1. National News
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervened assertively in the foreign-exchange market, selling dollars to support the rupee. This has boosted the rupee to its strongest weekly performance in nearly four months.
Indian bond markets remained stable; the 10-year benchmark yield closed lower amid expectation of easier monetary policy ahead.
The government of Maharashtra announced a large-scale heritage conservation project: preserving 500 temples, 60 state-protected forts and 1,800 step-wells, with initial focus on Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nashik districts.
In the union territory of Ladakh, the local leadership is set to meet a sub-committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs on 22 October 2025 to push their demand for full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Schools in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi-NCR are closed on 20 October 2025 as Diwali holidays.
On Diwali schedule: While many states observe 20 October as the main festival day, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) are open on 20 October; the market holiday with the special Muhurat trading session is scheduled for 21 October 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his warning that India could face “massive tariffs” if it continues to import Russian crude, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to stop such imports (which India has not confirmed).
On cultural/religious front: At the famous Tirumala temple, the annual Deepavali Asthanam ritual is scheduled for 7 am-9 am on 20 October 2025. Later in the evening the deities will participate in a grand procession and “Sahasra Deepalankarana” (lighting of a thousand lamps) around the temple complex.
2. International News
In the island nation of Madagascar, following a recent military coup, an army colonel has been sworn in as president by the country’s High Constitutional Court. This marks a significant political turnover in the country’s governance.
The England Women’s Cricket Team beat India Women’s Cricket Team by four runs in Indore in the Women’s Cricket World Cup, securing a semi-final berth. England captain Heather Knight scored a century in her 300th international appearance; India’s Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur also hit impressive half-centuries but the team faltered in the final overs.
In another cricket fixture, the Australia National Cricket Team defeated the India National Cricket Team by seven wickets in the first One-Day International in Perth, successfully chasing a revised target under the DLS method.
The French Embassy in India joined a public conversation about the correct date of Diwali (20 or 21 October) and posted a heart-warming video on social media, signalling diplomatic cultural engagement with India’s tradition.
3. Economy & Banking Focus
The rupee’s strength and bond-market stability are important from a banking exam perspective: the RBI’s forex intervention and potential future rate cuts are key indicators of monetary policy stance.
Tariff threats from the U.S. linked to India’s energy imports illustrate geopolitical risk for India’s trade and energy security. Understanding such linkages is useful for GS & banking exam context.
Heritage conservation projects in Maharashtra can bolster tourism, infrastructure investment and public-private partnership (PPP) activity — relevant for questions on government schemes, infrastructure and regional development.
The school holiday schedule and stock-market timings around Diwali underline how festivals impact economic activity, consumer behaviour, market timings — good for non-static GK/Banking sections.
4. Sports & Miscellaneous
India’s Women’s cricket team now must win their final group match to keep qualification hopes alive after the loss to England.
Australia’s men’s cricket team began their ODI series strongly against India, which may impact team strategy and selection for future fixtures.
Qualification announcement: The India U-17 Women’s football team qualified for the AFC U‑17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 for the first time via the competitive route, defeating Uzbekistan 2-1 in Bishkek to top their group.
On the educational front, registration for the IIT JAM 2026 (Joint Admission Test for Masters) has been extended until 20 October 2025 — important for students and also for aptitudes around exam-deadlines in GK.
5. Exam-Relevance Summary (Banking / SSC / Competitive)
Monetary policy & forex interventions: RBI’s actions, bond yield movements.
Geopolitical trade risks: U.S-India energy/tariff relations, Indian imports from Russia.
Regional development policy: Maharashtra heritage project, Ladakh autonomy demand.
Exam schedule/educational updates: IIT JAM registration deadline extended.
Sports updates: Women & men’s cricket results; India’s first-time qualification in U-17 Women’s football.
Festivals & economy link: Diwali school holidays, stock market holiday scheduling, cultural diplomacy (French Embassy video).
6. Important Dates & Events to Remember
20.10.2025 (Monday): Diwali falls in many parts of India; schools in several states closed.
21.10.2025 (Tuesday): Stock exchanges observe holiday and hold special Muhurat trading session.
22.10.2025: Scheduled meeting between Ladakh delegation and MHA’s sub-committee.
IIT JAM 2026 registration: Extended to 20 October 2025.
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026: India has qualified for the first time via competitive route.
