takeaways for Aspirants

COP30 Summit:

Marks 10 years since Paris Agreement

Focus: Implementation over pledges

Target: $1.3 trillion climate finance by 2035

India's achievement: 50% non-fossil power capacity

Key concept: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC)

Ayni Airbase Withdrawal:

India's only overseas military base

Location: 10 km from Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Investment: $80 million over two decades

Withdrawal completed: 2022-2023

Strategic implication: Reduced presence in Central Asia

Indoor Air Quality Scale:

Developed by BITS Pilani Hyderabad

Indoor air 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air

Most dangerous pollutant: Benzene

Scoring range: 22 (worst) to 100 (best)

Annual deaths in India: 700,000+ due to indoor air pollution

Integrated Learning Approach: Connect these topics with your static preparation—link COP30 with environmental conventions studied in Geography and Environment sections, connect Ayni airbase with India's neighborhood policy and strategic partnerships in International Relations, and relate indoor air quality with public health initiatives and right to clean environment under Article 21.​

Regular Revision: Make concise notes highlighting key facts, figures, and implications. Use these topics as case studies in your Main answer writing practice to demonstrate contemporary awareness and analytical capability.​

Newspaper Reading: Continue following developments on these issues through quality newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express. Track subsequent outcomes of COP30, India's evolving Central Asia policy, and policy measures on indoor air quality regulation.​

By thoroughly understanding these current affairs topics and their examination relevance, you position yourself advantageously for both objective and subjective components of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Regular engagement with such multidimensional topics through the lens of examination utility will significantly enhance your preparation quality and score potential.

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