17th September 2025

1. Baba Kalyani Awarded ASME Holley Medal for Engineering Excellence
2. Manipur Hosts Hathei Chilli Festival to Promote GI-Tagged Local Crop
3. P&G Health Names Shashank Srowthy as CFO, Effective October 1
4. PNB Extends Shri M. Paramasivam’s Term as Executive Director
5. Central Zone Wins Duleep Trophy After 11 Years Under Patidar
6. India To Establishes Satellite Tracking Station Near Diego Garcia
7. A Book Titled Demography, Representation, Delimitation by Ravi K Mishra
8. Samuel Umtiti Retires from Football at Age 31
9. India’s Trade Deficit Narrows to $26.49 Billion in August 2025
10. Kotak811 Surges to 3rd Spot in Global App Downloads
11. Sima Bahous Begins Second Term at UN Women
12. Aadhaar Users Get Priority in IRCTC Booking from Oct 1
13. IAF Proposes ₹2 Lakh Crore Rafale Jet Deal
14. Amit Shah Inaugurates India’s Largest Sports Complex in Ahmedabad
15. World Patient Safety Day 2025
16. World Ozone Day 2025
17. Union Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad
18. PLFS Monthly Bulletin – August 2025: UR declined 2nd consecutive month to 5.1%
19. Startup India Signs MoU with CarDekho Group to Strengthen Startup Ecosystem
20. Godrej Signs a deal with France’s Safran to build LEAP engine parts
21. Apollo Hospitals to acquire IFC’s 30.5% in Health and Lifestyle Arm for Rs 1,254 Crores
22. FIDE Grand Swiss 2025: Anish Giri & Vaishali Rameshbabu Win Titles
23. Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Final: India Finishes as Runner-Up
24. Sarvesh Kushare Becomes First Indian High Jumper Qualifying to World Athletics Championships Final
25. Apollo Tyres Named New Jersey Sponsor of Indian Cricket Team Until 2027
26. TN CM M.K Stalin Launched ‘Anbu Karangal’ Scheme for Orphaned Children

National News

1. India and Mauritius to Set Up Strategic Satellite Tracking Station

• What:
  • India and Mauritius agreed to establish a satellite tracking station in Mauritius near the US-UK strategic base, Diego Garcia.
• Why:
  • The facility will give India a strategic advantage by enabling satellite tracking and monitoring in the Indian Ocean region.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement includes cooperation in telemetry, tracking, telecommunications for satellites and launch vehicles, and space research.
  • India reaffirmed Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, close to Diego Garcia, while the UK retains Diego Garcia for defense use.
  • India announced a $680 million package for Mauritius, including infrastructure projects and maritime security support.
  • India and Mauritius also signed agreements on hydrography for joint surveys, navigation charts, and hydrographic data sharing.

Source: ET

State News

1. 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival Inaugurated in Manipur

• What:
  • The 14-day-long 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival was inaugurated at Sirarakhong Village in Ukhrul district, Manipur.
• Why:
  • The festival aims to promote Sirarakhong Hathei, a GI-tagged chilli known for its unique aroma and flavor.
• Tell me more:
  • Sirarakhong Hathei is a GI-tagged chilli species grown specifically in Sirarakhong Village.
  • The festival is an annual event that celebrates the unique local produce of Sirarakhong Village.

Source: NOA

2. India’s Largest Sports Complex Inaugurated in Ahmedabad

• What:
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India’s largest and most modern sports complex, the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, at Naranpura, Ahmedabad.
• Why:
  • The complex aims to strengthen India’s journey towards becoming a top sporting nation by 2047.
• Tell me more:
  • The complex is described as the country’s largest and the world’s most advanced.
  • It was built at a cost of 825 crore rupees.
  • It features a world-class aquatic complex, facilities for indoor and outdoor sports, and residential amenities for athletes.
  • Union Minister Mansukh Mandviya and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the inauguration.

Source: NOA

3. Tamil Nadu CM Launches Anbu Karangal Scheme

• What:
  • Chief Minister MK Stalin launched the Anbu Karangal scheme on the birth anniversary of former CM CN Annadurai to provide financial aid to orphaned and abandoned children.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to uplift marginalized children and provide them with financial support for living and education until they turn 18.
• Tell me more:
  • In the first phase, 6,082 children will receive Rs 2,000 every month.
  • The scheme covers children who have lost both parents or whose surviving parent cannot care for them due to abandonment, disability, imprisonment, or illness.
  • The Anbu Karangal scheme was launched alongside other welfare measures like students’ breakfast programme, financial aid for children orphaned by Covid-19, and self-defence training for children in government homes.

Source: IE

Banking and Economy

1. India’s Exports Rise Despite High US Tariffs in August

• What:
  • India’s exports increased for the second consecutive month in August after the US imposed high tariffs on Indian products.
• Why:
  • Businesses accelerated shipments before tariffs took effect, supporting exports despite trade tensions with the US.
• Tell me more:
  • The US imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods in early August, which doubled after 20 days due to India’s Russian oil purchases.
  • India’s trade deficit dropped to $26.49 billion in August from July’s eight-month high of $27.35 billion.
  • Imports declined 10.1% year-on-year to $61.59 billion, while exports rose 6.7% to $35.1 billion in August.
  • Exports to the US increased to $40.39 billion from April to August compared to $34.21 billion the previous year.
  • India is engaging in trade talks with the US and seeking new markets, including efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union.

Source: TOI

2. Kotak811 Leads Global Growth in Digital Banking Apps

• What:
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Kotak811 app became the top banking app in India and ranked third globally in downloads during the first half of 2025.
• Why:
  • The app’s low-cost, digital-first model offering full banking services attracted rapid growth despite RBI restrictions on new digital customers.
• Tell me more:
  • Kotak811 logged over 16 million downloads, a 250% year-on-year increase, ranked after Brazil’s NuBank and the UK’s Revolut.
  • The app serves 2.6 crore fully KYC-compliant savings account holders with zero-balance accounts and optional paid add-ons.
  • It functions as a digital financial marketplace offering payments, mutual funds, insurance, and credit cards within Kotak’s ecosystem.
  • SBI’s Yono app ranked fourth with 14 million downloads but leads overall usage due to a 50 crore customer base compared to Kotak’s 5 crore.
  • Kotak811 has expanded to cater to mass-affluent and affluent customers through products like 811 Super, Solitaire, and Kotak Private.

Source: N18

3. New Aadhaar Rule for Booking Reserved General Train Tickets

• What:
  • From October 1, 2025, reserved general train tickets can only be booked online through IRCTC by Aadhaar-authenticated users during the first 15 minutes of general reservation opening.
• Why:
  • This rule aims to ensure reservation benefits reach genuine users and prevent misuse by dishonest elements.
• Tell me more:
  • The timing for booking reserved tickets through railway PRS counters remains unchanged.
  • The existing 10-minute restriction on authorized ticketing agents booking reserved opening day tickets remains unaffected.
  • Aadhaar authentication is required only for online bookings through the IRCTC website or app during the specified 15-minute period.

Source: PIB

4. PLFS August 2025 Shows Decline in Unemployment Rate

• What:
  • The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for August 2025 reported a decline in the unemployment rate and an increase in workforce participation indicators.
• Why:
  • The modifications in survey methodology aim to give timely monthly and quarterly estimates of labour force indicators for better policy planning.
• Tell me more:
  • The unemployment rate among males aged 15 years and above fell to 5.0% in August 2025, the lowest since April 2025.
  • The overall unemployment rate declined for the second successive month to 5.1% in August 2025 from 5.6% in June 2025.
  • Female Worker Population Ratio (WPR) rose for two straight months, reaching 32.0% in August 2025.
  • The overall WPR improved to 52.2% in August 2025 from 51.2% in June 2025.
  • The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased to 55% in August 2025 from 54.2% in June 2025.

Source: PIB

5. Apollo Hospitals Acquires IFC Stake and Launches Cancer Centre

• What:
  • Apollo Hospitals Enterprise acquired IFC’s 30.58% stake in Apollo Health and Lifestyle for Rs 1,254 crore and announced a new Comprehensive Oncology Centre with proton therapy in Gurugram.
• Why:
  • The acquisition will consolidate Apollo Health and Lifestyle for sharper business focus, while the new cancer centre aims to offer advanced precision treatment for patients.
• Tell me more:
  • Apollo Hospitals’ stake in Apollo Health and Lifestyle rises to 99.42% after this deal.
  • Apollo Health and Lifestyle reported a turnover of Rs 1,553.5 crore in FY25, up from Rs 1,365.3 crore in FY24.
  • The Gurugram Oncology Centre will be built with Rs 573 crore investment as part of a 500-bed hospital expansion by FY29.
  • India’s first Proteus One proton beam therapy system will be installed, marking Apollo’s third proton therapy facility after Chennai and upcoming Hyderabad.

Source: BS

Defence News

1. India Plans to Acquire 114 Made-in-India Rafale Fighter Jets

• What:
  • The Indian Air Force has proposed acquiring 114 Rafale fighter jets to be built in India by Dassault Aviation with Indian aerospace firms.
• Why:
  • The acquisition aims to expand India’s fighter fleet to meet urgent regional security challenges.
• Tell me more:
  • The project is worth over Rs 2 lakh crore with more than 60% indigenous content and will be reviewed soon by the Defence Procurement Board.
  • Once approved, this will be India’s biggest-ever defence deal, raising the Rafale fleet to 176 jets, including 36 already inducted by IAF and 36 Navy orders.
  • Dassault plans to set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Rafale engines in Hyderabad with involvement from Indian firms like Tata.
  • The IAF’s future force will rely on Su-30 MKI, Rafale, and indigenous fighter programs like the LCA Mark 1A and upcoming fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Source: MoC

2. Godrej Signs Contract with Safran for LEAP Engines

• What:
  • Godrej Enterprises Group’s aerospace business signed a five-year contract with France’s Safran Aircraft Engines to manufacture titanium-based ventilation assemblies for LEAP engines.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to strengthen India’s role in the global aerospace ecosystem and support the Make in India vision by producing advanced aviation components locally.
• Tell me more:
  • The LEAP engine is developed by CFM International, a 50:50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran.
  • The production will involve complex machining, precision welding, and advanced non-destructive testing.
  • Godrej’s aerospace division is also producing six Kaveri Derivative Engines (KDEs) for unmanned combat aerial vehicles of DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment.

Source: BS

Awards

1. Bharat Forge Chairman Baba Kalyani Receives ASME Holley Medal

• What:
  • Baba Kalyani, Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Forge, was awarded the ASME Holley Medal for engineering innovation with public benefit.
• Why:
  • The award recognizes his leadership in advancing engineering-led value creation and supporting resilient supply chains amid challenging trade conditions.
• Tell me more:
  • The ASME Holley Medal was established in 1924 and honors unique engineering achievements with significant public benefit.
  • Bharat Forge’s work reflects Kalyani’s vision of localizing advanced manufacturing to support domestic industries and national competitiveness in the US and globally.
  • The award highlights Bharat Forge’s strong ties with the US and the potential for cross-border collaboration despite elevated US tariffs.
  • The recognition also underscores the importance of Indian-origin engineering excellence in strengthening America’s industrial ecosystem.

Source: HBL

Important Days

1. World Patient Safety Day 2025 – September 17

• UN Slogan: “Patient safety from the start!”

Source: WHO

2. World Ozone Day 2025 – September 16

• Theme: From science to global action

Source: UN

Sports

1. 2025 US Open Title

• Carlos Alcaraz (Spanish) won the 2025 US Open final against Jannik Sinner in New York, claiming his sixth Grand Slam and regaining the world number one ranking.
• Aryna Sabalenka (Belarusian) won her fourth Grand Slam title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final.

Source: TOI TOI

2. India Beats Korea to Win 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup

• What:
  • India defeated Korea 4-1 in the final of the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament in Rajgir to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
• Why:
  • The match decided the tournament champion and which team would secure a spot in the next year’s Hockey World Cup.
• Tell me more:
  • Korea were the defending champions entering the final.
  • India had six different goal scorers in their 7-0 victory over China.
  • Asia Cup (Cricket) 2025 is set to begin from September 9 and will go on till September 28 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Source: IE ET

3. India Wins First Ever Gold in Men’s Compound Archery World Championship

• What:
  • India’s men’s compound archery team won its first-ever gold medal after defeating France at the World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
• Tell me more:
  • The team comprised Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge.
  • Earlier, the mixed team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Rishabh Yadav won silver after a narrow loss to the Netherlands.
  • The 23-year-old Rishabh Yadav played a key role in both the mixed team silver and men’s team gold.

Source: NOA

4. India to Host 28th Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in Bhubaneswar

• What:
  • India will host the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in Bhubaneswar from October 11 to 15.
• Why:
  • The event serves as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships, with top teams earning spots.
• Tell me more:
  • The championship includes both men’s and women’s team competitions.
  • It is the first time Odisha is hosting an Asian-level table tennis event, after hosting the 2019 Commonwealth Championships.
  • Bhubaneswar is known as India’s sports capital and has hosted several major sports events recently.
  • International standards will be maintained with ITTF-approved flooring and equipment.
  • Top Asian teams like China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, plus emerging teams from South Asia and the Middle East, are expected to participate.

Source: NOA

Memorandum of Understanding

1. DPIIT and Pfizer Sign MOU to Boost Healthcare Innovation Startups

• What:
  • DPIIT signed an MoU with Pfizer Limited to support startups developing innovative healthcare products.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to speed up the process of moving healthcare innovations from labs to the market.
• Tell me more:
  • The Pfizer INDovation program offers DPIIT-recognized startups grants up to ₹60 lakhs and an 18-month incubation by Social Alpha.
  • The program includes support for clinical validation, regulatory approvals, go-to-market strategies, mentorship, and access to Pfizer’s R&D facilities in Chennai.
  • Fourteen MedTech startups focusing on areas like diagnostics, oncology, brain health, maternal health, and immunisation will benefit.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Shashank Srowthy Appointed CFO of Procter & Gamble Health

• What:
  • Shashank Srowthy has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of Procter & Gamble Health, effective October 1, 2025.
• Why:
  • The appointment follows Lokesh Chandak’s resignation as CFO due to his new role in P&G as Senior Director – Finance & Accounting for Feminine Care in Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.
• Tell me more:
  • Shashank Srowthy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from Pune University and a Master of Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
  • He joined P&G in 2011 and has worked in various roles across India, Dubai, and Singapore.
  • Srowthy will serve as Additional Director until the next Annual General Meeting.
  • His appointment as Executive Director requires approval from the Central Government and the company’s shareholders as per the Companies Act, 2013.

Source: ET

2. Punjab National Bank Extends Executive Director Paramasivam’s Term

• Punjab National Bank extended Shri M. Paramasivam’s term as Executive Director until March 31, 2027, or until further orders.
• The extension was approved by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Source: MoC

3. Dr. Sima Sami Bahous Reappointed Executive Director of UN Women

• What:
  • Dr. Sima Sami Bahous (Jordanian) has been reappointed as Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women for a second term.
• Tell me more:
  • Dr. Bahous is an experienced diplomat from Jordan and has focused on embedding gender equality in UN deliberations and crisis responses.
  • Her first term emphasized transparency, efficiency, and results at the country level.
  • The new UN Women Strategic Plan 2026–2029 highlights gender equality as central to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Source: UN

Miscellaneous

1. A Book Titled “Demography, Representation, Delimitation” Released by Ravi K Mishra

• Historian Ravi K. Mishra criticizes the continued use of the 1971 Census for seat allocation as lacking empirical, political, and democratic justification.
• His book titled “Demography, Representation, Delimitation: The North-South Divide in India” addresses this issue in the context of regional political debates.

Source: TH

2. Samuel Umtiti Retires from Football at Age 31

• Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31.

Source: N18

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