DRAVYA Portal

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Recently, the Union Ministry of Ayush launched the DRAVYA portal to digitally catalogue medicinal substances from classical and modern research, promoting evidence-based integration and innovation in traditional medicine systems.

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The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has launched the Digitised Retrieval Application for Versatile Yardstick of Ayush (DRAVYA) portal.

• CCRAS is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Ayush, for the formulation, coordination, development, and promotion of research on scientific lines in Ayurveda of medicine.

The portal aims to catalogue information on 100 key medicinal substances in its first phase, with continuous data updates through a dedicated software system.

The DRAVYA portal was unveiled during the 10th Ayurveda Day event in Goa on 23rd September 2025.

Key Highlights of the DRAVYA Portal

• This platform is designed as an open-access, AI-ready digital repository to unify traditional knowledge with modern scientific data on Ayush medicinal substances.
• It integrates information from classical Ayurvedic texts, scientific literature, and contemporary research platforms, offering comprehensive details on pharmacology, botany, chemistry, and safety aspects.
• The portal features QR code integration for standardised information display in medicinal plant gardens and drug repositories across the country.
• The platform aims to strengthen the scientific foundation of Ayurveda and other Ayush systems by merging traditional wisdom with advanced technology.

Global Fintech Fest 2025

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The sixth edition of the Global Fintech Fest 2025 held in Mumbai showcased India’s growing leadership in digital finance.

About Global Fintech Fest 2025

• The Global Fintech Fest 2025 was organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC).
• The event was supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Reserve Bank of India, IFSCA, and Invest India.
• The 2025 theme was “Empowering Finance for a Better World” – Powered by AI: Augmented Intelligence, Innovation, Inclusion.
• The event featured over 100,000 participants from 75 countries, 7,500 companies, 800 speakers, 400 exhibitors, and 70 regulators, including central banks and financial authorities from major global economies.

Fintech

Fintech, short for financial technology, uses digital technology to improve, automate, and deliver financial services, creating products and services that are more accessible, efficient, and often cheaper than traditional methods. 

Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue 2025

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Recently, Australia hosted the first Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue 2025 to deepen bilateral defence cooperation across maritime, air, and industrial domains.

Key Outcomes of the Dialogue

• This dialogue witnessed the signing of the Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation, a key milestone in naval collaboration.
• This meeting reviewed progress on operationalising the Air-to-Air Refuelling Arrangement signed in 2024, strengthening aerial interoperability.
• This partnership expanded into all defence domains, including land, air, maritime, and emerging technologies.
• This meeting highlighted India’s participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and Australia’s participation in India’s Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, deepening joint operational experience.

Defence Industry and Training Collaboration

• This dialogue underscored the growing defence industrial cooperation, with Australia conducting its first Defence Trade Mission to India (7–10 October 2025).
• This partnership welcomed the India Pavilion at Australia’s Land Forces Expo 2024, reflecting strengthening industry ties.
• This discussion announced the Australia–India Defence Industry Roundtable in Sydney to enhance cooperation in defence manufacturing and research.
• This meeting included an agreement to collaborate on contemporary defence technologies through the Joint Working Group on Defence Industry, Research and Materiel.
• This collaboration extended to military education, with more Indian students to study at the Australian Defence College (2026) and a seat reserved at the Australian Defence Force Academy (2027).
• This meeting reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to a free, open, peaceful, and rules-based Indo-Pacific consistent with UNCLOS 1982.

NAMASTE Scheme

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The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised a programme in Goa to distribute sanitation kits and Ayushman Cards under the NAMASTE Scheme.

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• This programme for the distribution of sanitation kits and Ayushman Cards was held in Panaji, Goa, under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme.
• This event was presided over by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
• This initiative aims to ensure the safety, dignity, and socio-economic empowerment of sanitation workers across India.
• This programme witnessed the distribution of PPE kits, Ayushman Cards, and safety equipment to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers.

NAMASTE Scheme

• The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, launched in July 2023 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• The scheme aims to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers by preventing manual hazardous cleaning and promoting safe, mechanized practices through trained and certified workers.
• The scheme is to be implemented in all 4800+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the country, during the three years up to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs. 349.70 crore

Progress Under NAMASTE Scheme

• This scheme has profiled 90,494 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers across India.
• This initiative has provided 84,077 workers with PPE kits for improved occupational safety.
• This programme has issued 68,341 Ayushman Cards to sanitation workers for healthcare coverage

93rd Air Force Day

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 93rd anniversary at Hindon Air Force Station with a ceremonial parade.

Indian Air Force

• The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932.
• The vision of the Air Force is to be an agile and adaptable air force that provides decisive aerospace power in furtherance of our national interests.
• The Motto of the Indian Air Force is “Touch the sky with Glory” which has been taken from the eleventh chapter of the Gita.

Status of India as per the Report

• India’s Air Force has evolved into the fourth-largest in the world, reflecting its growing operational capability and strategic deterrence.
• Indigenous platforms and weapons systems have strengthened India’s self-reliance in defence technology.
• The IAF demonstrates dual capability in combat operations and humanitarian assistance, reinforcing India’s global credibility.
• Operations like Sindoor and Sindhu illustrate India’s ability to swiftly project power and respond to regional security challenges.
• India’s defence preparedness and technological sophistication contribute to regional stability and project India as a responsible strategic actor.