1 Three Indian ports designated as green hydrogen hubs
India has taken a significant step towards building a future-ready green energy ecosystem. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has formally recognized three major ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission . These ports will be:
- Deendayal Port (Gujarat)
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu)
- Paradip Port (Odisha)
This announcement marks a significant step towards India’s clean energy transition and net-zero emissions target by 2070. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to become a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. These hubs will serve as comprehensive zones where clean hydrogen will be produced, stored, transported, and used in various sectors, such as shipping, logistics, fertilizers, and refining.
2 The fourth edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise “Austrahind 2025” will begin in Perth.
The fourth edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise “Austrahind 2025” will commence in Perth, Australia . The Ministry of Defence informed that an Indian Army contingent comprising 120 soldiers departed yesterday to participate in the annual exercise, which will conclude on the 26th of this month. The Indian Army contingent is led by a battalion of the Gorkha Rifles and troops from other services. The exercise will focus on joint company-level operations in open and semi-desert terrain. Here the soldiers will undertake various missions like joint planning, tactical exercises and special weapons skills.
3 Indian Army to host Conference of Heads of United Nations Troop Contributing Countries in New Delhi from October 14
The Indian Army will host the Conference of Heads of United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) from October 14-16, 2025 in New Delhi . This international conference will bring together senior military officers from 32 countries that contribute significantly to UN peacekeeping operations . Delegations from troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations across the world are expected to arrive in the national capital tomorrow. Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Poland, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Uruguay and Vietnam will participate in the conference.
4 Seychelles opposition leader Patrick Hermine wins presidential election
Seychelles opposition leader Patrick Hermine has won the presidential election . He defeated outgoing President Wavel Ramkalawan in the run-off vote. Mr. Hermine received over 52.7 percent of the vote while Ramkalawan received 47.3 percent. Mr. Hermine was the candidate of the United Seychelles Party which lost the election in 2020 after being in power for four decades. Mr. Hermine was arrested in 2023 on charges of being an advocate of witchcraft. He also served as Speaker of Parliament from 2007 to 2016.
5 Maharashtra beaches awarded International Blue Flag certification
Five beaches of Maharashtra have been awarded the International Blue Flag certification. The list includes Shrivardhan and Nagaon beaches in Raigad district, Parnaka in Palghar , Guhagar and Ladghar beaches in Ratnagiri district . This information was given by Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare. The International Blue Flag certification is given by the Environmental Education Foundation of Denmark . This certification is given to beaches that meet 33 criteria related to cleanliness, beauty and environmental sustainability. The evaluation includes aspects like environmental education, water quality, safety, environmental management and public amenities.
6 Climate change poses a major threat to the world’s natural World Heritage sites
According to the IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4, released at the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi , climate change has emerged as the greatest threat to the world’s natural World Heritage sites , affecting nearly half of the sites . The report warns that 43 percent of natural sites now face severe climate-related risks , exceeding all other pressures combined, while invasive alien species are affecting 30 percent of sites. The number of sites affected by wildlife and plant diseases has also risen sharply, from two percent in 2020 to nine percent in 2025. Based on a decade of global assessments since 2014, the Outlook provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of the state of natural World Heritage sites. It shows a continued deterioration in their conservation status, with the proportion of sites showing a positive outlook falling from 62 percent in 2020 to 57 percent this year. Areas recognized for their biodiversity are among the most at risk.
7 Delhi Declaration elevates global South cities at COP30
Providing the agenda for the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) , the first Arise Cities Forum held in New Delhi on October 8 and 9, resulted in the Delhi Declaration 2025 as a key outcome for local action on global climate goals . The Declaration amplifies the voices of various developing countries through a common call for stronger multi-level cooperation and accelerated urban climate action. The Forum was co-hosted by ICLEI-South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). ICLEI, an international NGO, works for the sustainability of local governments. The 2025 edition, themed “ From Bharat to Belém, ” brought together mayors, municipalities, national, and global stakeholders. Aligned with the action agenda of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) and echoing the results of the Global Review, it signals that urban leadership is central to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. This Declaration strengthens the long-standing advocacy of Local Government and Municipal Administration (LGMA) for recognition of sub-national contributions to combating climate change through revised national contribution to emission reductions – NDC 3.0, climate finance parity, and systematic inclusion of local priorities in global policy.
8. Shri Krishna Museum in Kurukshetra to get a new wing
The fourth block of the Sri Krishna Museum in Kurukshetra is set to be built , further expanding the rich heritage associated with Lord Krishna and the Mahabharata . This initiative is being undertaken by the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) with the aim of revamping the museum experience, attracting tourists, and highlighting the religious and historical heritage of the 48-kos Kurukshetra. The Sri Krishna Museum is one of the only museums in India dedicated to Lord Krishna. It showcases his incarnations and the cultural context of the Mahabharata period.
Established: 1987
Shifted to the current building : 1991
Two expansions have taken place so far: the second block (1995) and the third block (2012).
9 Former British PM Rishi Sunak appointed as advisor to Microsoft and Anthropic
Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on new roles in the global technology sector. He has taken on part-time, non-policy roles as a senior adviser at Microsoft and Anthropic , a leading artificial intelligence (AI) company . These roles will see Sunak provide strategic guidance, particularly on economic and geopolitical trends, and mark his transition from public office to international corporate engagement.
10 Castrol India MD resigns, interim CEO appointed
India’s leading lubricant company Castrol India is set to undergo a leadership change. The company’s current Managing Director, Kedar Lele, will step down at the end of December 2025 to “explore new opportunities.” Saugata Basuray has been appointed as the interim CEO, effective January 2026. He will continue in his current position as “Wholetime Director & Head, B2C Sales.”
11 Three landmark initiatives launched at the International Purple Fest
Goa, October 11: On the second day of the International Purple Fest, three transformative initiatives were launched to strengthen access to hearing, reading, and writing for persons with disabilities . This is a significant step towards inclusive education and skill development. The first major launch was an IELTS training handbook for persons with disabilities . It was developed by Believe in the Invisible (BITI) in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Written by Anjali Vyas, co-founder of BITI and a British Council-certified IELTS trainer , this handbook is the first inclusive resource of its kind, designed to make IELTS preparation accessible, structured, and learner-friendly for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The second important announcement was made by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India). It is the premier institute dedicated to the development, research and training of Indian Sign Language. Under the Skill Training Initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, ISLRTC successfully conducted the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – Certification in ISL Interpreting (CISLI) / Skills Course for SODA (Siblings of Deaf Adults) and CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) from August 11 to August 29 , 2025 in offline mode at ISLRTC New Delhi . To meet the growing need for Indian Sign Language professionals to gain international exposure, ISLRTC also announced the launch of a special Basic Training Programme on American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) .
12 Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reviews Multi-Hazard Early Warning (DSS) and “Mausamgram” at India Meteorological Department (IMD) Headquarters
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, visited the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and reviewed the web-GIS-based multi-hazard early warning decision support system (DSS) developed by IMD . Dr. Jitendra Singh also reviewed ” Mausamgram ” (Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam), a citizen-centric platform that provides hyper-local, location-specific weather forecasts down to the village level. The system will provide hourly forecasts for the next 36 hours, three-hourly forecasts for the next five days, and six-hourly forecasts for a maximum of ten days. Citizens can easily access weather information by selecting a pin code, place name, or their state, district, block, and gram panchayat.