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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Reserve Bank of India and Maharashtra Government Strengthen Push for Tokenisation of Financial Assets, Gold and Land

• Tokenization of financial and real-world assets is emerging as a major next frontier of India’s digital ecosystem, with the potential to make asset ownership and transactions more accessible, efficient, and transparent.
• The RBI and Maharashtra Government are exploring asset tokenisation as the next stage of India’s digital transformation.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis proposed the Maharashtra Digitisation and Exchange of Land Token Asset (DELTA) Act, envisioned as a first-of-its-kind blockchain-based framework for tokenising land and other immovable assets.
• The proposed DELTA framework aims to unlock dormant capital, improve liquidity, increase transparency, and protect consumer interests through digital representation of ownership or economic interests in physical assets.
• Under tokenisation, an asset can be divided into smaller digital units or tokens, potentially allowing retail investors to access assets with a lower ownership cost.
• For example, a ₹10 lakh bond could theoretically be divided into smaller units, allowing an investor to purchase a portion for ₹100, thereby improving retail accessibility.
• Tokenisation involves digitising asset ownership, which can strengthen ownership records and potentially enable shorter settlement times.
• The Maharashtra Government plans to bring together expertise from SEBI, NSE, BSE, and academia to develop the proposed DELTA framework.
• UPI has already digitised payments in India, while the next generation of FinTech is expected to focus on democratising credit, ownership, and economic opportunities.
• The RBI introduced the Unified Market Infrastructure (UMI) in October 2025 to support the digitisation and tokenisation of India’s financial asset ecosystem.
• The objective of the RBI’s UMI initiative is to make ownership of financial assets easier for retail users, similar to how UPI simplified digital payments.
• SEBI is also moving towards corporate bond tokenisation, with plans for a pilot project, indicating growing regulatory interest in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

Reserve Bank of India Authorises Pluxee India as Payment Aggregator for Online and point-of-sale Transactions

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) authorised Pluxee India as a Payment Aggregator (PA) for both online (PA-O) and physical (PA-P) point-of-sale transactions.
• The Payment Aggregator licence was granted to Pluxee India on 3 August 2026, allowing it to onboard merchants directly and undertake payment-processing activities in compliance with RBI’s licensing requirements.
• The PA authorisation enables Pluxee India to provide services including payment collection, settlement, refund management, and merchant payment processing.
• The licence supports multiple payment modes, including cards, Quick Response (QR) codes, Near Field Communication (NFC)-based payments, and online transactions.
• Pluxee India already holds a Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) licence, originally issued in 2009, which was expanded in 2020 to include General Purpose PPIs beyond meal vouchers.

About Pluxee India :

• Pluxee India has operated in India since 1997 and has evolved from providing paper-based meal vouchers into a digital payments company.
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director (MD) : Anish Sarkar.

Axis Bank Introduces 2026 Sparsh Week Under ‘Act with Speed’ Theme

• Axis Bank Limited launched the 4th edition of Sparsh Week, its flagship nationwide customer engagement initiative, themed “Act with Speed”, from 7 to 11 September 2026 across India.
• Sparsh Week 2026 involved more than 90 Axis Bank leaders, with participation spanning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Kutch to Kohima.
• The initiative aims to conduct more than 2.5 lakh customer interactions across diverse customer touchpoints and convert customer feedback into faster action through digital innovation and enhanced engagement platforms.
• Key programmes under Sparsh Week 2026 include leadership immersion, customer listening, MSME sector forums, NRI sector forums, and customer outreach initiatives.
• Axis Bank is using digital innovation to improve customer experience, including a fully digital auto and two-wheeler loan process that enables loan disbursement within 30 minutes.
• The initiative also focuses on employee training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and various innovation programmes to accelerate customer service and improve operational efficiency.
• Sparsh Week aims to reduce service friction, improve the Net Promoter Score (NPS), and strengthen customer experience through faster and actionable customer insights.

About Axis Bank :

• Axis Bank Limited is one of India’s largest private-sector banks, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and was established in 1993.
• Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) : Amitabh Chaudhry

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Southern Railway Achieves 100% Electrification of Its Broad-Gauge Network

• Southern Railway has achieved 100% electrification of its entire 5,068 route-kilometre Broad Gauge network.
• The milestone was achieved after the electrification of the final 71-kilometre Pattukkottai–Karaikkudi section in Tamil Nadu.
• The statutory inspection of the final section was completed on 9 September 2026 by Ganesh, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Southern Railway.

Key Highlights

• Southern Railway's electric-traction journey began on 11 May 1931, when electric traction was introduced in the Madras region.
• After nearly 95 years, Southern Railway has completed electrification of its entire Broad-Gauge network in 2026.
• Complete electrification enables trains to operate using electric traction throughout the electrified network, eliminating the need for traction changes between electrified and non-electrified sections.
• The milestone is expected to improve operational flexibility, locomotive utilisation, reliability and efficiency of train services.
• Earlier, trains moving between electrified and non-electrified sections could require a change from an electric locomotive to a diesel locomotive, resulting in additional operational time and crew coordination.
• Electric locomotives receive power through Overhead Equipment, while non-electrified sections require alternative traction arrangements.
• Complete electrification will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support a cleaner and more sustainable railway system.
• The achievement forms part of Southern Railway's modernisation efforts and contributes to more efficient and environmentally sustainable railway operations.

Gujarat Passes Gujarat Ease of Doing Business Bill 2026 to Allow 24/7 Operation of Commercial Establishments

• The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Gujarat Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, allowing eligible commercial establishments to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The amendment covers establishments such as shops, malls, restaurants, hotels, cafés, garages and showrooms under the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, 2019.
• The earlier restrictions requiring establishments to close during specified night hours have been removed, enabling 24/7 operations.
• Police and local authorities will not be permitted to close commercial establishments solely on the basis of operating-hour restrictions.
• However, establishments must continue to comply with regulations relating to cleanliness, traffic management, public safety and workers' welfare.

Key Highlights

• The 24/7 provision does not permit employers to make employees work continuously. Existing provisions relating to working hours, rest intervals, leave, employment conditions and worker safety will remain applicable.
• Jairam Gamit, Minister of State for Industries, stated that the legislation aims to make regulatory processes simpler, faster, transparent and industry-friendly.
• The Bill seeks to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, promote self-declaration and self-certification, and strengthen risk-based and technology-driven governance.
• It also aims to reduce mandatory pre-clearance and physical interaction for low-risk activities and promote a trust-based governance system.
• The Bill introduces 12 amendments across five state laws under a common framework, thereby simplifying the legislative process.

Major Legal Reforms

• Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2013: Fire-safety regulations will follow a more risk-based and performance-oriented approach, taking into account local conditions and building types.
• Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, 2019: Registration will be simplified through self-declaration and self-certification, while workers' rights and safety protections will continue.
• Gujarat Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Facilitation Act, 2019: The Right to Business framework for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will be strengthened.
• Gujarat Medical Council Act, 1967: Doctors registered in other states will be able to seek registration in Gujarat more easily through self-declaration, facilitating professional mobility and medical services.
• Gujarat Right of Citizens to Public Services Act, 2013: Auto-appeal and auto-escalation mechanisms will be introduced for government services and complaints that are not resolved within the prescribed time.
• The reforms are linked to the Gujarat Industrial Policy 2026 and the state's vision of “Developed Gujarat to Developed India @2047.”
• The reforms are also expected to support investment, industrial development, entrepreneurship and employment while maintaining public safety, workers' rights and public health.

About Gujarat:

• Chief Minister: Bhupendra Patel
• Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat
• Capital: Gandhinagar
• National Parks: Gir, Blackbuck, Gulf of Kutch (Marine), Vansda National Parks
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Nal Sarovar Bird, Wild Ass, Kutch Desert, Barda, Purna Wildlife Sanctuaries

RECENT NEWS

• Gujarat has launched the India’s first state-level Sports Genomics Programme. The programme attempts to incorporate genomics in sports science, physiology and nutrition to provide a more scientific basis for identifying athletes and training them at high-performance

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Organises Workshop on Data Harmonisation for Data-Driven Governance

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation organised a workshop for Statistical Advisers and Chief Data Officers of all Central Government Ministries, Departments and Organisations in New Delhi.
• The theme of the workshop was “Data Harmonisation for Use of Administrative Data in Data Driven Governance.”
• The workshop aimed to strengthen the National Data System, promote the effective use and harmonisation of administrative data, and improve coordination for data-driven governance and evidence-based policymaking.

Key Highlights

• Shaktikanta Das, Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister, inaugurated the workshop and launched the Quarterly Progress Report Portal on Data Harmonisation.
• The Quarterly Progress Report Portal on Data Harmonisation is a technology-enabled platform for Central Government Ministries, Departments and Organisations to report progress on dataset identification, cataloguing, metadata preparation, use of common standards and classifications, unique identifiers and data-quality checks.
• The portal incorporates automated validation, dashboards and cross-verification with the National Metadata and Data Sharing Portal, along with analytical insights across Ministries, Departments and Organisations.
• Shaktikanta Das emphasised that trusted, timely and interoperable data is essential for evidence-based policymaking and data-driven governance.
• He highlighted key initiatives of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, including National Metadata and Data Sharing 2.0, Statistical Quality Assurance Framework, statistical classifications, data lifecycle guidelines, e-Sankhyiki, Microdata Portal and Quarterly Progress Report on Data Harmonisation.
• Ministries and Departments were encouraged to establish Data Governance Committees, publish data-sharing frameworks, maintain live dataset inventories and use national data-sharing platforms.
• The platforms highlighted include Application Programming Interface Setu, data.gov.in, National Data and Analytics Platform, Artificial Intelligence Kosh, DigiLocker, Entity Locker, e-Sankhyiki and the Microdata Portal.
• S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, stressed the importance of data sharing, harmonisation and interoperability for evidence-based policymaking and effective governance.
• Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, called for a shift from siloed departmental data systems to an integrated, interoperable and government-wide data ecosystem.
• The “data discovery before data request” approach was emphasised to ensure that available, harmonised and quality-assured data is properly identified before requesting new data.
• P. R. Meshram, Director General (Data Governance), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, highlighted the need to make government data Artificial Intelligence-ready and machine-readable.
• Technical sessions covered data harmonisation through the National Metadata and Data Sharing and Quarterly Progress Report portals, data-sharing frameworks, Artificial Intelligence-ready data ecosystems, Data DHARA, Digital Public Infrastructure, health data and thematic and extended economic accounts.
• The workshop reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a modern, harmonised, interoperable and data-driven National Data System to support evidence-based governance and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

About Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation:

• Minister of State (Independent Charge): Rao Inderjit Singh
• Constituency: Gurgaon, Haryana

Ministry of Coal Launches Comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Framework for Indian Coal Companies

• The Ministry of Coal, in association with Coal India Limited, launched the Comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Framework for Indian Coal Companies in New Delhi.
• The event also marked key milestones under two major healthcare Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of Coal India Limited: Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana and Nanha Sa Dil.
• Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana was launched to support children suffering from Thalassemia and Aplastic Anaemia, which are rare genetic blood disorders.

Key Highlights

• Under the initiative, the network has expanded from 4 hospitals to 21 empanelled hospitals across India.
• Coal India Limited is the only Central Public Sector Enterprise in India to undertake a healthcare initiative of this scale for rare genetic blood disorders such as Thalassemia and Aplastic Anaemia.
• Under Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh per patient is provided directly to empanelled hospitals for Bone Marrow Transplant.
• The initiative has a total financial outlay of ₹130 crore across four phases.
• More than 1,050 Bone Marrow Transplants have been completed under Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, with most treated children now leading healthier and normal lives.
• The scheme is implemented in coordination with Thalassemics India, with monitoring guidance from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Nanha Sa Dil is a Coal India Limited initiative addressing Congenital Heart Defects, which affect an estimated 2.4 lakh newborns in India every year.
• The initiative was launched in March 2024 in four districts of Jharkhand and was later expanded through Coal India Limited subsidiaries, including South Eastern Coalfields Limited, Central Coalfields Limited, Northern Coalfields Limited and Western Coalfields Limited.
• More than 2 lakh children have been screened under Nanha Sa Dil using modern diagnostic tools.
• More than 1,500 corrective surgeries have been successfully completed free of cost, including expenses related to travel and hospitalisation.
• The newly launched Comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Framework for Indian Coal Companies is the first sector-specific Corporate Social Responsibility framework since the introduction of statutory Corporate Social Responsibility under the Companies Act, 2013.
• The framework has been prepared by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
• It aims to make Corporate Social Responsibility activities in the coal sector more structured, transparent, outcome-oriented and impact-driven, particularly for communities living in coal mining areas.
• G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, highlighted Coal India Limited's long-term Corporate Social Responsibility work in healthcare, education, livelihoods and community development.
• Satish Chandra Dubey, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, emphasised the need to ensure access to quality healthcare and dignified lives for children.
• Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, highlighted quality-assured care, real-time case tracking, transparency, accountability and scalability as important strengths of Coal India's healthcare initiatives.
• The event included the release of a book on Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, screening of short films on Coal India Limited's healthcare Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and felicitation of doctors and distinguished dignitaries.

About Ministry of Coal:

• Cabinet Minister: G. Kishan Reddy
• Constituency: Secunderabad, Telangana
• Ministers of State (MoS): Satish Chandra Dubey

Karnataka Leads India in Semiconductor Support Through ChipIN Centre

• Karnataka has emerged as the leading state in semiconductor support through the ChipIN Centre, with 81 organisations supported and 73 chip tape-outs.
• Karnataka recorded 88 lakh hours of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool usage, the highest among the states highlighted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Key Highlights

• Tamil Nadu ranked second with 79 organisations supported and 33 chip tape-outs.
• Telangana recorded 42 organisations supported and 28 chip tape-outs.
• Maharashtra recorded 32 organisations supported, 24 tape-outs and 15 lakh hours of EDA tool usage.
• Uttar Pradesh had 24 organisations supported and 21 tape-outs, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 24 organisations supported and 18 tape-outs.
• Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha and Punjab were also among the top 10 states highlighted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• The ChipIN Centre, established at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, provides semiconductor design infrastructure, including Electronic Design Automation tools, computing and hardware infrastructure, Intellectual Property cores and technical expertise.
• The ChipIN Centre supports academic institutions and entrepreneurs under the Chips to Start-up Programme and Design Linked Incentive Scheme.
• The data indicates the growing activity in chip design, semiconductor development and chip tape-outs across Indian states.
• In July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 with a total budget outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore to further strengthen India's semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem.
• Semicon 2.0 focuses on six major areas: chip design; machines and materials; semiconductor fabrication plants; Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging / Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test; research and development; and talent development.
• The initiative aims to build a stronger, self-reliant and globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem in India.

About Karnataka:

• Chief Minister: K. Shivakumar
• Governor: Thawarchand Gehlot
• Capital: Bengaluru
• National Parks: Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park, Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park, Kudremukh National Park, Anshi (Kali) National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranebennur Blackbuck Wildlife Sanctuary

RECENT NEWS

• The Karnataka Cabinet has finalized the Karnataka Aerospace Policy 2026-31, in addition to a list of initiatives meant to lure industrial ventures and create job opportunities as well as address regional imbalances. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launches Development Projects Worth Over ₹35,000 Crore in Vadodara, Gujarat

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid foundation stones for and dedicated development projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• The projects are aimed at strengthening infrastructure, connectivity, manufacturing, employment and overall economic development as part of the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Key Highlights

• The Prime Minister highlighted the Saptadhara (seven streams) resolution announced from the Red Fort, with emphasis on rapid connectivity through the Gati Shakti initiative.
• The historic 2,800-kilometre Dedicated Freight Corridor has been completed, covering the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
• The Dedicated Freight Corridors separate freight traffic from passenger traffic, enabling more than 430 freight trains per day to operate efficiently.
• Freight movement that earlier took around 30 hours by truck can now be completed in approximately 10–12 hours, reducing transportation time, fuel consumption and freight costs.
• The improved freight network is also helping farmers transport perishable agricultural products such as flowers, fruits and vegetables to markets and mandis more quickly.
• A double-stack container freight train successfully transported cargo from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to Vadodara, carrying cargo equivalent to more than 250 trucks.
• The government is expanding railway connectivity to previously underserved tribal regions of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, including improved connectivity to Chhota Udepur and Alirajpur.
• The railway budget of more than ₹2.75 lakh crore was highlighted as an important driver of infrastructure development and employment generation.
• Vadodara's industrial development was highlighted, particularly its evolution from textiles and petrochemicals to a major Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises hub.
• Vadodara has also emerged as a major centre for defence manufacturing, including the production of India's first domestically manufactured C-295 military transport aircraft.
• Since 2014, India has manufactured around 50,000 modern railway coaches and added nearly 2.5 lakh wagons to the railway network.
• India is increasingly becoming a major global manufacturer of railway coaches, metro coaches, wagons and locomotive engines.
• The Prime Minister stressed the importance of self-reliance in critical supply chains, including solar energy, semiconductors, critical minerals and rare earth elements.
• India's domestic production of solar photovoltaic modules has significantly reduced dependence on costly imports, while solar power capacity has expanded substantially.
• The Kadana Dam Floating Solar Project and Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana were highlighted as major renewable-energy initiatives.
• Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has benefited around 55 lakh families across India, including approximately 11 lakh families in Gujarat, by enabling households to generate electricity.
• The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of developing a strong electricity ecosystem to support emerging technologies such as data centres and artificial intelligence.
• India is strengthening access to uranium, critical minerals and rare earth elements through international agreements to support future technological and industrial growth.
• The National Education Policy is being aligned with changing global requirements by giving greater importance to skill development and continuous upskilling.
• The government announced a major initiative to provide free coaching for competitive examinations, aimed at reducing the financial burden on poor and middle-class families.
• A national campaign for artificial intelligence skills was also highlighted to prepare India's youth for applications of artificial intelligence in agriculture, healthcare, robotics, manufacturing and startups.
• The Prime Minister called upon India's youth to make full use of the country's demographic dividend and contribute towards the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Flights, Schools and Fishing Activities

• Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia erupted, forcing six airports to suspend operations and disrupting hundreds of flights, including flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta’s major airport.
• Anak Krakatau is located between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra and has been erupting since late Friday.
• Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau reached up to 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) over the Java side and 50,000 feet (15,000 metres) over the Sumatra side and parts of Banten province.
• Soekarno-Hatta International Airport suspended flight operations until 1:30 p.m. because of volcanic ash, affecting 301 flights, including 58 international flights.
• Singapore Airlines cancelled its flights to and from Jakarta for the remainder of the affected day.
• The Indonesian Transport Ministry reported that volcanic ash was detected at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, leading to the temporary suspension of flight operations.
• Schools in affected areas cancelled activities after students and residents experienced eye irritation caused by volcanic ash.
• Fishermen also cancelled fishing trips because of the volcanic activity and associated hazards.
• Ferries in the Sunda Strait continued to operate normally, but vessels were advised to remain at least 3 km from Anak Krakatau’s crater and stay alert to volcanic ash and other ejected materials.
• Mount Semeru, located in East Java, also erupted on the same day, approximately 850 km from Anak Krakatau, sending an ash column about 1 km (3,300 feet) above its summit.
• Indonesia’s Volcano Monitoring Agency (PVMBG) advised people to stay at least 5 km from Mount Semeru’s crater and warned of hot ash clouds and lava flows extending up to 17 km from the summit.
• Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently.
• Anak Krakatau has been under Alert Level 3, the second-highest alert level, since 2 July.
• Mount Semeru was also at Alert Level 3, along with Mount Merapi, Lewotobi Laki-laki and Sinabung.
• Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency stated that there was no imminent tsunami risk from the latest Anak Krakatau
• A 2018 tsunami caused by Anak Krakatau’s volcanic activity killed more than 400 people on Java and Sumatra.
• Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau,” emerged about a century ago from the area formerly occupied by the Krakatau (Krakatoa)
• The catastrophic 1883 Krakatau eruption destroyed much of the older volcano and generated a series of tsunamis that killed more than 36,000 people.

79th World Health Organisation Regional Committee Session Held in Dili, Timor-Leste from 7–10 September 2026

• The 79th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee (RC79) for South-East Asia was held from 7 to 10 September 2026 in Dili, Timor-Leste.
• The session was chaired by Elia dos Reis Amaral, Minister of Health of Timor-Leste, and brought together health leaders and experts from the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR).
• Union Minister Jagat Prakash (JP) Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), represented India at the WHO RC79 session.
• The major outcome of the session was the unanimous adoption of the “Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health: Equity in Specialized Care.”
• The session adopted resolutions covering medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technology, health-facility resilience, patient and blood safety, and renewed commitment to end Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030.
• The WHO RC79 also approved the extension of the Regional Action Plan on viral hepatitis, HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) up to 2030.
• The WHO honoured the Government of India for sustaining the elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNTE) over the last decade.
• Union Health Minister JP Nadda formally received the WHO recognition for India on behalf of the Government of India.
• The WHO also recognised India’s leadership in addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through primary healthcare.
• India exceeded its national target of screening and placing 75 million people with hypertension or diabetes on standard care by December 2025, reaching 94 million people.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Destry Damayanti Becomes First Woman to Head Bank Indonesia

• Destry Damayanti became the first woman to lead Bank Indonesia, marking a historic milestone in Indonesia’s central banking system.
• Destry Damayanti was sworn in as the Governor of Bank Indonesia in Jakarta before Supreme Court Chief Justice Sunarto.
• Destry had served as Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia since 2019 and also served as Acting Governor after Perry Warjiyo resigned in July.
• Indonesia’s Parliament unanimously approved Destry’s appointment, followed by the issuance of a Presidential Decree.
• Destry’s appointment is expected to provide policy continuity while working with the administration of President Prabowo Subianto.
• During her confirmation hearing, Destry pledged to keep the central bank responsive to economic challenges, maintain financial stability and support sustainable economic growth.
• Aida S. Budiman was sworn in as Senior Deputy Governor, while Solikin M. Juhro was sworn in as Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia.
• Destry Damayanti, Aida S. Budiman and Solikin M. Juhro will serve five-year terms through 2031.
• Bank Indonesia raised its 2027 economic growth forecast to 2%–6.0%, from the earlier estimate of 5.1%–5.9%.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman Kishor Makwana Receives Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Jan Seva Puraskar 2026

• Kishor Makwana, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, was conferred the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Jan Seva Puraskar 2026 for the Commission’s contribution to social justice and public service.
• The award was presented during the 16th Sansad Ratna Awards 2026 held in New Delhi.
• The award recognises significant contributions towards public service, social justice, equality, dignity and protection of constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes.

Key Highlights

• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes was nominated by the Prime Point Foundation and selected by the Sansad Ratna Awards Committee jury for its work in the field of social justice.
• The recognition also acknowledges the leadership and dedicated service of Kishor Makwana in strengthening the Commission's efforts towards the social empowerment and inclusive development of Scheduled Castes.
• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is responsible for safeguarding the constitutional and legal rights and interests of Scheduled Castes.

• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes was established on 19 February 2004 under Article 338 of the Constitution of India.
• It was established following the bifurcation of the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes through the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

India and United States Partner to Strengthen Security of Global Undersea Cable Networks

• India and the United States have partnered to strengthen the security, resilience and diversification of global undersea cable networks, particularly across the Indo-Pacific region.
• The partnership is being pursued under the United States-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technologies) Initiative.
• The initiative aims to protect critical digital infrastructure, expand secure connectivity and strengthen India's position as a digital connectivity hub in the region.

Key Highlights

• Undersea cables carry more than 95% of global digital traffic, making them critical to the international internet and digital economy.
• These cables support essential services such as cloud computing, financial systems, telecommunications, data centres and emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence.
• India and the United States will work towards developing secure and resilient subsea cable systems using trusted technology providers.
• The partnership seeks to reduce vulnerabilities arising from sabotage, cyberattacks, interception and excessive dependence on a limited number of suppliers or routes.
• Both countries will promote greater redundancy and route diversification by supporting multiple cable landing stations and diverse cable routes across the Indo-Pacific.
• Route diversification is expected to reduce the impact of disruptions to individual cables or critical transit points.
• The cooperation complements broader India-United States collaboration in Artificial Intelligence, telecommunications, data centres, next-generation connectivity and 6G technology.
• The partnership is expected to strengthen trusted technology supply chains and improve coordination between governments and industry for the construction, maintenance and repair of undersea cable infrastructure.
• For India, the initiative could strengthen its role as an important digital connectivity hub between Asia and other parts of the world.
• The partnership also provides a framework for addressing growing security risks to the infrastructure supporting the global internet.

Bihar Government Signs Memorandum of Understanding with AIM Global Foundation to Develop Food Processing Park

• The Industries Department, Government of Bihar and AIM Global Foundation exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding at the AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• The partnership aims to establish a dedicated Food Processing Park in Bihar, supported by investments from the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region.
• The initiative seeks to attract international investment and strengthen Bihar's agriculture, food processing and industrial sectors.

Key Highlights

• Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate to establish an integrated agri-food and food processing cluster in Bihar.
• The proposed park is expected to promote value addition in agricultural products and position Bihar as an important sourcing and processing hub for Gulf food supply chains.
• The project will seek investments from companies, institutions and investors from the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, while leveraging Bihar's strong agricultural base.
• The Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged in the presence of Shreyasi Singh, Industries Minister, Government of Bihar.
• The agreement was signed by Kundan Kumar, Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Bihar, and Dawood Al-Shezawi, President, AIM Global Foundation.
• Mukul Kumar Gupta, Director, Industries, Government of Bihar, also attended the event.
• Shreyasi Singh stated that the partnership would help Bihar become a preferred investment destination and enable farmers and industries to connect with global supply chains.
• Kundan Kumar highlighted that the Memorandum of Understanding provides a structured framework for engagement between Bihar and United Arab Emirates investors in the food processing sector.
• The partnership is expected to generate new investment and business opportunities, support investment-led growth and strengthen Bihar's position in international agri-food value chains.
• The Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged on the sidelines of the AIM Congress 2026, highlighting Bihar's increasing efforts to attract global investors and expand its international industrial outreach.

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Meets Sri Lankan President in Colombo to Strengthen India–Sri Lanka Relations

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on 9 September 2026 to strengthen the traditionally warm India–Sri Lanka partnership.
• Rajnath Singh’s visit was the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in nearly 40 years.
• India and Sri Lanka signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence equipment, training and academic cooperation.
• One MoU focuses on the upgradation of L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force, which will strengthen Sri Lanka’s air-defence architecture and protection of critical assets.
• Another MoU covers cooperation between the National Cadet Corps (NCC) of India and Sri Lanka and will formalise the NCC Youth Exchange Programme.
• Cooperation between the National Defence Colleges of India and Sri Lanka will promote knowledge sharing and academic exchanges, strengthening defence-education ties.
• Rajnath Singh and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake virtually inaugurated three Bailey Bridges constructed by the Indian Defence Forces.
• The three Bailey Bridges were built to restore connectivity in Kurunegala and Batticaloa districts following Cyclone Ditwah.
• India provided assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu following the devastating Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025.
• India pledged a US$450 million reconstruction package under Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka’s post-cyclone recovery and rehabilitation.
• India described its assistance to Sri Lanka as a responsibility as a close friend and neighbour, highlighting its role as a first responder.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit to Sri Lanka had resulted in the signing of seven MoUs, including an overarching defence-sector agreement.
• During his Sri Lanka visit, Rajnath Singh also interacted with the Indian diaspora in Colombo and highlighted India’s progress in trade, economy, defence and infrastructure.
• The Indian Navy’s INS Udaygiri, an indigenously built multi-role stealth frigate, arrived at Colombo Port during the visit.
• INS Udaygiri was in Sri Lanka for a three-day Operational Turnaround (OTR).

22nd Edition of India-US Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 Begins in India

• The 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, an annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the US Army, commenced on 9 September 2026 and will continue until 28 September 2026.
• Yudh Abhyas 2026 is being conducted in a two-theatre format at Bikaner, Rajasthan, and Auli, Uttarakhand, India.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, operational readiness, information sharing, and bilateral military cooperation, with emphasis on emerging battlefield technologies.
• The exercise is being conducted under the broader Operation Pathways framework, which focuses on strengthening interoperability, information sharing, and operational readiness between the Indian and US armies.
• Yudh Abhyas 2026 focuses on high-altitude warfare, long-range precision fires, counter-drone capabilities, multi-domain operations, and joint combat readiness.
• Around 700 personnel, comprising approximately 350 troops from each country, are participating in the exercise.
• The US contingent includes Arctic-trained soldiers from the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, for specialised high-altitude warfare training.
• The US Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) is participating with capabilities related to long-range precision fires and integrated command-and-control operations.
• The exercise includes a Command Post Exercise (CPX) for operational planning and coordination and a Field Training Exercise (FTX) involving tactical drills and joint manoeuvres.
• The exercise will culminate in a combined live-fire demonstration involving Indian and US long-range precision fires and rocket systems.
• A major feature of Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the deployment of advanced counter-drone capabilities to India for the first time under the exercise framework.
• The US Army’s Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS) is being integrated into the exercise for training against unmanned aerial threats.
• The Rajasthan phase is being conducted at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges near Bikaner, focusing on desert warfare and long-range precision fires.
• The Uttarakhand phase is being conducted at Auli, a high-altitude location at around 2,500 metres, approximately 95 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
• AH-64E Apache attack helicopters are participating in Yudh Abhyas for the first time, equipped with Hellfire missiles, 70 mm rockets, and 30 mm chain guns.
• The desert phase features India’s Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers and K9 Vajra howitzers, along with the US Army’s HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System).
• The high-altitude phase includes M777 ultra-light howitzers, which are airlifted using Chinook helicopters.
• Joint training also covers detection and jamming of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and countering emerging drone threats.
• The 21st edition of Yudh Abhyas 2025 was conducted at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA.
• US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Lieutenant General Joel “JB” Vowell, Deputy Commanding General of US Army Pacific, are scheduled to attend key segments of the exercise.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Space Research Organisation Successfully Conducts 220 kN Hot Test of CE20 Cryogenic Engine

• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) successfully conducted a Flight Acceptance Hot Test of the CE20 cryogenic engine at 220 kN (22-tonne) thrust for LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) missions at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
• The test was conducted for the seventh operational mission of LVM3, designated LVM3-M7, at the Main Engine & Stage Test Facility (MET) of the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.
• The CE20 is an indigenous cryogenic engine that uses Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) as propellants and powers the upper stage of the heavy-lift LVM3 launch vehicle.
• The C32 stage of LVM3 integrates the CE20 engine, and its uprated thrust of 22 tonnes is aimed at enhancing the payload-carrying capability of LVM3.
• The main objective of the flight acceptance test was to validate the CE20 engine’s performance and systems at the 22-tonne thrust level for future LVM3 missions.
• The CE20 engine performance met all test objectives, confirming the satisfactory performance of the engine systems.
• Cryogenic engines for every LVM3 mission undergo hot testing as part of the flight acceptance process before being used for flight.
• ISRO developed a Nozzle Protection System (NPS) to enable hot testing of the upper-stage engine under sea-level conditions, even though its nozzle is designed for high-altitude operations.
• The NPS was previously validated through multiple qualification tests and helps simulate flight-equivalent vacuum conditions, thereby reducing the time and effort required for flight acceptance testing.
• During the test, the LOX Tank Pressurisation Module (LTPM) intended for the C32 stages of the Gaganyaan missions was also successfully demonstrated.
• After the successful test, the CE20 engine will be refurbished and assembled with the C32 flight stage for the LVM3-M7 mission.
• The LVM3-M7 mission is scheduled for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2026.

About ISRO:

• Established: 15 August 1969
• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka
• Chairman: V. Narayanan

National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology Partners with Saylor University, United States of America to Integrate Digital Learning Resources into NIELIT Digital University Platform

• The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), launched a collaboration with Saylor University, USA, to integrate Saylor’s digital learning resources into the NIELIT Digital University (NDU)
• The partnership was formally inaugurated by Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, who attended the event as the Chief Guest in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The integration will enable learners on the NDU platform to access quality, self-paced global courses from Saylor University, providing greater flexibility and choice in digital learning.
• The partnership aims to create a unified national and international digital learning ecosystem by combining NIELIT’s digital platform with global learning resources.
• During the event, NIELIT signed MoUs with 8 partner organisations from the association, industry and academia sectors.
• Major organisations involved in the 8 MoUs included the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI), and Pearson India Education Services Pvt. Ltd.
• The MoUs aim to expand opportunities in industry-aligned skilling, certification, faculty development, internships, and digital learning, largely through the NDU platform.

About NIELIT :

• Established : 1989 with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and MeitY.
• NIELIT has been granted the status of “Deemed to be University” under the distinct category as per the UGC (Institution Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023.
• The main campus of NIELIT is located at Ropar, Punjab.

Indian Space Research Organisation and France’s Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales Jointly Develop TRISHNA Earth-Observation Mission

• TRISHNA stands for Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment and is a joint Earth-observation mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France’s Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES).
• CNES has expressed complete trust in ISRO despite the recent PSLV failures; TRISHNA is planned to be launched using the PSLV.
• PSLV-C62 carrying EOS-N1 failed on 12 January 2026 due to an anomaly in the third stage, while PSLV-C61 carrying EOS-09 failed on 18 May 2025, also due to a third-stage anomaly.
• The main objective of TRISHNA is high-resolution monitoring of Earth’s surface temperature, emissivity, biophysical variables and radiation variables for surface energy-budget assessment.
• The mission focuses on water security, food security, climate-change monitoring and efficient water-resource management, particularly through evapotranspiration monitoring.
• TRISHNA carries two primary payloads: Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) developed by CNES and Visible-Near Infra-Red-Short Wave Infra-Red (VNIR-SWIR) developed by ISRO.
• The TIR payload has a four-channel long-wave infrared sensor, while the VNIR-SWIR payload has seven spectral bands for mapping surface reflectance and generating biophysical and radiation-budget variables.
• TRISHNA will monitor terrestrial water stress and water use, water quality and dynamics in coastal and inland waters, and the energy and water budgets of the continental biosphere.
• The mission will also support monitoring of urban heat islands, droughts, permafrost changes, volcanic thermal anomalies, geothermal resources, snow-melt, glaciers and sub-surface fires.
• TRISHNA will help agricultural water management by assessing irrigation water use, improving crop water productivity and supporting water-saving advisories.
• The satellite will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at 761 km altitude.
• TRISHNA will provide 57-metre spatial resolution over land and coastal areas and 1-km resolution over oceanic and polar regions, with a planned 5-year operational life.
• TRISHNA data will contribute to GEOGLAM, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Global Water Watch, with outputs supporting Essential Agricultural Variables (EAVs) and Essential Climate Variables (ECVs).

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Operational Guidelines for DILRMP 3.0 in New Delhi

• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched the Operational Guidelines for DILRMP 3.0 during a hybrid event at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) 3.0 is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) with a budgetary outlay of ₹565.50 crore for 2026–2031.
• DILRMP 3.0 aims to develop an integrated GIS-based digital land records ecosystem by connecting land records, maps, registrations, and related data.
• Under DILRMP 3.0, each state can develop its own “land stack” by integrating land-related datasets and systems through APIs, which will form the building blocks of a federated national land stack.
• The programme will assign a 14-digit Bhu-Aadhaar, also known as the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), to every land parcel in India.
• DILRMP 3.0 provides for full georeferencing of cadastral maps, helping create more accurate and integrated digital land records.
• 75 high-footfall Sub-Registrar Offices will be upgraded into modern Registration Seva Kendras (RSKs), modelled on Passport Seva Kendras.
• The programme will modernise the Revenue Court Case Management System (RCCMS) by directly linking it with land records and will also focus on computerising revenue courts.
• The NAKSHA initiative will be accelerated to create GIS-based urban land records and support the issuance of Urban Property Cards (UrPro Cards).
• NAKSHA stands for National geospatial Knowledge-based land Survey of urban HAbitations and focuses on improving urban land mapping and property records.
• DILRMP 3.0 will also focus on scanning legacy land records and creating a registration repository to improve accessibility and management of historical land data.
• The programme is expected to help farmers access institutional credit and reduce the need for repeated visits to government offices by improving digital access to land-related services.
• Under the earlier phases of DILRMP, 9% of Records of Rights (RoR) and 97% of cadastral maps had been digitised, while 99% of Sub-Registrar Offices had been computerised.
• DILRMP 3.0 will be implemented across all States and Union Territories with 100% central funding.
• Funds under the programme will be released in phases based on performance, with implementation monitored through a real-time DILRMP-MIS dashboard.

Pawan Hans Set to Re-enter India’s Seaplane Sector After 15 Years with Two Aircraft

• Pawan Hans, India’s state-owned helicopter service provider, is preparing to re-enter the seaplane segment after a gap of around 15 years by wet-leasing two seaplanes.
• The first seaplane service of the renewed initiative is expected to commence by December 2026.
• Pawan Hans had earlier launched seaplane services in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in 2009.
• The renewed seaplane initiative aims to diversify Pawan Hans’ operations and improve transport connectivity to coastal and underserved regions.
• The proposed water-aerodrome hub for the new seaplane operations is expected to be located in Andhra Pradesh.
• Pawan Hans has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for operating seaplane routes in the Lakshadweep Islands.
• The company is also in discussions with other state governments for the deployment of seaplanes.
• Pawan Hans is expected to issue the Letter of Award (LoA) after completing the remaining tender formalities and will subsequently approach the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the required permissions.
• India currently has no operational seaplane service, as earlier initiatives in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Gujarat were discontinued due to commercial challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A prominent earlier example was SpiceJet’s seaplane service in Gujarat during 2019–20, including the Sabarmati Riverfront–Statue of Unity route.
• The seaplane service operated by SpiceJet was later discontinued because of commercial reasons and the impact of COVID-19.
• Pawan Hans’ re-entry is expected to boost regional aviation and connectivity in India, particularly in underserved and unserved areas.
• The development comes as the Centre is expanding regional connectivity under the Modified UDAN scheme, with emphasis on underserved/unserved areas and aviation infrastructure beyond conventional airports.
• The UDAN scheme was earlier expanded to include seaplane operations, while the Modified UDAN scheme provides operational and maintenance support for water aerodromes.
• The seaplane initiative forms part of Pawan Hans’ broader plans for fleet expansion and business diversification.
• The Central Government is also considering a loan of approximately ₹500 crore for Pawan Hans.
• The proposed ₹500 crore loan is being considered for a 10-year tenure, with discussions underway regarding its financing structure and support terms.
• If approved, the loan is expected to support new helicopter acquisition, offshore operations expansion and other specialised aviation services.
• Pawan Hans has been exploring opportunities in offshore operations, regional connectivity, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and other specialised aviation segments.
• Pawan Hans is currently a 51:49 joint venture between the Central Government and ONGC.

GAGAN: India’s Indigenous Satellite-Based Augmentation System Developed by Indian Space Research Organisation and Airports Authority of India

• GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is India’s indigenous Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• GAGAN improves GPS accuracy by providing real-time correction and integrity information, thereby enabling safer and more reliable aircraft navigation.
• The integrity information provided by GAGAN alerts pilots when a GPS signal is not suitable for navigation, improving flight safety.

Key Highlights :

• GAGAN has been fully operational since 2015, placing India among the countries with operational SBAS technology.
• In June 2026, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) successfully conducted India’s first satellite-based landing system approach on a commercial jet aircraft using GAGAN, marking a major advancement in indigenous aviation technology.
• GAGAN supports satellite-based landing approaches and strengthens India’s capabilities in precision aviation navigation.
• GSAT-8, GSAT-10 and GSAT-15 are India’s geostationary satellites carrying GAGAN payloads, which broadcast GAGAN’s correction and integrity information to users.
• GAGAN uses geostationary satellites, which orbit at the same speed as Earth’s rotation and therefore appear fixed over the same location.
• GAGAN complements NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), India’s indigenous regional satellite navigation system.
• GAGAN is an SBAS that improves existing GPS signals through corrections and integrity information, whereas NavIC is an independent regional navigation system providing positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services.
• NavIC provides coverage across India and up to approximately 1,500 km beyond India’s boundary, while GAGAN primarily enhances GPS signals for precise aviation navigation.
• In 2025, India signed an agreement with South Africa to establish a NavIC reference station, strengthening the reach and performance of India’s indigenous satellite navigation system.
• GAGAN is the first SBAS certified for the equatorial region, making India one of the few countries with an operational satellite-based augmentation system.
• GAGAN follows international civil aviation standards and is interoperable with major global augmentation systems.
• GAGAN is interoperable with the United States’ WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), Europe’s EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) and Japan’s MSAS (Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System).
• GAGAN was primarily developed for civil aviation, but its high-accuracy navigation capabilities also support several non-aviation sectors.
• In maritime navigation, GAGAN can provide more accurate positioning in coastal and offshore waters.
• In road transport and highways, GAGAN supports intelligent transport systems and fleet management.
• In railways, GAGAN can contribute to improved operational efficiency and safety.
• In disaster management, GAGAN enables accurate location tracking during emergencies and natural disasters.
• In defence and security, GAGAN strengthens navigation capabilities for defence operations.
• In telecommunications, GAGAN supports reliable synchronisation of telecom infrastructure.
• In surveying and mapping, GAGAN improves the accuracy of land surveys and geospatial mapping.
• India’s growing aerospace sector is emerging as a major industrial opportunity due to cost-competitive manufacturing, skilled engineers and increasing indigenous technologies.
• Boeing and Airbus currently source approximately US$1.4–1.6 billion annually from India, highlighting India’s growing importance in the global aerospace supply chain.
• GAGAN strengthens India’s technological self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) and contributes to the country’s growing role in global satellite navigation and aviation technology.

India’s Space Sector Enters a New Phase with Private Participation, Advanced Missions and Global Partnerships

• India’s space sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by private participation, indigenous technology, commercialisation and international partnerships.

Key Highlights :

• India’s space economy is currently valued at around US$8 billion and, according to a Jefferies report, is projected to reach US$40–45 billion by 2030, nearly five times its current size.
• India aims to increase its share of the global space economy to around 8% by 2030 and has set a long-term target of building a US$100-billion space economy by 2040.
• Private participation in India’s space sector was opened in 2020, followed by the Indian Space Policy 2023 and liberalised FDI rules.
• India now has more than 400 space startups, compared with only one startup in 2014, highlighting the rapid expansion of the private space ecosystem.
• Major private space companies include Skyroot Aerospace, Pixxel, Agnikul Cosmos and Dhruva Space, which are developing launch vehicles, satellites, Earth-observation systems and other space technologies.
• Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 is India’s first privately developed orbital rocket and is designed to place up to 350 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• The government has introduced a ₹1,000-crore Venture Capital Fund to support the growth of India’s private space ecosystem.
• The IN-SPACe Seed Fund provides financial support of up to ₹1 crore to eligible space-sector startups.
• The government has also introduced a ₹500-crore Technology Adoption Fund to promote the adoption of advanced space technologies.
• India’s space programme has expanded beyond satellite launches to include lunar exploration, solar missions, space docking and human spaceflight.
• Chandrayaan-3 achieved the first soft landing near the Moon’s south pole in August 2023, marking a major milestone in India’s lunar exploration programme.
• Chandrayaan-4, planned for 2027, is aimed at conducting a lunar sample-return mission.
• LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) is a joint India–Japan mission that will explore water and volatile materials near the Moon’s south pole.
• The SpaDeX mission successfully demonstrated autonomous docking and undocking in January 2025, strengthening India’s capabilities for future complex space missions.
• Gaganyaan aims to send up to three astronauts into a 400-km orbit for up to three days, marking India’s major human-spaceflight programme.
• The planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is expected to have its first module by 2028 and will support long-duration human missions and microgravity research.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is driving the commercialisation of India’s space activities, with its revenue increasing from ₹321.77 crore in FY2021–22 to ₹3,246.09 crore in FY2024–25.
• India has signed more than 300 space cooperation agreements with 61 countries and five multilateral organisations, reflecting its expanding international space partnerships.
• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a major India–US space mission, while LUPEX represents India’s growing space cooperation with Japan.
• India is expanding its launch infrastructure, reusable space technologies and private-sector capabilities to evolve from a spacefaring nation into a major global space-industry hub.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Padma Shri Awardee and Veteran Tamil Scholar-Orator Solomon Pappaiah Passed Away

• Veteran Tamil scholar, renowned orator, and cultural icon Solomon Pappaiah passed away at the age of 90 on 11 September 2026 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, following an age-related illness.
• Solomon Pappaiah was born on 22 February 1936 at Sathangudi village, Thirumangalam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
• In 2021, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s 4th-highest civilian award, in the field of Literature and Education for his contribution to Tamil literature.
• Solomon Pappaiah became the first Pattimandram moderator to receive the prestigious Padma Shri award.
• He served as the Head of the Department of Tamil at The American College, Madurai, from 1961 to 1994.
• During his tenure at The American College, the Undergraduate Tamil programme was upgraded into a full-fledged Postgraduate Department in 1986.
• He was widely known for his exceptional oratory skills and his mastery of Pattimandram (Tamil debates), through which he made complex literary, philosophical, and social ideas accessible to the general public.
• Solomon Pappaiah conducted more than 12,000 Pattimandrams during his lifetime and became a household name through televised Tamil debates and public stages.
• Through television and public speaking, he played a significant role in popularising the Tamil language and literature among Tamil-speaking communities worldwide.
• Apart from the Padma Shri, the Government of Tamil Nadu honoured him with the Kalaimamani Award in 2000 for his contribution to Tamil language and literature.
• Solomon Pappaiah also appeared in selected Tamil films, including Mudhalvan (1999), Boys (2003), and Sivaji: The Boss (2007).
• His major contributions included Tamil education, literature, public oratory, Pattimandram debates, and mentoring generations of students.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

National Forest Martyrs Day 2026

• National Forest Martyrs Day is observed every year on 11 September in India to honour people who sacrificed their lives to protect forests, wildlife and the environment.
• The observance recognises the contribution of forest protectors and communities whose lives and livelihoods are closely connected with forests.
• The Ministry of Environment and Forests announced the observance of National Forest Martyrs Day on 11 September in 2013.
• The day is associated with the historic Khejarli Massacre of 1730 in Rajasthan, which is considered an important example of the Bishnoi community's sacrifice for the protection of trees.
• In 1730, during the reign of Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur, an order was issued to cut Khejri trees at Khejarli for wood.
• Amrita Devi Bishnoi, a member of the Bishnoi community, opposed the tree-cutting and sacrificed her life while protecting the trees.
• Following her sacrifice, more than 350 Bishnoi community members were also killed while attempting to protect the trees.
• After learning about the incident, Maharaja Abhay Singh stopped the tree-cutting operation and is reported to have apologised to the Bishnoi community.
• The Khejarli sacrifice took place on 11 September 1730 and is regarded as the historical inspiration associated with the observance of National Forest Martyrs Day.

International Day to Protect Education from Attack 2026

• The United Nations observes 9 September every year as the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
• The day aims to raise awareness about protecting students, teachers, schools and educational institutions from attacks, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
• 2026 Theme: “Can Education Survive Attack? The Resilience of Human Communities.”
• The United Nations General Assembly established the observance through Resolution A/RES/74/275, adopted on 28 May 2020.
• The resolution was introduced by Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries.
• The first observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack was held on 9 September 2020.
• The annual observance is facilitated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Daily CA One- Liner: September 13 & 14

• Southern Railway has achieved 100% electrification of its entire 5,068 route-kilometre Broad Gauge network
• The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Gujarat Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, allowing eligible commercial establishments to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation organised a workshop for Statistical Advisers and Chief Data Officers of all Central Government Ministries, Departments and Organisations in New Delhi
• The Ministry of Coal, in association with Coal India Limited, launched the Comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Framework for Indian Coal Companies in New Delhi
• Karnataka has emerged as the leading state in semiconductor support through the ChipIN Centre, with 81 organisations supported and 73 chip tape-outs
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid foundation stones for and dedicated development projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara, Gujarat
• Kishor Makwana, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, was conferred the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Jan Seva Puraskar 2026 for the Commission’s contribution to social justice and public service
• India and the United States have partnered to strengthen the security, resilience and diversification of global undersea cable networks, particularly across the Indo-Pacific region
• The Industries Department, Government of Bihar and AIM Global Foundation exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding at the AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• Tokenization of financial and real-world assets is emerging as a major next frontier of India’s digital ecosystem, with the potential to make asset ownership and transactions more accessible, efficient, and transparent.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) authorised Pluxee India as a Payment Aggregator (PA) for both online (PA-O) and physical (PA-P) point-of-sale transactions.
• Axis Bank Limited launched the 4th edition of Sparsh Week, its flagship nationwide customer engagement initiative, themed “Act with Speed”, from 7 to 11 September 2026 across India.
• Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia erupted, forcing six airports to suspend operations and disrupting hundreds of flights, including flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta’s major airport.
• The 79th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee (RC79) for South-East Asia was held from 7 to 10 September 2026 in Dili, Timor-Leste.
• Destry Damayanti became the first woman to lead Bank Indonesia, marking a historic milestone in Indonesia’s central banking system.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on 9 September 2026 to strengthen the traditionally warm India–Sri Lanka partnership.
• The 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, an annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the US Army, commenced on 9 September 2026 and will continue until 28 September 2026.
• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) successfully conducted a Flight Acceptance Hot Test of the CE20 cryogenic engine at 220 kN (22-tonne) thrust for LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) missions at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
• The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), launched a collaboration with Saylor University, USA, to integrate Saylor’s digital learning resources into the NIELIT Digital University (NDU)
• TRISHNA stands for Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment and is a joint Earth-observation mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France’s Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES).
• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched the Operational Guidelines for DILRMP 3.0 during a hybrid event at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Pawan Hans, India’s state-owned helicopter service provider, is preparing to re-enter the seaplane segment after a gap of around 15 years by wet-leasing two seaplanes.
• GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is India’s indigenous Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• India’s space sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by private participation, indigenous technology, commercialisation and international partnerships.
• Veteran Tamil scholar, renowned orator, and cultural icon Solomon Pappaiah passed away at the age of 90 on 11 September 2026 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, following an age-related illness.
• National Forest Martyrs Day is observed every year on 11 September in India to honour people who sacrificed their lives to protect forests, wildlife and the environment
• The United Nations observes 9 September every year as the International Day to Protect Education from Attack