NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Arulmigu Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram to Hold
Grand Consecration on December 8 After 17 Years: The Arulmigu
Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, will hold its
consecration ceremony on December 8, 2025, after a 17-year gap, as announced by
the state’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P.K. Sekar
Babu.The 1,300-year-old temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, received
patronage from the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara dynasties and is renowned
for its tall Dravidian-style gateway tower.Due to 34 extensive renovation works
costing around ₹28 crore, the consecration was delayed beyond the traditional
12-year cycle; restoration was carried out under strict preservation
guidelines.In Turkey’s Denizli region, archaeologists unearthed a
2,700-year-old temple dedicated to the ‘Mother Goddess’, featuring a monumental
structure, ritual cave, and twin stone statues reflecting Phrygian spiritual
and artistic traditions.
2. GST Reforms Set to Boost Jharkhand’s Industrial Growth
and Unlock Economic Potential: Jharkhand, formed in 2000, is rich in natural resources with vast
iron ore reserves, strong steel and heavy engineering industries, and 29%
forest cover, one of the highest in India.As a tribal-dominated state,
Jharkhand’s economy also relies heavily on agriculture and allied sectors,
providing livelihood to a large share of its population.The recent GST
reforms have introduced significant tax rate reductions across key industries,
unlocking Jharkhand’s economic growth potential and boosting industrial competitiveness.Jharkhand
contributes 20–25% of India’s steel output, hosting major hubs like Jamshedpur
(Tata Steel) and Bokaro (SAIL), supporting over 1 lakh workers and a strong
MSME and vendor network in metal and engineering sectors.
3. Gurugram Launches India’s First QR Code-Based Traffic
Challan Payment Kiosk: Gurugram becomes the first city in India to launch a QR
code-based kiosk for digital payment of traffic challans, simplifying and
speeding up the process.The kiosk, set up at Ambience Mall, was developed
jointly by Gurugram Police and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority
under a CSR initiative.Drivers can check and pay outstanding challans by
entering their vehicle number and scanning a QR code; however, court-pending or
90+ days overdue challans cannot be paid through it.Similar kiosks will soon be
installed at other high-footfall locations, aiming to ease police workload and
enhance citizen convenience using digital technology.
4. 13 October – Breast Cancer Awareness Day: Breast Cancer Awareness
Day is observed on 13 October each year to raise awareness about
breast cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.The day emphasises the
importance of regular screening, self-examination, and timely medical
intervention to reduce mortality rates.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India, EFTA Sign Landmark TEPA to Unlock $100 Billion
Investment and Create 1 Million Jobs: India and EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and
Liechtenstein) signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement
(TEPA) on 10 March 2024, which came into effect on 1 October 2025, marking
India’s first FTA with developed European nations.The agreement includes a $100
billion investment and 1 million job creation commitment over 15 years — the
first binding pledge of its kind in any Indian FTA.TEPA enhances market access,
technology cooperation, and sustainability, while protecting key sectors like
dairy, soya, coal, and agriculture, and promoting services trade through
professional mobility and digital delivery.
2. Monu Ratra Appointed as CEO of Capri Global Capital: Monu Ratra, former CEO of
IIFL Home Finance, is set to join Capri Global Capital as the new
Chief Executive Officer (CEO).At Capri Global, he will oversee overall
operations and lead the company’s medium-term growth strategy, reporting
directly to MD and promoter Rajesh Sharma.Capri Global Capital, a
retail-focused NBFC with ₹24,753 crore AUM and 0.56 million customers, offers
loans in MSME, gold, construction, and housing segments through its subsidiary,
Capri Global Housing Finance.
3. 13 October – International Day for Disaster Risk
Reduction:
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is observed
on 13 October every year to promote a global culture of disaster
prevention, mitigation, and preparedness.The day aims to raise awareness about
reducing vulnerabilities and risks associated with natural and man-made
disasters.Theme 2025 – Fund Resilience, Not Disasters
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Fourth Edition of India-Australia Joint Military
Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025 to Commence in Perth: The fourth edition of
India-Australia joint military Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025 will
begin in Perth, Australia, with a 120-member Indian Army contingent led by a
Battalion of Gorkha Rifles participating from various arms and services.The
exercise aims to enhance military cooperation, improve interoperability, and
allow participating armies to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures in
sub-conventional warfare in urban or semi-urban terrain, focusing on joint
company-level operations in open and semi-desert areas.AUSTRAHIND 2025 will
provide an opportunity to hone operational capabilities, integrate emerging
technologies, and operate jointly in a combat environment, thereby
strengthening defence cooperation and camaraderie between Indian and Australian
Army troops.
2. Hamas–Doghmush Conflict, 2025: The Hamas–Doghmush conflict 2025 is a
violent armed clashes that erupted in October 2025 between the Hamas movement,
which governs the Gaza
Strip, and the Doghmush
clan, one of Gaza’s most powerful and influential families. The
confrontation occurred shortly after a ceasefire temporarily halted the
Gaza war and marked one of the most severe internal Palestinian armed conflicts
in recent years. The fighting centred mainly in the Tel al-Hawa and Sabra neighbourhoods
of Gaza City,
resulting in significant casualties, widespread displacement of civilians, and
renewed concerns over Hamas’s internal security measures during the fragile
post-war period. Since seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Hamas has periodically
launched crackdowns against individuals and groups accused of collaborating with Israel or
challenging its authority. The group’s military courts have
conducted summary
trials and executions of alleged collaborators, acts
repeatedly condemned by international human rights organisations as extrajudicial killings.
Hamas, however, has justified these actions as essential to maintaining
internal order and national security.
In the months preceding the 2025 conflict, Gaza
had endured extensive devastation due to the 2024–2025 Gaza war,
after which a ceasefire
agreement took effect in October 2025.
According to regional and international reports, immediately following the
ceasefire, Hamas redeployed nearly 7,000
fighters to reassert control over the Strip, re-establish
security institutions, and arrest individuals suspected of dissent or
espionage. Dozens of people were detained, including members of rival political
factions and clans hostile to Hamas.
SPORTS
1. Smriti Mandhana Creates History with Five Consecutive
50+ Scores Against Multiple Opponents in Women’s ODIs: Smriti
Mandhana returned to top form in the ongoing Women’s World
Cup against Australia, scoring 80 runs off 66 balls and achieving multiple
world records, including being the fastest to 5000 ODI runs and the first
batter to score over 1000 runs in a calendar year.She became the first player
in the world to record five consecutive 50-plus scores against multiple
opponents in ODIs, with her latest streak achieved against Australia.Over the
last five innings against Australia, Mandhana has scored 485 runs, including
three centuries, an 80, and a 58, with this run beginning at the WACA in Perth
in December last year.
2. Sachin Tendulkar Launches ‘TEN x YOU’ Sportswear Brand
to Inspire a Sport-Playing India: Sachin Tendulkar launched his new
sportswear and athleisure brand “TEN x YOU” under SRT10 Athleisure Pvt.
Ltd., co-founded with Karthik Gurumurthy and Karan Arora, aimed initially
at cricket players and later for all sports enthusiasts.The brand focuses on
India-specific designs, considering factors like wider feet, diverse body
structures, and climate conditions, offering products tested for comfort,
durability, and style across all playing levels.TEN x YOU plans to target ₹4–5
crore monthly revenue initially, aiming for ₹30–35 crore within 18 months, with
future export plans, and shoe prices ranging from ₹5,000–₹9,000 per pair.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. EY India and Microsoft Launch Free ‘AI Skills
Passport’ Programme to Bridge India’s AI Talent Gap: EY
India has partnered with Microsoft to launch the AI Skills
Passport, a free online programme aimed at providing quality AI education for
learners aged 16 and above.The initiative seeks to equip students and early-career
professionals with job-ready AI skills, following its global launch which saw
over 40,000 enrolments and 13,000 completions.With only 31% of Indian
professionals feeling adequately prepared to use AI tools (as per Nasscom), the
programme aims to bridge the AI skills gap and support India’s growing demand
for skilled AI talent in the digital economy.
2. Indian Railways to Collaborate with MapmyIndia’s
Mappls App to Boost Swadeshi Digital Infrastructure: Indian Railways is
set to sign an MoU with MapmyIndia to integrate its Mappls navigation
app into the railway network, promoting the government’s “Har Ghar Swadeshi”
initiative.The collaboration aims to enhance operational efficiency and safety
in Indian Railways by leveraging a comprehensive indigenous navigation
system.This partnership represents a broader push for self-reliant digital
infrastructure, supporting local technology companies and demonstrating
public-private collaboration for national development.
3. GalaxEye to Launch India’s Largest Privately Built
Multi-Sensor EO Satellite ‘Mission Drishti’ in 2026: GalaxEye plans to
launch ‘Mission Drishti’, the world’s first multi-sensor Earth Observation
(EO) satellite, in the first quarter of 2026, marking India’s largest privately
built satellite weighing 160 kg.Mission Drishti integrates Synthetic Aperture
Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical payloads on a single platform,
enabling all-weather, real-time Earth observation.This launch initiates
GalaxEye’s satellite constellation program, with 8–12 satellites planned to be
launched successively until 2029 for near-real-time global EO applications.The
satellite will support governments, defence agencies, and industries in border
surveillance, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, and
financial/insurance assessment.GalaxEye’s proprietary Sync Fused Opto-SAR
technology aims to revolutionise Earth observation, transforming space
technology into actionable intelligence for businesses, governments, and
communities.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. PM Modi Launches Rs 35,440 Crore
Agriculture Schemes: The
Government of India launched two agricultural schemes in 2025. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi revealed the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for
Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. These initiatives aim to boost productivity,
strengthen rural economies, and enhance farmers’ incomes across the country.
The schemes come with a combined investment of over Rs 35,000 crore and target
100 specially selected districts. The PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana focuses on
crop diversification, sustainable farming, irrigation, storage, and credit
availability. It integrates 36 government schemes for a unified approach. The
Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission aims to increase pulse production by expanding
cultivation area and improving procurement and processing. It targets
nutritional security and benefits nearly two crore pulse farmers.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt Win 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics for Innovation-Driven Growth: Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt won the 2025 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their work on innovation-driven economic growth.Mokyr highlighted the importance of scientific explanations for innovations, while Aghion and Howitt developed the concept of creative destruction, showing how new products replace older ones and drive growth.The Economics Nobel, officially called the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, has been awarded 56 times since 1968, with only three women among the laureates.
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