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Daily Current Affairs 18th September 2025 Daily GK Update
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National News
Centre Releases ₹342 Crore XV Finance Commission Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Tamil Nadu and Assam
- The Union Government released Rs. 127.586 crores as the first instalment of untied XV Finance Commission grants for Tamil Nadu in FY 2025–26, covering 2,901 Gram Panchayats, 74 Block Panchayats, and 9 District Panchayats.
- Assam received Rs. 214.542 crores under FY 2024–25, benefiting all 2192 Gram Panchayats, 156 Block Panchayats, and 27 Zilla Parishads.
- The grants are recommended by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti, and released by the Ministry of Finance in two installments annually for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/ Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- Untied grants can be used for local needs under the 29 subjects of the Eleventh Schedule (excluding salaries/establishment costs), while tied grants focus on sanitation, ODF maintenance, waste management, drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
CCI Approves PNC Infratech’s Acquisition of up to 100% Stake in Jaiprakash Associates Limited
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) by PNC Infratech Limited.
- The deal involves acquiring a minimum of 95% and up to 100% stake in JAL, either directly by PNC Infratech or through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) as its wholly owned subsidiary.
- Jaiprakash Associates Limited is currently undergoing the corporate insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
India, ILO Sign MoU to Adopt Global Occupation Classification System and Boost Indian Workers’ Employability
- The Union government signed an MoU with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva to advance the International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO), aiming to boost the global employability of Indian workers.
- The agreement was signed by Ambassador Arindam Bagchi and ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, with Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya attending virtually.
- By adopting the IRCO framework, India seeks to align domestic occupational data with international standards, streamline the skill ecosystem, enable mutual recognition of qualifications, and improve Indian workers’ competitiveness in global job markets.
Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Centre of Excellence for AI and Skill Development at Graphic Era University, Dehradun
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for AI, Skill Development, and Innovation at Graphic Era University, Dehradun, spread over 1.5 lakh sq. ft. and housing Uttarakhand’s first NVIDIA AI & HPC hub with a DGX B200 system.
- Built at a cost of over ₹10 crore, the centre will promote research in healthcare, agriculture, environment, smart cities, and advanced industries, along with an Apple iOS Development Centre set up in collaboration with Apple and Infosys.
- Graphic Era University, ranked 48th in NIRF 2025 with NAAC A+ accreditation, has become India’s first Generative AI-ready campus powered by AWS, linking academic research with industry and startups.
IRDAI Chairman Launches Bima Sugam India Federation Website to Boost Digital Insurance Infrastructure
- Ajay Seth, Chairman of IRDAI, launched the official website of Bima Sugam India Federation (BSIF), marking a major step in building India’s digital public infrastructure for insurance.
- The initiative aims to empower policyholders, deepen insurance penetration, and ensure transparency & fairness, aligning with the vision of “Insurance for All by 2047” under the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission.
- Bima Sugam is part of the Bima Trinity Model, which also includes Bima Vistar (affordable all-in-one insurance product) and Bima Vahak (women-led distribution channel).
- The platform will follow a phased approach with high levels of security, compliance, and scalability, progressively going live with real transactions as insurers and partners integrate into the system.
International News
India Rises to 38th Rank in Global Innovation Index 2025
- India ranks 38th in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, improving from 39th last year and making a 10-place jump since 2020 (48th); it leads among lower middle-income economies (37) and Central & Southern Asia (10 economies).
- Strong policy support, rising R&D investment, and a vibrant startup ecosystem have boosted India’s status as a global innovation hub, as captured by the GII’s 80 indicators of innovation inputs and outputs.
- India performed better in innovation outputs than inputs, with R&D investments falling to 7.8% in 2019–20, but showing a 3.1% rise over 2010–20.
- Robust digital infrastructure, AI adoption, and government initiatives have accelerated India’s innovation journey, propelling its ranking from 81st in 2015 to 39th in 2025.
Banking & Financial News
Razorpay Becomes First Indian Payment Aggregator to Integrate Apple Pay for International Transactions
- Razorpay has become the first Indian online payment aggregator to enable Apple Pay for international transactions, supporting merchants such as Mokobara, Akasa Air, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, Sabyasachi, Nish Hair, and House of Masaba.
- Early pilots of Apple Pay on Razorpay showed a 58% increase in conversion rates, 45% faster checkout, and a 12% rise in average order value.
- Apple Pay, with over 500 million global users and acceptance by more than 90% of US merchants, is integrated on Razorpay in compliance with India’s cross-border payment regulations and is available for eligible Indian merchants.
RBI forms committee for periodic review of regulations
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a Regulatory Review Cell (RRC) to strengthen the institutional mechanism for reviewing regulations, ensuring a systematic internal review every 5–7 years.
- The RRC, effective from October 1, 2025, will function under the Department of Regulation and undertake regulation reviews in a phased manner.
- Alongside the RRC, an independent Advisory Group on Regulation (AGR) has been formed, comprising external experts to provide industry feedback and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
- The AGR will initially serve for three years, with the option to extend for two more years, and may also co-opt additional experts as needed.
- The AGR will be chaired by Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, MD of SBI, and include eminent members such as T.T. Srinivasaraghavan (Sundaram Finance), Gautam Thakur (Saraswat Co-op Bank), Shyam Srinivasan (Federal Bank), Ravi Duvvur (Jana Small Finance Bank), and N.S. Kannan (ICICI Prudential Life Insurance).
Recent Committee in News
- AICTE forms expert committee to integrate AI across all academic streams; chaired by Anand Deshpande
- SEBI constituted a high-level committee to review rules on conflict of interest and disclosures by its board members and officials; chaired by – Pratyush Sinha
- GoM on revenue mobilisation in case of natural calamities or disaster ;chaired by – FM of UP Suresh Khanna
- GoM on ‘Analysis of Revenue from GST’; chaired by – CM of Goa Pramod Sawant.
- IRDAI set up a seven-member to look into the proposed amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938 and suggest a framework for implementation of the same; headed by – former chairman of SBI Dinesh Khara
South Indian Bank Launches UPI-Based GST Payment Facility for Seamless Tax Transactions”
- South Indian Bank (SIB) has launched a UPI-based GST payment facility on its portal, allowing taxpayers to pay GST seamlessly using QR codes and VPA IDs.
- The service enables both customers and non-customers to make secure and convenient GST payments via UPI, enhancing accessibility across India.
- Authorised as an Agency Bank by RBI and recognised by CBIC for indirect tax collection, South Indian Bank can now facilitate government business transactions effectively.
Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector
- Bank of Baroda Launches ‘Bob Digi Udyam’ to Provide Collateral-Free Digital Loans for MSEs
- Suryoday SFB launched two FD-backed secured credit cards – RuPay Select and RuPay Platinum
- Sundaram Home Finance launches special affordable housing finance under ‘Anugraha’ brand
- South Indian Bank Launches “SIB Gold Xpress” Offering Quick & Digital Gold Loans up to ₹25 Lakh
- Bank of Maharashtra & SBI Card jointly launched a co-branded credit card, available on RuPay and VISA
Defence
INS Kadmatt Reaches Fiji to Strengthen Maritime Cooperation and Indo-Pacific Friendship
- The Indian Naval Ship Kadmatt, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, has reached Suva, Fiji, as part of its overseas deployment. The visit reflects the strong cultural and historical bonds between the two nations.
- During the visit, the ship’s crew will engage in professional exchanges, cultural activities and community outreach programmes.
- Joint exercises with the Republic of Fiji Navy are also planned to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime cooperation. The three-month deployment underlines the country’s commitment to fostering friendship and security in the Indo-Pacific region while promoting people-to-people ties with Fiji.
Important Days
18 September – World Bamboo Day
- World Bamboo Day is observed annually on 18 September to raise awareness about the importance of bamboo as a sustainable resource.
- Theme 2025 – Next Generation Bamboo: Solution, Innovation, and Design
- The day was officially declared in 2009 by the World Bamboo Organisation (WBO) during the 8th World Bamboo Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Bamboo is called the “Green Gold” as it plays a vital role in combating climate change, promoting biodiversity, and supporting rural economies.
- India is home to the largest bamboo resources outside China, spread across the North-East, Central, and Southern regions.
Obituary
France World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti retires at 31.
- Samuel Umtiti, a former France defender and 2018 World Cup winner, has announced his retirement from professional soccer at the age of 31.
- Umtiti played a key role in Barcelona’s successes, winning two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies during his career.
- He had been without a club since leaving Lille at the end of last season and expressed gratitude for his career, stating he gave his all with passion and has no regrets.
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