NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026: Gautam Adani Topped Overall: Gautam Adani and family reclaimed the top spot on the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 with a total wealth of ₹9.23 lakh crore. Gautam Adani & family (₹9.23 lakh crore), overtaking Mukesh Ambani & family at ₹8.63 lakh crore. Shah Rukh Khan and family lead this segment with ₹10,000 crore, followed by Amitabh Bachchan at ₹4,000 crore. Roshni Nadar Malhotra & family rank fifth overall with ₹2.78 lakh crore, making them India’s wealthiest woman. The 15th edition features 1,810 individuals with a combined wealth of ₹187.5 lakh crore and a record 391 dollar billionaires.
2. Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book ‘Vishwasanchar Hindutva Ka’: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book ‘Vishwasanchar Hindutva Ka’ at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on September 24, 2026. Published by Saptahik Vivek, a publication established in 1948 with deep ties to Maharashtra’s cultural and social life. Book Explores Bharat’s cultural journey, the spread of Indian heritage and global engagement of Hindutva, and coincides with the centenary milestones associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
3. India’s First Port-Based E-Methanol Facility Announced: India’s first port-based e-methanol production facility is being developed at Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla, Gujarat. The project is a joint initiative of Deendayal Port Authority, with 76% ownership, and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd, with 24% ownership. The total investment for the project is ₹2,300 crore, and the planned production capacity is 150 tonnes per day. E-methanol is a synthetic form of methanol produced using renewable power, water, and biogenic carbon dioxide. Methanol is an alcohol with the chemical formula CH3OH and is used as an industrial feedstock and marine fuel. Green methanol is one of the alternative fuels being considered for shipping and heavy transport.
4. Uttar Pradesh Makes Use-by Date Mandatory for Loose Sweets: The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration has made it mandatory for sweet shops and manufacturing establishments in the state to display a use-by date for sweets, including loose sweets, from 15 October 2026. The order applies to sweets sold in loose form and to sweets prepared in manufacturing units across Uttar Pradesh. A use-by date is a food labelling term that indicates the last date for safe consumption of a product. In India, packaged foods already carry expiry-related information under food safety rules, while loose sweets earlier did not have a mandatory display requirement for such dates.
5. India Orders Captive Coal Plants to Maximise Output from October 1: India’s federal power ministry issued a directive on 25 September 2026 for more than 100 captive coal-fired power plants to maximise generation from 1 October to 31 December 2026. The order applies to captive plants with an installed capacity of at least 50 megawatts and uses emergency powers under Section 11 of the Electricity Act. Captive power plants are electricity-generating units set up mainly for the use of the owner or an associated industrial facility. In India, such plants are used by aluminium smelters, steelmakers, cement factories, oil refineries, and other large industrial consumers. Section 11 of the Electricity Act allows the government to direct generating companies to operate and maintain stations in extraordinary situations. This provision is used for emergency measures related to public interest, grid stability, or supply shortages.
6. Types of Food Labelling Terms in India: Food labelling is a key part of consumer protection in India. It helps buyers identify what a product contains, how it should be stored, and whether it is safe to consume within a specified period. In India, food labels are regulated to improve transparency, strengthen standardisation, and support public health. The rules apply differently to packaged food, loose food, and processing-related safety controls. The principal law governing food safety and standards in India is the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It provides the legal framework for food standards, manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, inspection, enforcement, and consumer protection. The Act consolidated several earlier food laws that were scattered across different departments and ministries.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India and Netherlands sign two MoUs to advance Kalpasar water project: India and the Netherlands have strengthened strategic partnership and cooperation in the water sector. Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil and Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, Jaap Slootmaker today chaired a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week 2026. The meeting provided an opportunity to review and further strengthen India-Netherlands cooperation in the water sector with particular focus on advancing technical cooperation for the Kalpasar Project in Gujara The project envisages creation of a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water conveyed from the Narmada River.
2. India 31st in WEF’s Travel & Tourism Development Index: India is ranked 31st in the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026 of World Economic Forum, moving up from 39th place in 2024. Despite being ranked among the top 10 for the number of World Heritage cultural sites, India has gaps in tourist services, infrastructure and environmental sustainability. Report Published By World Economic Forum & Zurich Insurance Group. Japan secured the first rank, rising two positions driven by record international visitor numbers.
3. 26 September: World Contraception Day: The World Contraception Day is a worldwide awareness day that has taken place on the 26th of September every year since 2007. During this day, various local and global healthcare organisations gather around to raise awareness of contraception in the general population. The importance of World Contraception Day is to promote awareness about contraception, promote the overall health of individuals (both men and women), promote open discussions in the global population about the indications of contraceptives, promote the rights of women, and promote gender equality worldwide. Theme 2026: “No Barriers, Just Choices”
4. 26 September: World Environmental Health Day: World Environmental Health Day 2026 is observed on 26 September 2026. The annual observance highlights the connection between the environment and human health and recognizes the work of environmental health professionals around the world. World Environmental Health Day is an annual international observance associated with the International Federation of Environmental Health. It draws attention to environmental conditions that influence health and to the professionals who work to identify, prevent and manage environmental health risks. Theme 2026: “Environmental Health: Standing with Science to Protect Communities”
5. 27 September: World Tourism Day: World Tourism Day is celebrated globally every year on September 27. The purpose of World Tourism Day is to raise global awareness about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value to the international community. Theme 2026: “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”,
6. India Ranks 10th at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: India finished 10th at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, which concluded on 27 September 2026. Team India won six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence at the global skills event. The WorldSkills Competition is an international vocational skills contest held for young professionals in multiple trades and technical disciplines. The 48th edition took place in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September 2026, with competition rounds held from 23 to 26 September 2026. India’s six silver medallists were Smriti Nambiar in Bakery, Mohammed Salam in Dental Prosthetics, Kovid Ajay Gangrade in Digital Interactive Media Design, Parth Vohra in Industrial Design Technology, Mehrunissa Begum in Logistics and Freight Forwarding, and Saniya Joshi in Retail Sales. Smriti Nambiar also received the Best of the Nation recognition on 27 September 2026.
7. Important Types of Power Plants in India: India’s power system is built on a mixed basket of conventional, hydel, nuclear and renewable sources. For Prelims, it is important to know the main types of power plants, their fuel base, operating features and the institutions linked to them. Captive power plants also matter because they support industrial users and the broader reliability of the grid. Thermal power plants form the backbone of India’s electricity generation and remain the main source of baseload power. They produce steam by burning fuel, and the steam drives turbines connected to generators. These plants are crucial for large-scale, continuous supply, especially when demand is high. These are the dominant thermal plants in India and account for the largest share of installed capacity. They use domestic coal and, in some cases, imported coal. Modern plants increasingly use supercritical and ultra-supercritical technologies for better efficiency and lower emissions.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Major Internal Security Laws in India: India’s internal security framework combines special laws, preventive detention and anti-terror provisions to deal with threats such as insurgency, terrorism, organised crime and disturbances to public order. These laws give the State extraordinary powers in exceptional situations, but they also raise recurring questions on civil liberties, accountability and the balance between security and rights. AFSPA is a Union law that enables the deployment of armed forces in areas declared “disturbed”. It is meant for exceptional situations where ordinary policing is considered inadequate. In notified areas, armed forces personnel receive special legal protection while carrying out counterinsurgency and law-and-order duties.
2. Major Disturbed Area Provisions in India: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a Union law that enables the deployment of armed forces in notified “disturbed areas”. It is intended for situations of serious law and order disturbance, insurgency, or internal security concern. Because the Act confers exceptional powers, its use is meant to remain limited, area-specific, and subject to periodic review. AFSPA was enacted in 1958 to provide a legal framework for the armed forces to operate in areas where ordinary law and order machinery is considered inadequate. The law is associated mainly with internal security operations in selected regions, rather than across a whole state by default.
SPORTS
1. BCCI announces Muthoot FinCorp as title sponsor in deal until March 2028: Muthoot FinCorp has been named the new title sponsor for India home cricket, with the financial services company entering into an association with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) until March 2028.
The partnership will cover all international series and tournaments played in India, as well as domestic competitions organised by the BCCI. The association will begin with India’s first ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on 27 September. Muthoot FinCorp replaces IDFC First Bank, whose partnership with the BCCI ended in August 2026.
2. Pune to host UCI Road World Championships in 2032 for the first time in India: Pune will host the UCI Road World Championships in 2032, marking the first time cycling’s prestigious global road championships to be held in India. The bid was jointly led by the Government of Maharashtra and the Cycling Federation of India, with support from the Government of India. Pune’s candidature reached the final round against Groningen/Drenthe of the Netherlands, after Colombia and Mexico were eliminated. A UCI inspection team had earlier assessed proposed venues, including Balewadi Stadium and the Pune University circuit.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. SpaceX Starship Set for 14th Test Flight: SpaceX’s Starship is scheduled for its 14th test flight and first orbital launch attempt on Monday, 28 September 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration issued the launch licence for Starship Flight 14 on 26 September 2026, and the mission is planned from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. Starship is a fully reusable super heavy-lift launch system developed by SpaceX. The vehicle uses a two-stage configuration with the Super Heavy booster as the first stage and the Starship upper stage as the second stage. The launch window opens for 75 minutes at 7:15 a.m. Central Time, which is 8:15 a.m. EDT. The flight is expected to last nearly 10 hours and to attempt about six orbits at an altitude of around 275 kilometres. Super Heavy Booster 21 and Starship Ship 41 are the hardware assigned for this mission. Ship 41 is planned to splash down in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile, while the Super Heavy booster is planned to return to the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Major Global AI Governance Initiatives: Artificial intelligence governance is becoming a core global policy issue as AI systems spread across economies, public services and security domains. Countries and international bodies are trying to balance innovation with safeguards on transparency, fairness, accountability and human control. The main focus is to reduce risks while enabling responsible use of AI for development and public welfare. AI governance refers to the policies, standards and institutions that guide the design, development, deployment and use of AI. It seeks to ensure that AI serves societal goals without undermining rights, safety or trust. As AI grows more capable, governance has moved from a technical debate to a major policy concern.
3. Important Concepts in Reusable Launch Vehicles: Reusable launch vehicles are designed for repeated missions rather than single use. They are important because they can reduce launch costs, shorten turnaround time and support more frequent access to space. For India, they also reflect a wider push toward indigenous space hardware, private sector participation and technology maturation across propulsion, recovery and controlled-descent systems. Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) are space launch systems built for multiple missions, unlike traditional expendable rockets. Their central idea is simple: recover and reuse expensive hardware instead of discarding it after one flight.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India records highest-ever FDI of $94.53 billion in FY26: India recorded US$ 94.53 billion in gross FDI inflows in FY 2025–26, the highest annual level recorded so far. Cumulative FDI inflows from FY 2014–15 to FY 2025–26 reached USD 843 billion. In Q1 FY 2026–27, FDI equity inflows rose 6% to USD 19.81 billion, with Japan emerging as the largest source and services recording the highest sectoral inflows. India’s latest Foreign Direct Investment figures show continued foreign investment across sectors and states. For businesses planning to bring foreign capital into India, however, strong investment activity does not change the need to comply with the applicable FDI policy, FEMA rules, reporting requirements and sector-specific conditions
2. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance changes name to ICICI Life Insurance: ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited has changed its name to ICICI Life Insurance Limited, effective September 22, 2026, following approval from the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Central Processing Centre. The insurer said it will intimate the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for issuance of a revised Certificate of Registration under the applicable 2024 regulations. The company will now operate as ICICI Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited.
3. Govt sets riders for funds to three stressed PSU general insurers: The Indian government has linked further capital support for three stressed public sector undertaking (PSU) general insurers to demonstrated operational improvements and sustained performance. National Insurance Company, Oriental Insurance Company, and United India Insurance Company face severe financial stress. These three state-owned general insurers report losses and negative solvency ratios. These three insurers collectively require an estimated ₹39,000 crore by March 2027 to meet regulatory solvency requirements New India Assurance is the fourth state-owned general insurer and remains profitable.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Lalit Kala Akademi Announces 20 Awards at National Exhibition: The Lalit Kala Akademi, the National Academy of Art, announced 20 awards at the 65th National Exhibition of Art on 27 September 2026. The exhibition is being held at the Lalit Kala Art Galleries, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, and it covers painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and other visual art forms. The Lalit Kala Akademi is India’s national academy of art and functions as an institution for the promotion of visual arts. It was established in 1954 and operates under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The National Exhibition of Art is an annual exhibition organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi. For the 65th edition, the Akademi received 6,175 artworks from 2,495 artists representing 27 States and Union Territories.
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