IMPORTANT DAYS
Hyderabad Liberation Day – A Historic Milestone (17 September)
• Hyderabad Liberation Day is observed on 17 September, marking the region’s integration into the Indian Union in 1948.
• On this day, the Indian Army ended the Nizam's rule, liberating the princely state from autocratic control.
• The decisive action was carried out under Operation Polo, led by India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Hyderabad state under the Nizam covered present-day Telangana, parts of Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
• The Marathwada region of Maharashtra included districts like Aurangabad, Beed, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, and more.
• In present-day Karnataka, areas like Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Bellary, and Yadgir were part of the Hyderabad state.
• This day commemorates the end of princely rule and the successful unification of Hyderabad with India.
APPOINTMENTS
Prof. Pradeep Kumar Prajapati Appointed Director of AIIA, New Delhi
• Prof. Pradeep Kumar Prajapati has taken charge as the new Director of the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi.
• His appointment was officially announced at a special ceremony attended by institute dignitaries and staff members.
• He started his academic journey as an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur.
• He later joined Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, and also led as Vice-Chancellor of Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur.
• As per official guidelines, he will serve a five-year term or until superannuation, whichever is earlier.
• AIIA, established in October 2010, aims to blend traditional Ayurveda with modern science and technology.
• Prof. Prajapati, who earlier served as acting director in 2017, follows Prof. Abhimanyu Kumar—the first full-time director appointed in 2013.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Swachhata Hi Seva 2025: Nationwide Cleanliness Drive Launched
• The 9th edition of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 began on 17 September and will run until 2 October, marking Gandhi Jayanti.
• The campaign emphasizes impactful cleanliness drives across the country, targeting neglected and unclean areas.
• It is jointly organized by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation.
• This year’s special focus is on transforming Cleanliness Target Units—areas that are dark, dirty, and overlooked.
• Union Minister Manohar Lal inspected the Bhalswa landfill in Delhi, reviewing its progress in cleanup and beautification.
• The Ministry of Minority Affairs also took part, launching its initiative near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi.
• Minister Kiren Rijiju led the event by administering the Swachhata Pledge, opening a Safai Mitra camp, and handing out safety gear to sanitation workers.
DEFENCE
India–US Joint Military Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 Concludes in Alaska
• The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas wrapped up in Alaska after beginning on September 1 at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area.
• A battalion from the Indian Army’s Madras Regiment trained alongside troops from the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division.
• Around 450 personnel from each nation participated in the intensive joint military drills.
• The exercise, established in 2002, has evolved into one of India’s most sophisticated bilateral defence collaborations.
• Integrated operations included coordination between infantry, artillery, aviation, electronic warfare, and anti-drone systems.
• Training featured live-fire exercises, sniper operations, counter-IED techniques, and reconnaissance missions.
• Troops also practiced medical evacuation, frostbite prevention, and survival techniques in sub-arctic terrain.
SPORTS
India Shines at Speed Skating World Championships and World Games 2025
• Anandkumar Velkumar secured India’s first-ever gold in the senior men’s 1,000m sprint at the Speed Skating World Championships in China with a time of 1:24.924.
• He had earlier clinched a historic bronze in the 500m sprint, marking India’s first senior-level medal at the event.
• Rising star Krish Sharma added to the glory by winning gold in the junior 1,000m sprint category.
• The championship, held in Beidaihe, began on September 13 and concludes on September 21.
• Velkumar had earlier made headlines in 2021 with a junior silver in the 15,000m elimination race and contributed to a bronze in the 3,000m relay at the 2023 Asian Games.
• India’s medal run extended beyond skating, with Rishabh Yadav earning a bronze in compound archery and Namrata Batra taking silver in wushu at the World Games.
• With a total of eight medals—1 gold, 2 silvers, and 5 bronzes—India recorded its best-ever performance at the World Games, surpassing the previous record of two medals in 1989.
ECONOMY NEWS
India’s Economic Snapshot: Q1 FY26 Sees Stronger Growth Momentum
• India's GDP expanded by 7.8% in Q1 FY26, outperforming the projected 6.6% growth rate.
• Manufacturing output surged to 7.7%, showing a notable jump from 4.8% in the previous quarter.
• The services sector remained robust, with solid gains across all key areas.
• Trade, hospitality, transport, and broadcasting posted a healthy rise of 8.6%.
• Financial, real estate, and professional services experienced a 9.5% year-on-year increase.
• Public services including administration and defense grew by 9.8%, while agriculture growth moderated to 3.7%.
• GVA rose by 7.6%, with a positive GDP-GVA gap driven by higher indirect taxes outpacing subsidies; however, mining activity dipped by 3.1%, weighing on industrial growth.
