Asia Current Affairs — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 17 Oct 2025
8th session of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs in Guwahati finalises standards for large cardamom, vanilla and coriander
The 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8), hosted by India in Guwahati, Assam, finalised three new standards — for large cardamom, vanilla and coriander — for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (PIB, 17 October 2025).
IWAI hands over Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal in West Bengal to PPP operator IRC Natural Resources
The Inland Waterways Authority of India handed over the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal in West Bengal, on National Waterway-1, to PPP operator IRC Natural Resources, which quoted a royalty of ₹105.03 per tonne (PIB, 17 October 2025).
100th Network Planning Group meeting under PM GatiShakti evaluates five rail, road and metro projects
The 100th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under PM GatiShakti, held on 17 October 2025, evaluated five projects — two rail, two road and one metro — including Jaipur Metro Phase 2 and the Gondia–Jabalpur rail doubling.
Indian Navy inducts 11th Ammunition cum Torpedo cum Missile Barge, LSAM 25, at Mumbai
On 17 October 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, the Indian Navy inducted LSAM 25 (Yard 135), the eleventh and last Ammunition cum Torpedo cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge built by MSME shipyard Suryadipta Projects, Thane.
NHRC national conference on human rights of prison inmates; to prepare advisory on prison reforms
The National Human Rights Commission held a national conference on the human rights of prison inmates in New Delhi (PIB, 17 October 2025); Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian said the Commission will issue an advisory on prison reforms.
IISF 2025 to be held at Panjab University, Chandigarh, from 6 to 9 December on 'Vigyan Se Samriddhi'
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh released the curtain raiser on 17 October 2025 for the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025, to be held from 6 to 9 December 2025 at Panjab University, Chandigarh, on the theme 'Vigyan Se Samriddhi'.
GST cuts and Chhattisgarh: cement, handloom, tribal crafts and dairy
A PIB backgrounder of 17 October 2025 said the reduction of GST on cement from 28% to 18% and on handlooms, handicrafts and dairy to 5% is expected to boost demand and jobs in Chhattisgarh.
NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform and DP World launch 'We Rise' for women-led enterprises
NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and DP World launched 'We Rise' on 17 October 2025 to help women-led MSMEs scale globally, starting with export readiness for 100 women entrepreneurs.
Phase I of 'Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar' camps on unclaimed financial assets held in 25 districts
Phase I of the 'Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar' (Your Money, Your Right) awareness campaign on unclaimed financial assets was held in 25 districts across 13 States and UTs from 15 to 17 October 2025, the Department of Financial Services said.
DPIIT extends Round 4 application window of PLI Scheme for White Goods to 10 November 2025
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade extended the application window for Round 4 of the PLI Scheme for White Goods (air conditioners and LED lights) to 10 November 2025 (PIB, 17 October 2025).
Thu, 16 Oct 2025
PM Modi launches projects worth Rs 13,430 crore in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
On 16 October 2025 in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, PM Narendra Modi laid foundation stones for, inaugurated and dedicated projects worth about Rs 13,430 crore in industry, power transmission, roads, railways, defence manufacturing and petroleum.
258 Naxalites surrender in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra in two days; Abujhmarh and North Bastar declared free of Naxal terror
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on 16 October 2025 that 258 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra over two days, and that Abujhmarh and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh had been declared free of Naxal terror.
Ministry of Mines releases State Mining Readiness Index; Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Punjab top their categories
The Ministry of Mines released the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and state rankings (PIB, 16 October 2025), with Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Punjab ranked first in Categories A, B and C.
UN Troop Contributing Countries Chiefs' Conclave 2025 concludes in New Delhi
The UN Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs' Conclave 2025, hosted by the Indian Army in New Delhi from 14 to 16 October 2025, concluded with chiefs and representatives from 32 nations affirming that UN peacekeeping must adapt to new realities.
5th Khelo India University Games to be held in seven cities of Rajasthan from 24 November to 5 December 2025
The fifth Khelo India University Games will be held in seven cities of Rajasthan from 24 November to 5 December 2025, with 23 medal sports and kho-kho as a demonstration sport (PIB, 16 October 2025).
India elected Co-Chair of UN-GGIM Asia-Pacific Regional Committee for 2025–2028
India, represented by Surveyor General Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, was elected Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of UN Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) for 2025–2028 (PIB, 16 October 2025).
NMDC Steel becomes first in India to get BIS licence for hot-rolled steel for pipeline pipes (IS 18384:2023)
NMDC Steel Limited became the first company in India to receive a BIS licence under IS 18384:2023 for hot-rolled steel strip, sheet and plates for welded steel pipes for pipeline transportation, presented at World Standards Day 2025 in Raipur (PIB, 16 October 2025).
NHRC marks 32nd Foundation Day; former President Ram Nath Kovind is chief guest
The National Human Rights Commission marked its 32nd Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 16 October 2025 with former President Ram Nath Kovind as chief guest; the Commission was set up on 12 October 1993.
PM dedicates BEL's Advanced Night Vision Products Factory at Nimmaluru, Andhra Pradesh
On 16 October 2025, PM Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the Advanced Night Vision Products Factory set up by Bharat Electronics Limited at Nimmaluru, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, at about Rs 360 crore.
India renews commitment to healthy ageing at 78th WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee in Colombo
MoS Health Anupriya Patel represented India at the Ministerial Roundtable of the 78th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, held in Colombo from 13 to 15 October 2025, on healthy ageing (PIB, 16 October 2025).
Wed, 15 Oct 2025
Most Naxal-affected districts cut to 3 — Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur; LWE-affected districts down to 11
The Ministry of Home Affairs said on 15 October 2025 that the districts most affected by Left Wing Extremism have fallen from 6 to 3 — Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh — and LWE-affected districts from 18 to 11.
Commonwealth Sport's Executive Board recommends Ahmedabad as host of the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games
The Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport recommended Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as the proposed host city for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games; the recommendation goes to the General Assembly on 26 November 2025 (PIB, 15 October 2025).
Raksha Mantri doubles financial assistance for ex-servicemen and dependents: penury, education and marriage grants
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh approved a 100% increase in financial assistance for ex-servicemen and their dependents under Kendriya Sainik Board schemes, doubling the penury grant to Rs 8,000 a month from 1 November 2025 (PIB, 15 October 2025).
Indian Navy hosts 5th India–Indonesia exercise 'Samudra Shakti 2025' at Visakhapatnam
The Indian Navy hosted the fifth edition of the India–Indonesia bilateral maritime exercise 'Samudra Shakti 2025' at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, from 14 to 17 October 2025, with INS Kavaratti and Indonesian corvette KRI John Lie.
PLFS September 2025: labour force participation at 55.3%, female LFPR at 34.1%, unemployment at 5.2%
The PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2025 showed labour force participation at a five-month high of 55.3%, female participation at 34.1% and unemployment up slightly to 5.2% (PIB, 15 October 2025).
DRDO's indigenous Military Combat Parachute System tested in a freefall jump from 32,000 feet
DRDO's indigenous Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) successfully completed a combat freefall jump from 32,000 feet by Indian Air Force test jumpers (PIB, 15 October 2025).
India's total exports for April–September 2025 estimated at US$ 413.30 billion, up 4.45%
India's total exports of goods and services in April–September 2025 were estimated at US$ 413.30 billion, up 4.45% from US$ 395.71 billion a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on 15 October 2025.
State Tourism Ministers' Meet in Udaipur advances 'One State: One Global Destination'
The Ministry of Tourism held a two-day State Tourism Ministers' Meet in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on 14–15 October 2025 to advance 'One State: One Global Destination', announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
New Mangalore Port Authority marks Golden Jubilee curtain raiser; eight maritime projects launched
On 15 October 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched eight maritime projects at the curtain raiser of the Golden Jubilee of the New Mangalore Port Authority, India's ninth major port, established in 1975.
CSIR–NIIST Thiruvananthapuram marks Golden Jubilee; new Innovation Centre inaugurated
On 15 October 2025 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Building and Innovation Centre of CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology at the close of its 50th-anniversary programme.