• 26 Sep 2025

PM Pays Tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 25th September 2025, paid homage to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary, highlighting his enduring contributions to India’s ideological foundation and developmental vision.

Key Points

• About: He was born on 25th September 1916, in the village of Nagla Chandrabhan in Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh and passed away on 11th February 1968.
  • He was an Indian politician, philosopher, and ideologue of the RSS and Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) (the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party).
• Contributions: He focused on Antyodaya, i.e., uplifting the last person and addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged.
  • His philosophy of “Integral Humanism” emphasised welfare, social justice, economic equality, and self-reliance.
• Recognition: Since 25th September 2014, his birth anniversary has been observed as Antyodaya Diwas to honour his contributions to the nation.
  • In 2015, the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) was renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM.
  • In 2018, Mughalsarai Junction in Uttar Pradesh was renamed after him

Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3rd edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025 at Greater Noida, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the state’s emergence as a growth engine, the success of start-up initiatives, and the rising global recognition of UP’s products.

Key Points

• Event & Venue: UPITS 2025 is being held from 25th to 29th September 2025 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.
• Scale & Participation: Over 2,250 exhibitors and 550+ international buyers from 80 countries are participating, with stalls representing all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
• ODOP Focus: The One-District-One-Product (ODOP) Pavilion, featuring 343 stalls, highlights the cultural, industrial, and agricultural heritage of all districts.
• Themes & Special Initiatives: Organised under the theme “Ultimate Sourcing Begins Here”, the event showcases diverse products—from Bhadohi carpets to Pratapgarh gooseberry snacks—alongside 150 CM Yuva stalls and 25 “Swad Uttar Pradesh” stalls.
• Buyer Strategy: The trade show introduces a three-dimensional approach by categorising buyers into international buyers, domestic B2B buyers, and domestic B2C buyers. 
  • This strategy ensures a targeted and efficient experience for participants, enhancing trade linkages and market opportunities across sectors.
• Significance: UPITS 2025 strengthens Uttar Pradesh’s role as one of India’s top exporting states by promoting MSME exports, GI-based branding, and artisan empowerment. 
  • The trade show aligns with the vision of Make in India, Vocal for Local, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and demonstrates how state-led initiatives can drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

World Para Athletics Championships (WPAC) 2025

Why in News?

The World Para Athletics Championships (WPAC) 2025 was inaugurated at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister hailed para athletes as breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks, underscoring India’s identity as a sporting and inclusive nation.

Key Points

• About: This year's championship, scheduled from 27th September to 5th October 2025, boasts a record-breaking 2,200 participants from 104 nations, marking it as the largest para sports event ever hosted on Indian soil.
  •  The event will also feature India's largest-ever contingent of 74 athletes.
• India’s First: India will host the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time, becoming the fourth Asian nation to do so, following Qatar, the UAE, and Japan.
• Infrastructure: The event is being held on the newly-laid Mondo track at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which was previously used at the Paris Paralympics 2024 and inaugurated on National Sports Day.
  • Alongside the main competition track, a Mondo warm-up track and a multi-speciality gymnasium, capable of training 200 athletes simultaneously, were also inaugurated, emphasising India's commitment to world-class sports infrastructure.
• Previous Achievement: India’s remarkable rise in para sports is evident, with the country achieving its best-ever performance at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, securing sixth place overall with 17 medals, including six golds, five silvers, and six bronzes.
• Significance: This event is part of India’s long-term strategy to host major global sporting events, with plans already underway for the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and aspirations to host the Olympic Games in 2036.

Vikas Sheel Appointed Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Vikas Sheel, a senior IAS officer, has been appointed as the 13th Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, succeeding Amitabh Jain, who will retire on 30th September 2025.

• He has held key positions, including Collector of Raipur and Bilaspur districts, Secretary in various state departments, and is currently serving as an advisor to the Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Key Facts About Chief Secretary

• Origin: The office of the Chief Secretary in India originated during British rule in 1799 under Lord Wellesley and has since become integral to the state's administration. 
  • The Chief Secretary serves as the highest-ranking civil servant in a state, overseeing the state Secretariat and coordinating government functions.
• Appointment and Status: The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister (in the name of the Governor of the state) from senior IAS officers based on factors like seniority, merit, and trust. 
  • The office was standardized in 1973 to equate it with the position of Secretary to the Government of India. 
• Powers and Functions:
  • Advisor to Chief Minister: Acts as the principal advisor on matters of state administration and provides guidance on policy issues.
  • Secretary to the Cabinet: Prepares the Cabinet meeting agenda, records proceedings, and oversees decision implementation.
  • Head of Civil Service: Oversees appointments, transfers, and promotions within the state civil service and maintains the morale of civil servants.
  • Chief Coordinator: Ensures inter-departmental coordination, presides over coordination committees, and resolves disputes between departments.
  • Head of Certain Departments: Directly manages key departments such as General Administration, Personnel, and Planning.
  • Crisis Administrator: Leads relief operations during crises like floods, droughts, and communal disturbances, representing the state government during emergencies.

Asia's First Woman Train Driver

Why in News?

Surekha Yadav, Asia's first woman train driver, will retire from her remarkable 36-year career with Central Railway (CR) on 30th September 2025. 

• Throughout her career, she broke barriers in a male-dominated field, inspiring generations of women to pursue careers in railways.

Key Points

• Surekha Yadav began her career as an assistant driver in 1989 and rose through the ranks, becoming the first female train driver in Asia.
• She piloted various trains, including the prestigious Vande Bharat Express. 
• She was also the first woman to navigate the Deccan Queen on the steep Bhor Ghat stretch, one of India’s most treacherous rail routes.
• Her journey from a small town in Satara to becoming a trailblazer in Indian Railways reflects determination, resilience, and the changing perception of women’s roles in transportation.