NATIONAL NEWS

Kerala to Become India’s First State Free of Extreme Poverty

Kerala is set to become the first state in India to be officially declared “free of extreme poverty” on November 1, 2025, during an event at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, to be announced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The declaration reflects Kerala’s sustained focus on inclusive growth, targeted welfare programmes, and social equity, setting a model for other states.

The Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme was launched in 2021 soon after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government began its second term. It was among the first Cabinet decisions post-election.

The initiative aimed to identify and uplift families in severe economic distress, integrate housing, food, health, and income support, and enable rehabilitation through employment, education, and asset creation.

The programme followed a multi-sectoral approach, ensuring families received not only aid but also sustainable pathways out of poverty.

Extreme poverty generally refers to households that lack basic income, shelter, food, and health, are excluded from welfare schemes, and suffer multi-generational poverty.

Kerala used social surveys, panchayat-level data, and NGO interventions for accurate poverty mapping and beneficiary identification.

Chennai Becomes First Indian City to Fully Implement RTFF and SDSS

Chennai has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian city to fully operationalize the Real-Time Flood Forecasting and Spatial Decision Support System (RTFF and SDSS) in October 2025, significantly strengthening its urban flood management and climate resilience capabilities.

The RTFF and SDSS integrates real-time hydrometeorological data to predict, monitor, and manage flood events using a combination of advanced technologies including Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs), Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), Automatic Water Level Recorders (AWLRs), and Gate Sensors (GS).

Covering an area of 4,974 sq km, the system encompasses Chennai city and surrounding districts, focusing on key river sub-basins such as the Adyar, Cooum, Kosasthalaiyar, and Kovalam Rivers, enabling authorities to identify vulnerable zones and take timely preventive measures.

The project was funded by the World Bank under the Project Development Grant Fund (PDGF) and implemented by the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) in collaboration with SECON Private Limited and JBA Consulting (United Kingdom).

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) provided scientific supervision and ensured technological robustness.

The system operates through a central Hydro Modelling Control Room (HMCR) in Chennai, supported by Regional Control and Command Centres (RCCCs) located at Royapuram, Anna Nagar, and Adyar, equipped with CCTV cameras, flood and rain sensors, and water level meters for real-time monitoring and localized response.

The launch of RTFF and SDSS marks a transformative step in India’s urban disaster preparedness, enhancing Chennai’s ability to predict floods, minimize losses, and support data-driven urban planning, setting a benchmark for other Indian cities in climate resilience and smart infrastructure.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Andhra Pradesh CM UAE Visit to Boost Investments

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu embarked on a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to promote foreign investments in green energy, digital infrastructure, and urban development.

On the first day, he engaged with top Indian diplomats in Dubai, including A. Amarnath, Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and Satish Sivan, Consul General in Dubai, highlighting strengthened India-UAE relations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Naidu emphasized Andhra Pradesh’s investor-friendly policies and cited Google’s investment as a milestone in building a tech-driven economy.

The visit focused on attracting UAE investors to:

Invest in renewable energy projects (solar and wind power)

Develop data centres leveraging AP’s coastal and digital connectivity

Partner in smart city and infrastructure projects in Amaravati and Visakhapatnam

The initiative aligns with India’s sustainable development goals, green transition, and net-zero targets.

A key outcome was a ₹100 crore pledge by Ravi P.N.C. Menon for a world-class public library in Amaravati, aimed at creating a modern knowledge centre for students, researchers, and citizens.

The library project complements other urban and cultural infrastructure plans, reinforcing Amaravati’s educational and social ecosystem.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Coal India Limited Signs MoU with IIT Madras

Coal India Limited (CIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish the “Centre for Sustainable Energy” at IIT Madras..

The Centre will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development (R&D) and capacity-building initiatives in sustainable energy technologies.

It will focus on developing solutions for repurposing coal mines, creating low-carbon technologies, and reimagining coal as a feedstock for India’s clean energy future.

The initiative is supported by CIL’s funding and aligns with its strategic diversification goals.

The Centre will also contribute to human capital development through Ph.D., postdoctoral, and internship programs, nurturing the next generation of researchers and engineers.

This initiative underscores a shared commitment to leading India’s energy transition and achieving the nation’s net-zero ambitions by 2070.

 

BANKING

India Records 159% Decline in Net Foreign Direct Investment in August 2025

Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India fell by 159% in August 2025, marking the second instance in FY26 where outflows exceeded inflows, indicating a reversal of capital trends and concerns over investment climate and external sector stability.

Gross FDI inflows in August 2025 stood at $6,049 million, showing a 30.6% decline compared to August 2024, while rising outflows and repatriation contributed to the negative net FDI.

The decline suggests that foreign companies may be withdrawing capital, or Indian firms are increasing their overseas investments, affecting overall capital movement patterns.

Net FDI represents the difference between gross inflows and total outflows (repatriation + outward FDI), serving as a key indicator of investor confidence and economic stability.

Despite the August setback, cumulative Net FDI during April–August 2025 stood at $10,128 million, a 121% increase over the same period last year, reflecting strong inflows in earlier months of FY26.

The overall trend highlights volatility in FDI flows influenced by domestic policies, global uncertainties, and investment sentiment.

NABAARD Makes First Investment Under AgriSURE Fund

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABAARD) announced its first investment under the AgriSURE Fund at the Global Fintech Festival (GFF) 2025, a fund jointly promoted with the Union Agriculture Ministry to boost agri-fintech innovation.

Fambo Innovation Pvt Ltd was recognised as the first investor under the AgriSURE Fund, a startup that connects farmers and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) with food businesses to enhance market linkages.

NABARD showcased other supported ventures at GFF 2025, including:

Kuberjee Tech Pvt Ltd (financial solutions),

NAVADHAN Capital (credit access for smallholder farmers), and

SLO Technologies (Advarisk) (real-time collateral management platform).

Platforms like Global Fintech Festival and NABARD hackathons are being used to develop innovative solutions such as low-cost MRV systems that help measure climate-friendly farming impacts and allow farmers to access benefits like carbon credits.

The RuralTech CoLab portal, launched at GFF 2025, aims to bring together fintech, agritech, and digital service providers to create scalable, inclusive, and tech-driven solutions for rural India.

Jio Payments Bank Wins Contract to Deploy Multi-Lane Free Flow Toll System on Gurugram–Jaipur Highway

Jio Payments Bank Limited (JPBL), a subsidiary of Jio Financial Services Limited, has won a contract to implement the Multi-lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system at two toll plazas on the Gurugram–Jaipur National Highway.

The project is part of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) initiative, implemented through Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), to develop a barrierless tolling system using FASTag and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

Out of the five MLFF bids awarded so far, JPBL has secured two, highlighting its growing presence in digital toll collection operations that started in July 2025.

JPBL currently manages toll operations at 11 toll plazas across India and plans to expand its role in infrastructure-linked digital payments.

The MLFF system will be initially deployed at 25 National Highway fee plazas in FY2025–26, with the participation of banks and system integrators.

Insurance Samadhan Partners with Jaagruk Bharat

Insurance Samadhan, a grievance redressal platform, has partnered with Jaagruk Bharat, a digital awareness platform, to combat insurance mis-selling.

The partnership aims to educate citizens on mis-selling practices and empower them to identify and act against such issues.

Jaagruk Bharat will conduct digital campaigns, create educational content, and use storytelling initiatives to highlight red flags in insurance purchases and promote consumer rights.

The joint initiative seeks to make insurance simpler, transparent, and trustworthy for policyholders.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Neeraj Chopra Conferred Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army

Neeraj Chopra, two-time Olympic medallist and India’s iconic javelin thrower, has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army (TA).

The honour recognises his extraordinary sporting achievements, discipline, dedication, and national pride, bridging Indian defence traditions with sporting excellence.

Neeraj Chopra’s association with the Indian Army began in August 2016, when he was inducted as a Naib Subedar, a junior commissioned officer.

The honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel, effective from 16 April 2025, further solidifies his stature as a national icon in sports and the armed forces.

The Territorial Army is a part-time volunteer force supporting the regular Indian Army. The honorary rank is symbolic and awarded to civilians or non-serving personnel in recognition of exceptional contributions to the nation.

The rank was bestowed during a pipping ceremony in New Delhi, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who praised Chopra for perseverance, patriotism, and inspiration to youth and armed forces.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

United Nations Day

United Nations Day is observed on the 24th of October 2025.

UNO is now aiming to bring the Values and Principles of Life of the UN Charter to every corner of the world.

The United Nations Conference took place in San Francisco in 1945. 50 countries came to the conference to form the United Nations Charter.

The Aim of the United Nations Organisation is to bring peace among the people to stop the War Situation.

UNO also works to reduce Poverty across the Globe. The Permanent members of UNO are the United States, India, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, and Canada.

The United Nations Day is celebrated for the remembrance of the formation of the United Nations Organisation.

UNO also fights to reduce Inequality among people.