Daily Current Affairs – 13-10-2025
Economy News
12 Lakh Central Government Email Accounts Shift to Zoho Platform
In a major digital transition, the Union government has migrated over 12 lakh official email accounts, including those from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) system to a platform developed by Zoho Corporation, a Tamil Nadu–based multinational firm, officials confirmed.
The move is part of the government’s initiative to strengthen data security, reduce reliance on foreign applications, and promote indigenous software solutions under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) vision.
A senior official said that the Zoho Office Suite, which includes tools for text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, has now been integrated across all Central government email accounts to discourage employees from using open-source tools, which could pose security risks.
The RBI mail infrastructure now fully supports Zoho’s productivity suite, enhancing both collaboration and security for government staff.
Tamil Nadu News
Tamil Nadu Minister Showcases Dravidian Model at Cambridge University
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi addressed the Cambridge South Asia Forum at Cambridge University, where he spoke about the Dravidian Model of Governance and its focus on education, equality, and social justice.
Highlighting several welfare initiatives launched by the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, the Minister cited the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme as a key example of inclusive governance aimed at improving nutrition and school attendance among students.
As part of his ongoing five-day visit to the United Kingdom, Mr. Poyyamozhi is also scheduled to address the Oxford Union Society on Monday, where he will elaborate further on Tamil Nadu’s educational reforms and social equity model.
Tamil Nadu Eases Norms for Green and White Category Industries in Rural Areas
The Tamil Nadu government has relaxed certain provisions of the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019, to promote green and white category industries in peri-urban and village panchayat areas.
As per the latest Government Order (G.O.) issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department, the minimum road width requirement for such industries has been reduced from 7 metres to 6 metres in peri-urban and rural panchayat zones.
However, for all industry categories — including green and white — located within corporations, municipalities, and town panchayats, the minimum road width will continue to remain 7 metres.
The Floor Space Index (FSI) — which determines permissible construction area — has been set at 2 for all industrial categories, including white, green, orange, and red.
For orange and red category industries, the minimum road width requirement will remain 7 metres, even in rural areas, due to higher environmental impact and safety norms.
This policy amendment aims to encourage low-pollution industries to operate in smaller panchayat areas, thereby boosting rural employment and balanced industrial growth.
Earlier this year, the government had expanded the white category list, bringing 609 industries under the non-polluting classification, enabling them to access simplified approvals and reduced infrastructure norms.
CSIR-SERC Unveils Indigenous ‘Head-T’ Threaded End Anchor System for Faster, Stronger Construction
In a breakthrough for the construction sector, the CSIR–Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai, has developed and successfully demonstrated an indigenous Threaded End Anchor system, named ‘Head-T’, for Indian reinforced steel bars conforming to IS 1786:2008 standards.
Unlike conventional methods where steel bars are manually bent at beam-column joints, the Head-T anchors can be screwed onto threaded bar ends, reducing reinforcement congestion and the need for lengthy anchorage in reinforced concrete structures.
The development aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and supports self-reliance in infrastructure technology. The Head-T system is now ready for industry adoption and technology transfer, following successful full-scale testing and certification.
Tamil Nadu to Borrow ₹39,000 Crore in Q3 of FY2025-26 as per RBI Schedule
The Tamil Nadu government plans to borrow ₹39,000 crore in the third quarter (October–December) of FY2025-26, according to the indicative market borrowing calendar released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
States, including Tamil Nadu, raise funds through the issue of State Development Loans (SDLs) — bonds auctioned by the RBI. These bonds are issued for varying maturities, and States must repay the principal and interest on maturity. SDLs constitute a major portion of Tamil Nadu’s debt portfolio.
Borrowing Framework and Ceiling
The Union government fixes the borrowing ceiling for States, capped at 3% of the projected Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY2025-26. States may borrow an additional 0.5% of GSDP if they undertake power sector reforms and strengthen intra-state transmission networks.
In his 2025-26 Budget speech, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said that borrowing and repayment estimates were finalized based on this ceiling. The State plans to borrow a total of ₹1,62,096.76 crore and repay ₹55,844.53 crore during FY2025-26, taking its outstanding debt to ₹9,29,959.3 crore by March 31, 2026.
Tamil Nadu’s Debt-to-GSDP ratio for FY2025-26 is projected at 26.07%, well below the 15th Finance Commission’s limit of 28.7%.
Revenue and Fiscal Position
As per RBI data, Tamil Nadu’s gross market borrowings stood at ₹31,300 crore till July 2025-26, with net borrowings at ₹17,550 crore after repayments.
According to Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) data, the State’s Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) — which accounts for 75.3% of total revenue receipts — was ₹74,942.53 crore till August 2025-26, up from ₹72,098.52 crore in the same period last year.
The State’s total revenue receipts were ₹1,08,460.85 crore, representing 32.71% of the Budget target.
The revenue deficit stood at ₹25,686.65 crore, while the fiscal deficit (gap between total income and expenditure) was ₹37,082.06 crore as of August 2025.
International News
India Sends Minister Kirtivardhan Singh to Egypt for Gaza Peace Summit
India will be represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, officials confirmed. The summit, co-hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to finalise a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was among more than 20 global leaders invited, declined the invitation due to short notice. His invitation was delivered personally by Egypt’s Ambassador to India, Kamel Galal. Mr. Modi recently met with U.S. Special Envoy Sergio Gor in New Delhi, where they discussed developments related to the peace process.
Mr. Kirtivardhan Singh departed for Cairo on Sunday and will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh for the meeting. Later this week, Mr. Modi is expected to meet Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who will visit Delhi for the India–Egypt Strategic Dialogue, part of the Sisi–Modi Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in January 2023.
Mr. Abdelatty, visiting India for the first time since taking office in 2024, is expected to discuss reconstruction plans for Gaza and explore new trade and connectivity routes via Egypt, particularly through Sharm el-Sheikh, amid security concerns over Israel’s Haifa port linked to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Among attendees confirmed for the summit are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and leaders from France, Italy, Spain, and the U.K., along with participants from Europe, the Gulf, and Asia.
Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif will also be present, while Iran and Hamas have declined their invitations.
The summit, termed “historic” by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, seeks to end the conflict in Gaza, restore regional stability, and ease the humanitarian crisis in line with U.S. President Trump’s regional peace framework.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Meet Jaishankar
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for her first official visit to India since assuming office in May 2025. She will meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar today to discuss strengthening strategic cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, and security.
The visit comes amid efforts by both nations to revive high-level engagement and stabilise diplomatic relations after recent strains. Ms. Anand is also expected to hold discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to explore avenues for expanding bilateral trade and investment ties.
New Delhi is the first stop in Ms. Anand’s three-nation tour, which will also include China and Singapore. During her stay in India, she will travel to Mumbai to meet Canadian and Indian business leaders and promote investment partnerships.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to Attend Pre-COP Talks in Brazil Ahead of COP30
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav will represent India at the pre-COP meeting in Brasília, Brazil, on October 13 and 14, as part of India’s preparations for the upcoming UN Climate Summit – COP30, scheduled to be held in Belém, Brazil, this November.
The two-day pre-COP conference will bring together environment ministers, senior negotiators, and climate experts from across the world to bridge differences on key policy issues and build ministerial consensus before COP30 begins.
As part of its climate commitments, India plans to present two major documents either ahead of or during COP30:
an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) extending India’s emission reduction and climate action goals up to 2035, and
the country’s first-ever National Adaptation Plan (NAP), focusing on strategies to enhance resilience against climate change impacts.
These submissions are expected to highlight India’s balanced approach between climate responsibility and developmental priorities, reinforcing its global leadership in sustainable growth and climate diplomacy.
Sports News
Mithali Raj Honoured with Stadium Stand
Cricket icon Mithali Raj described the unveiling of a stadium stand named after her at the ACA-VDCA Stadium as a moment of “joy and humility.” The event, held on Sunday, was attended by BCCI president Mithun Manhas, ICC chairman Jay Shah, and Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
In the same ceremony, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) honoured former wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana by naming one of the stadium gates after her — an initiative Mithali called “a significant step for women’s cricket.”
Valentin Vacherot Creates History with Maiden ATP Title at Shanghai Masters
In a remarkable achievement, Valentin Vacherot of Monaco made history by capturing the Rolex Shanghai Masters 2025 singles title, defeating Arthur Rinderknech of France in a thrilling three-set final 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
This victory marks Vacherot’s first-ever ATP title, making him the fifth consecutive player to win his maiden ATP crown through a Masters tournament.
He also became the first Monegasque player in history to clinch an ATP singles title and set a record as the lowest-ranked champion (World No. 204) in a Masters event since 1990.
Furthermore, Vacherot joined an elite list as only the third qualifier ever to enter the final and win the Masters title.
With this win, Vacherot earned 1000 ATP ranking points, catapulting him to World No. 40 for the first time in his career, along with a cash prize of approximately ₹10 crore.
In the men’s doubles, the German duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz emerged champions, defeating the American pair Ben Shelton and Jordan Thompson in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
This victory makes them the first German pair since 1990 to win a Masters doubles title.
Tournament: Rolex Shanghai Masters 2025 (China)
Singles Champion: Valentin Vacherot (Monaco)
Runner-up: Arthur Rinderknech (France)
Doubles Champions: Kevin Krawietz / Tim Pütz (Germany)
Prize Money: ₹10 crore
Ranking Points: 1000
New Ranking: World No. 40
Coco Gauff Clinches Wuhan Open Title
American tennis sensation Coco Gauff captured the Wuhan Open 2025 women’s singles championship, defeating compatriot Jessica Pegula in straight sets 6-4, 7-5.
This final marked the first-ever singles clash between Gauff and Pegula, who were previously partners in the doubles circuit.
With this victory, Gauff secured her third WTA 1000 title and became the first player to win the Wuhan Open on debut, after having previously finished runner-up nine times in 1000-level tournaments.
Gauff earned 1000 ranking points and a cash prize of approximately ₹5.30 crore for her triumph.
In the women’s doubles category, the Australia–Czech Republic pair of Storm Hunter and Kateřina Siniaková lifted the title, defeating Anna Danilina (Kazakhstan) and Lyudmyla Kichenok (Ukraine) in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Tournament: Wuhan Open 2025 (China)
Winner (Singles): Coco Gauff (USA)
Runner-up (Singles): Jessica Pegula (USA)
Winner (Doubles): Storm Hunter / Kateřina Siniaková
Prize Money: ₹5.30 crore
Ranking Points: 1000
National News
RSS@100: Centenary Coins and Stamps Spark Symbolic Debate
Marking its centenary year, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has launched a set of commemorative coins and postal stamps featuring Bharat Mata and uniformed Swayamsevaks saluting, symbolizing “a century of service and unity.”
The memorabilia, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks the first instance since Independence that such imagery has appeared on official currency collectibles.
According to the Finance Ministry, these limited-edition coins celebrate “100 years of dedication, discipline, and devotion.”
The coins are available for purchase on the Kolkata Mint portal and at Philately Bureaus across India.