General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - October 2025

Oct 2025

Oct 02, 2026

Oxford Tops THE World University Rankings 2027

Oxford University has retained the top position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, marking its 11th consecutive year at number one. The rankings, published on 30 September 2026, evaluated 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories. The assessment tracked five major parameters: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry engagement. The results underscore the continued prominence of traditional research-intensive universities in global higher education. The University of California, Berkeley emerged as the highest-ranked public university in North America and shared ninth place globally with Yale University. In India, education policymakers and academics monitor THE rankings as a benchmarking tool alongside national measures.

Oxford retained THE World University Rankings 2027 top spot for 11th consecutive year.
Rankings published 30 September 2026; coverage included 2,297 universities across 118 countries.
Five performance domains used: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, industry engagement.
UC Berkeley was the top public university in North America and tied for ninth globally with Yale.
Indian higher-education stakeholders use THE rankings for benchmarking alongside national indicators.

Oct 01, 2026

11th BIMSTEC JWG-CTTC gathers in New Delhi to boost regional counter-terrorism cooperation

New Delhi hosted the 11th BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG-CTTC) from 28 to 29 September 2026. Delegations from seven BIMSTEC members — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand — discussed strengthening regional cooperation against terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, terror financing and radicalisation. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary (Counter Terrorism) at the Ministry of External Affairs, India. Participants reviewed existing frameworks and explored practical steps for information sharing and joint investigations. The discussions will feed into BIMSTEC’s broader security agenda and future mechanisms.

Event: BIMSTEC JWG-CTTC meeting in New Delhi, 28–29 Sep 2026
Participants from seven BIMSTEC member states
Key focus: terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics, money laundering
Chair: Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, MEA
Outcomes to inform BIMSTEC security planning

Sep 30, 2026

Morocco appoints Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as first woman Prime Minister

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed as Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister in September 2026 by King Mohammed VI, making her the second woman to hold the post in the Arab world after Tunisia's Najla Bouden. Before becoming prime minister, El Mansouri served as the mayor of Marrakesh and held the role of Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy. Her appointment signals a shift in Morocco’s political history, with observers noting increased female leadership at the highest levels. Analysts expect the new government to pursue reforms in housing, urban planning, and regional development, while maintaining stability and international engagement.

El Mansouri named Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister (Sept 2026)
Appointed by King Mohammed VI; second woman PM in Arab world
Former Marrakesh mayor and urban planning minister
Signals shift toward female leadership in Morocco
Possible reforms in housing and urban development

Sep 28, 2026

India and Liberia launch Shipping Safety Group in New York

India and Liberia jointly launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers in New York on 25 September 2026, during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week. Both countries will serve as co-chairs of the group, focusing on improving the safety and security of shipping and seafarers. India remains a major source of maritime professionals, while Liberia operates one of the world’s largest shipping registries by tonnage. The group aims to enhance international cooperation, share best practices and address maritime vulnerabilities through coordinated policy actions and training initiatives.

Group of Friends on Shipping Safety launched in New York, 25 September 2026.
India and Liberia co-chair the initiative to improve shipping safety.
Aims to boost international cooperation and maritime security.

Sep 26, 2026

VARUNA 2026 strengthens India–France naval cooperation

On 26 September 2026, India and France concluded the 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA, a bilateral naval drill intended to strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability. The exercise featured Indian Navy units, with INS Trishul participating from Indian ships, while French naval assets operated from Toulon. VARUNA aims to improve coordinated response in sea-denial and humanitarian scenarios, focusing on air defense, surface warfare, and complex maritime maneuvers. The exercise reinforces defence ties between India and France and broadens joint training, planning, and information-sharing capabilities between the two navies. Military officials described VARUNA as a practical platform for coordinating multilateral responses to evolving maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Edition: 24th VARUNA; bilateral drill with France.
Indian participation: INS Trishul from Indian ships; French assets from Toulon.
Focus areas: interoperability, air defense, surface warfare, humanitarian scenarios.
Outcome: strengthened India-France maritime cooperation and training.
Strategic note: supports regional maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

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