NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. EPFO Hosts Gurcharan Das in 22nd Edition of ‘Reimagining Governance: Discourse for Excellence’: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), through its Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS), organised the 22nd edition of “Reimagining Governance: Discourse for Excellence (RGDE)”.Gurcharan Das, renowned author, public intellectual, and former CEO of Procter & Gamble India, was the keynote speaker at the event.Around 800 EPFO officers from across India participated, as the session focused on ethics, public service, and excellence in governance, continuing PDNASS’s monthly knowledge series.
2. President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Indian President to Fly in Two Fighter Jets: President Droupadi Murmu made history by becoming the first President of India to fly in two different fighter jets, taking a Rafale sortie from the Indian Air Force Station, Ambala, on October 29, 2025. She had earlier flown in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from Tezpur, Assam, in April 2023.The 30-minute sortie, piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, covered around 200 km, reaching an altitude of 15,000 feet and a speed of 700 km/h.She was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on arrival and interacted with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India’s first woman Rafale pilot, before the flight.
3. MSDE, Aditya Birla Capital Foundation & BITS Pilani Launch Innovation and Start-up Challenge for NSTI Students: The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has partnered with the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) and Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) of BITS Pilani to launch an Innovation and Start-up Challenge for NSTI students across India.The program aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up culture among students enrolled in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), fostering creativity and self-employment opportunities.33 NSTIs are operating nationwide with over 10,000 trainees pursuing vocational training under Craft Instructor Training Schemes (CITS) and Craftsmen Training Schemes (CTS), preparing a skilled workforce for various industries.
4. Kishan Reddy Launches KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard and CLAMP Portal to Revolutionize Coal Sector Digitization: Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, launched two digital initiatives — KOYLA SHAKTI Dashboard and CLAMP Portal — via video conference in New Delhi, aiming to modernise India’s coal sector.A unified digital platform integrating the entire coal value chain from mine to market, enabling real-time coordination among coal companies, railways, ports, and industries to improve logistics, transparency, and decision-making.The Coal Land Acquisition, Management, and Payment (CLAMP) Portal digitizes land acquisition, compensation, and R&R processes, serving as a centralized repository to ensure transparency, accountability, and faster execution in land-related matters.
5. NHAI Simplifies ‘Know Your Vehicle (KYV)’ Process to Ease FASTag User Experience: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has simplified the Know Your Vehicle (KYV) process for FASTag users to enhance convenience and customer experience, as per new guidelines issued by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL).Under the revised rules, FASTag services will not be discontinued for non-compliant users; instead, they will be given adequate time to complete the KYV process.The simplified process now requires only a front photo showing the number plate and FASTag, eliminating the need for side photographs, while RC details will be fetched automatically from the Vahan portal using vehicle, chassis, or mobile number.Existing FASTags issued before the KYV policy will remain active unless misuse or complaints are reported, and issuer banks will send SMS reminders to users to complete their KYV.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Malaysia Hands Over ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines at 47th ASEAN Summit: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chairmanship was formally handed over by Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia to Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of Philippines, who will assume the chairmanship in 2026.The handover took place at the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia symbolically passing the gavel to the Philippines, marking Manila’s sixth term as ASEAN Chair.The transition highlights ASEAN’s evolving focus on deepening regional integration, broadening membership (e.g., the accession of Timor Leste as the 11th member), and reinforcing the bloc’s role amid growing global geopolitical and economic challenges.
2. 31 October – Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) is celebrated every year on 31 October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India for his pivotal role in unifying the nation after independence.Theme 2025 – Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar BharatThe day was first observed in 2014, when the Government of India introduced it to honour Patel’s contribution to national integration and administrative reforms.The Statue of Unity in Gujarat, the world’s tallest statue, stands as a symbol of his vision for a united and strong India.
3. 29 October – International Day of Care and Support: The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 29 October as the International Day of Care and Support in 2023, to recognise the crucial role of paid and unpaid care work in sustaining societies and economies.The day aims to promote gender equality by recognising, reducing, redistributing, and rewarding unpaid care and domestic work, which is largely carried out by women worldwide.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Pakistan’s Hangor-Class Submarines and Possible Shift in Naval Balance in Indian Ocean: Pakistan’s naval capabilities are set for a major boost from next year with the induction of advanced Hangor-class submarines built in collaboration with China. The move marks a significant enhancement in Pakistan’s maritime posture and is expected to challenge India’s current conventional submarine advantage in the region. Under a $5 billion agreement, Pakistan will acquire eight Hangor-class (Type 039A Yuan-class) diesel-electric submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP). Four of these are being constructed in China, while the remaining four are being built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. The first vessel is expected to enter active service in 2026, with full delivery by 2028. This cooperation reflects deepening military ties between China and Pakistan, extending from land to sea domains. The Hangor-class boats come fitted with advanced sensors, weapons, and AIP systems that allow them to remain submerged for up to three weeks—offering a critical stealth advantage. Conventional diesel-electric submarines must surface every few days to recharge batteries, while AIP-enabled vessels can maintain longer underwater endurance. These capabilities significantly enhance Pakistan’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strength in the Arabian Sea.
SPORTS
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Global ‘Baby Bust’ Forecast by 2100: A new study published in “The Lancet” warns that the world is heading towards a dramatic decline in fertility rates, with 97% of countries expected to have below-replacement birth levels by 2100. Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) describe this as a “demographically divided world” that could reshape economies and societies worldwide. According to the study, the total fertility rate (TFR) — the average number of children born per woman — must remain at 2.1 to sustain population levels. By 2050, 155 of 204 countries (76%) will fall below this replacement level, rising to 198 nations (97%) by 2100. The global TFR has halved in seven decades, dropping from 5.0 in 1950 to 2.2 in 2021. Nations such as South Korea and Serbia have some of the world’s lowest rates, under 1.1 children per woman. While fertility rates are plummeting in Europe, East Asia, and North America, parts of sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience population surges. Countries like Chad report a TFR as high as seven births per woman, twice the global average. This stark contrast is creating what experts term a dual demographic challenge — ageing populations in wealthy nations and youth bulges in developing regions.
2. COP30 Brazil: India Advocates Fair Climate Deal for Developing Nations: As nations prepare for the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, India’s delegation is set to prioritise fairness, finance, and technology access over new emission-cutting commitments. The summit, marking a decade since the Paris Agreement, will see Brazil showcase its forest conservation success alongside the proposed “Tropical Forest Forever Fund,” even as contradictions in its climate strategy draw scrutiny. Brazil, the fifth-largest global emitter, recorded a 17 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, its sharpest decline in 16 years, mainly due to curbs on Amazon and Cerrado deforestation. The country plans to introduce a “Tropical Forest Forever Fund” — a permanent, multilateral financing mechanism rewarding tropical nations for forest preservation. The initiative aligns with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s aim to make COP30 a “COP of implementation,” centred on tangible results and long-term funding models.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India to Spotlight “Inclusive Growth” at World Social Summit in Doha: Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya will represent India at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2) in Doha, Qatar, from 4–6 November 2025. The Summit aims to reaffirm global commitment to eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, and advancing social inclusion nearly three decades after the 1995 Copenhagen Summit. During the Opening Plenary, Mandaviya will deliver India’s National Statement, outlining the nation’s transformative progress in social and economic development. He will also take part in the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration and address a high-level round table on strengthening the three pillars of social development — poverty eradication, full and productive employment, and social inclusion. At the Summit, India will present its remarkable progress in poverty alleviation and social protection. Between 2011 and 2023, 248 million Indians were lifted out of multidimensional poverty, reducing poverty levels to just 2.3 per cent in 2022–23. Flagship initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and Jan Dhan Yojana have been central to this success. The JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—has transformed welfare delivery, ensuring transparency and efficiency in benefit distribution.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Kerala State Film Awards 2025: The 55th Kerala State Film Awards were announced in Thrissur by State Minister for Fisheries, Culture, and Youth Affairs, Saji Cherian. Chaired by veteran actor Prakash Raj, the seven-member jury selected the winners from 128 film entries submitted for the 2024 season. “Manjummel Boys” emerged as the biggest winner, sweeping several major categories including Best Film and Best Director. Veteran actor Mammootty won the Best Actor award for his stellar performance in “Bramayugam”, while Shamla Hamza bagged the Best Actress award for “Feminichi Fathima”. The Best Film honour went to “Manjummel Boys”, directed by Chidambaram S Poduval, who also received the Best Director award. The Best Second Film was awarded to “Feminichi Fathima” and “Premalu” won Best Popular Film. The awards recognised excellence across all aspects of filmmaking. “Manjummel Boys” led in several categories such as Best Cinematography (Shyju Khalid), Best Production Design (Ajayan Chalissery), Best Original Screenplay (Chidambaram S Poduval), Best Sound Design, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Lyricist (Vedan). Sushin Shyam won Best Music Director for “Bougainvillea”, and Christo Xavier received Best Background Score for “Bramayugam”.
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