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Indian firm Skyroot Aerospace unveiled what is the country's first privately designed and developed orbital-class rocket. Named 'Vikram-1', this rocket is expected to perform its maiden flight to space in the first quarter of 2024. This is a milestone for the country's fledgling space sector, that has seen significant growth over the last three years, following the roll-out of Space-sector reforms by the Indian Government. The reforms enabled private firms to design, develop, build and launch their own rockets, satellites and offer allied services. The Indian Space sector has always been dominated by the Indian Government-run ISRO and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. However, the mushrooming of startups is expected to improve the spread and size of the Indian space economy. 

Mizoram's Chief Minister Zoramthanga announced on October 23 that he will not share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's visit to the state for assembly elections campaigning.

The Prime Minister is expected to visit Mamit town on October 30 to support the BJP candidates. Zoramthanga pointed to the recent violence in Manipur and the alleged burning of hundreds of churches by the Meitei community as reasons for his decision, stating that aligning with the BJP would be a significant disadvantage for his party, MNF.

Delhi and Ottawa may be locked in a diplomatic standoff, but when it comes to immigration, they are in a jugalbandi. Indians, who top the charts in migrating to OECD countries, also lead in acquiring foreign citizenship (with American citizenship continuing to dominate). Canada has shown the steepest growth in granting citizenship to foreign nationals.

According to an OECD report released in Paris-International Migration Outlook: 2023-Indians form the largest national group acquiring rich-country citizenship and Canada logged the biggest proportionate increase-a 174% jump between 2021 and 2022-among host countries.

VK Pandian, the 2000-batch Odisha cadre IAS officer who is currently serving as private secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has taken voluntary retirement from service. On Monday, the Centre approved his voluntary retirement, paving the way for Pandian's likely foray into politics.

"In reference to letter No.GAD-SER1-PERS-0100-2014 dated 20.10.2023 from Government of Odisha on the above-mentioned subject, I am directed to convey the approval of the competent authority for acceptance of voluntary retirement of Shri V Kartikeya Pandian, IAS(OD-2000) under Rule 16(2A) of All India Services (Death-cum- Retirement benefits) Rules, 1958 with waiver of the notice period as recommended by the State Government," read the statement issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training.

Cyclonic storm 'Hamoon' has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday. The weather forecasting agency reported that cyclone 'Hamoon' is highly likely to continue moving in a nearly north-northeastward direction. Current forecasts suggest that the storm is set to make landfall on the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chittagong around noon on October 25, 2023, as a deep depression.