NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Ministry of Minority Affairs Launches Centre for Jain
Studies at DAVV Indore under PMJVK to Promote Heritage Languages: The Ministry of
Minority Affairs is supporting universities nationwide to establish
Centres of Excellence for promoting and preserving heritage and classical
languages under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) initiative.As
part of the programme, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore, inaugurated
its Centre for Jain Studies, approved at a cost of ₹27.16 crore, during a
National Seminar on “Jainism and Indian Knowledge System” attended by senior
officials and ministers.Ministry officials encouraged the use of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and digital tools for research and preservation, with similar
Centres of Excellence already operational at University of Mumbai and Gujarat
University for Pali, Prakrit, and Avesta Pahlavi studies, aiming to integrate
traditional wisdom with modern learning.
2. DTNBWED and UPBOCWWB Collaborate to Empower Uttar
Pradesh Construction Workers through Skill Development Training: The Dattopant
Thengadi National Board for Workers Education & Development
(DTNBWED) signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh Building and Other
Construction Workers Welfare Board (UPBOCWWB) to empower construction
workers through skill development under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
programme.In Phase 1, DTNBWED will implement 120-hour RPL training for 1,00,000
registered construction workers across 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh, aligning
skills with NCVET standards, followed by assessment and certification, with
plans to expand to 2,00,000 workers in subsequent phases.This collaboration
strengthens the commitment of DTNBWED and UPBOCWWB to enhance employability,
skill recognition, and social security for workers in the unorganised
construction sector, marking a significant step in workforce capacity building
in Uttar Pradesh.
3. India Drops to 85th in 2025 Henley
Passport Index: The
2025 Henley Passport
Index reveals shifts in
global travel freedom. India’s passport rank has dropped to 85th, granting visa-free
access to 57 countries. This marks a decline from 59 countries last year. The
index ranks 199 passports worldwide by the number of destinations accessible
without a visa. Singapore leads with access to 193 countries, reflecting Asia’s
rising influence in global mobility. The Henley Passport Index, launched in
2005, ranks passports based on visa-free travel access. It updates annually to
reflect changes in international visa policies. The index measures the freedom
ordinary citizens have to travel globally without prior visa arrangements. It
is widely used to gauge diplomatic relations and travel openness. India slipped
five places to 85th in 2025. Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 57
countries, down from 59 in 2024. The ranking has fluctuated over the years,
peaking at 71 in 2006 and dipping to 90 in 2021. Visa-free countries include
Bhutan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally,
visas on arrival are available in 27 countries such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Jordan,
and Qatar.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Showcases Global Leadership in Spice Standards
at 8th Codex Committee Session Held in Guwahati: The 8th Session of the
Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH)
began in Guwahati, Assam, reinforcing India’s leadership in global
spice standardisation.The event, organised by the Spices Board under the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, brought together 81 delegates from 27
countries to discuss harmonised international standards for spices and culinary
herbs.Established in 2013 at India’s initiative, the Codex Committee on Spices
and Culinary Herbs operates under the Codex Alimentarius Commission of FAO and
WHO, with India (through the Spices Board) serving as its Secretariat.
2. 16th WHO–IRCH Annual Meeting Commences in Jakarta to
Boost Global Collaboration on Herbal Medicine Regulation: The 16th WHO–IRCH
Annual Meeting is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 14–16
October 2025, to strengthen global cooperation on herbal medicine
regulation.The meeting focuses on harmonising regulatory frameworks and
enhancing international collaboration to ensure the safety, quality, and
efficacy of herbal medicines.India’s delegation, led by Dr. Raghu Arackal
(Advisor, Ayurveda, Ministry of Ayush), includes Dr. Raman Mohan Singh (DDG
& Director, PCIM&H) and Dr. Mahesh Dadhich (CEO, NMPB), showcasing India’s
leadership in traditional medicine integration.A major highlight was the
release of the Proceedings of the WHO–IRCH Workshops on “Safety and Regulation”
and “Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines”, organised by WHO and
the Ministry of Ayush in Ghaziabad, India (6–8 August 2025).
3. 15 October – International Day of Rural Women: International Day of
Rural Women is observed annually on 15 October to recognise the
vital role of women in rural areas in agriculture, food production, and rural
development.The day highlights the challenges faced by rural women, such as
poverty, limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities,
while celebrating their resilience and leadership.Theme 2025 – The Rise of
Rural Women: Building Resilient Futures with Beijing+30 Established by the
United Nations General Assembly in 2007, the day encourages governments,
organizations, and communities to invest in initiatives that support and
empower rural women worldwide.
4. 15 October – World White Cane Day: World White Cane
Day is observed annually on 15 October to recognise the
achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and to highlight the
importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence.Theme 2025
– Modernisation of the White Cane – Development of Visually Impaired
PersonsThe white cane empowers visually impaired individuals by providing
mobility, safety, and self-confidence, allowing them to navigate their
surroundings independently.First celebrated in the United States in 1964, World
White Cane Day now serves as an international observance advocating for the
rights, empowerment, and inclusion of visually impaired individuals.
5. 15 October – World Students’ Day: World Students’
Day is observed annually on 15 October to honour the birth
anniversary of former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and to recognise
the achievements and potential of students worldwide.Theme 2025
– Empowering Students as Agents of Innovation and ChangeThe day emphasizes
the importance of education, innovation, and youth empowerment, encouraging
students to pursue knowledge, creativity, and leadership skills.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India–South Korea Inaugural Naval Bilateral Exercise
Kicks Off at Busan to Strengthen Strategic Maritime Partnership: The inaugural
India–South Korea naval bilateral exercise began at Busan Naval Base,
with INS Sahyadri participating to strengthen navy-to-navy cooperation and
deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.The exercise
includes harbour and sea phases, featuring cross-deck visits, professional
exchanges, sports fixtures, cross-training, and complex joint manoeuvres
between INS Sahyadri and ROKS Gyeongnam to enhance interoperability and
operational synergy.The exercise reflects India’s commitment to the
Indo-Pacific as a responsible maritime stakeholder, promoting shared interests,
common values, and laying the foundation for future larger-scale naval
engagements with South Korea.
2. India Extends Astra Mark 2 Missile Range
Beyond 200 km: India’s
Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO has announced plans to
extend the Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile range to over 200 kilometres. This
development follows recent aerial conflicts and aims to strengthen India’s
indigenous beyond visual range (BVR) combat capabilities. The Defence Ministry
is set to discuss acquiring around 700 of these missiles for integration with
Sukhoi and Light Combat Aircraft fleets. The Astra Mark 2 missile will have a
range exceeding 200 kilometres, surpassing earlier targets of 160 kilometres.
This increase places India among a select group of countries in the region with
advanced long-range BVR missile technology. The extended range enables Indian
fighter jets to engage enemy aircraft from greater distances, enhancing pilot
safety and operational effectiveness.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. IndiaAI Launches ₹2.5 Crore Face Authentication
Challenge to Strengthen Exam Integrity and Promote Ethical AI Innovation: IndiaAI, under
the Digital India Corporation, launched the Face Authentication
Challenge on 14 October 2025, inviting startups to create secure and
scalable AI-based facial verification systems to prevent impersonation and
duplicate entries in public exams.
The challenge carries a ₹2.5 crore prize pool, with
the top two teams eligible for a two-year contract and up to ₹1 crore for final
deployment of their solutions.The initiative builds on the success of the
AI-based facial recognition pilot conducted by UPSC and NeGD during NDA and CDS
exams in September, which reduced verification time to 8–10 seconds per
candidate.Applications remain open till 25 October 2025 on indiaai.gov.in,
aligning with the ₹10,372 crore IndiaAI Mission aimed at promoting ethical,
responsible, and inclusive AI innovation across sectors.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Centre Extends Tenure of 16th Finance Commission to
November 30 for Final Report Submission: The government has extended
the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission by one month, now set to
submit its report by November 30, 2025, instead of the original October 31
deadline.The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by former NITI Aayog
vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya, was constituted on December 31, 2023, and will
make recommendations on tax distribution between the Centre and states for five
years starting April 1, 2026.The Commission consists of four members, assisted
by Secretary Ritvik Pandey, two joint secretaries, and one economic advisor,
including full-time members Annie George Mathew and Manoj Panda and part-time
members Soumya Kanti Ghosh (SBI) and T Rabi Sankar (RBI).
2. IMF Raises India’s FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.6%: The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised India’s GDP growth forecast for
FY26 by 20 basis points to 6.6%, citing a strong first quarter
that offset the impact of the US rate hike, and also revised FY27 growth to 6.2%.The
World Bank recently revised India’s FY26 GDP forecast to 6.5% (up from 6.3%)
while slightly lowering FY27 growth to 6.3%, noting that India is expected to
remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy driven by strong consumption
growth.The Economic Survey projects FY26 GDP growth between 6.3% and 6.8%,
while the IMF also raised global growth for 2025 to 3.2%, keeping the 2026
global growth forecast unchanged at 3.1%.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. TCIL Wins HR Excellence Award at Fortune Leadership Awards 2025 for Outstanding People-Centric Reforms and Innovation: Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a Miniratna Schedule ‘A’ PSU under the Department of Telecommunications, received the HR Excellence Award at the Fortune Leadership Awards 2025, held at Radisson Blu Plaza, Delhi, for its outstanding HR innovation, employee development, and inclusivity.Between 2021 and 2025, TCIL implemented major HR reforms under Mission Karmayogi, including function-wise restructuring, merit-based promotions, performance-linked management systems, reward mechanisms, and digitisation initiatives like E-Office and ERP.The company focused strongly on skill enhancement, with 58 executives earning global certifications in areas such as cybersecurity, networking, and auditing, boosting efficiency and delivery in high-value telecom and IT projects.
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