Current Affairs – September 24, 2025
(Compiled from The Hindu, PIB, Down to Earth & News on Air)
NATIONAL HEADLINES
Supreme Court & Judiciary
Women’s Reservation Act – Supreme Court to hear petitions challenging the timeline of implementation; demand for enforcement before 2029 elections.
Judicial Appointments – Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri appointed as Chief Justice of Patna High Court.
Weather & Natural Disasters
3. Kolkata Floods – Heavy rains flood Kolkata; schools closed and traffic severely disrupted.
Economic Development
4. GDP Forecast – RBI Report projects India’s GDP growth at 6.5% in FY25, citing strong domestic demand resilience.
5. CAG Report – 16 Indian states recorded revenue surpluses in 2022–23.
6. Clean Energy Expansion – Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced India’s clean energy capacity will grow beyond 250 GW in the next five years.
Awards & Recognition
7. 71st National Film Awards –
Best Actor: Vikrant Massey & Shah Rukh Khan
Best Actress: Rani Mukerji
Regional Cinema – “The Spirited Dreams of Cher Mizu” awarded Best Non-Feature Film.
Social Reforms
9. Uttar Pradesh Policy – Ban on caste references in FIRs and public displays after HC order.
Vehicles with caste stickers to be fined under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Police instructed to delete caste details from CCTNS digital records.
Social media monitoring to curb caste-based hate speech.
Science & Technology
10. Space Mission – Mission Daksha led by IIT Bombay for gamma-ray telescope satellites.
11. Agricultural Innovation – ICAR launches ‘Maitri 2.0’ for boosting agricultural innovation.
Defense & Security
12. Naval Expansion – Indian Navy:
54 vessels under construction.
Transition from “Buyer’s Navy” → “Builder’s Navy”.
Target: 200+ warships & submarines by 2035 (230 by 2037).
10 new ships to be added by Dec 2025 – largest single-phase addition.
Defense Equipment – Zorawar Light Tank developed by DRDO & L&T for Indian Army.
Infrastructure & Transportation
14. Aviation – Air India to operate 20 daily flights from Navi Mumbai airport.
15. Railways – Special trains to run for Diwali & Chhath festivals.
16. Telecommunications – TRAI recommends reserve prices for FM radio auctions.
Healthcare & Social Welfare
17. Ayushman Bharat – Celebrates 7 years, recognized as the world’s largest health assurance scheme.
18. Housing Achievement – PMAY-G:
2.82 crore houses completed (out of 4.12 crore allocated).
Generated 568 crore person-days of employment (2016–25).
Education & Innovation
19. Viksit Bharat Buildathon launched by Union Education Minister to promote educational innovation.
20. Scholarship Programs – Pre-metric scholarships via National Scholarship Portal.
Events & Exhibitions
21. World Food India 2025 – Scheduled in New Delhi (Sept 25–28).
Financial Sector
22. RBI Action – Cancels registration of Datta Finance and Trading.
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES
India–US Relations
23. EAM Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at UNGA; discussions on strained ties due to tariffs & visa fees.
24. H-1B Visa Changes – US President Donald Trump proposes overhaul; visa application fee raised to $100,000.
25. Chabahar Port – US cancels waiver for India’s project.
26. Quad Summit – To be held in Delhi (Nov 2025); Trump and other leaders expected.
27. Trump’s Claim – Again asserts he can solve India–Pakistan conflict; India rejects.
India–UK Relations
28. Trade Agreement – India–UK CETA to include balanced IP framework for startups, MSMEs, and traditional producers.
29. Diplomatic Visit – UK PM Keir Starmer to visit India next month.
Regional Security & Diplomacy
30. India–Sri Lanka – CNS Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi meets Sri Lankan PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya for defense cooperation talks.
31. Pakistan Issue – Baloch National Movement appeals to recognize Pakistan as a “terror state”.
Global Health
32. WHO Initiative – Refutes vaccine misinformation campaigns in global special session.
Natural Disasters
33. Super Typhoon Ragasa – Deadly storm killed 14 in Taiwan; heading towards China’s southern coast with 200 km/h winds.
34. Regional Floods – Severe floods in Pakistan & China causing major destruction.
Nuclear Diplomacy
35. Russia – President Vladimir Putin signals readiness to extend nuclear arms limits for 1 more year.
36. Iran – Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warns against nuclear talks with US, calling them against Iran’s national interests.
SPORTS HEADLINES
Asia Cup – India faces Bangladesh; spin bowling in focus.
Rishabh Pant ruled out of upcoming Test series due to injury.
Women’s Cricket – Grace Harris withdraws from Women’s World Cup.
Business Ventures – KL Rahul acquires stake in Goa Guardians (Prime Volleyball League).
Ballon d’Or 2025 –
Men’s: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
Women’s: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona) – 3rd consecutive win.
Argentina Football Team likely to play Australia in Kerala (Nov 2025).
Tennis – Laver Cup 2025 – Team World defeats Team Europe.
ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATES (Down to Earth)
Kerala Recognition – UNESCO recognition for Varkala Cliff sparks celebration & environmental concerns.
Judicial Intervention – Courts issue key environment-related orders (Sept 22, 2025).
Ozone Recovery – WMO Report: Ozone layer on track to return to 1980s levels by mid-century.
Climate Focus – Down to Earth covers “NEW CLIMATE” issue:
Punjab floods
Western Himalayas wind pattern changes
Crisis in weather systems
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS (Northeast India)
Nagaland Gas Pipeline – 40% work to finish by Dec 2025; full project by March 2027.
Nagaland University – 4 faculty members listed among world’s top 2% scientists.
GST Reforms – Strengthening Nagaland’s trade and economy (Deputy CM Y. Patton).
Assam – State funeral held for legendary music icon Zubin Garg at Sonitpur.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES & INITIATIVES
PM Observances (Navratri) – PM Modi prays to Goddess Chandraghanta on Day 3 of Navratri, stressing peace, courage & fearlessness.
Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 – Ministry of Textiles launches national cleanliness drive.
PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (Seva Parv) – Highlights youth empowerment & skill development.
Street Vendors – Municipal licensing simplified for vendor support.
Healthcare Reforms – GST reforms introduced on medical equipment, diagnostic kits & insurance premiums.
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS UPDATES
GST Reforms – Major changes:
Reduced rates on health insurance premiums.
Lower GST on medical kits, bandages & equipment.
Relief on consumer goods (shampoo, toothpaste, sauces, chocolates).
Trade & Commerce – India prioritizes expanding trade ties while protecting domestic manufacturing.