LEGAL NEWS

Justice Surya Kant Recommended as the 53rd Chief Justice of India

• Justice Surya Kant, currently the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, has been recommended by CJI B.R. Gavai as his successor.

• The formal recommendation has been sent to the Centre, clearing the path for his appointment as the 53rd Chief Justice of India.

• He will assume office on 24 November 2025, a day after CJI Gavai’s retirement, and serve until 9 February 2027.

• His elevation follows the Memorandum of Procedure, which mandates appointing the senior-most eligible Supreme Court judge as CJI.

• Born on 10 February 1962 in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant began his legal career at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and became a judge there in 2001.

• He later served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court before joining the Supreme Court on 24 May 2019.

• Justice Kant has contributed to key rulings, including the suspension of the sedition law, voter roll transparency, and gender inclusivity in bar associations.

• His judgments also spanned critical issues like the Pegasus spyware case, PM’s Punjab security breach, and the One Rank-One Pension scheme.

Madras High Court Declares Cryptocurrency as Property under Indian Law

• The Madras High Court has officially recognised cryptocurrency as a form of property, enabling judicial intervention in digital asset disputes.

• The ruling by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh is viewed as a landmark step in shaping India’s crypto regulation framework.

• The verdict was delivered in response to a plea by an investor whose XRP assets were frozen on WazirX after a 2024 cyberattack.

• The court stated that though cryptocurrency is not legal tender or physical, it qualifies as property that can be owned, enjoyed, or held in trust.

• This aligns digital assets with property laws and the Income Tax Act’s classification of virtual digital assets.

• The court affirmed jurisdiction under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, allowing Indian courts to handle crypto-related disputes involving domestic investors.

• Experts hailed the judgment as a boost to investor protection, enhancing clarity, accountability, and trust in digital financial systems.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 Promotes Integrity and Accountability

• Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 began nationwide on October 27, promoting honesty and ethical conduct in public life.

• The central theme for this year is “Vigilance – Our Shared Responsibility.”

• The initiative aims to build a corruption-free and transparent governance system across the country.

• The observance started with an Integrity Pledge taken by officials from ministries, PSUs, banks, and other bodies.

• The pledge ceremony was led by CVC Praveen Kumar Srivastava and Vigilance Commissioner A. S. Rajeev in New Delhi.

• Throughout the week, awareness drives and outreach programs will highlight the adverse impact of corruption.

• The campaign emphasizes ethics, accountability, and good governance in public administration.

• The week is observed annually in the last week of October, aligning with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.

“Shaurya Veer – Run for India 2025” Celebrates Courage and Patriotism in New Delhi

• Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi flagged off the “Shaurya Veer – Run for India 2025” in New Delhi, marking the 79th Shaurya Diwas celebration.

• The event witnessed participation from over 10,000 runners, including soldiers, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and civilians.

• Shaurya Diwas, observed annually on 27 October, honours the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces.

• The day also commemorates the 1947 operation, when Indian troops landed in Srinagar to defend Jammu and Kashmir from invaders.

• The marathon paid tribute to the discipline and heroism of soldiers who safeguarded India’s unity.

• Multiple race segments were organised — 21 km for adults, 10 km open run, 5 km People’s Run, and a 3 km fun run for all ages.

• The event aimed to promote fitness, unity, and national pride while remembering the courage of Indian soldiers.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Timor-Leste Joins ASEAN as Its 11th Member

• Timor-Leste has been officially admitted as the 11th member of ASEAN during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• The announcement was made in the presence of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste.

• This marks ASEAN’s first expansion since Cambodia’s entry in 1999.

• Malaysia, the 2025 ASEAN Chair, is hosting the summit from October 26 to 28 under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

• ASEAN was founded in 1967 in Bangkok by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand through the ASEAN Declaration.

• Later, Brunei joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.

• Timor-Leste’s entry reflects ASEAN’s commitment to regional cooperation, unity, and sustainable growth.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISRO’s LVM3 Set for November 2 Launch with CMS-03 Satellite

• India’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3 has been positioned at the Sriharikota launch pad ahead of its next mission.

• The LVM3-M5 flight, carrying the CMS-03 communication satellite, is scheduled for launch on November 2, 2025.

• CMS-03, weighing about 4,400 kg, will be India’s heaviest communication satellite launched so far.

• The mission will deploy the satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) to boost national connectivity.

• CMS-03, built by ISRO, will improve communication and bandwidth across India and nearby oceanic regions.

• This will be the fifth operational mission of LVM3, underscoring its reliability as India’s primary heavy-lift launcher.

• The same rocket earlier made headlines for successfully launching Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon in July 2023.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

India Maritime Week 2025 Showcases Nation’s Blue Economy Vision

• Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai on October 27.

• The five-day event is jointly organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Indian Ports Association.

• It aims to highlight India’s roadmap for sustainable maritime growth and expansion of the blue economy.

• The event gathers industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and global stakeholders to explore maritime opportunities.

• Exhibitions, discussions, and interactive sessions are being held on ports, logistics, and maritime technology.

• The week seeks to boost India’s global maritime standing and promote innovation and collaboration in the sector.

• Following the inauguration, Amit Shah distributed advanced Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels at Mazagon Dock, Mumbai, while PM Modi is set to address a special plenary on October 28.

STATE NEWS

Jammu & Kashmir Marks 78th Accession Day with Patriotic Celebrations

• October 26 marked the 78th Accession Day, celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir to honor its historic union with India.

• The day commemorates Maharaja Hari Singh’s signing of the Instrument of Accession in 1947, merging the princely state with the Indian Union.

• The agreement came into force on October 27, 1947, amid the Pakistan-backed tribal invasion following India’s partition.

• Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler, chose to accede to India to protect the state’s sovereignty and security.

• The day symbolizes unity, national integrity, and Jammu & Kashmir’s firm bond with India.

• Accession Day is now a public holiday across the Union Territory, reflecting its national importance.

• It was officially recognized as a holiday in 2020, after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019.

SPORTS

India Shines with Historic Double Gold at Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships 2025

• India clinched two gold medals at the Badminton Asia Under-17 and Under-15 Championships 2025 held in Chengdu, China.

• Shaina Manimuthu claimed the U-15 girls’ singles title, defeating Japan’s Chiharu Tomita 21-14, 22-20 in a close contest.

• In the U-17 category, Diksha Sudhakar outplayed fellow Indian Lakshya Rajesh 21-16, 21-9 to grab the gold.

• With this feat, Diksha became the first Indian singles player to win the U-17 title at the Junior Asian Championships.

• India’s total tally stood at two golds, one silver, and two bronzes, marking its best-ever performance in the tournament’s history.

• The bronze medals were secured by Jagsher Singh Khangurra (U-17 Boys’ Singles) and the pair Jangjeet Singh Kajla–Jananika Ramesh (U-17 Mixed Doubles).

• The impressive results underline India’s growing strength and consistency in the Asian junior badminton circuit.

Priteesmita Bhoi Sets Youth World Record at Asian Youth Games 2025

• Priteesmita Bhoi made history by setting a new Youth World Record in the girls’ 44 kg category at the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain.

• She lifted 92 kg in Clean and Jerk, breaking the world record for her division.

• Her total lift of 158 kg across all attempts earned her the gold medal for India.

• Bhoi’s performance showcased India’s growing strength in youth weightlifting on the global stage.

• The ongoing Asian Youth Games 2025 mark the third edition of the continental event.

• The competition is being held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31, 2025.

• The Asian Youth Games, organized every four years, aim to promote young athletic talent across Asia.