Current Affairs 25 September 2026 brings together the latest national and international developments important for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive examinations. Today’s key updates include Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY completing eight years, the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force conference, new BIS certification rules for smartphone screen protectors, defence procurement, India’s GDP growth outlook, the Hurun India Rich List 2026, and India hosting the UCI Road World Championships 2032.
Keeping up with daily current affairs helps aspirants strengthen their General Awareness and Current Affairs preparation for both Prelims and objective-type examinations.
National Current Affairs 25 September 2026
PM-JAY Completes Eight Years
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) completed eight years on 23 September 2026. The scheme has crossed 60 crore beneficiaries since its launch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched AB PM-JAY on 23 September 2018 from Ranchi, Jharkhand. It provides health insurance and assurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
The scheme is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with different Centre-State funding ratios for various categories of states and Union Territories.
Exam Fact:
- Scheme: AB PM-JAY
- Launch Date: 23 September 2018
- Launch Place: Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Coverage: Up to ₹5 lakh per family annually
India-New Zealand FTA to Begin in October
India and New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is scheduled to enter into force on 20 October 2026, following completion of the required domestic and ratification processes.
The agreement was signed on 27 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Under the agreement, 100% of India’s exports to New Zealand will receive duty-free access from the date of implementation. Major sectors expected to benefit include textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods and processed foods.
An Indian manufacturers will also receive duty-free access to selected inputs such as wooden logs, coking coal and metal scrap.
Anti-Narcotics Conference Sets 2029 Target
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 3rd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force Heads on 22–23 September 2026 in New Delhi.
The conference brought together representatives from all 36 States and Union Territories.
The event focused on the Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026–2029 and set a target of achieving a drug-free India by 31 December 2029.
The conference was organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The theme was “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility.”
BIS Certification for Smartphone Screen Protectors
The Government has mandated BIS certification for smartphone screen protectors with effect from 1 April 2027.
The products will have to conform to Indian Standard IS 19348:2025 before they can be manufactured, imported or sold in India.
The standard covers parameters such as:
- Thickness
- Dimensions
- Light transmission
- Visual defects
- Strength
Manufacturers and importers have been provided a transition period until 31 March 2027.
Smartphone screen protectors have become the 66th product category covered under the compulsory registration framework.
Defence Current Affairs
MoD Signs ₹810.79 Crore SAT-SAAW Contract
The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the procurement of 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force.
The contract was signed on 23 September 2026 under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category.
SAT-SAAW is an air-to-ground precision-guided glide bomb designed to engage enemy airfields from a stand-off range.
The weapon has been indigenously designed and developed by DRDO and has around 60% indigenous content.
It can be launched from aircraft including the Jaguar, Hawk and Su-30 MKI.
Banking and Finance Current Affairs
ICICI Prudential Life Renamed ICICI Life Insurance
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited has changed its name to ICICI Life Insurance Limited, effective 22 September 2026.
The change followed approval from the Registrar of Companies under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
The restructuring is connected with Prudential plc’s changing role in the Indian insurance business.
TBX Launches B2B Bill Payments
TBX, formerly known as TransBnk, has launched B2B bill payments on its TrustHub platform through NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited’s Bharat Connect for Business.
The integration allows businesses to discover invoices, make payments and track transactions through an interoperable platform.
IDFC FIRST Bank will act as the Sponsor Operating Unit for the integration.
The service can support businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, automotive and education.
Economy and Business Current Affairs
Fitch Raises India GDP Growth Forecast
Fitch Ratings has raised its forecast for India’s GDP growth in FY 2026–27 to 6.9%, up from its earlier estimate of 6.4%.
The revision reflects stronger-than-expected economic growth, domestic demand and investment activity.
India’s GDP grew by 7.8% year-on-year in Q1 FY27.
However, Fitch expects economic momentum to moderate during the second half of FY27 because of factors including slower manufacturing and services growth, weaker monsoon rainfall and inflationary pressures.
Fitch expects headline inflation to rise to around 5.5% by December 2026 before moderating later.
Awards and Recognition
M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026
The M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 has been released, with Gautam Adani and family at the top of the overall wealth list.
The wealth snapshot was taken on 24 August 2026.
Key figures from the list include:
| Rank | Individual/Family | Wealth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gautam Adani & Family | ₹9.23 lakh crore |
| 2 | Mukesh Ambani & Family | ₹8.63 lakh crore |
| 3 | L.N. Mittal & Family | ₹3.39 lakh crore |
Among entertainers and cricketers, Shah Rukh Khan and family led the group with reported wealth of ₹10,000 crore.
Mumbai recorded the highest number of individuals on the list, followed by New Delhi and Bengaluru.
Sports Current Affairs
India to Host UCI Road World Championships 2032
India will host the UCI Road World Championships 2032 for the first time.
The event will be held in Pune, Maharashtra.
The bid was jointly led by the Government of Maharashtra and the Cycling Federation of India, with support from the Government of India.
The UCI Road World Championships are among the major international cycling competitions and feature elite road races, individual time trials and other cycling categories.
The announcement was made during the 195th UCI Congress in Montréal, Canada.
Important Days in September 2026
World Alzheimer’s Day
World Alzheimer’s Day is observed every year on 21 September to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The 2026 theme is:
“The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”
International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace is observed annually on 21 September.
The 2026 theme is:
“Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
The day promotes peace, non-violence and international cooperation.
State Current Affairs
Delhi Approves DURGA Scheme
The Delhi Cabinet has approved the DURGA scheme, which stands for Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto.
The first phase will provide 1,300 pink electric autos:
- 1,170 for women
- 130 for transgender persons
The scheme aims to create self-employment opportunities while promoting cleaner and safer last-mile transportation.
Eligible women will generally fall within the 20–40 years age group and must meet the prescribed Delhi residency, driving licence and income requirements.
Current Affairs MCQs – 25 September 2026
1. AB PM-JAY was launched in which year?
A. 2016
B. 2017
C. 2018
D. 2019
Answer: C. 2018
2. India-New Zealand FTA is scheduled to enter into force on which date?
A. 1 October 2026
B. 15 October 2026
C. 20 October 2026
D. 31 October 2026
Answer: C. 20 October 2026
3. What is the target year for achieving a drug-free India under the Vision Document on Narcotics Control?
A. 2027
B. 2028
C. 2029
D. 2030
Answer: C. 2029
4. Which organisation developed the SAT-SAAW weapon?
A. ISRO
B. DRDO
C. HAL
D. BEL
Answer: B. DRDO
5. What is Fitch Ratings’ revised GDP growth forecast for India for FY 2026–27?
A. 6.2%
B. 6.5%
C. 6.7%
D. 6.9%
Answer: D. 6.9%
6. Which city will host the UCI Road World Championships 2032?
A. New Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Pune
D. Bengaluru
Answer: C. Pune
7. Which company was renamed ICICI Life Insurance Limited?
A. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company
B. ICICI Lombard
C. Bank ICICI
D. ICICI Securities
Answer: A. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company
8. How many pink e-autos are proposed under Delhi’s DURGA scheme in its first phase?
A. 1,000
B. 1,200
C. 1,300
D. 1,500
Answer: C. 1,300
9. Which institution will provide BIS certification standards for smartphone screen protectors?
A. RBI
B. BIS
C. SEBI
D. TRAI
Answer: B. BIS
10. Who topped the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026?
A. Mukesh Ambani
B. Gautam Adani
C. L.N. Mittal
D. Roshni Nadar Malhotra
Answer: B. Gautam Adani
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
For quick revision, remember these important facts from Current Affairs 25 September 2026:
- AB PM-JAY: Completed 8 years with over 60 crore beneficiaries.
- India-New Zealand FTA: To enter into force on 20 October 2026.
- Anti-Narcotics target: Drug-free India by 31 December 2029.
- Smartphone screen protectors: BIS certification from 1 April 2027.
- SAT-SAAW: ₹810.79 crore contract for 160 systems.
- Fitch GDP forecast: 6.9% for FY27.
- UCI Road World Championships 2032: Pune, Maharashtra.
- ICICI Prudential Life: Renamed ICICI Life Insurance.
- DURGA Scheme: 1,300 pink e-autos in Delhi.
- Hurun India Rich List 2026: Gautam Adani and family topped the overall list.
Conclusion
These Current Affairs 25 September 2026 updates are important for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive examinations. Focus especially on government schemes, economic forecasts, defence procurement, international agreements, sports events and important factual developments.
Revise these points regularly and practise current affairs MCQs to improve speed and accuracy in the General Awareness section.
Also Read Previous Current Affairs: Current Affairs 24 September 2026.