18th September, 2026

1. India Merchandise And Services Exports Rise 15.5% to USD 399.27 Bn in April-August 2026: MoC&I
2. Union MoS Jitin Prasada Inaugurates NIELIT–Infineon CoE on Semiconductor Manufacturing in Gujarat
3. CISF Signs Two MoUs with IIT Kanpur to Strengthen Cybersecurity and Anti-Drone Capabilities
4. MeitY Grants In-Principle Approval for AI-CoE in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
5. BHEL, Titagarh Rail Signed JV Pact for Maintenance of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains for 35 Years
6. Bharat Forge–Pratt & Whitney Canada Collaboration for DRDO HALE UAV
7. IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani Elected to ICA Global Board for 2026-2030 Term
8. NASA Discovers Massive ‘McGetchin’ Crater from 2024 Moon Impact
9. International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South 2026 – September 16
10. International Day for Interventional Cardiology 2026 – September 16
11. Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Declares Kumik as First Heritage Village During Zanskar Festival 2026
12. International Equal Pay Day – September 18
13. World Bamboo Day 2026: Bamboo for a Regenerative Future
14. Abhishek Sharma Hits Fastest T20I Century for India
15. N Chandrasekaran Reappointed as Tata Sons Chairman
16. Who is Sethuraman Panchanathan? Chennai-Born Scientist Wins 2026 Bueche Award
17. Academic Freedom Index 2026: India in Severely Restricted Category
18. Michael Kremer Appointed World Bank Group Chief Economist
19. QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings 2027
20. 2027 QS Business Master’s Rankings
21. Union Minister Jitendra Singh addresses FICCI conference on digitalisation, AI and automation in mining
22. 147th birth anniversary of Self-Respect Movement founder Thanthai Periyar observed today
23. PM Modi thanks people worldwide for birthday wishes, shares ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ song
24. Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar inaugurates Samajik Adhikarita Shivirs in New Delhi

National News

Centre of Excellence Inaugurated for Semiconductors

• What: The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, inaugurated the NIELIT–Infineon Centre of Excellence on Semiconductor Manufacturing at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in collaboration with Infineon Technologies.
• Tell me more:
  • Infineon Technologies supports the facility with eight industry-grade equipment units for backend processes, training diploma holders, engineering students, technicians, and professionals, strengthening India Semiconductor Mission workforce.

3rd Edition of FICCI Conference on Digitalisation, AI Automation and Technology Integration in Mining and Metals in New Delhi

• What: Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the third edition of the FICCI Conference on Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence Automation and Technology Integration in Mining and Metals in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • The Union Minister launched the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry-KPMG report titled Mineral Extraction to Metals Production India’s Technology Pivot for Competitiveness.
  • The mining and metals sector requires a strategic shift from resource advantage to technology-driven competitiveness across the entire value chain.
  • The government supports high-impact research through twenty-five Technology Innovation Hubs and the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme.

Government Organizes Nationwide Camps for Empowerment

• What: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated Samajik Adhikarita Shivirs across 76 locations in 21 states to distribute free assistive devices to senior citizens and Divyangjans.
• Tell me more:
  • The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, organized the camps through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO).
  • The nationwide initiative provided assistive devices worth approximately ₹68 crore to more than 58,000 pre-identified beneficiaries.
  • The program aims to enhance mobility, independence, dignity, and self-reliance among vulnerable sections, with the main event at Lav-Kush Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, virtually connected to nationwide camp locations.

State News

Artificial Intelligence Centre Approved in Bhubaneswar

• What: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved a proposed Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence in Bhubaneswar to promote startup incubation and applied technological innovation.
• Tell me more:
  • Software Technology Parks of India will implement the facility under the IndiaAI Mission using an earmarked space of approximately 10,000 square feet.
  • Blue Cloud Softech Solutions joins the initiative as an industry partner with a financial contribution of ₹4 crore.
  • The facility will focus on priority areas including healthcare, governance, disaster management, oceanography, and coastal fisheries.

Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Declares Kumik as First Heritage Village During Zanskar Festival 2026

• What: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena declared Kumik village in Zanskar as the region’s first designated heritage village during the Ladakh Zanskar Festival.
• Tell me more:
  • Kumik preserves traditional houses, agricultural practices, sacred spaces and Tibetan Buddhist Kanjur manuscripts, aligning with the government’s cultural preservation vision.
  • Zanskar gained district status in April, and the festival entered the tourism calendar.

State Leader Honors Social Reformer Periyar

• What: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay paid floral tributes on the 147th birth anniversary of social reformer Thanthai Periyar EV Ramasamy in Chennai and administered the Social Justice Day pledge to officials and citizens.
• Tell me more:
  • The social reformer launched the Self-Respect Movement in 1925 to challenge caste orthodoxy and uplift non-Brahmin communities.
  • The movement promoted rationalism, gender equality, and anti-caste reforms through the Tamil weekly journal Kudi Arasu.

Banking and Economy

India’s Exports Rise 15.55% During April-August

• What: India’s total exports of merchandise and services during April-August 2026-27 were estimated at US$399.27 billion, compared with US$345.55 billion during April-August 2025-26, registering 15.55% growth.
  • Total imports rose to US$459.65 billion from US$389.50 billion, registering 18.01% growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Merchandise trade:

• Services trade:
  • Services exports are estimated to have grown 12.95% during April-August 2026-27 over the corresponding period of 2025-26.

• Top export destinations with growth during April-August 2026-27:
  

• Top import sources with growth during April-August 2026-27:
  

BHEL, Titagarh Rail Signed JV Pact for Maintenance of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains

• What: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited signed an agreement with Titagarh Rail Systems Limited to establish a joint venture company for the comprehensive maintenance of Vande Bharat sleeper train sets over a period of 35 years.
• Tell me more:
  • Both corporate entities will hold an equal 50% stake in the newly formed private limited company.
  • The joint venture will start with a paid-up share capital of ₹50 lakh and maintain its registered office in Delhi.
  • Each partner company will nominate two directors to the newly incorporated entity’s board, while combining technical capabilities to ensure train operational readiness, safety, and reliability.

Reports and Indices

Academic Freedom Index 2026

• The Academic Freedom Index (AFI) project, implemented by V-Dem and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) to measure the levels of academic freedom worldwide.
• The AFI project started in 2017 with an expert consultation in Cologne, funded by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation (German NPO).
• It uses five indicators:
  • Freedom to research and teach
  • Freedom of academic exchange and dissemination
  • Institutional autonomy
  • Campus integrity
  • Freedom of academic and cultural expression
• It currently covers 179 countries and territories in 2025.
• As per this index, 50 countries and territories experienced a statistically and substantially significant decline in academic freedom over the past 10 years, while only 9 countries experienced an increase.
• The report also finds that stronger institutional autonomy is associated with greater protection of research and teaching freedom.
• About India
  • India’s academic freedom is described as “severely restricted”, alongside Hong Kong, Indonesia, Pakistan, the West Bank and Ukraine.
  • India’s score fell from 0.38 in 2022 to 0.14 in 2025.

2027 QS Global Master of Business Administration (MBA) Ranking

• What: MIT (Sloan, USA) has topped the 2027 QS Global Master of Business Administration (MBA) Ranking, with Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Penn (Wharton) completing an all-US top four.
• Tell me more:
  • The United States accounts for 133 of the 424 ranked programmes, holding five of the global top 10 and 11 of the top 20.
  • Cambridge (Judge) became the highest-ranked European programme, overtaking HEC Paris, with Europe having 113 programmes in the table.
  • India in QS Global MBA Rankings 2027 in Top 100 List:

• Five Indian institutions have entered the QS Global MBA rankings for the first time.
  

• India had five institutions in the QS global MBA rankings in 2020 and seven in 2022. The 2027 edition takes the number of Indian entries to 19.
• India in QS Asia MBA Rankings 2027:

2027 QS Business Master’s Rankings

• What: Quacquarelli Symonds released the QS Business Master’s Rankings 2027, detailing distinct regional strengths across management, finance, business analytics, and supply chain management subject areas.
• Tell me more:

Defence News

Bharat Forge–Pratt & Whitney Canada Collaboration for DRDO HALE UAV

• What: Bharat Forge Limited and Pratt & Whitney Canada partnered to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme developed by the DRDO.
• Tell me more:
  • Earlier this year, DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) had floated an Expression of Interest (EoI) for identifying a development and production partner for HALE aircraft.
  • HALE platforms enable extended hours of operations such as undertaking intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) activities for the military and operate at very high altitude.
  • India had earlier developed a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV named Rustom, which can fly up to 22,000 feet.

Science and Technology

Massive New Impact Crater Discovered on Moon

• What: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) identified a massive new impact crater named McGetchin on the moon, providing scientists with a rare pristine site to study lunar geological processes.
• Tell me more:
  • The crater formed between April 11 and May 22, 2024, after an asteroid or comet fragment struck the lunar surface.
  • NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter tracked the 728-foot-wide, 141-foot-deep feature, detecting an ejecta blanket and thermal anomaly; such impacts occur roughly once every century.

Awards

Indian American Wins Prestigious Engineering Award

• What: Chennai-born Indian American technology policy expert Sethuraman Panchanathan won the 2026 Arthur M. Bueche Award from the US National Academy of Engineering, becoming the first Indian American to receive this honor.
• Tell me more:
  • The National Academy of Engineering recognized Panchanathan for leadership in promoting fundamental science, technology policy, and translational research.
  • The recipient serves as a University Professor of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University and previously directed the National Science Foundation.
  • The formal presentation of the award will take place in October at the National Academy of Engineering annual meeting in Washington, District of Columbia.

Important Days

International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South 2026 – September 16

• UN Focus: Shaping a Brighter Future for the Global South
• On 9 January 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, officially proclaiming September 16th as the International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South.

International Day for Interventional Cardiology 2026 – September 16

• UN Focus: The burden of non-communicable diseases

International Equal Pay Day 2026 – September 18

• Theme: Equal pay for work of equal value
• The Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) is led by the ILO, UN Women, and OECD. The Coalition’s goal is to achieve equal pay for women and men everywhere.

Sports

Abhishek Sharma Hits Fastest T20I Century for India

• What: Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma scored a record-breaking century off just 30 balls against Afghanistan in Delhi, recording the fastest T20I Century by any batter from a Full Member nation.
• Tell me more:
  • The explosive opener surpassed Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of a 35-ball century, scoring 108 runs from 34 balls with 11 sixes and nine boundaries.

Memorandum of Understanding

CISF Signs Two MoUs With IIT-Kanpur

• What: The Central Industrial Security Force signed two memoranda of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to strengthen cyber security capabilities and develop drone technology for protecting critical infrastructure.
• Tell me more:
  • The first agreement establishes a six-week residential cyber security training programme through C3iHub, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, for batches of 40 personnel.
  • A second five-year agreement establishes a Centre of Excellence in drone and anti-drone technology at the Central Industrial Security Force Major Police Training and Recruitment Centre in Behror, Rajasthan.
  • The curriculum covers critical infrastructure, cyber threats, AI risks and digital forensics, supporting indigenous solutions and expertise under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Appointments

IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani Elected to ICA Global Board for 2026-2030 Term

• What: Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) Chairman Dileep Sanghani won election as an At-Large Director to the Global Board of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) for the 2026-2030 term.
• Tell me more:
  • Dr. Ariel Guarco was elected unopposed as President of the organization, while the new board includes 30 members, including regional vice presidents and committee heads.
  • The General Assembly in Panama elected 16 cooperators from 16 countries during the global conference week.
  • The event operated under the theme “Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions to a Peaceful World.”

N Chandrasekaran Reappointed as Tata Sons Chairman

• What: Tata Sons Private Limited board approved a fresh five-year term for N Chandrasekaran as executive chairman, triggering a governance dispute after Tata Trusts declared the decision illegal.
• Tell me more:
  • Tata Sons controls roughly 66% equity owned by Tata Trusts and faces potential public stock-market listing requirements.

World Bank Group Appoints New Chief Economist

• What: World Bank Group President Ajay Banga appointed Nobel laureate Michael Kremer (American) as the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics to lead the institution’s research and data agenda.
• Tell me more:
  • The newly appointed chief economist won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics for an experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.
  • The distinguished professor directs the Development Innovation Lab at the University of Chicago and co-founded Development Innovation Ventures, which invests in innovations reaching over 200 million people.

Miscellaneous

Prime Minister Responds to Birthday Song ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’

• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude and reposted a tribute song titled ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ on social media, noting that such affectionate gestures from citizens deeply touch his heart.
• Tell me more:
  • Music composer Aman Pant composed the special track dedicated to the leadership and public service of the Prime Minister.
  • Playback singer Sneha Shankar lent her voice to the musical tribute.

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