National News

Launch of “Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025”

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the “Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025.”
• This initiative marks a significant step toward promoting innovation, skill development, and technological advancement in India’s education sector.

Organizers:

2.82 Crore Houses Completed under PMAY-G

• According to a document released by the Central Government, as of 4 August 2025, a total of 2.82 crore houses have been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), out of the 4.12 crore houses sanctioned.
• Initially, under PMAY-G, the government had set a target of 2.95 crore houses between FY 2016-17 and FY 2023-24.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G):

Economy and Banking

Approval for Procurement of Major Pulses and Oilseeds

• Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has approved the procurement of major pulses and oilseeds for the Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
• He has granted approval for 100% procurement of urad (black gram) and tur (pigeon pea) from farmers, along with provisions for the procurement of moong, sesame, and groundnut in Uttar Pradesh, and soybean, moong, and groundnut in Gujarat.

Minimum Support Price (MSP):

India and ADB Sign $125 Million Loan Agreement

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $125 million loan agreement to support urban development projects in six districts of Assam and the city of Guwahati.

Asian Development Bank (ADB):

Overnight Policy Rate: Sri Lanka

• The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to keep the overnight policy rate unchanged at 7.75%, aiming to bring inflation down to the target of 5% while supporting economic growth.

Sri Lanka :

India’s GDP Growth Forecast

• S&P Global Ratings has retained India’s GDP growth projection at 6.5% for FY 2025-26, supported by a favorable monsoon and strong domestic demand.

Related Facts:

Major agreements

Nvidia Announces Investment in OpenAI

• Nvidia has unveiled plans to make a massive $100 billion investment in OpenAI. Beginning in 2026, this investment will develop 10 GW of Nvidia system capacity to power the training and deployment of next-generation AI models.
• As part of the initiative, Nvidia will supply AI processors based on its new Vera Rubin platform, which is expected to play a critical role in advancing OpenAI’s pursuit of superintelligence.

Nvidia – At a Glance:

MDL Signs MoU with Tamil Nadu Government

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to develop a world-class greenfield shipyard on the eastern coast.
• This initiative is part of the Government of India’s “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.”

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) :

NSIL Signs MoU with NCMRWF

• The National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Department of Space, in New Delhi.

Key Details:

International News

81st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)

• During the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from several countries, including the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
• The 81st UNGA session commenced on 9 September 2025 in New York and will continue until 29 September 2025.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) :

Defence News

India to Conduct Joint Drone Exercise ‘Cold Start’

• India will hold its largest joint drone exercise, ‘Cold Start,’ from 6–10 October 2025 in military areas of Madhya Pradesh, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• During the exercise, elements of the indigenously developed air defense system ‘Sudarshan Chakra’—often referred to as India’s ‘Iron Dome’—will also be tested.

Key Military Exercises in September 2025:

Honors and Awards

71st National Film Awards

• On 23 September 2025 in New Delhi, President Draupadi Murmu presented the 71st National Film Awards across various categories.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023: Mohanlal (Malayalam superstar) was honored for his outstanding contribution and distinguished service to the Indian film industry.

Other Major Winners:

‘Living Bridge’ Award

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was honored with the 2025 ‘Living Bridge’ Award for his pivotal role in the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Related Facts:

Birth anniversaries of important personalities

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

• The birth anniversary of National Poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar is observed every year on 23 September. He is regarded as a leading poet of the post-Chhayavaad era and inspired the youth during India’s freedom struggle through his writings.

Biography:

Madam Bhikaji Cama

• The birth anniversary of Madam Bhikaji Cama is observed every year on 24 September. She was a prominent woman revolutionary of India’s freedom struggle, remembered for her courageous role against British colonial rule.

Profile:

Pandit Pratap Narayan Mishra

• The birth anniversary of Pandit Pratap Narayan Mishra is observed every year on 24 September. He was a prominent writer, poet, and journalist of the Bharatendu era and is regarded as one of the founders of modern Hindi literature.
• Despite his short life, Mishra achieved remarkable literary accomplishments, authoring 17 books and 12 translations.

Key Facts:

Death of important people

Harold “Dicky” Bird

• Harold “Dicky” Bird, the celebrated cricket umpire from England, passed away at the age of 92 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England.
• Bird had a long and distinguished umpiring career from 1973 to 1996, officiating in 66 Test matches and 69 One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Key Facts:

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh

• Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, passed away on 23 September 2025 at the age of 82.
• He served as the Grand Mufti from 1999, holding the position for 26 years. He was the third Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and also served as the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars.

Key Facts:

Environment News

Super Typhoon Ragasa

• Super Typhoon Ragasa has made landfall in the northern Philippines.
• It is an extremely powerful Category 5 storm with wind speeds reaching up to 315 km/h.
• The typhoon is now moving toward South China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Super Typhoon Ragasa :

Important days

World Gorilla Day

• World Gorilla Day is observed every year on 24 September. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of gorillas and the importance of protecting their natural habitats.

About Gorillas: