NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Lucknow Declared UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ for Its Rich Awadhi Culinary Heritage: Lucknow has been officially declared a UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Uzbekistan, recognizing its rich Awadhi cuisine and culinary heritage.The recognition highlights Lucknow’s centuries-old food traditions and positions Uttar Pradesh among the world’s top gastronomic destinations, promoting cultural diplomacy and sustainable tourism.Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Lucknow and urged global visitors to explore its vibrant culture and world-famous culinary traditions.
2. Kerala Becomes India’s First State to Declare Itself Free from Extreme Poverty under EPEP Initiative: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared the State free from extreme poverty during a special Assembly session on Kerala Piravi, making Kerala the first Indian State to make such a declaration under the Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project (EPEP) launched in 2021.The EPEP initiative identified 1,03,099 individuals from 64,006 families as extremely poor, ensuring them access to food, housing, healthcare, education, and livelihood support through coordinated efforts by local bodies, Kudumbashree, and government departments.With an investment of over ₹1,000 crore, Kerala’s achievement aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), setting a model for other states in eradicating extreme poverty and promoting inclusive development.
3. Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti 2025: Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. In 2025, this sacred occasion being observed on 5 November 2025, coinciding with the full moon day (Kartik Purnima) in the Hindu lunar calendar. The day symbolises peace, equality, and the remembrance of Guru Nanak’s spiritual teachings. Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti holds great spiritual and cultural importance for Sikhs and people across faiths. The day celebrates the divine birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469 at Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. His message of “Ik Onkar” (One God) and universal brotherhood remains a guiding light for humanity.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. COP30 to take place 6-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil: The 30th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) is scheduled for 6-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.The host city, Belém, located in the Amazon region, was chosen to highlight forest, biodiversity and ecosystem protection as central climate priorities.The summit faces logistical challenges: accommodation costs have soared, hotel capacity is stretched, and some nations are considering reducing their delegation or skipping the event.A key agenda item is turning the findings of the Global Stocktake into action—with focus on enhanced national climate plans (NDCs), scaling climate finance, and accelerating implementation ahead of and during COP30.
2. Dr. Deepak Mittal Assumes Charge as India’s Ambassador-Designate to UAE: Dr Deepak Mittal, a 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has assumed charge as the Ambassador-Designate of India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), bringing with him over two decades of diplomatic experience across several key international postings.He has previously served in Indian missions in Egypt, Israel, and Bangladesh, and also held roles as Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and Ambassador to Qatar, strengthening India’s diplomatic engagement in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
3. 3 November – World Sandwich Day: World Sandwich Day is observed every year on November 3 to celebrate one of the world’s most popular and versatile foods — the sandwich.The day commemorates John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who is credited with inventing the sandwich in the 18th century.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. L&T and US-Based GA-ASI Partner to Manufacture Advanced MALE Drones in India for Armed Forces under Atmanirbhar Bharat: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) of the US have formed a strategic partnership to manufacture Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in India for the Indian Armed Forces, with L&T serving as the prime bidder and GA-ASI as the technology partner for the Defence Ministry’s 87 MALE RPAS programme.The collaboration will enable domestic production of GA-ASI’s combat-proven MQ-series RPAS platforms, already in use globally for surveillance and strike missions, aligning with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives through significant technology transfer and indigenous content.
2. AXISCADES and France’s Cilas Join Hands to Develop Laser-Based Counter-Drone Systems for Indian Armed Forces: AXISCADES Technologies Limited (India) and Cilas S.A. (France) signed an MoU to jointly develop and supply advanced counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) technologies for the Indian Armed Forces, integrating Cilas’ Helma-P high-energy laser weapon into vehicle-mounted defence systems.Under the collaboration, AXISCADES will design the overall system architecture as per Indian Army requirements, co-developing a vehicle-mounted counter-drone solution that combines Helma-P with its command and control system, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative through local integration and manufacturing.The Helma-P laser, already used by NATO forces, the French Navy, and during the Paris Olympics, strengthens India-France defence cooperation in advanced military technologies; AXISCADES employs 3,000+ professionals globally, while Cilas (est. 1966) specializes in laser technologies for defence, security, and space.
SPORTS
1. Former Indian Hockey Goalkeeper Manuel Frederick Dies: Former Indian hockey goalkeeper Manuel Frederick, who won a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics, passed away at the age of 78.Hailing from Kannur, Kerala, he was the first athlete from the state to win an Olympic medal, a feat later matched by P.R. Sreejesh in 2021.Representing India from 1971 to 1978, Frederick showcased exceptional goalkeeping skills in two Hockey World Cups — winning silver in Amstelveen (1973) and competing in Buenos Aires (1978). He also played for ASC, HAL, Services, Uttar Pradesh, and Mohun Bagan during his career.Awarded the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Frederick is remembered as one of India’s finest goalkeepers.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India to Triple Rare Earth Magnet Incentives to $788 Million: India plans to expand its rare earth magnet manufacturing incentive scheme to over ₹7,000 crore ($788 million), nearly tripling the earlier allocation. The move seeks to secure critical materials for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defence as the country works to reduce reliance on China, which dominates the global supply chain. The expansion follows China’s tightening of export controls in April amid its trade dispute with the United States, which disrupted rare earth magnet supplies worldwide. India’s plan mirrors global efforts by the US, Japan, and Europe to build alternative sources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that critical minerals should not be “weaponised”, calling for diversified and stable supply chains. The revised proposal, awaiting cabinet approval, will support around five domestic firms through a mix of production-linked and capital subsidies. State-owned enterprises are leading early partnerships with overseas miners to secure raw materials. The programme’s goal is to attract global magnet makers to establish local joint ventures or subsidiaries, strengthening India’s industrial base in strategic sectors.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India’s GST Collections Rise 4.6% to ₹1.96 Lakh Crore in October 2025: India’s GST collections rose 6% year-on-year in October 2025 to about ₹1.96 lakh crore, marking the 10th consecutive month with revenues above the ₹1.8 lakh crore mark, as per official data. In the April–October period of FY26, GST collections grew 9% to ₹13.89 lakh crore, compared to ₹12.74 lakh crore in the same period last fiscal (FY25).Net GST collections (after refunds) stood at ₹1.69 lakh crore in October 2025, 0.6% higher than October 2024, reflecting strong festive demand after the September 22 GST rate cuts.
2. UPI Transactions Hit Record ₹27.28 Lakh Crore in October 2025: UPI transactions hit an all-time high in October 2025, reaching ₹27.28 lakh crore in value and 20.7 billion in volume, driven by strong festive season spending, as per data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).The transaction value grew 16% year-on-year (₹27.28 lakh crore vs ₹23.49 lakh crore) and 9.5% month-on-month, showing the growing trust and reach of digital payments across India.UPI now accounts for 85% of India’s digital transactions and operates in seven countries, including the UAE, Singapore, France, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius, reflecting its expanding global footprint and robust digital infrastructure.
3. ADB Approves USD 460 Million Loan to Boost Solar-Powered Irrigation and Rural Energy Infrastructure in Maharashtra: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 460 million results-based loan to modernise rural power infrastructure and promote solar-powered irrigation in Maharashtra, ensuring farmers receive reliable daytime electricity.The project, titled “Maharashtra Power Distribution Enhancement Program for Agricultural Solarization,” aligns with the state’s Power Sector Vision 2030, focusing on renewable energy adoption, rural energy access, and financial sustainability.An additional USD 40 million concessional loan from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), administered by ADB, will support clean energy initiatives under this programme.
No comments:
Post a Comment