- The Indian government has extended the 16th Finance Commission’s tenure by one month until November 30, 2025.
- Chaired by Arvind Panagariya, the commission was tasked with recommending the distribution of taxes between the Centre and states for the 2026-2031 period and reviewing disaster management financing.
- The commission’s report, originally due October 31, will now provide guidance on fiscal federalism and revenue augmentation for the next five years.
NHAI to Use All Municipal Waste in Roads by 2027
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) aims to use all municipal waste for road construction by 2027.
- Currently, 80 lakh tonnes of municipal waste are used in projects like the Ahmedabad-Pune and Mumbai-Delhi highways.
- The initiative also includes using bio bitumen from livestock, proven superior to petroleum bitumen, highlighting innovative efforts to promote sustainable infrastructure and waste-to-energy technologies.
India’s Female Workforce Participation Rises to 42% in 2023–24
- India’s female workforce participation has surged from 23% in 2017-18 to 42% in 2023-24, marking the highest growth among BRICS nations, driven by government initiatives focusing on skills development, formal employment, and women-centric workplace policies like extended maternity and childcare leave.
- This rise reflects India’s ongoing commitment to women’s economic inclusion and empowerment as a key factor in national progress.
Govt Launches LIMBS Dashboard to Track Court Cases Live
- Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal launched the LIMBS Live Cases Dashboard to boost transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government litigation.
- The dashboard provides real-time updates on over 7 lakh live cases from 53 ministries, showing cases scheduled in the next seven days across the Supreme Court, High Courts, and others.
- This tool enables proactive decision-making, better coordination, and improved legal case management by government officers and ministers.
New Door‑to‑Door Freight & Parcel Services Launched by Railways
- Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched three new door-to-door freight and parcel services, including the Assured Transit Container Service (Delhi to Kolkata), door-to-door parcel service (Mumbai to Kolkata), and railway goods sheds as integrated logistics hubs.
- These services aim to enhance efficiency, ensure faster and on-time delivery, and reduce logistics costs, boosting overall freight handling in India.
Jal Jeevan Mission Covers 80% Rural Homes with Tap Water
- Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, over 15.71 crore rural households—covering 80% of rural India—now have tap water connections, according to the Jal Shakti Ministry.
- As the mission shifts focus to long-term sustainability, functionality, and service reliability, the role of District Collectors becomes vital.
- To reinforce this, the first-ever Peyjal Samvad was held in New Delhi, promoting district-led governance, innovation, and peer learning to empower local bodies in managing rural water systems efficiently.
- India’s $1.7 billion credit line supports Mongolia’s oil refinery project enhancing energy security.
EPFO Allows 100% Provident Fund Withdrawal Under New Rules
- Over 7 crore EPFO subscribers can now withdraw up to 100% of their eligible provident fund, including employee and employer contributions, after the CBT approved liberalised rules on October 13.
- The new rules merge 13 withdrawal provisions into 3 simplified categories: Essential Needs, Housing, and Special Circumstances (no reason needed).
- The minimum service requirement is now just 12 months, and the premature settlement period has been extended to 12 months.
- However, 25% of contributions must be maintained as Minimum Balance to continue earning 8.25% interest.
- Also, four fund managers (SBI, HDFC, Aditya Birla, UTI) will manage EPFO’s debt portfolio for 5 years.
International News
India to Resume Postal Service to US from Tomorrow
- India will resume international postal services to the United States starting tomorrow, following the establishment of a compliant Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) mechanism.
- The Ministry of Communications stated that this new system ensures full regulatory compliance, faster customs clearance, and seamless delivery without additional duty or delay.
- Postal services had been suspended earlier due to a US Executive Order introducing new import duty regulations by US Customs and Border Protection.
India–Mongolia Sign MoUs, Announce Free Visas, Mark 70 Years
- PM Modi and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa held delegation-level talks in New Delhi, signing multiple MoUs covering humanitarian aid, heritage restoration, immigration cooperation, geology and mineral resources, promotion of cooperatives, and digital solutions.
- They jointly released commemorative stamps marking 70 years of India-Mongolia relations.
- PM Modi announced free e-visas for Mongolian citizens and support for annual visits of young Mongolian cultural ambassadors to India.
- The partnership emphasizes a spiritual bond anchored by historic ties like Nalanda University and Gandan Monastery.
US and Middle East Leaders Sign Declaration to End Gaza War
- US President Donald Trump, along with leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, signed a historic declaration to end the Israel-Hamas war and establish peace in Gaza.
- At the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, Trump praised India as a “great country” and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a very good friend” who has done “a fantastic job.”
- He also expressed hope for improved India-Pakistan relations following the peace agreement, which has been welcomed globally, including by PM Modi during a recent phone call with Trump.
Banking News
Telangana Leads India in UPI Usage Intensity: RBI Study
- Telangana has emerged as the top state in UPI transaction intensity, followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra, according to the RBI’s September 2025 bulletin using PhonePe data.
- The study highlights southern states’ dominance in digital payments due to urbanization, migration, and tech adoption.
- Key trends include a decline in ATM withdrawals, a rise in peer-to-merchant (P2M) payments—especially for transactions under ₹500—and a drop in average UPI ticket size, signaling UPI’s deep penetration in daily low-value purchases and among small vendors.
Economy News
India’s GDP Seen Growing 6.6% in 2025 Despite US Tariffs
- The IMF has raised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2025-26 to 6.6%, up from 6.4%, despite the impact of US tariffs on Indian imports.
- However, growth for 2026-27 is slightly lowered to 6.2%.
- This revision reflects a strong start to the year that offsets tariff effects.
- The IMF also updated its global growth outlook to 3.2% in 2025, while cautioning that a potential renewed US-China trade war could negatively affect global and Indian economic output.
Appointments News
Dan Katz Appointed IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appointed Dan Katz as its new First Deputy Managing Director, effective October 6, 2025.
- The decision was approved by the IMF Executive Board following the recommendation of Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who praised Katz’s expertise in economic policy, international relations, and his ability to lead through global economic challenges.
Agreements News
NSD and Bharat Bhawan Partner to Revive Rangmandal Repertory
- National School of Drama (NSD) and Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal, signed an MoU to revive the Rangmandal Repertory, inactive for over two decades
- NSD Director and actor Chittaranjan Tripathy called this a major step to promote quality theatre in Madhya Pradesh and India.
- Bharat Bhawan was described as a cultural epicenter for the state and nation.
- The MoU signing on October 11 was attended by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Defense News
DRDO Signs MoU to Develop 300 MW Solar Projects Across India
- The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to develop 300 MW solar power projects across its establishments.
- Aiming to create self-reliant, Net-Zero campuses by 2027 and promote sustainable energy in India’s defence sector.
Ranks and Reports News
Henley Passport Index 2025: Singapore Tops the World, India Slips to Rank 85
- The Henley Passport Index 2025 ranks Singapore as the most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea and Japan.
- Traditional leaders like the United States and United Kingdom have fallen to historic lows.
- While India slipped to Rank 85, reflecting ongoing changes in global mobility, diplomatic outreach, and international travel freedom.
Sports News
11th Asian Aquatics Championships in Ahmedabad Concluded
- The 11th Asian Aquatics Championships, held from September 28 to October 11, 2025 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, marked India’s first time hosting the prestigious continental event.
- Organized by the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) and the Government of Gujarat, it saw participation from 1,100+ athletes from 29 countries across 4 disciplines: Swimming, Artistic Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo.
- China topped the medal tally with 54 medals (40 gold), while India ranked 11th, recording its best-ever performance with 13 medals (4 silver, 9 bronze).
- Srihari Nataraj emerged as India’s standout swimmer with 7 medals, and the Men’s 4×200m Freestyle Relay team set a National Record (7:23.38). The event also served as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Science & Technology News
Finance Minister to Inaugurate dhaRti BioNest at IIT Dharwad
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the dhaRti BioNest Incubation Centre at IIT Dharwad, a key hub supporting biotech, deep tech, and healthcare startups.
- Backed by funding from MPLADS and BIRAC, the centre aims to boost regional innovation, provide specialized infrastructure and mentorship, and strengthen India’s startup ecosystem in North Karnataka.
Adani, Google to Build India’s Largest AI Data Hub
- AdaniConnex, a joint venture of Adani Enterprises, has partnered with Google and Airtel to build India’s largest data centre campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with a $15 billion investment over five years.
- This gigawatt-scale AI hub will feature subsea cables, clean energy, and aims to accelerate AI innovation and digital infrastructure growth in India, making it the largest such project outside the US.
- Prime Minister Modi hailed it as a step toward democratizing technology and promoting AI for All.
Obituaries News
Mahabharat’s Karna, Actor Pankaj Dheer, Passes Away at 68
- Renowned Indian actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for his iconic role as Karna in B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat, passed away at 68 in Mumbai after battling cancer, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian television and cinema.
Current Affairs Today | 15 Oct Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam