Daily Current Affairs and GK | 4 September 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. Teachers’ Day: 5 September

• Every year on 05 September, Teachers’ Day or Shikshak Divas is celebrated in India.
• It is celebrated on the birthday of educationist and former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
• Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first Vice President of India (1952–1962).
• He became the second President of India (1962-1967). He was born on 05 September 1888.
• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1954 and Templeton Prize in 1975.
• His philosophy was based on Advaita Vedanta and he wrote books such as the philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore, The Hindu View of Life, Recovery of Faith.
• Teacher’s Day is celebrated to honour contributions of teachers.

Topic: Defence

2. The armies of India and Thailand began the 14th edition of Joint Exercise Maitree-XIV in Meghalaya.

• On September 1, the 14th edition of the joint military exercise between the armies of India and Thailand, MAITREE-XIV, commenced at the Joint Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from September 1 to September 14, 2025.
• The exercise is part of the regular military-to-military exchange program between the two countries with the aim of enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding.
• The last edition of Exercise MAITREE was conducted at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province, Thailand.
• A contingent of 120 Indian Army personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment has been deployed for the exercise.
• Participation has also been ensured by 53 soldiers of the Royal Thai Army’s 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade.
• This year, the exercise has been designed to focus on company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
• Training modules are being carried out on tactical drills, joint planning, weapon skills, physical endurance, and raiding operations, concluding with a 48-hour validation phase.
• Instituted in 2006, Exercise MAITREE has been regarded as an important element of bilateral defense cooperation, reaffirming the shared commitment of India and Thailand to regional peace, security, and stability.

Topic: Indian Polity

3. The new drug and clinical trial regulations will be revised by the Health Ministry for easier compliance.

• The New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, will be amended by the Union Health Ministry to simplify compliance processes.
• The amendments have been aimed at reducing regulatory requirements in test license applications and bioavailability or bioequivalence study submissions.
• The rule will be amended by the ministry to reduce regulatory compliance and promote ease of doing business in the pharmaceutical and clinical research sectors.
• A notification and intimation system has been introduced in place of the existing test license mechanism.
• Applicants will now be required to only inform the Central Licensing Authority instead of waiting for test licenses.
• Additionally, the overall statutory processing time for test license applications will be reduced from 90 days to 45 days.
• These proposed amendments will reduce the number of license applications by approximately 50%.
• The proposed amendments have already been published in the Gazette of India for public comments.
• These steps are expected to increase India's attractiveness for clinical research, thereby strengthening India's position as a global hub for pharmaceutical research and development.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. The Kapas Kisan App for cotton farmers launched by Union Minister Giriraj Singh.

• On 2 September, the Kapas Kisan mobile application was launched by Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh under the Ministry of Textiles.
• The app has been developed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to streamline MSP-based cotton procurement.
• Through the application, farmers have been enabled to register themselves digitally for selling cotton under the Minimum Support Price scheme.
• The new mobile app will help farmers to self-register, book slots, and track payment status.
• This app will also provide information about payments to farmers, bringing more speed, transparency, and ease to the cotton procurement process.
• The Union Minister stated that this farmer-first mobile app is a significant step towards making it easier for cotton-producing farmers to sell their produce.
• This app will help cotton farmers to avoid any distress sale by ensuring procurement at MSP.
• This will reduce paperwork and increase transparency along with saving time at procurement centers.
• Farmers will also benefit from digital scheduling of designated procurement centers to reduce waiting time and crowds, real-time updates of quality assessment, approved quantity, payment process, and information in multiple Indian languages.

Topic: Sports

5. Oscar Piastri won the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix.

• Oscar Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix 2025 held at Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
• Piastri's McLaren teammate Lando Norris was forced to retire from the race with mechanical difficulties with seven laps remaining.
• With the win, Piastri earned 25 points, while Norris earned zero points, as he could not finish the race.
• Piastri now leads Norris by 34 points in the Drivers' Championship with nine races left in the season.
• Rookie driver Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls secured his first-ever F1 podium with a third-place finish.
• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second, while Mercedes’ George Russell secured the fourth position.
• The Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025, popularly called the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, took place on 31 August 2025 at Circuit Zandvoort in Zandvoort, Netherlands.

Topic: National Appointments

6. Rajit Punhani took charge as CEO of FSSAI.

• Rajit Punhani assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• He is a 1991-batch IAS officer belonging to the Bihar cadre.
• Punhani brings with him over three decades of administrative experience across various levels.
• He earlier served as Secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• He has also worked as Secretary of the Rajya Sabha and Chief Executive Officer of Sansad TV.
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
• The FSSAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
• It was constituted on September 5, 2008, under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• This authority regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food items while setting standards to ensure food safety.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a high-level CEOs’ roundtable during the Semicon India 2025 event.

• The event was held on September 3 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.
• The roundtable brought together top executives from leading global semiconductor companies.
• They explored opportunities for industry collaboration and innovation.
• On the second day of Semicon India 2025, PM Modi held discussions with semiconductor experts.
• He also visited an exhibition showcasing the latest technologies and projects in the semiconductor field.
• Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present at the event.
• PM Modi inaugurated the three-day Semicon India 2025 conference on September 2.
• The conference aims to strengthen India’s position as a trusted player in the global semiconductor supply chain.
• It represents a major step toward making India a hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing, and innovation.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

8. Sharjah will host the 18th World Congress on Inclusion from September 15 to 17, 2025.

• The event will take place at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
• It will be the first time the congress is held in the Middle East and North Africa region.
• Delegates from over 70 countries are expected to participate.
• The congress will focus on global inclusion-related challenges and solutions.
• Key discussion areas include inclusive education, healthcare, legal rights, employment, advocacy, and community involvement.
• The role of research and innovation in building fairer societies will be a central theme.
• The event supports the UAE’s national efforts to expand inclusion for persons with disabilities.
• Across the UAE, more than 80 public and private institutions now offer specialised education, training, and rehabilitation.
• The congress is being held at a time when full inclusion remains a global concern.
• According to the World Health Organisation, persons with disabilities face higher rates of poverty, discrimination, and reduced life expectancy.
• The congress aims to remove systemic barriers and push for inclusive legislation.
• It promotes the principle of “health and dignity for all.”
• The event reinforces the idea that inclusion is vital to sustainable global development.

Topic: Indian Economy

9. The GST Council has introduced a major revision of tax rates.

• This move is aimed at supporting common citizens, key industries, farmers, and the overall economy.

• Taxes on many middle-class and household items have been reduced.
• The previous rates of 12% or 18% are now brought down to 5%.
• All personal life and health insurance policies are now exempt from GST. This includes senior citizen and family floater plans.
• Thirty-three essential life-saving drugs will now attract zero GST. These were earlier taxed at 12%.
• Three critical medicines for cancer, rare diseases, and chronic conditions are also now tax-free. They were earlier under the 5% slab.
• General medicines will now be taxed at 5% instead of the earlier 12%.
• Medical equipment used in healthcare and diagnostics will now attract only 5% GST. Earlier, these were taxed at 18%.
• Daily-use items like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bicycles, and kitchen utensils will now fall under the 5% GST rate.
• GST on ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, paneer, chena, and Indian breads has been removed. These items now have zero GST.
• Food products such as snacks, noodles, chocolates, sauces, cornflakes, butter, ghee, and preserved meat will now be taxed at 5%. Earlier, they were taxed at 12% or 18%.
• Appliances like air conditioners, large TVs, and dishwashers will now attract 18% GST. This is a reduction from the previous 28%.
• GST on small cars and motorcycles has also been reduced from 28% to 18%.
• All types of agricultural equipment will now be taxed at 5% instead of 12%.
• The GST Council has simplified the tax system. It has reduced the number of tax slabs from four to two.
• The 12% and 28% slabs have been removed. Only the 5% and 18% slabs will remain.
• The expected financial impact of these changes is ₹48,000 crore per year.
• However, the government considers this cost sustainable.
• The 56th meeting of the GST Council took place in New Delhi.
• It was chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• The meeting included Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and Finance Ministers from various states and union territories.
• All new GST rates will take effect on September 22nd. This date marks the beginning of Navratri.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹1,500 crore scheme to promote Critical Mineral Recycling.

• The scheme is aimed at enhancing the recycling of critical minerals in India.

• It focuses on recovering key minerals from waste sources such as e-waste and used batteries.
• This initiative is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
• NCMM aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce dependency on imports.
• The scheme will run for six years, from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31.
• Eligible waste includes e-waste, lithium-ion battery scrap, and other high-value materials.
• Scrap like catalytic converters from end-of-life vehicles is also covered.
• Both large companies and new recyclers, including start-ups, can benefit.
• One-third of the scheme’s funds are set aside for small and emerging players.
• Support will be offered for building new units. It will also cover expansion, modernisation, and diversification of existing recycling facilities.
• Only units involved in actual mineral extraction are eligible. Units that only process black mass are not covered.
• Capital incentives include a 20% subsidy on plant, machinery, and utilities.
• This applies if production begins within a specified timeframe.
• Delayed production will receive a reduced subsidy.
• An operating expense (Opex) subsidy will also be provided.
• This will be based on increased sales over the base year, FY 2025-26.
• The Opex subsidy will be released in two parts.
• 40% will be given in the second year, and 60% in the fifth year.
• Subsidies are tied to achieving specific sales growth targets.
• Large entities can receive up to ₹50 crore in total incentives.
• Smaller units can receive up to ₹25 crore.
• The Opex subsidy is capped at ₹10 crore for large firms.
• For small entities, the Opex subsidy cap is ₹5 crore.
• The scheme aims to develop 270 kilotonnes of recycling capacity per year.
• It targets the annual production of 40 kilotonnes of critical minerals.
• It is expected to attract investments worth ₹8,000 crore.