Azharuddin as Telangana State Minister

♦ Former cricketer and senior Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as Minister in the Telangana State Cabinet on 31October 2025.

♦ Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has administered the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremonial event held at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad.

♦ With this induction, the number of ministers in Revanth Reddy cabinet has gone up to 16. 

♦ Azharuddin was born in Hyderabad on February 8, 1963.

♦ He made his international debut for India in 1984, marking the beginning of a glorious cricketing career. 

♦ In 1989, he was appointed captain of the Indian cricket team, a position he held for several years with distinction.

♦ Over a professional career spanning 16 years, Azharuddin played 99 Test matches and 334 One Day Internationals (ODIs), earning admiration for his wristy stroke-play and calm leadership. 

♦ On February 19, 2009, he joined the Indian National Congress and soon contested the Lok Sabha elections from Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh, winning the seat the same year.

♦ The Congress later appointed him as working president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) in 2018. 

Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan

♦ India has achieved three Guinness World Record titles under the campaign Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan on 31 October 2025.

♦ The initiative set multiple records, including the highest number of people to register for a health care platform in a single month, numbering over 3.21 crore.

♦ It also achieved the record for most people to sign up for a breast cancer screening online in one week.

♦ Over 9.94 lakh women had signed up for the screening.

♦ Besides these, a record number of 1.25 lakh people signed up for vital signs screening online in one week at the state level. 

♦ The campaign which started from 17th September to 2nd of November has witnessed unprecedented community participation. 

♦ More than 5 lakh Panchayati Raj representatives, 1.14 Crore school and college students, 94 lakh SHG members, and 5 lakh other community platform members participated in the campaign.

Defense agreement between India and the US

♦ India and the United States signed a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement on 31 October 2025, marking a new era in their growing partnership.

♦ The agreement, exchanged between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur, provides a long-term policy direction for the US–India Major Defence Partnership.

♦ The meeting between the two leaders took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN–India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

♦ The informal session was held ahead of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled for November 1, where regional security and cooperation will be key topics of discussion.

Sahitya Akademi

♦ Sahitya Akademi released the Hindi translation of acclaimed novel The Last Day in New Delhi on 30 October 2025, celebrating literary exchange and cultural collaboration between India and Lithuania.

♦ The book, titled in Hindi – Antim Din, is written by Lithuanian-Ukrainian author Jaroslavas Melnikas and was released in collaboration with the Embassy of Lithuania at Rabindra Bhawan in New Delhi.

Justice Suryakant as CJI of Supreme Court

♦ President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) on 30 October 2025.

♦ His appointment wii be effect from 24 November 24, 2025.

♦ He will be the 53rd Chief Justice of India and will have a tenure of about 14 months, retiring on February 9, 2027.

♦ Justice Surya Kant was born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village, Hisar district, Haryana.

♦ He began his practice at the District Courts in Hisar before moving to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985, where he specialized in constitutional, service, and civil law.

♦ In 2000, at the age of 38, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana and was designated as a Senior Advocate.

♦ He served in that role until his elevation as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004.

♦ Justice Kant later served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 5, 2018, before being elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.

India bids farewell to Tajik air base

♦ India withdrew from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan after a bilateral agreement on stationing Indian personnel at the location ended in 2022.

♦ This was the Indian Air Force’s first overseas base.

♦ The base was strategic as it gave India an edge against Pakistan and China due to its location and proximity. 

♦ Located about 15 kilometres west of Dushanbe, the Ayni Airbase—once a decaying Soviet-era facility—has transformed into a key strategic asset for India.

♦ After lying dormant through Tajikistan’s civil war in the 1990s, the base was revived through a $70 million Indian investment launched in 2002, during the height of the U.S.-led war on terror in Afghanistan.

♦ By 2010, India had completed major upgrades, including a 3,200-metre runway, fortified aircraft shelters, fuel storage facilities, and modern air traffic control systems, making Ayni capable of handling heavy-lift transporters like the Ilyushin-76 and multirole fighter jets such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

Power capacity in India crosses 500 gigawatts

♦ The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said, India’s total installed electricity capacity has surpassed 500 gigawatts (GW).

♦ The milestone, reached as of September 30, 2025, marks a major step toward India’s vision of a clean, secure, and self-reliant energy future.

♦ According to official data, India’s installed capacity now stands at 500.89 GW, of which 256.09 GW (over 51%) comes from non-fossil fuel sources – including renewable energy, large hydro, and nuclear – while 244.80 GW (about 49%) comes from fossil-fuel-based generation.

♦ During the first half of FY 2025–26 (April–September 2025), India added 28 GW of non-fossil capacity, compared to just 5.1 GW of fossil-fuel capacity, highlighting the accelerating pace of clean energy deployment.

♦ Within renewables, solar power leads with 127.33 GW, followed by wind energy at 53.12 GW, underlining India’s emergence as one of the world’s largest renewable energy markets.

♦ This marked the first time in India’s history that more than half of its daily power generation came from green sources – a milestone experts are calling a “turning point” for the country’s energy transition.

8th Central Pay Commission

♦ The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission on 28 October 2025.

♦ Former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai was named as the  chairperson of the 8th Pay Commission by the Centre.

♦ Petroleum secretary Pankaj Jain as member secretary and IIM Bangalore professor Pulak Ghosh as part-time member of this commission.

♦ The Commission has been mandated to submit its recommendations within 18 months from the date of its constitution.

♦ It may also submit interim reports on specific matters as and when its recommendations are finalised.

♦ In 2025 January, the Cabinet approved setting up the 8th Pay Commission to revise salaries of of central government employees and allowances of about 69 lakh pensioners.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

♦ The 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly has begun at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 27 October 2025.

♦ 124 countries participated and over 40 Ministers from across the globe attended the session. The event concludes on 30 October 2025. 

♦ The event brings the global community together to deepen cooperation and accelerate solar adoption for a brighter and sustainable future.

♦ India achieved 50 percent of its total installed electricity generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ago, ahead of its target.

♦ India is the 3rd world largest Solar Producer and the world 2nd largest market for renewable energy growth. 

♦ More than 20 lakh households have already been benefiting from solar power on their rooftop under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Yojana. 

♦ The International Solar Alliance is an international organisation with 124 Member and Signatory countries.

♦ It works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a sustainable transition to a carbon-neutral future.

♦ It also promotes the use of solar energy in the agriculture, health, transport, and power generation sectors.

Worlds Best Consumer Bank 2025

♦ State Bank of India (SBI) has received global recognition for its innovation and customer-centric approach, securing two prestigious honours from New York-based Global Finance magazine - the ‘World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025’ and the ‘Best Bank in India 2025’.

♦ The awards, presented during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings, underscore SBI’s leadership in digital banking, financial inclusion, and customer excellence. 

♦ Chairman of SBI, Mr. C. S. Setty, noted that the bank serves over 520 million customers and adds nearly 65,000 new customers daily, supported by substantial investments in technology and digital transformation. 

World Economic Outlook (WEO) report

♦ The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that India’s economy will expand by 6.6 percent in 2025-26, according to its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) report.

♦ IMF has also predicted that India will continue to be one of the fastest-growing 'emerging market and developing economies'. 

♦ The robust performance during the first quarter helped cushion the effects of escalating US tariffs on Indian exports.

♦ However, the IMF noted that this estimate is 0.2 percentage points lower than its pre-tariff projection made in October 2024.

♦ However, the IMF has lowered its 2026 projection to 6.2 per cent, citing a potential fading of first-quarter momentum.

India was re-elected

♦ India was re-elected as Vice-Chairperson of Conference of Parties (COP10) Bureau to the International Convention against Doping in Sport.

♦ This decision was taken during the 10th Session of the COP10 held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

♦ The meeting, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Convention, brought together representatives from more than 190 States Parties and international organizations to strengthen the global fight against doping and uphold integrity in sport.

♦ The Indian delegation was led by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Director General Anant Kumar. 

♦ Azerbaijan was elected Chairperson of the COP10 Bureau, while Brazil, Zambia, and Saudi Arabia were chosen as Vice-Chairs representing their respective regional groups.

Banking Amendment Act

♦ The key provisions relating to nomination under the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 will come into effect from November 1, 2025, according to a notification issued by the Central Government.

♦ The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, notified on April 15, 2025, introduced a total of 19 amendments across five major legislations – the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, Banking Regulation Act, 1949, State Bank of India Act, 1955, and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts of 1970 and 1980.

♦ As per the latest notification, the provisions contained in Sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the Amendment Act – which deal with nomination facilities for deposit accounts, articles kept in safe custody, and safety lockers – will come into force on November 1, 2025.

♦ Key Features of the Nomination Provisions:

♦ The new provisions are designed to give depositors greater flexibility and transparency in managing their nominations:

♦ Multiple Nominations: Customers can nominate up to four persons, either simultaneously or successively, to simplify claim settlements.

♦ Deposit Accounts: Depositors can choose between simultaneous or successive nominations.

♦ Safe Custody and Lockers: For these facilities, only successive nominations are allowed.

♦ Simultaneous Nomination: Depositors may assign up to four nominees and specify the percentage share of entitlement for each, ensuring the total equals 100 per cent.

♦ Successive Nomination: Up to four nominees can be listed in order of priority; the next nominee becomes operative only upon the death of the previous one, ensuring clarity in succession.

Approval for arms purchases

♦ The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on 23 October 2025 approved a series of capital acquisition proposals worth around RS.79,000 crore aimed at enhancing the operational and combat capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.

♦ According to Defence Ministry, the approvals include key procurements for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, covering advanced weapon systems, platforms, and support equipment designed to strengthen India’s defence preparedness across multiple domains.

♦ For the Indian Army, the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground-Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES), and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) equipped with material-handling cranes.

♦ The NAMIS (Tracked) system will significantly enhance the Army’s ability to neutralise enemy armoured vehicles, bunkers, and fortifications, while the GBMES will provide round-the-clock electronic intelligence on enemy emitters.

♦ The induction of HMVs is expected to improve logistic support for troops across varied terrains.

♦ For the Indian Navy, approvals were granted for the acquisition of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), 30mm Naval Surface Guns (NSGs), Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes (ALWTs), Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track Systems, and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mounts. 

Indias renewable energy

♦ India's renewable energy capacity has witnessed a remarkable growth, rising over fivefold from 35 gigawatts in 2014 to more than 197 gigawatts.

♦ This excludes power generated by large hydro power facilities.

♦ The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said that the government has set an ambitious goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil capacity by 2030.

♦ In the current year (2025), Central Renewable Energy Implementing agencies have done bids for 5.6 gigawatts, while State agencies have done bids for 3.5 megawatts.

♦ Additionally, Commercial and Industrial Consumers are likely to add nearly six gigawatts of renewable energy capacity this year.

Global Forest Resources Assessment

♦ India has climbed to the ninth position globally in total forest area, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali on 22 October 2025.  

♦ The country has also maintained its 3rd position worldwide in terms of annual forest area gain, reaffirming its progress in sustainable forest management and ecological balance. In the previous assessment, India was ranked 10th.

♦ GFRA, based on official national data, has put India’s forest cover at 72.7 million hectares in 2025, accounting for roughly 2 percent of the world forest area.

♦ According to India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the country’s forest cover stands at 71.5 million hectares.

♦ Globally, forests cover 4.14 billion hectares which accounts for nearly one-third (32 percent) of the global land area, equivalent to 0.5 hectares per person.

♦ Nearly half of the world’s forests are located in the tropics.

♦ Globally, Russia has the highest forest cover (832.6 million hectares) followed by Brazil (486 million hectares), Canada (368.8 million hectares), the USA (308.8 million hectares), China (227 million hectares), Congo (139 million hectares), Australia (133.5 million hectares), Indonesia (96 million hectares), India (72.7 million hectares) and Peru (67 million hectares). In fact, more than half (54%) of the total world forest area is concentrated in just five countries — Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States and China.

♦ In terms of forest expansion, China recorded the highest annual net gain in forest area between 2015 and 2025 at 1.69 million hectares per year, followed by Russia (9,42,000 hectares), India (1,91,000 hectares), Türkiye (1,18,000 ha), Australia (1,05,000 ha), France (95,900 ha), Indonesia (94,100 ha), South Africa (87,600 ha), Canada (82,500 ha) and Vietnam (72,800 ha).

♦ The assessment report shows that Asia is the only region to record an increase in forest area between 1990 and 2025, led by gains in China and India.

♦ It shows that 91 countries reported agroforestry of 55.4 million ha in 2025. The majority (39.3 million ha) of this area is in Asia, mostly South and Southeast Asia, with India and Indonesia accounting for almost 100% of the regional total and for 70% of the global total.

Antibiotic, Nafithromycin, developed with indigenous knowledge

♦ India has developed its first indigenously discovered antibiotic, Nafithromycin, marking a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of self-reliance in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

♦ The antibiotic, effective against resistant respiratory infections, is particularly beneficial for cancer patients and those with poorly controlled diabetes.

♦ Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, said the molecule is the first to be entirely conceptualised, developed and clinically validated in India.

♦ The breakthrough was achieved through a collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and private pharmaceutical company Wockhardt.

649 flight routes under UDAN

♦ Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) has facilitated over 1.56 crore passengers through 3.23 lakh flights in nine years.

♦ UDAN scheme was launched on 21st October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy. 

♦ Under the scheme, 649 routes have been operationalized connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes.

♦ The Ministry said that the Government has disbursed more than Rs.4,300 crore as Viability Gap Funding to support airline operators and regional infrastructure.

UNESCO report

♦ According to UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team, at least 133 million girls still remain out of school across the globe.

♦ In 1995, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set out an ambitious vision - full and equal participation of women in all aspects of life, including education.

♦ Thirty years later, much has been achieved but the new UNESCO data show how much remains unfinished.

♦ Since 1995, the world has moved closer to gender parity in education.

♦ Girls now enrol in primary, lower and upper secondary school at rates equal to boys.

♦ Globally, 91 million more girls are in primary education than three decades ago, and 136 million more are in secondary. 

State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI)

♦ The Ministry of Mines released the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and corresponding State rankings, marking what it described as a major step towards promoting mining sector reforms at the State level.

♦ The initiative also fulfils an announcement made in the Union Budget 2025–26.

♦ The index evaluates States on several parameters, including auction performance, early mine operationalisation, focus on exploration, and sustainable mining practices related to non-coal minerals.

♦ These indicators aim to capture the overall readiness and efficiency of States in facilitating mining activity and implementing reforms.

♦ Under the SMRI framework, States have been divided into three categories based on their mineral endowment.

♦ In Category A, which includes mineral-rich States, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat secured the top three ranks.

♦ Among Category B States, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam emerged as the top performers.

♦ In Category C, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Tripura claimed the leading positions.

Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant

♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant at the Strategic Materials Technology Complex of PTC Industries in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Rajnath Singh reiterated that India would acquire true strength only when it can manufacture its own materials, components, chips, and alloys.

♦ An MoU was also signed between PTC Industries Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to form a joint venture for the design, development, and manufacture of propulsion systems, guided bombs, and small aero-engines for missiles, UAVs, and loitering munitions.

Women Entrepreneurship Platform

♦ NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform and DP World, announced a joint initiative ‘We Rise - Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises’.

♦ This programme under the aegis of WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative, aims to help women entrepreneurs in India to scale their businesses globally through trade facilitation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. 

♦ Under this ATR programme, women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India with high growth potential will be identified and mentored to expand globally.  

♦ Using its global logistics network and trade expertise, DP World will collaborate with WEP to design interventions that enhance the export readiness of 100 women entrepreneurs, enabling them to meet global trade requirements and strengthen business capacity.

♦ Selected entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to showcase their products at Bharat Mart in Dubai—a global B2B and B2C marketplace within the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), providing Indian businesses with access to international buyers.

India International Science Festival (IISF)

♦ The 11th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) will be held in Chandigarh in December 2025.

♦ The four-day event will begin on 6th December and continue till 9th.

♦ The theme for IISF-2025 will be Vigyan se Samruddhi: For Atma Nirbhar Bharat. 

♦ Minister for Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh said that the festival will focus on five themes, including Science,Technology and Ecology of North-West India and the Himalayan Region, Science for Society and Education and Atmanirbhar Bharat through Science and Technology. 

♦ The minister also mentioned the Anusandhan National Research Foundation initiative saying that it will democratize research funding by extending support to universities and institutions across states. 

Rajnath Singh

♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the third production line of the HAL Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft and the second production line of the HAL HTT-40 trainer aircraft at the Nashik facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on 17 October 2025.

♦ He also flagged off the first Tejas Mk1A manufactured at the new line, hailing it as a major step toward strengthening India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.

♦ He highlighted the rapid expansion of the sector, with annual defence production rising from Rs.46,429 crore in 2014–15 to over Rs.1.5 lakh crore in 2024–25, while defence exports have soared to Rs.25,000 crore from less than Rs.1,000 crore a decade ago.

♦ The government has now set a target of achieving Rs.3 lakh crore in defence manufacturing and Rs.50,000 crore in exports by 2029.

♦ Established in 1964, HAL Nashik has produced more than 900 aircraft and overhauled 1,900, making it one of India’s most significant aerospace facilities.

♦ The division continues to provide full lifecycle support for Su-30MKI aircraft and plays a pivotal role in advancing the country’s defence manufacturing ambitions.

Indias food security infrastructure

♦ India’s food security infrastructure, among the largest in the world, currently serves over 81 crore people, combining nutritional access with technological transparency to ensure no one is left behind.

♦ Backed by several flagship schemes, the system is undergoing continuous reform to shift from food availability to nutritional equity.

♦ Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, beneficiaries are entitled to subsidized — now free — food grains.

♦ Each Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) household receives 35 kg of grains monthly, while individuals in Priority Households (PHH) are allotted 5 kg per month. Since January 2023, food grains under NFSA have been provided free of cost.

♦ The initiative has been extended until 2028, with a total financial outlay of Rs.11.80 lakh crore, entirely funded by the Centre.

♦ To increase production and improve nutritional quality, the government restructured the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) into the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) in 2024–25. 

India and Brazil agreed to expand their existing trade

♦ On 16 October 2025, India and Brazil agreed to significantly expand their existing trade agreement between India and the MERCOSUR bloc, aiming to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

♦ The understanding was reached during a meeting held in New Delhi between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Vice President of Brazil and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services Geraldo Alckmin.

♦ The two leaders welcomed the mutual interest of India and MERCOSUR member states in deepening the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

♦ Recalling the original Framework Agreement signed on 17 June 2003 to strengthen economic ties, they agreed to take concrete steps to broaden the agreement’s scope.

♦ As part of the new roadmap, both sides decided that:

♦ The expansion of the pact should be substantial, ensuring a significant share of bilateral trade benefits from tariff preferences.

♦ It should address both tariff and non-tariff issues, including broader economic partnership areas.

♦ There will be active engagement with private sector stakeholders to support negotiations.

♦ A technical dialogue will be launched soon, including an early meeting of the Joint Administration Committee established under Article 23 of the PTA, to define the scope of the expansion.

♦ Both parties will endeavour to conclude negotiations within one year from their formal launch.

Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar (SITAA)

♦ The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a new innovation initiative – the Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar (SITAA) – to strengthen India’s digital identity ecosystem and combat emerging security threats such as deepfakes, spoofing, and presentation attacks.

♦ Applications for the program are open until November 15.

♦ SITAA aims to bring together startups, academic institutions, and industry players to co-develop secure, scalable, and globally benchmarked solutions that enhance Aadhaar authentication.

♦ The program will particularly focus on advanced biometric technologies, authentication frameworks, artificial intelligence, and data privacy.

♦ To give the initiative a collaborative push, MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and NASSCOM have signed MoUs with UIDAI as strategic partners.

♦ MSH will offer technical mentoring, incubation, and accelerator support, while NASSCOM will provide industry linkages and global outreach.

Fifth edition of Samudra Shakti

♦ The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the bilateral maritime exercise Samudra Shakti with the Indonesian Navy from October 14 to 17, at Visakhapatnam.

♦ The exercise, aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries, features a series of professional and operational engagements, both ashore and at sea. 

♦ The harbour phase includes activities designed to foster professional interaction and camaraderie between personnel of both navies.

♦ These include cross-deck visits, joint yoga sessions, friendly sports events, and professional exchanges under Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programmes.

♦ The sea phase is set to feature complex and high-tempo maritime operations such as helicopter manoeuvres, air defence exercises, weapon firing drills, and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.

♦ These drills are aimed at enhancing tactical coordination and operational synergy between the participating navies.

Hindustan Shipyard gets Mini Ratna status

♦ Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam was granted Mini-Ratna status by the Government of India on 14 October 2025.

♦ The recognition follows the shipyard’s consistent financial performance, and operational improvements over the past few years. 

♦ Established in 1941, HSL has been a cornerstone of India’s shipbuilding capability, supporting India's naval and commercial fleets.

♦ In the 2024-25 financial year, HSL hit Rs.1,586 crore in income and Rs.166 crore profit—a 36% jump from last year (2023-24).

♦ With this status, HSL can invest up to ₹500 crore without waiting for approval—so decisions and partnerships get faster.

Human Rights Council

♦ India has been elected unopposed to the Human Rights Council for the seventh time for a three-year term (2026-28) starting next year.

♦ After India’s election by the General Assembly was announced on 14 October 2025, Permanent Representative P Harish said that this election reflects India’s unwavering commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

♦ The Human Rights Council is the main UN body with 47 members.

♦ It promotes and protects human rights around the world, reviews the situation in member countries, and provides a forum to discuss issues.

♦ The Council was formed by the General Assembly in 2006, when India was elected to its first term.

PM Gati Shakti portal

♦ The government on 13 October 2025, has opened the PM Gati Shakti portal to the private sector to help them optimise last-mile delivery services and develop infrastructure-based applications.

♦ This query-based web platform provides regulated access to selected non-sensitive data sets from the PM GatiShakti NMP (national master plan), enabling private entities, consultants, researchers, and citizens to leverage advanced analytics for infrastructure planning and investment decisions.

♦ The PM Gati Shakti national master plan initiative was launched in October 2021 for the integrated and planned development of critical infrastructure projects to reduce logistics costs.

India-Australia joint military exercise

♦ The 4th edition of India-Australia joint military exercise, AUSTRAHIND-2025, commenced at Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia on 13 October 2025.

♦ The exercise, being held from October 13 to 26, seeks to enhance interoperability, joint planning, and execution capabilities between the two armies across diverse operational environments. 

♦ The Indian Army contingent is being led by a Battalion of Gorkha Rifles along with troops from other arms and services.

♦ The exercise is aimed at enhancing military cooperation, improving interoperability and providing a platform for participating armies to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in the domains of sub conventional warfare in urban/ semi urban terrain.

PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two major schemes in the agriculture sector, with an outlay of Rs 35,440 crore on 11 October 2025.

♦ He launched the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana which has an outlay of Rs.24,000 crore.

♦ He also launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with an outlay of Rs.11,440 crore.

♦ The Prime Minister also inaugurated and dedicated to the nation projects valued at over Rs.5,450 crore in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, while laying the foundation stone for additional projects worth around Rs.815 crore. 

National Green Hydrogen Mission

♦ Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has formally recognised three major ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

♦ These ports are Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tamil Nadu and Paradip Port Authority in Odisha. 

♦ This recognition marks a significant step towards creating an integrated hydrogen ecosystem and advancing India’s transition towards clean energy.

♦ The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to position India as a global hub for the production, utilisation, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

♦ The Mission promotes the development of large-scale hydrogen hubs to serve as focal points for production and consumption.

National Red List Roadmap and Vision

♦ India unveiled its National Red List Roadmap and Vision for the next five years at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi to strengthen biodiversity conservation.

♦ The initiative was launched by the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh at the Asia Pavilion.

♦ The Red List will guide the country’s conservation strategy through 2030 and help identify endangered species for focused protection efforts. 

♦ India, one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, is home to four global biodiversity hotspots and thousands of endemic species, including over 20,000 marine species.

♦ The Red List initiative, aligned with IUCN global standards, will support evidence-based conservation policies and the publication of National Red Data Books by 2030. 

SAKSHAM

♦ The Indian Army has initiated procurement of the indigenous 'SAKSHAM' Counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, a cutting-edge command and control network designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralise enemy drones in real time.

♦ SAKSHAM (Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management) represents a major leap in integrated airspace control. 

♦ Developed in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, the system operates on the secure Army Data Network (ADN) and provides a unified "Recognised UAS Picture" across the newly defined Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS) - a domain extending up to 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above ground level.

Pioneering roadmap titled AI

♦ NITI Aayog on 8 October 2025 launched a Pioneering roadmap titled AI for Inclusive Societal Development, a first-of-its-kind national effort to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and frontier technologies to transform the lives and livelihoods of India’s 490 million informal workers.

♦ The report, developed in partnership with Deloitte, marks a major shift in the national AI conversation.

♦ While global discourse has often focused on white-collar jobs and the formal economy, this study centers the informal sector — which contributes nearly half of India’s GDP but remains outside formal protection and productivity systems.

♦ The study warns that without immediate, coordinated action, informal workers’ average annual income could stagnate at $6,000 by 2047—far below the $14,500 per capita target required for India to achieve high-income nation status.

Satcom Summit was inaugurated by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.

♦ Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the Satcom Summit on “Space Networks for Universal Connectivity” at the India Mobile Congress 2025 (IMC 2025) in New Delhi on 8 October 2025.

♦ Scindia said the initiative marks “the threshold of a revolution – a revolution born in the sky, carried by satellites, but destined to transform lives on the ground.”

♦ He highlighted India’s rapid digital transformation, connecting 99.9% of the population through 4.8 lakh 5G towers in just 20 months – the fastest rollout globally.

♦ Under the Universal Service Obligation Fund and Digital Bharat Nidhi, the government has set a target to connect 38,260 remote villages across difficult terrains with a total investment of Rs.40,000 crore.

♦ So far, around 29,000 villages – nearly 75% – have already been connected.

♦ With the Indian SATCOM market valued at $4.3 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2033, Scindia highlighted the sector’s economic and strategic potential.

♦ He also announced the establishment of a ₹900 crore National SATCOM Monitoring Facility to safeguard spectrum assets and enhance the security of India’s satellite gateways.

India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism

♦ The 7th meeting of the India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM) was held in New Delhi on 7 October 2025.

♦ The agenda encompassed bilateral trade and investment relationships, alongside plans to broaden the India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement.

♦ The India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement (PTA) became operational on June 1, 2009, with a restricted scope covering 450 tariff lines or products.

♦ The deliberations extended to various sectors including market access, visa regulations, and collaborative opportunities in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, chemicals, petrochemicals, MSME, banking and finance.

♦ Brazil maintains its position as India's primary trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean region.

♦ The bilateral merchandise trade reached $12.19 billion during 2024-25.

♦ Both nations aim to elevate this figure to $20 billion in the coming five years.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY)

♦ The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) has crossed a milestone in promoting household adoption of solar energy, with Public Sector Banks (PSBs) sanctioning over 5.79 lakh loan applications amounting to Rs.10,907 crore as of September 2025. 

♦ The PMSGMBY scheme, launched to encourage rooftop solar installations, is being implemented with robust financial support from PSBs through streamlined and inclusive lending mechanisms. 

♦ Loans under the scheme are processed digitally through the JanSamarth Portal, which is integrated with the National Portal for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (pmsuryaghar.gov.in). 

MY Bharat-National Service Scheme

♦ President Droupadi Murmu presented the MY Bharat-National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for the year 2022–23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 6 October 2025.

♦ The awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions of NSS volunteers, programme officers, and units across India for their commitment to social service, community development, and nation-building.

♦ Instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 1993-94, the MY Bharat-NSS Awards are conferred annually to acknowledge outstanding voluntary community service.

♦ For 2022–23, a total of 50 awards were presented – 10 NSS Units, 10 Programme Officers, and 30 NSS Volunteers – for their exemplary service and leadership.

♦ Each winning NSS Unit received Rs.2 lakh and a trophy, Programme Officers received Rs.1.5 lakh, a certificate, and a silver medal, while Volunteers were honoured with ₹1 lakh, a certificate, and a silver medal.

♦ The National Service Scheme (NSS), launched in 1969 during the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, is one of the flagship youth programmes of the Government of India.

♦ It aims to foster the personality and character development of students through voluntary community service, inspired by the Gandhian ideals of selfless service.

♦ The motto of NSS – “Not Me, But You” – reflects its core philosophy of prioritising community welfare above individual interest.

♦ Currently, the NSS has nearly 40 lakh active volunteers across the country. 

♦ The MY Bharat–NSS Awards 2022–23 honoured distinguished contributors from across India.

♦ Among the awardees in the Programme Officer/NSS Unit category were Prof. Lokesha Naik (Karnataka), Dr. Suneesh P. U. (Kerala), Dr. Karambir (Haryana), Dr. Ratna Shyamkishore Nashine (Chhattisgarh), Dr. S. Jeyakumari (Tamil Nadu), Shymal Dey (Tripura), Dr. Bhuban Ch. Chutia (Assam), Arjun Pradhan (Sikkim), Manpreet Kaur (Chandigarh), and Ng Mary Saza (Manipur).

♦ In the Volunteer category, 30 youth from various states and Union Territories were recognised, including Priyanus Hazarika (Assam), Mummula Pruthviraj (Andhra Pradesh), Ayushi Sinha (Madhya Pradesh), Yashpal (Haryana), Arunjyoti Panigrahi (Odisha), D. Reddy Jiishnu (Andhra Pradesh), Sanjaykumar Y. Biradar (Karnataka), Lakhnee Sahu (Chhattisgarh), Somit Dubey (Madhya Pradesh), P. Dinesh (Puducherry), Alok Kumar Pandey (Uttarakhand), Ujjawal Aggarwal (Chandigarh), Parul Thakur (Chandigarh), Yogesh Kumar (Haryana), Diksha Kumari (Jharkhand), Vangapally Mani Sai Varma (Telangana), Anup Biswas (West Bengal), Souvik Chatterjee (West Bengal), Pritika (Delhi), Ayush Verma (Uttarakhand), Alka Awasthi (Punjab), Doli Choudhury (Assam), Somya Prakash (Bihar), Mohd Firdoos (Jammu & Kashmir), Diwakar Anand (Jharkhand), Lalit Tiwari (Rajasthan), Anupam Das (Tripura), Debendra Acharya (Odisha), Raja Bosumotary (Arunachal Pradesh), and Ankur Kumar Mishra (Uttar Pradesh).

Indias Unified Payments Interface

♦ Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launched India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at the Lulu Mall in Doha on 6 October 2025.

♦ This marking a new milestone in digital and financial cooperation between India and Qatar.

♦ The launch symbolises growing trust across borders and aims to enhance ease of transactions for citizens and businesses in both nations.

♦ Launched nine years ago, UPI has become one of India’s biggest digital success stories, accounting for 85 percent of the country’s digital payments and nearly half of global digital transactions.

♦ With over 640 billion transactions processed annually, UPI continues to demonstrate India’s leadership in fintech innovation.

World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC)

♦ According to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the international travel and tourism sector will support 9.1 crore new jobs in the next 10 years, accounting for one in every three jobs created globally.

♦ Demographic and structural shifts could create a workforce shortfall of more than 4.3 crore people if left unaddressed, says the report, 'Future of the Travel and Tourism Workforce', which focused on 20 economies.

♦ The Council works with governments on issues of the travel and tourism industry, and is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of the sector.

♦ The report, released at the 25th WTTC Global Summit in Rome recently, is based on extensive global research, including a large-scale survey of business leaders and in-depth interviews with the tourism body's members and other key stakeholders.

♦ By 2035, global demand for workers in travel and tourism will outpace supply by more than 4.3 crore people, leaving labour availability 16 percent below required levels, it said.

♦ The report said labour challenges will affect all the 20 major economies analysed, with the largest absolute shortfalls forecast in China (1.69 crore), India (1.1 crore), and the European Union (64 lakh).

Worlds highest motorable road

♦ The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has achieved a new milestone by constructing the world’s highest motorable road at Mig La Pass in eastern Ladakh, situated at an altitude of 19,400 feet.

♦ The feat surpasses the BRO’s own previous record at Umling La (19,024 feet) and marks another breakthrough in India’s high-altitude infrastructure drive. 

♦ Built under Project Himank, the newly completed Likaru–Mig La–Fukche road strengthens India’s defence preparedness and opens new opportunities for adventure tourism.

♦ The road provides a crucial third axis from Hanle to Fukche, significantly enhancing mobility for troops and civilians in one of the most remote and strategically sensitive regions of the country.

Hurun India Rich List

♦ According to the 14th edition of the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2025, Mukesh Ambani and his family have regained the title of India’s richest, with a remarkable net worth of Rs.9.55 lakh crore.

♦ The report published by M3M India in collaboration with the Hurun Research Institute.

♦ Gautam Adani & family hold the second spot with a Rs.8.15 lakh crore wealth.

♦ Roshni Nadar Malhotra and family have entered the top three for the first time, with a net worth of Rs.2.84 lakh crore, making her the wealthiest woman in India.

♦ The report stated that, the number of billionaires jumped in India to 358 in 2025, up 24 compared to the last year (2024), adding that India’s billionaire count has jumped six times since the list’s debut 13 years ago to 350.

♦ Together, the wealth of all these billionaires adds up to Rs.167 lakh crore, which is almost half of India’s total GDP.

♦ Mumbai continues to be the top city for billionaires in India, with 451 individuals listed.

♦ It is followed by New Delhi with 223 billionaires and Bengaluru with 116.

♦ Sector-wise, the pharmaceutical industry leads, with 137 billionaires, followed by industrial products (132) and chemicals & petrochemicals (125).

♦ Hurun India Rich List 2025: Top 10 Richest Indians

PM-SETU

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled various youth-focused initiatives worth over Rs.62,000 crore on 4 October 2025.

♦ He launched PM-SETU (Prime Minister's Skill and Employment Transformation through Advanced ITIs), a centrally sponsored scheme with an investment of Rs.60,000 crore. 

♦ Under this scheme, 1,000 government ITIs across the country will be upgraded to a hub-and-spoke model, comprising 200 hub ITIs and 800 spoke ITIs.

♦ Each hub will be connected to an average of four spokes, creating clusters equipped with advanced infrastructure, modern trades, digital learning systems, and incubation facilities.

Indias first private sector helicopter final assembly line

♦ Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will set up India’s first private sector helicopter final assembly line (FAL) to build the Airbus H125 in Vemagal, Karnataka.

♦ The delivery of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected in early 2027.

♦ The helicopter will be available for exports in the South Asian region as well.

♦ The H125 helicopter will help develop new civil and para-public market segments and also meet the Indian armed forces' requirement for a light multi-role helicopter, especially on the Himalayan frontiers, says Airbus. 

♦ The H125 final assembly line is the second Airbus aircraft assembly plant Tata Advanced Systems is building in India, after the C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara.

♦ Tata Advanced Systems is the first private sector company in India to build helicopters to bolster both civil and defence requirements of India.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 1 October 2025, approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season.

♦ The sharpest hike has been announced for safflower, with an increase of Rs.600 per quintal, followed by lentil (masur) at Rs.300 per quintal.

♦ The MSP of rapeseed and mustard has been raised by Rs.250 per quintal, gram by Rs.225 per quintal, barley by Rs.170 per quintal, and wheat by Rs.160 per quintal.

♦ The Union Cabinet also approved the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing India’s dependence on imports.

♦ The six-year programme, running from 2025-26 to 2030-31, carries a financial outlay of Rs.11,440 crore.

♦ The Cabinet has approved the opening of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under the civil sector across the country.

♦ The total estimated cost for setting up these 57 KVs is approximately Rs.5,862.55 crore over nine years from 2026-27. 

Department of Youth Affairs (DoYA)

♦ Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the MY Bharat Mobile Application on 1 October 2025, to strengthen youth engagement and leadership through technology.

♦ Developed by the Digital India Corporation (DIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the app is part of the MY Bharat platform, an online youth leadership and social engagement initiative of the Department of Youth Affairs (DoYA).

♦ The mobile application, currently available in Hindi and English, is designed to provide seamless access to volunteering, internships, mentorship, and learning opportunities.