Asia Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 10 Oct 2025
ECI allows voters without EPIC to vote with any of 12 alternative photo IDs
The Election Commission of India said on 10 October 2025 that, by a notification of 7 October 2025, electors on the roll who cannot show their EPIC may vote using any one of 12 alternative photo identity documents.
NITI Aayog's 'Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy' sees up to 4 million new tech jobs in five years
On 10 October 2025 NITI Aayog released a 'Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy', saying India's tech services sector could create up to 4 million new jobs in five years and recommending a National AI Talent Mission.
World Mental Health Day: Nadda launches Tele MANAS app upgrades; Deepika Padukone named Mental Health Ambassador
On World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2025, Health Minister J P Nadda launched new Tele MANAS app features — 10 regional languages besides English and Hindi, a chatbot and an emergency module — and named Deepika Padukone Mental Health Ambassador.
NeGD signs MoU with Sahakar Taxi to support cooperative ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi, due December 2025
On 10 October 2025 MeitY's National e-Governance Division signed an MoU with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited to advise on Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-driven national ride-hailing platform to be launched in December 2025.
Om Birla leads Indian delegation at 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados
PIB reported on 10 October 2025 that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, leading India's delegation to the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados, visited the Barbados National Assembly and saw the Speaker's chair India gifted in 1966.
GST cuts and Manipur: handloom 12%→5% for 2.5 lakh weavers; packaged coffee 18%→5%
A PIB explainer on 10 October 2025 said the recent GST cuts will benefit Manipur's handloom (2.5 lakh weavers), crafts, food processing, dairy and coffee sectors, with handloom fabrics cut from 12% to 5% and packaged coffee from 18% to 5%.
Thu, 09 Oct 2025
UK PM Keir Starmer's first official India visit: missile deal, university campuses, critical minerals and JETCO reset
On 8–9 October 2025 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made his first official visit to India, holding talks with PM Modi in Mumbai on 9 October; outcomes included a government-to-government route for Lightweight Multirole Missiles, new UK university campuses and a reset of JETCO.
Bihar polls: ECI deploys about 8.5 lakh officials, a General Observer for every constituency, and orders labelling of AI content
On 9 October 2025 the Election Commission said about 8.5 lakh officials, including a General Observer for each of Bihar's 243 constituencies for the first time, are deployed for the Bihar polls, and directed parties to prominently label AI-generated campaign content.
PM Modi at Global Fintech Fest 2025, Mumbai: India's AI approach rests on three principles
On 9 October 2025 at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, PM Narendra Modi said India's AI approach rests on Equitable Access, Population-scale Skilling and Responsible Deployment, and called India Stack a beacon for the Global South.
Textiles Ministry eases PLI scheme for MMF and technical textiles; minimum investment halved
On 9 October 2025 the Ministry of Textiles notified amendments to the PLI scheme for MMF apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles, halving minimum investment to ₹150 crore (Part-1) and ₹50 crore (Part-2) and cutting the incremental turnover condition from 25% to 10%.
Vaishnaw reviews Sabarmati bullet train sites: charkha-inspired station, 84-hectare depot; 325 km viaduct done
On 9 October 2025 Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train sites at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, where the terminal station is inspired by Gandhi's charkha and the 84-hectare depot is the largest of the project's three.
Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 launched: 60-day drive, 4th National Tobacco Testing Laboratory at NIMHANS
On 9 October 2025 MoS Health Anupriya Patel launched the 60-day Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0, aligned with the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and a 4th National Tobacco Testing Laboratory was dedicated at NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
NPS and APY assets under management cross ₹16 lakh crore; subscribers top 9 crore
On 9 October 2025 the combined assets under management of the National Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana crossed ₹16 lakh crore, with the subscriber base surpassing 9 crore, PFRDA said.
Mines Ministry holds roadshow for Tranche VI auction of 23 critical and strategic mineral blocks
On 9 October 2025 the Ministry of Mines held a roadshow in New Delhi for Tranche VI of critical and strategic mineral block auctions, covering 23 blocks (19 composite licences and 4 mining leases), with bids due by 1 December 2025.
CCRAS's AI-ready DRAVYA portal to catalogue 100 Ayush substances in first phase
PIB said on 9 October 2025 that the DRAVYA portal of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, unveiled at the 10th Ayurveda Day event in Goa on 23 September, will catalogue 100 key medicinal substances in its first phase.
Centre releases XV Finance Commission grants: ₹410.76 crore to Andhra PRIs, ₹680.71 crore and ₹151 crore health grant to West Bengal
PIB reported on 9 October 2025 that the Centre released first instalments of XV Finance Commission untied grants for 2025–26 — ₹410.76 crore to Andhra Pradesh's rural local bodies and ₹680.71 crore to West Bengal's — plus a ₹151 crore health grant to West Bengal.
GST cuts and Arunachal Pradesh: kiwi, Arunachal Orange, Yak Churpi and crafts move to 5%
A PIB explainer on 9 October 2025 said GST on Arunachal Pradesh's key farm, processed and craft products has fallen from 12–18% to 5%, helping kiwi (over 50% of India's output), GI-tagged Arunachal Orange, Adi Kekir ginger and Yak Churpi.
Indian Navy commissions indigenous static firing facility 'Trinetra' at Naval Station Bheemunipatnam
On 8 October 2025 the Indian Navy commissioned 'Trinetra', an indigenously designed static firing facility for testing naval weapon systems, at Naval Station Bheemunipatnam near Visakhapatnam.
Wed, 08 Oct 2025
PM Modi inaugurates Navi Mumbai International Airport Phase 1, dedicates full Mumbai Metro Line 3 and launches 'Mumbai One' app
On 8 October 2025 in Mumbai, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of the ₹19,650 crore Navi Mumbai International Airport, dedicated the entire 33.5 km underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) and launched the 'Mumbai One' common mobility app.
NITI Aayog roadmap 'AI for Inclusive Societal Development' proposes Mission Digital ShramSetu for 490 million informal workers
On 8 October 2025 NITI Aayog released 'AI for Inclusive Societal Development', a roadmap on using AI for India's 490 million informal workers, proposing a national Mission Digital ShramSetu.
Curtain raiser: Eighth ISA Assembly to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 27–30 October 2025
On 8 October 2025 in New Delhi, MNRE Minister and ISA Assembly President Pralhad Joshi launched the curtain raiser for the Eighth International Solar Alliance Assembly, to be held at Bharat Mandapam from 27 to 30 October 2025.
Piyush Goyal co-chairs first India–Qatar Joint Commission in Doha; goal to double trade by 2030, UPI launched in Qatar
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired the first meeting of the upgraded India–Qatar Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation in Doha, where the two sides set a goal of doubling trade by 2030 and he launched UPI services in Qatar (PIB, 8 October 2025).
Labour Ministry releases draft 'Shram Shakti Niti 2025' — National Labour & Employment Policy — for public feedback
On 8 October 2025 the Ministry of Labour and Employment released the draft National Labour & Employment Policy – Shram Shakti Niti 2025 for public consultation, with feedback invited by 27 October 2025.
India wins ISSA 'Outstanding Achievement in Social Security' Award 2025; social protection cover 19% → 64.3%
India received the International Social Security Association's Outstanding Achievement in Social Security Award 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted it on 8 October 2025.
93rd Air Force Day: IAF anniversary parade at Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad
On 8 October 2025 the Indian Air Force marked its 93rd anniversary with a parade at Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad, reviewed by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
PM Modi addresses India Mobile Congress 2025: theme 'Innovate to Transform'; India among five nations with indigenous 4G stack
On 8 October 2025 at Yashobhoomi, Delhi, PM Narendra Modi addressed India Mobile Congress 2025 (8–11 October, theme 'Innovate to Transform') and said the Made in India 4G stack puts India among just five countries with this capability.
ECI: postal ballot for 85+ and PwD electors, essential-service and service voters in Bihar Assembly election 2025
On 8 October 2025 the Election Commission said Bihar electors above 85 and those with benchmark disabilities can vote by postal ballot from home using Form 12D, under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Bhupender Yadav presents Global Big Cats Photography Competition 2025 awards; Asiatic lions at 891
On 8 October 2025 in New Delhi, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav presented the Global Big Cats Photography Competition 2025 awards, a pre-summit event for the Global Summit on Big Cat Conservation that India will host in 2026.
GST reforms and Kerala: 5% rate on cashew, coir, spices, seafood and tea; GI products like Malabar Pepper and Vazhakulam pineapple gain
A PIB explainer of 8 October 2025 says the GST rate cuts to 5% on cashew, coir, spices, processed seafood, tea and GI products such as Malabar Pepper and Vazhakulam pineapple will cut costs by about 6–11% for Kerala's producers.
Coal Ministry issues vesting orders for five commercial coal blocks; total vested/allocated reaches 125
On 8 October 2025 the Ministry of Coal, through its Nominated Authority, issued vesting orders for five commercial coal blocks, taking the total vested or allocated under commercial auctions to 125.