Daily Current Affairs and GK | 11 September 2025

Topic: Sports

1. On September 7, 2025, Max Verstappen won at the Italian Grand Prix.

• This victory marked his first since May and his third overall this season.

• He outpaced key title contenders and McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
• Lando Norris finished in second place, narrowing the championship points gap to Oscar Piastri to 31.
• Before the race, Norris was trailing Oscar Piastri by 34 points.
• Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc put in a strong performance, finishing fourth.
• Lewis Hamilton made significant progress from the start and ended the race in sixth place.
• Italian Grand Prix is the fifth oldest national motor racing Grand Prix.

Topic: Important Days

2. National Forest Martyrs Day 2025: 11 September

• National Forest Martyrs Day is observed each year on September 11 to remember the sacrifices made to protect India's rich natural heritage.

• This day also aims to increase awareness about the importance of conserving our forests, wildlife, and natural resources.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change officially announced September 11th as National Forest Martyrs Day in 2013.
• The Khejarli tragedy is remembered with the establishment of National Forest Martyrs Day.
• Forest Martyrs' Day dates back to 1730, when 363 people of the Bishnoi community were massacred in Khejarli while protecting the forest and animals.
• They opposed Maharaja Abhay Singh's orders, which required his workers to fell trees in order to build his palace.
• This year, National Forest Martyrs' Day has been hosted at the Palamu Tiger Reserve on September 11 for the first time to commemorate forest personnel and officers who died in the line of duty.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

3. India and the European Union held the 15th Joint Working Group meeting on counterterrorism.

• On 9 September, the 15th Meeting of the India–EU Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held in Brussels.
• The Dialogue was co-chaired by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy, and KD Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter-terrorism).
• Both sides condemned the Pahalgam terror attack of 22nd April, and the EU extended condolences to India.
• A strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, was reiterated.
• India and the EU agreed that terrorism is a global phenomenon requiring sustained and comprehensive action.
• Cooperation in multilateral fora such as the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), and the FATF was emphasized during the meeting.
• A detailed exchange on domestic, regional, and global threat assessments was facilitated.
• The role of instability and conflicts in fueling terrorism and violent extremism was highlighted by participants.
• The EU and India shared updates on key developments in their respective counter-terrorism policies and discussed important issues in the fight against terrorism.
• These include measures to combat terrorist financing, prevent online radicalization, continue exchanges on designating terrorists and terrorist entities, and address the impacts of emerging technologies.

Topic: State News/Bihar

4. CCEA approved a Rs 3,169 crore project for doubling of the Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat rail line.

• The doubling of the Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat rail line has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The project is covering 177 kilometers across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal at a cost of ₹3,169 crore.
• The construction of a 4-lane greenfield access-controlled Mokama–Munger section of the Buxar–Bhagalpur High-Speed Corridor in Bihar has been approved by the Cabinet.
• The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) with a total length of over 82 km and a capital cost of more than ₹4,447 crore.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said enhanced line capacity will improve efficiency and service reliability.
• The multi-tracking proposal is expected to ease congestion and streamline operations in busy rail sections.
• Vaishnaw highlighted that the projects align with PM Modi’s vision of a self-reliant New India.
• The Mokama–Munger corridor will generate around 14.83 lakh man-days of direct and 18.46 lakh man-days of indirect employment.
• The project will also boost industrial growth in the Munger–Jamalpur–Bhagalpur belt of eastern Bihar.
• Emerging industries in ordnance, locomotives, food processing, and logistics are set to benefit significantly.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

5. AIIMS Delhi launched the AI-based mental health program 'Never Alone.'

• On 10 September, an AI-based mental health and wellness program called “Never Alone” was launched by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
• The initiative is aiming to tackle student suicides and improve mental health awareness.
• The program offers 24/7 consultations with mental health experts via a WhatsApp-enabled app.
• Personalized and secure mental health screenings are being provided at just 70 paise per student per day.
• Institutions with over 5,000 students are being targeted under this scheme.
• The program aims to reduce the stigma associated with suicide and raise awareness among students.
• According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, over 1.7 lakh people died by suicide in 2022 in India.
• Young adults aged 18–30 years accounted for 35% of all suicides.

Topic: India and its Neighborhood

6. India-Mauritius relations are strengthening ties through trade, culture, and development.

• India and Mauritius have shared a close partnership since 1948, even before Mauritius’ independence.
• India is emerging as one of the top trading partners of Mauritius, accounting for 11% of its total imports in the year 2024 and ranking third among top trading partners.
• Indian exports to Mauritius ranged from USD 405 million in 2020 to USD 766 million in 2024.
• Mauritius’ exports to India include medical devices, scrap metals, and lead-acid accumulators.
• Mauritius has contributed USD 177 billion in FDI to India since 2000, making it a major investor.
• In FY 2023–24, Mauritius was ranked the second-largest FDI source for India with USD 7.97 billion in inflows.
• Indian cultural institutions like the Mahatma Gandhi Institute and IGCIC are strengthening educational and cultural ties.
• Over 2,500 Mauritian students annually are benefiting from cultural programs such as music, dance, and yoga.
• The Indian diaspora of over 26,000 nationals and 13,000 Currently, 26,357 Indian nationals and 13,198 Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are playing a vital role in bilateral relations.
• Mauritius has allowed visa-free entry to Indian tourists since 2004, while Mauritian citizens enjoy a free visa to India.
• Currently, more than 2,300 Indian students are pursuing higher education in Mauritius, especially in medicine, hotel management, and business studies.
• India–Mauritius relations:
  • Diplomatic ties between Mauritius and India were established in 1948.
  • Indian descent makes up more than 68% of the population of Mauritius.
  • India and Mauritius have been connected since the 1730s.
  • Since 2007, India has emerged as Mauritius's main import supplier.
  • For more than a decade, Mauritius remained the top source of foreign direct investment into India.

Topic: International News

7. Protests have broken out across France after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister.

• Lecornu is a close ally of Macron and was previously the defense minister.
• He is the fourth person to be named Prime Minister within just one year.
• Over 200 people were arrested during the early stages of the protests.
• Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets under the banner of the “Block Everything” movement.
• The government deployed 80,000 police officers across the country to control the situation.
• Despite the heavy police presence, protests escalated in several cities.
• Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed multiple acts of violence and disruption.
• Protest organizers said the resignation of François Bayrou does not address their core concerns.
• They believe the cabinet reshuffle fails to bring real change.
• Opposition parties criticized Macron for appointing another loyalist.
• The frequent changes in leadership reflect rising political instability and public dissatisfaction.

Topic: Art and Culture

8. The Ministry of Culture will launch ‘Gyan Bharatam’, a major national initiative.

• It focuses on preserving, digitising, and sharing India’s vast manuscript heritage.
• The launch will be marked by the first Gyan Bharatam International Conference.
• The conference is taking place from September 11 to 13 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Its theme is ‘Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage’.
• Over 1,100 participants are expected to attend the conference.
• These participants include scholars, experts, institutions, and cultural practitioners from India and abroad.
• The initiative aims to re-establish India as a global leader in knowledge.
• The programme will document and register manuscripts across the country.
• It will restore texts and archives. Advanced AI tools will be used for large-scale digitisation.
• A National Digital Repository will be created for public and academic access.
• The mission includes translating and publishing rare texts. It will also train scholars and conservators.
• Public participation and educational integration are key goals.
• The initiative will partner with libraries, temples, and private collectors.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend on September 12.
• He will review presentations and address the participants.
• The Union Home Minister will chair the closing session on September 13.

Topic: International News

9. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the UAE for an official two-day trip.

• During his visit, he inaugurated India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre at the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus.
• The visit focused on enhancing educational and innovation partnerships between India and the UAE.
• At the campus, Pradhan launched a Ph.D. program in Energy and Sustainability.
• He also launched a B.Tech program in Chemical Engineering.
• Pradhan praised the collaborative efforts behind these programs.
• He interacted with students and faculty during his visit.
• Pradhan met with Sara Musallam, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
• They discussed expanding educational cooperation between the two countries.
• Support for Indian curriculum schools in the UAE was a key topic.
• They also talked about establishing Atal Innovation Labs based on India’s Atal Tinkering Labs.
• Pradhan also attended the first anniversary of Symbiosis University’s Dubai campus.
• This event highlighted the growing presence of Indian educational institutions in the UAE.

Topic: International News

10. Guyana's President Irfaan Ali officially began his second term on 7 September 2025 following his victory in recent national elections.

• His party, the People’s Progressive Party, achieved a majority in the National Assembly by winning 36 of the 65 available seats.
• Ali’s primary challenger, Azruddin Mohamed, a 38-year-old entrepreneur, has been blacklisted by the U.S. for alleged involvement in government corruption.
• Sanctions also target Mohamed’s father and their family-run gold export business.
• Guyana has become a focal point of international interest due to major oil discoveries off its coast over the past ten years.
• The Essequibo territory, rich in natural resources and governed by Guyana, remains a source of dispute with neighboring Venezuela.
• Situated in northern South America, Guyana shares borders with Brazil, Venezuela, and Suriname.
• Georgetown is the capital of Guyana. Guyanese dollar is its currency. Type of governments is Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency.