Current Affairs 30th September 2025 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which Indian para-archer won her maiden gold medal at the World Archery Para Championships 2025?
A) Deepthi Jeevanji
B) Sheetal Devi
C) Ekta Bhyan
D) Sarita Benjwal
Answer: B
Explanation: On September 30, 2025, Sheetal Devi, an armless archer from Jammu and Kashmir, secured her first international gold in the women's individual compound open category at the World Archery Para Championships in the Czech Republic. This victory highlights India's growing prowess in para-sports and inspires inclusivity in athletics.
2. What is the theme of World Tourism Day 2025, observed on September 27?
A) Tourism and Peace
B) Tourism and Sustainable Transformation
C) Tourism and Digital Revolution
D) Tourism and Cultural Heritage
Answer: B
Explanation: The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) designated "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation" as the theme for 2025, emphasizing how tourism can drive green recovery, job creation, and environmental protection amid global challenges like climate change.
3. India's first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a European bloc is set to operationalize on which date?
A) September 30, 2025
B) October 1, 2025
C) October 15, 2025
D) November 1, 2025
Answer: B
Explanation: Announced by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on September 30, 2025, India's FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc—comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland—will take effect from October 1. It aims to boost investments in manufacturing and services, targeting $100 billion in FDI over 15 years.
4. Which publication was released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in September 2025, focusing on child welfare data?
A) India Children Report 2025
B) Children in India 2025
C) Youth of India 2025
D) Family Health India 2025
Answer: B
Explanation: The 4th edition of "Children in India 2025," released in September 2025, provides analytics on child health, education, and nutrition using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). It highlights progress in immunization rates (up to 78%) but flags gaps in anemia reduction among children.
5. How much did India's forest cover increase, as per MoSPI's "Environmental Accounting on Forest – 2025" report?
A) 10,000 sq. km
B) 17,444.61 sq. km
C) 20,000 sq. km
D) 15,000 sq. km
Answer: B
Explanation: The 8th edition of the report, released in September 2025, states that India's forest and tree cover grew by 17,444.61 sq. km since 2019, reaching 8,27,357 sq. km (25.17% of geographical area). This supports India's NDC commitments under the Paris Agreement for carbon sequestration.
6. Which Indian biosphere reserve received UNESCO recognition in September 2025, bringing India's total to 13?
A) Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
B) Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
C) Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
D) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Answer: A
Explanation: At the 37th UNESCO MAB Programme session in Paris, Himachal Pradesh's Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (covering Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and parts of Kullu) was designated. Spanning 9,000 sq. km, it protects high-altitude ecosystems, snow leopards, and promotes sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
7. The Indian Air Force retired its last squadron of which fighter jet in September 2025 after 62 years of service?
A) Sukhoi Su-30 MKI
B) MiG-21
C) Rafale
D) Tejas
Answer: B
Explanation: The MiG-21 "Bison," inducted in 1963, was phased out in September 2025 due to high accident rates (over 400 crashes) and obsolescence. The retirement enhances IAF's focus on indigenous platforms like Tejas and aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
8. What is the duration of the MoU signed between the Jute Corporation of India and the Nagaland government for jute cultivation expansion?
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Signed in September 2025, the MoU (2025-26 to 2030-31) covers eight Nagaland districts to promote jute farming, introduce new natural fibers, and build farmer capacities. It aims to reduce Northeast India's jute imports and foster sustainable agriculture.
9. Which initiative was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in September 2025 to pair mentor and mentee cities for sanitation?
A) Swachh Bharat 2.0
B) Swachh Shehar Jodi
C) Urban Clean Drive
D) Smart City Sanitation
Answer: B
Explanation: Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ), under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, pairs 72 high-ranking cities with 200 others based on Swachh Survekshan scores. It promotes knowledge-sharing on waste management and behavioral change to achieve 100% garbage-free cities by 2026.
10. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was extended in parts of which states for six months from October 2025?
A) Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab
B) Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland
C) Assam and Tripura
D) Mizoram and Meghalaya
Answer: B
Explanation: Extended by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 30, 2025, AFSPA empowers security forces in "disturbed areas" amid ethnic violence in Manipur. It covers specific districts in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, balancing security with human rights concerns.
11. At the UNGA 80th session high-level meeting on September 25, 2025, which issue was the focus for prevention and control?
A) Climate Change
B) Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health
C) Global Hunger
D) Cybersecurity Threats
Answer: B
Explanation: The UNGA meeting addressed NCDs (causing 41 million deaths annually) and mental health, calling for integrated policies. It highlighted the need for $10 billion in annual funding to achieve SDG 3 targets by 2030.
12. Which country recognized Palestine as a state in September 2025, becoming the latest G7 member to do so?
A) United States
B) Japan
C) Canada
D) Italy
Answer: B
Explanation: Japan announced recognition on September 30, 2025, joining other G7 nations like the UK and France. This diplomatic shift supports a two-state solution amid ongoing Gaza tensions, influencing regional peace efforts.
13. What caused the deaths of at least 19 protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 30, 2025?
A) Earthquake Aftershocks
B) Police Firing During Social Media Ban Protests
C) Flooding
D) Vehicle Collision
Answer: B
Explanation: Protests against a government-imposed social media blackout escalated into violence, leading to police firing and 19 deaths. A curfew was declared around key sites, underscoring Nepal's digital rights challenges.
14. Who broke the men's pole vault world record at the World Athletics Championships in September 2025?
A) Sam Kendricks
B) Armand Duplantis
C) Renaud Lavillenie
D) Timur Morgunov
Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish-American Armand Duplantis set a new record of 6.30 meters on September 29, 2025, surpassing his own 6.29m mark from earlier in the year. This feat at the Tokyo championships cements his dominance in the event.
15. Which team won the EuroBasket 2025 men's basketball final on September 30, 2025?
A) Spain
B) France
C) Germany
D) Turkey
Answer: C
Explanation: Germany defeated Turkey 88-83 in the final held in Berlin, with Dennis Schröder named MVP. Greece secured bronze, marking Germany's first title since 1993 and boosting European basketball's competitive landscape.
16. What is the name of NASA's new class of 10 astronaut candidates announced in September 2025?
A) Artemis Generation
B) Lunar Pioneers
C) Voyager 2.0
D) Stellar Explorers
Answer: A
Explanation: Selected from 8,000+ applicants, the Artemis Generation class—diverse in gender, ethnicity, and expertise—will train for Moon and Mars missions. Announced on September 28, 2025, they represent NASA's push for inclusive space exploration.
17. Which ancient skull discovery from China, reported in September 2025, may alter human evolution timelines?
A) Dali Skull
B) Dragon Man Skull
C) Yunxian Skull
D) Jinniushan Skull
Answer: C
Explanation: The 1-million-year-old Yunxian skulls suggest early Homo erectus interbred with Denisovans earlier than thought, challenging migration models. Excavated in Hubei Province, this finding bridges gaps in Asian hominin evolution.
18. What new diagnostic tool for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) was highlighted in Indian science news on September 30, 2025?
A) NeuroScan Pro
B) CEREBO
C) BrainWave Detector
D) TBI Sentinel
Answer: B
Explanation: Developed by ICMR, AIIMS Bhopal, and NIMHANS, CEREBO is a portable, non-invasive device detecting intracranial bleeding in under a minute. Priced affordably, it addresses India's high TBI incidence (1.5-2 million cases yearly from road accidents).
19. Which initiative launched 30 AI labs across India in September 2025 as part of a 570-lab network?
A) Digital India 2.0
B) IndiaAI Mission
C) Tech Bharat
D) AI for All
Answer: B
Explanation: The IndiaAI Mission's first phase dedicated 30 labs on September 22, 2025, focusing on data curation and GPU compute. Aimed at ethical AI adoption, it supports sectors like healthcare and agriculture toward Viksit Bharat by 2047.
20. What was the reported increase in India's merchandise exports for April-August 2025?
A) 1.52% YoY
B) 2.52% YoY
C) 3.52% YoY
D) 0.52% YoY
Answer: B
Explanation: Exports rose 2.52% YoY to $184.13 billion, driven by electronics (+20%), pharma (+15%), and autos. This resilience amid global slowdowns underscores India's export diversification strategy.
21. Which U.S. president unveiled a 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict during a September 29, 2025, press conference?
A) Joe Biden
B) Donald Trump
C) Kamala Harris
D) Barack Obama
Answer: B
Explanation: In a joint event with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump proposed immediate ceasefire, aid boosts, and Hamas hostage releases. The plan aims to stabilize the region but faces criticism for lacking Palestinian input.
22. What deadline loomed for the U.S. government on September 30, 2025, regarding funding?
A) Debt Ceiling Extension
B) Potential Shutdown
C) Infrastructure Bill Passage
D) Defense Budget Approval
Answer: B
Explanation: Bipartisan talks failed to avert a shutdown post-midnight on September 30, risking furloughs for 2 million federal workers. Tied to spending disputes, it highlights U.S. political polarization ahead of 2026 midterms.
23. Which mineral processing gap did India aim to address via a new policy announced on September 30, 2025?
A) Rare Earth Elements
B) Lithium Reserves
C) Cobalt Mining
D) Graphite Production
Answer: A
Explanation: The Critical Minerals Mission policy targets self-reliance in rare earths (90% imported from China) for EVs and renewables. With $1 billion allocation, it includes auctions for 30 blocks to cut dependency by 50% by 2030.
24. What tragic incident at a political rally in Tamil Nadu on September 27, 2025, claimed at least 36 lives?
A) Bomb Blast
B) Stampede
C) Stage Collapse
D) Shooting
Answer: B
Explanation: A crowd crush at actor-turned-politician Vijay's rally in Karur killed 36 and injured 40, exposing poor crowd management. The state government ordered probes and compensation, amid rising concerns over rally safety in election seasons.
25. Which new species of deep-sea snailfish, strikingly pink, was identified in September 2025 using advanced tech?
A) Abyssal Glowfish
B) Bumpy Snailfish
C) Neon Abyss Snail
D) Pink Void Eater
Answer: B
Explanation: Discovered by MBARI via ROVs in the Pacific, the "bumpy snailfish" (Liparis florae) thrives at 3,000m depths. Two other species were also found, aiding biodiversity studies in climate-impacted ocean zones.