Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th September 2025

National:

• On 17 Sept 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified India’s first National Geothermal Energy Policy. It targets 10 Gigawatt (GW) geothermal potential, supporting India’s Net Zero 2070 commitment. Policy allows 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), fiscal incentives, Public–Private Partnerships (PPP), and 5 pilot projects.

• Union Minister Rammohan Naidu launched Yatri Sewa Diwas 2025 (17 Sept, Hindon Airport, UP) to promote passenger-first services across airports. The initiative included medical check-ups, cultural events, and women-focused campaigns under Swastha Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan. It highlights India’s aviation growth—25 crore passengers in 2025 vs 11 crore in 2014.
• On 16 Sept 2025, Tamil Nadu became the first state to issue ID cards to Women SHG members. Launched by Dy. CM Udhayanidhi Stalin in Salem, alongside ₹3,500 crore loan disbursement. ID cards enable free bus travel (100 km) for SHG products & discounts at govt outlets.
• On 18 Sept 2025, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expanded the Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana to cover unemployed graduates. Eligible youth (20–25 yrs) in Arts, Science, and Commerce will get ₹1,000/month for 2 years. Earlier, the scheme was limited to intermediate‑pass youth.
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has added a Content Creators & Influencers category to NECA 2025. It targets digital creators with 10k+ followers to promote energy conservation via short videos. Themes include home energy saving, 24°C AC use, 5‑Star appliances, green buildings, responsible festivals. Winners will be honoured on 14 Dec 2025 in New Delhi by the President of India.
• On 19 Sept 2025, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound was chosen as India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) in the Best International Feature Film category. Produced by Karan Johar with Martin Scorsese as executive producer, it stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor.
• On 18 Sept 2025, the Dept. of Consumer Affairs issued an advisory on GST rate changes effective 22 Sept 2025. Companies may voluntarily re-sticker MRPs on old stock, keeping the original visible. The newspaper ad requirement is waived; only circulation of revised price lists is needed. Old packaging can be used till March 31, 2026. Aim: reduce compliance burden while ensuring consumers benefit from GST cuts.
• On 18 Sept 2025, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced plans to set up 500+ AI Data Labs under the IndiaAI Mission (₹10,300 cr). The labs will support AI research, startups, and skilling. An AI Governance Framework will be launched soon. IIT Bombay’s BharatGen consortium will develop a 1‑trillion parameter LLM with ₹988.6 cr support.

Banking:

• On 18 Sept 2025, AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) launched AU KOSMO Credit Cards in partnership with KIWI. The RuPay‑powered card enables UPI‑based credit payments at any merchant QR code. It is lifetime free, offers rewards on UPI spends, and a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. The card targets first‑time credit users and digital‑savvy youth.

Economy:

• On 19 Sept 2025, Japan’s Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) upgraded India’s sovereign rating to BBB+ (Stable) from BBB. It cited fast growth, demographic dividend, fiscal consolidation, and external stability as key reasons. This was India’s third upgrade in 2025, after Morningstar DBRS and S&P.

MoUs:

• On 17 Sept 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) signed a strategic MoU in New Delhi. Under it, 1.65 lakh+ Post Offices will sell BSNL SIM cards & mobile recharges. The pact aims to bridge the digital divide, boost rural connectivity, and advance Digital India
• On 17 Sept 2025, Malabar Group signed an MoU with World Health Organization (WHO) India to launch the Nurturing Beginnings project. Implemented via the Malabar Charitable Trust, it targets mothers and children in urban slums, focusing on the first 1,000 days of life. The project provides nutritious food, medical and mental health services. It will start in Delhi and later expand nationwide.
• On 19 Sept 2025, Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) signed an MoU in New Delhi to collaborate on exploration and development of critical & strategic minerals, especially copper. The MoU was signed by CMD Sanjiv Kumar Singh (HCL) and CMD Dr. Ranjit Rath (OIL). It aligns with the National Critical Mineral Mission 2025, aimed at securing resources vital for energy security, EVs, renewables, and defence.

Reports:

• The Mercedes-Benz Hurun India Wealth Report 2025, released on 19 Sept 2025 by Hurun India & Mercedes-Benz, shows 8.71 lakh millionaire households in India (net worth ≥ ₹8.5 crore). Maharashtra tops with 1.78 lakh, while Mumbai (1.42 lakh) is the millionaire capital. Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat follow, with Tier II cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur, Vadodara, Nagpur, Vizag & Lucknow emerging.

Sports:

• On 19 Sept 2025, Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian to claim 100 T20I wickets, achieving it vs Oman in the Asia Cup. He reached the mark in 64 matches, the 4th fastest globally and quickest among pacers. Arshdeep now leads India’s T20I wicket charts, ahead of Chahal, Pandya, and Bumrah.

Committees:

• On 18 Sept 2025, the 13th India–United Arab Emirates High‑Level Joint Task Force on Investments (HLTFI) was held in Abu Dhabi, co-chaired by Piyush Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting reviewed CEPA progress, with non-oil trade reaching USD 38 bn in H1 2025 (+34% YoY). Key projects included Bharat Mart in Jebel Ali and advancing local currency trade & CBDCs. New cooperation areas: maritime and space sectors.

Apps & Portals:

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) launched the Bima Sugam website (17 Sept 2025, Hyderabad) as India’s first digital insurance marketplace. It enables policyholders to compare, buy, renew, and claim across all insurance types on one platform. The initiative is part of the Bima Trinity model and supports Insurance for All by 2047.

Govt. Schemes:

• On 15 Sept 2025, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched major education support schemes to empower students. The Namo Lakshmi Yojana provides ₹50,000 over 4 years to girls in Classes 9–12, benefiting 10.49 lakh students. The Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana gives ₹25,000 over 2 years to science students in Classes 11–12, supporting 1.5 lakh students.

Military Exercises:

• The Freedom Edge 2025 trilateral exercise was held from 15–19 Sept 2025 near Jeju Island, South Korea, involving the US, Japan, and South Korea. It focused on multi‑domain operations—ballistic missile defense, air defense, maritime interdiction, and medical evacuation. This was the third edition of the exercise, following 2024 rounds.

Obituaries:

• On 19 Sept 2025, singer Zubeen Garg (52) died in a scuba diving accident in Singapore during the North East India Festival. Known as the “Voice of Assam”, he sang 30,000+ songs in multiple languages, including the hit “Ya Ali”.

Questions:

Q.1 Which film was selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026)?
a) Homebound
b) Laapataa Ladies
c) RRR
d) The Lunchbox

Answer: a) Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and announced on 19 September 2025, it stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, with Martin Scorsese as executive producer.

Q.2 Which international rating agency upgraded India’s sovereign rating to BBB+ (Stable) in Sept 2025?
a) Moody’s
b) Fitch
c) Rating and Investment Information (R&I), Japan
d) DBRS Morningstar

Answer: c) On 19 Sept 2025, Japan’s Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) upgraded India’s sovereign rating to BBB+ (Stable) from BBB.