1. India pays homage to Sardar Patel on his 150th birth-anniversary. The Government of India observed the 150th Jayanti of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31 October, with the Prime Minister paying tribute and reaffirming Patel’s legacy of national integration and governance. The event also included release of a commemorative coin and stamps, and inauguration of development projects in Kevadia, Gujarat.
2. India Maritime Week 2025 nets ₹12 lakh crore investments. At India Maritime Week 2025 held in Mumbai, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways announced investment commitments of over ₹12 lakh crore and more than 600 MoUs to bolster the maritime/blue-economy agenda. The commitments span ship-building, green ports and logistics integration, aligning with the “Make in India” and Maritime India Vision.
3. India–US sign 10-year defence cooperation framework. India and the United States finalised a 10-year defence cooperation framework on 30-31 October, aiming to deepen strategic ties, tech transfer, joint exercises and inter-operability. The pact signals long-term alignment in Indo-Pacific security and underlines India’s expanding global defence architecture.
4. India imposes 30% import duty on yellow peas from Nov 1. The Government issued notification on 30 October imposing a 30% import duty on yellow peas effective 1 November, with shipments dated by 31 October exempted. India is the world’s largest importer of yellow peas, so the move impacts pulses trade, farm incomes and import-policy.
5. Special Campaign 5.0 yields measurable governance outcomes. Under Special Campaign 5.0 (2–31 October 2025) led by DARPG, government offices freed up 202.97 lakh sq ft space, earned ~₹551.93 crore via scrap, and addressed 6.69 lakh public grievances — as of 31 Oct. The campaign emphasises cleanliness (Swachhata), pendency reduction and citizen-centric functioning.
6. India pays tribute via ‘Run for Unity’ and national events. On 31 October (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas), the Home Ministry flagged off the “Run for Unity” and announced that a unity parade will become an annual ritual. States and central agencies joined in programmes commemorating national integration and internal security progress.
7. India hosts historic highest run-chase in women’s ODI cricket. On 30 October, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team chased down 339 against Australia — the highest successful women’s ODI run-chase — to reach the final of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Jemimah Rodrigues (127 not out) starred in a landmark victory.
8. Global logistics giant pledges US$5 billion investment in India. During the India Maritime Week, UAE-based DP World announced a US$5 billion investment commitment in India’s ports and integrated supply-chain network by adding to its earlier US$3 billion.
9. Kolkata port signs MoUs worth over ₹48,000 crore during maritime week. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata (SMPK) signed investment MoUs worth more than ₹48,000 crore at India Maritime Week for dredging, container terminals and riverfront development. The investments highlight eastern-India port expansion and logistic connectivity push.
10. Visakhapatnam Port, AP Government ink ₹29,662 crore ship-building cluster pact. The Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Andhra Pradesh Government signed a MoU for a ₹29,662 crore port, ship-building & repair cluster at Dugarajapatnam during the maritime week. The project aligns with “Make in India”, maritime manufacturing and employment generation.
11. Government bonds rally as RBI reduces weekly auction supply. India’s bond market rebounded on 31 October after Reserve Bank of India announced a reduction in weekly auction supply by easing borrowing cost concerns and improving liquidity perceptions. The move indicates the central bank’s nuanced management of debt markets amid fiscal pressures.
12. India launches model “Youth Gram Sabha” initiative for school students. The Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative was rolled out across 1,000+ schools, enabling students to participate in mock-Gram Sabhas and understand local governance under the NEP 2020 vision. The programme links education, civic engagement and grassroots democracy.
13. India & US highlight space cooperation at leadership meeting. In recent talks, India and the United States emphasised enhanced cooperation in civil space, satellite navigation and deep-tech under the new decade-long defence framework. This implies shared strategic interest in outer space and dual-use tech.
14. GST council to meet amid revenue plateau, states demand higher share and with GST collections holding steady but growth plateauing, the Goods and Services Tax Council plans to meet next week amid increasing state demands for higher share and review of tax-rate structure. The fiscal-federal balance, revenue shortfall risk and centre-state dynamics make this important.
15. India launches e-mobility corridor on Delhi-Mumbai freight corridor. The government initiated the country’s first long-haul e-mobility corridor for freight trains on the Delhi–Mumbai Freight Corridor, with deployment of electric locomotives and solar-powered infrastructure which is as part of sustainable transport and carbon-reduction drive.
