Daily Top Current Affairs of the day for 16th September 2025
1.“Trilateral Ties Boosted”. Tehran hosted the first-ever trilateral meeting between India, Iran and Uzbekistan, focussed on cooperation against extremism and terrorism, and promoting use of the Chabahar Port by Uzbekistan to trade with India.
Why it matters: Strengthens India’s strategic outreach in Central Asia, fits under GS Paper II (IR) / GS Paper III (trade & infrastructure).
2. “Innovation-Focused Procurement Reform”. A leading editorial emphasised how India needs to reform procurement through AI, outcome-weighted tenders and sandbox exemptions to foster R&D innovation rather than mere cost-based buying.
Exam angle: Useful for GS Paper III (Science & Tech, Innovation) and ethics (public procurement governance).
3. “Market Rally on Trade Outlook”. The BSE Sensex jumped nearly 600 points (and Nifty50 crossed 25,200) as India–US trade talks fuelled investor optimism.
Exam angle: Shows linkage between diplomacy/trade policy and capital markets (GS III).
4. “Merchandise Exports Up, Trade Gap Widens”. India’s merchandise exports rose 6.75 % in September 2025 to USD 36.38 billion, yet imports surged 16.7 % to USD 68.53 billion, widening the trade deficit sharply.
Exam angle: Key for GS III (External Sector) — examine causes and implications.
5. “Ozone Awareness Marked Globally”. Today is World Ozone Day (16 September), emphasising the need to protect the ozone layer under the Montreal Protocol.
Exam angle: Fits GS III (Environment) and adds value for prelims static.
6. “New Freshwater Fish Discovered”. A new species, Garra nambashiensis, was discovered in the NE Indian state (quiz source).
Exam angle: Relevant for biology/ecology topics in GS III and prelims.
7. “Waqf (Amendment) Act Validated With Safeguards”. The Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 while staying certain provisions that risk misuse. Exam angle: Important for GS II (Polity & Governance) — legislative oversight & rights.
8. “India’s Only Producer of Gum-Opium under UN Mandate”. India remains the only country authorised by the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) to cultivate gum-opium. The new policy will expand licensed cultivation by about 23.5%.
Exam angle: For GS II (Internal Security / Drugs) + GS III (Agriculture & Self‐reliance).
9. “Fintech + SIDBI Scale Up MSME Outreach”. PhonePe signed an MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) via the Udyam Assist platform to deliver digital end-to-end solutions for MSMEs.
Exam angle: Fits GS III (Digital Economy) & GS III (MSME policy).
10. “Sports Breakthrough on Roller Skates”. Anandkumar Velkumar became India’s first senior world champion in men’s 1000 m speed skating event, followed by junior gold by Krish Sharma — significant for India in roller sports.
Exam angle: Good for GS III (Sports) and value-based questions like perseverance.
11. “Oil Reserve Hub Planned in Karnataka”. A ₹5,700 crore oil reserve project will be developed in Karnataka by Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd, boosting energy infrastructure.
Exam angle: Fits GS III (Energy / Infrastructure).
12. “Luxury Brand Debuts in India”. France’s Galeries Lafayette will open its first Indian store in Mumbai this November, reflecting India’s rise as a luxury market.
Exam angle: Useful for business environment, globalisation topics.
13. “Government Exam Update: IB ACIO City Slip Released”. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) released the city-intimation slip for the Grade II Executive posts exam (starts 16 Sept).
Exam angle: Immediate relevance for aspirants; administrative update.
14. “Maritime Security Dialogue with Norway”. India and Norway held their first Maritime Security, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Dialogue in Oslo, signalling expanded maritime diplomacy.
Exam angle: GS II (IR) and GS III (Defence & Security) — emerging partnership.
15. “Urban Focus: Cloudburst Hits Uttarakhand”. In Dehradun (Uttarakhand), a cloudburst triggered landslides and floods, causing casualties and infrastructure damage; the Centre assured full assistance.
Exam angle: This fits GS II (Disaster Management) and GS III (Environment/Climate).