Current Affairs - September 28, 2025 Current Affairs

Amshi Prasannakumar, a veteran journalist from Mysuru, received the Hombale Samhita Harinikumar Alumni Krishi Media Award – 2025 for his exceptional work in agricultural journalism. His career has focused on raising awareness among farmers about agricultural practices, policies, and innovations through both print and electronic media. The award, presented by the Alumni Association of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, recognises journalists who significantly contribute to rural development and farmer welfare. Amshi’s efforts have empowered thousands of farmers, highlighting the crucial role of media in promoting knowledge and sustainability in agriculture.

Sergio Busquets, a highly decorated Spanish midfielder, announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 MLS season while playing for Inter Miami. Over his 20-year career, he became a key figure at Barcelona, making 722 appearances and winning 32 major trophies including 9 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Reys, and 3 UEFA Champions League trophies. Internationally, he earned 143 caps for Spain, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2012 UEFA Euro Championship. Renowned for his tactical intelligence, positional awareness, and composure, Busquets has left an enduring legacy in global football.

India’s smartphone exports to the United States surged by 148% year-on-year in August 2025, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). Exports to the US rose from USD 388 million in August 2024 to USD 965 million in August 2025, showcasing the sector’s robust performance under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Despite some reports suggesting a slowdown, ICEA clarified that the growth demonstrates resilience in India’s smartphone export ecosystem, driven by high-volume production, strategic partnerships with global manufacturers, and seasonal factors that typically influence monthly shipment trends. This growth reinforces India’s rising prominence in global smartphone exports.

India achieved its best-ever position in the SDG Index 2025, ranking 99th out of 167 countries, an improvement from 109th in 2024. This rise reflects progress in infrastructure and basic services, although challenges remain in achieving SDG 3 related to Good Health and Well-being. Key issues include maternal and child mortality rates, life expectancy, out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, and incomplete immunisation coverage. To enhance progress, measures such as universal health insurance, strengthening primary health centres, school health education, cross-sectoral coordination, and accelerated implementation of schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan are recommended.

The 71st National Film Awards ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 23, 2025. President Droupadi Murmu felicitated the winners, including Mohanlal, who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. New Delhi, as the capital city, often hosts major national events, and Vigyan Bhawan is a prominent venue for such high-profile ceremonies. The awards recognised excellence across various categories in Indian cinema, highlighting socially relevant films, veteran actors, and new-age talents, emphasizing the city’s role as a hub for cultural and cinematic celebrations.

The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) licence of Datta Finance and Trading Pvt Ltd because it violated digital lending guidelines. The company outsourced core lending functions such as customer sourcing, KYC verification, loan disbursal, and recovery, which breaches RBI’s Fair Practices Code and Digital Lending Guidelines. The cancellation prevents Datta Finance from offering or recovering loans and signals RBI’s strict enforcement of ethical conduct and regulatory compliance in the digital lending sector. This move highlights RBI’s emphasis on consumer protection and oversight of financial service providers.

The launch of 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in Jammu & Kashmir under the Frontier Region Programme aims to strengthen innovation at the school level. These labs provide students with access to 3D printing, robotics, AI kits, and coding platforms, enabling them to develop STEM skills, solve local challenges, and prepare for future careers. The initiative, supported by ATL Sarthi and private sector partners like Boeing and Amazon India, also includes mentorship and teacher training, creating an ecosystem that fosters hands-on learning and cultivates creativity and problem-solving abilities among young learners in remote and underserved regions.

The ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 took place at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. India, hosting the event for the first time, showcased exceptional performance by winning five medals, including a clean sweep in the women’s 50m prone rifle event. The tournament featured 208 shooters from 19 countries, with the 69-member Indian contingent performing strongly on home soil. Hosting the event highlighted India’s growing stature in international shooting sports and provided young athletes with a platform to gain experience, exposure, and recognition at a global level.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the construction of a 4-lane greenfield highway on NH-139W in Bihar, covering the Sahebganj–Areraj–Bettiah section. The project, executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), spans 78.942 km with an estimated cost of ₹3,822.31 crore. It aims to enhance connectivity between Patna and Bettiah, facilitate Indo-Nepal trade, promote tourism, and support economic growth through smoother freight movement and employment generation. By linking multiple economic and social nodes, the highway aligns with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, positioning Bihar as a hub for regional development and international trade.

The Indian Air Force retired the MiG-21 in 2025, marking the end of a 62-year service history. First inducted in 1963 at Air Force Station Chandigarh, the MiG-21 became India’s first supersonic fighter aircraft and formed the backbone of the IAF for decades. Over 870 aircraft were procured, participating in major operations including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. Renowned for its speed, maneuverability, and reliability, the MiG-21 was gradually replaced by modern aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, and Tejas LCA, with its retirement symbolising a significant step in India’s air force modernisation.