Mastercard Completes Full Exit From Pine Labs, Offloads 4.31% Holding for Rs 933 Crore on BSE
Key Updates:
- Mastercard, through its affiliate Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte Ltd, sold its entire 4.31 per cent stake in Noida-based fintech firm Pine Labs for Rs 933.57 crore via 13 block deals on the BSE.
- The transaction involved 4,97,24,182 shares offloaded at an average price of Rs 187.75 apiece.
- Mutual funds managed by Kotak Mahindra, Edelweiss and Franklin Templeton, along with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, bought the shares at the same price.
- Foreign investors including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup Global Markets Singapore, BNP Paribas Arbitrage and Societe Generale were among the buyers.
- Shares of Pine Labs rose 2.07 per cent to close at Rs 197.55 apiece on the BSE.
- In June 2026, Actis, part of global growth investor General Atlantic, divested a little over 2 per cent stake in Pine Labs for Rs 371 crore and earlier sold nearly 1 per cent stake for Rs 152 crore.
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State Bank of India (SBI) has sold a 1.42% stake in its asset management arm, SBI Funds Management Ltd (SBIFM), to 30 investors for ₹1,655 crore in a pre-IPO placement round. The stake was sold at ₹574 per share, which…
Jammu & Kashmir Bank signed an escrow agreement with MetLife International and Barclays group companies to sell PNB MetLife India Insurance shares worth nearly Rs 120.10 crore. Each share will be sold at Rs 117.20 per…
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) acquired the remaining 39.14% stake in IBV Brasil Petroleo Limitada (IBV) for ₹2,312 crore. The acquisition, completed on July 1, 2026, increases the indirect shareholding of BPCL…
Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. (BPCL) has signed an agreement to acquire a 40 per cent equity stake in Tiki Tar and Shell India Private Limited (TTSIPL) for a cash consideration of ₹85 crores. The Department of Investment…
Asian Development Bank Lifts India's FY27 Growth Projection to 7% on Strong Q1 Performance
Key Updates:
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised India's GDP growth forecast for FY2026-27 (FY27) to 7 per cent, up from 6.6 per cent projected in July, citing stronger-than-expected Q1 performance with GDP expanding 7.8 per cent year-on-year.
- ADB now projects India's FY28 growth at 7.1 per cent, lower than its earlier forecast of 7.3 per cent, largely reflecting a stronger GDP base.
- ADB lowered India's FY27 inflation forecast from 5.2 per cent to 5 per cent, while FY28 inflation is expected at 4 per cent.
- India's central government capital expenditure rose 29.9 per cent in the first quarter of the current financial year, on track to meet its 11.5 per cent annual target.
- India's fiscal deficit is expected to stay around 4.3 per cent of GDP despite higher fertiliser subsidy spending and fuel tax cuts.
- India's foreign exchange reserves rose to USD 740.8 billion, helped by the RBI's measures to attract foreign capital.
- The current account deficit is projected to expand in FY27 due to higher commodity prices before narrowing in FY28 on lower oil prices and strong export growth.
- Key risks to growth include prolonged geopolitical uncertainty and weather disruptions linked to El Nino, which may lower agricultural output and raise industrial input costs.
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Fitch Ratings raised India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.9% from 6.4%, citing stronger-than-expected economic activity and resilience despite the US-Iran war shock. India's GDP growth accelerated to 8.6% year-on-year…
S&P Global Ratings raised India's GDP growth forecast for FY27 (fiscal year ending March 31, 2027) to 7 per cent from 6.6 per cent earlier, citing robust industrial activity, healthy consumption, strong goods exports and…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY27 to 6.6% from the 6.9% projected in April. ADB retained India's growth forecast for FY28 at 7.3% in the July…
Moody’s Ratings has increased its real GDP growth forecast for India for the 2026-27 fiscal year to 7% from the previous estimate of 6%. The revised growth projection for India is higher than the 6.4% forecast by the…
National Stock Exchange (NSE) Debuts on BSE at ₹1,800 Per Share with ₹4.5 Trillion Market Capitalisation
Key Updates:
- The National Stock Exchange (NSE) made its debut on the BSE at ₹1,800 per share on September 24, 2026, up 0.84% from the issue price of ₹1,785.
- The NSE stock hit an intraday peak of ₹1,878 before settling at ₹1,818.
- The listing ended the largest stock exchange's decade-long wait to go public.
- NSE's ₹22,561 crore IPO, the second largest after Hyundai India, was subscribed over 5.7 times.
- A block deal worth ₹1,353 crore for over 7.45 million shares took place in the open auction.
- NSE shares are also traded on the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) besides the BSE.
- The listing made NSE the seventh most valuable stock exchange in the world, with a market capitalisation of ₹4.5 trillion.
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) gave no-objection in January to file draft documents; NSE filed them in June and received the observation letter earlier in September 2026.
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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 Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) lifted its trading ban on Copthall Mauritius Investment Ltd., a JPMorgan unit, and Mansi Share and Stock Broking after they deposited Rs 2.96 crore. The payment related…
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed reviewing the Closing Auction Session (CAS) framework, market timings and derivatives settlement methodology, with two options for expiry-day settlement prices.…
Punjab Grants 8 Per Cent Dearness Allowance Increase to State Employees and Pensioners
Key Updates:
- The Punjab government notified an 8 per cent increase in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners, effective September 1.
- Employees will receive the increased DA amount along with their salary as per applicable government provisions, and pensioners will benefit as per the relevant rules.
- The decision followed a meeting between employee union representatives and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in which the demand for DA enhancement was discussed and the Chief Minister assured sympathetic consideration of employees' demands.
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The Union Cabinet approved the Ministry of Labour & Employment's proposal to raise the EPFO wage ceiling for mandatory coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month. The move is expected to bring over 51 lakh additional…
The Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the Employees' Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 2026, under the Code on Social Security, 2020, replacing the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952. Under the EPF Scheme, both…
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, will organise the 9th National Anubhav Awards Ceremony and the 60th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop on…
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Sandhya Kiran scheme, a contributory cashless healthcare scheme for state government pensioners below 70 years, family pensioners and eligible dependants. The scheme is framed under the…
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Launches Zero-Commission Bharat Taxi in Five Cities
Key Updates:
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-led zero-commission ride-hailing platform, in the state on 23 September 2026.
- The service is operational in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur and Prayagraj, offering drivers social security coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh and a stake in the cooperative's ownership.
- Bharat Taxi is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, allowing taxi, two-wheeler and three-wheeler drivers to register without surrendering commission; driver-members are called Sarathis.
- During the Lucknow launch, five drivers received share certificates, and MoUs were signed with Lucknow Airport, Lucknow Metro and Lucknow Police.
- Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol said over 10 lakh Sarathis joined Bharat Taxi within six months of its February 2026 launch, with around 20,000 daily rides.
- Chief Minister Adityanath directed the Transport Department to explore extending the Bharat Taxi model to rural bus services.
- Bharat Taxi has already been rolled out in Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
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Union cooperation minister Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi, India's first cooperative-led, driver-owned ride-hailing service, at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The service operates on a zero-commission model…
Gujarat Police signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (Bharat Taxi) for the digital integration of its transport platform. An SOS emergency response system will be integrated…
Lucknow secured the first position among cities with a population of more than 10 lakh in the 5th Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026, scoring 198 points. The awards were conferred on September 7 during Swachh Vayu Diwas 2026…
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol launched the 'Bharat Taxi' service in Maharashtra on July 23, 2026. Bharat Taxi is a cooperative mobility model…
DDU-GKY 2.0: India's Upgraded Rural Skilling Scheme Moves Focus to Sustainable Employment
Key Updates:
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) was originally launched on September 25, 2014, under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission as a placement-linked skilling programme for rural youth from poor households.
- The upgraded DDU-GKY 2.0 framework was notified in May 2025, emphasising employment retention, post-placement support, career progression, migration assistance and technology-enabled monitoring.
- DDU-GKY is implemented across 31 States and Union Territories with 749 approved projects, over 760 active training centres and more than 455 Project Implementing Agencies.
- Since 2014-15, over 18.47 lakh candidates have been trained in more than 800 job roles across all 36 sectors, with over 12.43 lakh placed; more than 9.71 lakh women trained and over 6.34 lakh women placed.
- The Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated ₹750 crore to DDU-GKY.
- DDU-GKY targets rural youth aged 15 to 35 years from poor households, with mandated coverage of 50 per cent SC/ST candidates, 33 per cent women and 5 per cent persons with disabilities.
- DDU-GKY 2.0 retains the 576-hour minimum training requirement, with a mandatory non-domain component of 180 hours.
- The minimum placement duration has been extended from three months to six months, covering continuous and non-continuous employment including wage, self and gig employment.
- Placed candidates receive ₹7,620 as post-placement financial assistance at ₹1,270 per month for six months, plus retention support of ₹5,000 for those employed for 365 days with a maximum employment break of 60 days.
- Job Melas organised by State Rural Livelihoods Missions receive funding of up to ₹50,000 per Gram Panchayat-level fair and ₹1 lakh per block-level fair, subject to placement of 100 and 200 candidates respectively.
- Migration Support Centres' annual funding has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹30 lakh under the revised framework.
- The Roshni initiative covers Left-Wing Extremism-affected districts with mandatory residential training and 40 per cent women coverage, while Himayat is a 100 per cent centrally funded programme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh covering both rural and urban youth.
- Early rollout of DDU-GKY 2.0 saw Goa as a pioneer in creating batches, Andhra Pradesh commencing training for over 12,000 candidates within three months, and Jammu & Kashmir allocating 100 per cent of targets with training commenced for 91 per cent.
- Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), operational as 647 institutes across 634 districts in 33 States and Union Territories, have trained 63.47 lakh candidates, of whom 45.60 lakh have been settled.
- RSETIs provide free residential training to unemployed rural youth aged 18 to 50 years, with around 94 per cent of those settled establishing sustainable self-employment ventures.
- India's youth population is projected to reach nearly 345 million by 2036.
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Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) completed eight years, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister JP Nadda marking the milestone. AB PM-JAY, launched on September 23, 2018…
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), launched on 12 September 2019, is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, in…
The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is launching a 100-week nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) and the National Service Scheme (NSS), beginning with…
Key Updates:
- PBSHABD (Prasar Bharati Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination) serves around 3,600 registered media organisations after two years of operation.
- The service offers verified news in five formats—text, video, audio, photographs and infographics—across 15 Indian languages and nearly 50 categories.
- Registered users can access and download content free of charge until March 2027.
- The platform is fed by more than 1,500 reporters, correspondents and stringers, supported by 60 dedicated editorial desks.
- Akashvani operates 46 Regional News Units with 607 daily bulletins in 92 languages and dialects, while Doordarshan has 31 Regional News Units and over 145 bulletins in more than 22 languages and dialects.
- Content undergoes multiple editorial checks with safeguards against fake, morphed or manipulated material, and is timestamped, datelined and captioned.
- PBSHABD content carries no Prasar Bharati logo and requires no credit line, allowing outlets to publish it under their own mastheads.
- Until 2024, the Prasar Bharati News Service mainly supplied the broadcaster's own editorial teams before PBSHABD opened the capacity to registered external outlets.
- PBSHABD 2.0 is planned with additional product lines and improved delivery.
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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan to protect the species and its habitats. The clouded leopard is a medium-sized wild cat named after the…
The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under the Digital India Corporation and NITI Aayog signed a statement of intent (SoI) to collaborate on multilingual, voice-first AI solutions. The collaboration aims to…
A rare leucistic Great Cormorant, with mostly white feathers due to reduced pigmentation, was spotted at Ameenpur Lake near BHEL in Hyderabad on Sunday by Hyderabad-born Canadian birder Raghuvamsh Chavali. Leucistic…
Tata Group-owned Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair) announced an interline partnership on 26 August 2026. The partnership allows passengers to book single-ticket itineraries combining Air India and…
Mera Yuva Bharat Portal Surpasses 3 Crore Registered Youth, Expanding Volunteer and Leadership Opportunities
Key Updates:
- Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) portal has crossed more than 3 crore youth registrations, marking a major expansion of the government's youth engagement platform.
- MY Bharat was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2023, as a technology-enabled platform connecting young Indians with opportunities to participate in the country's development journey.
- The platform crossed 2 crore registrations in October 2025 and had more than 2.46 crore registered youth by August 2026.
- As of August 2026, more than 1.22 lakh young people had enrolled in nearly 25,000 Experiential Learning Programmes under MY Bharat.
- The platform offers experiential learning programmes, volunteering opportunities, quizzes, youth dialogues, leadership initiatives and community activities.
- A key initiative under MY Bharat is the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2027, which lets young Indians present ideas and innovation in support of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that the platform provides opportunities for experiential learning, volunteering and leadership development.
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The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) has crossed 1.25 crore sanctioned houses across India. Over 1 crore houses have been completed and delivered to beneficiaries under the scheme.
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has created over 93.95 crore health accounts. The ABDM has linked 105 crore health records.
NITI Aayog has estimated that 8.7 crore Indian youth aged 15-29 fall under the NEET category, based on the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021. The NITI Aayog report, titled 'Reimagining Skilling…
The ABHA-based 'Scan and Register' service under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has crossed 25 crore outpatient (OPD) registrations. The service, introduced in October 2022, is used by nearly four lakh…
Delhi Cabinet Approves DURGA Scheme to Provide 1,300 Pink E-Autos for Women and Transgender Persons
Key Updates:
- The Delhi Cabinet approved the DURGA (The Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto) electric auto scheme in September 2026, which will provide 1,300 pink electric autos in its first phase, with 1,170 earmarked for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries, and applications invited through a dedicated online portal.
- Under the scheme, each revenue district will receive a maximum of 90 e-autos for women and 10 for transgender persons.
- Women applicants must be aged between 20 and 40 years, be Delhi residents, and possess a valid voter ID, a light motor vehicle (LMV) driving licence and a public service vehicle (PSV) badge, and women with more than three children will not be eligible.
- Neither the applicant nor her family should own a registered transport vehicle or three-wheeler, and the family income must not exceed ₹5 lakh.
- Transgender applicants must submit a valid transgender certificate issued by the Delhi district magistrate's office, in addition to meeting the age, residency, voter ID, driving licence and PSV badge requirements.
- The e-autos will have a mandatory three-year lock-in period during which they cannot be sold or transferred, and will carry distinctive 'DURGA' branding and identification features.
- The scheme envisages integrating the e-autos with Delhi's public transport network, with the DMRC making space for EV charging facilities available at the parking areas of 70 metro stations.
- The government will periodically assess the scheme's socio-economic impact.
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Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the 'Delhi Next – Code, Create and Change' programme at the Delhi Secretariat to solve urban challenges through technology. The initiative's outreach campaign reached over one crore…
The Maharashtra government increased the state subsidy under the Pink E-Rickshaw scheme from 20% to 40% for women beneficiaries. Existing beneficiaries will also receive the increased subsidy to reduce their remaining…
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the 'Delhi PM Surya Ghar' portal under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' to help residents install rooftop solar systems. A combined Centre and Delhi government subsidy of up to ₹1.56…
The Delhi government approved the second amendment to the Delhi Solar Energy Policy-2023 on Tuesday. Households with average monthly electricity consumption up to 400 units will get rooftop solar systems of up to 3kW at…
Key Updates:
- The Royal Air Force (RAF) launched No. III Space Effects Squadron, the UK's first dedicated unit to disrupt, degrade and deny hostile threats to British satellites, announced on 23 September 2026.
- The squadron was announced by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth at the first-ever UK Space Power Conference, where Defence Secretary Wes Streeting delivered a keynote address.
- No. III Space Effects Squadron will use advanced technology including Electronic Warfare to act against threats, complementing No. I Space Operations Squadron and No. II Space Warning Squadron which watch and warn of space threats.
- The squadron delivers on the UK's Control of Space Requirement set out in the UK Space Strategy published in September 2026, building on the Strategic Defence Review.
- The UK has formally ruled out destructive anti-satellite missile testing and is investing £880 million between 2026/27 and 2029/30 in space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and space control activities.
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The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced at the Air and Space Cyber Conference in Maryland that the U.S. has fielded on-orbit…
Isar Aerospace, a German space company, successfully launched its Spectrum rocket into orbit, becoming the first commercial space company from Europe to do so. The Spectrum rocket carried five scientific satellites and a…
Indian space startup Pixxel has raised $100 million in Series C funding to expand beyond hyperspectral Earth observation. The funding round was led by Temasek and Seraphim Space, with new investors including 360 ONE…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite. The launch was conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra…
Indian Navy Frigate INS Trishul Reaches Toulon, France for 24th Edition of Bilateral Exercise VARUNA
Key Updates:
- Indian Navy guided-missile frigate INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on September 22, 2026, to participate in the 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise VARUNA between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.
- The VARUNA exercise includes professional engagements in harbour and at sea, such as cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting activities, aimed at enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies.
- Before arriving in France, INS Trishul completed a three-day port call at Alexandria, Egypt, which concluded on September 17, after arriving there on September 14 and being escorted into harbour by Egyptian Naval Ship Al Qadeer.
- Prior to entering Alexandria, INS Trishul conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Egyptian Naval Ship ENS Bernees, involving coordinated manoeuvring, communication drills and approaches for replenishment at sea.
- During the Alexandria port call, India's Ambassador to Egypt Suresh K Reddy visited INS Trishul, and the crew paid homage at the Chatby War Memorial, which contains 12 burials and the names of 19 Indian soldiers who died in ships sunk in the Eastern Mediterranean during the two World Wars.
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INS Mysore arrived at Lumut, Malaysia, on 09 September 2026 to participate in the 4th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise 'Samudra Laksamana' between the Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy. Exercise Samudra…
INS Udaygiri, an indigenously constructed multi-role stealth frigate, arrived at Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a three-day operational visit from 08-11 September 2026, coinciding with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to…
The 13th edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-26 began in Visakhapatnam on September 17, 2026, conducted under the Eastern Naval Command until September 21. The exercise comprises a Harbour…
Indian Navy guided missile frigate INS Trishul concluded a three-day port call at Alexandria, Egypt, on September 17, 2026. Prior to entering Alexandria harbour, INS Trishul conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with…
India Inaugurates BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities Meeting in New Delhi, Adopts 2026 Tax Progress Report and Launches New Working Groups
Key Updates:
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities Meeting in New Delhi on September 24, 2026, culminating India's BRICS Chairship of the tax cooperation track.
- The meeting was hosted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Ministry of Finance, and was also addressed by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava.
- Representatives from ten BRICS tax administrations — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates — attended the meeting.
- Sitharaman identified technology, administration, and people as the three recurring themes of BRICS tax cooperation during India's Chairship.
- Two new Working Groups — one on International Taxation and Transfer Pricing and one on Revenue Statistics — were established, with both to be led by India.
- The first-ever in-person BRICS Young Tax Professionals Capacity Building Programme, held at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur in April 2026, was institutionalised as an annual feature of BRICS tax cooperation.
- The BRICS Tax Cross-Learning Lab was formally launched, and the Terms of Reference of the BRICS Tax Support Network were approved.
- The meeting concluded with the signing of the BRICS Tax Progress Report 2026, and China was welcomed as the incoming Chair of the BRICS tax cooperation track for 2027.
- Sitharaman underscored that BRICS perspectives are essential to multilateral tax negotiations, including the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
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The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration on September 12, 2026, at the end of the first day of the two-day summit. The declaration strongly…
At the concluding session of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 13, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a new insurance mechanism and a collaborative grain market among BRICS nations, inviting all…
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…
BRICS nations, including India, China, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia, opposed the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the group's 12th…
Germany Says It Is Ready to Sign $8 Billion Deal for Six Submarines with India
Key Updates:
- German Ambassador to India Jasper Wieck said Germany is ready to sign an $8 billion deal with India for building six next-generation conventional submarines.
- Wieck stated that the documents have already been finalised and agreed to by the German side, with India needing to complete its internal processes, and Germany was ready to sign the agreement as early as the next day.
- Under the agreement, German defence contractor TKMS will supply advanced submarine design and technology transfer, partnering with India's MDL.
- Wieck described the global situation as an "era of unpredictability", saying Russia had "wrecked trust and peace" while the United States was "constantly changing the rules of the game".
- Wieck identified his three priorities as ambassador: the pending formal signing of the India-European Union FTA, labour migration, and defence cooperation.
- On India's purchase of Russian oil, Wieck said Germany understood the energy needs of India's 1.4 billion people but argued that reducing purchases would dent Moscow's ability to finance the war in Ukraine.
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Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East), Visakhapatnam. The LARS Test Plinth…
On September 18, 2026, Indian defence engineering firm Nibe Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France's Naval Group covering naval shipbuilding and defence technologies. The partnership covers underwater…
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) signed an MoU with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park-AP (NSHIP-AP) on September 18, 2026, to develop a greenfield shipyard at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, with an…
JSW Group and Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 9, 2026, to explore a strategic joint venture for developing, manufacturing and selling…
India signs Rs 811 crore deal with BDL for 160 satellite-guided anti-airfield weapons for IAF
Key Updates:
- The Defence Ministry signed a Rs 810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) on September 23, 2026, in New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, for procurement of 160 Satellite Smart Anti Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) with associated equipment for the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Buy (Indian - Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category.
- SAT-SAAW is an indigenously designed and developed air-to-ground precision guided glide bomb by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), launchable from Jaguar, Hawk and Su-30 MKI platforms, capable of neutralising enemy airfields from long stand-off range.
- The weapon has 60% indigenous content, with sub-systems like the Initial Measurement Unit, Long Impact Delay Fuse and Twin Store Carrier to be indigenised, and deliveries are scheduled between 2027-2028 and 2028-2029.
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The Defence Ministry has notified the sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) comprising 405 defence items to be sourced only from Indian suppliers. Of the 405 items, 389 belong to Defence Public Sector Undertakings…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined a roadmap for 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) focusing on quality, R&D, timely delivery, and exports. He emphasised that DPSUs' progress is a national security…
The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 586 crore contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited on 21 September 2026 to supply auxiliary power units (APUs) for the Indian Army's T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks.…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled policy initiatives for MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups at the DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet 'VIMARSH 2026', held under the theme 'Varta se Vikas', including direct funding, incubation…
Key Updates:
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone of the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) Advanced Radar Research Facility (IARRF) at Chandrapur in Kamrup Metropolitan district on 21 September 2026.
- The facility is being established under Project NETRA to improve India's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities for monitoring and tracking objects in outer space.
- The IARRF will feature advanced radar systems and optical telescopes for satellite and space object surveillance to protect India's space assets.
- The Assam State Government allotted approximately 200 bighas of land at the former Chandrapur Thermal Power Station site to ISRO for the facility.
- The first radar, intended for cloud research, is expected to be installed by February next year and will enhance understanding of weather and atmospheric conditions affecting Assam and the region.
- ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan, who is also Secretary of the Department of Space, stated that the facility would reinforce India's space situational awareness and aid advanced scientific research.
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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone for Adani Power's 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant at Chapar in Dhubri district on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The ₹48,000 crore Chapar…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will establish an Advanced Radar Research Centre at Chandrapur in Assam under Project Netra. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the project, calling it a…
Indian-Led Team Discovers White Dwarf Binary with Fastest Shrinking Orbit
Key Updates:
- An international team led by Indian astronomers identified a pair of white dwarfs, eRASSU J0608, orbiting each other every 6.2 minutes, with their orbit shrinking faster than in two other known systems of the same type.
- The binary completes an orbit in 374.15 seconds and is among the most rapidly evolving ultracompact double-white-dwarf binaries known.
- Researchers tracked the system's motion for three and a half years using NASA's NICER telescope, the Einstein Probe mission, and archival XMM-Newton data.
- The orbital period is decreasing at a rate of approximately 4.7 × 10⁻¹¹ seconds per second, exceeding the decay observed in HM Cnc and V407 Vul.
- The rapid decay is consistent with gravitational radiation, and the system's predictable signal could make it a verification source for future space-based observatories like LISA, planned for launch in 2035.
- The system's distance remains uncertain, requiring further observations.
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Astronomers discovered a new millisecond pulsar using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). The discovery was made as part of the Southern-sky MWA Rapid Two-metre SMART survey.
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…
Astronomers discovered the fastest known star in the Milky Way, designated S301, which orbits the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A .
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…
NASA Selects PRIMA as First Probe-Class Far-Infrared Telescope, Moving It into Phase B
Key Updates:
- NASA has selected PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics) as the first mission in its new Probe Explorers class of astrophysics satellites, advancing it into Phase B.
- The mission is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), with Caltech and IPAC in key roles, and carries a $1.2 billion cost cap excluding launch, targeting a 2033 launch if confirmed.
- PRIMA carries a 5.9-foot telescope designed to conduct deep far-infrared surveys of cold, dusty regions of the universe that optical and near-infrared telescopes cannot easily see.
- Its science goals include star and planet formation, black holes, and the origins of water, including on Earth, bridging existing infrared observatories and radio telescopes.
- Confirmation would still be required before PRIMA moves to later phases and launch.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched its USD 4.3 billion Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The telescope is headed to…
NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies called off the rescue mission for the Swift Observatory on Wednesday, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year. The Link spacecraft, built by Katalyst, will not…
NASA is planning a new mission concept called PRAXIS (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situ Sampling) to directly collect and analyse particles from planetary rings. PRAXIS would be the first mission to…
Researchers Create Detailed Gene Activity Map of Brain's Prefrontal Cortex
Key Updates:
- Scientists mapped gene activity in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region behind the forehead responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, planning and behaviour adaptation, offering new clarity on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
- Researchers analysed gene activity in the nuclei of more than 6.3 million brain cells, including neurons, immune cells, blood vessel structures and support cells, using post-mortem samples from 1,494 donors aged from infancy to 108 years.
- The research was led by Dr Panos Roussos, director of the Center for Disease Neurogenomics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, and published in Nature and other journals.
- The project was carried out through the PsychAD research consortium and supported by the National Institute on Aging, a branch of the US National Institutes of Health.
- Strong overlaps in gene activity linked to nerve-cell maturation, cellular communication and blood-vessel biology were found across vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, with shared pathways in microglia between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- Molecular shifts were pronounced during early development through adulthood, relatively stable across midlife, and resurged later in life, particularly in support and immune cells.
- Around age 24, a transitional phase occurs after which most cellular populations in the prefrontal cortex stabilise.
- Researchers mapped genetic influences across the activity of over 14,000 genes, linking inherited genetic risks of disorders to specific genes and cell types.
- By examining brain tissue from donors who died at different times of day, the team reconstructed 24-hour cycles of gene activity, finding synchronised clock gene patterns in neurons of younger and middle-aged adults but weaker patterns in older adults.
- Individuals who maintained cognitive health despite substantial Alzheimer's pathology showed differences in energy-related cellular processes, suggesting possible protective mechanisms.
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The United Nations General Assembly adopted the 'Correct the Map' resolution on September 4, 2026, with 164 votes in favor, one against, and six abstentions. The resolution, introduced by Togo on behalf of the African…
Wildfires in France's Gironde region and central Spain have forced over 300,000 people to evacuate their homes. The Gironde fire consumed more than 420 square kilometres of forest and came within 15 kilometres of…
The United Nations (UN) issued a new world map on July 1 that depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as separate regions between Indian and Chinese border claims. The map eliminates Arunachal Pradesh's border with…
Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay in the Philippines on September 21, 2026 to participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA) as part of the…
Maruti Suzuki Starts Its First Green Hydrogen Plant at Manesar Facility
Key Updates:
- Maruti Suzuki India Limited commissioned a 300 kW green hydrogen electrolyzer pilot plant at its Manesar facility in Haryana, announced on September 24, 2026.
- The company aims to reduce its manufacturing carbon footprint from 615,000 tonnes to 266,000 tonnes by FY 2030-31 using clean technologies.
- Based on pilot learnings, Maruti Suzuki plans to scale up green hydrogen adoption across its manufacturing facilities in Haryana and Gujarat.
- The green hydrogen plant is aligned with the Government of India's Green Hydrogen Mission.
- Maruti Suzuki is setting up a 10-tonnes-per-day biogas plant at its Kharkhoda facility, to be commissioned within FY 2026-27.
- The company recently commissioned a 1-MWh battery energy storage system at its Kharkhoda facility and has begun integrating compressed biogas as process fuel.
- Maruti Suzuki's board approved 4 compressed biogas projects with a budget of Rs 561 crore.
- Suzuki Motor Corporation, in partnership with the National Dairy Development Board and dairy industry unions, will set up 10 biogas plants across India.
- The green hydrogen plant uses surplus solar energy generated at Manesar, including energy produced on holidays, with the hydrogen stored and later used in manufacturing operations.
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The Banas Bio-CNG Model Plant was inaugurated at Vinchhiwadi in Dhanera taluka, Banaskantha district, Gujarat. It is a joint initiative of Banas Dairy, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and the National Dairy Development Board…
The Banas Bio-CNG Model Plant, a joint initiative of Banas Dairy, Suzuki Motor Corporation and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), was inaugurated at Vinchhiwadi in Dhanera taluka. A bio-CNG filling station was…
The Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy, 2024 was notified on March 5, 2024, with the Department of Additional Sources of Energy as the administrative department and the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development…
Tata Steel has commissioned India's first coke oven gas (COG) injection project at its Meramandali steel plant in Odisha's Dhenkanal district, announced on September 10, 2026. The project uses cleaned COG, which contains…
Pune Awarded 2032 UCI Road World Championships as India Prepares First-Ever Hosting
Key Updates:
- India will host the UCI Road World Championships for the first time in 2032, with Pune confirmed as the venue.
- The decision was announced at the 195th UCI Congress in Montreal, held alongside the 2026 World Championships.
- Representatives from 117 national federations across five continents attended the Congress, where 19 championships across 11 countries were awarded for 2027 to 2034.
- India has never previously hosted the Road World Championships and is home to almost one-fifth of the world's population.
- UCI president David Lappartient said the championships could help grow competitive cycling and everyday bicycle use in India.
- The 2034 Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships will be held in the Dutch provinces of Groningen and Drenthe.
- The 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships will take place in Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc, France, from August 25 to September 5, bringing together 20 different World Championships, the largest cycling event organised to date.
- Five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault will serve as an ambassador for the 2027 World Championships in France.
- Other awarded hosts include the 2030 BMX Racing World Championships in Valmiera, Latvia, the 2030 Gravel World Championships in Turnhout, Belgium, the 2031 Cyclocross World Championships in Benidorm, Spain, and the 2032 Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada.
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India will host the Asian Senior Wushu Championships for the first time in 2028, with around 500 athletes from 42 countries expected to participate. The decision was approved at the Wushu Federation of Asia Congress held…
India is hosting Stage 3 of the World Archery Para Series 2026 from September 5 to 9 at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The World Archery Para Series 2026 is the first edition of the tournament, featuring 109 players…
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympics will feature six-team men's and women's T20 competitions. Australia, Great Britain (through England), India, and South Africa…
Ahmedabad will host the Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships 2026 in October. The championships will be held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex.
Sixth National Pharmacovigilance Week 2026 Observed From September 17 to 23
Key Updates:
- The sixth National Pharmacovigilance Week 2026 was observed from September 17 to September 23, 2026, as a nationwide awareness campaign on medicine safety.
- The campaign was conducted under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with activities held through around 1,150 centres across India.
- Pharmacovigilance is the process of monitoring, identifying, assessing and preventing adverse effects and other medicine-related problems.
- A key focus of the week was promoting the rational use of medicines according to medical advice rather than unnecessary or incorrect use.
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Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, launched the 7th Edition of the National Formulary of India (NFI) 2026 on 21 September 2026 at the 6th National…
The Indian government launched the Biovigilance Program, led by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), to monitor adverse events linked to medicines and biological products used in organ and tissue transplantation…
National Nutrition Week is observed annually from September 1 to 7 in India. National Nutrition Week was launched in India in 1982 by the Food and Nutrition Board.
Business Strategist Hirav Shah's Business Novel SAARATHI Becomes Amazon India Bestseller on Launch Day (September 21, 2026)
Key Updates:
- Business strategist Hirav Shah's business novel 'SAARATHI' became an Amazon India bestseller on its launch day, September 21, 2026.
- SAARATHI tells the story of a fashion designer from Ahmedabad whose business is on the edge of collapse and a strategist who helps him see the road differently.
- Hirav Shah is the author of more than 25 books on business strategy and founder of the world's first Business Decision Validation Hub and The Rescue Hub.
- SAARATHI is available internationally on Kindle through Amazon, while paperback and hardcover editions are currently available in the United States and selected countries.
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Kaho Kalidasa! is a biographical novel by author Yugul Joshi, published by Manjul Publishing House. The book launch was organised by the Kala Nidhi Division of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) at…
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Ease of Doing Business Bill 2026 by a majority vote, introduced by Minister of State for Industries Dr Jayram Gamit, amending 12 provisions across five existing state laws.…
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Gramin Gyan Setu app on 13 August 2026, on the occasion of National Library Day. The app connects 752 rural libraries in Gujarat's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency through a…
19 US States Have Approved Permanent Daylight Saving Time Legislation
Key Updates:
- Nineteen US states have passed legislation to enact permanent daylight saving time and stop changing clocks, but these measures remain stalled because federal law restricts year-round daylight saving time.
- Florida became the first state to pass a resolution for year-round daylight saving time in 2018, followed by 18 other states enacting similar laws, resolutions, or trigger clauses.
- States that passed permanent DST legislation include Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.
- Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, states may observe standard time year-round, as Arizona and Hawaii do, but cannot adopt year-round daylight saving time without federal consent.
- The US House of Representatives voted 308-117 on the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan, but the bill still awaits Senate action and the President's signature.
- All 19 state laws contain contingent clauses and cannot take effect until the federal government updates national time zone regulations; some states, including Delaware and Oregon, require neighboring states to adopt similar legislation first.
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Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer moved an amendment to the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US House of Representatives naming India among 10 countries that could face 100% tariffs on trade in Russian oil. The…
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026. The rules become effective 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette.
The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) introduced Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) in May 2026. EGRs are exchange-traded securities representing ownership of physical gold stored in SEBI-regulated vaults.
World Maritime Day 2026: Observed on 24 September with Theme 'From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence'
Key Updates:
- World Maritime Day 2026 was observed on 24 September, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London illuminated in blue to mark the day.
- The theme for World Maritime Day 2026 is 'From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence', and it spans 2026 and 2027.
- IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez delivered the official message for World Maritime Day 2026, emphasizing that regulations deliver safer shipping only when implemented worldwide.
- Since the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) became mandatory in 2016, 168 Member States, or 94% of the membership, have been audited, with the first audit cycle completed in 2026.
- Merchant ships have been attacked in conflict zones including the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, killing dozens of seafarers and disrupting global trade.
- IMO will target technical assistance at Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, where countries struggle to translate IMO rules into national law.
- The campaign hashtags for World Maritime Day 2026 are #WorldMaritimeDay and #MaritimePolicytoPractice.
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The International Day of Peace is observed every year on 21 September; the 2026 theme is 'Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day'. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United…
The International Day of Sign Languages is observed every year on September 23 to raise awareness about the importance of sign languages in ensuring the full realisation of the human rights of Deaf people. The theme for…
World Rhino Day 2026 was observed on Tuesday, September 22, as confirmed by the International Rhino Foundation. The day highlights all five rhino species and efforts to protect them from threats including habitat loss…
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/79/142 on December 12, 2024, designating August 27 as World Lake Day. World Lake Day commemorates the opening of the first World Lake Conference in Shiga…
PM Modi Releases Logo for Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji Birth Centenary Celebrations After Meeting Pejavara Seer
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Sri Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swami of Sri Pejavara Adhokshaja Matha, Udupi, Karnataka, and unveiled the logo of the birth centenary celebrations of Padma Vibhushan Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji.
- PM Modi stated that Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji's life of devotion, learning and service continues to inspire countless people and that initiatives in the run-up to the birth centenary will carry forward his noble ideals.
- Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah met Sri Vishwaprasanna Teerth Swami in New Delhi during the 39th holy Chaturmasya Vrat.
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The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the birth centenary of Satish Gujral. The stamp was unveiled by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia at Bikaner House, New Delhi.
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…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Seychelles' Independence as the Guest of Honour. The celebrations were held on June 29, 2026.
Gujarat and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Feature in Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2027 List
Key Updates:
- Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 list of 50 recommendations includes two Indian entries: Gujarat among the 25 destinations to visit and riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway among the 25 travel experiences to try.
- Gujarat was highlighted for its combination of wildlife, history, architecture, crafts, textiles and landscapes, ranging from the Rann of Kachchh salt desert to Gir forests, with Indus Valley sites, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed heritage.
- Gir National Park is the only place outside Africa where Asiatic lions survive in the wild.
- Key Gujarat attractions include the Rann of Kachchh with the winter Rann Utsav, Gir National Park, Ahmedabad, the Indus Valley site of Dholavira, the UNESCO-listed Champaner-Pavagadh, and the Modhera Sun Temple; October to March is the best visiting period.
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, known as the Toy Train, has operated since the late 19th century and is part of the UNESCO-listed Mountain Railways of India; the short steam journey between Darjeeling and Ghum is the quintessential experience.
- Other Asian destinations on the 2027 list include Okinawa (Japan), Chengdu (China), Danang (Vietnam) and Fulidhoo (Maldives), while Asian experiences include a longboat ride in Malaysia, the Michinoku Coastal Trail in Japan, a foodie trail in Taiwan and Astana's architecture in Kazakhstan.
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The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat route offers views of snow-covered peaks, green valleys, and rivers. The Mumbai-Madgaon Vande Bharat passes through the Konkan region and Western Ghats, with waterfalls and misty hills…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in Vadodara, including key sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor…
Southern Railway has completed 100% electrification of its entire 5,068 route kilometre broad-gauge network, enabling seamless electric train operations across the zone without traction change. The milestone was reached…
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approved the 'Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yojana' on August 25, 2026. The scheme provides lifetime free travel to women aged 60 and above residing…
Telangana Aims for 5 GW of Data Centre Capacity by 2029 as Microsoft's South Central Cloud Region Launches in Hyderabad
Key Updates:
- Telangana is targeting 5 GW of data centre capacity by 2029, with around $30 billion in potential investment across the AI and digital infrastructure ecosystem.
- The State has over 2.5 GW of data-centre capacity operational or under development through operators including Microsoft, AWS, Iron Mountain, CtrlS, Sify, and NTT DATA.
- Microsoft's South Central Cloud Region was inaugurated in Hyderabad by Telangana IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu on September 24, 2026, as part of Microsoft's $20.5-billion cloud and data centre expansion plan for India.
- The new region comprises three Availability Zones with a resilient design aligned to India's regulatory and seismic-zone requirements.
- The region operates with effectively zero water use for cooling, and by June 2026 the Elikatta groundwater-recharge programme had added about five million litres of recharge capacity.
- Microsoft partnered with IIIT Hyderabad, Young India Skills University, the Government of Telangana, and Don Bosco Tech Society for a 600-hour programme training students for datacentre operations careers.
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The Andhra Pradesh government approved a 512-MW green integrated AI data centre project by AM AI Factory Pvt Ltd. The project involves an investment of over ₹31,387 crore and will be located at Amanam village in…
On August 5, 2026, Telangana Police launched the AI-powered Next-Gen 112 platform at the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGiCCC) in Hyderabad. The system brings together Police, Fire Services, Ambulance…
The Gujarat government is set to unveil the 'Gujarat Data Centre Policy 2026-29' to establish the state as a premier destination for data centre infrastructure, digital innovation, and cloud ecosystem development. The…
The Andhra Pradesh government aims to attract up to ₹9.3 lakh crore investment in the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER). The state government will invest between ₹3.5 lakh crore and ₹4 lakh crore in the VER project.
Assam to Get Second Saraighat Double-Decker Rail-Cum-Road Bridge with Agthori-Kamakhya Railway Line Doubling
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Railways will take up the Second Saraighat Rail-Cum-Road Bridge project in Assam, along with doubling of the 7.20-km railway line between Agthori and Kamakhya stations, under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been entrusted with the Agthori-Kamakhya doubling project sanctioned in 2024, with geotechnical investigations completed and engineering, design and construction drawings in progress.
- The centrepiece of the project will be a 1.3-km double-decker bridge across the Brahmaputra, with the lower deck carrying two railway lines and the upper deck a three-lane road and a footpath.
- The existing Saraighat Bridge carries one railway line and a two-lane road.
- The main bridge will use well foundations and a welded Open Web Girder superstructure with a 125-metre span.
- Approach viaducts will extend about 600 metres towards Agthori and 200 metres towards Kamakhya, and the project will connect with NHAI road approaches towards Jalukbari and the Agthori-side road network.
- Digital monitoring and bridge instrumentation will be used as part of construction and long-term structural monitoring systems.
- With the monsoon season nearing its end, L&T is advancing mobilisation and preparatory work, with piling activities scheduled to begin in October 2026.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the upgradation of the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar to four-lane standard at a total capital…
The Kalpasar Project proposes a major barrier across the Gulf of Khambhat to create a coastal freshwater reservoir. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Kalpasar Project was at the finalisation stage as of December…
India sent components for a 70-metre Bailey bridge to flood-hit Betrawati, Nepal, with the first consignment handed over to Nepal's Road Division in Hetauda on September 12, 2026, in the presence of MP Prakash Gautam and…
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the ₹27.18-crore Udmaroo Bridge over the Shayok River in Nubra district on July 21, 2026. The bridge is a modern three-span (3×80 metres) Truss System Bridge with 70R…
Supreme Court Sends Chief Election Commissioner Appointment Law Challenge to Constitution Bench After 1:1 Split Verdict
Key Updates:
- The Supreme Court referred the constitutional challenge to the law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners to a Constitution bench after a two-judge bench delivered a 1:1 split verdict on whether the issue should be decided by a larger bench.
- Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma differed on the question of reference but agreed the matter should be placed before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for constitution of the Constitution Bench, holding that sending the disagreement to another three-judge bench would only cause further delay.
- The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office Act, 2023, remains in operation, as the Supreme Court has neither struck down nor upheld the appointment mechanism.
- The challenge centres on Section 7 of the 2023 Act, which provides a three-member Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister as chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, while Sections 6 and 82, providing a Search Committee headed by the Law Minister and allowing consideration of persons outside the Search Committee panel, are also challenged.
- The case stems from the Supreme Court's 2023 Constitution bench judgment in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India, which prescribed an interim selection committee of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India until Parliament legislated; the 2023 law replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
- Justice Datta, rejecting the Union's plea that the case necessarily required a Constitution Bench, observed that the Election Commission must not only be independent but also appear independent, and that a Prime Minister-nominated Cabinet Minister bound by collective responsibility could not ordinarily provide an independent counterweight, reducing the Leader of Opposition's role to a formality if the two executive members acted together.
- Justice Sharma held the challenge raised a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution requiring a Constitution Bench, since no authoritative Supreme Court judgment had examined the constitutional validity of the 2023 Act and Anoop Baranwal had only provided an interim mechanism in a constitutional vacuum.
- The Constitution Bench will decide whether the 2023 Act merely exercises Parliament's legislative power over Election Commission appointments or whether the Selection Committee's composition crosses constitutional limits requiring an independent Election Commission and free and fair elections.
- The judges flagged the prolonged pendency of constitutional references, noting the Anoop Baranwal case originated from a 2015 petition, was referred to a Constitution Bench in 2018 and took another five years to be decided, and requested the CJI to explore establishing a permanent five-judge bench for pure constitutional questions.
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The Centre appointed Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal as the chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court. The appointment was made amid allegations of corruption, nepotism, favouritism and misuse of administrative powers…
The Supreme Court, by a 5:4 majority, modified the test for determining what constitutes an 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act. A nine-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant held that the…
The Supreme Court's Jan Soochna Seva will provide simple Hindi summaries of selected major judgments and orders, each with a link to the corresponding official document. The service will release daily audio and video…
The Supreme Court delivered a 5:4 verdict on August 21, 2026, refining the 'industry' test under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The verdict was given by a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of…
Music Composer Shantanu Moitra Wins National Lata Mangeshkar Samman 2026
Key Updates:
- Music composer Shantanu Moitra will receive the National Lata Mangeshkar Samman 2026 for music direction at a ceremony in Indore on September 28, the birth anniversary of Lata Mangeshkar.
- The award is given by the Madhya Pradesh Culture Department and carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh along with a citation.
- Instituted in 1984, the award alternates between music direction and playback singing.
- Moitra's film scores include Parineeta, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, Piku and 12th Fail.
- Moitra won the National Film Award for background score for the film Naa Bangaaru Talli in 2014.
- The September 28 ceremony at Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium in Indore will be followed by a concert by Sachet-Parampara, while celebrations begin on September 27 with the programme Amar Lata Hamari Lata featuring Indore singers; both programmes begin at 7pm with free entry.
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Actress Rani Mukerji was honoured with the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony in Mumbai on September 9, 2026. She received the award from Maharashtra Chief Minister…
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 will be conferred on Shri Anant Nag, as announced by the Government of India on 16 September 2026. Anant Nag was born on 4 September 1948 in Karnataka, made his debut with the Kannada…
The Ramon Magsaysay Foundation announced the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award laureates: Tommy Koh, Runa Khan, and Bo Kyi. Tommy Koh is a Singaporean diplomat and international legal expert who presided over negotiations…
Dr Vasundhara Doraswamy, a renowned Bharatanatyam exponent based in Mysore, will be conferred the Padmabhushan Guru Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan Excellence Award 2026 by the Nataraj Music & Dance Academy (NMDA) during the…
India Marks 165th Birth Anniversary of Freedom Fighter Madam Bhikaji Cama
Key Updates:
- India commemorated the 165th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Madam Bhikaji Cama on September 24, 2026.
- Madam Bhikaji Cama was born on September 24, 1861, in Bombay (now Mumbai) into a prominent Parsi family.
- On August 22, 1907, Cama became the first person to hoist an early design of the Indian national flag on foreign soil at the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart, Germany.
- The flag she unfurled featured green, saffron, and red stripes, eight lotus flowers representing British Indian provinces, and the words 'Vande Mataram' inscribed across the central panel.
- Cama is referred to as the 'Mother of the Indian Revolution' for her revolutionary activities in Europe, where she operated from London and later Paris after relocating in the early 1900s.
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The 'Har Ghar Tiranga 2026' campaign marks the fifth consecutive year of the movement, which originated in 2022 under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav banner. The campaign coincides with the 150th anniversary of India's…
The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign was launched in 2022 during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The campaign encourages Indians to hoist the national flag at their homes to foster national pride.
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.
The Karnataka government has approved the observance of September 15, the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya, as Engineers' Day. The government also permitted engineers to use the title 'Er.' before…
Mizoram Farmer Z T Lalrithangi Named Among FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems
Key Updates:
- Z T Lalrithangi, a 35-year-old former schoolteacher from Sangau in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram, has been named among the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.
- She was selected from more than 600 nominees across 131 countries and is one of two women from India to receive the recognition, part of the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.
- She was informed of her selection by the FAO through an email on September 21 and will receive the award at the World Food Forum at the FAO headquarters in Rome, scheduled from October 12 to 16.
- She began strawberry cultivation in 2024 with around 1,000 saplings on a farm about 5 km from Sangau, earning about Rs 1.5 lakh in the first year, and now grows more than 10,000 strawberry plants across two hectares along with avocado, banana and other fruits and vegetables.
- Her strawberry earnings crossed Rs 10 lakh in 2025, and she also processes part of the harvest into strawberry wine sold in local markets.
- She was adjudged the best farmer from Lawngtlai district at the Mizoram Horti Fair 2026.
- She holds a postgraduate degree in Sociology from IGNOU and previously worked as a private-school teacher.
- Without formal training or initial government support, she learnt strawberry cultivation through online tutorials and by observing other growers.
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Supreme Court Collegium Approves 12 Additional Judges as Permanent Judges in Four High Courts
Key Updates:
- The Supreme Court Collegium, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Vikram Nath and B V Nagarathna, approved 12 additional judges as permanent judges in the high courts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Gauhati at its meeting held on September 23, 2026.
- Five judges were approved for permanent appointment to the Andhra Pradesh High Court: Justices Maheswara Rao Kuncheam @ Kuncham, Thoota Chandra Dhana Sekar @ T.C.D. Sekhar, Challa Gunaranjan, Avadhanam Hari Haranadha Sarma and Dr. Justice Yadavalli Lakshmana Rao.
- Five judges were approved for permanent appointment to the Kerala High Court: Justices P Krishna Kumar, KV Jayakumar, Muralee Krishna S, Jobin Sebastian and PV Balakrishnan.
- Justice Subhash Upadhyay was approved as a permanent judge of the Uttarakhand High Court, and Justice Kaushik Goswami as a permanent judge of the Gauhati High Court.
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The Supreme Court directed states to raise the retirement age of judicial officers in district judiciary from 60 to 62 years. The move aims to address the backlog of 5.18 crore pending cases in district courts.
The Supreme Court's Jan Soochna Seva will provide simple Hindi summaries of selected major judgments and orders, each with a link to the corresponding official document. The service will release daily audio and video…
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the elevation of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge of the Bombay High Court as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. The Collegium also recommended Justice Mahesh…
Justice Sanjay Kumar Agarwal of the Chhattisgarh High Court was appointed Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao of the Delhi High Court was appointed Chief Justice of the Patna High…
Key Updates:
- Soorya Krishnamoorthy, a renowned performing arts expert, playwright, screenwriter and cultural organiser, passed away at the age of 78 in Thiruvananthapuram while undergoing treatment for a liver-related illness.
- Born Nataraja Krishnamoorthy, he joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a scientist in 1972, worked there for 27 years alongside former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and took voluntary retirement in 1999 to devote himself to the arts.
- He founded the Soorya Stage and Film Society in Thiruvananthapuram in 1977, which expanded from cinema into music, dance, theatre, photography and painting.
- His Soorya Festival grew into one of Kerala's major cultural programmes and was scheduled to begin its 2026 edition on October 1, days after his death.
- He introduced light-and-sound shows in Malayalam, served three times as director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, chaired the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, and wrote the screenplay for the 2011 Malayalam film 'Melvilasom'.
- He won the National Award for Stagecraft and Direction in 1996 and received recognition from the Limca Book of Records.
- His mortal remains were kept for public viewing at his residence in Thycaud from 7 am, with cremation at Shanthi Kavadam in the evening.
Connects with 4 related updates for revision context.
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M.P. Parameswaran was born on 18 January 1935 and died at his residence in Kottappuram on 11 August 2026 at the age of 91. He served as a nuclear scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) from 1957 to 1975.
Franco Baresi, former AC Milan captain and one of Italy's most acclaimed defenders, died at the age of 66. He spent his entire 20-year playing career at AC Milan, making over 700 appearances.
