Daily Current Affairs 17th October 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains the daily current affairs 17th October 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related to Current Affairs 17th October 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these Current Affairs, we would recommend you to try 17th October, 2025 Current affairs test.
National News
FASTag Annual Pass Surpasses 25 Lakh Users Within Two Months
- Introduced on 15th August 2025, the FASTag Annual Pass has witnessed rapid adoption, achieving 25 lakh users and processing 67 crore transactions in just two months.
- The pass enables hassle-free and cost-effective travel across nearly 1,150 National Highway and Expressway toll plazas.
- It comes with a one-time annual fee of ₹3,000, which covers one year or 200 toll crossings, whichever comes first.
- The pass gets activated within two hours for existing FASTag holders and applies to non-commercial vehicles only, simplifying highway travel.
- This initiative underscores NHAI’s dedication to promoting convenience and efficiency on India’s road network.
IndiaAI Introduces Face Authentication Challenge for Examinations
- IndiaAI has unveiled the Face Authentication Challenge, backed by a ₹2.5 crore prize pool, aimed at building a robust and accurate AI-driven image verification system for use in public examinations.
- The program encourages startups and enterprises to design scalable solutions for photo verification and duplicate application detection using advanced facial recognition algorithms.
- This will help promote fair, unbiased, and merit-based selection processes in exams.
- Winning teams can receive up to ₹5 lakh for testing phases and ₹1 crore for deployment contracts.
- The application deadline is 25th October 2025, and the initiative aligns with India’s goal of fostering ethical AI innovation and inclusive digital progress.
WHO Raises Alarm Over Toxic Indian Cough Syrups
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global warning regarding three Indian-manufactured cough syrups—Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceuticals), ReLife (Shape Pharma), and Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals)—linked to the deaths of 21 children in Madhya Pradesh.
- Tests revealed the syrups contained 6% Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a highly toxic compound known to cause kidney failure.
- The WHO urged immediate recalls and safety measures wherever these products are detected.
- Meanwhile, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) stated that none of the contaminated syrups were exported, but further investigation is ongoing.
International News
India Secures Seat at UN Human Rights Council for 2026–28
- India has been elected unopposed to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–28 term, marking the seventh time it has joined the 47-member council.
- The election by the UN General Assembly highlights India’s steadfast dedication to human rights and fundamental freedoms.
- Ambassador P. Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, expressed gratitude for the global community’s trust and affirmed that India will work diligently toward the Council’s humanitarian goals.
US Commits $20 Billion Aid Package to Support Argentina
- The United States has pledged $20 billion in financial aid to assist Argentina in stabilizing its economy amid a deep currency crisis.
- The announcement followed a White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei.
- However, President Trump cautioned that continued aid would depend on Milei’s party securing victory in the October 26 elections.
- Argentina currently faces severe economic strain, with investor confidence declining after provincial election setbacks and backlash against austerity measures like spending cuts and public-sector job reductions initiated in 2023.
Business News
Anant Goenka Appointed as FICCI President-Elect for 2025–26
- Anant Goenka, Vice Chairperson of RPG Group, has been declared the President-Elect of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) for 2025–26.
- He will succeed Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, the current FICCI President and Emami Group’s second-generation leader.
- Goenka, presently the Senior Vice President at FICCI, will officially assume the presidency in the upcoming term, continuing the chamber’s legacy of business leadership and policy advocacy.
Airtel Collaborates with IBM to Strengthen India’s Cloud Infrastructure
- Bharti Airtel has entered into a partnership with IBM to enhance its cloud service offerings under its newly launched Airtel Cloud Platform.
- The collaboration focuses on meeting the growing need for secure, scalable, and localized cloud solutions, especially in light of India’s data localization laws and the AI revolution.
- The partnership will provide hybrid cloud architecture, AI-driven tools, data protection measures, and sector-specific cloud services for industries like banking, manufacturing, and telecom.
- It leverages IBM’s global expertise along with Airtel’s network connectivity to empower India’s digital transformation.
Government and Zomato Join Hands to Generate 2.5 Lakh Jobs Annually
- The Government of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zomato to create 5 lakh flexible employment opportunities every year through the National Career Service (NCS) portal under a new ‘Aggregator’ category.
- This collaboration aims to formalize gig economy jobs, offering tech-enabled livelihood options for youth and women.
- It aligns with programs like PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) to boost inclusive employment.
- Officials noted that new job listings would be posted around Diwali, adding momentum to the festive economic activity.
Curie Money and Lxme Broaden UPI Access
- Curie Money has officially opened its UPI-cum-investment application to all users after a successful beta phase. The platform allows users to make payments and automatically invest unused funds in liquid mutual funds.
- Meanwhile, Lxme, a women-centric fintech platform, has introduced LxmePay, a UPI-based payment service that includes features like cashbacks, digital gold rewards, and budget tracking tools to empower women’s financial independence.
- These launches followed the Global Fintech Fest 2025, which spotlighted UPI innovations, including AI-driven payment solutions and new fintech products from major players like PhonePe and BharatPe.
UPI Expansion: Set to Launch in Japan
- The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will soon debut in Japan following an MoU between NPCI International and NTT DATA.
- This collaboration will enable Indian tourists to make payments by simply scanning QR codes at participating Japanese merchant outlets.
- The integration, led by NTT DATA’s CAFIS network—Japan’s largest payment system—will help embed UPI into Japan’s digital payment ecosystem.
- With this expansion, UPI will operate in Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UAE, and Qatar, and efforts continue to extend its global reach.
Hindustan Shipyard Awarded Mini Ratna Status
- The Government of India has conferred Mini Ratna status on Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), marking a major milestone in the company’s turnaround journey.
- Announced on 14th October 2025, the new designation allows HSL greater operational autonomy, enabling it to pursue innovation, form joint ventures, and undertake defense manufacturing without prior approvals.
- HSL’s revival stems from post-2015 reforms, resulting in consistent profits and enhanced contribution to India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals in maritime defense.
- This achievement positions HSL to handle advanced naval projects, reinforcing India’s self-reliant defense capabilities.
Defense News
DRDO Successfully Tests Combat Parachute System at 32,000 Feet
- The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested its indigenously designed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) at an altitude of 32,000 feet.
- It is now the only parachute system used by Indian forces capable of deploying above 25,000 feet.
- Jointly developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRE), Agra, and DEBEL, Bengaluru, the MCPS offers enhanced steering, slower descent, and NavIC-based navigation for precise, interference-free guidance.
- This milestone reduces dependence on imports, enhances self-reliance, and ensures faster, localized maintenance for the armed forces.
Science & Technology News
IIT-Madras Startup Launches Ring One Smart Ring for Payments and Health Tracking
- Muse Wearables, a startup incubated at IIT-Madras, has launched Ring One, a smart wearable ring that enables users to make contactless payments simply by tapping the ring—no phone, card, or wallet required.
- Developed in partnership with NPCI, users can link their RuPay cards through the Muse App, which securely stores a tokenized credential inside the ring’s tamper-resistant Secure Element chip.
- The device ensures safety since transactions are only possible while worn, preventing misuse if misplaced.
- Available in 40+ countries and integrated with 600 banks, Ring One serves as a secure, India-made alternative for wearable payment technology, combining finance and fitness tracking.
Important Days
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025 – India’s Progress and Global Focus
- The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on October 17, as designated by the United Nations.
- The day goes beyond financial inequality, highlighting the importance of dignity, justice, and inclusive progress.
- The 2025 theme, “Ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families”, draws attention to the daily struggles of families facing poverty.
- It urges policymakers and societies to reform welfare systems, ensuring they are grounded in trust, respect, and empowerment rather than bureaucracy.