IMPORTANT DAYS

World Standards Day 2025 observed on October 14.

• World Standards Day is observed globally on 14 October each year to acknowledge the role of international standards in uniting the world’s economies.

• The celebration is jointly organised by IEC, ISO, and ITU, representing key global bodies in standardisation and technology.

• It recognises the efforts of experts and professionals worldwide who design and develop voluntary technical standards for industries.

• The 2025 theme — “A Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for Sustainable Development Goals” — highlights the link between standards and the UN SDGs.

• In India, the event was led by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, under the aegis of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at the National Institute of Standardisation Training (NITS).

• During the occasion, BIS launched the Indian National Lighting Code 2025, the Learning Management System (LMS), and the Online Standards Development (OSD) module.

• The day aims to spread awareness among industries, regulators, and consumers about the value of uniform global standards.

• The origin of World Standards Day traces back to 1946 in London, which led to the formation of ISO in 1947, and the first official celebration in 1970.

DEFENCE

INS Sahyadri Joins India–South Korea’s First Bilateral Naval Exercise

• INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class stealth frigate, reached Busan Naval Harbour on 13 October 2025 for the maiden India–South Korea naval drill.

• The visit is part of the ship’s ongoing Indo-Pacific and South China Sea deployment, strengthening regional partnerships.

• The Republic of Korea Navy welcomed the Indian vessel with a warm ceremonial reception at Busan.

• Built indigenously and commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri serves under the Eastern Naval Command based in Visakhapatnam.

• The bilateral exercise will feature two phases — harbour and sea, covering professional exchanges and tactical operations.

• During the sea phase, INS Sahyadri will carry out joint manoeuvres with ROKS Gyeongnam, showcasing naval interoperability.

• The inaugural drill marks a significant step in defence cooperation, reflecting the deepening maritime ties between India and South Korea.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Unveils ‘Ready, Relevant and Resurgent II’

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the book “Ready, Relevant and Resurgent II: Shaping a Future Ready Force” on 14 October 2025 in New Delhi.

• The book is authored by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who outlines a strategic roadmap for building a future-ready Indian Armed Force.

• It analyses the evolving nature of warfare, highlighting areas such as cyberspace, cognitive warfare, and space-based operations.

• The author stresses the growing role of emerging technologies in transforming India’s military capabilities.

• The work underlines the need for strong leadership and institutional resilience to ensure long-term military readiness.

• It blends historical perspectives with modern defence innovations, offering a reimagined approach to national security.

• The publication envisions a defence structure rooted in tradition yet driven by innovation, aiming to make India’s forces resilient and adaptive for future challenges.

NATIONAL NEWS

Ayodhya to Host India’s Seventh NSG Hub

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the setup of a new National Security Guard (NSG) hub in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on 14 October 2025.

• The declaration came during the 41st Raising Day of NSG, highlighting its continued expansion as India’s elite counter-terror and anti-hijack force.

• This Ayodhya unit will be the seventh NSG hub, joining existing centres in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Jammu.

• The hub’s highly trained commandos will stay on 24×7 alert to counter any emerging terror threats in the region.

• Operational reforms are being planned to further strengthen the training and combat readiness of NSG personnel.

• The Ayodhya headquarters will also serve as a training ground for NSG and state police anti-terror teams, ensuring top-notch preparedness.

• Over the years, NSG has surveyed 770+ sensitive sites, creating a vast database to enhance counter-terror strategies.

• Amit Shah also inaugurated the Special Operations Training Centre (SOTC) at Manesar, Haryana, built at a cost of ₹141 crore, offering advanced facilities and 3D mapping systems for coordinated anti-terror action.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025: Expanding Social Security Coverage

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has introduced the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign (EEC) 2025 to boost inclusion under the EPFO social security network.

• The campaign will be active from November 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, targeting wider employee participation.

• It is modelled on the successful 2017 initiative, aiming to bring unregistered workers into the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) fold.

• The drive focuses on employees hired between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025, who were previously left out of EPF enrolment.

• Employers are encouraged to voluntarily declare and register such workers, provided they are alive and still employed during the declaration.

• Under this campaign, the employee’s contribution will be waived if not earlier deducted, while employers must pay only their share with a nominal ₹100 penalty.

• Participants in EEC 2025 may also gain benefits under the Pradhan Mantri-Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, supporting formal job creation.

• The initiative aims to expand nationwide social security while promoting ease of doing business through simpler compliance and reduced penalties.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

India to Participate in the 19th NAM Mid-Term Ministerial Conference

• India will join the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) being held in Kampala, Uganda, on October 15–16, 2025.

• Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, will lead India’s official delegation at the event.

• The conference is being organised under Uganda’s NAM Chairmanship for the 2024–2026 term.

• The central theme of the meeting is “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.”

• India, a founding member of NAM, continues to uphold its core principles of neutrality, solidarity, and peaceful coexistence.

• The Non-Aligned Movement serves as a crucial platform for 121 developing nations to address global political and economic issues collectively.

• On the sidelines, the Indian minister is scheduled to meet Ugandan leaders to discuss bilateral relations.

• Mr. Singh will also engage in talks with ministers from other NAM member countries to strengthen multilateral cooperation.