State PCS - JAMMU & KASHMIR (JKAS)

• 16 Oct 2025

India–South Korea Naval Bilateral Exercise (IN–RoKN)

Why in News? 

The inaugural edition of the India–South Korea Naval Bilateral Exercise (IN–RoKN) commenced on 13th October 2025 at the Busan Naval Base, South Korea, marking a significant milestone in the growing strategic partnership between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). 

Key Points 

• About: The inaugural IN–RoKN exercise is structured into two distinct phases — the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase — designed to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding, and trust between the two maritime forces. 
  • Harbour Phase: During this phase, naval personnel from both countries will engage in cross-deck visits, professional exchanges, best practice sharing, sports events, and cross-training sessions. The Commanding Officer of INS Sahyadri will also pay courtesy calls on senior RoKN officials and local dignitaries. 
  • Sea Phase: The sea segment will include complex joint manoeuvres and operational exercises between INS Sahyadri and ROKS Gyeongnam, aimed at strengthening tactical coordination and operational synergy. 
• INS Sahyadri: An indigenously designed and constructed Shivalik-class stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri was commissioned in 2012 and serves under the Eastern Fleet of the Eastern Naval Command, headquartered at Visakhapatnam.  
  • The ship stands as a testament to India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative and its indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. 
• Strategic Significance: As the Indo-Pacific region assumes greater geopolitical importance, both India and the Republic of Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to developing robust maritime partnerships founded on shared interests, mutual respect, and common values. 

World Food Day 2025

Why in News? 

World Food Day is observed every year on 16th October to promote awareness about food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. 

Key Points 

• About: World Food Day marks the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) by the United Nations (UN) on 16th October, 1945. 
  • The World Food Day came into existence in 1979 during the FAO's 20th General Conference and the UN General Assembly endorsed it in 1984. 
  • Right to food is recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. 
• Theme: The theme for 2025 is "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future", highlighting the power of global collaboration to transform agrifood systems. 
• India’s Status: Over the past decade, India’s foodgrain production rose by nearly 90 million metric tonnes, reflecting strong agricultural growth. 
  • Fruit and vegetable output expanded significantly, increasing by over 64 million metric tonnes during the same period. 
  • India now ranks first globally in milk and millets production and second in fish, fruit, and vegetable output, with honey and egg production doubling since 2014. 
• Indian Initiatives: Flagship initiatives like the National Food Security Act, 2013, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM POSHAN Scheme, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, Rice Fortification and Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) are reinforcing India's commitment to ensuring food and nutritional security. 

Birth Anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Why in News? 

On 15^th October 2025, President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Key Points 

• About: Born on 15th October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam specialised in Aeronautical Engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology.  
• Space Research: He served as the Project Director for India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully placed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980, making India a member of the exclusive Space Club.  
  • He played a key role in the evolution of the ISRO launch vehicle program, particularly the PSLV configuration, which became a cornerstone of India's space exploration capabilities. 
• Defence Development: As the Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), he was instrumental in the development and operationalisation of key missile systems such as AGNI and PRITHVI.  
  • As Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Secretary of the Department of Defence Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999, Dr Kalam led India's missile systems weaponisation and oversaw the successful Pokhran-II nuclear tests, making India a nuclear weapons state.  
  • His contributions also extended to self-reliance in defence systems, including the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). 
• Vision for Developed India: His leadership extended to the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), where, as Chairman, he spearheaded the Technology Vision 2020 project.  
• Books: His works, including "Wings of Fire", "India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium", "My Journey", and "Ignited Minds - Unleashing the Power Within India", have been translated into multiple languages and remain popular worldwide. 
• Recognition and Honours: He received 30 honorary doctorates and was awarded India's highest civilian honours: Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), and the Bharat Ratna (1997).  
• President of India: On 25th July 2002, Dr Kalam became the 11th President of India, where he continued to champion the vision of a developed nation.  
  • His presidency focused on achieving the goal of transforming India into a global leader by 2020, leaving behind a legacy of scientific excellence, national pride, and youth empowerment.

Google Artificial Intelligence Hub in Visakhapatnam

Why in News? 

Google has unveiled plans to invest $15 billion over the next five years(2026–2030) to establish a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.  

Key Points 

• About: The project was announced during the ‘Bharat AI Shakti’ event in New Delhi, where Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that he had discussed the project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  
• Largest AI Hub: The new data centre in Visakhapatnam will be Google’s largest AI hub outside the United States.  
  • This forms part of Google’s broader strategy to invest approximately $85 billion this year to expand its data centre capacity, meeting the growing demand for AI services globally. 
• Services: The Google AI hub will offer a full range of AI solutions, leveraging Google’s proprietary Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are designed to be twice as power-efficient as traditional chips.  
  • The hub will store data locally to comply with India’s sovereign AI requirements, while also deploying Google’s advanced AI models, including Gemini, Imagine, and Veo. 
• Collaboration: To support this ambitious initiative, Adani Group and Airtel have partnered with Google to build the necessary infrastructure, which includes the construction of a new international subsea gateway.