ECI Revises EVM Ballot Paper Design for Better Voter Experience
September 19, 2025
- Election Commission of India (ECI) announced changes to EVM ballot papers for better visibility and readability.
- Coloured candidate photos and uniform font enhance voter identification and clarity.
- A maximum of 15 candidates per sheet and NOTA placement after the last candidate ensures uniformity.
- The new design will first be used in the Bihar Elections (2025).
Antim Panghal Wins Second World Championship Medal for India
September 19, 2025
- Antim Panghal secured her second World Championship medal with a 9-1 victory over Emma Jonna Denise Malmgren.
- The bronze play-off win ensures that India won’t return empty-handed from the Croatian capital.
- Antim, a 21-year-old wrestler, had previously won bronze in 2023 and faced pressure after a difficult 2024 Olympic campaign.
University of Tasmania Develops Portable Ion Chromatograph
September 19, 2025
- University of Tasmania scientists developed Aquamonitrix, a portable ion chromatograph.
- Ion Chromatography separates and quantifies charged particles (ions) in a sample.
- Chromatography working principle involves a resin-packed column, eluents, and sample injection for ion separation.
- Conductivity meters are used to detect and measure ion concentration through changes in eluent conductivity.
Maharashtra Honors Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
September 19, 2025
- Maharashtra celebrated the Statue of Hindubhushan, a 180-foot monument of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
- The event featured the largest-ever Dhol-Tasha salute, honoring Maratha valor.
- The statue is part of the Shambhu Srishti memorial complex, which includes Maratha heritage elements like statues, murals, and a holographic hall.
PM Modi Inaugurates Sex Sorted Semen Facility in Bihar
September 19, 2025
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Sex Sorted Semen facility in Purnea, Bihar.
- The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), launched in 2014, focuses on improving bovine genetics and boosting milk production.
- The updated RGM with an increased budget of ₹3,400 crore aims to enhance the livestock sector.
- The semen sex-sorting technology helps produce more female calves.
Government to Establish 500 Data Labs Under India AI Mission
September 19, 2025
- Ashwini Vaishnaw, Information and Technology Minister, announced the establishment of 500 data labs nationwide.
- The initiative is part of the India AI Mission, aimed at developing autonomous AI capabilities.
- The government allocated 988.6 crore rupees for an IIT Bombay consortium to create a Large Language Model with 1 trillion parameters.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Mutual Defence Agreement
September 19, 2025
- Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defence agreement during PM Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh.
- A key clause of the pact states that aggression against either country will be viewed as aggression against both.
- The deal follows an Israeli attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar, a US ally in the Gulf.
India Partners with FAO to Build World-Class Blue Ports
September 19, 2025
- India and FAO signed a Technical Cooperation Programme to build Blue Ports.
- The Department of Fisheries aims to enhance fishing port infrastructure using advanced technologies like 5G, AI, and automation.
- Three pilot harbours in Diu, Puducherry, and Gujarat with a total investment of ₹369.8 crore have been approved under the Blue Ports framework.
SEBI Launches SWAGAT-FI to Attract Foreign Investment
September 19, 2025
- SEBI launched SWAGAT-FI, a new framework to attract low-risk foreign investors like sovereign wealth funds and pension funds.
- The framework offers a 10-year registration period, replacing the earlier 3-year cycle, promoting stable investment.
- A digital portal has been introduced, reducing onboarding time to one week and simplifying access to GIFT-IFSC.
Marium Fatima Becomes Bihar’s First Female FIDE Master
September 19, 2025
- Marium Fatima from Muzaffarpur became Bihar’s first female FIDE Master in chess.
- She earned the title by surpassing the 2000 FIDE rating at the Commonwealth Chess Championship.
- Marium has won several key tournaments, including the 12th National Women’s Amateur Elo Rating Chess Competition and the Bihar State Women’s Chess Championship 2022.