NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM Modi Addresses RSS Centenary Celebrations in New Delhi

On October 1, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the historic 100th-year celebration of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the Chief Guest at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

To mark this milestone, the PM released a special commemorative postage stamp and a Rs. 100 coin. Notably, this coin features the image of "Bharat Mata", marking her first-ever appearance on Indian currency.

Key Exam Takeaways:

• Founder of RSS: Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (Established on September 27, 1925, in Nagpur, Maharashtra).
• Commemorative Coin: Rs. 100 denomination, weighing 40 grams, made of 99.9% pure silver. It features the Lion Capital of Ashoka on the front and Bharat Mata in Varada Mudra (blessing gesture) on the reverse.
• Postage Stamp Feature: Depicts the historic 1963 Republic Day Parade which featured RSS Swayamsevaks.
• Current RSS Chief (Sarasanghchalak): Mohan Bhagwat.

UPSC Enters 100th Year of Service; Unveils New Logo and Interview Portal

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially entered its centenary year on October 1, 2025. Marking its 99th Foundation Day in New Delhi, UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar launched major initiatives to celebrate a century of building India's civil services.

• 'My UPSC Interview' Portal: A dedicated anecdote platform titled “From Dream to Reality” where serving and retired civil servants can share their UPSC interview panel experiences. The submission deadline is December 31, 2025.
• The New Logo: Features the National Emblem at the center, surrounded by a wreath of banyan leaves (symbolizing wisdom and resilience), anchored by a ribbon with “Sangh Lok Seva” inscribed in Hindi.
• Centenary Logo: Incorporates a progressive wave motif symbolizing a century-long adaptive journey, culminating in the final '0' of '100' where the UPSC emblem rests.

Cabinet Approvals: Rabi Crop MSP Hiked and Rs. 11,440 Cr Pulse Mission Launched

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved critical agricultural reforms aimed at boosting farmer income and achieving nutritional self-reliance.

1. Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Rabi Crops (Marketing Season 2026-27)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a hike in MSP for six key Rabi crops. Safflower received the highest absolute increase at Rs. 600 per quintal.

2. Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

A six-year initiative with a financial outlay of Rs. 11,440 crore was greenlit to eliminate India's dependency on imported pulses. Originally announced in the FY26 Union Budget, the government aims to skyrocket domestic pulses production from 24.2 million tonnes (2024-25) to 35 million tonnes by 2030-31.

Digital Education and Infrastructure Boost: NIELIT Digital University Launched

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (MeitY & Railways) officially launched the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) in New Delhi to democratize advanced technology education across India.

• New Regional Centres: Five new NIELIT centers were virtually inaugurated in Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Balasore (Odisha), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Daman (DNHDD), and Lunglei (Mizoram).
• Strategic Partnerships: NIELIT signed key MoUs with industry giants to co-create tech training paths:
  • Microsoft (Digital Skilling)
  • Zscaler (Cybersecurity)
  • Dixon Technologies (Electronics Manufacturing)
  • CCRYN (Yoga & Tech in Wellness)
  • Future Crime (Cybercrime Security)

DPIIT and Thermo Fisher Scientific Launch 'BioVerse' for Biotech Startups

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with global life sciences leader Thermo Fisher Scientific to accelerate India's biotechnology startup landscape.

• The Goal: To strategically support, mentor, and fund over 500 biotech startups over the next 3 years.
• The "BioVerse" Framework:
  • BioVerse Challenge: Selects and incubates the top 100 biotech startups with R&D access and investor networks.
  • BioVerse Mentors Circle: Targets skill development and business training for an additional 400 startups.
  • BioVerse Alumni Network: Provides continuous lifelong coaching and secondary funding options.

TASL and Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Assembly Line in Karnataka

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus have finalized plans to establish India’s first private-sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in Vemagal, Karnataka.

• The Project: The facility will manufacture the highly versatile Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter, which is widely used in civil aviation, defense, medical emergencies, and disaster management.
• Timeline: Production begins in 2026, with the first domestic delivery slated for 2027.
• Significance: This marks Airbus' second structural joint venture with TASL in India, following the C295 military transport aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

'MY Bharat' Mobile App Launched to Empower Indian Youth

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports) launched the ‘MY Bharat’ Mobile Application in New Delhi to strengthen youth leadership and volunteerism.

• Developer: Designed and developed by the Digital India Corporation (DIC) under MeitY.
• Key Use Case: The app serves as the core gateway for youth to participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 Quiz.
• Reach: Available in Hindi and English. Since its foundational portal launch on Oct 31, 2023, the platform has registered over 1.81 crore youth and 1.20 lakh organizations.

Smart Gas Meter Plant Inaugurated in New Delhi by Hardeep Singh Puri

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the new office of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) at the World Trade Centre in Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi. Alongside, he rolled out a state-of-the-art Smart Gas Meter Manufacturing Facility.

• The Joint Venture: Set up collaboratively between IGL and Genesis Gas Solutions.
• Capacity: The factory will produce 1 million smart and prepaid gas meters annually to drive structural self-reliance.
• Growth Indicator: India's natural gas pipeline network has expanded significantly from 14,000 km in 2014 to over 22,500 km in 2025.

BANKING & FINANCE

Highlights of RBI’s 4th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy FY2025-26

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) conducted its 57th meeting under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra.

The MPC voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.5% while retaining its 'Neutral' stance, citing a stabilization in inflation but waiting for complete policy transmission.

ADB Approves USD 190 Million Loan for Indore Metro Rail Project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 190 million loan to develop the Indore Metro Rail Project in Madhya Pradesh.

• The Scope: The funding targets an 8.62 km underground metro segment containing 7 stations, connecting heavily congested central Indore corridors to the airport.
• Execution: Implemented by the MP Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL), the line is expected to go fully operational by January 2030.
• Environmental Impact: Anticipated to slash greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 12,414 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sanjay Chalke Appointed as CEO of Capgemini India

French IT consultancy multinational Capgemini SE announced the appointment of Sanjay Chalke as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for India operations.

• Effective Date: January 1, 2026.
• Predecessor: He succeeds Ashwin Yardi, who will step down to take over as the non-executive Chairman of Capgemini India.

SPORTS

India and Sri Lanka to Co-Host Inaugural Women's Blind T20 World Cup

In a historic first, India and Sri Lanka will co-host the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup – Cricket for the Blind from November 11 to November 23, 2025.

• Participants: 7 nations (Australia, England, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the USA).
• Venues: Matches will kick off in New Delhi, move to Bengaluru, and conclude with the knockout stages and final in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

OBITUARIES

Legendary Hindustani Vocalist Pandit Chhannulal Mishra Passes Away

Renowned classical music maestro Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, affectionately known as the “Voice of Banaras,” passed away at 89 in Mirzapur, UP.

• Musical Legacy: A stalwart of the Banaras Gharana, he was celebrated for his mastery of Purab Ang Gayaki and blending folk flavor (Thumri, Kajri, Chaiti, Hori) with pure classical frameworks.
• Civilian Honors: Recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2010) and the Padma Vibhushan (2020).

Centenarian Freedom Fighter & Socialist Dr. G.G. Parikh Passes Away

Veteran Gandhian leader, social activist, and freedom fighter Dr. Gunvantri Ganpatlal (G.G.) Parikh passed away in Mumbai at the age of 101.

• Historical Role: Imprisoned for 10 months during the 1942 Quit India Movement, he spent his post-independence years dedicated to socialist reforms.
• Key Legacy: Founded the Yusuf Meherally Centre (YMC) in Panvel, Maharashtra, transforming rural development, tribal empowerment, and cottage skill-building.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Non-Violence 2025 (October 2)

Observed globally on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhi Jayanti), October 2, 2025, marks Mahatma Gandhi's 156th birth anniversary and the 19th International Day of Non-Violence.

• Theme / Event Context: A special commemorative event was held at the UN Headquarters in New York, spearheaded by the Permanent Mission of India.
• Swachhata Hi Seva 2025: The day also marked the culmination of the nationwide cleanliness campaign Swachhata Hi Seva (Sept 17 - Oct 2), celebrated this year under the theme “Swachhotsav”.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October 2025

October is recognized worldwide as “Pink Month”, dedicated to raising awareness for breast cancer prevention, research, and early detection.

• 2025 Theme: “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.”
• The Symbol: The iconic pink ribbon, adopted globally in 1992 following landmark campaigns by Estée Lauder and Self Magazine, stands as the symbol of solidarity and hope.