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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Reserve Bank of India Releases I. S. N. Prasad Committee Report on Ways and Means Advances to State Governments

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Report of the Advisory Committee on Ways and Means Advances (WMA) to State Governments, chaired by Shri I. S. N. Prasad, former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.
• The Committee was constituted to review State-wise WMA limits and other liquidity support/financial accommodation facilities available to state governments.
• The RBI provides temporary liquidity support to states for cash-flow mismatches through Special Drawing Facility (SDF), Ways and Means Advances (WMA) and Overdraft (OD), in the sequence SDF → WMA → OD.
• The Committee recommended increasing the aggregate WMA limit for states from ₹61,008 crore to ₹67,839 crore, representing an 2% increase, considering the growth in states’ budget sizes and liquidity requirements.
• It recommended using States’ Revenue Receipts instead of Total Expenditure as the basis for determining state-wise WMA limits.
• The Committee proposed that state-wise WMA limits should be revised annually with an upward revision capped at 4%, while ensuring that no state’s revised limit falls below its existing limit.
• To encourage higher contributions to the Consolidated Sinking Fund (CSF) and Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF), the Committee recommended increasing the SDF limit against eligible CSF investments from 50% to 75%.
• The Committee proposed that when CSF/GRF balances exceed 5% of outstanding marketable debt/guarantees, states may receive liquidity support against the excess amount at an interest rate higher than the normal SDF rate.
• To promote greater fiscal discipline, the Committee recommended reducing the maximum consecutive period a state can remain in Overdraft (OD) from 14 days to 10 days.
• It also recommended reducing the maximum OD days in a calendar quarter from 36 days to 30 days.

Securities and Exchange Board of India Approves Portfolio Management Services–Mutual Fund Investment Route and Revises Settlement Regulations

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a series of regulatory reforms covering Portfolio Management Services (PMS), settlement proceedings, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), commodity derivatives, and advertising norms.
• SEBI approved a comprehensive overhaul of Portfolio Managers Regulations to expand the PMS industry, simplify compliance, consolidate regulations and remove outdated provisions.

Key Highlights :

• Under the revised PMS framework, PRIM will allow PMS providers to invest client funds in direct mutual fund schemes and Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs), with a minimum ticket size of ₹25 lakh.
• PMS providers can invest up to 10% of client AUM in investment-grade unlisted debt under discretionary PMS, subject to client consent.
• The revised PMS framework allows investment in IPOs, primary debt issuances, newly listed debt securities and exchange-traded derivatives.
• SEBI’s revised settlement framework introduces a formula-based method for determining settlement amounts and aims to reduce regulatory discretion in settlement proceedings.
• A fast-track settlement mechanism has been introduced for eligible disclosure-related violations where the calculated settlement amount is up to ₹10 lakh, without referral to the High Powered Committee.
• The deadline for filing settlement applications has been extended from 60 days to 90 days from the date of the show-cause notice.
• A separate 90-day one-time settlement window has been introduced for specified pending cases.
• The revised settlement framework replaces the 2018 Settlement Proceedings Regulations and is aligned with provisions introduced in the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act.
• SEBI approved a common advertisement code for market intermediaries and regulated entities to standardise and simplify advertising practices across the securities market.
• SEBI expanded Vault Manager regulations to cover bullion-linked ETFs and derivatives and raised the minimum net worth requirement to ₹75 crore.
• SEBI eased retrospective listing norms for unlisted Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) and approved a fourth settlement scheme for eligible illiquid stock-option cases.
• SEBI also expanded FPI access to exchange-traded commodity derivatives, providing foreign portfolio investors with wider participation in the commodity derivatives market.
• PMS (Portfolio Management Services) involves professional portfolio managers managing investors’ portfolios according to their individual financial objectives, with investors having direct ownership of securities and other assets.
• Unlike mutual funds, where investors hold units in a pooled investment vehicle, PMS investors directly own the securities/assets held in their portfolios.

About SEBI :

• Established : 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Tuhin Kanta Pandey
• SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.

India’s Industrial Output Growth Accelerates to 8% in August on Strong Sectoral Performance

• India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 8.0% year-on-year in August 2026, accelerating from 6.7% in July 2026 as per the Quick Estimates released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The August 2026 IIP growth of 8.0% was the second-highest growth in the revised IIP series since April 2024, after 8.8% recorded in June 2026.

Key Highlights :

• The IIP index increased to 123.3 in August 2026, compared with 114.2 in August 2025.
• The data was released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The IIP is a monthly macroeconomic indicator that measures short-term changes in the volume of industrial production in India.
• The base year of the revised IIP is 2022–23, replacing the earlier base structure.
• The revised IIP covers four broad sectors, namely Mining and Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity and Gas Supply, and Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Management.
• The manufacturing sector, which has around 76% weight in the IIP, grew by about 9% in August 2026, marking its third consecutive month of growth of 8% or above.
• Manufacturing growth was led by electrical equipment (30.9%), other transport equipment (25.3%), motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers (25.2%), rubber and plastics products (21.4%), computer, electronic and optical products (19.3%), and beverages (18.3%).
• Out of 23 two-digit manufacturing industry groups, 18 groups recorded year-on-year growth, while 5 groups contracted in August 2026.
• The manufacturing groups that contracted were tobacco products (-8%), wearing apparel (-7.4%), coke and refined petroleum products (-0.6%), chemical products (-0.5%), and paper products (-0.1%).
• Electricity output grew by 3% in August 2026, compared with 8.7% in July 2026, marking its highest growth since May 2024.
• Within electricity generation, renewable generation increased by 15.4%, non-renewable generation grew by 12.3%, while gas supply declined by 2.4%.
• Mining and quarrying output contracted by 5.6% in August 2026, compared with a 0.9% contraction in July 2026, making mining a major drag on overall industrial growth.
• Within mining, non-metallic minerals declined by 12.8%, fuel minerals declined by 5.7%, while metallic minerals increased by 5%.
• Water supply, sewerage and waste management recorded 6.3% growth in August 2026, slowing from 7.4% in July 2026.
• Under the use-based classification, capital goods recorded the highest growth at 9%, followed by consumer durables at 11.1%.
• Infrastructure and construction goods grew by 6.4%, while primary goods increased by 3.5% in August 2026.
• Consumer durables growth moderated to 11.1% in August from 12% in July, while consumer non-durables returned to growth at 2.05% after contracting by 0.8% in July.
• July 2026 IIP growth was revised upward to 7.4% from the earlier estimate of 6.7%.
• During April–August 2026, India’s industrial output grew by 6.7%, compared with 4.2% during the corresponding period of the previous year.
• The revised IIP expanded its product basket from 839 items across 407 groups to 1,042 products across 463 item groups, improving the coverage of industrial production.
• The revised IIP also incorporates updated sectoral weights based on the revised GVA 2022–23 series.

Reserve Bank of India Reports India’s Net Foreign Direct Investment at Five-Year High of USD 7.3 Billion in July 2026

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose to a 5-year high of US$7.35 billion in July 2026, the highest since May 2021 (US$8.80 billion).
• Net FDI in July 2026 increased by 64% year-on-year, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
• Gross FDI inflows stood at US$14.58 billion in July 2026, making it the third-highest monthly gross inflow in the last six years.
• The increase in FDI was mainly supported by robust gross inflows, according to the RBI’s “State of the Economy” article in its latest monthly bulletin.
• Communication, financial and computer services were the major sectors, together receiving more than four-fifths of equity FDI inflows.
• Mauritius, the UAE and the United States were the major source countries, together accounting for around 70% of equity FDI inflows.
• During April–July 2026, India’s net FDI increased to US$13.4 billion, compared with US$9.7 billion in the same period of the previous year, representing a 38% increase.
• During April–July 2026, gross FDI inflows rose by 6%, from US43.9 billion.
• Net FDI in June 2026 stood at US$1.3 billion, showing a sharp increase to US$7.35 billion in July 2026.
• Outward FDI/overseas investments increased in July 2026 after declining for two consecutive months.
• More than two-thirds of outward FDI flows were directed towards Singapore, the UK and the UAE.
• The major sectors receiving outward FDI were financial, insurance and business services, and manufacturing, together accounting for around two-thirds of outward FDI flows.

Bank of India Introduces Programmable Digital Rupee with Auto-Payment Facility

• Bank of India (BoI) launched programmable Digital Rupee (e₹) functionality with an auto-payment/auto-issuance facility on 29 September 2026.
• The facility operates on BoI’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) platform, developed by Montran India.
• The feature allows customers to schedule automatic e₹ transfers to a beneficiary’s CBDC wallet at a fixed amount and frequency, without requiring manual intervention for each transaction.
• The facility also provides purpose-based spending controls, allowing the sender to restrict how the recipient can use the funds.
• The programmable e₹ facility can be used for recurring payments, including education allowances, household transfers and other purpose-bound payments.
• The system supports user-level programmability, with the payment conditions and spending restrictions configured by the account holder.
• The facility has been developed in compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
• Programmable CBDC refers to central bank-issued digital money with embedded rules governing its transfer, use or redemption; India’s CBDC is the Digital Rupee (e₹) issued by the RBI.
• The initiative expands the Digital Rupee beyond basic wallet-to-wallet transfers by enabling recurring payments and usage-based conditions.
• The launch comes as the RBI expands Digital Rupee applications into areas such as welfare disbursements and cross-border payments, supporting the wider adoption of the CBDC ecosystem.

About Bank of India:

• Founded: 1906
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Managing Director & CEO: Rajneesh Karnatak
• Tagline: "Relationships Beyond Banking"

ICICI Lombard Introduces ‘VIBE’ Health Insurance Plan for Gen Z

• ICICI Lombard General Insurance launched VIBE, a mobile-first health insurance plan designed mainly for young consumers, particularly Gen Z.
• VIBE is built on ICICI Lombard’s IL TakeCare platform and combines hospitalisation cover, outpatient care, mental-health support, teleconsultations, health screenings and lifestyle benefits.
• VIBE is available in six variants — Rookie, BasicFit, Upgrade, Flex, GOAT and Value, with sum insured options from ₹7 lakh to ₹1 crore.
• All VIBE plans provide unlimited teleconsultations and a yearly gym membership for members above 18 years of age.
• The gym membership covers activities including gym, aerobics, Pilates, calisthenics, yoga and Zumba through network providers.
• The core hospitalisation cover, called ReVibe, provides unlimited sum insured resets on plans from BasicFit onwards.
• ReVibe covers in-patient treatment, day-care procedures, AYUSH hospitalisation, modern treatments and domestic road ambulance
• VIBE offers a Green Flag Bonus, which accrues 20% of the sum insured per policy year on entry-level plans and up to 50% per year on Flex and GOAT, with the higher-tier bonus capped at 300%.
• ICICI Lombard’s research found that 70.5% of respondents considered health and wellness their top protection priority, while 40.4% said dedicated OPD cover would increase their intention to purchase insurance.
• The launch coincides with ICICI Lombard completing 25 years of operations.
• ICICI Lombard is one of India’s largest private general insurers, with Gross Written Premium (GWP) of ₹306.18 billion for the year ended March 2026.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Delhi Government Launches Delhi Udyog Mitra Portal to Promote Ease of Doing Business

• Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the ‘Delhi Udyog Mitra’ portal under the Ease of Doing Business initiative to bring multiple approvals, licences and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) onto a single platform.

Key Highlights

• The Delhi Udyog Mitra portal functions as a single-window platform through which industrialists and entrepreneurs can apply for various licences, approvals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
• More than 15 departments and 50 services have already been onboarded onto the portal.
• According to Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the platform is expected to expand to 21 departments and more than 100 services by the following month.
• The portal provides entrepreneurs and industrialists with necessary information related to obtaining permissions, reducing the need to visit multiple government offices.
• Applicants can track the status of their applications online through the portal.
• The platform also provides a facility to lodge grievances, enabling users to raise issues related to their applications and services.
• The initiative is aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Delhi by simplifying the process of obtaining regulatory approvals and making government services more accessible through a unified digital platform.

About Delhi (National Capital Territory):

• Chief Minister: Rekha Gupta
• Lieutenant Governor: Taranjit Singh Sandhu
• Capital: New Delhi
• National Parks: None
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Asola Bhatti (Indira Priyadarshini) Wildlife Sanctuary

Production Linked Incentive Schemes Disburse ₹36,754 Crore in Incentives

• The Government of India has disbursed ₹36,754 crore in incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes since their launch in 2020, with the figures covering disbursements up to 30 June 2026.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade placed the data in the public domain on 25 September 2026.

Key Highlights

• The Production Linked Incentive Scheme is a Central Government initiative that provides financial incentives linked to incremental production, sales or investment by eligible companies.
• The PLI framework covers 14 key sectors and has an approved financial outlay of ₹1.91 lakh crore.
• The scheme was introduced in 2020 to strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract investments, increase exports, generate employment and improve India’s competitiveness in global value chains.
• Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing received the highest disbursement among the PLI sectors, amounting to ₹19,090.98 crore up to June 2026.
• The Pharmaceuticals sector received ₹6,662 crore, while the Food Products sector received ₹3,271.44 crore in PLI incentives during the same period.
• Automobiles and Auto Components received ₹3,174.15 crore in incentives up to June 2026.
• As of 30 June 2026, the PLI schemes had attracted actual investments of around ₹2.58 lakh crore. The latest Government of India summary rounds this to about ₹2.6 lakh crore.
• The schemes generated production and sales worth approximately ₹23.79 lakh crore and supported exports of around ₹15.53 lakh crore as of June 2026.
• The PLI schemes have also generated more than 14.57 lakh direct and indirect jobs, supporting employment across the participating sectors.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) functions as the nodal department for overall coordination and monitoring of the PLI Schemes, while the respective ministries and departments implement individual sectoral schemes.

GI-Tagged Kaladi Cheese of Jammu and Kashmir Reaches Commercial Scalability

• Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh stated that Kaladi, the traditional Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged dairy product of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, has reached a stage where it can be commercially scaled for wider domestic and global consumption.

Key Highlights

• Kaladi, also known as the “Mozzarella of Jammu”, is a traditional cheese of Udhampur known for its distinctive meltability and stretchability and is an important part of the region’s food heritage and rural dairy economy.
• Kaladi received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag on 3 October 2023, officially protecting its regional identity and authenticity.
• Dr. Jitendra Singh, who represents the Udhampur-Doda-Kathua Lok Sabha constituency, shared the development with the people of Udhampur and Jammu and Kashmir through social media.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier highlighted the diversity of Indian cheese traditions, including Kalari (Kaladi) of Jammu and Kashmir and Chhurpi of Ladakh, and noted the role of value addition in giving traditional Indian flavours a wider identity.
• The Gujjar-Bakarwal community has traditionally prepared and consumed Kaladi for generations.
• Under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, efforts are being undertaken to expand Kaladi into wider food applications and recipes while preserving its original flavour, texture and nutritional characteristics.
• The major challenge in expanding Kaladi to national and international markets was its short shelf life. Scientific intervention was therefore undertaken by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru.
• CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru has invited private commercial players and companies through an Expression of Interest (EOI) for commercialisation of standardised Kaladi cheese technology.

About Jammu and Kashmir:

• Chief Minister: Omar Abdullah
• Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha
• Capitals: Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
• National Parks: Dachigam National Park, Kazinag National Park, Kishtwar National Park, Salim Ali National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary, Limber Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramnagar Rakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana Completes 12 Years

• The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) completed 12 years in 2026, continuing to connect rural youth with industry- aligned skill training, employment opportunities and sustainable livelihood options.
• The milestone is significant as India’s youth population is projected to reach nearly 345 million by 2036, highlighting the need to expand quality skilling opportunities for rural youth.

Key Highlights

• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana was launched on 25 September 2014 by the Ministry of Rural Development under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission to provide placement-linked skill training and employment opportunities to rural youth.
• The scheme primarily targets rural youth aged 15–35 years from poor households and enables them to acquire industry-relevant skills and access sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• To promote social inclusion, DDU-GKY mandates coverage of 50% Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, 33% women and 5% persons with disabilities.
• The upgraded DDU-GKY 2.0 Guidelines, notified in May 2025, strengthen the focus on industry-aligned training, employment outcomes, post-placement support and employment sustainability.
• DDU-GKY 2.0 provides training in sectors based on industry requirements, including aerospace and aviation, agriculture, beauty and wellness, green jobs, healthcare and textiles.
• The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated ₹750 crore for DDU-GKY, reflecting continued focus on rural youth skilling and employment generation.
• Under the Roshni Initiative, residential skill training is provided in Left-Wing Extremism-affected districts identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs, with 40% participation reserved for women candidates.
• The initiative has also been extended to Aspirational Districts, with emphasis on local resources, traditional skills and regional development requirements.
• The Himayat Initiative is a special DDU-GKY programme for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, covering rural and urban youth from both Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line categories.
• Job Melas organised by State Rural Livelihood Missions at block and Gram Panchayat levels connect trained youth with employers. Financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 for Gram Panchayat-level fairs and ₹1 lakh for block-level fairs is provided.
• In the 2025–26 rollout, Goa became the first State to create batches under DDU-GKY 2.0. Andhra Pradesh began training more than 12,000 candidates within three months, while Jammu and Kashmir allocated 100% of its targets and commenced training for 91% of the allocated candidates.

Arogya Manthan 2026 Marks Eight Years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Five Years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

• Union Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking 8 years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and 5 years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• The event was organised by the National Health Authority (NHA) to review India’s health assurance and digital health ecosystem and discuss priorities for its next phase.

Key Highlights

• Arogya Manthan 2026 brought together government officials, healthcare providers, insurers, technology and digital health experts, academics, development partners and other stakeholders.
• J. P. Nadda said the milestones of AB PM-JAY and ABDM provide an opportunity to assess progress and renew the commitment towards the welfare of poor and marginalised sections, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”
• AB PM-JAY has emerged as the world’s largest health assurance programme, covering more than 60 crore beneficiaries and facilitating over 13 crore hospital admissions, involving treatment worth more than ₹2 lakh crore.
• The scheme has been expanded to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
• Under ABDM, more than 97.8 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs have been created, with over 121 crore health records linked. More than 5.6 lakh health facilities and around 11 lakh healthcare professionals are registered on the ABDM ecosystem.
• The National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) has been developed to bring hospitals and insurers onto a common digital platform, supporting standardised and technology-driven health insurance processes.
• The event witnessed the launch of several digital health initiatives, including the National Healthcare Providers Registry Mobile App, NHCX Implementation Guide for Payers, Guidebook for a Model Digital Health Facility, Secure Data Environment application, and Framework for Auto-Adjudication of Claims under AB PM-JAY.
• The Secure Data Environment (SDE), developed by the National Health Authority with support from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, will provide a governed environment for accessing and analysing AB PM-JAY and ABDM health data.
• The Auto-Adjudication Framework seeks to streamline and strengthen the claims adjudication process under AB PM-JAY through technology and data-driven methods.
• Under AB PM-JAY performance recognition, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir were recognised for the highest card saturation among Accredited Social Health Activists, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers in the large State, small State and Union Territory categories, respectively.
• Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat were recognised as the top-performing States for claim settlement under inter-State portability.
• Under ABDM, Bihar, Ladakh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli were recognised as top-performing States/Union Territories across model districts based on district population categories.
• Chandigarh, Assam and Uttar Pradesh were recognised for the highest number of sub-centres using ABDM-enabled Health Management Information Systems in the small State/Union Territory, medium State/Union Territory and large State categories, respectively.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant Inaugurates India’s First Victim Rights Centre in Patna

• Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the country’s first Victim Rights Centre in Patna, Bihar, to provide legal rights and essential support to victims of various crimes, including invisible victims, under one roof.

Key Highlights

• The Victim Rights Centre has been established on the premises of the Bihar State Legal Services Authority.
• The centre will provide victims with access to legal rights, essential assistance, psychological support, counselling and other required facilities at a single location.
• The initiative has been launched in Patna district as a one-year pilot project.
• Following the pilot phase, the Victim Rights Centre is planned to be extended to all districts of Bihar.
• During the same occasion, Justice Surya Kant will also launch a Transgender Helpline and flag off multi-utility vehicles.
• He will also address a lecture at Lok Bhavan as part of the programme.

About Bihar:

• Chief Minister: Samrat Choudhary
• Governor: Syed Ata Hasnain
• Capital: Patna
• National Parks: Valmiki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Valmiki, Bhimbandh, Kaimur, Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuaries

Supreme Court Asks Centre to Examine 18-Year Age Threshold for Independent Social Media Accounts

• The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central Government to examine whether social media platforms should be legally required to ensure that users are at least 18 years old before independently creating accounts.
• The matter concerns the legal capacity of minors to enter into agreements with digital platforms and the need for stronger online safety safeguards.

Key Highlights

• A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA) seeking stronger safeguards for minors on social media and other digital platforms.
• The court asked whether the 18-year minimum age requirement should be incorporated into the statutory framework governing intermediaries rather than remaining merely a guideline.
• The proceedings do not constitute a nationwide ban on social media access for persons below 18 years. The immediate legal question is whether platforms should be required to align their account-creation systems with the existing legal position concerning minors and contracts.
• Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 states that a person who has not attained majority is not competent to contract.
• Under Section 3 of the Majority Act, 1875, the age of majority is 18 years. The petition therefore questions how minors can independently accept contractual terms of digital platforms when they are legally incapable of entering into such contracts.
• The petition has pointed out that several social media platforms generally permit users from 13 years of age to create accounts, often based on age or date-of-birth declarations. It has sought effective age-assurance mechanisms and restrictions on independently operated accounts of minors.
• During the hearing, the Central Government referred to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. The petitioners, however, argued that its relevant provisions would not provide an immediate solution to the issue.
• The bench also examined the intermediary framework under the Information Technology Act, including Section 79, which provides the statutory basis for intermediary safe-harbour protection. The court indicated that existing rules could potentially be used to require platforms to bring their systems into conformity with Indian law.
• The case forms part of wider scrutiny of child safety on digital platforms. In September 2026, the Supreme Court had sought the Centre’s response to the same PIL concerning the ability of persons below 18 years to independently enter into contracts with digital platforms.
• As of the hearing described, the 18-year threshold is an issue under examination by the Central Government and is not a new nationwide prohibition imposed by the Supreme Court.

Make in India Completes 12 Years, Driving Growth in Domestic Production, Investment and Exports

• The flagship Make in India initiative completed 12 years on 25 September 2026, with the government highlighting its contribution to the expansion of domestic manufacturing, investment, exports and industrial capabilities across sectors.

Key Highlights

• Make in India was launched on 25 September 2014 with the objective of establishing India as a global hub for manufacturing, design and innovation.
• The initiative has expanded to 27 sectors, comprising 15 manufacturing sectors and 12 service sectors, under Make in India 2.0.
• India’s electronics production increased nearly sevenfold, from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025-26.
• Indigenous defence production rose from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.
• Mobile phone production increased approximately 33-fold, from ₹18,000 crore to ₹6.27 lakh crore during the same period. India is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume.
• India’s vehicle production reached 31.03 million units in 2024-25, which was 33% higher than the level recorded in 2014-15. Several vehicle segments also registered significantly higher production in 2024-25 compared with 2020-21.
• The pharmaceutical industry ranks third globally by volume and 11th by value. Its annual turnover reached ₹4,71,898 crore in 2024-25, recording a 9.5% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) since 2020-21.
• Domestic medical device manufacturing increased by 48.2%, from ₹28,000 crore in 2019-20 to ₹41,500 crore in 2024-25.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry marked the 12th anniversary of the Make in India initiative.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

United Nations Environment Programme-Led Cool Coalition Launches Inaugural Cool Leaders Award in Singapore

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition launched the inaugural Cool Leaders Award during the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026, held in Singapore.
• The award recognises leadership, policy initiatives, technological innovation and practical efforts in sustainable cooling and climate resilience.

Key Highlights

• The Cool Leaders Award was established under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is administered through the UNEP-led Cool Coalition, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).
• The initiative promotes measures such as urban forests, green roofs and passive architectural ventilation, which can reduce dependence on mechanical cooling and potentially lower peak urban temperatures by up to 5°C.
• It addresses rising cooling demand, with the global stock of conventional cooling appliances projected to nearly triple to 5.6 billion units by 2050.
• The inaugural 2026 Cool Leaders were Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Dong Mingzhu, Chairperson of Gree Electric Appliances.
• Singapore was recognised for its integration of passive cooling, extensive urban greenery and heat-resilient urban planning in a densely populated tropical environment.
• The United Arab Emirates was recognised for large-scale district cooling infrastructure and its efforts to link sustainable cooling with international climate diplomacy and development initiatives.
• Dong Mingzhu was recognised for advancing ultra-efficient, low-carbon cooling technologies, particularly the research and commercial deployment of the Zero Carbon Source air-conditioning system.
• The Cool Leaders’ term is one year, during which the recipients promote sustainable cooling technologies using their experience and recognition.
• The United Nations Environment Programme Cool Coalition is an international multi-stakeholder network established in 2019 as a flagship initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit.
• It has more than 250 stakeholders, including governments, corporations, cities and financial organisations, and works to expand sustainable cooling, improve energy efficiency and reduce climate impacts.
• The Global Cooling Pledge was established at COP28 in 2023 by the United Arab Emirates Presidency and the United Nations Environment Programme Cool Coalition. It seeks to reduce the climate impact of cooling and expand access to sustainable cooling.
• The Global Cooling Pledge targets include 68% reduction in cooling-related emissions by 2050, increased access to sustainable cooling by 2030, and a 50% improvement in air-conditioning energy efficiency by 2030 compared with 2022 levels.
• The Cool Leaders Award also complements the Global Heat Resilience Roadmap and the Global Environment Facility-backed Nature for Cooling Challenge, supporting coordinated action on sustainable cooling and extreme heat.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

CRIF Credit Information Services Appoints Suresh Venkatesan as Chief Executive Officer

• CRIF Credit Information Services Private Limited, formerly known as CRIF High Mark, appointed Suresh Venkatesan as its Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 29 September 2026.
• The Mumbai-based credit information company is licensed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• The appointment aims to strengthen CRIF’s focus on data-driven decision-making and inclusive financial growth.
• Suresh Venkatesan brings over three decades of experience in credit, risk, data analytics, regulatory reporting and business transformation.
• Venkatesan has held senior leadership positions at global financial institutions and consulting firms including Standard Chartered, HSBC, EY and Grant Thornton.
• His professional experience covers corporate, commercial, SME and retail banking, with a focus on financial inclusion for farmers, MSMEs and underserved communities.

About CRIF Credit Information Services :

• It was established in March 2011 and operates one of India’s largest credit information databases.
• The company’s database receives contributions from more than 5,000 member institutions.
• CRIF serves banks, NBFCs, housing finance companies, microfinance institutions and individual consumers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

INS Ranvijay Visits Oman’s Salalah to Boost India-Oman Maritime Cooperation

• INS Ranvijay, a frontline destroyer of the Indian Navy, made a port call at Salalah, Oman, on 29 September 2026 during its ongoing deployment.
• The visit strengthened maritime cooperation and defence ties between India and Oman.
• During the port call, professional engagements were held between INS Ranvijay and Oman’s RNOV Sadh.
• A PASSEX (Passing Exercise) was conducted off Salalah between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman.
• INS Ranvijay is a destroyer designed for fleet escort, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface combat.
• Oman’s strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman makes it important for international maritime trade and sea-lane security.
• Earlier in September 2026, a National Defence College (NDC) delegation visited Oman as part of a Strategic Neighbourhood Study Tour.

BonV Aero Delivers 45 Logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Eastern Command for High-Altitude Operations

• Odisha-based start-up BonV Aero supplied 45 logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Indian Army’s Eastern Command on 28 September 2026 for tactical logistics and mission-specific operations in Northeast India.
• The UAVs are designed to transport critical supplies, operational equipment and mission-configured payloads across difficult and inaccessible terrain.
• The UAVs can operate at 10,000–15,000 feet, including in Electronic Warfare (EW)-challenged environments, and have a payload capacity of up to 10 kg with an endurance of 40–45 minutes.
• BonV Aero has supplied 70 logistics drones to the armed forces over the last three years, with some deployed along the borders during Operation Sindoor.
• BonV Aero has conducted drone operations and trials for the Army at Tawang, Siliguri, Dimapur, Kargil, Dras, Nyoma, Baramulla and Kupwara.
• The company has trained more than 150 Army personnel on its drone systems under the Northern Command.
• BonV Aero is developing an ultra-heavy-payload, high-altitude UAV capable of carrying over 100 kg to altitudes above 10,000 feet and distances exceeding 100 km.
• BonV Aero holds a world record for carrying a 30-kg payload to 19,024 feet at Umling La, demonstrating its high-altitude logistics capability.
• Logistics UAVs are particularly useful in the Northeast and Himalayan regions, where mountainous terrain, dense forests, rivers, floods, landslides, snow and poor road connectivity can disrupt ground-based supply routes.
• The Ministry of Defence has floated a tender for 2,715 logistics drones, highlighting the increasing use of aerial logistics systems for military operations in challenging terrain.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

TakeMe2Space to Launch India’s First Networked Orbital Data Centre Mission on Falcon 9 in 2028

• TakeMe2Space, a Hyderabad-based Indian spacetech startup, plans to launch India’s first networked orbital data centre mission in late 2028.
• The mission will use SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket under the Waymaker 2 rideshare mission.
• TakeMe2Space has signed a Launch Service Agreement with RIDE! Space, a France-based launch mission management company.
• The mission will deploy two 100-kg MOI (My Orbital Infrastructure) satellites into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at approximately 500 km altitude.
• Each satellite will carry 10 NVIDIA Thor Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), 100 Terabytes (TB) of storage, and generate around 5 kilowatts (kW) of power for in-orbit computing.
• The satellites will use optical inter-satellite links to enable data and workload sharing, making the mission a networked in-orbit computing system.
• The satellites will process Earth-observation data in orbit through the company’s OrbitLab platform, providing actionable outputs such as crop-stress maps, flood maps and ship counts instead of only raw data.
• An orbital data centre is a space-based computing system that processes data in orbit, reducing the need to transmit large volumes of raw data to Earth.
• The satellites will also feature a one-metre multispectral imager for Earth-observation applications.
• TakeMe2Space plans to build a six-satellite MOI constellation over the coming years.
• The company was founded in 2023 and is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, with a focus on orbital edge computing and space data centres.
• TakeMe2Space previously launched its MOI-TD (Technology Demonstrator) mission on 30 December 2024, which conducted more than 20 experiments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• The company’s MOI-1 satellite was lost in the PSLV-C62 launch failure in January 2026.

Tata Communications Establishes Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Centre of Excellence at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy University in Tamil Nadu

• Tata Communications Limited (TCL) launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
• The CoE was formally launched by Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tata Communications.
• The facility was established through a combined investment of ₹3.5 crore by Tata Communications and SASTRA.
• The Centre of Excellence aims to strengthen research, training, innovation and capacity building in cybersecurity and digital forensics.
• The CoE will develop skilled and specialised manpower capable of identifying and addressing different levels of digital and cyber vulnerabilities.
• The facility is designed as a research and capacity-building centre, focusing on emerging cybersecurity threats and digital vulnerabilities.
• SASTRA Deemed University is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, and the CoE was launched alongside the university’s graduation ceremony.
• Prince Jayakumar, Executive Vice-President and Global Head of Human Resources, HCL Technologies, highlighted the importance of evolving talent and integrating AI with a humanistic approach.
• Tata Communications and HCL Technologies executives participated in the graduation ceremony and awarded degrees to more than 1,000 School of Computing graduates of SASTRA University.

About TCL :

• Tata Communications Limited (TCL) was formerly known as Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• TCL was incorporated on 19 March 1986 and operates as a global telecommunications and digital infrastructure company.

Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi Launches Seva First Innovation Challenge at Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru

• Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) for the South Zone at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• SFIC aims to encourage young people to identify community problems and develop innovative, testable and scalable solutions.
• The challenge is organised by the Ministry of Education (MoE), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC), with IISc Bengaluru serving as the South Zone Nodal Institute.
• IISc Bengaluru will provide technical evaluation, mentorship and innovation guidance to participants.
• SFIC registration is open from 25 September to 24 October 2026, and the challenge will culminate in the National Finale in New Delhi from 10–17 December 2026.
• The South Zone coverage includes 5 States — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — and 3 Union Territories — Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
• SFIC has three participation levels: Junior Level for Classes 6–12, Technical Level for ITI and polytechnic students, and Open Level for undergraduate, postgraduate and research scholars.
• Technical Level participants will focus on engineering, fabrication, electronics and process solutions, while Open Level participants are expected to demonstrate prototypes or pilots with a pathway to implementation.
• The challenge focuses on five national themes: Clean and Sustainable Bharat, Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous Bharat, Healthy and Inclusive Bharat, Educated and Skilled Bharat, and Secure Bharat.

EON Space Labs Obtains Patent for Indigenous MIRA Space Telescope

• Hyderabad-based deeptech startup EON Space Labs has received an Indian patent for its indigenously developed miniaturised space telescope-based imaging system named MIRA, for the invention “A Miniaturized Telescope-Based Imaging System.”
• MIRA weighs only 502 grams and is manufactured from a single block of fused silica, which provides enhanced stability, reduced vibration sensitivity and high-quality imaging in a compact form factor.
• The MIRA imaging system is certified as space-grade according to NASA standards and is designed to provide high-definition multispectral Earth observation imagery.
• MIRA can support applications in agriculture, marine monitoring, mining, supply-chain management and insurance, making it useful for multiple Earth-observation applications.
• MIRA is integrated with TakeMe2Space’s MOI-1A satellite, which is described as India’s first orbital computing satellite.
• MIRA is scheduled for its next orbital deployment aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission on 1 October 2026.
• The Transporter-18 mission will mark MIRA’s second attempt at orbital deployment, following its first attempt aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission in January 2026.
• During the PSLV-C62 mission, an upper-stage anomaly prevented payload deployment, but MIRA’s mechanical integration, spaceflight packaging and hardware readiness were successfully validated.
• EON Space Labs is also preparing another orbital deployment of MIRA aboard ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), planned for later in 2026.
• EON Space Labs is developing advanced electro-optical imaging systems with a broader vision of creating compact, high-performance optical imaging systems for defence surveillance.
• Under the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, EON Space Labs is leveraging its patented technology to develop ultra-long-range electro-optical systems for the Indian Army and Indian Navy.
• EON Space Labs is developing a handheld Multisight system designed for long-range defence surveillance.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Ministry of Minority Affairs Signs Multiple MoUs with Premier Academic and Innovation Institutions

• The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading academic, research and innovation institutions at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
• The collaborations aim to strengthen infrastructure quality, independent monitoring, entrepreneurship, innovation, skilling and sustainable economic opportunities for minority communities.

Key Highlights

• The MoUs were signed in the presence of Dr. Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, along with senior officials from the Ministry and participating institutions.
• The collaborations bring together the expertise of Centre for Urbanization, Buildings & Environment (CUBE), Indian Institute of Technology Madras; Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru; Indian Institute of Management Bangalore; and IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL).
• The Ministry of Minority Affairs and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore signed an agreement for independent third-party monitoring of training under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme across the South zone.
• The evidence generated through this monitoring will help identify implementation gaps, improve monitoring systems, strengthen programme quality and enhance outcomes under Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan.
• The Ministry also signed an MoU with Centre for Urbanization, Buildings & Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, for independent third-party technical and social quality assessment of infrastructure projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).
• The independent assessment is expected to support better asset management, identification of implementation gaps, informed future planning and sustainable utilisation of PMJVK infrastructure.
• The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) signed two tripartite MoUs with FSID, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, and IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL) to strengthen the startup and innovation ecosystem and promote economic growth among minority communities.
• The collaboration with FSID, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru focuses on startup ecosystem development, innovation promotion, technology commercialisation, data governance, digital transformation and public interest technology.
• The partnership with IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL) focuses on startup ecosystem development, skilling and capacity building, innovation and entrepreneurship promotion, research studies, policy support and evidence-based decision-making.
• The FSID, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru brings expertise in deep-science and deep-technology incubation, technology commercialisation and innovation promotion, while IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL) contributes expertise in entrepreneurship, incubation, market-oriented opportunities and fintech.
• The overall collaborations seek to strengthen the Ministry’s institutional capacity in quality assessment, independent monitoring, data-driven decision-making, innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise development, while creating sustainable economic opportunities for minority communities.

Ministry of Tourism and Airbnb Sign Two-Year Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen India’s Homestay Ecosystem

• The Ministry of Tourism and Airbnb have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s homestay ecosystem, promote lesser-known destinations and expand tourism opportunities for local communities.

Key Highlights

• Under the partnership, Airbnb will serve as a capacity-building and digital onboarding partner to the Ministry of Tourism, supporting existing and prospective homestay hosts with the skills and digital tools needed to participate in the tourism economy.
• The collaboration will provide host workshops and training resources covering areas such as listing creation, pricing, platform tools and hospitality practices.
• Airbnb will also assist homestay owners with digital onboarding onto its platform, helping improve their participation and visibility in the tourism market.
• The partnership aims to promote lesser-known and emerging destinations and distribute the economic benefits of tourism more widely among local communities.
• Under the two-year collaboration, the Ministry of Tourism and Airbnb will jointly identify and implement specific programmes and destinations.
• The partnership will support destination-promotion initiatives aligned with the Incredible India campaign, showcasing India’s cultural heritage, diverse destinations and local travel experiences.
• As part of the collaboration, Airbnb will promote its ‘Soul of India’ digital microsite, which brings together destinations, local communities and cultural heritage to encourage travellers to discover lesser-known places.
• The partnership is expected to contribute to a more distributed tourism ecosystem by improving the availability and visibility of homestays in emerging destinations and creating additional opportunities for local communities.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Three-Time Olympic Swimming Champion Mike Burton Passed away at 79

• Mike Burton, a three-time Olympic swimming champion from the United States, died at the age of 79.
• Born Michael Jay Burton on 3 July 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa, he turned to swimming after a serious bicycle accident at age 12 ended his participation in football and baseball.
• Burton was the first American to win Olympic gold in the 1,500-metre freestyle at consecutive Olympic Games.
• At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Burton won gold in the 400-metre freestyle and 1,500-metre freestyle.
• At the 1972 Munich Olympics, he successfully defended his 1,500-metre freestyle title with a world-record time of 15:52.58.
• Burton was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977 and was also a member of the UCLA Hall of Fame, having won five NCAA individual titles.
• Bobby Finke later matched Burton’s achievement by winning consecutive 1,500-metre freestyle Olympic titles at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
• Finke set a world record of 14:30.67 in the 1,500-metre freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Burton was the first man to swim the 800-metre freestyle under 8:30 and pioneered high-mileage training to improve cardiovascular endurance and stroke efficiency.
• After retiring from competitive swimming, Burton worked as a swimming coach in Iowa, Washington and Montana.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Heart Day 2026 on 29 September

• World Heart Day is observed every year on 29 September to increase awareness about cardiovascular diseases and the importance of heart health.
• The 2026 theme is “Don’t Miss a Beat”, which forms part of the World Heart Federation’s multi-year “Use Heart for Action” campaign for 2024–2026.
• The heart is the primary organ of the circulatory system. It is located between the lungs in the middle compartment of the chest and is approximately fist-sized.
• The heart pumps blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients while carrying away waste products such as carbon dioxide.
• The heart consists of three layers: the inner endocardium, middle myocardium and outer epicardium.
• The idea of World Heart Day was proposed by Dr. Antoni Bayés de Luna, who served as President of the World Heart Federation from 1997 to 1999.
• World Heart Day was established in 1999 in partnership with the World Health Organization, with the objective of raising awareness and mobilising international action against cardiovascular disease.
• The first official World Heart Day was observed on 24 September 2000, which was the last Sunday of September that year. Its inaugural theme was “Let it Beat”, promoting physical activity for heart health.
• Initially, World Heart Day was observed on the last Sunday of September. From 2011, it has been observed annually on the fixed date of 29 September.
• In 2012, world leaders committed to reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025, strengthening global efforts against conditions including cardiovascular diseases.

World Rabies Day 2026 on 28 September

• World Rabies Day is observed every year on 28 September to increase awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals.
• Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is primarily transmitted to humans  through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through bites.
• Rabies is caused by viruses belonging to the Lyssavirus genus, including the rabies virus and Australian bat lyssavirus.
• Infected dogs are the most common source of rabies transmission to humans globally.
• Symptoms of rabies may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation or violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water (hydrophobia), inability to move parts of the body, confusion and loss of consciousness.
• World Rabies Day was established in 2007 by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The date 28 September was chosen to commemorate the death anniversary of French scientist Louis Pasteur, who made a major contribution to the development of the rabies vaccine.
• Louis Pasteur died on 28 September 1895.
• The 2026 theme of World Rabies Day is “Stronger Together”, highlighting that eliminating rabies requires collective efforts and cooperation.

World Contraception Day 2026 on 26 September

• World Contraception Day is observed annually on 26 September to create awareness about available contraceptive methods, family planning and sexual and reproductive health.
• Contraception refers to methods of birth control used to prevent unwanted or unintended pregnancies.
• According to United Nations experts, every woman and adolescent girl has the right to access contraception, family planning services, information and education.
• The first World Contraception Day was observed on 26 September 2007 by 10 international family planning organisations to increase awareness about contraception.
• The observance is supported by 15 international non-governmental organisations, governmental organisations, and scientific and medical societies to promote accurate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health.
• The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development recognised the right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.
• World Contraception Day focuses not only on women but also on parents, healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring that they have adequate knowledge about contraception and family planning.

Daily CA One- Liner: 1st October

• Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the ‘Delhi Udyog Mitra’ portal under the Ease of Doing Business initiative to bring multiple approvals, licences and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) onto a single platform
• The Government of India has disbursed ₹36,754 crore in incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes since their launch in 2020, with the figures covering disbursements up to 30 June 2026
• Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh stated that Kaladi, the traditional Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged dairy product of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, has reached a stage where it can be commercially scaled for wider domestic and global consumption
• The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) completed 12 years in 2026, continuing to connect rural youth with industry- aligned skill training, employment opportunities and sustainable livelihood options
• Union Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking 8 years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and 5 years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
• Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the country’s first Victim Rights Centre in Patna, Bihar, to provide legal rights and essential support to victims of various crimes, including invisible victims, under one roof
• The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central Government to examine whether social media platforms should be legally required to ensure that users are at least 18 years old before independently creating accounts
• The flagship Make in India initiative completed 12 years on 25 September 2026, with the government highlighting its contribution to the expansion of domestic manufacturing, investment, exports and industrial capabilities across sectors
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition launched the inaugural Cool Leaders Award during the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026, held in Singapore
• The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading academic, research and innovation institutions at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
• The Ministry of Tourism and Airbnb have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s homestay ecosystem, promote lesser-known destinations and expand tourism opportunities for local communities
• World Heart Day is observed every year on 29 September to increase awareness about cardiovascular diseases and the importance of heart health
• World Rabies Day is observed every year on 28 September to increase awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals.
• World Contraception Day is observed annually on 26 September to create awareness about available contraceptive methods, family planning and sexual and reproductive health
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Report of the Advisory Committee on Ways and Means Advances (WMA) to State Governments, chaired by Shri I. S. N. Prasad, former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a series of regulatory reforms covering Portfolio Management Services (PMS), settlement proceedings, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), commodity derivatives, and advertising norms.
• India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 0% year-on-year in August 2026, accelerating from 6.7% in July 2026 as per the Quick Estimates released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose to a 5-year high of US$7.35 billion in July 2026, the highest since May 2021 (US$8.80 billion).
• Bank of India (BoI) launched programmable Digital Rupee (e₹) functionality with an auto-payment/auto-issuance facility on 29 September 2026.
• ICICI Lombard General Insurance launched VIBE, a mobile-first health insurance plan designed mainly for young consumers, particularly Gen Z.
• CRIF Credit Information Services Private Limited, formerly known as CRIF High Mark, appointed Suresh Venkatesan as its Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 29 September 2026.
• INS Ranvijay, a frontline destroyer of the Indian Navy, made a port call at Salalah, Oman, on 29 September 2026 during its ongoing deployment.
• Odisha-based start-up BonV Aero supplied 45 logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Indian Army’s Eastern Command on 28 September 2026 for tactical logistics and mission-specific operations in Northeast India.
• TakeMe2Space, a Hyderabad-based Indian spacetech startup, plans to launch India’s first networked orbital data centre mission in late 2028.
• Tata Communications Limited (TCL) launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
• Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) for the South Zone at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Hyderabad-based deeptech startup EON Space Labs has received an Indian patent for its indigenously developed miniaturised space telescope-based imaging system named MIRA, for the invention “A Miniaturized Telescope-Based Imaging System.”
• Mike Burton, a three-time Olympic swimming champion from the United States, died at the age of 79.