In Current Affairs for 18 October 2025, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 18 October 2025
Dhanteras 2025, ASSOCHAM Leadership, Transgender Inclusion in SC Committee, and AIIA’s 9th Foundation Day
Dhanteras 2025: The Auspicious Beginning of Diwali
Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, will mark the joyful beginning of the Diwali 2025 festivities. Celebrated on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi Tithi) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, this day holds immense religious and cultural importance across India.
The festival is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician associated with good health. Devotees also worship Lord Ganesha, Lord Kubera, and Lord Yama for blessings of fortune, wisdom, and longevity.
On this day, people clean and decorate their homes, light traditional diyas, purchase gold, silver, or new utensils, and perform Lakshmi Puja to invite prosperity and positive energy into their lives. Dhanteras sets the tone for the five-day Diwali celebrations, symbolizing wealth, health, and spiritual well-being.
Nirmal Kumar Minda Appointed President of ASSOCHAM
Nirmal Kumar Minda, Executive Chairman of Uno Minda Group, has taken charge as the new President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). Joining him, Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank, has been named Senior Vice President, pending final approval from the Reserve Bank of India.
ASSOCHAM, a leading non-governmental trade and industry body based in New Delhi, plays a vital role in shaping India’s economic and industrial policies. It acts as a bridge between businesses and the government, addressing trade-related issues and promoting an environment conducive to investment and innovation. The chamber continues to advocate for both domestic and global trade growth, supporting India’s journey toward becoming an economic powerhouse.
Historic Inclusion: First Transgender Member in Supreme Court Committee
In a landmark step toward inclusivity, transgender rights activist Akkai Padmashali has been appointed to a Supreme Court-appointed committee responsible for developing an equal opportunity policy to safeguard the rights of transgender individuals.
Padmashali, hailing from Karnataka, is the first transgender person to serve on such a national-level panel. The committee is chaired by Justice Asha Menon, retired judge of the Delhi High Court.
This development strengthens the legal progress made through the NALSA v. Union of India (2014) judgment, which recognized transgender persons as a “third gender”, and the 2018 ruling that decriminalized homosexuality. However, the real challenge continues to be the effective implementation of these landmark decisions on the ground.
Padmashali’s appointment represents a crucial step toward ensuring that policymaking reflects true social inclusion and equality.
AIIA Marks Its 9th Foundation Day
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), functioning under the Ministry of Ayush, celebrated its 9th Foundation Day at its campus in New Delhi.
Since its inception, AIIA has evolved into a Centre of Excellence for Ayurvedic education, research, and healthcare. Over the past nine years, it has treated over 30 lakh patients and established seven new Health and Wellness Centres across India.
The institute continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the government’s vision of making India a global leader in traditional medicine. Through its initiatives, AIIA is promoting global awareness about Ayurveda, expanding access to natural healthcare, and strengthening research collaborations worldwide.
Review Questions
- What does ASSOCHAM stand for?
A. Association of Chambers of Commerce and Manufacturing
B. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Maharashtra
C. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
D. Association of Indian Commerce and Industry
ANSWER: C - Where is the headquarters of ASSOCHAM located?
A. Mumbai
B. Chennai
C. Kolkata
D. New Delhi
ANSWER: D - Who has been appointed as the President of ASSOCHAM?
A. Sanjeev Bajaj
B. Nirmal Kumar Minda
C. Ratan Tata
D. Adar Poonawalla
ANSWER: B - Trans rights activist Akkai Padmashali has been appointed to which panel?
A. NITI Aayog advisory board
B. Supreme Court panel on transgender rights
C. Ministry of Social Justice committee
D. National Human Rights Commission
ANSWER: B - Which institute recently celebrated its 9th Foundation Day?
A. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)
B. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
C. National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA)
D. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)
ANSWER: A - In which city was the 90th Foundation Day of the National Sugar Institute (NSI)
celebrated?
A. Lucknow
B. Varanasi
C. Agra
D. Kanpur
ANSWER: D - Which country partnered with India to launch the Connectivity & Innovation
Centre for 6G development, network security, and inclusive connectivity?
A. United States
B. Japan
C. United Kingdom
D. Germany
ANSWER: C - Which Indian athletes won gold medals in Men’s High Jump T47 and Women’s
100m T12 at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships?
A. Devendra Jhajharia and Manish Narwal
B. Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma
C. Mariyappan Thangavelu and Avani Lekhara
D. Sumit Antil and Bhavina Patel
ANSWER: B - In which city was the One integrated mobility app launched for seamless
public transport?
A. Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Bengaluru
D. Chennai
ANSWER: B - Which organization launched IRSA 1.0, India’s first standardized software
architecture for military Software Defined Radios?
A. ISRO
B. BHEL
C. HAL
D. DRDO
ANSWER: D
Download PDF
