NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Teacher’s Day 2025 Celebrated Across India
India celebrates Teacher’s Day on September 5, 2025, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
The theme for Teacher’s Day 2025 is “Inspiring the Next Generation of Learners”
President Droupadi Murmu honored 45 teachers with the ‘National Teacher Award 2025’
Dr. Radhakrishnan, India’s second President and renowned philosopher, had requested that his birthday be observed as Teacher’s Day instead of personal celebration
Schools and colleges organized special programs where students expressed gratitude to their mentors through speeches, performances, and gifts
GST Council Approves Major Rate Restructuring
The 56th GST Council meeting approved a simplified two-tier GST structure with rates of 5% and 18%
New GST rates will be effective from September 22, 2025 (first day of Navratri)
Essential items like UHT milk, paneer, and Indian breads moved to 0% tax bracket
Household items including soap bars, shampoo, and toothpaste reduced from 18% to 5%
Insurance policies for individuals become GST-exempt, providing significant relief to families
Small cars reduced from 28% to 18%, while luxury cars and motorcycles above 350cc increased to 40%
Tobacco products will retain existing rates until compensation cess obligations are cleared
Bank Holiday Adjustments for Id-e-Milad
RBI canceled the previously declared bank holiday for September 5, 2025 in Maharashtra
Maharashtra government shifted the Id-e-Milad holiday from September 5 to September 8, 2025
Banks remained closed in multiple states including Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, and others for Id-e-Milad and Thiruvonam
Digital banking services continued to operate normally despite physical branch closures
Infrastructure and Development Updates
PM Modi and Singapore PM Wong inaugurated JN Port PSA Mumbai Terminal Phase-II
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi flagged off mobile vans selling subsidized onions at ₹24/kg in Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad
Yamuna river crossed danger mark in Delhi due to heavy monsoon rains, affecting several areas
Cabinet approved ₹1,500 crore scheme to promote critical mineral recycling, targeting 40 kilo tonnes of minerals and 70,000 jobs
Key Appointments
Former Finance Secretary Ajay Seth appointed as IRDAI Chairman effective September 1, 2025, for a 3-year term
T.C.A. Kalyani took charge as the 29th Controller General of Accounts
Various other senior bureaucratic appointments and tenure extensions announced
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
US-India Trade Relations
US President Donald Trump imposed additional 25% tariffs on Indian exports, bringing total tariffs to 50%
Trump indicated he put secondary sanctions on India for buying Russian oil, stating he hasn’t implemented “phase two yet or phase three”
Chief Economic Advisor warned that the tariff hike will create extremely challenging business conditions
The tariffs affect 55% of India’s USD 48 billion worth of US-bound shipments annually
Russia-India Defense Cooperation
India is negotiating terms for purchasing additional S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia
Discussions ongoing for supply of Sukhoi-57 fighter jets as part of defense cooperation
Putin defended India amid US tariffs, calling the “colonial era over” and cautioning against dominating global politics
Russian President expressed readiness to end Ukraine war through negotiations or force if necessary
Global Economic Developments
US economy reported to be “on the edge of recession” according to Moody’s chief economist
Google fined $425 million in class action lawsuit over privacy violations
Federal judge ordered reversal of Trump administration’s cuts to Harvard University funding worth $2.6 billion
China’s J-20S twin-seater fighter jet unveiled at military parade with mission commander capabilities
International Incidents
15 people killed and 18 injured after streetcar derailment in Lisbon, Portugal
5.8 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan amid ongoing humanitarian crisis
Two students from Telangana killed in car collision in UK, with five others seriously injured
Indian gangs reportedly clashed in Portugal with Lawrence Bishnoi gang member claiming responsibility
BANKING AND FINANCE
Banking Sector Updates
Bank of Baroda forecasts margin recovery in FY26 driven by deposit repricing and strong CASA base
Punjab National Bank plans to revamp credit card operations with enhanced IT infrastructure by November
L&T Finance partnered with Google Pay to offer personal loans directly through the platform
RBI discussing impact of US tariffs on Indian banking and financial sectors
Stock Market Developments
Nifty 50 managed to defend 24,700 level, with immediate support expected at this level
Banking stocks showed mixed performance amid global uncertainty and tariff concerns
Brokerages bullish on select stocks including Neuland Laboratories, L&T Finance, and IndiGo
GST rate cuts expected to provide additional support to market sentiment and consumption demand
Economic Indicators
India’s services PMI surged to 62.9 in August 2025, hitting a 15-year high
Composite PMI reached 17-year high, supporting India’s robust economic growth
Foreign exchange reserves stood at ₹59,68,048 crore (USD 699.74 billion) as of July 2025
Industrial production rose to four-month high of 3.5% in July 2025
SPORTS UPDATES
Cricket Developments
Former leg-spinner Amit Mishra announced retirement from professional cricket after 25-year career
India vs Afghanistan CAFA Nations Cup match ended in 0-0 stalemate
Yuki Bhambri sealed semi-final spot in US Open men’s doubles, achieving career-best Grand Slam run
FIFA announced ticket sales for 2026 World Cup to be held in US, Canada, and Mexico
Hockey and Other Sports
India defeated Malaysia 4-1 in Hockey Asia Cup Super 4s match, with veteran Manpreet Singh playing crucial role
Indian boxer Pawan Bartwal won high-octane 55kg bout against Brazilian Trinidade
India began AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers with victory over Bahrain
Warriors missed NRL top-four spot after Broncos defeated Storm 30-14
Upcoming Sporting Events
Men’s Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament running from September 9-28 in UAE
India enters as defending champions among eight participating teams
Various international tournaments and championships scheduled across different sports
DEFENSE UPDATES
Military Exercises and Operations
‘Sagar Kavach-2’ coastal security exercise commenced in Bay of Bengal
INS Trikand arrived in Egypt for Exercise Bright Star 2025
Indian Navy established first training squadron in Seychelles
BSF opened “School of Drone Warfare” to train specialized personnel
Defense Manufacturing and Acquisitions
Seven new ordnance companies achieved record export high of ₹3,545 crore
Indian Navy equipped 10 warships with Cooperative Engagement Capability
Tata to build Rafale fuselages in Hyderabad from 2028
HAL to deliver first two Tejas Mk1A aircraft in October, with overall program timeline pushed to 2029
Strategic Developments
20 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district
China withdrew funding from Pakistan’s flagship CPEC rail project due to security concerns
Air-Launched LRLACM development to give India’s Su-30 1500 km strike capability
Thales offered lightweight multi-role missile for Prachand helicopter integration
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
GDP and Growth Projections
Economists predict India could sustain 7% growth in September quarter
Q2FY26 GDP growth expected between 7% and 7.5% with low GDP deflator supporting real growth
India’s economy grew 6.5% in FY25, with RBI projecting similar growth for FY26
Services sector growth hit 15-year high, boosting overall economic sentiment
Trade and Investment
India-EFTA trade pact to come into force from October 1, 2025
Agreement expected to unlock USD 100 billion investments and create one million jobs
Steel demand projected to triple by 2050, lifting India’s global share from 8% to 21%
Top eight cities offer 106 million sq. ft. transit-oriented real estate potential
Sectoral Developments
First set of Made-in-India chips presented to PM Modi, marking semiconductor manufacturing milestone
Critical mineral recycling scheme launched with ₹1,500 crore allocation
Defence manufacturing output reached ₹1,27,265 crore in FY 2023-24
Government set target of USD 25 billion in defence production by 2025
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
National Awards
45 teachers received National Teacher Award 2025 from President Droupadi Murmu
PIEoneer Awards 2025 scheduled for September 5 at London’s Guildhall
International Icon Awards 2025 announced for September 27 in New Delhi
Various sector-specific awards and recognitions announced
International Recognition
Multiple international award ceremonies and recognitions scheduled for September 2025
World Travel Awards ceremonies planned across different regions
IBC Innovation Awards ceremony scheduled for September 14 in Amsterdam
Septimius Awards held on September 3-4 in Amsterdam
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Space and Research
RRI developed ‘PRATUSH’ to detect cosmic dawn signals
Critical mineral recycling technology initiatives launched
E-waste and battery recycling programs targeting strategic mineral recovery
Semiconductor manufacturing achievements marked significant technological progress
Innovation and Development
AI-powered remastering and hybrid streaming technologies advancing
Environmental sustainability initiatives gaining momentum
Social impact tools and technologies being developed
Digital infrastructure improvements continuing across sectors
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Important Dates and Events
September 5: Teacher’s Day (Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birth anniversary)
September 22: New GST rates implementation
October 1: India-EFTA trade pact effective date
Numerical Data
GST revenue loss expected: ₹48,000 crore due to rate rationalization
Defense export record: ₹3,545 crore by new ordnance companies
Critical mineral recycling allocation: ₹1,500 crore
Foreign exchange reserves: ₹59,68,048 crore (USD 699.74 billion)
Key Personalities
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: Second President of India, Teacher’s Day significance
Ajay Seth: New IRDAI Chairman
Nirmala Sitharaman: Finance Minister, GST Council Chairperson
T.C.A. Kalyani: 29th Controller General of Accounts
This comprehensive current affairs update provides essential information for banking, SSC, UPSC, railways, and other competitive examinations, covering all major national and international developments of September 5, 2025.
