NATIONAL NEWS

Himachal Pradesh Declared Fully Literate State with 99.3% Literacy Rate

Himachal Pradesh has been declared a fully literate state with 99.3% literacy rate, announced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during Ullas Mela 2025 on International Literacy Day (8 September 2025) in Shimla.

The state started with only 7% literacy post-independence and has now surpassed the national benchmark of 95%, becoming one of the most educated regions of India.

Himachal ranks 1st in India in student-teacher ratio, achieved through strategic recruitment of qualified teachers, infrastructure expansion in government schools, curriculum modernization, and teacher training.

The government aims to transform government institutions into centres of excellence, integrate technology and innovation into classrooms, enhance digital infrastructure in rural schools, and boost vocational and life skills education.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur credited this achievement to decades of investment in universal primary education and literacy campaigns.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Unveils Unified RERA Portal

The 5th Central Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting under RERA was held in New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal.

The Unified RERA Portal (rera.mohua.gov.in) was launched to improve transparency, accountability, and best practice sharing among States/UTs.

35 States/UTs have set up Real Estate Regulatory Authorities, 29 States/UTs established Appellate Tribunals, and 27 appointed Adjudicating Officers.

The Unified RERA Portal will provide a nationwide project database, integrate State websites, use AI to predict delays, and enable faster registration, compliance, and transparency.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

28th Universal Postal Congress Held in Dubai

The 28th Universal Postal Congress (UPC), the supreme decision-making body of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), began in Dubai, UAE at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will continue until 19 September 2025.

The quadrennial event is being hosted in the UAE for the first time, with participation from 2,000 delegates representing 192 member countries.

India was represented by Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. India has been a member of UPU since 1874.

India will play a major role in shaping the UPU 2026–2029 roadmap, focusing on digital transformation, sustainability, and secure e-commerce services.

India has offered its candidature for the UPU’s Council of Administration (CA) and Postal Operations Council (POC).

Bilateral meetings were held with Japan, Pan African Postal Union, Postal Union of the Americas, Spain, Portugal, and Caribbean Postal Union to expand cooperation in logistics and digital innovation.

India Post provides Passport Seva Kendras, supports Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), and uses advanced postal software and customer relationship management (CRM) tools to improve accountability.

India signed Letters of Intent with partners in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa, and secured a regional UPU office in New Delhi to amplify the Global South’s voice.

 

BANKING

Suryoday Small Finance Bank Introduces RuPay Select and RuPay Platinum Secured Credit Cards Backed by Fixed Deposits

Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) has launched two secured credit cards – RuPay Select and RuPay Platinum, backed by fixed deposits (FDs) as collateral.

These cards are UPI-integrated, issued instantly in virtual form, and are targeted at first-time credit users, homemakers, and retirees to promote responsible credit habits.

The RuPay Platinum Card requires a minimum FD of ₹1,000, while the RuPay Select Card requires an FD of ₹1,11,500.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank Ltd, incorporated in 2008, began offering Small Finance Bank (SFB) services in 2017.

SBI Completes $500 Million Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes Issue

The State Bank of India (SBI) has concluded the issue of $500 million senior unsecured fixed rate notes.

These bonds have a maturity of 5 years and carry a coupon rate of 4.50%.

The bonds will be issued through SBI’s London branch on 9th September 2025.

They will be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the NSE-IX Exchange, GIFT City.

The bond sale by SBI is the first investment grade issuance from India after the S&P sovereign rating upgrade.

S&P upgraded India’s sovereign rating from BBB- to BBB (firm investment grade).

 

FINANCE

India and Israel Sign Bilateral Investment Agreement in New Delhi

India and Israel signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) in New Delhi, marking a historic milestone in their bilateral relations.

The Agreement was signed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The BIA aims to boost investments, trade, and mutual cooperation by ensuring greater certainty and protection for investors.

The Agreement provides independent dispute resolution through arbitration, safeguards against expropriation, transparency in procedures, and smooth transfers with compensation for losses.

The BIA balances investor protection with State’s regulatory rights, preserving policy space for sovereign governance.

Current bilateral investments stand at USD 800 million, and the Agreement is expected to increase mutual investments significantly.

Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s economic reforms over the last 10 years, making India the fastest growing economy and an investment-friendly destination.

The Israeli Finance Minister stressed collaboration in cybersecurity, defense, innovation, and high-technology sectors.

Both sides agreed to advance cooperation in fintech innovation, infrastructure development, financial regulation, and digital payment connectivity.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Younus Ahamed Honoured with Camel International Award 2025

Younus Ahamed, Non-Resident Indian entrepreneur and Executive Director of Dotspace Coworking (Middle East), received the Camel International Award 2025 for his contributions in global business leadership.

The award was presented in Dubai during a ceremony in late August 2025.

It was conferred by Arabian World Records and presented by Sheikh Matar Bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of Sharjah Camel Racing Club.

The award recognises exceptional business acumen, leadership, and impact at the international level.

This recognition highlights Ahamed’s exemplary role in the coworking sector in the Middle East and his contributions as an influential Non-Resident Indian professional.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

New Prime Minister of Thailand

Anutin Charnvirakul has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Thailand, succeeding Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party.

Anutin (aged 58) is Thailand’s third PM in two years, after Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra were removed from their posts.

He earlier served as Deputy PM and Interior Minister but resigned after a leaked phone call scandal.

Anutin is best known for decriminalising cannabis in Thailand, a policy later restricted to medical use.

He previously served as Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

SPORTS

Central Asian Football Association Nations Cup 2025

India defeated Oman in a penalty shootout to win the bronze medal at the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025.

This was India’s first-ever international victory over Oman.

The third-place playoff was held at the Hisor Central Stadium, Tajikistan.

The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, with Udanta Singh scoring the equaliser for India.

In the penalty shootout, India won 3-2 after Oman missed their first two spot kicks.

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved the final penalty to secure the win.

This was India’s first medal finish at the CAFA Nations Cup.

The victory is considered a major morale boost for Indian football on the Asian stage.

US Open Titles 2025

Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open title in 2025, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (2014) to win back-to-back championships in New York.

She defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final with a score of 6–3, 7–6 (7–3) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

This was Sabalenka’s 4th Grand Slam title – Australian Open (2023, 2024) and US Open (2024, 2025).

The victory also marked her 100th Grand Slam match win.

Sabalenka’s US Open record: 28–2 when winning the first set.

2025 had been a tough season for Sabalenka, as she lost in the Australian Open and French Open finals, but she redeemed herself with this title.

Amanda Anisimova, despite the loss, had a strong tournament and is projected to enter the WTA Top 5 for the first time.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 of every year.

World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 is organized to create awareness against suicide.

The international theme of World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on 10th September 2025 is 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide'.

World Suicide Prevention Day was observed on 10 September 2003.

This day was first announced by the International Association for Suicide Prevention(IASP) and the World Health Organization(WHO).

In 1960 the IASP was established by the late Professor Erwin Ringel and Dr. Norman Faberlow in Vienna.

This organization is a non-governmental which is concerned with suicide prevention.

The first World Suicide Report was released in 2014 “Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative”, It is focused on suicide prevention and makes it a high priority on the global public agenda.