🇮🇳 National News
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is preparing to roll out an AI-powered Large Language Model (LLM) to modernize the audit process.
- Enable automated data examination
- Support remote auditing capabilities
- Ensure consistency and expanded audit coverage
- Help auditors prioritize high-risk areas
- Reduce costs and audit time through pattern detection and anomaly recognition
Shankar, India’s lone African elephant, has died at the National Zoological Park, Delhi after 13 years of solitary life since 2012.
- Estimated to be around 30 years old
- Displayed signs of severe stress (refusing food, repetitive movements)
- Originally gifted by Zimbabwe in the late 1990s
- Death renewed debates on animal welfare in captivity
- Calls for zoo reforms and ethical treatment of wildlife
The first shipment of Hilsa fish from Bangladesh has reached West Bengal with only 1,200 tonnes permitted for export this festive season — the lowest since 2019.
- Around 32 tonnes entered India via eight trucks through Petrapole border
- Restricted shipment window: Sept 16–Oct 5
- Padma River Hilsa from Bangladesh in high demand
- Popular across West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura
For H1 2025, India’s power sector emissions saw a 1% reduction, marking the first-ever decline not linked to the COVID-19 slowdown.
- Milder summer temperatures
- Strong monsoon conditions
- Record addition of 25.1 GW renewable energy capacity
- Coal-based power dropped by 29 TWh
- Compensated by higher output from solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear
The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched Yatri Sewa Diwas 2025 at Hindon Airport, focusing on passenger-first services.
- Inaugurated by Union Minister Rammohan Naidu
- Emphasizes dignity, inclusivity, and comfort
- Medical check-ups, digital upgrades, uniform service standards
- Special attention to women, elderly, and differently-abled travelers
- Builds upon UDAN scheme
India, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), launched a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) to develop Smart and Sustainable Blue Ports.
- First capacity-building webinar on September 18, 2025
- Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi emphasized adopting AI, 5G, and automation
- Under PMMSY scheme: ₹369.8 crores investment
- Ports: Vanakbara (Diu), Jakhau (Gujarat), Karaikal (Puducherry)
- Features: IoT integration, renewable energy, waste management, traceability systems
The Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) celebrated its 76th Raising Day on September 17, 2025, at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt.
- Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh as chief guest
- Commended IDSE officers for contributions to defence infrastructure
- Urged adoption of new technologies
- IDSE established in 1949
- Supports Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and DRDO
India announced plans to merge the education wings of Army, Navy, and Air Force into a Tri-Services Education Corps.
- Three new Joint Military Stations to be created
- Announced during Combined Commanders’ Conference 2025
- Aims to improve jointness and integration
- Streamline military education and enhance interoperability
- Aligns with PM and Defence Minister’s directives for future-ready armed forces
Marium Fatima from Muzaffarpur, Bihar has become the first woman from the state to earn the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title in chess.
- Recognition comes after years of success
- Hailed as a major milestone in Bihar’s sports history
- Ravindran Shankaran, DG of Bihar State Sports Authority, praised her accomplishment
💼 Business & Economy
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has acquired a 20% stake in Yes Bank via secondary share purchase from SBI and other lenders.
- SMBC is now the largest stakeholder in Yes Bank
- SBI’s share reduced to ~10%
- Board members: Rajeev Veeravalli Kannan and Shinichiro Nishino
- Biggest cross-border investment in an Indian private sector bank
The US Federal Reserve has cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 4.00%–4.25%.
- First rate cut of 2025 — signals start of easing cycle
- Slowing economic growth
- Reduced pace of job creation
- Slight rise in unemployment rates
- Inflation still above 2% target but showing early signs of easing
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out Passbook Lite on its member portal.
- Simplified snapshot of contributions, withdrawals, and balances
- No separate login required
- Faster access compared to existing passbook
- Online Annexure K (Transfer Certificate) availability
- Option to track transfer status in real-time
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted this as a step toward greater transparency.
IIT Kanpur has partnered with Vietnam National University to strengthen academic and research collaborations.
- AI in medical diagnosis
- AI-powered education tools
- Language learning technologies
- Smart city development
- Drone technology for rescue operations and agriculture
🌐 International News
India has once again secured positions in both the Council of Administration (CA) and the Postal Operations Council (POC) during the 28th UPU Congress in Dubai, UAE.
- Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a UN specialized agency
- Council of Administration: Policies, regulations, and governance
- Postal Operations Council: Operational and technical aspects
- India has been a UPU member since 1876
India’s re-election highlights global acknowledgment of India Post’s leadership, reforms, and digital transformations.
🔬 Science & Technology
Vyommitra, an AI-based half-humanoid developed by ISRO, will be launched aboard the uncrewed Gaganyaan test mission by December 2025.
- Crucial to India’s human spaceflight goals
- Goal: Send astronauts to 400 km orbit for three days
- Vyommitra will monitor temperature, pressure, humidity, and CO₂ levels
- Mission includes crew escape system
- Nine parachutes for safe sea recovery
- Collaboration: ISRO, IAF, Navy, DRDO, and other institutions
📅 Important Days
Observed annually on September 18, the day promotes equal pay for equal work and addresses the persistent global gender pay gap (~20%).
- Women continue to face wage discrimination
- Challenges as working mothers
- Inequalities in healthcare and informal sectors
- UN, ILO, and UN Women through Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC)
- Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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