NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Amit Shah Launches Fast-Track Immigration (FTI-TTP) at 5 More Airports
Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually launched the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at five additional international airports across India, expanding the network to 13 airports.
- Newly Added Airports: Lucknow (UP), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Kozhikode (Kerala), Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu), and Amritsar (Punjab).
- Objective: Fast-track immigration clearance for pre-verified Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders.
- Background: First launched at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in July 2024.
2. Tri-Service All-Women Circumnavigation ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ Flagged Off
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ from the Gateway of India, Mumbai. This is the world’s first-ever tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition.
- The Crew: 10 women officers (5 from the Indian Army, 1 from the Indian Navy, and 4 from the Indian Air Force).
- The Vessel: IASV Triveni, an indigenous 50-foot Class A yacht built in Puducherry.
- The Route: The team will cross the equator twice, navigate the treacherous Southern Ocean and Drake Passage, and round the 3 Great Capes (Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and Cape of Good Hope).
- Port Calls: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada), and Cape Town (South Africa).
3. NCSSR and IIT-Delhi Partner to Promote Sports Science
The National Centre of Sports Science Research (NCSSR), under the Sports Authority of India (SAI), signed an MoU with IIT-Delhi to boost indigenous innovation in sports science under the ‘Garv se Swadeshi’ campaign.
- Key Outcome: Inauguration of a Biomechanics Laboratory at the IIT-Delhi campus to conduct advanced biomedical research supporting both able-bodied and para-athletes.
- Focus: Enhancing athlete performance, injury prevention, and data-driven training solutions.
4. TCS and C-DAC Partner for India's Sovereign Cloud
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed an MoU to accelerate the creation of India’s indigenous, AI-enabled sovereign cloud ecosystem.
- Goal: Reduce dependence on global hyperscalers using OpenStack and local tech.
- Security: Integration into TCS’ SovereignSecure Cloud to safely host critical public apps like e-Sanjeevani and Dial 112, ensuring strict compliance with local data localisation laws.
🌐 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Dharmendra Pradhan’s Official Visit to the UAE
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan undertook a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) marking major milestones in educational diplomacy.
- Abu Dhabi: Inaugurated the first-ever Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) hosted by an Indian institution abroad at the IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus, launching Ph.D. and B.Tech programs.
- Dubai:
- Inaugurated Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) across 12 CBSE-affiliated schools in the UAE.
- Witnessed the inauguration of the Dubai campus of IIM-Ahmedabad, marking its first-ever international branch.
- Participated in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” drive by planting native Ghaf trees.
💼 BANKING & FINANCE
1. TCIL and PNB Team Up for IT & Cybersecurity
Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) signed an MoU with Punjab National Bank (PNB) to modernize the bank's digital framework. The collaboration will target digital transformation, scalable network integration, and robust cybersecurity architectures for secure digital transactions.
2. GoI and ADB Sign USD 126.4 Million Loan for Uttarakhand Tourism
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 126.4 million loan agreement for the Sustainable, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Tourism Development Project in the Tehri Lake Area, Uttarakhand. The project includes nature-based solutions to mitigate landslide risks, improving sanitation, and boosting tourism infrastructure for 2.7 million annual visitors.
3. IFC Pledges USD 137 Million for E-Buses in India
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) pledged USD 137 million (~₹1,210 crore) to JBM ECOLIFE (USD 100M) and GreenCell (USD 37M) to deploy 4,000 e-buses and charging stations across 39 municipalities in 8 states/UTs. This marks IFC's largest global e-bus investment and its first in Asia.
📈 ECONOMY & BUSINESS
1. ICRA Raises India's FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.5%
Credit rating agency ICRA Limited upgraded India's FY26 GDP growth projection to 6.5% (up from 6.0%). The revision is credited to early GST rationalization ahead of the festive season and a strong Q1 performance. ICRA expects this to inject ₹3 lakh crore into households, driving up consumer demand.
2. Bharat Forge Partners with UK's Windracers for Cargo UAVs
At the DSEI 2025 expo in London, Bharat Forge signed an agreement with UK-based Windracers to deploy the autonomous cargo drone 'ULTRA' in India. The drone will serve logistics functions for the Indian Army and Air Force, as well as Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) operations for the Navy.
🗳️ APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
1. C.P. Radhakrishnan Sworn In as the 15th Vice President of India
Former Maharashtra Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy (C.P.) Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office.
- The Election: Standing as the NDA candidate, he secured 452 votes against the opposition (I.N.D.I.A.) candidate, former SC Judge B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes.
- Predecessor: He succeeds Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned in July 2025 due to health issues.
2. Acharya Devvrat Gets Additional Charge as Maharashtra Governor
Following C.P. Radhakrishnan’s election as Vice President, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat has been given the additional charge of Governor of Maharashtra by President Droupadi Murmu.
3. FSIB Recommends Ravi Ranjan as MD of SBI
The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Ravi Ranjan (current DMD of Global Markets) to take over as the Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI). Upon final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), he will succeed Vinay M. Tonse, whose term ends on November 30, 2025.
🔬 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Indigenous 3D Air Surveillance Radar 'Lanza-N' Commissioned into Indian Navy
In a collaboration between Spain's Indra and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), India’s first indigenous Three-Dimensional Air Surveillance Radar, Lanza-N, was commissioned onto INS Mysore.
- Capability: Long-range air defence tracking distances up to 256 nautical miles (~474 km); tracks drones, supersonic jets, and anti-radiation missiles.
- Production: Under a 2020 Technology Transfer Programme, TASL is manufacturing 20 out of 23 contracted radars locally at its Karnataka facility.
🌱 ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY
1. New Gecko Species Named After Assam Forest Department
A newly discovered bent-toed gecko species found in the montane forests of Dima Hasao, Assam, has been named 'Cyrtodactylus Vanarakshaka'. The name is derived from Sanskrit (Vana = Forest, Rakshaka = Protector) as a tribute to the state’s forest force.
2. Two New Black Aspergillus Fungi Discovered in Western Ghats
Scientists from the MACS-Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, discovered two new species of black Aspergillus fungi in the soil of the Western Ghats:
- Aspergillus dhakephalkarii
- Aspergillus patriciawiltshireae
Additionally, the study marked the first geographic recording of A. aculeatinus and A. brunneoviolaceus in India. Black Aspergilli hold massive industrial value for citric acid production and agricultural fermentation.
🗓️ IMPORTANT DAYS
1. National Forest Martyrs Day — September 11
Observed annually to honor environmental protectors who laid down their lives for nature.
- Significance: Commemorates the Khejarli Massacre of 1730 in Rajasthan, where Amrita Devi Bishnoi and 363 villagers sacrificed their lives trying to protect sacred Khejri trees (the "Kalpavriksha of the Thar Desert") from being cut down.
- Note: The historical event heavily inspired the modern-day Chipko Movement (1973).
2. International Day for South-South Cooperation — September 12
A United Nations day promoting technical, economic, and political collaboration among developing economies of the Global South.
- 2025 Theme: "New Opportunities and Innovation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation"
- History: Marks the adoption of the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA).
🗺️ STATE NEWS
IIT Madras and Guidance Tamil Nadu Launch 'INNOVATION-TN'
IIT Madras and Guidance Tamil Nadu launched 'INNOVATION-TN', making it India’s first comprehensive state-level start-up and innovation dashboard. Developed by the Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing (CREST), the platform acts as a one-stop directory matching startups with investors, banks, and corporate partners. Notably, Tamil Nadu hosts 228 incubators, the highest in India.