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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Ministry of Finance Announces No Charges on Unified Payments Interface Transactions Up to ₹2,000

• The Ministry of Finance (MoF) notified a new framework under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007 governing charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay debit-card transactions.
• All Person-to-Person (P2P) UPI transactions will remain completely free, irrespective of the amount transferred, with no transaction fee, platform fee or other charge imposed on individuals.

Key Highlights :

• Person-to-Merchant (P2M) UPI transactions up to ₹2,000 will remain free of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).
• RuPay-powered debit-card payments have also been specified as an electronic mode of payment, with banks and payment system providers prohibited from imposing direct or indirect charges.
• MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) is a charge within the merchant payment ecosystem and is not a tax or a Government/NPCI charge.
• MDR is distributed among banks, payment service providers and UPI application providers to support the operation and expansion of the UPI ecosystem.
• Customers will not pay MDR on eligible UPI transactions, and banks have been advised to ensure that merchants do not pass MDR costs on to customers.
• UPI application providers are prohibited from imposing platform fees or hidden charges on customers.
• Small merchants, including street vendors and neighbourhood shops, receiving up to ₹1 lakh per month through UPI QR codes under the P2PM category will continue to enjoy zero MDR on all transactions.
• A nominal MDR of 0.4% will apply only to specified P2M transactions above ₹2,000.
• For transactions of ₹75,000 and above, the MDR will be capped at ₹300 per transaction.
• For essential and thin-margin sectors such as railways, telecommunications, insurance, fuel and agricultural inputs, transactions above ₹2,000 will attract a flat MDR of ₹5 per transaction.
• Capital-market transactions involving mutual funds, securities, stockbrokers and dealers will attract an MDR of 0.02%, capped at ₹300 per transaction.
• The MDR collected will be shared among payment ecosystem participants, including banks, payment service providers and UPI application providers.
• Around 96% of merchant transactions are expected to remain unaffected, as they are either below the ₹2,000 threshold or covered under the zero-MDR framework for small merchants.
• MDR is expected to apply to only about 4% of merchant transactions, mainly specified higher-value P2M transactions.
• Individuals will continue to have unlimited free UPI usage, with no monthly quotas, volume restrictions or tiered caps on free transactions.
• Daily UPI transaction limits, generally ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh depending on the transaction category, are security and risk-management limits and not charging thresholds.
• A dedicated fund for small merchants will be established, with an amount equivalent to 5% of total MDR collections contributed to the fund to promote UPI adoption and acceptance among small businesses.
• The framework aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of UPI while protecting individuals, micro-enterprises and small merchants from additional payment costs.
• Revenue from specified larger merchant transactions will support banks, payment service providers and UPI application providers in expanding and improving digital-payment infrastructure, including in rural and semi-urban areas.
• The framework follows detailed deliberations by the UPI Steering Committee on MDR rates, operational arrangements and consumer safeguards.
• The framework is also consistent with the Standing Committee on Finance’s 32nd Report, which emphasised the importance of developing a viable revenue model for digital payments.
• The framework followed the passage of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which amended Section 10A of the PSS Act, 2007 and removed the earlier exemption from bank charges for electronic payments under Section 269SU of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

IIFL Finance Completes India’s First Tokenised Bond Transaction by a Non-PSU Non-Banking Financial Company

• IIFL Finance Limited successfully completed a ₹25 crore tokenised bond transaction on 15 September 2026, becoming the first Non-PSU Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India to undertake such a transaction.
• The transaction was executed on the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSEI), which provided the electronic bidding platform for the bond issue.
• Trust Investment Advisors Private Limited acted as the Sole Arranger and Advisor for the transaction.
• The tokenised bonds will be listed on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).
• The transaction was carried out under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Regulatory Sandbox framework for the tokenisation of securities.
• Tokenisation refers to representing a financial security, such as a corporate bond, in digital form using Blockchain or Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).
• DLT-based tokenisation can make the issuance, transfer, verification and settlement of securities more efficient, transparent and faster.
• IIFL Finance’s transaction demonstrates the growing adoption of technology in India’s corporate bond market and the development of a more digitised debt capital market.
• The transaction comes amid increasing regulatory and policy momentum for securities tokenisation in India.
• At the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 in Mumbai, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra and SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey jointly launched a national tokenised corporate bond pilot.
• The national tokenised corporate bond pilot combines Blockchain/DLT with the RBI Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for securities settlement.
• IIFL Finance Limited is a major Indian financial services company offering products such as gold loans, business loans, home loans, microfinance and other secured lending solutions.

India Surpasses Russia to Rank Fourth Globally in Forex Reserves After Record Weekly Increase

• India moved to 4th position globally in terms of foreign exchange (forex) reserves, surpassing Russia, with reserves of around USD 786 billion.
• India’s forex reserves increased by USD 45 billion in the week ended 4 September 2026, registering a weekly rise of approximately 6%.
• The major factor behind the increase was the inflow of Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) bank deposits under the RBI’s special swap facility.
• China holds the world’s largest forex reserves at around USD 3.854 trillion, followed by Japan (USD 1.208 trillion) and Switzerland (USD 1.098 trillion).
• India’s forex reserves of around USD 786 billion placed it ahead of Russia, whose reserves declined from approximately USD 774 billion on 28 August 2026 to around USD 754 billion on 4 September 2026.
• India’s rise to the 4th position highlights the significant strengthening of its foreign-exchange holdings and foreign-currency liquidity.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India Imposes ₹1 Crore Penalty on Canara HSBC Life Insurance for Mis-Selling Policy to 88-Year-Old Customer

• IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) imposed a ₹1 crore penalty on Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company for mis-selling a deferred annuity policy to an 88-year-old customer.
• The deferred annuity policy was sold in February 2025 through Canara Bank, which acted as the insurer’s corporate agent.
• The policy required an annual premium of ₹2 lakh for a four-year premium-paying term.
• The 88-year-old customer was the proposer, while his 57-year-old daughter was named as the annuitant.
• IRDAI found that the policy permitted an entry age of only 30–80 years, making the 88-year-old proposer ineligible for the policy.
• Following the regulatory action, Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company refunded ₹4.09 lakh to the customer.
• The ₹1 crore penalty was imposed for violations of the IRDAI (Protection of Policyholders’ Interests, Operations and Allied Matters of Insurers) Regulations, 2024, IRDAI (Corporate Governance for Insurers) Regulations, 2024, and the Master Circular on Protection of Policyholders’ Interests, 2024.
• IRDAI directed the insurer to conduct a comprehensive audit of policies sold to proposers/policyholders above 75 years of age through Canara Bank.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Karnataka Government Recognises Engineers’ Day as Official State Event and Allows “Er.” Prefix for Engineers

• The Karnataka Government officially recognised the celebration of Engineers’ Day on 15 September as a state event.
• Engineers’ Day is observed on 15 September every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned engineer and former Dewan of Mysore Princely State, Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
• The State Government also officially permitted engineers in Karnataka to use the prefix “Er.” before their names.
• The decision was taken to recognise the contribution of engineers to national development and economic progress.

Key Highlights

• The Government Order followed Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar’s approval of the proposal to officially celebrate Engineers’ Day in Karnataka.
• Shivakumar paid tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya by garlanding his statue in Bengaluru on Engineers’ Day.
• He described Sir M. Visvesvaraya as a role model for the country and highlighted his significant contribution to Karnataka.
• The decision to allow the “Er.” prefix followed a request raised by Congress Member of the Legislative Council B. S. Shivanna, who had also sought the prefix “Lr.” for lecturers.
• The Karnataka Government had earlier permitted teachers to use the prefix “Tr.”.
• According to the Chief Minister, more than one lakh engineers graduate in Karnataka every year, highlighting the large engineering workforce in the State.
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya was a renowned Indian engineer, statesman and technocrat who served as the Dewan of Mysore.

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.

Kumik Village Becomes Ladakh’s First Designated Heritage Village

• Kumik Village, located in Zanskar, Ladakh, was declared Ladakh’s first designated Heritage Village on 15 September 2026.
• The declaration was made by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena during the launch of the Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2026.

Key Highlights

• Kumik is recognised for its traditional mud houses, sacred spaces, agricultural practices, Buddhist traditions and community customs.
• The village has preserved Kanjur manuscripts and other Tibetan Buddhist textual heritage. Kanjur, also known as Kangyur, refers to the Tibetan Buddhist canonical collection traditionally regarded as containing the Buddha’s teachings.
• Zanskar is a high-altitude Himalayan region known for its strong Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage, including monasteries, manuscripts and oral traditions.
• Traditional mud architecture in Ladakh uses locally available materials such as earth, stone and wood, making it suitable for the region’s cold desert and high-altitude conditions.
• The Heritage Village designation recognises Kumik as a living cultural landscape, where architecture, traditional knowledge, religious practices and agricultural life exist together.
• The recognition is associated with the broader vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”, which emphasises development along with the preservation of India’s cultural heritage.
• Kumik has also faced water scarcity, which has contributed to the relocation of some families from the historic settlement over the years.
• Earlier reports documented families moving to Lower Kumik in search of better access to irrigation and drinking water.
• The heritage designation does not itself announce a dedicated restoration budget, restoration timeline or funded water-security project for Kumik.
• The recognition is expected to bring greater attention to heritage conservation and heritage tourism, while the long-term preservation of the village will depend on community participation, conservation measures, livelihood opportunities and water security.
• Ladakh became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 following the reorganisation of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Zanskar is located in the Kargil district of Ladakh and is noted for its high-altitude landscape and Tibetan Buddhist cultural traditions.

About Ladakh:

• Lieutenant Governor: Vinai Kumar Saxena
• Capital: Leh
• National Parks: Hemis National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana Completes Seven Years with Pension Support for Small and Marginal Farmers

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) was launched on 12 September 2019 to provide old-age social security to eligible small and marginal farmers.
• The scheme completed seven years on 12 September 2026 and had enrolled 24,96,252 farmers across India as of 6 February 2026.
• Under PM-KMY, eligible farmers receive a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
• PM-KMY follows a voluntary and contributory model, under which the farmer and the Central Government make equal contributions towards the pension fund.

Key Highlights

• Haryana recorded the highest enrolment with around 5.75 lakh farmers, followed by Bihar with more than 3.46 lakh enrolments.
• Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh each crossed 2.5 lakh enrolments, while Chhattisgarh recorded more than 2 lakh enrolments.
• Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra also contributed significantly to nationwide enrolment.
• A total of ₹540.66 crore had been utilised under PM-KMY as of February 2026.
• PM-KMY is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in partnership with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
• Farmers aged 18 to 40 years are eligible to join the scheme, subject to the prescribed conditions.
• Eligible farmers must have cultivable landholdings of up to 2 hectares, and their names should have appeared in the land records of the concerned State or Union Territory as of 1 August 2019.
• The monthly farmer contribution ranges from ₹55 to ₹200, depending on the age at which the farmer joins the scheme. The Central Government contributes an equal matching amount.
• An 18-year-old farmer contributes ₹55 per month, matched by ₹55 from the Central Government, resulting in a total monthly contribution of ₹110.
• The monthly contribution is ₹61 at age 20, ₹80 at age 25, ₹105 at age 30, ₹150 at age 35 and ₹200 at age 40, with an equal contribution from the Central Government.
• The farmer’s contribution is automatically deducted from the bank account linked to the scheme through an auto-debit mandate.
• Farmers can also use their Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) benefits for voluntary PM-KMY contributions by submitting an enrolment-cum-auto-debit mandate.
• In case of the subscriber’s death after entering the pension phase, the spouse is eligible for a family pension of 50% of the subscriber’s pension, amounting to ₹1,500 per month, subject to scheme conditions.
• If the subscriber dies before attaining 60 years, the spouse may continue the scheme by making the prescribed contributions or exit according to the applicable withdrawal provisions.
• Farmers covered under National Pension System (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) and Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-LVM) are excluded.
• Institutional landholders, present or former holders of constitutional posts, and present or former Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislative Assemblies or Councils, Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Chairpersons of District Panchayats are not eligible.
• Serving and retired employees of Central and State Governments, Public Sector Enterprises, attached or autonomous institutions and regular local-body employees are excluded; however, Multi-Tasking Staff, Class IV and Group D employees remain eligible.
• Income-tax payers and practising professionals such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects registered with their respective professional bodies are also excluded.
• Eligibility is primarily established through self-declaration, with the concerned State or Union Territory Government certifying the farmer’s eligibility.
• If a farmer is later found to have submitted an incorrect or false declaration, the Central Government’s matching contribution is stopped, and the farmer’s own contributions are refunded without interest.
• Enrolment is paperless and can be completed through the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
• Farmers require their Aadhaar card, bank account details and mobile number for enrolment and One-Time Password (OTP) verification.
• After online registration and processing of the first contribution, the farmer receives a Pension Account Number and pension card.
• Life Insurance Corporation of India manages the pension fund and pension payouts, while subsequent contributions are automatically deducted from the linked bank account.
• Farmers can make contributions monthly, quarterly, four-monthly or half-yearly, providing flexibility according to their income cycles.

India’s Labour Force Participation Rate Rises to 55.6% in August 2026

• According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin, India’s overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above increased to 55.6% in August 2026, from 55.4% in July 2026.
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation conducts the PLFS and provides monthly labour market estimates using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.

Key Highlights

• The overall LFPR increased by 0.6 percentage point year-on-year, from 55.0% in August 2025 to 55.6% in August 2026.
• Rural LFPR increased to 58.2% in August 2026 from 58.0% in July, while urban LFPR remained unchanged at 50.4%.
• On a year-on-year basis, rural LFPR increased by 1.2 percentage points, from 57.0% to 58.2%, while urban LFPR declined by 0.5 percentage point to 50.4%.
• Overall female LFPR increased for the second consecutive month, from 34.4% in July to 34.8% in August 2026.
• Rural female LFPR increased from 38.8% to 39.4%, while urban female LFPR remained broadly stable at 25.4%.
• Compared with August 2025, overall female LFPR increased by 1.1 percentage points, from 33.7% to 34.8%.
• Rural female LFPR recorded a 2 percentage point year-on-year increase, from 37.4% to 39.4%, while urban female LFPR declined by 0.7 percentage point.
• India’s overall Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increased to 52.8% in August 2026, from 52.5% in July, marking its highest level since March 2026.
• Rural WPR increased from 55.4% to 55.8%, while urban WPR remained unchanged at 47.0%.
• Overall WPR increased by 0.6 percentage point year-on-year, from 52.2% in August 2025 to 52.8% in August 2026.
• Overall female WPR increased to 33.0% in August 2026, from 32.0% in August 2025.
• The overall Unemployment Rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above declined marginally from 5.1% in July to 5.0% in August 2026.
• Rural unemployment rate declined from 4.5% to 4.1%, its lowest level since January 2026, while urban unemployment remained broadly stable at 6.8%.
• Year-on-year, rural UR declined by 0.2 percentage point, from 4.3% in August 2025 to 4.1% in August 2026.
• Overall male UR declined for the third consecutive month to 4.9% in August 2026, compared with 5.4% in May 2026.
• Rural male UR declined from 4.6% to 4.3%, while urban male UR increased marginally from 5.9% to 6.1%.
• Overall female UR declined for the second consecutive month to 5.1% in August 2026, from 5.9% in June 2026.
• Rural female UR declined from 4.3% to 3.9%, while urban female UR remained broadly stable.
• The August 2026 PLFS estimates were based on a survey of 3,70,160 persons, including 2,11,353 persons in rural areas and 1,58,807 persons in urban areas.
• The August 2026 bulletin is the 17th monthly bulletin of the current PLFS series.
• The PLFS methodology was modified from January 2025 to provide monthly and quarterly estimates of key labour force indicators.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Vietnam Declare 2027 as the ‘Year of India–Vietnam Friendship’

• India and Vietnam agreed to observe 2027 as the “Year of India–Vietnam Friendship” to commemorate 55 years of diplomatic relations.
• The decision was taken during the 19th India–Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Jaishankar, Union Minister, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India, and Le Hoai Trung, Foreign Affairs Minister of Vietnam.
• India and Vietnam agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, supply chains and market access.
• Both countries will work to enhance financial, port and air connectivity and expand cooperation in space and nuclear energy.
• In the cultural sector, India and Vietnam promoted cooperation in Yoga, heritage conservation, seafarer standards, capacity building and people-to-people exchanges.
• India and Vietnam agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, including co-production of Indian defence equipment, under the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• India and Vietnam agreed to leverage their complementary strengths, improve market access, and facilitate business activities to achieve the USD 25 billion bilateral trade target by 2030.

About Vietnam :

• Capital : Hanoi
• Currency : Vietnamese đồng

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Saima Wazed Resigns as World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Director

• Saima Wazed resigned as the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region on 9 September 2026, with her resignation taking immediate effect.
• Her resignation came one day after, on 8 September 2026, the WHO Regional Committee recommended termination of her appointment; the recommendation was scheduled to be considered by the WHO Executive Board.
• Nilesh Buddha will continue as the Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office until a new Regional Director is appointed.
• The WHO is expected to invite nominations for her successor in October 2026.
• Saima Wazed had been on leave since July 2025 following allegations of misconduct, which she denied, saying she faced harassment and intimidation after seeking an independent investigation into the WHO Director-General’s
• Her tenure was also associated with fraud-related investigations by the WHO and Bangladeshi authorities.
• Separately, the WHO examined travel reimbursement claims relating to a trip to China, while her lawyers described the matter as an administrative error.
• Saima Wazed was nominated by Bangladesh for the WHO South-East Asia Regional Director post in August 2023.
• She was elected by the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee in November 2023 and was formally appointed by the WHO Executive Board on 23 January 2024.
• She assumed office on 1 February 2024 for a five-year term, which ended early following her resignation.
• The WHO South-East Asia Region comprises 10 member states, including India and Bangladesh.
• Saima Wazed became the first person from Bangladesh and the second woman to head the WHO South-East Asia Region.
• Before becoming Regional Director, she served as an adviser to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on mental health and autism and was a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health.
• She also chaired Bangladesh’s National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and the Shuchona Foundation, and served as a Commissioner of the Chatham House Commission for Universal Health.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Vasundhara Doraswamy to Receive Padmabhushan Guru Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan Excellence Award 2026

• Renowned Bharatanatyam exponent, choreographer and scholar Dr Vasundhara Doraswamy will receive the Padmabhushan Guru Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan Excellence Award 2026.
• The award will be conferred by the Nataraj Music & Dance Academy (NMDA) during the Vysakhi Nrithyotsav Indian Dance Festival in Visakhapatnam on 26–27 September 2026.

Key Highlights

• Based in Mysore, Dr Vasundhara Doraswamy has a career spanning more than five decades in Bharatanatyam.
• She is known for integrating Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with Bharatanatyam and earned a doctorate on the interrelationship between the two disciplines after training under yoga exponent Pattabhi Jois.
• Her acclaimed solo choreographies include Panchali, Ganga Lahari and Sama Veda.
• She has received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Shantala Award for her contribution to the performing arts.
• She was also conferred honorary citizenship of Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
• Dr Doraswamy has performed on international platforms, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Peace Conference in Paris.
• She continues to teach and mentor dancers globally, contributing to the promotion of Indian classical dance.
• The annual Vysakhi Nrithyotsav is organised by the Nataraj Music & Dance Academy to promote Indian classical dance and recognise artistes for their contributions.
• Nataraj Music & Dance Academy was founded by B. R. Vikram Kumar (Vikram Goud Bathina) and is an ISO 9001:2015-certified organisation.
• The academy is also a member of the International Dance Council, UNESCO.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Six States Sign Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project Agreement for Yamuna River Rejuvenation

• Chief Ministers of six States — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi — signed the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project agreement for the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River.
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• The Central Government has declared the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project as a National Project.

Key Highlights

• Under the financial arrangement, the Central Government will bear approximately 90% of the project cost, while the participating States will contribute the remaining 10%.
• The project is expected to support water management and the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River across the participating regions.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence that completion of the project would mark an important chapter in the history of water management.
• Shah highlighted that continuous efforts have been undertaken to clean the Yamuna River since Rekha Gupta became Chief Minister of Delhi.
• The agreement is part of the Central Government’s efforts to resolve water-related disputes and promote cooperation among States.
• Earlier, the dispute concerning the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project was resolved in August 2018.
• The dispute over the Shahpur Kandi Dam Project was also settled in August 2018.
• In 2021, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh reached an agreement on the Ken-Betwa Link Project, aimed at benefiting the water-stressed Bundelkhand region.
• The dispute concerning the rehabilitation of families displaced by the Narmada Project was resolved in July 2026.
• Union Minister for Jal Shakti C. R. Patil, the Union Home Secretary, Union Secretary for Water Resources and the Chief Secretaries of the participating States were also present at the signing ceremony.

India and MERCOSUR Sign First Additional Protocol to Enable Electronic Certificates of Origin

• India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol to the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to facilitate the acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin.
• The agreement aims to promote paperless trade and modernise customs procedures between India and MERCOSUR member countries.
• The Protocol was signed by Rajesh Agarwal, Commerce Secretary, Government of India; Alberto Guani, Ambassador of Uruguay to India; and Fleming Raul Duarte Ramos, Ambassador of Paraguay to India.
• The signing ceremony was attended by Mario Lubetkin, Foreign Affairs Minister of Uruguay, along with representatives of the Embassies of Argentina and Brazil.

Key Highlights

• The India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement was signed on 25 January 2004 and came into force on 1 June 2009.
• Under the PTA, India provides preferential tariff concessions on 450 tariff lines, while the MERCOSUR side provides concessions on 452 tariff lines.
• The First Additional Protocol amends Article 16 of Annex III on Rules of Origin of the PTA.
• Under the amendment, electronically issued Certificates of Origin will have the same legal validity and value as paper certificates.
• Electronic Certificates of Origin will be issued and digitally signed according to the domestic legislation of the respective participating parties by authorised entities and officials.
• The digital system is expected to reduce transaction costs and processing time involved in issuing and verifying Certificates of Origin.
• The initiative will improve the efficiency of preferential trade under the existing India-MERCOSUR PTA.
• The adoption of electronic Certificates of Origin was discussed in the Joint Administrative Committee of the PTA.
• At its fourth meeting in November 2025, both sides supported the adoption of digital Certificates of Origin.
• The proposal was subsequently adopted through mutual consent at the fifth meeting in April 2026.
• The Protocol will enter into force after India and the MERCOSUR parties complete their respective internal procedures and notify each other.
• The initiative is expected to strengthen trade facilitation, paperless documentation and modern customs practices, while promoting deeper India-MERCOSUR trade and economic cooperation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

West Bengal Approves Defence Research and Development Organisation’s New Weapon and Missile Testing Range at Junput

• West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari approved the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) proposal to establish a new weapon and missile testing range at Junput coastal village in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, along the Bay of Bengal.
• The proposed Junput Missile Testing Range will become DRDO’s third major missile-testing hub after the existing testing facilities in Odisha and the proposed testing range in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Junput facility will strengthen India’s weapon-testing infrastructure and increase the country’s missile testing and launch capacity.
• The range will support frequent and complex trials of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, air-defence systems and Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems.
• The facility will provide enhanced tracking support and improve overall testing capacity and launch capability.
• The proposed Junput range is located approximately 70 km northeast of Chandipur along the Bay of Bengal coast.
• The Junput facility will help reduce the operational burden on the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha by sharing the workload of missile and weapon trials.
• The existing Integrated Test Range (ITR) has launch complexes at Chandipur-on-Sea and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, both in Odisha.
• The Navdurga Missile Test Range (NMTR) is being developed at Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh.
• The proposed Junput range will strengthen India’s coastal missile-testing capabilities and contribute to the expansion of national defence-testing infrastructure.

About DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) :

• Established : 1958
• headquarters : New Delhi.
• Chairman : Rajesh Kumar Singh 
• DRDO functions under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and its motto is “Balasya Mulam Vigyanam”, meaning “Strength’s origin is in Science.”

Google Selects Four Indian Startups for Inaugural DeepMind AI Accelerator

• Google selected four Indian startups for its inaugural Google for India Growth & Development Accelerator: AI for the Planet programme, aimed at using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address environmental and sustainability challenges.
• The four selected Indian startups are Terrastack, Varaha Climate, Farmers for Forests, and Climatiq Carbon (also spelled Climitra Carbon).
• The programme includes 16 organisations from the Asia-Pacific region and will provide selected startups with access to the latest Google AI technologies, technical support and expert mentorship.
• The participating startups will receive support for three months to scale solutions aimed at building a sustainable future.
• Terrastack combines satellite data and agronomic data to provide plot-level land intelligence for smallholder farmers, supporting sustainable agriculture.
• Varaha Climate uses remote sensing and AI to verify regenerative agriculture and carbon removal, enabling small farmers to earn carbon credits.
• Farmers for Forests uses AI-powered drones to make smallholder agroforestry measurable in terms of carbon and biodiversity benefits.
• Climatiq/Climitra Carbon uses Geo-AI to verify the removal of invasive species and their conversion into biochar, linking land restoration with carbon solutions.
• Google also announced an expansion of its AI-powered solar API across 300 million Indian rooftops to automate roof surveys and solar layouts.
• Google entered into a long-term agreement with ReNew Power for a 150 MW utility-scale solar generation project in Rajasthan, supporting India’s clean energy transition.
• Google partnered with Mitti Labs to help smallholder rice farmers in Telangana adopt Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a technique aimed at reducing methane emissions from rice cultivation.
• Google also announced fresh opportunities for research and innovation proposals through the Centre’s Manthan platform.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research Adopts Anusandhan National Research Foundation’s SARAL AI to Convert Research Papers into Accessible Videos

• CSIR-NIScPR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research) has adopted SARAL AI, an initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), to convert research papers published in its journals into engaging and accessible videos.
• SARAL AI is an AI-based platform that simplifies complex scientific research papers and patents into short videos, podcasts, posters and business briefs.
• The platform aims to make scientific knowledge more accessible to students, researchers and the general public.
• SARAL AI supports multilingual communication in 18 Indian languages, including Hindi, enabling wider dissemination of scientific research across India.
• The adoption of SARAL AI by CSIR-NIScPR is aimed at strengthening science communication through emerging technologies.
• The initiative aligns with the Government’s emphasis on adopting emerging technologies for effective communication of science and research.
• The National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, located at New Delhi, India, was an information science institute in India founded in 2002.

9th Association of Southeast Asian Nations–India Agriculture and Forestry Ministerial Meeting Held in New Delhi

• The 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (9th AIMMAF) was held in New Delhi, Delhi, to strengthen cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India in the fields of agriculture and forestry.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW), India, and Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Philippines, representing the ASEAN Chair.
• The meeting reaffirmed ASEAN–India cooperation towards a food-secure, sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
• The meeting welcomed ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the ASEAN Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026–2030.
• Bilateral trade in goods between India and ASEAN reached USD 128 billion in FY 2025–26 (FY26).
• The meeting prioritised climate-resilient agriculture and low-emission rice production to promote sustainable farming practices.
• Cooperation was prioritised in water productivity, AI-enabled digital agriculture, soil health, and food safety.
• The meeting also focused on post-harvest management, circular bioeconomy, agroforestry, and sustainable forest management.
• The participating countries agreed to convene the 10th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (10th AIMMAF) in 2028.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Launches Mangrove Geographic Information System Portal in Gujarat for Mangrove Conservation

• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), launched the Mangrove Geographic Information System (MGIS) Portal during the Workshop on Mangrove Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management held at Bhuj, Kachchh, Gujarat.
• The MGIS Portal enables science-based mangrove conservation through habitat monitoring, conservation planning and technology-driven restoration management.
• The MGIS Portal is aimed at strengthening science-based decision-making and monitoring of mangrove habitats across Gujarat.
• The Minister released a Coffee Table Book on Kachchh Mangroves and the Mangroves Atlas of Gujarat, highlighting mangrove ecology, distribution, conservation efforts and planning.
• Mangroves were highlighted as important living ecosystems supporting coastal biodiversity, fisheries, shoreline protection, climate resilience and livelihoods.
• Under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), Gujarat has restored 27,652 hectares of mangroves against the 2023–27 target of 29,250 hectares.
• Out of the mangrove restoration achieved under MISHTI, 12,450 hectares have been covered in the ecologically challenging Kori Creek region.
• Gujarat has adopted site-specific restoration techniques suited to the ecological conditions of Kachchh, along with measures for biodiversity enhancement, seaweed cultivation and sustainable livelihoods.
• The Guneri Inland Mangroves represent a rare inland mangrove ecosystem that thrives away from the coast.
• The Guneri Inland Mangrove Village Biodiversity Management Committee was felicitated for its community-led conservation efforts to protect the Guneri inland mangroves.
• Guneri Inland Mangroves were declared Gujarat’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

New Legless Amphibian Species ‘Gegeneophis chandgadi’ Discovered in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats

• A multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a new subterranean, legless amphibian species, Gegeneophis chandgadi, in the Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
• Gegeneophis chandgadi was discovered at Buzawade village in Chandgad tehsil, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
• The species was named after the Chandgadi dialect of Marathi spoken in the region.
• Gegeneophis chandgadi is a caecilian, a group of worm-like, legless amphibians belonging to the order Gymnophiona and adapted mainly to underground life.
• Caecilians generally have elongated, cylindrical bodies with reduced or absent external limbs and are adapted for burrowing in moist soil, leaf litter and areas near streams.
• The newly discovered species is described as worm-like and flesh-coloured, with primary body rings along its full length and secondary rings on the posterior half; these ring-like folds are called annuli and help in species identification.
• The species was found in residential and agricultural landscapes near human habitation, rather than exclusively within protected forests.
• Scientists confirmed Gegeneophis chandgadi as a distinct species using molecular analysis along with detailed morphological and meristic studies.
• The discovery increased the number of Gegeneophis species recorded in India to 12, of which 11 are endemic to the Western Ghats.
• India now has 458 amphibian species, including 41 caecilian species.
• The species was formally published in the Records of the Zoological Survey of India on 2 September 2026.
• The genus Gegeneophis comprises Indian caecilians primarily associated with the Western Ghats, which is an important biodiversity hotspot and centre of amphibian diversity.
• The Western Ghats extend across parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and support several endemic caecilian species.
• Gegeneophis valmiki is another caecilian species from Maharashtra, reported from the Valmiki Plateau in Satara district in 2026; it was described as a blind caecilian with eyes hidden beneath bone.
• The first specimen of Gegeneophis valmiki was collected in 2017 by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Brendan Taylor Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s Record for Longest One Day International Career

• Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the holder of the longest One-Day International (ODI) career in men’s cricket.
• Taylor’s ODI career has now spanned 22 years and 148 days, overtaking Tendulkar’s record of 22 years and 91 days.

Key Highlights

• Taylor achieved the record after playing in the first ODI of the three-match series between Zimbabwe and Australia in Harare on 15 September 2026.
• Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya ranks third, with an ODI career spanning 21 years and 184 days.
• Sachin Tendulkar continues to hold the record for the most ODI runs, with 18,426 runs, and the most ODI appearances, with 463 matches.
• Brendan Taylor, aged 40, made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in April 2004.
• Before the record-breaking match, Taylor had scored 6,704 ODI runs, including a Zimbabwean-record 11 ODI centuries, in 207 appearances.
• Taylor initially retired from international cricket in 2021 and returned to international cricket in 2025 as Zimbabwe prepared for the 2027 One Day International World Cup.
• In 2022, Taylor revealed that he had been approached by individuals attempting to lure him into match-fixing in 2019. He stated that he had never fixed a match but had delayed reporting the approach to the International Cricket Council due to concerns for his family’s safety.
• Taylor was subsequently banned from all forms of cricket for three and a half years and returned after completing his suspension.
• The 2027 One Day International World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Norwegian Princess Astrid Passed away at the Age of 94

• Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg of Norway, formally known as Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, passed away at the age of 94 in Oslo, Norway, on 11 September 2026.
• Princess Astrid served as the First Lady of Norway from 1954 to 1968 and performed official duties on behalf of the Norwegian Royal Family for several decades.
• Princess Astrid was born on 12 February 1932 in Oslo, Norway, as the second child of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway.
• She married businessman Johan Martin Ferner in 1961.
• Princess Astrid belonged to the House of Glücksburg, the royal dynasty that has occupied the Norwegian throne since 1905.
• Throughout her life, Princess Astrid undertook royal duties and supported various humanitarian and social causes, particularly initiatives concerning children, people with disabilities and inclusion.
• Her life and legacy were closely connected with the World War II era, Norwegian royal exile and Norway’s post-war period.
• Princess Astrid remained actively involved in royal and charitable activities for several decades, representing an important generation of the Norwegian Royal Family.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Democracy 2026 Observed on 15 September

• International Day of Democracy is observed annually on 15 September to promote and uphold the principles of democracy worldwide.
• The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Democracy in 2007.
• The first International Day of Democracy was observed on 15 September 2008.
• In November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution titled “Support by the United Nations system of efforts of governments to promote and consolidate a new or restored democracy”.
• The resolution encouraged governments to strengthen and consolidate democratic principles and institutions.
• The concept of democracy has its historical roots in Ancient Greece.
• 15 September was selected in connection with the Conference of New or Restored Democracies, held in 1998.
• The International Day of Democracy highlights the importance of justice, human rights, participation and democratic governance.
• The day also promotes respect for cultural diversity and the rights of people within democratic societies.

National Engineers Day 2026 Observed on 15 September

• National Engineers Day is observed annually on 15 September in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned engineer and Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.
• The Government of India declared 15 September as Engineers Day in 1968, and the day has been observed annually since then.
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya made significant contributions to engineering, water management and education in India.
• In 1903, he designed automatic water floodgates, which were first installed at the Khadakwasla Reservoir in Pune.
• He served as the Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918 and contributed significantly to the development of the erstwhile Mysore State.
• In 1915, he was honoured by the British Indian Empire with the title of Knight Commander for his contributions to engineering and public service.
• In 1917, he established the Government Engineering College in Bengaluru, the first government engineering college in Karnataka.
• The institution is now known as University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955, India’s highest civilian award.
• He passed away in 1962 and is remembered for his lasting contributions to engineering and nation-building.

Daily CA One- Liner: September 17

• The Karnataka Government officially recognised the celebration of Engineers’ Day on 15 September as a state event
• Kumik Village, located in Zanskar, Ladakh, was declared Ladakh’s first designated Heritage Village on 15 September 2026
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) was launched on 12 September 2019 to provide old-age social security to eligible small and marginal farmers
• According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin, India’s overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above increased to 6% in August 2026, from 55.4% in July 2026
• Renowned Bharatanatyam exponent, choreographer and scholar Dr Vasundhara Doraswamy will receive the Padmabhushan Guru Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan Excellence Award 2026
• Chief Ministers of six States — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi — signed the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project agreement for the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River
• India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol to the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to facilitate the acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin
• Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the holder of the longest One-Day International (ODI) career in men’s cricket.
• International Day of Democracy is observed annually on 15 September to promote and uphold the principles of democracy worldwide
• National Engineers Day is observed annually on 15 September in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned engineer and Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya
• The Ministry of Finance (MoF) notified a new framework under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007 governing charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay debit-card transactions.
• IIFL Finance Limited successfully completed a ₹25 crore tokenised bond transaction on 15 September 2026, becoming the first Non-PSU Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India to undertake such a transaction.
• India moved to 4th position globally in terms of foreign exchange (forex) reserves, surpassing Russia, with reserves of around USD 786 billion.
• IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) imposed a ₹1 crore penalty on Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company for mis-selling a deferred annuity policy to an 88-year-old customer.
• India and Vietnam agreed to observe 2027 as the “Year of India–Vietnam Friendship” to commemorate 55 years of diplomatic relations.
• Saima Wazed resigned as the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region on 9 September 2026, with her resignation taking immediate effect.
• West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari approved the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) proposal to establish a new weapon and missile testing range at Junput coastal village in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, along the Bay of Bengal.
• Google selected four Indian startups for its inaugural Google for India Growth & Development Accelerator: AI for the Planet programme, aimed at using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address environmental and sustainability challenges.
• CSIR-NIScPR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research) has adopted SARAL AI, an initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), to convert research papers published in its journals into engaging and accessible videos.
• The 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (9th AIMMAF) was held in New Delhi, Delhi, to strengthen cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India in the fields of agriculture and forestry.
• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), launched the Mangrove Geographic Information System (MGIS) Portal during the Workshop on Mangrove Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management held at Bhuj, Kachchh, Gujarat.
• A multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a new subterranean, legless amphibian species, Gegeneophis chandgadi, in the Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
• Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg of Norway, formally known as Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, passed away at the age of 94 in Oslo, Norway, on 11 September 2026.