Current Affairs One - Liner : 17th September 2025

National:

• On 11 Sept 2025, MSDE notified the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025, revising the stipend range to ₹6,800–₹12,300 per month. The hike covers all categories from Class 5–9 to graduates, with degree apprentices eligible for the highest stipend. The stipend will now be CPI‑linked and revised biennially.

• On 12 Sept 2025, 7 new natural sites were added to India’s UNESCO Tentative List, raising the total to 69. These include Deccan Traps, St. Mary’s Islands, Meghalayan Caves, Naga Hill Ophiolite, Erra Matti Dibbalu, Tirumala Hills, and Varkala Cliffs. The list now has 49 cultural, 17 natural, and 3 mixed sites.
• On 12 Sept 2025, Godrej Aerospace signed a 5‑year deal with France’s Safran to manufacture titanium ventilation assemblies for LEAP engines. These engines power Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX, and COMAC C919 aircraft. The project involves high‑precision machining, welding, and testing to meet global aviation standards.
• On 16 Sept 2025, Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated Uttarakhand’s first NVIDIA‑powered AI & High‑Performance Computing (HPC) facility at Graphic Era University, Dehradun. The centre, built at a cost of ₹10+ crore, is equipped with the NVIDIA DGX B200 system (8 GPUs, 1.74 TB GPU memory).
• PM Modi launched ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan’ on 17 Sept 2025 at Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. Campaign runs till 2 Oct 2025, aligned with 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah. Focus: women’s health, maternal care, nutrition, preventive screenings. Over 1 lakh health camps held; PMMVY benefits released to lakhs of women.
• On 15 Sept 2025, PM Narendra Modi launched and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹40,000 crore in Purnea, Bihar. Key works included the inauguration of Purnea Airport, new rail lines and Vande Bharat trains, and a 2400 MW thermal power project. He also launched the Kosi–Mechi River Link Project (Phase 1) and distributed benefits under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
• Vishwakarma Puja 2025 is celebrated on 17 September 2025 across India, especially in industrial and artisan communities. It honours Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect, symbolising skill, craftsmanship, and innovation. Workers worship tools, machines, and workplaces for safety, prosperity, and smooth functioning.

Banking:

• On 12 September 2025, Apollo Hospitals announced it will acquire IFC’s 30.58% stake in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Ltd (AHLL). Deal value: ₹1,254 crore, making AHLL a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apollo. AHLL runs diagnostics, women’s health, ambulatory, dialysis & dental networks.

Economy:

• India’s consumer price inflation for August 2025 was released by MoSPI on 12 September 2025, showing a rise to 2.07% from 1.61% in July. Food inflation remained in deflation at –0.69%, though it improved compared to the previous month. Rural inflation stood at 1.69%, while urban inflation was higher at 2.47%.
• India’s wholesale price inflation (WPI) turned positive in August 2025, rising to 0.52% after two months of deflation. The uptick was driven by higher prices of food items, minerals, and manufactured goods, though fuel & power stayed in deflation. Food inflation moved into positive territory at 0.21%, reversing July’s –2.15%. The data was released by the Commerce Ministry on 15 September 2025.
• India’s goods exports rose 6.7% in August 2025 to $35.10 billion, up from $32.89 billion a year earlier. Imports fell 10.1% to $61.59 billion, sharply narrowing the trade deficit to $26.49 billion. Growth was led by gems & jewellery, engineering goods, electronics, petroleum, and pharma. The data was released by the Commerce Ministry on 15 September 2025.

MoUs:

• On 15 Sept 2025 in New Delhi, Startup India (DPIIT) signed an MoU with the CarDekho Group. The aim is to strengthen the startup ecosystem in mobility, fintech, insurtech, and emerging technologies. The partnership offers mentorship, market access, funding, and tech support to DPIIT‑recognised startups.

Science & Technology:

• The 11th Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 was held from 5–14 Sept 2025 at Hangzhou, China. In the final, India lost 1–4 to hosts China, finishing as runners‑up. Navneet Kaur scored early for India, but China dominated with goals from Ou Zixia, Li Hong, Zou Meirong, and Jiaqi Zhong. With this win, China lifted their 3rd Asia Cup title and secured direct qualification for the 2026 FIH Women’s World Cup.

Sports:

• Marium Fatima from Muzaffarpur created history on 17 Sept 2025 by becoming Bihar’s first Woman FIDE Master. She achieved the title after crossing the 2000+ FIDE rating at the Commonwealth Chess Championship. Her earlier wins include the National Women’s Amateur Elo Rating Chess Competition and state titles.
• On 16 Sept 2025, Apollo Tyres became the lead sponsor of India’s men’s and women’s national cricket teams. The deal replaces Dream11 and runs until March 2028, covering all formats and series. The Apollo Tyres logo will feature on team jerseys across nearly 130 international matches. This marks Apollo’s first cricket sponsorship in India, valued at about ₹4.5 crore per match.

Apps & Portals:

• SEBI launched SWAGAT‑FI on 12 Sept 2025 to attract long‑term foreign investors. It offers 10‑year registration, a single digital portal, and unified access for FPIs & FVCIs. Eligible investors include sovereign funds, pensions, central banks, and insurance firms. The move boosts India’s global competitiveness by easing compliance and drawing “patient capital.”

Govt. Schemes:

• On 15 Sept 2025, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Arms of Love) Scheme in Chennai. The scheme provides a ₹2,000 monthly stipend to orphaned children until completion of schooling. It also ensures scholarships, laptops, and higher education/skill development support for beneficiaries. The initiative is part of the state’s Thayumanavar Programme to uplift families in extreme poverty.

Important Days:

• World Patient Safety Day 2025 was observed on 17 September 2025, led by the World Health Organization (WHO). The theme was “Patient safety from the start! – Safe care for every newborn and every child”. It aimed to raise awareness on preventing avoidable harm in paediatric and newborn care. Global landmarks were lit in orange to symbolise commitment to safer healthcare for children.
• PM Narendra Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat. His birthday is observed as Seva Diwas/Seva Pakhwada, marked by service activities. In 2025 (75th birthday), health campaigns, Ayushman Mandirs, and plantation drives were launched.

Appointments:

• On 13 Sept 2025, Justice M. Sundar of the Madras High Court was appointed as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. He succeeded Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, who retired on 14 Sept 2025. Justice Sundar was sworn in on 15 Sept 2025 at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Questions:

Q.1 India’s wholesale price inflation (WPI) for August 2025 turned positive at what rate, as per data released on 15 September 2025?
a) 0.52%
b) 2.07%
c) 6.7%
d) –2.15%

Answer: a) WPI rose to 0.52% after deflation, driven by food and minerals.

Q.2 Who was appointed as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court on 13 September 2025?
a) Justice Kempaiah Somashekar
b) Justice M. Sundar
c) Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla
d) Justice Ajay Kumar Bhalla

Answer: b) Justice M. Sundar from Madras High Court was sworn in on 15 September, succeeding Justice Somashekar.