NATIONAL NEWS

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Approves Doubling of Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat Railway Line

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the doubling of Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat railway line (177 km) in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Total cost of the project is Rs. 3,169 crore (approx.)

The project will increase line capacity, reduce congestion, and improve mobility, efficiency, and reliability of Indian Railways.

It is planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan to enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency.

Project will expand the Indian Railways network by 177 km, covering five districts in three states.

It will provide connectivity to important pilgrimage and tourist sites like Deoghar (Baba Baidyanath Dham) and Tarapith (Shakti Peeth).

It benefits about 441 villages, a population of 28.72 lakh, and three Aspirational Districts – Banka, Godda, and Dumka.

It supports transportation of coal, cement, fertilizers, bricks, and stones, adding 15 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of freight capacity.

It will save 5 crore litres of oil, cut 24 crore kg of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 1 crore trees.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India’s First Overseas Atal Innovation Centre Launched in UAE

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre (AIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi–Abu Dhabi campus during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The centre has been established under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to expand India’s innovation ecosystem globally and foster collaboration in research, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange.

Academic Programs Launched in Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Energy and Sustainability, Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Chemical Engineering

Partner Authority is Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK)

Expansion of Indian curriculum-based schools in UAE, establishment of Atal Innovation Labs, student and teacher exchange programs, mutual recognition of qualifications, and alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

Marks the first overseas Atal Innovation Centre, extending AIM beyond India and strengthening India–UAE educational and innovation ties

India’s Seafood Exports Strengthened as European Union Approves 102 Additional Fishery Units

The European Union (EU) has approved 102 additional marine product units from India for exports, making a total of 604 Indian units eligible for EU supply.

This move is expected to boost India’s seafood exports to the EU by about 20%, as the EU is the second-largest seafood export destination for India.

In 2023-24, India’s seafood exports to the EU stood at $1.1 billion.

The development will help diversify India’s shrimp exports, which face a 50% tariff imposed by the US.

In 2024-25, India’s shrimp exports were $4.88 billion, accounting for 66% of total seafood exports.

The EU’s approval reflects confidence in India’s food safety and quality assurance systems.

The newly listed units will boost exports of aquaculture shrimps and Cephalopods (Squid, Cuttlefish, and Octopus) to EU markets.

This development will provide greater opportunities for exporters across Indian coastal states and UTs to strengthen trade relationships with the EU.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO Signs Agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a formal agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on September 10, 2025, for the transfer of technology for the production of Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV).

The agreement marks the 100th technology transfer facilitated by IN-SPACe, promoting industry participation in the space sector.

The pact was inked in Bengaluru by ISRO, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), IN-SPACe, and HAL, which outbid a consortium led by Adani Group-backed Alpha Design Technologies.

The technology transfer process is expected to be completed within 24 months from the signing date.

During this period, ISRO will provide training and technical support to HAL for acquiring the know-how of SSLV.

The collaboration will focus on the preparedness-to-flight tangent of SSLVs, guiding deep-tech collaboration in India’s space industry.

HAL will leverage its engineering and manufacturing strength, train workforce, and build a self-reliant ecosystem to offer cost-competitive small-satellite launches

The agreement reflects the Government of India’s vision to empower the space industry and establish India as a global hub for reliable and affordable launch services.

 

BANKING

India and Asian Development Bank Ink $126.4 Million Loan Deal

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India (GoI) signed a $126.42 million loan agreement to promote rural development through sustainable and climate-resilient tourism in the Tehri Lake region, Uttarakhand.

The project is named Sustainable, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Tourism Development at Tehri Lake Area Project.

The signatories of the agreement were Juhi Mukherjee (Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, India) and Mr. Kai Wei Yeo (Officer-in-Charge, India Resident Mission, ADB).

The ADB loan supports the Government of Uttarakhand’s policy to make the state a diversified, all-weather tourism destination, with Tehri Lake as a priority area for development.

The project targets the Tehri Garhwal District, one of Uttarakhand’s most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged regions.

It aims to benefit over 87,000 residents and 2.7 million annual visitors through improved tourism planning, upgraded infrastructure, enhanced sanitation and waste management, and disaster preparedness.

Jio Financial Services Limited and Germany’s Allianz form 50:50 joint venture Allianz

Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and Allianz (Germany) have formed a 50:50 joint venture (JV) named Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited (AJRL) to operate in the reinsurance sector in India.

The JV received its Certificate of Incorporation on September 8, 2025, after approval from IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India).

The JV has an initial investment of ₹2.50 lakh, with each partner subscribing to 25,000 equity shares of ₹10

AJRL will leverage Allianz Re and Allianz Commercial portfolios in India, supported by the global pricing, risk selection, and portfolio management expertise of Allianz.

Allianz Re has been reinsuring risks in India for over 25 years, providing a strong foundation for the new venture.

SEBI Eases Employee Stock Options Rules

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced a major relaxation for startup founders preparing for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).

Promoters are now allowed to retain Employee Stock Options (ESOPs), Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), or other share-based benefits, if they were granted at least one year before filing draft IPO papers.

Under the revised guidelines, promoters can continue holding ESOPs and similar benefits issued less than 1 year before draft IPO filing.

Earlier rule was promoters were barred from holding or being granted such benefits.

Telecommunications Consultants India Limited Signed MoU with PNB

Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Communications, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjab National Bank (PNB), a leading public sector bank in New Delhi.

The MoU aims to strengthen PNB’s IT infrastructure and accelerate its technology transformation journey, enabling faster, secure, and customer-centric digital banking services.

TCIL will provide IT consultancy, project management, and turnkey execution of complex technology initiatives for PNB.

Collaboration will ensure robust, secure, and regulatory-compliant solutions to strengthen PNB’s digital backbone and improve operational resilience.

Key areas of support include Request for Proposal (RFP) lifecycle management, System Integration, IT Infrastructure Rollout, and Regulatory-Compliant Technology deployment.

TCIL will act as Project Management Consultant (PMC) or Project Implementing Agency (PIA) as per project requirements.

The collaboration supports the Government of India’s Digital India vision, promoting trust in technology-driven financial services and strengthening the digital banking landscape of India.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Vice President of India

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan has been elected as the Vice President of India, defeating INDIA bloc candidate Justice B. Sudershan Reddy.

P. Radhakrishnan is the 15th individual to hold the office but is officially counted as the 17th Vice President of India.

In the election, Radhakrishnan secured 452 first preference votes, while Justice Reddy received 300 votes, and 15 votes were declared invalid.

The election turnout was 98.20%, with 767 MPs voting out of 781, while 13 MPs abstained (7 from BJD, 4 from BRS, 1 from SAD, and 1 Independent MP).

The Vice President’s office was vacant since July 21, 2025, after the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health reasons.

P. Radhakrishnan was born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, and served as the Governor of Maharashtra since July 2024 before becoming Vice President.

He has earlier served as the Governor of Jharkhand and also held additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere Wins Second Consecutive Term

In the parliamentary election held on September 8, 2025, Norway’s Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, won a second consecutive term, securing a narrow majority with 87 seats, just above the majority threshold of 85.

Despite the win, the Labour Party faces a fragmented parliament and will rely on a coalition of five left-leaning parties to pass major legislation.

Key challenges for Prime Minister Stoere include oil and gas investments, climate policy, taxation, and foreign investment regulations.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $2 trillion, may face pressure to divest from Israeli companies due to the Gaza conflict.

The right-wing Progress Party, led by Sylvi Listhaug, made a historic surge, winning 48 seats, more than double its previous tally, marking its best-ever performance.

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Anupam Kher Announces Fourth Book Different But No Less

Veteran actor and motivational speaker Anupam Kher has announced his fourth book, Different But No Less, inspired by his real-life challenges and the making of his upcoming film Tanvi The Great.

The announcement was made on June 2, 2025, through Instagram.

It was published by Penguin Random House.

The book is connected to his upcoming film Tanvi The Great, highlighting emotional, creative, and logistical struggles in its making.

It focuses on self-belief, resilience, optimism, and mental strength during life’s challenges.

Kher describes it as a guide to sailing through storms without letting others feel the turbulence.

It aims to provide motivation for those facing personal setbacks, academic hurdles, or professional uncertainty.

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