Current Affairs One - Liner : 25th October 2025

National:

• On 23 October 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 at South Block, New Delhi. The new manual will come into effect from 1 November 2025 and will govern revenue procurement worth about ₹1 lakh crore annually by the Armed Forces and other MoD establishments.

• On 23–24 October 2025, the Government of India and Nigeria partnered to set up the first IIT campus in West Africa. The campus will be located at the Federal Government Academy, Suleja (near Abuja). It aims to expand India’s global education footprint under NEP 2020 and boost India–Nigeria ties in science and technology.
• On 23 October 2025, Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales signed an agreement to merge their satellite operations into a single European joint venture. The new entity will have an annual revenue of about €6.5 billion ($7.5 billion) and employ nearly 25,000 people. Shareholding: Airbus will hold 35%, while Leonardo and Thales will each hold 32.5%. The merger aims to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink and strengthen Europe’s space autonomy.

Banking:

• Punjab National Bank (PNB) sold a 10% stake in Canara HSBC Life Insurance through its IPO for ₹1,007 crore. The sale was executed via an Offer for Sale (OFS) at ₹106 per share. PNB’s holding in the insurer was reduced from 23% to 13% after the transaction. The deal was completed on 17 October 2025, strengthening PNB’s capital position.
• On 24 October 2025, Blackstone announced it will invest ₹6,196.51 crore in Federal Bank. The deal involves issuing 272.97 million convertible warrants at ₹227 each, giving Blackstone up to a 9.99% stake. The funds will strengthen Federal Bank’s capital base and support growth in retail, SME, and digital banking.

Science & Technology:

• On 23 October 2025, Davangere University botanists announced the discovery of three new plant species and reported one species for the first time in Karnataka. The findings were made in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO biodiversity hotspot. The new species belong to the Melastomataceae family, including Sonerila gigantea.

Sports:

• Lionel Messi won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot on 18 Oct 2025 at Nashville, USA during MLS Decision Day. He scored 29 goals and 19 assists for Inter Miami, finishing as the league’s top scorer. Messi clinched the title with a hat-trick + assist in a 5–2 win over Nashville SC. This is Inter Miami’s first Golden Boot and Messi became the first Argentine winner since 2021.

Defence:

• On 23 October 2025, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered the first ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) ‘Mahe’ to the Indian Navy at Kochi. The vessel is designed for anti-submarine warfare, coastal surveillance, mine-laying, and low-intensity maritime operations. It is 78m long, 1,100 tonnes, equipped with torpedoes, rockets, radars, and sonar systems.
• The Indian Coast Guard commissioned two indigenously built Fast Patrol Vessels, ICGS Ajeet and ICGS Aparajit, on 24 Oct 2025 at Goa Shipyard Ltd. They are the 7th and 8th vessels in a series of eight FPVs, each 52m long, 320 tonnes, with 65% indigenous content. Equipped with Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPPs), they offer superior speed and manoeuvrability.

Important Days:

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) celebrated its 64th Raising Day on 24 October 2025. It was established on 24 October 1962 after the India–China war. The force guards the 3,488 km India–China border in high-altitude Himalayan terrain. Known as “Himveers”, ITBP also plays key roles in disaster relief and internal security.
• International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) 2025 is observed from 19–25 October 2025. The theme is “No safe level: act now to end lead exposure.” It is organised by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN). Focus: eliminate lead paint, raise awareness, and protect children’s health.

Appointments:

• Justice Sudhir Singh has been appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. His appointment took effect on 23 October 2025, after the retirement of Chief Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri. The appointment was made under Article 223 of the Constitution of India. Justice Singh has been serving as a judge of the Patna High Court since 2014.

Books:

• Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat released the book “Modi’s Mission” authored by Berjis Desai at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, on 24 October 2025. The event was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Published by Rupa Publications, the book highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s journey, leadership, and governance philosophy.

Obituaries:

• Veteran actor Satish Shah (1951–2025) passed away on 25 Oct 2025 in Mumbai at the age of 74 due to kidney failure. He was best known for his iconic role as Indravadan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. His career spanned films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Main Hoon Na.

Questions:

Q.1 Justice Sudhir Singh was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of which High Court under Article 223 of the Constitution of India?
a) Allahabad High Court
b) Patna High Court
c) Jharkhand High Court
d) Orissa High Court

Answer: b) Justice Sudhir Singh became Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on 23 October 2025 following the retirement of Chief Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri.

Q.2 The book “Modi’s Mission” was authored by—
a) Berjis Desai
b) Tuhin A. Sinha
c) Sanju Verma
d) Minhaz Merchant

Answer: a) Authored by Berjis Desai and published by Rupa Publications, “Modi’s Mission” was released on 24 October 2025 at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.