Daily Current Affairs and GK | 8 October 2025

Topic: Sports

1. The 69^th edition of the National School Games has officially started in Jammu & Kashmir.

• The tournament is being hosted by the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports, J&K.
• Student athletes from across India have gathered to compete.Thirty teams are participating.
• These teams represent various States and Union Territories.
• The games include Football, Wushu, Taekwondo, and Table Tennis.
• Matches will be held at six different venues across the region.
• Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the event in Srinagar.
• He launched a ceremonial football at TRC Football Ground to mark the opening.
• In the opening football match, J&K’s Under-19 team defeated Karnataka.
• They won the match by a margin of three goals.
• West Bengal also played at the TRC Ground. They narrowly defeated the Delhi team by one goal.
• Another match was held at Kashmir University Grounds, where Maharashtra and Vidya Bharat ended their match in a draw.
• Meghalaya played against Chhattisgarh at the same venue. Meghalaya emerged victorious in that match.

Topic: Art and Culture

2. The Mera Hou Chongba Festival, symbolising hill-valley unity, celebrated in Manipur.

• On 7 October, the Mera Hou Chongba festival, symbolising unity between hill and valley communities, was celebrated in Manipur.
• Village chiefs from various hill districts came to the Manipur Royal Palace in Imphal for the occasion.
• Manipur’s titular King and Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba formally welcomed the tribal chiefs.
• The festival is celebrated annually on the 15th lunar day of the Mera month of the Meitei calendar every year.
• A ritual march led by Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba held from the Royal Palace to the historic Kangla.
• Traditional rituals such as Mera Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba performed during the celebration.
• The exchange of gifts between tribal chiefs and valley residents marks a symbol of fraternity and harmony.
• The festival concludes with cultural dance performances and a grand feast depicting the brotherhood among the various tribes of the state.
• Mera Hou Chongba is the only festival in Manipur in which all indigenous communities participate, and it has a significant contribution to the unity and communal harmony of Manipur.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

3. The 9^th edition of the India Mobile Congress 2025 in New Delhi inaugurated by PM Modi.

• On 8 October, the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 is being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.
• The event is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India under the theme “Innovate to Transform.”
• IMC 2025 has been described as Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event focusing on innovation and digital transformation.
• The four-day event will highlight key themes such as Optical Communications, Quantum Communications, Semiconductors in Telecom, 6G, and Fraud Risk Indicators.
• More than 1.5 lakh visitors from over 150 countries and 400 companies are expected to participate in the exhibition.
• Over 1,600 new use-cases in 5G, 6G, AI, smart mobility, cybersecurity, and green technology are being showcased in over 100 sessions featuring more than 800 speakers.
• Delegations from Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, Ireland, and Austria are participating to promote global collaboration in the telecom sector.
• Additionally, Prime Minister inaugurated Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore.
• The airport, designed as India’s largest Greenfield facility, is expected to handle 90 million passengers annually and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.
• During this visit, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the second phase of Mumbai Metro Line-3, built at an estimated cost of about Rs 12,200 crore.
• Furthermore, he dedicated the entire Mumbai Metro Line 3 to the nation, costing over ₹37,270 crore, which will mark a significant milestone in the city's urban transport transformation.
• He also launched 'Mumbai One', India's first integrated public transport app connecting 11 transport operators, which will facilitate digital ticketing and real-time travel updates.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. More than 5 lakh loan applications approved under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme.

• Over 5.79 lakh loan applications amounting to ₹10,907 crore have been sanctioned by Public Sector Banks under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY).
• The scheme aims to promote clean and affordable solar energy by supporting households in installing rooftop solar systems.
• Loans are being processed through the JanSamarth Portal integrated with the National Portal for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, ensuring a seamless digital process.
• Beneficiaries are being provided collateral-free loans of up to ₹2 lakh at competitive interest rates with simplified documentation.
• A 6-month moratorium period and flexible repayment options aligned with electricity cost savings have been included for user convenience.
• The inclusion of co-applicants and removal of capacity-based caps have been introduced to widen the eligibility scope.
• The financing mechanism has been made easier through lower margin contributions and self-declaration-based digital sanctions.
• The Department of Financial Services and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy jointly monitor the scheme’s progress.
• Coordination with State Level Bankers Committees and Lead District Managers has been strengthened to improve outreach and adoption.
• The scheme is regarded as a major step toward achieving energy self-sufficiency and expanding rooftop solar adoption in India.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

5. The G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in South Africa attended by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal.

• The G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting (ETMM), being held in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, from 7th to 10th October 2025, is being participated in by Union Minister of Power Shri Manohar Lal.
• The meeting, hosted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, will discuss global energy security and sustainability issues.
• Sessions on “Energy Security, Clean Cooking, Affordable and Reliable Access” and “Sustainable Industrial Development” will be attended by the Minister.
• India’s achievements in renewable energy, particularly generating 50% of total capacity from clean sources, will be showcased during the event.
• The milestone has positioned India ahead of global expectations in its renewable energy transition journey.
• India’s approach to ensuring energy access, affordability, and security for all citizens will be shared with global leaders.
• The discussions are expected to strengthen international cooperation for affordable and sustainable energy access.
• The Minister will highlight the challenges faced by developing nations in balancing growth with climate goals.
• India’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” will be reiterated as the guiding principle of its energy transition strategy.
• The Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) and the Energy Transition Ministerial Meeting (ETMM) will be held in-person at The Capital Hotel, Zimbali, Durban.
• This will serve as an important platform to advance the G20 agenda on clean, secure and equitable energy systems.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. Three U.S. scientists won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for a quantum chip breakthrough.

• The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to three U.S. scientists for their pioneering work on quantum physics in action using a chip.
• The laureates John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis are affiliated with the University of California and Yale University.
• Their work has paved the way for advancements in quantum computers, quantum sensors and quantum cryptography.
• Their experiments demonstrated quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electrical circuit large enough to be held by hand.
• The discovery has proven that quantum effects can exist on a macroscopic scale, transforming the understanding of physical systems.
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the trio 11 million Swedish kronor for their contributions.
• The achievement has been hailed as a major step toward developing practical quantum technologies.
• Their findings could revolutionise future digital systems and computing power.
• Last year, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics.
• In 1901, Wilhelm Röntgen received the first Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of X-rays.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy 

7. Four major railway projects have been approved by the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. 

• These multitracking projects are worth ₹24,634 crore.
• These multitracking projects will expand the Indian Railways network by nearly 894 kilometres.
• The projects span across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.
• The Bhusaval–Wardha route will get a 3rd and 4th line. This section will cover 314 kilometres.
• The estimated cost for this is ₹9,197 crore. It is expected to be completed in five years.
• The Gondia–Dongargarh section will get a 4th line. It will be 84 kilometres long.
• This project will cost ₹2,223 crore. It is also planned for completion within five years.
• The Vadodara–Ratlam section will be upgraded with a 3rd and 4th line.
• This section will cover 259 kilometres. The total cost is estimated at ₹8,885 crore.
• It will pass through Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
• The Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina corridor will get a 4th line. It will be 237 kilometres long. This project will cost ₹4,329 crore.
• In total, the projects will impact 18 districts and improve connectivity for about 3,633 villages.
• These villages have a combined population of over 85 lakh.
• The Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina route is important for freight transport.

Topic: Indian Economy

8. India's growth forecast for FY26 has been raised by World Bank to 6.5%.

• This is an increase from the earlier estimate of 6.3 percent made in June.
• The increase is due to strong domestic consumption and a recovery in rural areas.
• It is also supported by the positive effects of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms.
• India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy in the world.
• This growth will be driven largely by resilient consumer spending.
• However, the World Bank has lowered its forecast for India’s growth in FY27 to 6.3 percent.
• This is linked to the negative impact of a 50 percent tariff imposed by the United States.
• South Asia as a whole is projected to grow by 6.6 percent in 2025.
• Growth in the region is expected to slow to 5.8 percent in 2026.
• This marks a 0.6 percentage point drop from the forecast made in April.
• The region faces several risks that could hurt economic performance.
• These include global economic uncertainty and political instability.
• Disruptions in the labor market from emerging technologies like artificial intelligence also pose a threat.

Topic: Sports

9. Linthoi Chanambam made history by earning India’s first-ever medal at the Judo Junior World Championships.

• She claimed the bronze in the women’s 63 kg category at the event held in Lima, Peru.
• The 19-year-old judoka secured victory over the Netherlands’ Joni Geilen in the bronze medal bout.
• Earlier in the tournament, she was defeated by Japan’s So Morichika in her final Group D match.
• Despite the loss, she entered the repechage bracket after Morichika advanced to the final.
• Through the repechage route, Chanambam fought her way back to win the bronze.
• A repechage bracket gives athletes who lose a match another chance to compete for a medal.

Topic: International News

10. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stepped down just 26 days after assuming office.

• His newly formed cabinet faced strong backlash from various political parties in the National Assembly.
• The government faced the threat of being overthrown through a no-confidence vote.
• There is growing pressure on President Emmanuel Macron to call early elections and resign before his term ends in 2027.
• In Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina appointed army general Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as prime minister to address rising unrest.
• The decision comes amid widespread protests led by young people demanding government accountability.
• The Gen Z Mada protest movement rejected the general’s appointment and issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Rajoelina to resign.
• The protests began in September over issues such as water shortages and power outages.
• Public anger has grown due to persistent corruption and high unemployment.
• Rajoelina previously dismissed civilian Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and his entire cabinet in an attempt to calm tensions.