Home » Daily Current Affairs & GK Update — 17.10.2025

Daily Current Affairs & GK Update — 17.10.2025

Daily Current Affairs and GK Update - 17.10.2025

1. National Affairs

  1. RBI Minutes Suggest Room for Rate Cuts

    • The Monetary Policy Committee’s minutes reveal a softened inflation outlook, opening scope for easing interest rates.

    • RBI has held the repo rate at 5.50% and retained a “neutral” stance; two members advocated shifting to “accommodative.”

    • September’s inflation dipped to 1.54%, an eight-year low, prompting downward revision of the FY 2025–26 inflation forecast to ~2.6%.

    • GDP growth for 2025–26 is projected at 6.8% on strong consumption and government spending.

  2. SSC CGL Tier-1 Answer Key Released

    • The provisional answer key for SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025 Tier-1 has been made available on ssc.gov.in.

    • Over 13.5 lakh candidates can download and raise objections within stipulated timelines.

  3. OPSC OCS Prelims Answer Key & Objection Window

    • Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) released the answer key for OCS Preliminary Exam 2024.

    • Candidates may submit objections till 22 October 2025.

  4. West Bengal Police SI Answer Key Published

    • WB Police Recruitment Board published the Sub-Inspector (SI) exam answer key for the test held on 12 October 2025.

    • Candidates can check and raise objections if required.

  5. India–Egypt Hold Inaugural Strategic Dialogue

    • The first formal strategic dialogue between India and Egypt was held in New Delhi.

    • External Affairs Minister praised Egypt’s role in facilitating peace in Gaza and emphasized strengthening bilateral ties in multiple sectors.

  6. India to Have Its Own Space Station by 2035

    • At IIT-BHU convocation, ISRO Chairman announced India’s plan to launch its indigenous space station by 2035, with the first modules from 2027 onward.

    • This development aligns with previous successes like Chandrayaan-3 and progress on Gaganyaan missions.

  7. New RBI Executive Director Appointment

    • Sonali Sen Gupta has been appointed as Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India, effective 9 October 2025.

    • She will oversee Consumer Education & Protection, Financial Inclusion, Inspections, and related departments.

  8. Punjab Invites Karnataka CM for Guru’s 350th Martyrdom Anniversary Events

    • Punjab ministers extending formal invitation to Karnataka’s Chief Minister to participate in statewide commemorative events of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom.

  9. Monsoon Withdrawal & Rain Forecasts

    • The southwest monsoon officially retreats from Andhra Pradesh, triggering the onset of the northeast monsoon in South India.

    • IMD forecasts above-normal post-monsoon rainfall for most parts of India through December; heavy rain expected in AP’s Rayalaseema & coastal regions from 17 to 20 October.

  10. Rama Ekadashi Observed (Religious / Cultural)

    • Today marks Rama Ekadashi (11th day of Krishna Paksha, Kartik month) — a significant fast day dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

    • Rituals include full fast, recitation of scriptures, and prayers.

  11. Observance Days & Global Themes

    • Child Poverty Day: A moment to raise awareness about children living under conditions of poverty globally.

    • World Trauma Day: Focuses on emergency trauma care, injury prevention, and trauma systems.

    • Spreadsheet Day: Celebrated to commemorate the release of VisiCalc, pioneering spreadsheet software.

  12. Cuttack Violence (Earlier in October 2025)

    • In early October, clashes during Durga Puja immersion in Cuttack led to curfews, internet bans, and arrests.

    • Normalcy has since been restored; investigations continue.

  13. Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 – Protests & Reactions

    • Amendments to the Waqf Act triggered protests in several states, with Muslim bodies opposing the perceived state interference in waqf management.

    • In places like Murshidabad and Tripura, protests escalated to arrests and deployments of paramilitary forces.


2. International Affairs

  1. U.S. Ambassador Meets PM Modi

    • Sergio Gor, U.S. Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South & Central Asia, met Prime Minister Modi.

    • Discussions covered trade, defense, technology, and critical minerals amid rising U.S. tariffs on Indian exports.

  2. India–Panama Parliamentary Friendship Group Inaugurated

    • Embassy of India in Panama announced a 20-member India-Panama Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, to deepen legislative and bilateral engagement.

  3. Global Events & Themes

    • Observance of Child Poverty Day and World Trauma Day at international level.

    • Excel / spreadsheet legacy recognized via Spreadsheet Day, connecting to global digital transformation themes.


3. Economy, Banking & Finance

  1. Interest Rate Outlook & Monetary Policy

    • Market expectations lean toward rate cuts in upcoming sessions, given lower inflation and accommodative space indicated by RBI minutes.

  2. Trade & Tariff Pressures

    • India faces significant tariffs (e.g., 50% duty on many exports) from the U.S., affecting labor-intensive sectors.

    • Negotiations and diplomacy intensify to safeguard India’s export interests.

  3. Government Spending & Growth Outlook

    • Strong fiscal push and consumption are expected to sustain growth, with the upside in GDP projections.

  4. Banking Sector Leadership

    • With new appointments in RBI and the evolving rate scenario, banking and financial sector policies are expected to shift in the coming months.


4. Science & Technology

  1. India’s Space Ambitions

    • Plan for an indigenous space station underscores the government’s long-term vision in space technology and strategic autonomy.

  2. Geospatial Leadership at UN

    • India elected as Co-Chair of UN Global Geospatial Committee for Asia-Pacific for a three-year term, showcasing its strength in spatial data infrastructure.

  3. Domestic & International R&D Events

    • Symposiums and workshops (e.g. Logical & Semantic Frameworks, open source tech) continue to gather research communities globally.


5. Sports & Culture

  1. Badminton – BWF World Junior Championships

    • India is hosting the 25th BWF World Junior Championships in Guwahati. The tournament runs from 6 to 19 October 2025.

  2. Women’s Senior T20 Trophy (Domestic Cricket)

    • The 2025–26 edition is underway (8 to 31 October) with 37 teams participating in domestic women’s T20 competition.

  3. Chess – Madhya Pradesh Talent Earns WFM Title

    • Cera Dagariya from Madhya Pradesh has achieved the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title based on her performance in World Under-18 Girls Championship.


6. Exam & Recruitment Updates

  1. Answer Key Releases & Objection Windows

    • SSC CGL Tier-1, OPSC OCS, West Bengal SI answer keys are out; aspirants must track objection windows.

  2. Postponement – NEET-SS 2025

    • The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Super Specialty courses has been postponed; revised dates will be notified.

  3. JEE Main 2026 – Registration & Important Changes

    • NTA is about to open registration for JEE Main 2026. Aspirants must note six key changes in format, eligibility, and procedure.

  4. Exam Integrity Alerts

    • Odisha police exam corruption scandal: key suspects detained in suspected manipulations and result tampering.


7. Quick Facts & One-Liners (Useful for MCQs)

  • Inflation in India fell to ~1.54% in September 2025, a historic low in eight years.

  • RBI repo rate unchanged at 5.50% in October 2025.

  • India plans its own space station by 2035, first modules from 2027.

  • Cera Dagariya becomes Woman FIDE Master from MP.

  • India elected Co-Chair of UN Global Geospatial Committee (Asia-Pacific).

  • New Waqf (Amendment) Act triggered protests across several states.

  • BWF World Junior Badminton Championships being held in Guwahati, India.

  • Women’s Senior T20 Trophy 2025–26 in progress with 37 teams.