State News
PM Modi Inaugurates ₹13,430 Cr Projects in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple development projects worth around ₹13,430 crore in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, spanning sectors like industry, power transmission, roads, railways, defence manufacturing, and petroleum.
- He praised India’s progress in clean energy, electricity access, and the state’s emergence as a Drone Hub.
- Modi also highlighted GST reforms benefiting Andhra Pradesh with over ₹8,000 crore savings and outlined plans for Visakhapatnam to become an AI and Connectivity Hub with support from Google.
- The event included visits to the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple and the Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra.
Economy News
India’s Trade Deficit Hits $32.15 Billion in September 2025
- India’s trade deficit widened to an 11-month high of $32.15 billion in September 2025, driven by a sharp rise in imports following US tariff hikes. While exports rose to $36.38 billion, imports jumped to $68.53 billion, exceeding economists’ expectations.
- This comes ahead of key India-US trade talks, where India plans to boost US energy imports and address concerns over Russian oil.
- Despite tensions, exports to the US rose 13% in the first half of FY25, highlighting strong trade ties. Services trade posted a $15.53 billion surplus, partially offsetting the merchandise gap.
Banking News
Bajaj Finserv AMC Launches ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’ via UPI
- Bajaj Finserv AMC has launched ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’, a new facility allowing investors to use their mutual fund investments for UPI payments routed via their bank accounts.
- This innovative feature enables instant redemption of up to ₹50,000 or 90% of the investment, blending investment growth with daily spending convenience. Developed in collaboration with fintech platform Curie Money, users can simply scan a QR code and approve payments while their redemption requests process automatically in the background. This move aims to make mutual funds more accessible and integrated into everyday life, helping investors keep their money growing while maintaining instant access for expenses.
Business News
BLS International to Operate Indian Visa Centres in China
- BLS International has secured a 3-year contract from the Ministry of External Affairs to set up and manage Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China, starting October 14, 2025.
- This move supports India’s resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals after a suspension since 2020 due to COVID-19 and border tensions.
- The IVACs will feature advanced technology, enhanced infrastructure, and multilingual staff to ensure a seamless visa process.
Adani to Build Kedarnath Ropeway Reducing Trek to 36 Minutes
- Adani Group is constructing a ₹4,081 crore ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham to ease pilgrimage access, reducing the current 9-hour trek to just 36 minutes.
- This 12.9 km ropeway, under the Parvatmala Pariyojana scheme, will carry 1,800 passengers per hour per direction, benefiting lakhs of devotees annually.
- It’s Adani’s first ropeway project, developed on a PPP model, to be completed in six years and operated for 29 years.
Ola Electric Launches Ola Shakti for Energy Storage Solutions
- Ola Electric has launched ‘Ola Shakti’, its new battery energy storage solution (BESS), marking its entry into the energy storage sector.
- Built on the 4680 Bharat Cell technology and manufactured at the Ola Gigafactory, Ola Shakti is designed to power everything from residential setups to grid-scale deployments.
- The company aims to scale its annual energy storage system consumption to 5 GWh in the coming years, expanding beyond its core electric two-wheeler business.
Appointments News
Tarun Garg to Lead Hyundai India as First Indian MD & CEO
- Tarun Garg has been appointed as the Managing Director & CEO of Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), effective January 1, 2026, becoming the first Indian to lead the company since its inception in 1996.
- Currently the COO and Whole-Time Director, Garg played a key role in achieving record sales, profits, and India’s largest IPO in 2024.
- His elevation marks Hyundai’s confidence in Indian leadership and the country’s strategic role in the global automotive market.
- Incumbent MD Unsoo Kim will return to Hyundai’s headquarters in South Korea.
Defense News
India–South Korea Hold First Bilateral Naval Exercise IN–RoKN
- The first-ever India–South Korea Naval Bilateral Exercise (IN–RoKN) began on 13th October 2025 at Busan Naval Base, featuring Harbour and Sea Phases to boost interoperability and strategic cooperation.
- INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class stealth frigate built under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, is participating alongside ROKS Gyeongnam in joint manoeuvres and operational drills, reflecting the two nations’ deepening maritime ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and Indonesia Begin 5th Samudra Shakti Naval Exercise
- Samudra Shakti 2025, the 5th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy, was held from 14-17 October 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. \The exercise, conducted in Harbour and Sea Phases, aims to boost maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
- Key participating ships were INS Kavaratti (India) and KRI John Lie (Indonesia), with activities ranging from cross-deck visits and yoga sessions to helicopter drills, air defence exercises, and VBSS operations.
- Initiated in 2018 under India’s Act East Policy, this exercise strengthens strategic ties in the region.
Sports News
Abhishek, Mandhana Win ICC Player of the Month October 2025
- Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana were named ICC Players of the Month for September 2025 after outstanding performances—Abhishek shined in the Asia Cup T20I with 314 runs and a record ICC rating of 931, while Mandhana dominated the home ODI series against Australia, scoring 308 runs including the fastest century by an Indian woman.
- Both were chosen through a global fan vote and expert panel, highlighting their key roles in India’s cricket successes.
Science & Technology News
AR Rahman, Google Cloud Team Up for AI Music Avatars
- Music legend AR Rahman has partnered with Google Cloud to launch Secret Mountain, an AI-powered digital avatar music project.
- This collaboration uses Google Cloud’s infrastructure and advanced AI models, including Veo 3, Imagen, and Gemini 2.5 Pro, to bring to life hyper-realistic, culturally diverse avatars like Cara, Zen Tam, and Blessing.
- These avatars will offer immersive storytelling, music, and real-time fan interaction, with Rahman calling the initiative a fusion of music, tech, and emotion.
Summits & Conferences News
10 Key Takeaways from IUCN World Congress 2025
- The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 held in Abu Dhabi focused on global nature conservation efforts, unveiling India’s plan for a national Red List assessing the extinction risk of 11,000 species, recognizing India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu, and appointing Vivek Menon as the first Asian chair of the Species Survival Commission.
- The Congress adopted key motions on climate change, fossil fuel phaseout, and controlling the wildlife pet trade, while also launching the Abu Dhabi Call to Action 2025 for sustainable nature conservation over the next 20 years.
Schemes News
LIC Launches Jan Suraksha and Bima Lakshmi Insurance Plans
- LIC has launched two new insurance plans under the new GST regime: Jan Suraksha Plan (880) for the lower-income group offering life cover, maturity benefits, and 4% guaranteed additions, and Bima Lakshmi Plan (881) exclusively for women, providing life cover, money-back options, critical illness cover, and 7% guaranteed additions, both with auto cover after three years’ premiums and flexible terms.
Important Days News
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025: India’s Progress and Global Challenges
- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025 is observed annually on October 17 to promote dialogue between people living in poverty and society, emphasizing dignity, justice, and belonging.
- The 2025 theme focuses on ending social and institutional maltreatment by supporting families to thrive and stay together.
- Globally and in India, significant progress has been made in poverty reduction—India’s extreme poverty rate dropped from 16.2% (2011-12) to 2.3% (2022-23), lifting 171 million people above the poverty line.
- Despite improvements, challenges like youth unemployment and informal employment persist.
- India’s efforts include key schemes such as MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
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