In a strong demonstration of its commitment to fair and equitable sharing of benefits and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹1.36 crore, channelling the benefits of commercial use to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
This significant financial injection will be delivered through State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees viz., Sakharwadi village, Phaltan Taluk, Satara District, Maharashtra, Kunjirwadi village, Haveli Taluk, Pune and Kasganj area, Etah District, Uttar Pradesh.
Each BMCs in those areas will receive an amount of Rs.45.50 lakhs. This action underscores the Government's unwavering commitment to the principles of equity, sustainability, and conservation.
The released amount represents a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payment after a commercial entity accessed microorganisms from soil and industrial effluent samples for producing Fructo-oligosaccharides products. These funds are slated for activities outlined under Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 and relevant State Biodiversity Rules.
This financial strategy highlights the NBA’s proactive role in recognizing and rewarding local communities who stand as the essential custodians of India's rich biological heritage. By pushing accrued benefits back to the local level, the NBA strengthens India’s model for an inclusive governance framework where conservation and community prosperity advance together.
It also fulfils the National Biodiversity Target – 13 of India’s updated NBSAP 2024-2030, which aligns with Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the CoP-15 of UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Primus Partners Pvt Ltd. to enhance collaboration towards strengthening India’s startup and innovation ecosystem.
The partnership seeks to enhance support for early-stage and growth-stage product startups through structured capacity-building interventions, expert mentorship, market access initiatives, policy awareness drives, and facilitation of technology integration.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. to enhance financial and non-financial support for startups across India.
This strategic collaboration aims to create a comprehensive framework enabling startups to access customized banking solutions, credit and funding opportunities, digital and payment infrastructure, and capacity-building programs.
Under the MoU, Kotak Mahindra Bank will extend a range of dedicated offerings for DPIIT-recognised startups, including zero-balance current accounts, working capital and term loans, API-based banking platforms, digital payment solutions, and specialized startup cards.
Tarun Kumar Pithode, an Officer of the 2009 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Madhya Pradesh Cadre, has taken charge as the new full-time Member Secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), with effect from 24 October 2025.
Serving as the Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Pithode has now assumed the role of the Member-Secretary of the Commission. He has been appointed for an overall tenure of five years upto 08.09.2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Shri Pithode, IAS succeeds Shri Arvind Kumar Nautiyal, IRSME (1992), in this key position.
The Key Provisions relating to Nomination under the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 will come into effect from 1st November 2025. The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 was notified on 15th April 2025 (Gazette Notification link attached below).
It contains a total of 19 amendments across five legislations—the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, Banking Regulation Act, 1949, State Bank of India Act, 1955 and Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 and 1980.
The 14th India-Bhutan Meeting on Border Management and Security was held in Thimphu, Bhutan from October 16–17, 2025. The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Secretary, Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, while the Bhutanese side was headed by Mr. Sonam Wangyel, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Indian delegation included officials from the Sashastra Seema Bal, Land Ports Authority of India, Department of Telecommunications, Narcotics Control Bureau, Survey of India, Customs and representatives from Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Both sides reviewed bilateral security cooperation and border management issues, including mobile signal spill over, future roadmap for Integrated Check Posts, maintenance of boundary pillars and cross-border movement. Discussions also covered capacity building for Bhutan’s police.
India actively participated in the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP10) to the International Convention against Doping in Sport, held from 20-22 October 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.
The meeting marked the 20th anniversary of the Convention, which is the only legally binding international instrument committed to promoting integrity and eliminating doping in sport globally.
During the proceedings, India was re-elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau for the Asia-Pacific (Group IV) for the term 2025–2027.
Azerbaijan was elected Chairperson of the COP10 Bureau. Brazil, Zambia, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were also elected as Vice-Chairs for their respective regional groups.
Azerbaijan was elected Chairperson of the COP10 Bureau. Brazil, Zambia, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were also elected as Vice-Chairs for their respective regional groups.
The Indian delegation, comprising Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), and Shri Anant Kumar, Director General, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), engaged with delegates from over 190 States Parties, alongside representatives of the African Union, International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and other international organizations.
Advertising legend Piyush Pandey, who gave Indian advertising its distinct character, passed away at the age of 70.
Pandey redefined the way brands spoke to Indians.His work was deeply rooted in the soil of India — honest, human, witty, and evocative. From “Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hai” to “Fevicol ka mazboot jod”, from “Chalta Rahe Mere Desh” to “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”.
Pandey’s ideas didn’t just sell products — they became part of the nation’s cultural lexicon.
Under Pandey’s leadership, Ogilvy India became the country’s most awarded agency, influencing an entire generation of advertisers. He was the first Asian to chair the Cannes Lions jury and received prestigious honours, including the Padma Shri and the 2024 LIA Legend Award.
He also served as Cannes’ first Asian jury president in 2004 and earned both the CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award and India’s Padma Shri.
Pandey received a lifetime achievement award in 2010 from the Advertising Agencies Association of India. Piyush Pandey won a Clio Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding work and creative achievements in 2012.
The Government of India awarded him the civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2016.
Five beaches in Maharashtra have received the international Blue Flag certification. The list includes Shrivardhan and Nagaon beaches in Raigad district, Parnaka in Palghar, and Guhagar and Ladghar beaches in Ratnagiri district. This information was announced by Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare.
The Blue Flag certification is awarded by Denmark’s Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches that meet 33 criteria related to cleanliness, beauty, and environmental sustainability.
The evaluation covers aspects such as environmental education, water quality, safety, environmental management, and public amenities.
India's drug regulator has launched a digital monitoring system so that officials can oversee production, movement and quality of high-risk ingredients used in making these formulations.
India's drug regulator has launched a digital monitoring system so that officials can oversee production, movement and quality of high-risk ingredients used in making these formulations.
In a directive issued to all State and Union Territory Drug Controllers, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) announced the creation of a Digital Monitoring System on the ONDLS (Online National Drug Licensing System) portal.
The system will track the supply chain, quality, and testing of high-risk solvents that are frequently used in drug formulations - especially cough syrups.
According to the circular, the list of high-risk solvents includes glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, maltitol, and ethyl alcohol, among others.
In 1995, the General Assembly invited governments, as well as NGOs, to continue taking an active part in Disarmament Week (resolution 50/72 B, 12 December 1995) in order to promote a better understanding among the public of disarmament issues.
Throughout history, countries have pursued disarmament to build a safer, more secure world and to protect people from harm. Since the foundation of the United Nations, disarmament and arms control have played a critical role in preventing and ending crises and armed conflict.
Global Media and Information Literacy Week is an annual event from October 24-31 that mobilizes stakeholders worldwide to review and celebrate progress toward "Media and Information Literacy for All".
THEME 2025: "Minds Over AI" - MIL in Digital Spaces
In 2021, the UN General Assembly decided to commemorate Media and Information Literacy (MIL) week, citing the need for the dissemination of factual, timely, targeted, clear, accessible, multilingual and science-based information.
United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
2025 marks the UN's 80th anniversary.
Eighty years after its founding, the United Nations faces new challenges. The Organization is working on ways to adapt and strengthen itself. With the Agenda 2030, the Pact for the Future, and the UN80 initiative, the UN is looking to renew the foundations of international cooperation, and to ensure that it can deliver for people everywhere.
In 1972, the General Assembly established World Development Information Day to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them (resolution 3038(XXVII)).
The Assembly decided that the date for the Day should coincide with United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption, in 1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade.
The launching of the First United Nations Development Decade in 1961 marked a major world-wide endeavor to give concrete substance to that solemn pledge. Since then, attempts have continued to adopt measures for that purpose.
