Current Affairs - September 12, 2025 Current Affairs

World First Aid Day 2025 will be observed on September 13, aligning with the tradition of marking the event on the second Saturday of September each year. Established by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, this day highlights the critical role of first aid in saving lives and reducing the severity of injuries. The 2025 theme, “First Aid and Climate Change,” emphasises preparedness for emergencies linked to floods, wildfires, and heatwaves. By promoting first aid education, the observance empowers individuals and communities to respond effectively in crises, making societies safer and more resilient.

The first photographic documentation of the Pallas’s cat in India was made in Arunachal Pradesh during a wildlife survey. The Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is a rare and little-studied species of wild cat, known for its gray or tan coat that adapts seasonally to provide camouflage. While its distribution has previously been confirmed in regions like Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal, this evidence from Arunachal Pradesh marks an important extension of its known range in the eastern Himalayas. This finding adds to the ecological significance of Arunachal Pradesh and highlights the importance of continued biodiversity surveys in the state.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program through video conferencing at five airports—Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Calicut, and Amritsar. This program is designed to make immigration procedures faster, smoother, and more secure for Indian Nationals as well as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). The initiative builds upon the program earlier launched in Delhi in 2024 and marks a significant step toward modernizing India’s border management system. By reducing wait times and streamlining processes, it improves travel efficiency and strengthens India’s reputation for providing traveler-friendly infrastructure at its airports.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) on 3 September 2025 to strengthen its IT systems and digital banking capabilities. The partnership focuses on areas like system integration, IT infrastructure rollout, and regulatory-compliant deployments, ensuring PNB delivers secure, resilient, and customer-centric services. TCIL will provide consultancy, project management, and execution support, helping PNB meet rising customer demands while maintaining robust cybersecurity standards. This collaboration not only strengthens PNB’s competitive position in the digital banking sector but also aligns with the broader Digital India mission to expand secure financial services nationwide.

The Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the launch of a daily parcel train running from Badgam in the Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi. This initiative is designed to benefit traders, especially fruit and handicraft dealers, by providing a reliable and time-bound logistics solution to expand their reach across India. The Jammu-Srinagar line becoming operational further strengthens connectivity, enabling the transport of goods such as apples efficiently. The service not only boosts trade but also creates better integration of Kashmir with the rest of the country through a consistent supply chain network.

Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, has been sworn in as the country’s first woman Prime Minister, serving as an interim leader after Gen-Z-led protests toppled the previous government. Known for her integrity and fearless stance against corruption, she emerged as the consensus choice among youth representatives, the Nepali Army, and the President. Her judicial career includes landmark contributions, and she previously faced political resistance due to her zero-tolerance approach to corruption. At 73, her appointment represents both a generational and ideological shift in Nepalese politics, symbolizing a push toward transparency, accountability, and democratic renewal in the nation.

India signed a $126 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to boost sustainable tourism in Uttarakhand, particularly focusing on Tehri Garhwal District. The project is expected to benefit nearly 87,000 local residents while enhancing the experience for about 2.7 million annual visitors. The funding will help in strengthening tourism planning, improving infrastructure, ensuring proper sanitation and waste management, and enhancing disaster preparedness in the region. By promoting environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive tourism, the project aims to balance economic development with ecological preservation, creating long-term benefits for both local communities and visitors.

Srinivas Injeti, a retired 1983-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the NSE Governing Board with SEBI’s approval. With over 40 years of experience in financial services, regulation, and governance, he has held key positions such as Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, where he implemented landmark reforms including the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. He was also the founding Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority, contributing to fintech growth and sustainable finance. His broad career includes roles in sports administration, pharmaceuticals pricing, and global governance, making him well-suited for leading the NSE’s oversight.

IIM Ahmedabad launched its first global campus in Dubai on 11 September 2025, marking a historic step in the internationalization of Indian higher education. The inauguration, held at Dubai International Academic City, was attended by leaders from both India and the UAE, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Dubai campus begins operations with a one-year global MBA program for professionals, aligning with Dubai’s vision of becoming an education and innovation hub. This milestone strengthens India-UAE educational cooperation and reflects IIMA’s vision of being “Indian in spirit, global in outlook.”

SAJEX 2025 was launched in Jeddah as part of India’s efforts to boost jewellery trade with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council with support from the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the event was hosted at the Jeddah Superdome from September 11–13. Featuring over 200 exhibitors and thousands of buyers, it showcased diamonds, coloured gemstones, gold jewellery, and lab-grown diamonds. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and underscores India’s leadership in the global jewellery industry.