26th-29th September, 2026

1. ICAI Issues ‘SSA 5000’ to Align Sustainability Assurance with Global Standards
2. DRDO Inks Pact with Zero mK India to Indigenously Develop 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator for Quantum Computing
3. IIEST Shibpur and TCS Launch State-of-the-Art Centre of Excellence in AI
4. OAG Megahubs: Delhi Airport Rises to 28th in Global Connectivity Ranking
5. IEA Report: India’s Electrification Rate Could Rise from 19% to 32% by 2035
6. Samvriddhi Inclusive Secured RBI’s In-Principle Approval to Operate as PA-Online
7. PayGlocal Secured IFSCA In-Principle Approval to Set Up PSP In GIFT City
8. SBI Card Launches Fixed Deposit-Backed Secured Credit Cards ‘ Advantage SBI Card’ on YONO App
9. ISRO-ESA Extended Partnership till 2032 to Strengthen Space Collaboration
10. VP C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book ‘Vishwasanchar Hindutva Ka’ Published by Saptahik Vivek
11. GoI Approved One-Time Interest-Free Loan of Rs 50,000 per Barn for FCV Tobacco Growers in AP
12. MoPSW Notified 4 Ports, including Adani’s Mundra Port as India’s 1st Mega Ports
13. TDB Inks Rs. 200-Crore Pact with Agnikul Cosmos to Develop Fully Reusable ‘Agnibaan RLV’ Launch Vehicle
14. NTPC and EDF Power Solutions Form 50:50 JV for Low-Carbon Energy Projects
15. ACC Appoints IAS Officer Mandeep K. Bhandari as New CBSE Chairperson
16. IIT Delhi Develops India’s First Indigenous Working Micro-GPU
17. Actor Mushtaq Khan Dies at 75 After Cancer Battle
18. Amit Shah Launches Extradition Portal Under New PRAHAAR Counter-Terrorism Strategy
19. Supreme Court Asks Centre to Frame Rules on Social Media Access for Children Under 18
20. KAZIND-2026: India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise Begins in Kazakhstan
21. Cool Leaders Award 2026: Singapore, UAE and Dong Mingzhu Recognised
22. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: India Finishes 10th With Six Silver Medals
23. Lalit Kala Akademi Awards 2026: 20 Artists Honoured at 65th National Exhibition
24. India’s First LNG-Powered Train Flagged Off from Sabarmati
25. Bhagat Singh Birth Anniversary 2026: Life, Revolutionary Activities and Legacy
26. India’s First Port-Based E-Methanol Plant Worth Rs 2,300 Crore to Come Up at Kandla, Gujarat
27. Oxford Global Cities Index 2026: Delhi Ranks 268th Among 1,000 Cities
28. Delhi could become world’s 14th-largest city economy by 2050: Report
29. S Jaishankar Signs UN Convention Against Cybercrime
30. India Rises to 31st in WEF Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026
31. BCCI Signs Rs 150 Crore Title Sponsorship Deal with Muthoot FinCorp
32. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan
33. Union Minister Amit Shah Flags Off India’s First LNG-Powered Train from Sabarmati, Gujarat
34. Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Launched IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund-I in Bengaluru
35. CJI Surya Kant Inaugurates India’s First Victim Rights Centre in Patna, Bihar
36. Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh Launches Five Regional Language Science Magazines on CSIR’s 85th Foundation Day
37. TRAI Launches Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform
38. MoMA Signed MoUs with IISc, IIMB and IIT Madras to Strengthen Innovation and Skill Development
39. Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll and Neelima Satyam Among AGU 2026 Awardees
40. Govt Appoints Dinesh Pant & Girija Subramanian as IRDAI Members
41. 46th Chess Olympiad 2026: India Wins Silver in Open & Bronze in Women’s Section; Retains Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy
42. India to Host 4th Junior & 11th Senior Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2027 in Goa
43. CSIR Foundation Day 2026 – September 26
44. World Rose Day 2026 – September 22
45. World Car-free Day 2026 – September 22
46. National Service Scheme Day 2026 – September 24
47. World Lung Day 2026 – September 25
48. World Heart Day 2026 – September 29
49. World Tourism Day 2026 – September 27
50. World Pharmacists Day 2026 – September 25
51. Antyodaya Diwas 2026 – September 25

National News

ICAI Issues SSA 5000 For Sustainability Assurance Aligned With Global Standards

• What: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) issued SSA 5000 titled “General Requirements & Framework for Sustainability Assurance Engagements”, aligning sustainability assurance in India with International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) ISSA 5000 global standards for financial years starting April 1, 2027.
• Tell me more:
  • The standard incorporates specific carveouts tailored to Indian context while providing consistent basis for assurance engagements and addressing evolving reporting requirements across the country.
  • Existing standards SSAE 3000 and SAE 3410 will stand withdrawn once SSA 5000 becomes effective, replacing older framework with new principle-based standard.
  • ICAI functions as statutory body under Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, under administrative supervision of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, for regulation and development of Chartered Accountancy profession.

IEA Projects India’s Electrification Rate To Reach 32% By 2035

• What: International Energy Agency (IEA) Electrification special report projects India’s electrification rate could rise from 19% to 32% by 2035 with transport electrification playing major role, while Southeast Asia could see increase from 25% to 37%.
• Tell me more:
  • Electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and cars now cheaper on average over ownership period than internal combustion engine alternatives in India and Southeast Asia countries.
  • Fuel-importing countries could see energy import bills fall by over $400 billion by 2035 compared to 2025 levels, with India potentially saving nearly 30% of its 2025 import bill.
  • India and Southeast Asia’s combined share of global air conditioning stock could rise from less than 10% to 20% by 2035, with annual electricity demand growth averaging around 5% from 2015 to 2025.

Supreme Court Directs Centre To Set 18 Years Minimum Age For Social Media

• What: Supreme Court asked Centre to put in place statutory rules ensuring social media platforms and digital intermediaries comply with Indian laws on minors, making 18 years the minimum requirement for extending membership, during hearing of NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance petition.
• Tell me more:
  • Three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, heard petition filed through advocate Saksham Maheshwari seeking measures to bar minors from creating social media accounts.

Home Minister Flags Off India’s First LNG Train

• What: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated development projects worth ₹1,472 crore and flagged off the country’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered train from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Tell me more:
  • The ‘Kavach’ train protection system was introduced on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Sabarmati rail section at a cost of ₹48 crore to enhance safety.
  • 99.6% of India’s railway network has been electrified, with the remaining 0.4% to be completed soon, surpassing countries like China and Spain.

Nation Marks Bhagat Singh’s 119th Birth Anniversary

• What: India observed the 119th birth anniversary of revolutionary Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, who was born in 1907 in Banga village, Lyallpur district of Punjab, now located in Pakistan.
• Tell me more:
  • Bhagat Singh (27 September 1907 – 23 March 1931) was an Indian anti-colonial revolutionary, who participated in the mistaken murder of a junior British police officer in December 1928 in what was intended to be retaliation for the death of an Indian nationalist.

ESA and ISRO Extend Space Cooperation Agreement Till 2032

• What: European Space Agency (ESA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed exchange of letters in Paris, extending Cooperative Agreement for five years until January 8, 2032, during International Space Summit margins.
• Tell me more:
  • The original Cooperative Agreement entered into force in January 2002, providing framework for cooperation across Earth observation, satellite navigation, space science and mission operations support over two decades.
  • Updated agreement now includes space weather and human and robotic exploration, while recognising growing importance of sustainability of outer space activities alongside existing cooperation areas.
  • Both agencies previously signed Joint Statement of Intent on human exploration last year, demonstrating value of international cooperation for advancing space activities and scientific progress.
  • ESA Director General – Josef Aschbacher
  • ISRO Chairman – Dr V. Narayanan.

NHA Organises Arogya Manthan 2026 to Mark AB PM-JAY and ABDM Anniversaries

• What: National Health Authority (NHA) organizing Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to commemorate 8 years of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and 5 years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• Tell me more:
  • AB PM-JAY provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation, covering over 60 crore beneficiaries with more than 13 crore hospital admissions involving treatment worth over ₹2 lakh crore.
  • Scheme expanded in October 2024 to include all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of socio-economic status, bringing approximately 6 crore additional senior citizens within ambit of health assurance.
  • ABDM has created over 97.8 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs, linked over 121 crore health records, and registered more than 5.6 lakh health facilities and 11 lakh healthcare professionals as of September 1, 2026.
  • Event will launch National Healthcare Providers Registry (NHPR) Mobile App, NHCX Implementation Guide for Payers, Guidebook for Model Digital Health Facility, Secure Data Environment (SDE) application, and Framework for Auto-Adjudication of Claims under AB PM-JAY.
  • Discussions will cover National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), Unified Health Interface (UHI), Strategy for AI in Healthcare for India (SAHI), and other digital health standards for interoperable ecosystem.

IIT-Madras Deeptech Fund Reaches ₹450 Crore First Close

• What: IIT-Madras, IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP) and Unicorn India Ventures have achieved the first close of IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I at ₹450 crore to support early-stage deeptech startups.
• Tell me more:
  • The fund has a target corpus of ₹1,000 crore, including a ₹400 crore greenshoe option, and expects final closure by December 2026.
  • The fund has already invested nearly ₹55 crore in four startups developing technologies in space, quantum systems, electric mobility and carbon capture.
  • The fund plans to support about 25 startups, mainly at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–4, with an average investment of ₹15–25 crore per startup.
  • The investment focus covers defence, space, semiconductors, manufacturing, robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, generative AI and healthtech.
  • The fund is backed by IIT-Madras alumni and family offices, with institutional investors and banks expected to join at the final close.

CSIR Launches Five Regional Language Science Magazines

• What: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) launched five popular science magazines in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and Assamese through CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) on CSIR’s 85th Foundation Day (September 26).
• Tell me more:
  • The magazines are Ariviyal Arikkaiyalar in Tamil, Vigyan Velugu in Telugu, Vidnyan Kshitij in Marathi, Bigyan Brittanto in Bengali and Bigyan Lahar in Assamese.
  • The initiative expands CSIR-NIScPR’s existing science communication portfolio, which includes Science Reporter, Vigyan Pragati and Science Ki Duniya.

TRAI Launches Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform

• What: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) launched the Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform and mobile application to assess, certify and publicly display in-building digital connectivity ratings for properties.
• Tell me more:
  • The platform helps buyers and tenants check a property’s digital connectivity before purchase or lease by comparing mobile network, fibre, Wi-Fi and in-building connectivity through verified ratings.

State News

Government Approves Interest-Free Loan for FCV Growers

• What: The Government approved a one-time, interest-free loan of ₹50,000 per barn for Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh under the Interest-Free Working Capital Assistance Scheme.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme covers approximately 44,000 growers with a total financial intervention of about ₹220 crore, provided directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
  • The assistance will help growers meet household needs, repay institutional loans, purchase crop inputs and reduce dependence on private borrowing.
  • The government also permitted the sale of excess FCV tobacco from registered and unregistered growers at Tobacco Board-authorised auction platforms.

Centre Notifies Four Mega Ports Including Adani’s Mundra Port

• What: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways notified four mega ports, including Deendayal (Kandla), Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva), Paradip, and Adani Group’s Mundra Port as only private sector asset, with status valid for five years.
• Tell me more:
  • The categorisation follows July 30 gazette notification defining criteria requiring ports to annually register 150 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) cargo throughput for bulk ports or 7.5 Million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (MTEUs) for container ports.
  • Major ports remain governed by central government while mega port status represents first-of-its-kind nomenclature for the sector in India.
  • Mundra Port stands as the sole privately owned asset among the four notified mega ports, distinguishing it from the three government-administered major ports.
  • The five-year validity period for mega port status establishes a framework for periodic review and re-assessment based on continued cargo handling performance.

India’s First Port-Based E-Methanol Plant Launched at Kandla, Gujarat

• What: The government laid the foundation stone for India’s first port-based e-methanol production facility at Kandla, Gujarat, involving an investment of ₹2,300 crore, to boost maritime decarbonisation.
• Tell me more:
  • The 150-tonne-per-day plant, a joint venture between Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APCL), will supply cleaner fuel to vessels on the Asia-Europe International Trade Corridor.
  • The plant will be developed in two phases: Phase I (50 tonnes/day) by January 2027, and Phase II (100 tonnes/day) by March 2027.
  • India will produce green methanol at around $750 per tonne, compared to the global rate of $1,300 per tonne, and generate over 3,500 jobs.
  • DPA holds 76% ownership in the project, contributing equity, land, desalinated water, and renewable energy, while APCL holds the remaining 24%.

CJI Surya Kant Inaugurates India’s First Victim Rights Centre In Patna

• What: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will inaugurate the first-of-its-kind ‘Victim Rights Centre’ at Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BLSA) in Patna, alongside launching transgender helpline and flagging off multi-utility vehicles fleet.
• Tell me more:
  • The Patna pilot centre will coordinate victim support, maintain case records, ensure accountability and verified relief, while assisting transgender persons with legal, welfare and rehabilitation services for 12 months.

International News

UN Convention Against Cybercrime For Global Cooperation

• What: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar signed United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, aimed at strengthening global efforts to prevent and combat cybercrime and enhancing international cooperation for sharing electronic evidence related to serious crimes.
• Tell me more:
  • UN General Assembly adopted convention on December 24, 2024, through resolution 79/243 in New York, with convention opened for signature on October 25, 2025, at signing ceremony in Hanoi, Viet Nam, remaining open until December 31, 2026.
  • Convention will enter into force after 40 States become Parties, with implementation reviewed by Conference of States Parties convening periodically to improve capacity and cooperation among States Parties.
  • By end of 2025, 93 countries had signed and 3 countries became parties to the convention, which addresses technical and legal challenges by adapting traditional criminal investigation methods to information and communication technologies realities.
  • The Convention is the first comprehensive global treaty on this matter, which provides States with a range of measures to be undertaken to prevent and combat cybercrime. It also aims to strengthen international cooperation in sharing electronic evidence for serious crimes.

Banking and Economy

SIGN Gets RBI Approval for Online Payment Aggregation

• What: Samvriddhi Inclusive Growth Network Pvt. Ltd. (SIGN), a subsidiary of MOS Utility Limited, received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an Online Payment Aggregator.
• Tell me more:
  • SIGN will provide online payment aggregation services to small businesses in underserved markets, covering UPI, QR payments, cards, net banking and digital collections through a separate digital segment.
  • SIGN, headquartered in Kolkata, works with banks including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Odisha Gramin Bank, West Bengal Gramin Bank and UCO Bank.

PayGlocal Gets IFSCA Approval for GIFT City

• What: PayGlocal received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to establish a wholly owned subsidiary as a Payment Service Provider in GIFT City.
• Tell me more:
  • PayGlocal received final Reserve Bank of India (RBI) authorisation last year as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border for inward and outward transactions.
  • The GIFT-IFSC subsidiary will provide account issuance, cross-border transfers and merchant acquisition while supporting Indian merchants and expanding services to other markets.
  • PayGlocal supports payments across more than 130 currencies and over 40 global and local payment methods.

SBI Card Launches Secured Cards on YONO

• What: SBI Card launched Advantage SBI Card on SBI YONO, allowing customers with State Bank of India (SBI) fixed deposits to obtain secured credit cards through a fully digital process.
• Tell me more:
  • Customers can apply for SBI Card ELITE, SBI Card PRIME, SimplyCLICK SBI Card and SimplySAVE SBI Card through SBI YONO.
  • The fixed deposit serves as security for the credit card, unlike regular cards where credit limits depend on factors such as income, repayment history and credit score.

NTPC and EDF Form Joint Venture for Renewables

• What: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) formed a 50:50 joint venture with EDF Power Solutions India to develop, own and operate renewable energy and power projects in India and neighbouring countries.
• Tell me more:
  • The joint venture will develop pumped storage, hydropower, renewable energy and distribution projects, while combining NTPC and EDF expertise to build low-carbon plants, flexibility solutions and transmission assets.
  • The partnership aligns with India’s target of achieving 100 GW of installed pumped storage capacity by 2036.

Reports and Indices

2026 OAG Ranking: Delhi Airport Ranks 28th Among Global Megahubs

• What: Delhi airport climbed 11 places to rank 28th among the world’s most-connected international airports in the 2026 OAG ranking, recording 2,174 possible international connections.
• Tell me more:
  • Delhi airport ranked ninth in the Asia-Pacific region and ninth among the world’s low-cost megahubs.
  • Mumbai recorded 1,819 possible international connections and ranked 11th among the world’s low-cost megahubs.
  • Delhi and Mumbai serve as India’s main international gateways, with Delhi handling significant international connecting traffic and Mumbai connecting India with Middle East, European and Asian markets.
  • IndiGo operated 40% of Delhi airport flights and 43% of Mumbai airport flights, while low-cost carriers accounted for 57% and 60% of respective airport capacities.

Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026

• What: Delhi secured 268th position among 1,000 cities in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026, with Human Capital as its strongest category and Environment as its weakest category.
• Tell me more:
  • Delhi ranked 13th in Human Capital, 116th in Economics, 415th in Governance, 781st in Quality of Life and 915th in Environment among the 1,000 cities assessed.
  • Delhi could become world’s 14th-largest city economy by 2050 with economic output crossing $2 trillion.
  • Oxford Economics assesses 1,000 cities across five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance, with Indian cities showing economic strength but weaknesses in quality of life and environmental conditions.
  • Top 10 Indian Cities – Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026

WEF Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026

• What: The Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026 marks the 10th edition of the World Economic Forum’s flagship travel and tourism benchmarking series, first launched in 2007 as the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index and relaunched in its current form in 2022.
• Tell me more:
  • Travel & Tourism (T&T) Development Index Framework

• Total Countries: 110
• Top Rank: Japan (score: 5.27)
• India’s Rank: 31st (score: 4.42)
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • Positive trend: Global tourism is strengthening beyond post-pandemic recovery, with 92% of economies improving their TTDI scores, supported by better infrastructure, services, connectivity and tourism assets.
  • Gaps: Affordability pressures, investment gaps, workforce shortages, sustainability challenges, overcrowding and climate, economic and geopolitical risks continue to constrain tourism’s broader benefits and resilience.

Defence News

Amit Shah Inaugurates PRAHAAR Counter Terrorism Policy Conference In New Delhi

• What: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated Conference on ‘PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy’ in New Delhi, deliberating seven pillars including Prevention, Response, Aggregating Internal Capacities, Human Rights, Attenuating Conditions for Terrorism, Aligning International Efforts and Recovery & Resilience.
• Tell me more:
  • Government adopted ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against all forms of terrorism.

India Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND Begins in Oskemen

• The 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent departed for Oskemen, Kazakhstan, to participate in 9th edition of India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND, scheduled from September 28 to October 11, 2026, with contingent mainly from GARHWAL RIFLES battalion and Indian Air Force personnel.

Science and Technology

DRDO Signs First High-Value Deep Tech Project For Quantum Refrigerator

• What: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed first high-value deep tech project agreement under Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme with Zero mK India Private Limited, Alwar, Rajasthan, for indigenous development of 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator for Quantum Applications in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • It is the first high-value agreement signed under the ₹500 crore corpus approved by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh for deep-tech and cutting-edge projects.
  • Dilution refrigerators are specialised cryogenic systems achieving extremely low temperatures in millikelvin range, essential for operation and testing of quantum computing platforms and associated quantum technologies.
  • Indigenous development aligns with National Quantum Mission, strengthens India’s capabilities in quantum technology, advanced cryogenics and strategic technologies, and reduces dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure.

TDB Funds Agnikul Cosmos for Reusable Launch Technology

• What: Technology Development Board (TDB) signed an agreement with space-tech startup Agnikul Cosmos for ₹200 crore financial support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund through optionally convertible debentures.
• Tell me more:
  • The Agnibaan Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) programme aims to develop a reusable launch architecture for high-frequency and repeatable launches.
  • The programme will develop reusable launch technologies covering propulsion, ascent, orbital insertion, descent and recovery, while reducing launch and manufacturing costs and enabling high-frequency, repeatable launches.
  • Agnikul Cosmos became one of the first startups to receive funding under the RDI Fund.

IIT Delhi Researchers Design India’s First Indigenous Micro-GPU

• What: IIT Delhi Electrical Engineering Department researchers designed country’s first working, demonstrable indigenous micro-GPU, led by M.Tech students Nammi Akash and M. Ravi Teja under guidance of Prof. Jayadeva and Prof. Kaushik Saha, to reduce import dependence on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).
• Tell me more:
  • This technology can power graphics and display systems in e-rickshaw dashboards, navigation terminals, industrial control screens and educational e-book readers, reducing dependence on imported graphics processors.

Awards

Inaugural Cool Leaders 2026-2027 Unveiled

• What: The inaugural “Cool Leaders 2026-2027” were unveiled at the 2026 Global Cooling Pledge Assembly, recognising achievements in national policy, urban cooling, industry transformation, and sustainable cooling technology deployment.
• Tell me more:
  • Singapore was recognised for heat resilience and sustainable cooling leadership, represented by Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien.
  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was recognised through the Global Cooling Pledge, represented by Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei.
  • Dong Mingzhu, Chairwoman of Gree Electric Appliances, was recognised for lifetime leadership in sustainable cooling innovation, including a “Zero-Carbon Source” air-conditioning system.
  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cool Coalition, launched in 2019, brings together over 300 governments, businesses, and institutions for sustainable cooling action.

Team India Secures 10th Place at WorldSkills 2026

• What: Team India secured 10th position at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, Shanghai 2026, winning 6 Silver Medals and 20 Medal for Excellence, improving upon its 13th-place finish at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
• Tell me more:
  • The six Silver Medals were won across categories including Bakery, Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Industrial Design Technology, Logistics, and Retail Sales.
  • The six-day event, held from September 22-27, 2026, brought together over 1,400 competitors from around 70 countries, with India’s largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors.
  • India made its debut in 11 new skill categories, including Dental Prosthetics, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Software Testing, and Aircraft Maintenance.
  • India’s participation was coordinated by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Lalit Kala Akademi Holds 65th National Art Exhibition

• What: The Lalit Kala Akademi is organising the 65th National Exhibition of Art (NEA), one of India’s most prestigious annual contemporary visual art exhibitions, showcasing selected works from artists across the country.
• Tell me more:
  • 20 artworks by 20 artists were selected for the Lalit Kala Akademi Awards.
  • The selected works include painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and mixed media, reflecting diverse contemporary Indian artistic practices.

Two Indian Scientists Among AGU 2026 Awardees For Earth And Space Sciences

• What: Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and Neelima Satyam from IIT-Indore selected among American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2026 awardees for excellence in research, education, and innovation in advanced earth and space sciences.
• Tell me more:
  • Awards will be presented at AGU’s annual meeting in San Francisco in December 2026.

Important Days

World Rose Day 2026 – September 22

World Car-free Day 2026 – September 22

National Service Scheme Day 2026 – September 24

• Theme: “Sewa Pakhwada”

World Lung Day 2026 – September 25

• Theme: “A Lifetime of Lung Health”
• The global campaign, led by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and its partners, encourages greater awareness, prevention, research and access to respiratory care.

World Heart Day 2026 – September 29

• The World Heart Day 2026 theme is Don’t Miss a Beat, launched by the World Heart Federation.

World Tourism Day 2026 – September 27

• What: Theme of the day is “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.
• Tell me more:
  • Union Minister for Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will unveil National Digital Tourism Stack and Dekho Apna Desh 2.0 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, alongside MoUs with industry organisations for destination visibility and sustainable tourism under Incredible India framework.
  • e-Visa facility now available to nationals of 172 countries through 88 international ports (37 airports, 38 seaports, 13 land ports), with 78% of all visas issued as electronic visas and 95% processed within 72 hours.
  • NIDHI+ (National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry) lists accommodation units, convention centres, food business operators, online travel aggregators and tourism service providers.
  • Foreign Exchange Earnings from tourism increased from ₹63,978 crore in 2021 to ₹2,76,831 crore in 2025, while sea cruise passenger traffic grew from 1.08 lakh in 2014-15 to 4.62 lakh in 2025-26 (328% growth).
  • Ministry of Tourism signed MoU with Google India in June 2026 for AI-driven digital promotion, data insights and capacity building, while 1,497 DPIIT-recognised startups across 262 districts employ nearly 13,919 people with 58% based in Tier II and Tier III cities.
  • India contribute 5.22% to GDP and support 8.46 crore jobs in 2023-24, while Domestic Tourist Visits reached 428.55 crore and Foreign Tourist Visits rose to 2.53 crore in 2025.

World Pharmacists Day 2026 – September 25

• Theme: “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures”

Antyodaya Diwas 2026 – September 25

• Antyodaya Diwas is observed annually across India on September 25 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the visionary thinker and leader Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Sports

BCCI Names Muthoot FinCorp as Title Sponsor

• What: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed non-banking financial company Muthoot FinCorp as title sponsor for international matches until March 2028, with the deal valued at up to ₹150 crore.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s sports sponsorship spending reached ₹7,942 crore in 2025, while cricket accounted for 89% of the sponsorship market.

2026 Chess Olympiad (46th Edition) Held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

• What: India won the prestigious Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy at 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, finishing as best overall nation after winning silver in Open section and bronze in Women’s event, marking third straight edition trophy win after Chennai 2022 and Budapest 2024.
• Tell me more:
  • Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy created by FIDE in 1997, named after legendary Georgian player Nona Gaprindashvili (first woman to earn Grandmaster title), awarded to country with best combined performance across Open and Women’s sections.

India To Host 4th Junior And 11th Senior Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2027 In Goa

• What: Indian Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF) will host 4th Junior & 11th Senior Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2027 at Manohar Parrikar Stadium, Goa, from April 19-23, 2027, with endorsement from International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT) dated September 25, 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • Pencak silat is a traditional, comprehensive martial art from Southeast Asia—primarily Indonesia and Malaysia—that blends strikes, grappling, throws, and weaponry with spiritual and artistic elements.
  • Pencak silat is listed in the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Memorandum of Understanding

IIEST Shibpur and TCS Launch AI Centre of Excellence on Campus

• What: Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to establish Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at on-campus High-Performance Computing Lab of Electrical Engineering Department.
• Tell me more:
  • TCS, as Knowledge Partner, modernises curricula, conducts hackathons/workshops, shares tools, mentors AI startups and student ventures; the CoE enables students across disciplines to pursue internships and applied research.
  • CoE operates on four pillars: Skill Development offering industry-recognized training and internships, Collaborative Research in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer Vision, Consulting for regional businesses, and Entrepreneurship support through workshops and hackathons.

Ministry Signs MoUs to Strengthen Minority Development

• What: The Ministry of Minority Affairs signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with IISc-Bengaluru, IIM-Bangalore and CUBE, IIT Madras to improve monitoring, infrastructure quality, entrepreneurship and innovation among minority communities.
• Tell me more:
  • IIMB will independently monitor Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) training through field inspections and outcome assessments.
  • CUBE, IIT Madras will assess the quality, functionality, accessibility and sustainability of selected Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) infrastructure projects.
  • IISc-FSID and IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL) will support startups, innovation, incubation, skilling and enterprise development under the Prime Minister Minority Venture Fund framework.
  • The collaborations will provide entrepreneurship programmes, startup identification, incubation, mentoring, investor connections and market access for minority entrepreneurs.

Appointments

Mandeep K Bhandari Appointed New CBSE Chairperson

• What: Mandeep K Bhandari, a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the AGMUT cadre, was appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Tell me more:
  • Bhandari was serving as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir before the appointment.

Government Appoints Dinesh Pant And Girija Subramanian As IRDAI Members

• What: Government appointed LIC Managing Director Dinesh Pant and former Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of New India Assurance Girija Subramanian as members of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to fill vacancies in insurance regulator.
• Tell me more:
  • Dinesh Pant took voluntary retirement and ceased to be Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
  • Girija Subramanian retired as CMD of New India Assurance Company, biggest public sector general insurer, in July 2026 before IRDAI appointment.

Miscellaneous

Vice-President Releases Book on Hindutva’s Global Journey

• What: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released Vishwasanchar Hindutva Ka, published by Saptahik Vivek, at Uprashtrapati Bhawan, highlighting the book’s focus on cultural heritage and Hindutva’s different interpretations.
• Tell me more:
  • Saptahik Vivek, established in 1948, publishes literature on Bharat’s culture, national and international affairs, and social issues.
  • The Vice-President noted that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded in Nagpur in 1925, completed its centenary in 2025.

Veteran Actor Mushtaq Khan Dies After Cancer Battle

• Veteran Hindi film actor Mushtaq Khan died at the age of 75, after appearing in films including Rowdy Rathore, Hera Pheri, Welcome, Gadar 2, Badhaai Do and Stree 2.

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