Daily Current Affairs and GK | 1 October 2025

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

1. Department of Posts has signed a strategic agreement with the Indian Institute of Packaging.

• The goal is to promote eco-friendly packaging solutions in postal services.
• The MoU was signed by Dr. Sudhir Jakhere from Department of Posts and Dr. Babu Rao Guduri from Indian Institute of Packaging.
• The signing took place at the Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle, in Mumbai.
• The partnership focuses on replacing traditional packaging like corrugated boxes and cloth wraps.
• It aims to introduce sustainable and innovative alternatives.
• Indian Institute of Packaging will design packaging that is lightweight, durable, and scalable.
• The new packaging will also be suitable for air transport, including liquids.
• The initiative includes assessing Department of Posts’ current practices.
• These will be compared with global logistics and packaging standards.
• A pricing strategy paper will be prepared. It will compare the cost of sustainable materials with traditional ones.
• The paper will also outline technical standards for packaging size, shape, and quality.
• Video-based training materials will be created for postal staff.
• These will help educate employees on sustainable packaging methods.

Topic: Sports

2. Chris Woakes announced his retirement from international cricket.

• On 29 September, England all-rounder Chris Woakes announced his retirement from international cricket.
• Since his debut in 2011, a total of 217 matches have been played by him for England across all formats, during which 396 wickets were taken and 3,705 runs were scored.
• His last appearance for England was during the ICC World Test Championship series finale against India earlier this summer.
• During that final test, Woakes displayed heroism by batting on the final day despite a shoulder dislocation, with one arm in a sling.
• Woakes played a key role in England’s 2019 World Cup victory, scoring 134 runs and taking 16 wickets, including three wickets in the final against New Zealand.
• A T20 World Cup title was also added to his achievements in 2022, and his series-changing performance in the 2023 Men’s Ashes earned him the Player of the Series award.

Topic: National News

3. Diamond Jubilee Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner presented to the President’s Bodyguard by President Murmu.

• President Droupadi Murmu presented the Diamond Jubilee Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The ceremonial event was held to mark 75 years since the regiment was designated as the President’s Bodyguard in 1950.
• The ceremony also witnessed the presence of ‘Viraat,’ the Commandant’s Charger, who retired in 2022.
• Viraat was adopted by the regiment after retirement, reflecting the close bond between the PBG and their horses.
• National attention had earlier been drawn to the horse when it was patted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2022 Republic Day Parade.
• President Murmu praised the PBG for professional excellence, discipline, and adherence to military traditions.
• The regiment was reminded that receiving the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner carries great responsibility.
• The PBG is recognised as the oldest regiment of the Indian Army, tracing its origins back to 1773.
• The tradition of presenting the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner began in 1957 with President Rajendra Prasad.
• The PBG is the only regiment in the Army permitted to carry both the President’s Standard and its Regimental Standard.

Topic: National News

4. India highlighted culture as a global public good in UNESCO MONDIACULT 2025.

• India was represented at UNESCO’s MONDIACULT 2025 conference in Barcelona, Spain, by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
• The event brought together ministers and cultural leaders to shape the future of global cultural cooperation.
• Shekhawat served as Chair of the Asia-Pacific Group during the Ministerial Plenary Session.
• The session adopted the Rules of Procedure, Agenda, and elected office bearers under his chairmanship.
• Delegates at the Opening Ceremony witnessed cultural performances and addresses by UNESCO’s Director-General and Spain’s President.
• India’s belief in culture as a global public good and a key driver of sustainable development was underlined in his speech.
• He also spoke at a thematic session on cultural rights and the economy of culture.
• During the conference, Shekhawat held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Spain, Iran, Norway, Colombia and Greece.
• Collaboration in heritage conservation, museums, performing arts, and creative industries was discussed in these meetings.
• India’s active participation reaffirmed its commitment to positioning culture as central to inclusive and sustainable development.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. An MoU signed between SAIL-MTI and IIM Jammu to foster future-ready leadership.

• On September 29, 2025, an MoU was signed between SAIL’s Management Training Institute and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu.
• The MoU was signed at SAIL’s Corporate Office, Ispat Bhawan, New Delhi.
• This collaboration marks a crucial step in strengthening organisational capacity and adopting global best practices.
• It supports SAIL’s vision of nation-building through leadership excellence in a changing business landscape.
• The MoU was signed by Shri Sanjay Dhar of SAIL and Cmdr Kesavan Baskkaran of IIM Jammu.

Topic: Sports

6. Carlos Alcaraz defeated Fritz to win the Japan Open title.

• On 30 September, World number one Carlos Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to win the Japan Open final in Tokyo.
• The victory gave him his eighth title of the year and his first in Tokyo.
• With this win, Alcaraz avenged his earlier loss to Fritz at the Laver Cup in San Francisco.
• The triumph added to his tally of 67 match wins this season and 24 career tour-level titles.
• Alcaraz described the 2025 season as the best of his career, having defended the French Open and reached the Wimbledon final.
• The 2025 Japan Open Tennis Championships was a men's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts.
• With its 51st edition, the tournament was part of the ATP 500 series of the 2025 ATP Tour.
• It was held from 24 to 30 September 2025 at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.
• Winners:

Topic: Environment and Ecology

7. India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been newly recognized by UNESCO.

• It is now part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
• The announcement was made during the 37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council – Man and the Biosphere on September 27.
• With this, India now has 13 biosphere reserves in UNESCO’s global network.
• This highlights the country’s growing commitment to environmental protection.
• In addition, two more Ramsar sites have been added in Bihar.
• These are Gokul Jalashay in Buxar, covering 448 hectares, and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran, spanning 319 hectares.
• India now has a total of 93 Ramsar sites. These wetlands together cover an area of 13,60,719 hectares.
• A Ramsar Site is a wetland site that has been designated as being of international importance by the Ramsar Convention.
• Wetland is an area of land that is either covered with water or saturated with water.

Topic: Art and Culture

8. Telangana’s Bathukamma Festival earned international acclaim by setting two new Guinness World Records.

• The event was held at Saroornagar Stadium in Hyderabad.
• One of the records was for the largest Bathukamma floral structure.
• It weighed approximately seven tonnes. The structure measured 63.11 feet in height and 11 feet in width.
• The second record was for the largest synchronized Bathukamma dance performance.
• A total of 1,354 women participated in the dance.
• Their performance was highly coordinated and met Guinness standards.
• Guinness World Records officials officially recognized both achievements. They presented certificates at the event.
• State Tourism Minister Krishna Rao received the certificate.
• Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata Chuangsri, attended the celebration.
• Other Miss World finalists and the team were also present on the occassion.
• The floral Bathukamma was created by about 300 workers.
• They used metal, bamboo, and fresh flowers to build the structure.
• Construction took approximately 72 hours to complete.

Topic: National News

9. The sound alert system for all electric vehicles has been proposed by government from October 2027.

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed a new safety regulation.
• It aims to make Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) mandatory for all electric vehicles.
• The rule is proposed to take effect from October 1, 2027. The goal is to improve road safety.
• Electric vehicles are very quiet and can go unnoticed by pedestrians and other road users.
• AVAS will help make these vehicles more audible.
• According to the draft notification, new models of electric vehicles must include AVAS from October 1, 2026.
• This applies to both passenger and goods vehicles.
• Existing electric vehicle models will need to comply by October 1, 2027.
• The system must meet the audibility standards specified in Automotive Industry Standards (AIS)-173. These standards may be updated over time.
• Electric vehicles of Category M includes electric passenger vehicles like cars and buses.
• Electric vehicles of Category N refers to electric goods carriers, such as trucks.
• AVAS creates artificial sounds to alert people nearby. It acts as a warning for increased safety in traffic environments.
• Countries like the U.S., Japan, and several in the EU already require AVAS in hybrid vehicles.

Topic: Important Days

10. International Day of Older Persons: 01 October

• The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment celebrated the International Day of Older Persons 2025.
• The event took place on October 1 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the celebration.
• The MoU involves the Defence Ministry, Telecommunications Consultants India Limited, and Birla Open Minds Foundation.
• A new game called “Naitik Patam” was also launched.
• This game is designed to promote stronger connections between generations.
• The International Day of Older Persons is observed every year on October 1.
• It honors the contributions of older people to society.
• It also raises awareness about their rights and well-being.
• The celebration followed the theme “Ageing with Dignity.”
• This theme is part of the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The theme for International Day of Older Persons 2025 is “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”.