For serious UGC NET aspirants, mastering daily current affairs is not just an optional add-on — it’s a decisive factor in achieving a top rank.
The General Paper-I section regularly assesses awareness of the latest national and international developments, government policies, new schemes, economic trends, rankings, and breakthroughs in science and technology.
₹4,200 Crore MERITE Scheme to Upgrade Technical Education
The Union Cabinet has approved the MERITE Scheme (Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education) with a five-year budget of ₹4,200 crore. Targeting 175 engineering and 100 polytechnic institutes, the scheme—co-funded by the World Bank—will focus on research, innovation, digital transformation, and female leadership in academia.
SHRESTH – First-of-Its-Kind State Health Regulatory Excellence Index Launched
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced SHRESTH, the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index, to evaluate and enhance state drug regulation through a transparent, data-led system.
Developed by CDSCO, the index functions as a virtual gap analysis tool, helping states work towards maturity certification. Assessments will cover human resources, infrastructure, licensing, surveillance, and responsiveness. States will be classified based on whether they focus on manufacturing or distribution, with regular data submissions enabling continuous improvement. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s position as the global “Pharmacy of the World.
India Sends Cowpea Seeds to Fiji as Humanitarian Aid
As part of its Act East Policy, India has delivered 5 tonnes of cowpea seeds to Fiji to support local agriculture and food security. The consignment, handed over in Nadi by the Indian High Commission, is the first of its kind for Fiji and aims to improve crop resilience and rural livelihoods.
UPSC to Commemorate 100 Years of Service from October 2025
The Union Public Service Commission will begin its Centenary Year celebrations on 1st October 2025, marking a century of commitment to merit-based public service. The celebrations will continue until October 2026, with events reflecting on the Commission’s legacy and future vision.
Founded in 1926 under the Government of India Act, 1919, and later formalised under the Constitution in 1950, UPSC has consistently upheld transparency, fairness, and meritocracy. Chairman Ajay Kumar announced that the milestone year will feature a special logo, tagline, and reform initiatives.
₹4,600 Crore Boost for Semiconductor Manufacturing in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh
The Union Cabinet has cleared funding of ₹4,600 crore for four new semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), expanding the national total to 10 projects with an investment portfolio of ₹1.6 lakh crore across six states.
The upcoming units, led by SiCSem, CDIL, 3D Glass Solutions Inc., and ASIP Technologies, will strengthen India’s semiconductor capabilities, generating jobs and supporting defence, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and consumer electronics. They will also advance domestic chip fabrication, modern packaging, and glass substrate technology.
Parliament Passes Twin Bills on Sports Governance and Anti-Doping
In a landmark move towards India’s Olympic aspirations for 2036, Parliament has approved the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Presented by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, these laws strengthen governance standards, align anti-doping policy with global norms, and establish a sports dispute tribunal. Provisions also ensure greater female representation in sports bodies, making administration more inclusive and athlete-focused.
Indian Ports Bill, 2025 Passed in Lok Sabha
Replacing the 1908 colonial-era law, the newly passed Indian Ports Bill, 2025 introduces a modern framework for maritime governance.
Key provisions include the creation of a Maritime State Development Council (MSDC), improved state-level oversight via State Maritime Boards, digitisation of port operations, promotion of green initiatives, fair tariff systems, and encouragement of both PPP and foreign investment. The reform aims to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and cooperative federalism in India’s ports.
₹8,146 Crore Tato-II Hydro Project Approved in Arunachal Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given the green light to the ₹8,146.21 crore Tato-II Hydro Electric Project (700 MW) in Shi Yomi district, with completion expected in six years.
Jointly developed by NEEPCO and the Arunachal Pradesh Government, the project will generate 2,738.06 MU of renewable power annually. Benefits include 12% free power to the state, 1% for local development, road infrastructure expansion, and substantial job creation.
Mumbai Hosts Largest-Ever International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics
The 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) is underway in Mumbai, with 300 students from 64 nations—12 of them first-time participants. Organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, the 10-day event includes competitive exams, team challenges, and sky-gazing sessions, promoting global collaboration in astronomy.
UIDAI Partners with ISI for Aadhaar Security Innovations
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has signed a five-year R&D deal with the Indian Statistical Institute to strengthen Aadhaar’s biometric and fraud-detection capabilities. The partnership will focus on advanced liveness detection, improved matching algorithms, and anomaly detection.
Karnataka’s GST Evasion Cases Skyrocket
GST evasion in Karnataka hit ₹39,577 crore in FY25, a fivefold jump from the previous year, involving 1,254 cases and 9 arrests. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that central GST notices were not issued solely based on UPI transactions, addressing concerns among small traders.
India and Zambia Sign Trade Pact to Strengthen Cooperative Exports
India has inked a trade cooperation agreement with Zambia to expand cooperative exports, backed by Indian missions abroad. Additionally, the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL) has signed MoUs with firms in Senegal and Indonesia to widen market reach.
India’s Soyoil Imports Set to Reach Record High
Driven by competitive pricing, soyoil imports in 2024–25 are projected to rise 60% to 5.5 million tonnes, while palm oil imports may drop to a five-year low of 7.8 million tonnes. Sunflower oil imports are also expected to decline, slightly increasing overall edible oil imports.
Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG Wins UNDP Equator Prize 2025
The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group from Dharwad district, Karnataka, has won the UNDP’s prestigious
Equator Initiative Award 2025 for its biodiversity conservation and sustainable farming practices. The group is the only Indian winner among 10 global awardees.
Two New Defence Corridors Announced
To further self-reliance in defence production, the government will establish defence industrial corridors in Maharashtra and Assam, complementing the existing ones in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The initiative follows record defence output worth ₹1.5 lakh crore in FY 2024–25.
Australia to Recognise Palestine at UN in September
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that Australia will formally recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session, supporting the two-state solution and a ceasefire in Gaza. The move aligns with similar decisions by France, Britain, and Canada, while calling for Palestinian Authority reforms and exclusion of Hamas from governance.
Nepal Waives Climbing Fees for 97 Peaks to Boost Tourism
Nepal will allow free climbing on 97 Himalayan peaks for two years to attract tourism in its underdeveloped Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. The initiative targets peaks between 5,970 and 7,132 meters, encouraging exploration beyond the country’s popular mountains.
Q1. What is the budget allocated for the MERITE Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet?
a) ₹3,500 crore
b) ₹4,200 crore
c) ₹4,600 crore
d) ₹5,000 crore
Q2. Which ministry launched the SHRESTH (State Health Regulatory Excellence Index)?
a) Ministry of Education
b) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
c) Ministry of Science and Technology
d) Ministry of Commerce
Q3. How many cowpea seeds (in tonnes) did India send to Fiji as humanitarian aid?
a) 3 tonnes
b) 4 tonnes
c) 5 tonnes
d) 6 tonnes
Q4. When will UPSC begin its Centenary Year celebrations?
a) 1st September 2025
b) 1st October 2025
c) 1st November 2025
d) 1st December 2025
Q5. What is the total funding approved for semiconductor manufacturing projects in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh?
a) ₹4,200 crore
b) ₹4,600 crore
c) ₹5,000 crore
d) ₹5,500 crore
Q6. Which two bills related to sports were passed by Parliament in 2025?
a) Sports Development Bill and Anti-Corruption Bill
b) National Sports Governance Bill and National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill
c) Olympic Preparation Bill and Sports Infrastructure Bill
d) Athletes Welfare Bill and Sports Education Bill
Q7. What is the capacity of the Tato-II Hydro Electric Project approved in Arunachal Pradesh?
a) 600 MW
b) 650 MW
c) 700 MW
d) 750 MW
Q8. How many students from how many nations participated in the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Mumbai?
a) 250 students from 60 nations
b) 280 students from 62 nations
c) 300 students from 64 nations
d) 320 students from 66 nations
Q9. Which Self-Help Group from Karnataka won the UNDP Equator Prize 2025?
a) Bibi Aisha Women’s SHG
b) Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG
c) Bibi Khadija Women’s SHG
d) Bibi Maryam Women’s SHG
Q10. How many Himalayan peaks will Nepal allow free climbing on to boost tourism?
a) 85 peaks
b) 90 peaks
c) 95 peaks
d) 97 peaks
1. b) ₹4,200 crore
2. b) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
3. c) 5 tonnes
4. b) 1st October 2025
5. b) ₹4,600 crore
6. b) National Sports Governance Bill and National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill
7. c) 700 MW
8. c) 300 students from 64 nations
9. b) Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG
10. d) 97 peaks
Final Thoughts
At Professor Academy, we curate each day’s most relevant updates in a precise, easy-to-digest format so you can revise quickly without information overload. Our carefully selected content is exam-focused, fact-verified, and linked to probable question areas, helping you convert knowledge into marks.
Whether you’re in the early stages of preparation or refining your final revision, consistent exposure to current affairs will give you a significant competitive advantage.
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