National Developments and Policy Initiatives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first hydrogen-powered train in Varanasi, marking a pivotal moment in the country's commitment to sustainable transportation. This initiative, developed under the 'Make in India' program, aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the railway sector.
Further bolstering India's technological prowess, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that India is poised to lead the world in rail technology systems. He highlighted the ongoing 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) in Bharat Mandapam, which saw participation from over 450 companies across more than 15 countries and resulted in 40 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) focused on advanced railway initiatives.
In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, Prime Minister Modi also launched the Green Bharat Mission, targeting an increase in renewable energy usage to 65% by 2035. Additionally, Google inaugurated its AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, aimed at enhancing India's digital capacity with eco-friendly data centers.
Judicial Pronouncements and Social Issues
The Supreme Court of India delivered a crucial judgment reaffirming the right to privacy in the digital age, asserting that citizens' digital data cannot be accessed without due legal process. This ruling addresses growing concerns about personal data misuse and AI-driven surveillance.
In another decision, the Supreme Court permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) between October 18 and 21, with usage limited to specific hours on October 19 and 20. The apex court also upheld women's right to permanent commission in all branches of the defence forces, marking a significant milestone for gender equality.
On the social front, Chhattisgarh witnessed the surrender of twenty-seven Maoists in Sukma. Meanwhile, developments continued in the Zubeen Garg death case in Assam, including a lathi-charge outside Baksa jail during protests.
Economy and International Relations
According to the latest CMIE report, India's unemployment rate has fallen to 6.1%, its lowest in seven years, attributed to job growth in manufacturing, retail, and services. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also updated its World Economic Outlook for October 2025, revising India's growth forecast upward to 6.6% for 2025, citing strong first-quarter performance.
Diplomatically, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit, engaging in high-level meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The visit aims to enhance partnership in trade, investment, and development cooperation, following her recent visit to Beijing.
In defence cooperation, India conducted inaugural bilateral naval exercises with South Korea at Busan Naval Harbour and continued military exercises AUSTRAHIND 2025 with Australia and INDRA 2025 with Russia, showcasing its expanding defence partnerships.
Political Landscape
The political landscape remains active with ongoing preparations for the Bihar Assembly elections. Various parties have announced candidate lists, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav filed his nomination papers. Notably, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor announced his decision not to contest the Bihar Assembly polls.