Current Affairs - October 14, 2025 Current Affairs

The Delhi government has designated approximately 41 square kilometres of the Southern Ridge area in New Delhi as a reserved forest. This significant environmental step aims to combat rising pollution levels and preserve the city’s ecological balance. By protecting the Ridge — one of the last remaining natural green zones in the capital — the initiative focuses on improving air quality, maintaining soil fertility, and enhancing biodiversity. The government also plans to plant indigenous tree species in these areas, reinforcing New Delhi’s commitment to sustainable urban development and long-term environmental conservation.

Anant Goenka, Vice Chairman of the RPG Group, has been appointed as the President-Elect of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the 2025–26 term. He will officially assume charge after the conclusion of FICCI’s 98th Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, succeeding Harsha Vardhan Agarwal. Goenka’s leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the organization’s initiatives, particularly in advancing India’s industrial competitiveness, sustainability efforts, and global trade engagement, reflecting his experience in steering diversified business enterprises under the RPG Group.

The Siddi tribal community, recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), has achieved an impressive literacy rate of 72%. This milestone highlights the success of government and community initiatives aimed at improving education among marginalised groups. Historically of Bantu-African origin, the Siddis have long faced geographical and socio-economic challenges. Reaching 72% literacy demonstrates a major step toward inclusion, empowerment, and access to better livelihoods. It reflects increased school enrollment, awareness of educational schemes, and the community’s growing participation in India’s developmental framework.

World Standards Day is observed every year on October 14 to recognise the efforts of experts and organizations in developing international standards that facilitate global trade, safety, and innovation. The day is promoted by leading standardization bodies, including the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Each year, a theme highlights the importance of standards in improving global quality of life; for 2025, the theme is “A Shared Vision for a Better World,” emphasizing collaboration and the role of standards in creating a safer and more efficient world.

Google announced a $15 billion investment to set up a major Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This facility, with an initial capacity of 1 gigawatt and plans for multi-gigawatt expansion, represents Google’s largest AI infrastructure investment outside the United States. The project underscores India’s growing importance as a global AI and cloud computing hub, strengthening the country’s digital ecosystem, enhancing data processing capabilities, and creating significant employment opportunities in advanced technology sectors within the region and beyond.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the Special Operations Training Centre of the National Security Guard (NSG) in Manesar, Haryana. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide advanced training to NSG personnel in counter-terrorism operations, tactical response, and crisis management. The centre will significantly strengthen India’s elite commando force, ensuring better preparedness for high-risk missions. Alongside this initiative, a new NSG hub will also be established in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, expanding the national network of specialised security hubs across key cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Sonali Sen Gupta has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) effective October 9, 2025. With over three decades of experience at the RBI, she brings extensive expertise in banking regulation, supervision, and financial inclusion. In her new role, she will oversee three critical departments—Consumer Education and Protection, Financial Inclusion and Development, and Inspection. Her appointment reflects the RBI’s emphasis on strengthening consumer protection, expanding financial inclusion, and ensuring robust regulatory oversight within India’s financial system.

India’s retail inflation dropped to 1.54% in September 2025, the lowest level recorded in the past eight years. This decline from 2.07% in August 2025 was driven by easing food prices and sustained deflation in essential food items. Rural inflation was recorded at 1.07%, while urban inflation stood at 2.04%, reflecting a broad-based moderation across segments. Food inflation remained negative for the fourth consecutive month at -2.28%, the lowest since December 2018. This sharp decline indicates improved supply conditions, stable fuel prices, and effective monetary and fiscal measures to control price pressures.

India’s first Semiconductor Innovation Museum was inaugurated in Hyderabad by the Technology Chip Innovation Program (T-Chip) on October 12, 2025. The museum aims to promote innovation, investment, and public awareness in semiconductor technology while showcasing India’s advancements in AI chips, robotics, and EV systems. Hyderabad has become a major hub for semiconductor research and fabless chip design, hosting global companies like AMD and Qualcomm. This initiative enhances India’s push toward becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse and underscores Hyderabad’s growing role in advanced electronics and deep-tech innovation.

The “Fare Se Fursat” initiative was launched by Alliance Air under the leadership of Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu. This innovative scheme aims to provide passengers with fixed airfares, reducing the uncertainty and stress caused by fluctuating ticket prices. Initially introduced on a pilot basis across select routes until the end of the year, the program seeks to evaluate its impact on passenger satisfaction and affordability. By ensuring predictable pricing, Alliance Air aims to enhance travel convenience and promote greater trust and transparency in India’s domestic aviation sector.

The Maldives has made history by becoming the first country in the world to achieve the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis, as certified by the World Health Organization (WHO). This remarkable public health milestone reflects the country’s strong healthcare infrastructure, universal antenatal coverage, and near-total screening of pregnant women for key infections. With over 95% of expectant mothers receiving antenatal care, Maldives has demonstrated an exemplary model for integrated disease prevention and maternal-child health programs, setting a global benchmark for small island nations in public health success.

The 45th edition of GITEX Global, the world’s largest technology and AI showcase, opened in Dubai from October 13 to 17, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour. The event brings together over 6,800 exhibitors and 2,000 startups from more than 180 countries, focusing on AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and sustainable technologies. It serves as a strategic platform for innovation, international partnerships, and policy dialogue. Dubai’s hosting of GITEX 2025 highlights its role as a global hub for digital transformation, attracting top tech leaders, investors, and policymakers worldwide.