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Current Affairs 08th October 2025
1. Khaled al-Anani appointed as UNESCO's Next Director-General
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Nomination: Khaled al-Anani was nominated by UNESCO's Executive Board for the position of Director-General.
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Background: El-Enany is an Egyptologist and Professor of Egyptology at Helwan University, with over 30 years of teaching experience. He's held various positions, including Vice Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality, Director of the Open Learning Center, and Head of the Tour Guide Department.
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Previous Roles: El-Enany has served as Minister of Antiquities and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt from 2016 to 2022. He's also directed the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
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Election: The nomination will be put to a vote by all UNESCO Member States on November 6 during the Organization's General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. If elected, he'll succeed Audrey Azoulay in mid-November.
Foot notes:
About UNESCO-
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Director-General: Khaled al-Anani
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Headquarters: Paris
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Formation: 1945
2. DRDO Launches IRSA 1.0 for Military Radio Interoperability
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Unified Software Framework: IRSA 1.0 is India's first national software architecture standard for Software Defined Radios (SDRs) used by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, ensuring seamless communication across services.
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Interoperability: The standard enables waveform portability, allowing different radio systems to communicate with each other securely and efficiently, even in complex multi-domain operations.
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Self-Reliance: IRSA 1.0 aligns with the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and Make in India mission, reducing dependence on foreign communication systems and promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.
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Key Features: The standard includes a common software architecture, scalability for next-generation technologies like AI and 5G, and a certification framework for security and reliability.
Foot notes:
About DRDO-
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Minister of Defence: Rajnath Singh
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Headquarters: New Delhi
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Formed: 1958
3. Uttarakhand Becomes First State to Abolish Madrasa Board
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Abolition of Madrasa Board: The Uttarakhand government has abolished the Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, effective July 1, 2026. This move aims to bring minority education into the national mainstream.
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New Education Authority: A new authority, the Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority, will regulate, modernize, and maintain quality checks on institutions operated by minority communities. This authority will ensure that education in these institutions aligns with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
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Uniform Education System: The decision aims to introduce a uniform education system, where students from all backgrounds, including those in madrasas, will follow a standardized curriculum and evaluation framework. This will enable students to access higher education and professional courses on par with other students.
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Inclusion of Other Minority Communities: The new bill extends recognition to educational institutions belonging to other minority communities, including Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi communities, in addition to Muslims.
4. World Bank Ups India’s FY26 Growth Estimate to 6.5%
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Revised Growth Estimate: The World Bank has increased India's growth estimate for FY26 to 6.5%, up from its previous projection of 6.3% made in June.
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Economic Outlook: This revision reflects the World Bank's confidence in India's economic growth prospects, driven by various factors, including government initiatives and investments.
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Comparison with Previous Projections: The upward revision indicates a positive shift in the World Bank's outlook on India's economy, which is now expected to perform better than previously anticipated.
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Global Economic Context: The revision comes amid a complex global economic scenario, with the World Bank closely monitoring economic trends and adjusting its projections accordingly.
5. Indian Peacekeepers Honoured for Dedicated Service
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UN Medal Recognition: 838 Indian peacekeepers, including 12 women, were awarded UN medals for their service in South Sudan, recognizing their dedication to maintaining peace and protecting civilians in challenging environments.
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Service Highlights: Indian peacekeepers protected civilians, secured humanitarian convoys, and provided medical aid in conflict zones, including areas like Bor, Akobo, and Pibor in South Sudan.
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Medical and Veterinary Services: The Indian contingent conducted medical outreaches, delivering free treatment to around 315 displaced persons in Malakal, and also provided veterinary assistance to thousands of animals, supporting local livestock owners.
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India's Contribution to UN Peacekeeping: India has a long history of contributing to UN peacekeeping, with over 290,000 personnel deployed globally, and currently has over 5,000 peacekeepers serving in nine active missions.
6. Nobel Prize Chemistry 2025 awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson & Omar M. Yaghi
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Chemistry to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their pioneering work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
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Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs): MOFs are innovative materials built from metal ions linked with organic molecules, creating highly porous structures with vast potential in various applications.
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Impact on Chemistry: The development of MOFs has revolutionized the field of chemistry, opening up new avenues for research and applications.
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Recognition: The Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognizes the groundbreaking contributions of Kitagawa, Robson, and Yaghi to the development of MOFs, highlighting the significance of their work in advancing chemical science.
7. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Appointed Brand Ambassador of Buildathon 2025
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Appointment: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Viksit Bharat Buildathon initiative, a nationwide innovation program for students.
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Objective: The initiative aims to foster scientific temperament, creativity, and innovation among students, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's development towards a Viksit Bharat.
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Buildathon Details: The Viksit Bharat Buildathon is a massive school hackathon that will engage over 1 crore students from 1.5 lakh schools across the country, encouraging them to develop prototypes based on four key themes: Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local, and Samriddhi.
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Themes: Participants will focus on creating solutions that address real-life challenges, promote indigenous ideas, support local products, and create pathways to prosperity and sustainable growth.
8. PayPal Onboards India’s UPI as First Payments System Partner
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Integration with PayPal World: PayPal has integrated India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the first payments system partner on its new platform, PayPal World, enabling seamless cross-border transactions.
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Global Interoperability: This partnership aims to create a global network of digital wallets, allowing users to transact across borders without the need for multiple accounts or platforms.
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Increased Reach: With UPI's integration, PayPal's global reach expands, enabling Indian users to make international transactions easily and efficiently.
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Boost to Financial Inclusion: This move is expected to enhance financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, and spur innovation in fintech, aligning with India's 'Digital India' vision.
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Strategic Partnership: PayPal's partnership with NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) highlights the growing importance of UPI in global financial transactions and reflects a shift towards a borderless digital economy.
Foot notes:
About PayPal-
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Chairman: John Donahoe
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Headquarters: U.S
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Founded: 1998
9. Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on 08th October 2025
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Date and Anniversary: Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8, 2025, marking the 93rd anniversary of the Indian Air Force, which was established in 1932.
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Theme: The theme for Indian Air Force Day 2025 is "Operation Sindoor," highlighting India's growing air power and humanitarian strength in global missions. However, another source suggests the theme might focus on modernization and operational readiness, so the exact theme might be confirmed by the IAF.
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Events and Celebrations: The day features air shows, parades, and demonstrations of modern aircraft at major air bases, showcasing the IAF's operational strength, technological capabilities, and strategic reach.
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Significance: Indian Air Force Day honors the dedication, courage, and professionalism of air warriors who protect India's skies and ensures national sovereignty. It also inspires patriotism and unity among citizens.
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IAF's History and Structure: The Indian Air Force has a rich history, from its establishment in 1932 to its current status as a powerful force with advanced aircraft and technology.
10. Punjabi singer Rajvir Jawanda passed away
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Rajvir Jawanda, a 35-year-old Punjabi singer and actor, passed away Fortis Hospital in Mohali, after a prolonged battle with injuries sustained in a road accident.
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Jawanda was involved in a motorcycle accident on September 27, 2025, near Baddi in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, where he hit stray cattle, resulting in severe head and spinal injuries.
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Despite undergoing multiple surgeries and continuous medical support, Jawanda's condition remained critical, and he was on life support since his admission to the hospital. His brain activity remained minimal, and he succumbed to multiple organ failure.
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Jawanda was known for hits like "Kali Jawande Di," "Khush Reha Kar," "Sardari," and "Shaandaar." He began his music career with his debut single "Munda Like Me" in 2014 and also acted in Punjabi films like "Subedar Joginder Singh" and "Jind Jaan".
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