1. 93rd Air Force Day Celebrations
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- India celebrated the 93rd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with parades, aerial displays, and tributes at the National War Memorial and Hindon Air Base, honoring air warriors’ contributions to national security.
- The event marked the IAF’s founding on October 8, 1932, showcasing its growth into a strategic aerospace force with assets like Rafale jets and S-400 systems.
- Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari highlighted self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat, with over 70% indigenous content in new procurements.
- International delegations from Japan, UK, Russia, Canada, Austria, and Ireland attended, reflecting global defence partnerships.
- Fly-pasts featured Tejas and Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, symbolizing India’s advancing aerospace capabilities amid regional security dynamics.
- Concepts: Integrated Theatre Commands – unifies Army, Navy, and Air Force operations; Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 – promotes indigenous R&D.
2. Prime Minister Inaugurates India Mobile Congress 2025
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi, Asia’s largest digital technology expo, featuring 500+ exhibitors showcasing 5G/6G, AI, and satellite communications.
- The event, themed ‘Bharat to Global Leadership,’ saw participation from 20+ countries, focusing on telecom advancements and startup ecosystems.
- Over 100 new products were launched, with MoUs worth ₹15,000 crore signed for telecom infrastructure development.
- It aligns with the National Digital Communications Policy, targeting 1.2 billion broadband users by 2026 and positioning India as a global telecom hub.
- Discussions emphasized spectrum allocation and cybersecurity, supporting 2.5 million jobs in the sector.
- Concepts: Atmanirbhar Bharat – drives self-reliance in electronics; Digital India – enhances connectivity for inclusive growth.
3. India’s Strategic Autonomy in a Multipolar West
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- India is navigating a multipolar West, strengthening ties with Europe via the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, focusing on trade, tech, and security.
- European leaders like Macron and von der Leyen push for autonomy from US influence, creating opportunities for India in defence co-production and green energy.
- India’s multi-alignment includes coalitions like the Quad and I2U2, balancing relations with US, EU, UK, and Japan in a pluralistic global order.
- The EU’s 2025 Indo-Pacific Communication positions India as a key partner for regional stability and open trade routes.
- Challenges involve managing US-EU trade divergences, requiring India to modernize its economy for deeper integration.
- Concepts: Non-Alignment 2.0 – evolved into multi-alignment; Indo-Pacific Strategy – promotes a rules-based maritime order.
4. Launch of PM-SETU for Skill Development
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The government introduced Pradhan Mantri Skill Enhancement and Training for Underprivileged (PM-SETU), a ₹10,000 crore scheme to skill 2 crore youth from marginalized communities over five years.
- Integrated with Skill India Mission, it offers training in AI, renewable energy, and logistics, with stipends and job placements.
- Focus on MSMEs and rural areas aims to enhance employability, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat’s global competitiveness goals.
- Partnerships with CII and FICCI provide on-job training, targeting 50% unemployment reduction in aspirational districts.
- The program includes digital literacy and women-centric courses to address workforce gender gaps.
- Concepts: Article 41 – right to education and work; National Education Policy 2020 – emphasizes skill-based learning.
5. 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics Announced
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists for quantum error correction, enabling scalable quantum computing for cryptography and drug discovery.
- Their work addresses qubit instability, advancing fault-tolerant quantum systems beyond classical computing.
- India’s National Quantum Mission, with ₹6,000 crore investment, collaborates with IISc Bengaluru, IBM, and Google on quantum applications.
- The prize underscores the global quantum race, with India focusing on hybrid quantum-classical systems.
- Applications include optimizing supply chains and simulating molecular interactions for sustainable energy.
- Concepts: Schrödinger’s Cat – illustrates quantum superposition; NISQ Era – noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices.
