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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited Set to Issue India’s First Blue Bond for Sustainable Maritime Projects

• Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first maritime sector-specific Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), is set to issue India’s first-ever blue bond to mobilise long-term funds for sustainable maritime and ocean-economy projects.
• The maiden blue bond issue is scheduled for 28 September 2026 and is proposed to raise ₹600 crore through 10-year debt securities, with a ₹500 crore greenshoe option.
• The proposed issue could raise up to ₹1,100 crore in total if the base issue and greenshoe option are fully utilised; the larger ₹1,000-crore figure cited in some descriptions reflects the broader proposed financing plan.

Key Highlights :

• Blue bonds are specialised debt instruments similar to green bonds, but their proceeds are earmarked for ocean, marine and water-related sustainable projects.
• Eligible blue-bond activities can include sustainable shipping, fisheries, ocean energy, water recycling, marine conservation, coastal infrastructure and water management.
• SMFCL plans to use the proceeds for maritime-sector lending, greenfield port projects and coastal road networks, subject to eligible sustainability outcomes.
• SBI Capital Markets has been appointed as the arranger for the SMFCL blue bond issue.
• The proposed SMFCL bond has received an AA+ credit rating from ICRA and CARE.
• The blue bond is strategically important for SMFCL because its infrastructure loans have maturities of around 12 years, while its existing borrowings have shorter tenures; a 10-year bond can help improve asset-liability matching and diversify its funding sources.
• Potential investors in such long-term thematic bonds include insurance companies, pension funds and global sustainability-focused investors.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recognised blue bonds as part of sustainable finance instruments and highlighted their potential for supporting India’s blue economy.
• Under the Sagarmala Programme, around 845 projects have been identified with an estimated investment of ₹6.06 lakh crore.
• Around 315 Sagarmala projects, valued at nearly ₹1.56 lakh crore, have already been completed, while the remaining projects are under implementation or development.
• Not every Sagarmala project will qualify for blue-bond financing; only projects demonstrating measurable ocean- or water-related sustainability outcomes are eligible.
• More than 200 Sagarmala projects have been identified under coastal shipping and inland water transport, including Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax ferry services, inland water terminals, coastal cargo movement and cruise infrastructure.
• Port modernisation is the largest Sagarmala investment segment, with projects worth nearly ₹2.9 lakh crore, including potential investments in energy-efficient cargo handling, port electrification, shore power and cleaner logistics.
• Blue-bond financing can also support fishing harbour upgrades and coastal livelihood programmes.
• Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Gujarat, is planning a separate ₹200 crore blue bond issue for water infrastructure, including a pump house, water treatment plant and clear-water reservoir.
• The Vadodara proposal indicates that India’s blue-bond market could expand beyond ocean projects into broader water-related sustainability financing.
• Globally, cumulative blue bond issuance crossed USD 15 billion by mid-2025, compared with around USD 222 million in 2018, according to the World Bank.
• Seychelles issued the world’s first sovereign blue bond in October 2018 with support from the World Bank.
• Belize carried out a debt-for-ocean swap in 2021, restructuring around USD 553 million of external commercial debt to create financing space for marine conservation.
• Nordic Investment Bank issued one of the early institutional blue bonds after the Seychelles issuance in 2019.
• The Asia-Pacific region has accounted for the largest share of cumulative blue and water-labelled bonds in recent years.
• Blue bonds face challenges including the absence of a universally accepted blue taxonomy, difficulty in assigning financial value to marine biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, and a limited supply of investment-ready projects.
• Unlike green bonds, which are already well established in India, blue bonds remain at an early stage in the Indian sustainable-finance market.

Samvriddhi Inclusive Receives Reserve Bank of India’s In-Principle Approval to Operate as Online Payment Aggregator

• Samvriddhi Inclusive Growth Network Private. Limited. (SIGN), a subsidiary of MOS Utility Limited, received in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an Online Payment Aggregator (PA-Online).
• The approval marks SIGN’s expansion from assisted banking and financial inclusion services into the online digital payments ecosystem.
• Subject to final RBI authorization, SIGN will provide online payment aggregation services to merchants and small businesses, particularly those in rural, semi-urban and underserved markets.
• SIGN’s proposed PA-Online platform will support UPI, QR-based payments, credit cards, debit cards and net banking, along with digital collections and payment links.
• The PA-Online business will operate as a dedicated digital offering, separate from SIGN’s existing Customer Service Point (CSP)-led assisted banking and financial inclusion operations.
• SIGN has operated as a Corporate Business Correspondent (BC) since 2010 and has a network of over 10,000 Customer Service Points (CSPs) across 12 states.
• SIGN’s existing services include kiosk banking, AePS-related services, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) facilitation, government social-security scheme enrolment, financial literacy, loan sourcing, recovery support, and CSP deployment and management.

What is a Payment Aggregator?

• Payment Aggregator (PA) is an entity that facilitates the aggregation of customer payments to merchants through one or more payment channels via the merchant’s physical or virtual interface.
• A Payment Aggregator collects payments for the purchase of goods, services or investment products and subsequently settles the collected funds with the merchants.

About SIGN :

• SIGN is based in Kolkata, West Bengal, and focuses on last-mile financial inclusion.
• SIGN currently works with major banks including State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda (BoB), Odisha Gramin Bank, West Bengal Gramin Bank, and UCO Bank.

Reserve Bank of India Sets Ways and Means Advances Limit at ₹50,000 Crore for second half of FY 2026-27

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, fixed the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit at ₹50,000 crore for the second half of FY 2026-27, covering October 2026 to March 2027.
• Ways and Means Advances (WMA) is a temporary funding facility provided to the government to manage short-term mismatches between receipts and payments.
• The RBI may trigger fresh market borrowing when the Government of India utilises 75% of the WMA limit, which is ₹37,500 crore.
• The RBI, in consultation with the Government of India, retains the flexibility to revise the WMA limit at any time depending on prevailing circumstances.
• The interest rate on WMA for the second half of FY 2026-27 will be the prevailing Repo Rate.
• In case of an Overdraft, the applicable interest rate will be 2 percentage points above the Repo Rate.

SBI Card Introduces Fixed Deposit-Backed ‘Advantage SBI Card’ Through YONO App

• SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited (SBI Card) launched a fully digital facility on SBI YONO (You Only Need One), enabling eligible customers to apply for the ‘Advantage SBI Card’, an FD-backed secured credit card, in around 10 minutes.
• The facility was inaugurated by Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman, State Bank of India (SBI), in the presence of Ashwini Kumar Tewari, MD, SBI, and Salila Pande, MD & CEO, SBI Card.
• The Advantage SBI Card facility uses a Fixed Deposit (FD) as collateral, providing customers with an additional route to formal credit access and helping them establish or strengthen their credit profile.
• The facility covers 4 card variants: SBI Card ELITE, SBI Card PRIME, SimplyCLICK SBI Card, and SimplySAVE SBI Card.
• The initiative combines SBI Card’s credit-card portfolio, SBI’s customer reach, and YONO’s digital capabilities to provide a seamless digital application experience.

About SBI Card : 

• Established : 1998 as a Joint Venture (JV) between SBI and GE Capital.
• Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.
• MD & CEO : Salila Pande

PayGlocal Gets International Financial Services Centres Authority In-Principle Approval to Establish Payment Service Provider in GIFT City

• PayGlocal, a cross-border payments company, received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to establish a Payment Service Provider (PSP) in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The proposed PSP entity will be able to undertake account issuance, including e-money accounts, cross-border money transfers, and merchant acquisition.
• Initially, PayGlocal plans to support Indian merchants serving customers globally, and later expand its cross-border collection, payment and money-movement services to businesses in other international markets.
• PayGlocal has already received final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) for both inward and outward transactions.
• PayGlocal is also registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), United States of America(USA).

About PayGlocal :

• Founded : 2021 and serves merchants across export, retail, travel, education and Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Headquarters : Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• PayGlocal supports payments in more than 130 countries

Reserve Bank of India Revises Valuation Rules for Real Estate Investment Trusts and Infrastructure Investment Trusts Units

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised directions on 22 September 2026 to alter the valuation norms for units of Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) held by All-India Financial Institutions (AIFIs).
• The revised REIT and InvIT valuation directions came into effect immediately from 22 September 2026.
• The main purpose of the amendments is to remove ambiguity and ensure uniform valuation practices for REIT and InvIT units across financial institutions.
• The revised directions are applicable to Commercial Banks, All-India Financial Institutions (AIFIs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Payments Banks (PBs), and Local Area Banks (LABs).
• REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) and InvIT (Infrastructure Investment Trust) are investment vehicles that allow investors to participate in real estate and infrastructure assets, respectively.
• India’s REIT market reached USD 17.7 billion, making India Asia’s 4th-largest REIT market and surpassing Hong Kong.
• The RBI’s special US dollar-rupee forex swap facility attracted USD 143.596 billion in foreign currency inflows as of 18 September 2026.

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Releases Operational Guidelines for NPS Swasthya Health-Linked Pension Scheme

• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) issued operational guidelines for the NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme 2026 under Section 14 of the PFRDA Act, 2013.
• NPS Swasthya is a new health-linked pension scheme under the National Pension System (NPS) that combines retirement savings with healthcare benefits.
• The operational guidelines for the NPS Swasthya Scheme came into force with immediate effect as per the PFRDA notification.
• The scheme provides family-floater coverage for the subscriber, spouse and a maximum of two dependent children, while parents are excluded from the coverage.
• The entry age for NPS Swasthya ranges from 18 to 70 years, while renewal can continue up to a maximum age of 85 years, subject to policy terms and applicable laws.
• NPS Swasthya has two components: NPS Swasthya Investment Account and Super Top-up.
• The minimum initial contribution is linked to the first-year insurance premium, along with ₹200 towards annual maintenance charges for the Health Benefit Administrator (HBA), applicable taxes, and a minimum ₹1,000 investment in the NPS Swasthya account.
• The minimum subsequent contribution under the scheme is ₹10.
• The scheme provides four annual aggregate deductible and family-floater sum-insured combinations: ₹1 lakh cover with ₹10,000 deductible, ₹5 lakh cover with ₹50,000 deductible, ₹10 lakh cover with ₹1 lakh deductible, and ₹30 lakh cover with ₹3 lakh deductible.

About PFRDA:

• Established: 2003 (Statutory status from PFRDA Act, 2013)
• Under which Ministry: Ministry of Finance, Government of India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: Sivasubramanian Ramann

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Delhi Launches PM Surya Ghar Portal to Promote Rooftop Solar Systems

• Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Delhi PM Surya Ghar Portal in September 2026 to help residents install rooftop solar systems.
• The portal was launched under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and provides residents with information and access to rooftop solar registration, subsidies, authorised vendors and related services.
• Registrations under the initiative are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The Delhi Solar Portal currently states that the scheme is available to the first 2.20 lakh eligible consumers.

Key Highlights

• Residents can apply for the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and access information about options available under the Delhi Solar Energy Policy through the portal.
• The registration process requires consumers to provide their Consumer Account (CA) Number, necessary details and consent to proceed.
• Under the initiative, domestic consumers with electricity consumption of up to 400 units per month were stated to be eligible for rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kilowatts without upfront payment.
• The Central Government subsidy under Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is up to ₹78,000 for a 3-kilowatt residential rooftop solar system.
• The Delhi Government also provides a State capital subsidy for residential solar projects, with the current Delhi Solar Portal specifying a maximum State subsidy of ₹26,000 per kilowatt, subject to applicable scheme conditions and limits.
• The portal also covers Group Housing Societies and Resident Welfare Associations, including solar installations for common facilities such as electric vehicle charging.
• For common facilities of Group Housing Societies and Resident Welfare Associations, the Delhi Solar Portal specifies a State subsidy of ₹11,000 per kilowatt under the applicable provisions.
• The government is encouraging households with smaller rooftops to install systems of up to 2 kilowatts, with an aim for 50% of consumers to opt for smaller systems.
• Consumers using up to 200 units of electricity per month were stated to be eligible for an additional incentive. If their electricity consumption decreases after installing solar panels, the government will provide an incentive equivalent to 75 units of electricity saved, according to the source.
• The portal provides information on registration, subsidies, authorised vendors and grievance redressal. The Delhi Solar Portal also provides a list of empanelled vendors for consumers opting for Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
• The Delhi Solar Energy Policy was notified on 14 March 2024, followed by its first amendment on 10 July 2025 and second amendment on 17 September 2026.

About Delhi (National Capital Territory):

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

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Proposes Ban on Use of Paneer Term for Analogue Dairy Products

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a nationwide ban on the manufacture and sale of analogue products as “Paneer.”
• Under the proposal, products already licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category will have to discontinue the use of the term “Paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling and marketing.

Key Highlights

• The FSSAI has proposed an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, specifically concerning analogue paneer.
• The proposed amendment seeks to restrict the manufacture and sale of analogue products being presented or marketed as paneer.
• The measure is aimed at ensuring that consumers are not misled about the nature and composition of the product.
• The proposal seeks to improve transparency in food labelling and ensure that consumers can clearly distinguish between genuine paneer and analogue dairy products.

About FSSAI

• The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is the main legal body in India that sets food rules, checks food quality, and gives licenses to food businesses.
• It operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• It was created on September 5, 2008, following the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
• Its head office is in New Delhi

Government Plans ₹7.86 Trillion Market Borrowing in Second Half of Financial Year 2026-27

• The Central Government plans to raise ₹7.86 trillion (₹7.86 lakh crore) through dated securities during the second half (October 2026–March 2027) of Financial Year 2026-27, according to the government’s borrowing calendar.
• The government had planned to issue around ₹8.14 trillion through dated securities during the first half (April–September 2026) of Financial Year 2026-27.
• With the H1 and H2 borrowing plans, the government’s gross market borrowing for Financial Year 2026-27 is expected to be around ₹16 trillion, which is about ₹1.2 trillion lower than the Budget Estimate of ₹17.2 trillion.

Key Highlights

• The government had earlier switched securities worth ₹1.11 trillion to roll over debt redemption, reducing the estimated repayment requirement for Financial Year 2026-27 from ₹5.47 trillion to ₹4.36 trillion.
• The government’s net market borrowing remains at ₹11.73 trillion, as estimated in the Budget. Net market borrowing is primarily used to finance the fiscal deficit.
• The government stated that maintaining the net borrowing target at the Budget level reflects its commitment to fiscal prudence despite emerging fiscal pressures.
• The H2 borrowing plan places greater emphasis on longer-tenor securities. The share of 15-year bonds has increased to 17.6% from 14.5% in H1.
• The share of 30-year, 40-year and 50-year securities has also been increased in the H2 borrowing programme.
• The share of 5-year securities has declined to 12.1% from 15.4%, while the share of 10-year securities has declined to 26.3% from 29% in H1.
• The share of 3-year securities has fallen to 6.9% from 8.1%, while the share of 7-year securities has increased to 9.1% from 8.1%.
• The greater focus on longer-term securities is aimed at increasing the government’s Weighted Average Maturity (WAM) and reducing roll-over risk.
• The H2 borrowing programme will be conducted through 23 weekly auctions, with each auction involving ₹33,000 crore to ₹36,000 crore.
• The government also plans to raise ₹15,000 crore through green bonds during the second half of Financial Year 2026-27.
• The Reserve Bank of India has fixed the Ways and Means Advances limit at ₹50,000 crore for H2 Financial Year 2026-27 to address temporary mismatches in government accounts.
• The government will continue switching and buyback of securities to smoothen the debt redemption profile.
• For the upcoming third quarter (October–December 2026), the government plans to borrow ₹2.99 trillion (₹2.99 lakh crore) through Treasury Bills.
• The government has shifted its fiscal anchor from the fiscal deficit to the debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio to strengthen the economy.
• The government has set a target of bringing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 49–51% by 2030-31.
• The Central Government’s debt was recorded at 58.2% of GDP, compared with the annual target of 56.1%.

India Records Strongest Growth Outlook in World Economic Forum Chief Economists’ Outlook September 2026

• India recorded the strongest growth outlook among the economies covered in the World Economic Forum’s September 2026 Chief Economists’ Outlook.
• 74% of surveyed chief economists expected strong or very strong growth for India over the next 12 months, sharply increasing from 52% in May 2026.
• Overall, 98% of respondents expected India to record moderate or stronger growth over the coming year.

Key Highlights

• India’s 2026–27 growth forecast was raised to 6.7% in August 2026, with the outlook supported by continued resilience in domestic demand.
• However, higher energy prices continued to act as a drag on India’s economic outlook.
• India ranked ahead of other major economies covered in the survey. South-East Asia followed, with 73% of respondents expecting strong or very strong growth.
• For China, 31% of economists expected weak growth, while Europe remained the weakest-performing region, with 61% expecting weak or very weak growth.
• The global economic outlook also became more stable. Only 45% of surveyed chief economists expected global economic conditions to weaken over the next 12 months, compared with 89% in May 2026.
• 56% of respondents expected the global economic outlook to remain unchanged or strengthen over the next 12 months.
• Global inflation expectations also eased, with 50% of economists expecting global inflation to rise, compared with 94% in May 2026.
• Geopolitical conflicts were identified by 97% of respondents as a major source of global economic uncertainty over the next year, followed by asset price corrections at 58%.
• Only 25% of chief economists expected the global economy to become more resilient over the next 12 months.
• According to the forward-looking assessment, economic resilience is expected to depend mainly on economic diversification and flexible supply chains (78%), followed by technological acceleration and innovation (67%) and energy-market adaptation (61%).
• Fiscal support, which had been the leading source of economic resilience since 2020 at 69%, declined to 28% in the forward-looking assessment as governments face tighter fiscal constraints.

Delhi Government Approves DURGA Scheme to Provide Electric Auto Opportunities to Women and Transgender Persons

• The Delhi Government approved the DURGA Scheme to provide safe, clean and dignified employment opportunities to women and transgender persons in Delhi.
• The decision was taken at a Delhi Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in New Delhi.

Key Highlights

• Under the scheme, 1,300 pink electric autos will be allocated in the first phase.
• Of the total 1,300 electric autos, 1,170 will be reserved for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries.
• The scheme will provide women and transgender persons an opportunity to become owners and drivers of electric autos.
• A maximum of 90 electric autos for women and up to 10 electric autos for transgender beneficiaries will be allocated in each revenue district.
• The DURGA Scheme is aimed at contributing to a safer, greener and more inclusive Delhi by promoting clean mobility along with employment opportunities for women and transgender persons.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

International Energy Agency Report Projects India’s Electrification Rate to Reach 32% by 2035

• The International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, released the Electrification Special Report 2026, projecting India’s electrification rate to increase from 19% to 32% by 2035.
• India’s electrification growth is expected to be driven mainly by transport electrification, Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption, and government policy initiatives.
• The report estimates that accelerated electrification could help India save nearly 30% of its 2025 energy import expenditure through reduced energy imports.
• Southeast Asia’s electrification rate is projected to rise from 25% to 37% by 2035, reflecting the region’s clean energy transition.
• Globally, faster electrification could reduce the energy import bills of fuel-importing countries by more than USD 400 billion by 2035, compared with 2025 levels.
• The Electrification Special Report 2026 was prepared at the request of Türkiye and Australia under the strategic partnership between the IEA and the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP31).
• Amid concerns over energy supply shortages and higher energy prices due to the West Asia conflict and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, several countries announced new electrification policies.
• India launched a programme to procure and deploy 500,000 induction cooktops as part of its electrification efforts.
• Electric car sales in India increased by more than 115% during March–June 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
• EVs accounted for more than 65% of three-wheeler sales in India in 2025, highlighting the rapid adoption of electric mobility.
• Electricity demand in India and Southeast Asia grew at an average annual rate of around 5% during 2015–2025.
• Over the same period, global electricity demand increased by an average of more than 3% annually, driven mainly by growth in buildings and non-energy-intensive industries, led by China.
• China accounted for more than 60% of the global increase in electricity demand over the 10-year period from 2015 to 2025.

About International Energy Agency :

• Established : 18 November 1974
• Headquarters : Paris, France
• Executive Director : Fatih Birol
• Members : 33 member countries (India joined IEA as association member nation in 2017)

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Facilitates Export of 1 MT GI-Tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to Maldives

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the flag-off of a 1 MT (one-tonne) consignment of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives on 24 September 2026.
• The consignment was exported by M/s Silken Global Exports and Imports, Mysuru, through its FPO-led brand, and will be transported to the Maldives by sea.
• The flag-off was graced by Abhishek Dev, IAS, Chairman of APEDA, along with senior APEDA officials and representatives of the Karnataka State Pulses Abhivrudhi Mandali Ltd. (KSPAML) and the exporting company.
• Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, is associated with the Kalaburagi region of Karnataka and received Geographical Indication (GI) registration in 2019.
• Gulbarga Tur Dal is recognised for its distinctive taste and quality and is listed by APEDA among Karnataka’s registered GI products.
• The GI registration records University of Agricultural Sciences and Karnataka Togari Abhivrudhi Mandali Ltd. as the registered proprietors.
• The export-linked value chain provides higher price realisation for farmers: while the prevailing market price is around ₹60 per kg, farmers receive ₹82 per kg through the export-linked channel.
• The ₹82 per kg farmer realisation represents more than 30% higher realisation compared with the prevailing market price, highlighting the potential of organised export channels to improve farmers’ income and value realisation.
• The initiative enables Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to participate more closely in export-oriented value chains and connect farmers directly with international markets.
• The export is expected to pave the way for regular shipments of Gulbarga Tur Dal to the Maldives, creating sustained market opportunities for Karnataka’s farmers, FPOs, producers and exporters.
• Kalaburagi is one of Karnataka’s major tur-growing regions, and tur cultivation plays an important role in the region’s agricultural economy and dryland agriculture.
• Karnataka State Pulses Abhivrudhi Mandali Ltd. (KSPAML), headquartered in Kalaburagi, is the State’s nodal organisation for the development of the pulses sector and works with FPOs and other stakeholders on value addition and market linkages.
• The initiative is part of APEDA’s efforts to promote exports of GI-tagged and other high-value/value-added agricultural products and strengthen international market linkages for region-specific farm produce.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Mizoram Farmer Z T Lalrithangi Selected Among Food and Agriculture Organization 100 Women Heroes 2026

• Z T Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i, a 35-year-old teacher-turned-farmer from Sangau village in Lawngtlai district, Mizoram, has been selected among the “Food and Agriculture Organization 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.”
• The recognition has been given by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as part of the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.

Key Highlights

• Lalrithangi is among more than 600 women from 131 countries nominated for the recognition and is one of the 100 women selected. She is also one of two women from India selected for the honour.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization informed her about the selection and invited her to receive the award through an email on 21 September 2026. The Mizoram State Horticulture Department had also previously informed her about her selection.
• She will receive the international recognition during the World Food Forum, to be held at the Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome from 12 to 16 October 2026.
• Lalrithangi began experimenting with strawberry cultivation in 2024 after learning about successful strawberry growers in neighbouring Siaha district.
• She initially planted around 1,000 strawberry saplings on a farm located about 5 kilometres from Sangau.
• She subsequently expanded the cultivation and currently grows more than 10,000 strawberry plants on 2 hectares, along with avocado, banana and other fruits and vegetables.
• In the initial year of cultivation, she earned around ₹1.5 lakh, which encouraged her to continue and expand strawberry farming.
• In 2025, she earned more than ₹10 lakh from strawberry cultivation and also started processing some of the strawberries into strawberry wine for sale in local markets.
• Lalrithangi was earlier selected as the Best Farmer from Lawngtlai district at the Mizoram Horti Fair 2026.

Indian Scientists Recognised Among American Geophysical Union 2026 Awardees

• Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll and Neelima Satyam have been selected among the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2026 awardees for excellence and leadership in research, education, and innovation in Earth and space sciences.
• Roxy Mathew Koll, a Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (Yuva) Award recipient and climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, has been selected for the 2026 Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communications Prize.
• Koll has been recognised for documenting the warming of the Indian Ocean and its effects on monsoons, marine heatwaves, cyclones, extreme rainfall, and the lives and livelihoods of people across South Asia.

Key Highlights

• The Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communications Prize is awarded annually to a scientist for excellence in climate science communication, particularly on issues related to climate change.
• The recipient of the prize receives USD 25,000, an engraved award, and formal recognition.
• Neelima Satyam, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, has been selected for the Devendra Lal Memorial Medal.
• The Devendra Lal Memorial Medal is awarded annually to an early- or mid-career scientist for outstanding research in Earth and/or space sciences.
• Abdul Qadir and Faisal Hossain, Indian-American scientists, have also been selected for AGU awards.
• Abdul Qadir, an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Maryland, has been selected for the Science for Solutions Award and has also worked with the North East Space Applications Centre, Shillong.
• Faisal Hossain, an alumnus of Banaras Hindu University and a professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, has been selected for the Ambassador Award.
• The American Geophysical Union has announced a total of 43 awards for 2026.
• The 2026 AGU awards will be presented during the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting in San Francisco in December 2026.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Board of Control for Cricket in India Signs Title Sponsorship Deal with Muthoot FinCorp for Team India International Matches

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) signed a new commercial partnership with Muthoot FinCorp for the title sponsorship rights of Team India’s international matches, including bilateral fixtures.
• The agreement, valued at up to ₹150 crore, will provide Muthoot FinCorp with title sponsorship rights for India’s international matches through March 2028.
• The partnership was finalised after the BCCI’s tender process did not receive bids matching the Board’s expected valuation, following which it entered into a direct agreement with Muthoot FinCorp.

Key Highlights

• The BCCI had initiated the tender process on 20 July 2026. The initial submission deadline of 13 August was later extended to 7 September 2026.
• The current sponsorship package works out to approximately ₹4.3 crore per match.
• This is below the BCCI’s targeted ₹4.85 crore per match for the 35-match cycle, but is higher than the ₹4.2 crore per match paid by IDFC First Bank during the previous sponsorship period.
• Campa, SBI Life and ChatGPT have joined as associate partners in recent BCCI commercial agreements, with the combined value of these deals reported at more than ₹130 crore.
• Campa Cola emerged as the highest bidder among these associate partners at ₹1.31 crore per match, while ChatGPT and SBI Life bid ₹1.2 crore per match each. Bisleri and Indian Oil Corporation were also among the bidders at the same level.
• The BCCI had increased the reserve price for associate partner rights to ₹95 lakh per match, from the earlier ₹82 lakh per match.
• According to the WPP Media Sporting Nation Report, sports sponsorship spending in India reached ₹7,942 crore in 2025, registering a 7% year-on-year increase.
• Cricket’s share of India’s sports sponsorship market increased to 89% in 2025, compared with 85% in the previous year, highlighting the strong commercial importance of cricket in India.
• The Muthoot FinCorp agreement adds to the BCCI’s wider sponsorship portfolio, which includes a front-of-jersey sponsorship agreement with Apollo Tyres worth ₹579 crore and an arrangement with Asian Paints worth ₹145 crore.
• The partnership provides Muthoot FinCorp with visibility across India’s men’s international cricket calendar, while giving the BCCI a confirmed title sponsorship arrangement until March 2028.

India and the Netherlands Strengthen Water Sector Cooperation through Two Memoranda of Understanding for Kalpasar Project

• India and the Netherlands strengthened their strategic partnership and cooperation in the water sector through a bilateral meeting held in New Delhi.
• Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and Jaap Slootmaker, Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, chaired the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week 2026.
• The meeting focused on reviewing and further strengthening India–Netherlands cooperation in the water sector, particularly technical cooperation for the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat.

Key Highlights

• The Kalpasar Project envisages the creation of a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water conveyed from the Narmada River.
• As part of the bilateral engagement, two Tripartite Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to facilitate cooperation for the Kalpasar Project.
• The MoUs involve the Central Water Commission, Kalpasar Department, Government of Gujarat, and Dutch knowledge institutions Deltares and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).
• The MoUs aim to deepen technical cooperation and capacity building between Indian and Dutch institutions for the execution of the Kalpasar Project.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

India Ranks 31st in World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026 in collaboration with Zurich Insurance Group.
• The TTDI 2026 assessed 110 economies on the conditions and policies that support the sustainable and resilient long-term development of travel and tourism.

Key Highlights

• India ranked 31st, improving by 9 positions from 39th among 119 economies in 2024.
• India’s improvement was supported by cost-competitive travel, cultural resources, tourism infrastructure, business travel facilities, and connectivity.
• India, along with China and Mexico, is among the top 10 economies globally in terms of the number of World Heritage cultural sites.
• The World Economic Forum identified workforce skills, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure gaps as areas requiring continued attention in India’s tourism sector.
• The Travel and Tourism Development Index does not rank economies solely on tourist arrivals or tourism revenue. It evaluates 17 pillars, including safety, digital readiness, infrastructure, connectivity, cultural and natural resources, services, and the overall tourism-enabling environment.
• Global tourism recovered strongly, with international tourist arrivals exceeding 1.5 billion in 2025, while the tourism sector’s economic contribution reached a record USD 11.6 trillion.
• The average TTDI score increased by 2.1% between 2024 and 2026, marking the fastest improvement since 2019.
• 101 out of 110 economies recorded higher TTDI scores between 2024 and 2026.
• The Asia-Pacific region was the fastest-improving region, recording an average growth of 3.6%.
• Major constraints on tourism development include rising prices, weak investment, workforce skill gaps, and uneven distribution of tourism’s economic and social benefits.
• Japan ranked 1st in the TTDI 2026, improving by 2 positions and overtaking the United States. Japan recorded 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, while visitor spending reached around USD 59.7 billion.
• The United States, Spain, Australia, and France occupied the next four positions after Japan.
• China was the only non-advanced economy in the global top 10.
• The Top 10 economies in TTDI 2026 were: Japan (5.27), United States (5.23), Spain (5.22), Australia (5.18), France (5.17), Germany (5.09), United Kingdom (5.08), China (5.00), Switzerland (4.97), and Italy (4.93).
• Compared with 2019, Japan’s score increased from 5.12 to 5.27, while the United States moved from 5.25 to 5.23. Spain improved from 5.09 to 5.22, Australia from 5.01 to 5.18, France from 5.01 to 5.17, Germany from 5.02 to 5.09, the United Kingdom from 4.99 to 5.08, China from 4.91 to 5.00, and Switzerland from 4.86 to 4.97. Italy recorded 4.93 in 2026.
• The 10 most improved economies between 2024 and 2026 were Albania (6.97%), Vietnam (6.30%), Laos (6.13%), Qatar (6.03%), Malaysia (5.82%), Thailand (5.64%), Philippines (5.51%), Morocco (5.48%), Nepal (5.06%), and Sri Lanka (4.33%).
• Albania recorded the highest improvement globally, with its TTDI score increasing by 6.97% between 2024 and 2026.

National Institutional Ranking Framework Adds Sustainable Development Goals Category

• The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2026 Rankings are scheduled to be released by the Ministry of Education.
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Institutions category was introduced in the NIRF 2025 Rankings, increasing the total number of NIRF ranking categories from 16 to 17.

Key Highlights

• The assessment covers areas such as eco-friendly campus practices, sustainability research, social inclusivity, community engagement, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• It also considers the alignment of institutional research with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, community outreach, social initiatives, and diversity, equity and inclusivity on campuses.
• In the NIRF 2025 Sustainable Development Goals Institutions category, Indian Institute of Technology Madras secured the 1st position, followed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi at 2nd and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi at 3rd.
• Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, was recognised for technical education, green technology initiatives, sustainability-oriented research, and basic and applied research. It was established in 1959 and is an Institute of National Importance.
• Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, popularly known as the Pusa Institute, secured the 2nd position. Established in 1905, it is associated with agricultural research, food security, sustainable farming, and rural technology.
• Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, secured the 3rd position. Established in 1920, it received Central University status in 1988 and is associated with social inclusion, environmental studies, research, and community outreach.
• The Top 10 institutions in the NIRF 2025 Sustainable Development Goals category were:
1. Indian Institute of Technology Madras – Green technology and sustainable research
2. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – Sustainable agriculture and food security
3. Jamia Millia Islamia – Social inclusion and community engagement
4. S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology – Renewable energy and environmental engineering
5. Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Healthcare outreach and campus sustainability
6. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee – Water resources and disaster mitigation
7. Jawaharlal Nehru University – Environmental sciences and social equity
8. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi – Clean energy and sustainable infrastructure
9. National Institute of Technology Rourkela – Waste management and sustainable materials
10. Banaras Hindu University – Agriculture, health, and environmental sustainability
• According to the supplied source, 791 institutions were included in the NIRF 2025 Sustainable Development Goals category.
• The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are:
  No Poverty; Zero Hunger; Good Health and Well-being; Quality Education; Gender Equality; Clean Water and Sanitation; Affordable and Clean Energy; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Reduced Inequalities; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Responsible Consumption and Production; Climate Action; Life Below Water; Life on Land; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and Partnerships for the Goals.
• The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by United Nations Member States in 2015 under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the goals targeted for achievement by 2030.
• The NIRF was launched by the Ministry of Education in 2015 to provide a common framework for ranking higher education institutions in India.
• The NIRF 2026 Sustainable Development Goals ranking, once released, will provide the latest assessment of Indian higher education institutions against these sustainability-oriented parameters.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur and Tata Consultancy Services Collaborate to Establish Advanced Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence

• Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, West Bengal and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 22 September 2026 to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the IIEST campus.
• The High-Performance Computing (HPC) Lab of the Electrical Engineering Department, IIEST Shibpur will serve as the physical venue for the AI CoE, while TCS will act as the Knowledge Partner.
• The AI CoE aims to bridge academia and industry, develop a future-ready workforce, promote applied research, and strengthen India’s AI ecosystem.
• The initiative is aligned with national transformation frameworks such as Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The CoE will focus on Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Image Processing, and Advanced Data Analytics.
• Under Skill Development, the CoE will provide industry-recognized training, professional certifications, hands-on projects and internships, including TCS internships for students across disciplines.
• Under Collaborative Research, the CoE will promote applied AI research in NLP, Computer Vision, Image Processing and Data Analytics.
• Under Consulting and Industrial Solutions, the CoE will develop tailor-made AI solutions to address operational challenges faced by regional businesses and enterprises.
• Under Entrepreneurship and Ecosystem Support, the CoE will organize workshops, seminars, hackathons and guest lectures and support the development of deep-tech AI startups.
• As the Knowledge Partner, TCS will support industry-aligned curricula, technical challenges, hackathons, workshops, skill-development initiatives, industrial tools, best practices and industry mentorship.
• The CoE will also help students and emerging entrepreneurs through industry mentorship for AI startups and student-led entrepreneurial ventures.

About TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) :

• Established : 1968
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO : Krithivasan

About Ministry of Education :

• Cabinet Minister : Pralhad Joshi
• Minister of State : Sukanta Majumdar, Jayant Chaudhary

Indian Space Research Organisation and European Space Agency Extend Space Cooperation Agreement Until 2032

• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and ESA (European Space Agency) extended their long-standing Cooperative Agreement by 5 years, until 8 January 2032, through an exchange of letters in Paris, France.
• The agreement was extended during the International Space Summit, held in Paris on 9–10 September 2026.
• The agreement was exchanged by V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, and Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA.
• The renewed agreement expands cooperation to human and robotic exploration, space weather and sustainable outer space activities, while continuing existing areas of collaboration.
• The ISRO–ESA Cooperative Agreement originally came into force in January 2002, providing a framework for cooperation across various space activities.
• Existing areas of cooperation between ISRO and ESA include Earth observation, satellite navigation, space science and mission operations support.
• Both agencies signed a Joint Statement of Intent on human exploration in 2025, strengthening cooperation in human spaceflight.
• In March 2026, ISRO and ESA entered into an agreement covering joint calibration, validation and scientific studies for Earth observation missions.
• The renewed cooperation recognises the growing importance of space weather and the sustainability of outer space activities.
• ESA has also expressed interest in exploring cooperation with ISRO in human spaceflight, lunar missions and Venus missions.

About ISRO :

• Established : 1969
• Headquarters : Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Headed by : V. Narayanan.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Introduces ‘SSA 5000’ to Bring India’s Sustainability Assurance in Line with Global Standards

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) issued SSA 5000 – General Requirements & Framework for Sustainability Assurance Engagements to align India’s sustainability assurance practices with global standards.
• SSA 5000 provides a principle-based framework for sustainability assurance covering areas such as climate, labour practices and biodiversity.
• SSA 5000 is aligned with the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), with certain India-specific modifications (carve-outs).
• The Indian carve-outs under SSA 5000 cover areas including joint audits and forward-looking statements, adapting the international framework to the Indian context.
• SSA 5000 will apply to financial years starting on or after 1 April 2027.
• Existing standards — Standard on Sustainability Assurance Engagements (SSAE) 3000 and Standard on Assurance Engagements (SAE) 3410 — will be withdrawn from April 2027 when SSA 5000 comes into force.
• The new framework aims to promote consistent sustainability assurance, strengthen stakeholder confidence in sustainability disclosures, and help address greenwashing.
• SSA 5000 also aims to accommodate different sustainability reporting frameworks while maintaining uniform rigour in assurance engagements.

About ICAI :

• ICAI is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 for the regulation and development of the Chartered Accountancy profession in India.
• Established : 1949 and formally came into existence on 1 July 1949.
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• President: Prasanna Kumar D.
• ICAI functions under the administrative supervision of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India.

Technology Development Board-Department of Science & Technology Partners with Agnikul Cosmos for ₹200 Crore Research Development and Innovation Support to Develop Fully Reusable Agnibaan Launch Vehicle

• The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, signed an agreement with Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, for ₹200 crore financial support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
• The project focuses on developing the reusable Agnibaan RLV (Reusable Launch Vehicle) and aims to raise its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from 4+ to 8.
• The ₹200 crore financial support will be provided through Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD).
• The proposed Agnibaan RLV architecture combines a lightweight upper stage, precise orbital insertion capabilities, and a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system designed for deep throttling and restart capability.
• The RDI-supported programme will develop and validate technologies covering propulsion, ascent, orbital insertion, controlled descent and recovery.
• The reusable launch architecture includes a reusable upper-stage architecture and descent propulsion system capable of supporting controlled descent and recovery.
• Agnikul Cosmos has already developed Agnibaan, its indigenous orbital-class launch vehicle, and Agnilet, a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine developed and manufactured in-house.
• Agnilet is notable for its single-piece 3D-printed design, representing an indigenous advancement in rocket-engine manufacturing technology.
• The TDB had previously supported Agnikul’s development and commercialisation of a modular configurable launch vehicle for small satellite missions.
• The new programme advances Agnikul’s technology journey from launch-vehicle development towards reusability, repeatability and operational efficiency.
• The project is aligned with the RDI Fund’s priority area of advanced and reusable launch vehicles and propulsion innovation under Space Technologies.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Launches Digital Connectivity Rating Platform for Transparent and Verifiable Property Connectivity Information

• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) launched the Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform to provide consumers with transparent, verifiable and standardised information about the digital connectivity of properties.

Key Highlights :

• The DCR Platform facilitates the end-to-end digital connectivity rating process and brings Property Managers (PMs), registered Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) and consumers onto a single digital interface.
• The platform implements the TRAI (Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity) Regulations, 2024, as amended by the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
• The 2026 Amendment Regulations were notified by TRAI on 13 May 2026, while the Rating Manual 2026 was issued on 9 June 2026.
• Property Managers (PMs) can register properties under categories such as Public, Government, Commercial and Private through the platform.
• Property Managers can submit rating applications, upload prescribed information and documents, select a registered DCRA and track the status of their rating applications.
• The platform supports the prescribed assessment workflow for both constructed properties and under-construction properties.
• Registered Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) can access assigned applications, conduct assessments, record observations and test results, manage supporting documents and complete the rating process.
• The platform enables a complete digital workflow for assessment, report generation, certification and publication of Digital Connectivity Ratings.
• Consumers and other stakeholders can search rated properties, view published ratings, verify certificates and compare properties based on digital connectivity.
• Consumers can search for rated properties using property name, certificate ID or location through the public rating search page.
• Consumers can view the digitally signed rating certificate and verify its authenticity using the QR code provided on the certificate.
• The DCR Platform makes digital connectivity a visible and verifiable attribute of a property, helping consumers make informed choices before purchasing or leasing a property.
• A dedicated DCRA mobile app facilitates field assessments and enables authorised DCRAs to conduct in-building digital connectivity measurements according to the prescribed testing methodology.
• Property information submitted through the web portal and assessment data captured through the mobile app are synchronised on the DCR Platform.
• The platform integrates eSign for digital signing and verification of documents and certificates.
• The platform also supports online payment of rating fees, email and SMS alerts, secure storage of property records, test results, certificates and audit logs.
• The Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Framework provides a standardised method for evaluating digital connectivity within properties.
• The DCR assessment considers parameters including fibre readiness, mobile network availability, in-building solutions and Wi-Fi infrastructure, with applicable benchmarks for different property categories.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

New Flowering Plant Species ‘Begonia neelamorum’ Identified in Arunachal Pradesh

• A new flowering plant species named Begonia neelamorum has been discovered from Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh, increasing the number of Begonia species in Northeast India to 54.
• The findings on Begonia neelamorum were published in Taiwania, an internationally peer-reviewed scientific journal.
• The new species was found along the Keyi River at an elevation of around 1,000 metres above mean sea level.
• The type specimen of Begonia neelamorum was collected on 24 May 2026 during an expedition.
• The species was documented by Dipankar Borah, Madhusudhan Khanal, Momang Taram and Neelam Gap, with Dipankar Borah serving as the lead author.
• Begonia neelamorum is a small tuberous plant measuring about 10–20 cm in height, with detailed observations reporting plants around 10–12 cm tall.
• The plant has a single sessile, light-green leaf with double-serrated margins and glandular hairs.
• The plant produces white male and female flowers on an inflorescence emerging from the stem apex.
• The new species resembles Begonia prolifera but differs in ovate leaves, double-serrated margins, distinct inflorescence structure and shorter styles.
• Begonia neelamorum was found growing on steep, moist walls along the Keyi River.
• The species is currently known from one location covering an area of approximately 3 sq km in Keyi Panyor district.
• The species was named Begonia neelamorum after the Neelam clan of the Nyishi community, the dominant community of Keyi Panyor district.
• The plant is locally known as Kobiirhopu Baabrai.
• Members of the Nyishi community assisted the researchers in collecting the plant during the expedition.
• Begonia neelamorum has been provisionally classified as Data Deficient (DD) under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.
• Begonia neelamorum is the 54th Begonia species recorded from Northeast India.
• The genus Begonia has around 2,200 globally accepted species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions.
• Begonia is one of the largest genera of angiosperms (flowering plants) and belongs to the family Begoniaceae.
• The latest issue of Taiwania also described Begonia salog from the Philippines and Begonia andariasii from Sulawesi.
• Dipankar Borah is a botany teacher at Kaliabor College, Nagaon, Assam, while co-authors include Madhusadhan Khanal of Sikkim University, Momang Taram of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Arunachal Pradesh, and Neelam Gap of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Maritime Day 2026 – 24 September

• World Maritime Day is observed annually on 24 September 2026 to highlight the importance of the international maritime transport sector and its contribution to the global economy.
• The observance celebrates the international shipping industry and highlights the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• The theme for 2026–2027 is “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
• 1948: A United Nations conference in Geneva adopted a convention for establishing the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO).
• 1958: The convention entered into force and the organisation officially came into existence.
• World Maritime Day was observed for the first time on 17 March 1978, marking the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the International Maritime Organization Convention.
• 1982: The Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization officially changed its name to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• During the late 1970s/1980s, the date of World Maritime Day was shifted from March to the last Thursday of September to standardise its observance globally.

World Pharmacists Day 2026 – 25 September

• World Pharmacists Day is observed every year on 25 September to recognise the contribution of pharmacists to healthcare and promote awareness about their role in the safe and effective use of medicines.
• The theme of World Pharmacists Day 2026 is “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures.”
• Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who specialise in the use and administration of medicines and are experts in handling drugs.
• Pharmacists have specialised knowledge of how medicines work, how they interact with the human body and how they help treat health conditions.
• They also advise patients and the public on the proper use of medicines, including when and how medicines should be taken.
• The International Pharmaceutical Federation Council announced in 2009, at Istanbul, Türkiye, that World Pharmacists Day would be observed annually on 25 September.
• The date 25 September was selected because the International Pharmaceutical Federation was established on 25 September 1912.
• The proposal to observe 25 September as World Pharmacists Day was put forward by the Turkish members of the International Pharmaceutical Federation Council.
• The International Pharmaceutical Federation is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.

Antyodaya Diwas 2026 – 25 September

• Antyodaya Diwas is observed every year on 25 September in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
• The term “Antyodaya” means the upliftment of the poorest of the poor or the rise of the last person.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was born on 25 September 1916 in Mathura.
• He was a journalist, economist, philosopher and political activist and served as an important ideologue of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
• In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated 25 September as Antyodaya Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya died in 1968 near Mughalsarai Junction railway station.
• In 2018, the railway station was renamed Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• On 25 September 2014, the Ministry of Rural Development relaunched its existing skill development programme, Aajeevika Skills, under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, and renamed it Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana.

Daily CA One- Liner: September 27 & 28

• Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Delhi PM Surya Ghar Portal in September 2026 to help residents install rooftop solar systems
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a nationwide ban on the manufacture and sale of analogue products as “Paneer.”
• The Central Government plans to raise ₹7.86 trillion (₹7.86 lakh crore) through dated securities during the second half (October 2026–March 2027) of Financial Year 2026-27, according to the government’s borrowing calendar
• India recorded the strongest growth outlook among the economies covered in the World Economic Forum’s September 2026 Chief Economists’ Outlook
• The Delhi Government approved the DURGA Scheme to provide safe, clean and dignified employment opportunities to women and transgender persons in Delhi
• Z T Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i, a 35-year-old teacher-turned-farmer from Sangau village in Lawngtlai district, Mizoram, has been selected among the “Food and Agriculture Organization 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development
• Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll and Neelima Satyam have been selected among the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2026 awardees for excellence and leadership in research, education, and innovation in Earth and space sciences
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) signed a new commercial partnership with Muthoot FinCorp for the title sponsorship rights of Team India’s international matches, including bilateral fixtures
• India and the Netherlands strengthened their strategic partnership and cooperation in the water sector through a bilateral meeting held in New Delhi
• The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026 in collaboration with Zurich Insurance Group
• The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2026 Rankings are scheduled to be released by the Ministry of Education.
• Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first maritime sector-specific Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), is set to issue India’s first-ever blue bond to mobilise long-term funds for sustainable maritime and ocean-economy projects.
• Samvriddhi Inclusive Growth Network Private. Limited. (SIGN), a subsidiary of MOS Utility Limited, received in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an Online Payment Aggregator (PA-Online).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, fixed the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit at ₹50,000 crore for the second half of FY 2026-27, covering October 2026 to March 2027.
• SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited (SBI Card) launched a fully digital facility on SBI YONO (You Only Need One), enabling eligible customers to apply for the ‘Advantage SBI Card’, an FD-backed secured credit card, in around 10 minutes.
• PayGlocal, a cross-border payments company, received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to establish a Payment Service Provider (PSP) in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised directions on 22 September 2026 to alter the valuation norms for units of Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) held by All-India Financial Institutions (AIFIs).
• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) issued operational guidelines for the NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme 2026 under Section 14 of the PFRDA Act, 2013.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, released the Electrification Special Report 2026, projecting India’s electrification rate to increase from 19% to 32% by 2035.
• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the flag-off of a 1 MT (one-tonne) consignment of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives on 24 September 2026.
• Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, West Bengal and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 22 September 2026 to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the IIEST campus.
• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and ESA (European Space Agency) extended their long-standing Cooperative Agreement by 5 years, until 8 January 2032, through an exchange of letters in Paris, France.
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) issued SSA 5000 – General Requirements & Framework for Sustainability Assurance Engagements to align India’s sustainability assurance practices with global standards.
• The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, signed an agreement with Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, for ₹200 crore financial support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) launched the Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform to provide consumers with transparent, verifiable and standardised information about the digital connectivity of properties.
• A new flowering plant species named Begonia neelamorum has been discovered from Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh, increasing the number of Begonia species in Northeast India to 54.
• World Maritime Day is observed annually on the last Thursday of September to highlight the importance of the international maritime transport sector and its contribution to the global economy
• World Pharmacists Day is observed every year on 25 September to recognise the contribution of pharmacists to healthcare and promote awareness about their role in the safe and effective use of medicines
• Antyodaya Diwas is observed every year on 25 September in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya