19th-21st September, 2026

1. Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates SPROUT Facility at BRIC-NIPGR for Climate-Resilient Crop Research
2. DoSJE Extends MoU with The Art of Living under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
3. NSTFDC and HPCL Sign MoU to Set Up Computer Labs & Smart Classrooms in 29 EMRSs across Rajasthan
4. GFCI 40: GIFT City Jumps to 37th; New York Tops Global Rankings
5. Kamlesh Chandra Varshney Reappointed as SEBI Whole-Time Member
6. Former Union Minister E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan Passed Away at 78
7. World Patient Safety Day 2026 – September 17
8. MDL to Establish Rs. 27,000 Crore Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster at Dighi, Maharashtra
9. DRDO to Seek Industry Partner for 30kW Laser Weapon
10. Angh: Nagaland Film Wins Platform Prize at TIFF 2026
11. World Alzheimer’s Day 2026
12. National Film Awards 2026
13. International Day of Peace 2026
14. SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Begin Naval Exercise
15. Alfred Tyrone Cooke, 1965 War Hero and Vir Chakra Awardee, Dies
16. Tulu Gets Second Additional Administrative Language Status in Karnataka
17. Tamil Nadu Gold Ring Scheme 2026
18. QDENGA Dengue Vaccine: India’s First Approved Dengue Vaccine
19. PM Modi Inaugurates NGT International Environment Conference 2026
20. Warren Buffett Steps Down After Decades at Berkshire Hathaway
21. Luke Lindberg Appointed New World Food Programme Chief
22. International Red Panda Day 2026
23. Marathi Thriller Gondhal Is India’s Official Entry for Oscars 2027
24. Who Is Zhang Yiming? ByteDance Founder Becomes Asia’s Richest Person
25. RBI Cancels Licences of 5 NBFCs, 8 Surrender Registrations
26. Ladakh Unveils World’s Highest Flower Fields at 10,600 Feet
27. Japan Raises Interest Rate to 31-Year High Amid Inflation
28. Moody’s Raises India GDP Growth Forecast to 7%
29. 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam
30. Home Minister Amit Shah pays tribute to Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya on his birth anniversary
31. EAM S Jaishankar to lead Indian delegation at 81st Session of UN General Assembly in New York
32. India, Japan conduct Air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2026’ at Air Force Station Jodhpur
33. Suryakiran Aerobatic Team takes to Meerut skies for the first time
34. Govt makes Aadhaar biometric authentication mandatory for subsidised refills of LPG cylinders from 1st Oct
35. INS Trishul Made Port Call at Egypt’s Alexandria From Sept 14-17
36. India accounts for 20% of global semiconductor design workforce, says MeitY
37. India ranks first in business climate among 41 global markets: Swedish Chamber survey
38. MDL Signs MoU to Develop Greenfield Shipyard at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh
39. India’s software services exports rise 8.2% to $221.4 billion in 2025-26, says RBI
40. HAL Hands Over Tejas Twin-Seater, HTT-40 Trainer Aircraft to Indian Air Force
41. South Zone Regional Agricultural Conference 2026 Concludes in Hyderabad
42. Tripura CM Manik Saha Announces 30 Acres for New Cricket Academy
43. Arunachal Pradesh State Scout & Guide Fellowship Wins D. S. Mahajan Excellence Award for best state
44. Two-Day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival Begins in Badrinath Under Operation Sadbhavana
45. Indian Railways Approves Kavach 4.0 for Over 600 Route Kilometres in Lucknow Division
46. Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar coastal cleanup drive held across Keralam
47. Kerala Constitutes Anti-Narcotics Investigation Team Under Operation Toofan
48. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi congratulates SECI on its 15th Foundation Day
49. India, Nepal discuss measures to facilitate greater market access for products of both countries
50. Indian men score resounding 3-1 victory over Spain at Chess Olympiad in Samarkand
51. India to Host Asian Senior Wushu Championships for First Time in 2028
52. Indian Missions in Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE mark Seva Pakhwada with various community initiatives
53. Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar Wins Gold at ISSF Junior World Cup

National News

PM Modi Inaugurates NGT International Environment Conference 2026

• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said carbon emission responsibility had been “wrongly placed” on developing countries, claiming India was the only G20 nation to fulfil all its Paris climate summit commitments, ahead of schedule.
• Tell me more:
  • Modi was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day international conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics”, organised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi.
  • He said India’s per capita carbon emissions remain less than half the global average, while developed countries’ per capita emissions are six times India’s.
  • Modi noted solar capacity grew from about 2 GW to over 160 GW in 12 years, with non-fossil capacity reaching 52.57% of the total by February 2026.
  • India’s third Paris target, an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent by 2030, remains in progress.
  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates global warming could reach 2.3-2.5 degrees Celsius even if all countries fully implement their climate commitments.

Amit Shah Pays Tribute to Pandit Shriram Sharma

• What: Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya on his birth anniversary, praising his contributions to the cultural upliftment of society.
• Tell me more:
  • Shriram Sharma Acharya (September 20, 1911 – June 2, 1990), guided by the mantra “Hum Badlenge, Yug Badlega,” inspired millions toward public service and social reform and founded the All World Gayatri Pariwar and Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan in 1979.

Jaishankar to Lead India at UNGA High-Level Week

• What: External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation for the High Level Week at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
• Tell me more:
  • Jaishankar is scheduled to address the High Level Session of the 81st UNGA on September 26, and will attend various multilateral and bilateral meetings.
  • The General Debate, scheduled from September 22 to 28, will see leaders of 193 UN member states outline their positions amid global challenges.
  • The 81st session is being held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh.
  • Brazil will be the traditional first speaker, while US President Donald Trump will also address the General Assembly on September 22.

LPG Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory from October 1, 2026

• What: Domestic LPG consumers who have not completed Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) will need to complete the process to book subsidised cylinder refills at regulated prices from October 1, 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • The government is paying ₹30,000 crore in compensation to oil marketing companies in FY26 and FY27, as accumulated under-recoveries crossed ₹62,000 crore by August 31, 2026.
  • Consumers can complete authentication at cylinder delivery, distributor showrooms, or through mobile apps like IndianOil ONE, HelloBPCL, or HP PAY.

India Expands Semiconductor Research and Manufacturing Ecosystem

• What: India is developing a complete semiconductor ecosystem covering research, design, manufacturing, testing, packaging and talent development, with ₹1.6 lakh crore investment commitments received under the Semicon India Programme.
• Tell me more:
  • The Semicon India Programme has approved 10 units, including 2 fabrication plants and 8 Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP)/Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) units.
  • The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme has approved 24 chip and System on Chip (SoC) projects worth ₹900 crore, while 7 chips have been fabricated from 16 designs.
  • India hosts about 7% of global semiconductor Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and employs nearly 20% of the global chip-design workforce, including engineers working on advanced 2 nm chips.
  • India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 will focus on equipment, materials, full-stack design, Indian intellectual property and stronger semiconductor supply chains.
  • The Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology support semiconductor research through initiatives covering academic research, commercialisation, nanoelectronics, Gallium Nitride (GaN), displays and semiconductor materials.
  • This information was submitted by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Shri Jitin Prasada in Rajya Sabha on 13.03.2026.
  • IT Secretary S. Krishnan also said recently that India has nearly 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce, while the government is training about 85,000 design engineers for semiconductor manufacturing.

Indian Railways Expands Kavach 4.0 Safety Coverage

• What: Indian Railways approved Kavach Version 4.0 across 607.7 route kilometres of Lucknow Division under North Eastern Railway at a cost of ₹252 crore to strengthen train safety.
• Tell me more:
  • Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system that monitors train movement, prevents Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), and applies brakes automatically when required.
  • Indian Railways approved a four-lane Road Over Bridge on the Udhna-Ukai Songadh section, sharing the cost equally with the State Government, to reduce traffic interference and ensure smoother, safer train movement.

Swachh Sagar Campaign Promotes Cleaner and Safer Coasts

• What: The fifth Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign conducted coastal clean-up activities at 231 locations across 13 States and Union Territories from September 12 to 19, involving 15 lakh people.
• Tell me more:
  • The campaign involved citizens, students, coastal communities, government agencies, scientific institutions and volunteers, with cleaning drives held at several beaches across Kerala.
  • The meeting reviewed a proposed Digital Library of Scientific Achievements and the monthly ‘Vigyan Ki Baat’ lecture series, which promotes India’s scientific research and technological achievements.
  • The second ‘Vigyan Ki Baat’ edition will be held on September 26, 2026, focusing on foundational physical sciences and quantum technology.

SECI Marks 15 Years of Renewable Energy Growth

• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi congratulated the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on its 15th Foundation Day, recognising its contribution to India’s renewable energy journey and clean energy ecosystem.

India Nepal Discuss Trade and Transit Cooperation

• What: India and Nepal held the Inter-Governmental Sub-Committee (IGSC) meeting in New Delhi to discuss trade, transit, market access, connectivity and measures against unauthorised trade.
• Tell me more:
  • Both sides discussed market access, Customs cooperation, trade facilitation, standards, food safety, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, AYUSH products and phytosanitary requirements.
  • The countries discussed electronic Certificates of Origin verification, Customs automation, pre-arrival information exchange, rail and road connectivity, freight movement and Integrated Check Posts.
  • Both sides reviewed land-port issues, addressed trade problems, and agreed to prevent unauthorised trade, fraud, misuse, and ensure timely technical follow-up.

Indian Embassies Conduct Seva Pakhwada Activities Abroad

• What: Indian embassies in Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) organised community activities under Seva Pakhwada, focusing on fitness, cleanliness, environmental awareness, civic participation and community engagement.
• Tell me more:
  • In Bahrain, around 200 Indian diaspora members joined the three-kilometre Viksit Bharat Run, followed by the Viksit Bharat pledge and a park cleaning drive.
  • In Kuwait, over 30 Indian community associations planted more than 60 saplings under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
  • In the UAE, the Embassy in Abu Dhabi organised Seva Parv with Indian community members, school students and several organisations.
  • The programmes involved organisations including Indian People’s Forum, Indian Business & Professional Council, Indian Business and Professional Group and ICAI, with more activities planned across West Asia.

State News

MDL to Establish Rs. 27,000 Crore Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster at Dighi, Maharashtra

• What: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd signed an MoU with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Maharashtra Limited to invest approximately ₹27,000 crore for establishing a greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi in Maharashtra.
• Tell me more:
  • The strategic project aims to achieve an annual shipbuilding capacity of at least 2 million gross tonnes for constructing large commercial vessels.
  • National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Maharashtra Limited operates as a special-purpose company jointly set up by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and Mumbai Port Authority.
  • The development operates under the Centre’s Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster Development Plan in alignment with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
  • NSHIPML Managing Director – Pradeep P

Karnataka Declares Tulu as Second Administrative Language

• What: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced that Tulu will be made the state’s second additional administrative language in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, following the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru.
• Tell me more:
  • The Cabinet also approved the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy, 2026-31, which includes establishing a Fisheries, Marine and Blue Economy University, increasing intake from 60 to 200 seats.
  • The government plans to issue a draft notification on renaming Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district, inviting public opinion for a month.

Tamil Nadu to Launch Gold Ring Scheme

• What: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will launch the Gold Ring scheme on September 28, providing one-gram, 22-carat gold rings to newborns in government hospitals, covering births from June 22, 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme aims to provide a traditional symbolic gift to newborns, support families, and honour the cultural practice of maternal uncles gifting gold rings.

Ladakh LG Inaugurates World’s Highest Flower Fields

• What: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the world’s highest and India’s largest twin flower fields in Leh, at an altitude of 10,600 feet, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday.
• Tell me more:
  • The gardens grow more than 25 lakh high-value flowers, mainly 24 lakh Lilium flowers and 1 lakh Gladiolus flowers, across 40 acres in Ladakh.

18th Edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam

• What: The International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala celebrates documentary and short films from India and around the world, showcasing diverse stories, ideas, cultures, and creative perspectives.
• Tell me more:
  • The IDSFFK is scheduled to be held in the state capital from September 25 to 30.

South Zone Agriculture Conference Focused on Farm Reforms

• What: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare organised the Zonal Agriculture Conference – South Zone in Hyderabad to discuss key agricultural priorities with southern States and Union Territories.
• Tell me more:
  • The conference discussed digital agriculture, self-reliance, natural and climate-resilient farming, fertilizer management, and measures against spurious inputs, while strengthening Centre-State coordination and improving storage, processing, value addition and marketing.

Tripura Plans Cricket Academy to Nurture Talent

• Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced over 30 acres of land for a state-of-the-art cricket academy at Sekerkote, aimed at supporting young cricketers from Tripura and other parts of India.

Arunachal Pradesh Wins Scout Excellence Award

• What: The Indian Scout & Guide Fellowship conferred the D. S. Mahajan Excellence Award 2025-26 for Best State upon the Arunachal Pradesh State Scout & Guide Fellowship.
• Tell me more:
  • The organising body presented the prestigious award at its 36th General Assembly in Kannur, Kerala, recognising the state fellowship’s efforts to promote friendship, service, discipline and fellowship.

Devbhoomi Cultural Festival 2026 Held under “Our Heritage, Our Future” Theme

• What: The two-day Devbhoomi Cultural Festival-2026 concluded in Badrinath under Operation Sadbhavana, promoting Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, local products, tourism, livelihood opportunities and stronger ties between the Indian Army and communities.
• Tell me more:
  • The festival was organised by the Indian Army with the Chamoli district administration on the theme “Our Heritage, Our Future”.
  • Dhami also said Uttarakhand was placed in the ‘Leaders’ category in the Startup India ranking and ranked first nationally in the NITI Aayog SDG Index.

Operation Toofan in Keralam

• Operation Toofan is Kerala’s anti-drug operation aimed at reducing drug supply by targeting major trafficking sources, including high-value networks with interstate and international links.

International News

Bank of Japan Raises Policy Rate to 1.25%

• What: The Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.25%, the highest level since 1995, marking a quickening in its rate hike cycle since March 2024.
• Tell me more:
  • The decision follows weak economic conditions and inflation below the 2% target.
  • The BOJ said the hike aims to stabilise underlying inflation at “around 2%” to prevent it from overshooting and harming the economy.
  • The move comes amid rising inflation, with Japan’s August headline inflation at 1.9% and a historically weak yen, while the US urged Japan to continue rate hikes.

Banking and Economy

RBI Cancels Licences of Five NBFCs

• What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the certificates of registration of five Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), while eight other NBFCs surrendered their registrations for various reasons.
• Tell me more:
  • The RBI cancelled licences of Dar’s Financial Services, Rolta Holding and Finance Corporation, Vasudeo Securities, Parsoli Corporation, and A C Choksi Financial Services.
  • Four NBFCs, including Anupam Mercantile and ASA International India Microfinance, surrendered their licences after exiting the Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI) business.
  • Shivam Securities and April Investment and Finance surrendered their licences after ceasing to be legal entities due to amalgamation, merger, or dissolution.
  • Anagram Industries and CDN Finance surrendered their licences after meeting criteria for unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC) and Type I NBFC categories, respectively.

India’s Software Services Exports Rise 8.2%

• What: India’s software services exports, excluding sales through overseas commercial presence, rose 8.2% year-on-year to USD 221.4 billion in 2025-26, according to the RBI’s annual survey on computer software and information technology-enabled services (ITES) exports.
• Tell me more:
  • The survey covered 7,569 companies, with 2,363 companies responding and representing around 89% of estimated software services exports.
  • Computer services remained the largest segment at 69.3%, with exports rising to US$153.4 billion, while Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) exports reached US$68 billion.
  • The United States remained the largest market with 54.1% share, while Europe accounted for 31.8%; off-site delivery contributed 91.7% of exports.
  • Including services delivered through foreign affiliates, total software services exports increased 9.5% to US$239.3 billion, with cross-border supply contributing US$202.7 billion.

Reports and Indices

40th Edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40)

• What: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) has climbed nine places to 37th globally in the 40th edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40), up from 46th previously.
• Tell me more:
  • GIFT City ranks among the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-Pacific region, placing it ahead of Mumbai (49th) and Delhi (56th).
  • In the GFCI FinTech ranking, GIFT City moved up three places to 26th globally from 29th in the previous edition.
  • New York continues to lead the overall rankings, followed by London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
  • The report identifies digital infrastructure, FinTech growth, anti-money laundering frameworks, and deeper capital markets as key priorities for financial centres over the next five years.
  • GFCI 40 draws on 144 instrumental factors and 39,531 assessments from 6,147 respondents to the GFCI online questionnaire.
  • GIFT City hosts campuses of Deakin University, followed by University of Wollongong, Queen’s University Belfast, and Coventry University.

Zhang Yiming Becomes Asia’s Richest Person

• What: ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming has become Asia’s richest person for the first time, overtaking Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, as his fortune crossed $105 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
• Tell me more:
  • Zhang’s fortune increased more than eightfold from $13 billion in March 2019, boosted by ByteDance’s higher valuation and growing investor interest in its AI products.
  • ByteDance’s AI products include Doubao chatbot and the Seedance video-generation tool, expanding the company’s presence in artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Zhang’s wealth is closely linked to ByteDance’s TikTok, and ByteDance’s transfer of parts of TikTok’s US operations to American investors eased uncertainty over its future in the country.

Global Business Climate Survey 2026 Released by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India

• What: India ranked first among 41 global markets in the Global Business Climate Survey 2026 by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India, reflecting positive business sentiment among Swedish companies operating in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The survey used insights from more than 200 Swedish companies in India, with most reporting profitability, expansion plans and a positive long-term outlook.
  • Companies identified regulatory complexity, trade barriers and localisation requirements as factors affecting their approach to the Indian market.
  • The survey compares economic performance, business outlook and operating conditions across 41 markets and identifies challenges and opportunities for Swedish companies.

GDP Forecasts

Moody’s Raises India’s FY27 GDP Growth Forecast

• What: Moody’s Ratings raised its forecast for India’s real GDP growth in FY27 to 7% from 6%, citing stronger-than-expected economic activity and resilience to the global shock from the West Asia conflict.
• Tell me more:
  • Real GDP growth accelerated to 8.2% year-on-year in the first six months of calendar 2026, driven by strong private consumption and robust investment.
  • Moody’s warned that prolonged conflict and elevated energy prices could push inflation above its 4.8% FY27 projection.
  • Moody’s retained India’s Baa3 long-term issuer rating and stable outlook, citing high government debt and low per capita income as constraints.
  • The government remains committed to reducing the central fiscal deficit to 4.3% of GDP in FY27 from 4.4% in FY26.

Defence News

DRDO to Seek Industry Partner for 30kW Laser Weapon

• What: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that the first-of-production model for its 30 kW-class directed-energy weapon, a core component of the comprehensive air defence system, will become available within a year.
• Tell me more:
  • It is a mobile defence system that uses electromagnetic energy to disable or destroy groups of drones, while helping the military detect, assess, decide and respond to threats quickly.

India, Sri Lanka Begin SLINEX-26 Naval Exercise

• What: The 13th edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26, began in Visakhapatnam on September 17, focusing on enhancing operational interoperability and maritime cooperation.
• Tell me more:
  • The exercise, conducted under the Eastern Naval Command until September 21, comprises a Harbour Phase followed by a Sea Phase.
  • The Indian Navy is represented by the indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette INS Kavaratti and fleet tanker INS Jyoti, while Sri Lanka has deployed SLNS Sindurala.
  • Conceptualised in 2005, SLINEX is aligned with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, aiming to contribute to a secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region.

India, Japan Begin Exercise Veer Guardian-2026

• What: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) will conduct the bilateral Air Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, from September 9 to September 22, 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • The IAF will participate with frontline aircraft including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale, while JASDF will bring its F-2A fighter aircraft.

Suryakiran Aerobatic Team Performs in Meerut First Time

• What: The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force performed its first-ever aerial display in Meerut on September 19-20, 2026, drawing over 1 lakh spectators.
• Tell me more:
  • SKAT flew nine red-and-white Hawk Mk 132 aircraft, licence-manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), performing manoeuvres like loops and barrel rolls.
  • Established in 1996, SKAT is Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic team and has performed over 800 displays in India and abroad.

INS Trishul Strengthens India-Egypt Maritime Cooperation

• What: Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate INS Trishul visited Alexandria, Egypt, from 14 to 17 September 2026 and conducted a Passage Exercise with the Egyptian Navy.
• Tell me more:
  • INS Trishul received a warm welcome from Egyptian Naval Ship Al Qadeer upon arrival at Alexandria Harbour.
  • INS Trishul conducted PASSEX with Egyptian Navy Ship ENS Bernees, covering coordinated manoeuvring, communication exercises, and replenishment-at-sea approaches.

HAL Expands India’s Indigenous Aerospace Capabilities

• What: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over Tejas Final Operational Clearance twin-seat trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, along with Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited.
• Tell me more:
  • The HTT-40 will support basic pilot training, while Tejas twin-seaters will support advanced type-conversion training in the Indian Air Force.
  • The HTT-40 has 56% indigenous content, expected to exceed 60%, and the Indian Air Force ordered 70 aircraft for ₹6,800 crore.
  • HAL has manufactured 27 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, while General Electric Aerospace has supplied 10 F404-IN20 engines against HAL’s contract for 180 aircraft.
  • Dhruv Next Generation helicopters for Pawan Hans extend HAL’s aerospace manufacturing role to both defence and civil aviation.

Mazagon Dock Signs Andhra Pradesh Shipyard Pact

• What: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited signed an MoU with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park-AP to invest approximately ₹15,000 crore for establishing a greenfield shipyard at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
• Tell me more:
  • The facility aims to build commercial and specialised vessels, support the Dugarajapatnam Shipbuilding-cum-Port Cluster, increase shipbuilding capacity, and create around 45,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Science and Technology

Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates SPROUT Facility at BRIC-NIPGR for Climate-Resilient Crop Research

• What: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the SpeedSeed Phenotyping and Resource Optimization for Unified Trait (SPROUT) Analysis facility at the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council – National Institute of Plant Genome Research in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • SPROUT is a controlled facility that tests plants under different stresses, helping scientists connect genes with useful crop traits faster.
  • The initiative operates under the broader BioE3 policy to advance plant biotechnology and agricultural resilience.
  • The integrated systems combine advanced phenotyping with SpeedSeed technology to reduce chickpea generation cycles to approximately 40 days.
  • SpeedSeed (developed by NIPGR) is a technology that helps chickpea plants grow through generations faster, reducing each generation’s cycle to about 40 days and speeding up the development of improved varieties.

Dr Reddy’s, Takeda Sign Deal for Dengue Vaccine

• What: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company signed a distribution agreement to promote and distribute Takeda’s dengue vaccine Qdenga across India’s private market, expected to be available in the first half of 2027.
• Tell me more:
  • Qdenga is India’s first approved dengue vaccine, receiving marketing authorisation from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in July 2026 for individuals aged 4-60 years.
  • Dr Reddy’s will handle Qdenga’s private-market promotion and distribution, while Takeda manages public markets. The vaccine covers all four dengue types through two doses, amid rising cases in India.

Awards

Angh: Nagaland Film Wins Platform Prize at TIFF 2026

• What: Naga filmmaker Theja Rio’s debut feature film ‘Angh’ won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival 2026, securing a direct pathway to eligibility for the Academy Awards.
• Tell me more:
  • The feature was the sole Indian title selected for the festival’s competitive Platform section.
  • The victory brings a cash award of 20,000 Canadian dollars and a trophy, while the storyline follows the last surviving chief of an abandoned Indigenous Naga village in the 1960s.
  • Cinematographer Adam Pietkiewicz received the Toronto International Film Festival Variety Artisan Award for his work on the project.

72nd National Film Awards Announced for 2026

• What: The 72nd National Film Awards were announced in July 2026, with the ceremony scheduled to be held at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, marking the first time it will be held outside the national capital.
• Tell me more:
  • The National Film Awards, instituted in 1954, cover three sections: Feature Films, Non-Feature Films, and Best Writing on Cinema, along with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
  • The 72nd edition features a Santhali film receiving recognition for the first time, along with films in Garhwali and Tulu languages.
  • The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, instituted in 1969, carries the Swarna Kamal, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh for this edition.
  • The Directorate of Film Festivals, which administered the awards since 1973, was merged into the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) in 2022.
  • Winners of 72nd National Film Awards:

Marathi Film ‘Gondhal’ Selected as India’s Oscar Entry

• What: Marathi film “Gondhal”, directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been chosen as India’s official submission for the Best International Feature category at the 99th Academy Awards in 2027.
• Tell me more:
  • “Gondhal” is a thriller set in rural Maharashtra, drawing from the state’s traditional Gondhal ritual and folk-performance traditions.
  • Davakhar, who wrote and directed the film, previously received the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India in 2025.
  • The 99th Academy Awards (Oscars) are scheduled to be held on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Important Days

World Patient Safety Day 2026 – September 17

• World Patient Safety Day 2026 is focusing on safe care for noncommunicable diseases, under the slogan ‘Safe care for life!’.

World Alzheimer’s Day 2026 – September 21

• Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually damages memory, thinking, and daily functioning, mainly affecting older adults.

International Day of Peace 2026 – September 21

• 2026 Theme: Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day

International Red Panda Day 2026 – September 19

• The day falls on the third Saturday of September each year. In 2026, it is September 19.

Sports

India Men Defeat Spain 3-1 in Chess Olympiad

India to Host Asian Senior Wushu Championships 2028

• What: India will host the 11th edition of Asian Senior Wushu Championships for the first time in 2028, with around 500 athletes from 42 Asian countries expected to participate.
• Tell me more:
  • The Wushu Federation of Asia (WFA) Congress approved India’s hosting decision during its meeting in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
  • Bhupender Singh Bajwa of the Wushu Association of India was nominated to the WFA Executive Committee during the Congress.

Yugan Muthukumaar Wins Gold at ISSF Junior World Cup

• What: Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar won gold in the men’s trap event at the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun 2026 in Porpetto, Italy, becoming India’s first medallist at the competition.
• Tell me more:
  • India had earlier won 16 medals at the Cairo Junior World Cup in April 2026, including five gold, six silver and five bronze.

Memorandum of Understanding

DoSJE Extends MoU with The Art of Living under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

• What: The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment extended its Memorandum of Understanding with the organization The Art of Living under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan to advance the vision of a substance-free nation.
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership aims to prevent substance abuse by combining government and community efforts, strengthening resilience, and encouraging timely rehabilitation through spiritual organizations’ networks.

NSTFDC and HPCL Sign MoU to Set Up Computer Labs & Smart Classrooms in 29 EMRSs Across Rajasthan

• What: The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) signed an MoU with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to establish integrated computer lab-cum-smart classroom facilities across twenty-nine schools in Rajasthan.
• Tell me more:
  • The project aims to improve digital learning infrastructure and provide quality education to over 10,000 Scheduled Tribe students annually, supporting NEP 2020 goals.

Appointments

Government Approves Reappointment of Regulatory Member

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the reappointment of Kamlesh Chandra Varshney as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

Former Union Minister E M Sudarsana Natchiappan Passes Away

• What: Former Union minister and senior Indian National Congress leader E M Sudarsana Natchiappan died.
• Tell me more:
  • He chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, which scrutinised the Right to Information Bill prior to its enactment in 2005.

Howard Buffett Named Berkshire Hathaway Chairman

• Berkshire Hathaway announced Howard Buffett would become chairman of the $1.1 trillion conglomerate, succeeding his father, legendary investor Warren Buffett, who will now become chairman emeritus.

Luke Lindberg Appointed to Head World Food Program

• What: The United Nations announced the appointment of US agriculture official Luke Lindberg to head the World Food Program (WFP), the UN’s frontline agency responding to global hunger.
• Tell me more:
  • The WFP says as many as 266 million people face acute hunger, but it aims to help only 110 million this year due to funding cuts.

Miscellaneous

1965 War Hero Alfred Tyrone Cooke Passes Away

• What: Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, a Vir Chakra awardee and 1965 Indo-Pak War hero, died at Base Hospital in New Delhi, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) paying tribute to him.
• Tell me more:
  • Cooke was awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, for his role in the air battle over Kalaikunda, West Bengal, on September 7, 1965.

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