📊 Index & Rankings
Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Bollywood actor to reach billionaire status, with a net worth of $1.4 billion (₹12,490 crore).
This achievement places him ahead of global celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tom Cruise.
M3M Hurun India Rich List 2025
SRK’s wealth reflects not just his film career but also his success in:
- Red Chillies Entertainment (production house)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL team co-ownership)
- Real estate ventures and brand endorsements
🇮🇳 National News
The Government of India has extended the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission by one month.
The report submission deadline has now been moved from October 31 to November 30, 2025.
Arvind Panagariya
The Commission is responsible for:
- Recommending the division of tax revenues between the Centre and States for the 2026–2031 period
- Reviewing and advising on the fiscal framework for disaster management financing
India has unveiled an ambitious ₹6.4 trillion ($77 billion) hydroelectric transmission blueprint to generate over 76 GW of power from the Brahmaputra basin by 2047.
This initiative addresses both the rising national energy demand and strategic concerns linked to China’s upstream dam construction.
| Phase | Investment | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | ₹1.91 trillion | By 2035 |
| Phase 2 | ₹4.52 trillion | Beyond 2035 |
Spearheaded by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the plan includes 208 large hydropower projects across northeastern states, especially Arunachal Pradesh.
- 500 GW non-fossil energy by 2030
- Net-zero emissions by 2070
Major stakeholders include NHPC and NEEPCO, both central public sector undertakings.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw endorsed Mappls, a navigation app by MapmyIndia, describing it as India’s capable and homegrown replacement for Google Maps.
Following his endorsement, Mappls downloads surged tenfold, climbing to #2 on Apple’s App Store and exceeding 1 crore downloads on Google Play.
- 3D junction visualizations
- Traffic signal countdowns
- Speed limit alerts
- Support for over 12 Indian languages
Supported by industry leaders like Sridhar Vembu, Mappls plans pre-installation on PLI smartphones, and Indian Railways is preparing to sign an MoU for its integration.
This endorsement underscores the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, advancing India’s digital independence.
Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has launched the Vishwas Scheme to minimize litigation related to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).
The initiative introduces rationalized penal damages under the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act.
The launch took place during the 238th Central Board of Trustees meeting in New Delhi.
- An improved return filing module
- A new user management system
- Enhanced e-Office and SPARROW platforms for improved APAR management
The Board further approved simplified norms for partial withdrawals to enhance member convenience and retirement benefits.
The Chief Minister of Assam has launched an initiative titled “CM Flight”, designed to equip youth for international career opportunities.
The scheme emphasizes advanced training, international exposure, global placements, and mentorship.
- Combat unemployment, skill mismatch, and brain drain
- Support underprivileged youth
- Promote inclusive participation in the global workforce
This initiative positions Assam as a talent hub for globally competitive professionals.
💼 Business & Economy
AdaniConnex, a joint venture under Adani Enterprises, has entered into a collaboration with Google to construct India’s largest data centre campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment | $15 billion |
| Timeline | Over 5 years |
| Scale | Gigawatt-scale AI hub |
The facility will operate using clean energy and will be reinforced by an extensive subsea cable network.
This development is a major stride toward transforming India into a global powerhouse for AI infrastructure and cloud computing.
🌐 International News
The Maldives has become the first country globally to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.
This accomplishment has been officially validated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the milestone as a global benchmark for maternal and child healthcare.
Over 95% of pregnant women in the Maldives now receive antenatal care and undergo near-universal testing for all three diseases.
The achievement showcases the Maldives as a model for public health success and disease prevention.
Mary Elizabeth Brunkow, a distinguished American molecular biologist and immunologist, has been honored with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
She shares the award with Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi for their groundbreaking discoveries in peripheral immune tolerance—the mechanism that prevents the immune system from attacking the body’s own cells.
Their research on the FOXP3 gene, a key immune system regulator, has revolutionized understanding of autoimmune disorders and immunoregulation, marking a defining moment in modern immunology.
Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has become the first Indian recipient of the Kenton R. Miller Award for innovation in protected area sustainability.
The award, presented by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) under the IUCN, was conferred in Abu Dhabi on October 10, alongside Ecuador’s Roque Simón Sevilla Larrea.
Dr. Ghosh was recognized for her community-led conservation model that effectively integrates traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific practices.
Her initiatives have greatly benefited ecosystems such as Kaziranga and Manas National Park, reinforcing inclusive and sustainable conservation in India.
The State of Israel will confer its highest civilian honor, the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, on former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The award recognizes Trump’s critical role in facilitating the Gaza ceasefire and ensuring the release of Israeli hostages.
The medal will be presented by President Isaac Herzog, who commended Trump’s contributions to security, peace, and cooperation in the Middle East.
This distinguished award has previously been presented to leaders like Barack Obama (2013).
The 45th edition of GITEX Global, recognized as the world’s largest technology and AI exhibition, commenced in Dubai.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Exhibitors | 6,800+ |
| Startups | 2,000 |
| Countries | 180+ |
| Duration | Until October 17 |
The summit showcases innovations in AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and sustainable technology.
About 70% of attendees are C-level executives and policymakers, fostering collaboration in cybersecurity, healthcare, and climate resilience.
India is participating with its largest-ever delegation of 237 exhibitors, highlighting the nation’s emerging influence in AI and cloud technology.
🔬 Science & Technology
EY India, in partnership with Microsoft, has introduced the AI Skills Passport, a free online training programme for learners aged 16 and above.
Available in English and Hindi, the course offers 10 hours of self-paced learning covering:
- AI fundamentals
- Responsible AI practices
- Industry-specific applications in healthcare, finance, and technology
Participants receive a verifiable digital badge upon completion.
The initiative, part of EY Ripples, particularly focuses on underprivileged youth, helping bridge the AI skill gap in India and create a future-ready workforce.
Indian space-tech startup GalaxEye announced plans to launch “Mission Drishti”, the world’s first multi-sensor Earth Observation (EO) satellite, by early 2026.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 160 kg |
| Resolution | 1.5-meter |
| Technology | SAR + Optical (Global First) |
The satellite will be India’s largest privately built satellite and will host the highest-resolution imaging sensor in the nation.
It uniquely integrates Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical payloads on a single platform.
- Border and maritime surveillance
- Disaster response
- Agriculture and urban planning
- Environmental monitoring
CEO Suyash Singh leads the project, which strengthens India’s position in the private space technology sector.
Google has announced a $15 billion investment to build an advanced AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
This marks Google’s largest-ever investment in India and one of its biggest AI projects globally outside the United States.
- Aligns with India’s Digital India and AI Mission Bharat visions
- Expected to generate around 188,000 jobs
- Timeline: 2025–2030
The project emphasizes Visakhapatnam’s strategic significance and skilled workforce, bolstering India’s status as a global digital innovation hub.
📅 Important Days
Observed annually on October 15, World Students’ Day honors the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India.
The United Nations declared this observance in 2010 to celebrate Dr. Kalam’s legacy as an educator and visionary.
The day emphasizes the role of education and innovation in empowering youth worldwide.
Global Handwashing Day is celebrated every October 15 to raise awareness about hygiene and disease prevention.
The observance highlights that pneumonia and diarrhea are the leading causes of death among children under five.
Handwashing with soap remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent these diseases.
The International Day of Rural Women recognizes the contributions and challenges of women in rural and remote communities.
It emphasizes the need for continued global efforts to provide rural women with resources, education, healthcare, and financial support.
The United Nations, since its establishment in 1945, has been pivotal in promoting peace, equality, and women’s welfare, particularly in rural sectors.
World Standards Day is observed each year on October 14 to appreciate the work of global standardization bodies such as the IEC, ISO, and ITU.
These organizations contribute to consumer safety, trade facilitation, innovation, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“A Shared Vision for a Better World” — underscoring how international standards foster inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development across sectors like climate action, health, and digital transformation.
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