NEWS 16-10-2025. News For 17th-Oct (Friday) National News 1. President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa visited India on 15th-Oct to strengthen bilateral ties between both Nations. 2. The Government of India has granted environmental clearance for the 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project on the Chenab River, a ?31,380 crore NHPC venture in Jammu & Kashmir. 3. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the dhaRti BioNest Incubation Centre at IIT Dharwad to support startups in biotech, deep tech, and healthcare. 4. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment relaunched the Sugamya Bharat App to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities and the elderly under the Accessible India Campaign. Defence News 1. The Indian Navy and UK Royal Navy have begun their first-ever joint Carrier Strike Group operations under Exercise KONKAN-25 off India’s western coast. 2. The Indo-Russian Exercise INDRA-2025 commenced in Rajasthan, focusing on counterterrorism and joint operational drills. 3. The Indian Navy has commissioned ‘Trinetra’, a new static firing facility at Naval Station Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam. 4. AVNL has developed bulletproof ambulances for the Army, ensuring secure casualty evacuation in conflict zones. 5. The fourth India–Australia exercise ‘AUSTRAHIND 2025’ began in Perth with a 120-member Indian Army contingent. International News 1. Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi visited Darul Uloom Deoband & met Maulana Arshad Madani, during his India visit. 2. India has announced new health projects in Afghanistan, including a Thalassemia centre and diagnostic facility in Kabul. 3. Dan Scavino was appointed as the head of the White House Personnel Office, replacing Sergio Gor, the new US Ambassador-designate to India. 4. Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics for research on innovation-led growth. 5. India showcased its tech strength at GITEX Global Dubai 2025 with a 100-member ESC delegation. 6. Peace summit held in Egypt on 13th-Oct co-chaired by Trump and el-Sisi, joined by mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, finalised an agreement to end the the Gaza conflict. Sport News 1. In the Sultan Johor Cup Junior Men’s Hockey 2025 in Malaysia, India defeated New Zealand 4–2 to continue their strong campaign. 2. Jasprit Bumrah created history by becoming the first Indian fast bowler to record 50+ appearances across all three international formats. < < Back