NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Ministry of Civil Aviation Celebrates 9th Anniversary of UDAN: The Ministry of Civil Aviation celebrated the 9th anniversary of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) in New Delhi, highlighting its role in making air travel affordable and accessible for common citizens.Since its launch on 21st October 2016, UDAN has operationalised 649 routes connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, serving over 1.56 crore passengers through 3.23 lakh flights.The Government has supported UDAN through Viability Gap Funding of over Rs. 4,300 crore and Rs. 4,638 crore invested in airport development, with recent initiatives including Comprehensive Guidelines for Seaplane Operations (Aug 2024) and UDAN 5.5 for seaplanes and helicopters.The Ministry plans to continue UDAN beyond April 2027 under an Expanded UDAN Framework, focusing on hilly, North-Eastern, and aspirational regions, aiming to develop around 120 new destinations, promoting inclusive and sustainable air connectivity.
2. Coal India & IIT Madras Join Hands to Establish Centre for Sustainable Energy: Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed an MoU with IIT Madras to set up the “Centre for Sustainable Energy”, which will act as a hub for advanced research and development in sustainable energy technologies.The Centre, supported by CIL’s funding, aims to develop low-carbon technologies, repurpose coal mines, and redefine coal as a feedstock for India’s clean energy future, aligning with CIL’s diversification goals.This collaboration highlights a shared vision of accelerating India’s energy transition through indigenous innovation and research, contributing to the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2070.
3. Piyush Goyal Leads India’s Delegation at XVIth UNCTAD Session in Geneva: Union Minister Piyush Goyal led the Indian delegation at the 16th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XVI) in Geneva, where he delivered India’s national statement and participated in major global trade discussions.Established in 1964, UNCTAD aims to promote the integration of developing nations into the global economy through policies focused on trade, investment, and sustainable development.In his address, Goyal highlighted India’s economic transformation, noting that India has become one of the top five global economies and the fastest-growing large economy with an average 7% annual growth rate over the past three years.
He emphasized India’s achievement in lifting millions out of poverty, strengthening the middle class, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable global growth, resonating with UNCTAD XVI’s theme — “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Development.”
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Upgrades Technical Mission in Kabul to Embassy : India restored the status of its Technical Mission in Kabul to that of an Embassy, emphasizing the commitment to deepen bilateral engagement with Afghanistan in all areas of mutual interest.The decision was announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, who visited India.The Embassy of India in Kabul will enhance India’s contribution to Afghanistan’s comprehensive development, including humanitarian assistance, capacity-building initiatives, public infrastructure, healthcare, and earthquake rehabilitation.
2. Dragon Ball’s Goku Voice Actor Masako Nozawa Becomes Japan’s First Voice Performer Named Person of Cultural Merit’: Masako Nozawa, the legendary voice of Goku in Dragon Ball, has become the first voice actor to receive Japan’s prestigious Person of Cultural Merit recognition.The award, announced by Nippon TV, honors her exceptional contribution to Japanese culture and includes a lifelong pension of 3.5 million yen per year.At 88 years old with a career spanning over six decades, Nozawa will attend the official ceremony on November 3 in Tokyo, alongside other distinguished honorees.
3. 24 October – United Nations Day: United Nations Day is celebrated every year on 24 October to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the UN in 1945, when the UN Charter came into effect.The day highlights the UN’s mission of maintaining international peace, promoting human rights, and encouraging global cooperation for sustainable development.First observed in 1948, and in 1971, the UN General Assembly recommended that the day be observed as an international public holiday.The UN Charter was signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945 and came into force on 24 October 1945, after ratification by the five permanent members of the Security Council.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Global Firepower Index 2025: World’s Strongest Militaries Revealed: The Global Firepower (GFP) Index 2025 presents a detailed analysis of the world’s most powerful armed forces. Covering more than 60 assessment factors — from manpower and defence budgets to logistics and technology — it evaluates each nation’s ability to project and sustain military strength. A lower Power Index (PwrIndx) score signifies greater overall capability, reflecting modernisation trends and global strategic realignments. The United States continues to lead the GFP 2025 rankings, maintaining its position as the most powerful military in the world. With a defence budget surpassing $860 billion and a vast global base network, America’s superiority extends across land, sea, air, and cyber domains. Advanced assets such as F-35 fighter jets, nuclear submarines, andspace-based systems give it unmatched power projection and deterrence. Its global influence remains unparalleled, sustained by continuous innovation and strategic reach.
SPORTS
1. Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra Honoured with Lieutenant Colonel Rank in Indian Army: Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was officially conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army at a special ceremony in New Delhi, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.Born in Khandra village, Panipat (Haryana), Neeraj joined the Indian Army in 2016 and has served with The Rajputana Rifles, bringing immense national pride through his outstanding athletic achievements.He made history by becoming India’s first Olympic gold medalist in track and field (Tokyo 2020), later adding a silver at Paris 2024 and a gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, along with multiple wins at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League.In recognition of his exceptional contributions, President Droupadi Murmu granted him the honorary commission on April 16, 2025; his personal best throw of 90.23m (2025) stands as a milestone in Indian sports, and he holds numerous national honors including the Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Award.
2. Goa CM Unveils Official Logo & Anthem for FIDE Chess World Cup 2025: Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant unveiled the official logo and anthem for the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, with the anthem sung by Daler Mehndi and the logo reflecting Goa’s culture and the game of chess.Highlighting chess as a tool to develop focus, strategic thinking, and leadership among students, the CM urged schools and colleges in Goa to integrate chess into their educational curriculum.The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, returning to India after 23 years, will be held in Goa from October 31 to November 17, featuring 206 players from 82 countries and a total prize pool of $2 million, including top players like Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, and Wesley So.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India–UK Launch Ramanujan Research Fellowship for Young Scientists: India and the United Kingdom have jointly launched the Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme, a new initiative to promote scientific collaboration between young physicists and mathematicians from both nations.Supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), the programme was announced after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India, drawing inspiration from Srinivasa Ramanujan’s 1913 collaboration with G.H. Hardy.In the first phase, up to six PhD students from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) will visit the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS) for research and lectures.The second phase will introduce Ramanujan Junior Fellowships — three-year positions at LIMS for early-career Indian researchers, allowing them to engage in advanced theoretical research alongside British scientists at the Royal Institution, Mayfair.
2. India Launches SOAR Programme to Build an AI-Ready Generation: The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme, launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in July 2025, aims to integrtate AI learning into school education, preparing students and teachers for a rapidly evolving digital world.SOAR targets students from classes 6–12 with three 15-hour modules and teachers with a 45-hour module, covering foundational AI, machine learning, data literacy, and ethical technology use, fostering curiosity and responsible innovation.Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Skill India Mission, the initiative addresses growing demand for AI-skilled professionals across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and education, while supporting vocational training programmes such as PMKVY 4.0 and NAPS-2.The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹500 crore to establish a Centre of Excellence in AI for Education, focusing on AI-based learning tools, multilingual resources, innovative classroom practices, and strengthening curriculum development across schools and technical institutions.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. National Biodiversity Authority Releases ₹67 Lakh to Dapur BMC for Equitable Benefit Sharing: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹67 lakh to the Dapur Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) in Sinnar Taluk, Nashik (Maharashtra), through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board, ensuring equitable benefit sharing with local communities.The payment represents Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) revenue earned from a company that used microorganisms from Dapur’s soil to develop probiotic supplements, as per Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act and Maharashtra Biological Diversity Rules.Established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the NBA safeguards India’s biological resources and ensures fair benefit distribution to local custodians—advancing India’s vision of sustainable and inclusive biodiversity management that links conservation with community welfare.
No comments:
Post a Comment