17th October 2025

1. India-Indonesia Naval Exercise “Samudra Shakti 2025” commenced in Visakhapatnam, AP
2. PLFS Monthly Bulletin September 2025: Unemployment Rate Rises Marginally to 5.2%
3. Paras Defence Signs MoU with Israel’s CIELO for Inertial Solutions
4. A.R. Rahman Collaborate with Google Cloud to Develop AI-Powered Music Avatars
5. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Signs MoU to Set Up Dr. Ambedkar Chairs in Three Universities
6. Overview of 78th WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia Held in Colombo, Sri Lanka
7. India and Panama Established 20-Member Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group
8. India’s GIFT City climbs 3 places to 43rd in 38th GFCI rankings, New York Tops
9. Universal Sompo Partners with APGB to Expand Insurance Services Across AP
10. Military Leader Michael Randriniarilna Sworn in as Transitional President of Madagascar
11. ISRO Plans Crewed Moon Mission by 2040, Maiden Human Spaceflight Launch in 2027
12. Global Handwashing Day 2025 – October 15
13. World Students’ Day 2025 – October 15
14. Tarun Garg to Lead Hyundai India as First Indian MD & CEO
15. BLS International to Operate Indian Visa Centres in China
16. India’s Trade Deficit Hits $32.15 Billion in September 2025
17. India–South Korea Hold First Bilateral Naval Exercise IN–RoKN
18. Bajaj Finserv AMC Launches ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’ via UPI
19. Ola Electric Launches Ola Shakti for Energy Storage Solutions
20. PM Modi Inaugurates ₹13,430 Cr Projects in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
21. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025
22. LIC Launches Jan Suraksha and Bima Lakshmi Insurance Plans
23. Abhishek, Mandhana Win ICC Player of the Month October 2025
24. Adani to Build Kedarnath Ropeway Reducing Trek to 36 Minutes

National News

1. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Sets Up Three New Chairs

• What:
  • Dr. Ambedkar Foundation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised an MoU signing ceremony in New Delhi to establish three new Dr. Ambedkar Chairs.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to promote Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s ideology and vision through academic and research activities.
• Tell me more:
  • The new Chairs will be set up at Mumbai University, Jaipur National University, and G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Uttarakhand.
  • The MoU signing event was attended by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar.
  • The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Source: NOA

2. India and Panama Form Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group

• What:
  • India and Panama have formed a 20-member Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to promote closer cooperation, dialogue, and partnership between the legislatures of India and Panama.
• Tell me more:
  • The Embassy of India in Panama announced the formation of the group during the Oath Taking Ceremony held at the National Assembly of Panama.
  • The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Sumit Seth, Walkiria Chandler (President of the Commission for External Relations), and Jorge Bloise (President of the India-Panama Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group).
  • Earlier, Panama President Jose Raul Mulino described India as a strategic partner for collaboration in areas like technology, medicine, and production.

Source: BS

State News

1. PM Modi Dedicates Advanced Night Vision Factory in Andhra Pradesh

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated an Advanced Night Vision factory to the nation at Nimmaluru, Andhra Pradesh, as part of development projects worth ₹13,430 crore in Kurnool.
• Why:
  • The facility aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence by producing advanced night vision devices, missile sensors, and drone guard systems to boost defence exports.
• Tell me more:
  • The factory was established by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with an investment of about ₹360 crore.
  • It is spread over 50.54 acres with a built-up area of 36,000 sq. metres in Nimmaluru, Krishna District.
  • The facility will cater to the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and exports by developing electro-optical devices, infrared seekers, and drone defence systems.
  • It has flexible production lines to support future manufacturing and will generate employment over the next 2–3 years.
  • The Prime Minister praised Andhra Pradesh’s plan to develop Kurnool as India’s drone hub and highlighted drones’ success during Operation Sindoor.

Source: PIB

2. Adani Group to Build Kedarnath Ropeway Project

• What:
  • The Adani Group is constructing a ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham at a cost of ₹4,081 crore to make the pilgrimage faster and more accessible for devotees.
• Why:
  • The project aims to ease the difficult 9-hour trek to Kedarnath by reducing travel time to 36 minutes, ensuring safer and more convenient access for pilgrims.
• Tell me more:
  • Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) received the Letter of Award from the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML) in September to implement the project.
  • The ropeway will be developed under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis.
  • It will be executed by AEL’s Roads, Metro, Rail, and Water (RMRW) division and is expected to be completed in six years, with a 29-year operational period.
  • The project will boost tourism and create employment opportunities in Uttarakhand.

Source: NDTV

International News

1. WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee Holds 78th Session in Colombo

• What:
  • The 78th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia began in Colombo with health leaders and experts meeting to discuss regional health priorities.
• Why:
  • The session aims to strengthen regional health cooperation, develop policy frameworks, and adopt resolutions on major public health issues.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, will attend the plenary session to represent India’s commitment to regional health collaboration.
  • WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Regional Director Dr. Catharina Boehme are attending along with officials from eight member countries.
  • The three-day event will focus on areas such as healthy ageing through primary healthcare, reducing tobacco use, tackling antimicrobial resistance, and expanding the Regional Health Emergency Fund.

Source: NOA

Banking and Economy

1. Labour Force Participation Rate Improves in September 2025

• What:
  • The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) bulletin shows that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) among those aged 15 and above in India has increased to 55.3% in September 2025, with a notable rise in female and rural participation.
• Why:
  • This survey provides updated data on monthly and quarterly employment trends to help track labour market changes in the country.
• Tell me more:
  • Female LFPR reached 34.1% in September 2025, the highest since May 2025, mainly due to growth in rural areas.
  • Worker Population Ratio (WPR) rose to 52.4%, the highest since May 2025, with rural and female workforce growth driving this rise.
  • Overall Unemployment Rate (UR) increased to 5.2% from 5.1%, with both rural and urban areas witnessing a marginal rise.
  • Urban female unemployment rate grew to 9.3% in September 2025, while overall female UR increased to 5.5%.
  • Male unemployment rate also saw a slight increase in both rural and urban regions in September 2025.

Source: PIB

2. A R Rahman and Google Cloud Launch Secret Mountain

• What:
  • A R Rahman has joined hands with Google Cloud for a new project called Secret Mountain, a digital avatar band that uses artificial intelligence and music.
• Why:
  • The project aims to create a next-generation entertainment experience by blending AI, music, and storytelling.
• Tell me more:
  • Google Cloud’s advanced AI models and infrastructure will power the project.
  • The band concept was created by Rahman and combines AI-powered synthetic avatars with genre-bending music.

Source: PTI

3. Universal Sompo Partners with Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank

• What:
  • Universal Sompo General Insurance Company has partnered with Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank (APGB) to offer general insurance products across all 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to enhance access to affordable and customised insurance solutions for rural and agrarian communities.
• Tell me more:
  • APGB has a network of 1,351 branches serving rural and semi-urban areas in the state.
  • The collaboration will leverage the ‘State Insurance Plan’ to address key risks such as crop loss, property damage, and health emergencies.
  • K. Pramod Kumar Reddy, Chairman of APGB, stated that the partnership will provide integrated banking and insurance services, while Sharad Mathur, Managing Director & CEO of Universal Sompo, said it will benefit farming communities, SHGs, and MSMEs.

Source: HBL

4. BLS International Wins MEA Contract to Run Visa Centres in China

• What:
  • BLS International Services Limited has received a three-year contract from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, to set up and operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China.
• Why:
  • The contract aims to provide secure, efficient, and user-friendly visa processing services to applicants in China.
• Tell me more:
  • The new Indian Visa Application Centres will be established in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
  • These centres will have upgraded infrastructure, advanced technology, and multilingual staff to ensure transparency and convenience for applicants.
  • BLS International is a global tech-enabled service provider working with governments and diplomatic missions.

Source: ET

5. India’s Trade Deficit Widens to 11-Month High in September

• What:
  • India’s merchandise trade deficit reached an 11-month high of $32.15 billion in September 2025 as imports grew faster than exports.
• Why:
  • The widening deficit resulted from a surge in imports, particularly gold, alongside the impact of the U.S. tariff hike on Indian goods.
• Tell me more:
  • September exports increased to $36.38 billion from $35.10 billion in August, despite the U.S. tariff increase on Indian products such as textiles, shrimp, and gems & jewellery.
  • Imports rose sharply to $68.53 billion from $61.59 billion in the previous month.
  • Gold imports almost doubled to $9.6 billion from $5.14 billion, driven by demand for gold exchange-traded funds amid weak stock market performance.
  • Economists had earlier expected the trade deficit to be $25.13 billion, as per a Reuters poll.
  • India will hold trade talks with Washington to address tariff issues and boost energy imports from the U.S.

Source: ET

6. Bajaj Finserv AMC Launches ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’ Feature

• What:
  • Bajaj Finserv AMC has introduced a new feature that allows investors to use their mutual fund investments to make UPI payments similar to using a savings account.
• Why:
  • The feature aims to help investors earn better returns while keeping their money instantly accessible for daily transactions.
• Tell me more:
  • The new facility, called ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’, allows redemptions up to ₹50,000 or 90% of the investment, whichever is lower, through the Instant Redemption option.
  • Investors can make UPI payments by scanning a QR code and approving the transaction, after which the redemption is processed in the background.

Source: UNI

7. Ola Electric Enters Energy Storage Market with Ola Shakti

• What:
  • Ola Electric has launched Ola Shakti, a portable device designed to power home appliances, farm equipment, and business establishments, marking its entry into the battery energy storage systems (BESS) market.
• Tell me more:
  • Ola Shakti uses Ola’s own 4680 Bharat Cells made at its Gigafactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.
  • The system will allow the company’s Gigafactory production for BESS to reach up to 5 GWh annually in the next few years.

Source: FE

8. LIC Launches Two New Insurance Plans: Jan Suraksha and Bima Lakshmi

• What:
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched two new plans — LIC Jan Suraksha Plan (880) for lower-income groups and LIC Bima Lakshmi Plan (881) exclusively for women.
• Why:
  • The plans aim to provide affordable life insurance with savings and protection benefits to targeted groups under the new next-gen GST regime.
• Tell me more:
  • LIC Jan Suraksha is a non-linked, non-participating life micro-insurance endowment plan with guaranteed additions of 4% per year.
  • The entry age for Jan Suraksha is between 18 and 55 years with a policy term of 12 to 20 years, and sum assured from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
  • LIC Bima Lakshmi is a non-linked insurance plan offering life cover, periodic money-backs, and guaranteed additions at 7% of annual premium.
  • The entry age for Bima Lakshmi is 18 to 50 years, with a policy term of 25 years and a premium-paying term between 7 to 15 years.
  • Bima Lakshmi offers additional rider options, survival benefit flexibility, and an auto cover feature after three years of premium payments.
  • These are LIC’s first two products launched under the new next generation GST framework.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. 38th Global Financial Centres Index

• What:
  • Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) has moved up three places to 43rd position in the 38th Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 38) rankings and rose five positions to 35th in the FinTech Index.
• Why:
  • The improvement reflects India’s growing influence in international finance and demonstrates GIFT City’s ability to combine innovation, regulatory strength, and operational efficiency.
• Tell me more:
  • GIFT City is an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and a project of national importance that continues to rank among the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • The GFCI 38 report has featured GIFT City among the ’15 centres likely to become more significant’ globally and it remains the only Indian financial centre in the top Asia-Pacific group.
  • The Global Financial Centres Index was compiled by the Z/Yen Group and evaluated 135 financial centres worldwide using more than 140 instrumental factors from organizations like the World Bank, OECD, and United Nations.
  • The index assesses financial centres on parameters including business environment, infrastructure, human capital, financial sector development, and reputational advantage.

Source: IE

Defence News

1. Indian Navy Hosts 5th Indo-Indonesian Maritime Exercise Samudra Shakti 2025

• The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the Indo-Indonesian Joint Bilateral Maritime Exercise, Samudra Shakti 2025, at Visakhapatnam from October 15 to 17, 2025.
• Participating units include the Indian INS Kavaratti corvette and Indonesian Navy Ship KRI John Lie corvette with a helicopter.

Source: TH

2. India and South Korea Begin First Naval Exercise

• What:
  • The first-ever India–South Korea naval bilateral exercise began at Busan Naval Base, marking a new phase in defence cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy.
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to strengthen naval interoperability, build mutual trust, and enhance maritime coordination between the two countries.
• Tell me more:
  • INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class stealth frigate, arrived at Busan to join the exercise.
  • The event includes harbour and sea phases, featuring joint manoeuvres, cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, and training activities.

Source: DD

Science and Technology

1. ISRO Targets Crewed Moon Mission by 2040

• What:
  • ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that India aims to land humans on the Moon by 2040, while the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission is planned for launch in 2027.
• Why:
  • The initiatives aim to strengthen India’s self-reliant space ecosystem and expand national capabilities in human and deep space exploration.
• Tell me more:
  • The Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS), a national space station, is planned to be operational by 2035, with initial space modules expected by 2027.
  • Three uncrewed Gaganyaan missions are scheduled by 2026, starting with a flight in December 2025 featuring the half-humanoid robot ‘Vyommitra’.
  • Upcoming projects include Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5, a new Mars mission, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), and the AXOM astronomical observatory mission.
  • The Aditya-L1 mission has collected more than 15 terabits of solar data, offering valuable insights into coronal mass ejections and space weather.
  • The ISRO Chief highlighted ongoing reforms under IN-SPACe, integrating over 300 startups into India’s space ecosystem.

Source: IE

Important Days

1. Global Handwashing Day 2025 – October 15

• Theme: Be a handwashing hero!

Source: GHD

2. World Students’ Day 2025 – October 15

3. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025 – October 17

• Theme: Ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families

Source: UN

Sports

1. Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana Win ICC Player Awards

• What:
  • Indian cricketers Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana won the ICC Player of the Month awards for September 2025 for their performances in the Asia Cup and women’s ODI series against Australia, respectively.
• Why:
  • The awards recognise players who delivered exceptional performances and contributed significantly to their teams’ victories in international matches.
• Tell me more:
  • Abhishek Sharma scored 314 runs in seven matches at an average of 44.85 and a strike rate of 200 during the Asia Cup, earning the Player of the Tournament title.
  • He also achieved the highest-ever rating points in T20I batting rankings and won ahead of Kuldeep Yadav and Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett.
  • Smriti Mandhana scored 308 runs in four ODIs at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135.68 against Australia.
  • She struck 58, 117, and 125 in the three matches, including the fastest century by an Indian batter off just 50 balls in the third ODI.
  • Mandhana was competing for the award alongside South Africa’s Tazmin Brits and Pakistan’s Sidra Amin.

Source: TH

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Paras Defence Signs MoU with Israel’s Cielo Inertial Solutions

• What:
  • Paras Defence and Space Technologies has signed an MoU with Israel-based Cielo Inertial Solutions for the sale and production of inertial sensors and closed-loop fiber optic gyroscope-based solutions in India.
• Why:
  • The purpose of the MoU is to make advanced motion and navigation devices in India that help machines like drones, missiles, and aircraft know their exact direction, speed, and movement even without GPS.
• Tell me more:
  • Paras Defence stated that it is the only Indian company manufacturing Infrared Optics in large quantities and contributes to major defence and space programs of the country.
  • These devices use light and sensors to track movement very accurately, which is important for defence and space missions

Source: BS

Appointments

1. Madagascar Swears In Army Colonel as New President

• Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court has sworn in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as president following a military takeover after President Andry Rajoelina fled into exile.

Source: ALJ

2. Tarun Garg Appointed as Hyundai Motor India’s New MD & CEO

• What:
  • Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has appointed Tarun Garg as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, making him the first Indian national to hold this position since the company’s establishment in 1996.
• Tell me more:
  • Hyundai Motor India Limited was established in 1996 and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea.
  • José Muñoz is the President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.
  • Garg holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Delhi Technological University and an MBA from IIM Lucknow.
  • HMIL operates across 26 launches planned by 2030 as part of its ₹45,000 crore investment plan in India.

Source: BS

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