Current Affairs - October 16, 2025 Current Affairs

World Anaesthesia Day is observed annually on October 16 to honour the groundbreaking event in 1846 when ether anaesthesia was publicly used for the first time, revolutionizing surgical procedures. The discovery, demonstrated by William T. G. Morton and followed by the first painless surgery performed by Dr. John Collins Warren, marked a turning point in medical history. This day celebrates the vital role of anaesthesiology in healthcare and its contribution to making surgeries safer and more humane. The 2025 theme, “Anaesthesiology in Health Emergencies,” highlights its crucial role in crisis medical care.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) from an altitude of 32,000 feet — the highest deployment ever for an indigenous system. Developed jointly by ADRDE (Agra) and DEBEL (Bengaluru), this advanced parachute system ensures safe and controlled deployment above 25,000 feet. The success of this test highlights DRDO’s progress in developing high-altitude military technology, strengthening India’s self-reliance and operational capabilities in defence research and innovation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to inaugurate the dhaRti BioNest Incubation Centre at IIT Dharwad, a significant initiative to promote biotechnology innovation and entrepreneurship. The centre has already supported 15 startups, each receiving ₹50 lakh under the Elevate Karnataka scheme. The project received funding support of ₹5.2 crore from the MPLADS fund allocated by Nirmala Sitharaman and ₹5 crore from BIRAC. This collaboration aims to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem, particularly in the biotech sector, and enhance research-driven innovation through academic-industry partnerships at IIT Dharwad.

Pakistan has extended an offer to the United States to develop and operate Port Pasni, situated in the Gwadar district of Balochistan. This strategic port, located along the Arabian Sea, lies approximately 113 km east of the China-operated Gwadar Port and 286 km from Iran’s Chabahar Port. The initiative aims to boost bilateral trade and give the US a foothold in accessing critical minerals, reinforcing regional economic cooperation and maritime connectivity.

The state of Uttarakhand has amended its Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to simplify marriage registration for residents of Nepali, Bhutanese, and Tibetan origin. This reform allows these communities to register their marriages without the requirement of an Aadhaar card, promoting inclusivity and administrative convenience. The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024, makes the registration of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships mandatory and imposes penalties for non-compliance. This amendment reflects Uttarakhand’s progressive approach to ensuring equality and uniformity in personal civil laws within the framework of the UCC.

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16 to raise awareness about global food security, sustainable agricultural practices, and the goal of achieving Zero Hunger. Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the day was first observed in 1981. The 2025 observance marks the 80th anniversary of the FAO’s founding. The theme for the celebration, “Sustainable Food Systems for a Healthy Planet,” highlights the importance of responsible production and equitable access to nutritious food worldwide.

UNESCO launched the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects during MONDIACULT 2025, a pioneering global initiative aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The project was developed in response to calls from Member States for coordinated international efforts to protect cultural heritage. Financially supported by Saudi Arabia, the museum is implemented in collaboration with INTERPOL, which plays a crucial role in tracing, recovering, and preventing the illegal trade of stolen artifacts. This partnership underscores the importance of global cooperation in safeguarding humanity’s shared cultural legacy through technology and law enforcement.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services will soon be available in Japan through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and NTT DATA. NTT DATA operates CAFIS, the country’s largest card transaction network, linking banks, ATMs, and merchants nationwide. This collaboration will allow Indian travelers to make payments at Japanese merchant outlets by scanning QR codes and paying directly in Indian Rupees (INR). The initiative strengthens digital connectivity between India and Japan, promotes cashless transactions abroad, and highlights India’s growing global influence in digital payment innovation and fintech integration.

Jio Payments Bank (JPBL) is set to deploy ANPR-based Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling at Shahjahanpur and Manoharpura toll plazas on NH-48, between Gurugram and Jaipur. This initiative is part of NHAI’s pilot project for barrier-free tolling, which allows vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping, ensuring automatic and seamless toll deduction. By integrating advanced technology with banking services, Jio Payments Bank is facilitating faster, more efficient toll collection, reducing congestion, and enhancing the travel experience for commuters. This project also showcases the growing role of digital payments in infrastructure and transport sectors.

India’s first DNA-based elephant census conducted under the All-India Synchronous Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2025 recorded an 18% decline in the wild elephant population. The latest estimate shows 22,446 elephants, a decrease from 27,312 in 2017. This scientific census, carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with Project Elephant and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), provides more accurate data for wildlife management. The findings highlight growing concerns over habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures across India’s elephant ranges.

Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, has joined forces with IBM to strengthen cloud service offerings via the Airtel Cloud Platform. This partnership allows IBM’s enterprise-grade cloud and AI tools to be hosted within India, ensuring compliance with data localization laws. By combining Airtel’s network infrastructure with IBM’s advanced cloud solutions, the collaboration provides businesses with secure, scalable, and high-performance cloud services. It also highlights India’s focus on leveraging global technology partnerships to enhance domestic cloud capabilities, improve digital transformation, and support the growing demand for data-driven enterprise solutions.