National News
Election Commission Revamps EVM Ballot Paper Design
- The Election Commission (EC) has revamped the EVM Ballot Paper design to improve clarity and readability.
- New guidelines include color photographs of candidates with faces occupying three-fourths of the photo space for better visibility, and uniform font type for candidate names and NOTA.
- The updated ballot papers will debut in the upcoming Bihar elections. The EC has instructed Chief Electoral Officers to limit the ballot paper to a maximum of fifteen candidates per sheet, with NOTA placed last, as part of 28 initiatives to enhance election processes and voter convenience.
NaMo App Launches 15-Day Seva Campaign for PM’s Birthday
- To celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17, the NaMo App has launched a 15-day digital Seva Parv 2025 campaign, running until October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti).
- The initiative includes nine interactive activities such as Sabka Saath, Sabki Seva (tree plantation, blood donation), AI-generated birthday wishes, virtual exhibitions, quizzes, NaMo merchandise, and Selfie with PM.
MNRE Launches India’s First National Geothermal Energy Policy
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the National Geothermal Energy Policy to unify stakeholders and harness India’s estimated 10 GW geothermal potential across identified provinces like the Himalayas, Cambay Basin, and Godavari Basin.
- The policy promotes research, inter-ministerial collaboration, and global best practices for geothermal development, targeting integration with India’s Net Zero and renewable energy goals.
International News
South Korea, US Reaffirm Goal of Korean Peninsula Denuclearisation
- South Korea and the United States have agreed on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, with South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac emphasizing that this remains the ultimate goal regardless of North Korea’s stance.
- South Korea plans a three-stage approach starting with halting North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, while balancing tension easing with maintaining security and deterrence.
State News
Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Honoured at Pimpri‑Chinchwad
- Pimpri-Chinchwad will host Maharashtra’s largest Dhol-Tasha ceremony with 3,000 dhols, 1,000 tashas, and 500 saffron flags to honor the nearing completion of the 180-foot Statue of Hindubhushan, a monument dedicated to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
- Organized by the Hindubhushan Smarak Trust and Dhol-Tasha Federation, the tribute at Moshi’s Shambhu Srishti aims to celebrate Maratha valor, cultural pride, and heritage.
- A shastra pooja (weapon worship) of the statue’s sword will follow on October 2, 2025.
PM Modi Inaugurates PM Mitra Park in Dhar
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the PM Mitra Park in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, a major initiative aimed at boosting the textile industry, reviving the heritage of Maheshwari sarees, and promoting women empowerment and the rural economy.
- The park, part of the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM Mitra) scheme, will serve as a self-contained textile ecosystem—combining spinning, dyeing, processing, and exports under one roof.
Banking News
UPI Increases Daily P2M Limit to ₹10 Lakh
- UPI users can make Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions up to ₹10 lakh per day with verified merchants in select categories like insurance premiums, capital markets, travel, collections, and Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
- The per-transaction limit has been increased to ₹5 lakh, as per a recent NPCI circular. However, the Person-to-Person (P2P) transfer limit remains unchanged at ₹1 lakh per day.
SEBI Launches SWAGAT-FI to Attract Long-Term Foreign Investment
- The SEBI has launched the SWAGAT-FI framework to ease foreign investment in India, especially for low-risk investors like sovereign wealth funds and pension funds.
- This initiative extends the registration validity from 3 to 10 years, introduces a digital portal that cuts onboarding time to just a week, and allows the use of a single demat account for all investments.
- Aimed at boosting transparency and attracting long-term global capital, SWAGAT-FI is expected to make foreign investing in India faster, simpler, and more appealing.
SBI Sells 13.18% Stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s SMBC
- State Bank of India (SBI) has completed the divestment of a 13.18% stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for ₹8,889 crore, selling 413.44 crore shares at ₹21.50 per share.
- This is part of a larger ₹13,483 crore deal, where SMBC aims to acquire up to 24.99% stake in Yes Bank, marking one of the largest cross-border banking deals in India.
- The sale follows approvals from the RBI and Competition Commission of India, and SBI will continue as a Yes Bank shareholder.
RBI Sets Up Regulatory Review Cell for Periodic Oversight
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the formation of a Regulatory Review Cell (RRC) effective October 1, 2025, to ensure all regulations are periodically reviewed every 5–7 years.
To boost stakeholder engagement, an independent Advisory Group on Regulation (AGR) comprising external experts has also been set up.
Chaired by Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh (SBI), the AGR will channel industry feedback into the review process and may co-opt more experts, with an initial tenure of 3 years, extendable by 2 more years.
Economy News
India to Remain Fastest-Growing Major Economy in 2025
- India is projected to remain the fastest-growing major economy with a 6.5% GDP growth this fiscal year, according to Standard and Poor’s.
- Despite global headwinds and external shocks, India’s economy has shown resilience through economic reforms, infrastructure development, and policy reforms.
- The report also highlights India’s plans to boost global trade participation and generate more employment opportunities, strengthening its growth advantage over developed countries.
Awards News
New NECA 2025 Award for Influencers Promoting Energy Efficiency
- The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power has launched a new category in the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2025 for content creators and influencers to promote energy efficiency and sustainable living through digital media.
- Open to those with 10,000+ followers, the contest invites 90-second original videos on themes like energy-saving at home, 5-star appliances, efficient lighting, and eco-friendly celebrations.
Agreements News
India Post to Sell BSNL SIMs via 1.65 Lakh Post Offices
- The Department of Posts (DoP) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) signed a MoU on September 17, 2025, to enable BSNL SIM card sales and mobile recharge services at over 1.65 lakh Post Offices across India.
- This strategic collaboration aims to expand mobile connectivity, especially in rural and remote areas, supporting the goals of Digital India and financial inclusion.
- Post offices will act as Points of Sale (PoS), with BSNL providing SIM stock and training, while DoP handles customer onboarding and secure transactions.
Ranks & Reports News
India Rises to 38th in Global Innovation Index 2025
- In the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 by WIPO, India ranks #38 globally, showing steady improvement from #48 in 2020, and ranks #1 among lower-middle-income economies and in the Central and Southern Asia region.
- Switzerland leads globally at #1, followed by Sweden (#2) and the United States (#3).
- China holds the #10 spot, outperforming in patent filings, R&D spending, and technology outputs.
- India’s strengths lie in Knowledge & Technology Outputs (#22) and Market Sophistication (#38), while it lags in Business Sophistication (#64) and Infrastructure (#61).
Science & Technology News
Sentient AI Launches Open AGI Network for 2 Million Users
- AI startup Sentient has launched an open-source AGI network granting access to 2 million users, enabling over 40 AI agents and 50+ data sources to collaborate in real time.
- Founded by Sandip Nailwal and Himanshu Tyagi, the platform aims to compete with giants like OpenAI and AWS, promoting an open, decentralized AI ecosystem based on a token-based incentive model rewarding developers for their contributions.
- Sentient’s launch marks a significant milestone for India’s AI innovation, aiming to define the AI future rather than follow global powers.
Important Days News
World Bamboo Day 2025: Theme, History & India’s Role
- World Bamboo Day 2025, observed on 18 September, promotes awareness of bamboo as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and economically valuable resource.
- The theme, “Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation, and Design,” highlights bamboo’s role in climate action, green design, and youth-led innovation.
- India, a major bamboo producer, advances this through the National Bamboo Mission (NBM), supporting cultivation, processing, and artisan livelihoods, especially in the Northeast, which holds over two-thirds of the country’s bamboo stock.
Vishwakarma Puja 2025: Celebrating the Divine Architect of Innovation and Skill
- Vishwakarma Puja 2025, observed on September 17, marks the worship of Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect and engineer of the gods, celebrated especially by artisans, engineers, and industrial workers.
- The day involves tool worship (Ayudh Puja), idols, and prayers for innovation and safety, especially in factories, workshops, and construction sites.
- Lord Vishwakarma’s legendary creations like Dwarka, Indraprastha, and divine weapons symbolize creativity, precision, and technological progress, making the festival a unique fusion of tradition and modern industry.
Obituaries News
Robert Redford, Iconic Actor and Director, Dies at 89
- Robert Redford, the legendary Oscar-winning actor and director known for classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Ordinary People, passed away at 89 in his home in Sundance, Utah.
- He was a pioneer of independent cinema, founding the Sundance Film Festival to support new filmmakers, and was also a committed environmental activist and political advocate.
- His legacy bridges Hollywood stardom and indie film innovation, leaving a lasting impact on the film industry.
Current Affairs Today | 18 Sep Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam