1 ISRO to launch country’s heaviest communication satellite ‘CMS-03’ on November 2
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the country’s heaviest communications satellite, CMS -03 ( GSAT-7R ), on November 2nd . The launch will be carried out using ISRO’s most powerful rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. According to ISRO, CMS-03 is a multi-band military communications satellite that will provide communications services to India’s terrestrial and vast oceanic regions. Weighing approximately 4,400 kilograms, the satellite will be the heaviest communications satellite ever launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. This launch will be the fifth operational flight of the LVM3-M5 rocket. The satellite was assembled and delivered to the launch pad on October 26th, where final preparations are underway. GSAT-7R was developed specifically for the Indian Navy. It will succeed the GSAT-7 “Rukmini” satellite, launched in 2013. The new satellite is equipped with advanced payloads that will enhance the Navy’s secure multi-band communication capability and operational range in maritime areas. CMS-03 is equipped with transponders for voice, data and video transmission in C, Extended C and Ku-bands, enhancing digital connectivity and bandwidth for both the Navy and civilian agencies. ISRO’s LVM3 rocket, which recently successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, is capable of sending payloads of up to 4,000 kg into space.
2 President Draupadi Murmu flew in the Rafale fighter jet.
Indian President Draupadi Murmu flew a sortie in the Indian Air Force ‘s Rafale fighter jet on Wednesday , setting a new record. The President arrived at the Air Force Station in Ambala, Haryana, on Wednesday, October 29th . Here, she flew a sortie in the Air Force’s state-of-the-art Rafale fighter jet. During the flight, the President donned a fighter pilot suit and all necessary equipment. Piloted by Group Captain Amit Gehani, the Rafale flew at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet and a speed of approximately 700 kilometers per hour. Ambala is a major airbase for the Indian Air Force. This air force station is also a major deployment center for the Rafale fighter jet squadron. This is why it is considered a vital base for India’s air security. This is not the first time President Draupadi Murmu has flown a fighter jet. The President’s Secretariat stated that President Draupadi Murmu previously flew a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet on April 8, 2023 , at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam . It is noteworthy that the President of India, who holds the highest constitutional office in the country, is also the Supreme Commander of India’s three armed forces. The Rafale fighter jets were purchased from France for the Indian Air Force.
3 8th International Solar Alliance Summit begins in New Delhi
The 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly commenced from October 27-30, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi . President Smt. Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the plenary session of the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly (ISA) in New Delhi on October 28, 2025. The 4-day event will see the participation of 124 countries, and over 40 ministers from around the world will attend. The 8th Session of the ISA Assembly will focus on four strategic pillars: Catalytic Finance Hubs; Global Capacity Hubs and Digitalization; Regional and Country-Level Engagements; and Technology Roadmaps and Policy. The Summit will also release ISA’s flagship reports—Ease of Doing Solar 2025 and Solar Trends 2025—outlining global progress and pathways for expanding solar deployment. The International Solar Alliance is a global initiative launched by India and France at COP21 in Paris in 2015. It has 124 member and signatory countries. ISA’s mission is to promote investment in solar energy by 2030 and to reduce the cost of this technology and its financing. On December 6, 2017, 15 countries signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement , making ISA the first international intergovernmental organization headquartered in India. It is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana , India. It is the first international intergovernmental organization headquartered in India.
4 Cabinet approves 8th Pay Commission
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) on October 28, 2025. This decision marks a significant administrative step towards reviewing the pay structure and service conditions of central government employees. The 8th Pay Commission will evaluate the current pay system and make necessary recommendations, taking into account the country’s economic conditions and fiscal sustainability. The 8th Central Pay Commission will function as an ad hoc body, with former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai as its Chairperson. The Commission will consist of a Chairperson, a Member (part-time), and a Member-Secretary . The Commission will submit its final recommendations within 18 months from the date of its formation.
5 India and Nepal sign agreement on 400 kV power projects
India and Nepal have signed an agreement on 400 kV power projects . Nepal’s Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister, Kulman Ghising, held detailed discussions with India’s Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, in New Delhi on Wednesday on cross-border power trade, regional grid connectivity, and the development of hydropower projects. Agreements were also reached between the two countries on two major power transmission projects. According to the Union Ministry of Power, a Joint Venture and Shareholder Agreement (JV & SHA) was signed between Power Grid Nigam Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna public sector company of India, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) . Under these agreements, two joint venture companies will be established in India and Nepal to construct high- capacity 400 kV cross-border power projects between Inaruwa (Nepal)–New Purnia (India) and Lamki (Dodhara) (Nepal)–Bareilly (India) .
6 MDL and Swan Defence sign agreement for construction of Naval Landing Platform Docks
In a major step towards strengthening India’s Maritime Defence Capabilities , Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) have signed an exclusive Teaming Agreement. Under this agreement, the two companies will jointly design and build Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy . The agreement was formalised during India Maritime Week 2025 held in Mumbai on 28 October 2025 – exactly a week after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the project. LPDs are large amphibious warfare ships capable of carrying troops, vehicles, equipment and aviation resources.
7 Statue of Rabindranath Tagore unveiled at Indian Embassy in Beijing
A bronze bust of Indian literary and cultural icon Rabindranath Tagore was unveiled at the Indian Embassy premises in Beijing . The statue was created by renowned Chinese sculptor Yuan Xikun . The unveiling coincided with the cultural symposium ” Sangamam – Confluence of Indian Philosophical Traditions ,” an important symbolic moment of India-China cultural ties and shared civilizational heritage. The creation of the statue by Chinese sculptor Yuan Xikun is a symbolic gesture of artistic collaboration and cultural exchange between the two countries. The “Sangamam” held alongside the unveiling symbolized an intellectual confluence, highlighting a shared interest and understanding of Indian philosophical traditions in a global context. Rabindranath Tagore’s connection with China dates back nearly a century. His visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou strengthened the foundation of India-China cultural relations.
8 A 4000-year-old Harappan inn was discovered in Kotada Bhadli, Gujarat.
A 4,000-year-old Harappan settlement at Kotada Bhadli in Kutch, Gujarat, has been identified as the earliest known caravanserai —a fortified rural encampment that supported long-distance trade between 2300 and 1900 BCE . Bronze Age traders passing through Gujarat stopped at well-organized roadside facilities that provided shelter, food, protection, and stabling for their cargo-carrying animals. A new multidisciplinary study by the Pune -based Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, published in L’Anthropologie (Elsevier, 2025), has found no evidence of this. These findings now push back the origins of organised trading infrastructure in the subcontinent by more than 2,000 years, revealing that the Harappans had developed not only urban planning and maritime trade, but also systematic land-based logistics with fortified resting places, animal shelters and food supply centres. The site, excavated between 2010 and 2013 by Deccan College in collaboration with the Gujarat State Archaeology Department, has now been reinterpreted using advanced techniques – including ground-penetrating radar, magnetic and satellite surveys, isotopic and lipid analysis, and three types of dating.
9 Punjab Police Cyber Cell launches ‘Cyber Jago’ programme to protect children from online threats
The Cyber Crime Branch of the Punjab Police has launched a major statewide ” Cyber Jago ” program aimed at protecting children from growing online threats and ensuring their digital safety . The program will raise awareness about internet safety and safe online use among students in all government schools.
10 APEDA sends first air consignment of GI tagged Indi and Puliyankudi lemons from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to the United Kingdom
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, airlifted India ‘s first GI-tagged ‘Indi Lemons’ from Vijayapura, Karnataka, and 150 kg of ‘Puliankudi Lemons’ from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, to the United Kingdom on October 28, 2025. The 500 kg consignment exported marks a significant milestone in the global expansion of India’s GI-tagged horticultural products. Indi Lemons, originally cultivated in the Vijayapura district of Karnataka, are known for their excellent quality, strong aroma, high juiciness, and balanced acidity. Puliyankudi, often referred to as the “Lime City of Tamil Nadu,” is located in the Tenkasi district and is renowned for its large-scale cultivation of lemons. Puliyankudi limes, especially the Kadayam variety, are known for their thin peel, strong acidity, high ascorbic acid content (34.3 mg/100 g) and juice percentage of about 55%.
11 Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy launched Koyla Shakti Dashboard and CLAMP Portal
In a significant step towards digital transformation and transparent governance , Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, launched two transformative digital platforms , the Coal Shakti Dashboard and the Coal Land Acquisition, Management and Payment (CLAMP) Portal, via video conference at an event held in New Delhi . This event marks another significant milestone in the Ministry’s journey towards efficiency, transparency, and data-driven governance in the coal sector. The Coal Shakti Dashboard is a leading digital platform that integrates the entire coal value chain, from mine to market, on a single interface. This platform facilitates real-time coordination between coal companies, railways, ports, and end-users, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring seamless coal logistics. The Coal Land Acquisition, Management and Payment (CLAMP) Portal is an integrated digital solution aimed at streamlining land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) processes in the coal sector.
12 Suryakumar Yadav became the fifth batsman to hit 150 sixes in 12 T20 Internationals.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has become the fifth batsman to hit 150 sixes in T20 international cricket . He reached this milestone during the first T20 match against Australia in Canberra. Yadav hit a six off Nathan Ellis in the 9.3rd over of the rain-affected match being played at the Manuka Oval. With this, Surya became the fifth batsman in the world to reach 150 sixes in international cricket. Rohit Sharma tops the list of batsmen with the most sixes in international T20 cricket, hitting 205 sixes in 159 matches between 2007 and 2024. Rohit is the only player to hit 200 sixes in this format. Mohammad Wasim of the UAE is second on this list, having hit 187 sixes in 91 T20 matches so far. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill is third, having hit 173 sixes in 122 T20 matches. England’s Jos Buttler is fourth on the list with 172 sixes in 144 T20 matches.
13 Rohit Sharma regained the number one spot in the ODI rankings after his impressive performance against Australia.
Following his impressive innings in the ODI series against Australia , Rohit Sharma has achieved the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen for the first time . The 38-year-old has become the oldest player in the world to achieve this feat . Rohit Sharma, who scored 73 against Australia in Adelaide and then an unbeaten 121 in Sydney, has climbed two places to the top of the batting rankings. Rohit Sharma, who has scored 33 centuries in the ODI format, formed an unbroken partnership with legendary batsman Virat Kohli (74*) to lead India to a resounding nine-wicket victory in the third ODI. However, Team India could not save the series. Rohit has surpassed Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran and his Indian teammate Shubman Gill in this list, achieving the top ranking for ODI batsmen for the first time. The 38-year-old has spent most of the last decade in the top 10.
14 Manush Shah-Diya Chitale create history, become the first Indian pair to qualify for the WTT Finals
Indian table tennis players Manush Shah and Diya Chitale have created history by qualifying for the WTT Finals for the first time . According to the latest WTT Series Finals Race Rankings, the Shah-Chitale pair on Tuesday became the fifth mixed doubles team to secure a place in the tournament scheduled to be held in Hong Kong (China) later this year (December 10-14) . The seven best pairs from the Final Race Rankings after the WTT Star Contender Muscat (November 17-22) will directly qualify, while the eighth spot will be given to a wildcard pair from the host country. The Indian pair is ranked eighth in the latest World Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings. They have put up several impressive performances this season.
15 World Stroke Day
World Stroke Day is observed every year on 29 October to raise awareness about the prevention, treatment and better care and support for stroke survivors. This year’s theme is “ Every Minute Counts ”. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. During this time, brain cells die every second. Therefore, seeking medical help within the “golden hour” i.e. the first 4.5 hours is crucial to save lives. If not treated on time, it can lead to permanent brain damage or disability.