1 Sri Lanka and India will jointly host the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind
Sri Lanka and India will co-host the first Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind, to be held from November 11-23 . The tournament will begin in New Delhi , where the opening ceremony will be held, and five matches will be played. Four matches of the World Cup will also be held in Bengaluru. Fifteen matches, including the semi-finals, final, and closing ceremony, will be held in Colombo. Teams from India, Australia, England, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United States will participate in 21 league matches.
2 India ranked 128th globally in the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom
The 2025 Index of Economic Freedom highlights the weakness of the global economy, as it remains ” mostly unfree ” overall, while the global average economic freedom score increased by 1.1 points to 59.7 from 58.6 last year. Of the 176 countries included in the 2025 Index, only three countries (down from four last year) received the status of ” economically free .” Singapore, ranked first, remains the world’s freest economy , followed by Switzerland in second and Ireland in third . Taiwan retained its fourth ranking, its highest ever on the Index of Economic Freedom. Meanwhile, the world’s largest economy, the United States, ranked 26th and its score fell to 70.2, the lowest in the index’s history. On the other hand, about 50% of the index, or 89 economies, are considered “mostly unfree,” with about 29 of these countries, including Pakistan (#150) and China (#151) , classified as “economically repressed.” India ranks 128th (and 26th regionally) in 2025 with a score of 53.0. It still falls into the “mostly unfree” category of economic freedom. India struggles with its fiscal situation, scoring a very low 6.2, while investment freedom and financial freedom both score 40, and government integrity is 37.6. However, on the positive side, India scores relatively strong in areas such as government spending (74.2), business freedom (72.3), and tax burden (71.3), and moderate scores in areas such as property rights (51.1), judicial effectiveness (53.2), and labor freedom (59.0).
3 India’s first space observatory mission Astrosat completes 10 years
India’s first dedicated space astronomy observatory, AstroSat, has completed a decade of operations. India’s first multi-wavelength space observatory, AstroSat, has completed 10 years in orbit since its launch by PSLV-C30 on September 28, 2015. AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at simultaneously studying celestial sources in the X-ray, optical, and UV spectral bands. It enables simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various celestial objects from a single satellite. It was launched into a 650-kilometer orbit by PSLV-C30 from Sriharikota. It is a collaborative project between ISRO and leading Indian research institutes with international partners (Canada, UK). AstroSat has a registered user base of approximately 3,400 users from 57 countries worldwide, ranging from the US to Afghanistan and Angola. In India, AstroSat has helped popularize space science, bringing astrophysics research to 132 Indian universities. ISTRAC, the Mission Operations Centre in Bengaluru, manages AstroSat’s operations.
4 DRDO wins BusinessLine Changemaker of the Year award
In September 2025 , the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was awarded the Changemaker of the Year Award at the BusinessLine Changemaker Awards for its contribution to indigenous strategic technologies . Additionally, the Azim Premji Foundation was honored with the Iconic Changemaker Award for its extensive work in the fields of education and healthcare . These awards highlight two pillars of India’s development: cutting-edge technological leadership and sustainable social impact. The award was given to Raja Babu Ummalaneni, Director General of Missiles and Strategic Systems at DRDO, for his contributions to advancing the indigenization of defense technology in India. Under his leadership, DRDO encouraged domestically developed systems, emphasizing self-reliance in critical areas.
5 RBI raises GDP growth forecast to 6.8% for 2025-26
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday raised its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the current financial year 2025-26 to 6.8 percent . It also lowered its inflation forecast to 2.6 percent, citing a better-than-normal monsoon and rationalization of GST rates . Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced this decision after the three-day review meeting of the bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
6 HAL receives fourth GE-404 jet engine
The production of the Indian fighter jet LCA Mk-1A is accelerating. India’s HAL has received its fourth GE-404 jet engine for the Tejas LCA Mk-1A, an indigenous light combat aircraft of this class. HAL is expected to receive a total of 12 GE-404 jet engines by the end of this financial year . All these engines will be installed in the Indian fighter aircraft Tejas Mark-1A. It is noteworthy that the American company is supplying these jet engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India . The Indian Air Force has placed an order for the production of Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, which will be delivered sequentially in the coming years. These aircraft will be equipped with modern avionics, improved weapon capabilities, and advanced electronic warfare systems. A new contract has recently been signed for the supply of fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force. According to this agreement, 97 indigenous light combat aircraft will be provided to the Indian Air Force at a cost of over ₹62,000 crore.
7 Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Modi, BRCP Phase III gets green signal, 12-year roadmap ready
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , has approved Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Program (BRCP) . This phase will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2030-31 , and then proposed to continue from 2031-32 to 2037-38, spanning a total of 12 years . The total cost is estimated at ₹1,500 crore, with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) contributing ₹1,000 crore and the Wellcome Trust (WT) of the United Kingdom contributing ₹500 crore. Phase III aims to develop the best scientific talent for high-end biomedical research in India, promote interdisciplinary research, and strengthen the system for quality research. This phase will focus on bridging regional gaps in scientific capacity in the country and empowering biomedical research with global impact. The BRCP was launched in 2008-09 in partnership with the DBT and the Wellcome Trust, UK . The program provided research fellowships and grants for world-class biomedical research in India. Subsequently, Phase II was implemented with greater detail in 2018-19.
8 Dr. Mansukh Mandviya Launches “MY BHARAT Mobile App”
Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the ” My Bharat Mobile Application ” on Wednesday . The app is part of the government’s technology-based initiative aimed at engaging youth in leadership, social engagement, and nation-building . It was developed by the Digital India Corporation (DIC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and is part of the ” My Bharat Platform ,” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. Through this app, youth will be able to participate in key government initiatives and hone their leadership skills by taking the “Vikas Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 Quiz.” To reach rural and remote youth, the My Bharat portal has also been integrated with Common Service Centers (CSCs), enabling over 500,000 rural entrepreneurs (VLEs) to connect with youth.
9 A group of law students from Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, and Julian Aguon, a human rights lawyer from the US territory of Guam, were awarded the Right Livelihood Award for their advocacy for climate justice at the International Court of Justice.
A group of law students from Vanuatu , an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean , and Julian Aguon, a human rights lawyer from the US territory of Guam , were awarded the Right Livelihood Prize for their advocacy for climate justice at the International Court of Justice . The group, called Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), raised the issue of climate protection at the International Court of Justice. In July, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory affirming that states are legally obligated to address climate change. Founded by 27 students from the University of the South Pacific, the group aimed to bring the world’s most pressing issue to the world’s highest court. Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, an anti-corruption group in Burma, and a Taiwanese digital democracy advocate were also awarded the Right Livelihood Prize for their contributions to social and environmental justice. It is also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize.
10 Ojha, RP Singh included in BCCI’s senior selection committee
In a significant change in the Indian cricket selection leadership , the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Pragyan Ojha and Rudra Pratap (RP) Singh as the new members of the Senior Men’s Selection Committee . The announcement was made during the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 28 September 2025. The two will replace former Indian cricketers S Sharath and Subroto Banerjee in the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. The move comes after the BCCI had invited applications earlier this month to fill two vacant positions in the five-member committee.
11 Deepti Sharma created a unique record in the first match of the World Cup, becoming the second highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma has become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI cricket . Deepti surpassed former international Neetu David to achieve this feat. She achieved this feat against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 being played at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati. She first dismissed Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu and then dismissed Kavesha Dilhari to take her 142nd wicket in ODIs, surpassing Neetu David (141). She then dismissed Anushka Sanjivani to take her wicket tally to 143. India’s highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs
- Jhulan Goswami – 255 wickets (203 innings)
- Deepti Sharma – 143 wickets (112 innings)
- Neetu David – 141 wickets (97 innings)
- Nooshin-Al-Khadir – 100 wickets (77 innings)
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad – 99 wickets (64 innings)
12 India’s first female hockey coach to receive the Dronacharya Award: Pritam Siwach
Former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team , Pritam Siwach , has brought glory to the country with her brilliant play and leadership. She played a key role in making the Indian women’s hockey team a champion. Pritam Siwach is the country’s first female hockey coach to be honored with the Dronacharya Award . Born on October 2, 1974, in Jharsada , Gurugram , Pritam Siwach began playing hockey at the age of 13. She was in the 7th grade at the time. When she picked up a hockey stick, she faced numerous taunts from villagers, but she ignored them. When she was in the 10th grade, her family wanted her to get married, but Pritam asked for some time. She wanted to pursue her dreams. She even told her family that if she were to marry so soon, she would run away from home. However, she was granted a two-year reprieve. In 1990, Pritam participated in her first national competition and won the Best Player award. In 1992, Pritam participated in the Junior Asia Cup. This was her first international competition. She was awarded the “Best Player” award in her very first international match. That same year, Pritam joined the Railways, which gave her the confidence to fight against society to fulfill her dreams. Pritam led India to a silver medal at the 1998 Asian Games. She then played a key role in India’s gold medal win at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. In 2002, Pritam decided to start coaching. Pritam Siwach was the trainer of the Indian women’s hockey team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games . For her outstanding contributions to hockey, Pritam Siwach was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1998 , followed by the Dronacharya Award in 2021 .
13 Abhishek Sharma’s historic jump to become world No. 1 batsman in T20I rankings
India’s young star batsman Abhishek Sharma has created history in the ICC T20 rankings . Abhishek has become the batsman with the highest rating points . Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub has ended Hardik Pandya ‘s reign as a T20 all-rounder . The 25-year-old broke a nearly five-year-old record by achieving his highest rating ever (931). With his impressive performance in the Asia Cup, Abhishek Sharma reached a rating of 931 points. With this, he surpassed the previous best rating of 919 points , which was achieved by England’s right-handed batsman Dawid Malan in 2020. The left-handed batsman also surpassed the previous best ratings of his teammates Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli.
14 International Day of Older Persons 2025
Every year on 1 October , the world celebrates International Day of Older Persons. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly under resolution 45/106 adopted in 1990. The purpose of this day is to highlight the importance of senior citizens in society and to focus attention on protecting their rights, dignity and well-being. The theme of this day in 2025 is “ Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights ”, which emphasizes that senior citizens are not just passive recipients of care, but active drivers of social, economic and cultural progress.