09th October 2025

1. IIT Madras Signed MoU with Indian Navy to Strengthen Research and Technology Collaborations
2. Bajaj Finserv Re-brands Insurance Businesses as Bajaj General Insurance & Bajaj Life Insurance
3. SBI General Insurance Launches ‘Health Alpha’ with 50 options
4. RBI Cancelled Licence of Satara-based Jijamata Mahila Sahakari Bank
5. Lt Col (Hony), Actor Mohanlal Facilitates with COAS Commendation Card
6. Union Minister Ram Mohan Launches Book “Above and Beyond” by Shiv Kumar Mohanaka
7. National Postal Week 2025 – October 6 to 10
8. MP Signed MoU with Spain’s Fira Barcelona International for Convention Centre
9. Google Expands Opal AI App Builder to 15 Countries
10. Amit Shah Switches to Zoho Mail, Backs Swadeshi Tech
11. PM Launches Mumbai One App for Seamless Public Transport
12. Eli Lilly to Invest $1 Billion in Telangana Pharma Hub
13. Manipur Celebrates Mera Hou Chongba Festival of Hill-Valley Unity
14. India Achieves Record Solar & Wind Generation in Early 2025
15. WHO Flags Teen Vaping Surge as Global Addiction Risk
16. WTO Cuts 2026 Trade Forecast, Ups 2025 Outlook Amid Tariff Shifts

National News

1. Amit Shah Switches Official Email to Zoho Mail

• What:
  • Home Minister Amit Shah announced that he has switched his official email from Gmail to Zoho Mail, an Indian-owned email platform.
• Why:
  • The move aligns with the BJP’s ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi’ campaign promoting the use of made-in-India products and services.
• Tell me more:
  • His message marked a symbolic shift from Google’s foreign-owned platform to an Indian software service.
  • Zoho Mail is a product of Zoho Corporation, headquartered in Chennai.

Source: TOI

2. India Achieves Record Growth in Solar and Wind Power

• What:
  • India produced record levels of solar and wind energy in the first half of 2025, cutting power sector emissions by 24 million tonnes compared to last year.
• Why:
  • The increase in renewable energy generation aims to meet electricity demand sustainably while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
• Tell me more:
  • The analysis was published by the global energy think tank Ember.
  • Solar power rose by 17 TWh (25%), raising its share in total generation to 9.2% from 7.4% last year.
  • Wind power grew by 11 TWh (29%), now contributing 5.1% of total electricity generation.
  • Hydro and nuclear power also increased by 17% and 14% respectively.
  • Coal-based power generation fell by 22 TWh, and gas-based generation declined by 34%.
  • Electricity demand grew only 1.3% in the first half of 2025, the slowest since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: ET

State News

1. Madhya Pradesh to Get International Convention Centre

• What:
  • An MoU was signed with Spain’s Fira Barcelona International to set up an international-standard convention centre in Madhya Pradesh.
• Why:
  • The centre aims to promote innovation, smart urban solutions, and host global events and investment conferences.
• Tell me more:
  • The event was attended by Spain’s Ambassador Juan Antonio March Pujol, Fira Barcelona International CEO Richard Zapatero, and India representative Mukesh Arora.
  • Ambassador Pujol also held detailed talks with the CM during the signing.

Source: TOI

2. PM Launches Mumbai One App for Seamless Travel

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Mumbai One App, India’s first common mobility platform integrating 11 public transport operators across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
• Why:
  • The app aims to simplify travel for Mumbaikars by unifying multiple transport services into a single digital platform, enhancing convenience and promoting sustainable mobility.
• Tell me more:
  • The Mumbai One App allows users to plan, book, and travel using a single QR code without switching between multiple apps or tickets.
  • It integrates services like Mumbai Metro, local trains, monorail, and city and suburban buses. Commuters can check routes, real-time schedules, and fares, and make payments through the app.
  • The initiative is part of MMRDA’s #MumbaiInMinutes mission to enable citywide travel in under 59 minutes.

Source: IT

3. US Pharma Company Eli Lilly to Invest $1 Billion in Telangana

• What:
  • US pharma company Eli Lilly will invest $1 billion to set up a manufacturing and quality hub in Telangana to expand its global medicine supply capacity.
• Why:
  • The investment aims to strengthen Eli Lilly’s global network and leverage Telangana’s strong pharma ecosystem for advanced healthcare manufacturing.
• Tell me more:
  • Eli Lilly chose Telangana over several states for its favourable ecosystem, skilled manpower, infrastructure, and proactive government support.
  • The hub will produce medicines for diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

Source: IE

4. Manipur Celebrates Mera Hou Chongba Festival

• What:
  • The Mera Hou Chongba festival, symbolising unity between hill and valley communities, is celebrated in in Manipur.
• Why:
  • The festival aims to promote brotherhood, peace, and communal harmony among different indigenous communities of Manipur.
• Tell me more:
  • The festival is held annually on the 15th lunar day of the Mera month of the Meitei calendar.
  • Mera Hou Chongba is the only festival in Manipur that involves participation from all indigenous communities.
  • The historic place Kangla serves as the key venue for the festival’s rituals.

Source: NOA

International News

1. WHO Warns of Rising E-Cigarette Use Among Youth

• What:
  • The World Health Organization has warned that over 100 million people, including at least 15 million children, use e-cigarettes, creating a new wave of nicotine addiction.
• Why:
  • WHO says the tobacco industry is aggressively targeting young people with e-cigarettes, undermining decades of progress in reducing tobacco use.
• Tell me more:
  • Children are nine times more likely than adults to vape, according to global data.
  • Tobacco use has declined globally from 1.38 billion users in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.
  • Tobacco use prevalence among women fell from 11% in 2010 to 6.6% in 2024; among men, from 41.4% to 32.5%.

Source: BBC

2. WTO Revises Global Trade Growth Projections

• What:
  • The World Trade Organisation has lowered its global goods trade growth forecast for 2026 to 0.5% from 2.4% for 2025, citing higher tariffs and trade policy uncertainty.
• Why:
  • The revision reflects the impact of tariff increases and changing trade policies, despite strong growth in AI-related products driving global trade resilience in 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • AI-related goods like semiconductors, processors, computers, servers, and telecom equipment grew over 20% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching $1.92 trillion.
  • Non-AI goods trade rose by less than 4% to $10.9 trillion in the same period.
  • AI products make up less than one-tenth of world merchandise trade but contributed 43% to total trade growth in early 2025.
  • Global services export growth is projected to slow from 6.8% in 2024 to 4.6% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026.

Source: IE WTO

Banking and Economy

1. Bajaj Finserv Rebrands Its Insurance Businesses

• What:
  • Bajaj Finserv Limited announced the rebranding of its insurance businesses as Bajaj General Insurance and Bajaj Life Insurance, earlier known as Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance.
• Why:
  • The rebranding aims to mark Bajaj Group’s full ownership of its insurance ventures and highlight its commitment to building 100% Indian insurance brands.
• Tell me more:
  • Bajaj Group acquired Allianz SE’s 26% stake in both insurance joint ventures, raising its ownership to 100%.
  • The rebranding introduces a new campaign, “100% Bajaj. Made in India. Made for India. Made by India.”
  • The acquisition process is expected to complete soon, after which both entities will become wholly owned by the Bajaj Group.

Source: ET

2. SBI General Launches Customizable ‘Health Alpha’ Plan

• What:
  • SBI General Insurance has launched ‘Health Alpha’, a customizable health plan with over 50 coverage options and flexible features for customers to design their own policy.
• Why:
  • The plan aims to help individuals manage rising medical costs by providing adaptable coverage that suits specific needs and lifestyles.
• Tell me more:
  • Sum insured ranges from ₹5 lakh to unlimited, with policy tenure options of up to five years and premium discounts for long-term plans.
  • Medical inflation in India is rising at 12–14% annually.
  • Health Alpha was launched soon after the GST 2.0 health reform.

Source: BS

3. RBI Cancels Licence of Jijamata Mahila Sahakari Bank

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Jijamata Mahila Sahakari Bank, Satara (Maharashtra) due to insufficient capital and poor earning prospects.
• Why:
  • The licence was cancelled as the bank’s financial position was weak, and continuation of its operations would harm public interest.
• Tell me more:
  • The bank’s licence, earlier cancelled in June 2016 and restored in October 2019 after an appeal, has now been cancelled again.
  • The bank will stop banking operations from October 7, 2025, and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies has been asked to wind it up and appoint a liquidator.
  • Depositors will receive up to ₹5 lakh each under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) coverage.

Source: ET

4. Google Expands Access to AI App Builder Opal

• What:
  • Google has expanded access to its AI-powered app builder, Opal, to 15 more countries following high demand after its launch in the United States.
• Why:
  • The expansion aims to make Opal available to more global creators after witnessing innovative and practical app development by early users.
• Tell me more:
  • Opal allows users to create mini web apps using simple text prompts without coding.
  • The app is now available in India, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, Singapore, Colombia, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panamá, Honduras, Argentina, and Pakistan.
  • New upgrades include real-time debugging, a faster creation process, and the ability to run parallel workflows for complex tasks.
  • Users can edit their apps through a visual workflow editor and share them online using Google login.

Source: BT

Awards

1. Army Chief Felicitates Lt Col (Honorary) Mohanlal

• What:
  • Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi felicitated Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) Mohanlal with the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card for his outstanding contribution to society and support to the Armed Forces.
• Tell me more:
  • Mohanlal, who holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army since 2009, has been associated with the forces for 16 years.
  • He contributed voluntarily to relief efforts during the Wayanad Natural Disaster in August 2024.

Source: LM

Important Days

1. National Postal Week 2025 – October 6 to 10

• What:
  • The Department of Posts is celebrating National Postal Week from 6th to 10th October 2025, focusing on modernizing postal services and expanding customer reach.
• Tell me more:
  • World Post Day is observed on 9th October to mark the founding of the Universal Postal Union in 1874, with the 2025 theme ‘#POST FOR PEOPLE LOCAL SERVICE. GLOBAL REACH’.
  • Each day of the week is dedicated to a theme

• Special awareness programmes will be held for exporters through Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra and cultural activities like Nukkad Natak.
• Key initiatives include the annual Dhai Akhar National Level Letter Writing Competition and the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana scholarship for school students interested in philately.

Source: PIB PIB

Memorandum of Understanding

1. IIT Madras Signs MoU with Indian Navy for Naval Research

• What:
  • IIT Madras and the Indian Navy signed an MoU on October 7 to collaborate in naval technology, ocean structures, and advanced engineering solutions.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to strengthen indigenous capabilities and support India’s maritime strength through joint research and innovations.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU was signed at IIT Madras in the presence of senior officials from both sides, including Vice Admiral D Goswami and Prof V Kamakoti.
  • The partnership will focus on ship design, hydrodynamic studies, renewable energy in maritime systems, and structural analysis of naval platforms.
  • IIT Madras’ Department of Ocean Engineering has world-class facilities and expertise in modelling, hydrodynamics, and naval architecture.
  • The Institute’s state-of-the-art Towing Tank is one of the largest in Asia and supports experimental studies in ship performance.

Source: HT

Miscellaneous

1. Union Minister Unveils Book on India’s Aviation Journey

• What:
  • Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu unveiled the book Above and Beyond, written by Shiv Kumar Mohanka, Deputy Inspector General of CISF, depicting India’s aviation transformation.
• Why:
  • The book aims to highlight the growth of India’s aviation sector and the vision of connecting every citizen through affordable air travel under the Viksit Bharat and Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik missions.
• Tell me more:
  • India now has 162 operational airports, up from 74 in 2014.
  • The country is the third-largest aviation market after the US and China.

Source: ANI

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