NATIONAL NEWS

Border Roads Organisation Constructs World’s Highest Motorable Road

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has built the world’s highest motorable road at 19,400 feet above sea level in Ladakh, under Project Himank, surpassing its previous record set at Umling La (19,024 ft) in 2021.

The road passes through Mig La Pass, forming part of the Likaru–Mig La–Fukche alignment, enhancing both strategic and tourism potential in the region.

The project was led by Brigadier Vishal Srivastava, who hoisted the National Flag and BRO Flag at the site.

The feat demonstrates engineering excellence in extreme high-altitude, low-oxygen, and sub-zero conditions.

Mig La Pass, located in the southern sector of eastern Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), provides a third critical axis to reach Fukche, strengthening India’s border connectivity.

It enhances military logistics, rapid troop deployment, and border infrastructure for national security.

It boosts adventure tourism, provides access to remote civilian settlements, and supports local development.

The route offers scenic views of the Indus Valley, likely to attract explorers and high-altitude driving enthusiasts.

The BRO had earlier achieved the Guinness World Record (2021) for the Umling La Pass road, and with this new achievement, India reaffirms its global leadership in extreme terrain infrastructure development.

Project Himank continues to play a crucial role in connecting India’s northernmost frontiers despite harsh weather and terrain challenges.

Rajasthan’s First ‘Namo Biodiversity Park’ Inaugurated in Alwar

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav inaugurated Rajasthan’s first ‘Namo Biodiversity Park’, also known as ‘NAMO VAN’, at Pratap Bandh, Alwar.

The inauguration ceremony included a symbolic tree plantation and was attended by Shri Sanjay Sharma, Cabinet Minister, Government of Rajasthan.

The park, envisioned as a green lung for the region, aims to enhance local greenery, improve air quality, and promote environmental awareness.

It is designed to encourage citizens to adopt environment-friendly and sustainable lifestyles, aligning with India’s broader biodiversity conservation and climate action goals.

The establishment of the park marks a significant milestone in Rajasthan’s green infrastructure development, reinforcing efforts to promote public participation in conservation initiatives.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Singapore Names Island ‘Zubeen Garg Island’ In Honour Of Iconic Assamese Singer

Singapore has reportedly renamed an island as “Zubeen Garg Island” on Google Maps in honour of late Assamese singer, composer, and actor Zubeen Garg, who passed away at the age of 52 following a scuba diving accident.

Zubeen Garg died during a yacht outing in Singapore, after facing breathing difficulties while swimming; the preliminary death certificate cited drowning as the cause of death.

The renaming of the island is a symbolic tribute, reflecting Zubeen Garg’s global influence and enduring cultural legacy beyond India.

Zubeen Garg began singing at the age of three and released his debut Assamese album “Anamika” in 1992.

He delivered several Assamese hits, including Maya, Zubeenor Gaan, Xabda, Pakhi, Shishu, and Jantra.

In Bollywood, he rose to prominence with songs in films like Dil Se, Vaastav, Fiza, Asoka, Kaante, Gangster, and Krrish 3.

His 2006 blockbuster song “Ya Ali” from the film Gangster earned him national fame.

Zubeen Garg was in Singapore to perform at the North East Festival on the same day he passed away, making his demise even more shocking for fans and the music fraternity.

 

BANKING

Government Keeps Small Savings Scheme Interest Rates Unchanged

The Government of India has kept interest rates unchanged for various small savings schemes, including Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificate (NSC), for the seventh consecutive quarter beginning October 1, 2025.

The Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will continue to offer an interest rate of 8.2%, while a three-year term deposit will earn 7.1%.

The Public Provident Fund (PPF) interest rate remains unchanged at 7.1%, and post office savings deposits will continue at 4%.

The Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) will offer 7.5% interest with a maturity period of 115 months.

The National Savings Certificate (NSC) will continue to offer 7.7% interest for the October–December 2025 quarter.

The Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) will provide 8.2% interest, ensuring regular income for retirees.

The Monthly Income Scheme will earn 7.4% for investors during the third quarter of FY 2025-26.

The PPF interest rate is reviewed quarterly by the Ministry of Finance and remains linked to the 10-year G-Sec yield plus a 25 basis points spread as per the Shyamala Gopinath Committee

PPF deposits can range from a minimum of ₹500 to a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh per financial year, and the scheme enjoys Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) tax status.

The PPF account matures after 15 years, with options for withdrawal or extension, and interest earned is fully tax-free under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

SEBI Extends Deadline For Full Rollout Of Retail Algorithmic Trading Framework

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has extended the timeline for full implementation of its framework for safer retail participation in algorithmic (Algo) trading, initially mandated under the February 2025 circular.

Stock brokers ready with systems may begin implementation of the retail algo framework from October 1, 2025, while others have been given a glide path for compliance.

Full registration of API-based retail algo products must be completed by November 30, 2025, as per SEBI’s revised schedule.

To ensure readiness, brokers must participate in at least one mock trading session by January 3, 2026.

Brokers failing to meet deadlines will be barred from onboarding new retail clients for API-based algo trading starting January 5, 2026.

These measures are part of SEBI’s efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight, transparency, and risk control in retail algorithmic trading.

Bandhan Bank Integrated With NPCI Bharat Billpay’s Bharat Connect Platform

NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited. (NBBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has announced the integration of Bandhan Bank on its Bharat Connect

This integration allows Bandhan Bank customers to repay overdue EMIs across multiple loan categories such as personal loans, auto loans, and two-wheeler loans.

Customers can repay EMIs digitally through Bandhan Bank’s mobile app (mBandhan), Retail Internet Banking (RIB), or via over 700 apps and websites powered by Bharat Connect.

The Bharat Connect integration by NBBL expands the digital repayment ecosystem, enabling convenient and timely loan payments.

Reserve Bank of India Fines Indian Overseas Bank ₹31.8 lakh

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of ₹31.8 lakh on Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for non-compliance with directions related to Priority Sector Lending (PSL) – Targets and Classification.

The penalty was imposed after supervisory findings revealed lapses and a show-cause notice was issued to the bank.

RBI clarified that the action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and does not affect the validity of any transaction or agreement between the bank and its customers.

Paytm Money And Jioblackrock Launch India’s First Systematic Active Equity Fund For Retail Investors

Paytm Money has partnered with JioBlackRock to launch India’s first Systematic Active Equity (SAE) fund aimed at retail investors, marking a major innovation in the mutual fund industry.

The JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund is available exclusively on the Paytm Money app, with the New Fund Offer (NFO) open from September 23 to October 7, 2025.

The fund is India’s first equity scheme to adopt BlackRock’s SAE model, which uses artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and alternative data sources such as consumer transactions and search activity to make investment decisions.

The minimum investment amount is ₹500, making it affordable for retail investors to access advanced, data-driven investment strategies that were previously limited to global institutional investors.

 

DEFENCE

Indian Navy to Commission INS Androth

The Indian Navy will commission INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on October 6, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

INS Androth has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, showcasing over 80% indigenous content.

The ship highlights India’s growing maritime self-reliance and the Navy’s focus on indigenisation and capability enhancement.

The commissioning of Androth will enhance the Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities, especially in littoral waters.

The induction aligns with the Navy’s broader efforts toward innovation, indigenous design, and technological advancement.

Recent naval inductions — Arnala, Nistar, Udaygiri, Nilgiri, and Androth — signify the Navy’s balanced maritime growth and commitment to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance).

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Artificial Intelligence Could Boost Global Trade By Nearly 40% By 2040

The 2025 World Trade Report stated that with enabling policies, artificial intelligence (AI) could increase cross-border trade in goods and services by nearly 40% by 2040, highlighting AI’s transformative potential in global trade.

The report emphasized that for AI-driven trade growth to be inclusive, nations must bridge the digital divide, invest in workforce upskilling, and ensure an open and predictable trading environment.

According to projections, global trade could rise by 34–37% by 2040, depending on the extent of policy support and technological advancement across low-, middle-, and high-income economies.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their groundbreaking work on peripheral immune tolerance, which prevents the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues.

Their discoveries of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the Foxp3 gene have revolutionized immunology and opened new avenues for treating autoimmune diseases, cancer, and organ transplant rejection.

Shimon Sakaguchi discovered regulatory T cells (Tregs) in 1995, revealing a mechanism of immune regulation outside the thymus, known as peripheral tolerance

Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell identified the Foxp3 gene in 2001, essential for Treg development; mutations in Foxp3 lead to severe autoimmune disorders such as IPEX syndrome.

In 2003, Sakaguchi demonstrated the link between Tregs and Foxp3, establishing their role as immune system “monitors” that prevent self-attack.

Their research has major implications for autoimmune disease therapies, cancer treatment, and organ transplantation, with ongoing clinical trials exploring Treg-based interventions.

The prize, 11 million Swedish kronor, was awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet.

The discoveries have reshaped modern immunology, paving the way for next-generation therapeutic strategies

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Cotton Day

World Cotton Day is observed on 7th October of every year.

World Cotton Day is celebrated in order to raise the visibility of the cotton sector and create awareness about the role that cotton plays in economic development and international trade.

In 2019, The four Cotton producers namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali initiated the World Trade Organisation about the World Cotton Day on October 7.

The first World Cotton Day was celebrated on 7th October 2019 and it was hosted by the World Trade Organization.

WTO Secretariat and secretariats of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation collaborate and conduct the event.

More than 800 participants attended the launching event at the World Trade Organisation headquarters.