Current Affairs Quiz 2nd and 3rd October 2025 Quiz

Exp. Moody’s Affirms India’s Baa3 Rating with Stable Outlook

Moody’s affirmed India’s long-term local and foreign-currency issuer ratings at Baa3 with a ‘Stable’ outlook, citing robust economic growth, a sound external position, and a stable domestic financing base.

While India’s credit strengths provide resilience against external shocks, fiscal weaknesses persist, with high government debt and measures to boost private consumption limiting improvement in debt affordability.

India’s long-term local-currency bond ceiling remains A2 and foreign-currency bond ceiling remains A3, reflecting modest external imbalances and limited external indebtedness.

Exp. RITES Signs MoU with Etihad Rail to Boost Mobility Collaboration

RITES Limited, India’s leading transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm, signed an MoU with Etihad Rail to enhance collaboration in the mobility and transport infrastructure sector across the UAE and international markets, formalized at the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

The partnership will combine RITES’ 50 years of expertise in consultancy and engineering with NICC LLC’s execution capabilities to develop infrastructure projects and expand RITES’ international presence under its RITES Videsh initiative.

At the Indian Pavilion, RITES, along with IRCON and DFCCIL, showcased transport consultancy, rail system design, project management, and sustainable mobility solutions, highlighting Indian Railways’ sustainability initiatives and Net Zero mission.

Exp. Asheesh Pandey Named MD & CEO of Union Bank, Kalyan Kumar to Lead Central Bank of India for 3 Years

The government has appointed Asheesh Pandey as MD & CEO of Union Bank of India and Kalyan Kumar as MD & CEO of Central Bank of India for three years.

Pandey, currently Executive Director at Bank of Maharashtra, will lead UBI, while Kumar, ED at Punjab National Bank, will succeed M. V. Rao at CBI after his retirement in July.

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), headed by Bhanu Pratap Sharma, recommended both appointments, later approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Recent Appointments in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Deputy Governor of RBI – Shirish Chandra Murmu (replace M. Rajeshwar Rao); for 3 Years+
• Chairman of Piramal Finance – Anand Piramal
• CFO of IndusInd Bank – Viral Damania
• India’s Executive Director at ADB – Satya Srinivas (replace Vikas Sheel)
• MD of SBI by FSIB – Ravi Ranjan (replace Vinay M Tonse)
• Chairman of National Stock Exchange – Injeti Srinivas

Exp. India and Bhutan to Launch First Cross-Border Rail Links, Boosting Connectivity and Trade

The Centre approved two India–Bhutan rail links—Kokrajhar-Gelephu (Assam) and Banarhat-Samtse (West Bengal)—covering 89 km at a cost of ₹4,033 crore, marking the first-ever rail connectivity between the two countries.

The projects, agreed during PM Modi’s March 2024 Bhutan visit, will provide Bhutan access to India’s 1,50,000 km railway network, with Kokrajhar-Gelephu to be completed in four years and Banarhat-Samtse in three years.

The rail links will boost Bhutan’s economy by enhancing trade, tourism, industrial growth, and people-to-people movement; both lines are designed to accommodate Vande Bharat trains.

India, Bhutan’s largest trading and development partner, has pledged ₹10,000 crore for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–2029), doubling previous assistance, and continues to collaborate on infrastructure and hydropower projects.

Exp. IIFT Launches International Trade Negotiations Program to Strengthen India’s Global Trade Engagement

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), through its Centre for International Negotiations (CIN), launched the International Trade Negotiations Program for officials of the Department of Commerce.

The program aims to enhance the negotiation skills of government officials to strengthen India’s global trade engagement.

Expert-led sessions will cover key topics in international trade, providing participants with a unique and practical learning experience.

Exp. DoP Signs MoU with IIP to Promote Sustainable Packaging and Enhance Postal Efficiency

The Department of Posts (DoP) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) to promote sustainable packaging and improve postal service efficiency.

The collaboration will develop eco-friendly, durable, and cost-effective packaging solutions, including airworthy materials for liquids and scalable designs for pan-India use.

IIP will provide expert guidance, global benchmarking, pricing strategies, and training materials to support India Post’s shift towards sustainable practices.

Exp. NBA Sanctions ₹82 Lakh for Red Sanders Conservation in Andhra Pradesh

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) sanctioned ₹82 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board for the conservation of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), an endemic and highly threatened species of the Eastern Ghats.

The initiative aims to raise one lakh Red Sanders saplings for farmers under the Trees Outside Forests (ToF) programme, promoting conservation and sustainable use.

Funds are sourced through the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended 2023), ensuring equitable sharing with local communities and Biodiversity Management Committees.

The conservation programme will involve grassroots participation of tribal and local communities in nursery development, plantation, skill-building, and long-term care, enhancing both livelihood and biodiversity protection.

Exp. ICC and UNICEF Launch “Promise to Children” Campaign to Promote Equal Opportunities for Kids

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and UNICEF launched the Promise to Children digital campaign during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, promoting equal opportunities for all children, especially the most vulnerable.

Supported by UNICEF National Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana and Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, the campaign focuses on children’s rights, including education, healthcare, nutrition, safe water, sanitation, and protection from violence.

The initiative aims to engage the entire cricketing community—from players and coaches to fans—to improve children’s lives and ensure they are healthy, educated, and able to play.

Exp. Navi Mumbai International Airport Secures DGCA Licence

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) received its Aerodrome Licence from DGCA, a crucial step ahead of its inauguration by PM Narendra Modi on October 8, 2025, enabling it to commence operations.

The licence allows NMIA to function as a regular place for landings and departures, with regulatory conditions under the Aircraft Act 1934 and Aircraft Rules 1937, and is non-transferable.

In its first phase, NMIA will handle 20 million passengers and 500,000 metric tonnes of cargo annually, with full capacity projected at 90 million passengers and 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo, easing congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport.

Exp. Air India-Airbus Launch State-of-the-Art Pilot Training Centre in Gurugram with ₹1,000 Crore Investment

Air India and Airbus have launched a joint venture pilot training centre at the Air India Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, Haryana, with an investment of over ₹1,000 crore to house 10 full-flight simulators, including India’s first A350 simulators.

The facility, inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, will train over 5,000 new pilots in the next decade, consolidating Air India’s training infrastructure and strengthening the Indian aviation industry’s self-reliance.

Spread over 12,000 sq. metres, the centre currently has two A320 simulators, with six more A320 and two A350 simulators to be installed progressively, complementing Airbus’ existing training centre in Delhi for a combined 14 full-flight simulators.

Beyond pilot training, Air India is also establishing South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra, and a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) in Bengaluru, which will support future fleets and create a skilled workforce of engineers and technicians.

Exp. Kishtwar in J&K Selected as Aspirational Agricultural District Under PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

Kishtwar district in Jammu & Kashmir has been selected as an aspirational agricultural district under the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, aiming to boost agriculture in remote areas.

The initiative is part of the government’s plan to develop 100 Aspirational Agricultural Districts over six years, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.

Aspirational districts were identified based on low crop productivity, low cropping intensity, and limited short-term credit disbursement, encouraging Agri-Entrepreneurs and enhancing agricultural development.

About Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

• The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is a comprehensive agricultural development initiative approved by the Union Cabinet on July 16, 2025.
• Launched with an annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore, the scheme is set to run for six years, from FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31.
• It aims to transform 100 underperforming agricultural districts across India through the convergence of 36 existing schemes from 11 central ministries, focusing exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors.

Exp. Kondareddypally Becomes India’s Second Fully Solar-Powered Village

Kondareddypally in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana has become the second fully solar-powered village in India, covering 514 houses and 11 government buildings under the state’s green energy mission.

480 houses are equipped with 3 KW rooftop solar panels, while schools and government buildings use 60 KW solar units, generating 360 units of power per month per house, ensuring uninterrupted electricity and eliminating bills.

The project, costing approximately ₹10.53 crore, was funded through a combination of Central Government subsidy (₹3.56 crore), CSR contributions (₹4.09 crore), and state infrastructure investment (₹2.59 crore), with the village earning revenue by supplying surplus energy to the grid.

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – Revanth Reddy (replace K. Chandrashekar Rao)
• Deputy CM – Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
• Governor – Jishnu Dev Varma

Exp. Sergio Busquets Announces Retirement from Soccer

Sergio Busquets, the legendary Spanish midfielder, announced his retirement from soccer at the end of the 2025 season with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, Busquets was a key part of Barcelona’s iconic midfield alongside Xavi Hernández and Andres Iniesta, supporting stars like Lionel Messi.

Making his Barcelona debut in 2008 under Pep Guardiola, Busquets played 722 matches, won 9 La Liga titles and 3 Champions League trophies, ranking third in club appearances behind Xavi and Messi.

Recently Retired Players

• Jerome Boateng (German) – Professional Scooer
• Samuel Umtiti (France) – Professional Scooer
• Amit Mishra (India)- Professional Cricket
• Asif Ali (Pakistan) – International cricket
• Mitchell Starc (Australia) – T20Is cricket
• Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – Indian Premier League
• Cheteshwar Pujara (India) – All forms of cricket

Exp. 1 October – International Day of Older Persons

International Day of Older Persons is observed annually on October 1 to honor the contributions of older individuals and raise awareness about the challenges they face.

The United Nations 2025 theme is: “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights”, highlighting the active role of elderly in society.

In India, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment celebrated the day under the theme “Ageing with Dignity”, promoting welfare programs and a dignified ecosystem for senior citizens.