Daily Current Affairs – 07-10-2025
Economy News
Coal India Partners with CMDC to Explore Critical Minerals
State-owned Coal India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) to explore and exploit critical minerals. This move strengthens Coal India’s strategy in central India, following its recent acquisition of graphite and vanadium blocks through auctions in May 2025.
Coal India officially entered the critical minerals sector in July last year after becoming the preferred bidder for the Khattali Chotti graphite block in Madhya Pradesh's Alirajpur district. The company has also signed several non-binding exploration MoUs with entities like Hindustan Copper and IREL (India).
This initiative is part of a broader trend with many Indian public sector enterprises, including Oil India, Steel Authority of India, and ONGC Videsh, expanding into critical mineral exploration. The push for critical minerals exploration gained momentum due to global supply challenges following trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted India's significant untapped potential in critical mineral resources in its 2025 Global Critical Minerals Outlook.
IIHL Acquires Full Stake in Sterling Bank, Bahamas
IndusInd International Holdings Ltd. (IIHL), based in Mauritius, has acquired a 100% stake in Sterling Bank, Bahamas. IIHL had earlier acquired a 51% stake in September 2022 and has now completed the purchase of the remaining 49% through its wholly owned subsidiary, IIHL (Capital), Mauritius.
Following the acquisition, Sterling Bank will be renamed ‘IIHL Bank & Trust Ltd.’ IIHL has a net worth of $1.26 billion as of August 31, 2025, and holds diversified investments in the Banking, Financial Services, Securities, and Insurance (BFSI) sectors. IIHL is also the promoter of IndusInd Bank Ltd.
National News
VLGC ‘Shivalik’ Receives Ceremonial Welcome at Visakhapatnam Port by Minister Sonowal
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed India’s first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC), Shivalik, at Visakhapatnam Port during its maiden arrival on Monday. The vessel, inducted under the Indian flag by Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) on September 10, marks a significant step in enhancing India's maritime and energy logistics infrastructure.
Mr. Sonowal praised the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) for the smooth handling of the vessel during its first LPG consignment operation.
He also inaugurated several infrastructure and digital projects under the Sagarmala initiative, including:
O&M of EQ-1A Terminal by Green Energy Resources (₹130 crore investment, 3 MMTPA capacity, 150 jobs).
Smart Video Surveillance Project (₹37.53 crore) by RailTel, including AI/ML analytics and Integrated Command Control Centre.
Digital Health Card System (₹1 crore), to digitize health records of port employees and dependents.
These initiatives aim to improve port efficiency, safety, and digitization, making Visakhapatnam Port a ‘smart port’.
Indian Army Launches Tent Homestays in Uttarakhand’s Border Village
As part of a sustainable tourism and rural development effort, the Indian Army inaugurated a tent-based homestay facility in Garbyang village, located in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, on Monday. The initiative, led by Lieutenant General D.G. Misra, aims to strengthen border villages through Operation Sadbhavana, aligning with the central government's Vibrant Villages Programme.
This project not only promotes tourism in remote regions but also contributes to economic growth and livelihood opportunities for local residents in border areas.
INS Androth Anti-Submarine Warship Inducted into Indian Navy
On October 6, 2025, the Indian Navy inducted INS Androth, the country’s second anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, at the naval base in Visakhapatnam. Built with 80% indigenous components, this commissioning marks a significant step forward in India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, along with senior naval officials, attended the ceremony.
Paddy Cultivation Area in India Rises to 441.58 Lakh Hectares: Agriculture Ministry
The Union Ministry of Agriculture announced that the area under paddy cultivation in India has increased by 1.35%, reaching 441.58 lakh hectares as of October 3, 2025.
In its latest press release, the ministry provided updated figures on the sowing of Kharif crops. The total cultivated area for all Kharif crops has increased to 1,121 lakh hectares, compared to 1,114 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
The area under pulses cultivation has also seen a marginal increase from 119.04 lakh hectares to 120.41 lakh hectares.
However, cotton cultivation has declined slightly, from 112.97 lakh hectares last year to 110.63 lakh hectares this year.
The sugarcane cultivation area has grown to 59.07 lakh hectares, compared to 57.22 lakh hectares in the same period last year.
Bihar Assembly Elections on November 6 & 11
The Election Commission of India has officially announced that the Bihar Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases — on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. The current term of the Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, unveiling the poll schedule in New Delhi, emphasized the Commission's commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections, along with maintaining an accurate and credible voter list.
A special voter list revision was carried out from June 24, with the draft list published on August 1. Following necessary corrections, the final voter list was released on September 30. Citizens can still seek redress for any discrepancies through their respective District Collectors.
The elections will see polling in 243 constituencies, split across two phases:
Phase 1: 121 constituencies
Phase 2: 122 constituencies
There are a total of 7.43 crore voters in the state, including 3.92 crore men and 3.50 crore women. Notably, 14 lakh are first-time voters, and 14,000 voters are over the age of 100.
More than 90,000 polling stations will be set up across Bihar, including:
1,044 women-managed booths
1,350 model polling stations
Seventeen key changes will be implemented in this election cycle. For the first time:
Voting machines will carry color photographs of candidates
Each constituency will have a dedicated central observer
A new app, ‘e-Vigil’, will provide all election-related services
Web cameras will monitor all polling stations to enhance transparency
Tamil Nadu News
CM M.K. Stalin Inaugurates India’s Second Exclusive Village for Mahouts
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated India's second exclusive village for mahouts at the Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Coimbatore. Built at a cost of ₹5.40 crore, the facility includes 47 staff quarters for mahouts and elephant caretakers. The camp currently shelters 24 elephants.
He also inaugurated newly upgraded and constructed government hospitals, 7 district medical warehouses worth ₹42 crore, and laid the foundation for new AYUSH and Unani buildings in Chennai’s Arumbakkam.
Additionally, the temple staff pension was increased from ₹4,000 to ₹5,000, and the Chief Minister personally handed over cheques to beneficiaries. Family and Labour Welfare pensions were also increased and distributed.
Personalities, Awards and Events
French PM Resigns 27 Days After Taking Office
Sébastien Lecornu, who took office as France’s Prime Minister just 27 days ago, resigned on October 6. The resignation comes a day after he unveiled his new cabinet, which triggered significant political controversy, especially over appointing former Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire as the new Defense Minister.
Despite promises to work with both left- and right-wing MPs without using special constitutional powers, his efforts to gain support failed, leading to his resignation.
3 Guwahati University Professors Named Among World’s Top 2% Scientists
Three professors from Guwahati University, Assam, have been featured in Stanford University’s list of the world’s top 2% scientific researchers for 2025 under the Lifetime Contribution category. The recognized professors include meteorologist Dr. Bhupendra Nath Goswami, Chemistry Professor Prodeep Phukan, and Mathematics Professor Wajarika.
The list, released annually by Stanford University (USA), is based on metrics such as published research papers, h-index, and co-authorship scores (hm-index).
Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to Three Scientists for Immune System Research
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been jointly awarded to Mary E. Brincow, Fred Ramsdell (both from the USA), and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for their groundbreaking discoveries related to the human immune system, according to the Nobel Committee at Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
The trio’s pioneering research identified regulatory T-cells, key components of the immune system that prevent it from attacking the body’s own tissues. Their findings have significantly influenced the development of immunotherapy and treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
The Nobel Committee noted that their work has transformed modern immunology and laid the foundation for targeted clinical therapies, especially in managing immune regulation.
The Nobel Prize is awarded annually in memory of Alfred Nobel to individuals contributing significantly to medicine, physics, chemistry, peace, literature, and economics.
Saumitra Srivastava Takes Charge as Director (Marketing), Indian Oil
Saumitra P. Srivastava, a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience at Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has assumed charge as the Director (Marketing) of the company.
An alumnus of IIT Roorkee, where he earned his civil engineering degree, he also holds an Executive MBA from the S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai. Srivastava began his career in the LPG business, working for four years in core commercial roles and later progressed through various functions in sales, terminal operations, marketing, and planning.
He has held key leadership roles, including Retail Head for Northern and Eastern India, and successfully led IOC's divisional offices in New Delhi and Mumbai. His strength lies in his execution-oriented leadership style.
Prior to this role, Srivastava served as the Executive Director (Corporate Strategy). In his new position, he is expected to bring his deep expertise and leadership to elevate IOC’s marketing operations to the next level.
Sports News
BFI Cup Boxing: Ankushita, Arundhati Win Titles; Amit Panghal Faces Shock Defeat
The BFI Cup National Boxing Championship, organized by the Boxing Federation of India, is being held in Chennai with top boxers from across the country competing.
In the women's finals, Ankushita Boro (Assam) won the 60–65 kg title by narrowly defeating Parthvi Grewal (Rajasthan) 3-2. In the 65–70 kg category, Arundhati Choudhary (Services) clinched gold by beating Stephaka (Andhra) 5-0.
World Championship bronze medalist Parveen Hooda (SAI) triumphed in the 57–60 kg category over Priya (Haryana) with a 3-2 win.
In a major upset, Nivedita Karki (Uttarakhand) overcame World Championship silver medalist Manju Rani (Railways) 3-2 in the 45–48 kg category. Balna Sharma (Railways) dominated the 48–51 kg final, defeating Savita (Railways) 5-0.
In other women’s finals:
Khushi Yadav (Maharashtra) beat Dilya Pawar (AIP) in the 51–54 kg category.
Vinakshi (Himachal Pradesh) secured a 5-0 victory over Mushkan (AIP) in the 54–57 kg category.
Monika (SAI) defeated Nisha (Haryana) 4-1 in the 70–75 kg final.
Babita Bisht won 3-2 against Komal (Punjab) in 75–80 kg.
Rikta beat Shivani (AIP) 5-0 in the 80+ kg category.
In men’s events, Harshmuddin (Services) impressed with a 5-0 win over Mithilesh Deshwal (Railways) in the 55–60 kg semi-final.
However, Amit Panghal, an Asian Games gold medalist, suffered a shocking 1-4 loss to Ashish in the 50–55 kg semi-final.
Vishwanath (Services) advanced to the final in the 47–50 kg category by defeating Gopi Misra (Services) 5-0.