🇮🇳 National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project in Banswara, Rajasthan, marking a milestone in India’s nuclear energy sector.
The project is being developed by Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI) — a joint venture between NPCIL and NTPC Limited, making it India’s first nuclear project jointly operated by two CPSEs.
| Phase | Units | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Mahi Banswara 1 & 2 | 2×700 MW |
| Phase 2 | Mahi Banswara 3 & 4 | 2×700 MW |
| Total Investment | ₹42,000 crore | |
The project features four indigenously developed 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), supporting India’s self-reliance in nuclear technology and clean energy transition.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched India’s first electric heavy truck fleet equipped with swappable batteries at the Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal, under Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
This positions JNPA as the Indian port with the largest fleet of electric heavy vehicles, promoting eco-friendly logistics and reduced carbon emissions.
- A heavy-duty battery swapping station was also inaugurated
- JNPA aims to convert 90% of its 600-vehicle fleet to electric by December 2026
An MoU was signed between JNPA and Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP), Ashoka University to develop a reference framework for port tariff determination.
A museum dedicated to A. Ramachandran, one of India’s most acclaimed modern painters, has been inaugurated in Kollam, Kerala, by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The museum is part of the Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex. This tribute follows Ramachandran’s passing in February 2024 at age 88.
His Artistic Legacy:
- Merged urban realism with mythological storytelling
- Early works portrayed human suffering and social struggles
- Later pieces highlighted nature, myth, and rural India
- Deeply influenced by Kerala mural art and Bhil tribal culture of Rajasthan
India has received the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for its outstanding achievement in expanding social protection coverage.
The award was presented at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur, attended by 1,200+ global policymakers from 163 countries.
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Coverage | 19% | 64.3% |
| Citizens Benefited | – | 940 million+ |
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted this achievement. The International Labour Organization (ILO) also recognized it as a model of social inclusion.
The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), through its Management Training Institute (MTI), has signed an MoU with IIM Jammu at SAIL’s Corporate Office, Ispat Bhawan, New Delhi.
Objective: Develop Executive Education Programmes to nurture future-ready leaders and strengthen institutional capacities.
Signatories:
- Shri Sanjay Dhar – Officiating Executive Director (HR-L&D), MTI, SAIL
- Cmdr Kesavan Baskkaran (R) – Chief Administrative Officer, IIM Jammu
Adopting global best practices and contributing to nation-building through leadership excellence.
On September 26, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) officially retired its MiG-21 fighter jets, with the final two squadrons — No. 23 (Panthers) and No. 3 (Cobras) — decommissioned at Chandigarh.
The retirement ends a six-decade legacy of Soviet-origin jets inducted in 1963.
War Service: 1965, 1971, and Kargil wars
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Current IAF Squadrons | 29 |
| Sanctioned Strength | 42 |
| Tejas Mk1 Squadrons | 2 (operational) |
| Tejas Mk1A (planned) | 180 aircraft from HAL |
The MiG-21 Bison was the first fighter flown by IAF women pilots. The final flypast was led by Sqn Ldr Priya Sharma. HAL is developing Tejas Mk2 and AMCA (fifth-generation stealth fighter).
💼 Business & Economy
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rolled out a new initiative titled ‘Scheme for Facilitating Accelerated Payout – Inoperative Accounts and Unclaimed Deposits’ to promote reactivation of dormant bank accounts.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Period | October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 |
| Applicability | All banks under DEA Fund Scheme |
| Claims Submission | Quarterly (within 1 month after quarter end) |
Minimize unclaimed deposits and prevent new accumulations in the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. Banks will qualify for payout incentives when they successfully reactivate accounts.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has reached a staggering $500 billion valuation following a large-scale secondary share sale to SoftBank.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Valuation | $500 billion |
| Previous Valuation | $300 billion |
| SoftBank Share Purchase | $6.6 billion |
| H1 2025 Revenue | $4.3 billion (+16% over 2024) |
| Authorized Future Sales | $10 billion+ |
OpenAI now ranks among the world’s most valuable private technology firms, alongside ByteDance and SpaceX. The secondary sale provided liquidity to early investors and employees without diluting equity.
Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched a person-to-person (P2P) digital gifting service through its bob इ Pay UPI app, powered by NPCI’s e-RUPI platform.
This is the first of its kind in the Indian banking landscape, offering a secure and cashless gifting experience.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Voucher Amount Range | ₹1 – ₹10,000 |
| Transferability | Non-transferable |
| Unredeemed Vouchers | Auto-refund |
| Limit on Vouchers | No limit (standard UPI limits apply) |
Users can send purpose-specific prepaid vouchers to friends, family, or beneficiaries directly through the BoB app.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized Greece’s Eurobank, which manages assets worth €100 billion, to open its first representative office in Mumbai by mid-December 2025.
This development coincides with the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative, aiming to boost trade and financial cooperation.
- Eurobank is also expanding into Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE
- The India–Greece–Cyprus (IGC) Business Council was formed
- Greece’s port privatization and green energy projects indicate growing bilateral investment potential
The Supreme Court of India has cleared JSW Steel’s $2.3 billion (₹19,350 crore) acquisition of Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), overturning its earlier liquidation directive.
The verdict reinforces the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, emphasizing revival over liquidation of distressed entities.
Acquired in 2021, BPSL continues to contribute significantly to JSW’s revenue and profitability.
Under Section 6 of the IBC, CIRP can be initiated by either creditor or debtor. The default threshold was raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore during the pandemic.
🌐 International News
India and China have agreed to restore direct flight services between designated cities by late October 2025, signaling progress in diplomatic and people-to-people relations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the announcement after technical-level meetings between civil aviation authorities of both countries.
- Direct flights were suspended during COVID-19 and remained halted due to border tensions since 2020
- Both sides have been revising the Air Services Agreement since early 2025
- Implementation planned with the Winter Schedule of late 2025
Flights expected to connect major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Beijing, and Shanghai. Part of broader efforts to rebuild bilateral relations across trade, tourism, education, and diplomacy.
🔬 Science & Technology
Hyderabad-based Equal AI has unveiled India’s first AI Call Assistant, capable of responding to unknown calls in English, Hindi, and Hinglish.
The app was launched on October 2, 2025, with an early access program for the first 10,000 Android users in Delhi-NCR.
| Metric | Performance |
|---|---|
| Spam Detection Accuracy | 94% |
| Reduction in Interruptions | 87% |
| False Positives (Known Contacts) | Zero |
| Target Users by March 2026 | 1 million daily |
Phased rollout in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad planned for late 2025. iOS support coming soon. With 60% of Indians affected by spam calls daily, this offers high efficiency.
📅 Important Days
World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5 to celebrate educators worldwide for their role in shaping society.
2025 Theme: “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession.”
- Established by UNESCO in 1994
- Commemorates the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers
- Emphasizes appreciation, evaluation, and improvement of educators
World Cerebral Palsy Day is marked every year on October 6, raising awareness for the 17 million people affected worldwide.
2025 Theme: #UniqueAndUnited
- Condition first identified by Dr. John Little in 1853
- In 1861, he presented findings to the Obstetrical Society of London
- Dr. Sigmund Freud later suggested it may originate before birth
- Day launched in 2012 by World Cerebral Palsy Alliance under campaign “Change My World in One Minute”
World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October each year to highlight the importance of sustainable human settlements.
In 2025, it falls on October 6.
2025 Theme: “Urban Crisis Response”
- Established by UN General Assembly in 1985 (Resolution 40/202)
- First celebrated in 1986 in Nairobi, Kenya under theme “Shelter is my right”
- A global event hosted by different countries each year
Reminds individuals and communities of their responsibility toward maintaining sustainable habitats, focusing on themes linked to urban development and human rights.
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