NEWS 16-10-2025. News For 20th-Oct (Monday) Summary of September *National News* 1. The Central Govt. approved a national mission for self sufficiency in pulses (2025-26 to 2030-31) with an allocation of ?11,440 crore to boost production, reduce imports, and stabilise prices. 2. The Govt has sanctioned 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas with an investment of ?5,862 crore, aiming to strengthen school education in underserved regions. 3. The Centre has ordered the rollout of about 72,300 public EV charging stations under the ?10,900-crore PM E-DRIVE scheme. 4.The govt has announced plans to establish a major naval and commercial shipbuilding hub in Tamil Nadu with an investment of ?30,000 crore to strengthen shipbuilding capacity and maritime infrastructure. 5.India plans to deploy 119 Earth Observation (EO) satellites by 2040, one of its largest space infrastructure programs, with an estimated investment of ?40,000–?70,000 crore. 6. Shri CP Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India on 12 Sep 2025. 7. India unveiled Vikram 3201, its first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor for space applications, jointly developed by ISRO and Semiconductor Laboratory, Chandigarh. 8. Govt has launched Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited with ?105 crore funding to provide low-interest loans to rural women entrepreneurs. 9. India’s literacy rate has increased to 80.9% in 2023–24, while Himachal Pradesh became fully literate with a literacy rate of 95%. *Defence News* 1. MiG-21 aircraft have been decommissioned after more than six decades of service. 2. Russia will complete delivery of the S-400 air defence systems to India in 2026, concluding the 2018 USD 5.43 billion deal. Four of the five systems have already been delivered to India. 3. India and Mauritius will set up a satellite tracking station near the Diego Garcia base, enhancing India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean amid Chinese naval activity. 4. The Indian Army successfully conducted Exercise Siyom Prahar validating the use of drone technology in tactical battlefield operations. 5. Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by GRSE, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 13 September '25. 6. India is modifying Su-30 fighter jets to test a new air-launched long-range land attack cruise missile (LRLACM) with 1500 km strike range, expected to be operational by 2027. 7. India is participates in two major military exercises with Russia – Zapad in Russia and Indra in India, to strengthen strategic cooperation. *International News* 1. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the 80th UN General Assembly session, criticised the UN’s inability to manage the ongoing wars in Ukraine & in the Middle East. 2. Russia supported India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council during the UNGA session in New York. 3. The Indian Embassy in Israel commemorated the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Haifa, honouring Indian cavalry soldiers of the Jodhpur, Mysore, and Hyderabad Lancers who liberated the city in 1918. 4. The White House released a peace plan to end the Gaza conflict, following talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan envisions Gaza as a de-radicalised, terror-free zone redeveloped for its people. 5. India and Bhutan agreed to establish two cross-border rail links — Kokrajhar–Gelephu and Banarhat–Samtse — with a total investment of ?4,033 crore. 6. India’s milk production has surged by 63% in the past decade, from 146 million tonnes to over 239 million tonnes. India remains the world’s largest producer, contributing nearly one-fourth of global supply. 7.Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a mutual defence pact declaring that any aggression against one will be treated as aggression against both. 8. PM of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam visited India, during this visit, seven MoUs/agreements were signed covering key areas such as Science & Technology, Oceanography, Public Administration, Power, Development Projects, Hydrography, and Space Cooperation. 9. India’s FTA with the European countries Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein FTA has come into effect from Oct 1, 2025. 10. India & Singapore have signed five MoUs covering green & digital, shipping corridor, space sector cooperation, civil aviation R&D, & digital asset innovation. 11. India and Israel have signed a bilateral investment agreement in New Delhi to boost economic ties & enhance Israeli exports. 12. Nepal’s PM K P Sharma Oli resigned amid violent protests by the gen Z. *Sports* 1. Former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas has been elected as the new president of the BCCI. 2. Varun Chakaravarthy has claimed the World No. 1 spot in the ICC T20 international bowling rankings. 3. Anandkumar Velkumar created history by winning gold in the 42km marathon at the World Speed Skating Championships in China. 4. India defeated Korea 4-1 in the men’s Asia Cup Hockey final, securing a place in next year’s Hockey World Cup. 5. India won the Asian Cup in cricket, defeating Pakistan in Finals by 5 wickets. < < Back