01st October 2025

1. PRAYAS-Integrated Neuro Rehabilitation Centre has opened in AIIA, Goa
2. BoB signs a Co-Lending Agreement with IIFL Finance
3. TATA AIG ties up with Equitas Bank for insurance distribution
4. Axis Bank, in partnership with Freecharge, launches Gold-Backed Credit on UPI
5. PhonePe & Mastercard Launched ‘Tap & Pay’ Feature for Contactless Payments in India
6. ADB projects India’s growth at 6.5% for FY26 and FY27 amid global trade uncertainty
7. Tata Steel Signed Pact with Netherlands Govt for Decarbonisation Project
8. GOI Appoints Asheesh Pandey as MD & CEO of UBI, Kalyan Kumar as MD & CEO of CBI
9. World Rabies Day 2025 – September 28
10. World Rivers Day 2025 – September 28
11. Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti 2025: Celebrating 121st Birth Anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri
12. Major General G. Srinivas Takes Charge as Commandant of CDM, Secunderabad
13. BDU Professor Wins TANSA Award for Environmental Science
14. President Murmu Presents Special Honour to President’s Bodyguard on 75 Years of Service
15. Indian Army Conducts Exercise ‘Drone Kavach’ in Arunachal Pradesh
16. PM Modi Releases Stamp and Coin to Mark 100 Years of RSS
17. Chhattisgarh’s Balod Becomes India’s First Officially Child Marriage-Free District
18. Novotel Vijayawada Varun Bags ‘Best 5-Star Deluxe Hotel’ Award
19. Telugu Language Day Celebrated in Saudi Arabia with P4 Awareness Programme
20. Praveer Ranjan Takes Charge as CISF DG
21. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department Wins Global Tourism Award 2025
22. International Day of Older Persons 2025

National News

1. RSS marks centenary with special coin and stamp

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a ₹100 commemorative coin and a special postage stamp to mark the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) completing 100 years and stepping into its 101st year on Vijaya Dashmi.
• Tell me more:
  • The coin, for the first time, features Bharat Mata with a lion, in Varada Mudra, and Swayamsevaks before her, while the other side carries the national emblem with the words “Nation First, This is for the Nation, Not for Me.”
  • The postage stamp recalls RSS participation in the 1963 Republic Day parade at the request of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru after the India-China war and highlights RSS contributions to disaster relief.
  • PM Modi praised RSS Shakhas as places of inspiration, stressing unity, Swadeshi living, and the organisation’s role in relief during floods, cyclones, and earthquakes.

Source: N18

State News

1. Prayas Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre launched at AIIA Goa

• What:
  • The Ministry of Ayush launched “Prayas”, an Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, on the 10th Ayurveda Day.
• Why:
  • The Centre was launched to provide holistic, patient-centred neuro-rehabilitation, especially for children with neurological and developmental conditions.
• Tell me more:
  • “Prayas” is one of the first multi-disciplinary centres combining Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, Yoga, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and modern Paediatrics under one roof.
  • The Union Minister of State, Ministry of Ayush (IC) and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, inaugurated the Centre in the presence of Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and senior officials.
  • The initiative aims to pioneer integrative models by merging Ayurveda, Yoga, and modern sciences for evidence-based paediatric neuro care.
  • The programme also focuses on research, training, and shaping future Ayush-based innovations in healthcare.

Source: PIB

2. Balod becomes India’s first child marriage-free district

• What:
  • Chhattisgarh’s Balod district has been declared the first district in the country to be officially free of child marriages under the ‘Child Marriage-Free India’ campaign.
• Why:
  • The achievement aims to promote social reform by ending child marriages and ensuring community-driven change.
• Tell me more:
  • All 436 gram panchayats and nine urban bodies of Balod received certificates after two years without a single case of child marriage.

Source: TOI

3. Telugu diaspora celebrates Language Day with P4 initiative

• What:
  • The Saudi Arabia Telugu Association, with the TDP NRI Committee, celebrated Telugu Language Day and organised a P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership) awareness program.
• Why:
  • The program aimed to promote Andhra Pradesh’s vision of eradicating poverty and driving inclusive growth through the P4 model.
• Tell me more:
  • Andhra Pradesh Minister Kondapalli Srinivas highlighted the goal of achieving zero poverty by 2047, urging NRIs to mentor and support vulnerable families.
  • NRI leaders noted P4 gives a structured way for NRIs to contribute knowledge, skills, and financial support.
  • The program blended cultural celebration of Telugu Language Day with social commitment to poverty eradication.

Source: TOI

Banking and Economy

1. Bank of Baroda and IIFL tie-up for gold loans

• What:
  • Bank of Baroda and IIFL Finance entered into a co-lending partnership to offer gold loans for underserved and unbanked customers in semi-urban and rural India.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to provide small borrowers with faster, easier, and affordable credit for agricultural and allied activities.
• Tell me more:
  • IIFL Finance will originate and service the loans, while Bank of Baroda will fund them with joint underwriting under RBI’s co-lending guidelines.
  • The partnership combines Bank of Baroda’s strong capital and low-cost funds with IIFL Finance’s wide reach.

Source: HBL

2. TATA AIG partners with Equitas Bank for insurance access

• What:
  • TATA AIG General Insurance Company Ltd entered a bancassurance partnership with Equitas Small Finance Bank to expand insurance access across urban and rural India.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to strengthen financial protection for households and small businesses, especially in semi-urban and rural markets.
• Tell me more:
  • The collaboration will allow Equitas customers to buy TATA AIG’s non-life insurance products through the bank’s network.
  • The partnership combines Equitas Bank’s retail reach with TATA AIG’s insurance expertise to deliver affordable solutions.

Source: HBL

3. Axis Bank launches India’s first gold-backed credit on UPI

• What:
  • Axis Bank, in collaboration with Freecharge, launched “Credit on UPI with Gold Loans”, India’s first gold-backed credit line available through UPI.
• Why:
  • The product aims to provide instant, flexible, and cost-effective credit to MSMEs, self-employed entrepreneurs, and merchants in urban and rural India.
• Tell me more:
  • Customers can access instant credit against gold holdings with interest charged only on the utilized amount.
  • The facility is available to existing Axis Bank gold loan customers with a fully digital journey for utilization and repayment.

Source: Axis

4. PhonePe and Mastercard launch tap-and-pay feature

• What:
  • PhonePe and Mastercard launched a feature allowing Mastercard cardholders to make in-store tap-and-pay transactions using NFC-enabled smartphones.
• Why:
  • The feature aims to provide a seamless and world-class payment experience by combining NFC-enabled smartphones with consumer preference for tap-and-pay.
• Tell me more:
  • The service supports Mastercard credit, debit, and prepaid cards issued in India, which can be saved on smartphones for payments.
  • It will also enable tokenised e-commerce transactions through NFC-capable Android smartphones.

Source: BS

5. RBI MPC projects lower inflation for FY26

• What:
  • The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee said inflation has eased and projected headline inflation at 2.6% for FY26, lower than the earlier 3.1% forecast.
• Why:
  • The projection aims to reflect the impact of easing food prices, GST rate cuts, and better supply prospects which support a benign inflation outlook.
• Tell me more:
  • Quarter-wise estimates for inflation are 1.8% in Q2, 1.8% in Q3, 4% in Q4, and 4.5% in Q1 FY27.
  • Core inflation remained at 4.2% in August.
  • Retail inflation rose to 2.07% in August after an eight-year low of 1.55% in July.
  • The MPC unanimously kept repo rates unchanged with a neutral stance, focusing on growth amid global uncertainties.
  • RBI’s July Bulletin stated a 10% rise in crude oil prices could raise inflation by 20 basis points.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. Indian Army conducts Exercise ‘Drone Kavach’ in Arunachal

• What:
  • The Indian Army’s Spear Corps under Eastern Command conducted Exercise ‘Drone Kavach’ from September 25 to 28 in forward areas of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh.
• Why:
  • The exercise was aimed at preparing for next-generation drone warfare and testing new drone and counter-drone technologies in battlefield conditions.
• Tell me more:
  • Personnel from ITBP also participated in the exercise.
  • On September 19, Spear Corps soldiers scaled Mount Gorichen (6,488 metres), Arunachal’s highest climbable peak.

Source: FP

Awards

1. Prof. R. Arthur James wins Tamil Nadu Scientist Award

• What:
  • Prof. R. Arthur James, Chair of Marine Science at Bharathidasan University, received the Tamil Nadu Government’s Scientist Award in Environmental Science for 2022.
• Why:
  • The award was given to recognise his impactful research in environmental science, especially on natural nanomaterials with societal applications.
• Tell me more:
  • The award is given by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TANSA).
  • It carries a cash prize of ₹50,000 and a citation.

Source: TH

2. President honours PBG with diamond jubilee Silver Trumpet

• What:
  • President Droupadi Murmu presented the diamond jubilee Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) at Rashtrapati Bhavan to mark 75 years of its designation in 1950.
• Why:
  • The honour was given to recognise the PBG’s 75 years of professional excellence and adherence to military traditions.
• Tell me more:
  • The ceremony celebrated the PBG’s journey since being designated in 1950.
  • ‘Viraat’, the Commandant’s Charger retired in 2022, was also present at the ceremony.
  • PBG adopted ‘Viraat’ after retirement, symbolising their bond with horses.
  • The President expressed confidence that members of PBG carry this honour with responsibility.

Source: NOA

3. Novotel Vijayawada Varun wins Best 5-Star Deluxe Hotel

• Novotel Vijayawada Varun was honoured as the “Best 5-Star Deluxe Hotel” at the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Excellence Awards.

Source: TH

4. Andhra Pradesh Tourism wins Global Tourism Award 2025

• What:
  • The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department received the Global Tourism Award 2025 for its initiatives to make the state a leading tourist destination.
• Why:
  • The award recognised the department’s efforts in creating a new tourism policy, eco-friendly development, and boosting investments to strengthen the state’s economy.
• Tell me more:
  • The award was presented at a function in New Delhi, received by tourism consultant Nishitha Goyal.
  • The recognition highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s achievements in positioning Gandikota as an eco and adventure tourism hub with supporting infrastructure.
  • The department has signed 103 MoUs with reputed organisations in the past 15 months to attract private investment.
  • The award acknowledged Andhra Pradesh Tourism’s contribution to India’s overall tourism growth.
  • The award was instituted by the Global News Network.

Source: TH

Important Days

1. World Rabies Day 2025 – September 28

• Theme: Act Now: You, Me, Community

Source: WHO

2. World Rivers Day 2025 – September 28

• Theme: Waterways of Life

Source: FB

3. International Day of Older Persons 2025 – October 1

• Theme: Theme: Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights

Source: UN

4. Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti and Gandhi Jayanti – October 2

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Tata Steel signs pact with Dutch government for green shift

• What:
  • Tata Steel signed a non-binding pact with the Netherlands government to shift its IJmuiden plant towards low-carbon emission steel production.
• Why:
  • The pact aims to cut down pollution from the IJmuiden plant, one of the largest polluters in the Netherlands, and move towards cleaner steel production.
• Tell me more:
  • The Netherlands government plans to provide up to 2 billion euros under the pact.
  • Tata Steel’s Dutch unit has sought 0.3 billion euros from the EU Innovation Fund.
  • Remaining funds will come from Tata Steel Nederland’s cash generation, project debt, and Tata Steel’s own support.
  • The exact project cost is not finalised as full engineering work is still pending.

Source: ET

Appointments

1. Asheesh Pandey, Kalyan Kumar appointed as bank chiefs

• What:
  • Asheesh Pandey was appointed MD & CEO of Union Bank of India and Kalyan Kumar as MD & CEO of Central Bank of India for a period of three years.
  • The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) recommended both Pandey and Kumar.
  • FSIB is headed by former DoPT Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma.

Source: ET

2. Major General G. Srinivas appointed as CDM Commandant

• Major General G. Srinivas took charge as the Commandant of the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, succeeding Lieutenant General Harsh Chhibber.
• The College of Defence Management (CDM) is a key training institution of the Indian Armed Forces.
• CDM trains senior officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Source: TH

3. Praveer Ranjan takes charge as CISF Director-General

• Senior IPS officer Praveer Ranjan assumed charge as the Director-General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
• Ranjan has received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2016) and Meritorious Service (2009).

Source: TOI

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