Daily GK 28th October 2025

Daily Current Affairs 28th October 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

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This post contains the daily current affairs 28th October 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related to Current Affairs 28th 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 28th October, 2025 Current affairs test.

BUSINESS NEWS

World Bank Approves USD 280 Million Health Project in Kerala

• The World Bank has sanctioned a USD 280 million program aimed at improving life expectancy and overall well-being for approximately 11 million elderly and vulnerable citizens in Kerala.
• The project, named the Kerala Health System Improvement Program, is designed to:
  • Expand universal health coverage.
  • Strengthen resilience against climate-related health impacts.
• A major component of the program is to enhance digital health infrastructure, including:
  • eHealth services,
  • integrated data platforms, and
  • upgraded cybersecurity systems.
• The loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has:
  • A 25-year repayment period, and
  • A five-year grace period before repayments begin.
• The initiative targets improved management for over 90% of diabetes and hypertension patients, with individual electronic health tracking systems to ensure effective monitoring and treatment.

RBI FAQs: Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA)

• The Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA), introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), offers basic banking services to promote financial inclusion.
• It replaced the earlier “No-Frills Accounts” as per the RBI Circular dated August 22, 2012, and provides minimum essential banking facilities to all customers.

Eligibility and Account Rules

• Each individual can maintain only one BSBDA per bank and cannot hold any other savings account in that same bank.
• However, one can still open Fixed Deposit (FD) or Recurring Deposit (RD) accounts in the same bank.
• If an individual already has a savings account, it must be closed within 30 days of opening a BSBDA.
• The account is open to all individuals, regardless of age, income, or social background, and is treated as a standard banking service.
• The interest rate is the same as that applicable to regular savings accounts.

BSBDA–Small Accounts (Simplified KYC Version)

• BSBDA accounts generally follow the KYC and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards under the Prevention of Money Laundering (PML) Act.
• Accounts opened with simplified KYC documents are categorized as BSBDA–Small Accounts.
• Such accounts are subject to specific limits:
  • Total credits: Not exceeding ₹1 lakh per financial year.
  • Maximum balance: ₹50,000 at any point.
  • Total withdrawals/transfers: Limited to ₹10,000 per month.
  • No foreign remittances allowed until full KYC is completed.
  • Validity: 12 months, extendable by another 12 months upon submission of an Officially Valid Document (OVD).

Free Services and Withdrawal Policy

• Account holders can enjoy several free basic services, including:
  • Cash deposits and withdrawals,
  • Fund receipts via electronic channels, and
  • Cheque collection at branches or ATMs.
• No initial deposit is required to open the account.
• Each BSBDA holder is entitled to at least four free withdrawals per month through any channel (ATM, internet banking, NEFT/RTGS, etc.).
• Balance inquiries at ATMs are not counted among the four withdrawals.
• ATM/Debit cards must be issued free of charge, with no annual fee.
• Passbooks are to be provided free of cost.
• Customers cannot be compelled to take an ATM card—it must be optional.

Additional Services Provision

• Banks may provide extra services (like cheque books or additional withdrawals) either for free or at a nominal charge.
• However, if such chargeable services are availed, the account loses its BSBDA classification.

NATIONAL NEWS

India to Host First-Ever APAC-AIG Meeting and Workshop

• India will host the Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting and workshop for the first time from October 28–31, 2025.
• The event will be organized by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Around 90 delegates from ICAO member states in the Asia-Pacific region and global aviation organizations will attend.
• The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Rammohan Naidu, will inaugurate the event.
• APAC-AIG serves as an ICAO platform to foster regional collaboration, share technical knowledge, and improve aircraft accident investigation capabilities.

Event Highlights

• October 28–29, 2025: Technical Workshop covering investigation processes, use of modern technology, reporting mechanisms, and cross-border collaboration.
• October 30–31, 2025: Formal meeting with strategic discussions on improving investigation frameworks, transparency, and adopting new safety standards.
• Key participants include representatives from AAIB (India), DGCA, ICAO, and APAC member nations.
• Hosting the event reflects India’s leadership in aviation safety, enhances its technical expertise, and strengthens regional cooperation in the aviation sector.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UNCTAD16 Launches Sevilla Forum on Debt

• During UNCTAD16 held in Geneva (October 20–23, 2025), the Sevilla Forum on Debt was officially launched.
• The launch was led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, and UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua.
• The Spanish-led initiative, supported by UNCTAD and UN DESA, provides a global platform for dialogue and action on debt issues.
• It builds upon commitments from the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and the Sevilla Commitment, promoting better debt governance and development finance.

Global Debt Overview (UNCTAD Report)

• Total global public debt (2024): USD 102 trillion.
• Developing nations’ share: USD 31 trillion, paying USD 921 billion in annual interest.
• 4 billion people currently live in countries spending more on debt repayment than on health or education.
• UNCTAD Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Major Reports Published:
  • Trade and Development Report
  • World Investment Report
  • The Least Developed Countries Report

RANKINGS AND INDEXES

Top 10 Indian Cities with the Cleanest Air (2025)

• Despite persistent air pollution in northern India, several southern and western cities have maintained cleaner air standards.
• The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures pollutants such as 5, PM10, NO₂, and CO — lower scores indicate better air.

Top 10 Cleanest Indian Cities (2025)

1. Pune – AQI 51 (Satisfactory)
2. Mumbai – AQI 60 (Satisfactory)
3. Nashik – AQI 63 (Satisfactory)
4. Ahmedabad – AQI 64 (Satisfactory)
5. Bhopal – AQI 64 (Satisfactory)
6. Pimpri Chinchwad – AQI 66 (Satisfactory)
7. Bhilai – AQI 67 (Satisfactory)
8. Nagpur – AQI 71 (Moderate)
9. Gandhinagar – AQI 74 (Moderate)
10. Indore – AQI 76 (Moderate)

Highlights

• Pune leads the list due to strong wind circulation, green mobility efforts, and sustainable transport initiatives.
• Mumbai benefits from coastal winds and continuous monitoring by BMC and MPCB.
• Nashik’s clean environment is credited to low industrial activity and proactive municipal green drives.
• Ahmedabad controls industrial emissions via CNG usage and strict pollution standards.
• Bhopal, the “City of Lakes,” maintains balance through natural greenery.
• Pimpri Chinchwad and Bhilai showcase success in industrial pollution control and modernization.
• The ranking reflects India’s progress in air management and sustainable urban policies, especially across the western and central regions.

DEFENCE NEWS

India Joins Spain’s Ocean Sky 2025 as First Non-NATO Participant

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) made history by becoming the first non-NATO nation to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, held at Gando Air Base, Canary Islands (Spain) from October 20–31, 2025.
• The multinational exercise enhances air combat proficiency, joint mission planning, and interoperability among participating air forces.
• India’s participation highlights its growing strategic presence and defence partnership with Spain and NATO nations.
• The event coincides with the induction of 16 Airbus C-295 aircraft, part of a USD 2.5 billion deal for 56 aircraft—40 of which will be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative.

Key Significance

• Boosts India’s coalition warfare and interoperability with global air forces.
• Strengthens defence diplomacy and joint operations capability.
• Reinforces India–Spain cooperation, with milestones like the 2023 C-295 handover and 2025 Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation focusing on aerospace R&D and indigenous production.

About NATO

• Established: April 4, 1949.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
• Secretary-General (Oct 2025): Jens Stoltenberg.
• Total Members: 32 nations.
• Founding Members: 12 countries.

INS Sutlej Completes 18th India–Mauritius Joint Hydrographic Mission

• The INS Sutlej successfully completed a joint hydrographic survey with the Mauritius Hydrographic Service, covering 35,000 sq nautical miles.
• The mission, under the 2005 MoU on hydrographic cooperation, marks the 18th such collaboration between India and Mauritius.
• Equipped with multibeam echo sounders, side-scan sonar, and differential GPS, INS Sutlej ensured precise mapping of the seabed and coastal zones.
• The mission also included training for six Mauritian officers in advanced survey techniques.
• Additionally, joint EEZ surveillance and anti-piracy operations were conducted to bolster regional security.
• A formal handover ceremony was held, attended by Mauritian Minister Shakeel Mohamed and Indian High Commissioner Anurag Srivastava.
• This mission supports India’s MAHASAGAR initiative—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—aligned with India’s Indian Ocean strategy.

India to Conduct Tri-Service Military Exercise ‘Ex Trishul’

• India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for Exercise Trishul, a tri-services drill near the Pakistan border, scheduled from October 30 to November 10, 2025.
• The exercise will involve the Army, Navy, and Air Force, testing joint combat preparedness and coordination.
• The airspace designated for the drill extends up to 28,000 feet, indicating a large-scale operation.
• Ex Trishul underscores India’s focus on self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) and technological innovation, in line with PM Modi’s JAI vision — Jointness, Atmanirbharta, Innovation.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Justice Prathiba M. Singh Appointed Chair of WIPO Advisory Board of Judges

• Justice Prathiba M. Singh of the Delhi High Court has been named Chair of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges (2025–27)—a first-ever appointment for India and Asia.
• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a UN specialized agency, promotes the protection of intellectual property globally.
• As Chair, she will lead international judicial experts in advising WIPO on judicial initiatives and IP-related best practices.
• Justice Singh also serves as Co-Chair of the WHO Working Group on AI Regulation in Health.
• She has previously been recognized among the “Top 50 Most Influential Figures in Intellectual Property” in 2021 and 2022.

 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China’s CR450 High-Speed Train Sets New World Record

• China’s CR450 high-speed train achieved a record-breaking speed of 453 km/h, becoming the fastest train ever tested
• Developed for the Shanghai–Chengdu corridor, it will enter commercial operation in 2026, cruising at 400 km/h.
• The test, overseen by the China State Railway Group, showed the train accelerating to 350 km/h in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds, nearly 100 seconds faster than the previous CR400 Fuxing model.
• Key design advancements include a 15-metre aerodynamic nose cone (compared to 12.5 metres earlier), significantly reducing air resistance and noise.
• The CR450 sets a new benchmark for speed, efficiency, and engineering innovation in global rail transport.