India’s manufacturing PMI eases to 54.7 in October as export orders hit six-month high

India’s manufacturing activity moderated slightly in October, with the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) easing to 54.7 from 55.1 in September, even as export order growth reached a six-month high and price pressures weakened, according to the data released by S&P Global.The report said growth in new business remained strong, with new export orders increasing at the fastest pace in six months. Manufacturers reported higher demand from markets including Bangladesh, Canada, Indonesia, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States and the UAE.

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Vultr launches 20 MW AI supercluster in Chennai, eyes 1 GW India capacity

Vultr, a US-based cloud infrastructure company has expanded its Indian infrastructure footprint with a 20 MW AI supercluster in Chennai — the company’s largest such facility outside the United States.

The centre, powered by over 10,000 AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs, will be capable of powering large-scale AI training and inference workloads.The centre is India’s largest AMD GPU cluster deployment, without revealing exact investment figures. The centre will provide computing services for Indian AI start-ups, developers, digital businesses.

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Zee appoints Tushar Vohra as Chief AI & Transformation Officer

Zee Entertainment Enterprises appointed Tushar Vohra as Chief AI and Transformation Officer to lead its AI and transformation strategy, driving technology adoption to improve business performance across platforms. Based at the company’s Mumbai headquarters, Vohra will report to Mukund Galgali, Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer. In line with this, Zee has strengthened its technology and AI leadership team with three new hires reporting to Vohra. Tony Thomas has been appointed Head – AI & Transformation. He brings over 18 years of experience in AI-led transformation, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and quality engineering, with expertise in large-scale technology transformation, platform scalability, and operational efficiency.

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Jatin Kumar Nayak takes charge as CMD of IREDA

Jatin Kumar Nayak has assumed charge as the Chairman & Managing Director of Indian R.enewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).Prior to this appointment, Nayak held the position of Executive Director (Finance) at REC Ltd. He has served as Chief Financial Officer of erstwhile REC Transmission Projects Company Limited, a subsidiary of REC.

Earlier in his career, he has worked with NHPC, Hindustan Copper, National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) and Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd. His appointment had been earlier approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

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1st International Maize Conference Calls for Higher Productivity, Innovative Breeding and Farmer-Centric Research

The 1st International Maize Conference 2026 began at the JD Convention Centre in Hyderabad , bringing together scientists, policymakers, agricultural institutions and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies to advance maize research, productivity and value-chain development.

The conference, themed “Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World” (M4FS), focused on high-yielding varieties and hybrids, improved nutritional quality, efficient resource utilisation, mechanisation, robust seed systems and maize’s growing role in food, feed, fodder and energy security. India’s maize production reached approximately 55 million tonnes, accompanied by substantial productivity gains over the past decade.

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PM Modi Inaugurates Bharat Renewable Energy Summit 2026, Urges Startups and IITs to Develop Solar Solutions for Household Energy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged startups, IITs, innovators and entrepreneurs to develop round-the-clock, all-weather solar models capable of meeting the maximum energy needs of households, including rooftop solar cooking to reduce reliance on imported gas, and home solar charging facilities for electric two-wheelers and cars. The event coincides with the Ninth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance and includes delegates from the Fourth Conference on Green Hydrogen.

India Targets 500 GW Additional Non-Fossil Capacity : PM Modi highlighted the country’s COP-26 commitment to achieve 500 Gigawatts of non-fossil capacity by 2030. India now ranks among the top three nations in solar and renewable energy, with over 50 per cent non-fossil installed capacity and nearly 300 Gigawatts already achieved towards the 500-Gigawatt target.

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PM Modi Inaugurates Bharat Renewable Energy Summit 2026, Urges Startups and IITs to Develop Solar Solutions for Household Energy

PM Surya Ghar Scheme Covers Over 65 Lakh Households: Highlighting the progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024 to install rooftop solar panels in one crore homes, PM Modi said over 65 lakh households had joined the initiative within 24 to 25 months. He added that the KUSUM scheme had provided solar irrigation to over 30 lakh farmers, saving each solar pump beneficiary nearly Rs 1 lakh every year.

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Eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Professor Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passes away in New Delhi

Eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Professor Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passed away last night while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi. He was 74. He was a distinguished medical professional from Odisha whose contributions to neurosurgery brought recognition to the country. Dr Mahapatra was the founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar and also headed the Department of Neurosurgery at AIIMS, New Delhi. He gained national prominence for leading the historic surgical team that successfully separated the conjoined twins, Jaga and Balia, in a landmark operation at AIIMS in 2017. He also served as Director of Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, and Vice-Chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2025 for his outstanding contribution to medicine. Several political leaders, members of the medical fraternity, academicians and people from different walks of life expressed grief over the demise of Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra. They recalled his outstanding contribution to neurosurgery, medical education and the development of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

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Dhinidhi becomes first Indian female swimmer to win medal at Youth Olympics 2026

Dhinidhi Desinghu has made history by becoming the first Indian female swimmer to win a medal at the Youth Olympics 2026 at Dakar in Senegal. The 16-year-old clocked 56.27 seconds to finish third behind Croatia’s gold medallist Ana Bobanovic (55.89 seconds) and New Zealand’s silver medallist Alyssa Lawson (56.13 seconds). Earlier, Desinghu became the first Indian female swimmer to qualify for a Youth Olympics final after advancing to the women’s 100m freestyle medal race.

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Dhinidhi becomes first Indian female swimmer to win medal at Youth Olympics 2026

Meanwhile, Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada became only the second Indian judoka to reach the Youth Olympic Games final, assuring herself of at least a silver medal in the women’s 63kg category at Dakar in Senegal. 15-year-old Khushbu stormed into the final with her win against Dounia Berrahoual of Algeria. Khushbu can become the first Indian judoka to win a gold medal in the Youth Olympics if she beats Germany’s Cadet world champion Jolina Reinhold in the final tonight. Thangjam Tababi Devi is India’s lone judo medallist at the Youth Olympic Games. She won a silver medal in the women’s 44kg category in the 2018 edition in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Italian Kimi Antonelli becomes Formula One’s youngest world champion ⁠at 20 years

Kimi Antonelli has created history by becoming the youngest driver in F1 history to be crowned champion after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old Italian has secured the title for Mercedes. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race as Lewis Hamilton finished second in the Ferrari. Kimi needed only a ninth-place finish at the 71-lap race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to clinch his maiden world title, regardless of how Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate George Russell performed.

Starting fourth, Antonelli delivered a composed drive to secure third place despite a red flag following a crash involving Valtteri Bottas and a late Safety Car period triggered by an accident involving Arvid Lindblad.

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Defence Ministry signs contracts worth over Rs 53,000 crore for eight next-generation corvettes

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth Rs 53,866.50 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) to acquire eight Next Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy.

The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi. GRSE will build five corvettes, while GSL will construct the remaining three.According to the Ministry, this is the first project involving ships indigenously designed by the Indian Navy and built by Defence Public Sector Undertakings selected through a competitive process.

The corvettes will carry advanced missiles, weapons and sensor suites, enabling operations across air, surface and sub-surface domains. They will support the protection of maritime trade routes, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, coastal defence, littoral combat, and maritime presence and surveillance missions.

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WAVES OTT Showcased at ABU General Assembly in Colombo, Highlighting Prasar Bharati’s Digital Expansion

Prasar Bharati showcased its digital streaming platform WAVES OTT at the 63rd General Assembly and Associated Meetings of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), being held in Colombo from October 30 to November 3, 2026. Presented by Rajeev Roy, Member (Finance), Prasar Bharati, the showcase highlighted the organisation’s efforts to expand its digital presence and make India’s diverse public-service content accessible to audiences across platforms.”Launched in November 2024, WAVES OTT brings together a wide range of programming, including television and radio content, films, documentaries, educational programmes, cultural productions and archival material. The platform has recorded 15 million registered users and 19 million downloads with reach in more than 130 countries, reflecting growing audience engagement with Prasar Bharati’s digital offerings.

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WAVES OTT Showcased at ABU General Assembly in Colombo, Highlighting Prasar Bharati’s Digital Expansion

This year’s assembly is being held under the theme “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation.” The discussions focus on the role of media in strengthening public trust, supporting peace and responding to changes in the media landscape.

The ABU, one of the world’s largest broadcasting unions, promotes cooperation and professional excellence among broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region. Prasar Bharati’s participation and the WAVES OTT showcase provided an opportunity to present India’s public-service broadcasting experience and its evolving digital strategy to regional and international media organisations.

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Ishan Kishan Becomes India’s Highest T20I Run-Scorer in a Calendar Year

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan created a new national record, becoming the highest run-scorer for India in T20 Internationals in a single calendar year during the fifth and final match against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Kishan scored a blistering 61 off 32 balls to help India post 191 for eight in the final T20I. His innings took his tally for 2026 to 1,220 runs in 37 innings, surpassing the previous Indian record of 1,164 runs set by former captain Suryakumar Yadav in 2022. Kishan needed just six runs before the match to go past Suryakumar’s record and achieved the milestone early in his innings. With this achievement, Kishan also moved to the second position among batters from full-member nations for the most T20I runs in a calendar year. He is fourth on the overall list, behind Austria’s Karanbir Singh, Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Bahrain’s Fiaz Ahmed.

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Ishan Kishan Becomes India’s Highest T20I Run-Scorer in a Calendar Year

The fifth T20I also saw Kishan complete 2,000 runs in the shortest format of international cricket. He reached the milestone in 1,345 balls, becoming the third-fastest Indian batter to do so in terms of deliveries faced.

Abhishek Sharma holds the Indian record, having taken 1,024 balls to reach 2,000 runs, while Suryakumar Yadav is second with 1,164 deliveries.

The left-handed batter needed 45 runs at the start of the fifth match to complete 2,000 T20I runs. His 61-run knock helped him achieve both career milestones in the series finale.

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Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on Kannada Rajyotsava

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava. More than Rs 52,000 crore has been spent on railway development in Karnataka over the last five years. Across India, 14,000 railway overbridges have been constructed, including more than 900 in Karnataka. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will have a total capacity of 823 passengers. It will comprise 11 AC three-tier coaches accommodating 611 passengers, four AC two-tier coaches with a capacity of 188 passengers and one first AC coach accommodating 24 passengers. According to SWR, the train will operate under two numbers: 27652 (SMVT Bengaluru-CSMT Mumbai) and 27651 (CSMT Mumbai-SMVT Bengaluru). The service will operate six days a week, except Mondays for the Bengaluru-Mumbai journey and Tuesdays for the return journey.

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Former CVC Suresh N Patel to lead high-level banking reforms committee

The Union finance ministry constituted the much-awaited high-level committee to review the country’s banking sector, tasking it with recommending structural, regulatory and legislative reforms to make banks globally competitive and better equipped to meet the financing needs of a developed economy.

The High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat — first announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2026-27 — will be chaired by former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Suresh N Patel, who has over three decades of experience in the banking sector. Patel was managing director and chief executive officer of Andhra Bank and an executive director at Oriental Bank of Commerce.

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Former CVC Suresh N Patel to lead high-level banking reforms committee

Its members include Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu, former Indian Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Padmaja Chunduru, and former RBI Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan. The Joint Secretary (Banking) in the Department of Financial Services will be the member secretary. The committee has been given six months, until April 2027, to complete its work, according to a finance ministry statement.

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Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand launches BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026 in Imphal

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh launched BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026 and flagged off a Cyclothon at Khuman Lampak in Imphal. The weeklong programme is organised by the Government of Manipur till 7 November with the objective of promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible lifestyle among the people.

During the programme, the Chief Minister administered a pledge to protect the environment and along with other distinguished guests, planted saplings at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. He also flagged off around 200 cyclists from Khuman Lampak who proceeded through various locations in Imphal city before returning to Khuman Lampak again.

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Department of Posts Issues Commemorative Stamps to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

The Department of Posts issued two commemorative postage stamps and a set of picture postcards dedicated to breast cancer awareness, marking International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative aims to use the extensive postal network to spread messages on breast cancer awareness, early detection and preventive healthcare.

The stamps were released by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and Director General Postal Services Manisha Sinha. The initiative was conceptualised and undertaken by the Department of Posts, with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare providing technical inputs, reference materials and background information for developing the health-related content of the stamps and postcards.

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Department of Posts Issues Commemorative Stamps to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Observed annually from October 1 to 31, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign aimed at promoting early detection, education and support for those affected by the disease. Separately, the Department of Posts, in collaboration with Fortis Hospital, organised awareness sessions on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer, along with interactive sessions on Basic Life Support (BLS) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at Dak Bhawan, promoting preventive healthcare awareness and knowledge of essential life-saving techniques.

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Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposes amendment to Rule 43A of Drugs Rules, 1945

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed an amendment to Rule 43A of Drugs Rules, 1945, to expand the network of authorised entry points for the import of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics into the country. The proposed amendment aims to facilitate smoother import operations, improve logistics efficiency and strengthen the supply chain for healthcare products. With a view to facilitating trade and improving the efficiency of import-related processes, the Ministry has proposed the inclusion of additional Inland Container Depots (ICDs), a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and an international airport in the list of authorised locations.

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Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposes amendment to Rule 43A of Drugs Rules, 1945

These locations include ICD Sonipat, Piyala and Harsaru in Haryana. ICD Dadri and Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh, Gandhidham in Gujarat and ICD Whitefield in Bengaluru for the import of drugs by air. The proposed expansion is expected to facilitate importers in clearing consignments closer to their manufacturing facilities, warehouses and distribution centres. This is likely to reduce inland transportation distances, optimise logistics costs and minimise delays in the movement of imported consignments. The Ministry said that objections and suggestions, if any, on the proposed amendment may be submitted to Under Secretary (Drugs Regulation) or through email- [email protected].

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IIT Ropar launches White Paper on artificial intelligence

In Punjab, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has launched a White Paper on how artificial intelligence can be tested for wisdom and not just for intelligence. Named as ‘Beyond Intelligence: Defining and Measuring Wisdom for AI’, the paper talks not only about continuous study for success but also introduces spirituality for a calm and happy mind to tackle stress and depression as well. Launched by IIT Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of Research at Stanford University and Adjunct Faculty at IIT Ropar, Dr. Ishan Shivanand, the paper is co-authored with Dr. Anjali Samani, a former AI and data science executive at Salesforce.

Addressing media, Dr Shivanand said that the aim is to develop wiser AI that helps people strengthen their own discernment. The idea is to give human centric approach for the holistic development of students so that students not only receive success but happiness as well. He said this paper distils what the Shiv Sutras teach about cultivating wisdom in the human mind, and applies it to the artificial mind.

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Country’s first Road Safety Research and Training Centre to set up at Saswad in Pune district

The country’s first Road Safety Research and Training Centre is being set up at Saswad in Pune district. The project is being developed on around 25 acres of land. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik recently inspected the ongoing work. The centre will house an Automated Vehicle Inspection Centre, a driver skills testing track and a Road Safety Training and Research Institute.

Automated systems will be used to inspect vehicles for brakes, lights, suspension and pollution levels. Modern technology will also be used to assess the driving skills of applicants. The facility is expected to make vehicle inspections and the driving licence issuance process more transparent. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed officials to ensure that the centre is developed in accordance with international standards and equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

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SEBI announces relaxation in KYC review rules for FPIs to boost ease of doing business

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a significant relaxation in the Know Your Customer (KYC) review rules for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to boost the ease of doing business. Under the new guidelines issued, the market regulator has increased the periodicity of KYC reviews for various categories of FPIs.

As per the new guidelines, for Category-One FPIs from non-high-risk jurisdictions and certain high-risk entities registered under specific regulations, the KYC review will now be required only once every eight years instead of the earlier shorter timeline. For other FPI categories, including regulated entities and non-high-risk Category-Two investors, the review period has also been rationalised to every eight years, while remaining at every two years for certain remaining entities.

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SEBI announces relaxation in KYC review rules for FPIs to boost ease of doing business

In another major relief aimed at reducing the compliance burden, SEBI has completely dispensed with the requirement for FPIs to intimate changes in information or submit a no-change declaration at the time of continuing their registration. FPIs wishing to continue their registration for a subsequent block of three years will now only need to pay the required fees to their Designated Depository Participants (DDP) at least 15 days prior to the expiry of their validity. The regulator said that the KYC review timelines for FPIs investing exclusively in Government Securities and SWAGAT-FI FPIs will remain unchanged. These new provisions are set to come into force with effect from 1st December of this year.

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Rajiv Ranjan Singh Announces Centre of Excellence for Siri Cattle in Sikkim, Launches North District Milk Producers’ Union

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, announced that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, will establish a Centre of Excellence for the conservation and development of the indigenous Siri cattle breed in Sikkim. He also digitally launched the North District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd (NDMU) at Mangan under White Revolution 2.0, marking a step towards strengthening the dairy cooperative network and expanding organised dairy activities in North Sikkim. the Union Minister directed the preparation of a comprehensive Action Plan for Siri cattle conservation and development, focusing on breed improvement, genetic conservation and scientific breeding. He also emphasised the need to prepare a Work Plan for introducing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) technology to accelerate genetic improvement and facilitate the multiplication of superior germplasm.

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Rajiv Ranjan Singh Announces Centre of Excellence for Siri Cattle in Sikkim, Launches North District Milk Producers’ Union

He also digitally laid the foundation stone of the Siri Bull Mother Farm at Chuchachen in the Pakyong district. The proposed facility aims to strengthen conservation of the indigenous Siri breed, support genetic improvement and promote scientific breeding and multiplication of quality germplasm. The Union Minister also announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for the indigenous Siri cattle breed conservation and development in Sikkim by DAHD, Government of India.

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Rajiv Ranjan Singh Announces Centre of Excellence for Siri Cattle in Sikkim, Launches North District Milk Producers’ Union

Launch of Pig Breeding Protocols : The Minister launched the publication titled “Minimum Standard Protocol for Semen Production and Standard Operating Procedures for Artificial Insemination Using Liquid Semen in Pigs”.

The publication establishes a standardised framework for semen production and artificial insemination using liquid semen in pigs. The protocols aim to promote scientific breeding practices, improve genetic quality, enhance productivity, strengthen biosecurity and expand the adoption of artificial insemination technology in pig farming.

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