Daily GK Update- 10th Sept, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Article 371(K) Proposed for Ladakh: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs proposed a new constitutional provision, described as Chapter K under Article 371, for Ladakh on 9 September 2026 in a sub-committee meeting in New Delhi. The proposal relates to a directly elected Union Territory-level governing body for Ladakh and to subjects such as land, culture, language, forests, environment, and other matters linked with Article 240 of the Constitution. Article 371 is part of the Constitution of India and contains special provisions for certain States and regions. The article has multiple clauses, including Article 371A for Nagaland, Article 371B for Assam, Article 371C for Manipur, Article 371D for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Article 371G for Mizoram. Article 240 of the Constitution empowers the President to make regulations for certain Union Territories. The proposed Ladakh body was linked to subjects reserved under Article 240, which includes administrative control over local matters in Union Territory arrangements.

 

2. Stanzin Tsangyang Becomes Kargil’s First Woman Officer: Stanzin Tsangyang was commissioned into the Indian Army on 5 September 2026 at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. She became the first woman officer from the Zanskar region of Ladakh and was part of a batch of 342 cadets who completed training at the academy. The Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai is one of the principal training institutions of the Indian Army. It trains Short Service Commission officers for the Army and has been a major commissioning centre for women officers in India. Zanskar is a high-altitude region in Ladakh known for its remote terrain and sparse population. At the time of her enrolment, Zanskar was part of Kargil district, and it was later notified as a separate district in 2026.

 

3. INS Udaygiri Visits Colombo for Maritime Cooperation: INS Udaygiri, an indigenously built multi-role stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived at Colombo Port, Sri Lanka, on 8 September 2026 for a three-day operational turnaround. The visit coincided with the official visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Colombo from 8 to 10 September 2026. INS Udaygiri is a stealth frigate built in India and commissioned for multi-role naval operations. Frigates are warships used for escort duties, maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat operations. On 9 September 2026, Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and finalised three defence sector Memoranda of Understanding. The agreements covered Indian-funded upgrades for six 40mm L70 air defence guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and exchange programmes between the National Cadet Corps and the National Defence Colleges of both countries.

 

4. Karnataka Approves Aerospace Policy 2026-2031: The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Karnataka Aerospace Policy 2026-2031 on 9 September 2026. The policy covers aerospace, defence, aviation, and space research and development, and it seeks to expand the sector beyond Bengaluru. The state government set an investment target of ₹60,000 crore over five years. The aerospace sector in India includes aircraft manufacturing, defence production, avionics, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. Karnataka already has a major aerospace base in Bengaluru, which hosts public sector and private sector units linked to aviation and defence production. The new policy is linked to industrial expansion in other districts of the state. The policy refers to large manufacturing projects that may receive state incentives. Tata Advanced Systems has a plan to build 40 aircraft, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has a production plan for 97 Light Combat Aircraft. The policy also includes zone-wise capital subsidies, with different media accounts citing rates between 25% and 35%.

 

5. MSDE Organises Skill Manthan on Women’s Livelihoods: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, hosted the virtual inaugural session of Skill Manthan on 9 September 2026. The national webinar series carried the theme “Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Women” and focused on district-led skilling, entrepreneurship, finance, technology, and market access. Skill Manthan is a national webinar series linked to skill development and livelihood planning in India. The session placed district administrations at the centre of local-need-based skilling, with an emphasis on district-specific economic conditions and employment patterns. Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, delivered the keynote address. Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of MSDE, referred to “hyperlocal skilling” as a framework for matching training with district-level job opportunities and economic realities. The webinar served as a platform for sharing district-led initiatives for women’s economic empowerment. The models discussed combined vocational training with entrepreneurship support, financial access, technology use, and market linkage.

 

6. Chhattisgarh Approves ₹500 Crore NIPUN Mission: On 9 September 2026, the Chhattisgarh cabinet approved the Chief Minister’s Startup and NIPUN Mission with a budget of ₹500 crore for five years. The mission is linked with skill development, entrepreneurship, industrial preparedness, and formal employment in Chhattisgarh. The acronym NIPUN has been expanded in media coverage as both “New Age Industrial Preparedness for Upskilling New Generation Youth” and “New-age industry preparedness through up-skilling of new generation youth”. The mission aims to equip youth with technology-based skills and connect training with industrial requirements. The cabinet finalised Entrepreneurship Development Centres in all 33 districts of Chhattisgarh. It also approved five industry centres of excellence and 100 Emerging Technology Labs for training in Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, big data, and blockchain. The NIPUN Job Engine has been approved to align youth skill development with industrial demand. The mission structure includes entrepreneurship support, technology training, and employment linkage.

 

7. UIDAI Launches Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched the Aadhaar Face Authentication Software Development Kit (SDK) and the Aadhaar Face Authentication Sandbox on 9 September 2026 at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai. The SDK is designed for integration into native Android and iOS applications for Aadhaar-based eKYC and onboarding. The Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK enables face authentication within mobile applications without requiring users to move to a separate app. It includes AI and machine learning-based liveness detection, anti-spoofing checks, encryption protocols, and compatibility with standard consumer smartphones. Face authentication is a biometric method that uses facial features for identity verification. In Aadhaar systems, biometric authentication can also use fingerprints, iris scans, and face images, depending on the use case and device support. UIDAI also released the “Playbook on Ease of Onboarding” at the Jio World Centre. The document is intended for use across financial sectors that use Aadhaar-based digital onboarding.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting Focuses on Food Security: The 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AIMMAF) was held in New Delhi on 9 September 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare of India. AIMMAF is a ministerial platform for cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India in agriculture and forestry. The 10th ASEAN–India Working Group on Agriculture and Forestry finalised technical recommendations one day before the ministerial meeting.

 

2. The ministers endorsed the strategic frameworks of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the ASEAN Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026–2030. These frameworks cover resilient development, regional food security, and environmental safeguards in the ASEAN region. The participants discussed the ASEAN–India Medium-Term Plan of Action for Cooperation in Agriculture and Forestry 2026–2030. The plan includes joint research and development, digital technology exchange, policy dialogues, and farmer-to-farmer programmes.

 

3. India and Sri Lanka Sign MoUs to Upgrade L70 Guns: India and Sri Lanka signed three defence Memoranda of Understanding in Colombo on 9 September 2026 during a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The agreements covered the upgrade of six 40mm L70 air defence guns, cooperation between the National Cadet Corps of both countries, and academic exchange between the National Defence Colleges of India and Sri Lanka. The L70 is a 40mm anti-aircraft gun system used for short-range air defence. Sri Lanka received six L70 guns from India between 2000 and 2006, and their modernisation will be funded by a grant from the Government of India. The upgrade is linked to the protection of critical local assets in Sri Lanka. Defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka includes training, equipment support, and institutional exchanges. The National Cadet Corps MoU formalises youth exchange and cadet-level cooperation, while the National Defence Colleges pact covers professional military academic collaboration. Such agreements fall within bilateral defence diplomacy in the Indian Ocean region.

4. India to Host Global Dryland Congress 2026: The three-day Global Dryland Congress 2026 began on 10 September 2026 at the National Agricultural Science Complex in New Delhi. The event is jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, with participation from scientists, policymakers, farmer representatives, and development partners from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Dryland agriculture refers to farming in regions that receive limited and variable rainfall. Such regions are common in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid zones, where crop production depends on moisture conservation, drought-tolerant varieties, and efficient water use. The Congress marks 50 years of the ICAR-ICRISAT partnership. ICAR is India’s apex agricultural research body under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, while ICRISAT is an international research institute based in Hyderabad that works on crops suited to semi-arid tropics.

 

5. SriLankan Airlines Names Vipul Misra as Acting CEO : SriLankan Airlines appointed Vipul Misra as its Acting Chief Executive Officer on 9 September 2026, and the change took effect immediately. Misra continued to head the airline’s engineering division while taking charge as acting CEO. Vipul Misra is a native of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, India, and has more than 20 years of experience in aircraft engineering and aviation management. His career has included leadership roles at Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, and Air Deccan. Misra’s appointment combines engineering oversight with executive leadership, a structure used in airlines where technical operations and fleet reliability remain central functions. His professional profile includes experience across legacy carriers, full-service airlines, and low-cost carriers. An Acting Chief Executive Officer is a temporary executive head appointed until a permanent CEO is named. Aerospace Law is a specialised field that covers legal issues related to aviation and space activities.

 

6. Major Special Administrative Regions in the World: A Special Administrative Region is a subnational entity that enjoys a high degree of autonomy while remaining under the sovereignty of a larger state. In exam terms, SARs are important because they combine local self-rule with limited central control, usually over defence and foreign affairs, and are created through constitutional, treaty-based or historical arrangements. An SAR is a region with separate administrative, judicial and economic systems within a sovereign country. The central government generally retains authority over foreign affairs and national defence, while local institutions handle internal governance. SAR status may arise from constitutional provisions, bilateral treaties, historical settlements or special domestic laws.

 

7. FactBox: World’s First Artificial Energy Island in Belgium: Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Island is an artificial energy island under construction in the North Sea, about 45 kilometres off the Belgian coast. The project is designed as a 5-hectare offshore energy hub for grid connection infrastructure linked to offshore wind power. Princess Elisabeth Island is planned as a multi-purpose energy island for the Belgian electricity grid. The project is associated with Elia Transmission Belgium, the transmission system operator, and is intended to support the integration of offshore wind energy into the onshore grid. The island is also linked to high-voltage substation works and alternating current connections for the second phase of development. The island uses 23 concrete foundation caissons to form its outer walls. Jan De Nul Group and DEME Group completed the caissons at the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands, and the structures were later installed in the North Sea. Caissons are large watertight concrete structures used in marine construction, harbor works, and offshore foundations.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. INS Mysore Joins Samudra Laksamana 4/26 in Malaysia: Indian Naval Ship INS Mysore, a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, reached Lumut Naval Base in Malaysia on 9 September 2026 for Exercise Samudra Laksamana 4/26. The bilateral naval drill involves the Royal Malaysian Navy and is part of India-Malaysia maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean region. Exercise Samudra Laksamana is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy. The 4/26 edition is the fourth iteration of the exercise and includes professional interactions, tactical briefings, and cross-ship visits. The Royal Malaysian Navy received INS Mysore at Lumut Naval Base through a delegation led by Captain Mohd Husni bin Aris RMN, Director of Planning and Contingency at Western Fleet Command Headquarters. The Malaysian warships scheduled for the exercise are KD Lekir and KD Gagah Samudera.

 

2. 22nd India-US Yudh Abhyas Begins in Two-Theatre Format: The 22nd edition of Yudh Abhyas, the annual India-US bilateral military exercise, is scheduled from 9 September to 28 September 2026. The exercise is being conducted in a two-theatre format across Bikaner in Rajasthan and Auli in Uttarakhand. Yudh Abhyas is a recurring military exercise between the Indian Army and the United States Army. The exercise is used for joint training in tactical drills, interoperability, and field operations in varied terrain. The Rajasthan phase is being held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges near Bikaner. The Uttarakhand phase is being conducted at Auli, a high-altitude location at about 2,500 metres and around 95 kilometres from the Line of Actual Control with China. About 700 personnel, with 350 troops from each side, are participating in the exercise. The United States contingent includes Arctic-trained soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division and the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force.

 

3. India’s Nuclear Warheads Reach 190, Says Report: India’s nuclear arsenal has been estimated at 190 warheads in 2026 by two major international assessments, the Federation of American Scientists and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Both assessments placed India’s stockpile at the same figure, with SIPRI estimating 190 warheads as of January 2026 and FAS giving a similar count in its 2026 study. India’s estimated stockpile of 190 warheads places it among the world’s nine nuclear-armed states. The FAS study stated that more than 160 warheads are assigned to operational launchers, while about 30 additional warheads are linked to newer missiles under production. The same analysis estimated that India has enough military-grade plutonium to theoretically assemble between 140 and 225 warheads. SIPRI’s 2026 Yearbook stated that all nine nuclear-armed states continued to upgrade and modernise their nuclear stockpiles during 2025. The nine states are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.

 

4. US Navy Selects VAMPIRE System for Coastal Defence: The United States Navy selected the VAMPIRE counter-unmanned system for coastal and littoral defence on 8 September 2026. VAMPIRE stands for Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment and is developed by L3Harris Technologies, a defence company headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. VAMPIRE is a modular counter-unmanned system designed for installation on different vehicle platforms. The system is used for kinetic engagement against aerial, ground, and sea-based threats with laser-guided rockets. The baseline VAMPIRE system uses a WESCAM MX-10D RSTA stabilised electro-optical and infrared sensor mounted on a telescopic mast. The sensor supports digital target tracking and laser designation. The system employs 70 mm AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rockets, which are also known as APKWS rockets.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Sheetal Devi Wins Gold at World Archery Para Series: India ended its campaign at the World Archery Para Series 2026 Stage 3 with 15 medals at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 9 September 2026. The medal tally included four gold, three silver, and eight bronze medals. The World Archery Para Series is an international para-archery competition organised under World Archery. The 2026 Stage 3 event in Ahmedabad was the first World Archery Para Series tournament hosted by India. The competition ran from 5 September to 9 September 2026. Sheetal Devi, aged 19 years, won her first individual title on the World Archery Para Series circuit in the women’s compound event. She defeated Kazakhstan’s Aizada Seidan 10-9 in a shoot-off after the final ended 144-144. In the qualification round, she scored 698 points, which improved her own Asian record. Toman Kumar won bronze in the men’s individual compound event after defeating Iraq’s Abbas Kadhim 143-138. Bhawna won bronze in the women’s individual recurve event. India’s overall medal count at the event included four gold medals across individual and team categories.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Indian and French Space Firms Sign Paris Summit Agreements: Indian and French private space companies signed three agreements at the inaugural International Space Summit in Paris on 10 September 2026. The agreements covered satellite launches, space surveillance, and microsatellite technology. The summit was held on 9–10 September 2026 and featured 51 announcements linked to about €20 billion in global space investments and contracts. India and France have cooperated in space through government and private-sector links in satellite systems, launch services, and Earth observation. France is a major European space power through the French space agency CNES, and India is a major spacefaring nation through the Indian Space Research Organisation. Safran Space signed contracts worth over €5 million with Dhruva Space. The contract covers communication systems, inertial navigation units, optical payloads, and ground stations. These technologies are planned for integration into India’s SBS-III space-surveillance constellation.

 

2. ISRO Tests CE20 Cryogenic Engine at 220 kN Thrust: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a flight acceptance hot test of the indigenous CE20 cryogenic engine at an uprated thrust level of 220 kN on 9 September 2026. The test took place at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, and the engine is linked to the upgraded C32 upper stage of an upcoming LVM3 mission. The CE20 is a cryogenic upper-stage engine developed by ISRO for the LVM3 launch vehicle. It uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants, which are stored at very low temperatures and are used in high-performance rocket stages. During the hot test, ISRO also demonstrated the Liquid Oxygen Tank Pressurisation Module, or LTPM, which is designed for the C32 stages of the Gaganyaan missions. The test followed an earlier sea-level hot test of the CE20 engine on 10 March 2026, which ran for 165 seconds at 22-tonne thrust with an advanced Nozzle Protection System.

 

3. India’s Photonics Market Projected to Reach $10 Billion by 2031: India’s direct domestic photonics market is estimated at about 2.5 billion and is projected to reach 10 billion by 2031. The Indian Photonics Association (IPA) was launched in New Delhi on 9 September 2026 with 65 founding members, including SFO Technologies, GX Quantum Photonics, Lightspeed Photonics and Tejas Networks. Photonics is the science and technology of generating, controlling and detecting light, including lasers, optical fibres, sensors and imaging systems. It is used in telecommunications, data transmission, medical devices, industrial automation and defence systems. High-speed AI data centres, telecom networks and high-performance electronic devices are major demand areas for photonics components. Domestic AI data centres are moving from photonics connectors supporting 10–40 Gbps to connectors with capacities of 100–400 Gbps. GX Group has announced plans to begin manufacturing at its advanced photonics facility from December 2026. Optical components such as transceivers are central to high-speed data transfer in fibre-optic communication systems.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. PhonePe Launches Visa Tokenisation and Tap to Pay: PhonePe and Visa announced three payment services at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai on 9 September 2026. The services include Tap to Pay, Cross Border Scan to Pay, and Smart Accept, and PhonePe became the first Indian application to support the full suite of three core Visa capabilities for consumers. Visa Device Tokenisation is a payment security system that replaces card details with a token for use on digital devices. PhonePe began a phased rollout of Tap to Pay for Android users, allowing Visa card tokenisation inside the app for contactless payments at point-of-sale terminals. Tap to Pay works in low-connectivity areas because the transaction uses tokenised card credentials stored on the device. The feature is linked to the earlier Visa Device Tokenisation system introduced on the PhonePe platform in February 2025. Cross Border Scan to Pay is an upcoming feature for Indian travellers who use Visa-supported QR codes in 14 international markets. The markets named for the service include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

2. Cabinet Approves Railway Projects Worth Rs 20,804 Crore: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved eight railway multi-tracking projects on 9 September 2026 with an estimated cost of Rs 20,804 crore. The projects will expand the Indian Railways network by about 1,196 km and are targeted for completion by the financial year 2029-30. Multi-tracking in Indian Railways refers to the addition of extra railway lines on existing corridors. The approved package includes third and fourth line works, as well as doubling projects, across nine states: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Five projects in southern India have an estimated cost of Rs 10,021 crore and cover 540 km. These include the Arakkonam–Renigunta third and fourth lines and the doubling of the Hosur–Omalur section. The remaining three projects in eastern and central India have an estimated cost of Rs 10,783 crore and cover 656 km.

 

3. Akasa Air Operates First Commercial Flight Using 1% SAF : Akasa Air operated its first commercial flight with conventional aviation turbine fuel blended with 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on 8 September 2026. The SAF blend was supplied by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a public sector undertaking in India. The flight operated between Mumbai and Goa on the same day. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an aviation fuel produced from non-fossil feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues, municipal waste, and other renewable raw materials. SAF can be blended with conventional aviation turbine fuel and used in existing aircraft and airport fuel systems, subject to certification and blending limits. Aviation turbine fuel is the standard fuel used in jet aircraft, and SAF blending is one method used to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions in aviation. The 1% blend used in this flight was a commercial demonstration under operational conditions, which is a common method for testing fuel handling, refuelling, and flight performance.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Rani Mukerji Gets Maharashtra’s Raj Kapoor Award: Rani Mukerji received the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony held at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, on 9 September 2026. The award was presented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the state film event organised by the Maharashtra Government. The Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award is a state honour linked to the Maharashtra State Film Awards. It is named after Raj Kapoor, one of the best-known figures in Indian cinema, and is presented for contribution to films and the film industry. The Maharashtra State Film Awards are annual awards presented by the Government of Maharashtra. The 62nd edition was held at Ravindra Natya Mandir, a cultural venue in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, and included special honours for film personalities.

Daily GK Update- 9th Sept, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amit Shah launches Nasha Mukt Bharat 2029 Roadmap: Union home minister Amit Shah on 7 September pledged that not a single gram of narcotics would either enter or leave India through its borders as he launched a roadmap for Nasha Mukt Bharat 2029 (Drug-Free India 2029), focused on supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction. The roadmap provides a three-year national anti-narcotics framework for 2026–2029. Its four pillars are intelligence-led enforcement, precursor and synthetic drug control, demand and harm reduction, and capacity building.

 

2. Vice President releases commemorative postage stamp marking 75 years of Dinamalar in Chennai: The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that Dinamalar has earned the trust of the people over the past 75 years by upholding the values of truth, patriotism and public service, and called upon the newspaper to continue serving the nation for many more years. Addressing the function held in Chennai to mark the 75th year of publication of Dinamalar and the release of a commemorative postage stamp, the Vice President noted that Dinamalar, founded in 1951 with the resolve to serve as a touchstone of truth and Recalled the contribution of Dinamalar founder Shri T. V. Ramasubbaiyer.

 

3. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma appointed Andaman and Nicobar lieutenant governor: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Dinesh Sharma, recently appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, stated that his new role marks “just the beginning” and pledged to work for the benefit of the country, domestic tourists, and society. Dinesh Sharma has previously served as deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was appointed Lieutenant Governor on September 5 by President Droupadi Murmu, as announced in a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique.

 

4. Centre Appoints 8 Chief Justices In High Courts Across India: Eight high court chief justices were appointed on 6 September, days after their names were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium.

· Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.

· Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.

· Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.

· Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

· Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

· Justice Krishna Ram Mohapatra: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court.

· Justice Alpesh Yeshwant Kogje: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

· Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.

 

5. Important Public Sector Oil Companies in India: Public sector oil companies are central to India’s energy security, covering exploration, refining, pipeline movement, natural gas transmission, marketing, and overseas investments. These CPSEs operate under the Union Government and support strategic infrastructure across the petroleum value chain. Central Public Sector Enterprises are classified into Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna based on financial and operational performance. Introduced in 2010 by the Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Finance to give high-performing enterprises greater operational freedom. Maharatna PSUs can take investment decisions, including domestic and overseas investments, without prior cabinet approval up to the prescribed limits.

 

6. Akasa Air Operates First Commercial Flight Using 1% SAF: Akasa Air operated its first commercial flight with conventional aviation turbine fuel blended with 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on 8 September 2026. The SAF blend was supplied by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a public sector undertaking in India. The flight operated between Mumbai and Goa on the same day. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an aviation fuel produced from non-fossil feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues, municipal waste, and other renewable raw materials. SAF can be blended with conventional aviation turbine fuel and used in existing aircraft and airport fuel systems, subject to certification and blending limits.

 

7. India Develops BrahMos Belt Strategy: The term “BrahMos Belt” refers to a proposed network of coastal supersonic cruise missile deployments by Southeast Asian states around the South China Sea. The BrahMos missile is a joint India-Russia weapon system, and its shore-based variant has been supplied to the Philippines under a contract valued at $375 million. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia through BrahMos Aerospace. The missile is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, and it is known for sea-skimming flight and high-speed terminal attack profiles. The system has land-based, ship-based, submarine-launched, and air-launched variants. The shore-based anti-ship version is designed for coastal defence and maritime denial missions. The Philippines has received BrahMos shore-based missile deliveries for coastal batteries. Vietnam and Indonesia have also been linked to BrahMos procurement discussions, although the status of these engagements has varied across defence publications.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Palau: India reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relations with Pacific Island countries at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting held in Koror, Palau. India’s cooperation with the Pacific Island countries focuses on key areas such as climate resilience, healthcare, education, digital technology and disaster management. Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs, highlighted India’s Act East Policy, bilateral relations, Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and India’s engagement with the Pacific Islands Forum. Theme “Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity”.

 

2. Mount Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Air Travel Across Indonesia: Airports across Indonesia—including Jakarta’s primary hub, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport—have reopened following a massive aviation disruption triggered by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait, began erupting violently in early September 2026, launching a volcanic ash cloud up to 50,000 feet into the atmosphere. Because abrasive volcanic ash poses severe hazards to aircraft engines and significantly reduces visibility, the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation temporarily grounded operations at eight regional airports.

 

3. UN declares November 27 day against child marriage: The United Nations General Assembly has declared November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, giving a global platform to efforts to end child marriage. The resolution was adopted by consensus on September 4, with Sierra Leone leading the initiative and India among the co-sponsors. The date has particular significance for India as it marks the launch of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage Free India) campaign in 2024. The campaign has since become part of a wider international push to eliminate child, early and forced marriage.

 

4. International Literacy Day: 8 September: International Literacy Day is an international observance celebrated each year on 8 September. It was declared by UNESCO on 26 October 1966 at the 14th session of UNESCO’s General Conference and celebrated for the first time in 1967. Purpose: Highlights literacy as a fundamental human right and a tool for building a more sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful society. Theme 2026: “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”.

 

5. Major Special Administrative Regions in the World: A Special Administrative Region is a subnational entity that enjoys a high degree of autonomy while remaining under the sovereignty of a larger state. In exam terms, SARs are important because they combine local self-rule with limited central control, usually over defence and foreign affairs, and are created through constitutional, treaty-based or historical arrangements. An SAR is a region with separate administrative, judicial and economic systems within a sovereign country. The central government generally retains authority over foreign affairs and national defence, while local institutions handle internal governance. SAR status may arise from constitutional provisions, bilateral treaties, historical settlements or special domestic laws. Such arrangements are often used to manage sovereignty disputes, historical transitions or distinct ethnic, linguistic and economic identities.

 

6. Types of Lichens and Their Ecological Importance: Lichens are composite organisms formed by a symbiotic partnership between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually an alga or a cyanobacterium. Though they appear simple, they function as single biological units and are important in primary succession, soil formation, and environmental monitoring. Their presence or absence often reflects habitat quality and air conditions. The fungal partner is called the mycobiont, while the photosynthetic partner is the photobiont.  In more than 98% of lichen species, the fungus belongs to Ascomycota; the rest are mainly from Basidiomycota. The photobiont manufactures organic nutrients through photosynthesis and shares them with the fungal partner.

 

7. FactBox: World’s First Artificial Energy Island in Belgium: Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Island is an artificial energy island under construction in the North Sea, about 45 kilometres off the Belgian coast. The project is designed as a 5-hectare offshore energy hub for grid connection infrastructure linked to offshore wind power. Princess Elisabeth Island is planned as a multi-purpose energy island for the Belgian electricity grid. The project is associated with Elia Transmission Belgium, the transmission system operator, and is intended to support the integration of offshore wind energy into the onshore grid. The island is also linked to high-voltage substation works and alternating current connections for the second phase of development. The island uses 23 concrete foundation caissons to form its outer walls. Jan De Nul Group and DEME Group completed the caissons at the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands, and the structures were later installed in the North Sea. Caissons are large watertight concrete structures used in marine construction, harbour works, and offshore foundations.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India, Japan to conduct two-week air exercise 2nd Edition Veer Guardian 2026 in Jodhpur: The Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force will conduct a bilateral air exercise at Jodhpur Air Force Station from September 9 to 22, with the drills aimed at enhancing operational coordination and strengthening defence ties between the two countries. The exercise, titled Veer Guardian 2026, will bring together fighter aircraft and air personnel from both sides for advanced operational training and professional exchanges.

 

2. Adani Defence Signs Five-Year Ammunition Deal to Strengthen AK-203 Rifle Programme: Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) to supply indigenously produced 62×39 mm small-calibre ammunition for the AK-203 assault rifle program. Signed between Adani Defence & Aerospace and Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), an India-Russia joint venture. The AK-203 rifles are produced at IRRPL’s facility in Korwa, Uttar Pradesh, while the ammunition is supported by Adani’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, such as its facility in Kanpur. Creates an integrated domestic supply chain and boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) by localizing both the weapon and ammunition ecosystem in India

 

3. Types of Indian Army Tanks and Armoured Vehicles: The Indian Army operates a wide mix of tanks and armoured vehicles suited to plains, deserts, river lines and high-altitude terrain. Its fleet combines legacy Soviet-origin platforms, indigenous systems and newer specialized vehicles, reflecting the twin priorities of firepower and mobility across India’s varied borders. Main battle tanks form the core of the Army’s armoured punch. These vehicles are optimized for open terrain, where speed, protection and direct firepower matter most. India’s main MBTs include the T-72, T-90 and Arjun, each with distinct strengths and battlefield roles. Inducted in 1983, this Soviet-origin tank remains the backbone of the armoured corps. It weighs about 41.5 tonnes and is manufactured under license at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi. Modernisation focuses on better engines, thermal imaging sights and improved combat effectiveness.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Kimi Antonelli Wins Italian Grand Prix at Monza: Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6, 2026, executing a historic drive from 19th on the grid to become the first Italian driver to win his home race since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966. George Russell finished second and Max Verstappen third.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Types of Cruise Missiles and Their Variants: Cruise missiles are guided weapons built for precision strikes over long distances while flying within the atmosphere. Unlike ballistic missiles, they stay in controlled flight for most of their journey, often at low altitude, to improve survivability and accuracy. Cruise missiles are designed to combine range, accuracy, and stealth-like flight behaviour. They are powered throughout most of their flight, unlike ballistic missiles that follow a high-arc trajectory after launch. Cruise missiles are broadly grouped by speed, and each class uses a different propulsion approach. Speed affects range, detectability, fuel use, and the time available for the target to respond. These travel below the speed of sound, usually around Mach 0.8. They are fuel-efficient and suitable for long-range land-attack missions. Examples include the American Tomahawk, Russian Kalibr, and India’s Nirbhay.

 

2. India Launches Advanced Ocean Research Vessel ORV Sagar Manthan: India launched the Ocean Research Vessel ORV Sagar Manthan (Yard 3041) on 09 September 2026 at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard in Kolkata. The vessel was designed, engineered and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. An ocean research vessel is a specialised ship used for marine scientific surveys, oceanographic observations and deep-sea operations. ORV Sagar Manthan is 89.5 metres long and has been built for operation in extreme environments, including the Southern Ocean. The vessel has been constructed under Vertical-4, titled Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration, of the Government of India’s Deep Ocean Mission. The project cost is about Rs. 840 crore, and the vessel has a projected service life of 30 years.

 

3. Google Launches AlphaGenome Atlas for Human DNA: Google DeepMind launched the AlphaGenome Atlas on 8 September 2026 as an open-access database for human DNA analysis. The resource contains 1 petabyte of precomputed artificial intelligence predictions for all 9 billion possible single-letter mutations in human DNA. The human genome contains about 3 billion base pairs, and single-letter mutations are also called point mutations or single-nucleotide variants. The AlphaGenome Atlas is designed to map both coding DNA, which carries protein-making instructions, and non-coding DNA, which forms about 98% of the human genome. Non-coding DNA includes regulatory regions such as enhancers, promoters, and other control elements that influence when genes switch on and off. The Atlas focuses on these regions because many disease-linked variants occur outside protein-coding sequences.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. LIC receives RBI approval to acquire up to 9.99 pc stake in ICICI Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to acquire an aggregate holding of up to 9.99% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in ICICI Bank, the private lender. The approval is subject to certain conditions, including compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory provisions. The stake acquisition comes almost a month after state-owned insurer amassed more than Rs 21,000 crore in mark-to-market gains in just 35 days from three software exporters, delivering a rapid payoff on a contrarian wager made while artificial intelligence disruption fears were clouding the outlook for India’s technology industry.

 

2. Cabinet Approves Railway Projects Worth Rs 20,804 Crore: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved eight railway multi-tracking projects on 9 September 2026 with an estimated cost of Rs 20,804 crore. The projects will expand the Indian Railways network by about 1,196 km and are targeted for completion by the financial year 2029-30. Multi-tracking in Indian Railways refers to the addition of extra railway lines on existing corridors. The approved package includes third and fourth line works, as well as doubling projects, across nine states: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

 

3. Tata Emerges Lowest Bidder for ₹20,000 Crore Zorawar Light Tank Project: Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) emerged as the lowest bidder, or L1, in the Ministry of Defence competition for the Armoured Fighting Vehicle-Indian Light Tank (AFV-ILT) programme under Project Zorawar. The contract value is about ₹20,000 crore, and the project involves the development of a 25-tonne class light tank for the Indian Army. Project Zorawar is linked to the AFV-ILT programme, which seeks a next-generation light battle tank for high-altitude deployment. The tank is named after General Zorawar Singh Kahlon, a 19th-century Dogra commander associated with military campaigns in the Himalayan region. The light tank class is designed for areas such as Ladakh, where low oxygen levels and difficult terrain affect the mobility of heavier armoured vehicles. Main battle tanks such as the T-72 and T-90 are heavier platforms used by the Indian Army in armoured warfare.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Joheirry Mola of Dominican Republic Crowned Miss World 2026: Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic has been crowned Miss World 2026 at the grand finale held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on 5 September 2026. She succeeds Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, the Miss World 2025. Elisabeth Reynés of Spain was named the first runner-up, while Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia became the second runner-up. Mola’s victory is the second Miss World crown for the Dominican Republic. The country’s first title was won by Mariasela Álvarez in 1982.

 

Daily GK Update- 8th Sept, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM-SETU Steering Committee Approves ₹735.70 Crore Plans: The National Steering Committee under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme approved Strategic Investment Plans worth ₹735.70 crore for Industrial Training Institute clusters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. The approval raised the total sanctioned investment under PM-SETU to ₹2,171 crore across nine ITI clusters. PM-SETU stands for Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs. The scheme is linked to the upgradation of Industrial Training Institutes and the creation of cluster-based skill infrastructure. The approved ₹735.70 crore package was distributed across three clusters. Rajasthan received ₹241 crore for the Bhiwadi cluster, Telangana received ₹254.30 crore for the Medchal cluster, and Uttar Pradesh received ₹240.40 crore for the Meerut cluster.

 

2. Supreme Court Sets November 30 Deadline for Aravalli Panel: The Supreme Court of India fixed 30 November 2026 as the non-extendable deadline for the High-Powered Committee to submit its final report on the definition and protection of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. The five-member expert panel was constituted on 25 May 2026 and had earlier missed its original deadline of 31 August 2026. The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest mountain systems in India and extends across Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat. The range is associated with issues of land degradation, mining regulation, groundwater recharge, and forest conservation. The committee is chaired by Kanchan Devi, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. The panel was asked to prepare a final report using spatial, ecological, geological, hydrological, and socio-economic data from the Aravalli region.

 

3. Agnikul Cosmos Opens New Testing Units in Chennai: Chennai-based space-tech startup Agnikul Cosmos inaugurated two new testing and manufacturing facilities at its assembly and testing site in Chennai on 8 September 2026. The units are the Stage Testing & Inspection Facility (STIF) and the Pressurant Tank Realisation, Over-wrapping and Outfitting Facility (PROOF). STIF is designed to test complete rocket stages with integrated propulsion and avionics. The facility supports thrust levels from 1 kN to 200 kN and liquid oxygen (LOX) sub-cooling down to 73 Kelvin.

The facility also supports full-duration rocket engine burns of up to 150 seconds. It is intended for inspection and requalification of recovered rocket stages after flight. PROOF is meant for the in-house manufacture of high-pressure composite overwrapped pressure vessels. Composite overwrapped pressure vessels are lightweight pressure containers that use a composite outer layer over a liner or metallic core. The facility reduces dependence on external vendors for critical pressurant tank components. Pressurant tanks are used in rocket systems to store gases under high pressure for propulsion and stage control functions.

 

4. Major Government Initiatives for Clean Transport in India: India’s clean transport push combines demand incentives, public transport electrification, freight decarbonisation, and domestic manufacturing support. The policy mix is designed to cut oil dependence, reduce emissions, and create a stronger EV and alternative-fuel ecosystem across the value chain. PM E-DRIVE, or the Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement, is the key demand-side scheme for promoting electric mobility. It was launched on 1 October 2024 under the Ministry of Heavy Industries as the successor to the FAME programmes. The Cabinet has extended its implementation up to 31 March 2028, while keeping the overall budget intact. The scheme is structured to support both private adoption and public fleet transition. Its budget is distributed across electric buses, two- and three-wheelers, charging infrastructure, trucks, and ambulances. This makes PM E-DRIVE relevant not only for consumer EV uptake but also for cleaner logistics and emergency transport.

 

5. NITI Aayog Launches PACT for Zero-Emission Freight: NITI Aayog launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) and the Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace on 7 September 2026 at the 5th e-FAST India Summit in New Delhi. The initiative is linked to zero-emission freight deployment, electric truck adoption, charging infrastructure planning, and business engagement among manufacturers, logistics service providers, charging operators, and financiers. PACT is a digital platform for aggregating freight demand from shippers and logistics providers. It is designed to identify viable deployment corridors, improve freight visibility, and support planning for charging infrastructure for electric trucks. The ZET Marketplace is a digital business-engagement platform for the electric freight ecosystem. It connects e-truck manufacturers, logistics service providers, charging operators, and financiers in one marketplace structure.

 

6. President’s Colour Presented to Goa Police: The President’s Colour was presented to the Goa Police on 7 September 2026 at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao, Goa. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the honour, and Goa became the fifth state police force in India to receive the President’s Police Colour. The President’s Colour is a ceremonial military or police honour awarded by the President of India to units with distinguished service. In India, the award is associated with exceptional discipline, operational record, and service to the nation. The Goa Police received the honour after a formal ceremony attended by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Director General of Police Alok Kumar, and Union Minister of State Shripad Naik. The force was recognised as the fifth state police organisation in the country to receive this distinction.

 

7. Piyush Goyal Sets 10-Million Medical Tourism Target: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal set an annual target of 10 million international medical value tourists for India during the Sanjeevani 2026 expo in New Delhi on 7 September 2026. He also stated that 3.5 million international patients have used Indian healthcare services over the past seven years. Medical value tourism refers to cross-border travel for treatment, surgery, diagnostics, and recovery services. India has hospitals, speciality centres, and tertiary care facilities that serve patients from Asia, Africa, West Asia, and other regions. Goyal asked hospitals to publish transparent treatment prices and register on the government’s Heal in India online gateway. He also said that international patients should receive treatment only in National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers-accredited and verified hospitals.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Macron Urges EU Ban on Social Media for Under-15s: French President Emmanuel Macron has asked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to support a European Union-wide ban on social media platforms for children under 15. The proposal is linked to a planned European legislative text for harmonising youth online safety rules across all 27 EU member states. The European Union is a political and economic bloc of 27 member states, and it can adopt regulations and directives that apply across the bloc. Age-based rules for online platforms are usually connected with child protection, privacy, data processing, and freedom of expression under European law. France had earlier approved a domestic law to restrict social media access for users under 15. The French Constitutional Council struck down that law on 14 August 2026 and described the blanket restriction as a disproportionate infringement on privacy and the freedom of expression and communication.

 

2. Seoul Hosts 27th World Knowledge Forum: The 27th World Knowledge Forum opened in Seoul, South Korea, on 8 September 2026 at Jangchung Arena and The Shilla Seoul. The three-day forum, organised by Maekyung Media Group, runs until 10 September 2026 and focuses on artificial intelligence, co-intelligence, and global economic change. The World Knowledge Forum is an annual international conference held in South Korea. It brings together political leaders, business executives, academics, and technology experts for discussions on global issues, finance, innovation, and public policy. The 27th edition uses the theme “The Promethean Moment: Architecting the Co-Intelligence Order”. Artificial intelligence refers to computer systems that perform tasks associated with human intelligence, including learning, reasoning, and language processing. The forum’s 2026 sessions examine AI as a force affecting national security, labour markets, and competitiveness. The term co-intelligence is used in discussions on human-machine collaboration in decision-making and productivity.

 

3. India Hosts Expanded 11-Nation BRICS Summit: India is preparing to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on 12 and 13 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit comes 20 years after the formation of the BRICS diplomatic grouping and will be held under India’s 2026 chairship. BRICS began as a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China, and South Africa joined later to form BRICS. The expanded alliance now includes 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. India has set the summit theme as “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. The agenda includes resilient global supply chains, cross-border payment integration, wider use of national currencies, artificial intelligence and reforms in multilateral financial institutions. The New Development Bank is one of the multilateral institutions linked with BRICS cooperation. BRICS discussions on payments and currencies are connected with trade settlement mechanisms among member states.

 

4. SPJIMR Ranks 26th Globally in FT MiM 2026: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, ranked 26th globally and 2nd in India in the Financial Times Masters in Management (FT MiM) 2026 ranking. The institute moved up from 35th globally and 3rd in India in the 2025 edition. The Financial Times Masters in Management ranking is a global assessment of postgraduate management programmes. The 2026 edition used 19 criteria, with 56% of the score based on feedback from 2023 graduates and 44% based on data submitted by schools. SPJIMR secured the No. 1 position in India in four sub-criteria in 2026. These were Careers Service, Alumni Network, Value for Money, and ESG and Net Zero Teaching. The institute ranked 2nd globally in Careers Service and 6th globally in Alumni Network.

 

5. UK Recognises India’s Carbon Credit Scheme: The United Kingdom has included India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in its indicative list of overseas carbon pricing mechanisms under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Ministry of Power, received formal confirmation that the CCTS meets the criteria under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Regulations 2026. The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme is India’s market-based mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through tradable carbon credits. The scheme is linked to domestic carbon pricing and can be used by exporters to show that a carbon cost has already been paid in India. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is a border tax framework used to align the carbon cost of imported goods with the carbon cost faced by domestic producers. The UK CBAM is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027 and applies to carbon-intensive imports.

 

6. Coastal Local Area Bank Gets Scheduled Bank Status: Coastal Local Area Bank Limited, headquartered in Vijayawada, was included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and received scheduled bank status. The Reserve Bank of India issued the inclusion through Notification DoR.LIC.No.S3539/22-03-070/2026-27, and the notification was published in the Gazette of India. Scheduled banks in India are banks listed in the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Such banks can access Reserve Bank of India liquidity facilities, participate in money market operations, and receive refinance support from institutions such as NABARD and the National Housing Bank. Coastal Local Area Bank operates as a local area bank with branches in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The bank reported 57 operating branches across 12 districts, and it received approval to expand into Vizianagaram, Prakasam, and Khammam districts.

 

7. Major Earth Observation Technologies: Earth observation technologies collect data on the physical, chemical and biological features of the planet. Using satellites, aircraft and drones, they help track agriculture, disasters, climate trends, land use and security-related changes with precision and repeatability. SWIR can penetrate thin clouds and haze, which makes it useful for mineral alteration studies, crop moisture stress monitoring and locating active wildfire fronts. NDVI or the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index uses the contrast between red light absorption by chlorophyll and strong NIR backscatter from leaf structures to estimate vegetation density. Visible bands are often used for optical interpretation, while NIR and SWIR improve scientific analysis of vegetation, moisture and geology. Thermal infrared is important for temperature-based observations, especially where heat anomalies matter more than surface colour.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Athira Suresh Joins Indian Army as Lieutenant: Athira Suresh, a native of Kozhikode in Kerala, was commissioned into the Indian Army as a Lieutenant on 5 September 2026. She completed officer training under the Short Service Commission Technical (Women) course at the Officers Training Academy, Gaya, in Bihar. The Officers Training Academy at Gaya trains officers for the Indian Army under the Short Service Commission and other entry schemes. The Short Service Commission is a time-bound commission in the Indian Armed Forces, and it is used for both men and women in several branches and technical entries. Athira Suresh cleared the IIT-JEE examination before earning a degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Calicut. She worked as a Project Controls Engineer with ExxonMobil in Bengaluru before joining the armed forces.

 

2. India Clears ₹1.10 Lakh Crore Defence Acquisitions: On September 7, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth about ₹1.10 lakh crore. The Ministry of Defence stated that around 98% of the procurement value will come from the domestic Indian industry under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework. The Indian Army received approval for Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear reconnaissance vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers, Advanced Light Helicopters, Trawl Tanks, and the Sarvatra Bridge System. CBRN reconnaissance vehicles are used for detection and assessment in contaminated environments, while mine layers and bridge systems support mobility and battlefield engineering.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Kimi Antonelli Wins Italian Grand Prix at Monza: Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on 6 September 2026 for Mercedes. He became the first Italian to win his home Grand Prix in 60 years, after Ludovico Scarfiotti won the race in 1966. Antonelli was 20 years old at the time of the victory. The Italian Grand Prix is a Formula 1 World Championship race held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Lombardy, Italy. Monza is one of the oldest and fastest circuits in Formula 1 and has hosted the Italian Grand Prix for decades. The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is known as the “Temple of Speed” because of its long straights and high average speeds. The Parabolica corner, now renamed Curva Alboreto, is one of the best-known turns at the circuit.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Australia Signs Five New Space Industry Partnerships: Australia and India expanded space-sector cooperation on 8 September 2026 through five industry partnerships announced at the 9th Bengaluru Space Expo in Bengaluru. The agreements covered satellite infrastructure, spacecraft recovery, spaceport activities, research collaboration, and advanced manufacturing. LatConnect 60, an Australian Earth-observation company, signed an agreement with NewSpace India Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation. The arrangement allows the SWIRSAT mission to use NSIL’s ground-station infrastructure in India for operations and data downlinks. NewSpace India Limited was incorporated as the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation. It handles commercial space activities linked to launch services, satellite services, and technology transfer.

 

2. India Joins Global 6G Network Initiative: India joined a multilateral initiative on 7 September 2026 to guide the development and deployment of next-generation 6G telecommunications networks. The initiative includes the United States and 24 other nations and covers security, competitiveness, and technology innovation in advanced wireless systems. 6G is the sixth generation of mobile communication technology and follows 5G in the international wireless standards sequence. It is associated with higher data speeds, lower latency, and wider machine-to-machine connectivity than earlier generations of mobile networks. The agreement was finalised after a bilateral meeting between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada. The discussions also covered cooperation in artificial intelligence, data centres, and possible US investment in India Semiconductor Mission 2.0.

 

3. Astrogate Labs Develops India’s First Indigenous OISL Terminal: Astrogate Labs, an Indian deep-tech startup, has announced the development of India’s first indigenous Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) terminal. The system is designed for direct satellite-to-satellite laser communication and marks a shift from space-to-ground optical links to in-orbit connectivity. An Optical Inter-Satellite Link uses laser beams for communication between satellites in space. OISL systems are used in satellite constellations, especially in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where fast data transfer and reduced dependence on ground stations are required. Astrogate Labs demonstrated its AstroLink Micro system at the 9th Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX 2026) at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre in Karnataka. The system is a 10 Gbps space-to-ground laser communication terminal, and the company has stated that the new OISL terminal is targeted for full flight readiness by 2027.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IRDAI Imposes ₹1 Crore Penalty on ICICI Lombard: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) imposed a penalty of ₹1 crore on ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited on 7 September 2026 for regulatory lapses linked to outsourcing, vendor management and corporate governance. The order followed an onsite inspection that began in September 2019 and later led to show cause notices issued on 8 July 2024 and 17 December 2024. IRDAI is the statutory regulator for the insurance sector in India under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. It regulates insurers, insurance intermediaries and related entities, and it issues rules on solvency, conduct, governance and outsourcing practices.

 

2. PM Modi Inaugurates Rs 35,000 Crore Projects in Vadodara: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multi-sector development projects worth over Rs 35,000 crore in Vadodara, Gujarat, on 8 September 2026. The package included railway, freight, and highway projects, along with new train services and corridor links connected to western India. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) is a freight-only railway corridor developed by Indian Railways to move goods trains on a separate route from passenger traffic. On 8 September 2026, three sections of the WDFC were dedicated for public use, covering 326 route km at a cost of over Rs 20,700 crore. The three sections were Sanand (North)-Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale, and New Saphale-Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). These links provide direct freight connectivity to Mumbai’s port and complete the full operationalisation of the corridor.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. 72nd National Film Awards to Honour 92 Winners at Statue of Unity: The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is scheduled for 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district. The event will be held at the Statue of Unity complex and will honour 92 winners. The National Film Awards are among India’s highest official honours for cinema and are presented by the President of India. The awards were instituted in 1954 and are administered under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The 72nd ceremony will move outside New Delhi for the first time in more than five decades. The only earlier major relocation took place when Madras, now Chennai, hosted the 17th ceremony on 21 November 1970. A temporary venue is being constructed in the Bus Bay area of the Statue of Unity complex. The structure will use a special German aluminium structural dome for the ceremony. The 75-minute event is planned for nearly 1,000 dignitaries and guests. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Gujarat state government are organising the ceremony.

 

2. 5th Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards Conferred: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised Swachh Vayu Diwas 2026 in New Delhi on 7 September 2026 and conferred the 5th Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards. The event marked the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies and recognised cities and wards under the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan framework. Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is linked to the National Clean Air Programme, which was launched in 2019 for improving ambient air quality in Indian cities. The assessment covers city-level performance on air pollution control measures, monitoring systems, and implementation of clean air actions. The awards are associated with the Central Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.