THE HINDU - COMPREHENSIVE CURRENT AFFAIRS- 17 September 2025
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Introduction
Today's edition brings significant developments across multiple sectors that are crucial for competitive exam preparation. The day witnessed major infrastructure launches by Prime Minister Modi in Assam worth over Rs 18,530 crore, India's growing recognition on the global stage with 7 new UNESCO World Heritage tentative sites, and important regulatory changes in the financial sector. From sports achievements to policy reforms, technological advancements to international relations, today's news covers the comprehensive spectrum that competitive exam aspirants need to master for success in UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State examinations.
National Affairs
PM Modi's Assam Visit and Major Infrastructure Projects
Headline: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects worth Rs 18,530 crore during his visit to Assam from September 13-14, 2025, as part of his 5-state tour.
Context & Background: This visit was part of PM Modi's comprehensive tour of northeastern states including Manipur and Mizoram, demonstrating the government's focus on developing the northeast region under the Act East Policy and North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).
Key Concepts: Act East Policy is India's strategic policy to engage Southeast Asian countries economically and strategically. NESIDS is a centrally sponsored scheme for infrastructure development in northeastern states with 90% central funding.
Key Projects Launched:
- Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Birth Centenary celebrations with commemorative coin and stamp release
- Darrang Medical College and Hospital (Rs 570 crore)
- Guwahati Ring Road - 118.5 km (Rs 4,530 crore)
- Narengi-Kuruwa 6-lane Bridge - 2.9 km (Rs 1,200 crore)
- Assam Bioethanol Plant - India's first bamboo-based bio-refinery (Rs 5,000 crore)
- Polypropylene plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (Rs 7,230 crore)
Significance & Exam Relevance: Questions on infrastructure development, northeastern states, renewable energy projects, and government schemes are frequently asked. The bamboo-based bio-refinery aligns with India's biofuel policy and sustainable development goals.
Stakeholders: Prime Minister's Office, Government of Assam, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Numaligarh Refinery Limited.
Impact/Implications: These projects will boost connectivity, healthcare infrastructure, and industrial development in the northeast, supporting the region's integration with mainstream economic activities and promoting sustainable energy alternatives.
Veer Savarkar Sports Complex Inauguration
Headline: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Rs 825 crore Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on September 14, 2025.
Context & Background: This inauguration aligns with India's bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and 2030 Commonwealth Games, showcasing the country's commitment to developing world-class sports infrastructure.
Key Concepts: Sports Infrastructure Development is crucial for Olympic preparation. The complex features modern amenities including aquatics stadium, multi-sports arena, Centers of Excellence for training, and community sports facilities.
Significance & Exam Relevance: Sports infrastructure, Olympic preparations, state-wise developments, and public-private partnerships in sports are important topics for competitive exams.
Stakeholders: Government of India, Government of Gujarat, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, athletes, and sports federations.
Impact/Implications: This facility positions Ahmedabad as India's potential sports capital and demonstrates the country's readiness to host major international sporting events.
Employment Data: PLFS August 2025
Headline: National Statistics Office released PLFS Monthly Bulletin showing unemployment rate declining to 5.1% in August 2025, the second consecutive monthly decline.
Context & Background: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is India's primary source of employment data, conducted by NSO under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The current data shows improvement in employment scenario.
Key Concepts: Unemployment Rate measures the percentage of labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment. Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach captures unemployment on a weekly basis.
Significance & Exam Relevance: Employment statistics, government surveys, economic indicators, and labor market trends are crucial for economics sections in competitive exams.
Stakeholders: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, job seekers, policy makers, and economic analysts.
Impact/Implications: Declining unemployment indicates economic recovery and improved job market conditions, which supports overall economic growth and consumer spending.
International Relations & Diplomacy
India's UNESCO World Heritage Recognition
Headline: India added 7 new sites to UNESCO's World Heritage tentative list in September 2025, increasing total Indian sites to 69 (49 Cultural, 17 Natural, 3 Mixed).
Context & Background: UNESCO World Heritage Convention aims to protect sites of outstanding universal value. Being on the tentative list is mandatory before final inscription on the World Heritage List.
New Sites Added:
- Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra)
- Geological Heritage of St. Mary's Island Cluster (Karnataka)
- Meghalayan Age Caves (Meghalaya)
- Naga Hill Ophiolite (Nagaland)
- Natural Heritage of Erra Matti Dibbalu (Andhra Pradesh)
- Natural Heritage of Tirumala Hills (Andhra Pradesh)
- Natural Heritage of Varkala (Kerala)
Key Concepts: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) works to protect cultural and natural heritage worldwide. Tentative List is an inventory of properties considered for nomination.
Significance & Exam Relevance: International organizations, cultural heritage, geographical features, and India-UNESCO relations are important topics for competitive exams.
Stakeholders: UNESCO, Government of India, respective state governments, and local communities.
Impact/Implications: This recognition enhances India's soft power, promotes cultural tourism, and ensures conservation of natural and cultural heritage sites.
Economy & Finance
RBI Payment Aggregators Framework
Headline: Reserve Bank of India issued comprehensive 'Regulation of Payment Aggregators Directions, 2025' to strengthen digital payment ecosystem and provide guidelines for Payment Gateways.
Context & Background: With the rapid growth of digital payments in India, RBI has been strengthening regulatory framework to ensure security, consumer protection, and systematic growth of the payment ecosystem.
Key Provisions:
- Non-bank PAs must obtain RBI authorization under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
- Minimum net-worth requirement: Rs 15 crore at application, Rs 25 crore by third financial year
- Entities must be incorporated in India with professional management
- Separate escrow accounts mandatory for merchant funds
- 15-day reporting requirement for management changes
Key Concepts: Payment Aggregator is an entity that facilitates e-commerce transactions by acting as an intermediary between merchants and banks. Payment Gateway is the technology infrastructure that processes online payments.
Significance & Exam Relevance: RBI regulations, digital payment systems, fintech governance, and financial sector reforms are crucial topics for banking and general competitive exams.
Stakeholders: RBI, payment aggregators, payment gateways, merchants, consumers, and fintech companies.
Impact/Implications: These regulations will enhance security, improve consumer confidence, and create a more organized digital payment landscape while promoting innovation.
Godrej-Safran Aircraft Engine Deal
Headline: Godrej Aerospace signed a 5-year agreement with France's Safran Aircraft Engines on September 12, 2025, to manufacture critical LEAP engine components.
Context & Background: This deal is part of India's Make in India initiative and represents growing collaboration in aerospace manufacturing. LEAP engines are used in next-generation aircraft like Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.
Key Concepts: LEAP engine is developed by CFM International, a joint venture between American GE Aerospace and French Safran Aircraft Engines. The deal involves manufacturing titanium-based complex ventilation assemblies.
Significance & Exam Relevance: Make in India, aerospace industry, international collaborations, and manufacturing sector developments are important for competitive exams.
Stakeholders: Godrej Aerospace, Safran Aircraft Engines, CFM International, Indian aerospace industry, and Indian airlines.
Impact/Implications: This partnership strengthens India's position in global aerospace manufacturing and reduces dependence on imports while creating high-skilled jobs.
Science & Technology
Indian Navy's DSC A22 Launch
Headline: Indian Navy launched DSC A22, the third Diving Support Craft vessel, at Titagarh, Kolkata on September 13, 2025, built under the Make in India initiative.
Context & Background: The five-ship DSC project contract was signed in February 2021 with Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. This is part of India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Technical Specifications:
- Catamaran hull design with approximately 380 tons displacement
- Specialized for coastal diving operations
- Equipped with state-of-the-art diving apparatus
- Built according to Indian Navy regulations and Indian Register of Shipping standards
- Hydrodynamic analysis conducted at NSTL, Visakhapatnam
Key Concepts: Diving Support Craft provides support for underwater operations including rescue, salvage, and maintenance. Catamaran hull design offers stability and deck space for specialized operations.
Significance & Exam Relevance: Defense manufacturing, Make in India, naval capabilities, and indigenous technology development are frequently tested topics.
Stakeholders: Indian Navy, Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, Ministry of Defense, and Indian Register of Shipping.
Impact/Implications: Enhances India's maritime security capabilities and demonstrates growing indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.
Sports
FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 Chess Championships
Headline: Dutch GM Anish Giri won the Open section while Indian GM Vaishali Rameshbabu clinched the Women's title for the second consecutive year at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Context & Background: The tournament is part of the qualification cycle for the 2026 World Chess Championship, offering direct qualification spots for the 2026 Candidates Tournaments.
Key Results:
- Open Section: Anish Giri (Netherlands) - 8/11 points, USD 90,000 prize
- Women's Section: Vaishali Rameshbabu (India) - 8/11 points, USD 40,000 prize
- Historic moment: 16-year-old Abhimanyu Mishra became youngest player to beat a world champion (Gukesh)
- Vaishali becomes first player to win Women's Grand Swiss twice (2023, 2025)
Key Concepts: FIDE (World Chess Federation) organizes international chess competitions. Grand Swiss uses Swiss system format where players are paired based on performance rather than elimination.
Significance & Exam Relevance: International sports events, Indian achievements in chess, sports tournaments format, and prize money in sports are relevant topics.
Stakeholders: FIDE, chess players, chess federations of participating countries, and sponsors.
Impact/Implications: India's strong performance in international chess continues to grow, with multiple players qualifying for prestigious tournaments and maintaining world rankings.
Women's Hockey Asia Cup 2025
Headline: India finished as runner-up in the 11th Women's Hockey Asia Cup 2025, losing 1-4 to China in the final at Hangzhou, China on September 14, 2025.
Context & Background: The Asia Cup provides direct qualification to the 2026 Hockey World Cup. China's victory secured their third Asia Cup title and direct World Cup qualification.
Tournament Details:
- Venue: Gongshu Canal Sports Park, Hangzhou, China
- Dates: September 5-14, 2025
- Winner: China (3rd Asia Cup title, qualified for 2026 World Cup)
- Runner-up: India (will enter World Cup qualifiers)
- India's scorer: Navneet Kaur
Key Concepts: Asia Cup Hockey is the premier continental championship in Asia. The 2026 FIH Women's World Cup will be hosted by Belgium and Netherlands.
Significance & Exam Relevance: International sports tournaments, India's performance in hockey, sports qualification systems, and upcoming World Cup details are important for current affairs.
Stakeholders: Asian Hockey Federation, participating countries, FIH (International Hockey Federation), and host nations for future tournaments.
Impact/Implications: India needs to perform well in upcoming World Cup qualifiers to secure berth for 2026 World Cup, continuing their quest to improve upon their 9th place finish in 2022.
Important Days
National Engineers' Day - September 15
Significance: Celebrated annually on September 15 to honor the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962), remembered as India's first engineer.
Historical Background: Declared by Government of India in 1968, first celebrated on September 15, 1968. Sir Visvesvaraya was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1955 and KCIE (Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire).
Key Contributions of Sir Visvesvaraya:
- Chief engineer of Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam in Mysore, creating Asia's largest reservoir
- Khadakwasla Dam in Pune, Maharashtra
- Various irrigation and water supply projects across India
- Transformed agriculture in Mandya, Karnataka through innovative engineering
Exam Relevance: Important personalities, awards, significant days, engineering achievements, and historical events are frequently asked in competitive exams.
International Day of Democracy - September 15
Theme 2025: "From Voice to Action" - emphasizing that democracy's strength lies in people's ability to influence decisions through active participation.
Background:
- Established by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
- UN adoption: November 8, 2007 (UNGA Resolution A/RES/62/7)
- First observed: September 15, 2008
- 2025 marks the 18th edition
Historical Context: September 15, 1997 - IPU member parliaments adopted the Universal Declaration on Democracy during 161st session in Cairo, Egypt.
Key Concepts: Democracy comes from Greek 'demos' (citizen) and 'kratos' (power/rule). Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes freedom of expression as fundamental right.
Exam Relevance: International days, UN organizations, democratic principles, human rights, and international declarations are important topics.
Quick Facts / Revision Notes
| Category | Key Facts | Values/Numbers |
| Infrastructure Projects | PM Modi's Assam visit projects value | Rs 18,530 crore |
| Sports Infrastructure | Veer Savarkar Sports Complex cost | Rs 825 crore |
| Employment | Unemployment rate August 2025 | 5.1% (declined for 2nd consecutive month) |
| UNESCO Heritage | Total Indian sites on tentative list | 69 (49 Cultural + 17 Natural + 3 Mixed) |
| Banking | PA minimum net-worth requirement | Rs 15 crore (application), Rs 25 crore (by 3rd FY) |
| Apprenticeship | New stipend range by MSDE | Rs 6,800 to Rs 12,300 (previously Rs 5,000-9,000) |
| Sports Sponsorship | Apollo Tyres cricket team deal | Rs 579.06 crore until 2027 |
| Healthcare M&A | Apollo Hospitals acquisition | Rs 1,254 crore for 30.5% stake in AHLL |
MCQs for Revision
| Question | Options | Answer |
| Which state did PM Modi visit as part of his 5-state tour in September 2025? | A) Assam B) Kerala C) Punjab D) Bihar | A) Assam |
| National Engineers' Day is celebrated on which date? | A) September 14 B) September 15 C) September 16 D) September 17 | B) September 15 |
| What is the minimum net-worth required for Payment Aggregators at application? | A) Rs 10 crore B) Rs 15 crore C) Rs 20 crore D) Rs 25 crore | B) Rs 15 crore |
| Who won the Women's section of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025? | A) Koneru Humpy B) Vaishali Rameshbabu C) Kateryna Lagno D) Tan Zhongyi | B) Vaishali Rameshbabu |
Conclusion
Today's current affairs highlight India's continued progress across multiple sectors - from infrastructure development and technological advancement to international recognition and sporting achievements. The significant infrastructure projects launched by PM Modi in Assam demonstrate the government's commitment to northeastern development, while regulatory reforms in the financial sector show India's evolving digital economy landscape. India's growing presence on international platforms through UNESCO recognition and chess achievements reflects the country's soft power expansion. For competitive exam aspirants, these developments provide crucial insights into government policies, economic trends, international relations, and India's overall progress trajectory. Regular study of such comprehensive current affairs analysis will significantly enhance preparation for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State examinations, ensuring aspirants stay updated with the most relevant and exam-oriented information.