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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Apple Introduces Apple Pay in India with Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard Credit Card Support

• Apple Inc., a United States-based multinational technology company, officially launched Apple Pay in India as a new digital payment feature.
• Apple Pay enables users of iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch to make payments using Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
• Apple Pay uses an encrypted Device Account Number secured through Mastercard’s tokenisation technology for secure transactions.
• Payments through Apple Pay can be authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode by holding the Apple device near a contactless payment terminal.
• To activate the service, customers can add their eligible Axis Bank credit card to Apple Wallet through the Axis Bank app or directly through the Wallet app on iPhone.
• In the initial phase, Apple Pay is being rolled out across merchant categories such as food and beverage, travel, fashion, and lifestyle.
• Apple has partnered with payment service providers including Cashfree, Juspay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay, and Worldline to facilitate Apple Pay acceptance in India.
• Apple Pay’s initial offering in India is card-based and does not support Unified Payments Interface (UPI) or RuPay cards.

About Apple Inc :

• Apple Inc., formerly known as Apple Computer Inc., was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

Centre’s Fiscal Deficit Reaches 41.9% of FY2026-27 Target by August Amid Higher Subsidy Spending

• The Centre’s fiscal deficit reached 9% of the Budget Estimates (BE) for FY 2026-27 by August 2026, compared with 38.1% during the same period of FY 2025-26.
• In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit stood at ₹7.10 lakh crore (₹7,10,249 crore) during April–August 2026.
• The rise in the fiscal deficit was mainly attributed to an increase in subsidy expenditure, particularly fertiliser subsidies.
• The fiscal deficit represents the difference between the government’s total expenditure and total receipts excluding borrowings.
• The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) released the government’s monthly accounts data for the April–August 2026
• The Centre’s total receipts stood at approximately ₹13.7 lakh crore during April–August 2026, equivalent to 5% of the FY 2026-27 BE, compared with 36.7% during the corresponding period of the previous year.
• The Centre’s total expenditure stood at approximately ₹20.8 lakh crore (₹20.78 lakh crore) during the first five months of FY 2026-27, accounting for 9% of BE, compared with 37.1% a year earlier.
• Revenue expenditure reached 38% of the full-year budget target by August 2026, compared with 7% during the same period of the previous year.
• Capital expenditure (Capex) reached 7% of the budgeted target by August 2026, compared with 38.5% during the corresponding period of the previous year.
• The FY 2026-27 capital expenditure target is ₹12.2 lakh crore.
• The Centre’s net tax revenue reached approximately ₹8.38 lakh crore by August 2026, equivalent to 2% of the corresponding BE, compared with 28.6% during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
• The government has set the FY 2026-27 fiscal deficit target at 3% of GDP, equivalent to approximately ₹16.96 lakh crore.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Asian Development Bank Collaborate to Develop Grading Standards for Warehouses and Cold-Chain Facilities

• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold-chain facilities in India.
• DPIIT is also formulating guidelines for Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) to improve logistics efficiency and promote better integration of different modes of transport.
• The warehouse and cold-chain grading standards are aimed at creating more standardised and reliable logistics infrastructure in India.
• The initiatives are expected to modernise India’s logistics sector, improve supply-chain efficiency, and build a more resilient logistics ecosystem.
• Better warehouse and cold-chain infrastructure is expected to help reduce food wastage.
• The initiatives are also expected to attract foreign investment into India’s logistics sector.
• Standardised infrastructure and improved logistics systems are expected to help logistics businesses access easier and more affordable credit.
• The overall objective is to improve logistics efficiency by reducing transportation time and transportation costs.
• Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) are intended to promote greater integration across different modes of transport, supporting more efficient movement of goods.

About ADB :

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• Headquarters: Mandaluyong City, Philippines.
• Founded: 19 December 1966.
• President: Masato Kanda.

HDFC Capital and Shalimar Corp Launch ₹750-Crore Platform for Real Estate Projects in Uttar Pradesh

• HDFC Capital, the real estate private equity arm of HDFC Group, has partnered with Shalimar Corp to establish a ₹750-crore investment platform.
• The platform will focus on developing residential and mixed-use projects across three Uttar Pradesh cities — Lucknow, Varanasi and Kanpur.
• The projects under the platform are expected to cover more than 5 million sq. ft. of development area and create approximately 3,000 homes.
• The partnership aims to tap the growing housing demand in emerging urban centres of Uttar Pradesh, supported by rising incomes, urbanisation and infrastructure development.

About HDFC Capital :

• HDFC Capital, a subsidiary of HDFC Bank, focuses on financing the development of affordable and mid-income housing on a sustainable basis.

About Shalimar Group :

• Founded : 1988
• Headquarters : Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• Shalimar Group operates across real estate, infrastructure development, property management and glass processing.

Jio Finance and Allianz Europe Invest ₹320.05 Crore Each in Jio Allianz General Insurance

• Jio Finance and Allianz Europe B.V. have each invested ₹320.05 crore in Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. through a rights issue.
• Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. is a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services and Allianz Europe B.V., with both partners making an equal investment in the latest capital infusion.
• Each partner subscribed to and was allotted 32,00,50,000 equity shares of ₹10 each for cash at par, aggregating to ₹320.05 crore per partner.
• The fresh capital infusion will be used by Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. to fund its business operations and growth plans and strengthen its capital base.
• Following the latest investment, Jio Finance’s aggregate investment in the joint venture has reached ₹375 crore.
• The investment by Jio Finance is classified as a related-party transaction undertaken on an arm’s-length basis.
• Jio Financial Services’ promoters, promoter group and other group companies have no interest in the latest investment, according to the regulatory filing.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : NATIONAL & STATE NEWS

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Issues India’s First PRAMAAN Certificates Under Forest Certification Scheme

• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), handed over India’s first PRAMAAN certificates in New Delhi, Delhi, under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS).
• PRAMAAN stands for Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources.
• The first issuance of PRAMAAN certificates marked the transition of India’s forest certification framework from policy to field-level implementation.
• The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) is implemented by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• The Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) received a PRAMAAN certificate for plantations covering 33,000 hectares.
• Govind Mohapatra, a bamboo farmer associated with the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency (OBDA), was also among the first beneficiaries of the PRAMAAN certification.
• The PRAMAAN certification framework covers Forest Management (FM), Trees Outside Forests (TOF), and Chain of Custody (CoC).
• Chain of Custody (CoC) ensures the traceability of forest and non-timber forest products throughout their supply chains.
• PRAMAAN certification is based on independent third-party audits and not self-declaration, strengthening the credibility of the certification process.
• The certification framework is aligned with the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) 2023.
• The accreditation system is supported by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under the Quality Council of India (QCI).
• PRAMAAN certification is intended to support deforestation-free sourcing, improve market access, and promote livelihood opportunities linked to sustainable forestry and agroforestry.

Unique Identification Authority of India Launches Five New Initiatives at Aadhaar Samvaad in Kolkata to Strengthen Digital Identity and Good Governance

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched five new initiatives at the Aadhaar Samvaad stakeholders’ conference in Kolkata, West Bengal, marking the 17th Aadhaar Day.

Key Highlights :

• The Aadhaar Samvaad is a stakeholder conference organised by UIDAI to discuss innovations, challenges, ideas, and service-delivery improvements for strengthening the Aadhaar ecosystem.
• The 17th Aadhaar Day commemorates the issuance of the first Aadhaar number on 29 September 2010.
• Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and MeitY, attended the event as the Chief Guest.
• More than 600 stakeholders, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, technocrats, and professionals, participated in the Aadhaar Samvaad in Kolkata.
• The five new initiatives launched by UIDAI are Face Authentication for ePDS, SWIK Portal 2.0, Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA (LITE) Framework, New Token Management System, and Revamped UIDAI Website.
• Face Authentication for ePDS was jointly launched by UIDAI, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), and National Informatics Centre (NIC).
• Face Authentication for ePDS provides a consent-based and contactless authentication option for beneficiaries and offers an additional authentication method when fingerprint authentication is difficult.
• States and Union Territories can integrate Face Authentication into their Electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS)
• SWIK Portal 2.0 streamlines the process for obtaining approval for Aadhaar authentication under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance framework.
• Through SWIK Portal 2.0, eligible non-Government entities can directly submit proposals for permissible Aadhaar authentication use cases to the concerned Ministry/Department.
• The Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA (LITE) Framework enables wider adoption of Aadhaar authentication by Government and eligible non-Government entities having low-volume authentication requirements.
• Under the Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA (LITE) Framework, eligible entities can use the authentication infrastructure of an existing AUA/KUA, allowing simpler and faster onboarding without establishing their own authentication infrastructure.
• The Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA (LITE) Framework continues to follow UIDAI’s security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• The New Token Management System was launched to make it easier for residents to access applicable services at UIDAI’s state and regional offices.
• UIDAI also unveiled a Revamped UIDAI Website designed to provide real-time information flow and simplify access to Aadhaar-related services, documents, information, and assistance.
• The revamped website is aligned with Aadhaar brand guidelines and provides a consistent visual identity across the UIDAI website, myAadhaar portal, and Aadhaar App.
• The revamped UIDAI website includes accessibility features such as screen-reader compatibility, adjustable font sizes, improved colour contrast, and keyboard navigation, making Aadhaar services more accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Through BHASHINI integration, the revamped UIDAI website currently supports 13 languages, including English and Hindi, with plans to expand to 23 languages.
• The revamped website also introduces the UIDAI Career Portal, which enables online applications for deputation opportunities and provides a more streamlined and transparent recruitment process.

About UIDAI :

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was initially set up on 28 January 2009 through a notification of the Planning Commission of India.
• UIDAI was later constituted as a statutory authority on 12 July 2016 under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Chairman : Neelkanth Mishra
• CEO : Shri Saurabh Vijay

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Adds 5 More Heritage Sites to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s World Heritage Tentative List

• The Permanent Delegation of India to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of 5 new Indian heritage sites/proposals in the Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention (WHC).
• With these additions, the total number of Indian sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List increased to 78.
• The 78 Indian sites on the Tentative List comprise 58 Cultural, 3 Mixed, and 17 Natural
• Four of the five newly added sites are located in Madhya Pradesh (MP), while the fifth is the Sites of Satyagraha, a serial transnational proposal between India and South Africa.
• The four newly added Madhya Pradesh sites are Bagh Cave Paintings, Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley, Udaigiri Caves, and Ginnorgarh Fort.
• Udaigiri Caves, also known as the Sunrise Caves, are located near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and contain a rock-cut sacred ensemble developed during the late 4th and early 5th centuries CE under the Gupta Empire.
• Bagh Cave Paintings comprise nine rock-cut Buddhist caves located on the southern slope of the Vindhyan Range, along the Baghni River in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Ginnorgarh Fort is situated on a steep hill inside the present-day Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and represents an important part of the region’s tribal heritage.
• The Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley includes the Bateshwar, Padavali, and Kakarmath temples, located in the Chambal Valley region of Morena district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Sites of Satyagraha is a serial transnational proposal connecting India and South Africa through sites associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement.
• The Sites of Satyagraha proposal includes 9 sites, comprising 2 sites in South Africa—Pietermaritzburg Station and Phoenix Settlement—and 7 sites in India.
• The 7 Indian Sites of Satyagraha are Sabarmati Ashram, Mani Bhavan, Sevagram Ashram, Aga Khan Palace, Gandhi Smriti, Harijan Sevak Sangh, and Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha Smarak.

About UNESCO :

• Formation : 16 November 1945
• Headquarters : Paris, France
• Director-General : Khaled El-Enany

Japan Urges India to Expedite Internal Process for UNICORN Naval Radar Agreement

• Japan has asked India to fast-track its internal official process for the agreement related to the UNICORN naval radar/antenna system.
• UNICORN stands for Unified Complex Radio Antenna and is also known as NORA-50.
• UNICORN is an integrated shipborne antenna system designed to enhance a warship’s stealth capabilities and situational awareness.
• The UNICORN system was jointly developed by three Japanese companies — NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo K.K., and The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.
• The system is already deployed on Japan’s Mogami-class frigates.
• UNICORN reduces a warship’s radar cross-section (RCS) and electronic signature, making the naval platform more difficult for adversaries to detect.
• India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MOI) on 15 November 2024 for the co-development of UNICORN masts.
• The 15 November 2024 MOI marked the first military hardware co-development agreement between India and Japan.
• Under the agreement, Japan will provide design and engineering support, while India will undertake integration, adaptation and co-production.
• India’s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) will be involved in the integration, adaptation and co-production of the UNICORN system.
• The UNICORN mast is expected to gradually replace existing communication and sensor masts across various Indian Navy platforms.

World Health Organisation -United Nations Children’s Fund Report: India Records Highest Number of Children Without School Sanitation Services at 50 Million

• The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly released the report titled “Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools 2015–2025” under the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP).
• The JMP monitors global progress and challenges in Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and provides internationally comparable estimates related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
• In 2025, around 244 million children worldwide had no sanitation service at their schools, with India accounting for 50 million children, the highest number among all countries.

Key Highlights :

• India’s 50 million children without school sanitation services represented nearly one-fifth of the global total of 244 million children without such services.
• Other countries with large numbers of children without school sanitation services were Nigeria (34 million), Ethiopia (26 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (11 million), and Indonesia (8 million).
• India recorded a 14% reduction in the number of schools with no sanitation service during the period assessed.
• Globally, around 362 million children had no hygiene service at their schools in 2025, including approximately 20 million children in India.
• The report noted that insufficient recent data prevented the JMP from generating hygiene coverage estimates for India and Central and Southern Asia beyond 2024.
• India performed comparatively better in school drinking-water access, with around 12 million Indian children lacking drinking-water services at school in 2025.
• The 12 million Indian children without school drinking-water services represented roughly one in every 20 children globally without such services.
• India was among 28 of 62 countries considered on track to achieve universal basic drinking-water coverage in schools by 2030.
• India’s basic drinking-water coverage increased by more than 4% annually during the period assessed.
• The report stated that the world is not on track to achieve universal basic WASH services in schools by 2030, with only five years remaining in the SDG period.
• To achieve universal coverage by 2030, the current rate of progress needs to increase by four times for basic drinking water, five times for basic sanitation, and four times for basic hygiene.
• Based on current trajectories for 2030, approximately 84% of schools are projected to have basic water services, 81% basic sanitation services, and 79% basic hygiene services.
• By 2030, current trajectories indicate that around 10% of schools could still have no water service, 7% could have no sanitation service, and 12% could have no hygiene service.
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development links school WASH services with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• SDG 4 includes targets for inclusive and quality education and safe, effective, child-, disability- and gender-sensitive learning environments, including access to basic WASH services.
• SDG 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, including universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

About WHO :

• Formation : 7 April 1948
• Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
• Director-General : Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
• Parent organization : United Nations Economic and Social Council

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma Becomes 13th King of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom

• Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a former television news anchor, was crowned as the 13th King (Omukama) of the Tooro Kingdom in Uganda.
• The coronation ceremony was held at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, Uganda, and brought an end to a succession dispute in the Tooro Kingdom.
• He succeeded King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on 27 August 2026.
• The new king adopted the regnal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I after being crowned as the 13th Omukama of Tooro.
• Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma was selected by a 21-member committee of the Babiito clan, which follows the kingdom’s traditional lineage-based succession system.
• The new king is a cousin of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
• The succession process was contested by Queen Best Kemigisa and Princess Ruth Komuntale, contributing to the succession dispute that preceded the coronation.
• The traditional coronation ceremony at Karuziika Palace, Fort Portal, included cultural rituals such as a mock battle for the crown, animal sacrifices, and cultural performances.

Mahesh Muralidhar Pai Appointed Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of South Indian Bank

• South Indian Bank has appointed Mahesh Muralidhar Pai as its new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), effective from 1 October 2026.
• Mahesh Muralidhar Pai succeeds R. Seshadri as the MD & CEO of South Indian Bank.
• Before joining South Indian Bank, Mahesh Pai served as Chief General Manager (CGM) at Canara Bank, where he handled several strategic and business-critical responsibilities.
• Mahesh Pai brings nearly three decades of experience across various areas of universal banking, including business strategy, governance, digital banking, treasury, foreign exchange, retail banking, agriculture and MSME credit.
• During his tenure at Canara Bank, Mahesh Pai was involved in establishing the bank’s gold loan vertical and also led one of its largest zones.
• His responsibilities at Canara Bank included business development, customer acquisition, credit management and banking operations across diverse markets.
• Mahesh Pai also had an international assignment in Canara Bank’s New York operations, giving him experience in overseas banking, international operations and global financial markets.
• He has served on the boards of institutions including the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA), SWIFT India Domestic Services Pvt. Ltd., and Karnataka State Financial Corporation.
• As the new MD & CEO, Mahesh Pai will focus on business growth, disciplined execution, digital transformation and strengthening customer relationships at South Indian Bank.

About South Indian Bank:

• Founded Year: 1929
• Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala, India
• Slogan: "Experience Next-Gen Banking"

Geojit Financial Services Names Jones George as Managing Director, C J George as Executive Chairman

• Geojit Financial Services has announced a leadership transition, with Jones George appointed as Managing Director (MD) and founder C J George moving to the position of Executive Chairman.
• The new appointments will be effective from 1 October 2026 and were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 July 2026, based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
• C J George founded Geojit in 1987 along with Ranajit Kanjilal and has led the Kerala-based financial services company for nearly four decades.
• Under C J George’s leadership, Geojit established a strong presence in the Indian capital markets and introduced initiatives such as internet and mobile trading platforms.
• Geojit also introduced commodity futures trading in commodities such as bullion, pepper and cardamom.
• Jones George will become the Managing Director after serving as Executive Director of Geojit.
• Jones George joined Geojit in 2013 as a Digital Media Specialist, was elevated to Chief Digital Officer in 2018, and became Executive Director in 2021.
• As Executive Director, Jones George led the company’s digital transformation and oversaw its overseas NRI business operations.
• Geojit Financial Services is a prominent Indian retail broking and investment services firm.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

State Bank of India Acquires Nearly 40% of Reliance Industries’ ₹13,000 Crore Bond Issue

• State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest lender, led demand for Reliance Industries’ ₹13,000 crore 10-year bond issue completed in September 2026.
• SBI is estimated to have purchased nearly ₹5,000 crore of the bonds, accounting for around 40% of the total offering.
• The Reliance Industries bonds were rated AAA by CRISIL and CareEdge, indicating very strong credit quality and a very low risk of default.
• The bonds carry an annual coupon rate of 7.90% and have a 10-year maturity period.
• An AAA credit rating is the highest credit rating, indicating an exceptionally strong capacity to meet debt obligations and a very low risk of default.
• Major investors in the bond issue included ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, SBI Pension Fund, and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.
• The ₹13,000 crore Reliance Industries bond issue reflects increased domestic corporate borrowing, with companies seeking to lock in funding costs amid concerns over inflation and a potentially tighter RBI monetary-policy environment.
• Indian companies have accelerated domestic borrowing as concerns over high energy prices and inflation could influence the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) towards a potentially tighter monetary-policy stance.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise AIME-2026 Begins at Subic Bay, Philippines

• The Second Edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) commenced at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 28 September 2026 with the participation of INS Sahyadri, INS Kulish and maritime forces from ASEAN Member States.
• AIME-2026 is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea” to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between Indian and ASEAN maritime forces.
• The opening ceremony was attended by Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, as the Guest of Honour.
• AIME-2026 consists of two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.
• The Harbour Phase includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, sporting and cultural activities, community engagement, Operational Synchronisation and a Pre-Sail Brief.
• The Sea Phase includes coordinated maritime exercises and operational serials aimed at improving professional understanding, operational coordination and interoperability.
• INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik-class stealth frigate, while INS Kulish is a Kora-class corvette of the Indian Navy.
• The exercise supports India’s Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
• The first edition of AIME (AIME-2023) was held at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, for the Harbour Phase, followed by the Sea Phase in the South China Sea from 2–8 May 2023.

About ASEAN :

• ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is a regional intergovernmental organisation in Southeast Asia.
• ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, through the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
• ASEAN Headquarters is located in Jakarta, Indonesia, and its Secretary-General is Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.
• The ASEAN member states and their years of joining are Indonesia (1967), Malaysia (1967), Philippines (1967), Singapore (1967), Thailand (1967), Brunei Darussalam (1984), Viet Nam (1995), Lao PDR (1997), Myanmar (1997), Cambodia (1999) and Timor-Leste (2025).

Defence Accounts Department to Celebrate Its 279th Annual Day on 1 October 2026

• The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) will celebrate its 279th Annual Day on 1 October 2026 in New Delhi.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will grace the celebrations at D.S. Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan.
• Rajnath Singh will launch key IT initiatives of DAD, including the integration of Indian Army Financial Information System (IAFIS) with the SAKSHAM platform.
• The revamped National Compilation System (NCS) for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will also be launched.
• The Payment Routing and Integrated System Management (PRISM) Platform will be introduced for Treasury-Single Account Payments in the Ministry of Defence.
• The Comprehensive Statistical Handbook on Defence Expenditure (COSHE) 2026, Raksha Lekha Bharati (DAD’s in-house Hindi magazine), and the Market Intelligence Report 2025-2026 will be released.
• A short film on SPARSH (System for Pension Administration (Raksha)), the flagship defence pensions system, will be released on the occasion.
• The Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2026 will be presented to DAD officers and staff for their exemplary performance and contribution to key initiatives of the Ministry of Defence and DAD.
• The Defence Accounts Department traces its origin to the appointment of the Military Pay Master in 1747.
• DAD provides important services in Internal Audit, Accounting, Financial Advice and Defence Pensions Management for the Defence Forces and Ministry of Defence.

Operation Drishti: Armed Forces Conduct Two Major Mega Eye Surgical Camps in Kashmir

• The 11th Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti concluded at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on 30 September 2026, completing the Kashmir leg of the initiative.
• The Army Hospital (Research & Referral) (AHRR) surgical team, led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, performed 364 eye surgeries across the Tangdhar and Srinagar
• Teams from 92 Base Hospital and 328 Field Hospital conducted 18 screening camps across remote and forward areas of the Kashmir Valley, screening nearly 6,000 people.
• Around 500 patients were identified as requiring surgical intervention and were subsequently treated under Operation Drishti.
• The first phase was held at Tangdhar on 24–25 September 2026, along the Line of Control (LoC), where 220 sight-restoring surgeries were performed.
• The Tangdhar camp was the first-ever mega eye surgical camp at the LoC conducted in an underground operation theatre.
• The second phase was held at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on 28–29 September 2026, where 144 eye surgeries were performed.
• The surgeries included cataract, glaucoma, pterygium, retinal procedures, glued IOL implantation and retinal interventions for diabetic retinopathy.
• Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha attended the closing ceremony, while Lt Gen Balbir Singh, GOC, 15 Corps, was also present.
• With the completion of the Kashmir leg, Operation Drishti has reached the North, West, East and Central regions of India.
• The next phase of Operation Drishti is scheduled to be conducted in Odisha.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Air Ayodhya Gets Ministry of Civil Aviation Approval to Enhance Regional Air Connectivity in Uttar Pradesh Under Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik

• Megamax Aviation Private Limited has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, for its regional airline Air Ayodhya to operate under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS–UDAN).
• Air Ayodhya is a proposed regional airline that will primarily focus on improving air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• The NOC marks the first key regulatory milestone for Air Ayodhya before starting commercial operations.
• After receiving the NOC, Air Ayodhya will begin the certification process with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
• Commercial flight operations of Air Ayodhya will commence after obtaining the required Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the DGCA.
• Air Ayodhya aims to connect tier-2 and tier-3 cities, pilgrimage centres, and tourism destinations in Uttar Pradesh with one another and with major aviation hubs.
• The airline will begin operations with brand-new Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in December 2026.
• As routes mature and passenger demand increases, Air Ayodhya plans to introduce 19-seater aircraft, followed by larger turboprop aircraft on high-demand routes.
• The airline’s planned fleet expansion is aligned with the objectives of RCS–UDAN, which aims to promote affordable regional air connectivity in underserved and unserved areas.
• Air Ayodhya has announced a long-term plan to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft by 2036, supporting regional connectivity and economic growth.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : MOUs & AGREEMENTS

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Statistical Business Register

• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to strengthen the Statistical Business Register (SBR).
• The MoU was signed by Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, MoMSME, and Dalip Singh, Additional Director General (ADG), MoSPI.
• The main objective of the MoU is to institutionalise a mechanism for sharing relevant data for the development and strengthening of the Statistical Business Register (SBR).
• Under the agreement, unit-level data from the Udyam Registration ecosystem of the Ministry of MSME will be shared with MoSPI through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
• The two-way API-based data exchange will support the preparation and strengthening of the National Statistical Business Register (NSBR).
• The shared data is expected to improve the coverage, consistency, and reliability of business information used for statistical purposes.

About SBR :

• The Statistical Business Register (SBR) is a centralised and regularly updated database containing information on registered businesses, enterprises, establishments, and other economic units within a defined geographical area.
• The SBR records important characteristics of economic units and relationships between them, providing a common framework for compiling business-related information.
• The SBR plays an important role in the economic statistics system by improving the quality and coverage of business data.
• The SBR helps in identifying target populations and selecting samples for economic surveys, thereby supporting more effective statistical surveys.
• The SBR also supports the compilation of business demography statistics and better integration of data from different sources.

Daily CA on Oct 2 :

• Apple Inc., a United States-based multinational technology company, officially launched Apple Pay in India as a new digital payment feature.
• The Centre’s fiscal deficit reached 9% of the Budget Estimates (BE) for FY 2026-27 by August 2026, compared with 38.1% during the same period of FY 2025-26.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold-chain facilities in India.
• HDFC Capital, the real estate private equity arm of HDFC Group, has partnered with Shalimar Corp to establish a ₹750-crore investment platform.
• Jio Finance and Allianz Europe B.V. have each invested ₹320.05 crore in Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. through a rights issue.
• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), handed over India’s first PRAMAAN certificates in New Delhi, Delhi, under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS).
• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched five new initiatives at the Aadhaar Samvaad stakeholders’ conference in Kolkata, West Bengal, marking the 17th Aadhaar Day.
• The Permanent Delegation of India to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of 5 new Indian heritage sites/proposals in the Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention (WHC).
• Japan has asked India to fast-track its internal official process for the agreement related to the UNICORN naval radar/antenna system.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly released the report titled “Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools 2015–2025” under the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP).
• Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a former television news anchor, was crowned as the 13th King (Omukama) of the Tooro Kingdom in Uganda.
• South Indian Bank has appointed Mahesh Muralidhar Pai as its new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), effective from 1 October 2026.
• Geojit Financial Services has announced a leadership transition, with Jones George appointed as Managing Director (MD) and founder C J George moving to the position of Executive Chairman.
• State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest lender, led demand for Reliance Industries’ ₹13,000 crore 10-year bond issue completed in September 2026.
• The Second Edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) commenced at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 28 September 2026 with the participation of INS Sahyadri, INS Kulish and maritime forces from ASEAN Member States.
• The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) will celebrate its 279th Annual Day on 1 October 2026 in New Delhi.
• The 11th Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti concluded at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on 30 September 2026, completing the Kashmir leg of the initiative.
• Megamax Aviation Private Limited has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, for its regional airline Air Ayodhya to operate under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS–UDAN).
• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to strengthen the Statistical Business Register (SBR).