🇮🇳 National News
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the use of 3D laser-based Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 Indian states, covering nearly 20,933 km of national highways.
These advanced NSVs will help in gathering and assessing road inventory and pavement condition data to improve infrastructure management.
- Automatically identifies road imperfections such as cracks, potholes, and surface patches
- Data uploaded to NHAI’s AI-enabled Data Lake
- Expert analysis for strengthening highway maintenance
Manipur is observing Ningol Chakouba, a cherished festival that celebrates the emotional bond between married women and their brothers.
The festival is celebrated on the second day of the Hiyangei month in the Meitei calendar, during which married women visit their parental homes to share a festive meal and receive gifts from their brothers.
- Commenced with the Annual Fish Fair-cum-Fish Crop Competition
- Held at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal
- Organized by the Manipur Fisheries Department
- Fish curry is the traditional signature dish
Kerala will soon be declared the first Indian state to be officially free from extreme poverty, with the formal announcement scheduled for November 1, 2025, as stated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The achievement follows the success of Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme, launched in 2021, aimed at supporting families through housing, nutrition, healthcare, and financial assistance.
- High literacy rate
- Universal healthcare coverage
- Strong local governance
- Effective decentralized planning
- Emphasis on sustainable rehabilitation through education, employment, and skill development
In October 2025, Chennai became the first city in India to deploy a Real-Time Flood Forecasting and Spatial Decision Support System (RTFF & SDSS).
Covering an area of 4,974 sq km, including key river basins, the system is designed to enhance the city’s flood preparedness and response.
- Funded by World Bank, managed by TNUIFSL
- Uses data from Automatic Rain Gauges, Weather Stations, Water Level Recorders, and Gate Sensors
- Developed with collaboration from UK-based firms under IIT Madras supervision
- Operates via a Hydro Modelling Control Room and regional centers
Talks between Ladakh’s civil society groups—the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have resumed following recent unrest.
The Central Government has proposed extending Article 371 to Ladakh, granting special provisions to protect the region’s local culture, laws, and administrative systems.
Currently, Article 371 is applicable in 12 Indian states, including Nagaland, Assam, Mizoram, and Sikkim, ensuring regional autonomy and preservation of indigenous traditions.
The Indian Army is forming 25 Bhairav Battalions, elite hybrid units of around 250 personnel each, designed for rapid strike, deep reconnaissance, and counter-insurgency missions.
These battalions operate as a bridge between regular infantry and Special Forces, enabling high-speed, high-impact missions.
- Ashni platoons – Drone warfare
- Rudra brigades – Combined arms
- Shaktibaan regiments – Swarm drones
- Divyastra batteries – Drone-guided artillery systems
The decision was inspired by the outcomes of Operation Sindoor, prompting a broader push toward military modernization.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant unveiled the official logo and anthem for the FIDE World Cup 2025, marking India’s hosting of the global chess tournament after 23 years.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 31 – November 27, 2025 |
| Venue | North Goa |
| Participants | 206 players from 82 nations |
| Prize Fund | USD 2 million |
The anthem, sung by Daler Mehndi and featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi in its video, celebrates India’s legacy in chess and Goa’s cultural vibrancy.
💼 Business & Economy
Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Madras to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy.
The initiative focuses on research and development (R&D) in low-carbon technologies, repurposing closed coal mines, and supporting India’s clean energy transition.
- Funded by CIL
- Promote innovation, energy efficiency, and decarbonization strategies
- Nurture skilled professionals through research programs
- Bridge academic expertise with industry applications
🌐 International News
Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the Kafala system, a decades-old labor sponsorship framework criticized for promoting worker exploitation and human rights abuses, especially among foreign laborers, including many Indians.
Under the old system, employers had control over employees’ passports, job changes, and exit permissions, often leading to forced labor conditions.
- Workers can switch jobs freely
- Leave the country without exit visas
- Access labor courts for legal redress
- Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030
New Zealand is set to debate a proposed bill by National Party lawmaker Catherine Wedd to ban social media access for individuals below 16 years.
The bill seeks to introduce age verification requirements for social media platforms before users can create accounts.
- Follows Australia’s 2024 legislation imposing similar restrictions
- Aims to mitigate mental health, cyberbullying, and misinformation issues among teens
- Critics warn it could compromise user privacy and data security
👔 Appointments
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, announced the appointment of Karthik Narain, former Accenture Chief Technology Officer (CTO), as the Chief Product and Business Officer at Google Cloud.
Narain will lead product and engineering teams across divisions like cloud services, data, developer tools, and Applied AI, while also managing Google Cloud’s go-to-market strategy.
- Over 25 years of experience in technology and consulting
- Previous roles at Accenture and HCLTech
- Aims to accelerate AI-driven business growth
- Described by Pichai as key leader for success stories like Gemini Enterprise
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army at a ceremony in New Delhi, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
- Joined Indian Army as Naib Subedar in 2016
- Arjuna Award (2018)
- Khel Ratna (2021)
- Padma Shri (2022)
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2022)
The Defence Minister hailed him as an embodiment of discipline, patriotism, and perseverance.
In a landmark recognition for India, Justice Prathiba M. Singh of the Delhi High Court has been appointed as the Chairperson of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Advisory Board of Judges for 2025–2027.
WIPO is a United Nations specialized agency focused on global intellectual property protection. Justice Singh’s appointment underscores India’s growing influence in international intellectual property law and judicial leadership.
🕊️ Obituaries
Rishabh Tandon, the popular actor-singer, passed away at the age of 35 due to a heart attack while visiting his family in Delhi during Diwali celebrations.
He had recently celebrated his birthday on October 10 and had been in Delhi since August, caring for his ailing father.
- Hit tracks “Yeh Ashiqui” and “Ishq Fakeerana”
- Survived by his wife, Olesya Nedobegova
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