📊 Index & Rankings
The Ministry of Mines has unveiled the first-ever State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and the State Rankings 2025, a reformative initiative to improve mineral governance across India.
Focused primarily on non-coal minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, and iron ore, the index evaluates states on parameters including auction transparency, mine operationalization, exploration efforts, and sustainability practices.
- Mineral-rich states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat
- Smaller states: Goa, Punjab, Tripura
The SMRI aims to foster healthy competition, data-driven governance, and climate-aligned mining policies, aligning with India’s Vision 2047 for sustainable natural resource management.
🇮🇳 National News
The Bathou faith, followed by the Bodo community in Assam, has officially been assigned a separate code in the upcoming national census—a historic step toward recognition at the national level.
UPPL leader Promod Boro expressed gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for acknowledging the distinct religious identity of Bathou.
Bathou is based on the worship of the five natural elements—fire, air, earth, sky, and water.
The Registrar General of India has instructed census enumerators to record respondents’ religious affiliations precisely, ensuring accurate documentation and fair representation.
The Ministry of Law and Justice has made key amendments to the Notaries Rules, 1956, by increasing the sanctioned number of notaries in four states to meet growing legal service demands.
| State | Previous Limit | New Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | 2,900 | 6,000 |
| Tamil Nadu | 2,500 | 3,500 |
| Rajasthan | 2,000 | 3,000 |
| Nagaland | 200 | 400 |
The Notaries (Amendment) Rules, 2025, officially came into force on October 17, 2025, aiming to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of notarial services.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant in Lucknow, worth ₹1,000 crore, to enhance India’s capacity to produce advanced aerospace-grade metals domestically.
The facility, a part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, aims to support India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by manufacturing key materials for fighter aircraft, missiles, and satellite systems.
A joint venture between PTC Industries and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) was signed to co-develop missile and UAV propulsion systems, marking another leap toward defense self-sufficiency.
The project is expected to create significant employment, strengthen MSMEs, and attract new investments in the defense ecosystem.
🌐 International News
The United States and Australia have entered into a landmark $8.5 billion critical minerals agreement to curb dependency on China and reinforce secure, Western-controlled supply chains.
Both nations will each invest $1 billion over the next six months to expand the mining and processing of vital resources such as lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements, crucial for the defense, renewable energy, and tech industries.
- Implementation of price floors and permitting reforms
- Expansion of geological mapping and recycling efforts
- Restrictions on foreign acquisitions, particularly from Chinese entities
Sanae Takaichi has made history by becoming Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, signaling a major advancement for gender equality and a notable ideological shift toward conservatism.
Supported by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi’s leadership aims to revive Abenomics-inspired economic policies.
Known for her right-wing stance and admiration for Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi faces the challenge of consolidating support in a politically divided parliament to ensure stable governance.
Masako Nozawa, celebrated for voicing Son Goku in the Dragon Ball series, has become the first voice actor ever to receive Japan’s prestigious Persons of Cultural Merit award.
Announced by Nippon TV on October 20, 2025, the recognition honors her immense contribution to Japanese culture and the anime industry over several decades.
- At 88 years old, Nozawa has voiced Goku for more than 30 years
- Holds Guinness World Records for longevity in video game voice acting
- Award established in 1951; includes annual pension of 3.5 million yen
Morocco clinched their first-ever U-20 World Cup title, defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final held in Chile.
Yassir Zabiri scored both goals in the first half, leading Morocco to a victory that marked the first U-20 title for an African nation since Ghana’s 2009 triumph.
- Morocco’s journey included key wins against South Korea, USA, and France
- Argentina, aiming for their record seventh U-20 crown, suffered their first loss
Max Verstappen secured victory at the U.S. Grand Prix, marking his third win in four races and significantly narrowing the championship lead to 40 points behind Oscar Piastri.
Lando Norris finished second, cutting his deficit to 14 points behind teammate Piastri, who ended in fifth place.
The result has turned the Formula 1 championship into a thrilling three-way contest as the season enters its final five races. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took third place.
🔬 Science & Technology
ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 mission has achieved a breakthrough by observing how Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the Sun impact the Moon’s thin exosphere.
During a rare solar event on May 10, 2024, CMEs dramatically increased particle density and pressure in the lunar exosphere, validating long-standing theoretical models.
The discovery was made through the CHACE-2 instrument, offering new insights into lunar space weather and potential environmental challenges for future human or robotic missions on the Moon.
India has reached two major milestones in biotechnology:
- Nafithromycin—the first indigenous antibiotic, highly effective against drug-resistant respiratory infections
- A successful clinical trial in gene therapy for Hemophilia, showing up to 70% gene correction and no bleeding episodes in treated patients
Announced by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, the government plans to strengthen genome sequencing, AI-driven healthcare, and public-private R&D under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), steering toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
📅 Important Days
Police Commemoration Day, observed annually on October 21, honors the bravery and sacrifice of Indian police personnel who laid down their lives in service.
The day marks the 1959 Hot Springs ambush in Ladakh, where ten policemen were martyred following an attack by Chinese troops.
- Main ceremony at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi
- Features cenotaph, Wall of Valour, and museum
- Includes joint parade, wreath-laying ceremony, and address by the Union Home Minister
- Commemoration Week (October 22–30) includes cultural programs and rallies
🕊️ Obituaries
Legendary actor Govardhan Asrani, celebrated for his comic genius, passed away on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness.
With a career spanning over 350 films, Asrani was known for his versatility and enduring presence in Indian cinema.
His short yet unforgettable performance as the eccentric jailer in Sholay (1975)—modeled after Adolf Hitler and delivered with the iconic line “Hum angrezon ke zamane ke jailer hain”—became a cultural landmark, showcasing his unmatched comic timing.
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