1. Centre Issues Guidelines for Public EV Charging Stations

On 26th September 2025, the Government of India released operational guidelines for the rollout of nearly 72,300 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The framework aims to accelerate EV infrastructure deployment across government, commercial, and public locations.

 

Key Points

• Subsidy Framework: The guidelines provide a tiered subsidy structure to support the installation of charging infrastructure at government offices, highways, public transport hubs, and commercial complexes.
• 100% Subsidy Locations: Government offices, residential colonies, hospitals, and educational institutions will receive a 100 per cent subsidy on upstream infrastructure and EV charging equipment if free public access is ensured.
• High-Traffic Public Locations: Railway stations, airports, bus terminals, metro stations, municipal parking lots, public sector ports, retail outlets of state-run oil companies, and toll plazas operated by NHAI or state governments will receive 80 per cent subsidy on upstream infrastructure and 70 per cent on charging equipment.
• Commercial and Highway Sites: Shopping malls, markets, and roadside facilities along highways and expressways are eligible for 80 per cent support on upstream infrastructure costs.
• Battery Swapping/Charging Stations: Any battery swapping or charging station installation is eligible for 80 per cent support on upstream costs.
• Implementation Process: Eligible government agencies will appoint nodal bodies to aggregate demand, identify priority sites, and submit proposals through a dedicated portal. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is designated as the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for overseeing deployment.
• Disbursement Mechanism: Subsidies will be released in two tranches, linked to compliance and performance benchmarks.

2. Himachal Cold Desert Added to UNESCO Network

On 27th September 2025, India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

• With this inclusion, India now has 13 biosphere reserves listed in the UNESCO global network, reflecting the nation’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and community-led sustainable development.
• The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is recognised for its unique high-altitude ecosystems and fragile cold desert landscapes that support endemic flora and fauna.
• The recognition was made during the 37th Session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council – Man and the Biosphere, held on September 27, 2025.
• The announcement comes shortly after India added two new Ramsar sites in Bihar—Gokul Jalashay in Buxar district spanning 448 hectares and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran district covering 319 hectares—bringing the country’s total to 93 wetlands of international importance.
• India’s Ramsar sites now cover 13,60,719 hectares, highlighting the government’s focus on protecting wetlands as critical ecosystems for biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

3. India Clinches Ninth Asia Cup Title

On 28th September 2025, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, securing their ninth title in the tournament’s history.

• India extended their unbeaten record against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, having won all three encounters in the 2025 edition, including the group stage match on 14th September and the Super Four clash on 21st September.
• The post-match ceremonies were marked by confusion as Mohsin Naqvi, serving as ACC President and Pakistan’s interior minister, stood on stage while the Indian team declined the presentation, resulting in the trophy being removed without the usual handover.

4. R. Venkataramani Re-appointed Attorney General

On 26th September 2025, Senior Advocate R. Venkataramani was re-appointed as the Attorney General of India for a two-year term, effective from 1st October 2025.

• The Law Ministry issued a notification stating that the President has approved the re-appointment of Shri R. Venkataramani as Attorney General for India for a further period of two years, commencing 1st October 2025.
• Mr. Venkataramani, aged 75, first assumed office as the Attorney General on 1st October 2022, succeeding veteran jurist K.K. Venugopal after completing his predecessor’s term.
• The Attorney General is a constitutional position appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Union government, and holds the right to appear in any court across the country.
• In addition to representing the government in litigations, the Attorney General advises on complex legal issues, providing guidance to both the Centre and State governments on matters of law.

5. DRDO, Social Innovators Shine at Changemaker Awards

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On 28th September 2025, The Hindu Businessline celebrated the seventh edition of its Changemaker Awards, recognising outstanding contributions in education, social welfare, digital innovation, indigenous production, and national defence.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was awarded the Changemaker of the Year for its pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, successfully neutralising enemy assets and safeguarding India’s borders.
• The Digital Transformation Award went to Bhashini, a government-backed language translation platform that leverages artificial intelligence to process over 20 million translation requests daily, enhancing linguistic accessibility across India.
• Kalpana Kumari, Managing Director of Girijan Cooperative Corporation, won the Financial Transformation Award for promoting Araku Valley coffee, a unique Arabica variant, while strengthening tribal communities and using AI tools to improve farmers’ livelihoods.

6. Centre Issues Guidelines for Public EV Charging Stations

On 26th September 2025, the Government of India released operational guidelines for the rollout of nearly 72,300 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The framework aims to accelerate EV infrastructure deployment across government, commercial, and public locations.

 

Key Points

• Subsidy Framework: The guidelines provide a tiered subsidy structure to support the installation of charging infrastructure at government offices, highways, public transport hubs, and commercial complexes.
• 100% Subsidy Locations: Government offices, residential colonies, hospitals, and educational institutions will receive a 100 per cent subsidy on upstream infrastructure and EV charging equipment if free public access is ensured.
• High-Traffic Public Locations: Railway stations, airports, bus terminals, metro stations, municipal parking lots, public sector ports, retail outlets of state-run oil companies, and toll plazas operated by NHAI or state governments will receive 80 per cent subsidy on upstream infrastructure and 70 per cent on charging equipment.
• Commercial and Highway Sites: Shopping malls, markets, and roadside facilities along highways and expressways are eligible for 80 per cent support on upstream infrastructure costs.
• Battery Swapping/Charging Stations: Any battery swapping or charging station installation is eligible for 80 per cent support on upstream costs.
• Implementation Process: Eligible government agencies will appoint nodal bodies to aggregate demand, identify priority sites, and submit proposals through a dedicated portal. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is designated as the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for overseeing deployment.
• Disbursement Mechanism: Subsidies will be released in two tranches, linked to compliance and performance benchmarks.