NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Pralhad Joshi Inaugurates 1st Green Hydrogen R&D
Conference: Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated
the 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference in New Delhi.Launched a
₹100 crore Call for Proposals to support start-ups in hydrogen innovation,
offering up to ₹5 crore per project.25 start-ups showcased advanced solutions
like electrolyser manufacturing, AI-driven optimisation, and biological
hydrogen production.Joshi highlighted the role of the National Green Hydrogen
Mission (2023) in driving clean energy, job creation, and making India a global
hub for green hydrogen.
2. Piyush Goyal Inaugurates Bihar’s First APEDA Regional
Office to Boost Agri-Exports: Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush
Goyal inaugurated Bihar’s first APEDA regional office in
Patna during the Bihar Idea Festival, aiming to boost the state’s global
agri-export footprint.The office will provide exporters direct access to APEDA
services such as registration, certification, advisory support, market
intelligence, and infrastructure development (earlier dependent on Varanasi
office).A 7-metric-ton consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana was flagged off
to New Zealand, Canada, and the USA, led by woman entrepreneur Neha Arya
(Nehashi), highlighting women-led agri-trade.Bihar, home to GI-tagged products
like Shahi Litchi, Jardalu Mango, Mithila Makhana, and Magahi Pan, has expanded
exports to the UAE, USA, and beyond, with APEDA enhancing training, packaging,
and buyer-seller meets.
3. Mizoram’s First Railway Line: The inauguration of
Mizoram’s first railway line marks a historic milestone in India’s northeastern
infrastructure development. The Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge railway, spanning
51.38 km, was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025. This project is a
key enabler of the government’s Act East Policy and enhances connectivity for
the region’s capital, Aizawl, linking it directly to India’s vast railway
network for the first time. The railway line was sanctioned in 2008-09 and
construction began in 2015. It cost approximately Rs 8,070 crore. The route
includes 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges. About 54% of the
alignment runs through tunnels and bridges, reflecting the difficult terrain.
Bridge No. 144 near Sairang stands as the tallest pier railway bridge in India
at 114 metres. Engineers faced complex Himalayan geology, including the need to
stabilise loose sand into rock for tunnel safety.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Australia Approves World’s First Chlamydia Vaccine to
Protect Endangered Koalas: Australia’s regulator approved the world’s first vaccine to
protect koalas from chlamydia, a disease causing infertility and death.The
single-dose vaccine was developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast after
over a decade of research led by Prof. Peter Timms.Trials showed the vaccine
reduced chlamydia symptoms and cut mortality in wild koala populations by at
least 65%.The approval allows use of the vaccine in wildlife hospitals,
veterinary clinics, and field programs to protect vulnerable koalas.Koalas are
listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales, and the ACT, facing
threats from both habitat loss and chlamydia infections.
2. Albania Appoints World’s First AI-Generated Minister
to Fight Corruption: Albania has appointed the world’s first AI-generated
government minister named Diella, with the aim of making the
nation corruption-free.Prime Minister Edi Rama added Diella as a digital
minister in his cabinet, responsible for overseeing public tenders. Diella will
ensure 100% transparency and corruption-free procedures in public fund tenders.
Since its launch, Diella has been presented as a woman wearing traditional
Albanian attire and has been assisting people with navigating government
services online.
3. Brazil’s Supreme Court Sentences Former President Jair
Bolsonaro to 27 Years in Prison for Coup Plot: Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced zto 27
years and 3 months in prison for plotting a coup to stay in power after losing
the 2022 election, making him the first ex-president in the country’s history
convicted for attacking democracy. A panel of five justices delivered the
verdict, with four voting to convict him on multiple charges including
organising a coup, attempting to violently abolish democracy, and taking part
in an armed criminal organisation, while one judge voted to acquit.Justice
Carmen Lucia said the case reflected Brazil’s past, present, and future, noting
strong evidence that Bolsonaro acted with the purpose of eroding democracy and
institutions.
4. Sushila Karki appointed as interim PM of Nepal: Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman Chief
Justice (2016–2017), will be sworn in as the head of the interim
government after PM KP Sharma Oli’s resignation amid youth-led
protests.Her appointment has the backing of the Gen-Z protest movement, citing
her neutrality and credibility.Nepal’s parliament has been dissolved amid
protests against corruption and instability; leaders condemned violence and
appealed for medical support for those injured.
5. 12 September – International Day for South-South
Cooperation:
International Day for South-South Cooperation is observed every year
on 12 September. The Day is coordinated by the United Nations Office for
South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).It commemorates the adoption of the Buenos
Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) for Technical Cooperation among Developing
Countries in 1978.It aims to promote solidarity, knowledge-sharing, and
collective self-reliance among Global South nations to achieve the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development.
6. 13 September – International Chocolate Day: International Chocolate
Day is celebrated every year on 13th September to honour one of
the world’s most loved treats – chocolate.The date coincides with the birthday
of Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company.The day is
marked worldwide by chocolate lovers, brands, and bakers with promotions,
awareness, and celebrations around the cultural and economic importance of
chocolate.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India to Host 5th Coast Guard Global Summit 2027 in
Chennai During Swarnim Jayanti: India has won the bid to host the 5th
Coast Guard Global Summit 2027 in Chennai, which will coincide with the Indian
Coast Guard’s Swarnim Jayanti celebrations.The announcement was made at the 4th
Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome, Italy, where Director General Paramesh
Sivamani led the Indian delegation.The 2027 summit will be attended by
participants from 115 countries and organisations and will feature a fleet
review and World Coast Guard Seminar.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India’s Urban Sustainability Challenges
and SDG 11 Progress: India’s
ranking in the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025 improved to 99th among
167 countries. Yet, urban sustainability under Sustainable Development Goal 11
(SDG 11) remains a major challenge. SDG 11 aims for cities that are inclusive,
safe, resilient and sustainable. India’s progress on key urban indicators has
been slow or negative. This marks persistent issues in urban living conditions,
infrastructure and governance. Urban poor face high exposure to pollution and
climate risks. Cities suffer from flooding and landslides during monsoons. Poor
infrastructure and lack of amenities worsen impacts. Loss of income and health
issues hit the urban poor hardest. Resilience building remains inadequate,
increasing their vulnerability to extreme weather events. Urban development is
a state subject with limited city autonomy. States control urban policies and
funds. Despite increased budgets, service deficits persist. Cities lack revenue
powers and struggle financially. Over half of municipal corporations fail to
cover half of their expenses from own revenues. Smaller cities face severe
financial challenges and cannot attract private investment or access capital
markets.
2. AI-Based Monsoon Forecasting: The Ministry of Agriculture
and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW) has pioneered the use of artificial
intelligence (AI) to provide early
and accurate monsoon forecasts to farmers across India. Recently, nearly 3.8
crore farmers in 13 states received AI-based monsoon predictions via SMS
through the m-Kisan platform. This advance warning, up to four weeks before
rains, helps farmers make better decisions about crop selection, sowing time,
and resource management. The initiative marks a global first in targeted AI
weather forecasting aimed directly at improving agricultural outcomes. Since
2022, AI has transformed weather prediction by improving accuracy and
customising forecasts for specific user needs. Advanced models can now forecast
complex phenomena such as the Indian monsoon weeks ahead. The Ministry’s
forecasts combined Google’s Neural GCM and ECMWF’s Artificial Intelligence
Forecasting Systems (AIFS). These models outperformed traditional forecasts in
predicting local monsoon onset, enabling timely and reliable information for
farmers.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. India’s Retail Inflation Rises to 2.07% in August: India’s retail inflation
rose to 07% in August (up 46 basis points from July’s 1.61%),
remaining well within the RBI’s 4% target.Rural inflation stood at 1.69%, while
urban inflation was higher at 2.47% in August, as per MoSPI data.Food inflation
(CFPI) stayed negative for the third straight month at -0.69%, with pressures
from vegetables, meat & fish, oils & fats, eggs, and personal care
items.
2. NPCI Announces New UPI P2M Transaction Limit, To Take
Effect September 15: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has revised
the UPI limit for Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions to ₹10 lakh per
day for selected verified categories, effective from September 15.This
change aims to make high-value digital payments more convenient and secure for
Indian users, according to NPCI’s circular issued last month.The UPI limit for
Person-to-Person (P2P) transfers remains unchanged at ₹1 lakh per day.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Manmohan Singh Posthumously Honoured With PV Narasimha Rao Award For Economic Contributions: Late former Prime Minister and renowned economist Dr Manmohan Singh has been posthumously conferred the P V Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Economics for his contributions to India’s economic transformation and nation-building.The award was received on his behalf by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, from the Hyderabad-based PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Foundation (PVNMF).The award was conferred by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former deputy chairman of the erstwhile Planning Commission and distinguished fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress. The award was instituted by the PVNMF to recognise outstanding contributions in economics.
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