Context: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is expected to deliberate on the EPFO 3.0 initiative at its Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting scheduled for October 10–11, 2025. The meeting will be chaired by Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Key Highlights: What is EPFO 3.0: EPFO 3.0 is a proposed upgrade to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s digital ecosystem aimed at enabling seamless, bank-like services for subscribers. Key Features: Objective:
SEBI Eases Rules for Foreign Investors in Government Bonds
Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced that its revised regulations for foreign investors investing exclusively in Indian government securities will come into effect from 8 February 2026. The rules were initially approved at SEBI’s board meeting in June 2025. Key Highlights: About Fully Accessible Route (FAR) Role of FPIs:
PhonePe Partners with MSME Ministry & SIDBI to Boost Udyam Registrations
Source: TH Context: Digital payments platform PhonePe has announced a partnership with the Ministry of MSMEs and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to help onboard more small merchants onto the Udyam registration facility. This move aims to increase formalisation of MSMEs, enabling them to access credit and government schemes. Key Highlights: Udyam Registration (MSME Registration in India)
RBI Launches New Microsite for Banknote Information
Source: RBI Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a dedicated microsite for banknotes: indiancurrency.rbi.org.in. The platform is designed to provide the public with comprehensive information on Indian banknotes, replacing the earlier microsite paisaboltahai.rbi.org.in. Key Highlights: Significance:
NASA Rover Finds Potential Sign of Ancient Life in Martian Rocks
Context: On 10 September 2025, scientists reported that a rock sample collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover from Mars’ Jezero Crater shows potential signs of ancient microbial life, though non-biological processes cannot be ruled out. The findings were published in Nature journal. Key Highlights: About Perseverance Rover
India’s First Overseas Atal Innovation Centre Inaugurated
Source: PIB Context: The Union Education Minister of India inaugurated India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre at the IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi campus during his UAE visit in September 2025. About the Atal Innovation Centre (Overseas) About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
New Fungal Species Discovered in the Western Ghats
Context: Indian scientists from MACS–Agharkar Research Institute (Pune), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), have discovered two new species of Aspergillus section Nigri in the Western Ghats, along with the first reports of two other species in India. About Aspergillus Section Nigri Newly Identified Species
Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Program (FTI–TTP)
Source: ET Context: On 12 September 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the FTI–TTP facility at Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Tiruchirappalli, and Amritsar international airports through videoconferencing. About FTI–TTP
Unicef Report: “Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children”
Source: ET Context: Unicef released its report “Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children”, highlighting the role of the ultra-processed food (UPF) and beverage industry in worsening childhood obesity and unhealthy diets. Key Highlights of the Report: Recommendations by UNICEF
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
Source: TH Context: On 10 September 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a formal agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to transfer technology for the production of Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). The deal marks a major milestone in industry participation in India’s space sector. About Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV):
