🇮🇳 National News
The Union Cabinet has sanctioned Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (2025–31) with a total outlay of ₹1,500 crore.
| Funding Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Department of Biotechnology (DBT) | ₹1,000 crore |
| Wellcome Trust, UK | ₹500 crore |
Implementation: Managed through the India Alliance Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
Key Focus Areas:
- Support for early to mid-career fellowships, collaborative research, and Research Management Programme
- Promotes interdisciplinary innovation, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
- Enhances women’s participation, global partnerships, and capacity building
Train 2,000+ researchers, strengthen TRL-level research, and boost scientific excellence in alignment with Viksit Bharat objectives.
The Union Cabinet approved a major initiative — Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025–31).
| Parameter | Target |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₹11,440 crore (6 years) |
| Production Target | 350 lakh tonnes |
| Cultivation Area | 310 lakh hectares |
| Farmers Benefited | ~2 crore |
Major Components:
- Distribution of high-quality seeds and cluster-based implementation
- Establishment of 1,000 processing units, each receiving a ₹25 lakh subsidy
- 100% MSP procurement for Tur, Urad, and Masoor for four consecutive years
Reduce imports, improve farmer income, support nutritional security, and promote climate-resilient agriculture.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) platform in New Delhi.
Objective: To democratize access to high-quality digital education for all learners.
Other Highlights:
- Virtual inauguration of five new NIELIT centres across India
- Panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education digitization
- Felicitation ceremony for top-performing students
- Signing of MoUs with industry partners to foster industry-academia collaboration
AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Semiconductors — empowering youth with future-ready technical skills.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) commemorated its 100th anniversary on October 1, 2025.
- Established: In 1926, during British rule
- Legacy: Symbol of integrity, merit-based recruitment, and equal opportunity in Indian civil services
- Conducts some of the world’s largest competitive exams, attracting millions annually
- Adapting to digital transformation and AI tools for improved transparency and fairness
Continues to be a cornerstone of nation-building, promoting trust and excellence in public service.
The Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, India’s first of its kind, has been officially recognized by the IUCN at the 2025 World Conservation Congress.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | September 2022 |
| Area | 448.34 sq. km |
| Seagrass Meadows Protected | 12,250+ hectares |
The Dugong (Dugong dugon), commonly known as the “sea cow”, is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The Bathukamma Festival in Telangana achieved two Guinness World Records for:
- The largest floral arrangement
- The most synchronized female dance performance
Cultural Significance:
- Celebrates Goddess Gauri and the harvest season
- Symbolizes life, fertility, and womanhood
- Coincides with Navratri, celebrating the victory of good over evil
Women craft intricate flower stacks (Bathukammas) and perform synchronized dances during the festival.
Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships in Førde, Norway in the Women’s 49 kg category.
| Lift | Performance |
|---|---|
| Snatch | 84 kg (1st attempt success) |
| Clean & Jerk (1st) | 109 kg |
| Clean & Jerk (2nd) | 112 kg |
| Clean & Jerk (3rd) | 115 kg (New National Record) |
| Total Lift | 199 kg (National Record) |
Marked her strong comeback and reaffirmed her position among the world’s best lifters.
India dominated the Men’s Javelin F44 event at the World Para Athletics Championships.
| Medal | Athlete | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Gold | Sandip Sanjay Sargar | 62.82m (Personal Best) |
| 🥈 Silver | Sandeep Chaudhary | 62.67m (Season’s Best) |
| 🥉 Bronze | Edenilson Roberto (Brazil) | – |
India’s medal tally rose to eight, showcasing India’s growing dominance in para-athletics on the global stage.
💼 Business & Economy
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted a new six-member Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, replacing the earlier BPSS.
- Chairperson: RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra
- Members: Senior RBI officials and three Central Government nominees, including Aruna Sundararajan, former Telecom Secretary
Role:
- Oversee and regulate all payment systems — electronic, non-electronic, domestic, and cross-border
- Supported by the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS)
Strengthen the security, innovation, and efficiency of India’s fast-growing digital payments ecosystem.
Gross GST collections reached ₹1.89 lakh crore in September 2025, reflecting a 9.1% year-on-year rise.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross GST Collection | ₹1.89 lakh crore |
| YoY Growth | 9.1% |
| GST Refunds Rise | 40.1% |
| Net Revenue | ₹1.60 lakh crore (+5% YoY) |
Growth Drivers: GST 2.0 reforms effective from September 22, including rate rationalization across 375 items, resulting in price reductions and demand boost.
Average monthly collections in FY26 nearing ₹2 lakh crore, signaling economic resilience and improved tax compliance.
The 11th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) opened in Dubai, bringing together 3,300+ participants from 30+ nations.
Theme: “Innovating for Impact: Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy.”
Co-host: With WETEX 2025.
Focus Areas:
- Climate finance, policy innovation, and technology integration
- Role of SMEs in achieving net-zero targets
Discussions on regional climate solutions and youth engagement. Launch of Global Alliance on Green Economy (GAGE) initiatives for 2024–25.
🌐 International News
India has been re-elected to Part II of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council.
- Venue: 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada
- Recognition: Reflects India’s major contribution to global civil aviation, especially in air navigation safety and sustainability
Key Engagements:
- Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu held bilateral meetings with international aviation leaders
- Discussed manufacturing opportunities, skill development, and partnerships
Reinforces India’s role as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.
📅 Important Days
World Animal Day is observed on October 4, 2025.
Significance: Marks the 100th anniversary of the international campaign dedicated to promoting animal rights, compassion, and welfare.
Theme 2025: “Save Animals, Save the Planet!” — emphasizing the vital link between animal conservation and environmental sustainability.
To inspire collective responsibility toward the protection of all species and encourage eco-friendly, compassionate lifestyles worldwide.
🕊️ Obituaries
G G Parikh, the last of India’s Gandhian socialists and a key figure in India’s freedom struggle, passed away on October 2, 2025, in Mumbai.
Legacy:
- Imprisoned during the Quit India Movement and the Emergency
- Led student movements, trade unions, and consumer cooperatives
- Founded the Yusuf Meherally Centre
Remembered as the “Saint of the Socialists”, embodying Gandhian ethics and lifelong service to social causes.
Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, renowned Hindustani classical vocalist of the Banaras Gharana and Padma Bhushan awardee, passed away in Mirzapur at the age of 89.
Musical Legacy:
- Excelled in Thumri, Kajri, and Bhajan styles
- Famous for soulful renditions like “Sawan Jhar Lagela Dheere Dheere”
Leaders including PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu offered condolences. His passing marks a major cultural loss to India’s classical music heritage.
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