NATIONAL NEWS

World Food India 2025 to be Held in New Delhi

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India will organise the 4th edition of World Food India (WFI) 2025 from 25–28 September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

Aim is to attract global investments, showcase India’s food diversity, and position India as the Food Basket of the World.

It provides a platform for farmers, processors, investors, startups, exporters, policymakers, and researchers to collaborate and build future-ready food systems.

Karnataka Government Launches LEAP Programme

Government of Karnataka launched the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) with an outlay of ₹1,000 crore for 5 years.

Implemented by the Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology to spread innovation beyond Bengaluru.

It will create 5 lakh jobs, strengthen startup ecosystems, and promote regional tech clusters.

Clusters covered include Mysuru-Chamarajanagar, Mangaluru-Udupi, Hubbali-Belagavi-Dharwad, Tumkur, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga.

Startup support measures: Entrepreneurship promotion in schools & colleges, Grants and funding for early-stage deep-tech startups, Infrastructure like incubators, accelerators, prototype & growth labs and Hackathons, bootcamps, and digital clinics to build skills.

Aim is to build globally competitive innovation hubs, ensure equitable development, reduce migration pressures, and diversify Karnataka’s technology base.

Ministry of Labour and Employment Signs MoU with Zepto

The Ministry of Labour and Employment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zepto in New Delhi to enhance employment opportunities and youth employability through the National Career Service (NCS) Portal.

The MoU signing was attended by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports, and Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The partnership with Zepto will provide 10,000 job postings during the MoU period, creating structured urban employment opportunities for youth, women, and first-time job seekers.

Zepto will link its gig and full-time roles with the NCS portal, supporting formalization, upskilling, e-Shram registration, and social security coverage.

The collaboration is expected to expand dignified, tech-driven employment opportunities, contributing to India’s economic growth.

Over the past year, the Ministry has signed MoUs with Amazon, Swiggy, Rapido, and Quikr Jobs, mobilizing nearly five lakh vacancies via the NCS portal.

This initiative integrates platform economy roles into India’s formal employment ecosystem, enabling opportunities in gig, quick-commerce, and tech-driven sectors.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China to Introduce K Visa from October 1, 2025

China will launch the K Visa on October 1, 2025, aimed at attracting global STEM professionals and researchers.

The K Visa eligibility requires applicants to be recent graduates or professionals in STEM fields with a Bachelor’s degree or higher from recognized institutions.

The K Visa does not require an invitation letter or local sponsor/employer, unlike traditional Chinese work visas.

The visa permits activities like education, scientific research, technology innovation, cultural participation, and entrepreneurship/business ventures.

Key advantages of K Visa include multiple entries, longer validity, extended duration of stay, and a streamlined application process.

The initiative comes amid S. restrictions on H-1B visas, including a $100,000 one-time application fee announced under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The K Visa is positioned as an alternative route for global talent, especially for Indian IT professionals affected by U.S. visa tightening.

 

BANKING

Jio Payments Bank Launches ‘Savings Pro’

Jio Payments Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Jio Financial Services Limited, has launched an industry-first facility ‘Savings Pro’ to provide higher returns on surplus funds in savings accounts.

Customers can set a threshold starting from ₹5,000, and any balance above this threshold is automatically invested in Overnight Mutual Funds with low risk.

The expected returns are up to 6.5% per annum, higher than normal savings account interest rates.

The daily investment limit is ₹1,50,000 per customer, ensuring flexibility for account holders.

Customers can get instant redemption of up to 90% of investments (maximum ₹50,000), while the remaining balance is redeemable within 1–2 working days.

The feature has no entry or exit loads, no hidden charges, and no lock-in period, providing complete transparency.

The entire process is fully digital through the JioFinance app, where customers can track returns, modify thresholds, and view eligible mutual funds.

The product leverages annualized 2-year returns data of Overnight Mutual Funds to maximize returns on idle balances.

 

DEFENCE

Indian Navy to Commission Second ASW Shallow Water Craft ‘Androth’ at Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy will commission its second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) named Androth at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 06 October 2025.

The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

Androth is the second of sixteen ASW-SWC ships to be inducted into the Indian Navy.

The ship has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, with over 80% indigenous components, showcasing Aatmanirbharta in defence production.

The vessel was handed over to the Indian Navy on 13 September 2025 under the supervision of the Directorate of Ship Production and the Warship Overseeing Team, Kolkata.

The name ‘Androth’ is derived from Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, symbolizing India’s commitment to protecting its maritime territories.

The previous INS Androth (P69) served the Navy for over 27 years before being decommissioned.

Russia to Finish Supplying S-400 Missile Systems to India by 2026

India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five S-400 Triumf (Triumph) air defence systems, and deliveries will be completed in 2026.

Four S-400 systems have already been delivered, and the fifth system will be delivered next year.

The deal worth ₹40,000 crore was signed on October 5, 2018, despite the risk of US CAATSA sanctions.

In March 2021, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin warned India that the S-400 purchase could trigger CAATSA sanctions.

The US has not yet imposed sanctions under CAATSA, since the deal is not fully completed.

S-400 air defence missiles were successfully used in Operation Sindoor in May 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

During Operation Sindoor (May 7, 2025), India retaliated for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

India and Pakistan agreed on May 10, 2025 to end the conflict after four days of drone and missile strikes.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

71st National Film Awards 2023

The 71st National Film Awards (2023) were presented at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi by President Droupadi Murmu.

Mohanlal was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2023) for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

Best Feature Film – 12th Fail (Dir. Vidhu Vinod Chopra)

Best Hindi Film – Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery

Best Actor (tie) – Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)

Best Actress – Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)

Best Actress (Supporting Role) – Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janki Bodiwala (Vash)

Best Actor (Supporting Role) – Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Receives ‘Living Bridge’ Honour

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was awarded the ‘Living Bridge’ Honour for successfully concluding the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Award presented at the House of Lords, London; accepted by Seema Malhotra, UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific.

It was organised by the India Business Group (IBG). The award recognises individuals/organisations strengthening India-UK relations.

Other 2025 awardees include GMR Group (India), GP Hinduja (British Indian businessman), Bina Mehta (Chair, KPMG UK) and University of Southampton

The FTA is expected to strengthen bilateral economic ties, aligning with UK’s post-Brexit Indo-Pacific strategy and India’s global trade ambitions.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA)

Vandana Gupta has officially taken charge as the Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA) in New Delhi under the Ministry of Communications.

Her elevation was part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, marking her rise to the Apex Grade.

Gupta is a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS).

She has held important positions across Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat telecom circles, as well as in DoT headquarters and the Department of Posts (DoP).

She served as Principal Director at the Government Accounting Standards Advisory Board (GASAB) under the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in Delhi.

She worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) and the National Commission for Women (NCW).

Gupta also served as Controller of Finance at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU).

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Environmental Health Day

World Environmental Health Day is observed on the 26th of September of every year.

This day is observed in order to spread awareness about environmental health worldwide.

2025 theme: “Clean Air, Healthy People.”

World Environmental Health Day was established by the International Federation of Environmental Health(IFEH) on 26th September 2011.

This day was established by IFEH in order to increase awareness of different issues surrounding environmental health.

The IFEH has been working for more than 32 years to improve the health issues which threaten human well-being.

We must keep our environment clean and healthy in order to keep ourselves healthy.