India and Bhutan
News–India and Bhutan to Launch First Cross-Border Rail Projects.
- Date – 29 September 2025.
- Event – India and Bhutan agreed to establish first-ever cross-border railway projects.
- Investment – ₹4,033 crore (fully funded by India).
- Projects –
– Kokrajhar–Gelephu line: 69 km, ₹3,456 crore
– Banarhat–Samtse line: 20 km, ₹577 crore - Connectivity – Links Bhutan’s Gelephu and Samtse with India’s railway network at Kokrajhar (Assam) and Banarhat (West Bengal).
- Background – Follows MoU signed during PM Modi’s Bhutan visit in 2024.
- Significance – Symbol of India-Bhutan trust, cultural ties and developmental partnership.
- Trade – India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and major modernization partner.
India’s FTA with EFTA
News-India’s FTA with EFTA to Start October 1 Announced by Goyal.
- Effective Date – FTA to come into force from 1 October 2025.
- Event – India’s first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a European bloc.
- Bloc – EFTA nations: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.
- Agreement – Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
- Announcement – Made by Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
- Investment commitment – $100 billion over 15 years.
- Expected job creation – 1 million.
- Covers – Goods, services, investment, IPR, sustainable development.
- Features – Tariff concessions + major investment commitments from advanced economies.
- Significance – Landmark in India’s global trade strategy, expected to boost trade and investment.
First India-Born Adult Cheetah
News-Mukhi Becomes First India-Born Adult Cheetah at Kuno.
- Date – 30 September 2025.
- Event – First India-born cheetah reaches adulthood at Kuno National Park.
- Cheetah – Mukhi, female cub born to Namibian cheetah Jwala.
- Age – 915 days old, symbolizing transition from birth to maturity.
- Location – Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
- Significance – First successful India-born cheetah to survive to adulthood.
- Impact – Major milestone in cheetah reintroduction project; step toward self-sustaining population.
- Context – Achievement comes amid high cub mortality concerns.
Sheetal Devi
News-World Archery Para Championships 2025: Sheetal Devi Wins Maiden Gold.
- Event – 2025 World Para Archery Championships.
- Location – Gwangju, South Korea.
- Winner – India’s Sheetal Devi (18 years old).
- Achievement – Gold in Women’s Compound Open; silver and bronze in team events.
- Opponent in Final – Defeated Türkiye’s Oznur Cure Girdi (3-time world champion and Paralympic gold medalist).
- Final Score – 146–143.
- Significance – First World Para Archery gold for Sheetal Devi; marks her rise on global stage.
- Notable Background: Armless archer using feet and chin; Arjuna Awardee 2023.
Attorney General of India
News- R Venkataramani Reappointed Attorney General of India Till 2027.
- Event – Reappointment of Attorney General of India.
- Person – Senior Advocate R. Venkataramani.
- Tenure – Extended for 2 years (Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2027).
- Previous Term – 3 years (Sept 30, 2022 – Sept 30, 2025).
- Announcement – Confirmed by Ministry of Law and Justice.
- Significance – Ensures legal continuity; reflects govt’s confidence in his counsel and leadership.
MCQs
Q1. When did India and Bhutan agree to establish their first cross-border railway projects?
a) 15 August 2025
b) 29 September 2025
c) 2 October 2025
d) 1 January 2026
Q2. Which of the following countries is NOT part of EFTA?
a) Switzerland
b) Norway
c) Sweden
d) Iceland
Q3. Mukhi, the first India-born cheetah to reach adulthood, lives in which national park?
a) Gir National Park
b) Ranthambore National Park
c) Kuno National Park
d) Bandhavgarh National Park
Q4. Sheetal Devi won her maiden gold medal in which event at the 2025 World Para Archery Championships?
a) Women’s Recurve
b) Women’s Compound Open
c) Mixed Team Recurve
d) Men’s Compound Open
Q5. Who has been reappointed as Attorney General of India till 2027?
a) Mukul Rohatgi
b) R. Venkataramani
c) K.K. Venugopal
d) Tushar Mehta