Daily Current Affairs – 22-09-2025
Important Days
World Rhino Day – September 22
World Rhino Day is observed every year on September 22 to spread awareness about the protection of rhinos and the threats they face due to poaching, habitat loss, and illegal wildlife trade. This global observance highlights the importance of collective action by governments, conservation groups, and local communities to ensure the survival of these majestic animals.
In India, the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Indian Rhino) is mainly found in Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. India is home to over 3,300 rhinos, making it the largest population in the world. Rhinos are crucial for maintaining grassland and wetland ecosystems, as their grazing and wallowing activities help preserve biodiversity.
The Government of India has implemented key initiatives such as Project Rhino and Indian Rhino Vision 2020, aimed at translocation, habitat improvement, and population growth. Further, the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017–2031) and schemes like the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats continue to strengthen conservation. Special efforts in parks like Kaziranga, Manas, and Dudhwa have shown encouraging results in population recovery.
Sports News
World Athletics Championships: USA Tops Medal Table with 26 Medals
The United States ended the World Athletics Championships in dominant fashion, clinching gold in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays and finishing with 26 medals overall, including 11 gold, to top the standings.
In the women’s relay, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden gave the U.S. the lead before Sha’Carri Richardson anchored the team to gold in 41.75s. Jamaica (41.79s) took silver and Germany (41.87s) won bronze. The men’s relay saw the U.S. take gold, with Canada securing silver (37.55s) and the Netherlands setting a national record (37.81s) for bronze.
Making history, Botswana won the men’s 4x400m relay in 2:57.76, becoming the first African nation to win the event. The U.S. settled for silver, while South Africa took bronze. In the women’s 4x400m, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone anchored Team USA to gold in 3:16.61.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Verstappen Triumphs
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched victory in the 17th race of the Formula 1 season, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell (Mercedes) secured second place, while Spain’s Carlos Sainz (Williams) finished third.
After winning the Italian Grand Prix earlier, Verstappen has now claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this season, marking his 4th overall victory of the year. Having faced setbacks earlier, the reigning champion has regained form with successive triumphs.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who led the season with 7 wins, retired after a first-lap crash. His teammate Lando Norris, with 5 wins, had to settle for 7th place. Russell expressed delight at finishing 2nd despite illness, while Sainz gave Williams their first podium in 4 years.
Satwik–Chirag Pair Finish Runners-up at China Masters
India’s top men’s doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, bagged another silver medal at the China Masters Badminton tournament, after also finishing runners-up in the recent Hong Kong event.
In the men’s doubles final, the 8th-seeded Indian pair went down 19-21, 15-21 in straight sets to top-ranked South Koreans Kim Won Ho and Seung Jae. The 45-minute contest marked the second defeat for the Indian duo against this pair. Notably, Satwik–Chirag had advanced to the final without dropping a single game but faltered in the title clash. The champions took home ₹74 lakh, while the Indian runners-up received ₹35 lakh.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s An Se Young won the women’s singles, China’s Weng Hong Yang clinched the men’s singles, Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan of China triumphed in women’s doubles, and Thailand’s Sapsiree Taerattanachai/Dechapol Puavaranukroh lifted the mixed doubles crown.
Para-Badminton: India Bags 5 Medals
India clinched 5 medals — 2 gold and 3 silver — at the BWF Para-Badminton tournament held in China.
In the SL3 men’s singles final, Pramod Bhagat defeated Indonesia’s Divo Al Didro 21-19, 21-16 to win gold. In men’s doubles, the pair of Bhagat and Sukant Kadam lost a close battle to fellow Indians Jagdish Bhupati and Naveen Sivasankaran, settling for silver.
World No.1 Sukant Kadam had to be content with silver after losing to France’s Lucas Mazur in the SL4 singles final. Tokyo Paralympic champion Krishna Nagar also finished with silver, going down to Natthapong Meeralard of Thailand in the SH6 singles.
National News
IAF’s MiG-21 Set to Retire After Six Decades
The Indian Air Force will officially retire its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets on September 26, bringing to an end nearly six decades of service for what was hailed as the “workhorse” of India’s air defence.
Introduced in 1963 as India’s first supersonic fighter, the MiG-21’s first unit — the 28 Squadron at Chandigarh — was nicknamed the “First Supersonics”. Over 700 aircraft were inducted in different variants, many produced locally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The MiG-21 served as the backbone of the IAF till the mid-2000s, playing decisive roles in the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and Operation Sindoor. It also gained global attention in 2019 when then Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 in a MiG-21.
State Spending on Salaries & Pensions Rises 2.5 Times
According to the CAG, state governments’ expenditure on salaries, pensions, and interest on public debt has risen 2.5 times over the last decade.
From ₹6.26 lakh crore in 2013-14, the figure increased to ₹15.63 lakh crore in 2022-23. During the same period, total revenue expenditure grew 2.66 times, and subsidies rose over 3 times.
The report noted that in 19 states, interest payments on public debt were the second-highest expense after salaries. In 2022-23, 12 states achieved a revenue surplus, while states like Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal received deficit grants from the Finance Commission.
GST Reduction Effective from Today
GST reduction on over 375 items and services comes into effect from today (Sep 22). Prices of daily essentials, TVs, cars, refrigerators, medicines, and insurance will drop.
As GST completes 8 years, the government has introduced “GST 2.0.” The 12% and 28% slabs have been removed, leaving only two rates — 5% and 18%. A 40% tax will continue only on harmful and luxury goods like tobacco and pan masala.
Under this reform, 99% of items previously taxed at 12% are now at 5%, and 90% of those taxed at 28% are brought to 18%. Companies have already revised MRPs and reduced market prices.
International News
Pakistan Secures Low-Interest Loan: Saudi Arabia Leads
Amid a deep economic crisis, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the top lender to Pakistan, offering loans at a low interest rate of 4%, compared to over 6% from most other lenders. China has extended loans at 4.5%, the World Bank at 6.5–7.3%, and British money markets at 8.2%.
As per Pakistan’s 2024–25 Economic Survey, the country’s debt has risen to about PKR 76,000 billion (approx. ₹23 lakh crore in Indian value), with nearly one-third owed to foreign creditors. In the past three years alone, Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE have together provided loans worth $12 billion (over ₹1 lakh crore), almost matching Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves of $14.3 billion.
Palestine Recognised as a Separate State
The UK, Canada, and Australia have formally recognised Palestine as an independent state, emphasizing that the two-state solution is essential for peace in the Middle East. They noted that recognition would revive hopes of negotiations and strengthen international efforts for stability.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu strongly opposed the move, calling it a threat to peace. The US and some allies also warned that unilateral recognition might derail talks. Still, the decision is seen as significant international backing for Palestinian statehood.
Tamil Nadu News
Thoothukudi Shipbuilding Yard: A Boost for Southern Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that two world-class shipbuilding yards will be set up in Thoothukudi with an investment of ₹30,000 crore, creating 55,000 jobs.
Industries Minister T.R.B. Raaja said an MoU has been signed between SIPCOT and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust.
The project is expected to make Tamil Nadu a global hub for shipbuilding and marine innovation.