NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Uttarakhand to Impose Green Tax on Out-of-State Vehicles from December 1: Uttarakhand government will implement a green tax on vehicles entering from other states starting December 1, 2025, aimed at reducing pollution, protecting the Himalayan ecosystem, and promoting environmental sustainability.The tax rates will vary by vehicle type — ₹80 for small passenger vehicles, ₹250 for small goods carriers, ₹140 for buses, and ₹120–₹700 for trucks, depending on their load capacity, as per the state transport department.To ensure strict enforcement, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed at border checkpoints — 16 are already operational, and the number will be increased to 37 entry points across the state.The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways guidelines on green taxation, aiming to discourage use of old, polluting vehicles, promote cleaner alternatives, and generate revenue for anti-pollution measures — a system already in place in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
2. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Viasat India Partner to Commercialise UAV Solutions: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Viasat India have expanded their collaboration in the satellite communication (satcom) sector to commercialise Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) solutions and promote skill development through a Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT, focusing on UAVs, IoT, and emerging technologies.The partnership will introduce Viasat’s Velaris uncrewed air solutions in India, offering secure and reliable satellite connectivity for UAVs operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) using Viasat’s global L-band satellite network.This collaboration aligns with India’s Digital India mission, aiming to strengthen the low-altitude economy by fostering innovation, building indigenous technological capabilities, and enabling new opportunities in drone-based and advanced air mobility services.
3. Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 Begins Nationwide with Theme “Vigilance – Our Shared Responsibility”: Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 (from 27 October to 2 November) began across India to promote integrity, ethics, and transparency in public life, with the theme “Vigilance – Our Shared Responsibility.”The week commenced with pledge-taking ceremonies by public servants across ministries, departments, PSUs, banks, and organizations, led by Central Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar Srivastava and Vigilance Commissioner A. S. Rajeev at the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), New Delhi.The observance, held annually in the last week of October to coincide with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, includes awareness programs and activities to fight corruption and promote good governance.
4. Rishikesh’s Iconic Laxman Jhula Replaced by 132-Metre Glass Suspension Bridge ‘Bajrang Setu’: The historic Laxman Jhula, built in 1929 and closed in 2019 due to safety concerns, is being replaced by Bajrang Setu — a 132.5-meter-long glass suspension bridge over the Ganges River in Rishikesh, scheduled for completion by December 2025.Bajrang Setu features 3.5-inch thick toughened glass walkways, two-way lanes for light vehicles, and a design inspired by the Kedarnath Temple, with intricately carved towers symbolizing Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. NITI Aayog Unveils Roadmap to Position India as a Global Leader in Advanced Manufacturing by 2035: NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub launched the roadmap “Reimagining Manufacturing: India’s Roadmap to Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing”, unveiled by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and top dignitaries in Pune.The roadmap identifies AI & ML, Advanced Materials, Digital Twins, and Robotics as high-impact technologies across 13 priority sectors, aiming to raise manufacturing’s share to 25% of GDP and create 100 million jobs by 2035.It provides a 10-year strategic roadmap to overcome barriers in R&D, infrastructure, and workforce readiness, warning of potential losses of US$ 270 billion by 2035 and US$ 1 trillion by 2047 if frontier technologies aren’t adopted.Developed jointly by NITI Aayog, CII, and Deloitte, the roadmap envisions India as a global advanced manufacturing hub and aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 through innovation-driven industrial transformation.
2. Taftan Volcano Near Iran–Pakistan Border Shows Signs of Awakening After 700,000 Years of Dormancy: The Taftan volcano, located near the Iran–Pakistan border, is showing renewed volcanic activity after being dormant for over 700,000 years, according to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters.Between July 2023 and May 2024, the volcano’s summit rose by 3.5 inches, indicating gas pressure buildup beneath the surface; scientists warn it could release energy either violently or quietly in the future.
3. Bhutan to Host Global Peace Prayer Festival 2025 in Thimphu from November 4 to 19: Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, will host the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) from November 4 to 19, 2025, aiming to promote world peace, compassion, and harmony amid global conflicts.The festival will feature spiritual leaders and monks from all schools of Buddhism, with key rituals like Jabzhi Dhoechog and Kalachakra initiation, along with the launch of the Guru App for spiritual guidance.A major highlight will be the ordination of over 250 Buddhist nuns (Gelongma) from November 15 to 19 — a landmark step toward gender equality in monastic traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism.
4. 28 October – International Animation Day: International Animation Day is celebrated every year on October 28, marking the first public performance of animated films by French artist Émile Reynaud in 1892 at the Musée Grévin in Paris.The day was proclaimed in 2002 by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) to honor the history, creativity, and evolution of animation as an art form.Various film screenings, workshops, and exhibitions are organized worldwide to recognize the contribution of animators and promote appreciation for animated films and visual storytelling.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India Maritime Week 2025 Inaugurated in Mumbai: Showcasing India’s $1 Trillion Maritime Vision: India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025) was inaugurated at NESCO Grounds, Mumbai, organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in partnership with the Indian Ports Association under the theme “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision.”Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the event, attended by chief ministers of key coastal states — Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat), Pramod Sawant (Goa), and Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha).The five-day event (Oct 27–31) brings together delegations from 11 countries, 100,000+ delegates from 85+ nations, 500+ exhibitors, and 350+ speakers, focusing on investment, innovation, and collaboration in maritime sectors such as ports, logistics, shipbuilding, green shipping, and inland waterways.The event supports national visions like Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasizing a $1 trillion maritime investment roadmap to make India a global maritime hub and Blue Economy leader.
SPORTS
1. Sujeet Kalkal Clinches Gold for India in Men’s Freestyle 65kg at U-23 World Wrestling Championships: India’s Sujeet Kalkal clinched the gold medal in the men’s freestyle 65 kg category at the U-23 World Wrestling Championships, defeating Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov by a dominant 10–0 margin.This is Sujeet Kalkal’s first-ever world title; he already holds two U-23 Asian titles and one U-20 Asian Championship gold.The Indian women’s team performed impressively at the same event, winning 5 bronze, 2 silver medals, and securing the team championship title, while Sujeet’s was India’s only men’s medal this year.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India Grants Import Licences for Rare Earth Magnets from China: The Indian government has issued the first batch of import licences to four domestic firms, including the Indian arms of global suppliers such as Hitachi and Continental India, enabling them to directly procure rare earth (RE) magnets from China. This move offers significant relief to India’s automotive sector, which has faced severe disruptions since Beijing tightened export controls on these essential materials in April. The approved licences mark a key breakthrough, representing the first official clearances since China—responsible for nearly 90% of global RE magnet production—implemented stricter export procedures. These magnets, particularly neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB), are crucial for manufacturing electric vehicle (EV) motors, wind turbines, and a range of high-performance electronics. India’s dependence on Chinese supplies had placed its EV sector at risk, with manufacturers warning of possible production delays and cost escalations. Industry sources revealed that the import licences are conditional and come with stringent checks. Companies must guarantee that the magnets will be used solely for civilian and automotive applications and not for defence purposes. Additionally, importers were required to obtain clearances from the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and provide assurances to Chinese authorities.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. UPI Launches ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’ Feature, Enabling Real-Time Payments Directly from Investments — A Global First in Fintech: India’s UPI has introduced a groundbreaking feature called ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’, allowing users to make real-time payments directly from their liquid mutual fund holdings — a global first in retail fintech innovation.The feature is backed by ICICI Prudential AMC, Bajaj Finserv AMC, and fintech startup Curie Money, enabling investors to use their liquid mutual fund units like a digital wallet for instant transactions.When a UPI payment is made, the equivalent amount is automatically redeemed from the user’s liquid mutual fund, providing seamless and instant fund transfer without routing money through a bank account.Liquid mutual funds, known for their low risk, high liquidity, and stable returns (around 6–7%), are ideal for this feature, combining investment growth with instant payment convenience.
2. RBI Launches HaRBInger 2025 Global Hackathon to Foster Secure and Inclusive Banking Innovations: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched HaRBInger 2025 – Innovation for Transformation, its fourth global hackathon, to promote secure, inclusive, and identity-driven banking innovations using emerging technologies.The theme for HaRBInger 2025 is “Secure Banking: Powered by Identity, Integrity, and Inclusivity,” focusing on protecting customer identity, fostering trust, and ensuring inclusive access to financial systems.Participants will develop solutions for three key problem areas — Tokenized KYC, Offline CBDC, and Enhancing Trust in Digital Financial Services — addressing major challenges in digital banking and security.
Registrations began on 23 October 2025, inviting individuals, startups, fintechs, and institutions globally, with entries evaluated on innovation, feasibility, and user-centric design.
3. VFS Capital Withdraws Application for Small Finance Bank Licence, Despite Strong FY25 Performance: VFS Capital Limited, a West Bengal-based NBFC-MFI, has withdrawn its application for a Small Finance Bank (SFB) licence, which it had submitted under the RBI’s “on tap” licensing guidelines for private sector SFBs.Incorporated in 1994, VFS Capital—formerly Village Financial Services Pvt Ltd—focuses on providing microfinance loans to rural women through the Joint Liability Group (JLG) model, with complete digital loan disbursement.The company’s promoters, Ajit Kumar Maity (Chairman) and Kuldip Maity (MD & CEO), hold 92.74% of the shareholding, while IDFC First Bank owns 7.03% as of December 2023.
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