1 ICG to conduct 10th National Pollution Response Exercise off Chennai coast
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will conduct the 10th edition of the national-level pollution response exercise, NATPOLEX-X, off the Chennai coast of Tamil Nadu . The two-day exercise is designed to assess and enhance India’s national preparedness to respond to marine oil spill incidents, the ICG said in a statement. The exercise will further strengthen inter-agency cooperation, promote the adoption of best practices, and set new standards in marine environmental management, operational readiness, and technological integration. The event is expected to witness active participation from various stakeholders, including central ministries, coastal state governments, major ports, oil management agencies, and maritime organizations. Over 40 foreign observers and over 100 national delegates from 32 countries will participate, making it a globally relevant platform for marine pollution response.
2 Gujarat: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the nationwide Your Capital, Your Right campaign.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the nationwide “Your Capital, Your Rights” campaign from Gandhinagar , Gujarat . The campaign aims to ensure the speedy resolution of unclaimed financial assets lying in various sectors of the financial system. The Finance Minister stated that the campaign will ensure the fair return of unclaimed deposits to their legitimate claimants . Over the next three months, the campaign will be launched in every district of the country. It will focus on the easy and speedy resolution of unclaimed assets held by banks, insurance companies, pension funds, stock and mutual fund companies. Currently, unclaimed assets worth ₹1.82 lakh crore are lying with various financial institutions across the country.
3 Sanae Takaichi becomes leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, will soon assume the post of Prime Minister.
Sanae Takaichi has been elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party . She is set to become Japan’s first female prime minister on October 15. Takaichi, Japan’s former economic security minister, defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in the second round of the election. None of the five candidates secured a majority in the initial round of voting. The election was held after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned last month.
4 Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of the State Government’s ‘Mhaje Ghar Yojana’ and various development works in Goa.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for the state government’s ” Mhaje Ghar Yojana ” and various development projects in Goa . Several dignitaries, including Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Union Minister Shripad Naik, were present on the occasion. He said that granting housing rights to millions of Goa residents, who were entangled in approximately 11 different legal entanglements, is a sign of profound empowerment. He said that Dr. Pramod Sawant and his team have benefited half of Goa’s population by eliminating all housing anomalies through a single law. Shri Shah added that the Goa government has ensured home repair permits within three days and the availability of electricity and water.
5 Indian Coast Guard commissions patrol vessel ‘Akshar’ in Karaikal
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched the second of eight Indomitable Class Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) , named Akshar, at Karaikal, Puducherry . The 51-metre long FPV is designed with over 60 per cent indigenous content, strengthening India’s maritime capabilities under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. The ship has a displacement of approximately 320 tonnes and is powered by two 3000 kW diesel engines, enabling it to attain a maximum speed of 27 knots. The ship Akshar will be based at Karaikal, Puducherry, under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region East.
6 BRO’s Himank Project builds world’s highest motorable road in Ladakh
In a historic achievement, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) ‘s Himank Project has surpassed its own Guinness World Record by constructing the world’s highest motorable road at Mig La Pass in Ladakh , 19,400 feet above sea level . This broke the previous record set at Umling La in 2021. Led by Brigadier Vishal Srivastava, the BRO team hoisted the national and BRO flags at the site. The road will also boost tourism in Ladakh, offering breathtaking views of the Indus Valley.
7 TEC signs MoU with IIIT Naya Raipur to advance next-generation telecom technologies and standards
The Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC ) , the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT ), Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Naya Raipur , to jointly advance research, innovation, and standardization in next-generation telecommunications technologies. This significant partnership combines TEC’s national leadership in telecommunications standardization with IIIT, Naya Raipur’s academic and research excellence, creating a collaborative framework to advance India’s role in global telecommunications innovation. Key areas of collaboration :
- Open RAN and network disaggregation : The evolution of open interfaces, modular architectures, virtualization, and vendor interoperability.
- Cognitive Radio and Spectrum Sharing : Research on Coexistence Framework and Studies Conforming to WRC-27 Agenda Items.
- 5G/6G/IoT Framework : Joint research program on emerging technologies and test environments for future network generations.
- Standardization Contributions : Collaborative participation in ITU-T Study Groups and TEC National Working Groups.
- India-specific testing framework : Development of standards and interoperability solutions tailored to India’s digital ecosystem.
8 CM Chandrababu Naidu launched Auto Driver Sevalo Scheme
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday launched the ‘ Auto Driver Sevalo ‘ scheme, under which every auto driver in the state will get financial assistance of Rs 15,000. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also announced a new government app like Ola-Uber for auto drivers in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, while launching the ‘Auto Driver Sevalo’ programme in Vijayawada, announced that the state government will launch a new ride booking app like Rapido and Uber, aimed at empowering auto drivers across Andhra Pradesh. Along with the app, he also assured that an Auto Driver Welfare Board will soon be set up to protect their rights.
9 Cyclone ‘Shakti’ 340 km away from Gujarat coast
The Meteorological Department has stated that the center of Cyclone Shakti is centered about 340 kilometers west of Dwarka, Gujarat . The department said that the cyclonic storm is expected to move west-southwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm. The storm will reach the north-central and adjoining central Arabian Sea by tomorrow.
10 Study published in Human Genomics: Sindhi population of India is unique and different from Pakistani Sindhis
A study by scientists at the CSIR -Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad , has revealed that the genetic structure of the Sindhi population living in the western parts of India is quite different and unique from that of Pakistani Sindhis . This finding comes from the first high-throughput genetic study by Dr. Kumarasamy Thangaraj and Dr. Lomas Kumar on the Sindhi population living on the western coast of India. The study was recently published in the journal Human Genomics. Dr. Thangaraj said that the genetic structure of the Sindhi population living on the western coast of India is unique and different from that of Pakistani Sindhis. Six lakh DNA markers were used in this research. The researchers analyzed the genetic data of the Sindhi population using advanced analytical and statistical methods.
11 Dame Sarah Mullally becomes England’s first female Archbishop
Dame Sarah Mullally has become the first female Archbishop of the Church of Canterbury in England . Sarah replaces Justin Welby , who resigned amid allegations of child abuse. Mullally, currently the Bishop of London, will formally take office in January. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III have welcomed the appointment. Conservative groups have criticized it, saying the Bible only allows men to be appointed bishops.
12 Shubman Gill named India’s ODI captain for Australia tour
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian team for the limited-overs series on the Australia tour. Shubman Gill has been given the command of the ODI team. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included in the team as players. Suryakumar Yadav will take charge of the T20 team. The Indian team is scheduled to play a series of three ODI matches between October 19th and 25th on the Australia tour, while the two countries will play a series of five T20 matches between October 29th and 8th.
13 Senior actress-coordinator Sandhya Shantaram passes away
Sandhya Shantaram , the renowned actress and third wife of V. Shantaram , has passed away at the age of 87. She was known for her acting as well as her dancing. Sandhya rose to fame with filmmaker V. Shantaram’s classic film Navrang , whose song “Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat” became particularly popular. Her performances were praised in films such as “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje,” “Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli,” “Do Aankhen Barah Haath,” “Amar Bhoopali,” and “Pinjra.”