1) National
DRDO develops indigenous quantum technology: DRDO has signed a Technology Development Fund agreement with Zero mK India Private Limited to develop an indigenous 20 millikelvin dilution refrigerator for advanced quantum applications. The system is intended to provide ultra-low temperatures required for quantum computing and related research.
Bio-based biodegradable plastic launched: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable Polylactic Acid (PLA) plastic under the government's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) framework.
A pilot-scale PLA facility is being established at Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML), Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh, with a planned capacity of 100 tonnes per annum.
BRICS Theatre Festival 2026: The Ministry of Culture will organise the BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 in New Delhi from October 12 to 14, 2026.
The theme of the BRICS Theatre Festival is “Shared Stories, Shared Futures.”
The festival will bring together theatre practitioners, scholars, students and cultural representatives from nine BRICS member and partner countries.
The National School of Drama (NSD) is the nodal organisation for the festival.
INS Sudarshini reached Alexandria, Egypt, as part of its 10-month Lokayan-2026 sail-training voyage.
Lokayan-2026 was flagged off from Kochi, Kerala, on January 20, 2026.
The voyage covers approximately 22,000 nautical miles, 18 ports and 13 countries.
NEET-PG 2026 results: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences declared the NEET-PG 2026 results. Around 2.66 lakh candidates appeared for the examination.
For General and EWS candidates, the qualifying percentile remained 50th percentile, with the qualifying score at 262 marks out of 720.
For SC, ST and OBC candidates, the qualifying percentile remained 40th percentile, with the qualifying score at 226 marks.
2) International
India-ASEAN trade: India-ASEAN bilateral trade reached approximately US$128.38 billion during FY 2025–26.
ASEAN accounted for about 10.55% of India's total global trade during FY 2025–26.
India participated in the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' Consultation and the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines.
Discussions included the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
United Nations General Assembly: Discussions at the 81st UN General Assembly continue to focus on multilateralism, international law, global conflicts and reform of international institutions.
The G4 countries — India, Brazil, Germany and Japan — have reiterated the need for reform of the UN Security Council and expansion of permanent membership.
France and Mexico continue to advocate voluntary restraint on the use of the UN Security Council veto in situations involving mass atrocities.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council are United States, United Kingdom, France, China and Russia.
3) Economy
RBI revises InvIT and REIT valuation norms: The Reserve Bank of India has introduced revised valuation norms for Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) held by All-India Financial Institutions.
The revised framework provides separate treatment for quoted and unquoted InvIT and REIT units.
Unquoted InvIT and REIT units are generally valued using their disclosed Net Asset Value (NAV), subject to the prescribed conditions.
UPI Merchant Discount Rate: A 0.4% MDR has been introduced for specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions above ₹2,000, with the new framework scheduled to take effect from October 15, 2026.
Person-to-person UPI transactions remain free, irrespective of transaction value.
Merchant transactions up to ₹2,000 under the applicable framework remain free.
Approximately 96% of P2M UPI transactions are expected to remain unaffected by the new MDR framework.
The MDR is not a tax collected by the government; it is distributed among participants in the digital payments ecosystem.
The government has indicated that mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that the MDR is not passed on to consumers.
India's manufacturing strategy: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for India's economic growth to move beyond merely “Made in India” towards products that are conceived, designed and technologically developed in India.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has signed an MoU for developing a greenfield shipyard at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed shipyard involves an investment of approximately ₹15,000 crore.
The project is expected to strengthen India's shipbuilding and ship-repair capabilities.
4) Date’s Importance
World Pharmacists Day — September 25
World Pharmacists Day is observed every year on September 25.
The day marks the anniversary of the establishment of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in 1912.
World Pharmacists Day was officially adopted in 2009.
The 2026 theme is “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.”
The day highlights the contribution of pharmacists to healthcare, medicine access, patient safety and public health.
Antyodaya Diwas
September 25 is observed in India as Antyodaya Diwas.
It commemorates the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, who was born on September 25, 1916.
Antyodaya refers broadly to the principle of ensuring the welfare and upliftment of the poorest and most marginalised sections of society.
5) Person of the Day — Anant Nag
Veteran actor Anant Nag has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024.
The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat.
Anant Nag is renowned for his contributions to Kannada cinema as well as Indian cinema more broadly.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest honour in the field of cinema.
Anant Nag becomes an important current-affairs personality for questions related to Indian cinema, national awards and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
6) Sports
Asian Games 2026
The 20th Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
India's women's cricket team has secured India's first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
Naorem Roshibina Devi won silver in the women's 60 kg Wushu Sanda event.
Roshibina Devi became a silver medallist at two consecutive Asian Games.
Satnam Singh and Salman Khan won bronze in the men's double sculls rowing event.
The Indian pair recorded a time of 6:13.25.
Seema Kumari won bronze in the women's 10,000 metres athletics event.
India's mixed 4×400m relay team won silver.
India's medal-winning performances have included significant contributions from shooting, weightlifting, wushu, badminton, rowing, athletics and other disciplines.
Mirabai Chanu won silver in the women's 49 kg weightlifting category.
Anahat Singh advanced to the women's singles quarterfinals in squash.
India's men's kabaddi team advanced to the semifinals after topping its group.
India is continuing its campaign across shooting, athletics, rowing, squash, kabaddi, hockey, boxing, table tennis, swimming and other events.
Football
India is scheduled to host Panama in a senior men's international football match on September 25, 2026, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
It is the first senior international football meeting between India and Panama.
7) Awards
72nd National Film Awards were presented in September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024: Anant Nag.
The National Film Awards recognise outstanding achievements in various areas of Indian cinema.
Best Arts/Culture Film: Main Nida, directed by Atul Pandey.
The documentary focuses on the life and legacy of poet and lyricist Nida Fazli.
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was presided over by President Droupadi Murmu.
8) Other Important Significance
Quantum technology: India's indigenous 20 mK dilution refrigerator project represents an important development for ultra-low-temperature quantum research.
BioE3: The commercial PLA initiative links biotechnology with sustainable manufacturing, environmental protection and employment generation.
Green manufacturing: The proposed Dugarajapatnam shipyard is significant for India's maritime manufacturing and shipbuilding ecosystem.
Digital payments: The revised UPI MDR framework is an important development in the long-term sustainability of India's digital-payment ecosystem.
Maritime diplomacy: INS Sudarshini's Lokayan-2026 voyage combines naval sail training with India's maritime outreach.
BRICS cultural cooperation: The BRICS Theatre Festival is part of India's broader cultural engagement during its 2026 BRICS Presidency.
India-ASEAN relations: The latest trade figures underline the importance of ASEAN in India's external trade and Indo-Pacific economic engagement.
Antimicrobial resistance: India's National Pharmacy Week activities in 2026 are being conducted under the overarching mission “Swasth Bharat: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).”
UNSC reform: Calls for Security Council reform remain an important international-relations topic, particularly regarding permanent representation and veto powers.
Word of the Day — “Pragmatic”
Meaning: Dealing with problems in a practical and realistic way rather than relying only on theory or ideals.
Synonym: Practical
Antonym: Idealistic
Sample Sentence:
The government adopted a pragmatic approach to strengthen India's digital-payment ecosystem while protecting consumers.