Daily Current Affairs- 30th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 30th September 2025

India, Bhutan Approve First Rail Links Projects

In the News: India and Bhutan formally approved the first cross-border railway projects to connect the two countries, thereby marking Bhutan’s entry into the Indian rail network.

Key Points:

• Project Approval & Partners: India and Bhutan cleared two new rail link projects: one between Kokrajhar (Assam) and Gelephu (Bhutan), and another between Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (Bhutan).
• Cost & Financing: The combined estimated cost for both rail lines is about ₹4,033 crore. India is expected to finance the projects and handle initial implementation.
• Route Attributes & Construction Plan: The Kokrajhar–Gelephu alignment is approximately 57 km (about 69 km including allied infrastructure) and will require numerous bridges, viaducts, road over- and under-bridges, and crossings. The Banarhat–Samtse line stretches about 20 km and includes two intermediate stations. The longer line is slated for completion in about 4 years, while the shorter link is projected to finish in 3 years.
• Strategic & Economic Significance: These rail lines will be Bhutan’s first direct railway links, enabling better access to trade routes through India and strengthening economic integration. The projects align with India’s “Neighbourhood First” and connectivity initiatives, and will promote people-to-people exchange, trade, and regional development.
• Administrative Facilitation & Priority Status: The Kokrajhar–Gelephu link has been designated a Special Railway Project (SRP) to speed up land acquisition, clearances, and execution. The detailed surveys and preparation for tendering have already been completed.

Indian Navy’s Jal Prahar 2025 Joint Amphibious Exercise

In the News: The Indian Navy and Indian Army completed Jal Prahar 2025, their biannual joint amphibious exercise conducted along India’s eastern coastline to sharpen inter-service coordination and enhance readiness for maritime operations.

Key Points:

• Purpose & Focus: Jal Prahar 2025 was designed to test and validate joint operational planning, command and control systems, deployment of troops from sea to shore, and coordination in amphibious warfare by the Navy and Army. 
• Timeline & Phases: The exercise ran in two phases over a week: Harbour Phase (16 to 20 September) was conducted at Visakhapatnam, focusing on training, familiarisation, integration of Army elements aboard naval platforms, safety drills, and coordination exercises. Sea Phase (21 to 23 September) took place off Kakinada, involving live amphibious operations such as hard beaching, launching of Landing Craft Assault (LCAs), deployment of BMP amphibious infantry fighting vehicles, and validation of SOPs under operational conditions.
• Operational Elements & Assets: During the Sea Phase, forces executed hard beaching maneuvers, deployed LCAs, and landed mechanised infantry with armoured amphibious platforms.The exercise also emphasised seamless integration of naval and land assets, communication links, and joint SOPs. 
• Inter-Service Synergy & Readiness: Jal Prahar 2025 demonstrated the importance of interoperability between the Navy and Army. The exercise fostered greater mutual understanding of each service’s domain, improved coordination, and refined joint protocols necessary for amphibious and littoral operations.
• Strategic & Security Implications: Given India’s long coastline and strategic challenges in the maritime domain, the exercise reinforces deterrence and preparedness for coastal and sea-based contingencies. The ability to project force from sea to land is critical for responding to threats, humanitarian or disaster missions, and securing littoral zones.
• Continuity & Institutional Value: Jal Prahar is part of a tradition of biannual India Navy–Army amphibious exercises. The 2025 edition builds on previous slabs of joint training, with upgrades in tactics, platforms, and inter-service coordination.

India’s FTA with EFTA to Start October 1 Announced by Goyal

In the News: India’s Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) would come into force on October 2025. This agreement marks India’s first comprehensive trade pact with a European grouping.

Key Points:

• Agreement & Parties Involved: The FTA is formally known as the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the EFTA bloc, which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
• Timeline & Negotiations: Negotiations for the India-EFTA agreement spanned nearly 16 years before its signing on March 10, 2024. After all parties completed required ratification procedures, the pact is set to become operational from October 1, 2025.
• Tariff Concessions & Market Access: Under the terms of TEPA, EFTA member countries will reduce or eliminate tariffs on approximately 92.2% of their tariff lines for Indian exports, while India will extend concessions on 82.7% of tariff lines covering 95.3% of EFTA exports. The agreement is reported to allow nearly 99% of India’s export value to EFTA markets duty-free access. However, certain sensitive sectors such as dairy, soya, coal, and some agricultural products are excluded from liberalisation to protect domestic interests.
• Investment & Employment Commitments: EFTA countries have made a legally binding commitment to invest USD 100 billion in India over the next 15 years. The pact is expected to generate 1 million direct jobs in India.
• Strategic & Economic Significance: This FTA is India’s first Europe-facing trade pact and is seen as a stepping stone to strengthen India’s engagement with European markets. With improved access to the EFTA markets, Indian exporters of textiles, leather, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and machinery stand to benefit. Conversely, importers in India can expect reduced prices for EFTA exports such as Swiss watches, chocolates, machinery, and wines. The agreement also includes chapters on services, investment, intellectual property, sustainable development, and government procurement, with enforceable labor and environmental standards.

ICC, UNICEF Launch ‘Promise to Children’ Campaign

In the News: During the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and UNICEF launched the “Promise to Children” digital campaign to mobilize the cricket community and broader public in supporting children’s rights and equal opportunity.

Key Points:

• Campaign Launch & Objective: The “Promise to Children” campaign is being run during the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup to capitalize on the tournament’s global reach. Its central aim is to urge fans, players, commentators, and stakeholders to pledge support for children’s rights—ensuring access to quality education, healthcare, nutrition, safe water and sanitation, and protection from violence.
• Champions & Ambassadors: Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is UNICEF National Ambassador, and India women’s cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana are supporting the campaign publicly. Their involvement is expected to enhance visibility and engagement among youth and cricket fans.
• Role of ICC & UNICEF: ICC Chairman Jay Shah highlighted that the cricket body is committed to providing equal opportunities for girls and boys globally, and sees the campaign as a way to engage the cricketing ecosystem (coaches, players, fans) in advancing the cause. UNICEF’s India representative Cynthia McCaffrey noted that cricket’s wide appeal allows social messaging to transcend sport and unite people behind children’s welfare.
• Campaign Components & Activities: The campaign includes cricket clinics where children and players interact, roundtables with cricket legends and experts, digital engagement across social media, and messaging integrated into broadcast and commentary over the course of the tournament.

Gaza peace plan: Trump the businessman’s big imprint; for India, reasons for relief, caution

In the News: Former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Media commentary describes it as bearing the mark of “Trump the businessman” in both ambition and structure, generating a mix of cautious optimism and concern in India and elsewhere.

Key Points:

• The Businessman’s Imprint: Trump’s Gaza peace proposal diverges from traditional diplomacy by incorporating a heavily managed, quasi-entrepreneurial model for reconstruction and governance. The plan envisions a “Board of Peace” to oversee postwar Gaza, with Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair holding roles in its structure. It proposes economic redevelopment with private-sector engagement, “deradicalization,” and a carefully curated transition, rather than open-ended political autonomy.
• Core Elements of the Plan: The 20-point framework calls for an immediate ceasefire, phased Israeli withdrawal, release of hostages within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas, and establishment of a transitional governance entity (the Gaza International Transitional Authority) supported by a multinational stabilization force. It also proposes that Gaza be “redeveloped for the benefit of its people,” with an emphasis on reconstruction, infrastructure, and controlled security arrangements.
• Reasons for Relief : India has historically supported a two-state solution, and a credible peace initiative offers hope for stabilization in West Asia—a region critical to India’s energy security, diaspora, and strategic outreach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly welcomed Trump’s plan, calling it a “viable pathway to long-term peace, security and development” for Israel, Palestine, and the wider West Asia region
• Reasons for Caution: The plan’s exclusion of Hamas from negotiations, and its demand for full disarmament up front, raise questions of legitimacy and feasibility. The absence of specific maps, timeframe, and operational details casts uncertainty over how the transitions would be managed and enforced. The prospect of imposing governance structures and reconstruction models risks backlash from Palestinians if seen as external imposition or lacking consent.

Diljit Dosanjh Earns International Emmy Nod for Chamkila

In the News: Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh received his first International Emmy Awards nomination for his performance in Amar Singh Chamkila, the biographical drama directed by Imtiaz Ali.

Key Points:

• Nomination & Categories: “Amar Singh Chamkila” earned two nominations at the 53rd International Emmy Awards: one for Best Performance by an Actor (for Diljit Dosanjh) and another for TV Movie/Mini-Series (for the film itself).
• About the Film & Role: The movie, released on Netflix in April 2024, is a biographical drama based on the life of Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila, notorious for his bold music and tragic assassination. Diljit portrays the titular character, bringing to life Chamkila’s charisma, struggles, and the controversies that surrounded him.
• Significance of the Nomination: For Diljit, this is a landmark recognition — his first Emmy nod, elevating his presence on the international stage. The nomination is seen not just as personal acclaim but as honoring Chamkila’s legacy and Punjabi culture more broadly. 
• Industry & Peer Reaction: Diljit publicly credited director Imtiaz Ali for this achievement, acknowledging his role in bringing the project to fruition. Co-stars and industry peers, including Parineeti Chopra, have expressed pride and congratulated the team.

World Archery Para Championships 2025: Sheetal Devi Wins Maiden Gold

In the News: At the 2025 World Archery Para Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea, 18-year-old Indian archer Sheetal Devi made history by winning her maiden individual gold in the women’s compound event — becoming world champion in para archery.

Key Points:

• Event Details & Context: The 15th edition of the World Para Archery Championships ran from 22 to 28 September 2025, with 239 archers representing 47 countries competing in Gwangju. The women’s compound individual competition saw high stakes with previous champions in the fray.
• Historic Victory: In the gold-medal match, Sheetal Devi defeated Turkey’s world No.1 Öznur Cure Girdi by a tight score of 146-143 to clinch the title. The battle was intense: the first end was tied, but in the second end Sheetal shot three perfect 10s to pull ahead. She held her nerve in the final end to seal the win.
• Medal Haul & Team Performances: Beyond her gold, Sheetal earned silver in the women’s compound open team event (alongside Sarita) after a tightly contested final with Turkey. She also won bronze in the mixed team event earlier in the championships.
• Personal & Inspirational Journey:  Sheetal was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder, resulting in absence of arms. Prior to 2025, she had already earned recognition — including medals at para-archery events, and had been guided by the story of armless archers like Matt Stutzman. She had also medalled in prior world championships (e.g. silver in 2023) before achieving this top podium finish.

12th World Para Athletics Championship 2025 Kicks Off in New Delhi

In the News: The 12th World Para Athletics Championships begin in New Delhi from September 27 to October 5, 2025, marking the first time India hosts this prestigious global para-athletics event.

Key Points:

• Edition, Scale & Dates: This is the 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships. The competition will run over nine days from 27 September to 5 October 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
• Participants & Events: More than 1,200 para-athletes from over 100 nations are expected to take part. The programme will feature 186 medal events (101 for men, 84 for women, 1 mixed) — an increase of 15 events compared to the previous edition in Kobe
• Historic First for India: This is India’s first time hosting the World Para Athletics Championships, and the first instance in South Asia. India announced a record contingent of 73 para-athletes for the championships.
• Infrastructure & Symbolism: The stadium and its facilities have been upgraded, including installation of a new outdoor Mondo track, India’s first for para athletics, completed in about four months at a cost of ~₹24.25 crore. The mascot “Viraaj”, a young elephant with a blade prosthesis, was unveiled to symbolize strength, optimism, and resilience.
• Expectations & Preparations: India is emphasizing hosting excellence, accessibility, and athlete support. Athletes such as Navdeep Singh have expressed confidence in their preparation, noting the advantage of competing on home ground. Indian medal hopefuls include previous Paralympic and World Championship medallists.

NASA-ISRO NISAR Satellite Sends First Earth Images

In the News: NASA and ISRO have released the first radar images from their joint Earth-observing satellite, NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), marking a major milestone in the mission’s operations and global Earth monitoring capabilities.

Key Points:

• Mission & Technology Overview: NISAR is a joint NASA-ISRO mission that carries dual-band synthetic aperture radar systems (L-band and S-band), enabling it to penetrate clouds and image Earth’s surface day and night. The L-band radar is particularly sensitive to biomass, soil moisture, and land/ice motion, while the S-band helps monitor agricultural lands, infrastructure, and surface features.
• Launch & Orbit Details: NISAR was launched on July 30, 2025 aboard a GSLV-F16 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Post launch, ISRO ground controllers established contact ~20 minutes later, confirming the satellite was functioning as expected. NISAR is expected to complete about 14 orbits per day, scanning nearly all land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. First Images & Insights: The initial radar images, captured in August 2025, include areas like northeastern North Dakota (Forest River region) showing wetlands, forests, agricultural plots, and land features with high precision. These images reveal intricate surface details—boundaries of forests, fields, and wetlands—underscoring the mission’s potential for fine surface characterization.
• Scientific & Practical Applications: By detecting subtle changes (down to centimeter scale) in Earth’s surface, NISAR can assist in tracking land deformation, glacier and ice sheet dynamics, forest biomass change, flooding, subsidence, and natural hazards like landslides and earthquakes. The dual-radar capabilities improve reliability and versatility across different terrains, ecosystems, and environmental conditions.
• Mission Duration & Collaboration: The mission is planned for at least 3 years in its baseline phase, during which the satellite will build a rich, systematic global data record. NISAR is an equal collaboration: NASA contributed the L-band radar, communications, data handling, and calibration, while ISRO contributed the S-band radar, spacecraft bus, launch, and operational support.