PIB digest for Sunday, 25 October

Sunday, 25 October6 briefs

• PM Modi inaugurates RBI Data Centre and Cybersecurity Institute

  Prime Minister's Office · Economy

  The Prime Minister inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India’s new Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to strengthen the nation's digital financial infrastructure and security against cyber threats.

  This development is important for the UPSC syllabus as it highlights India's evolving financial infrastructure, cybersecurity frameworks, and financial inclusion policies essential for economic stability and growth.

  Key objectives

  • Inaugurated RBI’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
  • Aims to strengthen digital infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities of the financial system against cyber threats.
  • Highlights financial inclusion milestones such as nearly 60 crore Jan Dhan accounts and credit access through Mudra Yojana, PM SVANidhi, and PM Vishwakarma.

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• 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Hosted in New Delhi

  Lok Sabha Secretariat · IR

  The Parliament of India is set to host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum starting October 26, 2026, under the overarching theme 'Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.' Ahead of the two-day forum, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla held bilateral meetings with parliamentary delegations from Russia, Cuba, Egypt, and Belarus.

  This event highlights India's active multilateral diplomacy and parliamentary engagement within the BRICS framework, relevant to India's foreign policy and international groupings in the UPSC syllabus.

  Key objectives

  • Host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in the Parliament House Complex on 26-27 October 2026.
  • Deliberate on the overarching theme of 'Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development' across four high-level sessions themed on Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.
  • Strengthen bilateral parliamentary cooperation, global counter-terrorism efforts, and discussions on UNSC reforms with international delegations including Russia, Cuba, Egypt, and Belarus.

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• CCPA Penalizes Misleading Walkie-Talkie Advertisements and Listings

  Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution · Governance

  The Central Consumer Protection Authority imposed a penalty of ₹1 lakh on Hogar Technologies and Innovations LLP for misleading walkie-talkie advertisements lacking regulatory disclosures. Overall, the CCPA has penalized 12 entities a cumulative ₹58 lakh for non-compliant listings across e-commerce platforms.

  This highlights the enforcement role of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which is a key topic for governance and consumer rights under the UPSC syllabus.

  Key objectives

  • CCPA imposed a ₹1 lakh penalty on M/s Hogar Technologies and Innovations LLP for misleading walkie-talkie advertisements.
  • Over 16,970 non-compliant walkie-talkie listings were identified across online platforms, with notices issued to 13 e-commerce entities.
  • Final orders have been passed against 12 entities, accumulating penalties of ₹58 lakh for unfair trade practices.

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• NCB Launches Operation Trident Against Narco-Cartels

  Ministry of Home Affairs · Security

  The Narcotics Control Bureau, in coordination with state police forces and the Enforcement Directorate, launched 'Operation Trident' across 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram, and Manipur to dismantle an international narco-cartel. The synchronized crackdown led to 18 arrests, the seizure of cash and detonators, the freezing of 1,424 bank accounts, and the uncovering of ₹100 crore in hawala transactions.

  This multi-agency operation highlights India's internal security strategy against cross-border drug trafficking and financial syndicates, relevant to UPSC syllabus themes on internal security, border management, and prevention of organized crime.

  Key objectives

  • NCB, Mizoram Police, and ED launched 'Operation Trident' on 23 October 2026 across 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram, and Manipur.
  • Revealed ₹100 crore in hawala transactions, froze 1,424 bank accounts, attached properties worth ₹17.82 crore, seized 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh in cash, and arrested 18 people.
  • Aims to dismantle the transnational drug trafficking network operating through the Death Triangle Corridor across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, supporting the goal of eradicating drug networks by 31 December 2029.

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• National Urban Conclave 2026 Concludes in Bhubaneswar

  Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · Governance

  The National Urban Conclave 2026 concluded in Bhubaneswar with actionable recommendations across seven technical sessions to strengthen urban governance, planning, and service delivery towards Viksit Bharat 2047. Several digital platforms, portals, and initiatives were launched, including the Used Water Marketplace, UCF Portal, and Online Interactive Municipal Finance Data Hub.

  This release highlights key policy discussions and institutional reforms regarding urban governance, municipal finance, and sustainable urban planning, which are central to the UPSC Civil Services syllabus under Indian Polity and Governance.

  Key objectives

  • Empower urban local bodies and smaller cities with devolution of powers, finances, and own-source revenues.
  • Integrate spatial and infrastructure planning using shared GIS-based databases and transit-oriented development.
  • Promote outcome-based service delivery, water and resource efficiency, and sustainable municipal financing.
  • Simplify building regulations and model municipal laws for improved ease of doing business and governance.

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• India's Ramsar Wetlands Network Expands to 103 Sites

  PIB Backgrounder · Environment

  India's network of Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance has expanded to 103 sites covering over 13.87 lakh hectares, with Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel being the latest additions.

  This release is important for UPSC aspirants studying environmental governance, international conventions, and biodiversity conservation under the General Studies Paper III syllabus.

  Key objectives

  • India's network of Ramsar Sites reached 103 designated sites covering over 13.87 lakh hectares.
  • Tamil Nadu has the highest number of sites at 20, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 14 sites.
  • India ranks first in Asia and third globally in the number of Ramsar sites.
  • Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) are the latest additions to the list as of October 15, 2026.

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