Daily current affairs:October 13, 2025

Long Description : The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September 2025 registered a provisional year-on-year inflation rate of 1.54%, a significant decrease from August’s 2.07%. This decline is primarily due to drops in the cost of vegetables, oils, fruits, cereals, and fuel. Rural inflation also fell to 1.07%, while food price inflation turned negative at -2.28%. The CPI data, collected by the NSO, indicates improved affordability for consumers nationwide, potentially influencing monetary policy decisions on interest rates and government welfare schemes. Housing, health, and education inflation remained moderate, and the lowest headline inflation since June 2017 was recorded.

Long Description : India's Consumer Food Price Index showed a year-on-year decline in inflation at -2.28%, with rural and urban rates at -2.17% and -2.47% respectively. The favorable base effect and price decline in key categories such as vegetables, oil, fruits, and pulses contributed to this trend. Negative food inflation may improve consumer sentiment and purchasing power, especially for low-income groups. The drop in food inflation was much sharper compared to the slight decrease in general inflation, signaling a strong recovery in food supply and improved distribution networks. Analysts expect these trends to influence subsidies, social support programs, and agricultural policies.

Long Description : The PM Gati Shakti portal, an integrated infrastructure platform, is now accessible by private entities to optimize logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and disaster management projects. This move aims to improve coordination between public and private stakeholders, leading to faster project execution and targeted investments. Data sharing on the portal will enable private sector planners to analyze locations, anticipate challenges, and propose suitable infrastructure solutions. The initiative is part of India’s broader plan to boost investments and develop smart, data-driven project management in vital sectors.

Long Description : Global rating agencies have responded positively to the Reserve Bank of India’s reforms, including implementation of the Expected Credit Loss framework and revised Basel III norms. These changes will likely improve asset quality, bolster capital adequacy, and enhance profitability for banks. In addition, relaxed risk weights for targeted sectors are anticipated to fuel credit growth, especially for priority segments like MSMEs and agriculture. Bankers expect a more robust and resilient financial sector able to withstand future economic shocks, and industry analysts forecast greater access to credit for Indian consumers and businesses.

Long Description : Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated UPI services in Qatar, marking a collaboration between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), Qatar National Bank (QNB), and NETSTARS, a Japanese gateway. The move aims to make Indian digital payment facilities available to a wider Indian diaspora and local businesses, strengthening bilateral economic relations. Cross-border UPI will facilitate instant money transfers and boost financial inclusion. India hopes to replicate this model across other countries with significant Indian communities, supporting economic growth and ease of doing business abroad.

Long Description : Industry leaders, government officials, and innovators convened for the Global Fintech Fest to discuss recent fintech advancements, regulatory frameworks, and digital finance inclusion. Key topics included fintech’s role in public services, leveraging AI for financial operations, and global investment trends. Attendees called for supportive regulations to foster innovation, protect consumer interests, and boost entrepreneurship. Fintech’s transformative impact on banking, payments, and insurance was highlighted, and the sector’s steady expansion signals new opportunities for job creation and investments in India’s growing digital economy.

Long Description : During discussions between trade ministers, both countries reviewed the value of bilateral trade exceeding USD 14 billion in 2024–25, with intentions to reach USD 28 billion by 2030. Qatar Investment Authority committed an additional USD 10 billion to India, focusing on infrastructure, renewable energy, and digital economy projects. Both nations agreed to expedite negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with hopes to strengthen investment flows, market access, and technology transfer. The joint initiatives support economic diversification, job creation, and bilateral relations in strategic sectors.

Long Description : The newly-released roadmap identifies priority sectors and workforce skills essential for harnessing artificial intelligence. It outlines plans for targeted skilling, collaboration between academia and industry, and scaling up research-and-development efforts. The roadmap proposes reforms in education, adoption of smart technologies, and incentives for startups and innovation hubs. Policymakers hope these steps will position India as a global leader in AI, create millions of new jobs, and transform traditional industries through automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent design.

Long Description : The partnership agreement aims to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, critical technologies, cybersecurity, education, and defense. Both sides confirmed their commitment to regular dialogues, joint working groups, and shared initiatives to address regional challenges. The pact could drive rapid expansion in bilateral trade, opportunities for startups, and collaborative research. Key expectations include smoother market access, data sovereignty measures, and strategic investments benefiting both economies. The agreement reflects the government’s continued push for smart diplomacy and geopolitical influence.

Long Description : SPARK 4.0 offers mentorship, research funding, and practical projects for young Ayurveda graduates. The initiative aims to advance scientific inquiry, innovation, and evidence-based practice in traditional medicine. It provides a platform to bridge the gap between ancient knowledge and modern research techniques, enhancing credibility and global reach of Ayurveda. The government’s prioritization of integrative healthcare is reflected in this program, supporting not only students but the country’s broader health policy goals for wellness, research, and global export of Indian medicine.

Long Description : The goal is to accelerate India’s leadership in green hydrogen for industrial use and exports. The recognition will attract investment, enable new infrastructure, and scale up hydrogen production, storage, and supply chains. India’s national Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) is critical for decarbonizing sectors like transportation, shipping, and manufacturing, in alignment with global climate commitments. Transitioning to clean energy sources will boost technological innovation and satisfy international market demands for sustainable products.

Long Description : The India Water & Rivers Forum addressed key issues such as river management, drought resilience, and urban water supply. Participants emphasized the importance of advanced water technologies, data analytics, and integrated policy frameworks for the future. Best practices like community-led conservation and international collaborations were shared. The government plans to strengthen water infrastructure, promote sustainable usage, and launch awareness campaigns to ensure availability for future generations and reduce environmental risks.

Long Description : The Memorandum of Understanding allows Bharat Taxi to leverage digital platforms and backend systems provided by NeGD. The partnership seeks to enhance user experience, broaden service reach, and introduce innovative solutions for digital transactions. This synergy is expected to improve access to government services, support entrepreneurship, and facilitate job creation in tech-driven transportation sectors. The agreement reaffirms the importance of strong partnerships between public sector bodies and private enterprises for India’s digital transformation.

Long Description : The MoU will enable BSF personnel and their families to access improved banking services, tailored financial products, and enhanced insurance coverage. The Rakshak Salary Package comes with special benefits such as accidental death and disability insurance, free ATM usage, and priority banking support. These initiatives are expected to improve financial inclusion, welfare measures, and morale within the security forces. The move supports the government’s emphasis on better servicemen welfare and financial security for front-line defense personnel.

Long Description : The business-focused e-RUPI platform provides secure, cashless solutions for employee benefits, business reimbursements, and vendor payments. It leverages QR codes and UPI integration, enabling instant voucher issuance and redemption. The innovation aims to simplify administrative processes, reduce leakages, and improve financial transparency for companies. The government welcomes such advancements as a step towards a fully digital economy, offering opportunities for compliance, cost reduction, and scalability for enterprises nationwide.