NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Vishwakarma Scheme Completes Three Years with 30 Lakh Registrations: The PM Vishwakarma scheme was launched on 17 September 2023 for artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 traditional trades. The scheme has a financial outlay of ₹13,000 crore for FY2023-24 to FY2027-28 and provides support through skill training, toolkits, credit, and market linkage measures. PM Vishwakarma is a Central Sector Scheme for traditional artisans and craftspeople. It covers 18 trades, including carpentry, boat making, blacksmithing, hammer and tool kit making, locksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, sculpting, stone carving, and basket making. By 15 September 2026, more than 24.37 lakh artisans had received basic skill training. The training period lasts 5 to 7 days and includes a daily stipend of ₹500. More than 18.16 lakh artisans had received modern toolkits, with an incentive of up to ₹15,000.
2. Ministry of Steel Launches Special Campaign 6.0: The Ministry of Steel and its Public Sector Undertakings are participating in Special Campaign 6.0, which runs from 2 October to 31 October 2026. The campaign includes a preparatory phase from 15 September to 30 September 2026 for target identification and groundwork. E-waste management is one of the priority areas under the campaign, along with mechanised cleaning, disposal of pending references, and public awareness. E-waste refers to discarded electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, printers, and circuit boards. India regulates e-waste through the E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which provide a framework for collection, recycling, and environmentally sound disposal. The rules apply to producers, manufacturers, refurbishers, dismantlers, and recyclers.
3. Kumik Declared Ladakh’s First Heritage Village: Kumik village in Zanskar was declared Ladakh’s first designated Heritage Village on 15 September 2026. The declaration was made by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, during the launch of the Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2026. A Heritage Village is a settlement recognised for its cultural, architectural, religious, and traditional value. Such recognition is used in India for places with preserved built heritage, living traditions, and local knowledge systems. Kumik is known for its traditional mud houses, sacred spaces, agricultural practices, and long-preserved Buddhist traditions. The village is part of Zanskar, a high-altitude region in Ladakh with a strong Tibetan Buddhist cultural presence. The village also contains textual heritage in the form of Kanjur manuscripts and other Tibetan Buddhist materials. Kanjur refers to a canonical collection of Buddhist texts in the Tibetan tradition.
4. NSTFDC and HPCL to Set Up Smart Classrooms in EMRS: The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 15 September 2026 for integrated computer labs-cum-smart classrooms in 29 functional Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Rajasthan. The project has a sanctioned budget of ₹16.01 crore and covers 11 districts, with facilities planned for more than 10,000 Scheduled Tribe students every year. Eklavya Model Residential Schools are residential schools for Scheduled Tribe students under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The EMRS system was created to provide school education in tribal-dominated areas, and the schools function as fully residential institutions with academic and hostel facilities.
5. Assam Records 3,260 One-Horned Rhinos: Assam had 3,260 one-horned rhinoceroses as of September 2026, and this figure formed about 80% of the global population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros. The global population reached 4,075 individuals in 2026, while India had an estimated 3,323 rhinos and Nepal had around 752. The greater one-horned rhinoceros is also called the Indian rhinoceros and carries the scientific name Rhinoceros unicornis. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is native to the floodplains and grasslands of the Indian subcontinent. Kaziranga National Park in Assam shelters more than 2,600 rhinos and remains the largest stronghold of the species. Manas National Park in Assam had an estimated 40 to 50 rhinos as of September 2026, and both parks are important habitats in the Brahmaputra valley landscape.
6. Mizoram Records Two New Frog Species: Mizoram has recorded two new-to-science amphibian species, Duttaphrynus phawngpui and Ingerana aizawl. The two species were described in scientific publications dated 13 September 2026 and 14 September 2026, respectively. Duttaphrynus phawngpui was found at elevations above 2,000 metres in Phawngpui National Park. The species name refers to Phawngpui, also called Blue Mountain, which is the highest peak in Mizoram. Ingerana aizawl was discovered along a stream on the Mizoram University campus, and its name refers to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. Ingerana aizawl had been identified as Ingerana borealis for more than two decades before taxonomic reassessment. The studies involved researchers from Mizoram University, Cotton University, Help Earth, and the National Research and Innovation Agency in Indonesia.
7. Defence Ministry Unveils Policy Initiatives for MSMEs and Start-ups at VIMARSH: The Defence Ministry unveiled policy initiatives for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and deep-tech start-ups at the DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet VIMARSH 2026 in New Delhi on 15 September 2026. The measures are linked to defence manufacturing, technology transfer, testing access, and industry participation in India’s defence ecosystem. MSMEs are enterprises classified under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, and they form a major part of India’s industrial base. Deep-tech start-ups work on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors, cyber systems, and advanced materials, which are relevant to defence applications. The new framework provides direct funding, incubation support, and access to DRDO testing facilities for eligible MSMEs and start-ups. These measures are designed to reduce technical and financial entry barriers in the defence sector.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. US CENTCOM and Jordan Conduct Exercise Eager Lion 2026 : Exercise Eager Lion 2026 began on 15 September 2026 at Fort Carson in Colorado. The two-week drill is being conducted by the United States Central Command and the Jordanian Armed Forces, with more than 200 military personnel from Jordan and the United States taking part. Exercise Eager Lion is a biennial military exercise between the United States and Jordan. Eager Lion 2026 is the 12th iteration of the exercise, and it is the first time that the United States is hosting the drill. The exercise includes scenarios related to counterterrorism, air defence, maritime security, cyber operations, and disaster response. These areas are commonly used in joint military drills to test coordination across land, air, sea, and cyber domains.
2. Indian Delegation Attends 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference: The 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is being held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 13 to 19 September 2026. The Parliament of South Africa and the CPA South Africa Branch are hosting the conference under the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association framework. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is an annual gathering of parliamentarians from Commonwealth countries. The conference provides a forum for discussions on parliamentary democracy, legislative practice, and inter-parliamentary cooperation. An Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, is participating in the 69th CPC. The delegation includes Members of Parliament from both Houses of Parliament and P. C. Mody, Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha.
3. World Circular Economy Forum 2026 Begins in Gandhinagar: The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 was inaugurated on 15 September 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It is the 10th edition of the forum and the first edition held in South Asia. The World Circular Economy Forum is an international platform on circular economy policy, business models, and innovation. The 2026 edition is being held from 15 to 18 September 2026 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar. The theme of WCEF 2026 is “Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity”. Circular economy is an economic model that focuses on reuse, repair, remanufacturing, recycling, and resource efficiency. It is used in policy discussions on waste reduction, sustainable production, and material recovery.
4. Important Indian Diaspora Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia: Indian diaspora heritage sites in Southeast Asia reflect centuries of movement, trade, faith, and cultural exchange. From ancient Hindu-Buddhist remnants to living temples, gurdwaras, and cultural centres, these sites preserve the long Indian imprint on the region’s religious, architectural, and social landscape. India’s links with Southeast Asia go back over two millennia through maritime trade routes across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Traders, Brahmins, and Buddhist monks carried Hinduism, Buddhism, Sanskrit, and related cultural practices into the region, influencing early kingdoms such as Funan, Champa, Srivijaya, and Majapahit.
5. Important Boundary Disputes of India: India’s boundary disputes are shaped by colonial-era maps, treaty interpretations, strategic terrain and shifting river courses. They remain central to border management, territorial integrity and diplomatic negotiations. For Prelims, the key is to remember the disputed sectors, the legal or historical basis of each claim, and the de facto arrangements that govern day-to-day control. The India-China boundary dispute is the most complex of India’s land boundary issues and stretches across three broad sectors: western, middle and eastern. The dispute largely arises from differing interpretations of historical treaties, legacy maps and the absence of a mutually demarcated border. The India-Pakistan boundary is highly militarised and has been shaped by Partition, wars and unresolved questions in Jammu and Kashmir. The principal de facto line is the Line of Control, while Siachen and Sir Creek remain major dispute points.
6. Important National Accreditation Bodies in India: India’s accreditation system provides common quality benchmarks for laboratories, hospitals, certification bodies and other conformity assessment institutions. These bodies help establish technical competence, impartiality and reliability, which improves consumer confidence, regulatory oversight and international acceptance of results. The Quality Council of India (QCI) is the national apex body for accreditation and quality promotion in India. It was established in 1996-1997 as an autonomous, non-profit organisation and is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. QCI works through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, jointly set up by the Government of India and three industry associations: ASSOCHAM, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
7. BRICS Adopts 10-Point Global Governance Reform Roadmap: The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, India, on 12 September 2026. At the summit, BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration and discussed reforms in global governance, the United Nations, and international financial institutions. BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping of major emerging economies. Its members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and the grouping has expanded in recent years to include new members. The term Global South refers to developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and parts of Oceania. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a 10-point roadmap for global governance reform under the BRICS framework. The roadmap called for developing countries to move from rule-takers to rule-shapers in international decision-making. It also referred to a shift from a pyramid of privilege to a platform of partnership in global institutions.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Sanjukta Parashar Becomes First Woman to Head CRPF CoBRA: Sanjukta Parashar, a 2006-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, became the first woman officer to head the Central Reserve Police Force’s CoBRA unit in September 2026. She took charge as Inspector General of the 10-battalion CoBRA formation from 1996-batch IPS officer Danesh Rana. CoBRA stands for Commando Battalion for Resolute Action and functions as the specialised jungle warfare and anti-Naxal unit of the Central Reserve Police Force. The unit operates as a 10-battalion force and is trained for operations in forested and difficult terrain. Parashar has served as head of the CID wing of Assam Police and has worked in counter-insurgency operations, field policing, and national security investigations. She also served with the National Investigation Agency, which is India’s federal counter-terrorism and anti-terror investigation agency.
2. Bharat Forge, Pratt & Whitney Partner for DRDO UAV Programme: Bharat Forge Ltd. and Pratt & Whitney Canada announced a collaboration on 15 September 2026 to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into a High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programme developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The partnership covers engine compatibility, performance assessment, and installation requirements for the DRDO HALE UAV. HALE UAVs are unmanned aircraft designed for operations at high altitudes and for long-duration missions. They are used for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance over land and maritime domains. HALE platforms are classified by their endurance profile and operational altitude, and they are relevant to strategic and border-area monitoring.
3. India-US Yudh Abhyas 2026 Begins at Auli and Mahajan: The 22nd edition of the India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 began on 15 September 2026 at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Around 600 personnel from the Indian Army and 600 personnel from the United States Army are taking part in the exercise, which is scheduled to conclude on 28 September 2026.The exercise is being conducted at two Indian Army training locations, namely Auli in Uttarakhand and Mahajan in Rajasthan. Auli is a high-altitude location in the Himalayan region, while Mahajan Field Firing Range is used for large-scale field firing and manoeuvre training in desert terrain. The dual-location format allows training in mountainous and semi-mountainous conditions.
SPORTS
1. Munich and Barcelona to Host UEFA Champions League Finals: The UEFA Executive Committee appointed Munich and Barcelona as host cities for future UEFA Champions League finals at a meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 15 September 2026. The Munich Football Arena, also known as the Allianz Arena, will host the final in 2028, while Camp Nou in Barcelona will stage the final in 2029. The UEFA Champions League final is the last match of Europe’s premier club football competition, organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The final is usually played at a neutral venue selected several years in advance by the UEFA Executive Committee. The Allianz Arena opened in 2005 and is one of Germany’s major football stadiums. The 2028 final will be the third UEFA Champions League final at the venue, after the finals in 2012 and 2025. The stadium is known for its illuminated exterior and a seating capacity of about 75,000 for international matches.
2. Sports Ministry Forms Task Force on Formula 1 Revival: The Sports Ministry formed a 10-member Task Force on 15 September 2026 to assess the feasibility of reviving Formula 1 and motorsports in India. The panel will examine policy, taxation, infrastructure, and partnership models linked to a possible Formula 1 race in India by 2028. NITI Aayog Programme Director and Adviser Yugal Kishore Joshi will chair the Task Force. The panel includes representatives from the Sports, Commerce, Tourism, and Revenue departments, along with officials from the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. It also includes members linked to the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, Buddh International Circuit, and Madras International Circuit. The Task Force will review the main barriers to Formula 1’s return, including taxation-related issues that affected the earlier race in India. It will also identify policy interventions for motorsports growth and examine a comprehensive framework for the sector.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India Launches Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the India Net Zero Portal and the National Action Plan on Climate Change Dashboard on 16 September 2026 in Mumbai. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh launched the two digital platforms on World Ozone Day 2026. The India Net Zero Portal is a centralised digital platform for Indian entities to voluntarily register their Net Zero commitments and update progress. Organisations using the portal are encouraged to report Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, while Scope 3 reporting remains voluntary. Entities that declare Net Zero targets on the portal receive an acknowledgement from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The declarations are publicly accessible and form a consolidated repository of voluntary climate commitments.
2. Kerala’s ‘Reimagining Keralam’ Initiative to Chart Roadmap for 73 Projects: Kerala began a three-day roundtable conference under the ‘Reimagining Keralam’ initiative on 16 September 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram. The conference is linked to 73 major projects announced in the Kerala 2026-27 Budget and is scheduled from 16 to 18 September 2026 at Lemon Tree Premier and Hilton Garden Inn. The ‘Reimagining Keralam’ initiative functions as a government-led institutional mechanism for consultation, assessment, and decision-making on major programmes in the State Budget. More than 40 government departments and agencies are involved in preparing implementation plans for projects that require coordination across multiple departments.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Mazagon Dock Plans ₹27,000 Crore Raigad Shipbuilding Cluster: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) announced on 15 September 2026 a plan to invest about ₹27,000 crore in a greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi in Raigad district, Maharashtra. The project is linked to a Memorandum of Understanding with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Maharashtra Ltd (NSHIPML) and is designed as a large industrial shipbuilding facility. NSHIPML is a special-purpose company created for the project, and the greenfield shipbuilding cluster is being jointly developed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the Mumbai Port Authority through this entity. The initiative aligns with the Centre’s Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster Development Plan and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which is a long-term maritime roadmap for India.
2. Odisha Gets ₹3,406 Crore SiC Semiconductor Facility: Odisha has received approval for its second semiconductor unit, a silicon carbide device manufacturing facility by M/s SiCSem Private Limited, on 15 September 2026. The project involves an investment of ₹3,406.25 crore and will come up at IDCO Infovalley-II in Arisol Mouza under Jatni tehsil of Khordha district, within the Falta Special Economic Zone. Silicon carbide is a wide bandgap semiconductor material used in high-power and high-temperature applications. SiC devices are used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, railways, and defence electronics because they can operate at higher voltages and temperatures than many conventional silicon-based devices.
3. Important Indian Patents and Intellectual Property Rights: Intellectual Property Rights protect creations of the mind and give inventors, authors and businesses legal control over their innovations for a fixed period. For exam preparation, patents are especially important because they combine science, law and public policy. India’s IPR framework is designed to encourage innovation, support technology transfer and balance private rights with public interest. Intellectual Property Rights are statutory rights that protect original creations of the human mind. They are different from physical property rights because they cover intangible assets such as inventions, artistic works, brands and designs. In India, the major forms of IPR include patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, geographical indications, semiconductor integrated circuits layout-designs and plant varieties.
No comments:
Post a Comment