📊 Index & Rankings
Despite persistent air pollution in northern India, several southern and western cities have maintained cleaner air standards.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, and CO — lower scores indicate better air quality.
| Rank | City | AQI | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pune | 51 | Satisfactory |
| 2 | Mumbai | 60 | Satisfactory |
| 3 | Nashik | 63 | Satisfactory |
| 4 | Ahmedabad | 64 | Satisfactory |
| 5 | Bhopal | 64 | Satisfactory |
| 6 | Pimpri Chinchwad | 66 | Satisfactory |
| 7 | Bhilai | 67 | Satisfactory |
| 8 | Nagpur | 71 | Moderate |
| 9 | Gandhinagar | 74 | Moderate |
| 10 | Indore | 76 | Moderate |
- Pune leads due to strong wind circulation, green mobility efforts, and sustainable transport initiatives
- Mumbai benefits from coastal winds and continuous monitoring by BMC and MPCB
- Nashik credited to low industrial activity and proactive municipal green drives
- Ahmedabad controls industrial emissions via CNG usage and strict pollution standards
🇮🇳 National News
India will host the Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting and workshop for the first time from October 28–31, 2025.
The event will be organized by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Around 90 delegates from ICAO member states in the Asia-Pacific region and global aviation organizations will attend.
The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Rammohan Naidu, will inaugurate the event.
- October 28–29, 2025: Technical Workshop covering investigation processes, modern technology, reporting mechanisms, and cross-border collaboration
- October 30–31, 2025: Formal meeting with strategic discussions on improving investigation frameworks and adopting new safety standards
Key participants include representatives from AAIB (India), DGCA, ICAO, and APAC member nations.
Hosting the event reflects India’s leadership in aviation safety, enhances its technical expertise, and strengthens regional cooperation in the aviation sector.
💼 Business & Economy
The World Bank has sanctioned a USD 280 million program aimed at improving life expectancy and overall well-being for approximately 11 million elderly and vulnerable citizens in Kerala.
The project, named the Kerala Health System Improvement Program, is designed to:
- Expand universal health coverage
- Strengthen resilience against climate-related health impacts
- eHealth services
- Integrated data platforms
- Upgraded cybersecurity systems
The loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a 25-year repayment period with a five-year grace period.
The initiative targets improved management for over 90% of diabetes and hypertension patients, with individual electronic health tracking systems.
The Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA), introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), offers basic banking services to promote financial inclusion.
It replaced the earlier “No-Frills Accounts” as per the RBI Circular dated August 22, 2012.
- Each individual can maintain only one BSBDA per bank
- Cannot hold any other savings account in that same bank
- Can still open Fixed Deposit (FD) or Recurring Deposit (RD) accounts
- Existing savings account must be closed within 30 days of opening BSBDA
- Open to all individuals, regardless of age, income, or social background
- Total credits: Not exceeding ₹1 lakh per financial year
- Maximum balance: ₹50,000 at any point
- Total withdrawals/transfers: Limited to ₹10,000 per month
- No foreign remittances until full KYC is completed
- Validity: 12 months, extendable by another 12 months
- No initial deposit required
- At least 4 free withdrawals per month through any channel
- ATM/Debit cards issued free with no annual fee
- Passbooks provided free of cost
- Balance inquiries at ATMs not counted among withdrawals
🌐 International News
During UNCTAD16 held in Geneva (October 20–23, 2025), the Sevilla Forum on Debt was officially launched.
The launch was led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, and UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua.
The Spanish-led initiative, supported by UNCTAD and UN DESA, provides a global platform for dialogue and action on debt issues.
- Total global public debt (2024): USD 102 trillion
- Developing nations’ share: USD 31 trillion (paying USD 921 billion in annual interest)
- 3.4 billion people live in countries spending more on debt repayment than on health or education
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Major Reports: Trade and Development Report, World Investment Report, The Least Developed Countries Report
👔 Appointments
Justice Prathiba M. Singh of the Delhi High Court has been named Chair of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges (2025–27) — a first-ever appointment for India and Asia.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a UN specialized agency, promotes the protection of intellectual property globally.
As Chair, she will lead international judicial experts in advising WIPO on judicial initiatives and IP-related best practices.
- Co-Chair of the WHO Working Group on AI Regulation in Health
- Recognized among the “Top 50 Most Influential Figures in Intellectual Property” in 2021 and 2022
🔬 Science & Technology
China’s CR450 high-speed train achieved a record-breaking speed of 453 km/h, becoming the fastest train ever tested globally.
Developed for the Shanghai–Chengdu corridor, it will enter commercial operation in 2026, cruising at 400 km/h.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Speed (Testing) | 453 km/h |
| Commercial Speed | 400 km/h |
| Acceleration to 350 km/h | 4 min 40 sec |
| Aerodynamic Nose Length | 15 metres |
The test, overseen by the China State Railway Group, showed the train accelerating to 350 km/h nearly 100 seconds faster than the previous CR400 Fuxing model.
The 15-metre aerodynamic nose cone (compared to 12.5 metres earlier) significantly reduces air resistance and noise.
🎖️ Defence News
The Indian Air Force (IAF) made history by becoming the first non-NATO nation to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, held at Gando Air Base, Canary Islands (Spain) from October 20–31, 2025.
The multinational exercise enhances air combat proficiency, joint mission planning, and interoperability among participating air forces.
The event coincides with the induction of 16 Airbus C-295 aircraft, part of a USD 2.5 billion deal for 56 aircraft — 40 of which will be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative.
- Established: April 4, 1949
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
- Secretary-General (Oct 2025): Jens Stoltenberg
- Total Members: 32 nations
The INS Sutlej successfully completed a joint hydrographic survey with the Mauritius Hydrographic Service, covering 35,000 sq nautical miles.
The mission, under the 2005 MoU on hydrographic cooperation, marks the 18th such collaboration between India and Mauritius.
- Equipped with multibeam echo sounders, side-scan sonar, and differential GPS
- Training for six Mauritian officers in advanced survey techniques
- Joint EEZ surveillance and anti-piracy operations conducted
A formal handover ceremony was held, attended by Mauritian Minister Shakeel Mohamed and Indian High Commissioner Anurag Srivastava.
This mission supports India’s MAHASAGAR initiative — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — aligned with India’s Indian Ocean strategy.
India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for Exercise Trishul, a tri-services drill near the Pakistan border, scheduled from October 30 to November 10, 2025.
The exercise will involve the Army, Navy, and Air Force, testing joint combat preparedness and coordination.
The airspace designated for the drill extends up to 28,000 feet, indicating a large-scale operation.
Ex Trishul underscores India’s focus on self-reliance and technological innovation, in line with PM Modi’s JAI vision — Jointness, Atmanirbharta, Innovation.
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