NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary: India’s Only Haven Dedicated to the Elusive Indian Grey Wolf: Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary in Jharkhand’s Latehar district is India’s only wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the Indian grey wolf, a smaller and more elusive species adapted to dry grasslands and open forests.The sanctuary offers a raw, untouched wildlife experience, best visited between October and June, with peak wolf activity during the breeding season (November–February); nearby attractions include Netarhat hill station, Lodh Falls, and Betla National Park.Local tribal communities play a crucial role in conservation through traditional practices like avoiding forest entry during denning season and revering Sal trees, creating natural safe zones that help wolves thrive.
2. Ministry of Women and Child Development Launches New Helpline Number 1515 for POSHAN and PMMVY from November 1, 2025: The Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced a new toll-free helpline number 1515 for POSHAN and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), effective from 1st November 2025, replacing the existing number 14408.The change aims to make the helpline easier to remember and improve accessibility for beneficiaries seeking assistance under both nutrition and maternity benefit schemes.During the transition phase, callers facing connectivity issues with the new number 1515 can continue to use the old number 14408 until full integration is completed.
3. NBA Releases ₹55 Lakh to Tamil Nadu Farmers for Red Sanders Cultivation: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers and cultivators of Red Sanders in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework—marking India’s first-ever farmer benefit-sharing initiative for biodiversity conservation.This step follows the NBA’s earlier ₹48 crore ABS release to forest departments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and aligns with the 2015 Expert Committee recommendations and the 2019 DGFT policy relaxation that allowed export of cultivated Red Sanders.The initiative promotes farm-based conservation and sustainable trade of Red Sanders, an endemic and valuable species of the Eastern Ghats, ensuring community participation, fair compensation, and reduced pressure on wild populations through legally cultivated sources.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Taal Volcano in the Philippines Spews Ash in Minor Eruptions; Alert Level Remains Low: Taal Volcano in the Philippines experienced four minor eruptions, producing steam-driven (phreatic) and steam-and-magma (phreatomagmatic) blasts with ash plumes rising up to 2,100 meters, as reported by PHIVOLCS.Located in Batangas province, about 60 km south of Manila, Taal Volcano sits within a large caldera and is known for its complex, unpredictable, and explosive eruptions, the last major one occurring in 2020.
2. Dame Sarah Mullally Appointed as First Female Archbishop of Canterbury: Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been appointed as the first-ever female Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding Justin Welby, who resigned following a safeguarding scandal.Aged 63, Mullally previously served as Chief Nursing Officer for England, and will officially assume the post in January at Canterbury Cathedral, followed by a formal enthronement ceremony attended by members of the royal family.Her appointment marks a historic moment for the Church of England, being the first selection since women were allowed to become bishops in 2014.
3. Xi Jinping Pushes for World AI Cooperation Organisation: Chinese President Xi Jinping used the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit platform to propose a global organisation to regulate and coordinate artificial intelligence (AI) development. The move is seen as Beijing’s attempt to position itself as a global leader in AI governance, offering an alternative to the US-led approach on technology and trade cooperation. Xi Jinping announced that China would push for the creation of a “World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization” during his address to APEC leaders in Gyeongju, South Korea. The proposed body, he said, would aim to establish governance rules, promote responsible innovation, and ensure that AI serves as a “public good for the international community.” According to Chinese officials, the organisation could be headquartered in Shanghai, one of the world’s most dynamic technology and commercial centres.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. BRO’s Project Arunank Marks 18th Raising Day, Strengthening Border Connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh: Project Arunank, a key initiative of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), celebrated its 18th Raising Day at Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh on October 24, 2025, marking 17 years of service in tough Himalayan terrains.Since its inception in 2008, the project has constructed and maintained over 696 km of roads and 1.18 km of major bridges, strengthening connectivity to remote valleys and aiding Armed Forces operations in border areas.A major achievement of Project Arunank includes the 278 km Hapoli–Sarli–Huri Road, blacktopped for the first time since Independence, significantly improving access to the Kurung Kumey district in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Indian Army Celebrates 79th Infantry Day Honouring the Courage and Sacrifice of Its Brave Soldiers Across the Nation: Infantry Day 2025 was celebrated by the Indian Army with solemn tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, marking 79 years of the Infantry’s unparalleled courage, sacrifice, and service to the nation.Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Amar Chakra to honour the brave Infantry soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.Infantry Day, observed annually on October 27, commemorates the historic 1947 landing of Indian Infantry troops at Srinagar Airport, a decisive move that defended Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan-backed tribal invaders. The day highlights the Infantry’s steadfast commitment to India’s sovereignty and unity, celebrated nationwide with seminars, marathons, felicitation ceremonies, and the release of the “Infantry Magazine.”
3. India Excludes China, Pakistan and Turkiye from 2026 International Fleet Review: India has decided not to invite China, Pakistan, and Turkiye to the upcoming third International Fleet Review (IFR) scheduled in Visakhapatnam in February 2026. The major maritime event will be reviewed by President Droupadi Murmu and held alongside the Milan multilateral naval exercise and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). So far, 55 nations have confirmed participation, including both the United States and Russia, underscoring India’s growing naval prominence. According to Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, the IFR will host a large number of countries, though the invite list does not include China, Pakistan, or Turkiye. A senior naval official confirmed that Turkiye was excluded for its support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, while Pakistan’s omission continues the long-standing policy of excluding adversarial states from Indian defence exercises. India’s cautious approach toward China stems from increasing strategic tensions and its growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. TEC and IIT Hyderabad Join Hands to Advance Research in 6G, AI, and Next-Gen Telecom Technologies: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), signed an MoU with IIT Hyderabad to strengthen collaboration in advanced telecom technologies.The partnership will focus on joint studies, research, and technical contributions in areas like 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs).The MoU aims to develop India-specific standards, create test frameworks, and enhance India’s participation in global standardization activities, especially ITU-T Study Groups.
2. Shenzhou-21 – China Launches Youngest Astronaut and Lab Mice to Tiangong Space Station: China successfully has launched the Shenzhou-21 mission to its Tiangong space station, carrying a three-member crew that includes the country’s youngest-ever astronaut and four laboratory mice. The mission marks another stride in China’s rapidly expanding space programme, which aims to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. The Long March-2F rocket lifted off at 11:44 pm local time (1544 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China’s Gobi Desert. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the Tiangong space station within three and a half hours of launch. Mission commander Zhang Lu, flight engineer Wu Fei, and payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang form the new crew for the six-month mission. At 32, Wu Fei is China’s youngest astronaut to enter orbit, representing the next generation of its space explorers. In a first for China, the mission carries four lab mice — two male and two female — for in-orbit biological experiments. These studies will examine the effects of microgravity on mammalian physiology and reproduction, forming part of China’s broader effort to prepare for long-duration lunar and interplanetary missions. The crew will also carry out multiple spacewalks, install anti-debris shields, and conduct educational outreach activities designed to inspire interest in science among young students.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Amit Shah Launches Deep-Sea Fishing Project; 200 Trawlers to Boost Coastal Fishermen: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated ‘Deep Sea Fishing Vessels’ under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at Mazgaon Dock, Mumbai, in the presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, DCMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and MoS Murlidhar Mohol.As part of this project, 200 trawlers will be provided to fishermen in three coastal states, with the first 14 trawlers launched under the cooperative-based fishing model to ensure that profits directly reach fishermen’s households instead of salaried intermediaries.Each deep-sea trawler can stay in the sea for up to 25 days and carry up to 20 tons of fish, with additional support ships planned for coordination and fish transport from the sea to the shore.
2. RBI Withdraws 2016 Circular on Lending Cap to Large Corporates, Retains Large Exposure Framework: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has withdrawn its 2016 circular that capped total banking system lending to a single large corporate borrower, aiming to reduce concentration risk.
The large exposure framework (LEF) will remain in place, limiting a bank’s exposure to 20% for a single borrower and 25% for a corporate group of its Tier 1 capital.The withdrawn circular had earlier reduced the lending threshold from ₹25,000 crore (FY18) → ₹15,000 crore (FY19) → ₹10,000 crore (FY20).RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the move follows a 10% decline in corporate share of total banking exposure, indicating lower systemic risk and does not signify any relaxation of financial stability norms.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Indian-Origin Historian Sunil Amrith Wins 2025 British Academy Book Prize for ‘The Burning Earth’: Indian-origin historian Sunil Amrith won the 2025 British Academy Book Prize for his book “The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years”, earning a £25,000 award for his outstanding non-fiction work.Currently a Professor of History at Yale University (U.S.), Amrith was born in Kenya, raised in Singapore, and educated at the University of Cambridge.The British Academy Book Prize, established in 2013, honours the world’s best non-fiction works in humanities and social sciences, with shortlisted authors also receiving £1,000 each.
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