25 September 2026 Current Affairs: H2 Borrowing Plan – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Friday, 25 September 2026 included the Centre’s second-half market borrowing plan, Arogya Manthan marking eight years of AB PM-JAY and five years of ABDM, the start of the India-hosted Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, and Indian medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The day also marked World Pharmacists Day (theme: Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures) and Antyodaya Diwas, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Total verified items: 18 for 25 September 2026 (16 official/reputable-source verified, 2 secondary/developing)

Read time: ~16 minutes

Today’s coverage: 11 categories screened, 18 items retained, several same-week stories considered but excluded for wrong date or limited exam durability. Also verified today but excluded as lower exam priority: routine enforcement seizures and operational weather alerts.

Source labels: [Official] = primary/official body (PIB, ministry, regulator, court, official federation) — linked where a direct URL was found. [Secondary] = reputable report; primary source not located. [Developing] = same-day figures/outcomes may still change.

Editorial cutoff: Asian Games results verified up to late evening IST on 25 September 2026 are included; later medals may appear in the next digest.

National & Policy

[Official] Make in India Completes 12 Years; PM Highlights Manufacturing Push

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 12 years of Make in India on 25 September 2026, saying the initiative had produced more domestic manufacturing, investment and exports across sectors. The programme was launched on 25 September 2014 to position India as a hub for manufacturing, design and innovation. Coverage accompanying the anniversary pointed to electronics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, defence and related supply chains as the main expansion areas. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Make in India launched: 25 September 2014
• 12th anniversary marked: 25 September 2026
• Aim: manufacturing, design and innovation hub
• Sectors cited: electronics, autos, pharma, defence

Static Link: Make in India is anchored in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Economy & Banking

[Official] Centre to Borrow ₹7.86 Lakh Crore in H2 FY27; Green Bonds ₹15,000 Crore

The Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, will borrow ₹7,86,000 crore through dated securities in the second half of FY 2026-27, including ₹15,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds. Full-year dated-security borrowing is now expected at ₹15,99,506 crore, below the Budget Estimate of ₹17,20,000 crore. The H2 programme will run through 23 weekly auctions across 3- to 50-year tenors; the 10-year share is 26.3%. Q3 Treasury Bill issuance is planned at ₹23,000 crore a week. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• H2 FY27 dated borrowing: ₹7,86,000 crore
• Sovereign Green Bonds in H2: ₹15,000 crore
• FY27 dated borrowing now: ₹15,99,506 crore
• Budget Estimate: ₹17,20,000 crore
• H2 auctions: 23 weeks; 10-year share 26.3%

Static Link: Sovereign Green Bonds are dated government securities whose proceeds are earmarked for eligible green projects; India’s framework is operated with RBI as the banker to the government.

Science & Technology

[Official] ICAT Marks 20 Years; Agri Machinery Test Facility Launched

The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) marked 20 years of operations on 25 September 2026 with an industry dialogue on PM e-Drive and the launch of an Agri Machinery Test Facility. ICAT, at Manesar, functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries as a testing, certification and R&D centre for automotive and related technologies. The new facility is intended to support testing of agricultural machinery alongside ICAT’s existing homologation and safety work. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• ICAT location: Manesar
• Parent ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries
• Milestone: 20 years
• New launch: Agri Machinery Test Facility
• Dialogue theme: PM e-Drive

Defence & Security

[Official] ICG Ship Shaunak Sails from Chennai on Quad-at-Sea Mission

Indian Coast Guard Ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai on 25 September 2026 for Perth, Australia, opening the 2026 Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission. Six Sea Riders embarked: two each from India and Japan, and one each from Australia and the United States. The voyage was announced after the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 26 May 2026. Officials linked the mission to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to India’s MAHASAGAR maritime vision. Source: PIB / MEA, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Ship: ICGS Shaunak
• Departure: Chennai; destination: Perth
• Sea Riders: 6 (India 2, Japan 2, Australia 1, US 1)
• Quad members: India, Japan, Australia, United States
• Announced at: 11th Quad FMM, 26 May 2026

Static Link: The Quad comprises India, Japan, Australia and the United States; the first Quad-at-Sea observer mission in 2025 was hosted aboard USCGC Stratton.

[Official] Rajnath Singh Flags In Ladakh Expedition After 20 First Ascents

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh flagged off the First Ascent Mountaineering Expedition on 25 September 2026 at Kartavya Bhavan-2, New Delhi. A 20-member team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, made the first recorded ascents of 20 unclimbed peaks above 6,000 metres in the Chamser-Lungser, Gyama Nala and Chokula areas of the Ladakh Range in 23 days. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Institute: NIMAS, Dirang
• Leader: Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal
• Feat: 20 unclimbed peaks above 6,000 m
• Duration: 23 days
• Areas: Chamser-Lungser, Gyama Nala, Chokula

International Affairs

[Official] President Accepts Credentials from Envoys of Six Partners

President Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 25 September 2026 from the envoys of Finland, Vietnam, Mexico, Estonia, the European Union and Belgium. The six were Mikko Kivikoski (Finland), Trinh Minh Manh (Vietnam), Pedro Blanco Pérez (Mexico), Kristi Karelsohn (Estonia), Jean-Eric Paquet (European Union) and Sophie Karlshausen (Belgium). Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Ceremony venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan
• Date: 25 September 2026
• Six partners: Finland, Vietnam, Mexico, Estonia, EU, Belgium
• EU envoy: Jean-Eric Paquet
• Estonia envoy: Kristi Karelsohn

[Official] 9th India International Water Week Closes in New Delhi

Event held on 22–25 September: the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 concluded at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with a valedictory chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil. The theme was “Climate Resilient Water Management.” Partner countries were the Netherlands and Germany. Organisers reported 7,224 delegates, 227 exhibitors and 119 paper presentations. Eight Jal Jeevan Mission capacity-building modules for Gram Panchayat, VWSC and Sujalam Shakti Group members were released. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• IIWW 2026 theme: Climate Resilient Water Management
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Partner countries: Netherlands, Germany
• Delegates reported: 7,224
• Organiser: Ministry of Jal Shakti

Environment & Ecology

[Official] 6th Cycle of Tiger Reserve Management Evaluation Begins

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the inception workshop for the 6th Cycle of the Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR) in New Delhi. The cycle, run by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with the Wildlife Institute of India, will cover all 58 tiger reserves. Earlier cycles were held in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. A new 2026 criterion is solid waste management. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• MEE-TR 6th cycle covers: 58 tiger reserves
• Agencies: NTCA and WII
• Previous cycles: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
• New 2026 criterion: solid waste management
• Framework origin: IUCN-WCPA management evaluation

Static Link: Project Tiger began in 1973; the National Tiger Conservation Authority was created by amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

[Official] Yadav Launches JICA Forest Management Capacity Project Workshop

The Environment Minister also launched a workshop in New Delhi on the Capacity Enhancement for Effective Forest Management Project, implemented with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for 2025-26 to 2031-32. The project outlay is ₹537.10 crore, including a JICA share of ₹440.42 crore and a Government of India share of ₹96.68 crore. It targets frontline forest personnel, with a later-phase focus on wood-based livelihoods, digital forest management and joint research. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Partner agency: JICA
• Project period: 2025-26 to 2031-32
• Total outlay: ₹537.10 crore
• JICA share: ₹440.42 crore
• GoI share: ₹96.68 crore

Sports

[Secondary] Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Win Asian Games Shooting Gold

Ongoing event: Asian Games 2026, Aichi-Nagoya. Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team final with 484.6, reported as an Asian record. South Korea took silver with 478.0; Iran took bronze. The result was India’s first shooting gold of these Games and its second gold overall after the women’s cricket title. Secondary reporting: Sportstar / PTI, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: 10m air pistol mixed team
• Score: 484.6 (reported Asian record)
• Silver: South Korea (478.0)
• India’s second gold of Asian Games 2026
• Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan

[Official] Gulveer Singh Wins Men’s 10,000m Silver at Asian Games

Gulveer Singh won silver in the men’s 10,000m, clocking 28:29.38. Birhanu Balew of Bahrain won gold in 28:27.51; Bahrain’s Albert Kiptoo took bronze in 28:34.38. Gulveer had won bronze in the same event at Hangzhou 2023, becoming the first Indian with two Asian Games medals in the men’s 10,000m. The Prime Minister congratulated him the same day. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: men’s 10,000m
• Time: 28:29.38
• Gold: Birhanu Balew (Bahrain), 28:27.51
• Earlier medal: bronze at Hangzhou 2023
• First Indian with two Asiad 10,000m medals

[Official] Baranica Elangovan Wins India’s First Asiad Pole Vault Medal

Baranica Elangovan won a shared bronze in women’s pole vault, clearing 4.15 m and tying with Polina Ivanova of Kazakhstan on countback. She is the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in pole vault. The Prime Minister called the result a debut milestone. India’s women’s pole vault national record stands at 4.25 m, set by Sindhushree Ganesha. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Clearance: 4.15 m
• Shared bronze with: Polina Ivanova (Kazakhstan)
• First Indian Asiad pole vault medal
• National record: 4.25 m (Sindhushree Ganesha)

[Secondary] Manpreet Kaur Takes Women’s Shot Put Bronze

Manpreet Kaur won bronze in women’s shot put with a best throw of 17.17 m, produced on her fourth attempt. China’s Song Jiayuan and Zhang Linru finished ahead of her. It was her first major international medal since 2023, after a fifth-place finish at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Secondary reporting: Sportstar / PTI, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: women’s shot put
• Best throw: 17.17 m
• Medal: bronze
• Hangzhou 2023 finish: fifth

Awards, Appointments & Obituaries

[Official] Mandeep K Bhandari Appointed CBSE Chairperson

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on 25 September 2026 appointed Mandeep K Bhandari, a 2001-batch AGMUT-cadre IAS officer, as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education. The post was temporarily upgraded to Additional Secretary rank and pay. Bhandari was Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. He succeeds additional-charge arrangements after earlier leadership changes at the Board. Source: ACC / DoPT order via PTI, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• New CBSE Chairperson: Mandeep K Bhandari
• Batch/cadre: 2001, AGMUT
• Appointing body: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
• Rank: Additional Secretary (temporary upgrade)
• Previous role: Principal Secretary to J&K LG

Government Schemes, Reports & Indices

[Official] Nadda Inaugurates Arogya Manthan 2026 for PM-JAY and ABDM

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking eight years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and five years of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. He said AB PM-JAY covers more than 60 crore beneficiaries and has supported over 13 crore hospital admissions worth more than ₹2 lakh crore, and now includes all citizens aged 70 and above. ABDM figures cited: 97.8 crore ABHA IDs, 121 crore linked records, 5.6 lakh facilities and about 11 lakh professionals. Launches included the NHPR mobile app, an NHCX payer guide, a model digital-facility guidebook, a Secure Data Environment application and an auto-adjudication framework for claims. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• AB PM-JAY: 8 years; ABDM: 5 years
• PM-JAY coverage cited: over 60 crore
• Admissions cited: over 13 crore
• ABHA IDs cited: 97.8 crore
• New tools: NHPR app, SDE, NHCX guide

State-Specific News

[Official] Centre Clears ₹50,000 Interest-Free Loan per Barn for AP FCV Growers

The Union government approved a one-time, interest-free working-capital loan of ₹50,000 per barn for Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh. The assistance covers about 44,000 growers and an outlay of about ₹220 crore, to be paid by DBT. FCV tobacco is grown mainly in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Andhra auctions for the 2025–26 crop began on 25 March 2026, with about 100 million kg auctioned so far. Source: PIB, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Assistance: ₹50,000 per barn, interest-free
• State: Andhra Pradesh
• Growers covered: about 44,000
• Outlay: about ₹220 crore
• Channel: Direct Benefit Transfer

Important Day / Theme

[Official] World Pharmacists Day

World Pharmacists Day is observed each year on 25 September. The 2026 theme announced by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures.” In India, the Pharmacy Council of India paired the global theme with the mission “Swastha Bharat: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).” The date marks FIP’s founding anniversary. Source: FIP / India.gov.in, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Date: 25 September
• 2026 FIP theme: Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures
• Global body: International Pharmaceutical Federation
• India regulator: Pharmacy Council of India
• India mission framing: Swastha Bharat — Combating AMR

[Official] Antyodaya Diwas

25 September is also Antyodaya Diwas, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (born 1916). The Government of India designated the date in 2014. Antyodaya refers to the uplift of the last person. The Vice-President paid official tributes on the day; linked programmes include DAY-NRLM and Antyodaya Anna Yojana. Source: PIB / Vice-President’s Secretariat, 25 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Antyodaya Diwas: 25 September
• Marks the birth of: Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916)
• Declared by GoI: 2014
• Meaning: uplift of the last person
• Linked scheme: DAY-NRLM

Don’t Confuse

25 September 2026 Current Affairs: One-Liner Revision

• Make in India completed 12 years on 25 September 2026; it was launched on 25 September 2014.
• Centre will borrow ₹7,86,000 crore in H2 FY27, including ₹15,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds.
• FY27 dated-security borrowing is now placed at ₹15,99,506 crore, below the ₹17,20,000 crore Budget Estimate.
• ICAT, Manesar, marked 20 years and launched an Agri Machinery Test Facility.
• ICGS Shaunak sailed from Chennai for Perth with six Quad Sea Riders.
• NIMAS Dirang climbers made first ascents of 20 unclimbed 6,000-plus metre peaks in Ladakh in 23 days.
• President Murmu accepted credentials from Finland, Vietnam, Mexico, Estonia, the EU and Belgium.
• IIWW 2026 theme was Climate Resilient Water Management; partners were the Netherlands and Germany.
• NTCA–WII 6th MEE-TR cycle will cover all 58 tiger reserves; solid waste management is a new criterion.
• JICA forest-capacity project outlay is ₹537.10 crore for 2025-26 to 2031-32.
• Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won 10m air pistol mixed team gold with 484.6.
• Gulveer Singh won Asian Games 10,000m silver in 28:29.38.
• Baranica Elangovan won India’s first Asian Games pole vault medal (shared bronze, 4.15 m).
• Mandeep K Bhandari (2001 AGMUT IAS) was appointed CBSE Chairperson.
• Arogya Manthan 2026 marked 8 years of AB PM-JAY and 5 years of ABDM.
• FCV tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh get a one-time ₹50,000-per-barn interest-free loan.
• World Pharmacists Day 2026 theme: Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures.
• Antyodaya Diwas marks Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birth anniversary (1916).

Source note: use the linked official releases and the editorial cutoff above when revising; developing figures may be updated.

Revision tip: lock the H2 borrowing figures, the PM-JAY/ABDM milestones, and the Quad-at-Sea embarkation details before tomorrow’s digest — those three clusters are the most reusable for prelims.