Current Affairs 27 September 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 27 September 2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Prime Minister marks 11 Years of Make in India initiativeOn 25th September 2025, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi marked the 11th anniversary of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, celebrating its transformative impact on India’s economic landscape and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

About Make in India:
Launched on: The initiative was launched on September 25, 2014 by the PM to transform India into a global hub for design and manufacturing.
Objective: It was launched with the objective of facilitating investment, fostering innovation, building best in class manufacturing infrastructure, making it easy to do business and enhancing skill development.
It is being led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), Government of India (GoI).
Coin Details: The Union Minister Piyush Goyal, MoCI launched the Make in India Rs.100 commemorative coin on 20th September 2025.
>>Read Full News

Govt Approves 4-Pillar Strategy to Strengthen India’s Shipbuilding & Maritime SectorOn September 24, 2025, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved a Rs.69,725-crore 4-pillar strategy to revitalize India’s shipbuilding and maritime ecosystem by boosting domestic capacity, financing, shipyard development, skills, technology, and policy reforms.
Pillar 1 – Strengthening Domestic Capacity: 
SbDS scheme: Approved the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), with a budget of Rs.19,989 crores, with an aim to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million Gross Tonnage (GT) per year.
Pillar 2 –Long-Term Maritime Financing: 
MDF Approved: The Maritime Development Fund (MDF) has been approved with a corpus of Rs.25,000 crores to provide long-term financing for the maritime sector.
Pillar 3 – Financial Assistance & Shipyard Expansion:
SBFAS Extension: The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) was approved to continue till 31st March 2036 with the budget outlay of Rs.24,736 crores, including a Shipbreaking Credit Note with an allocation of Rs.4,001
National Shipbuilding Mission (NSM): To be established to oversee all initiatives, with the goal of making India a global shipbuilding leader by 2047.
Pillar 4 – Skilling & Technical Capability, Legal, Taxation, Policy Reform: It focuses on removing the blocks and encouraging investments by reforming legal, policy, and taxation frameworks, enhancing technical skills and workforce training.
>>Read Full News

India partners with Australia to strengthen its Organic Products MRAOn September 24 ,2025, India signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for organic products with Australia at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi. This Arrangement demonstrates the shared commitment of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Arrangement (ECTA) and strengthens the strategic partnership between India and Australia.

• The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is expected to simplify compliance requirements, cut regulatory barriers, and help Indian exporters access the high-value Australian market.

Key Participants:
It is signed in the presence of

• Secretary Commerce – Sunil Barthwal,
• Chairman, APEDA – Abhishek Dev,
• First Assistant Secretary, DAFF, Australian Government – Mr. Tom Black.
• Joint Secretary Department of Commerce – Ms. Petal Dhillon,
• Advisor Standards FSSAI – Dr. Alka Rao and
• Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to India – Mr. Nick McCaffrey

About the Agreement:
Implementing Agencies: The implementing Agencies for the MRA are the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) India and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Government of Australia.
GoI Commitment: Government of India (GoI) is committed to make India as the Organic Food Basket of the World and the MRA is a major step in that direction.
Role of NPOP: The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) played a major role by setting standards for India’s organic system and keeping it transparent and credible.
Trade: India’s organic exports to Australia reached USD 8.96 million in (Financial Year) FY 2024-25 with a total export volume of 2,781.58 metric tonnes, led by psyllium husk, coconut milk and rice.
Coverage of the Agreement:
The MRA covers organic products that are grown and processed in the jurisdictions of the Participants, including:

1. Unprocessed plant products, excluding seaweed, aquatic plants, and greenhouse crops;
2. Processed foods composed of one or more ingredients of plant origin.
3. Wine.

About Australia:
President–  Anthony Albanese
Capital-Canberra
Currency-Australian Dollars (AUD)

MoD signed Rs 62,370 crore deal with HAL for for 97 Tejas Mk1A Jets for IAFIn September 2025, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a Rs 62,370 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Details of Order:
Aircraft Composition: This deal includes 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers, along with associated equipment.
Category: The acquisition, under the Buy India-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category of Defense Acquisition Procedure 2020, is in line with the Government of India(GoI)’s thrust on indigenization.
Second Order: : This is the second procurement of indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighters, following a February 2021 order of 83 aircraft valued at around Rs 48,000 crore.
Total Orders: The IAF has now placed orders for over 180 Tejas aircraft in total.
Robust Vendors: The project is being supported by a robust vendor base of nearly 105 Indian companies directly engaged in the manufacture of detailed components.
Delivery Timeline: According to the MoD, deliveries of these aircraft will begin in 2027-28 and be completed over six years.
About Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets:
Type: Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) with over 64% indigenous content, featuring 67 additional components beyond the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021.
Features: It is equipped with advanced avionics, radar systems, and modern weaponry.

• It includes the UTTAM AESA (Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach defensive systems, and advanced control actuators.

Enhanced Capabilities: The new variant will be able to launch multiple weapons from extended stand-off ranges.
Induction :The first Tejas jets, meaning “brilliance” in Hindi, were inducted into the IAF in July 2016 as a single-engine, lightweight multi-role fighter originally designed to replace the MiG-21.
About Indian Air Force (IAF):
Chief of the Air Staff(CAS)– Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet(A.P) Singh
Headquarters–New Delhi, Delhi
Established-1932

APOA, CPOPC and SNAL Signs 3-year MoU to Promote Sustainable Palm Oil Value Chain
In September 2025, the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA), the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and Solidaridad Network Asia Limited (SNAL) signed a three-year tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai(Maharashtra), to strengthen producer–consumer cooperation and drive sustainability across the palm oil value chain in India and South Asia.

• A Joint Working Group (JWG), co-chaired by APOA and CPOPC with Solidaridad as the Technical Secretariat, will oversee the three-year MoU’s implementation.

About tripartite MoU:
Harmonizing Standards: The MoU will align frameworks such as Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and the Indian Palm Oil Sustainability (IPOS).
Promoting & Sourcing: The initiative will promote traceable, smallholder-inclusive, and NDPE-compliant (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation) sourcing through pilots using SoliTrace (Solidaridad’s digital traceability tool) and remote-sensing techniques.
Stability: To support over 1.5 billion consumers in South Asia, the MoU emphasises supply chain transparency and importer-oriented data platforms.

• India satisfies over 60 % of its edible oil demand via imports. In August 2025, India’s palm oil imports rose by nearly 16 % to 9.9 lakh tonnes.

ICC and IBPC Kuwait Signed MoU to Strengthen India-Kuwait Business Ties
In September 2025, the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC), Kuwait, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the ICC Global Business Summit 2025 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to enhance bilateral cooperation between India and Kuwait.

About the MoU between ICC and IBPC Kuwait:
Objective & Collaboration: The agreement seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation by promoting trade, fostering investment opportunities, encouraging technology exchange, and supporting consultancy services between India and Kuwait.
Key Activities: Organize joint business delegations, exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meets, seminars, and workshops to promote economic engagement.
Impact: Facilitate investments, share expertise, and enhance market access, boosting bilateral business opportunities.

India’s First Central Tissue Bank and cashless ‘V-Office’ Inaugurated at MAIDS, Delhi
In September 2025, Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, Health Minister of Delhi inaugurated India’s first Central Tissue Bank and a cashless ‘V-Office’ (Virtual Office) for the Delhi Dental Council (DDC) at the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi, to enhance dental healthcare delivery, accessibility, and education in the country.

About the Central Tissue Bank:
Location: Established within the Department of Periodontology at MAIDS, the center provides patients with tissue and bone grafts for dental surgeries.
Benefit: Eliminates the need for patients to purchase expensive grafts from the open market, potentially reducing procedure costs by at least 25%.
Equipment: The bank is equipped with a bone saw machine, an Ultraviolet (UV)-equipped laminar airflow chamber, and other specialized equipment to produce safe, disease-free allografts.
About the Cashless DDC Office:
Initiative: The DDC has introduced a fully digital, cashless ‘V-Office’ system.
Significance: DDC, as the first state dental council in India, has implemented a digital system to streamline dentist registration and renewal, enhancing transparency and accessibility.

AIT and VIT Signed MoU to Strengthen Semiconductor Education and Research
In September 2025, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, and Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Vellore(Tamil Nadu, TN) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in education, research, and emerging technologies, with a focus on the rapidly growing semiconductor sector.

• The agreement was signed by Professor Pai-Chi Li, President of AIT, and Dr. Sekar Viswanathan, Vice President of VIT.

Details of  MoU:
Collaboration:  To foster comprehensive academic collaboration through student and faculty exchanges, joint research, international seminars and conferences, development of dual-degree and twinning programs.
Centres of Excellence(CoE): Setting up CoE across science, engineering, technology, management, and humanities to foster interdisciplinary research and innovation.
Graduate Pathway Programme in Semiconductors: Designed for VIT students to provide a seamless academic route in semiconductor studies.

• Phase 1: Bridging semester at VIT in Electronics, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science (CS).
• Phase 2: Advanced studies at AIT and Taipei Tech (National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan).

Ministry of Ayush signs a pact with WHO to Co-Host 2nd WHO Global Summit
In September, 2025, the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has signed an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to co-host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.

• The agreement was signed in New Delhi(Delhi) during the 2nd Summit Planning Group Meeting, in the presence of Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of AYUSH and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH.

About WHO Global Summit 2025:
Location: The Summit will be held in New Delhi from December 17 to 19, 2025.
Theme: “Restoring balance for people and planet: The science and practice of well-being”.
Objective:The Global Summit will unite experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to promote traditional medicine in global health and sustainable development.

DoT and FIU-IND Signed MoU to Tackle Cyber and Financial Frauds
In September 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), to strengthen information sharing for tackling cyber-crimes and financial frauds in India.

• The MoU was signed by Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Dy. Director General(DG) (Artificial intelligence(AI) & Digital Intelligence Unit – DIU), DoT and Amit Mohan Govil, Director, FIU-IND, in the presence of Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, DoT and Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary, Department of Revenue(DoR), MoF.

Key Features of the Partnership:
Data Sharing: Real-time exchange of Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) data, classifying mobile numbers as medium, high, or very high risk, and Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL), which includes details of disconnected numbers.

• FIU-IND shares mobile numbers linked to accounts involved in Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs)

Platforms Used: DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) and FIU-IND’s Finnex 2.0 portal.
Impact: The MoU complements initiatives like Sanchar Saathi, which disconnected 2.84 crore fraudulent mobile connections and prevented 48 lakh transactions, saving Rs. 140 crores from frauds.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of IAEA’s 69th General Conference Held in Vienna, AustriaThe 69th General Conference (GC) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held from September 15 to 19, 2025, at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria, to review and approve its budget, discuss issues related to nuclear safety, security, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

• The theme of the 69th GC of IAEA was “Leveraging Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development.”

Highlights of 69th GC of IAEA:
Participation: The event witnessed the participation of over 3,000 registered attendees, including 2,757 representatives from 153 out of 180 IAEA Member States.

• Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), led the Indian delegation.

Leadership:
President: On September 15, 2025, Peter Burian, Ambassador of Slovakia to IAEA, was elected the President of the 69th GC. He will oversaw sessions, guiding discussions and resolutions on key nuclear policy matters.
Vice-Chairs: During the GC, Republic of Iran, Argentina, France, Ivory Coast, Mongolia, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States of America(USA), were elected as Vice-Chairs of the Conference, ensuring balanced representation from different countries and regions.
New Member State: Maldives became the new member state of the IAEA, following the approval of the 69th GC, bringing the total member states to 181,
Science Forum: 
On the sidelines of the GC, the IAEA Science Forum was held from September 16–17, 2025, under the theme “Atoms for Water”, highlighting how nuclear and isotopic technologies can tackle global challenges.
>>Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Issues Digital Payment Authentication Directions from April 1, 2026In September 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released ‘Reserve Bank of India (Authentication Mechanisms for Digital Payment Transactions) Directions, 2025’, establishing new guidelines to enhance the security of digital payment transactions across India.

• These directions are issued under Sections 18 and 10(2) of the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007).
• These directions apply to all Payment System Providers and Participants (banks & non-banks) for domestic digital payment transactions and will come into force on April 1, 2026.

Key Highlights of RBI’s Direction:
2-Factor (2-F): For digital payment transactions, other than card present transactions, at least one of the factors of authentication is dynamically created or proven.
Issuer Responsibility: An issuer shall ensure the robustness and integrity of the authentication mechanism before deployment.
Cross-Border (CB) Transaction: While the rules will not apply to all CB digital transactions, the RBI has directed card issuers to implement risk-based mechanisms for handling cross-border Card-Not-Present (CNP) transactions by October 1, 2026.
>>Read Full News

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launches GSTAT in New Delhi, DelhiOn September 24, 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), launched the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) in New Delhi, Delhi, with an aim to provide a dedicated forum for resolving disputes related to Goods and Service Tax (GST) in a fair, efficient, and timely manner.

• The event also witnessed the launch of GSTAT electronic (e)-Courts Portal.

Dignitaries: Some dignitaries, including Minister of State (MoS) Pankaj Chaudhary, (MoF), Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, President, GSTAT, Rao Nabir Singh, Haryana Minister, and others were also present.
Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT):
Appellate Authority: GSTAT is a specialized appellate authority, constituted under Section 109 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, to hear and dispose of appeals against orders of first appellate authorities.
Structure: The Tribunal will operate through a Principal Bench in New Delhi, and 31 State Benches, spanning across 45 locations in India. Each bench will consist of 4 members, encompassing 2 judicial members (retired judges) and 2 technical members, including 1 from the Central and 1 from State government.
e-Courts Portal: It is a technology-enabled system, enabling taxpayers and practitioners to file appeals online, track case status, and attend virtual hearings.

• Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the use of plain language with simplified formats, checklists, and time standards for listing, hearings, and pronouncements.

About the Ministry of Finance (MoF):
Union Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha – Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS) – Pankaj Chaudhary (Constituency – Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>>Read Full News

NUCFDC Signs MoU with CSC SPV to Accelerate Digital Transformation of UCBs across India
On September 25, 2025, National Urban Cooperation Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC), under Ministry of Cooperation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Common Services Centres (CSC) electronic (e)- Governance Services India Limited (CSC Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV), with an aim to modernize Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) across India.

• The MoU was signed by Prabhat Chaturvedi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NUCFDC, and Bhagwan Patil, Group President, CSC SPV, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Digital Transformation of UCBs:
Aim: The MoU aims to provide UCBs with secure, compliant, and scalable digital infrastructure, facilitating their transition into the digital era while maintaining their grassroots identity.
Implementation: The initiative will be implemented in phases, beginning with Aadhar-based e-Know Your Customer (KYC), eSign and digital signature certificates, Digilocker integration, e-stamp services, Cloud hosting and data centre management, and Cybersecurity solutions.

• Subsequently, internet and mobile banking, kiosk-based services, and digital communication platforms will be introduced.

Role of Entities: CSC SPV will provide platforms, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and operational support.

• NUCFDC will facilitate adoption across its member UCBs. A joint governance team will oversee implementation, capacity building, and alignment with regulatory norms.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Swan Defense signs MoU with Royal IHC to build various vessels
In September 2025, India’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company Swan Defense and Heavy Industries ( SDHI), formerly known as Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited (RNEL), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netherlands-based offshore oil and gas vessel specialist, Royal IHC , to design, build and retrofit various vessels in India.

Key Details of MoU:
Scope: This collaboration also includes Alar Infrastructure, Royal IHC’s Indian representative, to jointly work on the design, construction, and retrofitting of advanced offshore vessels at SDHI’s state-of-the-art shipyard in Pipavav Port, Gujarat.
Vessel Construction Plans: The partnership will explore building Offshore Construction Vessels, Pipe Laying Vessels and Multi-Purpose Offshore Support Vessels at SDHI’s shipyard located in Pipavav Port, Gujarat
Aligns with : This strategic alliance is a significant step toward advancing India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and promoting self-reliance, aligning with the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

SOT Signs MoU with CSL to Strengthen Offshore Cooperation
In September 2025, Singapore-based Seatrium Offshore Technology Pte Ltd (SOT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to strengthen cooperation in the offshore sector across Asia, with India as a key market.

Key Details of MoU:
Objective: The collaboration will combine SOT’s engineering, offshore solutions and specialised equipment with CSL’s infrastructure, fabrication facilities and repair expertise.
Focus: The initial focus will be on Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) projects for clients across Asia.

• The partnership is expected to deliver integrated offshore asset solutions tailored to regional needs.

Previous Collaboration: This MoU builds on an earlier agreement signed in November 2024, which focused on the joint design and supply of critical equipment for jack-up rigs.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA, NOAA Launched IMAP, SWFO-L1, Carruthers Geocorona Observatory to Study Space WeatherOn September 24, 2025, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), launched three missions such as Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), Space Weather Follow-On-Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1), and Carruthers Geocorona Observatory (CGO), to study space weather and its effects on Earth and space-based technologies.

• The missions were launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States of America (USA).

About Space Science Missions:
Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP): IMAP, worth approximately USD 600 million, is a heliophysics mission, designed to study the boundary of the heliosphere, the protective magnetic bubble around solar system created by the solar wind, and the interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium.
Space Weather Follow-On-Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1):SWFO-L1, operated by NOAA, monitors space weather in real-time to protect earth’s technological systems and astronauts in space.

• It is positioned at the Sun-Earth L1 point, approximately 1.5 Km from earth, allowing it to observe solar wind and Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) before they reach Earth, providing critical lead time for space weather forecasting.

Carruthers Geocorona Observatory (CGO): CGO is the first mission dedicated to studying earth’s exosphere, the outermost layer of the earth’s atmosphere, by observing the Ultraviolet (UV) light emitted by neutral hydrogen atoms.

• The mission is named in honour of Dr. George R. Carruthers, a pioneering scientist and inventor. In 1972, he developed the first telescope to observe UV light from the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission.

>>Read Full News

SPORTS

FIFA Unveils Trio of Mascots for 2026 World CupIn September 2025, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) unveiled three official mascots: ‘Clutch, Zayu and Maple’ for the 23rd FIFA World Cup(2026), with each host country represented by a distinct character.

• The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 26 to July 19, 2026, marking the first time the tournament is held across three countries.

Mascots and Representation:
Clutch (Bald Eagle – USA): Plays as a midfielder, characterised as adventurous, optimistic, unifying, and fearless, known for lifting teammates.
Zayu (Jaguar – Mexico): Acts as a striker, agile, creative, and deeply tied to Mexican culture, embodying strength and cultural pride.
Maple (Moose – Canada): Serves as a goalkeeper, passionate about music and art, resilient, a connective traveller, and known for spectacular saves.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Maritime Day 2025 – September 25The United Nations (UN) observes World Maritime Day (WMD) every year on the last Thursday of September to highlight the significance of maritime activities and acknowledge the maritime industry’s contribution to global development.

• In 2025, WMD was observed on 25th September, 2025
• WMD 2024 was observed on 26th September 2024, and WMD 2026 will be observed on 25th September 2026

Theme:
2025 Theme: Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity
Focus: This year’s theme emphasizes the ocean’s vital role in supporting life, livelihoods, and the global economy.

Background:
First Celebration: WMD was first observed on 17th March 1978, marking the entry into force of the IMO Convention in 1958.
Annual Observance: Since 1978, WMD has been celebrated globally on the last Thursday of September.
Organizer: The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN-specialized agency, leads the annual observance of WMD.
2025 Events:
Lighting Landmarks: IMO Headquarters and global landmarks will be illuminated in blue to promote this year’s theme.
Special Screening: The IMO Headquarters hosted a screening of the film “Ocean with David Attenborough.”
World Maritime Day Parallel Event: The official Parallel Event took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates(UAE), from September 29 to October 1, 2025.

• The event featured high-level panel discussions focusing on the 2025 theme, bringing together international experts and stakeholders

About International Maritime Organization (IMO):
Secretary-General– Arsenio Dominguez
Headquarters– London, the United Kingdom(UK)
Established– 1958

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2025 – September 26The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is annually observed across the globe on 26th September, to raise awareness of nuclear dangers and promote their complete elimination.

Background:
UN Resolution: On 26th September 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/68/32, officially designating 26th September of every year as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
Purpose: The resolution, following UNGA’s first high-level nuclear disarmament meeting in 2013, underscores global commitment to eliminating nuclear weapons.
First Observation: The inaugural International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was celebrated on 26th September 2014.
Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs):
Definition: NWFZs are regional treaties Regional treaties recognized by the UNGA (Res. 3472) to strengthen non-proliferation, promote peace, and ensure no nuclear weapons via defined boundaries and international verification.
Establishment of NWFZs: The first NWFZ was in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco, 1967), followed by the South Pacific (Rarotonga, 1985), Southeast Asia (Bangkok, 1995), Africa (Pelindaba, 2006), and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan ,2006).
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): Adopted in 2017 and effective from 22 January 2021, TPNW is the first multilateral legally binding treaty in 20 years banning all nuclear weapons activities.
Arms Control Treaties: The original Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 1994–2009) between the United States of America(USA) and Soviet Union limited strategic weapons.

• The New START Treaty is extended until 4 February 2026, but Russia suspended participation on 21 February 2023 and withdrew from the CTBT on 2 November 2023.

Global Nuclear Developments 2025:
Global Nuclear Arsenal: As of today, approximately 12,241 nuclear weapons exist, with countries investing in well-funded, long-term modernization of their arsenals.

• Over 50% of the global population resides in countries with nuclear weapons or within nuclear alliances.

Event: The 3rd Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW was held from 3–7 March 2025 at UN Headquarters, adopting a declaration to reinforce commitment to a nuclear-free world.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General– Antonio Guterres
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
Members-193
Established-  1945

World Contraception Day 2025 – September 26World Contraception Day, observed globally on 26 September, raises awareness about contraceptive options and promotes informed choices for sexual and reproductive health.

• September 26, 2025 marks the observance of the 19th World Contraception Day.

Theme:
2025 Theme:  “A choice for all. Freedom to plan, power to choose.”
Focus: This year’s theme emphasizes access to contraception for reproductive health, family planning, and autonomy.

Background:
Established: World Contraception Day was launched by 10 International Family Planning Organizations to stress the importance of contraceptives as informed choices in family planning.
First Observance: The day was first observed globally on 26 September 2007.
About Contraception?
Contraception: A method of preventing pregnancy using medicines, devices, or surgery, also called birth control.
Types of Contraception: Includes reversible and permanent methods such as:

• Barrier methods (condoms, sponges, diaphragms, cervical caps)
• Sterilization (surgical)
• Hormonal methods (pills, patch, vaginal ring)
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
  Emergency methods

Key Facts:
Current Status: Over 25 crore women who wish to avoid pregnancy are not using safe or modern contraceptive methods.
Survey Data: As per a UNFPA survey, around 17.2 crore people are not using any form of contraception.

STATE NEWS

Telangana Launches RAMP Scheme to Support Women-Led MSMEs
In September 2025, the Telangana government’s initiative for women entrepreneurs, WE Hub, has launched the women-centred version of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, which is a World Bank-assisted initiative supported by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME).

• The scheme aims to support 45 women-led MSMEs selected from a poll of 300, across 13 districts of Telangana through district boot-camps and acceleration programs.

Key Features of the Scheme:
Duration: 2 years (till March 2027) of comprehensive support.
Support: Acceleration services such as sector-specific mentorship, capacity building, product positioning, e-commerce support, Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) connections.
Technology & Market Growth: Promotes innovation, digitization, and global market entry.
Key Partners: National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme) is a primary implementation partner ensuring capacity building at grassroots levels, along with WE Hub’s role in fostering women entrepreneurship.
RAMP Scheme: A world Bank-supported Central Sector Scheme (SSC) launched on June 30, 2022 with an outlay of Rs. 6,062.45 crore (USD 808 million) for a five-year period (Financial Year (FY) 2022 to FY 2027) and aims to benefit 5.55 lakh MSMEs across India

Haryana CM Launches Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana for Women
In September 2025, Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini launched the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, a welfare scheme providing Rs 2,100 per month to eligible women. The scheme aims to strengthen the economic and social standing of women in Haryana.

• The launch coincided with the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, the architect of Antyodaya.

Scheme Details:
Beneficiaries: Around 20 lakh women (aged 23–60 years, married or unmarried) from families with annual income up to Rs 1 lakh.
Transfer Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank accounts.
Budget Allocation: Rs 5,000 crore sanctioned for Financial Year (FY) 2025–26.
Multiple Eligibility: More than one eligible woman in a household can avail benefits.
Implementation: Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi mobile application launched for direct registration, verification, and grievance redressal.

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