NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Government to Issue ₹200 Commemorative Coin Marking 200th Anniversary of Rani Channamma’s Victory at Kittur: The Government of India will issue a ₹200 commemorative coin marking the 200th anniversary of Rani Channamma’s Victory at Kittur (1824–2024) — one of the earliest armed resistances against the British East India Company, predating the 1857 revolt.The circular coin, with a 44 mm diameter and 200 serrations, will be made of a quaternary alloy — silver (50%), copper (40%), nickel (5%), and zinc (5%). The obverse side features the Lion Capital of Ashoka, “Satyamev Jayate,” “Bharat,” “India,” and the denomination “₹200.”The reverse side of the coin will depict Rani Channamma’s image with the years 1824 and 2024 on either side. The upper periphery will read “200th Anniversary of Rani Channamma’s Victory at Kittur” in Devanagari, and the lower periphery in English.Rani Channamma of Kittur (born 1778, died 1829) fought bravely against the British East India Company after it denied the legitimacy of her adopted son under the Doctrine of Lapse. Her initial victory in 1824 became a symbol of early Indian resistance to colonial rule.
2. India’s Drug Watchdog Launches Digital Tracker for High-Risk Cough Syrup Ingredients: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched a digital monitoring system on the ONDLS portal to oversee the production, movement, and quality of high-risk ingredients used in drug formulations, particularly cough syrups.The system aims to track the supply chain, quality checks, and testing of high-risk solvents to ensure safer manufacturing and regulatory compliance across all states and union territories.High-risk ingredients monitored under this initiative include glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, maltitol, and ethyl alcohol, among others.
3. India Re-elected as Vice-Chairperson of COP10 Bureau, Reaffirms Commitment to Clean Sport: India actively participated in the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP10) to the International Convention against Doping in Sport held from 20–22 October 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention.During the meeting, India was re-elected as Vice-Chairperson of the COP10 Bureau for the Asia-Pacific (Group IV) for the term 2025–2027, reaffirming its commitment to promoting integrity and eliminating doping in sport.The Indian delegation, led by Shri Hari Ranjan Rao (Secretary, Sports) and Shri Anant Kumar (DG, NADA), engaged with delegates from over 190 States Parties, as well as representatives from the African Union, International Olympic Committee, WADA, and other international organizations.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 24–30 October – Disarmament Week: Disarmament Week is observed annually from 24th to 30th October to raise awareness about the importance of peace, disarmament, and the reduction of weapons globally.The week emphasises the need for nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the responsible use of technology to ensure global security.Organized under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), it encourages nations to cooperate internationally to prevent conflicts and promote peaceful conflict resolution.
2. 24–31 October – Global Media and Information Literacy Week: Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week is observed annually from 24th to 31st October to promote the responsible use and understanding of media and information worldwide.The week emphasises developing critical skills to access, evaluate, and create information, fostering media literacy, digital literacy, and ethical information practices.Theme 2025 – Minds Over AI – MIL in Digital Spaces
3. 24 October – World Development Information Day: World Development Information Day is observed annually on 24 October to raise awareness about global development issues and the role of information and communication in promoting development.The day emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and information to support sustainable development, economic growth, and international cooperation.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. 14th India-Bhutan Border Management and Security Meeting held in Thimphu: The 14th India-Bhutan Meeting on Border Management and Security was held in Thimphu, Bhutan, with the Indian delegation led by Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Secretary, Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs.The Indian delegation included officials from Sashastra Seema Bal, Land Ports Authority of India, Department of Telecommunications, Narcotics Control Bureau, Survey of India, Customs, and representatives from Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, while Bhutan was represented by Mr. Sonam Wangyel, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens Rapidly near Perihelion: Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS brightened markedly as it swung behind the sun, with researchers and skilled amateurs using multiple spacecraft to follow its progress up to perihelion on Thursday, 29 October. Though out of direct terrestrial view while near the sun, the object’s activity was captured in coronagraph imagery and heliophysics missions designed to monitor the solar environment. Observers leveraged space-based assets to overcome the comet’s solar glare. With 3I/ATLAS hidden from ground-based telescopes, coronagraphs and wide-field imagers traced its motion across the inner heliosphere. The behind-the-sun geometry temporarily prevented visual follow-up from Earth, but spacecraft vantage points provided continuous coverage until it moved out of instrument fields of view.
2. Atlas Moth Recorded in Karnataka: A rare Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), among the world’s largest moths, has been recorded from the Karwar region of coastal Karnataka, highlighting rich monsoon biodiversity across the Western Ghats. The species is native to Asian tropical forests and occurs in India, including the Western Ghats belt. The observation from coastal Karnataka aligns with the Atlas Moth’s known Indian range, which includes humid evergreen and semi-evergreen forests where host plants are plentiful. Similar Western Ghats records have been documented by Indian naturalists, indicating sporadic but recurring presence during the rainy season. Such sightings often follow heavy showers when adults emerge and rest on trunks, walls or shrubs. Attacus atlas is famed for sheer size. Females commonly span about 25–27 cm across, and exceptional individuals approach 30 cm. Its total wing area is among the largest in Lepidoptera. The rust-brown wings carry bold white and black markings, while the forewing tips resemble snake heads, a likely predator deterrent. Females tend to be larger and heavier; males are slightly smaller but appear broader-winged in flight.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. DPIIT signs MoUs with Primus Partners and Kotak Mahindra Bank to strengthen India’s startup and innovation ecosystem: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Commerce and Industry Ministry signed an MoU with Primus Partners Pvt. Ltd. to boost collaboration for strengthening India’s startup and innovation ecosystem, focusing on capacity building, mentorship, market access, and policy awareness.DPIIT also signed a separate MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. to enhance financial and non-financial support for startups, including customised banking solutions, credit access, digital infrastructure, and startup-focused programs.These partnerships aim to foster an innovation-led and self-reliant economy, empowering startups through structured engagement, technology integration, and inclusive growth to position India as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
2. NBA releases ₹1.36 crore to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh for biodiversity conservation and benefit sharing: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹1.36 crore to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, promoting fair benefit sharing and biodiversity conservation.The funds will be distributed through State Biodiversity Boards to three Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) — Sakharwadi (Satara), Kunjirwadi (Pune), and Kasganj (Etah), each receiving ₹45.50 lakh.The release represents an Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payment from a commercial entity that utilized microorganisms for producing Fructo-oligosaccharides products. This initiative supports India’s National Biodiversity Target 13 under the NBSAP 2024–2030, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (CoP-15) to ensure conservation and community prosperity.
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