South Korean author Han Kang has won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

• The 53-year-old fiction writer is a former winner of the Man Booker International Prize for her 2007 novel The Vegetarian.
• At the ceremony she was praised “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”.
• The Nobel Prize committee has awarded the literary award since 1901 and this marks the 18th time a woman has won the prize.
• She has won 11m krona (£810,000) which is the amount awarded to each Nobel Prize winner this year.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 was awarded with one half to David Baker “for computational protein design” and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper “for protein structure prediction”.

• Demis Hassabis and John Jumper have successfully utilised artificial intelligence to predict the structure of almost all known proteins. David Baker has learned how to master life’s building blocks and create entirely new proteins.
• The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
• The award ceremony took place in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to two pioneering scientists who laid the groundwork for the revolutionary advances in artificial intelligence, and one of the new laureates wasted no time in warning that those advances potentially pose risks to society.

• Hopfield, 91, was honoured for building “an associative memory that can store and reconstruct images and other types of patterns in data”.
• Hinton invented a method that can “independently discover properties in data”, an important feature of the large artificial neural networks in use today.
• Later, Hinton quit Google in order to speak freely about his concerns over the possible harms AI could inflict, from spreading misinformation and upending the jobs market to threatening human existence.

The prestigious 70th National Film Awards, celebrating the finest achievements in Indian cinema, will take place on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. 

Key Points

• President Droupadi Murmu, will felicitate the winners, including Mithun Chakraborty, the legendary actor chosen as this year's recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. 
• This much-anticipated event will be graced by prominent film personalities and political figures.
• The winners of Indian cinema's highest honour, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient, were announced in August 2024. 
• All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

List of Award winners

• Their work helped explain how cells specialise and develop into different types, such as muscle and nerve cells, even though all the cells in an individual contain the same set of genes and instructions for growing and staying alive.
• Ambros is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
• Ruvkun is a professor at Harvard Medical School and also affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

IDFC FIRST Bank has announced its integration with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal, enabling seamless GST payments.

• Customers will now benefit from an intuitive, hassle-free payment experience, with instant payment confirmations and easy access to downloadable challans.
• This new integration allows IDFC FIRST Bank customers to pay GST through a variety of digital channels, including the Bank’s user-friendly Retail and Corporate Internet Banking platforms and its nationwide branch network.
• This integration with the GST portal is another step in our mission to offer universal banking solutions. Our aim is to ensure a quick, simple, and efficient tax payment experience.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Gangtok on Friday( 11 October), the first day of his two-day visit to Sikkim, to address the Army Commanders' Conference 2024.

• The Defence Minister will deliver a keynote address to the Army's senior leadership and will be briefed on the emerging security challenges and the response of the Force in the security domain.
• The conference will serve as a forum for Senior Commanders to review current operational preparedness, deliberate on critical strategies and outline future directives.
• The Defence Minister will also celebrate Vijaya Dashmi with the armed forces personnel.
• The Second Army Commanders' Conference for the year 2024 will be organised in a hybrid mode, with the first Phase planned for Friday 10-11 October 2024 in a forward location at Gangtok.
• In the second phase, the senior hierarchy of the Indian Army will congregate in Delhi on 28-29 October 2024.

At least five people were killed and nearly 100 were treated as outpatients at several government hospitals during the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airshow at Marina Beach in Chennai on Sunday, October 6.

• Nearly 15 lakh onlookers gathered at the city's Marina Beach to watch the Indian Air Force's first air show in Chennai since 2005.
• Overcrowded public transport infrastructure, coupled with severe restrictions at the venue and scorching heat, led to 5 deaths due to excessive dehydration and heatstroke, even as 102 people were taken ill.
• The state govt announces Rs. 5 lakh compensation for Chennai Air Show deaths.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 92nd anniversary with a grand air show on October 6 at Chennai's Marina Beach, featuring 72 aircraft in an open-for-all event.

Highlights of the event

• An estimated figure of 15 lakh people gathered at one of the world's longest beaches, Marina Beach, Chennai.
• The Chief Guest for the event was MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, along with senior officers from the Defence Forces and dignitaries from both state and central governments, graced this iconic occasion.
• The theme for this year, Sashakt, Saksham, Atmanirbhar (Potent, Powerful, Self-reliant), was vividly reflected in the IAF's display of strength and skill. 
•  The highlights included the flypast of indigenous projects: Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, and Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), symbolizing the nation's path towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance).
• At least three people died at the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airshow at Marina Beach in Chennai.

The 28th edition of Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024 is set to take place from October 8 to 18, beginning with the Harbour Phase in Visakhapatnam, followed by the Sea Phase.

• Hosted by India, this year’s exercise will see participation from Australia, Japan, and the United States.
• Malabar exercise was started as a bilateral drill between the US and Indian Navies in 1992.
• Exercise Malabar has since evolved into a key multilateral event aimed at improving interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and addressing shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions.

Lokesh Machines Limited has delivered its first major order of the indigenously developed Asmi submachine gun (SMG) to the Indian Army’s Northern Command.

• The order was executed “on time and in full”, Lokesh Machines announced.
• The consignment was officially flagged off by Major General Rakesh Manocha, General Officer Commanding of the Telangana and Andhra sub-area, highlighting the importance of the achievement for India’s defence sector.

About Asmi submachine gun (SMG) 

Developed by Lokesh Machines based on the design provided by the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune, in collaboration with the Indian Army, the gun Asmi SMG weighs under 2.4 kg. It is notably 10-15% lighter than its international competitors making it a highly competitive option for close-quarters combat.

About Lokesh Machines Limited

Lokesh Machines Limited was incorporated on 17th December 1983 and started commercial operations in 1985 at Hyderabad. Presently Lokesh is operating from six locations in Hyderabad and Pune. Lokesh exports CNC machines to Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey and Russia. 

India launched its ‘Study in India’ campaign at the 20th International Education Show in Sharjah, UAE, marking a significant push to attract international students to its universities. 

Key Points

• The Compain was organized by EdCIL, a Miniratna company under the Ministry of Education.
• The main objective of the campaign is to position India as a leading global education hub.
• The India Pavilion at Expo Centre Sharjah was inaugurated by Ahmed Mohamed Obaid Al Naboodah of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Yatin Patil, Deputy Consul General of India in Dubai.
• The ‘Study in India’ programme showcases over 590 Indian universities and institutions, offering a variety of courses and exclusive benefits such as fee waivers and scholarships for international students. 

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is setting up an IT facility in Andhra Pradesh, which will house up to 10,000 employees. The facility will be located in Visakhapatnam and is expected to generate a significant number of job opportunities in the region.

• The IT facility will be set up in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• The facility will have a capacity to house up to 10,000 employees.
• The announcement was made by Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology and Electronics (IT&E). 
• Lokesh had a meeting with Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday at Tata Group headquarters in Mumbai
• The decision of Tata Group came close on the heels of the recent announcement made by another IT major, HCL Technologies, to invest in Vizag. 
• This development is expected to generate a significant number of job opportunities in the region.

10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) will be hosted at IIT Guwahati from November 30 to December 3, 2024, this festival underscores the Government's commitment to the Northeast and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of the region as a vital contributor to India's growth narrative.

Key Highlights 

• The 1:50,00,000 scale model of the moon will be erected at the centre of the city when the IIT-Guwahati will host the four-day event organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology in association with Vijnana Bharati, an NGO engaged in science popularisation.
• The giant moon replica is the creation of British artist Luke Jerram, who is well known for his unique and large-scale public artworks.
•  The festival, organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with Vijnana Bharati, aims to celebrate the country’s achievements in the realms of science and technology.
• The India International Science Festival will not only focus on space exploration but will also shine a spotlight on the various frontiers of science and technology.

Amazon India announced its partnership with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to expand the availability of textbooks for students from Kindergarten to Class 12 and UPSC aspirants through Amazon.in.

• This partnership, formalised through a Letter of Engagement (LoE), guarantees that NCERT books will be available at Maximum Retail Price (MRP) across all serviceable pin codes in India while ensuring that students have access to genuine learning materials and resources.
• Through this collaboration, Amazon and NCERT are focused on supporting students’ educational needs by ensuring the availability and doorstep delivery of current and accurate textbooks to all serviceable pin codes of India.
• By making NCERT textbooks available through Amazon.in, we are enabling millions of students across India to pursue their education without barriers and with greater convenience,” said Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, Government of India.

• BC Sakhis, appointed under the nationwide women empowerment programme, are members of self-help groups (SHGs) who are trained and certified to provide banking and financial services in rural areas.
• Nearly 40,000 BC Sakhis have played a pivotal role in driving financial inclusion in the unbanked and under-banked regions of Uttar Pradesh.
• There were 36,000 BC Sakhis in the state in September 2023.

On the occasion of World Sight Day today, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, organized a conference to raise awareness about eye diseases, especially myopia. World Sight Day on Thursday October 10, 2024.

• Addressing the conference, the Chief of AIIMS’s Rajendra Prasad Center, Dr. J.S. Tityal, stated that myopia is growing rapidly, especially among children.
• He added that preventive measures need to be taken to protect children’s eyesight.
• Dr Tityal advised parents to monitor their children’s screen time and encourage them to engage in physical activities.
• He also suggested that there is a need to establish laws restricting the use of smartphones by children under three years of age. Professor and Doctor Rohit Saxena has termed myopia a lifestyle disease.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a certificate of trachoma elimination during its Regional Committee meeting in New Delhi yesterday (October 8, 2024).

India felicitated by the World Health Organisation for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, making it the third country in the region after Nepal and Myanmar to achieve this feat.

The WHO also felicitated Bhutan for achieving interim targets for cervical cancer elimination, Maldives and Sri Lanka for Hepatitis B control in children, Timor-Leste for eliminating lymphatic filariasis and six countries for achieving SDG and global targets for reducing under-five mortality and stillbirth rates.

About Trachoma

Trachoma, a leading cause of infectious blindness, is a chlamydial infection that happens due to lack of hygiene and unclean water supply and can spread by contact with the eye, nose or throat secretions of a person suffering from the disease or indirectly via flies.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India led a 10-day nationwide celebration of the International Day for the Girl Child from October 2nd to 11th.

Key Points

• All States and Union Territories organized this special 10-day program under the banner of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
• Speaking on the occasion, Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi emphasized that by recognizing the rights and potential of girls, citizens can pave the way for an equitable society where every girl thrives.
• International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated every year on October 11.
• The first International Day of the Girl Child was celebrated on 11, October 2012. 
• The 2024 International Day of the Girl child theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. This year’s theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future.

The Department of Posts, Government of India, unveiled a special set of commemorative postage stamps celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) on the eve of World Post Day.World Post Day 2024 falls on October 9.

• The stamps were released by Ms. Vandita Kaul, Secretary (Posts), during a ceremony held at Meghdoot Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Senior officers of the Department of Posts were in attendance to honor this milestone, paying tribute to the UPU's lasting legacy and its pivotal role in shaping global postal services.
• Established on October 9, 1874, in Bern, Switzerland, the UPU is a cornerstone of modern postal cooperation, with India being one of its oldest and most active members.
• The UPU has played an integral role in standardizing international postal regulations, ensuring seamless mail exchange among its 192 member countries, and making postal services accessible to all.
• This year's theme is "150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations", underlining the transformative role of postal services in connecting individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide.

Minister of State Tokhan Sahu inaugurates World Habitat Day 2024, themed 'Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future,' with officials and UN representatives at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. World Habitat Day is celebrated annually on the first Monday of October.

The other invitees at the event included various stakeholders from Central and State Government functionaries, Mr. Shombi Sharp, Resident Coordinator UNINDIA, senior officials of the Ministry, senior officials of public-sector and autonomous organisations, research and academic institutions and civil-society organisations.

The event was marked by the release of publications by the Minister of State (HUA) and other distinguished guests and prize distribution to school children including specially-abled children in various competitions organised to commemorate the event.

The winners of ‘HUDCO Best Practices award to improve the living environment’ were also felicitated during the event. 

World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October, aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues. 

Key points

• This year’s theme set by the World Federation of Mental Health is workplace mental health.
• The theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities. 
•  It was first observed in 1992, at the initiative of World Federation for Mental Health.

The World Cerebral Palsy Day is Celebrated every year on October 6th.  This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about CP, support those living with this condition.

• The day was established to highlight the challenges faced by the estimated 1.8 crore people living with CP worldwide, the day serves as a platform for individuals, families, and organizations to share experiences and promote understanding.
• This year, 2024, the World Cerebral Palsy Day theme is “Uniquely CP”.
• The theme emphasizes that each person is special in their own way and that society must understand and embrace these unique identities.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI), a tool used by international humanitarian agencies to measure and track hunger levels with GHI scores based on under-nourishment and child mortality indicators across 127 countries, has ranked India 105th, which places it under the serious category of the analysis.

Key Points

• This is the 19th edition of the Global Hunger Index published by Irish humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide and German aid agency Welthungerhilfe.
• The report highlights that hunger levels will remain high in many of the world's poorest countries for several decades in the absence of more progress in measures to tackle the issue.
• India is among 42 countries that fall within the "serious" category, alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan, with other South Asian neighbours such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka showing better GHI scores to be listed under the moderate category.
• India scoredd 27.3 in the 2024 Global Hunger Index 2024.
• India's GHI Score is based on the values of four component indicators: 13.7 per cent of the population is undernourished, 35.5 per cent of children under five are stunted with 18.7 per cent of them being wasted, and 2.9 per cent of children die before their fifth birthday, the report notes.

India's net direct tax collection for the financial year 2024-25 has seen a significant surge, with an increase of 18.35 per cent to almost Rs 11.26 lakh crore year on year, as of 10 October, the data from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) shows.

• The gross collection of direct tax grew 22.30 per cent to Rs 13.57 lakh crore year on year, as of 10 October. 
• The refund amounting to Rs 2.31 lakh crore released during the period.
• The refund amount saw a growth of 46 per cent. 
• The data indicates that the key contributor in the collections is a major uptick in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT), which almost doubled to Rs 30,630 crore from Rs 16,373 crore in 2023 during this period.

India's forex reserves dropped by $3.709 billion to $701.176 billion for the week ended October 4, the RBI said on Friday(11 OCtober).

• In the previous reporting week, the reserves had jumped by $12.588 billion to an all-time high of $704.885 billion.
• For the week ended October 4, foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, decreased by $3.511 billion to $612.643 billion, the data released on Friday showed.
• Gold reserves decreased by $40 million to $65.756 billion during the week, the RBI said.
• The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were down by $123 million to $18.425 billion, the apex bank said.
• India's reserve position with the IMF was down by $35 million to $4.352 billion in the reporting week, the apex bank data showed.

The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) for muti-modal connectivity, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 13th October 2021, completes three years today having achieved significant milestones in transforming the country’s infrastructure landscape.

Key points

• PM GatiShakti integrates 44 Central Ministries and 36 States/UTs, streamlining over 200 major infrastructure projects.
• It has enhanced social sector planning in healthcare, education, and tribal development, with over 533 state projects mapped.
• Aligned with the National Logistics Policy, it has reduced logistics costs and improved India's global ranking. Regional workshops have promoted cooperation among states.
• Using a GIS-based, data-driven approach, the platform ensures timely decisions, supports green infrastructure, and contributes to India’s Net Zero 2070 goal.
• Extensive training has equipped over 20,000 officials, and expansion to the district level is underway, with international outreach in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.  The project will be completed in two phases.

The Cabinet also accorded in-principle approval for  Phase 1B and Phase 2, as per master plan by raising funds through voluntary resources/ contributions and their execution after raising of the funds.

Construction of Light House Museum under Phase 1B will be funded by Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).

A separate society will be set up, for development of future phases, to be governed by a Governing Council headed by Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, under Societies Registration Act, 1860 for implementation, development, management, and operation of NMHC at Lothal, Gujarat.

The phase 1A of the project is under implementation with more than 60% physical progress and is planned to be completed by 2025.  Phases 1A and 1B of the project are to be developed in EPC mode and Phase 2 of project will be developed through land subleasing/ PPP to establish NMHC as a world class heritage museum.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday(9 October 2024) virtually laid the foundation stone of various development projects of over Rs 7,600 crore in Maharashtra. 

• The PM also inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills Mumbai and Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Maharashtra and launched ten new government medical colleges in the state. 
• The ten new government medical colleges in Maharashtra, launched by the prime minister, are located in Mumbai, Nashik, Jalna, Amravati, Gadchiroli, Buldhana, Washim, Bhandara, Hingoli and Ambernath (Thane). 
• The Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Mumbai has been set up with an aim to create an industry-ready workforce with cutting-edge technology and hands-on training.  Established under a Public-Private Partnership model, it is a collaboration between the Tata Education and Development Trust and the Government of India. 
• The institute plans to provide training in highly specialised areas such as mechatronics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, industrial automation and robotics among others.
• The Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) of Maharashtra will provide access to students, teachers and administrators to crucial academic and administrative data through live chatbots such as Smart Upasthiti, Swadhyay among others.

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the 7th foundation day of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi today (October 9, 2024).

• She highlighted the holistic approach of Ayurveda, which emphasizes the balance between the mind, body, and spirit for optimal health.
• She was happy to note that in the past few years, the number of Ayurveda colleges and students has increased significantly and expressed confidence that in the coming times, the availability of qualified Ayurvedic doctors will increase further.
• The President said that we have to focus on research and continuous improvement in the quality of medicines to ensure the relevance of Ayurveda.
• We also need to empower the Ayurveda educational institutions.

Ajit Vinayak Gupte has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Republic of Germany, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday ( 8 October 2024).

• The 1991 batch Indian Foreign Service officer is presently the Ambassador of India to Egypt.
• Ajit Vinayak Gupte is an experienced Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 1991 batch.
• Before his current assignment in Egypt, he served as India’s Ambassador to Denmark from November 2017 to March 2021.
• His extensive background in international relations has equipped him well for significant global responsibilities.

Senior diplomat Sanjeev Kumar Singla has been appointed as the country's next ambassador to France, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday( 8 October 2024). He is currently India's envoy to Israel.

• An Indian Foreign Service officer of batch 1997, Singla presently serves as the Ambassador of India to Israel.
• Singla handled sensitive matters, particularly the complex Israel-Palestine conflict, with caution and diplomacy.
• His careful approach to these issues ensured that India maintained balanced relations in the region during volatile times.
• He is expected to take up his new assignment shortly.

The Government of India (GoI) has granted the ‘Maharatna’ status to the Indian PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). 

• HAL, which operates under the Department of Defence Production (DoDP), recorded an annual turnover of Rs 28,162 crore and a net profit of Rs 7,595 crore for the financial year 2023-24. 
• With this upgrade, HAL becomes the 14th Maharatna CPSE, a status that will further enhance its operational autonomy and financial powers.
• Oil India was the most recent company to receive "Maharatna" status from the government, which was granted in August of last year.
• India now has 14 "Maharatna" public sector undertakings (PSUs), including prominent names such as BHEL, BPCL, Coal India, GAIL, HPCL, Indian Oil, NTPC, ONGC, Power Grid, SAIL, Oil India, REC, PFC, and the recently upgraded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Noel Tata has been unanimously appointed Chairperson of Tata Trust, the philanthropic arm of the Tata Group on Friday ( 11 OCtober 2024).

• The Trustees of the various Trusts held a joint meeting in Mumbai on Oct 2024, where they expressed their condolences over the loss of Mr. Ratan N. Tata and reflected on his invaluable contributions to the Tata Group and his unwavering commitment to nation-building.
• The Trustees unanimously appointed Noel Naval Tata as the new Chairman of the Trusts.
• His appointment takes effect immediately, and it marks a new chapter for one of India’s oldest and most respected philanthropic institutions.

About Noel Naval Tata

Noel Naval Tata is an Indian-born Irish businessman. He is the chairman of the Tata Trusts, Trent and Tata Investment Corporation, the managing director of Tata International, and the vice chairman of Titan Company and Tata Steel.

Navi Mumbai International Airport saw the successful landing of an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-295 aircraft on its South runway, marking a key step in its development.

• The airport, being built by the Adani Group, is expected to be operational by early 2025, with construction having started in August 2021.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, along with other officials, were present for the event.
• The landing of the IAF aircraft provided an opportunity for engineers and aviation authorities to assess the runway, taxiways, and air traffic control systems as the airport nears completion.

• It follows the Rs 2,000 crore Memorandum of Understanding the firm signed with the Tamil Nadu government last year.
• These parks are likely to support the growing manufacturing sectors like automobile and electronics in the state.
• The investment will lead to over 8,000 job creation, accelerating economic growth and enhancing the state’s industrial infrastructure.
• Tamil Nadu continues to be a base for global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), with companies like Hyundai, Nissan, Foxconn, and Pegatron announcing significant expansions in the state.

HDFC Bank has officially announced that it’s letting go of its entire stake in HDFC Education and Development Services Pvt. Ltd (HDFC Edu).

• The deal, valued at Rs.192 crore, has been sealed with Vama Sundari Investments (Delhi) Private Limited in an all-cash transaction at Rs.9.60 per share.
• It’s all part of HDFC Bank’s plan to meet regulatory requirements and streamline its business.
• This stake sale is happening in two phases. First, 91% of HDFC Edu’s shares will be sold by October 31, 2024, and the remaining 9% will be offloaded by June 30, 2025.
• Once the initial 91% is sold, HDFC Edu will no longer be a subsidiary of the bank.

HDFC Bank has officially announced that it’s letting go of its entire stake in HDFC Education and Development Services Pvt. Ltd (HDFC Edu).

• The deal, valued at Rs.192 crore, has been sealed with Vama Sundari Investments (Delhi) Private Limited in an all-cash transaction at Rs.9.60 per share.
• It’s all part of HDFC Bank’s plan to meet regulatory requirements and streamline its business.
• This stake sale is happening in two phases. First, 91% of HDFC Edu’s shares will be sold by October 31, 2024, and the remaining 9% will be offloaded by June 30, 2025.
• Once the initial 91% is sold, HDFC Edu will no longer be a subsidiary of the bank.

The securities appellate tribunal (SAT) has stayed an order passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) that imposed a two-year ban on real estate developer Omaxe Ltd from New Delhi, its chairman Rohtas Goel, managing director (MD) Mohit Goel and three other executives. 

In July this year, SEBI imposed a two-year ban on Omaxe, its chairman, MD, and three other top executives, Sudhangshu S Biswal, Arun Kumar Pandey and Vimal Gupta for misstatements or irregularities in the financial statements of the company.

Further, a penalty of Rs47 lakh was imposed on 16 entities, including these six. The penalties ranged from Rs1 lakh to Rs7 lakh.

Omaxe is fined Rs 7 lakh.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that Indian suppliers are the third largest provider of organisation’s health and ration support to children globally.  

• Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division, recently visited India from October 7 to October 11.
• Her visit marked UNICEF’s 75 years of partnership with the Indian government, focusing on improving children’s lives in health, education, and protection.
• UNICEF, operating in 190 countries, relies on Indian businesses for significant contributions, with $6 billion worth of goods supplied from 2016 to 2023.
• These include vaccines and nutrition supplies crucial for children’s health worldwide.

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo on Friday (October 11) for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.

• The members of Nihon Hidankyo are survivors of the atom bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in 1945.
• Many of those who survived the so-called “Hibakusha” or “bomb-affected people” spearheaded the global movement to end nuclear weapons. 
• The Nobel Committee emphasised on Hibakusha’s testimonies which have raised “awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of using nuclear weapons”, and “contributed greatly to the establishment of the nuclear taboo”.

President Droupadi Murmu will travel to Algeria, Mauritania and Malawi from October 13 to 19, the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to the three African countries.

Key Points

• The state visit by President Murmu is reflective of India’s deep desire to strengthen its partnership with countries in Africa.
• The visit comes a year after the African Union was made a permanent member of G20 during India’s Presidency.
• The visit will start from Algiers on October 13.
• Murmu will hold bilateral talks with her counterpart, besides addressing the India-Algeria Economic Forum and inaugurating an India Corner at Hamma Garden at Jardin d’essai.
• President Murmu will visit Mauritania on October 16.
• During the visit, President Murmu will hold talks with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani and interact with the members of the Indian community.
• After that she will visit Malawi from October 17 to 19 and hold meetings with the country’s leadership, key trade and industry leaders and the Indian diaspora and visit places of cultural and historical significance.

The Category 4 hurricane Milton is barreling towards heavily populated areas of Florida's Gulf Coast. US President Joe Biden has said lives are at risk as officials warn residents to evacuate.

• Millions of Florida residents have been ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Milton is on course to make landfall on the west coast of the state.
• The hurricane weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.
• But the storm is still packing winds of over 150 mph (240 kph), and is expected to hit the Florida coast as a Category 4 storm with sustained wind speeds of 130 mph. 
• The NHC has warned that deadly storm surge, where the force of hurricane winds pushes a wall of water inland, could reach record-breaking levels, with 12-15 feet (3.6-4.5 meters) predicted from the Tampa Bay area to points south. 
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state deployed all of the vehicles from the Florida Department of Transportation, including more than 300 dump trucks, and removed over 3,000 truckloads of debris from Helene, clearing nearly half the debris in the barrier islands, .

France and India will be setting up an aeronautics cluster as well as developing an Indo-French campus for professional training in aeronautics and space. 

• A delegation of over 100 representatives from 60 French companies arrived New Delhi on Monday( 7 October) to deepen cooperation with India in the aerospace industry.
• Led by the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), the delegation will meet with various Indian companies between October 7 and 10.
• This includes prime contractors to start-ups, covering the civil, defence, and space sectors of the French aerospace industry.
• India already hosts over 60 companies that are members of GIFAS, with more than 30 industrial sites operational in the country. The areas of focus within this cooperation include training, innovation, and decarbonisation efforts in the aerospace sector.

President Mohamed Muizzu along with the First Lady of Maldives arrived in India on Sunday(6 October 2024), for his first bilateral visit to the country.

Key Points

• President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Maldivian President and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed as they arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• President Muizzu, along with First Lady Sajida Mohamed paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi as well. 
• Muizzu also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here in the national capital.
• Jaishankar and Muizzu spoke extensively on fostering and maintaining good ties between the two countries, Maldives Foreign Ministry said in a release.
• The Maldivian President, along with First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, interacted with the Maldivian community residing in New Delhi as well.

India and the Maldives have taken a significant step toward mending fractured relations with the announcement of a $400 million (Rs. 3,000 crore) currency swap deal during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s first official state visit to New Delhi. 

Key Points

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is on a four-day state visit to India aimed at mending strained ties between the two nations 

The move marks a positive shift in diplomatic ties that had been strained by two high-profile disagreements over the past year.

What is  currency swap agreement?

The currency swap agreement is seen as crucial for the Maldives, which is grappling with foreign exchange challenges. Under this arrangement, the two nations will exchange the principal and interest of loans in their respective currencies, thus easing the financial burden on Male. India also extended a $100 million rollover of Treasury bills, reinforcing its support to the island nation.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar will visit Pakistan on October 15-16 to attend a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

• This will be the first visit by an Indian minister to the neighbouring country since 2016.
• In 2016, home minister Rajnath Singh had attended a SAARC meet in Pakistan. The then external affairs minister had visited Pakistan for a multilateral meeting in 2015.
• MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday confirmed the visit, but no information is currently available on the possibility of bilateral meetings during the visit.
• The Chinese side is expected to be represented by foreign minister Wang Yi.

Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel on Sunday(6 October) appointed Prakash Man Singh Raut as the new Chief Justice of the country. 

• Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Justice Raut at a special ceremony organised at Sheetal Niwas, the President's Office.
• The swearing-in ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Chairman of the National Assembly Narayan Prasad Dahal.
• Raut's name was recommended for the post by the Constitutional Council on September 16.
• His appointment comes after the retirement of outgoing Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 on Sunday(6 October 2024)..

Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, is on five-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh. ?He was welcomed by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on his arrival in Itanagar, on October 6, 2024.

Key Points

• He met with Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik to discuss opportunities for collaboration in various sectors, including entrepreneurship, mineral exploration, hydropower, and tourism.
• Talks also focussed on skill development collaborations with Australian institutions to pave the way for Arunachal’s youth to find jobs in construction, hydropower, and infrastructure sector.
• Parnaik also emphasized Arunachal Pradesh’s vast tourism potential, stating that the state offers a myriad of opportunities for tourism activities.
• He further discussed the significant prospects for mineral exploration and stressed the importance of research in anthropology, flora, and fauna within the region.

The General Assembly elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term, adopted a resolution on matters regarding the assessment scale for distributing the costs of the United Nations' expenses and concluded its debate on last month’s high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance. 

In the first order of business, Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand were elected to the Council - an intergovernmental body within the UN system consisting of 47 States which is responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.

The incoming members were elected by a secret ballot. 

They will serve three-year terms beginning on 1 January 2025, replacing members whose terms of office are set to expire on 31 December 2024. 

Toni Vaz, a trailblazing stunt performer, U.S. actress and activist, who also founded the NAACP Image Awards has died at 101.

• She died Oct. 4 in Woodland Hill at the Motion Picture & Television Fund assisted living facility, where she was a longtime resident. 
• She founded the NAACP Image Awards to honor her peers and encourage studios and producers to hire and honor a wider range of talent.
• The first Image Awards ceremony was held on Aug. 13, 1967 in the Beverly Hills Hotel’s International Ballroom.
• Vaz’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Barbados and she was one of four siblings raised in New York City in the 1950s.

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has been declared the next Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, also known as Jamnagar, a princely state in Gujarat. This announcement was confirmed by Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar in a statement.

• Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja stated that Ajay has agreed to become his heir.
• Shatrusalyasinhji, Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, is the cousin brother of Ajay's father.
• Ajay Jadeja, born into the erstwhile Nawanagar royal family, has a rich cricketing pedigree.
• His relatives, K Ranjitsinhji and KS Duleepsinhji, are honored through the prestigious Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, respectively.

Nepali mountaineer Nima Rinji Sherpa on Wednesday( 9 October) broke the record for the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter (26,246-foot) peaks.

• Nima Rinji Sherpa reached the summit of Tibet's 26,335-foot Shisha Pangma Wednesday morning, completing his mission to stand on the world's highest peaks.
• The age record for summitting all 14 of the world's tallest mountains was previously held by another Nepali climber, Mingma Gyabu "David" Sherpa, who achieved it in 2019 at the age of 30.
• Nepali climbers - usually ethnic Sherpas from the valleys around Everest — are considered the backbone of the climbing industry in the Himalayas.
• They carry the majority of the equipment and food, fixing ropes and repairing ladders for international expeditions.

Ratan Tata, chairman of one of India's biggest conglomerates, Tata Sons, has died at 86 on wednesday night ( 9 OCtober 2024). N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, announced the death of Mr Tata, hailing the industrialist's unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation.  

• Ratan Tata became chairman of the $100 billion steel-to-software conglomerate in 1991 and ran the group founded by his great-grandfather more than a hundred years ago until 2012.
• He founded telecommunications company Tata Teleservices in 1996 and took IT company Tata Consultancy Services public in 2004.
• In a role reversal in 2004, Tata Group, an Indian company, having acquired iconic British car brands - Jaguar and Land Rover - found itself cast as reverse colonialists.
• Ratan Tata fulfilled his promise to make the world's cheapest car accessible to the middle class. The Tata Nano, priced at ? 1 lakh, became a symbol of innovation and affordability.

Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. P. Venugopal, former Director of AIIMS and pioneer of cardiac surgery, who conducted India’s first heart transplant and over 50,000 heart surgeries in his career, passed away peacefully on 8 October 2024.

• He was cremated on 9 October 2024 at Lodhi Road Crematorium at 3 pm.
• He is survived by his wife, Priya Sarkar, and his daughter, Saiansha Panangipalli.
• He published his memoirs, Heartfelt, jointly with his wife in 2023.
• Dr Venugopal was a humanitarian and philanthropist in the truest sense of the words, hlgiving free medical advice to and performing free surgeries on hundreds of underprivileged people.
• He has the honour of performing the first surgeries at the what are currently the world's only two totally free-of-cost to-the-patient superspeciality hospitals at Bengaluru and Puttaparthi.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Dhaneswar Majhi passed away at a hospital in Kalahandi on Wednesday (9 Odctober 2024).

• He was 83. Majhi was also a former five-time MLA from Kesinga and Narla assembly constituencies in Kalahandi.
• Majhi was a Rajya Sabha MP from 1978 to 1984. He was elected to the assembly in 1971, 1974, 2000, 2004 and 2014.
• Initially a member of Swatantra Party, Janata Dal and BJD, Majhi had joined BJP ahead of the 2024 elections.

Malayalam actor TP Madhavan who breathed life into several memorable characters in Mollywood cinema, breathed his last on October 9, Wednesday. 

• The last rites of the veteran actor will be held on Thursday (October 10) at Santhi Kavadam.
• According to Mathrubhumi, TP Madhavan was on ventilator due to stomach-related ailments. 
• TP Madhavan has also served as the first General Secretary of AMMA organization and he was the son of the veteran professor NP Pillai.
• TP Madhavan gained recognition with his roles in the movies ‘Kalyana Raman’, ‘Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu’, ‘Nariman’, and ‘Pulival Kalyanam’. 
• TP Madhavan has also played pivotal roles in several Malayalam TV serials, but due to Amnesia, he took a break from acting.

Manish Tiwary appointed as the Managing Director of the FMCG major Nestle India after the incumbent, Suresh Narayanan, retires in July next year.

• Tiwary, who was the country manager of Amazon India, was appointed as the Managing Director of Nestle India effective from August 1, 2025, according to a regulatory filing.
• Tiwary, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore has nearly three decades of experience in leading large-scale operations and strategic initiatives in e-commerce and consumer goods sector.
• He joined Amazon in 2016 after a 20-year career with Anglo Dutch FMCG giant Unilever.

The Union Territory of Ladakh gets the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) observatory, the world’s highest imaging Cherenkov telescope, located at an altitude of over 4,300 meters in Hanle.

• This observatory underscores India’s advancements in space and cosmic-ray research capabilities.
• Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, the secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, officially inaugurated the MACE observatory.
• The MACE is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia ?built indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with support from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited and other Indian industry partners.

Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday( 6 October 2024) inaugurated the one-lane T-shaped flyover constructed at Mith Chowky for light vehicles in Malad, Mumbai.

Key Points

• The 800-metre-long flyover has two arms extending towards the eastern and southern sides.
• The flyover originates near Girdhar Park Bridge in Malvani and passes above the Malad Creek, extending above the Mith Chowky traffic junction.
• Mith Chowky, notorious for its traffic congestion, is a four-arm junction that manages heavy traffic from Madh Island, Kandivali, Borivali, Andheri, and Versova.
• This bridge is expected to alleviate severe traffic congestion in the area, particularly for vehicles moving from Marve and Malwani towards Malad railway station, allowing them to bypass the busy junction below.

Fuel consumption in September fell by 1.6% year-on-year to 17.92 million metric tons, its lowest in two years, oil ministry data showed on Monday (October 7, 2024), as above-normal monsoon rains continued to weigh on diesel demand.

• This data provides important insight into the demand of oil in the country.
• India is the third-largest consumer and importer of oil. The data is a proxy for the country's oil demand.
• Above-normal monsoon rains likely weighed on agricultural demand, hence weakness in demand for diesel, said analyst Giovanni Staunovo of UBS.
• On a monthly basis, fuel demand was down 2.7 per cent from 18.41 million tons in August, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell's (PPAC) website showed. Demand last month was at its lowest since September 2022.

A recent survey by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has revealed that average monthly income of rural household grew by 57.6 per cent in 5 years.

Key Points 

• The second ‘All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2021-22 found that the average monthly income grew by 57.6%, from Rs 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs 12,698 in 2021-22.
• Financial savings also saw a rise, with the average household saving Rs 13,209 annually in 2021-22, compared to Rs 9,104 five years earlier.
• A significant 66 per cent of households reported saving in 2021-22, up from 50.6 per cent in 2016-17.
• However, the proportion of households with outstanding debt increased from 47.4 per cent to 52 per cent.
• Insurance coverage among rural households saw a remarkable increase, with the proportion of households having at least one member insured surging from 25.5% in 2016-17 to 80.3% in 2021-22. 
• The household expenditures also grew, with average monthly spending increasing from Rs 6,646 in 2016-17 to Rs 11,262 in 2021-22. 
• The survey noted a rise in reliance on institutional loans, with 75.5% of agricultural households borrowing from institutional sources in 2021-22, up from 60.5% in 2016-17. Conversely, non-institutional borrowing among agricultural households decreased from 30.3% to 23.4%.
• The survey also highlighted the effectiveness of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) in expanding financial inclusion among rural farmers. Pension coverage improved, rising from 18.9% to 23.5% of households. 
• The average size of landholdings decreased from 1.08 hectares to 0.74 hectares over the five-year period.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced an increase in the transaction limits for UPI 123Pay and UPI Lite. The per-transaction limit for UPI 123Pay has been raised from ?5,000 to ?10,000, while the UPI Lite wallet limit has increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs. 5,000.

Key Points

• Enhance per transaction limit in UPI 1 2 3 pay to Rs. 10000 from Rs. 5000
• UPI Lite wallet increased to Rs. 5000 from Rs. 2000
• UPI Lite per transaction limit raised to Rs. 500 from Rs. 100

The Centre on Wednesday( 9 October 2024) announced the integration of the UMANG app with nation’s digital wallet DigiLocker, that will allow users to manage multiple services through a single platform. 

• The collaboration aims to provide citizens with seamless access to a wide range of government services bringing greater convenience, according to National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
• The UMANG app is accessible to all Android users with an expansion to iOS in the pipeline.
• Now, with just a few easy steps, these services can be accessed through the DigiLocker app as well.

On October 10, NASA is launching a hotly anticipated new mission to Jupiter’s fourth-largest moon, Europa

Key Points

• The spacecraft that will travel to Europanamed Clipper.
• It will conduct a detailed study of the moon, looking for potential places where Europa might host alien life.
• It’s the largest planetary exploration spacecraft NASA has ever made: as wide as a basketball court when its solar sails are unfolded.
• It has a mass of about 6,000 kilograms – the weight of a large African elephant.
• The trip will take about five and a half years.

The National Space Commission has cleared the fifth lunar mission -- the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission or Lupex.

• The Lupex mission will explore the Moon for water and other resources.
• It is a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
• The mission is also part of India’s larger lunar roadmap that envisages sending an astronaut to the Moon and bringing him or her safely back.
• The Lupex mission could reportedly live for up to 100 days on the lunar surface -- over five times the duration of Chandrayaan-3’s mission life.

Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, has confirmed his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 38.

• His illustrious career spanned over two decades and yielded an astounding 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open victories.
• This announcement came during a heartfelt video message on Thursday(10 October 2024), marking the conclusion of a remarkable era in which Nadal shared the court with fellow icons Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
• The legendary tennis player's estimated net worth stands at $225 million ( Rs. 1,889.5 crore), according to Celebrity Net Worth.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) gave a green signal to Uttarakhand to host the 38th National Games from Jan 28 to Feb 14 next year.

• The National Winter Games would also be held simultaneously in the Himalayans state.
• The full programme for the games would be released in the general assembly meeting of the Indian Olympic Association on Oct 25.
• Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met IOA president PT Usha in New Delhi on Wednesday( 9 October 2024), and held a discussion about the national games.

India won their first medal in the women’s team event since the bronze at the 1960 edition in Bombay. The Indian men’s team has also won bronze medal.

Key Highlights

• The Indian women’s team settled for a historic bronze medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2024 after losing its semi-final clash against Japan with a 3-1 scoreline in Astana, Kazakhstan on Wednesday( 9 OCtober 2024).
• This was India’s first medal in the women’s team event at the Asian Table Tennis Championships since the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) started organising the competition in 1972.
• Previously, the championships were organised by the Table Tennis Federation of Asia (TTFA), under which the Indian women’s team won a bronze medal in 1960 in Bombay (now Mumbai).

Bangladesh's all-rounder Mahmudullah announced his decision to retire from T20I cricket to shift his focus to the ODI format. 

The final T20I between India and Bangladesh on Saturday( 11 October 2024) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, will mark Mahmudullah's final appearance in Bangladesh colours in the T20I format. 

On the eve of the second T20I in the national capital, Mahmudullah revealed that his decision to retire was "pre-decided" and felt it was the right time for him to make the transition.

The last time Bangladesh and India squared off in a T20I clash in the national capital dates back to November 3, 2019. 

Indian shooters topped the medal tally at the ISSF Junior World Championship 2024 in Lima, Peru, with an impressive haul of 13 golds, three silvers and eight bronze medals.

Highlights 

• India won 24 medals with two bronze and one silver, came on the final day of the competition on Sunday( 6 October 2024).
• Italy, who finished second in the medal tally, won 13 medals - five gold, four silver and as many bronze.
• Third-placed Norway tallied 10 medals - four gold, three silver and three bronze.
• Over 560 shooters from 51 countries competed at the ISSF Junior World Championship 2024. India fielded 61 shooters - the largest contingent in Lima.

Ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who made India a talking point in world gymnastics by securing a historic fourth-place finish in vault in the 2016 Rio Olympics, announced her retirement from the sport on Monday ( 7 october 2024).

• The 31-year-old took to social media platform X to announce her decision.
• Dipa, who had overcome a suspension for doping and injuries to become the first Indian to win a gold medal in the Asian championships in Tashkent in May last, said she was proud of her career.
• Dipa thanked her family members and coaches Bishweshwar Nandi and Soma Nandi for their support for 25 years.

Mumbai's latest pace sensation, Mohammad Juned Khan, made an unforgettable debut for the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions in the Irani Cup 2024.

However, his journey from the bustling streets of Mumbai, where he once drove an autorickshaw to make ends meet, to earning a place in the Mumbai cricket team, is one of resilience, determination, and pure passion for the game. Mohammad Juned Khan was born in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, just 120 km from the venue where he debuted.

His story took an extraordinary turn at a young age of 14, he left his hometown and relocated to Mumbai, not with dreams of cricket stardom but to support his family. He worked in a jeans factory and later drove an autorickshaw from 2015 to 2018. He once landed at the Sanjeevani Cricket Academy – run by former Mumbai wicketkeeper Manish Bangera. Bangera encouraged him to keep bowling but there were many challenges along the way.

Juned's life took another dramatic turn when he was spotted by  Abhishek Nayar - India's assistant coach who was then Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach - while playing for the PJ Hindu Gymkhana in Police Shield.

The fast bowler impressed everyone with his bowling during the Buchi Babu and KSCA tournaments with the selectors finally handing him his debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup.

• Rookie Acosta, who took pole earlier in the day, had overtaken Bagnaia on the third lap to take the lead, but lost control near turn seven, losing the opportunity to win his first MotoGP sprint.
• Bagnaia, who moved to 357 points ahead of Sunday's race, fought off second-placed Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini by 0.181 seconds amid occasional rains in Motegi.
• Pramac Racing's Martin, who started from the 11th position on the grid after crashing during the qualifying session, started well to take the fifth position in the first lap, facing pressure from Marc Marquez, who eventually overtook him.

In a remarkable initiative, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday(5 October) officially handed over the fully restored Ittgalpura and Sadenahalli lakes to the local authorities.

• The Royal Challengers, Indian Premier League(IPL) outfit undetook this project under its GO Green Initiative.
• Now, local community will maintain the lakes for water security and combat the risk of water crisis in the surrounding regions.
• For this project, RCB entered into an implementation partnership with the India Cares Foundation and Friends of Lakes.
• As part of the nearly 300-day project, over 50,000 tons of silt and sand were meticulously removed, with much of it repurposed by local farmers for plantation efforts.

More than 180 years of horse racing came to an end in Singapore, as the Singapore Turf Club hosted its final race day before its track is handed back to the government to provide land for new homes.

• Under an overcast sky, the air-conditioned VIP boxes were full of enthusiasts, socialites and expats, while the grounds and betting halls below hosted mostly older-generation punters. The sun broke through for the final race, the Grand Singapore Gold Cup.
• The sun broke through for the last race, the last-ever Grand Singapore Gold Cup.
• The winner, South African jockey Muzi Yeni, echoed a feeling of loss shared by many on the day.
• The site of more than 120ha is to be bulldozed for new public and private homes as the nation, smaller than New York City, tries to accommodate a growing population that crossed six million this year.

Kriish Tyagi won a double crown in the ITF junior tennis tournament in Fergana, Uzbekistan.

• The 89th ranked Kriish beat Zangar Nurlanuly of Kazakhstan 7-6(2), 6-3 in the singles final.
• The top seeded Kriish did have an easy victory in the semifinals, but had to negotiate three-setters in the earlier two rounds.
• The 17-year-old Kriish won the doubles title in partnership with Dmitry Bessonov, as the duo beat Artem Bogomolov and Ivan Gretskiy 10-4 in the super tie-break of the final.

Retired IPS officer Sharad Kumar, who headed anti-terror organisation NIA for four years, has been appointed as the new chief of the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit, bringing extensive experience to the role.

• The appointment of 68-year-old Kumar was done on October 1 by the cricketing body.
• BCCI's ACU head has been appointed for a three-year term.
•  He is a 1979 batch IPS officer from the Haryana cadre and has had a distinguished career especially as the chief of the National Investigation Agency from 2013 to 2017.
• He will take over from KK Mishra, also a former Haryana cadre IPS officer, who was appointed last year but did not complete his term due to unspecified reasons.

Mumbai secured their 15th Irani Cup title after 27 years, with an emphatic performance against the Rest of India (ROI) at the Wankhede Stadium. 

Highlights 

• Mumbai star Sarfaraz Khan made double hundred in the final of Irani Cup.
• He dedicated his match-winning double hundred to his brother Musheer, who had to miss the coveted domestic tournament due to an accident. 
• Sarfaraz was named Player of the Match for his remarkable double-century in the first innings.

About Irani Cup

The Irani Cup, is an annual one-off First-Class cricket match organised by the BCCI and contested each season by the reigning Ranji Trophy champions and a multi-state RoI team composed of players from the other state teams. The inaugural edition was played in March 1960 as a special event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy. It was intended to be a one-off match but, in 1962, BCCI decided to institute it as annual fixture and it has been played in most seasons since 1962–63. BCCI named the Irani Trophy after Zal R. Irani, their long-serving president and treasurer, who was a significant figure in the organisation from its inception in 1928, till his death in 1970.

The central government has given its in-principle approval for Bihar’s second tiger reserve in Kaimur district. 

• This decision follows a proposal from the Bihar government to develop the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve, confirmed the state’s Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Prem Kumar, on October 8, 2024.
• Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bihar’s West Champaran district was the only one till now.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) centre and technical committee gave its in principle approval at its 12th meeting.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is gearing up for the event. He recently launched the logo, website, and app for Maha Kumbh 2025 during Sharadiya Navratri. 

Key Points

• The minister launched new multicolored Mahakumbh 2025 logo at a ceremony in Prayagraaj on October 6.
• The logo shows the 'Amrit Kalash,' which represents both the religious and economic prosperity of this event.
• The logo is inspired by the mythological tale of Samudra Manthan.

Mahakumbh 2025 Starts on

The Maha Kumbh Mela will take place from January 14 to February 26, 2025. Strict security measures are being planned for the event. The main bathing ritual, called the "Shahi Snan," will happen on three key dates.

Main Bathing dates are - 

January 14: Makar Sankranti

January 29: Mauni Amavasya

February 3: Basant Panchami

Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated a new park name after M Karunanidhi, Kalignar Centenary Park, on Cathedral Road on Monday( 7 October) and honoured the architects of some of the salient features of the park like the horticultural museum, Arctic hut, glass house, ornamental arch, green cave, aviary and musical fountain.

• Situated on 6.09 acres of land, which was retrieved by the government after a protracted legal battle, the new park’s horticultural museum has been set up at a cost of Rs 46 crore.
• The Chief Minister had announced the setting up of the park of international standards on February 27, kick starting the work.
• The park is equipped with its sprawling greenery with rare varieties of plants, a 500 metre zip line, art gallery, 120 feet long snow path, 2600 square feet Arctic hut, a glass house in 1000 square feet space with an elevation of 16 metres, aviary with exotic birds, traditional vegetable garden is open for the public.

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) will host its Annual India Leadership Summit 2024, on Monday, October 14, in New Delhi.

Key Points

• The USISPF India Leadership Summit 2024 offers a vital platform to strengthen the dynamic strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi.
• Key priorities will include enhancing supply chains, boosting semiconductor investment, advancing AI and next-gen technologies, bolstering defense ties, promoting clean energy, and expanding bilateral trade.
• Both democracies remain committed to securing a free and open Indo-Pacific. 
• The summit will convene senior cabinet ministers, USISPF’s Board Delegation, global business leaders, and key policymakers for high-level discussions on strengthening trade, defense, technology, education, energy, start-ups, healthcare and people-to-people ties. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Laos from October 10-11, where he is set to attend the 21st Asean-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, being hosted by Laos, which is the current Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The East Asia Summit, a premier leaders-led forum that contributes to building an environment of strategic trust in the region, provides an opportunity for leaders of EAS Participating Countries, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional importance.

• Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the two Summits.
• The visit comes at a time when India is marking a decade of the Act East Policy this year.
• PM Modi's visit to Vientiane comes at the invitation of counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The Asean-India Summit will review the progress of India-Asean relations through Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of cooperation.

The 12th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments (HLJTFI) took place in Mumbai today. It was co-Chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India and His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

Key Points

• The HLJTFI was established in 2013 to promote trade, investment and economic ties between India and the UAE. 
• It aims to provided an effective mechanism to discuss opportunities and prospects for further investments in India and the UAE, while acting as a forum to resolve issues faced by investors of the two countries.
• During the meeting, The Co-Chairs acknowledged the continued growth and strengthening of the bilateral relationship between India and the UAE, including on trade and investment related matters.
• The India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty, signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE in February 2024, has been ratified by both sides and entered into force with effect from 31 August 2024. 
• The two sides noted the existing and future investments and projects of UAE entities in key sectors of the Indian economy, including energy, artificial intelligence, logistics, food and agriculture, which total approximately US$100 billion.
• The two sides welcomed the announcement of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) establishing a subsidiary at GIFT City. 
• The two governments are now working on interlinking the two national payment platforms – UPI (India) and AANI (UAE), which will facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between the two countries.
• The UAE also willingness to invest around USD 2 billion in food processing facilities in India to provide high-quality products for its market using local produce.