NATIONAL UPDATES:
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.
3. Tarun Kumar Pithode appointed as new full-time Member Secretary of CAQM: IAS officer Tarun Kumar Pithode (2009 batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre) has taken charge as the new full-time Member Secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas.He previously served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and has been appointed to this post for a five-year tenure till 8 September 2029, or until further orders.Pithode succeeds Arvind Kumar Nautiyal (IRSME, 1992 batch) as the new Member Secretary of CAQM, which plays a key role in tackling air pollution in the National Capital Region.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Rajnath Singh Proposes India-Asean Defence Think Tank Forum: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for the creation of a dedicated forum linking India and ASEAN defence think tanks to boost strategic cooperation and tackle emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The proposal was made during the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Singh proposed an institutionalised dialogue platform to promote collaboration among defence experts, academics, and policy researchers from India and ASEAN nations. He said the initiative would enhance mutual understanding, drive capacity-building, and stimulate innovative policy ideas for regional security. ASEAN partners were invited to nominate leading defence institutions and experts for the proposed forum. Emphasising the Indo-Pacific’s strategic significance, Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to ASEAN’s central role in ensuring peace and stability. He said the ASEAN-India partnership would continue to act as a “strong pillar of stability” amid global uncertainties. Singh highlighted shared economic progress and urged the early conclusion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement to deepen economic ties.
2. IIT Madras Hybrid-Rocket VTOL Soft-Landing Breakthrough: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have reported a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) milestone using hybrid rocket thrusters. By coupling a live hybrid motor to a real-time simulation, the team demonstrated controlled descent and soft-landing conditions—an essential capability for planetary probes, VTOL aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Hybrid rockets pair a solid fuel grain with a liquid or gaseous oxidiser. This architecture offers throttleability, restart, and rapid shutdown with simpler plumbing than liquid engines and greater safety than solids. The study positions hybrids as an alternative VTOL descent solution where precise thrust modulation near the ground is crucial yet system complexity must remain low. A hardware-in-the-loop framework linked a working hybrid thruster to a high-fidelity vehicle and environment model. Control algorithms varied thrust to track target descent rates and reduce touchdown velocity. Tests showed stable throttle response, repeatable deceleration profiles, and terminal speeds within soft-landing envelopes. The setup validated key dynamics—time lag, thrust ramp rates, and attitude-coupled descent control—required for safe vertical landings.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. 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.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. ICICI Bank Pledges Rs 625 Crore for Cancer Care: ICICI Bank, India’s second-largest private sector lender, announced a donation of Rs 625 crore to build an 11-storey building at Tata Memorial Centre’s (TMC) Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Navi Mumbai, as part of its Rs 1,800 crore commitment to construct three facilities nationwide.The new building will cover 3.4 lakh sq. ft., house 12 Linear Accelerators (LINACs) and other advanced equipment, enabling precise radiation therapy that minimizes damage to healthy tissues. It will serve 7,200 patients annually and provide over two lakh radiation sessions, along with OPD consultations and diagnostics for 25,000 new patients each year.The facility is expected to be operational by 2027.
2. SBI Raises ₹7,500 Crore Through Basel III Compliant Tier 2 Bonds at 6.93% Coupon Rate: The State Bank of India (SBI) raised ₹7,500 crore through Basel III-compliant Tier 2 bonds at a coupon rate of 6.93%, marking its first bond issuance of FY26 with a 10-year tenor and call option after 5 years.The issue saw bids worth 3 times the base issue size of ₹5,000 crore, with 101 bids received from a diverse group of institutional investors such as provident funds, pension funds, mutual funds, and banks, showcasing high investor confidence in SBI.In FY26, SBI has also raised ₹25,000 crore via QIP and $500 million through senior unsecured fixed-rate notes (5-year maturity, 4.50% coupon), reflecting its strategic approach to strengthen capital adequacy and global funding profile.
3. SBI Wins “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025” and “Best Bank in India 2025” Titles from Global Finance, New York: State Bank of India (SBI) has been honoured with two prestigious titles — “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025” and “Best Bank in India 2025” — by Global Finance, New York, at the Global Finance Award Ceremony held during the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings 2025.These dual awards reaffirm SBI’s status as a global banking leader, recognised for its innovation, financial inclusion, customer-centric services, and technological advancement across India’s vast geographical landscape.SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty highlighted that serving 520 million customers and adding 65,000 new customers daily reflects the bank’s continuous investment in digitalisation and advanced technology to enhance customer experience.
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