Current affairs 2025
Current Affairs 28 September 2025 brings together the most relevant updates of the day along with their historical context, significance for the Prelims examination, and practice MCQs based on major issues. Our aim is to provide you with the key highlights and latest developments from 28 September 2025, compiled from trusted sources. The coverage includes unique insights from leading newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, Times of India, Indian Express, Business Standard, as well as official releases from PIB, PTI, and government portals. This comprehensive update is designed to support aspirants preparing for UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams.
Indian Ports Act, 2025 Passed: Transforming India’s Maritime Future
The Indian Parliament has passed the Indian Ports Act, 2025, replacing the outdated Indian Ports Act of 1908. The new legislation introduces modern regulations, global green norms, and disaster readiness measures for ports. It establishes the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) to coordinate between Centre and States and digitizes port procedures to boost Ease of Doing Business (EODB). With India’s 7,500 km coastline, the Act promotes cooperative federalism, industrial growth, and port-led development. This reform underscores India’s ambition to emerge as a global maritime leader.
- Background: India’s maritime infrastructure has historically been governed by the Indian Ports Act, 1908, which had become outdated. With growing global trade, industrial growth, and logistics needs, reforms were essential.
- Objectives: Modernize port governance, integrate cooperative federalism, boost Ease of Doing Business, and align with global maritime standards.
- Key Provisions: Establishment of MSDC, green norms, disaster readiness, consolidation of laws, digitization of port procedures.
- Benefits: Enhances logistics efficiency, employment generation, sustainable port development, greater global competitiveness.
- Challenges: Coordination between Centre and States, ensuring environmental compliance, balancing growth with sustainability.
- Exam Relevance: Useful for UPSC topics like infrastructure, maritime economy, cooperative federalism, industrial growth, trade facilitation, and disaster management.
Current Affairs Quiz
Q. Assertion (A): The Indian Ports Act, 2025 establishes the Maritime State Development Council.
Reason (R): It aims to coordinate between Centre and coastal States.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
c) A is true, R is false.
d) Both A and R are false.\
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
The NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) initiative
The Government of India launched the NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) initiative on June 24, 2025, as a joint effort of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). It aims to provide skill training to girls aged 16–18 years, especially in underserved and tribal areas, with a target of 3,850 beneficiaries under PMKVY 4.0 across 27 districts in 19 states. NAVYA integrates flagship schemes like PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma, offering training in both traditional and emerging job roles such as digital marketing, AI services, cybersecurity, graphic design, drone assembly, solar PV installation, and crafts. The program ensures holistic development through modules on health, nutrition, hygiene, financial literacy, and life skills, thereby fostering employability, self-reliance, and socio-economic independence. It aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Current Affairs Quiz
Q. Which ministries jointly launched NAVYA?
a) Ministry of Women and Child Development & Ministry of Education
b) Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship & Ministry of Women and Child Development
c) Ministry of Labour & Employment & MWCD
d) MSDE & Ministry of Social Justice
Answer: b)
Explanation: NAVYA is a joint initiative of MSDE and MWCD.
Oju Hydel Project Gets Environmental Clearance
The Union Environment Ministry’s expert panel has approved environmental clearance for the 2,220 MW Oju hydroelectric project on the Subansiri River in Taksing, Arunachal Pradesh, near the China border. Developed by Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corporation Pvt. Ltd., the project will feature a 100-metre-high concrete gravity dam, a 14.12 km headrace tunnel, and an underground powerhouse. With an estimated cost of over Rs 24,942 crore, it is expected to generate 8,402 million units annually. This will be the largest dam in the Subansiri series, crucial for energy supply and Assam’s development.
Current Affairs Quiz
Q. The Oju Hydel Project is proposed on which river?
a) Teesta
b) Subansiri
c) Lohit
d) Manas
Answer: b) Subansiri
Explanation: The project is located on the Subansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra.
Two New Ramsar Sites Declared in Bihar
Bihar’s wetlands, Gokul Jalashaya in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran, have been designated as new Ramsar sites. Gokul Jalashaya, an oxbow lake on the Ganga’s southern edge, supports over 50 bird species and aids local livelihoods. It also acts as a buffer against floods. Udaipur Jheel, also an oxbow lake near the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary, hosts over 280 plant species and serves as a wintering ground for migratory birds, including the vulnerable common pochard. However, it faces threats from illegal fishing and intensive agriculture.
Current Affairs Quiz
Q. Assertion (A): Udaipur Jheel is an oxbow lake.
Reason (R): It is bordered by the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.
a) A and R both true, and R is the correct explanation.
b) A and R both true, but R is not the correct explanation.
c) A true, R false.
d) A false, R true.
Answer: b)
Explanation: Udaipur Jheel is an oxbow lake, but its being bordered by the sanctuary is not the reason for its oxbow nature.