Daily GK Update- 4th Oct, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. SAIL’s MTI Partners with IIM Jammu to Launch Executive Education Programmes for Future-Ready Leaders: SAIL’s Management Training Institute (MTI) signed an MoU with IIM Jammu to collaborate on Executive Education Programmes for developing future-ready leaders.The partnership aims to strengthen organisational capacity, adopt global best practices, and promote nation-building through leadership excellence, reflecting SAIL’s commitment to nurturing capable leaders.The MoU was signed by Shri Sanjay Dhar (MTI, SAIL) and Cmdr Kesavan Baskkaran (IIM Jammu), in the presence of senior officials from both SAIL and IIM Jammu, including Shri K.K. Singh, Shri B.S. Popli, and Dr. Rajesh Sikka.

 

2. CCI Grants In-Principle Approval for Jindal Power’s Acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given in-principle approval to Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Power to acquire debt-laden Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL), if it wins the ongoing insolvency bid.CCI has also cleared the acquisition proposals of PNC Infratech, Adani Group, and Dalmia Bharat for JAL.The approval follows a Supreme Court ruling stating that CCI’s consent is mandatory under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) before submission of any resolution plan.

 

3. Rajesh Agrawal Takes Charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce: Senior IAS officer Rajesh Agrawal assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce on 1 October 2025, succeeding Sunil Barthwal, who retired on 30 September.He brings 30 years of experience in governance, policy-making, and implementation across sectors like skilling, power, fertilisers, agriculture, and MSMEs.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Re-elected to Part II of ICAO Council for 2025–2028: India re-elected to Part II of the ICAO Council for the 2025–2028 term during the 42nd ICAO Assembly Session held on 27 September 2025 in Montreal, Canada, securing more votes than in 2022.Part II of the ICAO Council represents states making the largest contributions to international civil air navigation, and India’s strong mandate reflects global confidence in its leadership and commitment.As a founding member of ICAO since 1944, India has maintained 81 years of uninterrupted presence on the Council and reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety, security, sustainability, equitable growth, and ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative.

 

2. 1 October – International Coffee Day: International Coffee Day is observed every year on 1 October to celebrate coffee as one of the most popular beverages worldwide.The day highlights the efforts of coffee growers, farmers, and workers who contribute to the multi-billion-dollar global coffee industry.It raises awareness about the challenges faced by coffee producers, including fair trade, sustainable farming, and climate change impacts.The event was officially launched by the ICO in 2015 in Milan, Italy, during Expo 2015.

 

3. 1 October – World Vegetarian Day: World Vegetarian Day is observed every year on 1 October to promote the health, environmental, and ethical benefits of vegetarianism.It was established by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978.The day encourages people to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle for better health, animal welfare, and sustainability.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Praveer Ranjan Appointed CISF DG, Praveen Kumar Takes Charge as ITBP Chief: Senior IPS officers Praveer Ranjan and Praveen Kumar were appointed as the new chiefs of CISF and ITBP, respectively.Praveer Ranjan (1993 batch, AGMUT cadre) took charge as Director General of CISF, succeeding R.S. Bhatti, after serving as Special DG, Airport Security division.Praveen Kumar (1993 batch, West Bengal cadre) became the new Director General of ITBP, replacing Rahul Rasgotra after his retirement.Prior to this, Praveen Kumar worked as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau and has over 32 years of service in various key assignments.

 

2. Lieutenant General Virendra Vats Assumes Charge as Director General of NCC: Lieutenant General Virendra Vats assumed charge as the Director General (DG) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).He was commissioned into the 19 KUMAON Regiment of the Indian Army in December 1988 and has served as Commandant at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.He succeeds Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh as the head of NCC.

 

SPORTS

 

1. England All-Rounder Chris Woakes Announces Retirement from International Cricket: England all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, stating it is the right time for him to step away from the game.Woakes played 217 matches for England across all formats since his debut in 2011, taking 396 wickets and scoring 3,705 runs.He was a key member of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning team and also won the T20 World Cup in 2022, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Govt to Make Acoustic Alert System Mandatory for All Electric Vehicles from October 2027: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed making Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) mandatory for all electric cars, buses, and trucks from October 1, 2027 to enhance road safety.All new electric passenger and goods vehicle models manufactured after October 2026 must be equipped with AVAS, which emits an artificial sound to alert pedestrians and other road users.Category M vehicles include electric cars and buses for passenger transport, while Category N vehicles cover electric trucks and goods vehicles; both categories must comply with AIS-173 audibility requirements.Countries like the U.S., Japan, and some EU nations have already mandated AVAS in hybrid vehicles, aligning India with global road safety standards.

 

2. Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches NIELIT Digital University Platform: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) Digital University (NDU) Platform in New Delhi, aiming to democratize access to quality digital education with courses in AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Semiconductors.As part of the event, five new NIELIT Centres were virtually inaugurated in Muzaffarpur, Balasore, Tirupati, Daman, and Lunglei, further strengthening India’s digital skilling ecosystem.The launch also featured a panel discussion on “Role of AI in Digitization of Education”, felicitation of top DevSecOps students, and signing of MoUs with industry partners to boost academia-industry collaboration.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.5%, Projects Higher GDP Growth and Lower Inflation: RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced the fourth bi-monthly policy, keeping the repo rate unchanged at 5.5%, with MPC unanimously voting to maintain a neutral stance.The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate remains at 5.75% and the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate at 5.25%, ensuring policy stability.RBI revised inflation projection to 2.6% (earlier 3.1%) and upgraded real GDP growth to 6.8% (earlier 6.5%), citing steady domestic growth and subdued inflation.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Wins Global Tourism Award 2025 for Visionary Initiatives and Investment Milestones: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department was honoured with the Global Tourism Award 2025 in New Delhi for its outstanding initiatives to position the State as a top tourist destination. Tourism consultant Nishitha Goyal received the award on behalf of the department.The recognition highlighted AP’s visionary tourism policy, eco-friendly capital city development, promotion of Gandikota as an eco-adventure hub, and success in attracting large-scale investments.In the past 15 months, the department signed 103 MoUs, developed infrastructure, created employment opportunities, and promoted private sector participation under the PPP model.

 

2. Mysuru Journalist Amshi Prasannakumar to Receive Hombale Samhita Harinikumar Krishi Media Award 2025: Amshi Prasannakumar, a senior journalist from Mysuru, has been selected for the ‘Hombale Samhita Harinikumar Alumni Krishi Media Award – 2025’ for his contribution to agricultural reporting.The award recognises journalists in print and electronic media for creating awareness among farmers and promoting agricultural issues.The award will be presented on October 11, 2025, at the Alumni Association, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Veterinary College Campus, Hebbal; Mr. Prasannakumar is a former president of the Mysore District Journalists’ Association and a member of the Karnataka Media Academy.