NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Adds Two More Wetlands in Bihar to Ramsar List,
Total Sites Now 93: India has added two more wetlands in Bihar – Gokul Jalashay
(Buxar) and Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran) – to the Ramsar
list, bringing the country’s total to 93 sites and maintaining its top
position in Asia.Gokul Jalashay, an oxbow lake on the southern edge of the
Ganga, supports over 50 bird species and provides fishing, farming, and
irrigation benefits to nearby communities, while also acting as a flood
buffer.Udaipur Jheel, another oxbow lake, hosts over 280 plant species,
including an endemic herb, and serves as a wintering ground for about 35
migratory bird species, including the vulnerable common pochard.Ramsar wetlands
are crucial for hydrological balance, flood control, water supply, and
provision of food, fibre, and raw materials, with India actively participating
in global wetland conservation under the Ramsar Convention since 1971.
2. Ayush Ministry Inaugurates “Prayas,” First-of-its-Kind
Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre at AIIA Goa: The Ministry of
Ayush inaugurated “Prayas,” an Integrated Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre at
the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, on the occasion of
the 10th Ayurveda Day.“Prayas” is one of the first-of-its-kind
multidisciplinary centres in India, combining Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, Yoga,
Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and modern Paediatrics for holistic
neuro-rehabilitation, especially for children.Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav
stated that the centre reflects the government’s vision of integrating
traditional knowledge with modern medicine to improve patients’ quality of
life.The initiative is aligned with India’s National Health Policy and global
practices in integrated healthcare, while also strengthening research and
training in Ayush-based innovations.
3. Uttar Pradesh to Organize Statewide Trade Shows from
October 9–16: Uttar Pradesh to host eight-day trade shows across all 75
districts from October 9–16, offering free stalls to entrepreneurs to
showcase and promote their products.Khadi and Village Industries Minister
Rakesh Sachan highlighted the positive impact of GST reforms and announced
plans to expand trade shows beyond divisional levels, involving sectors like
Khadi, textiles, and ODOP.Efforts are underway to revive Khadi production and
showrooms, including proposals to open Khadi outlets in universities, emphasizing
Khadi as a natural, safe, and affordable fabric with growing national
recognition.
4. Mithun Manhas Elected BCCI President, Amita Sharma
Named Chairperson of Women’s Selection Panel: Mithun Manhas was elected as the 37th
BCCI president, and Amita Sharma was appointed as
chairperson of the women’s selection panel during the 94th BCCI AGM.Former
India bowlers R.P. Singh and Pragyan Ojha joined the senior men’s selection
panel, while S. Sharath was reappointed as junior men’s selection panel
chairman.Four new senior women selectors appointed — Amita Sharma
(chairperson), Sulakshana Naik, Jaya Sharma, and Sravanthi Naidu — based on
recommendations from the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).Other key
office-bearer positions: Devajit Saikia retained as secretary, Rajiv Shukla as
vice-president, A. Raghuram Bhat as treasurer, and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia
reassigned as joint-secretary. Jaydev Shah was elected as a
councillor.Committees and development initiatives: WPL Committee led by Jayesh
George, Infrastructure Committee led by Rohan Jaitley, and discussions on
reintroducing the Talent Resource Development Wing (TRDW) to identify domestic
cricket talent.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal
Pradesh Added to UNESCO Global Network: India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal
Pradesh has been included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere
Reserves, announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during the
37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council.With this addition,
India now has 13 biosphere reserves listed in the prestigious global network,
highlighting the country’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and
community-driven sustainable development.The announcement comes shortly after India
designated two new Ramsar sites in Bihar—Gokul Jalashay (448 hectares) and
Udaipur Jheel (319 hectares)—bringing the total Ramsar wetlands in India to 93,
covering 13,60,719 hectares.
2. 28 September – International Day for Universal Access
to Information (IDUAI): International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) is
observed every year on 28 September.It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015
and later adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2019.Theme 2025 – Ensuring
Access to Environmental Information in the Digital AgeThe Day highlights the
right to access information as a fundamental human right and a pillar of
democracy.
3. 29 September – World Heart Day: World Heart Day is
observed every year on 29 September to raise awareness about cardiovascular
diseases (CVD) and promote preventive measures for heart health.It was
established by the World Heart Federation (WHF) in the year 1999, with the
first celebration held in 2000.Theme 2025 – Don’t Miss a Beat
4. India Clinch 9th Asia Cup Title with Thrilling
5-Wicket Win over Pakistan in Dubai Final: India clinched their 9th Asia Cup title
by defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets in a thrilling final at Dubai
International Cricket Stadium.Tilak Varma starred with an unbeaten 69 runs,
guiding India in a tense chase of 147 after being reduced to 20/3 early
on.Indian spinners dominated, with Kuldeep Yadav (4/30), Varun Chakaravarthy,
and Axar Patel sharing 8 wickets to trigger Pakistan’s collapse from 113/1 to
146 all out.For Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) gave a
strong start, but their batting implosion led to a dramatic defeat.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Venkataramani Re-Appointed as Attorney General of
India for Two-Year Term: Venkataramani re-appointed as Attorney General of India for a
two-year term, effective from October 1, 2025, after completing his current
three-year tenure on September 30.He succeeded K.K. Venugopal as the AG in
September 2022 and has decades of experience practicing constitutional law,
human rights, indirect taxes, civil and criminal law, and more.The Attorney
General is a constitutional position, appointed by the President on the Union
government’s recommendation, with the right to appear in any court and advise
the government on complex legal matters.
SPORTS
1. FIFA Unveils Mascots for 2026 World Cup: Clutch, Maple
& Zayu Represent USA, Canada, Mexico: FIFA Unveils 2026 World Cup Mascots: Clutch
the Bald Eagle, Maple the Moose, and Zayu the Jaguar Represent Host
Nations USA, Canada, and MexicoFIFA unveiled the official mascots for the 2026
World Cup – Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA), Maple the Moose (Canada), and Zayu the
Jaguar (Mexico) – symbolising the three host nations.Maple the Moose represents
Canada as a creative, resilient, and stylish character, embodying leadership,
artistry, and flair on and off the field.Zayu the Jaguar symbolizes Mexico with
unity, strength, and joy, celebrating Mexican culture through dance, food,
traditions, and even paying tribute to the animated film Coco.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin Becomes First Indian Male
Cricketer to Join Big Bash League: Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran
Ashwin has been signed by Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash
League (BBL), marking his debut in the Australian T20 competition.Ashwin,
at 39, will become the first male cricketer from India’s national
team to feature in the BBL, creating history with this move.The BCCI
generally restricts active Indian male players from participating in overseas
T20 leagues, unlike Indian women cricketers who have regularly played in
foreign leagues such as the WBBL.Ashwin became eligible to play abroad after
retiring from international cricket and the IPL, joining a very small group of
Indian players competing outside the IPL.
3. India Clinches Seventh SAFF U17 Championship, Beats
Bangladesh 4-1 in Penalty Shootout: India won their seventh SAFF U17
Championship, defeating Bangladesh 4-1 in a tense penalty shootout in
Colombo.India had led 2-1 at half-time with goals from Dallamuon Gangte and
Azlaan Shah KH, but Bangladesh equalized late through Ihsan Habib Riduan,
taking the match to penalties.The penalty shootout showcased India’s composure
and maturity beyond their age at the Racecourse International Stadium.
4. India Clinches Seven Medals at Para World Archery
Championships: India won a total of seven medals at the Para World Archery
Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, including three gold, one silver,
and three bronze.Historic gold for Sheetal Devi, who became the first
woman armless archer to win a world championship gold in the compound
individual category.Toman Kumar followed with gold in the men’s compound
individual event, giving India two individual compound golds on the final day.The
championship highlighted India’s growing strength in para-archery, with both
male and female archers achieving historic victories.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Ground-Level Ozone Pollution in India’s
Major Cities: The Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently reported alarming levels of ground-level ozone pollution
in India’s urban regions. The National Capital Region (NCR) faces the highest ozone
concentrations, followed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This has
raised concerns due to ozone’s harmful effects on health and the environment.
Ground-level ozone is a toxic air pollutant formed by chemical reactions
between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These
reactions are intensified by sunlight. Unlike the protective ozone layer in the
stratosphere, surface ozone harms respiratory health and vegetation. CPCB
analysed ozone data from 10 major Indian regions during 2023 and early 2024.
NCR recorded the highest exceedances, with 25 of 57 monitoring stations
surpassing the national eight-hour ozone limit of 100 micrograms per cubic
metre by over 2%. MMR followed with 22 of 45 stations exceeding the same limit.
Other cities like Pune, Chennai, and Bengaluru showed comparatively lower but
notable ozone levels.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Sets Rs 50,000 Crore WMA Limit for Central Government for H2 FY 2025-26: RBI sets Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit for the central government at Rs 50,000 crore for the second half of FY 2025-26 to manage temporary mismatches in receipts and payments.WMA limit decided in consultation with the Government of India, with RBI retaining the flexibility to revise the limit based on prevailing circumstances.Interest rates on WMA will follow the prevailing repo rate, while overdrafts will attract 2% above the repo rate; RBI may trigger fresh market loan floatation once 75% of the WMA limit is utilised.Central government’s total borrowing for FY 2025-26 is estimated at Rs 14.72 lakh crore, reduced from the Budget estimate of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, with H2 borrowing planned at Rs 6.77 lakh crore.
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