National News
Great Nicobar Island Project: Transforming India’s Southernmost Island
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Great Nicobar Island Project as a transformative initiative set to make the island a major maritime and air connectivity hub in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Valued at ₹72,000 crore, the project includes a state-of-the-art international container transshipment terminal, a greenfield international airport, a 450 MVA gas and solar power plant, and township development.
- It is designed to boost India’s strategic and defense capabilities while balancing economic growth with ecological protection.
PM Modi To Launches ₹71,000 Cr Projects in 5 States
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a 3-day tour (Sept 13-15, 2025) across Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar, launching and inaugurating development projects worth over ₹71,000 crore.
- Highlights include Mizoram’s historic Bairabi–Sairang Rail Line and new train services, major infrastructure and IT projects in Manipur, healthcare and industrial projects in Assam, the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference in West Bengal, and large-scale power, river link, rail, and agricultural initiatives in Bihar.
- The tour emphasizes boosting connectivity, industry, healthcare, and livelihood, with a focus on regional development and economic growth.
PM Modi Launches ‘Gyan Bharatam Portal’ to Boost Manuscript Digitisation
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Gyan Bharatam Portal’, a dedicated digital platform for manuscript digitisation, preservation, and public access, at the International Conference on Gyan Bharatam in New Delhi.
- The portal aims to create a National Digital Repository using AI-driven tools, promote research, translation, and publication of rare manuscripts, and build capacity among scholars.
- This initiative aligns with India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, enhancing access to India’s rich manuscript heritage and fostering international collaboration.
State News
Asian Giant Tortoise Breeding at Manipur Zoo
- The Manipur Zoological Garden (MZG), in collaboration with the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP), achieved the first successful artificial incubation of the critically endangered Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei) with 28 hatchlings.
- Native to northeast India, the species will be part of a conservation breeding programme aimed at releasing them into the wild. MZG also hosted a capacity-building workshop to train staff in tortoise and freshwater turtle conservation, while habitat assessments and population studies are underway to support long-term recovery efforts.
Goa to Host Historic 10th Ayurveda Day with Global Outreach
- Goa will host the 10th Ayurveda Day on 23rd September 2025 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), marking a historic global celebration with the theme “Ayurveda for People & Planet”.
- Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav emphasized Ayurveda’s role as a sustainable healthcare solution for both humans and the environment.
- For the first time, Ayurveda Day will be held on a fixed calendar date, enhancing its international outreach through Indian Missions, global institutions, and diaspora networks, as India positions Ayurveda on the world stage as a planet-friendly, evidence-based health system.
Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line to Connect Aizawl
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ₹8,000 crore Bairabi-Sairang railway line tomorrow, connecting Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, to the Indian Railways network for the first time.
- This 51 km rail line makes Aizawl the fourth northeastern capital linked by rail, boosting trade, tourism, economic growth, and reducing travel and freight costs.
- Modi will also flag off three new train services: Aizawl-Delhi Rajdhani Express, Sairang-Kolkata Express, and Sairang-Guwahati Express.
APEDA Opens First Regional Office in Bihar
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated APEDA’s first regional office in Bihar during the Bihar Idea Festival in Patna, aiming to boost the state’s agri-export potential by providing direct access to export-related services.
- The office will support farmers, exporters, and entrepreneurs, helping Bihar emerge as a leader in high-value, sustainable agricultural exports.
- The event also marked the flagging off of a 7-metric-ton consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to international markets, highlighting women-led entrepreneurship.
- Bihar’s GI-tagged products like Shahi Litchi, Jardalu Mango, and Mithila Makhana are gaining global appeal, supported by APEDA’s capacity-building and market access initiatives.
International News
Nepal to Get First Woman Prime Minister as Sushila Karki as Interim Leader
- Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, aged 73, is set to become Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister after being chosen by the Gen-Z protest movement that ousted the previous government.
- Known for her anti-corruption stance, Karki will serve as an interim leader to guide Nepal towards fresh elections within 6–12 months.
- Her appointment follows intense negotiations involving the President, military leaders, and protest representatives, marking a historic shift in Nepal’s politics amid youth-led demands for clean governance.
India Backs UNGA Resolution on Palestine Two-State Solution
- India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the “New York Declaration” supporting a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- The resolution was backed by 142 countries, opposed by 10, and 12 abstained.
- The United States opposed the move, calling it a “publicity stunt” that benefits Hamas and undermines diplomatic efforts in Gaza.
- India reaffirmed its longstanding support for a sovereign, independent Palestine coexisting peacefully with a secure Israel within recognised borders.
- The resolution was led by France and Saudi Arabia, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling it an irreversible step toward Middle East peace.
Economy News
Retail Inflation Inches Up to 2.07% in August
- India’s retail inflation rose to 2.07% in August 2025, up from 1.61% in July, but remains well below the RBI’s 4% target.
- As per data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, inflation was 1.69% in rural areas and 2.47% in urban regions.
- Notably, food inflation stayed negative for the third month at -0.69%, with rural and urban food deflation at -0.70% and -0.58%, respectively.
- The rise in overall inflation was mainly driven by vegetables, meat & fish, oils & fats, eggs, and personal care items.
Appointments News
FSIB Selects Ravi Ranjan for SBI Managing Director Position
- The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Ravi Ranjan for the role of Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank. Ranjan, currently serving as Deputy Managing Director, is set to succeed Vinay M Tonse, whose term ends on November 30, 2025.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), led by PM Narendra Modi, will take the final decision. FSIB, headed by Bhanu Pratap Sharma, selected Ranjan after interviewing nine candidates based on merit, experience, and performance.
Defense News
Indian Navy Commissions INS Aravali at Gurugram