24th September, 2026

1. President Amends Inter-State Council Order to Include Governors and Lt Governors in Meetings During President’s Rule
2. IIT-BHU and University of Michigan Sign MoU for Electric Mobility Research Collaboration
3. Government Dissolves Digital Communications Commission After 37 Years
4. PM Narendra Modi Unveils Logo for Birth Centenary Celebrations of Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji
5. Premier Energies Commissions India’s Largest Solar Cell Facility, Total Capacity Reaches 10.6 GW
6. WMO’s State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report: Global Glacier Mass Loss Continues for Fourth Consecutive Year
7. Harsh Sanghani Re-elected President of ICA Youth Committee for 2nd Term
8. Mastercard Exits Pine Labs, Sells 4.31% Stake Worth Rs 933 Crore via Block Deals
9. J&K Bank Signs Escrow Agreement to Sell 0.5% Stake in PNB MetLife for Rs 120 Crores
10. England Fast Bowler Mark Wood Retires from International Cricket After 11-Year Career
11. Vir Chakra Awardee Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke Passed Away
12. Hirav Shah Launches Business Novel “SAARATHI” in Gujarat
13. Bhikaji Cama Birth Anniversary: Life, Contributions and Key Facts on the Flag of 1907
14. World Maritime Day 2026: Theme, Date, Significance and Key Facts
15. Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist: Six Novels, Authors and Key Facts
16. Andhra Pradesh Police Launches AI Drone Portal, SafeStay App
17. Assam Government to Go Paperless From January 1, 2027 Under e-Office System
18. Rajat Sharma Re-Elected as NBDA President for 2026-27
19. Bangladesh Names Asad Siam as New Envoy to India
20. PM Modi to Interact with Seva Yatris Travelling from Vadnagar to Varanasi
21. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar Co-Chairs L.69 Ministerial Meeting on UNSC Reform
22. India Extends Anti-Dumping Duty on Decor Paper Imports from China Till March 2027
23. Defence Ministry Signs Over ₹810 Crore Contract with BDL for 160 SAT-SAAW Systems
24. President Murmu Inaugurates Global Spiritual Palace Retreat Centre in Vadodara
25. Delhi Cabinet Approves DURGA Scheme; 1,300 Pink E-Autos to Be Allotted to Women and Transgenders
26. Uttar Pradesh CM Launches Bharat Taxi and Krishak Samriddhi Yojana
27. NCRTC Presents India’s First Regional Rapid Transit System, Namo Bharat, at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin
28. National Film Award Winner Ravi Raj Murmu Accorded Warm Welcome in Ranchi
29. Bihar’s Cultural Heritage Showcased Through 65 Mementos in PM Mementos e-Auction
30. Union Minister Jitendra Singh Holds Talks with European Parliament Delegation on India-EU FTA and Technology Cooperation
31. PM Modi Congratulates Jay Meena on Becoming India’s First Asian Games Soft Tennis Medallist

National News

President Amends Inter-State Council Order For Governor Participation

• What: President Droupadi Murmu amended Inter-State Council Order, 1990, to enable participation of Governors and Lieutenant Governors in Inter-State Council meetings when specified constitutional or statutory provisions operate in their respective States or Union Territories (UTs).
• Tell me more:
  • The Inter-State Council (Amendment) Order, 2026, notified by Ministry of Home Affairs on September 9, came into force immediately under powers conferred under Article 263 of Constitution.
  • Governor shall attend meetings when President’s proclamation under Article 356 of Constitution is in force in relation to a state.
  • Lieutenant Governor of National Capital Territory (NCT) shall attend when President’s order under Article 239AB is in force in relation to NCT.
  • Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry shall attend when President’s order under Section 51 of Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 is in force, while Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir shall attend when President’s order under Section 73 of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 is in force.
  • Inter-State Council was established under Article 263 of Constitution through Inter-State Council Order, 1990, published in Gazette of India on May 28, 1990, and amended in July 1990 and December 1996.

Government Dissolves Digital Communications Commission After 37 Years

• What: Government notified dissolution of Digital Communications Commission (DCC), Department of Telecommunications’ apex decision-making body that handled policy matters and proposals with significant financial implications for nearly 37 years, effective from September 19 notification date.
• Tell me more:
  • The body was established as Telecom Commission in 1989 and renamed Digital Communications Commission in 2018, comprising senior officials from NITI Aayog, Finance Ministry, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and other government departments.
  • Commission resolved complex telecom policy issues and finalised decisions on matters before Cabinet approval, including spectrum pricing and recommendations made by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
  • DCC held last meeting on September 3 and finalised decision on satellite communication (satcom) spectrum, which now awaits Cabinet approval.
  • Elon Musk-led Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Industries Ltd’s Jio Satellite Communications received permission to begin satcom services but cannot roll out services until spectrum allocation and second stage security clearance from security agencies.

Dr S Jaishankar Co-Chairs L.69 Meeting on UNSC Reform

• What: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar co-chaired the L.69 Consultative Ministerial Interaction on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform, alongside Saint Lucian Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste, at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.
• Tell me more:
  • The L.69 group is a cross-regional coalition of developing nations focused on achieving comprehensive United Nations Security Council reform.
  • Jaishankar noted that L.69 and C.10, an African Union coalition, are joining forces to push for UNSC reform together.
  • Jaishankar said developing countries are facing major global changes while the United Nations is unable to meet expectations. He called United Nations Security Council reform urgent to address conflicts and historical unfairness.

EU Parliament Delegation Meets Jitendra Singh

• What: A European Parliament Committee delegation on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE), led by Angelika Winzig and Raffaele Stancanelli, met Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and cooperation in science and technology.
• Tell me more:
  • Under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), a EUR 60 million joint investment over four years supports research on waste-to-hydrogen and marine pollution.
  • Dr. Singh sought European Parliament support for early signing and ratification of the India-EU FTA and greater cooperation in AI, quantum technologies, semiconductors, biotechnology and 6G.
  • Discussions covered India’s proposed association with Horizon Europe Program, the European Union’s main research and innovation funding programme, with indicative funding of EUR 93.5 billion for 2021–2027.

State News

PM Modi Unveils Logo of Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji Birth Centenary

• What: PM Narendra Modi met Sri Sri Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swamiji of Sri Pejavara Adhokshaja Matha, Udupi, Karnataka, along with other dignitaries in New Delhi and unveiled logo of Birth Centenary Celebrations of Padma Vibhushan Yatikula Chakravarti Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji.
• Tell me more:
  • Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji (1931–2019) was a prominent Dvaita Vedanta spiritual leader and received the Padma Vibhushan.

Premier Energies Commissions 7 GW Solar Cell Plant at Naidupeta

• What: Premier Energies commissioned 7 GW N-type TOPCon G12R solar cell manufacturing facility at Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh, increasing total cell manufacturing capacity to 10.6 GW from 3.6 GW.
• Tell me more:
  • The facility manufactures high-efficiency N-type TOPCon solar cells for solar panels, expanding domestic cell production, improving supply-chain resilience, and supporting India’s growing solar manufacturing ecosystem.
  • N-type TOPCon solar cells are advanced solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently, using a special layer to reduce energy loss.

Andhra Pradesh Police Launch Two Digital Systems

• What: Andhra Pradesh police launched two new digital systems, the AI-based Centralised Drone Monitoring Portal (CDMP) and the SafeStay app, to expand technology use for public safety and crime prevention.
• Tell me more:
  • SafeStay: Helps police monitor hotel and paying guest (PG) accommodation guests in real time for better safety and policing.
  • CDMP: Combines live drone feeds on one dashboard, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics for monitoring and preventive policing.

Assam Sets Deadline for Paperless Office System

• What: The Assam government has set January 1, 2027, as the deadline for all state government offices to shift to a paperless e-Office system, expanding its digital governance programme.
• Tell me more:
  • Assam has already adopted the National Informatics Centre (NIC)-developed e-Office platform in the State Secretariat, with all 58 departments currently using the system.
  • The e-Office platform replaces paper-based file processing with digital workflows, enabling electronic document handling, digital signing, and archiving of official records.
  • Assam established a dedicated state-level steering mechanism in 2021, and launched e-Office District in 2026 to extend digital processes to district-level offices.

PM Modi Interacts with Seva Yatra Participants

• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted virtually with “Seva Yatris” travelling on a motorcycle rally between Vadnagar and Varanasi, emphasising that service should be the main purpose of life.
• Tell me more:
  • Seva Yatra rallies promote public service through cleanliness drives, tree planting and scheme awareness, travelling across India in 10 groups and concluding October 7, marking 25 years of public service.

President Murmu Inaugurates Global Spiritual Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat

• What: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the “Global Spiritual Palace” Retreat Centre of Brahma Kumaris in Vadodara, Gujarat, and launched the “Spiritual Awakening for World Renewal” project on the occasion.
• Tell me more:
  • Murmu virtually launched the “Youth for Viksit Bharat: Awakening Inner Strength for Nation Building” campaign of Brahma Kumaris, Nadiad, Gujarat, the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Delhi Cabinet Approves DURGA E-Auto Scheme

• What: The Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the “DURGA” e-auto scheme to create self-employment opportunities for women and transgender persons and promote safer, cleaner transport.
• Tell me more:
  • The first phase will allocate 1,300 pink e-autos, with 1,170 for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries aged 20–40 years and eligible income levels.
  • Separately, Gupta launched the “Delhi PM Surya Ghar” registration portal for rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
  • Under this scheme, the Centre and Delhi Government will together provide a subsidy of up to ₹1.56 lakh for solar systems up to 3 kW.

UP CM Launches Bharat Taxi and Krishak Yojana

• What: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched “Bharat Taxi” and the “Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana”, taking two major steps for taxi drivers and farmers in the state.
• Tell me more:
  • Under Bharat Taxi, two-wheeler, taxi, and three-wheeler drivers can join on zero commission and receive social security of ₹5 lakh; operations have started in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj.
  • Under the Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, the interest rate on loans through the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Gramya Vikas Bank has been reduced from 11% to 6%.

NCRTC Showcases Namo Bharat at InnoTrans 2026

• What: The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is showcasing India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System, Namo Bharat, at InnoTrans 2026, an international transport technology fair held in Berlin from September 22-25.
• Tell me more:
  • The 82-kilometre Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor, connecting Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi with Modipuram in Meerut, became fully operational in February this year.
  • This regional rail can help people live beyond major cities by providing affordable and efficient transport.

Bihar’s Culture Featured in PM Mementos Auction

• What: The 8th edition of the PM Mementos e-Auction 2026 features a collection of 65 mementos from Bihar, showcasing the state’s folk art, handcraft, spirituality, history, and heritage.
• Tell me more:
  • The collection includes Madhubani paintings depicting Ram Sita Vivah, Chhath Puja, and Ramayana, along with Sikki grass art like a model of the New Parliament House.
  • Historical artefacts include a copper-plate memento of freedom fighter Mangal Pandey and representations of Ashoka Stambh, Lord Buddha, and Mahavir Swami.
  • The collection also features religious landmarks such as Punaura Dham, Maa Aranya Devi Temple, and Mundeshwari Devi Temple across Bihar.
  • Base prices range from ₹1,500 to ₹1,20,000, with the auction live online until October 2, 2026.

Banking and Economy

Mastercard Exits Pine Labs with Rs 933 Crore Stake Sale

• What: Mastercard sold its entire 4.31% stake in Pine Labs for ₹933 crore, selling nearly 4.97 crore shares at an average price of ₹187.75 each.
• Tell me more:
  • Investors including Kotak Mahindra, Edelweiss, Franklin Templeton, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley purchased the shares.

J&K Bank Signs Escrow Deal for PNB MetLife Stake Sale

• What: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Bank Ltd signed an escrow agreement with MetLife International Holdings and Barclays entities for selling its 0.5% stake in PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Ltd for ₹120.10 crore.
• Tell me more:
  • Barclays Wealth Trustees (India) will act as the Share Escrow Agent, while Barclays Bank PLC will act as the Cash Escrow Agent.

Hirav Shah’s SAARATHI Becomes Amazon India Bestseller on Launch

• What: Business strategist Hirav Shah’s book SAARATHI became Amazon India bestseller on launch day, telling story of Ahmedabad fashion designer whose business faces collapse and strategist who helps identify crucial decisions for enterprise turnaround.
• Tell me more:
  • SAARATHI explores three central themes: moving beyond hustle culture, understanding difference between busyness and strategy, and recognising true meaning of responsibility that includes family waiting at home.

India Extends Anti-Dumping Duty on China’s Decor Papers

• What: India has extended anti-dumping duty on decor papers imported from China till March 26, 2027, to protect domestic manufacturers from cheap inbound shipments.
• Tell me more:
  • In December 2021, the Department of Revenue had imposed the duty ranging from $110 per tonne to $542 per tonne, for five years.
  • The extension was approved following a recommendation by the Directorate General for Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the commerce ministry.
  • Decor paper is a printed or plain paper used for surfacing furniture, flooring, and interior design purposes.
  • India also extended anti-dumping duty on Calcined Gypsum Powder from Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE till March 16, 2027, and on Natural Mica-based Pearl Industrial Pigments from China till February 25, 2027.

Reports and Indices

WMO State of Global Water Resources Report 2025

• What: World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) State of Global Water Resources 2025 report reveals 2025 was fourth consecutive year with net ice mass loss across all major glaciated regions, with glaciers losing 408 ± 132 gigatonnes of mass between October 2024 and September 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • Six of seven largest annual glacier losses occurred in last seven years, with Central Asia, South Asia West, Russian Arctic, Iceland, and Western Canada and USA regions recording among three most negative years on record.
  • Mountain glaciers lost 6.2% of ice mass between 2000 and 2025, with some regions like central Altai region of Russia recording 40.2% mass loss since 1950s, including 18.8% loss since 2001.
  • 2025 was one of driest years for river discharge in 35 years with below-normal flows over 36% of global basin area, while past seven years saw fewest rivers with normal flows since 1991.
  • Terrestrial water storage shows persistent negative trend since 2014-2016, with nearly two-thirds of monitored wells worldwide showing conditions outside historical norm in 2025, shifting further toward deficit compared to 2024.
  • Asia and Africa accounted for at least half of all recorded water-related extreme events and over 80% of reported associated deaths over past five years, with glaciers losing cumulative 1400 Gigatonnes of water between 2023-2025.

Defence News

Defence Ministry Signs Contract for SAT-SAAW Weapons

• What: The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the procurement of 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Tell me more:
  • SAT-SAAW is an air-to-ground precision guided glide bomb, launchable from platforms like Jaguar, Hawk, and Su-30 MKI, capable of neutralising enemy airfields from long range.
  • The system, indigenously designed by the DRDO, will have 60% indigenous content, boosting self-reliance in defence.
  • Delivery of SAT-SAAW is scheduled between 2027-2028 and 2028-2029, aiming to strengthen the IAF’s operational capability.

Awards

Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist

• What: The 2026 Booker Prize shortlist of six novels was announced, selected from 163 submissions by a judging panel led by Mary Beard, with the winner to be revealed on November 9, 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • The list features two previous Booker winners: Douglas Stuart (Shuggie Bain, 2020) and Marlon James (A Brief History of Seven Killings, 2015).
  • Rebecca Perry’s May We Feed the King is the only debut novel on the shortlist, having already won the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize.
  • If M. John Harrison wins, at 81, he would become the Booker Prize’s oldest-ever winner, surpassing Margaret Atwood’s record set in 2019.

Important Days

Bhikaji Cama Birth Anniversary – September 24

• Bhikhaiji Rustom Cama, also known as Madam Cama, was a prominent Indian independence activist who became the first person to hoist an early Indian flag abroad at the 1907 International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany on 22 August.
• She was born on 24 September 1861 and passed away on 13 August 1936.

World Maritime Day – September 24

• Theme: ‘From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence’

Sports

Mark Wood Retires from International Cricket

• England fast bowler Mark Wood, a two-time World Cup winner, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 36, citing medical advice against playing Test and 50-over cricket.

Jay Meena Wins India’s First Soft Tennis Medal

• Jay Meena scripted history by winning India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis, securing bronze in the men’s singles event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.

Memorandum of Understanding

IIT BHU Varanasi Signs MoU With University of Michigan For Electric Mobility Research

• What: Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Michigan, Ann Arbor for joint research and innovation in electric vehicles and sustainable mobility at Electric Vehicle Centre (EVC), University of Michigan.
• Tell me more:
  • Prof Amit Patra, Director, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, and Prof Todd Allen, Associate Dean for Research, University of Michigan, signed the MoU.
  • The MoU creates opportunities for joint research, faculty and student engagement, and innovation in global electric mobility ecosystem while strengthening alumni and institutional engagement between both institutions.

Appointments

Harsh Sanghani Re-elected Unopposed as ICA Youth Committee President

• What: Harsh Sanghani, recognised as Global Youth Leader and Global Youth Cooperative Leader, was re-elected President of International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Youth Committee and confirmed as Youth Representative to ICA Global Board at ICA Global Cooperative Conference and Elective General Assembly in Panama City, standing entirely unopposed.
• Tell me more:
  • Sanghani became first person of Asian origin elected to lead ICA Youth Committee and youngest board member in Alliance’s history at age 20 during Festival of Cooperatives in Manchester on 3 July 2025.

Rajat Sharma Re-elected NBDA President for 2026-27

• What: India TV Chairman Rajat Sharma has been unanimously re-elected President of the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) for 2026-27, decided at an NBDA Board of Directors meeting.
• Tell me more:
  • The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), formerly News Broadcasters Association, represents India’s private television and digital broadcasters, with 29 members operating 136 news channels.

Bangladesh to Appoint New High Commissioner to India

• Bangladesh is moving to post Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam as its next High Commissioner to India, as Dhaka and New Delhi explore ways to improve bilateral ties.

Miscellaneous

1965 War Hero Alfred Tyrone Cooke Passes Away

• What: Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke (retd.), whose legendary dogfight over Kalaikunda during the 1965 India-Pakistan War remains a “masterclass in aggressive air combat,” has died in Delhi, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said.
• Tell me more:
  • The Vir Chakra awardee displayed exceptional courage during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, when Kalaikunda air base witnessed fierce aerial combat between Indian Air Force and Pakistani pilots.

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