Bihar Extends Allowance Scheme to Graduates
On 18th September 2025, the Chief Minister of Bihar announced the expansion of the Mukhyamantri Nischay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana. Under the extended scheme, unemployed male and female graduates from Arts, Science, and Commerce streams will now receive an assured monthly allowance of ₹1,000 for a maximum period of two years. This is a significant step as earlier the scheme covered only those who had completed their intermediate (12th grade), leaving out many graduates struggling to find jobs.
The expanded scheme is designed for graduates between 20 to 25 years of age, who are not pursuing higher education and are actively seeking employment. Applicants must not be self-employed or engaged in any government, private, or NGO job, ensuring that financial support reaches genuinely unemployed youth.
DoP & BSNL Sign MoU to Boost Connectivity
On 17th September 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to enhance mobile connectivity, particularly in rural and remote regions. This collaboration is aligned with the Digital India mission, aiming to bridge the digital divide, promote financial inclusion, and improve access to digital services.
Under the agreement, the DoP will leverage its vast network of over 1.65 lakh post offices to facilitate the sale of BSNL SIM cards, turning post offices into last-mile service delivery hubs and significantly expanding BSNL’s reach across India.
I&B Minister Launches Seva Parv Programmes
On 17th September 2025, the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting launched a series of special programmes under Seva Parv on DD National and DD News in New Delhi, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday celebrations. The Seva Parv will run until 2nd October, showcasing the Prime Minister’s vision of nation-building and public service.
Three documentaries and one special show were unveiled, including Sankalp ki Shakti, Sushasan ka Samarthya focusing on governance reforms, Vishva Patal par Netrutva ka Shankhnaad highlighting India’s global stature, and Karmayogi: Ek Antahin Yatra showcasing the Prime Minister’s contributions in space research, startups, women’s empowerment, culture, and spirituality.
India & Mauritius to Set Up Satellite Tracking Station
On 12th September 2025, India and Mauritius signed a landmark agreement to establish a satellite telemetry, tracking, and telecommunications station near Diego Garcia. This facility will allow India to monitor satellites, collect real-time data, and strengthen surveillance across the Indian Ocean, enhancing India’s strategic presence in the region amid growing Chinese naval activity.
The agreement, signed during the visit of Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam to India, also reaffirmed India’s support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.
India Notifies National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025
On 15th September 2025, the Government of India notified the National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025 to diversify its renewable energy mix and support the Net Zero 2070 target. The policy promotes geothermal energy for power generation as well as direct applications such as district heating, agriculture, aquaculture, desalination, and space heating/cooling via Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs).
The framework focuses on research promotion, inter-ministerial collaboration, and adopting global best practices. It encourages innovative solutions like hybrid geothermal-solar plants, retrofitting abandoned oil wells, and deploying Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS/AGS). The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned five pilot projects for geothermal resource assessment to pave the way for commercial deployment.
RBI Issues Revised Guidelines for Payment Aggregators
On 15th September 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released revised guidelines for Payment Aggregators (PAs) to strengthen consumer protection and prevent digital fraud. The guidelines mandate PAs to implement a board-approved dispute resolution policy with clear refund timelines and adopt robust fraud prevention and data security measures.
Non-bank PAs must apply for RBI authorization online, while regulated entities require a No-Objection Certificate (NoC) within 45 days. PAs are prohibited from engaging in marketplace activities and can only aggregate funds for merchants with whom they have direct contracts. Additionally, the use of ATM PINs for card-not-present transactions has been disallowed, and PAs cannot set arbitrary transaction limits—this responsibility lies with card-issuing banks.
Minority Affairs Ministry Launches Swachhata Hi Seva 2025
On 17th September 2025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2025 in New Delhi, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurating the event near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. The campaign, which will run until 2nd October to mark Gandhi Jayanti, encourages citizens to make cleanliness a way of life.
The Minister administered the Swachhata Pledge to participants, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility and linking a clean environment with building a healthier and stronger nation.