NATIONAL NEWS

MNRE Launches India’s First National Geothermal Energy Policy

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced the National Geothermal Energy Policy, India’s first policy focused on harnessing geothermal energy, a renewable source from the Earth’s internal heat.

The initiative supports India’s Net Zero emissions 2070 goals, strengthens energy security, and promotes clean energy innovation.

Geothermal energy is available 24×7 and can be used for electricity generation, heating, cooling, greenhouse agriculture, and desalination.

The policy establishes MNRE as the central authority, promotes public-private participation, encourages inter-ministerial coordination and global partnerships, and supports technological development, including hybrid systems and repurposing abandoned oil wells.

It also incentivizes indigenous technologies, pilot projects, and academic-industry linkages.

India has mapped ten geothermal provinces with high thermal potential, including the Himalayas, Cambay Basin, Aravalli Range, Mahanadi Basin, Godavari Basin, Sohana, West Coast, Son-Narmada-Tapti, and South India Cratons, with an estimated capacity of around 10 Gigawatt (GW).

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

44th Meeting Of The Council Of RATS

The 44th meeting of the Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held at Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyz Republic.

The meeting was organised under the Chairmanship of Kyrgyz Republic.

The Indian delegation was headed by Deputy NSA T.V. Ravichandran.

The RATS Council condemned the Pahalgam terror attack at its 44th meeting.

SCO-RATS is a permanent body of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

SCO-RATS promotes coordination and interaction between member states in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and separatism.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

AIIMS New Delhi Installs Advanced da Vinci Surgical Robot at SET Facility

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has inaugurated the advanced da Vinci Surgical Robot at its Skills, E-Learning and Telemedicine (SET) Facility.

This is the first installation of the da Vinci system for training at a government medical college in India.

The robotic platform was provided by Intuitive Surgical under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

With this installation, AIIMS Delhi becomes the only institution in India to have two robotic systems dedicated solely to training.

The new robotic system will support skill development across specialties including urology, gynaecology, general surgery, surgical oncology, and head and neck surgery.

 

BANKING

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Gets SEBI Nod for Upcoming Initial Public Offering Launch

Canara Bank subsidiary Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company has received an observation letter from Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and file its Updated Red Herring Prospectus (UDRHP).

Canara HSBC Life Insurance is a private life insurance company, with HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings Limited as another promoter.

The company was incorporated in 2007 and has grown into a prominent bank-led private player in the Indian life insurance sector.

It ranks second among public sector bank-led life insurers in India based on the number of lives covered in Fiscal 2024.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance is a three-way venture promoted by Canara Bank, HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings (part of the HSBC Group), and Punjab National Bank (PNB).

Reserve Bank of India Fines PhonePe

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of ₹21 lakh on PhonePe, a fintech company, for non-compliance with certain Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) norms.

A Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) allows customers to load funds first and spend from the balance instead of directly using their bank account.

The penalty was based on a statutory inspection of PhonePe’s operations conducted between October 2023 and December 2024.

PhonePe, owned by Walmart, is preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) later in 2025.

The IPO will be managed by Kotak Mahindra Capital, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley.

 

DEFENCE

United States, South Korea, and Japan Begin Freedom Edge Joint Military Drill

On 15 September 2025, the United States, South Korea, and Japan launched the joint air and naval exercise “Freedom Edge” near Jeju Island, South Korea.

The Freedom Edge exercise is a multi-domain drill covering sea, air, and cyberspace operations.

The exercise includes ballistic missile and air-defense training, medical evacuation drills, maritime operations, and cyber coordination.

The exercise will continue until 19 September 2025 and is considered the most advanced trilateral exercise yet by the US Indo-Pacific Command.

North Korea also criticized the overlapping Iron Mace tabletop exercise, which integrates US nuclear assets with South Korea’s conventional capabilities.

The drill holds strategic significance in three areas: countering North Korea’s missile and nuclear arsenal, strengthening trilateral security alignment under the Camp David summit commitments, and addressing great power rivalries amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia and China.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

New Chief Financial Officer Of P&G Health

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Health has appointed Shashank Srowthy as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective October 1, 2025.

He will succeed Lokesh Chandak, who will move to a new role as Senior Director – Finance & Accounting, Feminine Care, P&G Asia, Middle East & Africa.

Shashank Srowthy has 14+ years of experience in finance roles at P&G, having joined in 2011 in India.

He has worked across India, Dubai, and Singapore, delivering results in multiple P&G businesses.

He is currently serving as Director – Finance, Haircare, P&G Asia, Middle East & Africa.

Executive Director of Punjab National Bank

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of M. Paramasivam as Executive Director (ED) of Punjab National Bank (PNB), effective from December 1, 2022, for a three-year term.

M Paramasivam is an agriculture graduate who started his career as an Agricultural Extension Officer at Canara Bank in 1990.

He served Canara Bank for 32 years in various capacities such as Branch Head of VLBs, Regional Head, Circle Head, and Head of Priority Credit Wing at the Head Office.

During his tenure as Wing Head of Priority Credit Wing at Canara Bank, the FRUITS Portal was launched in coordination with NABARD and the Karnataka State Government.

He has also undertaken the Leadership Development Strategy Programme organized by the Banks Board Bureau and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aditya Birla Capital

Aditya Birla Capital (AB Capital) has elevated Vishakha Mulye as its Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a five-year term starting 1 September 2025.

Vishakha Mulye has been leading AB Capital since 2022, driving a digital-first transformation.

She introduced the “One ABC, One P&L” model, integrating products, customer experience, and internal teams.

Under her leadership, AB Capital launched the ABCD omnichannel app and Udyog Plus, a B2B lending marketplace.

She has also pushed forward the merger of Aditya Birla Finance with AB Capital to consolidate value creation and synergies.

Her reappointment reflects AB Capital’s confidence in her ability to balance scale and innovation amid India’s financial sector transformation.

Dr. Sima Sami Bahous Reappointed as UN Women Executive Director

On 11 September 2025, Dr. Sima Sami Bahous was reappointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for a second term as Executive Director of UN Women.

Her reappointment aligns with the launch of UN Women’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029, focusing on gender equality and women’s rights.

Bahous, a Jordanian diplomat, previously advanced gender equality in global policy, improved transparency, and prioritized results-driven programs in humanitarian contexts.

During her first term, she emphasized integrating women’s voices in crisis response and peacebuilding strategies.

The Strategic Plan 2026–2029 aims to make gender equality central to SDGs, enhance women’s economic participation, and eliminate violence against women and girls.

 

SPORTS

Shri Amit Shah Inaugurates India’s Largest Sports Complex in Ahmedabad

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India’s largest and most advanced sports complex at Naranpura, Ahmedabad.

Built at a cost of ₹825 crore, the complex includes an international aquatic arena, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, athlete training infrastructure, and residential amenities.

The facility is designed to global sporting standards and may host major international tournaments like the Commonwealth Games.

Amit Shah stated it is “the world’s most modern sports complex”, aligning with the vision of making India a top sports nation by 2047.

India’s sports budget rose from ₹1,643 crore in 2014 to ₹5,300 crore in 2025, showing strong government investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development.

Ahmedabad, already home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, is projected to become Asia’s sports capital, boosting its global sports profile.

The complex will strengthen initiatives like Khelo India and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), supporting grassroots to elite-level athletes.

It also reflects a broader shift in policy focusing on early talent identification, scientific training, public-private partnerships, and athlete welfare.

2025 FIDE Grand Swiss

The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss and Women’s Grand Swiss were held, 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Anish Giri (Netherlands) won the Open section with 8/11, defeating GM Hans Niemann in the final round, remaining undefeated, and claiming the $90,000 prize.

He qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Matthias Bluebaum (Germany) also secured a Candidates spot with 7.5/11, finishing ahead of GM Alireza Firouzja and Vincent Keymer on tiebreaks.

Vaishali Rameshbabu (India) won her second consecutive Women’s Grand Swiss title with 8/11, drawing with GM Tan Zhongyi in the final round, and securing a place in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament with a $40,000 prize.

Kateryna Lagno (Russia) finished second, unbeaten with 5 wins, and also qualified for the Candidates.