Bank of Japan Lifts Key Rate to 1.25%, Highest Since 1995, to Fight Rising Prices
Key Updates:
- The Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its main interest rate from 1% to 1.25% on Friday, a level not seen since 1995.
- The BOJ has hiked rates six times in the last two and a half years, beginning from minus 0.1% in 2024.
- Japan's core inflation eased to 1.7% in August from 1.8% in July, remaining close to the BOJ's 2% target.
- The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in over three years, while the European Central Bank also increased borrowing costs earlier this month.
- In August, Japan and the United States jointly intervened to halt a slide in the yen after it fell to a fresh 40-year low, the first coordinated intervention since 2011.
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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on September 14, 2026 that India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation for August 2026 reached 9.92%, up from 9.78% in July 2026. Inflation in the fuel and energy…
The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points, the first hike under Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, with a unanimous vote and median dots projecting one more 25 bps hike this year. The hike was largely priced…
The Finance Ministry has kept interest rates unchanged for all major post office small savings schemes for the July-September quarter of financial year 2026-27. For the period from July 1 to September 30, 2026, the rates…
India's Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation rose to 4.82% in August 2026 from 4.45% in July 2026, while food inflation increased to 5.95% from 5.52%, as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme…
Lam Research to Invest Rs 10,000 Crore in First Silicon Component Manufacturing Facility in India
Key Updates:
- Semiconductor equipment maker Lam Research announced plans to invest around Rs 10,000 crore to set up its first silicon component manufacturing facility in India.
- The facility will support a vertically integrated process spanning silicon ingot production and processing for advanced semiconductor technologies and leading-edge nodes.
- Lam intends to make the investment over the next several years, alongside augmenting its advanced research and development operations.
- The R&D augmentation builds on Lam's India Center for Engineering, which supports design, testing, validation, and next-generation technology development for customers globally.
- Rangesh Raghavan is the Corporate Vice President and Managing Director of Lam Research India.
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Fujifilm announced an investment of around ₹800 crore (about USD 83 million) to set up a greenfield semiconductor materials manufacturing facility in India, to be developed in two phases starting October 2026. Commercial…
The Green Forge Complex, inaugurated at the National Agri-food & Biomanufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI) in Mohali, features controlled simulation chambers for genetically modified crop experimentation. The facility can…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 17, a three-day event running from September 17 to 19 with over 600 exhibitors and around 300…
Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group will establish a 50-acre integrated superalloy manufacturing facility in Telangana with an investment of over ₹600 crore. The facility will have an annual production capacity of approximately…
DGFT Approves Import of 642 UK Cars Under India-UK FTA Quota
Key Updates:
- The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) approved applications from seven companies to import 642 cars from the UK for the remainder of 2026 under the tariff rate quota (TRQ) provisions of the India-UK free trade agreement, having received applications from eight companies.
- Only original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealers, and channel partners duly authorised by UK OEMs were eligible to apply for the TRQ.
- Under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), effective July 15, India will allow import of 3.78 lakh conventional-engine passenger cars from the UK at concessional customs duty over the first 15 years.
- Tariffs on automotive imports will fall from around 110 per cent to 10 per cent, with duties on standard petrol and diesel cars initially dropping to 30–50 per cent before reaching 10 per cent by the fifth year.
- Annual TRQ caps start at 20,000 units in the first year and rise to 37,000 units by year five, within the overall 15-year ceiling of 3.78 lakh vehicles.
- DGFT had invited applications in July for the 2026 import quota of about 5,000 units for fully-built passenger cars and goods vehicles, with uptake in the first round well below the ceiling.
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The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect on July 16, 2026, after four years of negotiations. This is India's first comprehensive trade deal with a developed country.
India has notified the procedure for importers to claim quota-based tariff concessions on vehicle imports from the United Kingdom (UK) under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The Directorate…
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocation procedure under the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The India-Oman CEPA came into force on 1…
FSSAI Initiates Three Adjudication Cases Against Nestle India Over Infant Nutrition Products
Key Updates:
- FSSAI has filed three separate adjudication cases against Nestle India Limited concerning NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1 and a follow-up formula manufactured by the company.
- Two cases relate to promotional claims on NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 (claims of '5 HMOs' and 'Whey Protein') and Lactogen Pro 1 (whey protein described as easy to digest), both cited as contraventions of Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
- The third case concerns a follow-up formula sample found sub-standard in biotin content in laboratory analysis, with the Referral Laboratory also finding it did not conform to the prescribed biotin requirement under the 2020 regulations.
- The FSSAI notice also cites the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, which restricts advertisement and promotion of infant milk substitutes and certain infant foods.
- Nestle India stated its products are fully compliant, that the labels of NAN Excella Pro and Lactogen Pro were approved by FSSAI's expert committee, and that it has submitted a detailed response to the authorities.
- The initiation of proceedings does not mean the products are banned or unsafe; the outcome depends on the adjudication proceedings.
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) suspended the nutraceutical manufacturing licence of Dior Pharmaceuticals. The suspension followed inspection of the company's manufacturing unit in Punjab, which…
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on Storia Foods and Beverages Private Limited and Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Limited (English Oven) for misleading '100%' claims on…
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposed front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food and drinks high in sugar, fat or salt. The proposed label is a red-coloured hexagonal shape for products…
The Supreme Court rejected the packaged food industry's plea to use per-serve measurements for determining high fat, salt and sugar content under front-of-pack labelling (FOPL), calling the proposal a 'red herring'. The…
Health Ministry Proposes CCTV Surveillance Mandate for Sale of Schedule H, H1 and X Drugs Under Drugs Rules, 1945
Key Updates:
- The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945 to mandate CCTV surveillance at licensed premises for the sale of prescription drugs.
- The proposal aims to curb unauthorised access to and sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs, which include prescription-only medicines, antibiotics, habit-forming sedatives, and high-risk narcotics and psychotropic substances.
- The proposal was deliberated by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) and circulated to the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which recommended its approval.
- Under the draft notification, CCTV footage must be preserved for three months, and the mandate will not apply to wholesale dealing.
- Stakeholders and the public have been invited to submit suggestions and objections within 30 days.
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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, on July 10, 2026. Medicinal formulations containing more than 12% v/v ethyl alcohol in quantities exceeding 30 mL now require manufacturing…
The Central Government amended the Drugs Rules, 1945 to bring cell or stem cell derived products, gene therapeutic products, and xenografts under the Centrally License Approving Authority (CLAA) framework. The amendment…
The Union Health Ministry has imposed restrictions on the manufacture, sale and distribution of all fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride. The restriction…
The Union Ministry of Health (Health Ministry) notified amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, to expand the QR code-based track-and-trace framework under Schedule H2. Schedule H2 now includes all vaccines, antimicrobials…
Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 Campaign Begins With Theme 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat'
Key Updates:
- The Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign commenced on September 17, 2026, with the theme 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat', announced by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil.
- The campaign launch coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17.
- According to the minister, 5.25 lakh villages have been declared free of open defecation and 12.22 crore individual household toilets have been built in rural areas since 2014.
- Over 18 crore citizens participated in the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign last year, of whom 14 crore were from rural areas.
- The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation launched Swachh Seva Aankalan, under which gram panchayats will undertake self-assessment of rural sanitation service delivery under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
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The Ministry of Steel and its government-run companies will launch Special Campaign 6.0 on October 2, 2026, focusing on effective collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste. The month-long campaign will run until…
Swachh Seva Aankalan (SSA), developed by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen 2.0, provides an annual Gram Panchayat-level digital self-assessment of rural sanitation…
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026 is a nationwide month-long public outreach and public service campaign running from September 17 to October 17, 2026, marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service. The…
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a meeting in New Delhi on August 22 to finalise the roadmap for the 'Modi@25' celebrations. The 'Modi@25' celebrations mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years in public…
Six States Sign MoA for Kishau Multipurpose Project on Tons River with 90% Central Funding for Water Component
Key Updates:
- Chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the Kishau multipurpose project on September 16, 2026, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- The Kishau project is proposed on the Tons River, a major tributary of the Yamuna, in Uttarakhand's Dehradun district and Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district.
- The project envisages a 232.6-metre-high concrete gravity dam with a live storage capacity of 1,562 million cubic metres, irrigation benefits to about 0.97 lakh hectares, and annual energy generation of approximately 1,476 million units.
- The meeting decided that 90% of the cost of the water component will be borne by the Central government, with the remaining 10% shared by the six participating states.
- The project will be implemented by Kishau Corporation Limited, a joint venture of the Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments.
- Himachal Pradesh's share of water will be allocated to Delhi and Rajasthan in return for sharing the cost of Himachal Pradesh's portion of the power component.
- The Kishau agreement is the third project-specific construction agreement among the six Upper Yamuna basin states, after Renuka ji and Lakhwar multipurpose projects, which are already under construction.
- With the MoA signed, the Kishau project will be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.
- The Upper Yamuna basin states had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 12, 1994, for sharing the utilisable surface water of the Yamuna up to Okhla Barrage.
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Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh signed a pact in New Delhi to settle pending payments under the Narmada Award. The agreement provides for a one-time settlement of long-pending disputes related to the…
REC Limited and Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) signed a Rs 26,850 crore common loan agreement with Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited (MUNPL) to finance a 2,400 MW thermal power expansion in Uttar Pradesh. MUNPL is…
JSW Neo Energy, a subsidiary of JSW Energy, signed a shareholders' agreement with Bhutan's Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) to jointly develop the 920 MW Punatsangchhu-III hydroelectric project. The joint venture…
The United States (US), Israel, and Lebanon signed the Trilateral Framework agreement in Washington, DC, on June 26, 2026, to establish peace following conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement mandates the…
NIELIT Ahmedabad Gets Infineon-Supported Centre of Excellence for Semiconductor Backend Manufacturing, Inaugurated by Union Minister Jitin Prasada
Key Updates:
- The NIELIT–Infineon Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Semiconductor Manufacturing was inaugurated virtually on 16 September 2026 at NIELIT Ahmedabad, Gujarat, by Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada.
- The CoE was set up by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with Infineon Technologies, in the presence of Infineon CEO Jochen Hanebeck, NIELIT Director General Madan Mohan Tripathi, German Charge d'Affaires Georg Enzweiler and Gujarat State Electronics Mission Director Neha Kumari.
- Infineon Technologies is supporting the CoE with eight units of industry-grade semiconductor backend manufacturing equipment: 2 ASM AD838 Die/Glue Bonders, 2 SHINKAWA UTC1000 Wire Bonders, 2 BESI FICO Moulding Machines and 2 BESI FICO Trim-and-Form Machines.
- The equipment enables learners to practise sequential operations of die bonding, wire bonding, moulding, trimming and lead forming, giving exposure to actual semiconductor backend manufacturing workflows.
- The CoE will cater to diploma holders, engineering students, technicians, working professionals and faculty, and will support short-term and long-term training programmes, laboratory modules, faculty development programmes, training-of-trainers initiatives and industry-oriented curricula in semiconductor packaging and backend manufacturing.
- The NIELIT–Infineon partnership began with the signing of the first understanding on 17 March 2025 in the presence of Jitin Prasada.
- NIELIT Ahmedabad will serve as a model that can be replicated and scaled through NIELIT's national network to build a sustainable, industry-led approach to semiconductor skilling.
- The initiative supports India's expanding semiconductor manufacturing, Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) capabilities, and complements the objectives of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
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The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) is establishing two Centres of Excellence for semiconductor skilling in Ahmedabad and Guwahati. The Centres will provide training in OSAT…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The facility marks the commissioning of India's third semiconductor manufacturing plant.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 17, a three-day event running from September 17 to 19 with over 600 exhibitors and around 300…
The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) and the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) launched an indigenous 1.2-micron Process Design Kit (PDK) on the eChipHub platform. The PDK is accessible…
MeitY Clears AI Centre of Excellence in Bhubaneswar; Blue Cloud Softech to Contribute Rs 4 Crore Under IndiaAI Mission
Key Updates:
- The proposed Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence (AI-CoE) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha has received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society under MeitY, will implement the centre under the IndiaAI Mission.
- STPI has confirmed Hyderabad-based Blue Cloud Softech Solutions as the industry partner, which will contribute Rs 4 crore and provide industry leadership, mentorship and strategic support to startups.
- The AI-CoE's initial application areas include healthcare, governance, disaster management, education and industrial use cases, with priority areas also covering oceanography, coastal fisheries, tidal and ocean energy, and women and child development.
- STPI has earmarked around 10,000 square feet of built-up space with supporting infrastructure for the centre.
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Seven students from Chandigarh University (CU) have been awarded the IndiaAI Fellowship of Rs. 1 lakh each for innovative projects in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Under the IndiaAI Mission, the…
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has granted in-principle approval to NSHIPOL under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) for a Rs 24,700 crore shipbuilding cluster in Odisha. The cluster will be…
The Andhra Pradesh government approved the establishment of a dedicated Quantum and Artificial Intelligence (AI) university campus in Amaravati. The campus will be set up by the National Institute of Electronics and…
HCLTech has announced an investment of ₹14,257 crore to set up its first AI data centre at the Odisha Sovereign AI Park. The project is in partnership with sovereign AI startup Sarvam and the Odisha government, which…
India Hosts 43rd Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference at New Delhi Headquarters from 17 to 19 September 2026
Key Updates:
- The 43rd edition of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders’ Conference, the Service’s apex annual forum for 2026, was held at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi, from 17 to 19 September 2026.
- Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth addressed the ICG’s senior leadership at the official opening of the conference.
- The three-day conference, billed as the ICG’s highest-level professional forum, covered current and emerging maritime security challenges, operational readiness and resource deployment, and a roadmap for capability enhancement and force modernisation.
- The conference reviewed ongoing initiatives to bolster indigenisation under the Make in India programme, in alignment with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- A Request for Information is in progress for ten Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones for the ICG’s Aviation Wing, aimed at extending surveillance reach across the exclusive economic zone.
- Shipyards and design houses met at Coast Guard Headquarters in July to convert broad qualitative requirements into measurable specifications for future Special Role and Multi-role platforms.
- The ICG was raised in 1977, and 2027 marks the completion of its golden jubilee.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced two policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard on July 28, 2026. The first reform introduces a gender-neutral framework for officer induction and career progression, allowing women…
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over the 51.43-metre fast patrol vessel ICGS Ajit to the Indian Coast Guard on 25 August 2026. The vessel, designated Yard 1277, was formally handed over after the First Reading…
The 7th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) was held in Chennai on August 25, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani and VCG Vice…
United States Includes India, China and Pakistan in FY-27 List of Major Drug Transit or Illicit Drug-Producing Countries
Key Updates:
- The United States, in its annual presidential determination submitted to the US Congress on September 15, identified 23 countries, including India, China and Pakistan, as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027.
- US President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government's efforts to curb illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply chain integrity, and looked forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework.
- The determination highlighted China as the world's largest producer of many precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl and methamphetamine, and Trump said the PRC needs to schedule additional chemical precursors requested by the United States.
- Venezuela was given a positive assessment, with Trump determining it should no longer be designated as having failed demonstrably to fulfil its drug control commitments under interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
- Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia were designated as having failed demonstrably over the previous 12 months to fulfil their international counternarcotics obligations.
- Inclusion on the list does not necessarily reflect a government's counterdrug efforts, as countries are identified based on geographic, commercial and economic factors.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed all airlines to conduct a one-time drug screening of all pilots by July 2027, with testing already underway across airlines. The directive follows an Air…
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced the name of Pakistan's first lunar rover as Jinnah-1. Jinnah-1 is scheduled to travel to the Moon in 2029 aboard China's Chang'e-8 mission.
Lahore has been designated as the Tourism and Cultural Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2026-27. The decision was announced at the 26th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek…
The White House report titled 'The Great Transhipment Scam', prepared by US President Donald Trump's adviser Peter Navarro, estimated illegal transhipment of Chinese goods at roughly $60 billion. India was placed in Tier…
India and Japan to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties in 2027
Key Updates:
- India and Japan will mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027.
- Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reaffirmed the special strategic partnership between India and Japan, calling India a trusted partner sharing strategic direction with Japan.
- Motegi will attend the United Nations General Assembly after 20 September 2026, where he will meet foreign ministers including India's representative.
- 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Japan joining the United Nations.
- Plans are underway to expand India-Japan exchanges in cultural, artistic, sporting, scientific, and municipal fields during the anniversary year.
- Motegi emphasised security guarantees including economic security, and leveraging investment and innovation to build a mutually complementary India-Japan relationship.
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit New Delhi from July 1 to 3 for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. The visit marks the first official trip to India for Sanae Takaichi since assuming office.
India and Vietnam agreed to observe 2027 as the 'Year of India-Vietnam Friendship' to mark the 55th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations, at the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting co-chaired by…
Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is observed on June 25. The day commemorates 50 years of the Emergency.
The Indian and Japanese men's cricket teams will play each other for the first time ever on September 22 ahead of the 2026 Asian Games at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture. The historic fixture…
India Pushes Trade Facilitation as SCO Ministers Conclude 25th Economic Meeting in Dushanbe
Key Updates:
- The 25th Meeting of the Ministers of Economy and Foreign Trade of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on September 17, 2026, covering trade facilitation, resilient supply chains, digital commerce, connectivity and the 2026–30 economic cooperation action plan.
- India was represented by Yashvir Singh, who framed its position around three pillars — Security, Connectivity and Opportunity — outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO summit in Bishkek earlier in September 2026.
- Ministers adopted a Statement of the Ministers of Economy and Foreign Trade of SCO Member States and agreed on an Action Plan for 2026–2030 for implementing the SCO Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation, to be forwarded to the Council of Heads of Government for approval.
- The ministers approved regulations for an SCO special working group on the development of the creative economy.
- India called for simpler customs procedures, paperless trade, electronic exchange of trade documents, stronger multimodal connectivity, and supply chain cooperation in agriculture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and electronics.
- India highlighted digital payments, cross-border payments and accessible trade finance for small and medium enterprises and start-ups, and reiterated support for a WTO-centred, rules-based multilateral trading system.
- The next SCO economic and foreign trade ministers' meeting is scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan in 2027.
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2026 will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026. The summit marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO, with the slogan '25 years of the SCO…
The India-Afghanistan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade, Commerce and Investment convened a virtual meeting on September erse 1, erse 2026. The meeting reviewed existing measures and identified new avenues for…
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday during the BRICS summit in India, marking the countries' highest-level meeting since the start of the…
The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026. The summit marked the 25th anniversary of the SCO and was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr…
United States Clears $24.3 Billion Foreign Military Sale of 48 F-35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia
Key Updates:
- The US Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 48 F-35 Lightning 2 fighter aircraft and related equipment to Saudi Arabia at an estimated cost of USD 24.3 billion.
- The package includes 48 F-35 aircraft with conventional takeoff and landing capability and 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, comprising 48 installed engines and one spare engine.
- The sale also covers secure communications, precision navigation and cryptographic equipment, electronic warfare database support, simulators, spare parts, training equipment, software, technical documentation and logistics support.
- The State Department said the sale would strengthen Saudi Arabia's homeland defence and improve interoperability with US, regional and NATO forces, while not altering the regional military balance.
- Principal contractors are Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, based in East Hartford, Connecticut.
- No additional US government or contractor representatives would need to be assigned to Saudi Arabia for implementation, and no offset agreement has been proposed so far.
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Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their control over a key maritime shipping route near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The…
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed on August 7, 2026, by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, with a collective defence principle treating an attack on one as an attack on all. Iran has reportedly been invited…
Saudi Arabia has officially launched a multinational maritime defense coalition involving representatives from 39 countries. The coalition aims to strengthen maritime security and protect trade and energy routes in the…
India Retains 131st Position in Global Gender Gap Index 2026 as Iceland Keeps Top Rank
Key Updates:
- India retained the 131st rank among 145 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2026, released by the World Economic Forum on September 16, 2026, with only 14 countries ranked below it.
- Iceland, Finland and Norway held the top three positions, with Iceland the only country to have closed more than 90 per cent of its gender gap.
- Globally, 69.2 per cent of the gender gap has been closed, up 0.4 percentage points from the previous year, but full parity remains 120 years away, according to the WEF.
- India's gender parity stood at 64.5 per cent, below the global average; its overall parity has risen 4.3 percentage points since 2006, mainly due to gains in educational attainment.
- India's 2026 subindex scores: Economic Participation and Opportunity 41.2 per cent, Educational Attainment 96.6 per cent, Health and Survival 95.6 per cent, and Political Empowerment 24.5 per cent with a global rank of 67th.
- Chad was the lowest-ranked country, with Iran and Pakistan joining it in the bottom three.
- In its 20th year, the index benchmarked 145 economies across four dimensions: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
- Australia entered the top 10 for the first time; Namibia climbed four places to fourth as the highest-ranked Sub-Saharan African country, followed by the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden, Australia, Germany and Ireland.
- Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden are the only four economies to have appeared in every top 10 since 2006.
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The Global Liveability Index 2026 was released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The index assessed and ranked a total of 173 cities based on liveability parameters.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed India's efforts to modernise its statistical framework, noting that the new Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Producer Price Index (PPI) series incorporated into the…
The 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) evaluates 177 nations across 47 metrics and 12 key issue categories related to climate change, ecosystem vitality, and environmental public health. Estonia topped the 2026…
Delhi topped the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025 released by NITI Aayog with a score of 84, followed by Maharashtra (78), Karnataka (73), Chandigarh (71) and Goa (65). IEMI 2025 is the second edition of the…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to Deliver Tejas Trainers and HTT-40 Aircraft to Indian Air Force on September 18
Key Updates:
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will hand over LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance (FOC) twin-seater trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), and Dhruv Next Generation (NG) helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited, in Bengaluru on September 18, 2026.
- The handover will take place in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.
- Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K, and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Civil Aviation will attend the event.
- The induction of these indigenous platforms is a step towards strengthening India's self-reliance in aerospace and reducing dependence on foreign sources.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will revive production of Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at its Nashik facility. The new batch comprises 12 aircraft planned for delivery to the Indian Air Force by 2029.
The HAL Airport in Bengaluru has become the first airport in India to operationalise a satellite-guided helicopter approach. The RNP CAT H procedure uses satellite-based navigation to guide helicopters along precise…
Samtel HAL Display Systems (SHDS), a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Samtel Avionics, inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Gurugram on August 26, 2026. The facility is India's first…
HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines signed a final contract with their joint venture SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. to develop and manufacture the Aravalli turboshaft engine. The Aravalli engine is in the 3,500-4,000…
Odisha Minister Says Agencies Probing International Links in Orangutan Smuggling Case
Key Updates:
- Odisha forest and environment minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said the Special Task Force (STF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) are investigating possible international links in the illegal smuggling of rescued orangutans in the state.
- A joint probe across several states has been initiated to trace the smuggling network, which may take around a month to conclude, while the primary accused within Odisha have been arrested.
- All five rescued orangutans are currently healthy; three of four primates tested positive for anaemia, one severely and two mildly, while results for the other two are pending.
- The orangutans are being given iron supplements along with fruit and vegetable-rich diets, and veterinarians have taken chest, stomach and skull X-rays and collected blood, serum and nasopharyngeal swab samples for tests.
- Dr Indramani Nath, former Project Coordinator at OUAT Wild Animal Medical Centre, said the orangutans were hand-fed with milk bottles from a young age without mothers' milk, causing malnutrition and anaemia.
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The Odisha Cabinet approved a new agricultural marketing law to replace the Odisha Agricultural Produce Markets (OAPM) Act, 1956. The new law removes geographical restrictions on the sale and purchase of agricultural…
The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 came into force after receiving President Droupadi Murmu's assent and being published in the official gazette. The Act was notified in the Maharashtra state gazette on July…
Wanted drug trafficker Virender Singh Basoya was brought back from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and arrested at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on August 14, 2026. Basoya was arrested in the UAE in June…
A new catfish species, Pseudolaguvia khairii, has been discovered in the Budhabalanga river in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. The species is named after the legendary tigress Khairi, who was rescued as an orphaned cub…
TCS Introduces Custom SoC Design Services for Automotive OEMs
Key Updates:
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) launched Custom System-on-Chip (SoC) Design Services for automotive original equipment manufacturers and semiconductor ecosystem companies.
- The services enable automakers to conceive, design, verify and implement custom SoC solutions for next-generation software-defined vehicles, covering architecture, design, verification, implementation, software integration and system validation.
- The launch responds to automakers' shift towards centralised computing and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), aiming to improve performance-per-watt and align compute capabilities with software requirements.
- Sreenivasa Chakravarti, Global Head & Vice President of Industrial Autonomy and Engineering at TCS, said the company combines semiconductor engineering, embedded software and systems expertise to help automakers translate silicon strategies into mobility platforms.
- TCS shares traded flat in Thursday's intraday session, having fallen nearly 5% over the past month and more than 9% over six months.
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DeepSeek is developing its own AI inference chip to reduce reliance on Nvidia and Huawei. The chip is designed for AI inference, which is the stage where a trained AI model answers user questions, rather than for…
Qualcomm and Amazon will jointly develop multiple generations of customised chips for Amazon Web Services' (AWS) AI data centre infrastructure, focusing on chips used for AI inference. The partnership also covers…
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a multi-million, multi-year deal with ABB to transform its global network operations. The deal marks a 20-year partnership milestone between TCS and ABB.
Astronomers Confirm Jupiter-Size Elias 2-24 b as the Youngest Known Planet, Less Than 1 Million Years Old
Key Updates:
- Astronomers have confirmed Elias 2-24 b, a Jupiter-mass planet less than 1 million years old, as the youngest known planet, orbiting a star about 450 light-years from Earth.
- The study, led by Andrea Bernardi of Universidad Diego Portales in Chile, was published on September 16, 2026 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
- The planet was confirmed using archived observations from the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii from 2018 and 2020, combined with earlier ALMA and Very Large Telescope detections of a gap in the star's dusty disk.
- Elias 2-24 b orbits about 55 times farther from its star than Earth is from the Sun, challenging models suggesting a Jupiter-size planet should take about 5 million years to form at such distances.
- The previous youngest-planet record was a four-way tie between two planets around PDS 70 and two around WISPIT 2, all more than 5 million years old.
- NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launched August 30, 2026, carries an advanced coronagraph that could detect more such forming planets in tighter orbits.
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Astronomers discovered a rocky exoplanet named GJ 523b, informally dubbed a 'mega-Earth'. GJ 523b has a mass 23 times that of Earth and a radius about 2.55 times larger.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered a new giant exoplanet, Beta Pictoris d, in the Beta Pictoris system. The planet was identified using moderate-resolution spectroscopy, marking the first discovery of a…
Astronomers detected a helium-rich atmosphere around the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140b, which orbits in the habitable zone of a nearby M dwarf star. The planet has a mass of about 5.6 Earth masses and a radius of 1.73 Earth…
A team of astronomers led by the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) discovered an Earth-like exoplanet named GJ 3378b. The planet is located approximately 25 light-years from the Solar System and orbits within…
Scientists Discover New Conger Eel Species in Arabian Sea, Name It After Marine Fisheries Research Institute
Key Updates:
- Scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) discovered a new conger eel species from the deep waters of the Arabian Sea and named it Ariosoma cmfriense to mark the institute's 80th anniversary year.
- The species was found off Kollam at a depth of about 300 metres in January 2026.
- It was identified as distinct based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, and distinguished from 12 recognised Ariosoma species in Indian and neighbouring waters.
- Distinctive features include a low total vertebral count of 135, 127-130 lateral-line pores, a plain pectoral fin, a dark patch over the operculum, and fine black speckling below the lateral line.
- The discovery was made under the Deep Ocean Mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, led by Principal Scientist Dr Rekha J Nair.
- The holotype has been deposited in the CMFRI Marine Biodiversity Museum and a scientific paper was published in the journal Zootaxa.
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The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) discovered a new deep-sea fish species in the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala. The species is named Cyttopsis indica (Indian dory) and belongs to the genus…
Venomous Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake Reappears on Southern California Beach After Nearly a Decade
Key Updates:
- A yellow-bellied sea snake, one of the world's most venomous sea snakes, was found at Crystal Cove State Beach in Orange County, Southern California, on the night of September 11 by Jackie Aguilar, marking the species' first sighting in the area in nearly ten years (eight years since 2018).
- Certified marine naturalist Capt. Chad Steffen confirmed the identification, noting that while its venom can be fatal to humans, the snake is clumsy and slow on land and not aggressive.
- The species is identified by a dark brown or black back, a bright yellow underside, and a flattened paddle-like tail adapted for swimming.
- Yellow-bellied sea snakes normally inhabit the warmer tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and their appearance in Southern California is linked to changing weather patterns such as El Nino affecting ocean surface temperatures.
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SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets within 38 minutes on August 15, 2026, setting a new company record for the shortest gap between orbital launches. The first Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station…
The rare Laudankia Vine Snake (Ahaetulla laudankia) was photographed in Udaipur's Ubeshwar Wildlife Area on July 12, 2026, by wildlife photographer Rohit Dwivedi. The species was last recorded in Udaipur nearly three…
GI-tagged Mithila Makhana was exported from Bihar to Australia by sea for the first time in August 2026. The 18-metric-tonne consignment was procured directly from farmers in Darbhanga, Bihar, providing them nearly 18…
Project Cheetah, launched at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, completed four years on September 17, 2026, with India's cheetah population standing at 52, including 32 born in the country. Prime Minister Narendra…
Key Updates:
- L&T Semiconductor Technologies (LTSCT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro, unveiled 40 products at SEMICON India 2026, including its first silicon carbide (SiC) product platform and a fully designed-in-India BLDC motor controller.
- The key product is LTSCT's 1200V silicon carbide MOSFET platform developed for power conversion applications such as EV fast chargers, microgrids, solid-state transformers and traction inverters, alongside its first in-house SiC power modules and devices.
- The 40-product portfolio also includes a USB-C GaN charger and a Vision Camera SoC combining image processing with on-device AI acceleration, plus a Secure Identity Platform for e-passports, payment cards and national ID systems.
- In connectivity and RF, LTSCT is showcasing four indigenously designed modules for smart metering, automotive applications and digital payments, including the LCC43 Dynamic QR and Soundbox proof of concept for NPCI's proposed Trusted Device Layer.
- The showcase is presented under the theme "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem" and is aligned with the Semicon 2.0 initiative, with applications spanning secure identity, surveillance, connectivity, computing and power electronics.
- Dr Sandeep Kumar is the Chief Executive of L&T Semiconductor Technologies Limited.
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Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured an ultra-mega offshore contract valued at ₹15,000+ crore from ADNOC Offshore. The contract will be executed through a consortium led by L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore (LTEH Offshore).
On August 7, 2026, SK Hynix announced an investment of 54 trillion Korean won ($38.1 billion) to build two new memory chip manufacturing plants. The investment includes 35.2 trillion won for the Yongin 'Y2' fab and 19.1…
Odisha is set to get a ₹3,406.25 crore semiconductor manufacturing facility by SiCSem Private Limited, a Tamil Nadu-based company, approved at the 217th meeting of the Unit Approval Committee (UAC) of Falta SEZ. The unit…
Larsen & Toubro delivered Samarthak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel, at Kattupalli on 27 August 2026. Samarthak has over 75 percent indigenous content and was built under the Ministry of…
Abhishek Sharma Smashes 30-Ball Hundred to Record Fastest T20I Century by an Indian
Key Updates:
- Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest century by an Indian in men's T20 internationals, reaching 100 in 30 balls against Afghanistan in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, breaking Rohit Sharma's record of a 35-ball century made against Sri Lanka in December 2017.
- His knock included 10 sixes and nine fours, and was also the fastest T20I century by any batter against a Test-playing nation.
- It was Abhishek Sharma's third T20I century, to go with 12 half-centuries.
- India, led by Shreyas Iyer, had already sealed the three-match series 2-0 before the third T20I, with Afghanistan winning the toss and opting to field.
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India captain Harmanpreet Kaur became the first player across both women's and men's international cricket to play 200 T20 Internationals (T20Is) during a match against South Africa in Manchester. Kaur made her…
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a T20I fifty at the age of 15 years and 118 days. He achieved this record during the 1st T20I between India and Zimbabwe at Harare.
Rohit Sharma scored 138 runs off 110 balls in the third ODI against England on July 19, 2026. He became the oldest Indian to score an ODI century at 39 years and 80 days, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record.
Shree Charani became the fastest Indian bowler to take 50 wickets in women's T20I cricket, achieving the feat at 22 years and 37 days during India's Women's Asia Cup semifinal win over Bangladesh at Dubai International…
Indian Para-Shooters Millie Shah and Rakesh Nidagundi Win Gold and Silver at Changwon 2026 WSPS World Championships
Key Updates:
- Indian para-shooters Millie Shah and Rakesh Nidagundi won Gold and Silver in team events at the Changwon 2026 WSPS World Championships in South Korea.
- Millie Shah, a Vijayi Bharat Foundation (VBF) athlete, won the Gold Medal in the R2 Team Event, while fellow VBF athlete Rakesh Nidagundi secured the Silver Medal in the R1 Team Event.
- These results mark India's first-ever team medals in rifle at the Para Shooting World Championships.
- Both athletes train at VBF's High-Performance Centre.
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India's men's and women's teams won the Junior Asia Cup hockey titles at Moqi in China. The Indian men's team defeated South Korea 4-1 in the final to successfully defend its title, becoming the first team in tournament…
The Asian Games 2026 will be held from September 19 across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan, marking the 20th edition of the Games since it was first held in 1951. More than 15,000 athletes from across Asia and…
Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named as the flag-bearers for the Indian contingent at the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to officially…
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the China Masters 2026 men's doubles title. They defeated China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in the final.
Hyderabad Liberation Day 2026: Vice-President Radhakrishnan Marks September 17 History and Significance
Key Updates:
- Hyderabad Liberation Day is observed on September 17, commemorating the merger of Hyderabad state with the Indian Union on September 17, 1948, through Operation Polo.
- Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan took part in the 79th Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations held at Parade Ground in Secunderabad on September 17, 2026.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as India's first Home Minister and Minister for States, led the integration of hundreds of princely states into the Indian Union.
- The Vice-President paid homage to patriots including Ramji Gond, Turrebaz Khan and Komaram Bheem for their role against injustice.
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World Coconut Day is observed annually on September 2. The first World Coconut Day was celebrated in 2009.
Hindi Diwas is observed every year on 14 September; in 2026 it falls on a Monday, and it is an observance day, not a public holiday. On 14 September 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India accepted Hindi in Devanagari…
Eid Milad-un-Nabi, also known as Mawlid, commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. In 2026, Eid Milad-un-Nabi falls on August 26.
National Flag Day, also known as National Flag Adoption Day, is observed in India on July 22 every year. The day commemorates the adoption of the Tiranga by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947.
World Bamboo Day 2026: Observed on 18 September with Theme 'Bamboo for a Regenerative Future'
Key Updates:
- World Bamboo Day is observed every year on 18 September and was established in 2009 by the World Bamboo Organization (WBO).
- The date 18 September is associated with the 8th World Bamboo Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2009.
- The theme of World Bamboo Day 2026 is 'Bamboo for a Regenerative Future: A Global Call to Grow, Build and Prosper with Nature'.
- Bamboo development is linked to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
- Bamboo is used in construction, furniture, textiles, paper, food products and bio-based applications, and supports rural livelihoods and ecosystem restoration.
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $42.2 million Small Expenditure Financing Facility (SEFF) to support the development of the bamboo industry in India's northeastern region. The facility will support…
United Nations Observes International Day for Interventional Cardiology on September 16
Key Updates:
- The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September as the International Day for Interventional Cardiology in September 2022 to raise public awareness of cardiovascular diseases, their procedures, complications, prevention and care.
- The first coronary angioplasty was performed by Dr. Andreas Grüntzig on 16 September 1977.
- Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths in 2019, representing 32 per cent of all global deaths, of which 85 per cent were due to heart attack and stroke.
- Non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70 per cent of all deaths worldwide.
- Over three quarters of deaths from cardiovascular diseases take place in low- and middle-income countries.
- The World Health Organization's Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013-2020 aims to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 25 per cent by 2025 through nine voluntary global targets.
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The International Space Summit 2026 was held in Paris on 9 and 10 September 2026, aiming to open dialogue on challenges facing the space sector. The summit brought together Heads of State and Government, representatives…
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed every year on September 10 as a global awareness day for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 is 'Changing the Narrative…
International Equal Pay Day is observed annually on September 18, a date established by the United Nations (UN) through Resolution A/RES/74/142. The Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) was formed in 2017 as a…
The International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South is observed annually on 16 September. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly established this day in 2024 through Resolution 78/259.
Santosh Davakhar's Marathi film Gondhal selected as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards
Key Updates:
- Marathi film Gondhal, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been chosen as India's official entry in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, selected by the Film Federation of India (FFI) from 33 contenders.
- Gondhal is a 117-minute thriller set in rural Maharashtra over one night against the backdrop of the traditional Gondhal ritual, starring Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni and Nishad Bhoir.
- Santosh Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) for Gondhal.
- Gondhal is the fourth Marathi film to be India's official Oscar entry, after Shwaas (2005), Harishchandrachi Factory (2009) and Court (2015).
- The 99th Academy Awards will be held on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Conan O'Brien for the third consecutive year.
- India is yet to win the Best International Feature Film award, with only Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan having reached the final nominations.
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Veteran actor Anant Nag has been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema, with the announcement made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on September 16, 2026. He will…
Kashmir hosted its first-ever four-day international film festival, beginning September 7, 2026, in Srinagar. The festival opened with the screening of the Lebanese film 'Dead Dog', directed by Sarah Francis, at the Inox…
The 72nd National Film Awards (NFA) ceremony will be held in Kevadia, Gujarat, shifting from its traditional venue at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The ceremony is scheduled for September 22, and President of India…
Malayalam filmmaker R Sarath died at the age of 65 at a private hospital in Trivandrum while undergoing treatment for health-related ailments. His best-known film Sayahnam (2000) won the Indira Gandhi Award and received…
Indian Railways Clears ₹493 Crore Mukutban-Gadchandur Railway Line Project in Maharashtra
Key Updates:
- Indian Railways has approved a ₹493 crore new railway line between Mukutban in Yavatmal district and Gadchandur in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, under South Central Railway.
- The 38.21-km line is expected to handle around 6.08 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight, including coal and coke, cement, sponge iron, iron and steel, metal scrap, fertilisers and foodgrains.
- The new line will provide an alternative route to the busy Wardha-Manikgarh section and reduce reliance on the Balharshah-Nagpur High-Density Network route.
- The corridor will create a direct connection to the Majri-Nanded railway route and support two MEMU services in each direction every day.
- The Ministry of Railways announced the approval on September 18, 2026.
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The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project achieved its 41st tunnel breakthrough with the final breakthrough of Escape Tunnel-1 on September 11, 2026. Escape Tunnel-1 is 10.847 km long, the second-longest tunnel in the…
Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the Chouk-Karjat railway section in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 497 crore. The project is part of the Panvel-Chouk-Karjat route, which serves as a corridor for both…
The Ministry of Railways approved the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0 on 712 route kilometres of Moradabad Division in Northern Railway at a total cost of ₹170 crore. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train…
Indian Railways has approved the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0 across 660 route km in the Izzatnagar Division of North Eastern Railway. The project is sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 295 crore.
ByteDance Founder Zhang Yiming Overtakes Gautam Adani to Become Asia’s Richest Person
Key Updates:
- ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming became Asia's richest person for the first time, overtaking Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, with his fortune crossing $105 billion on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index as of September 16, 2026.
- Zhang founded ByteDance in Beijing in 2012 and stepped down as its chief executive in November 2021; at 43, he is the youngest person in the global top 20.
- His fortune rose eightfold from $13 billion in March 2019, when Bloomberg began tracking his wealth; he passed Mukesh Ambani to become Asia's second-richest in June 2026.
- Zhang's wealth is driven mainly by ByteDance's AI business, including the Doubao chatbot with over 300 million monthly users and the Seedance video-generation tool, rather than TikTok.
- ByteDance settled the TikTok standoff with Washington in January 2026 by agreeing to a US joint venture with Oracle and Silver Lake.
- Gautam Adani is the only Indian in the global top 20 at 20th place, while Mukesh Ambani sits 23rd with about $81 billion.
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Joheirry Mola Dominguez was crowned Miss World 2026 at the grand finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on September 5. Spain's Elisabeth Reynés was named first runner-up, and Malaysia's Taanusiya Chetty was the second runner-up.
Lebanon's parliament approved a draft law abolishing the death penalty on August 11, 2026. Lebanon became the first country in West Asia to formally end capital punishment.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15 years and 157 days, became the youngest player to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history. Sooryavanshi scored 92 off 81 balls in East Zone's semi-final against Central Zone at the…
Smriti Mandhana became the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket, surpassing Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868 runs. She achieved the milestone during the Women's Asia Cup 2026 Group A match against Hong Kong…
Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani Named International Cricket Council (ICC) Deputy Chairperson Till November 2027
Key Updates:
- Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) until November 2027, replacing Singapore's Imran Khwaja.
- Mukuhlani becomes the first Zimbabwean to serve as ICC Deputy Chair, and the appointment comes as Zimbabwe prepares to co-host the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 with South Africa and Namibia.
- Mukuhlani currently serves on the ICC Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee and the Nominations Committee, and chairs the HR and Remuneration Committee.
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K Rajaraman's tenure as Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has been extended beyond July 31, 2026, until October 2028 or until further orders. He assumed charge as IFSCA…
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJ&E) appointed Bhagwat Prasad Makwana as Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK). Kaishab Bihari was appointed Vice-Chairperson of the…
An Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh is participating in the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) being held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 12 to 19 September.…
Rahul Himalian, Director (Tourism & Marketing) at the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has been given additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). The appointment takes effect from…
Sanjukta Parasor Becomes First Woman Inspector General of CRPF's CoBRA Commando Unit
Key Updates:
- IPS officer Sanjukta Parasor has been appointed the Inspector General of the CRPF special jungle warfare commando unit, CoBRA, becoming the first woman to hold the post.
- Parasor is a 2006-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
- The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) headquarters issued the appointment order last week, and Parasor will succeed 1996-batch IPS officer Danesh Rana as the IG of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).
- Parasor previously served in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and also worked in her cadre state of Assam.
- The CRPF raised CoBRA in 2008-09 to tackle Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in multiple Indian states and insurgency in certain Northeast states.
- The same order posted 2003-batch IPS officer V K Birdi as the new IG of the CRPF VIP security wing, replacing Sunil Joon, who has been posted to the force's officers' academy in Gurugram.
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Sanjukta Parashar, a 2006-batch IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has taken charge as Inspector General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)'s elite CoBRA unit, becoming the first woman officer to head the…
