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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Raises India’s Financial Year 2026-27 Gross Domestic Product Growth Forecast to 7.1%

• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the “OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2026: Weathering Successive Shocks” and raised India’s Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 7.1%.
• The OECD increased India’s FY27 growth projection by 80 basis points (bps) from 3% projected in its June 2026 edition.
• The upward revision was mainly attributed to resilient domestic demand and government policies that cushioned households and firms from the impact of higher energy prices.
• India’s GDP growth is projected to moderate to 6.5% in FY2027-28 (FY28) from 1% in FY27.
• India’s GDP growth is projected to decline from 8% in FY2025-26 to 7.1% in FY2026-27 and further to 6.5% in FY2027-28.
• The OECD projected India’s average inflation at 4.7% in FY27, which is expected to ease to 2% in FY28.
• The OECD cautioned that reduced purchasing power could weaken India’s economic growth during the second half of 2026, followed by a gradual recovery in 2027.
• The report highlighted that structural policy reforms that improve economies’ ability to cope with supply-side disruptions remain an important priority for governments.
• The OECD estimated global GDP growth at 2.9% in Calendar Year 2026 (CY26) and 0% in CY27.
• Among the cited international forecasts, the OECD’s 1% FY27 projection for India is higher than the 7.0% projections by ADB, S&P and Moody’s, 6.9% by Fitch Ratings, and 6.7% estimated by the RBI.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Government Approves Interest-Free Working Capital Assistance for Flue-Cured Virginia Tobacco Growers in Andhra Pradesh

• The Government of India has approved a one-time interest-free loan of ₹50,000 per barn for Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh under the Interest-Free Working Capital Assistance Scheme.
• The measure has been introduced to provide timely financial support to growers amid changing global market conditions.
• Auctions for the 2025-26 Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco crop season in Andhra Pradesh commenced on 25 March 2026.
• Around 100 million kg of Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco had been auctioned in Andhra Pradesh by the time of the Government's announcement.

Key Highlights

• Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco is predominantly cultivated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
• The global tobacco market is facing changing demand patterns, geopolitical developments and evolving international trade dynamics, which have affected procurement and marketing conditions.
• The Government is taking coordinated measures to facilitate procurement, increase market participation and promote exports of Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco.
• The Government is also engaging with exporters, buyers, growers and other stakeholders to ensure smooth marketing of the crop and strengthen the Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco sector.
• Under the one-time intervention, ₹50,000 per barn has been approved as interest-free working capital assistance for eligible Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco growers.
• The assistance is expected to benefit approximately 44,000 growers, involving a total financial intervention of around ₹220 crore.
• The financial assistance will be transferred directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer.
• The initiative is aimed at supporting the working capital requirements of Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco growers and providing timely financial assistance amid prevailing market conditions.

About Andhra Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Chandrababu Naidu
• Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer
• Capital: Amaravati
• National Parks: Papikonda National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Coringa, Kolleru, Krishna, Kambalakonda, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuaries

Capacity Enhancement for Effective Forest Management Project Launched in Collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav launched a workshop on the Capacity Enhancement for Effective Forest Management Project in New Delhi.
• The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Key Highlights

• The Capacity Enhancement for Effective Forest Management Project will be implemented for seven years, from 2025-26 to 2031-32.
• Major components include research and development for practical technological solutions, pilot projects for field-level application, strengthening of training institutions for practice-oriented training and sharing of best practices with SAARC and other developing countries.
• The second phase of the project, covering 2025-26 to 2031-32, focuses on wood transformation and livelihood generation, digital transformation for improved forest management, and collaborative academic research.
• The Japan International Cooperation Agency expressed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Union Government and State Governments for sustainable forest management and capacity enhancement.
• The project has a total outlay of ₹537.10 crore, comprising:
• Japan International Cooperation Agency contribution: ₹440.42 crore
• Government of India share: ₹96.68 crore
• The project will cover all States in India, with priority given to new participating States, while also supporting States that participated in the earlier related project.
• The project builds upon an earlier Japan International Cooperation Agency-supported initiative and aims to further strengthen sustainable forest management and the capabilities of frontline forest staff.
• A Project Brochure outlining the project's objectives and areas of cooperation was released during the workshop.

• The project is supported through a Japan International Cooperation Agency Official Development Assistance loan of JPY 8.280 billion.

About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:x`x

• Cabinet Minister: Bhupender Yadav
• Constituency: Rajasthan
• Ministers of State (MoS): Kirti Vardhan Singh

Punjab Government Announces 8% Dearness Allowance Hike for Employees and Pensioners

• The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, announced an 8% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for around 8 lakh state government employees and pensioners.
• The increase raises the Dearness Allowance from 42% to 50% and is being provided in two instalments of 4% each.

Key Highlights

• The subsequent Finance Department notification made the enhanced DA effective from 1 September 2026. The corresponding Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners and family pensioners was also increased from 42% to 50%.
• The announcement followed a meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and representatives of government employees and pensioners, held to discuss their pending service-related demands.
• The issues to be considered in further discussions include the Old Pension Scheme, the 2.59 pension multiplication factor, restoration of certain allowances, Assured Career Progression, probation-period salary-related concerns and issues concerning scheme workers.
• The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had announced an in-principle decision to restore the Old Pension Scheme in October 2022 and subsequently notified the scheme in November 2022. The issue has remained among the major demands raised by employee organisations.
• Government employee and pensioner organisations have continued to raise concerns regarding pending DA and arrears, pension-related matters, allowances, probationary-period salaries and implementation of the Old Pension Scheme.
• The latest DA revision provides additional financial support to approximately 8 lakh employees and pensioners and forms part of the Punjab Government's efforts to address employee-related concerns through discussions and negotiations.

About Punjab:

• Chief Minister: Bhagwant Singh Mann
• Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria
• Capital: Chandigarh
• National Parks: Abohar National Park, Harike Wetland National Park, Jhajjar Bacholi National Park, Bir Moti Bagh National Park, Bir Bhadson National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Kathlaur-Kushlian Wildlife Sanctuary, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar Bacholi Wildlife Sanctuary, Takhni-Rehampur Wildlife Sanctuary

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act Extended in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for another six months, with the extension coming into effect from 1 October 2026 in specified areas of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The extension follows a review of the prevailing law and order situation in the three northeastern states.
• In Manipur, the entire state continues to be declared a “disturbed area” under the Act, except areas falling under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations in five districts. The excluded areas are:
• Imphal West: Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi and Wangoi police stations.
• Imphal East: Porompat, Heingang and Irilbung police stations.
• Thoubal: Thoubal police station.
• Bishnupur: Bishnupur and Nambol police stations.
• Kakching: Kakching police station.
• In Nagaland, the Act has been extended in 9 districts—Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri. It also covers areas under 21 police stations in five other districts: Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto.

Key Highlights

• In Arunachal Pradesh, the extension covers the entire districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, along with areas under the Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, which borders Assam.
• The latest notifications continue the existing coverage pattern in the three states for another six months. The orders will remain in force from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, unless withdrawn earlier.
• Under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the Central Government can declare an area a “disturbed area” when it considers the use of armed forces necessary to deal with a situation involving serious disturbance of public order.
• The extension has also been accompanied by continuing demands from civil society groups in the Northeast for withdrawal of the Act. In Manipur, organisations including the Manipuri Students’ Federation, Nupi Khunai-Yairipok and Meira Paibis have periodically protested against the continuation of AFSPA.
• The situation differs from the gradual reduction of AFSPA coverage in parts of the Northeast. Assam has seen the Act's coverage reduced over time. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ current notification list shows that Assam's AFSPA notifications are issued by the State Government.

About Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958

• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is a law that provides certain special powers to the armed forces in areas officially declared as “disturbed areas.”
• The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains the current notifications declaring disturbed areas under AFSPA in the northeastern states.

About Manipur:

• Chief Minister: Yumnam Khemchand Singh
• Governor: Ajay Kumar Bhalla
• Capital: Imphal
• National Parks: Keibul Lamjao National Park, Sirohi National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary, Khongjaingamba Ching Wildlife Sanctuary

About Nagaland:

• Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
• Governor: Nand Kishore Yadav
• Capital: Kohima
• National Parks: Ntangki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary

About Arunachal Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
• Governor: Lt. Gen. Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
• Capital: Itanagar
• National Parks: Mouling National Park, Namdapha National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Mehao, Pakke, Eagle Nest, Kamlang, Sessa Orchid Wildlife Sanctuaries

Deendayal, Jawaharlal Nehru, Paradip and Mundra Ports Notified as Mega Ports by Central Government

• The Central Government has notified four ports as mega ports under the provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 2025.
• The four ports meeting the prescribed criteria for classification as mega ports are:
• Deendayal Port (Kandla) – Major Port
• Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) – Major Port
• Paradip Port – Major Port
• Mundra Port – Non-Major Port operated by the Adani Group

Key Highlights

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, through a Gazette Notification, stated that the Central Government has notified the criteria for classifying a port as a mega port under Section 73(1) of the Indian Ports Act, 2025 (Act 27 of 2025).
• The notification specifies that Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Paradip Port and Mundra Port satisfy the prescribed criteria for mega-port classification.
• The classification is significant because Mundra Port is a non-major port, whereas the other three—Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Paradip Port—are major ports.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirms that major ports are under the administrative control of the Union Government, while non-major ports are under the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments or State Maritime Boards.
• India has 12 operational major ports and around 200 non-major ports.
• The 12 operational major ports are Deendayal Port, Mumbai Port, Mormugao Port, New Mangalore Port, Cochin Port, Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port, V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Visakhapatnam Port, Paradip Port, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
• The Ministry's official list confirms these 12 major port authorities.
• The Indian Ports Act, 2025 provides the current statutory framework for India's port sector.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has published the Act and the Indian Ports Rules, 2026 under this framework.

Maharashtra Government Declares Drought in 265 Talukas Under Trigger1

• The Maharashtra Government has declared drought conditions in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas, covering nearly 74% of the talukas, due to deficient monsoon rainfall and drought-like conditions during the 2026 Kharif season.
• The declaration was issued by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department through a Government Resolution (GR) after the prescribed Trigger-1 conditions under the state’s Drought Management Code/Manual were met, based on a report submitted by the Commissioner of Agriculture.
• District Collectors have been directed to immediately conduct panchnamas (field assessments) to determine crop losses in the affected areas. The administration has also been instructed to collect geotagged photographs with Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of damaged agricultural fields and submit detailed crop-loss assessment reports to the government through the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Key Highlights

• The state government has introduced a 12-point relief and concession package for farmers, agricultural labourers and rural households in the 265 drought-affected talukas.
• Under the relief package, the government has provided for complete waiver of land revenue for affected farmers, restructuring of existing agricultural loans, and an immediate stay on the recovery of agriculture-related bank loans.
• The government has also announced exemption/concessions on current electricity bills for agricultural pumps above 7.5 horsepower (HP), while electricity charges for agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP are already waived.
• School and college students in the affected areas will receive waiver of examination fees.
• The government has directed relaxation of work-norm criteria under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to maximise employment opportunities in drought-affected areas.
• Of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas, 265 have been placed under Trigger-1 drought severity. The district-wise distribution provided in the source is as follows:
• Konkan Division – 12 talukas: Ratnagiri – 3; Sindhudurg – 8; Raigad – 1 (Shrivardhan).
• Nashik Division – 49 talukas: Nashik – 10; Dhule – 4; Jalgaon – 15; Nandurbar – 6; Ahilyanagar – 14.
• Pune Division – 35 talukas: Pune – 8; Solapur – 11; Sangli – 4; Satara – 6; Kolhapur – 6.
• Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division – 74 talukas: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar – 9; Jalna – 8; Beed – 11; Latur – 10; Dharashiv – 8; Nanded – 14; Parbhani – 9; Hingoli – 5.
• Amravati Division – 56 talukas: Buldhana – 13; Amravati – 14; Akola – 7; Washim – 6; Yavatmal – 16.
• Nagpur Division – 39 talukas: Wardha – 7; Nagpur – 14; Bhandara – 3; Gondia – 1; Chandrapur – 12; Gadchiroli – 2.
• Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane confirmed the declaration of drought in 265 talukas.

About Maharashtra:

• Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
• Governor: Jishnu Dev Varma
• Capital: Mumbai
• National Parks: Tadoba National Park, Gugamal National Park, Chandoli National Park, Navegaon National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thane Creek Flamingo Wildlife Sanctuary

West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill 2026 Under Examination by Ministry of Home Affairs

• The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, commonly referred to as the “Anti-Goonda Bill,” was passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in June 2026.
• The Bill aims to strengthen the State’s legal framework to tackle organised crime, extortion, illegal mining, cybercrime, public disorder and other anti-social activities.

Key Highlights

• The Bill was sent for Presidential assent because certain provisions required consideration under the constitutional framework governing State legislation that may overlap with Central legislation.
• A key issue concerns Section 2(d)(iii)(B), which includes within the definition of a “goonda” a person who commits, attempts to commit, abets, promotes, finances or facilitates an offence punishable under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
• The Central Government raised concerns that this provision could overlap with the preventive-detention framework under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, which specifically deals with preventive detention of persons involved in illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• The Centre noted that such an overlap could create a parallel preventive-detention mechanism for drug-related activities and could raise an issue of repugnancy under Article 254 of the Constitution of India.
• The Central note therefore suggested that the reference to offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 in Section 2(d)(iii)(B) be deleted to avoid duplication and overlap with the existing Central legal framework.
• Important current status: Initial reports on 25 September 2026 stated that President Droupadi Murmu had returned the Bill for reconsideration over the alleged overlap with Central narcotics legislation.
• However, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Press Information Bureau Fact Check Unit subsequently clarified that the Bill had not been returned by the President and remained under examination with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also stated that the Bill had not reached the President and was still with the Home Ministry.
• Therefore, as of the latest clarification in September 2026, the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026 remains under examination by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the claim that the President had already returned it for reconsideration should not be treated as the confirmed current status.
• Separately, West Bengal had also passed the Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026, relating to the attachment and confiscation of properties of persons involved in damaging public and private property.
• The State Government stated that this property-related legislation had been notified after the Governor’s assent and had come into force across West Bengal.

About West Bengal:

• Chief Minister: Suvendu Adhikari
• Governor: R. N. Ravi
• Capital: Kolkata
• National Parks: Sundarbans National Park, Jaldapara National Park, Gorumara National Park, Singalila National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Buxa National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary, Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary, Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary, West Sundarban Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Co-Hosts Launch of OneSCD Global Partnership for Sickle Cell Care at United Nations General Assembly 81

• India co-hosted the launch of OneSCD (One Sickle Cell Disease), a Global Partnership to Advance Equity and Transform Sickle Cell Care, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.

Key Highlights :

• OneSCD is a multilateral coordination mechanism designed to strengthen country-led Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) programmes and scale proven approaches for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care.
• The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hosted the OneSCD launch, which was co-organised with UNICEF, WHO, Africa CDC, the World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
• OneSCD will bring together government leaders, UN agencies, health experts, civil society and people with lived experience to strengthen international cooperation on SCD.
• The partnership focuses on improving access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and continuing care for people affected by Sickle Cell Disease.
• India launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in 2023 with the goal of eliminating Sickle Cell Disease as a public health problem by 2047.
• The Mission integrates population-scale screening, early diagnosis, counselling, treatment and follow-up into public health systems.
• Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood cell disorders affecting haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body; sickle cell anaemia is its most common and severe type.
• India also signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in September 2026 in New York during the 81st UNGA.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime on behalf of India.
• The UN Convention against Cybercrime is the first comprehensive global convention on cybercrime adopted by the UN General Assembly, adopted in 2024.
• The Convention establishes a legal framework for preventing and combating cyber offences and promotes international cooperation in investigations, electronic evidence sharing and responses to technical and legal challenges related to digital crime.
• The Convention addresses cybercrime cases where offenders, digital infrastructure, electronic evidence and victims are located in different jurisdictions, strengthening cross-border cooperation.
• The UN Convention against Cybercrime is separate from the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Signs United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime to Strengthen Global Cooperation

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime to strengthen global cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime.
• The United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime is the first comprehensive, universal and legally binding global treaty on cybercrime.
• The Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2024.
• The Convention aims to strengthen international cooperation, cybercrime prevention, capacity-building, investigation and recovery of proceeds of cybercrime, with particular support for developing countries.
• It provides countries with measures to prevent and combat cyber offences and strengthens international cooperation in the sharing of electronic evidence related to serious crimes.
• The Convention addresses the technical and legal challenges arising from the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in criminal activities.
• It adapts traditional criminal investigation methods to the realities of modern digital technologies and cybercrime.
• The Convention addresses the challenge of cybercriminals operating across different jurisdictions, while law-enforcement agencies remain subject to national legal and jurisdictional limits.
• It provides a framework for cross-border cooperation in investigating cyber offences covered by the Convention as well as other serious crimes.
• The Convention also facilitates the recovery of proceeds of cybercrime, strengthening international efforts to tackle the financial dimensions of cyber offences.
• The Convention entered into force after obtaining the required threshold of 40 member-state signatures.
• By the end of 2025, 93 countries had signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Mandeep K. Bhandari Appointed as Central Board of Secondary Education Chairperson by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Mandeep K. Bhandari as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on 25 September 2026, with the decision notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
• Mandeep K. Bhandari is a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer belonging to the AGMUT cadre — Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories (UTs).
• Before becoming CBSE Chairperson, Bhandari served as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and had been serving at the Governor’s Office in Jammu since March 2023.
• He replaced Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who was holding additional charge as CBSE Chairperson after the transfer of former Chairperson Rahul Singh in June 2026.
• Bhandari also served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Additional CEO, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and Additional Director on the Board of J&K Bank.
• He has held the position of Joint Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and played a role in the Central Government’s health administration during the COVID-19 period.
• Bhandari holds an MBBS degree and has previously served as Private Secretary to the Minister of Human Resource Development.
• His earlier administrative positions include Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate of Leh and Jammu, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Budgam, and Secretary in the Power Development Department.
• Lokhande Prashant Sitaram was appointed Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 2 July 2026, while continuing to hold additional charge of CBSE Chairperson.
• In the same bureaucratic reshuffle, Vipin Kumar was appointed Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development, while Srikant Nagulapalli was appointed Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure.
• Ponnuraj, a 2000-batch Karnataka-cadre IAS officer, was appointed Director General of Hydrocarbons, replacing Srikant Nagulapalli.
• Sarita Chauhan Chand was appointed Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Steel, while Anand Singh was appointed Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.
• Hemalatha was appointed Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), and Piyush Singh was appointed Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power.
• Ankita Mishra Bundela was appointed Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, while Manisha Sensarma was appointed Additional Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

About CBSE :

• Formation : 1 July 1962
• Headquarters : Delhi, India
• Parent organisation : Ministry of Education

Former Justice R. C. Chavan Steps Down from Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code Committee

• Former Justice R. C. Chavan resigned from the Maharashtra Government’s seven-member Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee.
• The Maharashtra Government constituted the seven-member UCC committee in July 2026 to prepare a framework for implementing a common civil code in the State.
• The committee is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai.
• Justice Chavan resigned after the committee’s second online meeting, stating that the vacancy could be filled quickly by appointing another member.
• In his resignation letter, Chavan cited disagreements regarding the functioning of the committee and the participation of an official from outside Maharashtra.
• He alleged that committee meetings were being concluded without substantive discussion on important agenda items.
• Agenda items such as confirmation of minutes, website modifications and finalisation of questionnaires were allegedly disposed of quickly on the directions of the chairperson.

About Uniform Civil Code (UCC) :

• The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) refers to a common set of civil laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and succession.
• The UCC is mentioned under Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) of the Constitution of India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Booker Prize 2026: Six Novels Shortlisted

• The Booker Prize Foundation announced the six-book shortlist for the Booker Prize 2026 at the Southbank Centre, London.
• The six shortlisted novels were selected from 163 eligible submissions written in English and published in the United Kingdom and/or Ireland between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.
• The Booker Prize 2026 winner will be announced on 9 November 2026 at a ceremony at Old Billingsgate, London. The winner will receive £50,000, while each shortlisted author will receive £2,500.

Key Highlights

• The six shortlisted novels and authors are:
• The End of Everything — M. John Harrison
• The Disappearers — Marlon James
• Black Bag — Luke Kennard
• May We Feed the King — Rebecca Perry
• The Things We Never Say — Elizabeth Strout
• John of John — Douglas Stuart
• The shortlisted authors represent England, Scotland, Jamaica and the United States. The list includes previous Booker Prize winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart, along with previous shortlistee Elizabeth Strout and authors making their first appearance on the Booker Prize shortlist.
• The 2026 judging panel is chaired by Mary Beard, a classicist, writer and broadcaster. The other judges are Raymond Antrobus, Jarvis Cocker, Rebecca Liu and Patricia Lockwood.
• The six novels cover a range of genres and settings, including dystopian fiction, contemporary realism, campus satire and historical fiction. The stories move from the Kent coast and the Outer Hebrides to Kingston, Jamaica, coastal Massachusetts and an unnamed medieval court.
• The End of Everything by M. John Harrison is set against a post-apocalyptic landscape on the Kent coast and combines elements of thriller, mystery, satire, dystopia and road fiction.
• The Disappearers by Marlon James is set in Kingston, Jamaica, during the late 1980s and explores the killing of a gay actor and its wider consequences, including the social context of the AIDS era.
• Black Bag by Luke Kennard is a campus novel built around an unusual university psychology experiment, while also exploring human frailty, identity and relationships.
• May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry moves between the present day and an unnamed medieval court, examining history, storytelling, power and the question of whether there can be a single interpretation of the past.
• The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout is set in coastal Massachusetts around the 2024 United States presidential election and explores family relationships, grief, loneliness, secrets and divisions in contemporary society.
• John of John by Douglas Stuart follows a young man returning to his remote Scottish island home, where family expectations, buried secrets and shame affect relationships.
• Marlon James previously won the Booker Prize in 2015 for A Brief History of Seven Killings, while Douglas Stuart won the prize in 2020 for Shuggie Bain.
• Elizabeth Strout has previously been shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Oh William! and has also appeared on the longlist with My Name Is Lucy Barton.
• The 2026 shortlist was selected after the judges reduced the original 163 submissions to a longlist of 13 titles, popularly referred to as the Booker Dozen, before selecting the final six.
• The Booker Prize is an annual literary award for long-form fiction written in English and published in the United Kingdom and/or Ireland. It was established in 1969 and is administered by the Booker Prize Foundation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026: Delhi Ranks 268th Globally

• Delhi has secured the 268th position among 1,000 cities in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026, making it the highest-ranked Indian city in the overall index.
• The Global Cities Index (GCI) is an annual index published by Oxford Economics, a global economic advisory firm. It evaluates the world’s 1,000 largest cities using five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance.
• The index is designed to assess both the current performance and future prospects of cities, using Oxford Economics’ forecasting expertise to examine their development trajectory.

Key Highlights

• In the 2026 Global Cities Index, New York ranked 1st, followed by London in 2nd, Paris in 3rd, Seattle in 4th and San Francisco in 5th.
• Around 100 Indian cities are included among the 1,000 cities assessed globally. India’s leading cities in the overall ranking are:
• Delhi – 268th
• Bengaluru – 311th
• Mumbai – 330th
• Chennai – 381st
• Hyderabad – 421st
• Pune – 427th
• 55 Indian cities feature among the world’s 100 fastest-growing city economies, highlighting the strong growth prospects of Indian urban centres.
• Delhi is currently the world’s 63rd-largest city economy. Oxford Economics projects that it could rise to the 14th-largest city economy by 2050, with its economic output exceeding USD 2 trillion.
• Delhi recorded its strongest performance in the Human Capital category, where it ranked 13th globally, ahead of cities including Toronto, Seoul and Beijing.
• Mumbai is India’s leading city for corporate headquarters, ranking 23rd globally in this category. Its city economy, currently the 99th-largest globally, is projected to become the 36th-largest by 2050.
• Bengaluru improved by 20 places to reach 311th globally and was identified as a “City to Watch” in the 2026 index. It recorded the largest improvement among India’s six largest metropolitan cities. Oxford Economics also identifies Bengaluru among the 10 fastest-growing cities globally by forecast Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
• Hyderabad and Chennai performed strongly in terms of projected economic growth, ranking 15th and 16th globally, respectively, for forecast GDP growth.
• The index highlights that the strong economic growth of Indian cities is not matched by their performance in areas such as Quality of Life, Environment and income equality. These factors continue to affect their overall rankings.
• Delhi recorded the second-worst air quality score globally in the index, highlighting the environmental challenges faced by the city.
• The 2026 index also highlights the growing importance of Asian cities, particularly those in India and China, in future global economic growth. Oxford Economics projects that cities such as Delhi, Shanghai and Beijing will record some of the largest increases in Gross Domestic Product through 2050.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Creates India’s First Functional Indigenous Micro-Graphics Processing Unit

• Researchers from the Electrical Engineering Department of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi developed India’s first working and demonstrable indigenous micro-Graphics Processing Unit (micro-GPU) on 24–25 September 2026.
• The project was led by Tech students Nammi Akash and M. Ravi Teja under the guidance of Professor Jayadeva and Professor Kaushik Saha of IIT Delhi.

Key Highlights :

• The indigenous micro-GPU aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported GPU technology and support the development of domestic graphics and display-processing systems.
• The micro-GPU uses a custom floating-point GPU engine and was implemented entirely in Register Transfer Language (RTL).
• The design was mapped onto a Spartan-7 Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for prototyping, validation and testing before potential fabrication in silicon.
• A micro-GPU is a compact graphics processor designed for programmable rendering and display-processing tasks, particularly for embedded systems requiring affordable graphics capabilities.
• The architecture is designed as a scalable and programmable graphics processor Intellectual Property (IP) block, which can be implemented on FPGAs or mapped to Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).
• Potential applications include industrial control displays, low-cost Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), e-rickshaw dashboards, inland navigation systems, e-readers and embedded visualisation systems.
• The technology can support future indigenous graphics silicon and contribute to reducing dependence on imported semiconductor and GPU technologies.
• The research team is developing an 8–16 core vector-style GPU architecture along with an optimised compiler and software toolchain.
• The planned ASIC proof-of-concept targets a 65 nm process node, using a mature semiconductor technology node for potentially cost-effective indigenous graphics silicon.

NTPC and EDF Power Solutions Establish 50:50 JV for Low-Carbon Energy Projects

• NTPC Limited and EDF Power Solutions India Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of France-based Électricité de France (EDF), signed a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) agreement on 25 September 2026.
• The JV will develop, own and operate low-carbon energy projects in India and neighbouring countries.
• The partnership will undertake Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), hydropower projects, other Renewable Energy (RE) projects and electricity distribution businesses.
• The JV aims to establish an industrial platform for developing, building and operating low-carbon power plants, flexibility solutions and transmission assets.
• The partnership will support the decarbonisation and improved performance of electricity systems by leveraging the expertise and resources of NTPC and EDF.
• The JV will provide tailor-made energy solutions and contribute to the development of India’s renewable energy market, while promoting innovation and environmental sustainability.
• The collaboration is aligned with India’s ambition to achieve around 100 GW of installed pumped-storage capacity by 2036.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NTPC, and Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of EDF SA, France.

About NTPC Limited :

• NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation.
• Established : 1975
• Headquarters : New Delhi
• Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) : Gurdeep Singh.

NASA-ISRO’s NISAR Satellite Captures Detailed Images of Erupting Krasheninnikov Volcano

• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite captured detailed observations of the erupting Krasheninnikov volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, tracking the movement and spread of molten lava.
• The Krasheninnikov volcano erupted for the first time in nearly 500 years, after remaining dormant since around 1550.
• A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean near Kamchatka on 30 July 2025, and the Krasheninnikov volcano began erupting days later, highlighting the importance of satellite-based monitoring of natural hazards.
• NISAR captured its first image of Krasheninnikov volcano on 25 December 2025 from approximately 747 km above Earth, while completing its post-launch checks and becoming operational.
• Researchers combined 17 NISAR images collected through mid-August to create a time-lapse sequence showing the evolution of the volcanic eruption.
• The observations showed lava first filling a smaller inner caldera, then spilling into a larger crater and eventually spreading outward in a broad, fan-shaped flow.
• The main lava field expanded eastward, while another lava flow moved northwest; scientists believe the northwest flow formed before NISAR began observing the volcano.
• Each pixel in NISAR’s observations of the volcano represents an area of approximately 10 metres × 10 metres, enabling detailed mapping of the terrain and lava movement.
• NISAR uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which sends microwave pulses towards Earth’s surface and measures the reflected signals, instead of depending on sunlight like optical cameras.
• The SAR technology allows NISAR to observe volcanoes during both day and night and through cloud cover, making it valuable for monitoring volcanic activity in remote and difficult-to-access regions.
• The lava appears brighter in NISAR radar images because its surface reflects microwaves differently from surrounding snow-covered or bare terrain.
• NISAR can provide frequent and repeated observations of virtually all of the world’s approximately 1,300 active volcanoes above sea level, supporting the monitoring of volcanic and other natural hazards.
• NISAR is the first free-flying space mission equipped with both L-band and S-band radar systems, whose different wavelengths enable scientists to study different characteristics of Earth’s surface and vegetation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Air Force Conducts Second Edition of Multilateral Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, a multilateral air exercise, at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
• The theme of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is “Power in Partnership”, emphasising cooperation, interoperability and mutual trust among participating air forces.
• Seven Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) are participating: Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; several other FFCs are also participating as observers.
• The participating foreign aircraft include F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A, bringing together combat, airlift and air-to-air refuelling capabilities.
• The S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II participation is significant because Tarang Shakti 2026 marks its first tactical participation in an exercise in India; it had earlier participated in Aero India 2025.
• The IAF is deploying frontline platforms including Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI along with various support elements.
• Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stated that the IAF would exercise with the F-35 for the first time, while details of its operational employment remain subject to security considerations.
• The first edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024 in two phases at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
• The exercise facilitates professional interaction among aircrew, mission planners and operational support personnel, with emphasis on interoperability, mutual learning, aerospace safety and understanding of operational procedures.
• The participating forces will operate together across a range of missions, enabling them to share experiences, understand each other’s capabilities and operating philosophies, and strengthen professional cooperation.
• Tarang Shakti 2026 has a wider scope beyond flying operations, with professional, cultural and outreach activities including a dedicated seminar, industrial tour, Sekhon Marathon, heritage tours and yoga sessions.

Indian Coast Guard Ship Shaunak Heads to Australia with QUAD Officers Onboard

• Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Shaunak sailed from Chennai to Perth, Australia, on 25 September 2026 as part of the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission.
• The mission aims to strengthen maritime cooperation, interoperability, coordination and professional exchanges among the four QUAD countries — India, Australia, Japan and the United States (U.S.).
• Six “Sea Riders” embarked on ICGS Shaunak for the mission, comprising two officers each from India and Japan and one officer each from Australia and the U.S.
• The Sea Riders will participate in shipboard activities, observation, training and professional exchanges during the voyage to enhance mutual understanding of maritime operations.
• The mission aims to enhance interoperability, improve coordination, strengthen professional linkages, promote mutual understanding and build mutual trust among the maritime forces of the four QUAD countries.
• The initiative is aligned with the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement of 26 May 2026, which reaffirmed the commitment of the four countries to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
• The mission reflects India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions”, and supports greater collective engagement and cooperation with partner maritime forces.
• ICGS Shaunak is an indigenously built Samarth-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and commissioned in 2017.
• ICGS Shaunak is based at Visakhapatnam under the Coast Guard Region (East) and is used for operational deployment and training-related voyages.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Renowned Psychiatrist Anand Pandurangi Passed Away at 74

• Anand Pandurangi, a noted psychiatrist and Karnataka Rajyotsava Awardee, died on 24 September 2026 at a private hospital in Dharwad, Karnataka, at the age of 74.
• The reported cause of death was a severe heart attack, and his final rites were performed with full state honours at the Hosayallapur crematorium, Dharwad.

About Dr. Anand Pandurangi :

• Pandurangi was known for promoting community-based mental healthcare in North Karnataka, making mental-health services accessible beyond traditional hospital settings.
• He completed his medical education at KIMS (Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences) and Karnataka University, received further training in Miraj, and made Dharwad his professional base.
• He expanded mental healthcare through school and college counselling programmes, mental health camps in towns and villages, and training teachers to identify mental-health concerns among adolescents.
• His major professional recognitions included the Eminent Psychiatrist Award (2010), Distinguished Psychiatrist Award for Community Psychiatry (2011), and Katiil Appu Pai National Memorial Award (2017).
• Karnatak University conferred an Honorary Doctorate in 2018 on Dr. Pandurangi for his contribution to mental healthcare and society.
• His other honours included the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, C. Roy Award, and Avva Seva Award.
• The Karnataka Rajyotsava Award is one of the highest civilian honours of Karnataka.
• Community-based mental healthcare is a model in which mental-health services are provided close to the patient’s place of residence, rather than relying only on hospitals.
• Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.

Cultural Icon Soorya Krishnamoorthy, Who Devoted His Life to Promoting the Arts, Passed Away in Keralam

• Soorya Krishnamoorthy, a renowned theatre director, cultural organiser and former ISRO scientist, passed away on 23 September 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, at the age of 78.
• He was widely known for his contribution to arts, theatre, music, dance and cinema and for promoting cultural activities through the Soorya Stage and Film Society.
• An engineer by profession, Krishnamoorthy began his career as a scientist-engineer in ISRO in the early 1970s and worked there for more than two decades.
• During his scientific career, he was associated with A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
• He founded the Soorya Stage and Film Society in 1977, which became closely associated with his name and cultural work.
• His first major show, “Thamaso Ma Jyothirgamaya,” was staged at the University Senate Hall on 3 September 1977.
• The Soorya Festival, started in Thiruvananthapuram in 1977, became a long-running cultural festival featuring music, dance and films.
• The Soorya Festival attracted audiences from more than 30 countries and was recognised by the Limca Book of Records as Asia’s longest-running cultural festival.
• Krishnamoorthy also organised an over 100-day annual cultural festival featuring renowned musicians, dancers and films.
• His acclaimed play “Melvilasom” became highly popular after hundreds of stage performances and was later adapted into a courtroom drama film in 2011.
• He conceived and directed several acclaimed sound and light shows, contributing significantly to stage craft and direction.
• In 2018, he converted the Ganesham performance venue at Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, into a black box theatre, the second of its kind in Kerala, and made it available free of cost for plays and film screenings.
• He also designed a black box theatre in Thrissur, which later became one of the venues of the International Theatre Festival of Kerala.
• He served as Chairperson of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and also served as Director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation for three terms.
• Krishnamoorthy received the National Award for Stage Craft and Direction in 1996.
• He was honoured with the Kerala Prabha Award in 2023, the second-highest civilian honour of the Government of Kerala.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Tourism Day 2026 on 27 September

• World Tourism Day is observed annually on 27 September to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, economic and environmental value.
• World Tourism Day 2026 was observed on 27 September 2026.
• The 2026 theme is “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
• The official World Tourism Day 2026 celebrations were hosted by El Salvador in the Americas.
• The 2026 theme focuses on the role of digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence in reshaping tourism, including travel experiences, destination management, operational efficiency and sustainable tourism practices.
• World Tourism Day has been observed since 1980 and is held every year on 27 September. The date corresponds to the anniversary of the adoption of the Statutes of the World Tourism Organization on 27 September 1970.
• The day was first celebrated as an international observance on 27 September 1980 by the World Tourism Organization, now known as UN Tourism.
• Tourism involves the movement of people outside their usual environment for personal or professional purposes and contributes to economic activity, employment, cultural exchange and community development.
• At its 12th session in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 1997, the UN Tourism General Assembly decided that a different country would be selected each year to host the official World Tourism Day celebrations and act as the organisation's partner for the observance.
• Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, a Nigerian tourism advocate, is credited with proposing that 27 September should be recognised as World Tourism Day.

World Environmental Health Day 2026 on 26 September

• World Environmental Health Day is observed annually on 26 September to create awareness about the importance of environmental health and its role in protecting human health.
• World Environmental Health Day 2026 will be observed on 26 September 2026.
• The 2026 theme is “Environmental Health: Standing with Science to Protect Communities.”
• The 2026 theme highlights the role of environmental health professionals as public health scientists who translate scientific evidence into policies, regulations and measures that protect communities from environmental risks.
• The theme emphasises that environmental health practice is evidence-based public health action and that science plays an important role in protecting communities from environmental risks.
• Environmental health is a branch of public health concerned with environmental factors that can affect human health and well-being.
• World Environmental Health Day was launched by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) on 26 September 2011 at an IFEH Council meeting in Indonesia.
• The day was established to increase awareness of issues related to environmental health and to promote the role of environmental health professionals in protecting public health.
• Environmental health includes areas such as food safety, sanitation, drinking-water quality, indoor and outdoor air quality, communicable disease control, tobacco control, vector management, emergency management and disaster preparedness.

World Lung Day 2026 – 25 September

• World Lung Day is observed every year on 25 September to spread awareness about the importance of lung health and respiratory diseases.
• The 2026 World Lung Day campaign is led by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) along with other partner organisations.
• The theme of World Lung Day 2026 is “A Lifetime of Lung Health”.
• The 2026 theme emphasises the need to maintain healthy lungs throughout life, beginning with proper lung growth and development during childhood and continuing through adulthood and old age.
• The foundation for World Lung Day was laid in 2016 during the Forum of International Respiratory Societies Kyoto Assembly, hosted by FIRS President Michiaki Mishima.
• During the assembly, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies decided to dedicate a global day to celebrate achievements in respiratory health and promote efforts towards a disease-free world.
• The first official World Lung Day was observed on 25 September 2017, coordinated by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies.
• The first observance received support from a global community of more than 100,000 healthcare professionals.

Daily CA One- Liner: September 29

• The Government of India has approved a one-time interest-free loan of ₹50,000 per barn for Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh under the Interest-Free Working Capital Assistance Scheme
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav launched a workshop on the Capacity Enhancement for Effective Forest Management Project in New Delhi
• The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, announced an 8% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for around 8 lakh state government employees and pensioners
• The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for another six months, with the extension coming into effect from 1 October 2026 in specified areas of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
• The Central Government has notified four ports as mega ports under the provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 2025
• The Maharashtra Government has declared drought conditions in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas, covering nearly 74% of the talukas, due to deficient monsoon rainfall and drought-like conditions during the 2026 Kharif season
• The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, commonly referred to as the “Anti-Goonda Bill,” was passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in June 2026
• The Booker Prize Foundation announced the six-book shortlist for the Booker Prize 2026 at the Southbank Centre, London
• Delhi has secured the 268th position among 1,000 cities in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026, making it the highest-ranked Indian city in the overall index
• World Tourism Day is observed annually on 27 September to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, economic and environmental value
• World Environmental Health Day is observed annually on 26 September to create awareness about the importance of environmental health and its role in protecting human health
• World Lung Day is observed every year on 25 September to spread awareness about the importance of lung health and respiratory diseases
• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the “OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2026: Weathering Successive Shocks” and raised India’s Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 7.1%.
• India co-hosted the launch of OneSCD (One Sickle Cell Disease), a Global Partnership to Advance Equity and Transform Sickle Cell Care, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime to strengthen global cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Mandeep K. Bhandari as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on 25 September 2026, with the decision notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
• Former Justice R. C. Chavan resigned from the Maharashtra Government’s seven-member Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee.
• Researchers from the Electrical Engineering Department of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi developed India’s first working and demonstrable indigenous micro-Graphics Processing Unit (micro-GPU) on 24–25 September 2026.
• NTPC Limited and EDF Power Solutions India Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of France-based Électricité de France (EDF), signed a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) agreement on 25 September 2026.
• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite captured detailed observations of the erupting Krasheninnikov volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, tracking the movement and spread of molten lava.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, a multilateral air exercise, at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
• Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Shaunak sailed from Chennai to Perth, Australia, on 25 September 2026 as part of the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission.
• Anand Pandurangi, a noted psychiatrist and Karnataka Rajyotsava Awardee, died on 24 September 2026 at a private hospital in Dharwad, Karnataka, at the age of 74.
• Soorya Krishnamoorthy, a renowned theatre director, cultural organiser and former ISRO scientist, passed away on 23 September 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, at the age of 78.