Daily Current Affairs & Key Questions for NDA & Competitive Exams – 16 October 2025
Stay updated with the latest current affairs crucial for NDA preparation and competitive exams. This post summarizes top events from politics, defence, economy, science, and sports to help you ace the NDA exam and other tests.
Key Recent Current Affairs Highlights
Politics & Governance:
The Government of India extended the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission until November 30, 2025, allowing more time for comprehensive fiscal recommendations amid ongoing budget deliberations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ambitious Green Bharat Mission aimed at achieving 65% renewable energy usage by 2035 to promote sustainable development and climate action.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar (NCP (SP)), broke away from the opposition INDIA bloc and joined the Joint Parliamentary Committee on bills proposing automatic disqualification of ministers jailed for 30 days. Congress has had no contact with the NCP (SP) on this issue, highlighting cracks within opposition alliances.
Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the RJD-Congress alliance faces internal conflict over seat-sharing, with Congress demanding more than 60 seats, intensifying political tensions and opposition challenges.
Madurai Mayor resigned following allegations of a Rs 200 crore property tax scam, raising governance and corruption concerns at the local government level.
The Supreme Court upheld women’s rights to permanent commission in all defence forces, a landmark ruling affecting policies and governance on gender equality in defence services.
Multiple government policies and new rules came into effect from October 1, focusing on taxation, environmental regulation, and labour reforms, signaling continued governance strengthening.
These developments are critical for understanding recent government actions, opposition dynamics, governance reforms, and political challenges relevant for competitive exam current affairs.
Geopolitics :
- India hosted the Taliban Foreign Minister in New Delhi, strengthening bilateral ties amid regional tensions and asserting India’s role as a reliable partner to Afghanistan in contrast to Pakistan’s hostile stance.
- India is enhancing strategic relations with Mongolia, leveraging shared cultural and spiritual links to gain geopolitical advantage in the Indo-Pacific, counterbalancing China’s regional influence.
- Fresh border clashes continue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, while Pakistan secured a $1.2 billion IMF bailout aimed at stabilizing its economy amid ongoing geopolitical stress.
- India and Australia furthered their defense cooperation with a submarine pact, highlighting growing security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and shared commitment to regional stability.
- India hosted the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave, showcasing its leadership in peacekeeping and technological advancements.
- Regional supply chains face disruption as China imposes export controls on rare earth minerals, while India actively protects its interests and investments in Afghanistan amid complex geopolitical rivalries.
These developments reflect India’s active diplomacy and strategic engagements in South Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific, reinforcing its growing international role.
Defence & International Relations:
The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹659 crore contract to procure advanced Night Sights for the SIG 716 assault rifles used by the Indian Army. These sights enable accurate target engagement up to 500 meters in low-light conditions, enhancing soldier capability and supporting domestic defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, proposing the supply of India’s Akash missile system to Brazil to boost bilateral defence ties. Both sides agreed on exploring co-development and co-production of defence equipment, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two democracies.
India and Ethiopia conducted the inaugural Joint Defence Cooperation meeting in New Delhi, marking an important step in defence collaboration. The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in military training, joint exercises, medical cooperation, and defence industry engagement. Ethiopia remains a key defence partner for India in Africa.
India hosted the UNTCC Chiefs’ Conclave in New Delhi (14-16 October), showcasing India’s technological capabilities and commitment to global peacekeeping operations, with participation from military leaders of UN Troop Contributing Countries.
India’s strategic defence partnership with Australia continues to grow, exemplified by recent collaboration on maritime security, air refueling capabilities, and intelligence sharing aligned with their Indo-Pacific strategies aiming for a stable regional balance.
Economy & Environment:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s GDP growth forecast for fiscal year 2025-26 to 6.6%, up from the earlier estimate of 6.4%, citing strong first quarter performance driven by manufacturing, services, and construction sectors. The forecast for 2026 stands revised slightly down to 6.2%. The GDP growth momentum is seen as robust despite US tariff increases on Indian imports.
The Government of India classified limestone as a major mineral, aiming to boost rural income and ease doing business in mining sectors, potentially stimulating local economies.
Google, Airtel, and Adani announced a USD 15 billion AI data hub project in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting major investments in digital infrastructure and new economy sectors.
Delhi-NCR experienced a significant deterioration in air quality with very poor AQI levels reported ahead of Diwali, raising health and environmental concerns.
India reaffirmed strong commitments to climate change mitigation with ongoing initiatives to expand green cover and strengthen environmental regulations nationally.
The Ministry of Mines and Labour launched new government rules and programs starting 1 October focused on better governance, labor rights, and environmental sustainability.
India hosted global discussions to enhance climate resilience and promote green skills, including youth-focused climate diplomacy efforts at the UN House.
These updates highlight key economic outlook improvements, regulatory changes, investment in digital and environmental infrastructure, and important environmental concerns relevant to current affairs for competitive exams.
Science & Technology:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first hydrogen-powered train in Varanasi, marking a major milestone for green mobility and Make in India’s sustainability goals in the rail sector.
- India’s indigenous combat parachute successfully passed a 32,000-foot test, enhancing tactical airborne capabilities for military operations.
- Google launched an eco-friendly AI data hub in Visakhapatnam, reinforcing India’s position in AI and cloud computing with latest green technologies and data infrastructure.
- Fujitsu India and IISc Bengaluru initiated joint research on cutting-edge AI and machine learning models aimed at industrial and governance applications, promoting India’s innovation ecosystem.
- IIT BHU hosted the India Research Tour 2025, fostering collaborative research opportunities and innovation exchange among premier institutions.
- Bengaluru launched an Urban Innovation Challenge focused on addressing city sustainability challenges through technology and innovation-driven solutions.
- The Supreme Court reinforced digital privacy rights amid increasing use of AI and digital surveillance tools, ensuring stronger protection against data misuse.
- India’s AI ecosystem continued its growth trajectory with programs like IndiaAI Startups Global supporting scaling of AI startups and Sarvam AI incorporating generative AI in Aadhaar services.
These developments highlight India’s strides in green technology, AI innovation, research collaboration, and legal frameworks in science and technology.
Sports:
Pakistan ended South Africa’s 10-match winning streak with a commanding 93-run victory in the first Test, showcasing strong cricketing form ahead of upcoming series.
India failed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup, a setback for Indian football as the team missed out on the continental tournament.
Speculations surfaced about Virat Kohli potentially ending retirement rumors after posting a cryptic message on social media, sparking fan excitement though evidence remains limited.
The DP World India Championship golf tournament commenced at Delhi Golf Club, featuring international stars including Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald testing the course ahead of the competition.
India lost 2-4 to Australia at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 in field hockey, highlighting ongoing tough competition in the international circuit.
Donald Trump threatened to relocate some 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from Boston citing local unrest and leadership issues, a politically charged move impacting sports diplomacy.
The Mumbai siblings Sarfaraz and Musheer Khan were mistakenly interchanged in a Ranji Trophy cricket match scorecard, amusing fans and drawing attention to the brothers.
These concise updates reflect key national and international sports developments relevant for general and competitive exam awareness.
Awards & Recognitions
- Bharath Thammineni became the first Indian to climb nine peaks above 8,000 meters, a remarkable achievement in high-altitude mountaineering.
Uttarakhand Updates
- Uttarakhand government plans a cabinet expansion soon with five vacant seats expected to be filled after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s visit to Delhi on October 17. This move is awaited by party legislators and expected to strengthen governance.
- Uttarakhand Power Transmission Corporation Limited (PTCUL) employees received good news as a 3% Dearness Allowance (DA) hike was announced as a Diwali gift, aiding employee welfare.
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 4th Border Mountain Children’s Science Festival in Rudraprayag, emphasizing the state’s focus on advancing science, technology, and digital governance ecosystems.
- The government has set up a Border Area Development Council to promote infrastructure and development in Uttarakhand’s border areas, reinforcing security and socio-economic growth.
- The Uttarakhand government is actively working towards sustainable development through a nine-point green policy aiming at economic growth balanced with environmental protection.
- A government meeting is scheduled soon to discuss employees’ demands, including Diwali bonuses and enhanced Dearness Allowance at par with central government rates.
Importance for NDA and Other Aspirants
Diverse current affairs across governance, defence, economy, science, and sports form the backbone of GK and current affairs topics for NDA/SSB exams. Keeping abreast of such updates enhances your ability to tackle objective questions and interview discussions confidently.
Repeated Past Important Questions
- Which peak holds the title of the highest mountain entirely within Indian territory?
(a) Kangchenjunga
(b) Nanda Devi
(c) K2
(d) Saltoro Kangri
Answer: (b) Nanda Devi - In which Indian state is Nanda Devi located?
(a) Uttarakhand
(b) Jammu and Kashmir
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Sikkim
Answer: (a) Uttarakhand - Who was the first Indian woman to reach the peak of Mount Everest?
(a) Santosh Yadav
(b) Bachendri Pal
(c) Arunima Sinha
(d) Kalpana Chawla
Answer: (b) Bachendri Pal - What significant feat did Indian mountaineer Satyadeep Gupta achieve recently?
(a) First Double Dual Ascent of Mt Everest and Mt Lhotse in one season
(b) First Indian to climb K2
(c) First Indian woman on Everest
(d) Fastest Everest summit by an Indian
Answer: (a) First Double Dual Ascent - What is the altitude of the South Base Camp of Mount Everest located in Nepal?
(a) 5,364 meters
(b) 8,848 meters
(c) 6,500 meters
(d) 4,250 meters
Answer: (a) 5,364 meters - Who is the female mountaineer from India known for being the first Indian woman to climb Everest twice?
(a) Bachendri Pal
(b) Santosh Yadav
(c) Arunima Sinha
(d) Sunita Williams
Answer: (b) Santosh Yadav - Which Indian mountain peak is the third highest in the country?
(a) Saser Kangri
(b) Saltoro Kangri
(c) Kamet
(d) Kangchenjunga
Answer: (c) Kamet
Closing Words & Coaching Mention
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