Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 and 27 October 2025

Topic: Defence

1. Indigenous anti-submarine warfare ship 'Mahe' inducted into the Indian Navy.

• On 23 October, the Indian Navy received ‘Mahe’, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi.
• The vessel has been inducted to boost India’s coastal defence capabilities and strengthen maritime security.
• ‘Mahe’ has been indigenously designed and constructed under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Named after the historic port city of Mahe in Puducherry, the ship pays tribute to India's rich maritime heritage.
• The vessel measures approximately 78 metres in length, with a displacement of around 1,100 tonnes.
• It is equipped with torpedoes and multi-role anti-submarine rockets and has advanced sonar and radar systems designed for superior underwater warfare and situational awareness.
• Over 80% of its components are indigenous, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.
• Mahe is capable of undertaking missions such as underwater surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and mine-laying tasks in coastal waters.
• The induction of this craft is expected to significantly enhance detection and neutralisation of submarine threats in littoral zones.

Topic: Indian Economy

2. India's foreign exchange reserves increased by $4.5 billion to cross $702 billion.

• According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 24 October, India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $4.5 billion in the week ending 17 October, reaching $702.3 billion.
• The increase was mainly due to a surge in gold reserves.
• Gold reserves held by the RBI as part of India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $6.2 billion, surpassing $108.5 billion for the first time.
• This increase was driven by a sharp rise in global gold prices and higher purchases by the central bank.
• Foreign currency assets, the largest component of the reserves, declined by $1.7 billion to $570.4 billion during the week, hit by fluctuations in currencies like the euro, pound and yen.
• India’s reserve position with the IMF fell by $30 million to $4.62 billion.
• The share of gold in India's foreign exchange reserves has almost doubled in the last decade, rising from 7% to about 15%.
• This is the highest proportion of gold in the country's total reserves since 1996-97, reflecting continued accumulation by the RBI and rising global bullion prices.
• Global gold prices have surged by about 65% in 2025 amid global tensions.
• According to a Morgan Stanley report, the RBI has increased its gold reserves by about 75 tonnes since 2024, taking the total reserves to 880 tonnes, which now accounts for about 14% of India's total foreign exchange reserves.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

3. India Maritime Week 2025 inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah in Mumbai on 27 October.

• The five-day event has been organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in collaboration with the Indian Ports Association.
• The main objective of the event is to showcase India’s vision for sustainable maritime growth, trade expansion, and development of the blue economy.
• Leaders from the maritime industry, investors, policymakers, innovators, and international stakeholders are taking part in this mega event.
• Exhibitions, panel discussions, and interactive sessions have been planned to highlight opportunities in ports, shipping, logistics, and maritime technology.
• The event aims to enhance India’s global position as a major maritime hub and foster innovation and collaboration within the sector.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address a special plenary session during the event on 28 October.
• After the inauguration, Amit Shah distributed state-of-the-art Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels at Mazagon Dock, Mumbai.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

4. Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar announced by the Centre for Scientific Achievements.

• On 25 October, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) was announced by the Central Government to recognise exceptional contributions in science and technology.
• The awards, described as Padma-style honours for scientific achievements, include 24 individual awards and one team award this year.
• Eminent physicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, who passed away in May 2025, was announced to be honoured with the Vigyan Ratna Award, an award given for lifetime contribution.
• Eight scientists were honoured with the Vigyan Shri awards for their distinguished work in different scientific domains.
• Fourteen young researchers under the age of 45 have been chosen for the Vigyan Yuva awards for outstanding scientific achievements.
• The CSIR Aroma Mission has received the Vigyan Team Award for its collective contribution to scientific advancement.
• Winners:

Topic: State News/Jammu and Kashmir

5. 78^th Accession Day celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir.

• On 26 October, Accession Day celebrated across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate a historic moment in 1947.
• The day marks the signing of the Instrument of Accession by Maharaja Hari Singh, which integrated Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Union.
• Maharaja Hari Singh was the ruler of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir.
• The accession was formally signed on October 26, 1947, and came into effect the following day, October 27.
• The event took place amid the turmoil following India’s partition and the invasion threat from Pakistan.
• Tribal invaders from Pakistan had attacked Jammu and Kashmir, endangering its sovereignty and stability.
• The day is celebrated as a symbol of unity and patriotism, marking the formal integration of the state into India.
• Accession Day is a public holiday in the Union Territory.
• It became an official public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time in 2020 after articles 370 and 35A were abrogated on 5th August 2019.

Topic: Sports

6. India won two gold medals in the Badminton Asia Under-17 and Under-15 Championships.

• On 26 October, two gold medals have been secured by India at the Badminton Asia Under-17 and Under-15 Championships 2025 in Chengdu, China.
• The victories were achieved in the girls’ singles events by Shaina Manimuthu and Diksha Sudhakar in their respective age categories.
• In the Under-15 final, Shaina defeated Japan’s Chiharu Tomita with scores of 21-14, 22-20.
• In the Under-17 category, Diksha triumphed over compatriot Lakshya Rajesh by 21-16, 21-9.
• With her win, Diksha became the first Indian singles player ever to clinch the Under-17 title at the Junior Asian Championships.
• These victories highlight India’s rising dominance in the junior badminton circuit at the continental level.
• The Indian contingent’s overall performance included two golds, one silver, and two bronze medals.
• This was also India's best ever performance in a single edition of the Badminton Asia Under-17 and Under-15 Championships.
• Winners:

Topic: Space and IT

7. The grand finale of the Model Rocketry and CANSAT India Student Competition has started in Tumkuhiraj, Kushinagar.

• It is being held on the banks of the Narayani River in Uttar Pradesh.
• The event will continue for four days. It is organised by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre in partnership with the ISRO and the Astronautical Society of India.
• Around 600 students from across India have come to take part in the competition. They are grouped into 71 student teams.
• Among them, 36 teams are competing in the CANSAT category. Another 35 teams are participating in the Model Rocketry category.
• Students will design and launch rockets that can carry 1 kg CANSATs (can-sized miniature satellites)
• These rockets are expected to reach an altitude of about 1.5 kilometres.
• The event aims to build skills in payload design, mission planning, and teamwork.
• Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will attend the closing ceremony.

Topic: Important Days

8. Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, inaugurated “Shaurya Veer – Run for India 2025” in New Delhi.

• The event was organised to mark the “79th anniversary of Shaurya Diwas”.
• More than 10,000 participants took part in the run. They included Army personnel, athletes, fitness lovers, and civilians.
• The marathon celebrated the bravery of Indian soldiers and their discipline and sacrifices.
• Shaurya Diwas is celebrated every year on 27th October. The day honours the valour of the Indian Armed Forces.
• It commemorates the 1947 operation, when Indian Army troops landed in Srinagar.
• Their mission was to repel the invaders and secure Jammu and Kashmir.
• The event featured multiple race categories, designed for different age groups and abilities.
• There was a 21 km timed race for adults above 18 years. A 10 km timed open run was held for participants over 10 years.
• A 5 km People’s Run was organised for those above 10 years. A 3 km fun run was open to everyone.

Topic: International News

9. Timor-Leste has officially become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

• The country’s membership was confirmed during the 47th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao attended the summit.
• This is the first enlargement of ASEAN since Cambodia joined in 1999.
• ASEAN was founded in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1967. It was established through the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
• Brunei Darussalam became a member in 1984. Vietnam joined in 1995.
• Laos and Myanmar became members in 1997, and Cambodia followed in 1999.
• Malaysia, serving as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, is hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit.
• The meetings are being held from October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur.
• The summit is being held under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

Topic: Sports

10. Indian weightlifter Priteesmita Bhoi created a new Youth World Record at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.

• She competed in the girls’ 44 kg weight category.
• Bhoi achieved a Clean and Jerk lift of 92 kg. This set a world record in her division.
• Her combined total lift reached 158 kg across all attempts.
• This outstanding performance earned her the gold medal for India.
• Asian Youth Games are held every four years. The 2025 Asian Youth Games is the third edition of Asian Youth Games.

The 2025 Asian Youth Games are currently being held in Bahrain from 22 to 31 October 2025.