National News
Sacred Theatres: India’s Living Ritual Heritage
- India’s ritual theatres such as Kutiyattam, Mudiyettu, Ramman, and Ramlila have been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, reflecting their deep roots in sacred storytelling, community participation, and cultural transmission.
- These living traditions blend music, dance, drama, and rituals, performed in temples and village spaces during festivals.
- The Sangeet Natak Akademi plays a vital role in their preservation, offering training, documentation, and support to ensure their continuity for future generations.
Govt to Mandate Sound Alerts in EVs from October 2027
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed making Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) mandatory for all electric cars, buses, and trucks starting October 1, 2027, to improve road safety.
- New electric vehicle models must have AVAS from October 2026. AVAS emits an artificial sound to alert pedestrians and other road users.
- This move aligns India with countries like the US, Japan, and parts of the European Union, which already mandate AVAS in hybrid vehicles.
International News
India, Bhutan Approve First Rail Links Projects
- India and Bhutan have approved their first-ever rail connectivity projects, marking a historic step in bilateral trade and regional integration.
- Two key lines — Kokrajhar-Gelephu (₹3,456 crore) and Banarhat-Samtse (₹577 crore) — aim to boost cross-border movement, enhance Bhutan’s access to Indian ports, and support its economic development goals.
- Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the move as a “major new initiative”, rooted in the countries’ exceptional ties.
- The projects align with India’s ₹10,000 crore support commitment under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, underscoring a shared focus on infrastructure, trade, and trust.
India’s FTA with EFTA to Start October 1 Announced by Goyal
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with EFTA countries—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland—will come into effect from October 1, 2025.
- India is also negotiating FTAs with the US, EU, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Chile, while Qatar and Bahrain have shown interest.
- India has risen to become the 4th largest economy and is set to be the 3rd largest soon with a $5 trillion economy.
Banking News
RBI Mandates 2 Factor Authentication for Digital Payments from April 2026
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandates two-factor authentication (2FA) for all digital payments starting April 1, 2026, enhancing security across UPI, net banking, mobile wallets, and card transactions.
- The new rules replace the old reliance on SMS OTPs with flexible authentication methods such as biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition), tokens, passphrases, and risk-based authentication for high-risk transactions.
- Small-value payments may be exempt.
- The phased implementation aims to reduce fraud risks like phishing and SIM-swapping while improving the user experience.
SIDBI’s Net Profit Jumps 19.5% to All‑Time High in FY25
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) reported a 19.5% rise in net profit, reaching a record Rs 4,811 crore in FY25, with its balance sheet crossing Rs 5.6 lakh crore.
- The bank’s asset base grew 8.7%, and the loans portfolio increased 8.8%.
- It maintained excellent asset quality with Gross NPA at 0.04% and Net NPA nil. Sidbi approved a 20% dividend and continues to support the MSME sector through digital initiatives, green energy promotion, and branch network expansion to enhance credit access and financial inclusion.
RBI Allows Banks to Offer Working Capital Loans to Manufacturers Using Gold as Raw Material
- In a major regulatory reform, the RBI has allowed banks to provide working capital loans to manufacturers using gold as a raw material, a facility earlier limited to jewellers.
- Effective October 1, 2025, the move is part of broader measures including flexible interest rate regulations and enhanced capital-raising norms for banks, aimed at boosting industrial growth, borrower flexibility, and banking sector resilience.
Economy News
India’s Industrial Output Grows 4% in August 2025
- India’s industrial output grew 4% in August 2025, signaling uneven economic momentum. While mining rebounded strongly (6%) and electricity output improved (4.1%), manufacturing slowed to 3.8% from 6% in July.
- Consumer durables rose (3.5%), but non-durables slumped (-6.3%), exposing weak essential demand. Capital goods growth also eased (4.4%), pointing to soft investment.
- Overall output for April–August rose just 2.8%, down from 4.3% last year.
- Analysts cite subdued private investment and patchy consumption as concerns, suggesting the need for policy support if trends don’t improve.
India’s Dairy Sector: Anchoring Nutrition & Income Security
- India remains the world’s largest milk producer, contributing nearly 25% of global supply, with dairy emerging as the largest agricultural product, employing over 8 crore farmers, especially women.
- Milk production has increased by 63.56% in the past decade, supported by schemes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Artificial Insemination Programmes, and modern tools like IVF and sex-sorted semen.
- The rise in per capita availability and bovine productivity reflects this growth.
- Initiatives like MAITRIs, breed multiplication, and White Revolution 2.0 aim to boost nutrition, rural income, and sustainable dairy practices, reinforcing dairy’s role in food security and women empowerment.
Appointments News
1992‑Batch IAS Officer Rajeev Verma to Become Delhi Chief Secretary
- Rajeev Verma, a 1992 batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Delhi, effective 1 October 2025, succeeding Dharmendra who retires on 30 September.
- Transferred from his current role as Chief Secretary of Chandigarh, Verma brings extensive experience in Delhi government roles including Finance & Revenue Secretary and Principal Commissioner of Housing & Urban Affairs.
Gaurav Banerjee to Lead Sony Pictures India Till 2029
- Gaurav Banerjee has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), also known as Culver Max Entertainment, for a five-year term until August 2029.
- His appointment was ratified at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Alongside him, Ritesh Khosla (General Counsel) and Sibaji Biswas (CFO) were appointed as Whole-time Directors for five years.
- SPNI operates 28 TV channels and the SonyLIV OTT platform, reporting a revenue of ₹6,511 crore and a net profit of ₹840 crore for FY24, with over 424 million combined subscribers.
Awards News
Diljit Dosanjh Earns International Emmy Nod for Chamkila
- Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has been nominated for Best Actor at the International Emmy Awards 2025 for his role in Imtiaz Ali’s biopic Amar Singh Chamkila, which also received a nomination in the TV movie/mini-series category.
- The Netflix film is India’s sole entry, with winners to be announced on November 24 in New York.
Defense News
BSF Launches AI‑Powered Command Centre for Border Security
- The Border Security Force (BSF) has launched a new AI and GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS) command centre to enhance border security on the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
- The system integrates sensor feeds, incident data, and GIS platforms to provide a comprehensive operational picture for better decision-making and resource allocation.
- Using AI and machine learning, the DSS predicts smuggling hotspots and infiltration routes.
Sports News
World Archery Para Championships 2025: Sheetal Devi Wins Maiden Gold
- India’s para archer Sheetal Devi clinched her maiden gold at the World Archery Para Championships 2025 in Gwangju, Korea, defeating Turkiye’s Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 in the Women’s Compound Open final.
- The teenage sensation maintained her lead after a flawless second round and sealed victory with three perfect 10s in the final end.
- She also won silver in the women’s team event with Sarita and bronze in the mixed team event with Toman Kumar, ending the day with three medals, affirming her rising dominance in para archery.
ICC, UNICEF Launch ‘Promise to Children’ Campaign
- The ICC and UNICEF have launched the “Promise to Children” campaign during the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, urging cricket fans, players, and audiences to commit to equal opportunities for all children.
- Supported by Ayushmann Khurrana and Smriti Mandhana, the initiative promotes children’s rights including education, healthcare, nutrition, and protection from violence, leveraging cricket’s global reach to drive awareness and action.
Chris Woakes Retires from International Cricket After 14-Year Career
- England all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket after a distinguished career spanning 217 matches since 2011. Woakes, a key player in England’s 2019 Cricket World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup victories, took 396 wickets and scored 3705 runs across formats.
- Known for his grit, including batting with a dislocated shoulder in the 2025 World Test Championship, Woakes received praise from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for his commitment and impact.
- His career is celebrated for memorable performances in Ashes series, World Cups, and as a respected teammate.
Important Days News
International Translation Day 2025: Date, History & Significance
- International Translation Day 2025, observed on September 30, honours the crucial role of translators, interpreters, and language professionals in bridging cultures.
- Established by the International Federation of Translators (FIT) in 1991, the date marks the feast day of St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators.
- The day celebrates translation’s impact on promoting multilingualism, facilitating international cooperation, advancing knowledge, and strengthening cultural understanding.
- Translators play a vital role at the United Nations, ensuring communication in its six official languages—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish—thus supporting global diplomacy and inclusivity.