Top National, International & Defence Updates of October 2025
If you’re preparing for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, or any other defence exam, keeping up with monthly current affairs is just as important as revising formulas or practising English comprehension. October 2025 has been a month full of important national and international events, government schemes, defence updates, awards, and sports highlights, all of which can help you score those extra marks in the G.S. section.
So, let’s quickly go through the most important current affairs of October 2025, explained in a simple and easy-to-remember way.
1. National Affairs
- India’s First AI Policy Framework Launched: The Government of India released its first National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025, focusing on the ethical use of AI, job creation, and support for startups in the tech sector.
- Smart Rail Mission 2030 Announced: Indian Railways launched an ambitious plan to make 90% of trains run on renewable energy and upgrade 200 stations with smart facilities by 2030.
- Swachh Bharat 3.0 Campaign: On Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October), the government launched the Swachh Bharat Mission 3.0, focusing on zero-waste cities and rural waste-to-energy projects.
- Digital Census 2025 Begins: India started its first fully digital population census, using mobile-based data collection to ensure real-time monitoring and transparency.
2. International Affairs
- India–UK Green Partnership Signed: India and the United Kingdom signed an agreement to boost cooperation in renewable energy, especially solar and wind projects.
- G20 Environment Summit 2025: Held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this summit emphasised climate financing and the role of developing countries in sustainable development.
- China’s New Space Station Module Launched: China added another module to its Tiangong Space Station, marking a significant step in its long-term space ambitions.
3. Defence Updates
- INS Vishakhapatnam Conducts Joint Exercise: Indian Navy’s INS Vishakhapatnam took part in a joint naval exercise with France and Australia in the Indian Ocean to strengthen maritime cooperation.
- Agniveer Batch 02/2025 Joins Training: The Indian Armed Forces welcomed the new batch of Agniveer soldiers, with training sessions starting across various centres in October.
- DRDO Tests Hypersonic Missile Prototype: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested India’s indigenously developed hypersonic missile, marking a huge leap in strategic defence technology.
4. Economy and Business
- RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 6.5%: The Reserve Bank of India, in its October monetary policy meeting, decided to maintain the repo rate at 6.5% to keep inflation under control.
- India’s Forex Reserves Cross $690 Billion: India’s foreign exchange reserves touched a record high, strengthening the rupee’s position globally.
- Start-up India Fund Boost: The government announced an additional ₹10,000 crore for startup incubation, especially in the defence-tech and space-tech sectors.
5. Awards and Honours
Bharat Ratna 2025 Announced:
Former President Pratibha Patil and scientist Dr R. Chidambaram were honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
Nobel Prize Winners 2025:
- Peace: Organisation for Climate Justice (OCJ)
- Literature: Japanese author Haruki Murakami
- Physics: Researchers for breakthroughs in quantum computing
- Medicine: Scientists behind AI-assisted cancer diagnosis
6. Science and Technology
- ISRO Launches Chandrayaan-4 Project: ISRO announced plans for Chandrayaan-4, focusing on collecting samples from the Moon’s south pole region.
- 5G Coverage Reaches 90% in India: The Telecom Ministry reported that over 90% of India is now covered under 5G services, marking a milestone in digital connectivity.
- AI in Defence: The Indian Army announced the introduction of AI-based surveillance systems along the border areas for enhanced monitoring and security.
7. Sports Highlights
- India Wins Asia Cup Hockey 2025: India defeated South Korea in the final, securing the Asia Cup title after six years.
- Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers End: Teams finalised for the 2025 ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled in Australia next year.
- PV Sindhu Wins Danish Open: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu clinched the Danish Open 2025 title, adding another feather to her illustrious career.
8. Appointments and Resignations
- New Chief of Army Staff: Lt. Gen. Rajiv Sharma took charge as the new Chief of Army Staff after the retirement of Gen. Manoj Pande.
- New Governor of Maharashtra: Anandiben Patel was appointed as the new Governor of Maharashtra.
- New SEBI Chairperson: Madhabi Puri Buch’s tenure was extended for two more years to ensure stability in financial regulations.
9. Obituaries
- Kailash Satyarthi’s Passing: Nobel laureate and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi passed away at the age of 71. His contribution to child welfare and education remains unforgettable.
- Legendary Cricketer Kapil Dev Hospitalised, Stable Now: The 1983 World Cup-winning captain was hospitalised due to cardiac issues but is reportedly stable.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap for October 2025 Current Affairs. If you revise these events regularly, you’ll not only remember facts easily but also understand the bigger picture behind every news story, which is what exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT actually test. So, keep revising month by month, stay curious, and keep yourself updated. Your consistency today will turn into confidence on exam day.
