Daily Current Affairs and GK | 18 September 2025

Topic: National News

1. Over Rs 342 crore released by the Centre under 15th Finance Commission grants for rural local bodies in Tamil Nadu and Assam.

• The first installment of untied grants amounting to ₹127.586 crore was released to Tamil Nadu for the financial year 2025-26.
• This includes 2,901 eligible Gram Panchayats, 74 eligible Block Panchayats, and 9 eligible District Panchayats.
• ₹214.542 crore has been disbursed to Assam for the financial year 2024-25.
• This includes all 2192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 156 eligible Block Panchayats, and all 27 eligible Zilla Parishads.
• The Central Government, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, recommends the release of grants to the States under the 15th Finance Commission for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• This is subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance.
• The allocated grants are recommended and released in two installments in a financial year.
• However, the untied grant will be utilized by the RLBs/PRIs for location-specific requirements, under twenty-nine (29) subjects contained in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and other establishment costs.
• Tied grants can be used for basic services like sanitation, maintaining ODF status, household waste management, human excreta, and fecal sludge treatment.
• They can also be used for drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.

Topic: National News

2. Over Rs 342 crore released by the Centre under 15th Finance Commission grants for rural local bodies in Tamil Nadu and Assam.

• The first installment of untied grants amounting to ₹127.586 crore was released to Tamil Nadu for the financial year 2025-26.
• This includes 2,901 eligible Gram Panchayats, 74 eligible Block Panchayats, and 9 eligible District Panchayats.
• ₹214.542 crore has been disbursed to Assam for the financial year 2024-25.
• This includes all 2192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 156 eligible Block Panchayats, and all 27 eligible Zilla Parishads.
• The Central Government, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, recommends the release of grants to the States under the 15th Finance Commission for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• This is subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance.
• The allocated grants are recommended and released in two installments in a financial year.
• However, the untied grant will be utilized by the RLBs/PRIs for location-specific requirements, under twenty-nine (29) subjects contained in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and other establishment costs.
• Tied grants can be used for basic services like sanitation, maintaining ODF status, household waste management, human excreta, and fecal sludge treatment.
• They can also be used for drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.

Topic: Art and Culture

3. A three-day festival to promote GI-tagged Hathei chilli held in Manipur.

• On 16 September, the 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival was inaugurated in Sirarakhong village of Ukhrul district in Manipur.
• The festival was inaugurated by Thaithuilung Pamei, IAS, Commissioner, Horticulture & Sericulture, Government of Manipur.
• The festival has been organized to promote the GI-tagged Hathei Chilli, which is known across India for its unique aroma and flavor.
• The event brought together farmers, community leaders, and dignitaries to promote agricultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and national development initiatives.
• The event was inaugurated with a ceremonial flag hoisting that highlighted the cultural significance of the festival.
• Traditional songs and dances were performed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region.
• A buyer-seller meet was held to create economic opportunities for chili farmers of the village.
• The Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival serves as a platform to celebrate the region’s agricultural pride while promoting environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, and awareness of key national programs.
• In 2021, the Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli received its Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

4. India signed an MoU with ILO to align occupational classifications.

• A MoU was signed between India and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to align India’s occupational classification with international standards.
• The MoU was signed in Geneva by Ambassador Arindam Bagchi and ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo.
• The International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO), developed by the ILO, was agreed to be adopted by India.
• The classification system was designed to help Indian workers compete globally by aligning job data with international frameworks.
• It was stated by Mandaviya that the initiative would enhance recognition of Indian skills abroad.
• The Labour Minister highlighted India’s National Career Service Portal and e-Shram Portal as digital tools useful for global employability.
• The agreement was described as a step toward improving labour mobility, migration management, and vocational training.
• Mandaviya also showcased two major Indian digital labor platforms—the National Career Service (NCS) portal and the e-Shram portal—which were recently presented at the ILO.

Topic: National Appointments

5. Justice M. Sundar was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court.

• Justice M. Sundar was sworn in as the 10th Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court.
• The oath of office was administered by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal at Raj Bhavan.
• The appointment of Justice Sundar came after the retirement of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar.
• Justice Sundar’s elevation was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium.
• Born in Chennai in 1966, Justice Sundar graduated in law from Madras Law College.
• He enrolled as an advocate in 1989 and practised mainly before the Madras High Court.
• Justice Sundar was elevated as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court in October 2016.
• He became the second senior-most judge in Madras High Court before his posting in Manipur.

Topic: Sports

6. Central Zone, led by Rajat Patidar, won the Duleep Trophy.

• The Central Zone team won the Duleep Trophy by defeating South Zone in a dramatic final match.
• The tournament win was the seventh Duleep Trophy title for Central Zone and their first in 11 years.
• South, who were bowled out for 149 in the first innings, made a comeback by scoring 426 in the second innings, but Central's first innings total of 511 secured victory on the third day.
• Chasing a target of just 65 runs against South Zone in the fourth innings, Central won the match by losing four wickets.
• Rajat Patidar, captain of the side, emerged as the highest run scorer of the tournament with 382 runs.
• Spinner Saransh Jain, who took 16 wickets and contributed 136 runs, was declared Player of the Tournament.
• The 62nd edition of the Duleep Trophy, India’s domestic first-class cricket tournament, was held in the 2025–26 season from 28 August to 15 September 2025.
• The competition reverted to the zonal format, with six teams participating: Central, East, North, Northeast, South, and West Zones.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. The 9^th edition of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 was launched nationwide on 17 September 2025.

• The campaign will run for 15 days. It will conclude on Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October 2025.
• The focus of campaign is on impactful cleanliness initiatives.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation jointly launched SHS 2025.
• This year’s priority is on Cleanliness Target Units, which include dark, dirty, and neglected areas.
• Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal visited the Bhalswa dumpsite in Delhi.
• He reviewed its transformation and beautification efforts.
• The Ministry of Minority Affairs also joined the campaign. It launched its programme on 17 September in Delhi.
• The venue was near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju led the event.
• He administered the Swachhata Pledge. He inaugurated the Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir.
• He distributed safety kits to sanitation workers. He urged people to make cleanliness a habit.

Topic: Important Days

8. Hyderabad Liberation Day: 17 September

• On 17 September, Indian Army liberated Hyderabad from atrocities and integrated it with India. 
• The day is now commemorated as Hyderabad Liberation Day.
• On 17 September 1948, the state of Hyderabad got its independence from Nizam’s rule.
• The liberation of Hyderabad was possible due to the action by the first Minister of Home Affairs of India, Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel under Operation Polo.
• The state of Hyderabad under the Nizam included the whole of current-day Telangana.
• It also included the Marathwada region in Maharashtra that included the districts of Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, Parbhani and districts of Kalaburagi, Bellary Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Vijayanagara and Bidar in current day Karnataka.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

9. Baba Kalyani has been honoured with the Holley Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

• The award is a global recognition for engineering innovation that benefits society.
• The Holley Medal was first established in 1924. It is given for exceptional and distinctive engineering achievements providing meaningful public benefit.
• Baba Kalyani is the Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge.
• The award highlights Bharat Forge’s response to U.S. tariff challenges.
• The company is creating value through engineering-led solutions.
• Bharat Forge is also localising advanced manufacturing in the U.S.
• This helps in meeting the needs of domestic industries.
• These efforts reflect Kalyani’s vision of building resilient supply chains.
• The recognition also showcases Indian-origin engineering excellence.
• It strengthens the role of Indian expertise in the U.S. industrial ecosystem.

Topic: Sports

10. Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, Ahmedabad.

• The project cost about ₹825 crore. The Veer Savarkar Sports Complex is the largest in India.
• It is also among the most modern sports complexes in the world.
• The complex offers training facilities of international standard.
• It ensures transparent selection and fair opportunities for athletes.
• It covers 1.19 lakh square meters. The complex has seven entry gates.
• It has parking for 900 vehicles. It is powered by a 275-kilowatt solar plant.
• It has a 60 Kiloliters per Day (KLD) sewage treatment plant. This makes the complex eco-friendly.
• Facilities include world-class arenas and hostels for athletes.
• A theatre is available for slow-motion performance analysis.
• The complex also includes a Fit India Zone. It has an Outdoor Sports Zone as well.
• It has been named after freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.
• Savarkar once attempted a daring escape at Marseille by swimming to French shores.
• Amit Shah said the complex will inspire athletes. Ahmedabad also houses the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium.
• The Sardar Patel Sports Complex is being developed nearby. This makes Ahmedabad a growing sports capital of India.
• India’s sports budget was ₹1,643 crore in 2014–15. It has now increased to ₹5,300 crore under PM Modi.
• The National Sports Policy 2025 has been implemented by government.
• It is based on five principles. These principles are global excellence, economic impact, social growth, people’s participation, and integration with education.
• From 1948 to 2012, India won 20 Olympic medals. In the last eight years, India has won 15 Olympic medals.
• Paralympic medals increased from 8 earlier to 52 now.
• Ahmedabad will host the World Police and Fire Games in 2029.
• India has bid to host the Commonwealth Games. Ahmedabad is likely to be the host city.