🇮🇳 National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a series of development projects worth approximately ₹13,430 crore in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The projects cover diverse sectors, including industrial growth, power transmission, road and railway infrastructure, defence manufacturing, and petroleum.
- PM Modi praised India’s rapid advancements in clean energy and universal electricity access
- Commended Andhra Pradesh’s emergence as a leading Drone Manufacturing Hub
- GST reforms have helped Andhra Pradesh save over ₹8,000 crore
- Plans to transform Visakhapatnam into a major AI and Connectivity Hub with Google
During his visit, Modi offered prayers at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple and visited the Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra.
The first-ever India–South Korea Naval Bilateral Exercise (IN–RoKN) commenced on October 13, 2025, at the Busan Naval Base.
The exercise features both Harbour and Sea Phases, designed to enhance operational coordination and strategic synergy between the two navies.
| Country | Participating Vessel |
|---|---|
| India | INS Sahyadri (Shivalik-class stealth frigate) |
| South Korea | ROKS Gyeongnam |
INS Sahyadri is built indigenously under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The exercise reflects the countries’ deepening maritime collaboration and shared commitment to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The 5th edition of Samudra Shakti, the bilateral naval exercise between India and Indonesia, took place from October 14–17, 2025, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Conducted in both Harbour and Sea Phases, the exercise aimed to strengthen maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual trust.
| Country | Participating Vessel |
|---|---|
| India | INS Kavaratti |
| Indonesia | KRI John Lie |
- Cross-deck visits and helicopter drills
- Air defence and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search & Seizure) operations
- Joint yoga sessions
Initiated in 2018 under India’s Act East Policy, the exercise reinforces regional stability and strategic ties between the two nations.
💼 Business & Economy
India’s trade deficit reached an 11-month high of $32.15 billion in September 2025, mainly due to a surge in imports following U.S. tariff hikes.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Exports | $36.38 billion |
| Imports | $68.53 billion |
| Trade Deficit | $32.15 billion |
| Services Trade Surplus | $15.53 billion |
The widening gap comes ahead of crucial India–U.S. trade discussions, where India aims to increase energy imports from the U.S. and address concerns regarding Russian oil purchases.
Despite ongoing trade tensions, exports to the U.S. recorded a 13% increase in the first half of FY25, underlining robust bilateral trade relations.
Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Company (AMC) unveiled an innovative service titled ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’, allowing investors to use their mutual fund holdings for UPI-based payments through their linked bank accounts.
The feature supports instant redemptions of up to ₹50,000 or 90% of the investment value, merging the benefits of investment growth with real-time payment flexibility.
Developed in partnership with fintech platform Curie Money, users simply scan a QR code and authorize payments, with automatic redemption processing in the background.
This initiative enhances liquidity and accessibility of mutual funds, making them a practical tool for everyday transactions while allowing money to continue earning returns.
BLS International has received a three-year contract from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish and operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, starting October 14, 2025.
This marks India’s resumption of tourist visa services for Chinese citizens, which were suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions.
These centres will incorporate modern infrastructure, multilingual staff, and advanced technology to ensure efficient and user-friendly visa processing.
The Adani Group is set to build a ₹4,081 crore ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham, dramatically reducing the pilgrimage trek from nine hours to just 36 minutes.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 12.9 km |
| Investment | ₹4,081 crore |
| Capacity | 1,800 passengers/hour/direction |
| Completion | Within 6 years |
| Operation Period | 29 years |
- Falls under the Parvatmala Pariyojana scheme
- Adani Group’s first ropeway venture
- Developed under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model
Ola Electric has introduced ‘Ola Shakti’, its Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS), marking its formal entry into the energy storage industry.
Powered by 4680 Bharat Cell technology and produced at the Ola Gigafactory, Ola Shakti is designed for use in homes, industries, and grid-scale systems.
The company plans to scale up its energy storage deployment to 5 GWh annually, diversifying its operations beyond electric two-wheelers into renewable energy infrastructure.
🌐 International News
The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, spotlighted global biodiversity conservation and India’s growing leadership in the field.
- Creation of a National Red List to assess the extinction risk of 11,000 species
- Recognized the first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu
- Vivek Menon became the first Asian to chair the IUCN Species Survival Commission
The Congress passed major resolutions on climate action, fossil fuel phaseout, and regulation of the wildlife pet trade.
Launched a 20-year roadmap for sustainable nature conservation worldwide.
👔 Appointments
Tarun Garg has been named the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), effective January 1, 2026, making him the first Indian to head the company since its 1996 inception.
Currently serving as COO and Whole-Time Director, Garg played a key role in achieving record sales, profitability, and India’s largest IPO in 2024.
- Appointment underscores Hyundai’s trust in Indian leadership
- Highlights India’s growing strategic importance in the global automotive sector
- Current MD Unsoo Kim will return to Hyundai’s headquarters in South Korea
🔬 Science & Technology
Renowned composer AR Rahman has teamed up with Google Cloud to launch ‘Secret Mountain’, an AI-powered digital avatar music initiative.
The project leverages Google Cloud’s AI infrastructure and advanced models such as Veo 3, Imagen, and Gemini 2.5 Pro to create lifelike, culturally rich virtual avatars like Cara, Zen Tam, and Blessing.
- Immersive storytelling
- Musical performance
- Interactive fan engagement in real-time
Rahman described the project as a fusion of art, technology, and human emotion, marking a new chapter in AI-driven creative expression.
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