World Stroke Day and Republic Day of Turkey

• October 29 is marked by two major global observances — World Stroke Day and Republic Day of Turkey. The day holds both international and national significance, focusing on health awareness and historical celebration.

• The Kerala government has released its draft “IT Vision 2031”, aiming to generate $50 billion in IT value and create over five lakh high-value jobs by 2031. The plan focuses on making Kerala a global hub for ethical, sustainable, and innovation-driven technology, leveraging its skilled workforce and strong digital infrastructure.

• The Indian Army has signed a contract to procure its first batch of indigenously designed and manufactured Software Defined Radios (SDRs), marking a major step in strengthening secure communication and advancing defence self-reliance. The SDRs have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Oil India Limited (OIL) have signed a non-binding agreement to jointly develop a Rs1-lakh crore Greenfield Refinery and Petrochemical Complex at Ramayapatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district. The project, backed by the state government, aims to expand India’s refining and petrochemical capacity by FY 2030.

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), setting the stage for a comprehensive revision of pay, allowances, and pensions for government employees and retirees. The Commission will submit its report within 18 months, with implementation expected from January 1, 2026.