Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 September 2025

Topic: Personality in News

1. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Birth Anniversary: 25 September.

• Pandit Deendayal was born on 25 September 1916 in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. He died on 11 February 1968.
• Antyodaya Diwas is celebrated on 25 September to commemorate the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
• In 2014, the government declared 25 September as Antyodaya Diwas in honor of the 98th birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916–1968) was a political thinker and leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
• He is remembered for his philosophy of Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan).
• He led the Jana Sangh until his mysterious death in 1968.

Topic: National Appointment

2. The extension of General Anil Chauhan’s tenure as CDS approved by ACC till May 2026.

• The extension of General Anil Chauhan's tenure as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has been approved by The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• He shall also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Government of India, until May 30, 2026, or until further orders.
• On 28th September 2022, General Chauhan was appointed as the CDS. He is the second CDS of India.
• General Chauhan was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1981 and has had a distinguished and illustrious career holding key command and staff appointments.
• For his exemplary services in the Indian Army, he has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
• General Bipin Rawat was first Chief of Defence Staff.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

3. The government partnered with Zepto to increase youth employment on the NCS portal.

• The quick commerce platform Zepto has been partnered with by the Government to enhance employment opportunities and youth employability through the National Career Service (NCS) Portal.
• On 24 September, an MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
• The NCS platform has been recognized as a unique bridge connecting employers and job-seekers.
• Since its inception, over 52 lakh employers have been registered and nearly 7.5 crore vacancies have been mobilized on NCS.
• The collaboration between the Ministry and Zepto has been welcomed as a new opportunity for young people while providing Zepto access to a talent pool.
• Under this partnership, Zepto will provide 10,000 job postings during the MoU period.
• Urban employment opportunities for youth, women, and first-time job seekers are expected to be structured and predictable through this initiative.
• Gig workers will be linked with e-Shram registration, social security schemes, and upskilling opportunities under the partnership.
• The initiative is designed to create a bridge to formal employment and enhance future employability.
• The MoU has been positioned as a significant step in strengthening the NCS platform’s role as a comprehensive employment solution.

Topic: Personality in News

4. On 24 September, renowned Kannada writer Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 94.

• He suffered a heart attack when he was admitted to a private hospital due to age-related health problems.
• Over 25 novels were written by Bhyrappa, which stimulated public debate and intellectual discourse.
• His celebrated works include Vamshavruksha, Daatu, Parva, Grihabhanga, Aavarana, Nayi Neralu, and Sartha.
• Several movies based on his novels have been critically acclaimed.
• His novels have been translated into multiple Indian and foreign languages.
• The highest civilian recognition, Padma Bhushan, was awarded to him in 2023.
• The Saraswati Samman was conferred upon him in 2010, and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship was granted in 2015.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

5. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan National Competition launched.

• The launch of a three-tier national competition under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) to mark its 5th anniversary was announced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• The initiative aims to engage youth, students, and community members in promoting a drug-free India.
• A high-level event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, will be graced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Since its launch on August 15, 2020, NMBA has reached over 20.63 crore individuals, including 6.29 crore youth and 4.14 crore women, across 5.71 lakh educational institutions.
• Youth aged 15–29 years, students, NMBA Master Volunteers, and NSS/NCC/MyBharat Volunteers are invited to participate in the competition.
• The competition will be conducted in three tiers: an online quiz, essay writing, and elocution/group discussion.
• Tier 1, the District Level online quiz, will be held from September 25 to October 24, 2025, and top 3,500 participants will advance to Tier 2.
• Tier 2, the State/UT Level essay writing, will be conducted from October 27 to November 07, 2025, and top 5–7 participants from each State/UT will advance to Tier 3.
• Tier 3, the National Level elocution/group discussion, will be held in November 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, where top 20 participants will be recognized.
• Certificates will be provided to all participants, and winners will be felicitated at district, state, and national level events, offering them opportunities to interact with dignitaries.

Topic: Report and Indices

6. Nagaland University professors included in the list of top 2% scientists in the world.

• Four professors from Nagaland University have been named among the world’s top 2% scientists in a list compiled by Stanford University, USA.
• The rankings were determined using a composite citation index (c-score), which combines six bibliometric indicators such as total citations, h-index, and citations to first, last or single-author papers.
• The professors featured are:
  • Prof. Ambrish Singh, Department of Chemistry
  • Prof. Joginder Singh, Department of Botany
  • Prof. Prabhakar Sharma, Department of Agricultural Engineering and Technology
  • Prof. Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, Department of Biotechnology
• Prof. Ambrish Singh and Prof. Pranav Kumar Prabhakar were also included in the Career-Long Top 2% Scientists category.
• The Career-Long Top 2% category recognizes researchers whose lifetime work has consistently impacted global scientific knowledge.
• The achievement is expected to motivate students and researchers to aim for higher academic and scientific standards.
• Compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier, the list recognizes researchers who have made significant contributions to their fields.
• It includes the top 2% of scientists across 22 broad scientific disciplines and 174 specific subfields.
• In addition to Nagaland University, five faculty members from IIM Lucknow were also included in the prestigious list.

Topic: Indian Economy

7. Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) officially inaugurated by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on 24 September 2025.

• The establishment of GSTAT marks a major advancement in the GST system.
• It strengthens the country’s framework for resolving indirect tax disputes.
• Several dignitaries attended the event. These included Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary and GSTAT President Justice Shri Sanjaya Kumar Mishra.
• In her address, the Finance Minister called GSTAT an important institutional development.
• She said it reflects the progress GST has made over the past eight years.
• The Revenue Secretary stated that GSTAT would bring fairness and uniformity to the appeals process.
• It would also improve predictability in tax dispute outcomes.
• GSTAT is a statutory appellate body set up under GST laws.
• It provides an independent platform to hear appeals against decisions made by GST Appellate Authorities.
• The Tribunal will operate from a Principal Bench in New Delhi.
• It will also have 31 State Benches located across 45 cities in India.
• This ensures wide accessibility for taxpayers across the country.
• Each bench will have two Judicial Members. It will also include one Technical Member from the Centre and one from the State.
• This composition brings together legal and technical expertise from both levels of government.
• It reflects the spirit of cooperative federalism and aims to deliver balanced and impartial decisions.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. India and Australia signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products on 24th September 2025.

• The signing took place at Vanijya Bhavan in New Delhi.
• This agreement is part of the broader India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).
• It aims to deepen economic collaboration and strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
• The MRA is expected to boost organic trade and create new growth opportunities for producers and exporters.
• It will also benefit other stakeholders in the organic supply chain.
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will be the implementing agency on India’s side.
• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) will be implementing agency for Australia.
• The MRA covers a specific list of organic products. These include unprocessed plant products, excluding greenhouse crops, aquatic plants, and seaweed.
• It also includes processed foods made from plant-based ingredients.
• Certified organic ingredients from third countries can be included if processed in India or Australia. Wine is also covered under the agreement.
• The arrangement will benefit organic farmers and exporters in both nations.
• India’s organic exports to Australia in FY 2024–25 reached USD 8.96 million.
• Total export volume was 2,781.58 metric tonnes. Top exports included psyllium husk, coconut milk, and rice.
• India aims to become the “Organic Food Basket of the World. The MRA is a key step toward that goal.

Topic: State News/Rajasthan

9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched and inaugurated development projects worth over ₹1.22 lakh crore in Banswara, Rajasthan.

• He laid the foundation stone for the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project.
• The project is located at Napla, near the Mahi Dam.
• It involves an investment of approximately ₹42,000 crore.
• The project will include four nuclear power units, each with a capacity of 700 MW.
• The Prime Minister also launched multiple initiatives in various sectors.
• These included solar energy, drinking water, healthcare, infrastructure, and national highways.
• He flagged off three new railway services in Rajasthan.
• He announced power projects worth more than ₹90,000 crore.
• These projects will be developed across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

10. An MoU for indigenous technology development has been signed between Indian Air Force and IIT Ropar. 

• The goal is to improve the maintenance and operational efficiency of India’s air force.
• This partnership supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
• It aims to boost self-reliance in defence technology.
• The IAF has identified important areas that need homegrown technological solutions.
• IIT Ropar will provide expert consultancy to the IAF.
• The institute will conduct detailed research and feasibility studies.
• IIT Ropar will also create prototype technologies.
• These prototypes will help the IAF sustain its weapon systems.