26th September 2025

1. CAG Signs MoU with CBDT to Enhance Operational Effectiveness
2. NIPL & QNB Rolls Out UPI Payment Services for Indian Travelers in Qatar
3. RBI Signed Renewed SoC to FX Global Code
4. RBI allows Standalone traders to trade in Rupee in NDF market
5. Kroll Report 2024: Virat Kohli Retains Tops Indian Celebrity Brand Rankings at USD 231.1 million
6. India Gets ICAO Council President Certificate for Aviation Safety Oversight
7. DRDO & SFC Conducted Test Launch of ‘Agni-Prime Missile’ from RBML
8. ISRO and Schneider Electric Extends Partnership for Space Mission Automation
9. 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers: India Registers First-ever International Victory
10. Anand Piramal Named Chairman of Piramal Finance
11. PM Modi to Transfer ₹10,000 to 75 Lakh Bihar Women
12. India Tests Agni-Prime Missile from Rail-Based Launcher
13. World Contraception Day 2025
14. European Day of Languages 2025
15. World Environmental Health Day 2025
16. Tirumala Gets India’s First AI-Based Command Centre for Pilgrims
17. India Nominates IIT-Madras as UN AI Centre of Excellence
18. Sudhanshu Vats Appointed President of ASCI, Subramanyeswar Vice Chair
19. Tamil Arts & Cinema’s Best Recognized in Kalaimamani Awards 2021-23
20. L&T, BEL Join Race to Build India’s Stealth Fighter Jet
21. Ahmedabad to Host 11th Asian Aquatics Championship
22. UPI Launches in Qatar, Boosting Digital Payments Abroad
23. India’s First EV Truck Fleet Flagged Off at JNPA

National News

1. IIT Madras Nominated as UN AI Centre of Excellence

• What
  • The Indian government has nominated IIT Madras as a UN Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, capacity building, and skilling.
• Why
  • The initiative aims to support the Global South by building AI skills, closing the AI capacity gap, and promoting inclusive prosperity.
• Tell me more
  • The nomination was announced by MeitY Secretary S Krishnan at a UNGA side-event in New York.
  • The UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) will create a network of global AI Centres of Excellence through country nominations.
  • India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 and has invited countries and companies to join.
  • Under the India AI mission, India has 38,000 GPUs, 300 open-source models, and plans to skill 10 million people annually across AI fields.

Source: HBL

2. India’s First Electric Heavy Truck Fleet Launched At JNPA

• What
  • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India’s first fleet of electric heavy trucks with swappable batteries at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
• Why
  • The initiative aims to reduce emissions, promote sustainability, and align port operations with India’s net-zero target for 2070.
• Tell me more
  • JNPA deployed 50 electric trucks at launch, with the fleet expected to expand to 80 by the end of 2025.
  • The port plans to convert 90% of its 600 heavy trucks by December 2026.
  • The initiative supports the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030, and the Green Ports initiative.

Source: ET

State News

1. PM Launches Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna In Bihar

• What
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna” through video conferencing from New Delhi.
• Why
  • The scheme aims to empower women, make them self-reliant, and reduce migration from Bihar.
• Tell me more
  • Under the scheme, ₹10,000 will be directly transferred into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through DBT.
  • On the first day, ₹7,500 crore will be transferred to the accounts of 75 lakh women.
  • A total of 1.10 crore applications have been received for the scheme.
  • Women beneficiaries can receive additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh if employment work progresses well.

Source: NOA

2. India’s First AI-Powered Pilgrim Command Centre Inaugurated

• What
  • Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated India’s first Artificial Intelligence-powered pilgrim Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Tirumala.
• Why
  • The facility aims to improve crowd prediction, ensure faster queues, enhance safety, and strengthen cyber threat monitoring for pilgrims.
• Tell me more
  • The ICCC at Vaikuntam Queue Complex–I integrates AI-enabled cameras, 3D maps, and live dashboards managed by a technical team.

Source: HT

3. Onaaravam ’25 Onam Celebrations Begin In Bengaluru

• The event aims to celebrate Kerala’s cultural traditions and bring the community together through festive activities.
• Onam is Kerala’s harvest festival symbolising prosperity and community bonding.

Source: TH

Banking and Economy

1. UPI Payments Now Accepted In Qatar

• What
  • Indian travelers can now use UPI apps to make purchases in Qatar, which became the eighth country to allow this system.
• Why
  • The move aims to ease spending for Indian tourists, reduce foreign exchange issues, and promote secure digital payments.
• Tell me more
  • Qatar Duty Free was the first merchant to accept UPI transactions through QR codes.
  • The facility became possible through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), Qatar National Bank, and Japanese payment gateway NETSTARS.
  • More tourist spots, retail stores, and hotels in Qatar are expected to offer UPI payments.
  • UPI availability will support growth in Qatar’s retail and tourism sectors by attracting more Indian customers and reducing reliance on cash.

Source: BS

2. RBI Signs Renewed Commitment To FX Global Code

• What
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed a renewed Statement of Commitment (SoC) to the FX Global Code.
• Why
  • The move aims to promote integrity and effective functioning of the wholesale foreign exchange market.
• Tell me more
  • The FX Global Code lays down global principles of good practice in the foreign exchange market.
  • RBI confirmed that it acts as a Market Participant under the Code and follows its principles in FX activities.
  • The central bank has aligned its operations with the Code considering the size, complexity, and nature of its FX activities.
  • The Code has been revised twice since its launch in 2017, first in July 2021 and later in December 2024.

Source: BS

3. RBI Allows SPDs To Trade In Rupee Derivatives

• What
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted standalone primary dealers (SPDs) to participate in non-deliverable derivative contracts (NDDCs) involving the Indian rupee.
• Why
  • The change aims to widen participation and provide more flexibility in the trading of rupee-linked derivative products.
• Tell me more
  • Earlier, only Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Cat-I) banks and IFSC Banking Units could deal in NDDCs.
  • With the amendment to the Master Direction on Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings, SPDs can now also offer NDDCs to both residents and non-residents.
  • AD Cat-I banks operating IFSC Banking Units can already transact in rupee NDDCs with users, other AD Cat-I banks and overseas banks.
  • The new provision for SPDs takes effect immediately.

Source: BS

Reports and Indices

1. Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation 2024

• What
  • A Kroll report revealed that the brand value of India’s top 25 celebrities grew to $2 billion in 2024, marking an 8.6% yearly increase.
• Why
  • The growth reflects the rising influence of celebrity endorsements and social media presence in India.
• Tell me more
  • Virat Kohli topped the list with a brand value of $231.1 million, followed by Ranveer Singh at $170.7 million and Shah Rukh Khan at $145.7 million.
  • Alia Bhatt secured the fourth spot with $116.4 million, while Sachin Tendulkar reached fifth place at $112.2 million.
  • New notable entries and rises included Kriti Sanon (19th), Tamannaah Bhatia (21st), Jasprit Bumrah (22nd), and Ananya Panday (25th).
  • The report also noted that Hindi cinema’s box office share dropped to 39.5%, while South Indian cinema’s share rose to 47.7%.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. India Successfully Tests Agni-Prime Missile From Rail Launcher

• What
  • DRDO and Strategic Forces Command successfully test-fired the next-generation Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher.
• Why
  • This was the first-ever launch from India’s specially designed Rail-Based Mobile Launcher (RBML).
• Tell me more
  • Agni-Prime is a canisterised missile with a range of up to 2,000 km and advanced technologies.
  • The rail launcher is self-sustained with independent launch capability, advanced communication systems, and strong protection features.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, SFC, and Armed Forces, calling the achievement a boost to national security and self-reliance.

Source: HBL

2. L&T-BEL Consortium Joins Race For AMCA Project

• What
  • A Larsen & Toubro (L&T)-Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) consortium has formally expressed interest in the ₹15,000 crore Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
• Why
  • The move aims to boost private sector participation in advanced fighter jet manufacturing and reduce reliance on state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Tell me more
  • This is the first time a private consortium has entered a DRDO-conceived combat aircraft project.
  • At least three more bids, including one from Adani Defence & Aerospace, are expected before the September 30 deadline.
  • The AMCA project’s full-scale engineering development involves building five prototypes in about five years, led by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

Source: HBL

Science and Technology

1. ISRO Partners With Schneider Electric For Space Missions

• What
  • ISRO has partnered with Schneider Electric to enhance launch vehicle and satellite mission operations at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• Why
  • The collaboration aims to use advanced automation technology to improve precision, reliability, and sustainability in India’s space missions.
• Tell me more
  • Schneider Electric has been supporting ISRO for over 15 years in mission-critical operations.
  • The company contributed to key missions such as Chandrayaan-3 in 2023 and the GSLV-F16/NISAR mission in 2025.
  • The partnership will expand automation deployments at SDSC SHAR to strengthen India’s space infrastructure.
  • ISRO is preparing for major missions like Gaganyaan, which will be the country’s first human spaceflight mission.

Source: FI

Awards

1. DGCA Wins ICAO Council President Certificate

• What
  • The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been awarded the ICAO Council President Certificate for progress in safety oversight and improving implementation of global aviation standards.
• Why
  • The recognition aims to acknowledge countries that strengthen aviation safety systems and effectively implement ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
• Tell me more
  • The award was presented to DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai at the ICAO assembly in Montreal.
  • The award is based on ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA).
  • The recognition follows DGCA’s improvements after India’s Effective Implementation score of 55.15% in 2017 highlighted challenges in critical aviation areas.

Source: ET

Important Days

1. World Contraception Day 2025 – September 26

2. European Day of Languages – September 26

• Theme: Languages open hearts and minds!

Source: EU

3. World Environmental Health Day – September 26

• Theme: Clean Air, Healthy People

Source: IFEH

Sports

1. India Registers First-Ever International Futsal Victory

• What
  • India secured its first international futsal win by defeating Mongolia 3-0 in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Ardiya, Kuwait.
• Why
  • The victory marked a historic moment for Indian futsal, giving the young team pride and confidence despite being eliminated from the qualifiers.
• Tell me more
  • It was India’s first clean sheet in futsal’s international history.
  • India finished third in Group A with three points, after earlier losses to Kuwait (1-4) and Australia (1-10).
  • Mongolia, ranked 110th in the world and 25 places above India, entered the match seeking their first qualifier win since 2018.

Source: AIFF

2. Mascot ‘Jalveer’ Launched For 11th Asian Aquatics Championship

• What
  • Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the mascot ‘Jalveer’ and the logo for the 11th Asian Aquatics Championship to be held in Ahmedabad.
• Why
  • The event aims to provide Indian athletes a chance to compete with Asia’s best and serve as a qualification meet for the 2026 Asian Games.
• Tell me more
  • The championship will take place from September 28 to October 11 at the newly constructed Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
  • The championship is hosted by the Swimming Federation of India with support from the Gujarat government.

Source: N18

Memorandum of Understanding

1. CAG and CBDT Sign MoU for Cooperation

• What
  • The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) signed an MoU to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Why
  • The MoU aims to build capacity, bridge skill gaps, and strengthen professional cooperation between the two organisations.
• Tell me more
  • The MoU was signed by CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal and Deputy CAG A M Bajaj in the presence of CAG K Sanjay Murthy.
  • It will support collaboration in training workshops, joint seminars, sharing audit insights, and adopting innovative methods like remote audits in GST and other areas.

Source: ET

Appointments

1. Anand Piramal Appointed Chairman of Piramal Finance

• Anand Piramal has been appointed the chairman of Piramal Finance, replacing his father Ajay Piramal.
• Ajay Piramal will continue as chairman of Piramal Group.
• Jairam Sridharan will serve as the MD & CEO of Piramal Finance.

Source: ET

2. Sudhanshu Vats Appointed Chairman Of ASCI

• Sudhanshu Vats, MD of Pidilite Industries, has been appointed the new chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).

Source: TH

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