• 31 Oct 2025

PM to Inaugurate Chhattisgarh’s New Assembly Building

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Chhattisgarh’s new Assembly building in Nava Raipur on 1^st November 2025, coinciding with the state’s Silver Jubilee Foundation Day. 

Key Points 

• About: The new Vidhan Sabha complex, built at a cost of ₹324 crore, reflects the state’s journey from modest beginnings in 2000 to self-reliant development and institutional maturity. 
  • The state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1^st November 2000. 
• First Assembly Session: 
  • Held on 14^th December 2000 in a temporary tent at Rajkumar College, Raipur, under Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. 
  • Rajendra Prasad Shukla was the first Speaker, and Nandkumar Sai (BJP) became the first Leader of Opposition. 
• Initial Administrative Setup: Initially, the Assembly Secretariat operated from two rooms in DKS Hospital and even under a Peepal tree before shifting to the Watershed Mission building in Baronda village. 
• Features of the New Assembly Complex: 
  • The new Assembly building has been designed with a 100-year vision to meet future needs, including the possibility of an increase in Assembly seats following delimitation. 
  • The main hall has a 200-seat capacity, expandable for future needs, featuring 24 ministerial chambers (initially 14 functional) and paired seating with individual desks for each legislator. 
  • The complex includes a 520–1,000-seat auditorium for conferences and events, a museum beneath the main building showcasing legislative history, and medical facilities offering Ayurvedic, Allopathic, and Homoeopathic care with 8 beds each. 
• 'Make in Chhattisgarh' Concept: 
  • Energy-efficient, sustainable, and naturally lit, it emphasises eco-friendly and local materials. 
  • Entirely planned, designed, and constructed using local materials and expertise. 
  • Reflects the state’s self-reliant vision, in line with the national ‘Make in India’ initiative. 

 

GST Imposed on Horse Sales at Pushkar Fair

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan State GST Department has, for the first time, imposed a 5% GST on horse sales at the Pushkar Fair to formalise trade and boost revenue collection. 

 

Key Points 

• Implementation: The Animal Husbandry Department will issue receipts for each transaction, serving as the basis for GST collection. 
  • To ensure compliance, checkpoints have been established along major routes to monitor horse transport and verify documentation. 
• About Pushkar Fair:  
  • The Pushkar Fair, also known as the Pushkar Camel Fair or Pushkar Mela, is an annual five-day livestock and cultural event held in Pushkar, Rajasthan, typically between October and November. 
  • It is regarded as one of the world’s largest cattle fairs, attracting traders and visitors from across India and abroad. 
  • Beyond livestock trading, the fair has evolved into a major tourist attraction, featuring traditional competitions like matka phod, longest moustache, and bridal contests. 
  • In recent years, the fair has added modern attractions, including an exhibition football match between the local Pushkar Club and teams of foreign tourists. 
  • The Pushkar Fair remains a vibrant cultural and economic hub, drawing buyers and farmers from Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat while celebrating Rajasthan’s rich equestrian heritage and the enduring bond between humans and horses. 

Justice Surya Kant Appointed as 53rd CJI

Why in News? 

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Surya Kant as the 53^rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). 

 

Key Points 

• About:  
  • He will assume office as the Chief Justice of India on 24^th November 2025, succeeding CJI B. R. Gavai, and will serve a 15-month tenure until 10th February 2027. 
  • He will be the first Chief Justice of India from Haryana. 
  • He is a first-generation lawyer known for his forthright observations, balanced judgments, and emphasis on constitutional morality. 
  • His tenure is expected to focus on judicial accessibility, administrative reforms, and consistency in constitutional interpretation. 
• Notable Judgments: 
  • Article 370: Part of the five-judge bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370. 
  • Minority Tag to AMU: Member of the bench that delivered the verdict on Aligarh Muslim University’s minority status. 
  • Election Commission Oversight: Currently heading a bench supervising the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar. 
• About Chief Justice of India:  
  • A Supreme Court judge, including the CJI, is appointed by the President under Article 124 (2).  
  • The senior-most judge is designated as CJI based on length of service ( it is customary practice, not a legal requirement ).  
  • To qualify as CJI, one must be a citizen of India, have served as a High Court judge for 5 years or as an advocate for 10 years, or be a distinguished jurist in the President’s opinion.  
  • The CJI can only be removed by the President after an address by Parliament, supported by a special majority in both Houses. 

  

National Unity Day

Why in News?  

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas(National Unity Day), observed annually on 31^st October to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s role in unifying India, holds special significance in 2025 as it marks his 150^th birth anniversary. 

Key Points 

• National Unity Day:  
  • It embodies the values of unity, integrity, and inclusiveness championed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 
  • It was first celebrated in 2014, following the Government’s decision to honour Patel’s monumental role in nation-building. 
  • During the 2015 observance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative to strengthen connections and cultural exchange among people of different regions. 
• Events: 
  • The Sardar@150 Unity March (Yatra), organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through the My Bharat platform, aims to promote unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among youth in line with the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. 
  • The “Run for Unity,” a nationwide marathon symbolising national cohesion, was held on 31^st October 2025 across major cities, with a flag-off event in New Delhi. 
• Statue of Unity:  
  • On 31^st  October 2018, the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue at 182 meters (600 feet), was inaugurated at Kevadia, Gujarat, honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.  
  • Overlooking the Narmada River and the Sardar Sarovar Dam (the second largest gravity dam worldwide by concrete volume), the statue is situated on Sadhu Bet hillock. 
  • In 2020 India's Statue of Unity was included in the list of eight wonders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). 

Navy Shaurya Museum in Lucknow

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the preparations for the upcoming ‘Navy Shaurya Museum’ in Lucknow, an ambitious project that will commemorate the valour, legacy, and technological prowess of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean region. 

Key Points 

• About: Planned near Ekana Stadium in CG City, the museum will be a first-of-its-kind maritime heritage complex in North India, designed to blend education, experience, and technology while placing Uttar Pradesh prominently on the national tourism map. 
  • The museum aims to celebrate India’s maritime strength, rekindle UP’s ancient maritime heritage, and inspire national pride. 
  • Launched in 2022 with an initial completion target of December 2024, the project has achieved only 30% progress due to logistical challenges, and is now expected to be completed by late 2025. 
• Project Structure: The Navy Shaurya Museum is being developed in two key segments: 
  • INS Gomati Shaurya Smarak (Sacred Memorial): It features the INS Gomati (F-21), a Godavari-class indigenous missile frigate that served the Indian Navy for 34 years and participated in major operations like Operation Cactus and Operation Parakram. 
  • Nausena Shaurya Vatika: It will feature a TU-142 maritime surveillance aircraft that served for 29 years and a Sea King SK-42B helicopter used in naval operations. 
• Design: The museum, designed in the abstract form of a ship with naval railings, porthole-style windows, and maritime symbols, will consist of two main zones — the Interpretation Centre and the Open-Air Museum. 
• Technology Meets Heritage: The museum will integrate modern technology with historical storytelling, featuring: 
  • 7D theatre for immersive storytelling. 
  • Aircraft carrier landing and warship simulators to provide realistic naval experiences. 
  • Digital water-screen show and marine life aquarium. 
  • Submerged Dwarka model showcasing India’s ancient maritime history. 
  • Interactive activities such as ‘Dress Like Your Heroes’ and virtual naval missions. 
• Administrative Oversight: A committee headed by the Director General of Tourism, comprising representatives from the Maritime Heritage Society, UP Projects Corporation, and naval experts, has been formed to oversee the project.

West Bengal to Establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cell

Why in News? 

The West Bengal Police has announced the establishment of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cell aimed at integrating AI technologies into policing to enhance efficiency, transparency, service delivery, and data-driven decision-making. 

Key Points 

• About:  
  • The AI Cell has been created to promote the use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in improving police operations, investigations, and administrative efficiency. 
  • It will function as the central authority for all initiatives related to the introduction, integration, and management of AI within the police organization. 
  • The Cell will formulate ethical and transparent AI policies, ensuring responsible and accountable implementation of AI technologies. 
  • The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of modernising governance and public service through technology. 
• Location: The office headquarters will be located at Bhawani Bhawan, Kolkata. 
• Structure: The Additional Director General (ADG) will head the AI Cell as the overall policy decision-maker, assisted by an Inspector General (IG) serving as member secretary and two technical experts providing specialized support. 
• Mandate: The AI Cell will develop AI-based tools for predictive policing, traffic management, emergency response, and data security, while formulating data-handling guidelines to ensure privacy compliance, with full administrative, technical, and financial support from the Police Directorate.