National News
FSSAI Launches Licensing Portal for Ayurveda Aahara Products
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a dedicated licensing window on its FoSCoS portal for Ayurveda Aahara products, aiming to standardize traditional Ayurvedic foods.
- This initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, introduces a Kind of Business (KoB) framework to align authentic Ayurvedic recipes with modern food safety standards.
- FSSAI has published a list of 91 approved recipes to guide manufacturers, boosting the Ayurveda and food sectors while ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting personalized nutrition principles.
State News
Modi Unleashes ₹1.22 Lakh Crore Development Blitz in Rajasthan
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹1.22 lakh crore in Banswara, Rajasthan, focusing on clean energy, tribal welfare, infrastructure, employment, and tax reforms.
- Key highlights include the Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project (₹42,000 crore), solar and transmission projects (₹19,210 crore), PM-KUSUM solarization (₹16,050 crore), water and irrigation works (₹20,830 crore), and road and rail projects (₹2,630 crore).
- He launched schemes like PM Surya Ghar, PM Janman Yojana, and emphasized tribal upliftment, swadeshi, and GST savings.
- Over 15,000 appointment letters were distributed to youth in Rajasthan, reinforcing the government’s commitment to self-reliant, inclusive development.
500 New Atal Tinkering Labs Announced for Jammu & Kashmir
- NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) launched the ATL Sarthi and Frontier Region Programme at the University of Kashmir, announcing 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in Jammu & Kashmir with an investment of ₹100 crore.
- This initiative aims to boost innovation among students through exposure to advanced technologies like robotics, AI, and 3D printing, supporting PM Modi’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
International News
Türkiye–US Nuclear Deal Signals New Global Energy Power Shift
- Türkiye and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation during a White House meeting between President Erdogan and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
- The agreement, signed by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to deepen collaboration on large-scale nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs).
- This deal supports Türkiye’s goal to expand nuclear energy, diversify energy sources, and reduce natural gas dependency, building on its existing Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project with Russia and plans for future sites in Sinop and Thrace.
Dubai to Launch 15-km Corridor for Driverless Transport by 2026
- Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ) — a 15-kilometre corridor for driverless vehicles and marine transport, to be operational by early 2026.
- This initiative supports Dubai’s target of making 25% of daily trips autonomous by 2030. Covering Al Jaddaf Metro, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Festival City, the zone will feature RoboTaxis, RoboBuses, autonomous shuttles, delivery bots, and driverless abras.
- RoboTaxi trials start by end of 2025, aiming for 1,000 vehicles by 2028, with Uber, WeRide, and TXAI models integrated. Benefits include shorter travel times, lower costs, electric fleets, and inclusive access.
Economy News
India’s Smartphone Exports to US Surge 148% in August 2025
- India’s smartphone exports to the US surged 148% year-on-year in August 2025, reaching USD 965 million, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), countering reports of a decline.
- Overall exports grew 39% year-on-year to USD 1.53 billion in August. ICEA explained that typical seasonal dips occur in August-September due to new model launches, plant retrofitting, and focus on domestic festive demand, advising that export trends should be assessed year-on-year rather than monthly.
- The smartphone sector, boosted by the PLI Scheme, is now India’s largest export by HS code.
Appointments News
Govt Appoints This Parliamentarians to Rehabilitation Council
- The Government has appointed Lok Sabha MP Kanwar Singh Tanwar and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Jashvantsinh Parmar as members of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), a statutory body that regulates the training of rehabilitation professionals and promotes education and services for persons with disabilities.
- These appointments, made under the RCI Act, 1992, will last for two years or until successors are appointed, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
India Govt. Appoints First Mushroom Scientist to Lead BSI
- Kanad Das has been appointed the 13th Director of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), becoming the first mycologist to lead the institute since its founding in 1890.
- An expert in fungal taxonomy, Dr. Das has discovered 165 new mushroom species and published 170 research papers and eight books.
- With over 25 years of experience, he aims to complete a comprehensive checklist of India’s fungi and lower plant groups, and prioritize the digitization of herbarium specimens for public access.
- BSI, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is headquartered in Kolkata with 11 regional centers.
Awards News
National Geoscience Awards 2024: Honours for India’s Top Earth Scientists
- The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, conferred the National Geoscience Awards 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, recognizing outstanding contributions in geosciences, including mineral exploration, applied research, and sustainable mining.
- This year, 20 geoscientists received 12 awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof. Shyam Sundar Rai for seismological research, and the Young Geoscientist Award to Shri Susobhan Neogi for tectonic studies.
Journalist Amshi Prasannakumar Wins Krishi Media Award 2025
- Senior journalist Amshi Prasannakumar from Mysuru has been awarded the ‘Hombale Samhita Harinikumar Alumni Krishi Media Award – 2025’ for his outstanding work in agricultural journalism, creating awareness among farmers through print and electronic media.
- The award ceremony is scheduled for October 11, 2025, at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. Mr. Prasannakumar is also a former president of the Mysore District Journalists’ Association and a member of the Karnataka Media Academy.
Defence News
India Bids Farewell to the Iconic MiG-21 Fighter Jet
- India bids a final farewell to the iconic MiG-21, as the fighter jet made its last flight during rehearsals at Air Force Station Chandigarh on September 24, 2025.
- The official decommissioning ceremony will be held on September 26, marking the end of its 62 years of service in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- The No. 23 Squadron “Panthers” was the last to operate the jet, first inducted in 1963.
- The MiG-21, once the backbone of IAF’s combat fleet, played crucial roles in the 1965 & 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.
Ranks & Reports News
MoSPI Releases First Forest-Focused Environmental Accounting Report
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 8th issue of “Environmental Accounting on Forest – 2025”, the first dedicated publication on forest accounts aligned with the UN’s SEEA framework.
- The report, published in two volumes, provides comprehensive data on India’s forest ecosystem covering Physical Asset Accounts, Extent Accounts, Condition Accounts, and Service Accounts at national and state levels.
- Key findings include a 22.5% increase in forest cover from 2010-11 to 2021-22 (an addition of 17,445 sq. km), significant growth in growing stock volume by 7.32% from 2013 to 2023, and a rise in provisioning services value (timber and non-timber) from ₹30.72 to ₹37.93 thousand crore.
Schemes News
Modi Launches ₹7,500 Cr Rojgar Scheme for 75 Lakh Women
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, directly transferring ₹10,000 each to 75 lakh women to promote women’s empowerment and self-employment.
- The scheme aims to make women Aatmanirbhar by providing financial aid up to ₹2 lakh for ventures like agriculture, animal husbandry, and small enterprises, supported by Self Help Groups and training programs.
- This initiative strengthens the Lakhpati Didi campaign and aligns with other government efforts to improve women’s economic independence, health, and social status across Bihar.
Sports News
India Shines with Five Medals at ISSF Junior World Cup 2025
- At the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 in New Delhi, Indian shooters dominated the women’s 50m prone rifle event, sweeping all three podium spots: Anushka Thokur won gold, Anshik took silver, and Aadhya Agrawal secured bronze.
- In the men’s event, Deependra Singh Shekhawat won silver, narrowly missing gold by 1 point to Kamil Nuriakhmetov, while Rohit Kanyan clinched bronze.
- A total of 69 Indian shooters are competing in the event, which features 208 participants from 19 countries, and concludes on October 2.
Sergio Busquets Announces Retirement After 20-Year Football Career
- Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami.
- A product of Barcelona’s La Masia, Busquets played 722 matches for Barca over 15 years, winning 32 trophies, and earned 143 caps for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
- Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, he reunited with former teammates and made 105 appearances, winning two trophies.
- He expressed deep gratitude to his clubs, fans, and especially his family for their support throughout his nearly 20-year career.
Clutch, Maple & Zayu Unveiled as FIFA 2026 Mascots
- FIFA has unveiled three official mascots for the 2026 World Cup—Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA), Maple the Moose (Canada), and Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico)—each representing their nation’s culture and spirit.
- Clutch plays midfield, Maple is the goalkeeper, and Zayu is a striker known for agility. Together, they symbolize unity, diversity, and a shared love for football.
- The tournament, featuring a record 48 teams and 104 matches, will kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and conclude on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, USA—with the first-ever halftime show in a World Cup final.
Important Days News
World Tourism Day 2025: Tourism’s Green Revolution
- World Tourism Day 2025, observed on 27th September, carries the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” Led by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the day emphasizes tourism’s role in cultural exchange, economic growth, peace-building, and sustainable development.
- It promotes eco-friendly travel, inclusivity, community participation, and heritage preservation.
- The event highlights tourism as a catalyst for global cooperation, social inclusion, job creation, and environmental care.
- In 2025, the focus is on reshaping tourism to nurture both people and planet, while supporting vulnerable groups and encouraging responsible travel practices worldwide.
Google Turns 27: Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation with a Nostalgic Doodle
- Google is celebrating its 27th birthday on September 27, 2025, with a nostalgic Doodle showcasing its first-ever logo and thanking billions of users.
- Though it was incorporated on September 4, 1998, the company marks September 27 as its symbolic anniversary.
- Founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin as a Stanford research project, Google has grown into a global tech giant under Alphabet Inc., leading innovations in AI, cloud computing, Android, YouTube, and more.