Daily Current Affairs – 30-10-2025
Important Days
World Thrift Day (Day – October 30 in India; October 31 globally)
World Thrift Day is observed annually to promote the value of saving money and building financial security over the long term. Globally, it is celebrated on October 31, while in India it is marked on October 30 as a tribute to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The concept of World Thrift Day originated during the 1st International Thrift Congress held in Milan, Italy, in October 1924. The Italian professor Filippo Ravizza declared the final day of the Congress as "International Saving Day".
The day was established to encourage individuals and families to save money, especially in the aftermath of the economic disruptions caused by World War I.
Each year a theme is selected to highlight a particular facet of savings and financial planning. For 2025, the global theme is “Conquer Your Tomorrow”, launched by the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI). The campaign emphasises that saving is more than just accumulating money — it’s about being ready for tomorrow, creating resilience, and securing choices for the future.
International News
Elon Musk’s Starlink to Conduct Satellite Broadband Demo Runs in Mumbai
Elon Musk’s Starlink will hold demo runs on October 30 and 31 in Mumbai to demonstrate compliance with India’s security and technical regulations for satellite-based broadband services, according to official sources.
The demonstrations, conducted before designated law enforcement agencies, will be carried out using the provisionally allocated spectrum to Starlink.
These trials are a mandatory step before the company can receive the final clearances to launch commercial satellite internet services in India.
Sources said that Starlink will showcase its adherence to key security protocols such as the Lawful Interception System (LIS) and Lawful Interception Monitoring (LIM), along with meeting the technical conditions of the GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) authorisation.
Starlink’s successful completion of these demos will mark a significant step toward its much-anticipated entry into India’s satellite broadband market, which is expected to boost rural and remote internet connectivity.
PM Modi Launches ₹2.2 Lakh Crore Maritime Initiatives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s maritime sector has witnessed historic progress, with the capacity of major ports doubling and cargo movement in inland waterways increasing by 700 percent.
Addressing the Maritime Leaders’ Conclave during India Maritime Week at NESCO Ground, the Prime Minister launched projects worth ₹2.2 lakh crore for the shipping and shipbuilding sectors, including the acquisition of 437 vessels.
Mr. Modi emphasized that amid global tensions, India stands as a beacon of autonomy, stability, and inclusive growth, comparing the country to a steady lighthouse in turbulent seas.
He said that the conclave, which began in 2016 as India’s first maritime event, has now grown into a global summit with participation from 85 countries, reflecting the world’s confidence in India’s maritime strength.
Highlighting major milestones, he pointed out the operationalisation of the Vizhinjam Deep-Water Port, and the expansion of Kandla Port and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) — now India’s largest container port after doubling its handling capacity.
The Prime Minister also underlined ongoing reforms for modernization, stating that outdated maritime laws have been replaced with forward-looking ones that enhance digitisation, safety, and sustainability in Indian ports, significantly improving the ease of doing business.
Commending India’s improved ranking in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, he said shipbuilding remains a top national priority, with new financing models and easier credit being introduced.
NASA Successfully Tests ‘X-59’ — A Quiet Supersonic Aircraft
The US space agency NASA has successfully tested its futuristic supersonic aircraft ‘X-59’, designed to travel faster than the speed of sound while minimizing noise pollution.
Developed by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with NASA, the X-59 aims to revolutionize commercial air travel by overcoming one of the biggest challenges of supersonic flight — the loud sonic boom.
Unlike earlier supersonic passenger jets like the Concorde, which were discontinued due to their intense noise levels, the X-59 has been engineered to produce only a gentle “sonic thump” instead of an ear-splitting boom.
This innovation is part of NASA’s “Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST)” program, which seeks to pave the way for the return of faster-than-sound passenger flights that are both environmentally friendly and publicly acceptable.
Russia Successfully Tests Nuclear-Powered Underwater Drone ‘Poseidon’ with Unlimited Range
Russia has announced the successful test of its nuclear-powered underwater drone ‘Poseidon’, capable of traveling unlimited distances using nuclear propulsion.
President Vladimir Putin confirmed the development, stating that the autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle had been successfully tested. The Poseidon drone, launched from a large submarine, is equipped with a miniaturized nuclear reactor, nearly 100 times smaller than conventional reactors, providing it with immense endurance and stealth capabilities.
The advanced Poseidon system is said to be comparable to Russia’s most powerful strategic ballistic missiles, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional payloads.
This achievement follows Russia’s recent successful test of the ‘Burevestnik’ nuclear-powered cruise missile, also designed for unlimited range and long-duration missions.
Defense analysts suggest that these dual breakthroughs could significantly alter global military dynamics, heightening strategic tensions between Russia and Western nations, particularly the United States.
PM Modi, Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Discuss Ways to Deepen Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first telephonic conversation with Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Wednesday. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Sanae Takaichi, who recently assumed office as Japan’s first woman Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. He had earlier conveyed his greetings to her through the social media platform X.
During the discussion, the two leaders exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key areas such as defense, economy, technology, and skill development. They also emphasized the importance of India–Japan collaboration for global peace, stability, and prosperity.
It may be recalled that during PM Modi’s visit to Japan in October 2024, several major agreements were signed with then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, including a 10-year roadmap for defense and economic cooperation — a foundation that the two leaders aim to strengthen further under Takaichi’s leadership.
Sports News
Rohit Sharma Creates History — Tops ICC ODI Rankings for the First Time, Breaks Sachin’s Record
Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the World No. 1 batsman in the latest ICC ODI rankings — the first time in his career.
Rohit, who was previously ranked third, moved up two spots to surpass Virat Kohli, following his brilliant 121-run knock in the final match of the recent ODI series against Australia.
The 38-year-old veteran, known for his consistency over the past decade, has been a regular presence in the Top 10 rankings, but this marks his maiden rise to the top position.
Adding to his glory, Rohit Sharma also set a new record as the oldest player (38 years, 182 days) to reach the No. 1 spot in ICC rankings.
This achievement breaks the long-standing record of Sachin Tendulkar, who previously held the distinction in 2011 when he topped the Test rankings at 38 years and 73 days of age.
India’s Yashika Wins Gold in Wrestling at Asian Youth Games 2025
India added to its medal tally at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 with a gold medal in wrestling and a bronze in table tennis.
In wrestling, Yashika claimed the gold medal in the women’s 61 kg category after a tightly contested final against Kazakhstan’s Zhaid Tudor. The bout ended 5-5, but Yashika was declared the winner on technical superiority.
In table tennis, the Indian mixed-doubles pair Cinderella Das and Sarthak Arya settled for bronze after losing to China’s Tang Yiren and Hu Yi (11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 9-11) in the semifinals.
As of Wednesday evening — the 11th day of competition — India stood 11th overall with 26 medals (4 gold, 10 silver, 12 bronze), reflecting strong performances across multiple disciplines.
National News
President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Indian President to Fly in Rafale Fighter Jet
President Droupadi Murmu created history by becoming the first Indian President to fly in a Rafale fighter jet, one of the Indian Air Force’s most advanced multi-role combat aircraft.
The President flew for 30 minutes, covering a distance of 200 km and reaching an altitude of 15,000 feet at a speed of about 700 km/h from the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. The sortie was piloted by Group Captain Amit Keshwani, Commanding Officer of the 17th Squadron (Golden Arrows).
Before the flight, President Murmu was briefed on the aircraft’s safety systems and donned the G-suit worn by IAF pilots. She waved cheerfully from the cockpit as the Rafale took off, marking a symbolic moment in Indian aviation history.
After landing, the President described the flight as an “unforgettable experience”, noting that it deepened her pride in India’s growing defense capabilities.
This achievement makes Droupadi Murmu the first Indian President to have flown in both Rafale and Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets — she previously flew in the Sukhoi aircraft from Tezpur Air Base, Assam, in April 2023.
The Rafale, developed by Dassault Aviation (France), was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in September 2020, with 36 aircraft currently in active service.
Kerala Launches ₹1,000 Monthly Aid Scheme for Women, Transgenders & Job-Seeking Youth
The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has unveiled three major social welfare initiatives aimed at empowering women, transgender individuals, and unemployed youth.
Under the new scheme, 31.34 lakh women and transgenders aged between 35 and 60 years, who are not part of any existing welfare program, will receive a monthly assistance of ₹1,000.
An annual allocation of ₹3,800 crore has been set aside for this initiative, which forms part of the state’s ongoing mission to ensure dignity and financial security for women from all walks of life.
In addition, unemployed youth from low-income families (earning below ₹1 lakh per year) will be provided a monthly allowance of ₹1,000. The scheme targets about five lakh youth preparing for skill-development courses, competitive exams, or job-related training after completing higher secondary, ITI, diploma, or degree programs.
The government has earmarked ₹600 crore annually for this program.
Furthermore, 19,470 Kudumbashree women’s area development groups across Kerala will receive a monthly operational grant of ₹1,000 to strengthen grassroots-level activities, with a total annual budget of ₹23.4 crore.
These welfare schemes, announced ahead of the upcoming Kerala Assembly Elections, highlight the government’s emphasis on inclusive development and social protection.