🇮🇳 National News
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a nationwide contest to design an official mascot for Aadhaar.
The contest, open until 31 October 2025, is hosted on the MyGov platform.
Participants, either individuals or teams, can submit original mascot designs along with a concept note explaining how their design reflects Aadhaar’s values.
The mascot will act as UIDAI’s visual ambassador—enhancing public engagement and representing Aadhaar’s core principles of trust, inclusivity, empowerment, digital innovation, service, and accessibility.
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of NITI Aayog, in collaboration with DP World, has introduced the ‘We Rise – Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises’ program under the WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) framework.
This initiative seeks to empower 100 promising women-led MSMEs to become export-ready and integrate into global trade networks.
- Aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision
- Connects WEP’s ecosystem of over 90,000 women entrepreneurs with DP World’s global trade infrastructure
- Selected entrepreneurs will exhibit at Bharat Mart in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone
- Offers mentorship in compliance, branding, finance, logistics, and market access
Telangana has emerged as the top state in India for recovering lost and stolen mobile phones using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, with over 1 lakh phones recovered as of October 16, 2025.
Managed by the Government of India, the CEIR portal allows citizens to report lost or stolen phones through their IMEI number.
- Once reported, the phone is blocked across all Indian networks
- Enables law enforcement agencies to track and retrieve the device
- After confirming ownership, the device is unblocked and returned
The CEIR project was first launched as a pilot in September 2022 and expanded to Telangana in April 2023.
💼 Business & Economy
The Government of India has announced a major reform allowing professionals from the private sector to apply for senior management positions in Public Sector Banks (PSBs), including the post of Managing Director (MD) in State Bank of India (SBI).
This is a departure from the earlier practice where only internal PSB candidates were considered for such top roles.
- One of four MD posts in SBI now open to private sector executives
- Also open to employees from other public financial institutions
- Same eligibility extended to certain Executive Director (ED) positions in nationalized banks
- Aims to bring leadership diversity and strengthen decision-making
The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced its goal to increase women’s representation in its workforce to 30% over the next five years, up from the current 27%, as stated by Kishore Kumar Poludasu, Deputy Managing Director (HR) & Chief Development Officer.
Presently, women account for about 33% of SBI’s frontline staff; however, their overall share across roles is lower.
- ‘Empower Her’ program to nurture women for leadership positions
- Health and wellness initiatives including cervical and breast cancer screenings
- Operates more than 340 all-women branches across India with plans to expand
The RBI has published comprehensive FAQs on device-based tokenisation for card transactions.
Tokenisation refers to replacing real card details with a unique code called a token, which varies for every combination of card, device, and token requestor. De-tokenisation is the reverse process.
- Tokenised transactions are safer as actual card info is not shared with merchants
- No charges for tokenisation services
- Available on smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables, and IoT devices
- Can be used for contactless, QR-based, or in-app payments
- Requires Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA)
- Users can set per-transaction or daily limits
- Entirely optional—users choose to enable or disable
🌐 International News
On October 15, 2025, Uruguay became the first country in Latin America to legalise euthanasia through formal legislation, allowing medically assisted dying for patients suffering from incurable illnesses that cause unbearable pain.
As a predominantly Catholic nation, Uruguay’s move is historic, following five years of political debate and ethical deliberation.
- The Uruguayan Senate passed the bill with a 20–11 vote
- Prior approval by the lower house
- Government will establish medical guidelines, ethical safeguards, and oversight systems
India and Brazil have signed a joint declaration to expand the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and MERCOSUR (the Common Market of the South), aiming to strengthen trade and investment ties.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| MERCOSUR Members | Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| Current PTA Coverage | 450 tariff lines |
| Bilateral Trade (2024) | $12 billion |
| New Target (by 2030) | $20 billion |
Both nations plan to evolve it into a comprehensive trade agreement.
👔 Appointments
On October 17, 2025, Nirmal Kumar Minda, Executive Chairman of Uno Minda Group, took charge as the President of Assocham (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India).
Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director & CEO of Axis Bank, was appointed as Senior Vice-President, pending RBI approval.
- Minda: Over 50 years in the auto component industry; known for people-first approach; previously led ACMA
- Chaudhry: Over 38 years in banking and finance; led Axis Bank’s digital transformation; former MD & CEO of HDFC Life
On October 17, 2025, Harsh Sanghavi was sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s reconstituted cabinet.
The reshuffled cabinet includes 26 members, including the Chief Minister, nearing the constitutional limit of 15% of the state assembly’s 182 seats.
This major revamp followed the resignation of all ministers (except the CM) on October 16, paving the way for a new cabinet aimed at improving governance ahead of the 2027 Gujarat Assembly Elections and upcoming local body polls.
📅 Important Days
National Solidarity Day is observed annually on October 20 to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers.
The day commemorates the 1962 Indo-China War, which began on October 20, 1962, over border disputes in Kashmir and ended on November 21, 1962.
- Several Indian soldiers were captured; parts of Kashmir came under Chinese occupation (COK)
- In 1966, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, October 20 was dedicated as National Solidarity Day
- Observed annually to pay tribute to armed forces protecting the nation
World Osteoporosis Day is observed every year on October 20, launching a global campaign to raise awareness about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related bone disorders.
“It’s Unacceptable!”
The day was first observed in 1996 by the UK’s National Osteoporosis Society, with support from the European Commission.
Since 1997, it has been organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), formed in 1998 through the merger of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and IFSSD.
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