Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (25th September, 2026) |

National News

FSSAI Proposes Ban on Calling Dairy Analogues Paneer

FSSAI has proposed restricting non-milk dairy analogue products from using “paneer” in their names or labels.
The proposal is part of the draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
The draft was published on 24 September 2026 for stakeholder consultation.
Products licensed or registered under “Analogue in Dairy Context” would be covered by the restriction.
FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders for 60 days.
Key Fact: The proposal aims to improve labelling accuracy and prevent consumer confusion.

Make in India Marks 12 Years of Manufacturing Transformation

The Make in India campaign was launched on 25 September 2014 to promote investment and domestic manufacturing.
Make in India 2.0 currently covers 27 sectors, including 15 manufacturing and 12 services sectors.
Manufacturing GVA recorded a 10.88% CAGR between 2022-23 and 2025-26.
Automobile production reached 31.03 million units in 2024-25, while crude steel output touched 170 million tonnes in 2025-26.
Indigenous defence production reached ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
Key Fact: Make in India completed 12 years on 25 September 2026.

State News

Sikkim Hosts Chirbiry River Fest Promoting Sustainable Angling

Sikkim is hosting the three-day Chirbiry River Fest from 25 September near Jorethang.
The festival is being organised by the Sikkim Anglers’ Association (SAA) on the banks of the Rangeet River.
Its activities promote catch-and-release fishing, river conservation and sustainable tourism.
The mahseer fishing competition requires every fish caught to be returned to the river.
The festival also features “The River Pick”, a community river-cleaning initiative, along with cultural and recreational activities.
Key Fact: The festival coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Sikkim Anglers’ Association.

International News

India Netherlands Strengthen Water Cooperation for Kalpasar

India and the Netherlands have strengthened water-sector cooperation through two Tripartite MoUs for Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project.
The agreements involve the Central Water Commission, Gujarat Kalpasar Department, Deltares and TU Delft.
Cooperation covers hydraulic and hydrological modelling, coastal engineering, salinity management and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The partnership also includes ecological considerations, digital applications, capacity building and knowledge transfer.
The Kalpasar Project, also called the Gulf of Khambhat Project, proposes a freshwater reservoir using inflows from four rivers.
Key Fact: The cooperation builds on a technical Letter of Intent signed during PM Narendra Modi’s Netherlands visit in May 2026.

Economy News

Government Cuts Edible Oil Import Duties to Ease Prices

The Government of India has reduced Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on major imported crude edible oils.
The duty on crude sunflower oil has been reduced from 10% to nil.
Duties on crude soybean oil and crude palm oil have been reduced from 10% to 5%.
Duties on corresponding refined oils have also been reduced.
The government has advised industry stakeholders to pass on lower import costs through revised distributor prices and MRPs.
Key Fact: A 19.25% differential between crude and refined edible oils has been retained.

India Records Highest-Ever FDI Inflow of $94.53 Billion

India recorded its highest-ever annual FDI inflow of USD 94.53 billion in FY 2025-26.
Cumulative FDI inflows from FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26 reached USD 843 billion.
The figures were highlighted by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on 25 September 2026.
PLI schemes generated ₹2.40 lakh crore in investment and ₹23.8 lakh crore in production and sales.
The schemes also generated ₹15.2 lakh crore in exports and more than 14.6 lakh jobs.
Key Fact: FY 2025-26 FDI inflow stood at a record USD 94.53 billion.

Awards News

Roxy Koll and Neelima Satyam Receive AGU 2026 Honours

Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll and Neelima Satyam have been selected among the AGU 2026 awardees.
Koll will receive the Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communications Prize for communicating climate science and documenting Indian Ocean changes.
The prize carries USD 25,000 and an engraved award.
Satyam, a professor at IIT Indore, will receive the Devendra Lal Memorial Medal.
Her research includes geotechnical engineering, seismic hazards and resilient infrastructure.
Key Fact: The American Geophysical Union announced 43 awards for 2026, to be presented in San Francisco in December.

Books & Authors News

C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book ‘Vishwasanchar Hindutva Ka’ at Delhi

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released Vishwasanchar Hindutva Ka on 24 September 2026.
The book was released at Uprashtrapathi Bhawan and published by Saptahik Vivek.
It examines Hindutva, cultural identity and the movement of ideas across societies.
The event discussed the historical development and different interpretations of Hindutva.
Radhakrishnan also referred to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded in Nagpur in 1925.
Key Fact: The RSS was founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925.

Defense News

DRDO Signs First High-Value Deep-Tech TDF Agreement

DRDO signed its first high-value deep-tech agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme.
The agreement is with Rajasthan-based startup Zero mK India Private Limited.
The project will develop an indigenous 20 millikelvin dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.
The cryogenic system is designed to achieve extremely low temperatures required for advanced quantum technologies.
The initiative is supported by an additional ₹500-crore TDF corpus for deep-tech technologies.
Key Fact: The project aligns with the National Quantum Mission, approved in 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore.

Ranks & Reports News

India Ranks 31st in WEF Travel Tourism Development Index

India ranked 31st among 110 economies in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026.
The index was released on 25 September 2026.
Japan topped the index, followed by the United States, Spain, Australia and France.
The TTDI assesses conditions supporting sustainable and resilient tourism development.
Its framework covers 17 pillars, including safety, transport connectivity, infrastructure, resources, openness and sustainability.
Key Fact: India improved from 39th in the 2024 edition to 31st in 2026.

Science & Technology News

New Begonia Species Begonia neelamorum Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Researchers have described a new flowering plant species named Begonia neelamorum from Arunachal Pradesh.
The species was collected along the Keyi River in Keyi Panyor district at about 1,000 metres elevation.
The specimen was collected on 24 May 2026.
Its formal scientific description was published in Taiwania in August 2026.
The species belongs to the Begonia genus and Monophyllon section.
Key Fact: The species name honours the Neelam clan of the Nyishi tribe.

Google Project Suncatcher Explores Space-Based AI Computing

Google’s Project Suncatcher explores deploying machine-learning computing infrastructure in space.
The concept uses Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) installed on solar-powered satellites.
Satellites would communicate through high-bandwidth free-space optical links.
An initial orbital test is planned aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission with Planet.
Testing will examine TPU performance under radiation, vibration, thermal and vacuum conditions.
Key Fact: Google has identified High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) as a radiation-sensitive component requiring testing.

IIT Delhi Develops India’s First Indigenous Micro-GPU

Researchers at IIT Delhi have developed India’s first working and demonstrable indigenously designed micro-GPU.
The project was developed by M.Tech students Nammi Akash and M. Ravi Teja.
Professors Jayadeva and Kaushik Saha guided the project.
The programmable processor was designed in Register Transfer Language (RTL) and demonstrated on a Spartan-7 FPGA.
It is intended for embedded graphics applications such as dashboards, navigation terminals and industrial displays.
Key Fact: The team plans an 8–16 core architecture and a 65nm ASIC proof of concept.

Sports News

Abhiram Singh Yadav Elected to ICC Chief Executives’ Committee

Abhiram Singh Yadav, Chairman of Persatuan Cricket Indonesia, was elected to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee.
The election was held on 24 September 2026.
He secured one of the three Associate Member representative positions.
Yadav received 30 votes, while Sarah Gomersall received nine and Viganesh Sankaran three.
His term will continue until the next election at the ICC Annual Conference in June 2027.
Key Fact: Yadav’s election gives Indonesian cricket representation on the ICC CEC.

India Wins Athletics Silver and Bronze at Asian Games

India won two athletics medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on 24 September.
The mixed 4x400m relay team won silver in 3:14.46.
The team comprised Manu TS, M.R. Poovamma, Vishal TK and Vithya Ramraj.
Seema Kumari won bronze in the women’s 10,000m with a time of 32:50.05.
Her medal ended India’s 16-year wait for a women’s 10,000m Asian Games medal.
Key Fact: Seema Kumari became the third Indian woman to win a medal in the Asian Games 10,000m.

Sonal Dinusha Wins ICC Men’s Player of Month Award

Sri Lankan batter Sonal Dinusha was named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August.
He scored three centuries in four Test innings against India.
He made 100 and 84 at Galle, followed by 103 and 133* at Colombo.
His twin centuries helped Sri Lanka recover after being forced to follow on.
Dinusha also became only the third batter in Test history to score centuries in both innings after a follow-on.
Key Fact: Dinusha won the award for August 2026.

Lucy Barnett Wins ICC Women’s Player of Month Award

Lucy Barnett, captain of the Isle of Man, was named ICC Women’s Player of the Month for August.
She scored 257 runs in four T20Is, averaging 128.50 with a strike rate of 178.47.
Her highest score was an unbeaten 123 off 64 balls against Norway.
Barnett also contributed with off-spin bowling, taking four wickets.
Her performances helped the Isle of Man reach the tournament final in Romania.
Key Fact: Barnett finished as the leading run-scorer in the tournament.

Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Win Asian Games Shooting Gold

Suruchi Inder Singh and Kamaljeet won India’s first shooting gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
They triumphed in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on 25 September.
The Indian pair scored 484.6 points, setting a new Asian record.
South Korea won silver with 478.0 points, while Iran took bronze with 415.8.
India had topped qualification with 587 points and 29 inner 10s.
Key Fact: The gold was India’s second gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

India Wins 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team Silver Medal

India won silver in the men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions team event on 25 September.
The Indian team comprised Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar and Rudrankksh Patil.
India scored 1762-94x, finishing behind China’s 1766-95x.
India recorded 587 in kneeling, 593 in prone and 582 in standing.
Aishwary and Niraj also qualified for the individual final, finishing third and fourth in qualification.
Key Fact: China won gold, while South Korea secured bronze in the team event.

BCCI Signs Muthoot FinCorp Title Sponsorship Deal Through 2028

The BCCI has finalised a title sponsorship agreement with Muthoot FinCorp for international cricket matches.
The agreement runs through March 2028.
The deal is valued at up to ₹150 crore, with a reported payout of ₹4.3 crore per match.
Muthoot FinCorp replaces IDFC First Bank, whose three-year sponsorship ended in August 2026.
IDFC First Bank had paid ₹4.2 crore per match under its previous agreement.
Key Fact: Muthoot FinCorp’s sponsorship runs through March 2028.

Important Days News

World Lung Day 2026 Promotes A Lifetime of Lung Health

World Lung Day is observed annually on 25 September to raise awareness about lung health.
The 2026 campaign is led by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and its partners.
The theme for 2026 is “A Lifetime of Lung Health.”
The campaign promotes healthy lung development and respiratory health throughout life.
It highlights risks including air pollution, smoking and unequal access to healthcare.
Key Fact: Major respiratory diseases include asthma, COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Deendayal Upadhyaya Jayanti 2026 Marks 110th Birth Anniversary

Deendayal Upadhyaya Jayanti is observed annually on 25 September.
The year 2026 marks his 110th birth anniversary.
Upadhyaya was born in 1916 at Nagla Chandrabhan, Uttar Pradesh.
He was associated with the RSS and Bharatiya Jana Sangh and is linked with Antyodaya and Integral Humanism.
The Government of India declared 25 September as Antyodaya Diwas in 2014.
Key Fact: DDU-GKY was launched on 25 September 2014.

Obituaries News

Veteran Actor Mushtaq Khan Dies at 75 After Cancer Battle

Veteran Hindi film actor Mushtaq Khan died at the age of 75.
According to his son, Khan died around 7 pm at Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai.
He had been receiving treatment at the hospital for nearly two weeks.
Khan had a career spanning almost five decades and appeared in more than 500 films.
His notable films included Aashiqui, Sadak, Gadar, Welcome and Gadar 2.
Key Fact: Mushtaq Khan appeared in more than 500 films during his career.