22nd October 2025

1. Overview of Brazilian VP Geraldo Alckmin’s Visit to India from 15 to 17 October 2025
2. IndiaAI and WHO Launched Global Call for Abstracts on AI in Health
3. Ageas Federal Life Partners with CSB Bank for New SME Bancassurance
4. Global Fintech Awards 2025 Celebrate Trailblazers Redefining the Global Fintech Landscape
5. Shantha Rangaswamy Elected as First Woman President of ICA
6. Emirates NBD Acquired 60% Stake in RBL Bank in Record FDI Deal
7. CSL Launches 6th ASWC SWC ‘INS ‘Magdala’ in Kochi, Kerala
8. Six New Odonate Species Discovered in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala
9. Nobel Laureate and Physics Pioneer Chen-Ning Yang Passed Away
10. World Menopause Day 2025 – October 18
11. World Osteoporosis Day 2025 – October 20
12. National Solidarity Day 2025 – October 20
13. India Surpasses $20 Billion in AI Investments, Poised for Global Leadership
14. India, UK Launch Ramanujan Fellowship for Young Scientists
15. INS Sahyadri Joins India-Japan Maritime Exercise JAIMEX 25
16. OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas Browser for Mac Users
17. India Rises to 9th Globally in Forest Area, Retains 3rd Rank in Annual Forest Gain
18. SAIME Aquaculture Model from Sundarbans Earns FAO Global Recognition
19. India-Led Codex Panel Finalizes Standards for These Products
20. India Upgrades Kabul Mission to Full Embassy Status
21. Peru Declares 30-Day State of Emergency in Lima
22. Rodrigo Paz Elected New President of Bolivia

National News

1. India and Brazil Agree to Expand Trade Pact with Mercosur

• What:
  • India and Brazil agreed to expand the current preferential trade pact between India and the Mercosur bloc to strengthen economic ties.
• Why:
  • To boost bilateral trade by increasing tariff preferences and addressing both tariff and non-tariff trade issues.
• Tell me more:
  • The existing India-Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) came into effect in June 2009 and covers only 450 tariff lines.
  • Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America, with bilateral trade at $12.19 billion in 2024-25, targeted to reach $20 billion in five years.
  • A technical dialogue and meeting of the Joint Administration Committee under the PTA will be held soon to define the scope of expansion.

Source: TH

2. IndiaAI and WHO Announce Global Call for AI in Health

• What:
  • The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), announced a global call for abstracts showcasing impactful and scalable artificial intelligence (AI) applications in health systems.
• Why:
  • To collect real-world AI health applications that can strengthen responsible AI adoption and support digital transformation across healthcare systems in the Global South.
• Tell me more:
  • Shortlisted participants will contribute a chapter to the Casebook on AI Health Use Cases Across the Global South to be launched at the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
  • The Casebook will serve as a reference tool for policymakers, innovators, and researchers to replicate and scale effective AI health solutions.
  • Interested participants can submit abstracts of up to 250 words by 31st October 2025 through the IndiaAI website.
  • Full chapter submissions (2,500–3,000 words) must include details on the AI solution, deployment strategy, ethical aspects, and achieved impact.

Source: PIB

3. India–UK Launch Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme

• What:
  • India and the United Kingdom have launched the Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme to promote collaboration between young scientists of both countries.
• Why:
  • To strengthen research ties and provide young Indian physicists and mathematicians opportunities to work in world-class research environments, inspired by the historic collaboration between Ramanujan and G.H. Hardy.
• Tell me more:
  • The programme, supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), allows young Indian researchers to undertake joint projects at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS).
  • Named after mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, it was announced following UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India.
  • The first phase will select PhD students, called Ramanujan Junior Visitors, from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to work at LIMS for several months.
  • The second phase will launch Ramanujan Junior Fellowships, offering three-year research positions at LIMS for early-career Indian scientists.
  • The initiative was led by Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and supported by Professor Krishnaswamy Vijay Raghavan.

Source: BS

International News

1. OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas AI Browser

• What:
  • OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Atlas, its own AI-powered browser built around ChatGPT, marking its entry into the web browser market and direct competition with Google Chrome.
• Why:
  • To monetise OpenAI’s large AI user base and integrate generative AI directly into everyday web usage by bringing search, chat, and productivity tools together in one interface.
• Tell me more:
  • ChatGPT Atlas removes the traditional address bar and introduces an “agent mode” that automatically conducts searches for users, available in preview for Plus, Pro, and Business users.
  • OpenAI aims to blend the functions of traditional searches with AI-driven, personalised answers instead of just providing links.

Source: IE

2. India Restores Embassy Status in Afghanistan

• What:
  • India has upgraded its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full-fledged Embassy of India in Afghanistan, effective immediately.
• Tell me more:
  • The decision was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) following Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent visit to India.
  • India had maintained a Technical Mission in Kabul after its full diplomatic presence was scaled down.

Source: IE

3. Peru Declares 30-Day State of Emergency in Lima

• Peru’s President Jose Jeri has declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital city Lima and the neighboring province of Callao to tackle rising crime.
• The state of emergency authorizes the deployment of the armed forces alongside the police to maintain law and order.

Source: DD

Banking and Economy

1. Ageas Federal Life Partners with CSB Bank for SME Bancassurance

• What:
  • Ageas Federal Life Insurance has entered into an SME Bancassurance partnership with CSB Bank to expand access to life insurance solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs across India.
• Why:
  • To provide comprehensive financial solutions that combine credit, savings, and life insurance, ensuring the financial security and continuity of SMEs and their owners.
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership enables CSB Bank customers, especially SMEs, to access customized life insurance plans for business protection and family financial safety.
  • CSB Bank aims to integrate Ageas Federal’s life insurance offerings with its financial products such as home loans, business loans, and SME credit lines.
  • The collaboration supports a protection-led financial journey for customers through a combination of borrowing, saving, and investing services.
  • CSB Bank currently operates 834 branches and 800 ATMs across India.

Source: HBL

2. Emirates NBD to Acquire Majority Stake in RBL Bank

• What:
  • Emirates NBD Bank of the UAE will acquire a controlling 60% stake in RBL Bank through a primary capital infusion of about $3 billion (Rs 26,850 crore), marking the largest-ever FDI in India’s financial services sector.
• Why:
  • To strengthen RBL Bank’s balance sheet, enhance its Tier-1 capital ratio, and support its long-term growth by combining Emirates NBD’s global reach with RBL Bank’s strong domestic network.
• Tell me more:
  • The deal marks the largest equity fundraise in the Indian banking sector and the first majority acquisition of a profitable Indian bank by a foreign bank.
  • Emirates NBD will also make a mandatory open offer to acquire an additional 26% stake from public shareholders, as per Indian securities regulations.
  • The investment highlights growing India–UAE economic ties under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Source: IE

Reports and Indices

1. India Crosses $20 Billion Mark in AI Investments

• What:
  • India has surpassed $20 billion in cumulative and new investment commitments in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Why:
  • To position India as a major global player in the rapidly growing AI sector through both private and government-led investments.
• Tell me more:
  • Between 2013 and 2024, India’s cumulative private sector investment in AI was $11.1 billion, while government investments took the total to $12.3 billion.
  • Major corporate AI projects include Google’s $15-billion data hub in Visakhapatnam, TCS’s plan to invest $5–7 billion in AI data centers, AWS’s $12.7 billion commitment by 2030, and Microsoft’s $3 billion pledge.

Source: BS

2. FAO’s Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) 2025

• What:
  • India has climbed to the ninth position globally in total forest area and retained its third rank in annual forest area gain, as per the Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) 2025 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
• Why:
  • The achievement reflects India’s successful afforestation and community-led forest protection efforts under sustainable forest management policies.
• Tell me more:
  • India rose from the 10th to the 9th position in global forest area ranking, with an annual net forest gain of 1.91 lakh hectares between 2015 and 2025.
  • Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav credited campaigns like ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ and large-scale state initiatives for this progress.
  • The FAO report launched in Bali stated that the world’s total forest area is 4.14 billion hectares, covering 32% of global land.
  • Asia is the only region showing a rise in forest area since 1990, driven mainly by China and India.
  • Globally, the annual net forest loss has fallen from 10.7 million hectares in the 1990s to 4.12 million hectares during 2015–2025.

Source: BS

Defence News

1. Sixth Anti-Submarine Warfare Vessel ‘Magdala’ Launched at CSL

• What:
  • The Indian Navy’s sixth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), named BY 528 (Magdala), was launched at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
• Tell me more:
  • The ship was launched by Mrs. Renu Rajaram in the presence of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition.
  • The vessel has been indigenously designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
  • It is powered by three diesel engine-driven waterjets and equipped with advanced sonar systems like the Hull Mounted Sonar and Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS).
  • Its firepower includes torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, NSG-30 Gun, and 12.7 mm SRCG.
  • The first ship from the series is planned for delivery by the end of October 2025.

Source: PIB

2. INS Sahyadri Participates in Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2025

• What:
  • The Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigate, participated in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX-25) held from October 16 to 18, 2025, and reached Yokosuka Port in Japan on October 21 for the harbour phase.
• Why:
  • To enhance coordination, tactical cooperation, and mutual understanding between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) under the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
• Tell me more:
  • During the sea phase, INS Sahyadri joined JMSDF ships Asahi, Oumi, and Submarine Jinryu for advanced anti-submarine warfare, missile defence, and refuelling operations at sea.
  • The harbour phase at Yokosuka included exchanges such as joint operational planning, sharing best practices, cultural events, and yoga sessions.
  • The exercise also included support from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 2nd Artillery Brigade and the Air Self-Defense Force’s Western Aircraft Control and Warning Wing.
  • At Yokosuka, INS Sahyadri was welcomed by R Madhu Sudan, Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Japan, and Rear Admiral Yamaguchi Nobohisa of JMSDF.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. Six New Odonate Species Found in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala

• What:
  • Six new species of dragonflies and damselflies were discovered in Silent Valley National Park during a three-day odonate survey held from October 10 to 12.
• Tell me more:
  • This was the fourth odonate survey in Silent Valley since 2019, with one more planned next year.
  • Silent Valley’s rich biodiversity is sustained through varied microhabitats and elevations supporting 109 odonate species.
  • Odonata is the group of insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies. They are meat-eating (predatory) insects that spend the early part of their life in water (as larvae) and later live on land (as adults). They have two pairs of wings and stay carnivorous in both stages of life.

Source: TH

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. India Hosts 8th Session of Codex Committee on Spices

• What:
  • The 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8) concluded in Guwahati with the finalization of three new global standards for large cardamom, vanilla, and coriander.
• Why:
  • To strengthen international trade in spices by establishing uniform, science-based standards that ensure quality, safety, and fair trade practices.
• Tell me more:
  • The new standards have been recommended for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a joint body of the FAO and WHO.
  • With these additions, the CCSCH has finalized global standards for 19 spices including pepper, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, cardamom, and saffron.
  • The session witnessed the participation of 30 countries and observers, reflecting widespread global involvement and collaboration.
  • India, represented by the Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as the Secretariat of CCSCH.
  • India, a major producer and exporter of large cardamom and coriander, is expected to gain from harmonized standards that improve market access and competitiveness.

Source: PIB1 PIB2

Awards

1. Global Fintech Fest 2025 Held in Mumbai

• What:
  • The sixth edition of the Global Fintech Fest 2025 (GFF 2025), the world’s largest annual fintech conference, was held in Mumbai from October 7–9 along with the Global Fintech Awards 2025.
• Why:
  • To celebrate innovation, inclusion, and excellence in global financial technology and to recognize outstanding achievers in the fintech ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • GFF 2025 featured over 400 sessions with experts from more than 100 countries.
  • The Global Fintech Awards 2025 were announced on October 8 at Jio World Centre, Mumbai.
  • A Special Jury was introduced in this edition to ensure diverse and fair evaluation, chaired by V. Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO of IDFC FIRST Bank.

Source: ANI BS

2. FAO Recognises West Bengal’s SAIME Aquaculture Model

• What:
  • The Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) model developed by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) in the Sundarbans, West Bengal, has received Global Technical Recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
• Why:
  • To acknowledge the SAIME model as a successful ecosystem-based and climate-adaptive livelihood approach that integrates mangrove conservation with sustainable aquaculture.
• Tell me more:
  • The recognition was conferred during FAO’s 80th Anniversary Celebrations and the World Food Forum held in Rome on October 15, 2025.
  • SAIME ensures 5%–30% mangrove coverage in aquaculture ponds and has been implemented across 29.84 hectares by 42 fish farmers in the Sundarbans.
  • The model has doubled farmers’ annual net profits by reducing production costs while maintaining ecological balance.
  • At locations such as Chaital (North 24 Parganas) and Madhabpur (South 24 Parganas), farmers use mangrove litter as fodder for the Black Tiger Shrimp monoculture.
  • The initiative follows a community approach focused on chemical-free, sustainable shrimp cultivation and coastal resilience.

Source: TH

Important Days

1. World Menopause Day 2025 – October 18

• Theme: Lifestyle Medicine

Source: IMS

2. World Osteoporosis Day 2025 – October 20

• Theme: It’s Unacceptable: Stop the Neglect of Bone Health!

Source: WOD

3. National Solidarity Day 2025 – October 20

• Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) K T Parnaik flagged off the ‘Ziro Honour Run’ organized by the Indian Army in Ziro, Lower Subansiri district, to pay tribute to the heroes of the 1962 India-China war.
• To honour the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers from the 1962 war and to promote unity, endurance, patriotism, and civil-military harmony.
• The event also acted as a precursor to National Solidarity Day on October 20, organized along with the Shaurya Motorcycle Rally.

Source: ET

Appointments

1. Shantha Rangaswamy Elected President of Indian Cricketers’ Association

• What:
  • Shantha Rangaswamy, former captain of the India women’s cricket team, has been elected president of the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), with Venkat Sundaram as secretary and Deepak Jain as treasurer.
• Tell me more:
  • This election marks the first time a woman has become ICA president and nominee to the IPL Governing Council.
  • She led India to its first Test match victory against the West Indies in 1976.
  • She was the first Indian woman to score a Test century, achieving it against New Zealand in 1977.

Source: IT

2. Rodrigo Paz Pereira Wins Bolivia Presidential Election

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rodrigo Paz Pereira on winning the Presidential election in Bolivia, expressing hopes to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
• Tell me more:
  • Pereira will assume office on November 8 for a five-year term from 2025 to 2030.
  • India opened its resident Mission in La Paz in September 2024, while Bolivia established one in New Delhi in 2012.
  • India provided Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Bolivia after the forest fires in 2024.
  • Bolivia is a beneficiary of India’s development assistance through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

Source: DD

Miscellaneous

1. Nobel Laureate Physicist Chen Ning Yang Passes Away at 103

• Chen Ning Yang, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and one of the world’s most influential scientists, passed away at the age of 103 due to illness.
• Chen Ning Yang and Lee Tsung-Dao jointly received the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics for their research on parity laws, leading to major discoveries about elementary particles.
• He was a professor and honorary dean at Tsinghua University’s Institute for Advanced Study and remained active in physics research throughout his life.
• He received the Albert Einstein Commemorative Award in 1957 and an honorary doctorate from Princeton University in 1958.

Source: BBC

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