Current Affairs One - Liner : 25th September 2025

National:

• On 23 Sept 2025, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) launched the Vriddha Mitra Toolkit (by SCHOOL) and the 2nd Shrinkhala HUM Talk Series in New Delhi. The toolkit supports community‑based elder care, while the HUM series (“Anubhav aur Utsaah ka Sangam”) promotes intergenerational bonding and empowerment of senior citizens under the SAHAJ programme.

• On 24 Sept 2025, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) launched seven new WaveX incubation centres under its WAVES initiative. They are located at IIMC campuses (Delhi, Jammu, Dhenkanal, Kottayam, Amravati), FTII Pune, and SRFTI Kolkata, alongside the existing IICT Mumbai hub.
• On 24 Sept 2025, Akasa Air partnered with OpenAirlines to adopt SkyBreathe®, a 360° eco‑flying platform. The AI‑driven system analyses flight data to optimise fuel use and cut CO₂ emissions. It can reduce fuel consumption by up to 5% without aircraft modifications. This move strengthens Akasa’s sustainability goals and operational efficiency.
• On 23 Sept 2025, Uttar Pradesh celebrated Ayushman Bharat Diwas marking 7 years of PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana). UP leads the country with 5.38 crore Ayushman Cards issued, covering 87% of eligible families. So far, 74.4 lakh beneficiaries have availed ₹12,283 crore worth of free treatment in 6,099 empanelled hospitals.
• On 24 Sept 2025, the Cabinet approved CSIR’s Capacity Building & Human Resource Development (CBHRD) scheme with an outlay of ₹2,277 crore. It covers doctoral/post‑doctoral fellowships, extramural research, Bhatnagar fellowships, awards, and travel grants. The scheme will benefit R&D institutions, universities, and national labs across India.
• On 24 Sept 2025, the Cabinet approved doubling of the 104‑km Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya railway line in Bihar at a cost of ₹2,192 crore. The project spans 4 districts, benefiting 1,434 villages and 13.46 lakh people, including Gaya & Nawada. It will improve connectivity to Rajgir, Nalanda, and Pawapuri, key religious/tourist hubs. The line will handle 26 MTPA additional freight like coal, cement, and fly ash.
• On 24 Sept 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹69,725 crore package to boost India’s shipbuilding & maritime industries. The 10‑year plan rests on four pillars: SBFAS (₹24,736 cr), MDF (₹25,000 cr), SbDS (₹19,989 cr), and a National Shipbuilding Mission. It aims to expand capacity to 4.5 million GT, create 30 lakh jobs, and attract ₹4.5 lakh crore investment.

Banking:

• On 22 Sept 2025, Goldman Sachs expanded its 10,000 Women initiative in India. It added IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Lucknow’s Enterprise Incubation Centre as new academic partners, alongside IIM Bangalore NSRCEL. The programme provides business education, mentorship, networking, and capital access to women entrepreneurs.
• On 23 Sept 2025, Paytm Money partnered with JioBlackRock to launch India’s first SAE Fund – the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund. The NFO runs till 7 Oct 2025, with a ₹500 entry point via SIP or lump sum, exclusively on Paytm Money. The SAE model blends AI, ML, alternative data, and fund manager expertise, powered by Aladdin.
• Bank of India partnered with Cashinvoice to launch ‘BOI Trade Easy’ on 16th September 2025. The platform offers instant MSME loans in 30 minutes, replacing the usual 15–30 day cycle. BoI targets ₹1,000 crore disbursement in 4–6 months, covering 2 lakh MSMEs. It addresses India’s ₹20 lakh crore MSME credit gap, boosting financial inclusion and growth.

Economy:

• On 23 Sept 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) raised India’s GDP forecast for Financial Year (FY) 2025‑26 to 6.7%. The upward revision was driven by Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, policy easing, and strong domestic demand. India’s Q1 FY26 GDP growth stood at 7.8%, while inflation is projected at 2.9%.

MoUs:

• On 19 Sept 2025, the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) and the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) signed an MoU at Bhavnagar, Gujarat. It aims to set up a National Mega Shipbuilding Cluster at Duggirajapatnam, Andhra Pradesh with an outlay of ₹29,253 crore. The GoAP will provide land, roads, and civil works, while VPA will handle seaside works through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

Science & Technology:

• On 20 Sept 2025, the rare Red‑necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) was sighted for the first time at Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tirupur, Tamil Nadu. It was spotted by a forest watcher and confirmed by the Nature Society of Tirupur. This marks the 192nd bird species recorded in the sanctuary.
• On 23 Sept 2025, Agnikul Cosmos launched India’s first private large‑format 3D printing facility at IIT‑M Research Park, Chennai. The centre can 3D‑print rocket parts up to 1 metre, cutting costs by 50% and producing flight‑ready hardware in days. It integrates design to finishing under one roof, with an indigenously built de‑powdering machine.

Defence:

• On 24 Sept 2025, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) partnered with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to support India’s AMCA 5th‑Gen Fighter Jet Programme. The consortium will respond to ADA’s EoI, combining L&T’s aerospace expertise with BEL’s defence electronics. The AMCA will be a twin‑engine stealth fighter with prototype rollout by 2028–29 and induction by 2034.

Committees:

• On 24 Sept 2025, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar chaired the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York on the sidelines of the 80th UNGA. Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) consists of India + 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs). The meeting reviewed the 12‑point action plan from the FIPIC‑III Summit (2023). Aim: Strengthen ties in health, renewable energy, digital tech, and climate resilience.

Important Days:

• World Pharmacists Day is observed on 25 September, established by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in 2009, marking FIP’s founding in 1912. The 2025 theme is “Think Health, Think Pharmacist”. It highlights pharmacists’ role in safe medicine use, preventive care, and universal health coverage.
• On 24 Sept 2025, India observed National Service Scheme (NSS) Day, marking its launch in 1969. The scheme, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, carries the motto “Not Me, But You.” Celebrations included tree plantation, blood donation, cleanliness drives, and awareness campaigns nationwide.

Questions:

Q.1 According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), India’s projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for FY 2025-26 is:
a) 6.2%
b) 6.5%
c) 6.7%
d) 7.0%

Answer: c) OECD revised India’s growth forecast to 6.7% citing GST (Goods and Services Tax) reforms, easier policies, and strong demand.

Q.2 The Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya railway line doubling project recently approved by the Cabinet is located in:
a) Jharkhand
b) Bihar
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: b) The 104-km project (₹2,192 crore) will enhance connectivity to Rajgir, Nalanda, and Pawapuri, key Buddhist/Jain religious and tourist centres.