PM Modi’s October 25 itinerary: Varanasi air show, women’s jobs and RBI’s ₹169-crore data centre

What connects a garment factory, Rafale fighter jets and the Reserve Bank of India’s digital infrastructure? They are all on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s itinerary for October 25, as he visits Uttar Pradesh and Odisha for three events spanning manufacturing, defence and financial technology.

The programme, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on October 24, begins in Varanasi and concludes near Bhubaneswar. Here is what to know about each stop and why it matters.

Why is PM Modi inaugurating a garment factory in Varanasi?

At around 11 am, PM Modi will inaugurate a new garment manufacturing facility operated by Arvind Limited in Varanasi. According to the PMO, the unit is intended to strengthen India’s textile and apparel manufacturing ecosystem and expand industrial activity in the region.

A central focus is employment, particularly for women. The government says the predominantly women-led initiative will create job opportunities and connect locally manufactured products with international markets through the company’s global customer base.

The inauguration also comes as Uttar Pradesh seeks to attract more manufacturing investment beyond its established industrial centres. The actual scale of employment generated will become clearer as further operational details emerge.

Which fighter jets will fly over the Ganga at Namo Ghat?

At around 1 pm, PM Modi will attend the Indian Air Force’s Air Force Day Aerial Display-2026 at Namo Ghat as chief guest. The event, themed “Wings over Ganges”, commemorates the IAF’s 94th anniversary. The PMO says the display will feature the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft, Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the Prachand light combat helicopter, alongside transport aircraft. Aircraft from the Indian Navy and Indian Army will also participate.

Two of the IAF’s best-known display teams, the Surya Kiran aerobatic team and Sarang helicopter display team, are scheduled to perform. Their formations and manoeuvres will showcase flying precision and coordination.

According to The Times of India, Varanasi’s show is part of the IAF’s recent practice of taking anniversary aerial displays to cities beyond the National Capital Region.

What is special about the RBI’s new data centre in Odisha?

PM Modi will then travel to Odisha to inaugurate the RBI’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute near Bhubaneswar at around 4.45 pm. The facility, located at Info Valley-II in Jatni, is valued at approximately ₹169 crore, according to an October 23 report by NDTV citing officials. The PMO says its infrastructure will support critical payment and settlement systems and other key RBI operations.

The data centre has received Uptime Institute Tier IV certification, the highest tier in the organisation’s data-centre classification system, indicating a strong emphasis on operational resilience. The RBI expects the infrastructure to improve the reliability and continuity of digital financial services.

The accompanying cybersecurity institute will focus on training, research and capability-building for the banking and financial services sector. Its areas of interest include artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other emerging technologies.

Together, the three engagements place jobs, military aviation and secure financial technology at the centre of PM Modi’s Sunday itinerary.

(With inputs from ANI)