📊 Index & Rankings
The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the fourth edition of “Children in India 2025”.
| Indicator | Previous | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | 44 (2011) | 25 (2023) |
| School Dropout Rate | 13.8% (2022-23) | 8.2% (2024-25) |
| Child Marriages (<18 yrs) | 26.8% (2015-16) | 23.3% (2019-21) |
| Adoptions | 3,927 (2017-18) | 4,515 (2024-25) |
Report covers vital statistics, health, education, protection, SDGs, with new data on mobile usage and causes of child deaths.
🇮🇳 National News
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India’s first fleet of electric heavy-duty trucks with swappable batteries at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
- Target: Convert 90% of 600-truck fleet to EVs by 2026
- Will become largest EV truck fleet among Indian ports
- Battery swapping station inaugurated for quicker turnaround
- MoU with Ashoka University’s ICPP for tariff benchmarking framework
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) inaugurated India’s first AI-enabled Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) for better pilgrim management and safety.
- Inaugurated by AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu
- Real-time queue analytics and facial recognition
- Density mapping and 3D congestion mapping
- Drone-assisted emergency management
- Monitors cyber threats and misinformation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will transfer ₹10,000 each to 75 lakh women in Bihar under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana on September 26.
- Supports economically weaker women (18–60 years)
- Includes members of Jeevika SHGs
- Helps women start small businesses
- After 6-month review: eligible for additional ₹2 lakh grant
The Tamil Nadu Government announced the Kalaimamani Awards for 2021–23, recognizing nearly 90 artists for contributions to literature, music, dance, theatre, cinema, and folk arts.
- Sai Pallavi, S.J. Suryah, Vikram Prabhu (actors)
- Anirudh Ravichander (music director)
- K.J. Yesudas (M.S. Subbulakshmi Award)
- Ceremony in October in Chennai, presided by CM M.K. Stalin
India carried out a successful test of the Agni-Prime intermediate-range ballistic missile from a rail-based mobile launcher.
- Conducted by DRDO and Strategic Forces Command
- India now among few nations with rail-based mobile missile launches
- Range: 2,000 km
- Equipped with independent launch systems and secure communications
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have formed a 50:50 consortium to bid for India’s ₹15,000 crore Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.
- First significant private sector participation in developing a 5th-gen stealth fighter jet
- Challenges HAL’s dominance
- Adani Defence expected to join before Sept 30 deadline
- Developed by DRDO’s ADA; plans for 5 prototypes in 5 years
💼 Business & Economy
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has officially launched in Qatar, beginning with Qatar Duty Free at Hamad Airport.
- Qatar becomes eighth country to enable UPI
- Partnership: NPCI International (NIPL), Qatar National Bank (QNB), NETSTARS
- Enables payments via PhonePe, Google Pay, BHIM
- Reduces dependency on forex and cash
Sudhanshu Vats, MD of Pidilite Industries Ltd, has been appointed as the new President of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).
- S. Subramanyeswar (MullenLowe Global) named Vice Chairman
- Announced at 39th AGM
- Launching ‘AdWise’ program to teach media literacy to 1 million+ children
- Research on Gen Alpha’s media habits
- Expanding to Bengaluru and New Delhi
🌐 International News
India has nominated IIT-Madras to serve as a UN Centre of Excellence (COE) for AI capacity building under the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET).
- Announced by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan at UN General Assembly
- Aims to help Global South close AI skills gap
- India targets to train 10 million people annually
- Will host AI Impact Summit in February 2026
🔬 Science & Technology
Scientists discovered a new finless snake eel species named Apterichtus kanniyakumari near the Colachel coast.
- Golden-yellow body
- Pale white head underside with yellow lines
- Three distinct black blotches
- Confirmed via mitochondrial CO1 gene sequencing
- Belongs to Ophichthidae family; lives in shallow sandy seas
🏆 Sports
The Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad will host the 11th Asian Aquatics Championship from September 28 to October 11, 2025.
- First time India hosts this championship
- 900+ athletes from 29 countries
- Events: Swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo
- Serves as qualifier for 2026 Asian Games
- Strengthens India’s bid for 2030 CWG and 2036 Olympics
Ravichandran Ashwin has signed with Sydney Thunder, becoming the first Indian international male cricketer to join the Big Bash League (BBL).
Earlier BCCI rules restricted overseas participation. Indian women cricketers have previously played in the WBBL.
📅 Important Days
Celebrated on 27 September 2025. Organized by UNWTO.
2025 Theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”
Emphasizes tourism as a driver of sustainability, cultural preservation, inclusivity, and climate resilience.
Observed on 26 September 2025, continuing since 2007.
2025 Theme: “A choice for all. Freedom to plan, power to choose.”
Highlights bodily autonomy, gender equality, and access to diverse contraceptive methods. Over 25 crore women still lack safe contraceptive choices.
Celebrated annually on 26 September, first established in 2001 by the Council of Europe.
Promotes language learning, multilingualism, and intercultural understanding. Highlights Europe’s 225+ indigenous languages.
Observed on 26 September 2025, initiated by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) in 2011.
2025 Theme: “Clean Air, Healthy People”
Focuses on link between air quality, human health, and climate change mitigation.
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