Daily Current Affairs

The Darbar Move, a historic practice of shifting government offices between Srinagar (summer capital) and Jammu (winter capital), has been resumed in winter 2025 after its suspension in 2021.

Originating in 1872 under Maharaja Gulab Singh, the practice ensures government accessibility during extreme weather conditions.

The Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Office, and 38 departments will fully relocate, while 47 others will operate from temporary camp offices.

The 2021 suspension occurred due to high operational costs (~₹200 crore) and a shift towards digital governance; the J&K High Court also noted no legal obligation to continue the move.

The revival is expected to stimulate Jammu’s local economy, benefiting traders, transporters, and hotels. Covering a 270 km distance, the process has become more efficient with modern transport and digital systems.

The Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2025 focuses on the theme “Minds Over AI: MIL in Digital Spaces”, highlighting the importance of human judgment, ethics, and critical thinking in AI-driven environments.

Scheduled from 24–31 October 2025 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, the event brings together educators, policymakers, journalists, and youth organizations worldwide.

MIL refers to the ability to access, evaluate, create, and use information responsibly across all media formats.

Supported by UNESCO, the initiative promotes policy frameworks, curricula, and global literacy programs to encourage informed digital citizenship. Recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2021, MIL Week also tackles digital inequality, misinformation, and the need for science-based, multilingual content.

Bajrang Setu, a newly constructed modern suspension bridge across the Ganga River, is set to open by December 2025, replacing the historic Laxman Jhula (built in 1929), which was closed in 2019 due to safety issues.

The structure includes a 5-meter steel deck for vehicles and 1.5-meter glass walkways for pedestrians, offering panoramic river views.

Construction is 90% complete, with glass panel installation pending; the bridge will be handed over by early 2026.

Built with earthquake-resistant cables and premium materials, Bajrang Setu ensures long-term durability and pedestrian safety. The project is expected to boost tourism, reduce congestion, and create new avenues for local businesses while preserving the spiritual and cultural essence of Rishikesh.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched SITAA (Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar) to encourage research, collaboration, and indigenous development in India’s digital identity ecosystem.

Collaborations: MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) offers mentorship, incubation, and startup support, while NASSCOM connects industry partners and global networks.

The initiative aligns with Digital Public Infrastructure and Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to reduce foreign dependency, promote indigenous R&D, and strengthen trust in Aadhaar-enabled services.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has been awarded the “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025” title by Global Finance magazine, marking a significant international recognition for India’s banking sector.

Global Finance, a New York–based publication, annually honors banks that excel in performance, innovation, and customer service.

The award ceremony was held during the World’s Best Banks event, organized alongside the IMF–World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C.

This honor reflects SBI’s excellence in digital transformation, customer-centric services, and its expanding role in financial inclusion at the global level.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has introduced a groundbreaking feature, ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’, allowing users to make real-time payments directly from their liquid mutual fund holdings without first transferring money to a bank account.

The initiative is a collaborative effort supported by ICICI Prudential AMC, Bajaj Finserv AMC, and fintech innovator Curie Money, representing a global-first innovation in retail financial technology.

Acting like a savings account, it provides market-linked returns of 6–7% annually, exceeding typical bank savings rates.

The feature utilizes liquid mutual funds, which invest in low-risk, short-term instruments such as treasury bills and commercial papers – offering safety, rapid redemption, and better yields – and operate under SEBI regulations.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has rolled out ‘UPI Help’, an AI-powered assistant aimed at improving user confidence and experience in digital transactions by simplifying complaint management on UPI.

The AI tool provides instant support for users encountering failed or delayed payments, unclear transaction statuses, or autopay-related queries.

This initiative promotes trust, transparency, and convenience across India’s digital payment ecosystem.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized the Maldives as the first country to achieve triple elimination – preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

WHO attributed this success to the nation’s robust health policies, universal maternal care, and commitment to public health investment.

This milestone underscores the country’s dedication to universal health coverage and sets a global benchmark for maternal and child healthcare.

The IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4, released at the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi, identifies climate change as the largest global threat, impacting 43% of natural World Heritage sites.

Covering data from 2014–2025, the report provides the most extensive evaluation of conservation trends worldwide.

The share of sites with a positive conservation outlook has fallen from 62% in 2020 to 57% in 2025, signaling a worrying decline.

Biodiversity-rich regions face the highest vulnerability, emphasizing the urgency for climate adaptation and stronger environmental policies. Dr. Grethel Aguilar serves as the Director General of IUCN.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has confirmed the discovery of a new quasi-moon, designated 2025 PN7, orbiting near Earth.

This celestial finding adds to ongoing research on co-orbital bodies that accompany Earth in its solar journey.

During a grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled the nation’s most powerful Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) – the Hwasong-20.

Described as North Korea’s strongest nuclear weapon, the Hwasong-20 is believed to have the range to target the U.S. mainland, underscoring the nation’s advancing missile technology.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) unveiled two state-of-the-art Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) – ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit – at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

These are the 7th and 8th vessels in a series of eight indigenously built FPVs, showcasing India’s maritime self-reliance and technological progress.

The Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) enhance maneuverability and propulsion efficiency. The addition of these vessels strengthens India’s coastal security and maritime defense capabilities.

Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand passed away on October 24, 2025, aged 93, following complications from a blood infection.

Born on August 12, 1932, in Bangkok, she was part of the Chakri dynasty and daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, Thailand’s former ambassador to France.

Renowned for her philanthropic work, she dedicated her life to poverty alleviation, rural development, and preservation of traditional Thai arts.

Her passing marks the end of an era in Thailand’s modern royal history.

Kancha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 Mount Everest expedition led by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, passed away at 92 in Kathmandu.

He spent his later years in his hometown, Namche Bazaar, known as the gateway to Everest.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association called his death a monumental loss to Nepal’s mountaineering legacy.

Born in 1932, Kancha began his mountaineering journey at 19 in Darjeeling, where he met Tenzing Norgay, shaping his historic career.

Diane Keaton, the celebrated Oscar-winning American actress, has died at the age of 79.

She gained global fame for her role as Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather series.

Beyond acting, Keaton also directed films, including Unstrung Heroes (1995), which was featured at the Cannes Film Festival under the Un Certain Regard section.