October 2025 saw the India–EFTA trade pact take effect, the UPSC centenary, a new CJI named, Cyclone Montha, the Nobel season and the 22nd ASEAN–India Summit. Major items are grouped below by GS paper.

In this compilation: 29 major items, grouped by GS theme · 10-question quiz at the end.

Timeline: key events of October 2025

Places in news, October 2025

Polity & Governance

1. UPSC completes 100 years

• The Commission traces its start to the Public Service Commission set up on 1 October 1926.
• The idea came from the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms (1919) and the Lee Commission (1924).
• Today it works under Articles 315–323 of the Constitution.

Why it matters for UPSC: Role of constitutional bodies in a merit-based civil service.

Syllabus: GS2 – Constitutional bodies

2. Justice Surya Kant named 53rd Chief Justice of India

• The President appointed him under Article 124(2), succeeding Justice B.R. Gavai.
• He took office on 24 November 2025.
• By convention the senior-most judge is recommended by the outgoing CJI.

Why it matters for UPSC: Memorandum of Procedure and the collegium system.

Syllabus: GS2 – Judiciary

3. Sonam Wangchuk detained under the NSA

• The Ladakh activist was held under the National Security Act, 1980 after protests in Leh.
• The protests sought statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh.
• Article 22 allows preventive detention, with an advisory board review.

Why it matters for UPSC: Balancing liberty with public order.

Syllabus: GS2 – Preventive detention