1 Shirish Chandra Murmu appointed as Deputy Governor of RBI
The central government on Monday appointed Shirish Chandra Murmu as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a three-year term . His appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet, will be effective from October 9. He replaces M. Rajeshwar Rao , whose term ends on October 8. Currently, Shirish serves as Executive Director at the RBI and oversees the Department of Supervision. By law, the RBI must have four Deputy Governors : two from within the bank, one from within the banking system, and one from the commercial banking system. T. Rabi Shankar, Poonam Gupta, and Swaminathan J. are the other Deputy Governors. Rajeshwar Rao has completed five years in the position. He first became Deputy Governor in 2020 for a three-year term and was subsequently granted two extensions of one year each in 2023 and 2024. Earlier last month, the government had appointed former RBI Governor Dr Urjit Patel as Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a period of three years.
2 India and Bhutan sign MoU to establish first cross-border railway link
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held discussions with Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Om Pema Choden in New Delhi . The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed progress in all key areas of cooperation. During the meeting, an inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to establish railway connectivity between India and Bhutan. The MoU envisages the establishment of the first cross-border rail links connecting Kokrajhar and Gelephu, and Banarhat and Samtse . These projects are part of broader efforts to enhance connectivity between the two countries and will strengthen economic and people-to-people ties. The successful commissioning of all six units of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project was welcomed. This project represents a major milestone in realizing the India-Bhutan Joint Vision on Energy Partnership.
3 Central Government issues EV charging station guidelines under PM e-Drive scheme
The central government has issued guidelines for the establishment of approximately 72,300 public electric vehicle charging stations across the country under the PM e-Drive scheme . According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries , these stations will be located on government premises, highways, public transport hubs, and commercial complexes . According to the guidelines, infrastructure and charging equipment at government offices, residential colonies, hospitals, and educational institutions will receive a 100 percent subsidy. These stations will require free public access. For railway stations, airports, bus terminals, metro stations, municipal parking lots, public sector ports, retail outlets of state-owned oil companies, and toll plazas of the National Highway Authority and state governments, the subsidy will cover 80 percent of the infrastructure cost and 70 percent of the charging equipment cost. Infrastructure at shopping malls, markets, and roadside charging stations along highways and expressways will receive an 80 percent subsidy.
4 R. Venkataramani gets two-year extension as Attorney General of India
The President has reappointed R. Venkataramani as the Attorney General of India for a further period of two years . A notification issued by the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice said, “The President is pleased to reappoint Shri R. Venkataramani, Senior Advocate, as the Attorney General of India for a further period of two years with effect from October 1, 2025.” The Attorney General of India has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House, but cannot vote. Parliamentary rights (Article 88)
5 Child marriages decline in India | 69% reduction for girls, 72% for boys
According to a report by Just Rights for Children , a network of over 250 NGOs working for child protection , child marriages for girls have declined by 69% and for boys by 72% in India. The report, titled ” Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage-Free India, ” was released during a UN General Assembly event in New York . It was prepared by the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change for Children (C-LAB) . Assam has recorded an 84% decline in child marriages for girls , followed by Maharashtra and Bihar (70% each), Rajasthan (66%), and Karnataka (55%). Karnataka has recorded the fastest decline in child marriages in the country. In the last three years, cases of child marriages for girls have declined by 55% and for boys by 88%. Poverty (91%) is the most common cause of child marriage, with 95% in Assam, 91% in Rajasthan, 90% each in Bihar and Maharashtra, and 87% in Karnataka citing it as a reason for child marriage.
6 In Telangana, Bathukamma Festival sets two new Guinness World Records
In Telangana , the Bathukamma festival recorded two new Guinness World Records . The festival took place at the Saroornagar Stadium in Hyderabad . The first world record is for the largest Bathukamma floral decoration, adorned with approximately seven tons of flowers . It is 63.1 feet high and 11 feet wide . The second record is for a simultaneous coordinated display by 1,354 women . Representatives of Guinness World Records declared the display a world record. State Tourism Minister Krishna Rao and Women’s Development Minister Anasuya Sitakka were presented with certificates.
7 India’s real GDP growth projected at 6.7% this fiscal: Report
Global business services firm EY on Monday raised its forecast for India’s real GDP growth rate for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) to 6.7 percent. This estimate is higher than the earlier estimate of 6.5 percent, due to the strong impact of GST 2.0 reforms. The September edition of EY’s ‘Economy Watch’ said that amid global uncertainties, monetary easing and rationalization of GST rates are expected to strengthen domestic demand. According to the report, “With real GDP growth of 7.8 percent in the first quarter of FY2026 and demand boost through GST reforms, on the other hand, due to global constraints impacting India’s export prospects in both goods and services, we expect India to register annual real GDP growth of 6.7 percent in FY2026.
8 India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement to come into effect from October 1, 2025
Union Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that India’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) will come into effect from October 1, 2025. He gave this information at the closing session of the UP International Trade Show . The Union Minister said that developed countries are keen to enter into FTAs with India, and India has already signed such agreements with the UAE, Australia and the UK . India’s foreign exchange reserves have now reached US$700 billion.
9 Moody’s Ratings maintains India’s long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings at Baa3
Moody’s Ratings has maintained India’s long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings at Baa3 . Moody’s based the decision on India’s improving financial position and strong growth prospects. This reflects India’s robust economic growth. Moody’s said India remains a safe investment destination. However, fiscal weaknesses and high debt remain concerns. Moody’s estimates that US tariffs and policy changes will have limited impact on India’s economy in the near term. However, tariffs could hamper India’s long-term export manufacturing ambitions.
10 5th Hockey India Senior Women’s Inter-Department National Championship begins in Delhi, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurates it
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the 5th Hockey India Senior Women’s Inter-Department National Championship 2025 at the Shivaji Stadium in New Delhi on Monday . Indian Oil Chairman A.S. Sawhney, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey, Federation members, coaches, support staff, and enthusiastic students from several schools were present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Puri said that Indian Oil and other oil marketing companies have not only strengthened the country’s economy but have also continuously promoted sports. These companies have helped athletes achieve excellence at the national and international levels.
11 England all-rounder Chris Woakes retires from international cricket
England fast bowler and all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket . In a social media post, Woakes said that the time is right for him to retire. Since his debut in 2011, Woakes has played 217 matches for England across all formats of the game, scoring 3,705 runs with the bat and taking a total of 396 wickets. The all-rounder was a key member of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning team, playing a crucial role with both bat and ball. He also won the T20 World Cup title with England in 2022.