Daily Current Affairs- 28th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 28th September 2025

Appointment to RCI: Kanwar Singh Tanwar & Dr. Jashvantsinh Parmar

In the News: The Government of India has appointed Lok Sabha MP Kanwar Singh Tanwar and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Jashvantsinh Salamsinh Parmar as members of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). The appointments were made via a gazette notification from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the powers granted by the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992.

Key Details:

• The RCI is a statutory body mandated to regulate and monitor the training programmes of rehabilitation professionals, maintain the Central Rehabilitation Register, and promote education and services for persons with disabilities.
• Under clause (h) of sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the RCI Act, 1992, the appointing authority (the central government) can nominate members including MPs, and that provision was invoked in these appointments.
• The tenure of both MPs on the RCI will be for two years from the date of the notification, or until their successors are appointed, whichever is later.
• Kanwar Singh Tanwar, who is a BJP MP representing Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, has a background as a businessman and social worker, and his political experience includes serving on various committees in past Lok Sabhas.
• The appointment of these two MPs is expected to bolster the governance and oversight of the RCI (especially in legislative representation), and may strengthen the link between parliamentary oversight and disability/rehabilitation policies.
• The move also signals the government’s emphasis on bringing persons with legislative influence into bodies concerned with disability rights, rehabilitation training, and inclusive education, thereby possibly raising the profile and political backing of RCI’s functions.

500 New Atal Tinkering Labs in Jammu & Kashmir

In the News: On 25 September 2025, the Government of India, via the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), announced that 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) will be set up across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under its Frontier Region Programme, as part of the broader objective to strengthen school-level innovation in remote and border areas.

Key Aspects:

The 500 new labs represent the largest share among the total 2,500 ATLs sanctioned under the Frontier Region Programme, and the government has allocated ₹100 crore for their establishment.

• These labs are expected to introduce school students to advanced tools such as robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and rapid prototyping, thereby cultivating creative problem-solving skills at a young age.
• The initiative was launched through a partnership between AIM/NITI Aayog and the University of Kashmir, with the event held at the university’s convocation complex, and the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh (Union Minister of State, Science & Technology), LG Manoj Sinha, and other dignitaries.
• Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that as India’s economy advances, regions like Jammu & Kashmir—with untapped natural and human resources—must become active contributors, and that these labs will help in integrating the region into the national innovation ecosystem.
• The Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha, noted that the new labs will especially benefit remote, tribal, and under-served areas, enabling youth to design solutions for local challenges in sectors like agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, and disaster management.
• The initiative is also tied to ATL Sarthi, a support mechanism planned to connect each tinkering lab with mentorship, institutional linkages, and capacity building for teachers and students in J&K’s innovation ecosystem.

Türkiye–US Nuclear Deal Signals New Global Energy Power Shift

In the News: During President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the Washington, D.C., the governments of Türkiye and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation in the presence of both leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.  This agreement marks a landmark step in deepening bilateral energy ties and repositioning Türkiye’s role in the evolving global energy order.

Key Points & Strategic Implications:

• Broader Scope of Cooperation: The MoU is framed to cover the full spectrum of civil nuclear activities, including construction of large-scale nuclear power plants, collaboration on small modular reactors (SMRs), and applications in medical and industrial nuclear technologies. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has publicly emphasized that this agreement “initiates a process that will deepen the long-standing and multidimensional partnership” between the two nations in nuclear energy.
• Energy Diversification & Security for Türkiye: Türkiye has historically been heavily dependent on energy imports, especially natural gas from Russia, Iran, and other external producers. By engaging with the U.S. in nuclear cooperation, Ankara is seeking to reduce its strategic vulnerability to supply disruptions and geoeconomic pressure, while enhancing the resilience of its energy mix. Moreover, the deal is aligned with Türkiye’s broader strategy of energy diversification including recently inked long-term LNG deals with U.S. suppliers, so that the country reduces its reliance on a single source or region.
• Shift in Regional & Global Energy Dynamic: The Türkiye–U.S. nuclear agreement suggests the emergence of a new energy axis beyond traditional power centers (e.g. Russia, China). The strategic collaboration leverages U.S. technology, finance, and diplomatic backing, and positions Türkiye as a more autonomous actor in regional energy politics. Because Türkiye is geographically located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and the Caucasus, its shift toward U.S. nuclear cooperation recalibrates influence in many adjacent regions.
• Balancing Legacy Russian Project: Importantly, the nuclear deal with the U.S. is not a simple replacement of existing ties with Russia, but rather an attempt at strategic balancing. Türkiye already has a major Russian-led nuclear project under construction at Akkuyu, being built by Rosatom, and has considered other plants such as at Sinop. By engaging U.S. firms and expertise, Ankara is signaling it wishes to reduce dependency on a single foreign partner in nuclear technology and finance.
• Implications for U.S. Strategy & Influence: For Washington, the nuclear deal is not only economic but also strategic. It helps to counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence in the nuclear energy market and solidifies the U.S. presence in a region that has long been contested diplomatically.  It also complements U.S. interests in seeing allies reduce dependence on Russian energy sources, thereby weakening Moscow’s leverage.

India’s Victory in the Asia Cup Final 2025

In the News: On 28 September 2025, India defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in the Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title. The match ended dramatically with India completing the chase in the final over, and it also gained political significance as the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

Key Points:

• The final was the first-ever Asia Cup summit clash between India and Pakistan, and it witnessed intense momentum shifts as Pakistan, after reaching a strong position at 113/1, suffered a dramatic collapse by losing nine wickets for only 33 runs to be bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs. India responded with a steady but tense chase, finishing at 150/5 in 19.4 overs and sealing victory with just two balls to spare.
• The standout performer for India was Tilak Varma, who played a mature and unbeaten knock of 69 runs from 53 balls under pressure, and he was ably supported by Shivam Dube, who contributed a crucial 33 off 22 deliveries, with their 60-run partnership forming the backbone of India’s successful chase.
• India’s bowlers were equally instrumental in setting up the win as Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded the attack by claiming four wickets for 30 runs, while Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with vital breakthroughs that ensured Pakistan’s batting collapse after a promising start.
• This victory gave India its ninth Asia Cup title, consolidating its dominance in the tournament’s history, but the celebrations were overshadowed by a major controversy when the team refused to accept the trophy and medals from Mohsin Naqvi at the post-match ceremony, leading to a delayed and muted presentation.
• Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav later remarked that his side had been “denied” the opportunity to lift the trophy despite having earned the win on the field, which highlighted the political undertones that surrounded the final and turned the sporting triumph into a moment of diplomatic tension.

Clutch, Maple & Zayu: The 2026 FIFA World Cup Mascots

In the News: On 25 September 2025, FIFA officially unveiled Maple, Zayu, and Clutch as the three mascots of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Maple is an anthropomorphic moose representing Canada, Zayu is a jaguar symbolizing Mexico, and Clutch is a bald eagle embodying the United States.

Key Features & Symbolism

• FIFA describes Maple as a creative, resilient, and inclusive character: Maple is cast as the goalkeeper of the mascots and is intended to travel across Canada’s provinces, showcasing the country’s rich cultural diversity.
• Zayu hails from the jungles of southern Mexico and is presented as an agile, passionate striker who carries Mexican heritage through culture, dance, and tradition; the name “Zayu” is said to reflect unity, strength, and joy.
• Clutch, as the bald eagle for the U.S., is framed as an adventurous, optimistic midfielder who soars across the country, embracing every culture and inspiring unity and spirit through leadership.

Innovations & Use Cases

• For the first time in a FIFA men’s tournament, the mascots will be playable characters in a video game: the upcoming title FIFA Heroes, which will be available across platforms like Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
• The mascots will also appear in digital activations, including on Roblox’s FIFA Super League Soccer, and will be heavily featured in merchandising across the tournament (in stadiums, fan zones, broadcasts, apparel, toys, etc.).
• FIFA’s aim is for Maple, Zayu, and Clutch to represent unity, diversity, and the celebratory spirit of the tournament and to become lasting symbols beyond just matchdays.