---
title: "Daily Current Affairs: 1 October 2026"
date_published: "2026-10-01"
date_modified: "2026-10-01T08:00:00+05:30"
language: "en-IN"
audience: "UPSC, SSC, banking and government exam aspirants"
content_type: "daily-current-affairs-briefing"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/01_10_2026"
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content_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/01_10_2026.md"
---

# Daily Current Affairs: 1 October 2026

Daily current affairs for 1 October 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.

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## Editorial Note

Last updated: 1 October 2026. This briefing is structured for current affairs revision, with key updates and related coverage links to help readers connect recurring topics across days.

## Top Current Affairs To Revise Today

- SEBI Board Revamps Settlement Framework And Approves Common Advertising Code
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Data Shows India's Net FDI Surging to $7.35 Billion in July, Highest Since May 2021
- RBI Sets 6.45% Interest Rate on Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2028 for October 2026–April 2027 Half Year
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notifies final Amendment Directions simplifying approval process for subsequent major shareholding acquisitions in banks by mutual funds, insurers and pension funds
- Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections top ₹2 lakh crore in September 2026 with 14.7% annual growth
- India's September power consumption up 11.35% to 162.19 billion units; peak demand hits 269.06 GW

## SEBI Board Revamps Settlement Framework And Approves Common Advertising Code

### Key Updates

- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a revised settlement framework with a new formula comprising a base amount linked to minimum penalty, multipliers for stage of proceedings, regulatory action factor, gravity of violation and aggravating factors.
- SEBI separated wrongful gains from the base amount calculation, with such amounts disgorged separately, removing double counting in settlement computation.
- SEBI will issue a settlement notice before a show-cause notice, giving entities 60 days to file a settlement application.
- The new settlement regulations will come into force the day after 30 days from notification.
- SEBI approved a common advertising code replacing entity-specific advertisement frameworks, allowing celebrity brand-level promotions; celebrity endorsements by stock brokers, depository participants, investment advisers and mutual funds require prior approval, while other advertisements no longer need prior approval.
- Five listed Adani Group companies settled SEBI adjudication proceedings for Rs 1.5 crore over alleged disclosure and corporate governance violations linked to the Hindenburg research report.
- SEBI backed the closing auction session (CAS), proposing a blended system combining volume-weighted average price with CAS for determining equity closing prices; the consultation paper closes on October 3 with over 3,500 comments received.
- The changes were announced at a press conference after SEBI's board meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, September 25, 2026.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [SEBI Floats Two Options for Expiry-Day Derivatives Settlement Under CAS Review](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/sebi-floats-two-options-for-expiry-day-derivatives-settlement-under-cas-review)
- [SEBI approves merchant banking licence for Zerodha](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/sebi-approves-merchant-banking-licence-for-zerodha)
- [Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Approves Carnelian Asset Management to Launch Mutual Fund Business](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi-approves-carnelian-asset-management)
- [EPFO launches VISHWAS, 2026 for settlement of penalty-related disputes](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/epfo-launches-vishwas-2026-for-settlement-of-penalty-related-disputes)

## Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Data Shows India's Net FDI Surging to $7.35 Billion in July, Highest Since May 2021

### Key Updates

- India's net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows rose to $7.35 billion in July 2026, the highest monthly inflow since May 2021's $8.80 billion, as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data.
- Gross FDI in July stood at $14.58 billion, the third-highest in the last six years; net and gross FDI were up 64% and 24% respectively compared to July 2025.
- For the first four months of 2026-27, net FDI inflows amounted to $13.43 billion, up 38% year-on-year, while gross FDI rose 13% to $43.85 billion.
- Communication, financial and computer services received more than four-fifths of equity inflows, with Mauritius, the UAE and the US accounting for about 70% of equity inflows.
- In July, foreign investors repatriated $3.84 billion (down 16% on year) and Indian companies' outward FDI rose 26% to $3.39 billion, mainly directed towards Singapore, the UK and the UAE.
- Gross FDI rose 17% to $97 billion in 2025-26, while foreign investors sold Indian stocks and bonds worth $6.54 billion so far in 2026-27, after $16.59 billion of sales in 2025-26.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [India Forex Reserves Hit Record $740.8 Billion: RBI Data](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-forex-reserves-hit-record-740-8-billion-rbi-data)
- [India's Foreign Direct Investment Hits All-Time High of $94.53 Billion in FY26, Cumulative Inflows Since 2014 Reach $843 Billion](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-foreign-direct-investment-hits-all-time-high-of-94-53-billion-in-fy26-cu)
- [India's outward remittances under LRS edge up nearly 1% to USD 2.6 billion in July 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-outward-remittances-under-lrs-edge-up-nearly-1-to-usd-2-6-billion-in-jul)
- [Asian Development Bank Lifts India's FY27 Growth Projection to 7% on Strong Q1 Performance](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/asian-development-bank-lifts-india-s-fy27-growth-projection-to-7-on-strong-q1-pe)

## RBI Sets 6.45% Interest Rate on Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2028 for October 2026–April 2027 Half Year

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the interest rate on the Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2028 (FRB 2028) at 6.45 per cent per annum for the half year October 04, 2026 to April 03, 2027.
- FRB 2028 carries a coupon with a base rate equal to the average of the Weighted Average Yield of the last three auctions of 182-Day T-Bills, plus a fixed spread of 0.64 per cent.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Finance Ministry retains interest rates for small savings schemes for July-September 2026 quarter](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/finance-ministry-retains-interest-rates-for-small-savings-schemes-for-july-septe)
- [India’s Direct Tax Buoyancy Stays Above 1 for Third Year](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-direct-tax-buoyancy-stays-above-1-for-third-year)
- [Bank of Japan Lifts Key Rate to 1.25%, Highest Since 1995, to Fight Rising Prices](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/bank-of-japan-lifts-key-rate-to-1-25-highest-since-1995-to-fight-rising-prices)
- [Reserve Bank of India mandates daily website disclosure of bulk fixed deposit rates from October 1, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/reserve-bank-of-india-mandates-daily-website-disclosure-of-bulk-fixed-deposit-ra)

## Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notifies final Amendment Directions simplifying approval process for subsequent major shareholding acquisitions in banks by mutual funds, insurers and pension funds

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued final Amendment Directions simplifying the approval process for subsequent acquisitions of major shareholding in a banking company by mutual funds, insurance companies and pension funds, effective immediately.
- RBI had released the draft 'Reserve Bank of India Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights Amendment Directions, 2026' on July 14, 2026, inviting comments from stakeholders until August 4, 2026.
- The final directions cover commercial banks, small finance banks, payments banks and local area banks, and feedback received on the draft was examined with modifications incorporated.
- The press release was issued by Brij Raj, Chief General Manager, as Press Release: 2026-2027/1233.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Notifies Market Risk Minimum Capital Directions 2026 under Basel III Framework](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-notifies-market-risk-minimum-capital-directions-2026-u)
- [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Approves Areion Group’s Rs 936 Crore Acquisition of Aviom India Housing Finance](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-approves-areion-group-s-rs-936-crore-acquisition-of-av)
- [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Releases Financial Stability Report June 2026, Gross NPAs at Multi-Decadal Low of 1.8%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-releases-financial-stability-report-june-2026-gross-np)
- [Reserve Bank of India Introduces Revised Valuation Framework for InvIT and REIT Units Held by All-India Financial Institutions](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/reserve-bank-of-india-introduces-revised-valuation-framework-for-invit-and-reit)

## Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections top ₹2 lakh crore in September 2026 with 14.7% annual growth

### Key Updates

- Gross GST collections stood at ₹2,03,521 crore in September 2026, up 14.7% year-on-year from ₹1,77,365 crore in September 2025.
- Net GST revenue after refunds rose 18.1% to ₹1,76,520 crore in September 2026, from ₹1,49,517 crore in September 2025.
- Refunds in September 2026 stood at ₹27,001 crore, down 3% from ₹27,848 crore in September 2025.
- Gross GST revenue from domestic business activities grew 10.1% to ₹1,37,996 crore, while import-linked gross revenue surged 25.9% to ₹65,525 crore in September 2026.
- Cumulative gross GST collections in April-September 2026 rose 11.6% to over ₹12.46 lakh crore, compared with ₹11.17 lakh crore in the corresponding period of 2025-26.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [India’s GST Collections Rise 15.4% to ₹2.11 Lakh Crore in July 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-s-gst-collections-rise-15-4-to-2-11-lakh-crore-in-july-2026)
- [Government of India's GST collections rise 14.8% to nearly ₹2 trillion in August](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/government-of-india-s-gst-collections-rise-14-8-to-nearly-2-trillion-in-august)
- [GST Day observed on July 1](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/gst-day-observed-on-july-1)
- [Press Information Bureau (PIB) Announces Union Government Receipts Reach ₹13.06 Lakh Crore by July 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/press-information-bureau-pib-announces-union-government-receipts-reach-13-06-lak)

## India's September power consumption up 11.35% to 162.19 billion units; peak demand hits 269.06 GW

### Key Updates

- India's power consumption rose 11.35% year-on-year to 162.19 billion units (BU) in September 2026, up from 145.66 BU in September 2025, driven largely by increased cooling needs amid humid weather.
- Peak power demand in September 2026 reached 269.06 GW, up from 229.15 GW in September 2025, remaining below the record high of 270.82 GW recorded in May 2026.
- The Ministry of Power projected 270 GW peak power demand for the summer season in 2026; last summer's peak was 242.77 GW recorded in June 2025, below the government's estimate of 277 GW.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast October rainfall at 85% of the long period average (about 75.4 mm), with above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures expected, which may raise demand from cooling appliances.
- Experts expect power demand to remain steady in October with increased industrial and commercial requirements during the festival season.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [India’s Steel Consumption Rises 7.9% in April-July 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-s-steel-consumption-rises-7-9-in-april-july-2026)
- [Assam Chief Minister Lays Foundation for Adani's 3,200 MW Thermal Plant at Chapar](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/assam-chief-minister-lays-foundation-for-adani-s-3-200-mw-thermal-plant-at-chapa)
- [Federal Power Ministry Directs Over 100 Captive Coal Plants to Run at Full Capacity from October 1](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/federal-power-ministry-directs-over-100-captive-coal-plants-to-run-at-full-capac)
- [India's Non-Fossil Fuel Power Capacity Surpasses 300 GW](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-s-non-fossil-fuel-power-capacity-surpasses-300-gw)

## NaBFID raises $750 million in debut 10-year US dollar bond under $4 billion GMTN programme

### Key Updates

- National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) raised $750 million through its debut 10-year US dollar benchmark bond, priced at 105 basis points over US Treasuries with a coupon of 6.122 per cent.
- The issuance is the first drawdown under NaBFID's $4 billion Global Medium-Term Note (GMTN) programme and is rated BBB+ by CareEdge.
- The bond, maturing on September 30, 2036, is listed on India INX and NSE International Exchange (NSE-IX) at GIFT IFSC.
- US investors accounted for 55 per cent of demand, Europe, Middle East and Africa 30 per cent, and Asia 15 per cent.
- The principal's currency risk is fully hedged for five years through a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) swap.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Sagarmala Finance Corporation to Issue India's First Blue Bond on September 28](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/sagarmala-finance-corporation-to-issue-india-s-first-blue-bond-on-september-28)
- [National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) sign MoU to fund rural infrastructure projects](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard-and-national-bank-for)
- [MSE Issues India's First Tokenised Corporate Bond Under SEBI's Demat 2.0 Pilot](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/mse-issues-india-s-first-tokenised-corporate-bond-under-sebi-s-demat-2-0-pilot)
- [IDFC FIRST Bank successfully completes maiden USD 500 million bond issuance](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/idfc-first-bank-successfully-completes-maiden-usd-500-million-bond-issuance)

## Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs raises Minimum Support Prices for all mandated Rabi crops for 2027-28 marketing season

### Key Updates

- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the marketing season 2027-28.
- The MSP for wheat was raised by 1% to ₹2,610 per quintal for the 2027-28 marketing season.
- Safflower received the biggest MSP increase of ₹675 per quintal, a rise of 10.3% to ₹7,215 per quintal.
- The MSP for rapeseed and mustard was increased by ₹413 per quintal (6.7%) to ₹6,613 per quintal.
- The MSP for barley was raised 6.3% to ₹2,286 per quintal, masur dal by 5.6% to ₹7,390 per quintal, and gram by 1.4% to ₹5,958 per quintal.
- The announced MSPs carry a margin of 50% to 106% over the all-India weighted average cost of production, with wheat at 106%, rapeseed and mustard at 96%, lentil at 92%, gram at 59%, barley at 58%, and safflower at 50%.
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated the government policy ensures farmers get a profit of at least 50% over their average cost of production.
- The MSP amount paid to wheat-growing farmers during 2014-15 to 2025-26 rose to ₹7.31 lakh crore, compared with ₹2.56 lakh crore during 2004-05 to 2013-14.
- The total MSP paid for six Rabi crops stood at ₹8.36 lakh crore as of 2025-26, compared with ₹2.65 lakh crore in 2013-14.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana: Cabinet Approves Rs 5,070 Crore Floating Solar Scheme](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/pradhan-mantri-surya-sarovar-yojana-cabinet-approves-rs-5-070-crore-floating-sol)
- [India sets 373.93 MT foodgrain target for 2026-27, Rabi goal at 177.72 MT, citing El Nino risk](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-sets-373-93-mt-foodgrain-target-for-2026-27-rabi-goal-at-177-72-mt-citing)
- [Union Cabinet Approves Hike in EPFO Monthly Wage Ceiling to ₹25,000](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/union-cabinet-approves-hike-in-epfo-monthly-wage-ceiling-to-25-000)
- [Union Cabinet Approves Continuation of PM-KISAN Scheme Till 2030-31 with ₹3.15 Lakh Crore Outlay](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/union-cabinet-approves-continuation-of-pm-kisan-scheme-till-2030-31-with-3-15-la)

## Reserve Bank of India Withdraws Circulars and Guidelines on Currency Management After Consolidation into Master Directions

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under its ongoing initiative to rationalise the regulatory framework, reviewed instructions on currency management related matters.
- The review involved consolidation of extant circulars and guidelines into function-wise Master Directions and subject-specific instructions.
- The instructions listed in the Annex, comprising those consolidated into Master Directions as well as those that became obsolete or redundant, stand withdrawn.
- The circular dated October 1, 2026 (RBI/2026-27/274) was addressed to the Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of all banks and issued by Chief General Manager-in-Charge Sanjeev Prakash.
- Withdrawn circulars span decades and cover subjects such as exchange of soiled and mutilated notes, detection and impounding of counterfeit notes, currency chest operations, the Clean Note Policy, and the 2016 withdrawal of legal tender character of ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Allows Indian and Nepalese Nationals to Carry ₹200 and ₹500 Notes Up to ₹25,000](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/nepal-rastra-bank-nrb-allows-indian-and-nepalese-nationals-to-carry-200-and-500)
- [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holds repo rate at 5.25%, retains neutral stance for fourth straight meeting](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-holds-repo-rate-at-5-25-retains-neutral-stance-for-fou)
- [India's Foreign Exchange Reserves Surge $44.9 Billion to All-Time High of $785.7 Billion](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-foreign-exchange-reserves-surge-44-9-billion-to-all-time-high-of-785-7-b)
- [RBI Forex Swap Facility Attracts Over $20.7 Billion](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/rbi-forex-swap-facility-attracts-over-20-7-billion)

## Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Consolidates Guidelines on Credit Facilities to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Master Circular

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Master Circular on Credit Facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs) on October 01, 2026 (RBI/2026-27/272), consolidating all circulars issued on the subject till date, addressed to all Scheduled Commercial Banks including Small Finance Banks.
- Under the Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme, banks provide finance up to ₹15,000 at a concessional 4% per annum, with not less than 2/5th (40%) of total DRI advances to be granted to eligible SC/ST borrowers, and the land-holding eligibility criteria of 1 acre irrigated or 2.5 acres unirrigated land do not apply to SCs/STs.
- SC/ST members satisfying the DRI income criteria can avail housing loans up to ₹20,000 per beneficiary over and above the individual loan of ₹15,000 under the scheme.
- Under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), launched by the Ministry of Rural Development effective April 1, 2013, 50% of beneficiaries should be SCs/STs.
- The Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSSC), launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on May 6, 2015, designates IFCI Ltd. as the Nodal Agency to issue guarantee cover to Member Lending Institutions financing SC entrepreneurs, with guarantee tenure up to a maximum of 7 years or the repayment period, whichever is earlier.
- Loans sanctioned to State Sponsored Organisations for SCs/STs for purchase and supply of inputs or marketing of beneficiaries' outputs are eligible for priority sector classification.
- Banks should not insist on deposits from SC/ST borrowers under government sponsored poverty alleviation or self-employment schemes, and applicable subsidy should not be held back while releasing the loan component, as non-release of subsidy upfront amounts to under-financing.
- Rejection of SC/ST loan applications under government programmes should be done at the next higher level instead of at the branch level, with reasons clearly indicated.
- Banks should set up a special cell at their Head Office for monitoring credit flow to SC/ST beneficiaries, review measures to enhance such credit on a quarterly basis, and report major year-to-year gaps in credit flow to the Board or its delegated committee.
- The SLBC Convenor bank should invite representatives of the National Commission for SCs/STs to SLBC meetings, and may also invite representatives from the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) and State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (SCDC).

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [RBI Grants Scheduled Bank Status to Coastal Local Area Bank](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/rbi-grants-scheduled-bank-status-to-coastal-local-area-bank)
- [Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Restricts Land Purchase Near 250-Year-Old Heritage Sites](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/assam-land-and-revenue-regulation-amendment-bill-2026-restricts-land-purchase-ne)
- [Punjab Government Launches Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students for 2026-27](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/punjab-government-launches-post-matric-scholarship-scheme-for-scheduled-caste-st)
- [SSB Reserves 50% Constable (GD) Posts for Ex-Agniveers Under New Recruitment Rules 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/ssb-reserves-50-constable-gd-posts-for-ex-agniveers-under-new-recruitment-rules)

## UPI average daily transactions top 800 million for first time as September volume reaches 24.07 billion

### Key Updates

- India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processed 24.07 billion transactions worth ₹29.37 lakh crore in September, with average daily transactions crossing 800 million for the first time, according to data shared by NPCI.
- On a daily basis, UPI processed around 802 million transactions worth nearly ₹97,913 crore, both record levels, though September's monthly totals were lower than August's 24.51 billion transactions and ₹29.82 lakh crore.
- September had 30 days compared with 31 in August, which primarily explained the lower monthly totals.
- Transaction values had remained around ₹96,000 crore a day between April and August even as volumes increased, as many of the additional transactions were small-ticket payments.
- Ganesh Chaturthi fell in mid-September this year and festive spending began, with major sales starting in October and Diwali falling in November.
- The new UPI merchant discount rate (MDR) framework takes effect from October 15, providing for an MDR on certain UPI person-to-merchant transactions above ₹2,000, while several categories and smaller transactions remain outside its scope.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [NPCI to Levy 0.4% MDR on UPI Merchant Payments Above Rs 2,000 From October 15](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/npci-to-levy-0-4-mdr-on-upi-merchant-payments-above-rs-2-000-from-october-15)
- [National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) records highest-ever UPI transaction volume of 24.51 billion in August](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/national-payments-corporation-of-india-npci-records-highest-ever-upi-transaction)
- [Key Product Launches at Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai: Agentic AI, UPI Features, and Cross-Border Payments](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/key-product-launches-at-global-fintech-fest-2026-in-mumbai-agentic-ai-upi-featur)
- [Ministry of Finance Bars Charges on UPI Payments Up to Rs 2,000 via Gazette Notification](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ministry-of-finance-bars-charges-on-upi-payments-up-to-rs-2-000-via-gazette-noti)

## Finance Ministry reduces export windfall levies on diesel and jet fuel

### Key Updates

- The Finance Ministry cut the windfall tax (export levy of Special Additional Excise Duty/Road and Infrastructure Cess) on diesel to ₹16 per litre from ₹20 per litre, and on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to ₹10.5 per litre from ₹15 per litre, effective Thursday.
- The levy on petrol remains unchanged at ₹0.50 per litre, and there is no change in excise duty rates on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption.
- These export levies were introduced with effect from March 27 to ensure domestic availability of petroleum products by disincentivising exports amid the West Asia crises.
- The rates are revised fortnightly, with the previous revision effective September 16, and are prescribed based on average international prices of crude oil, petrol, diesel and ATF since the last review.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [India Cuts Windfall Tax on Petrol Exports to Zero](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-cuts-windfall-tax-on-petrol-exports-to-zero)

## Bank of Japan summary signals policy shift to preventing inflation from exceeding 2% target

### Key Updates

- The Bank of Japan (BOJ) affirmed in a summary of opinions from its September 17-18 policy meeting that its policy focus has shifted to preventing inflation from overshooting the 2% target.
- The BOJ board voted 7-2 to raise the policy rate to 1.25%, the highest level since 1995.
- The September hike came three months after the previous increase in June, the shortest interval between hikes since 1990.
- Before the summary's release, swap contracts implied traders saw more than a 95% chance of another hike by December and around a 21% chance of an increase at the October 30 meeting.
- A Cabinet Office representative, likely economic policy minister Minoru Kiuchi, said the board should monitor the impact of rate hikes already undertaken.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Launches Three Surveys for Monetary Policy Inputs](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-launches-three-surveys-for-monetary-policy-inputs)
- [July Retail Inflation Rises to 4.45% on Food Prices](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/july-retail-inflation-rises-to-4-45-on-food-prices)
- [India's CPI Retail Inflation Climbs to 4.82% in August 2026 as Food Prices Accelerate](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-cpi-retail-inflation-climbs-to-4-82-in-august-2026-as-food-prices-accele)
- [Bank of Japan Lifts Key Rate to 1.25%, Highest Since 1995, to Fight Rising Prices](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/bank-of-japan-lifts-key-rate-to-1-25-highest-since-1995-to-fight-rising-prices)

## Centre renews RoDTEP and RoSCTL export schemes and extends payment-default insurance cover for West Asia consignments

### Key Updates

- The Centre extended the RoDTEP duty refund scheme and the RoSCTL scheme for apparel, garments and made-ups exporters by three months to December 31, 2026, and continued enhanced insurance cover against payment defaults for West Asia export consignments until March 31, 2027, under the Export Promotion Mission.
- The three programmes were originally set to end on September 30.
- The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified that RoDTEP applies to eligible exports from domestic tariff area, advance authorisation, special economic zone and export oriented unit units up to December 31, 2026.
- Launched in 2021, RoDTEP refunds taxes, duties and levies incurred by exporters that are not reimbursed under any other mechanism, with refunds ranging from 0.3-3.9%.
- The maximum RoSCTL rebate rate is 6.05% for apparel and up to 8.2% for made-ups.

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- [FEMA 2026 export-import regulations bring flexible timelines with stronger AD bank scrutiny from October 1](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/fema-2026-export-import-regulations-bring-flexible-timelines-with-stronger-ad-ba)
- [Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) Analysis Shows India's Rice Exports to 26 Priority Markets Outpaced 3-Year Average](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/indian-rice-exporters-federation-iref-analysis-shows-india-s-rice-exports-to-26)
- [Ministry of Commerce: India's Combined Merchandise and Services Exports Grow 15.5% to USD 399.27 Billion in April-August 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ministry-of-commerce-india-s-combined-merchandise-and-services-exports-grow-15-5)
- [International Energy Agency Projects India's Electrification Rate to Reach 32% by 2035](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/international-energy-agency-projects-india-s-electrification-rate-to-reach-32-by)

## Annual Survey of Industries: Manufacturing GVA rises 9.6% to Rs 26.9 lakh crore in 2024-25; sector adds 1.4 million workers

### Key Updates

- India's formal manufacturing sector's Gross Value Added (GVA) grew 9.6% to Rs 26.9 lakh crore in 2024-25 from Rs 24.6 lakh crore in 2023-24, according to the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) released by the statistics ministry.
- Industrial output rose 7.8% to Rs 165.2 lakh crore in 2024-25.
- The manufacturing sector added 1.4 million workers in 2024-25, taking total employment to 21 million, a 7.2% rise from 19.6 million.
- Invested capital grew 11.1% to Rs 75.6 lakh crore, and the number of establishments increased 2.6% to 0.27 million.
- Total emoluments increased by 12.1% to Rs 8 lakh crore.
- Basic metals accounted for the largest share of manufacturing GVA at 11.6%, followed by motor vehicles (9.5%), chemical products (8.5%), pharmaceuticals (8.1%) and food products (7.9%).
- Maharashtra led manufacturing GVA share with 15.9%, followed by Gujarat (14.1%), Tamil Nadu (10.9%), Karnataka (7.3%) and Uttar Pradesh (6.6%).
- Tamil Nadu led manufacturing employment with a 15% share, followed by Maharashtra (13.1%), Gujarat (13%), Uttar Pradesh (8.7%) and Haryana (6.4%).
- Food products hired the highest number of workers at 2.4 million.

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- [Piyush Goyal Says Uttar Pradesh Aims to Raise Annual Exports to ₹5 Lakh Crore by 2030](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/piyush-goyal-says-uttar-pradesh-aims-to-raise-annual-exports-to-5-lakh-crore-by)
- [Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Clarifies Negative Manufacturing Deflator in GDP Methodology](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ministry-of-statistics-and-programme-implementation-mospi-clarifies-negative-man)
- [Strong manufacturing and electricity gains lift India's August IIP growth to 8%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/strong-manufacturing-and-electricity-gains-lift-india-s-august-iip-growth-to-8)
- [Government Releases ₹36,754 Crore in Incentives Under Production Linked Incentive Schemes](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/government-releases-36-754-crore-in-incentives-under-production-linked-incentive)

## India's fiscal deficit reaches ₹7.1 lakh crore by August on higher capex and subsidy spending

### Key Updates

- India's central government fiscal deficit stood at ₹7.1 lakh crore, or 41.9% of the full-year target, at end-August 2026, up from ₹6 lakh crore a year earlier.
- The Centre has set a fiscal deficit target of 4.3% of GDP, or ₹16.96 lakh crore, for FY 2026-27.
- Expenditure on major subsidies rose 24.6% year-on-year to ₹1.87 lakh crore in April-August from ₹1.5 lakh crore.
- Net tax revenue in the first five months was about ₹8.38 lakh crore, or 29.2% of the 2026-27 budget estimate, against 28.6% a year ago.
- Total expenditure during April-August was about ₹20.78 lakh crore, or 38.9% of the budget estimate, compared with 37.1% in the year-ago period.
- Food subsidy expenditure rose nearly 30% to ₹83,510 crore from ₹64,408 crore a year earlier.
- Gross tax revenue grew 6.5% year-on-year in the first five months, while excise duty collections contracted 23% following cuts on petrol and diesel earlier in the financial year.
- ICRA estimates the fiscal deficit may overshoot the budget estimate by ₹1.3-1.4 lakh crore, which could be absorbed by expenditure savings of ₹1.6-1.7 lakh crore in FY26.
- In August 2026, the fiscal deficit was ₹2.5 lakh crore compared with ₹1.29 lakh crore a year ago, driven partly by an extra tranche of devolution to states.

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- [Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary Announces Debt-to-GDP Ratio at 58.2% for FY26, Missing Target by 210 Basis Points](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/minister-of-state-for-finance-pankaj-chaudhary-announces-debt-to-gdp-ratio-at-58)
- [Union Government releases additional tax devolution instalment of ₹1.09 lakh crore to States](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/union-government-releases-additional-tax-devolution-instalment-of-1-09-lakh-cror)
- [Puducherry presents Rs 14,300 crore tax-free budget for 2026-27](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/puducherry-presents-rs-14-300-crore-tax-free-budget-for-2026-27)

## HDFC Bank names Anup Bagchi as MD and CEO with RBI approval for a three-year term starting October 27, 2026

### Key Updates

- Anup Bagchi has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Bank for a three-year term effective October 27, 2026, after receiving Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval.
- Bagchi succeeds Sashidhar Jagdishan, whose term ends on October 26, 2026; Jagdishan announced his retirement in August 2026 and did not seek reappointment.
- HDFC Bank had recommended two candidates, Deputy Managing Director Kaizad Bharucha and Anup Bagchi, to the RBI as required under India's banking rules.
- Bagchi has been MD and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance since June 2023; under his leadership the insurer crossed Rs 10,000 crore in Annualised Premium Equivalent for the first time in FY2025, with APE growing 15% year-on-year to Rs 10,407 crore and profit after tax rising nearly 40% to Rs 1,189 crore.
- A member of the ICICI Group since 1992, Bagchi served as CEO and MD of ICICI Securities and as Executive Director of ICICI Bank from 2017 to 2023, overseeing Retail, Business and Rural Banking and later Wholesale Banking.
- Bagchi holds a management degree from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and an engineering degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and has over three decades of experience across banking, capital markets, wealth management and insurance.

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- [Forbes World’s Top Performing Banks 2026: HDFC Bank Secures 3rd Rank in Global Top 10](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/forbes-world-s-top-performing-banks-2026-hdfc-bank-secures-3rd-rank-in-global-to)
- [Sashidhar Jagdishan to Retire as HDFC Bank CEO on October 26](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/sashidhar-jagdishan-to-retire-as-hdfc-bank-ceo-on-october-26)

## RBI Approves Anup Kumar Saha As Kotak Mahindra Bank MD & CEO For Three-Year Term From January 2027

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Anup Kumar Saha as the new MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank for a three-year period, effective January 1, 2027, under Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- The bank received the RBI approval letter dated September 30, 2026, and disclosed it in a regulatory filing on October 1, 2026.
- Saha is currently a whole-time director (executive director) at Kotak Mahindra Bank, which he joined in January 2026, and has over 32 years of professional experience, including 25 years in banking and financial services.
- Before Kotak, Saha was MD & CEO of Bajaj Finance from April 2025 until his resignation in July 2025, and earlier spent 14 years at ICICI Bank (May 2003 to June 2017).
- Saha holds a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur and an MBA from IIM Lucknow.
- Saha will take over from Ashok Vaswani, who was appointed Kotak Mahindra Bank's MD & CEO in January 2024 for a three-year term.
- The Kotak Mahindra Group had 5,916 branches and a consolidated balance sheet of ₹10.1 trillion as of June 30, 2026.

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- [Kotak Mahindra Bank acquires Deutsche Bank's India retail banking business](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/kotak-mahindra-bank-acquires-deutsche-bank-s-india-retail-banking-business)
- [Somanath Panicker Appointed, Anand Mahindra Re-appointed as Part-time Non-official Directors of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Board](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/somanath-panicker-appointed-anand-mahindra-re-appointed-as-part-time-non-officia)

## Education Minister Pralhad Joshi to Launch Seva First Innovation Challenge at IISc Bengaluru

### Key Updates

- Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi will inaugurate the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
- Registration for the event is open from September 25 to October 24, 2026, and the National Finale will be held in New Delhi from December 10 to 17, 2026.
- The Challenge covers five states — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — and three union territories — Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry — with participants from schools, ITIs, polytechnics, colleges and universities.
- It has three participation levels: Junior (Class 6 to 12), Technical (ITI and polytechnic students) and Open (undergraduates, postgraduates and research scholars).
- The Challenge focuses on five national themes: Clean and Sustainable Bharat, Prosperous Farmers Prosperous Bharat, Healthy and Inclusive Bharat, Educated and Skilled Bharat, and Secure Bharat.
- The initiative is organised jointly by the Union Education Ministry, AICTE and UGC, with IISc Bengaluru as the nodal institute, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurates new National Test House ( NTH) building in Bengaluru on 115th Foundation Day](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/union-minister-pralhad-joshi-inaugurates-new-national-test-house-nth-building-in)
- [Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launched IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I at Bengaluru Event](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/union-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-launched-iitm-unicorn-frontier-fund-i)
- [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Launches Pilot Phase of 'Gems of India' Challenge to Promote Grassroots Digital Creators](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/ministry-of-information-and-broadcasting-launches-pilot-phase-of-gems-of-india-c)
- [Union Minister Manohar Lal Launches PRAGATI-50 Initiative for 50 Model Swachhata Cities in New Delhi](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/union-minister-manohar-lal-launches-pragati-50-initiative-for-50-model-swachhata)

## PM E-DRIVE scheme supports 26.59 lakh EVs with ₹11,900-crore outlay running till March 2028

### Key Updates

- The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme had supported 26.59 lakh electric vehicles as of 30 June 2026, against an approximate target of 28.30 lakh EVs.
- PM E-DRIVE has a notified outlay of ₹11,900 crore and runs through 31 March 2028, subject to funds available for each component.
- Under the 10 August 2026 Ministry of Heavy Industries notification, eligible electric two-wheelers receive an incentive of ₹2,500 per kWh capped at ₹5,000 per vehicle, limited to the notified amount or 15% of the ex-factory price (whichever is lower), with a maximum ex-factory price of ₹1.5 lakh for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028.
- The scheme provides ₹2,000 crore for pan-India public charging stations and ₹4,391 crore for 14,028 electric buses, of which 13,800 buses are allocated across seven cities.
- The registered electric three-wheeler L5 component had reached its target and was closed on 26 December 2025.
- Private electric cars are not listed among the PM E-DRIVE demand-incentive categories, which cover selected electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks and e-buses.
- The last date for submitting claims to the Ministry or programme implementation agency is 31 December 2027.

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## National PNG Drive 3.0 launched to add 50 lakh domestic piped natural gas connections by March 2027

### Key Updates

- The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) launched National PNG Drive 3.0 on October 1, 2026, targeting 50 lakh new domestic piped natural gas (D-PNG) connections, activation of around 40 lakh connected connections, and 50 lakh additional D-PNG registrations by March 31, 2027.
- The drive was launched by Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on the 20th foundation day of PNGRB, aiming to accelerate PNG adoption and facilitate transition from LPG to PNG.
- India's city gas distribution network spans 309 geographical areas serviced by 40 PNG suppliers; infrastructure exists for about 1.79 crore domestic consumers, of whom over 1.22 crore use PNG.
- During January to June 2026, around 12.10 lakh new PNG connections and 15.31 lakh D-PNG registrations were achieved, with daily D-PNG additions rising from 4,702 to about 7,000.
- Nearly the entire country has been authorized for city gas distribution with around 35,000 km of natural gas pipelines authorized, and a Unified PNG Portal has been conceptualised to streamline the PNG connection process on a single digital platform.

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- [Ministry of Civil Aviation Signs MoUs with 22 States to Launch Next Phase of UDAN Scheme](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ministry-of-civil-aviation-signs-mous-with-22-states-to-launch-next-phase-of-uda)
- [India Crosses 80 Lakh HPV Vaccinations in Cervical Cancer Prevention Drive](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-crosses-80-lakh-hpv-vaccinations-in-cervical-cancer-prevention-drive)
- [Indian Oil Corporation Clears ₹2,448.70 Crore Investment for Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thoothukudi Gas Pipeline](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/indian-oil-corporation-clears-2-448-70-crore-investment-for-kochi-kanyakumari-th)

## India's Ministry of Steel Decides to Set Up Steel Industry Safety Council as Apex Safety Body

### Key Updates

- The Ministry of Steel, Government of India, has decided to set up a Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC) as an apex-level industry safety body under its administrative control, aimed at strengthening safety standards, accident prevention and safety awareness across the steel industry.
- The SISC will be chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and will include senior Ministry officials, Chief Executives of integrated steel producers, and representatives of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and steel technology institutions.
- The Council will assess the industry safety situation, approve industry safety standards and recommended practices, and review serious accidents and near-miss incidents.
- A Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) will be established to provide technical support, oversee implementation of Council decisions, conduct safety audits and investigations, and issue Steel Industry Safety Standards and Guidelines suited to Indian conditions.
- The SISD's jurisdiction will cover primary and secondary steel and iron producers across India as well as mines of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Ministry of Steel.
- Twenty five safety guidelines for the Iron & Steel Sector, inaugurated by the Steel Minister on 17 February 2020, were followed by 16 process-based safety guidelines formally launched on 25 July 2024.

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## Singapore Airlines Takes Top Spot in Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026 as Air India Emerges as Leading Indian Carrier

### Key Updates

- Singapore Airlines was named the world's best airline for 2026 in Skytrax's World Airline Awards, moving up from second place in 2025, with Qatar Airways second and Cathay Pacific third.
- Air India was the highest-ranked Indian airline, standing at 57th place globally, a 27-place improvement from its 2025 position.
- IndiGo fell to 61st globally, down 22 places from last year, but remained the second-highest Indian carrier.
- In Skytrax's regional ranking, Air India was first among airlines in India and South Asia, followed by IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, SriLankan Airlines and SpiceJet.
- The Skytrax 2026 survey ran from September 2025 to August 2026, covered more than 300 airlines, and received participation from customers of more than 100 nationalities.
- The global top 10 comprised Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, ANA All Nippon Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines and Korean Air.

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## Indian Delegation Joins 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting and 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation in Manila

### Key Updates

- An Indian delegation led by Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, participated in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting (EAS-EMM) and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation held in Manila, Philippines.
- Economic Ministers or representatives from all 11 ASEAN countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam — attended along with EAS partners including India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, Russia and the United States.
- The ASEAN Secretariat briefed on the regional and global economic outlook for 2027, and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) presented a paper on energy security and industrial clusters.
- Discussions focused on the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), which India said should be balanced, more effective, user-friendly and trade facilitative.
- In 2025–26, bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached USD 128.38 billion, with ASEAN accounting for 10.55 per cent of India's total global trade.
- On the sidelines, the Indian delegation met Indian businesses in the Philippines on 22 September 2026 and participated in the ASEAN-India Business Forum 2026 on 23 September 2026.

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## IndusInd Bank Introduces Dedicated GCC Banking Vertical Combining Five Core Banking Capabilities

### Key Updates

- IndusInd Bank announced the launch of a dedicated Global Capability Centre (GCC) Banking vertical on September 28, 2026, integrating corporate and employee banking under a single GCC relationship model.
- The vertical brings together five core capabilities: digital banking, employee banking, commercial card solutions, capital account and FEMA solutions, and foreign-currency accounts through the bank's International Banking Unit (IBU) at GIFT City.
- India's GCC ecosystem has grown 32% since FY2021 and now comprises 2,117 GCCs.

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## Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Skypulse Solutions IFSC Sign MoU for 30-Helicopter Indian Civil Helicopter Leasing Ecosystem

### Key Updates

- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Skypulse Solutions IFSC Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build an integrated ecosystem for Indian helicopter leasing and indigenous civil aviation growth.
- The MoU centres on a planned ecosystem involving 30 Indian-manufactured civil helicopters to be accessed through structured leasing solutions.
- Skypulse Solutions IFSC is developing its aviation leasing platform from GIFT City IFSC, India's international financial services hub, to connect helicopter manufacturing with leasing, financing, operators, deployment and asset management.
- The initiative aims to reduce India's conventional reliance on American and European helicopter manufacturers and support applications including regional connectivity, tourism, emergency medical services, corporate travel and offshore operations.
- Gagan Jacobs, Director of Skypulse Solutions IFSC Private Limited, described the MoU as a defining milestone for the evolution of India's civil helicopter ecosystem.

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## UN General Assembly President Addresses High-Level Meeting on International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

### Key Updates

- The United Nations General Assembly held a high-level plenary meeting on 29 September 2026 in the Trusteeship Council Chamber, New York, to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
- Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President of the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly, delivered the remarks at the meeting.
- As of January 2026, the global nuclear warhead inventory stood at more than 12,000, of which about 2,100 to 2,200 are kept on high-operational alert on ballistic missiles.
- New START expired on 5 February 2026 without a successor, leaving no binding limits on strategic nuclear arsenals for the first time since 1972.
- The NPT Review Conference ended without a consensus outcome, the third consecutive Review Conference to do so.
- Global military expenditure reached nearly $3 trillion in 2025, the eleventh consecutive annual increase.
- Global nuclear warheads have fallen from a peak of roughly 70,000 in 1986 to about 12,000 today, and South Africa dismantled its nuclear weapons programme while Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine relinquished nuclear weapons after the Soviet Union's dissolution.
- The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, opened for signature three decades ago, has still not entered into force.
- Two years earlier, through Action 25 of the Pact for the Future, Member States recommitted to the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

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## G20 Trade Ministers Reach Consensus on Statement Opposing Use of Food as Tool of Pressure

### Key Updates

- G20 Trade Ministers reached a consensus on a statement opposing the weaponisation of food through coercive trade actions at the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hosted under the United States G20 Presidency.
- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said food must never be used as an instrument of pressure and highlighted the impact of food, fuel and fertiliser disruptions on developing countries.
- Goyal stated that more than 800 million Indians are provided foodgrains free of cost and that India's food security measures are recognised under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, including the Bali Ministerial Decision and Geneva Ministerial Declaration.
- Goyal cited the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), established in 2011, and the WTO decision to exempt World Food Programme purchases from export restrictions.
- On the sidelines, Goyal met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss an early conclusion of an interim agreement under the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.
- Goyal also met Brazilian ministers Mauro Vieira and Márcio Fernando Elias Rosa on expanding the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement, and Poland's Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański and Mexico's Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard on trade and economic cooperation.

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## SASTRA Deemed University and Tata Communications Launch Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

### Key Updates

- SASTRA Deemed University and Tata Communications launched a centre of excellence (CoE) in cybersecurity and digital forensics, built at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore, at the university's Thanjavur campus.
- The CoE is a research and capacity-building facility aimed at creating manpower to handle digital and cyber vulnerabilities.
- More than 1,000 graduates from SASTRA's School of Computing received their certificates at the Graduation Day ceremony.

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## Ghana Health Service Commemorates World Contraception Day 2026 and Launches National Family Planning Week

### Key Updates

- The Ghana Health Service, through its Family Health Division, officially launched National Family Planning Week and commemorated World Contraception Day 2026.
- The event was held under the theme 'A Choice for All: Agency, Intention, and Access' and guided by the motto 'It's Your Life. It's Your Future,' to reaffirm bodily autonomy and national growth.
- Dr. Abigail Kyei, an International Public Health Management Consultant, served as Chairperson of the event and emphasized that bodily autonomy and family planning are fundamental to national development.
- Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, delivered an address on behalf of Director-General Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, reaffirming the commitment to translating national family planning strategies into community-level care.
- Dr. Kennedy T.C. Brightson, Director of the Family Health Division, highlighted that family planning is a vital pillar of social stability, gender equality, and national economic development.
- Mr. Ignatius Abowini Awinibuno, Director of Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, officially declared National Family Planning Week 2026 opened while delivering the keynote address on behalf of Minister of Health Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
- Dr. Twum Barima delivered a joint solidarity message on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) and allied development partners, emphasizing that family planning must be recognized as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege.

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## World Environmental Health Day 2026 Observed on September 26 with Theme 'Standing with Science to Protect Communities'

### Key Updates

- World Environmental Health Day 2026 was observed on 26 September with the theme 'Standing with science to protect communities'.
- The Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), a registered charity organization in Tanzania, marked the day through its Environmental Health & Ecological Sciences (EHES) research programme.
- EHES research draws on disciplines including environmental science, ecology, epidemiology, entomology and public health to study links between people, environments and ecosystems.
- Dr Dickson Lwetoijera, Programme Director for Transmission Zero at Ifakara, was featured by A24TV explaining why understanding the environment matters in the fight against malaria.

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## Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Inaugurates 9th India International Water Week 2026 in New Delhi

### Key Updates

- Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 22 September 2026, in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C R Patil.
- The five-day event, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti from 22 to 26 September 2026, is themed 'Climate Resilient Water Management' and marks the evolution of India Water Week into India International Water Week.
- The Netherlands and Germany are participating as partner countries, along with 14 partner states and two partner central ministries.
- The Vice-President launched two publications, 'Sustainable Urban River Management Framework' and 'AI and ML Driven Integrated Reservoir Sediment Management'.
- Mrs. Ram Kumari of Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, and Shri Sitaram Madavi of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, were recognised as grassroots Water Warriors at the inaugural session.
- The Second International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Conference 2026 is being organised concurrently with IIWW 2026, focusing on climate-resilient WASH services and SDG 6 objectives.

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## Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Inaugurates Udyog Mitra Single-Window Portal for Traders and Investors

### Key Updates

- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Delhi Udyog Mitra Portal, a single-window digital platform to simplify access to government approvals and services for traders, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, start-ups, industrial units and investors.
- The portal currently integrates more than 50 services from 15 departments, with plans to bring over 100 services across 21 departments onto the platform by next month.
- The portal is integrated with the national single-window system, providing access to approvals at both Central and state levels through a common digital interface, and is expected to benefit more than eight lakh traders in Delhi.
- Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the portal would provide licences, no-objection certificates and other business-related services through a single ID.
- A helpline, 7827079696, has been launched for businessmen and entrepreneurs to register grievances related to the single-window system.

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## Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav Win Asian Games 2026 Compound Archery Mixed Team Gold and Secure Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Quota

### Key Updates

- India's compound archery pair Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav won gold in the mixed team event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, securing India's first quota place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in the discipline.
- The Indian duo defeated South Korea in the final, which was tied 157-157 after regulation, and won the shoot-off 20-19 after both Indian archers shot 10s while Korea shot a 9.

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- [Baranica Elangovan Claims India's First-Ever Asian Games Pole Vault Medal at Aichi-Nagoya 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/baranica-elangovan-claims-india-s-first-ever-asian-games-pole-vault-medal-at-aic)
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