📊 Index & Rankings
The BrandFinance Energy 100–2025 Report highlights ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges in the global oil and gas sector, with a combined brand value of USD 688.6 billion.
| Rank | Company | Country | Brand Value | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shell | UK | $45.4B | AAA |
| 2 | Aramco | Saudi Arabia | $41.7B | AAA- |
| 3 | PetroChina | China | $33.3B | AA |
| 4 | Sinopec Group | China | $29.8B | AA+ |
| 5 | ExxonMobil | USA | $23.6B | AAA |
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) ranks 21st globally (3.5% of total global brand value). HPCL ranks 42nd and BPCL ranks 43rd.
🇮🇳 National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled ‘Mumbai One’, a QR-based digital ticketing application that integrates 11 public transport systems across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
- Hailed as India’s first common mobility app
- Simplifies travel by eliminating the need for separate tickets
Reflects the national vision of “One Nation, One Mobility”, enhancing ease of commuting for millions in Mumbai.
Indian peacekeepers stationed in the Abyei region (disputed between Sudan and South Sudan) were honoured by UNISFA’s Acting Head of Mission, Maj Gen Robert Yaw Affram, for their dedicated and disciplined service.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| India’s Global Status | Largest troop-contributing nation to UN peacekeeping |
| Personnel Deployed | 5,000+ |
| Martyrs | ~180 |
This recognition underlines India’s leadership in promoting peace, its commitment to global security, and gender equality in international peacekeeping.
India registered record-breaking solar and wind energy output in the first half of 2025, cutting power sector emissions by 24 million tonnes, as per Ember’s report.
| Energy Source | Growth | Share of Total Power |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Energy | +25% | 9.2% |
| Wind Power | +29% | 5.1% |
Declining renewable energy costs, strong policy backing, and slower electricity demand — marking a significant advancement in India’s clean energy transition.
The state of Manipur celebrated Mera Hou Chongba, a traditional festival symbolizing unity between hill and valley communities.
- King Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba led the ceremonies with tribal chiefs at the Manipur Royal Palace in Imphal
- Included ritual march to Kangla, exchange of gifts, cultural dances, and a grand feast
- Held every year on the 15th lunar day of Mera month
The only festival that unites all indigenous communities of Manipur, reinforcing brotherhood and cultural integration.
At the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi (Oct 9–15), India will release its first-ever Red List of Endangered Species, marking a historic conservation milestone.
- Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the quadrennial summit
- Focus on biodiversity, sustainability, and climate resilience
The event will bring together scientists, policymakers, and global leaders to set the world’s conservation agenda.
💼 Business & Economy
Chennai-based start-up VyomIC announced its plan to develop India’s first private satellite constellation for high-precision Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services.
- Raised USD 1.6 million in pre-seed funding led by Speciale Invest
- Supported by BYT Capital and DeVC
- Founded by Lokesh Kabdal, Vibhor Jain, and Anurag Patil
Offers anti-spoofing and anti-jamming capabilities using Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, promising faster signal convergence, stronger connectivity, global coverage, and indoor navigation support.
As of September 26, 2025, India ranks 7th globally in Gold Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) investments, according to the World Gold Council (WGC).
Gold prices rose by over 45% in 2025. India’s Gold ETF AUM: $8.9 billion (equals Canada).
| Rank | Country | Gold ETF AUM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $231.5 billion |
| 2 | United Kingdom | $77.5 billion |
| 3 | Switzerland | $43.5 billion |
| 4 | Germany | $40.2 billion |
| 5 | China | $22.9 billion |
| 6 | France | $9.5 billion |
| 7 | India | $8.9 billion |
Swiggy sold its entire 11.8% stake in Rapido to Prosus NV and WestBridge Capital for a total of ₹2,400 crore.
| Buyer | Amount |
|---|---|
| Prosus’s subsidiary | ₹1,968 crore |
| WestBridge Capital | ₹431.5 crore |
| Total | ₹2,400 crore |
Swiggy’s initial investment in Rapido (2022): ₹1,020 crore for ~12% stake. Transaction subject to CCI and Swiggy’s shareholders approval.
Despite 54% revenue rise to ₹4,961 crore in Q1 FY26, Swiggy’s net loss widened to ₹1,197 crore.
US pharma major Eli Lilly will invest $1 billion in Telangana, expanding its manufacturing and global supply network in Hyderabad.
The decision follows the launch of the company’s Global Capability Centre in the city.
Therapeutic Focus: Diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Confidence in robust infrastructure, skilled talent pool, and investor-friendly policies — reinforcing Telangana’s position as a global pharma hub.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), in collaboration with the RBI, launched biometric and wearable glass-based authentication for UPI payments.
Users can now authorize transactions using:
- Facial recognition
- Fingerprints
- Voice commands
Enhances security and accessibility, particularly benefiting senior citizens, rural populations, and first-time digital users. Solidifies UPI’s status as a global benchmark for digital payments.
PayPal CEO Alex Chriss announced on October 7, 2025, that India’s UPI has become the first-ever payment system partner for PayPal World, the company’s new global payments platform.
- Boosts UPI’s global footprint
- Enables seamless cross-border transactions
- Provides users with instant, cost-effective, and secure global transfers
Strengthens PayPal’s presence in the rapidly growing Indian digital payments market while offering merchants broader market access.
The World Bank revised India’s FY26 GDP growth projection upward to 6.5% (from 6.3%).
| Parameter | Forecast |
|---|---|
| India FY26 | 6.5% |
| India FY27 | 6.3% |
| South Asia 2025 | 6.6% |
| South Asia 2026 | 5.8% |
Growth Drivers: Robust domestic consumption, rural recovery, and positive effects of GST reforms.
Concerns: U.S. tariff policies, global uncertainties, geopolitical risks, and AI-driven job disruptions.
🌐 International News
President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar appointed Army General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as Prime Minister amid youth-led protests against water scarcity, corruption, and unemployment.
- Follows dissolution of the civilian cabinet
- Indicates growing military influence and raises coup concerns
- Protest group “Gen Z Mada” has rejected the appointment
Gen Z Mada is demanding Rajoelina’s resignation within 48 hours.
🔬 Science & Technology
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 has been awarded to:
- Susumu Kitagawa
- Richard Robson
- Omar M. Yaghi
For: Groundbreaking work on Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs).
MOFs are crystalline compounds capable of gas capture, chemical storage, catalysis, and water harvesting.
Revolutionized chemical engineering and environmental technology, offering sustainable solutions in carbon capture and clean chemistry.
The DRDO, in coordination with the Integrated Defence Staff and Tri-Services, launched the Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) 1.0 on October 6, 2025.
Features:
- Standardized APIs, interfaces, and waveform portability
- Ensures interoperability among Software Defined Radios (SDRs)
Supports indigenous, interoperable, and future-ready communications, boosting defense self-reliance and positioning India as a global leader in SDR technology.
The Government of India unveiled the official logo for the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
- Designed by Ajith P. Suresh
- Chosen from 599 submissions on MyGov platform
- Features the Ashoka Chakra (ethical governance) and neural network flares (AI’s transformative energy)
MeitY-hosted summit on Feb 19–20, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Reflects India’s vision of responsible AI leadership.
📅 Important Days
Observed annually on October 9, World Post Day aims to raise awareness about the vital role of postal services in everyday communication and global connectivity.
Highlights how the postal sector contributes to social and economic development, bridging distances, and connecting people worldwide.
📤 Found this useful? Help your friends stay updated too!
