1 Indian Army to buy ‘Ananta Shastra’ air defence system
The Indian Army has issued a tender to state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure five to six regiments of the ‘ Ananta Shastra ‘ surface-to-air missile weapon system to strengthen the air defence network along the borders with Pakistan and China . The Ananta Shastra air defence missile system was earlier known as the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) . The project, estimated to cost around Rs 30,000 crore, will strengthen the Army’s air defence, which played a key role in thwarting Pakistani drone attacks during Operation Sindoor, he said.
2 IUCN and IRENA signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Union’s World Conservation Conference.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and the International Renewable Energy Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Union’s World Conservation Conference in Abu Dhabi . The agreement establishes a framework for joint action. A global transition to renewable energy will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also protect biodiversity, support communities, and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The collaboration will focus on developing tools to assess biodiversity impacts, creating projects that provide mutual benefits for conservation, and sharing policy guidance, research, and best practices. The two organizations will also explore capacity-building initiatives and technical cooperation to strengthen sustainable energy development. The MoU will be effective for a period of three years, with provisions for renewal and extension. It expresses the two organizations’ shared commitment to advancing climate action while protecting the world’s natural heritage.
3 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defeated the no-confidence motion by just two votes.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defeated a no-confidence motion by just two votes . Centrist parties supported her presidency. The vote was held on proposals from far-right and far-left groups in the European Parliament. The two parties have differing views on other issues. The right wing expressed concerns about the EU Commission’s handling of irregular migration, while the left wing criticized its failure to address the climate and social crises and Israel’s aggression in Gaza.
4 India becomes the world’s third largest solar energy producer: Prahlad Joshi
According to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi , India is now the third largest solar energy producer in the world with around 125 GW of solar capacity . According to official information provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the eighth session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly will be held from 27 to 30 October 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi . The event will bring the world together under one sun, one vision and a shared commitment to solar energy. During the inaugural ceremony, Union Minister Joshi said that India achieved its renewable energy targets five years ahead of schedule and crossed the 50 percent mark in total installed power capacity derived from non-fossil resources.
5 India and Australia sign key defence agreements to strengthen operational partnership between armed forces
India and Australia have signed key defense agreements . The agreements were signed in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles . Visiting Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Marles in Canberra . The two leaders reviewed all aspects of India-Australia defense cooperation, including defense industry, cyber defense, maritime security, and regional challenges . They reaffirmed the importance of the comprehensive strategic partnership. India and Australia welcomed the signing of the two countries’ Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation . Both sides also welcomed progress towards operationalizing the Australia-India Implementing Arrangement on Air-to-Air Refueling, signed in 2024.
6 Under the “RBI Kehta Hai” initiative, the Reserve Bank of India is conducting awareness campaigns for the public through various media channels.
Under the ” RBI Says ” initiative, the Reserve Bank of India is conducting public awareness campaigns through various media channels. The Reserve Bank also launched a verified WhatsApp channel in April 2025 to disseminate public awareness messages and important information . Through this initiative, the Reserve Bank aims to make important financial information accessible to the public in an easy, direct, and effective manner. People can now access official information on the Reserve Bank’s WhatsApp numbers: 9999041935 and 9930991935. Users are advised to follow only official Reserve Bank accounts marked with a blue tick.
7 Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, launched the third phase of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign in New Delhi.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare , Anupriya Patel, launched the third phase of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign in New Delhi . This sixty-day national campaign aims to educate and empower children and youth to avoid tobacco use, support those who wish to quit, and promote a strong culture of health and wellness in schools and higher education institutions. Tobacco use is a major problem in India. Nearly 1.3 million people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. A survey (GYTS-2019) revealed that approximately 8.4% of students aged 13 to 15 use tobacco, and use begins at the average age of just 10. To curb this, the government has decided to take strict measures through awareness-raising and actionable measures.
8 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced the signing of the ‘Terms of Reference’ for the reconstitution of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the signing of the ‘ Terms of Reference ‘ for the restructuring of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee during the visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to India . In a post on social media, Piyush Goyal said that this institutional restructuring is a revolutionary change and will strengthen the framework of strategic engagement and accelerate the implementation of the India-UK trade agreement. He said that this will significantly increase bilateral trade between the two countries.
9 3rd edition of International Purple Festival begins in Panaji
The third edition of the International Purple Festival began in Panaji, Goa . As India’s first international and inclusive festival honoring persons with disabilities, the event aims to highlight empowerment, accessibility, and social integration. Addressing the gathering , Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, congratulated the Goa government for organizing a festival of international standards dedicated to inclusive development. He emphasized the need to include persons with disabilities in the mainstream of national development.
10 NCRB report: Kolkata remains India’s safest city for the fourth year running
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) , Kolkata has emerged as India’s safest city for the fourth consecutive year and recorded the lowest rate of cognizable crimes in the year 2023. According to the NCRB report, Kolkata recorded 83.9 cognizable crimes per lakh population in 2023, the lowest among the 19 Indian cities with a population of more than 2 million surveyed by the bureau. The total cognizable cases are projected to decline from 14,591 in 2021 to 12,213 in 2022 and further to 11,843 in 2023. Notably, Kochi emerged as the most crime-prone city with 3,192.4 crimes per lakh, followed by Delhi (2,105.3) and Surat (1,377.1).
11 CBI busts international cyber crime in Operation HAECHI-VI
The CBI has arrested eight key operatives of international cybercrimes in Interpol Operation HAECHI-VI . This is the sixth edition of a series of global operations to combat various types of international cyber-enabled financial crimes. “During Operation HAECHI-VI, the CBI’s International Operations Division, in collaboration with the FBI, the US Department of Justice, and German authorities, arrested eight criminals and identified 45 suspects who were involved in international cyber-enabled financial crimes and online sexual crimes against minor girls,” the agency said. The global operation focused on seven types of crimes: cyber-enabled financial crimes, voice phishing, love and romance scams, online sextortion, investment fraud, money laundering linked to illegal online gambling, business email compromise, and e-commerce fraud. The CBI seized $66,340 in cash and blocked 30 bank accounts linked to the crimes.
12 Pune to host international cycle race on January , cyclists from 50 countries to participate
An international bicycle race will be held in Pune, Maharashtra , in January . This will be India’s first. The race is registered with the International Cycling Union and athletes from 50 countries can participate. This information was provided by Pune Collector Jitendra Duddi on Wednesday.