Daily GK Update- 8th Oct, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi inaugurates 9th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2025 in New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, under the theme “Innovate to Transform”, showcasing India’s commitment to digital innovation and transformation.IMC 2025, Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event, features participation from over 150 countries, 400 companies, and 1.5 lakh visitors, focusing on key themes like 6G, AI, Quantum Communications, and Semiconductors.

Later in the day, PM Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Phase 2B of Mumbai Metro Line-3, besides launching ‘Mumbai One’, India’s first integrated public transport app.He also launched the Short-Term Employability Program in Maharashtra to enhance youth skills across 400 ITIs and 150 Technical Schools, and is set to host UK PM Keir Starmer to strengthen the India-UK ‘Vision 2035’ partnership.

 

2. PM VIKAS MoU Signed with IIT Palakkad for Minority Skilling: The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, launched a key skilling project in October 2025. This initiative, under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme, aims to empower minority communities in Kerala. The project is implemented in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad. It focuses on equipping youth with advanced technical skills in emerging fields. The collaboration targets the socio-economic upliftment of minorities through skill development and employment opportunities. The PM VIKAS scheme is a flagship programme designed to promote socio-economic empowerment of minority communities. It focuses on skill development and entrepreneurship. The scheme aims to create sustainable livelihoods and enhance employability. The recent MoU signing with IIT Palakkad marks step in these efforts. The project targets future-ready skills in technology domains. It aligns with national priorities of inclusive growth and innovation.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Baratang Mud Volcano in Andaman Erupts After 20 Years: The Baratang mud volcano in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands erupted violently on 2 October 2025, ending over 20 years of dormancy, producing a 3–4 metre-high mound and spreading mud over 1,000 sq. metres.Located about 150 km from Port Blair in the North and Middle Andaman district, the Baratang mud volcano is India’s only known mud volcano and a unique geological tourist attraction.Mud volcanoes are formed by the eruption of mud, water, and gases (mainly methane) from deep underground, unlike regular volcanoes that emit lava; these eruptions occur when gases and fluids push upward, creating cone-shaped mounds or domes.

 

2. India’s First Direct Air Cargo Mission to Antarctica Departs with 18 Tons of Scientific Equipment: A heavy-duty Russian cargo plane embarked for Antarctica, carrying large scientific instruments and equipment to study atmospheric and climate changes.This marked the first-ever direct air cargo mission from India to Antarctica, operated by IL-76 under DROMLAN, transporting 18 tons of gear, medicines, provisions, and essentials for Indian researchers at Bharati and Maitri research bases.The specialized cargo plane, usually deployed for military transport including by the Indian Army, was re-routed via Goa’s Manohar International Airport (Mopa) and will enroute South Africa’s Cape Town before reaching Antarctica.

 

3. Singapore Renames Site of Zubeen Garg’s Passing as Zubeen Garg Island: Singapore’s St. John’s Island has been renamed “Zubeen Garg Island” on Google Maps as a symbolic tribute to the late singer.The renaming was initiated by enthusiastic fans who added the new label using Google Maps’ “Add a missing place” feature, rather than through any formal government order.The gesture reflects the deep emotional resonance of Zubeen Garg’s legacy, making his memory a permanent part of geographic maps beyond Assam

 

4. 7 October – World Cotton Day: World Cotton Day is observed every year on 7 October to recognise the global importance of cotton in trade, economy, and sustainable development.The day aims to promote fair trade practices, sustainability, and the livelihoods of cotton farmers, especially in developing countries.Theme 2025 – The Fabric of Our LivesInitiated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in collaboration with international cotton-producing nations, the day highlights cotton’s contribution to economic growth and global commerce.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. ICGS Akshar Commissioned at Karaikal: Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s Maritime Strength: The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Akshar, the second vessel in the Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) series, was commissioned at Karaikal, Puducherry, and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) with over 60% indigenous content, promoting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.The 51-metre-long, 320-ton vessel is powered by twin 3,000 KW diesel engines, offering a top speed of 27 knots and an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles, equipped with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) for enhanced manoeuvrability.It features advanced weapon systems including a 30 mm CRN 91 gun and two 12.7 mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCG) with a fire-control system, along with automation technologies like IBS, IPMS, and APMS.

 

2. Goodluck India Signs Tripartite MoU for DRDO’s AMCA Programme: Goodluck India, a leading special steel manufacturer, has signed a tripartite MoU with BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL) and Axiscades Technologies to jointly bid for DRDO’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.The AMCA programme aims to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft equipped with advanced avionics, super-cruise capability, internal weapon bays, and electronic warfare systems, marking a major leap in India’s defence technology.The collaboration supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, focusing on enhancing indigenous defence manufacturing and strengthening India’s self-reliance in aerospace and defence capabilities.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Linthoi Chanambam Wins India’s First-Ever Medal at Judo Junior World Championships: Judo player Linthoi Chanambam won India’s first-ever medal at the Judo Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru.The 19-year-old clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 63 kg category by defeating Netherlands’ Joni Geilen. After losing her Group D final match to Japan’s So Morichika, Chanambam entered the medal match through the repechage route and secured the bronze.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Cyclone Shakhti Intensifies into Severe Storm over Arabian Sea: Cyclone Shakhti, the first post-monsoon cyclone over the Arabian Sea in 2025, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds around 100 kmph, creating rough sea conditions off India’s western coast.The storm’s name, ‘Shakhti’, was suggested by Sri Lanka following the World Meteorological Organisation/ESCAP naming convention for tropical cyclones.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Hero Future Energies secures ₹1,908 cr funding from SBI, Canara Bank: Hero Future Energies has secured ₹1,908 crore in funding from State Bank of India (lead) and Canara Bank to support renewable energy projects.The funds will be used to develop a 120 MW renewable hybrid project at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, integrating wind, solar, and storage technologies to provide reliable peak power.The project, contracted with SJVN, has a repayment period of 21 years, ensuring timely execution and commencement of commercial operations.

 

2. IIHL Mauritius Acquires 100% Stake in Sterling Bank, Bahamas: IndusInd International Holdings Ltd. (IIHL), Mauritius, has completed the acquisition of 100% stake in Sterling Bank, Bahamas, after previously acquiring 51% in September 2022; the acquisition was made through IIHL’s wholly owned subsidiary, IIHL (Capital), Mauritius.Sterling Bank will be renamed as ‘IIHL Bank & Trust Ltd.’, marking IIHL’s expansion in the global Banking, Financial Services, Securities, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.IIHL, with a net worth of $1.26 billion (as of August 31, 2025), aims to enhance long-term shareholder value, expand globally, and achieve a $50 billion global market capitalisation by 2030 in the BFSI sector.

 

3. Zomato and HDFC Pension Launch NPS Model to Secure Retirement Benefits for Delivery Partners: Zomato and HDFC Pension launched the ‘NPS Platform Workers Model’ to provide delivery partners access to formal retirement benefits, formally inaugurated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on October 1.Over 30,000 Zomato delivery partners have already generated their PRANs within 72 hours, with the platform aiming to cover more than 1 lakh delivery partners under NPS by 2025.The model offers long-term financial security, including lump sum payments and monthly pensions at retirement, along with flexibility for small, regular contributions, addressing the current gap in retirement awareness and savings among platform workers.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. President Murmu Presents MY Bharat NSS Awards 2022-23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan: President Droupadi Murmu presented the MY Bharat – National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards 2022-23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, honoring 40 NSS Units, Programme Officers, and Volunteers for their outstanding contributions.The National Service Scheme Award, conferred by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, recognises NSS members for their exceptional community service and nation-building efforts.NSS, launched in 1969 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, aims to develop the personality and character of student youth through voluntary community service; Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya was also present at the ceremony.

 

2. Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 Awarded to Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis for Pioneering Quantum Experiments: John Clarke (UK), Michel Devoret (France), and John Martinis (USA) have been awarded the Nobel Prize for their pioneering experiments on quantum mechanics, specifically demonstrating macroscopic quantum tunnelling using superconducting circuits.The trio devised circuits with two superconductors separated by a Josephson junction, showing that all particles in the superconductor could act collectively, simulating current flow even without voltage.Their research laid the foundation for superconducting qubits, essential for practical quantum computers that operate with qubits rather than classical bits, enabling exponentially faster computation and advanced quantum technologies. Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis collaborated at UC Berkeley with careful experimental precision over decades. They will equally share the prize of 11 million Swedish kroner (approximately ₹1 crore).