Current Affairs : September 24, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Briefing: September 24, 2025

This daily briefing provides a concise and objective summary of the most significant national and international events from the day. The content is structured to aid students preparing for competitive examinations, focusing on key developments across politics, economy, science, sports, and other important domains.

Table of Contents

Aspect	Detail
Headline	Cabinet approves Rs. 69,725 crore comprehensive package for shipbuilding and the maritime sector.
Objective	Revitalize the maritime sector via a four-pillar strategy: financing, infrastructure, technical development, and policy reforms.
Total Package Value	Rs. 69,725 crore.
Key Components & Allocation	1. Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS): Extended till March 31, 2036, with a corpus of Rs. 24,736 crore.
	2. Maritime Development Fund (MDF): Corpus of Rs. 25,000 crore. Includes a Rs. 20,000 crore Maritime Investment Fund (49% govt. share) and a Rs. 5,000 crore Interest Incentivization Fund.
	3. Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS): Outlay of Rs. 19,989 crore. Aims to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million Gross Tonnage annually.
	4. Shipbreaking Credit Note: Worth Rs. 4,001 crore for sustainable practices.
Implementation Body	A National Shipbuilding Mission will be established for oversight.
Expected Impact	– Unlock investments worth Rs. 4.5 lakh crore.
	– Creation of nearly 30 lakh jobs.
	– Establishment of 4.5 million Gross Tonnage additional capacity.
Context/Significance	– Maritime sector handles approx. 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value.
	– Shipbuilding is vital for employment, investment, and national security, strengthening trade and energy supply chains.

National Affairs

Ladakh Protests – Key Facts

Context and Background

Location: Ladakh, a Himalayan region in India.
Administrative Status: Formerly part of Jammu and Kashmir state, it was carved out in 2019 by the Narendra Modi government and became a separate Union Territory (UT) under the direct administration of New Delhi. This change ended its prior autonomy.
Demographics: Ladakh is a Buddhist-Muslim enclave.
Strategic Importance: It is a strategic territory for India, sharing a long border with China.

Core Demands of Protesters

The protests, led in part by activist Sonam Wangchuk and bodies like the Leh Apex Body, center on three key demands:

Statehood: Elevation of Ladakh from a Union Territory to a full State.
Job Quotas: Reservation of jobs for local residents.
Special Status (6th Schedule): Inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would allow the creation of elected local bodies and provide safeguards for its tribal areas and land.

Recent Incidents (Sept 24, 2025)

Trigger: The Ministry of Home Affairs cited “provocative” speeches by Sonam Wangchuk (who was on a hunger strike since Sept. 10) as the trigger.
Casualties and Injuries: At least four people were killed and dozens injured (including over 30 police personnel) in clashes between protesters and police.
Police Action: Police resorted to firing (in “self-defence,” per the Home Ministry) and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Acts of Violence: Mobs attacked the office of the ruling political party (Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP), set fire to the Leh chief executive councillor’s office, and torched a police vehicle.
Response: Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta appealed for peace. District administration implemented a ban on demonstrations, public gatherings, and inflammatory speech.

Current Status

Activist Stance: Sonam Wangchuk called off his hunger strike following the violence, appealing to the youth to abandon violence.
Government Engagement: India’s Home Ministry has been in talks with Ladakh’s leaders since 2023 and is reportedly looking into their demands.
Future Talks: The next round of discussions is scheduled for October 6.

International Affairs

Zelenskiy’s UN Address on Russia’s War and Global Security

Topic: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s address to the 193-member United Nations General Assembly.

Key Points:

Weapons Export Policy: Announced Ukraine’s decision to begin exporting its modern, war-tested weapons systems to allies, offering to share defense production capabilities to enhance global security.

Call to Action: Zelenskiy urged world powers to unite and act to stop Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Accusation against Putin: He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of intentionally seeking to expand the fighting beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Arms Race Warning: Zelenskiy stated that the war has triggered the “most destructive arms race in history.”

Cost-Benefit Argument: He asserted that stopping the war immediately is more cost-effective than future expenses on protective infrastructure (e.g., bunkers, underground kindergartens).

Evidence of Expansion: Cited alleged airspace violations by Russian drones and fighter jets in NATO countries Poland and Estonia as evidence that Putin is “testing new boundaries” and that Russian operations are spreading across countries.

Security Implication: Warned that no nation can currently feel safe, as Putin aims to continue the war by expanding it.

Economy & Business

Alibaba’s Qwen3-Max AI Model Launch (for Competitive Exams)

Topic: Generative AI & Technology Advancement

Feature	Detail	Significance for Competitive Exams
New Model	Qwen3-Max (Largest ever AI Language Model from Alibaba)	Highlights Alibaba’s core strategy shift towards advanced AI development.
Scale	Over 1 Trillion Parameters	Represents a significant milestone in large language model (LLM) scale; key metric for comparison with global models (e.g., GPT-4, Claude).
Key Capabilities	1. Code Generation: Strong performance in programming tasks. 2. Autonomous Agents: Ability to make decisions and take actions independently toward a user-set goal with fewer human prompts (Goes beyond a simple chatbot).	Focus on practical, high-value applications (Coding & Agentic AI) – a trend in AI development. Autonomous Agent is a key term.
Performance	Outperformed rivals like Anthropic’s Claude and DeepSeek-V3.1 in certain third-party benchmarks (e.g., Tau2-Bench).	Demonstrates the intensifying global competition and the rise of Chinese tech firms in cutting-edge AI.
Strategic Investment	Plans to invest 380 billion yuan ($\approx 53.4 billion) in AI-related infrastructure over the next three years.	Shows AI is a top business priority for Alibaba, indicating a major commitment to leading the AI race.
Other Launch	Qwen3-Omni (Multimodal, immersive system)	Focus on integrated systems for AR/VR, smart glasses, and intelligent cockpits. Indicates diversification of AI applications.
Context	Follows the previous launch of the Qwen 3 model (April). The CEO emphasized that the speed and demand for AI development have “far exceeded expectations.”	Illustrates the rapid, accelerated pace of AI technology evolution globally.

Science & Technology

Microsoft Diversifies AI Models in 365 Copilot

Topic: Microsoft Integrates Anthropic AI Models into 365 Copilot

Key Points:

Microsoft’s Strategic Move: Microsoft is integrating AI models from Anthropic (a competitor to OpenAI) into its 365 Copilot assistant.
Diversification Goal: This move signals Microsoft’s intent to reduce dependence on its primary AI partner, OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT).
Specific Anthropic Models: Users will be able to select Anthropic’s models, specifically Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1, in Copilot’s advanced features:
- AI-powered reasoning agent, “Researcher.”
- When developing agents in Microsoft Copilot Studio.
Coexistence: Copilot will still be powered by OpenAI’s latest models, but users can now switch between OpenAI and Anthropic models in the “Researcher” function.
Broader Strategy: Microsoft is actively seeking to diversify its AI offerings, including developing its own AI models and integrating models from other companies like DeepSeek (China), xAI (Elon Musk), and Meta Platforms.

Significance for Competitive Exams:

This highlights a major trend in the technology sector: the shift towards multi-model AI strategies (reducing reliance on a single provider) and increased competition in the AI ecosystem. Key entities to note are Microsoft, Anthropic, and OpenAI.

Government Schemes and Policies

Here is a briefing on relevant schemes and policies for competitive exams, based on updates and context around September 24, 2025:

I. Key State-Level Policy Announcements (September 24, 2025 Context)

State	Policy/Scheme	Key Objective & Features	Relevance
Karnataka	Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025	Mandates aggregator platforms (across sectors) to contribute a welfare fee (1-5% of pay-outs) per transaction. Funds social security for gig workers (e.g., insurance, provident fund).	Social Justice, Economy (Gig Economy): First of its kind in India, setting a precedent for gig worker welfare and social security.
Himachal Pradesh	Chief Minister Tourism Startup Scheme	Provides interest subsidy (3-5%) on loans up to ₹2 crores for local entrepreneurs establishing new tourism units (like homestays) or upgrading existing ones.	Economy, Tourism, Regional Development: Focuses on boosting local entrepreneurship and the hospitality sector in hilly and rural areas.
Odisha	Pumped Storage Project (PSP) Policy, 2025	Aims to attract public and private investment for developing Off-the-River Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Projects. Aligns with the state’s renewable energy targets.	Environment, Energy Security: Important for grid stability and integration of renewable energy like solar/wind.
Andhra Pradesh/Uttarakhand	Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Regulations, 2025 (APERC/UERC)	New regulatory frameworks for the deployment and integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems into state power grids to support clean energy policies.	Environment, Energy Security, S&T: Focus on modernising the power infrastructure and meeting clean energy goals.

II. Significant Ongoing Central Government Initiatives/Updates

These schemes were in the news and remain high-priority topics:

Scheme/Policy	Ministry/Department	Key Update/Focus (Relevant to 2025)	Relevance
GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)	Ministry of Finance	Formal launch and scheduled commencement of hearings from December 2025 using a staggered system. Aims to resolve conflicts between taxpayers and tax authorities.	Indian Economy, Governance: Acts as the “first common body” to settle Central-State disputes on GST, improving ease of doing business.
Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme	Ministry of MSME	Continuous focus on registration and providing benefits (training, credit support) to artisans and craftspeople. Over 2.65 crore applications submitted, with ‘Basic Training’ in progress for registered artisans.	Social Justice, Skill Development: Targets traditional artisans for integration into domestic and global value chains.
e-Passports/Passport Seva Program (PSP 2.0)	Ministry of External Affairs	Nationwide rollout of e-passports (biometric, advanced security). Focus on digital integration, including the mPassport Police App for faster police verification (5-7 days turnaround).	Governance, S&T: Digital transformation for enhanced security and faster public service delivery.
Viksit Bharat by 2047	NITI Aayog/GoI	The overarching vision remains the central policy framework. Schemes like the Rooftop Solarisation Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, and New Skilling Programme are being implemented with a direct focus on this goal.	Overall Development, Economy: The core principle guiding most new government schemes across all sectors.

III. Schemes in the News with Long-Term Relevance

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): Continuous expansion and refinement of the health assurance scheme.
PM-KISAN: Periodic release of installments (e.g., the 16th installment) ensures its continued relevance as a direct income support scheme for farmers.
Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP): Ongoing collaborative effort by NITI Aayog to transform the most backward districts (112 identified) through convergence and competition.

Note for Students:

Focus Areas: For competitive exams, prioritize the objectives, implementing ministry, target beneficiaries, and key features of the above schemes.
Connectivity: Be prepared to link these schemes to broader themes like Digital India, Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sports

Govt notifies selection criteria for Asian Games 2026, other multi-sport events

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) Selection Criteria for Multi-Sports Events :

Objective: To establish a transparent and equitable framework to ensure only athletes/teams with a real chance of winning a medal are considered for participation in multi-disciplinary sports events like the Asian Games 2026.

Applicability: Selection criteria applies to multi-sports events such as Asian Games, Para Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Indoor/Beach Games, Youth Olympics, etc.

Exclusions: Olympics and other international competitions where qualification standards are set by respective international federations.

Key Selection Benchmarks (Based on 12 months preceding the upcoming Asian Games):

Category	Benchmark for Inclusion in Indian Contingent
Measurable Individual Sports/Events	Must have matched or bettered the 6th-place performance from the last Asian Games at an international sports federation-recognized competition. If the event was not contested at the last Asian Games, use the same benchmark from the Senior Asian Championships.
Non-Measurable Individual Sports/Events	1. 6th or better finish at the last Senior Asian Championships; OR 2. World ranking amongst top 6 of Asian nations in international rankings. If no Senior Asian Championships or no regular rankings, a top 6 finish amongst Asian nations in equivalent international competitions.
Team Sports/Events (e.g., Football, Hockey, Relays, Doubles)	1. Top 8 finish at the last Senior Asian Championships; OR 2. Ranked within the top 8 among Asian countries in international rankings. If no Senior Asian Championships or no rankings, a top 8 finish among Asian countries in equivalent international competition.

Relaxation and Discretionary Clauses (MYAS Power):

Relaxation: MYAS can approve participation even if the criteria is not met, provided there is a recommendation with justifiable reasons based on the opinion of experts or the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Non-Approval:
- MYAS may not approve names recommended by National Sports Federations (NSFs) if the aim is solely for participation and not excellence.
- MYAS may not approve participation if experts/SAI find that Asian Championships are held irregularly to circumvent rules, competition standard is low, or top nations were absent.

Contingent Cost: Only sportspersons, coaches, and support staff cleared at cost to the government will be part of the Indian contingent. No additional personnel will be included, even at “no cost to government.”

Note for Exam: The core principle is achieving a top 6 finish (individual) or top 8 finish (team) or equivalent ranking among Asian nations, compared to the last Asian Games/Senior Asian Championships/International Rankings.

MYAS Selection Criteria for Asian Games 2026 :

Core Objective: To ensure only athletes/teams with a “real chance of winning medal” are considered for participation in multi-disciplinary sports events.

Applicability: Asian Games 2026, Para Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Indoor/Beach Games, Youth Olympics, etc. (Excludes Olympics and events determined by International Federation qualification standards).

I. Performance Benchmarks (Must be achieved within 12 months preceding the Games):

Event Type	Benchmark	Alternative/Exception Criteria
Measurable Individual Sports	Matched or bettered the 6th-place performance from the last Asian Games.	If the event was not contested: Matched or bettered the 6th-place benchmark from the Senior Asian Championships.
Non-Measurable Individual Sports	Achieved 6th or better finish in the last Senior Asian Championships; OR World Ranking is Top 6 of Asian nations.	If no Senior Asian Championships/rankings: Top 6 finish among Asian nations in equivalent international competitions.
Team Sports/Events	Achieved Top 8 finish in the last Senior Asian Championships; OR Ranked within the Top 8 among Asian countries in international rankings.	If no Senior Asian Championships/rankings: Top 8 finish among Asian countries in equivalent international competition.

II. Discretionary Powers of MYAS/SAI:

Relaxation Clause: MYAS can approve participation in relaxation of criteria if recommended with justifiable reasons based on the opinion of experts in specific sports or Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Non-Approval Clause (Emphasis on Excellence):
1. MYAS may not approve names if the aim is “just for participation and not aiming for excellence (medal winning).”
2. MYAS may deny approval if Asian Championships are being held at irregular intervals to circumvent rules, particularly if the competition standard is low or top nations are absent.

III. Contingent Cost Policy:

Only sportspersons, coaches, and support staff cleared at cost to the government will be part of the Indian contingent.
No additional personnel will be included, even at “no cost to government.”

Appointments

This briefing summarizes the significant government and high-profile appointments announced on September 24, 2025.

Office/Position	Appointee/Individual	Key Detail/Context
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), India (Extension)	General Anil Chauhan	The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved an eight-month extension of his service. The extension is aimed at ensuring continuity for the implementation of key military reforms, including theatre command.
Chairman of the Supreme Court, Russia	Igor Krasnov	Relieved of his post as Prosecutor General and appointed as Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.
Prosecutor General, Russia	Alexander Gutsan	Appointed as Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, following Igor Krasnov’s appointment as Chairman of the Supreme Court.
National Advisor for Nutrition, Health, and Housing, USDA, USA	Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D.	Sworn in at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is a high-profile advisory role within the US government’s executive branch.
Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans	Most Reverend James F. Checchio	Appointed by Pope Leo XIV. As Coadjutor Archbishop, he holds the right of succession to the current Archbishop of New Orleans.

Note for Students: Appointments and extensions to top military posts (like CDS), key judicial positions (like Supreme Court Chief/Judge, Attorney General, Prosecutor General), and significant political/cabinet-level roles in major global powers are frequently asked in competitive exams under the Current Affairs section. Focus on the individual’s name and the office they have assumed.

Important Summits and Conferences

This briefing summarizes the key international summits and conferences scheduled for September 24, 2025, which are relevant for competitive examinations. This date falls within the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80), making it a day with significant global events at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Summit/Conference	Location	Key Focus/Significance
UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit 2025	UN Headquarters, New York	Climate Action: Platform for world leaders to present new national climate action plans and accelerate efforts to protect the planet, in line with the Paris Agreement goals. It is a key event leading up to COP30 in Brazil.
First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy	UN Headquarters, New York	Financing Development/SDGs: This first-ever summit is mandated to unite multilateral efforts and the international financial system around shared goals for sustainable development, focusing on implementing commitments for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNGA High-Level Week (General Context)	UN Headquarters, New York	Multilateralism & Global Challenges: The broader week focuses on high-level meetings addressing critical global issues, including the 80th Anniversary of the UN, the SDG Moment, the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing Declaration), and a High-level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health and Well-being.
Global Goals Summit 2025 (Concurrent Event)	New York, Nairobi, & Online	Economic Opportunity & SDGs: A multi-day event (Sept 23-25) held during UNGA week, focusing on co-creating solutions for decent jobs, resilient livelihoods, and inclusive economic opportunity for all.

Objective Takeaway for Exams:

Candidates should understand the core mandates of these summits (e.g., Climate Summit → New NDCs; Biennial Summit → SDG Financing).

UNGA 80 High-Level Week is the central focus, hosting multiple major global agenda-setting events.

The two most important specific summits on September 24, 2025, relate to Climate Change (ahead of COP30) and Financing for a Sustainable Global Economy (SDGs).

Awards, Honors, and Recognition

India’s Historic Speed Skating World Championship Performance

This briefing summarizes India’s historic performance at the 73rd Inline Speed Skating World Championships 2025

Key Highlights

Event: 73rd Inline Speed Skating World Championships 2025.
Location: Beidaihe, China.
Dates: September 13–21, 2025.
Overall Performance: India’s best-ever performance at the World Championships.
Medal Tally: 5 medals (3 Gold, 2 Bronze).
Overall Ranking: 5th place among over 40 participating nations.
Felicitated by: Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

Historic ‘Firsts’ for India

The 2025 edition marked several milestones:

First-ever Senior medal at a Speed Skating World Championship.
First-ever Junior Gold medal.
Highest-ever medal tally for India at the Worlds.

Star Medal Winners

Athlete	Category	Medal(s)	Significant Achievement
Anandkumar Velkumar (22)	Senior Men	2 Gold, 1 Bronze	First Indian to win a Senior medal at the Worlds.
Krish Sharma (18)	Junior Men	1 Gold (1000m Sprint)	Won India’s first Junior Gold.
Anish Raj (17)	Junior Men	1 Bronze (One Lap Sprint)

Specific Medal Events (for Anandkumar Velkumar): Gold in 1000m Sprint & 42,195m Marathon, Bronze in 500m Sprint.

Minister’s Quote: Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the contingent, highlighting that the medals “show that our youth are conquering new frontiers, be it in mainstream or emerging sports.”

Abbreviations

This briefing summarizes important or recurring abbreviations and acronyms that appeared in news and specific reports around September 24, 2025, relevant for competitive examinations.

Abbreviation/Acronym	Full Form	Context/Relevance
PFAS	Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances	Mentioned in news concerning environmental cleanup and delayed remediation at military bases, specifically highlighting a class of ‘forever chemicals’.
AI	Artificial Intelligence	A widely discussed topic, featured in news regarding technological advancements and associated concerns (e.g., ‘superintelligence apocalypse’).
BTS	Bureau of Transportation Statistics	Appeared in a US government release concerning North American Transborder Freight statistics.
PROs	Patient-Reported Outcomes	Cited in medical/oncology literature regarding their integration into machine learning (ML) risk models for personalized healthcare.
ML	Machine Learning	Mentioned in the context of advanced data analysis and predictive modeling, particularly in healthcare (e.g., in oncology).
QOL	Quality of Life	Used in medical contexts, often alongside PROs, when discussing patient care and health metrics.
AUD	Alcohol Use Disorder	Featured in a study discussing genetic, psychiatric, and environmental factors contributing to this public health challenge.
DU	Ducks Unlimited	Referenced in a conservation/migration alert report, a key organization in waterfowl conservation.
US	United States	Standard abbreviation appearing across various geopolitical and national news.
NYC	New York City	Standard geographical abbreviation mentioned in a general news snippet.

Note for Students: While some abbreviations (e.g., US, NYC, AI) are common knowledge, their appearance on a specific date reinforces their continued high relevance in current affairs. Focus particularly on domain-specific acronyms like PFAS (Environment/Defense), PROs/ML/QOL/AUD (Science/Health/Technology), as these often test deeper subject knowledge.

Important Days & Themes

Important Observances on September 24, 2025

Observance	Type	Significance
NSS Day (National Service Scheme Day)	National (India)	Marks the establishment of the NSS, a government-sponsored public service program under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India, which aims to develop students’ personality and character through community service.
National Punctuation Day	National (USA/Unofficial)	Aims to promote the correct usage of punctuation.
World Dense Breast Day	International/Awareness (Observed on the Last Wednesday of September)	Dedicated to raising awareness about breast density, its impact on cancer screening, and the need for appropriate screening beyond mammograms.
National Women’s Health and Fitness Day	National (USA/Observed on the Last Wednesday of September)	Promotes health awareness and fitness for women.

NSS Day is the most significant India-specific observance on this date, directly relevant to general knowledge sections focusing on government schemes and national programs.
The observances of World Dense Breast Day and National Women’s Health and Fitness Day fall on this date as it is the last Wednesday of September 2025. These highlight topics related to public health and awareness.

Quick Takes

Loyola superfan Sister Jean retires at 106 due to health issues
Centre approves Rs 2,192-crore project to double Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya railway line in Bihar
Cabinet clears ₹3,822-crore Sahebganj-Areraj-Bettiah highway project in Bihar

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