1. India Wins ISSA Social Security Award

On 3rd October, 2025, India was honoured with the prestigious International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security at the ISSA World Social Security Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• Union Minister for Labour and Employment received the award and stated that it reflects Prime Minister unwavering commitment to ensuring social welfare for all citizens.
• Highlighting the success of the e-Shram portal, the minister noted that India has achieved the fastest expansion of social security coverage in the world, increasing from 19 percent in 2015 to 64.3 percent in 2025.
• Currently, more than 940 million citizens in India are covered under social security schemes, marking a historic milestone in social protection.
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment stated that the ISSA has recognized India’s transformative e-Shram portal initiative, which has successfully registered over 300 million unorganized sector workers within just four years.
• The award signifies global recognition of India’s exceptional progress in designing and implementing effective social protection systems that serve millions efficiently.

2. NCRB Releases Crime in India Report 2023

On 29th September 2025, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released the “Crime in India 2023” report, providing comprehensive data on offences across the country, from violent crimes to cybercrime, caste-based offences, and economic frauds, which serve as a crucial resource for policymaking and law enforcement priorities.

Key Points

• Overall Crime Trends: India recorded 27,721 cases of murder in 2023, a decline of 2.8% from 2022, while cybercrimes surged by 31.2%, totaling 86,420 cases.
• Crime Rate: The overall crime rate per lakh population increased from 422.2 in 2022 to 448.3 in 2023, with motor vehicle violations doubling to 1.92 lakh cases, heavily contributing to the rise.
• NCRB Role: Established in 1986 under the Union Home Ministry, NCRB compiles national crime data, maintains fingerprint records, and assists in locating interstate and international criminals.
• Data Collection: Crime data is submitted by 36 States and UTs via NCRB-prescribed proforma, validated at district and state levels, and finally compiled at NCRB.
• Crime Against Children: A total of 1,77,335 cases were registered in 2023, a 9.2% increase, with major offences including kidnapping/abduction (45%) and crimes under the POCSO Act (38.2%).
• Crimes Against Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Castes (SCs): Crimes against STs rose 28.8% with 12,960 cases, with Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan most affected; crimes against SCs totalled 57,789 cases, led by Uttar Pradesh (15,130).
• Cybercrime: Cases rose sharply from 65,893 in 2022 to 86,420 in 2023, primarily involving fraud, extortion, and sexual exploitation, with Karnataka, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest numbers.

3. Union Cabinet Launches Six-Year Pulses Mission

On 1st October 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a six year central scheme, the “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses,” with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses production from 2025-26 to 2030-31.

Key Points

• Mission Objective: The scheme aims to increase pulses production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-32 from 242 lakh tonnes achieved in 2023-24, focusing on tur, urad, and masur.
• Expansion of Cultivation Area: The area under pulses cultivation will be expanded to 310 lakh hectares from 242 lakh hectares, with a yield target of 1,130 kg per hectare from the current 881 kg per hectare.
• Assured Procurement: Government agencies NAFED and NCCF will undertake 100% procurement of tur, urad, and masur from registered farmers under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA for the next four years.
• Cluster-Based Implementation: The mission will be executed across 416 focused districts using a cluster-based approach to optimize production and support systems.
• Seed Distribution: A total of 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds will be distributed to farmers covering 370 lakh hectares, with an additional 88 lakh seed kits provided free of cost to promote area expansion and intercropping.
• Capacity Building and Training: Farmers and seed growers will undergo structured training programmes to adopt modern technologies, sustainable techniques, and climate-resilient practices.

4. India Drafts Rules for Online Gaming Authority

On 2nd October 2025, draft rules were released to operationalize the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, which bans real money gaming (RMG) platforms such as online poker, rummy, and fantasy sports while permitting only social games and e-sports.

Key Points

• Establishment of Online Gaming Authority: The authority is likely to be a corporate body headquartered in Delhi-NCR with permanent existence and a common seal, empowered to acquire and sell property, enter into contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.
• Digital Operations: The authority can function digitally, summoning and examining individuals under oath through technology without requiring physical presence.
• Composition: Its members will include officials from the Ministry of IT, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth Affairs, financial authorities, and legal experts.
• Registration and Certification: The authority will oversee the registration and certification of social games and e-sports, maintain a national registry of approved games, and determine whether a game is lawful or betting-based. Registration is mandatory, valid for up to five years, and required for advertising or operating platforms.
• Grievance Redressal System: Users can escalate unresolved complaints first to an appellate committee and then to the authority, which must resolve cases within 30 days.
• Prohibition of Betting-Based Games: Betting-based online games involving cash stakes, wagering, or cash-convertible prizes are prohibited, with violations treated as serious non-bailable offences, holding all company employees accountable.
• Penalties: Offering online money gaming can attract up to three years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs 1 crore, while advertising such platforms may result in two years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs 50 lakh.

5. PM Awards 2025 Web Portal Launched

On 1st October 2025, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions virtually launched the official web portal for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2025.

• The newly launched portal, www.pmawards.gov.in, will accept nominations for the awards until the 15th of the next month, allowing public servants and departments to participate easily.
• This year, a total of 16 awards will be conferred, each consisting of a trophy, a scroll, and an incentive of 20 lakh rupees, recognizing outstanding contributions in public administration.
• The awards are divided into multiple categories, with Category-I considering achievements from 1st April 2022 to 30th September 2025.
• Categories II and III will evaluate contributions made between 1st April 2023 and 30th September 2025, ensuring recognition of recent and impactful initiatives.

6. NIELIT Digital University Launched Nationwide

On 2nd October 2025, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology inaugurated the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) Platform in New Delhi, aiming to expand access to quality digital education across India.

• The NDU platform is designed to democratize access to high-quality digital learning, enabling students from all regions to benefit from advanced educational resources.
• Alongside the main launch in New Delhi, Minister virtually inaugurated five additional NIELIT Centres located in Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Balasore (Odisha), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Lunglei (Mizoram), and Daman.
• The university will offer industry-oriented courses aimed at enhancing employability and bridging the gap between academic learning and professional requirements.

7. Hindustani Maestro Pandit Chhannulal Mishra

On 2nd October 2025, Padma Vibhushan vocalist and legendary Hindustani classical musician Pandit Chhannulal Mishra passed away in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, at the age of 89 after a prolonged illness.

• Born in Azamgarh in 1936, Mishra became a towering figure in Hindustani classical music, mastering and popularizing styles such as Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, and Bhajan.
• He received his initial music training from his father, Badri Prasad Mishra, and later honed his skills under the guidance of Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of the Kirana gharana and Thakur Jaidev Singh.
• Mishra was widely celebrated for his soulful renditions that bridged classical rigor with devotional and folk traditions, making him a revered figure across generations.
• In recognition of his monumental contribution to Indian music, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2020 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010.

8.Veteran Gandhian G.G. Parikh

On 2nd October 2025, veteran Gandhian, socialist, and freedom fighter G.G. Parikh passed away in Mumbai at the age of 100.

• Parikh was a committed freedom fighter who was imprisoned twice during his lifetime, first during the Quit India movement in 1942 and later during the Emergency, yet he remained steadfast in his principles.
• He began his journey in public service as a student activist, taking an active role in movements across Saurashtra and Mumbai from the early 1940s.
• In 1947, the year India achieved independence, he served as the president of the Bombay unit of the Students’ Congress, demonstrating his leadership among young activists.
• Throughout his long life, Parikh remained deeply involved in social causes, tirelessly working to promote Gandhian ideals and socialist principles in society.