Daily Current Affairs 16th October 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

FASTag Annual Pass Crosses 25 Lakh Users in 2 Months

• The FASTag Annual Pass, launched on 15th August 2025, has quickly gained popularity, crossing 25 lakh users and recording 5.67 crore transactions in just two months.
• This pass offers seamless and economical travel across about 1,150 National Highway and Expressway toll plazas with a one-time fee of ₹3,000 for one year or 200 toll crossings.
• It activates within two hours on existing FASTags and is valid for all non-commercial vehicles, enhancing ease of commuting and reflecting NHAI’s commitment to smooth highway travel.

IndiaAI Launches Face Authentication Challenge for Exams

• IndiaAI has launched the Face Authentication Challenge with a ₹2.5 Crore prize pool to develop a secure, accurate AI-based image verification system for public examinations
• The challenge invites startups and companies to create scalable solutions for photo verification and application de-duplication using advanced facial recognition algorithms, ensuring fair and impartial merit-based selection.
• Selected teams can win up to ₹5 Lakhs for testing and ₹1 Crore for deployment contracts.
• Applications close on 25th October 2025. This initiative supports India’s vision for inclusive AI growth and ethical technology use.

WHO Warns of Toxic Indian Cough Syrups

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert on three Indian cough syrups—Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceuticals), ReLife (Shape Pharma), and Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals)—after toxic contamination was linked to the deaths of 21 children in Madhya Pradesh.
• The syrups were found to contain 48.6% Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a lethal chemical causing kidney failure.
• WHO urged immediate action if affected batches are found, although the CDSCO confirmed no exports of the contaminated products.

International News

India Elected to UN Human Rights Council for 2026–28

• India has been elected unopposed to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026–28 term, marking its seventh time on the 47-member body.
• India’s election by the UN General Assembly reflects its strong commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, said Permanent Representative P Harish, who expressed gratitude for global support and affirmed India’s readiness to serve the Council’s objectives.

US Announces $20 Billion Aid to Stabilize Argentina

• The US has announced a $20 billion aid package to help Argentina combat its currency crisis, following a White House meeting between President Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei.
• However, Trump warned that continued assistance depends on Milei’s party winning the upcoming elections on October 26.
• Argentina faces the risk of financial collapse after recent provincial election losses shook investor confidence in Milei’s austerity-driven reforms, including spending cuts and public-sector layoffs since 2023.

Banking News

Curie Money & Lxme Expand UPI Access

• Curie Money has opened its UPI-cum-investment app to all users after exiting beta, allowing payments and automatic investment of unused funds in liquid mutual funds.
• Meanwhile, women-focused fintech Lxme launched LxmePay, a UPI platform designed to help women manage finances with features like digital gold rewards, cashbacks, and budget tracking.
• Both moves follow the Global Fintech Fest 2025, where UPI saw major innovations including AI-driven payments and new fintech products from giants like PhonePe and BharatPe.

UPI to Launch in Japan Soon: NPCI–NTT DATA Deal

• UPI is set to launch in Japan following an MoU between NPCI International and NTT DATA, enabling Indian tourists to make payments by scanning QR codes at supported merchant locations.
• This move enhances cross-border digital payments and offers a familiar experience for Indian users abroad. NTT DATA, operator of CAFIS—Japan’s largest payment network—will help integrate UPI into the local ecosystem.
• UPI is already accepted in countries like Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UAE, and Qatar, with efforts ongoing to expand globally.

Business News

Jio Payments Bank to Launch ANPR Tolling on NH-48

• Jio Payments Bank Limited (JPBL) has secured a contract to implement ANPR-based Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll systems at Shahjahanpur and Manoharpura toll plazas on the Gurugram–Jaipur highway.
• Awarded by IHMCL under NHAI’s pilot project, the system enables barrier-free tolling using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and other advanced tech like RFID and GNSS.
• With this, JPBL has won 2 of 5 MLFF contracts and is expanding its role in the tolling ecosystem, leveraging Jio Platforms’ digital infrastructure to enhance smart mobility and digital payments in India.

Hindustan Shipyard Granted Mini Ratna Status

• Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has been granted Mini Ratna status by the Government of India, marking a major milestone in its turnaround from years of financial distress
• . Announced on October 14, 2025, this designation gives HSL greater autonomy to drive innovation, pursue defence manufacturing, and enter joint ventures without prior approval.
• The transformation follows post-2015 reforms, with HSL now reporting consistent profits and playing a vital role in India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ maritime ambitions.
• This move boosts its capacity to take on advanced naval projects and strengthens India’s self-reliant defence industrial base.

Appointments News

Anant Goenka Named FICCI President-Elect for 2025–26

• Anant Goenka, Vice Chairperson of RPG Group, has been announced as the President-elect of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) for 2025–26.
• He will succeed Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, a second-generation leader of the Emami Group, who currently serves as FICCI President.
• Goenka is presently the Senior Vice President at FICCI and will take over the role in the upcoming term.

Agreements News

Airtel Partners IBM to Boost Cloud Services in India

• Bharti Airtel has partnered with IBM to boost cloud services in India through Airtel’s newly launched cloud platform.
• This collaboration aims to meet the growing demand for scalable, secure, and localized cloud solutions driven by the AI boom and data localization laws in India.
• The partnership will offer hybrid cloud architecture, AI tools, data security, and industry-specific solutions, helping Indian businesses across sectors like banking, manufacturing, and telecom while leveraging IBM’s global cloud expertise combined with Airtel’s connectivity.

Govt, Zomato Partner to Offer 2.5 Lakh Jobs Yearly

• The Government of India has signed an MoU with Zomato to create 2.5 lakh flexible job opportunities annually via the National Career Service (NCS) portal under a new ‘Aggregator’ category.
• This partnership aims to provide technology-enabled livelihoods for youth and women, integrating gig economy roles into the formal workforce and supporting initiatives like PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY).
• Officials highlighted the NCS portal’s role in connecting job seekers to dignified employment, and announced upcoming job listings around Diwali for added economic boost.

Defense News

DRDO’s Combat Parachute System Tested at 32,000 Feet

• The DRDO’s indigenously developed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) has been successfully tested at 32,000 feet, making it the only system in operational use by Indian forces capable of deployment above 25,000 feet.
• Developed by ADRE Agra and DEBEL Bengaluru, the MCPS features enhanced steering, low descent rate, and NavIC compatibility, offering secure, interference-free navigation.
• Its success reduces dependency on imports, boosts self-reliance, and ensures quicker maintenance.

Sports News

Ahmedabad Recommended to Host CWG Games By Executive Board

• Ahmedabad has been recommended by the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board as the proposed host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with the final decision set for November 26, 2025, at the General Assembly in Glasgow.
• This marks the potential return of the Games to India after 20 years, having last hosted in 2010 in New Delhi.
• Hosting the Games is also a crucial step for India’s ambition to host the Olympics in 2036, also in Ahmedabad.
• Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Abuja bid will be supported for future Games, aiming to bring the event to Africa by 2034.

Messi Becomes Top Assist Maker in International Football

• Lionel Messi set a new international football record by reaching 60 assists for Argentina, surpassing Neymar and Landon Donovan (both with 58), in a 6-0 win over Puerto Rico in Fort Lauderdale.
• His first assist for Argentina also came in a 6-0 match in 2006, adding poetic symmetry to this milestone.
• With nearly 400 career assists, Messi continues to redefine greatness—not just through goals, but through vision and creativity on the pitch.

Science & Technology News

Ring One Smart Ring Enables Payments & Health Tracking

• An IIT-Madras incubated startup, Muse Wearables, has launched Ring One, a smart ring that allows users to make contactless payments by tapping the ring—no phone, card, or wallet needed.
• Partnering with NPCI, users can link their RuPay cards via the Muse App, where a secure token is stored in the ring’s tamper-resistant Secure Element chip.
• Payments are only possible while wearing the ring, adding a security layer if lost or stolen. Available in over 40 countries and supporting 600 banks, this innovation aims to offer a secure, India-built alternative for wearable digital payments.

Important Days News

World Food Day 2025: Theme, History, and Significance

• World Food Day 2025, observed on 16th October, focuses on food security, sustainable agriculture, and global unity to achieve Zero Hunger.
• Marking the 80th anniversary of the FAO, its theme is “Sustainable Food Systems for a Healthy Planet”, urging collective action to promote nutritious food, reduce waste, and protect the environment.
• Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1981 following a proposal by Dr. Pal Romany, this day highlights the vital role of farmers and encourages global cooperation to end hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

World Anaesthesia Day 2025: History, Significance & Advances

• World Anaesthesia Day 2025, observed on October 16, marks the historic first successful use of ether anesthesia in 1846, revolutionizing pain-free surgery.
• This year’s theme, “Anaesthesiology in Health Emergencies,” emphasizes the vital role of anesthesiologists during crises like pandemics and disasters, highlighting the need for safe, accessible anesthesia worldwide.
• The day promotes awareness, celebrates medical advances, and supports the well-being of anesthesia professionals globally.

Current Affairs Today | 16 Oct Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam