21st October 2025

1. Police Commemoration Day 2025 – October 21
2. Verstappen Wins US Grand Prix, F1 Title Race Heats Up
3. Morocco Stuns Argentina to Win Historic U-20 World Cup
4. Trump, Albanese Sign Critical Minerals Deal to Counter China
5. India Develops First Indigenous Antibiotic, Advances Gene Therapy
6. Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Woman Prime Minister
7. Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Titanium Plant for Defence in Lucknow
8. Chandrayaan-2 Detects Solar Impact on Moon’s Exosphere
9. Law Ministry Increases Notary Limits in Four States
10. Bathou Religion Gets Separate Census Code in Assam
11. Brazil, India Form Strategic Alliance for Trade and Tech
12. Uttarakhand Hosts AI Impact Summit Ahead of India–AI 2026
13. Uruguay Legalises Euthanasia, a First in Latin America
14. Telangana Leads India in Mobile Phone Recovery via CEIR
15. FAO, India Mark 80 Years of Partnership on World Food Day
16. Cape Verde Creates History with FIFA World Cup Qualification
17. Akkai Padmashali Becomes First Transgender Member of SC-Appointed Committee
18. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) Celebrates 9th Foundation Day
19. Nirmal Minda Becomes Assocham President, Chaudhry as Sr. VP
20. 11th India International Science Festival to Be Held in Chandigarh
21. Harsh Sanghavi Becomes Gujarat Deputy CM in Cabinet Shake-Up

National News

1. Rajnath Singh Dedicates Titanium and Superalloy Plant to Nation

• What:
  • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated India’s first Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant at PTC Industries’ Strategic Materials Technology Complex in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to the nation.
• Why:
  • The plant aims to boost India’s self-reliance in producing rare and critical materials used in defence and aerospace, reducing dependency on imports and strengthening technological sovereignty.
• Tell me more:
  • The plant is among the first private sector units manufacturing aero-engine and superalloy components, crucial for fighter jets, missiles, naval systems, and satellites.
  • Spread over 50 acres, the facility was established with an investment of ₹1,000 crore and has a production capacity of over 6,000 tonnes annually.
  • An MoU was signed between PTC Industries and Bharat Dynamics Limited to create a joint venture for developing propulsion systems, guided bombs, and aeroengines.
  • PTC Industries received technical clearances from DRDO’s agencies for producing titanium castings for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE-2).
  • The project is a major step toward producing aviation-grade titanium and superalloys using domestic and recycled sources.

Source: PIB

2. Centre Notifies Notaries (Amendment) Rules, 2025

• What:
  • The Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice notified the Notaries (Amendment) Rules, 2025, increasing the number of Notaries in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Nagaland.
• Why:
  • The amendment was made to meet the rising demand for Notary services due to population growth and the increase in districts, tehsils, and talukas in these states.
• Tell me more:
  • The notification, G.S.R. 763(E), was issued on October 17, 2025, under section 15 of the Notaries Act, 1952.
  • The number of Notaries for Gujarat increased from 2,900 to 6,000.
  • The number for Tamil Nadu increased from 2,500 to 3,500, for Rajasthan from 2,000 to 3,000, and for Nagaland from 200 to 400.

Source: PIB

3. India Celebrates World Food Day 2025 and FAO’s 80th Anniversary

• What:
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare celebrated World Food Day 2025, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), where Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi delivered the keynote address.
• Why:
  • The event aimed to recognize India’s partnership with FAO in achieving food self-sufficiency and promoting sustainable, nutrition-sensitive agriculture for a healthier and more resilient future.
• Tell me more:
  • Dr. Chaturvedi highlighted India’s transformation from a food-deficient nation to a food-surplus nation feeding 1.4 billion people.
  • He emphasized the role of policies like the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and public stockholding under the National Food Security Act benefiting over 800 million people.
  • India’s agricultural success is powered by 146 million small and marginal holdings supported by stress-tolerant seeds, crop insurance, climate-smart practices, and digital tools like AgriStack.
  • He reaffirmed India’s commitment to sustainability through natural farming, micro-irrigation, and organic agriculture.
  • The event also saw the release of FAO’s coffee table book “Sowing Hope, Harvesting Success,” showcasing FAO’s eight-decade partnership with India.

Source: PIB

4. Supreme Court Forms Panel on Transgender Rights Policy

• What:
  • The Supreme Court has appointed a committee to draft an equal opportunity policy for protecting the rights of transgender persons, with activist Akkai Padmashali among its members.
• Why:
  • The committee aims to ensure effective implementation of legal rulings supporting transgender rights and to promote equality and social justice for the transgender community.
• Tell me more:
  • Akkai Padmashali is the first transgender person from Karnataka to be part of a Supreme Court-appointed panel.
  • This is also the first Supreme Court committee to include members from the transgender community.
  • The committee is chaired by Justice Asha Menon, a retired judge of the Delhi High Court.
  • Other members include Grace Banu, Vyjayanthi Vasanta Mogli, Sourav Mandal, Nithya Rajshekhar, and Sanjay Sharma.
  • Akkai Padmashali emphasized focusing on ground-level implementation of judgments like the 2014 NALSA ruling and the 2018 decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Source: TH

5. All India Institute of Ayurveda Celebrates 9th Foundation Day

• What:
  • The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of Ayush, celebrated its 9th Foundation Day at its campus in New Delhi.
• Why:
  • The celebration aimed to honour AIIA’s nine years of contribution to Ayurvedic education, research, and healthcare services, highlighting its role in promoting traditional medicine globally.
• Tell me more:
  • The institute has also signed 73 national and international MoUs to strengthen Ayurvedic research and collaboration.
  • The celebration included a Havan ceremony at Dhanvantari Vatika and a cultural programme showcasing Ayurveda’s cultural and philosophical legacy.
  • AIIA is an autonomous organization functioning under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
  • The institute serves as a Centre of Excellence in Ayurvedic education, research, and healthcare.

Source: PIB

6. 11th India International Science Festival 2025 to be Held in Chandigarh

• What:
  • The 11th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) will be held in Chandigarh from 6th to 9th December 2025 under the theme “Vigyan se Samruddhi: For Atma Nirbhar Bharat.”
• Why:
  • The festival aims to promote public participation in science, highlight India’s research achievements, and advance the vision of “Vigyan Se Samriddhi – Science to Prosperity” for building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Tell me more:
  • IISF 2025 will be held from December 6 to 9, 2025, at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
  • The event will focus on five themes: Science, Technology and Ecology of North-West India and the Himalayan Region; Science for Society and Education; Atmanirbhar Bharat through Science and Technology; Biotechnology and Bio-economy; and Integration of Traditional Knowledge with Modern Science.
  • The event will include exhibitions, competitions, business meetings, and cultural programs connecting laboratories with society.
  • Dr. Singh emphasized the role of initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in democratizing research funding across universities and states.
  • Senior officials and scientists, including Prof. Renu Vig, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Dr. M. Ravichandran, and Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, attended the event.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Bathou Religion of Bodo Community Gets Separate Census Code

• What:
  • The Bathou religion, followed by the Bodo community in Assam, has been granted a separate code in the upcoming national census.
• Why:
  • The move aims to give national recognition to the ancient Bathou religion and acknowledge the cultural identity and beliefs of the Bodo community.
• Tell me more:
  • UPPL leader and former BTC chief, Promod Boro, expressed gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for this recognition.
  • The Bathou religion represents the spiritual and traditional beliefs of the Bodos and is rooted in India’s ancient heritage.
  • Amit Shah, during his visit to Bodoland in March, said that Bathou symbolizes “the deep mystery of the creator of the five elements.”
  • These five elements, known as Panchatatva, include fire, air, earth, sky, and water, which form the basis of Bathou belief.

Source: ET

2. Uttarakhand Hosts Pre-Summit for India AI Impact Summit 2026

• What:
  • The Government of Uttarakhand, in collaboration with the India AI Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), organized the Uttarakhand AI Impact Summit 2025, in Dehradun.
• Why:
  • The event aimed to promote responsible AI adoption, foster innovation, and prepare for the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, which will strengthen India’s leadership in global AI development.
• Tell me more:
  • The summit, organized at Hotel Ramada, Dehradun, served as a pre-summit to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled on February 19–20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
  • It was attended by Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and IT and Commerce and Industry, along with senior officials from MeitY and the Uttarakhand government.
  • The event focused on AI’s role in sustainable development under the “Digital Uttarakhand” vision, covering governance, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
  • AI-led startups from IIM Kashipur and STPI Dehradun showcased cutting-edge applications supporting growth in digital governance.
  • The India–AI Summit framework revolves around the three Sutras—People, Planet, and Progress—and seven Chakras, focusing on inclusion, environment, and equitable AI access.

Source: PIB

3. Telangana Tops in Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) Portal

• What:
  • Telangana has emerged as the top State in India for recovering stolen and missing mobile phones, recording 1,00,020 recoveries through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to curb mobile theft, prevent the use of counterfeit devices, and assist citizens in retrieving lost or stolen mobile phones efficiently.
• Tell me more:
  • The CEIR system was developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to track and block stolen devices.
  • It became operational in Telangana days after its launch in pilot States such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, and the North Eastern States.

Source: TH

International News

1. U.S. and Australia Sign Critical Minerals Agreement

• What:
  • U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical minerals agreement at the White House to strengthen supply chains and counter China’s dominance.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to boost joint investment in mining and processing of critical minerals, ensuring Western supply-chain resilience and reducing dependence on China.
• Tell me more:
  • The U.S. and Australia will each invest $1 billion over the next six months into mining and processing projects, forming part of an $8.5 billion pipeline.
  • The deal sets a minimum price floor for critical minerals, targeting deposits worth $53 billion.
  • The U.S. Export-Import Bank announced over $2.2 billion in investments for projects by seven Australian companies, including Arafura Rare Earths and Northern Minerals.
  • The Pentagon plans to build a gallium refinery in Western Australia after China blocked its gallium exports to the U.S. in December.
  • As part of the deal, both nations agreed to speed up mine permitting, cooperate on resource mapping, minerals recycling, and restrict mineral asset sales for national security reasons.

Source: TP

2. Brazil to Form Strategic Alliance with India

• What:
  • Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced plans to form a strategic alliance with India to enhance political, economic, and technological cooperation between the two countries.
• Why:
  • The alliance aims to strengthen business and investment relations by leveraging India’s large market and promoting mutual economic growth through complementary cooperation.
• Tell me more:
  • The announcement followed Vice President Geraldo Alckmin’s visit to India to prepare for President Lula’s state visit next year under the Modi-Lula summit roadmap.
  • Key developments from the visit include opening an office of Brazilian aerospace company Embraer in India, introducing an e-visa system to ease business travel, and creating new partnerships.

Source: LM

3. Uruguay Becomes First Latin American Country to Legalize Assisted Dying

• What:
  • Uruguay passed the Dignified Death Bill, becoming the first country in Latin America to legalize assisted dying for mentally sound adults with terminal and irreversible diseases.
• Why:
  • The law was introduced to provide terminally ill patients the right to choose a peaceful and dignified death and respond to strong public demand for compassionate end-of-life options.
• Tell me more:
  • While Uruguay is the first to legalize the practice by legislation, Colombia and Ecuador had earlier decriminalized assisted dying through court rulings.
  • The bill was initially introduced as the “euthanasia bill” in Spanish before being renamed the “Dignified Death Bill.”

Source: BBC

Science and Technology

1. India Develops Its First Indigenous Antibiotic Nafithromycin

• What:
  • India has developed its first indigenously discovered antibiotic, Nafithromycin, which is effective against resistant respiratory infections, especially in cancer patients and those with poorly controlled diabetes.
• Why:
  • The development aims to promote self-reliance in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors and strengthen India’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • The announcement was made by Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during the inauguration of a three-day medical workshop in New Delhi.
  • Dr Singh also highlighted a successful indigenous clinical trial for gene therapy in treating Hemophilia, conducted at Christian Medical College, Vellore, with a 60–70% correction rate and zero bleeding episodes.
  • The trial was supported by the Department of Biotechnology, and its results were published in the ‘New England Journal of Medicine’.
  • India has completed sequencing of over 10,000 human genomes and plans to expand this to one million.
  • AI-based hybrid mobile clinics are being used to provide quality healthcare in rural and remote regions.
  • Christian Medical College, Vellore, played a leading role in the indigenous clinical trial.

Source: NOA

2. Chandrayaan-2 Confirms Density Rise in Moon’s Exosphere During Solar Event

• What:
  • An instrument aboard India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission confirmed an increase in the density of molecules in the Moon’s exosphere during a major solar event called a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that occurred in May last year.
• Why:
  • The finding helps scientists understand how the Sun’s emissions affect the Moon’s atmosphere and supports India’s future plans for human missions and lunar habitat development by 2040.
• Tell me more:
  • The Chandrayaan-2 payload, Chandra’s Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2 (CHACE-2), recorded a rise in total pressure in the Moon’s sunlit exosphere when the CME reached its surface.
  • The Moon’s exosphere is a thin layer made of molecules released due to solar radiation, solar wind, and meteor impacts.
  • Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks a magnetic field, making it more vulnerable to solar activity.
  • The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, provided the first experimental evidence of enhanced lunar exospheric density during a CME.
  • The lead author of the study is M.B. Dhanya from ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

Source: IE

Important Days

1. Police Commemoration Day 2025 – October 21

• What:
  • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will lay a wreath at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi on October 21, 2025, on Police Commemoration Day, which is observed every year to honor the policemen who lost their lives in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, in 1959.
• Tell me more:
  • A joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Delhi Police will be held as part of the event.
  • The National Police Memorial was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Police Commemoration Day in 2018.

Source: PIB

Sports

1. Max Verstappen Wins Dominantly at U.S. Grand Prix

• What:
  • Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the U.S. Grand Prix in Texas, leading every lap from pole position and reducing Oscar Piastri’s championship lead.
• Tell me more:
  • McLaren’s Lando Norris finished second after overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, last year’s race winner.
  • The U.S. Grand Prix was held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
  • Max Verstappen is a four-time Formula One world champion.

Source: RT

2. Morocco Wins FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025

• What:
  • Morocco won the FIFA U-20 World Cup by defeating Argentina 2-0 in Santiago, with both goals scored by Yassir Zabiri in the first half.
• Tell me more:
  • Yassir Zabiri scored twice within 17 minutes, netting goals in the 12th and 29th minutes, leading Morocco to victory under coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
  • Morocco became the first team in 42 years to defeat Argentina in a U-20 World Cup final.
  • Othmane Maamma of Morocco won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
  • Argentina last lost a U-20 World Cup final in 1983 to Brazil.

Source: OC

3. Cabo Verde Qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026

• What:
  • Cabo Verde qualified for the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 after defeating Eswatini 3-0, securing their first-ever World Cup appearance.
• Why:
  • The victory marks a historic achievement for the island nation and showcases its remarkable rise in African and global football through determination and strong performance.
• Tell me more:
  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
  • Cabo Verde is the smallest country by area (4,033 sq km) to qualify for the World Cup and only the second smallest by population after Iceland.
  • The Blue Sharks have played in four of the last six Africa Cup of Nations, twice reaching the quarter-finals.

Source: OC

Appointments

1. Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

• Sanae Takaichi has become Japan’s first female prime minister, marking a historic milestone ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Tokyo.

Source: ET

2. Nirmal Kumar Minda Elected New President of ASSOCHAM

• What:
  • Nirmal Kumar Minda, Executive Chairman of Uno Minda Group, has been elected as the new President of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
• Tell me more:
  • Minda succeeds Sanjay Nayar, Founder and Chairman of Sorin Investment Fund, at the 105-year-old industry body.
  • Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank, has been appointed as Senior Vice-President, subject to RBI approval.
  • Minda, a veteran of the automotive industry, emphasised a five-point agenda focusing on “Make in India, Ease of Doing Business, MSME growth, Digital Economy, and Sustainability & Environment.”
  • He has been recognised with awards like the EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Best CEO (Business Today, 2019), and Haryana Ratna Award.

Source: BW

3. Harsh Sanghavi Appointed as Gujarat’s New Deputy Chief Minister

• The Gujarat government conducted a major cabinet reshuffle, appointing Harsh Sanghavi as Deputy Chief Minister and inducting Rivaba Jadeja, wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, as a minister.
• Tell me more:
  • The oath ceremony was held in Ahmedabad, where 26 ministers, including CM Bhupendra Patel, were sworn in by Governor Acharya Devvrat.
  • Harsh Sanghavi became Gujarat’s sixth Deputy Chief Minister, following figures like Nitin Patel and Keshubhai Patel from earlier governments.
  • Gujarat can have a maximum of 27 ministers, as per the rule allowing up to 15% of the 182-member Assembly.

Source: IE

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