Current Affairs - September 19, 2025 Current Affairs

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently introduced a revised design for EVM ballot papers to improve voter experience, focusing on visibility, readability, and uniformity. The updated design includes colored candidate photos, a standard font style, and a maximum of 15 candidates per sheet with the NOTA option placed after the last candidate. Importantly, the ECI confirmed that this new ballot paper design will first be implemented in the Bihar Elections of 2025, making Bihar the pioneering state for this initiative aimed at strengthening transparency and voter convenience.

Senior diplomat Gourangalal Das, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to South Korea. Currently serving as Joint Secretary in the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, he has played a vital role in managing India’s diplomatic engagements with key East Asian nations, including overseeing sensitive negotiations with China during the Eastern Ladakh border standoff. His appointment reflects India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy, highlighting the growing importance of South Korea as a partner in trade, technology, defence, and regional security. With his extensive East Asia expertise, Das is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation and strategic ties between India and South Korea.

Bangladesh has resumed its seasonal export of hilsa fish to India for Durga Puja 2025, though in a reduced quantity of 1,200 metric tonnes—the lowest since 2019. The first consignment of around 32 tonnes arrived in West Bengal via the Petrapole border on September 17, 2025. Hilsa from the Padma River in Bangladesh is particularly prized for its superior taste and cultural significance during Bengal’s biggest festival. The export window runs from September 16 to October 5, giving importers a limited period to complete shipments. This trade is seen as part of India-Bangladesh goodwill diplomacy, highlighting the strong cultural and economic ties between the two nations.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have entered into a significant mutual defence agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Riyadh. The central feature of this pact is the collective security clause, under which any act of aggression against one nation will be regarded as aggression against both. This deepens the long-standing strategic and defence ties between the two countries, reinforcing regional security cooperation. The agreement comes at a critical geopolitical moment, following heightened tensions in the Gulf after an Israeli attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar, a close US ally. This move highlights Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in regional defence alliances.

On September 18, 2025, IIT Kanpur and Vietnam National University (VNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and research collaboration. The agreement focuses on key areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), medical technology, smart cities, drone applications, and advanced material research. This partnership is expected to foster joint research projects, enhance student and faculty exchange programs, and contribute to the socio-economic needs of both nations. It also aligns with India’s Act East Policy by deepening academic and technological ties with Southeast Asia. For Vietnam, the collaboration offers access to India’s expertise in cutting-edge STEM fields, thereby advancing innovation and capacity building.

Australia has significantly raised its climate ambition by setting a new emissions reduction target of 62% by 2035, based on 2005 levels. Announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, this target builds upon the earlier pledge of a 43% cut by 2030. The move aligns with Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement and responds to growing domestic risks such as bushfires, droughts, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss. The country has faced global criticism for its reliance on fossil fuels, making this updated target an important step toward decarbonisation. Backed by recommendations from the Climate Change Authority, it underscores Australia’s intent to balance economic development with climate responsibility.

India has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through a Technical Cooperation Programme with the key goal of building world-class Blue Ports. This initiative, led by the Department of Fisheries, focuses on modernizing fishing port infrastructure by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, and automation. The aim is to strengthen the marine economy, improve sustainability, and enhance export potential. As part of the framework, three pilot harbours in Diu, Puducherry, and Gujarat have been approved with a combined investment of ₹369.8 crore, setting the foundation for a global-standard Blue Economy infrastructure in India.

The US Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points (bps), bringing the range to 4.00%–4.25%. This marks the first rate cut of 2025 and signals the beginning of a potential easing cycle. The decision was influenced by signs of a cooling labour market, slower economic growth, and moderating inflation that remains above the 2% target. The Fed’s move aims to lower borrowing costs, encourage business investment, and support consumer spending, while still balancing the risks of inflation. Globally, the cut is expected to shape monetary policy sentiment, impacting capital flows, debt markets, and investor strategies across emerging and developed economies.

SEBI has introduced SWAGAT-FI, a specialised framework designed to attract low-risk foreign investors, including sovereign wealth funds and pension funds. This framework aims to provide a more stable and investor-friendly environment by extending the registration period from 3 years to 10 years, thereby ensuring long-term participation in Indian markets. To further ease operations, a dedicated digital portal has been established, significantly reducing onboarding time to just one week. Additionally, it streamlines access to GIFT-IFSC, India’s international financial hub, making the investment process more efficient and transparent. This initiative strengthens India’s financial ecosystem globally.

Marium Fatima, a young chess talent from Muzaffarpur, has created history by becoming Bihar’s first Woman FIDE Master (WFM). This achievement marks a significant milestone not only in her personal career but also in Bihar’s sporting legacy. The WFM title, awarded by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), recognises players who achieve a rating threshold of over 2100 and consistently perform at an international standard. Marium’s accomplishment reflects her strategic acumen, dedication, and perseverance in the sport of chess. Her success has drawn recognition from the Bihar State Sports Authority and will inspire upcoming players, especially young women, to pursue excellence in chess.