10th October 2025

1. Rishi Sunak Joins Microsoft and Anthropic as Adviser
2. India-UK Launch Connectivity & Innovation Centre
3. India Launched National Red List to Biodiversity Conservation Till 2030
4. HDFC Bank Launches “My Business QR”
5. India’s First Bullet Train to Run by August 2027
6. Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference 2025 Kicks Off in Mehsana
7. Viksit Bharat Strategy Room Inaugurated at LBSNAA
8. India and Australia Sign Key Defence Agreements
9. Indian Army Launches Indigenous ‘SAKSHAM’ Anti-Drone Grid
10. Sherry Singh Wins India’s First Mrs Universe Crown
11. THE World University Rankings 2026
12. Punjabi Actor and Bodybuilder Varinder Ghuman Passes Away at 41
13. California Declares Diwali a State Holiday
14. IBM, Anthropic Partner to Advance Secure Enterprise AI Development
15. NCB and RRU Sign MoU to Strengthen Research and Training on Drug Crimes
16. Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates India’s First Electric Truck Battery Swapping Station
17. Blackstone Appoints Apurva Shah to Lead India Credit Division
18. 12,000-Year-Old Pillar Carved with Human Face Unearthed in Türkiye
19. Odisha to Launch “Gyana Yagnya Mandap” Digital Library at Puri
20. India to Host 8th International Solar Alliance Assembly In Delhi

National News

1. India and UK Launch Connectivity and Innovation Centre

• What:
  • India and the UK have announced a new strategic partnership through the launch of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre to promote digital inclusion and secure communications.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to combine the strengths of both countries to advance innovation in communication technologies and create economic and security benefits.
• Tell me more:
  • The Centre will link university research, lab testing, field trials, and market deployment to support advanced connectivity.
  • It will focus on three main areas: AI in telecom to improve efficiency, non-terrestrial networks for rural connectivity, and telecom cybersecurity for stronger and safer communication systems.
  • India and the UK have committed a total of £24 million over four years to fund this initiative.

Source: PIB

2. India Launches National Red List Roadmap

• What:
  • India has launched the National Red List Roadmap at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi to create a coordinated system for assessing and monitoring the conservation status of species.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to fulfil commitments under global biodiversity agreements and to support evidence-based conservation, policy planning, and threat mitigation.
• Tell me more:
  • The roadmap is part of the National Red List Assessment (NRLA) for 2025–2030, prepared by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) with IUCN-India and the Centre for Species Survival.
  • The goal is to publish National Red Data Books for flora and fauna by 2030.
  • It will be a first-of-its-kind national initiative to comprehensively assess threats to native species using IUCN global standards.

Source: PIB

3. India’s First Bullet Train to Begin Operations in 2027

• What:
  • Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India’s first bullet train will start operations in August 2027 as part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project.
• Why:
  • The project aims to introduce high-speed rail connectivity in India to reduce travel time and strengthen infrastructure between major cities.
• Tell me more:
  • The 508-km MAHSR corridor will pass through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
  • The first operational stretch of the bullet train will be from Surat to Bilimora.
  • The entire project is expected to be completed by December 2029, with services extended to Thane by 2028 and to Mumbai by 2029.
  • The total project cost is estimated at Rs. 1,08,000 crore, with 81% funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Source: IE

4. LBSNAA and NITI Aayog Launch Viksit Bharat Strategy Room

• What:
  • The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), in collaboration with NITI Aayog, inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Strategy Room and the Use Case Challenge Awards under the NITI for States platform.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to promote data-driven and evidence-based governance while encouraging innovation and knowledge sharing among officers and districts.
• Tell me more:
  • The event was inaugurated by B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, in the presence of Sriram Taranikanti, Director of LBSNAA, and senior officials.
  • The Strategy Room serves as a governance hub for officer trainees, integrating data from multiple sectors for real-time monitoring, planning, and decision-making.
  • It is an extension of the NITI Aayog Strategy Room and is designed to train officers in using data for policy formulation.
  • The Use Case Challenge Awards recognised 18 districts for outstanding data-driven governance models selected from over 250 submissions across six themes.
  • The winning cases have been showcased on the NITI for States portal and the Strategy Room network.

Source: PIB

5. India’s First Commercial Electric Truck Battery Swapping Station Inaugurated

• What:
  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India’s first commercial electric truck battery swapping and charging station at Delhi International Cargo Terminal Private Limited (DICT) in Panchi Gujran village, Sonipat.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to promote clean energy in transportation, reduce logistics costs, and support the transition from diesel to electric and biofuels.
• Tell me more:
  • The station is located on GT Road near Ganaur in Sonipat, Haryana.
  • Gadkari highlighted that the price of batteries has fallen by 50–60%, making electric vehicles more affordable.

Source: NOA

6. India to Host 8th Session of International Solar Alliance

• What:
  • India will host the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly from 27th to 30th October at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• Why:
  • The event aims to strengthen global cooperation and accelerate solar energy adoption for a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.
• Tell me more:
  • The session will bring together 124 member and signatory countries, with over 40 ministers expected to attend.
  • India has already achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its target.
  • India is the world’s 3rd largest solar producer and the 2nd largest market for renewable energy growth.
  • Over 20 lakh households have benefited from rooftop solar power under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Yojana.

Source: NOA

State News

1. First-Ever Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference Begins in Mehsana

• What:
  • The first-ever Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference has begun in Mehsana, North Gujarat, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attending the inaugural session.
• Why:
  • The event aims to expand the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit to all regions under the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
• Tell me more:
  • The two-day conference will feature 33 seminars, roundtable discussions, B2B and B2G meetings, and an MSME Conclave.
  • Partner countries include Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Netherlands, with global organisations such as JETRO, World Bank, ICBC, and the Russian Federation taking part.
  • The Regional Exhibition, spread over 18,000 square metres, will showcase North Gujarat’s products such as agro produce, dairy items, and auto components.
  • The Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet will host international buyers from 40 countries to boost export opportunities.

Source: NOA

2. Odisha to Set Up Digital Library for Jagannath Temple Records

• What:
  • The Odisha government will establish a digital library named Gyana Yagnya Mandap in Puri to preserve and digitize rare records and manuscripts of the Jagannath Temple.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to safeguard the temple’s timeless heritage and provide digital access to devotees and researchers.
• Tell me more:
  • The digital library will be built at the site of the old Raghunandan Library in Puri.
  • The original Raghunandan Library was set up by Emar Mutt authorities in the 1920s in Puri.
  • It contained rare manuscripts in Sanskrit, Odia, and Bengali languages.

Source: ETV

International News

1. California Declares Diwali as State Holiday

• California has officially recognised Diwali as a state holiday, becoming the third US state to do so after Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
• Diwali is a major Indian festival celebrated by millions worldwide.

Source: NOA

2. First Human-Faced T-Shaped Pillar Found at Karahantepe, Turkey

• What:
  • Archaeologists at Karahantepe in southeastern Turkey have discovered the first-ever T-shaped pillar carved with a distinct human face, dating back over 12,000 years.
• Why:
  • The finding provides new insights into early human symbolic expression, marking a shift from abstract representation to realistic depiction in Neolithic art.
• Tell me more:
  • The discovery is part of the Taş Tepeler Project, which studies the earliest monumental sites built by hunter-gatherer societies.
  • Karahantepe lies 35 km east of Göbekli Tepe and has revealed over 250 T-shaped pillars, carved sculptures of humans and animals, and advanced architectural layouts.
  • The pillar features defined facial contours, deep-set eyes, and a broad nose, matching the style of other human statues from the site.

Source: AO

Banking and Economy

1. HDFC Bank Launches India’s First Instant Digital Storefront QR

• What:
  • HDFC Bank has launched India’s first instant digital storefront QR for small businesses at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai in partnership with Vyaparify.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to help small and medium businesses create online-ready profiles, boost digital commerce, and strengthen their digital presence easily.
• Tell me more:
  • The new QR feature is developed in partnership with Vyaparify and extends the bank’s SmartHub Vyapar app, which has over 2 million users.
  • It combines QR payments and chat features to create an engagement-based online purchase experience.
  • The feature, called “My Business QR,” provides merchants with one identity for discovery, engagement, and commerce.

Source: TOI

2. IBM and Anthropic Partner to Integrate Claude into Enterprise AI

• What:
  • IBM and Anthropic have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Anthropic’s Claude large language model into IBM’s software portfolio to enhance enterprise AI capabilities.
• Why:
  • The aim is to boost productivity, strengthen security and governance, and enable enterprises to use AI tools that fit their operational requirements without adding new risks.
• Tell me more:
  • Claude will first be integrated into IBM’s new AI-first integrated development environment (IDE) designed for enterprise software development lifecycles, including modernization.
  • The IDE, in private preview, has over 6,000 early IBM adopters reporting an average 45% productivity gain.
  • Key use cases include application modernization, intelligent code generation, end-to-end orchestration of development tasks, and embedding security into workflows.
  • Partnership includes a guide for Architecting Secure Enterprise AI Agents with MCP, focusing on the Agent Development Lifecycle (ADLC).
  • IBM plans to expand Claude’s integration into more products and contribute enterprise-grade assets to open AI standards like the Model Context Protocol.

Source: IBM

Reports and Indices

1. Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026

• What:
  • The University of Oxford has been ranked as the world’s top university for the tenth consecutive year in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.
• Why:
  • The rankings aim to evaluate global universities based on teaching, research, and international reputation, highlighting shifts in global higher education performance.
• Tell me more:
  • Oxford leads globally, followed by MIT in second place and Princeton and Cambridge in joint third.
  • The US retains seven of the top ten spots but shows an overall decline, with fewer universities in the top 20, top 100, and top 500.
  • Asia’s top universities, including Tsinghua (12th), Peking (13th), and NUS (17th), have stagnated for the first time in 14 years.
  • The UK’s performance remains strong at the top but has fewer than 50 universities in the top 500 for the first time.
  • China now has five universities in the top 40, with 21% of its institutions improving their ranks.

Source: TOI

Defence News

1. India and Australia Strengthen Defence Cooperation

• What:
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles in Canberra, reaffirming India’s stand against terrorism and signing three key defence agreements.
• Why:
  • The meeting aimed to deepen defence cooperation between India and Australia across military, maritime, industry, and research areas.
• Tell me more:
  • The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has significantly expanded defence cooperation.
  • Three agreements were signed: Information Sharing Agreement, Submarine Search and Rescue Cooperation, and Terms of Reference for Joint Staff Talks.

Source: NOA

2. Army Fast-Tracks Indigenous Counter-Drone System SAKSHAM

• What:
  • The Army has fast-tracked the procurement of the indigenous SAKSHAM counter-drone system, with soft and hard kill options, developed with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
• Why:
  • The system aims to ensure real-time detection, tracking, identification, and neutralisation of hostile drones, enhancing battlefield airspace security after lessons from Operation Sindoor.
• Tell me more:
  • SAKSHAM will operate through the secure Army Data Network (ADN) and provide integrated drone awareness for all formations in real time.
  • It will cover airspace up to 3,000 metres above ground, defined as the Tactical Battlefield Space.
  • The system integrates AI tools and an automated decision support platform for counter-drone operations.
  • It will synchronise current and future counter-drone weapons and sensors, feeding into the larger Sudharshan Chakra system.
  • Rollout to all field formations is targeted within the next year under the Fast Track Procurement route.

Source: ET

Awards

1. Sherry Singh Wins Mrs Universe 2025 for India

• What:
  • Sherry Singh has won Mrs Universe 2025, becoming the first-ever Indian to claim the prestigious international crown.
• Tell me more:
  • The grand finale took place at Okada, Manila, Philippines, with 120 delegates competing.
  • Sherry represented India after being crowned Mrs India 2025 by UMB Pageants.
  • Final rankings: Winner – India; 1st Runner-up – Saint Petersburg; 2nd Runner-up – Philippines; 3rd Runner-up – Asia; 4th Runner-up – Russia.
  • Other finalists came from various regions including USA, Japan, Africa, UAE, and Europe.

Source: BW

Memorandum of Understanding

1. NCB and RRU Sign MoU to Combat Drug Crimes

• What:
  • The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) have signed an MoU in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation in research, training, technology development, and capacity building for narcotics control and cyber-enabled drug crimes.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to create a knowledge-driven enforcement system by combining RRU’s academic expertise with NCB’s operational experience.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU was signed by NCB Director General Anurag Garg and RRU Vice Chancellor Prof Bimal N. Patel.
  • Plans include establishing a Centre of Excellence in Cybercrime Investigation and Drug Intelligence as a hub for innovation.
  • OSINT stands for Open-Source Intelligence, used to collect and analyse publicly available data.

Source: NOA

Appointments

1. Rishi Sunak Becomes AI Advisor to Microsoft and Anthropic

• What:
  • Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has become a paid advisor to technology companies Microsoft and Anthropic, marking his first move into the private sector since leaving office earlier this year.
• Why:
  • The advisory roles aim to use Sunak’s government experience to guide the companies on artificial intelligence policy and global strategy.
• Tell me more:
  • The UK’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) approved these appointments with strict ethical conditions.
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • ACOBA is an ethics watchdog that oversees the post-office employment of former government officials in the UK.
  • He hosted the UK’s AI Safety Summit in 2023 and worked closely with top executives from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic.

Source: TOI

2. Blackstone Appoints Apurva Shah to Lead India Credit Division

• Blackstone has appointed Apurva Shah as Managing Director to head its newly launched credit division in India under Blackstone Credit & Insurance (BXCI).
• This is Blackstone’s first hire for credit in India.

Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. Bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman Dies After Surgery in Amritsar

• Bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman passed away due to cardiac arrest after undergoing a minor surgery at a private hospital in Amritsar.
• Varinder Singh Ghuman was a professional bodybuilder and actor known in the fitness industry.

Source: TOI

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