Inaugural Joint Defence Cooperation (JDC) meeting between India and Ethiopia was held in New Delhi on October 15, 2025, marking a major step in the expansion of bilateral defence ties. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, Shri Amitabh Prasad and,
Director General for Defence Foreign Relations & Military Cooperation Maj Gen Teshome Gemechu.
The meeting forms part of the institutional mechanism created under the Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Defence Ministers of India and Ethiopia earlier in 2025.
The MoU established a structured framework for regular exchanges and strategic dialogue between the two countries.
Ethiopia is among India’s key defence partners in Africa, with defence cooperation dating back to 1958.
The relationship continues to strengthen, as reflected in the participation of Ethiopia’s Army Chief in the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave being hosted by India in New Delhi from October 14–16, 2025.
Beyond defence, India and Ethiopia share historical and civilizational links extending over 2,000 years.
The two nations established full diplomatic relations in 1950, and today enjoy vibrant cooperation in trade, culture, education, and development.
The successful convening of the inaugural JDC meeting underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and Ethiopia and reaffirms their shared resolve to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Ministry of Mines has released the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and State rankings, which is a significant step to encourage mining sector reforms in States. This also fulfills the announcement made under the Union Budget 2025-26.
The structure of the index comprises indicators like auction performance, early mine operationalization, thrust on exploration and sustainable mining pertaining to non-coal minerals, which are relevant to underlining State performance in the mining sector.
Under the SMRI, States were grouped into three categories on the basis of their mineral endowment.
The top three ranked States in Category A are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, while States Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Assam have been ranked in top three in Category B. In Category C, the top three ranks have been obtained by Punjab, Uttarakhand and Tripura.
The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative Assembly of Bihar and the bye-elections in 8 ACs on October 6, 2025. The Commission has directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) to ensure that the elections are made accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS), indigenously developed by DRDO, has successfully undergone a combat freefall jump from an altitude of 32,000 feet. The jump was executed by the test jumpers of the Indian Air Force showcasing the efficiency, reliability, and advanced design of the indigenous system.
This achievement makes the MCPS the only parachute system currently in operational use by the Indian Armed Forces capable of deployment above 25,000 feet.
The MCPS was developed by DRDO laboratories - Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra and Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, Bengaluru.
It incorporates several enhanced tactical features, including a lower rate of descent and superior steering capabilities, enabling paratroopers to safely exit aircraft, deploy parachutes at predetermined altitudes, navigate accurately, and land at designated zones.
The system has compatibility with Navigation with Indian Constellation, also providing the freedom of use against any adversary of our choice and is not susceptible to interference/denial of service by outside parties/nations.
The Indian Navy is hosting the fifth edition of the Indo-Indonesian Joint Bilateral Maritime Exercise, 'Samudra Shakti – 2025' , at Visakhapatnam from 14 - 17 Oct 2025. The participating units include INS Kavaratti, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette of Eastern Fleet under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and the Indonesian Navy Ship KRI John Lie,
a Corvette (with an integral helicopter), which arrived at Visakhapatnam to a warm welcome by the ENC.
The harbour phase features a range of activities aimed at building camaraderie and professional rapport that include Cross Deck Visits, Joint Yoga sessions, Friendly Sports fixtures, Professional Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE).
The Sea Phase will involve dynamic and complex maritime operations aimed at increasing tactical coordination, including Helicopter Operations, Air Defence Exercises, Weapon Firing Drills, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises.
Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ is a key bilateral engagement aimed at enhancing interoperability, strengthening mutual understanding, and sharing best practices between the two navies. The exercise highlights shared commitment of both nations towards maintaining stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract agreement worth Rs. 659.47 crore for procurement of Night Sight (Image Intensifier) for 7.62 x 51mm Assault Rifle along with accessories for the Indian Army with the consortium of M/s MKU Ltd (Lead Member) and M/s Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd on Oct 15, 2025.
The Night Sight will enable soldiers to fully exploit the longer effective range of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle.
These sights are capable of engaging targets up to an effective range of 500 metres, even under starlit conditions and provide a significant improvement over the existing Passive Night Sights (PNS).
This procurement, classified as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case with more than 51% Indigenous Content, is a major step towards Aatmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing. The initiative will also benefit the MSMEs involved in manufacturing of components and supply of raw material.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved a 100% increase in financial assistance for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and their dependents under schemes implemented by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare through Kendriya Sainik Board. The approved enhancements are as follows:
The revised rates take effect for applications submitted from November 01, 2025 onwards, with an annual financial implication of approximately Rs 257 crore to be met from the AFFDF. These schemes are funded through the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund, which is a subset of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).
The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam.
To mark the milestone, the minister launched eight major maritime development projects aimed at boosting India’s port infrastructure, logistics efficiency, and sustainability. The projects include a state-of-the-art cruise terminal, modern covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals,
upgraded port access infrastructure designed to improve user experience and operational capacity.
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also launched a commemorative postal stamp, a commemorative coin, and the official Golden Jubilee Anthem of NMPA to celebrate the port’s five decades of contribution to India’s maritime trade and regional growth.
Under Sagarmala, 840 projects worth ₹5.8 lakh crore are being implemented by 2035. Of these, 272 projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore have been completed, while 217 projects worth ₹1.65 lakh crore are currently underway.
The Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has achieved a milestone by attaining the Mini Ratna status. This recognition marks a defining moment in the HSL’s journey of financial revival, operational excellence and growing contribution to India’s maritime and defence sectors, said to an official communication here.
Established in 1941, the HSL has been a cornerstone of India’s shipbuilding capability, supporting the nation’s naval and commercial fleets. The shipyard faced prolonged financial challenges from the 1980s, and even after its transfer to the Ministry of Defence in 2010, its net worth remained negative, despite government support.
Post-2015, HSL implemented targeted reforms in financial management, productivity, and technological modernisation, initiating a sustained turnaround.
HSL’s Mini Ratna status stands as a testament to visionary leadership, strategic reforms, and the collective determination of its workforce, supported by the Ministry of Defence.
Axis Finance, the wholly owned non-banking finance subsidiary of Axis Bank, is set to be classified as an upper-layer NBFC, following which the bank plans to list the company on the stock exchanges, the lender’s senior management said.
According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) identified as part of the upper layer must mandatorily list its shares on a recognised stock exchange within three years of such classification.
The IMF Executive Board approved the appointment of Mr. Dan Katz as First Deputy Managing Director, with an effective start date of October 6. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva proposed his appointment on September 19, 2025.
Mr. Katz most recently served as Chief of Staff at the United States Department of the Treasury, where he was the principal advisor to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on a wide range of domestic and international matters.
He has previously served as a Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs, Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for International Markets, and as policy advisor in the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. Mr. Katz also represented the United States at international fora, including the Financial Stability Board.
Industry chamber Ficci (October 14, 2025) announced RPG Group vice chairman Anant Goenka as president-elect for 2025-26.
Mr. Goenka is currently the senior vice president of the chamber.
He will succeed Harsha Vardhan Agarwal at the conclusion of its annual general meeting, which is slated for the end of next month here.
Goenka was earlier the MD and CEO of CEAT. He has also worked with Unilever and KEC International.
Mr. Anant has an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and a BS Economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
World Food Day, observed annually on 16 October, is a global occasion dedicated to raising awareness about food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring that every person has access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food.
The theme for 2025, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, emphasizes global cooperation across governments, organizations, communities, and sectors to transform agrifood systems.
The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (Irdai) has asked insurers, reinsurers and distributing channels to form a framework to address and manage risks emanating from fraud. The guidelines will be effective from April 1, 2026.
Irdai has asked insurance companies to target a zero tolerance for fraud and put in place an appropriate risk management framework. The companies are also expected to have a board approved anti-fraud policy, which includes red flag indicators, adequate procedures to deter, prevent, detect, report and remedy fraud, among others.
