Daily Current Affairs & Key Questions for NDA & Competitive Exams – 17 September 2025

Introduction

Stay ahead in NDA preparation with today’s summary of the latest current affairs, carefully curated for NDA exam aspirants. Covering politics, defence, economy, technology, sports, and awards—this update delivers the essential news to boost GK and awareness for all competitive exams. From policy changes to sporting breakthroughs, get the latest current affairs highlights to sharpen your exam edge.

Key Recent Current Affairs Highlights

Politics & Governance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 75 today, receiving heartfelt wishes from leaders across party lines and global figures including US President Donald Trump and Russian ambassador Denis Alipov, while BJP launched the nationwide ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ campaign to mark the occasion. President Droupadi Murmu praised Modi’s “extraordinary leadership” and wished him continued health, as state Chief Ministers, Vice President Radhakrishnan, and other dignitaries described Modi as a guiding force and torchbearer for India’s progress on the global stage.

The Home Minister, Amit Shah, launched the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, signaling a push for youth engagement in sports. The government also extended the ITR filing deadline till today, aiding taxpayers nationwide.

Geopolitics & International Relations

India’s emergence as a global climate champion was again recognized, with Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav lauding the Cooling Action Plan at a recent conference. On the world stage, tensions escalated in Gaza as Israel launched ground operations, and Russia conducted military drills demonstrating both conventional and nuclear capabilities. Mauritius PM Ramgoolam made headlines during his meeting with India’s President Droupadi Murmu.

Defence & Military Updates

The Indian Navy launched the third ship in the DSC project, ‘DSC A22’, in Kolkata, aiming to strengthen maritime security. India added seven more sites to UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list, reflecting cultural and strategic international outreach. Meanwhile, recent joint military exercises with France underline robust defence diplomacy.

Economy & Environment

India set a new Rabi crop production target at 362.5 million tonnes for 2025–26 under the guidance of the Agriculture Minister. The latest PLFS Monthly Bulletin shows unemployment dropping to 5.1%. Mother Dairy reduced prices after GST adjustments, and Startup India signed an MoU with CarDekho Group to accelerate the startup ecosystem. India’s Cooling Action Plan received global praise for climate initiative leadership.

Science & Technology

A major innovation this week: only Aadhaar-authenticated users can reserve train tickets online for the first 15 minutes starting October 1. Meanwhile, Kerala faced a public health challenge with reports of deadly brain-eating amoeba, prompting new research and preventive work. India’s digital payment infrastructure saw upgrades with RBI’s new regulatory framework for payment aggregators.

Sports Highlights

• Apollo Tyres becomes the official jersey sponsor for Team India with a remarkable ₹579 crore bid, marking a major commercial win for Indian cricket.
• Smriti Mandhana reclaimed the No. 1 ICC ranking for women’s ODI batters, a proud moment for Indian women’s cricket.
• Skater Anandkumar Velkumar won India’s first-ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships, making history in athletics.

Awards & Recognitions

• 71st National Film Awards: Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared Best Actor for ‘Jawan’ and ‘12th Fail.’ Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.’ Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ‘12th Fail’ was awarded Best Feature Film.
• Apollo Hospitals acquired IFC’s stake in its Health and Lifestyle arm for ₹1,254 Crores, recognized for innovation in Indian healthcare.
• National Engineer’s Day celebrated on September 15th, honoring excellence in engineering across India.

Importance for NDA and Other Aspirants

Diverse current affairs build strong General Knowledge and awareness, which are crucial for NDA exam and SSB interview performance. Regular updates on topics from defence, politics, awards, and sports help aspirants develop analytical skills and answer confidently in exams. Integrating fresh news into preparation ensures readiness for frequently asked NDA and competitive exam questions.

Repeated Past Important Questions (MCQs)

1. Which ship was recently launched under the DSC project by the Indian Navy?
   • a) DSC A20
   • b) DSC A22
   • c) INS Vikrant
   • d) INS Arihant
2. Who won India’s first National Film Award for Best Actor in 2025?
   • a) Akshay Kumar
   • b) Ranbir Kapoor
   • c) Shah Rukh Khan
   • d) Rajkummar Rao
3. Which company secured the jersey sponsorship rights for the Indian cricket team till 2027?
   • a) Dream11
   • b) Apollo Tyres
   • c) Paytm
   • d) MRF
4. What is India’s new Rabi food grain production target for 2025–26?
   • a) 340 million tonnes
   • b) 362.5 million tonnes
   • c) 380 million tonnes
   • d) 400 million tonnes
5. Who reclaimed the ICC No. 1 ranking for women’s ODI batters in September 2025?
   • a) Harmanpreet Kaur
   • b) Mithali Raj
   • c) Smriti Mandhana
   • d) Ellyse Perry

Closing Words & Coaching Mention

Consistent practice with current affairs builds the foundation for NDA success. For expert guidance and comprehensive NDA coaching, Ground Zero Defence Academy provides structured preparation support to transform your military aspirations into reality.

This concise update keeps NDA aspirants well-prepared with relevant and recent developments across multiple fields essential for their success.