Top 10 exam highlights
India and Singapore signed five MoUs spanning civil aviation, space, digital assets, shipping and trade facilitation during Singapore PM Lawrence Wong’s visit to India from 2–4 September 2025, strengthening connectivity, tech collaboration and logistics links useful for prelims and interview fact-citing
Ministry of Consumer Affairs rolled out a digital hallmarking system for silver jewellery with HUID to improve traceability, standardization and consumer protection, relevant for quality control and BIS-linked questions
India joined the Health AI Global Regulatory Network (Health AI GRN) to bolster oversight and governance of AI in healthcare, a likely topic in ethics, governance and science-tech sections
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated TDK’s lithium‑ion battery manufacturing plant in Haryana, supporting Make in India, EV supply chains and energy storage localization themes
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched a unified RERA portal in New Delhi to streamline real‑estate regulatory services, improving transparency and citizen interface in housing
The 56th GST Council meeting in New Delhi issued key updates; council outcomes remain a routine source of MCQs and policy analysis, so keep rate, compliance and procedural tweaks in revision notes
NPCI raised the per‑UPI transaction limit to ₹5 lakh and a cumulative 24‑hour limit to ₹10 lakh, impacting high‑value payments, banking awareness and digital payments policy
AMFI elected Sundeep Sikka as Chairman and Vishal Kapoor as Vice Chairman; governance of mutual fund industry bodies is frequently asked under financial markets
ACC approved the appointment of Bhupendra Gupta as CMD of NHPC, linking to PSUs, hydro power capacity and energy topics
National Teachers’ Day and International Day of Charity were observed on 5 September 2025; date‑static and theme‑based questions are common in prelims
National affairs
India–Singapore: Five MoUs covered civil aviation cooperation, space collaboration, digital assets and fintech frameworks, maritime/shipping ties, and trade facilitation, reinforcing Act East and supply‑chain resilience narratives valuable for mains analysis
Quality ecosystem: Digital HUID hallmarking for silver extends BIS hallmark regime beyond gold, aiding hallmark centres, jewellers and consumers; note HUID’s 6‑digit alphanumeric logic for MCQs
Digital payments: NPCI’s new UPI limits—₹5 lakh single and ₹10 lakh daily cumulative—support higher‑ticket uses like hospital bills and education fees, and may feed exam questions on UPI rails
Infrastructure/industry: TDK Li‑ion plant inauguration in Haryana positions India on cell manufacturing; combine with PLI and FAME when framing mains answers on EV ecosystem
Governance tech: Unified RERA portal integrates state regulator services for online approvals, grievance redress and disclosures; remember RERA’s year (2016 Act, 2017 enforcement) for static linkage
GST Council: 56th meeting highlights are expected to influence rate rationalization, compliance ease and tribunal functioning; candidates should align with previous 55th meeting changes while revising
State updates: Andhra Pradesh cabinet cleared universal health insurance and project approvals; track financial implications and coverage design for social sector questions
Weather advisory: IMD signalled heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Rajasthan, MP, Konkan, Goa and Maharashtra; disaster management readiness remains a common essay‑link topic
Border impact: Floods reportedly affected segments of the India–Pakistan border fence in Jammu and Punjab; connect to infrastructure resilience in border management questions
Diplomacy: EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar’s engagement with Bhutan PM in New Delhi underscores neighbourhood policy continuity and development partnership projects
Semiconductor sector: PM Modi inaugurated Semicon India 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi from September 2-4, 2025, marking a major push for India’s semiconductor ecosystem
GST reforms: PM Modi announced new GST reforms to be implemented from September 22, 2025, coinciding with Navratri, aimed at saving public money while strengthening the economy
Border security concerns: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan identified the border dispute with China as India’s biggest challenge, followed by Pakistan’s proxy war strategy
International affairs
Ukraine support: European nations convened in Paris on post‑war security and support planning, relevant for geopolitics and collective security frameworks
Russia narrative: Statements framed sanctions as trade restrictions affecting allies; keep balanced notes for international relations MCQs
Global governance in health AI: India’s entry into Health AI GRN aligns with emerging tech regulation and WHO‑adjacent cooperation trends worth tracking for GS3/ethics angles
Thailand politics: Thailand elected a new prime minister recently; note leadership names, coalition context and policy priorities for ASEAN‑focused questions
India-China relations: PM Modi’s visit to China for the SCO Summit marked the first visit in seven years, with discussions on resuming direct flights, border trade, and investment cooperation
SCO Summit outcomes: India and China agreed to resume direct passenger flights and reopen border trade, indicating potential normalization of ties
Defense perspective: China’s border dispute identified as India’s biggest security challenge, with multi-domain warfare capabilities being emphasized
Economy and banking
Mutual funds governance: AMFI’s new leadership—Chairman Sundeep Sikka and Vice Chairman Vishal Kapoor—matters for SEBI‑regulated market institutions awareness
Capital markets snapshot: Sensex and Nifty ended flat with auto/metal gains and IT/FMCG drag; sectoral rotation cues are often converted into reasoning questions in finance sections
Payments and fintech: UPI limit revision reflects maturity of retail payments; tie to RBI’s supervisory perimeter and risk thresholds in subjective answers
AMCs/Platforms: Bandhan AMC received SEBI nod to launch Arudha SIF platform, underlining alternative/special situations investing trends
Corporate sales: Apple India reportedly hit record $9 billion annual sales on retail/student offers; note consumption drivers and channel expansion for GS3 case points
RBI monetary policy: The central bank maintained repo rate at 5.50% in August 2025 meeting, with neutral policy stance and GDP growth forecast at 6.5% for FY26
CRR reduction: RBI’s cash reserve ratio cut from 4% to 3% will begin implementation from September 6, 2025, aimed at boosting credit growth and market liquidity
Banking sector performance: Commercial banks maintained strong CRAR of 17%, net interest margin of 3.5%, and credit growth of 12.1% in 2024-25
Special FD schemes: Indian Bank and IDBI Bank offering special fixed deposit schemes with attractive interest rates until September 30, 2025
Government schemes and policy
Universal health insurance in Andhra Pradesh advances financial protection goals; map to Ayushman Bharat benchmarks for comparison
Real estate reforms via unified RERA improve compliance and transparency; add to governance case studies
Standards & consumer protection via digital hallmarking broaden formalization; integrate with BIS and hallmark centre network data in revisions
GST next-generation reforms: Implementation from September 22, 2025, aimed at economic strengthening and public benefit
Jan Dhan account re-KYC: Deadline of September 30, 2025, for 10-year-old accounts with doorstep banking services
Science and technology
Space collaboration with Singapore expands joint research, launch services demand, and applications; cross‑link to ISRO’s commercial arm for prelims pointers
AI in health: Health AI GRN engagement will inform benchmarks for bias, safety and efficacy in clinical AI; track any national guidelines that follow
Semiconductor mission: Major focus on building robust semiconductor ecosystem through Semicon India 2025 conference
Electric vehicle infrastructure: TDK lithium-ion battery plant represents significant advancement in EV supply chain localization
Appointments and resignations
Bhupendra Gupta appointed CMD, NHPC; note sector, tenure pattern and ministry oversight for PSU‑based questions
AMFI office bearers: Sundeep Sikka (Chairman) and Vishal Kapoor (Vice Chairman); recall their AMC affiliations for detailed MCQs
Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
Several key appointments in various government departments and PSUs announced in recent notifications
Sports
Football: India opened AFC U‑23 Asian Cup Qualifiers with a win over Bahrain; keep scoreline and venue context handy for quick recalls
Global football: FIFA 2026 World Cup ticketing highlighted tri‑nation hosts—USA, Canada, Mexico; could appear as static‑current hybrid
Tennis: Yuki Bhambri reached US Open men’s doubles semifinals, a career‑best Grand Slam milestone useful for one‑liners
European qualifiers: Spain and Belgium registered wins; Argentina led by Lionel Messi also recorded victory; Slovakia upset Germany, all strong one‑liners
Cricket: BCCI increased sponsorship fees to Rs 3.5 crore per bilateral match and Rs 1.5 crore for multilateral matches
Hockey: Indian men’s hockey team prepared to face China in Asia Cup Super 4 match after defeating Malaysia 4-1
Boxing: World Boxing Championships 2025 kicked off in Liverpool with India fielding a 20-member contingent
US Open tennis: Various developments including Bhambri-Venus exit from men’s doubles and Sinner-Djokovic advancing to semifinals
Awards and honours
National Teachers’ Awards presented by President Draupadi Murmu on Teachers’ Day, highlighting NEP 2020 implementation
Ramon Magsaysay link: An Indian NGO was referenced in recent quiz discussions; track the year, laureate and citation category for precision in factual questions
Fashion industry: Giorgio Armani’s passing at 91 was noted; retain key biographical identifiers for GK one‑liners
Obituaries
Giorgio Armani, iconic Italian designer, passed away at 91; connect to luxury fashion houses, Milan’s fashion ecosystem and flagship lines for contextual MCQs
Books and authors
Arundhati Roy launched memoir “Mother Mary Comes to Me” in Kerala; remember title‑author‑genre triad for direct MCQs
Days and themes
National Teachers’ Day 2025 observed on 5 September; revise Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s bio and contributions for static‑current linkage
International Day of Charity observed on 5 September; pair with UN origin context for one‑liners
State and UT updates
Andhra Pradesh: Cabinet approved universal health insurance and other projects; track fiscal outlay and coverage for policy analysis
Tamil Nadu: Green Hydrogen project inaugurated at Tuticorin Port, strengthening port‑led decarbonization narratives
Weather alerts: IMD heavy rain guidance for Rajasthan, MP, Konkan, Goa, Maharashtra; keep disaster‑response frameworks in mind
Maharashtra: Mumbai Police deploying over 21,000 personnel with AI for traffic management during Ganesh Visarjan
Meghalaya: CM Conrad Sangma urged Home Minister Amit Shah for expedited Inner Line Permit implementation
Education and rankings
NIRF 2025 rankings: IIM Ahmedabad topped management category, IIM Bangalore second, IIM Kozhikode third
IIT Delhi emerged as only IIT in top ten management rankings
Focus on NEP 2020 implementation and building India’s knowledge-based future
Defense, borders and security
Floods impacted around 90 BSF posts and damaged over 110 km border fence in Jammu and Punjab; anticipate questions on flood‑resilient infrastructure and border management
Operation Sindoor details shared by CDS General Anil Chauhan, emphasizing multi-domain operations and tri-services synergy
Six major security challenges identified: China border dispute, Pakistan proxy war, regional instability, multi-domain warfare, nuclear adversaries, and technological advancement
Cyber warfare and space domain threats highlighted as emerging security concerns
Business and markets quick scan
Equities were largely flat; sectoral moves favored auto and metals, with IT and FMCG soft; useful for sentiment‑based one‑liners
E‑commerce saw monsoon‑led order spikes improving partner earnings, tying to logistics and last‑mile delivery questions
SBI credit card rewards programme revised from September 1, 2025, affecting digital gaming and government transaction rewards
International diplomacy and summits
Paris meeting on Ukraine’s security planning emphasized coordinated European stance; note for IR analyses
India signalled support for positive progress toward resolving the Ukraine conflict in official mentions; track diplomatic phrasing for mains answers
SCO Summit in Tianjin marked significant diplomatic engagement between India and China
Exam‑focused static linkages
UPI: NPCI, RBI oversight, limit changes timeline, use‑cases in healthcare/education
RERA: Year of Act and enforcement, regulator responsibilities, grievance mechanisms
GST Council: Constitutional basis—Article 279A, composition, voting pattern
BIS hallmarking: HUID concept, applicable metals, consumer benefits
PSUs: NHPC sector, ministry, installed capacity themes for hydro
Monetary Policy Committee: Composition, voting pattern, meeting schedule, key decisions
Banking exam corner: upcoming dates snapshot
Candidates should align revision with 2025 calendars for IBPS, SBI, RBI and RRB cycles highlighted by coaching portals; adjust mocks around prelims and mains windows from July–December 2025
Next RBI MPC meeting scheduled for September 29 to October 1, 2025
Important financial deadlines: Income tax filing by September 15, 2025, for individuals and HUFs
Editorial practice questions
Discuss how raised UPI limits can influence retail high‑value digital payments, fraud risk management and transaction monitoring in banks
Evaluate benefits and challenges of unified RERA portal adoption across states for real‑estate transparency and investor confidence
Analyze India–Singapore MoUs’ potential in de‑risking supply chains and enhancing aerospace and maritime collaboration
Assess the implications of India-China border normalization on regional geopolitics and trade relations
One‑liner boosters
India–Singapore signed 5 MoUs across aviation, space, digital assets, shipping and trade
NPCI raised UPI per‑transaction limit to ₹5 lakh; daily cumulative limit ₹10 lakh
Digital HUID hallmarking extended to silver jewellery by MoCAF&PD
AMFI leadership: Sundeep Sikka, Chairman; Vishal Kapoor, Vice Chairman
Bhupendra Gupta appointed CMD, NHPC
Teachers’ Day and International Day of Charity observed on 5 September 2025
TDK Li‑ion battery plant inaugurated in Haryana
Unified RERA portal launched in New Delhi
India beat Bahrain in AFC U‑23 Qualifiers; Bhambri reached US Open doubles semis
FIFA 2026 World Cup hosts remain USA, Canada, Mexico; ticketing push underway
GST reforms implementation from September 22, 2025
RBI repo rate maintained at 5.50% with neutral stance
CRR reduction from 4% to 3% begins September 6, 2025
PM Modi inaugurated Semicon India 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
Important for interviews
Articulate how Health AI GRN participation can shape India’s regulatory posture for clinical AI, including validation, safety, and bias mitigation
Explain the macro and sectoral impact of floods on border security infrastructure and agri‑supply chains in affected states
Connect Li‑ion cell manufacturing to EV adoption, energy security and trade deficit reduction via localization
Discuss the strategic implications of India-China diplomatic engagement through SCO Summit
Note on evolving stories
Monitor detailed minutes/outcomes of the 56th GST Council when notified for specific rate or compliance changes and any circulars impacting SMEs and services
Track implementation guidelines for silver HUID hallmarking and transition timelines for jewellers to avoid compliance gaps in answers
Watch for formal communiqués on India–Singapore MoU operational roadmaps in space and digital assets to cite pilot projects or joint working groups
Follow up on India-China agreements on flight resumption and border trade reopening
Preparedness tips for banking and SSC
Maintain a ready sheet of “Dates-Acts-Bodies” for UPI, RERA, GST, BIS, AMFI and sectoral ministries; update with leadership names and latest caps/limits weekly
Solve weekly mocks emphasizing payments, financial markets, PSUs, and international MoUs; revise using daily CA PDFs and monthly compilations
Focus on RBI monetary policy decisions and banking sector performance metrics
Keep track of important financial deadlines and rule changes affecting various sector.
