18th September 2025

1. India Post to Sell BSNL SIMs via 1.65 Lakh Post Offices
2. Robert Redford, Iconic Actor and Director, Dies at 89
3. Election Commission Revamps EVM Ballot Paper Design
4. NaMo App Launches 15-Day Seva Campaign for PM’s Birthday
5. Sentient AI Launches Open AGI Network for 2 Million Users
6. India to Remain Fastest-Growing Major Economy in 2025
7. World Bamboo Day 2025 – September 18
8. India Signs MoU with ILO to Boost Global Recognition of Skills and Occupations
9. Myntra and Sourav Ganguly Launch ‘Souragya’ Ethnic Wear Brand
10. MoES Signed Agreement with ISA to Explore New Part of Indian Ocean for Precious Metals
11. Doordarshan Celebrates 66 Years with “Shabdanjali: DD@66” Cultural Events
12. Sarpanch Samvaad National Quality Conclave
13. GOI, ILO Sign MoU to develop ‘International Reference Classification of Occupations’
14. WTO’s Global Agreement to Curb Over-fishing Takes Effect From September 15, 2025
15. INS Nistar Joins Multinational Exercise ‘Pacific Reach 2025’ in Singapore
16. CRED, IndusInd Bank Jointly Launch CRED-IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card
17. Hollywood famous Icon Robert Redford Passed Away at 89
18. International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South 2025 – September 16
19. International Day of Cardiology 2025 – September 16
20. Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Bihar on September 15, 2025
21. South Korea, US Reaffirm Goal of Korean Peninsula Denuclearisation
22. New NECA 2025 Award for Influencers Promoting Energy Efficiency
23. SBI Sells 13.18% Stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s SMBC

National News

1. EC Revises Guidelines for EVM Ballot Paper Design

• What
  • The Election Commission has revised rules for the design and printing of EVM Ballot Papers to improve clarity and readability.
• Why
  • The move is part of initiatives to streamline election processes and make voting more convenient for citizens.
• Tell me more
  • The updated ballot papers will be first used in the upcoming Bihar elections.
  • The Election Commission has taken 28 initiatives in the last six months to improve election processes.

Source: NOA

2. Seva Parv 2025 Launched on NaMo App

• What
  • A 15-day digital citizens’ engagement initiative called Seva Parv 2025 was launched on the NaMo App from PM Modi’s birthday till October 2.
• Why
  • The initiative aims to celebrate service, values, and national pride by encouraging citizens to participate in seva-inspired digital activities.
• Tell me more
  • Seva Parv 2025 features nine interactive activities including Sabka Saath, Sabki Seva, Selfie with PM, Know Your NaMo Quiz, and World Wishes PM Modi.
  • Sabka Saath, Sabki Seva lets users perform tasks like tree plantation and blood donation.
  • AI Shubhkamna Reel allows citizens to create personalised AI-generated birthday wishes for PM Modi using their details.
  • Other features include a virtual exhibition on PM Modi’s journey, NaMo Book Collection, and NaMo Merchandise.
  • Discover Your Modi Trait lets participants compare their qualities with those of the Prime Minister.

Source: HT

3. Doordarshan Celebrates 66th Foundation Day with Cultural Event

• What
  • Doordarshan celebrated its 66th foundation day on September 15, 2025, with a cultural event titled “Shabdanjali: DD@66” in New Delhi.
• Why
  • The celebration highlights Doordarshan’s role in public service broadcasting, preserving culture, promoting education, and ensuring national integration.
• Tell me more
  • Doordarshan began in 1959 as an experimental service under All India Radio and became autonomous in 1976.
  • It introduced colour television in 1982 during the Asian Games in Delhi.
  • Today, it operates 35 channels, 66 studio centres, and covers 49 million households through its DD Free Dish platform.
  • DD News broadcasts 17 hours of daily programming in 26 languages, while DD India caters to international viewers with news and current affairs.

Source: PIB

4. National Quality Conclave Highlights Sarpanch Samvaad Initiative

• What
  • The Quality Council of India, with Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, organised the Sarpanch Samvaad National Quality Conclave in New Delhi.
• Why
  • The conclave aimed to strengthen grassroots governance and empower Sarpanchs through digital platforms, peer learning, and good governance practices.
• Tell me more
  • Union Minister C.R. Patil inaugurated the conclave, which marked onboarding of over 60,000 Sarpanchs onto the Sarpanch Samvaad mobile app.
  • Discussions were held on five thematic areas linked with Localised Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).
  • A 100-Day Good Governance Challenge on the app will run from September 17 to December 25, 2025.
  • The initiative intends to digitally connect all 2.5 lakh Sarpanchs to drive progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

Source: PIB

State News

1. PM Modi Inaugurates Key Projects in Bihar and Bengal

• What
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched and laid foundation stones for projects worth about Rs 36,000 crore in Bihar’s Purnea and inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025 in West Bengal.
• Why
  • The visits aimed to boost Bihar’s development ahead of state elections and review India’s defence preparedness through the armed forces’ conference.
• Tell me more
  • In Bihar, Modi inaugurated the new terminal at Purnea Airport and launched projects in energy, railways, agriculture, and women-led empowerment.
  • The Prime Minister distributed houses to 40,920 beneficiaries under the PM Awas Yojana and Rs 500 crore to women’s federations under DAY-NRLM.
  • In Bengal, he inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference at Fort William, attended by civilian and military leadership, to strategise on India’s defence.
  • Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reaffirmed NDA unity and lauded developmental initiatives like Purnea airport.

Source: IE

International News

1. South Korea, US Reaffirm Korean Peninsula Denuclearisation

• What
  • South Korea and the United States agreed that the ultimate goal is the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
• Why
  • The agreement aims to stop North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and ensure peace and stability in the region.
• Tell me more
  • South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said denuclearisation remains the target regardless of North Korea’s stance.
  • South Korea has adopted a three-stage plan, starting with halting North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not attend the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.

Source: NOA

Banking and Economy

1. Myntra Launches Premium Ethnic Brand ‘Souragya’ with Sourav Ganguly

• What
  • Myntra launched a premium ethnic wear brand ‘Souragya’ with Sourav Ganguly ahead of the Durga Puja festive season.
• Why
  • The brand aims to capture the festive wear market by offering culturally authentic Bengali designs blended with modern style.
• Tell me more
  • Souragya will feature nearly 100 styles of ethnic garments including kurtas, sherwanis, dhotis, churidars, and kurta sets.
  • The designs highlight Bengali crafts such as Kantha embroidery, Jamdani weaves, and Batik printing.
  • Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL) will manage design, manufacturing, and distribution.
  • Industry estimates project India’s online fashion and lifestyle market to grow from $16–17 billion to $40–45 billion by 2028.

Source: BS

2. CRED and IndusInd Launch Co-Branded Rupay Credit Card

• What
  • CRED launched a new credit card program with IndusInd Bank, introducing the CRED IndusInd Bank Rupay credit card.
• Why
  • The program aims to capture the fast-growing e-commerce and affluent spending segment by offering flexible rewards and premium experiences.
• Tell me more
  • The card offers rewards across all e-commerce spending with instant redemption on flights, hotels, merchants, and products.
  • IndusInd Bank provides banking expertise while CRED brings a curated digital-native community.

Source: BS

3. SMBC Acquires Major Stake in Yes Bank

• What
  • State Bank of India sold about 13.18% stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, marking India’s largest cross-border divestment deal in the banking sector.
• Why
  • The acquisition is part of SMBC’s strategy to expand its presence in India and strengthen its stake in Yes Bank.
• Tell me more
  • SBI now holds around 10.8% stake in Yes Bank after the sale.
  • SMBC also agreed to acquire 4.2% stake from Carlyle Group’s affiliate, CA Basque Investments.
  • These transactions are part of SMBC’s plan to raise its stake to just under RBI’s 24.99% upper limit.
  • SMBC will nominate two non-executive directors to Yes Bank’s board.

Source: ET

GDP Forecasts

1. S&P Global Projects India’s GDP Growth at 6.5%

• What
  • S&P Global projected India’s GDP to grow at 6.5% in FY26, keeping it the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
• Why
  • The forecast highlights India’s resilience supported by domestic strengths despite global market volatility and external challenges.
• Tell me more
  • India has sustained long-term growth despite past external shocks, aided by reforms, infrastructure development, and process improvements.
  • Growth will be supported by higher participation in global trade, boosting economic growth, jobs, and capital inflows.
  • The private credit industry is set to grow, filling gaps left by traditional lenders and backed by insolvency frameworks.
  • India plans to use its thorium reserves to localise the nuclear value chain and build domestic strength and technology transfer.

Source: DD

Science and Technology

1. Sentient Launches Open-Source AGI Network

• What
  • AI startup Sentient launched its open-source AGI network, opening access to 2 million waitlisted users and enabling real-time collaboration of multiple AI agents.
• Why
  • The launch aims to provide an open AI base to prevent national silos in the ongoing US-China AI standoff and allow India and allied nations to compete on their own terms.
• Tell me more
  • The AGI network connects 40+ AI agents, models, and 50+ data sources for real-time collaboration.
  • The platform integrates agents across multiple blockchains and is accessible via Sentient Chat.
  • It can generate outputs like financial asset reports, daily news briefings, travel plans, and research summaries through multi-step AI workflows.
  • The system runs on a token-based incentive model where developers earn tokens when their agents or data are used.

Source: BS

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies Takes Effect

• What
  • The World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies came into effect, requiring countries to reduce harmful subsidies and promote sustainable fishing.
• Why
  • The agreement seeks to prevent overfishing, protect fish stocks, and ensure ocean sustainability by limiting subsidies that encourage excessive fishing.
• Tell me more
  • The agreement was adopted after 112 WTO members, including the US, EU, China, Brazil, Kenya, Tonga, and Vietnam, gave approval.
  • It is WTO’s first broad binding multilateral deal on ocean sustainability.
  • Only the part addressing subsidies for illegal fishing and overfished stocks has taken effect, while rules on subsidies for large-scale fleet expansion are pending.
  • A “fish fund” will support developing countries in implementing the agreement.

Source: BS

Awards

1. BEE Introduces NECA Awards for Digital Creators

• What
  • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency announced a new category “National Energy Conservation Awards for Content Creators and Influencers” under NECA 2025.
• Why
  • The initiative aims to use digital media to spread awareness on energy efficiency and promote Mission LiFE for sustainable living.
• Tell me more
  • The National Energy Conservation Awards were instituted in 1991 to recognise excellence in energy efficiency across industries and institutions.
  • The new category invites digital creators with at least 10,000 followers to submit original short videos (up to 90 seconds).
  • Topics include saving energy at home, setting AC at 24°, choosing 5-Star appliances, use of efficient lighting, sustainable buildings, and responsible celebrations.
  • Selected creators will be felicitated at the NECA ceremony on 14 December 2025 in New Delhi, to be graced by the President of India.

Source: PIB

Important Days

1. World Bamboo Day 2025 – September 18

• Theme: Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation, and Design

Source: IT

2. International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South 2025 – September 16

• Theme: Shaping a Brighter Future for the Global South

Source: UN

3. International Day of Cardiology 2025 – September 16

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Department of Posts and BSNL Signed MoU to Boost Mobile Reach

• What
  • Department of Posts and BSNL signed an MoU to use post offices for selling BSNL SIM cards and recharge services across India.
• Why
  • The initiative aims to make BSNL services more accessible and affordable, especially in remote areas with poor connectivity.
• Tell me more
  • India Post has a network of over 1.65 lakh post offices to serve as Points of Sale (PoS) for BSNL.
  • Post offices will offer BSNL SIM cards and recharge services for both rural and urban areas.
  • A proof of concept in Assam showed success and will be scaled nationwide.
  • BSNL will provide SIM stock and training, while the postal department will onboard new customers and handle transactions securely.

Source: BS

2. India, ILO Sign MoU for Global Job Opportunities

• What
  • Government of India and International Labour Organisation signed an MoU to develop the International Reference Classification of Occupations.
• Why
  • The MoU aims to help Indian youth access global employment opportunities and address skill shortages worldwide.
• Tell me more
  • The MoU was signed in Geneva by India’s Ambassador Arindam Bagchi and ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo.
  • It will enhance comparability of data and promote mutual recognition of skills.
  • A feasibility study and pilot projects will be taken up in green, digital, and care sectors.
  • The agreement aligns with G20’s 2023 commitment to regular and skills-based migration pathways.

Source: PIB

Miscellaneous

1. Robert Redford, Legendary Hollywood Actor, Passes Away

• Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director, passed away at the age of 89 in the highlands outside of Provo.
• Redford founded the Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute, Sundance Cinemas, Sundance Catalog, and Sundance Channel.

Source: HT

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