📊 Index & Rankings
IIT-Madras has retained the 1st position in the NIRF 2025 Overall Category for the 7th consecutive year. Rankings cover 17 categories including engineering, management, law, medicine, agriculture, research & sustainability.
| Rank | Institution |
|---|---|
| 1 | IIT-Madras |
| 2 | IISc Bengaluru |
| 3 | IIT-Mumbai |
- Engineering: IIT-Madras (1st), IIT-Delhi (2nd)
- Innovation: IIT-Madras
- Research: IISc Bengaluru
- Medical/Dental: AIIMS Delhi
- Law: NLSIU Bengaluru
- Agriculture: IARI Delhi
- Management: IIM Ahmedabad (1st), IIM Bangalore (2nd), IIM Kozhikode (3rd)
- Pharmacy: Jamia Hamdard (1st)
- Architecture: IIT-Roorkee (1st)
- Colleges: Hindu College (1st), Miranda House (2nd)
- State Public Universities: Jadavpur University (1st)
- Open University: IGNOU
- SDG (new category): IIT-Madras
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan noted that rankings are integral to the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and announced an upcoming “One Nation, One Data” policy to improve ranking transparency.
The NARI 2025 Report ranked cities based on a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities. Factors considered: infrastructure, workplace safety, trust in authorities, and night safety. The national safety benchmark is 65%.
| Rank | City | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kohima, Nagaland | High gender equity, community policing |
| 2 | Visakhapatnam, AP | Safe public transport, women-centric planning |
| 3 | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Inclusive planning, improved street lighting |
| 4 | Aizawl, Mizoram | Cultural values, integrated community safety |
| 5 | Gangtok, Sikkim | Active community support, score: 70.4% |
| 6 | Itanagar, Arunachal | Women’s participation in governance |
| 7 | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Safer transport, POSH enforcement |
Northeast dominates the rankings with Kohima (1st), Aizawl (4th), Gangtok (5th), and Itanagar (6th) in the top 7.
🇮🇳 National News
The Indian government has introduced significant GST rate cuts to make everyday items, healthcare, education, agriculture, and automobiles more affordable.
- Hair oil, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet soap, toothbrushes, shaving cream
- Butter, ghee, cheese, dairy spreads (12% → 5%)
- Pre-packaged namkeens, bhujia & mixtures (12% → 5%)
- Utensils, feeding bottles, baby napkins, clinical diapers (12% → 5%)
- Tractor tyres, spare parts & tractors
- Bio-pesticides & micro-nutrients
- Drip irrigation systems & sprinklers
- Agricultural/forestry machines
- Health & life insurance: 18% → NIL
- Thermometers, medical oxygen, diagnostic kits (→ 5%)
- Glucometers, test strips, corrective spectacles (→ 5%)
- Petrol/LPG/CNG cars (≤1200 CC & ≤4000mm)
- Diesel cars (≤1500 CC & ≤4000mm)
- Three-wheelers & motorcycles (≤350 CC)
- Goods transport vehicles
- Maps, charts & globes
- Pencils, sharpeners, crayons & pastels
- Exercise notebooks & erasers
- Air conditioners, TVs (above 32″)
- Monitors, projectors & dishwashing machines
PM Modi launched the Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Ltd. in Bihar, a cooperative financial body to provide low-interest loans for women entrepreneurs under Jeevika.
- ₹105 crore already deposited to support cluster-level federations
- Aims to promote rural, women-led enterprises
- Simplifies access to funds for women entrepreneurs
Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh launched the Kapas Kisan App, a digital platform for MSP-based cotton procurement.
- Farmer self-registration
- Slot booking for procurement
- Payment tracking
- Prevents distress sales and reduces paperwork
- Ensures transparency and saves time
The Coconut Development Board (CDB), Kerala announced major support increases for coconut farmers.
| Support Type | Old Rate | New Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Sapling support | ₹4 | ₹45 |
| Replanting aid | ₹40 | ₹350 |
Sixfold hike in Coconut Technology Mission aid announced. Plan to produce 2.5 lakh subsidized coconut saplings this year.
Observed annually on September 2, initiated by the International Coconut Community (ICC).
APEDA launched the BHARATI Initiative to support 100 agri-food startups with a target to boost agri-food exports to $50 billion by 2030.
Inaugurated in New Delhi with Piyush Goyal, Chirag Paswan, and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (UAE) present.
BHARATI = Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement & Incubation for Export Enablement
Aligned with Startup India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions.
Exercise MAITREE-XIV is being held at Joint Training Node, Umroi (Meghalaya) from September 1–14, 2025.
Goal: Enhance interoperability, cooperation & mutual understanding between the two armies.
| Country | Contingent | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| India | Battalion of Madras Regiment | 120 soldiers |
| Thailand | 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade | 53 soldiers |
Started in 2006, the exercise reflects commitment to regional peace & security.
💼 Business & Economy
Morgan Stanley revised India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast from 6.2% to 6.7%.
- Strong 7.8% April–June growth
- GST rate cuts improving domestic demand
- Rising rural consumption with good monsoon
- Festive season spending momentum
- Good kharif sowing & government’s front-loaded expenditure
Concern: Weaker exports due to US tariffs remain a headwind.
🌐 International News
India has offered 1,000 scholarships to Afghan students under the Special Scholarship Scheme for Afghan Nationals (SSSAN).
Courses will be delivered via the e-VidyaBharati (e-VB) i-learn portal. Target group: Afghan youths aged 18–35.
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- IGNOU
- Anna University
- Kurukshetra University
- And others
👔 Appointments
Ajay Seth, former Finance Secretary and 1987-batch IAS officer (Karnataka cadre), has been appointed as the Chairman of IRDAI.
- Appointment approved on July 25, 2025
- Tenure: 3 years or until age 65
- Retired as Secretary, Dept. of Economic Affairs in June 2025
- Succeeds Debasish Panda (term ended March 13, 2025)
🔬 Science & Technology
India unveiled Vikram-3201, its first 32-bit indigenous microprocessor, at Semicon India 2025. It was presented to PM Modi by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
- Developed by: ISRO’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh
- Designed at: VSSC
- Successor to: Vikram-1601 (16-bit, in use since 2009)
- Built to endure extreme space environments
- Programmed in Ada (aerospace standard language)
Supported with homegrown compiler, assembler, linker, and simulator tools. Will power ISRO’s future space missions.
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