Daily Current Affairs: 31st October, 2025

1. India Aims for Technological Sovereignty (2025)

• Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged reduced reliance on foreign tech and promotion of home-grown innovation at TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025.
• Theme: “India’s Deeptech Moment: From Digital Leadership to Technological Sovereignty.”
• Announced ₹1 lakh crore Anusandhan Fund and Startup Fund of Funds (Second Edition).
• Focus on AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, defence, and IP development.
• Encouraged academia-industry collaboration to build a deeptech ecosystem.

2. Namitbir Singh Walia Becomes Punjab’s Second International Master (2025)

• Jalandhar’s Namitbir Singh Walia earned the International Master (IM) title at the 3rd Annemasse International Masters Tournament in France.
• Fourth overall finish secured his final IM norm.
• Punjab’s second IM after Dushyant Sharma (2022).
• Currently pursuing B.Com at SRCC, Delhi; trained by international coaches from Ukraine and India.
• Aims next for the Grandmaster (GM) title.

3. RBI FLA Census 2024–25: US and Singapore Lead FDI Inflows

• RBI’s latest census shows US (20%) and Singapore (14.3%) together contributed over one-third of India’s total FDI.
• Total FDI: ₹68.76 lakh crore (up 11% YoY).
• Manufacturing sector: 48.4% of total equity inflows.
• Outward Direct Investment (ODI): ₹11.67 lakh crore — grew 17.9%.
• Reflects strong global investor confidence and India’s rising industrial base.

4. India Launches ‘Exercise Trishul’ on Western Front (2025)

• Major tri-services exercise held Oct 30 – Nov 10 in Gujarat & Rajasthan.
• Aims to test joint combat readiness and interoperability.
• Features 20,000 troops, Rafale & Sukhoi-30 jets, T-90 tanks, Navy frigates.
• Conducted in three phases led by Navy, Army, and Air Force.
• Strengthens India’s integrated command capabilities.

5. Prof. Ravindra Korisettar Receives Rajyotsava Award 2025

• Karnataka honoured archaeologist Prof. Ravindra Korisettar, UGC Emeritus Fellow, Karnatak University Dharwad.
• Recognised for 40+ years in prehistoric and geoarchaeological research.
• Led projects on India’s palaeoclimate and Middle Krishna Basin.
• Collaborated with ASI, INQUA, and Smithsonian Institution.
• Other winners include writers, folk artists, and scientists from Mumbai-Karnataka region.

6. India–U.S. Sign 10-Year Defence Framework (2025)

• Signed on Oct 31, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary Peter Hegseth.
• Covers joint exercises, defence tech sharing, intelligence exchange, and maritime security.
• Aims to strengthen the Major Defence Partnership for the next decade.
• Reinforces India’s role in a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Marks deepening strategic trust between both nations.

7. AmazonFACE Project Simulates Future CO₂ Levels

• Scientists near Manaus, Brazil simulate 2050-level CO₂ in Amazon rainforest.
• Uses six massive steel rings to study forest response to climate change.
• First such experiment in a tropical forest.
• Findings to inform COP30 Climate Summit (2025, Belem).
• Jointly run by INPA and UK partners to understand carbon sink dynamics.

8. National Unity Day 2025 Marks Sardar Patel’s 150th Birth Anniversary

• Celebrated on Oct 31, honouring Patel’s role in uniting 560+ princely states.
• Nationwide events: Run for Unity, pledge ceremonies, and cultural programs.
• Emphasis on tolerance and national integration.
• Highlights Patel’s vision of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”
• Symbolic venue: Statue of Unity, Gujarat.

9. Justice Surya Kant Appointed 53rd Chief Justice of India

• Appointment approved by President Droupadi Murmu; term begins Nov 24, 2025.
• Currently Supreme Court judge; ex-CJ of Himachal Pradesh HC.
• To succeed CJI BR Gavai (retiring Nov 23).
• Focus areas: judicial reform, digitisation, environment law, speedy justice.
• Will head key constitutional benches and judicial appointments.

10. PM Launches ₹150 Coin and Stamp Honouring Sardar Patel

• Launched on Oct 30, 2025 at Kevadia, Gujarat.
• Projects worth ₹1,219 crore inaugurated — eco-buses, tourism facilities, bonsai garden.
• Celebrates 150 years of Patel’s birth and his nation-building legacy.
• Reinforces his vision of unity and self-reliance.
• Events held at Statue of Unity complex.

11. ISRO Set to Launch CMS-03 Communication Satellite (2025)

• Scheduled for Nov 2, 2025 from Sriharikota using LVM3-M5 rocket.
• India’s heaviest comm satellite (≈ 4,400 kg).
• Enhances digital and maritime connectivity across India.
• Uses same launcher as Chandrayaan-3.
• Strengthens space infrastructure for Digital India and Blue Economy.

12. DP World Announces $5 Billion Investment in India’s Logistics Sector

• New funds to expand integrated supply chains and reduce logistics costs.
• Adds to $3 billion already invested over 30 years.
• Aligns with PM Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy.
• Focus on green, digital logistics and export competitiveness.
• Positions India as a global trade and manufacturing hub.

13. Visakhapatnam Port Authority Signs ₹39,216 Crore MoUs

• Announced at India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai.
• Biggest deal: ₹29,662 crore shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam (AP).
• Partners: MECON, HUDCO, NBCC, RVNL.
• Projects to modernise cargo berths and develop Harbour Park land.
• Strengthens India’s blue economy and port modernisation.

14. India Leads Solar Initiatives at ISA Assembly 2025

• Eighth ISA Assembly held in New Delhi on Oct 28, 2025.
• Launched programs: SUNRISE, OSOWOG, ISA Academy, SIDS Platform.
• SUNRISE focuses on solar waste upcycling and circular innovation.
• OSOWOG connects solar grids across continents.
• ISA now has 125 member nations, driving a global solar economy.

15. COP30 Preparations Gain Momentum in Brazil

• Brazil to host COP30 (Climate Summit) from Nov 10–21, 2025, in Belem.
• Focus on forest preservation and carbon markets.
• AmazonFACE results to feature in negotiations.
• Developing nations to push for climate finance and adaptation funds.
• Expected to renew global commitments on carbon neutrality.