APPOINTMENTS

Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

• Sanae Takaichi is poised to make history as Japan’s first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister on 15 October.

• She emerged victorious in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race.

• Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a tight runoff election.

• She secured 185 votes, while Koizumi received 156, ensuring a clear win.

• The runoff was triggered after no candidate achieved a majority in the first round of voting.

• The election followed the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last month.

• Other key contenders included Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Takayuki Kobayashi.

• Before her leadership victory, Takaichi served as Japan’s Economic Security Minister.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Sardar@150 Unity March – Honouring the Iron Man of India

• Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, launched the Sardar@150 Unity March in New Delhi.

• The march celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat.

• It aims to mobilize youth across India to contribute actively toward nation-building.

• The initiative focuses on fostering unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among young citizens.

• It highlights self-reliance and swadeshi values, reflecting Patel’s vision for a strong and self-sufficient India.

• The campaign embodies the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”

• The first phase of the march will be held in all districts from 31 October to 25 November 2025.

• Sardar Patel, revered as the “Iron Man of India,” unified over 560 princely states, cementing the foundation of modern India.

AWARDS

Nobel Prize 2025 in Physiology or Medicine – Breakthrough in Immune Regulation

• The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was jointly awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi.

• The trio was honored for their discovery of regulatory T cells, explaining how the immune system prevents self-attack.

• Their research unveiled the mechanism of immune tolerance, paving the way for new therapies.

• This breakthrough has transformed treatments for autoimmune disorders, cancer, and organ transplant rejection.

• The Nobel Prize amount of 11 million Swedish kronor will be equally divided among the three laureates.

• Brunkow (Princeton Ph.D.) works at the Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle; Ramsdell (UCLA Ph.D.) is a Scientific Advisor at Sonoma Biotherapeutics; Sakaguchi (Kyoto University) serves as Distinguished Professor at Osaka University.

• Their work has established a new field in immunology focused on immune regulation and control mechanisms.

• For context, the 2024 Medicine Nobel was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for discovering microRNA’s role in gene regulation.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

6th Global Fintech Fest 2025

• The sixth edition of the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) began on 7 October 2025 at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre.

• The event opened in the presence of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

• This year’s theme focuses on “Empowering Finance for a Better World Powered by AI.”

• PM Narendra Modi will deliver a keynote address on 9 October, joined by UK PM Keir Starmer as a guest speaker.

• The fest aims to connect global leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss fintech-driven growth.

• A special “Bharat AI Experience Zone” by NPCI and NVIDIA is one of the main attractions.

• Over 7,500 companies and 400 exhibitors are showcasing fintech solutions, alongside workshops and hackathons.

• With 1 lakh+ visitors expected, the event celebrates innovation through Fintech Awards and networking sessions.

SPORTS

India’s Historic Triumph at World Para Athletics Championships 2025

• India achieved a record 22 medals at the 12th World Para Athletics Championships 2025, hosted in New Delhi.

• The event took place from September 27 to October 5, featuring participants from 104 countries.

• The Indian contingent of 73 athletes (54 men and 19 women) delivered the country’s best-ever performance, finishing 10th overall.

• India’s tally included 6 gold, 9 silver, and 7 bronze medals, marking a new milestone in para-sport history.

• Shailesh Kumar bagged India’s first gold in men’s high jump T63, also setting a new Asian record.

• Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic javelin champion, secured his third World Championship gold, a record for an Indian para-athlete.

• Indian athletes created 3 championship records, 7 Asian records, and achieved over 30 personal bests during the event.

• With this success, India’s cumulative tally at the World Para Athletics Championships rose to 67 medals — 19 gold, 24 silver, and 24 bronze.