Daily Current Affairs: 29th October, 2025

National News

Cabinet Approves NBS Rates for Rabi 2025–26 Fertilisers

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Rabi 2025-26 (from 1 Oct 2025 to 31 Mar 2026) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including DAP and NPKS grades, with a budgetary allocation of ₹37,952.29 crore, about ₹736 crore higher than Kharif 2025.
• The decision aims to ensure the availability of fertilizers at affordable prices and rationalize subsidies based on global price trends of fertilizer inputs like Urea, DAP, MOP, and Sulphur under the ongoing NBS Scheme (since 2010).

Ministry of Coal is Set to Launch “Koyla Shakti” Dashboard

• The Ministry of Coal will launch “Koyla Shakti” – Smart Coal Analytics Dashboard (SCAD) on 29th October 2025 in New Delhi, marking a major step toward digital transformation and data-driven governance in the coal sector.
• The platform will offer real-time monitoring, data integration, and analytics across coal production, transport, and supply, promoting transparency, efficiency, and coordination among stakeholders such as coal producers, ministries, ports, and power companies.

National Maritime Heritage Complex Logo Launched at India Maritime Week 2025

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled the logo of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, alongside the release of the NMHC Research Report and the inauguration of Maritime Heritage Day.
• The complex aims to preserve India’s rich maritime heritage and emerge as an international tourist destination, inspiring youth in the maritime sector.
• On the same occasion, a maritime collaboration MoU was signed with the Netherlands, along with a Letter of Intent for a Green and Digital Sea Corridor to promote cleaner, smarter, and future-ready connectivity.

Agriculture Minister Inaugurates NSC Seed Processing Plant

• The Union Agriculture Minister inaugurated the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) state-of-the-art seed processing plant in New Delhi.
• National Seeds Corporation Established in 1963, NSC, a Schedule ‘B’ CPSE under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, plays a crucial role in the production, processing, and distribution of certified quality seeds across India.
• And ensuring the genetic purity and quality of foundation and breeder seeds. Its headquarters is in New Delhi.

State News

Uttar Pradesh to Get 76th District Named Kalyan Singh Nagar

• Uttar Pradesh to Get 76th District – Kalyan Singh Nagar: The UP government announced the creation of Kalyan Singh Nagar, its 76th district, in honour of former CM Kalyan Singh.
• Carved from Atrauli and Gangiri (Aligarh) and Dibai (Bulandshahr) tehsils, the move aims to honour the late leader and improve administrative efficiency.
• Kalyan Singh, a key BJP leader and multiple-time MLA from Atrauli, was known for his role in governance, development, and the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
• UP’s last new district was Sambhal (2011); India now has 797 districts across 28 states and 8 UTs.

International News

20th East Asia Summit Adopts Kuala Lumpur Declaration

• The 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, reaffirming commitment to peace and stability in the region.
• The declaration calls for strong partnerships among participating countries, promoting strategic trust, transparent and responsible behaviour, and emphasizes information exchange on regional development, security policies, disaster management, and discussions on the evolving regional architecture.

72 Nations Sign Historic UN Cybercrime Convention in Hanoi

• A landmark United Nations Convention against Cybercrime was signed by 72 nations in Hanoi, establishing the first universal legally binding framework to investigate and prosecute online offences including ransomware, financial fraud, child exploitation, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
• Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2024, the treaty facilitates cross-border electronic evidence sharing, provides technical assistance to countries lacking cyber infrastructure, and creates a 24/7 cooperation network among States.
• It marks a historic recognition of non-consensual dissemination of intimate images as a crime and aims to bolster global defences against rising digital threats, projected to cost $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Heads Toward Cuba

• Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, bringing violent winds of 185 mph (295 kph) and heavy rainfall, marking the strongest hurricane to ever hit the island in 174 years of recordkeeping.
• The storm caused widespread power outages, landslides, flooding, and severe damage to homes and infrastructure.
• With a central pressure of 892 millibars, Melissa tied records for the strongest Atlantic landfalling storm, matching the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and 2019’s Hurricane Dorian.

Banking News

Paytm Enables UPI for NRIs with Foreign Numbers

• Paytm has introduced a new service enabling Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from 12 countries to make UPI payments in India using their international mobile numbers, without needing a local SIM card.
• Linked to NRE or NRO bank accounts, this feature allows NRIs to send money, pay merchants via QR codes, and shop on Indian platforms seamlessly — eliminating currency conversions, international gateways, and remittance delays.
• The service marks a major step in expanding UPI accessibility and global digital payments integration.

Economy News

India’s IIP Growth at 4.0% in September 2025

• India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 4.0% in September 2025, driven mainly by a 4.8% rise in the manufacturing sector, with strong performances in “basic metals” (12.3%), “electrical equipment” (28.7%), and “motor vehicles” (14.6%).
• Sector-wise growth stood at -0.4% in mining, 4.8% in manufacturing, and 3.1% in electricity.
• The IIP index rose to 152.8 (base 2011–12) from 146.9 a year earlier.
• Based on use-based classification, infrastructure/construction goods (10.5%), consumer durables (10.2%), and intermediate goods (5.3%) were top growth contributors, indicating steady industrial recovery and strong momentum in key manufacturing segments.

Government Plans New ‘Ratna’ Categories for CPSEs

• The Indian government is set to reclassify CPSEs to align them with strategic priorities and foster performance-driven governance.
• Current Maharatna (14), Navratna (26), and Miniratna (74) firms may be evaluated using new parameters like corporate governance, sustainability, capital efficiency, dividend policies, and Vision 2047 alignment.
• The move aims to give CPSEs greater autonomy, encourage global competitiveness, and prepare them as next-generation national champions in sectors like energy, technology, and infrastructure.

Awards News

James Anderson Receives Knighthood for Services to Cricket

• James Anderson, England’s legendary fast bowler and all-time leading wicket-taker, received his knighthood from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle. The honour, announced in former PM Rishi Sunak’s resignation list in April 2025, recognizes his outstanding services to cricket.
• Anderson, 43, retired in July 2024 after a 21-year Test career with 704 wickets, the most by a pace bowler and third overall behind Muralitharan and Warne.
• Post-retirement, he continued playing for Lancashire, starred in T20 cricket, and featured for Manchester Originals in The Hundred, with plans to extend his county career into 2025.

Defense News

HAL to Manufacture Russian SJ‑100 Passenger Aircraft in India

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an MoU with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation to produce the SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India, hailed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh as a milestone for the country’s civil aviation sector.
• The SJ-100 is expected to boost short-haul connectivity under the UDAN Scheme, mark the first fully made-in-India passenger aircraft, and advance Aatmanirbharta in aviation.
• Its production will also strengthen the private sector and generate direct and indirect employment in the industry.

Indian Army to Procure First Indigenous Software‑Defined Radios

• The Indian Army will procure its first indigenously designed and manufactured Software Defined Radios (SDRs), developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Equipped with high data rates and Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) capabilities, these SDRs will enhance secure, real-time communication and strengthen operational readiness in network-centric battlefields.
• The initiative is based on the Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) standard 1.0, India’s first national specification for SDRs, ensuring waveform portability, interoperability, certification, and conformance.

MDL, Swan Defence Sign Pact to Build Navy Landing Platform Docks

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) has signed an exclusive Teaming Agreement (TA) with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) to collaborate on the design and construction of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy.
• The agreement was signed during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai.
• The Defence Acquisition Council recently approved the acquisition of LPDs, a key capability for power projection, amphibious operations, and humanitarian missions, at an estimated cost of ₹33,000 crore.
• MDL is India’s premier defence shipyard, while SDHI is the country’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company.

Important Days News

World Stroke Day 2025: Ayush Ministry Promotes Holistic Stroke Care

• Ayush Ministry Highlights Role in Stroke Care – On World Stroke Day 2025 (29th October, 2025), the Ministry of Ayush emphasised the importance of traditional Indian medical systems in preventive, rehabilitative, and integrative stroke care.
• Stroke, a leading cause of death and disability in India, is rising due to lifestyle risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking.
• Ayush systems—including Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani, Naturopathy, and Homoeopathy—focus on prevention, detoxification, rehabilitation, and lifestyle correction, complementing modern treatment.
• Public awareness, early recognition (FAST test), and holistic recovery plans integrating Ayush therapies with conventional rehabilitation can improve outcomes and quality of life for stroke patients.