NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Jayanti Prasad gets additional charge as Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board chairperson: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board (IBBI) of India’s Whole Time Member Jayanti Prasad has taken additional charge as its The centre appointed him from September 13 onwards, succeeding Ravi Mital, the 1986 batch IAS officer who turned 65 last week. Mital was appointed in February 2022 for a five year tenure or till he turned 65, whichever came earlier. The centre has already invited applications for a full-time successor. Prasad will remain in this post till the completion of his tenure in IBBI on November 20, 2026 or till a new person is appointed and joins. This will be in addition to his existing duties. He is an Indian Audit and Accounts Service Officer from 1986 batch.
2. State Taxes and Registration Rules for Motor Vehicles in India: Motor vehicle taxes and registration fees in India are largely decided by states, making them an important part of fiscal federalism. The system combines constitutional taxing powers, central transport law, and state-specific road tax rules that vary by vehicle type, price, fuel, and policy priorities. The authority to tax motor vehicles is split between the Union and the states under the Constitution. The Seventh Schedule is the key reference for this division, while the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides the central framework for registration, licensing, and related regulation. Road tax and registration-related charges are important revenue sources for state governments. They help fund road construction, maintenance, transport infrastructure, and other public services linked to mobility. Because transport needs and fiscal conditions differ from state to state, tax rates are not uniform.
3. Important Antibiotics and Antibacterial Drug Combinations: Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. They remain among the most important tools in modern medicine, but their use must be precise because misuse can quickly drive antimicrobial resistance. Understanding the main antibiotic classes and common antibacterial combinations is essential for Prelims revision. Antibiotics are antimicrobial drugs that act specifically against bacteria. They target bacterial structures or life processes such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, DNA replication, or essential metabolic pathways. This makes them different from antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic medicines. Antibiotics are grouped by chemical structure and mechanism of action. For exam purposes, the mechanism and a few examples are usually enough to identify the class. Using two or more antibacterial drugs is common in clinical practice. Combination therapy can improve treatment outcomes in selected infections, especially when the pathogen is not yet identified or when resistance is a concern.
4. Delhi Launches DURGA Scheme for 1,300 Pink E-Autos: The Delhi government approved the Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green e-Auto (DURGA) scheme on 23 September 2026. The scheme provides 1,300 pink electric autos for women and transgender persons in Delhi. DURGA is a women- and transgender-focused e-auto allocation scheme linked to self-employment and electric mobility in Delhi. The first phase reserves 1,170 permits for women and 130 permits for transgender beneficiaries. Applicants must be between 20 and 40 years of age, hold Delhi residency proof, a valid voter ID, an LMV driving licence, and a PSV badge. The applicant’s family income must be below ₹5 lakh, and the applicant must not own an existing commercial three-wheeler. Applications will be submitted through a dedicated online portal, and a draw of lots will be used if applications exceed the available permits.
5. Major Attack Helicopters in India: India’s attack helicopter fleet is a key part of its air power and battlefield support capability. These rotary-wing platforms are used for offensive strikes, close air support, reconnaissance, anti-armour operations and, increasingly, joint-force warfare in difficult terrain. The AH-64E Apache Guardian is an advanced twin-engine attack helicopter developed by Boeing in the United States. It is designed for offensive missions, close air support, anti-armour operations, reconnaissance and precision strikes, and is built for integration with ground forces in combined-arms operations. The Light Combat Helicopter, or Prachand, is an indigenously designed and manufactured attack helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It has been optimised for high-altitude operations, making it especially relevant for India’s mountainous border areas.
6. Leucistic Great Cormorant Spotted at Ameenpur Lake: A rare leucistic Great Cormorant was spotted at Ameenpur Lake near BHEL in Hyderabad on 19 September 2026. The bird had unusually pale feathers, while the Great Cormorants around it showed the species’ usual dark plumage. The sighting was documented with photographs by Raghuvamsh Chavali, a Hyderabad-born Canadian birder. The Great Cormorant is a large waterbird belonging to the family Phalacrocoracidae. It is a fish-eating bird that is commonly seen near lakes, wetlands, rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters. The species is known for its dark plumage, long neck, hooked bill, and strong diving ability. Leucism is a pigmentation condition in birds that causes reduced colour in feathers, skin, or scales. It can make a bird appear partly or fully white, but it does not affect the eye colour in the same way as albinism. Albinism is a separate genetic condition linked to the absence of melanin.
7. Key Immunisation Vaccines and Birth Dose Coverage in India: India’s immunisation framework combines routine childhood vaccines, maternal protection and early birth-dose coverage to reduce illness from vaccine-preventable diseases. Within this system, hepatitis B prevention is especially important because infection can pass from mother to child at birth, making timely screening, vaccination and follow-up central to child health. The Universal Immunisation Programme was launched in 1985 and functions under the National Health Mission. It is one of India’s most significant public health interventions, offering free vaccines across the country to protect newborns, infants, children and pregnant women from major vaccine-preventable diseases. The UIP covers a wide range of infections, including Tuberculosis through BCG, Polio through OPV, Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus through DPT, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis in endemic areas, Rotavirus and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV). For pregnant women, Tetanus Toxoid (TT) and Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) vaccines are used to provide maternal and neonatal protection.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. EAM S. Jaishankar to lead Indian delegation at 81st Session of UNGA in New York: External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation for the High Level Week at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA. The External Affairs Minister is scheduled to address the High Level Session of the 81st UNGA on the 26th September. During the visit, Dr Jaishankar will also attend various multilateral and bilateral meetings. Dr Jaishankar’s visit to New York comes as world leaders prepare to gather at the UN headquarters for the annual high-level General Debate, scheduled from September 22 to 28. The 81st session Theme: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
2. 23 September: International Day of Sign Languages: The International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated every year on September 23rd to raise awareness about the importance of sign language in protecting the human rights of deaf people. Established by the United Nations in 2017. Celebrated first in 2018 during the International Week of the Deaf. Theme 2026: “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
3. Major Defence Pacts and Security Agreements in the World: Defence pacts and security agreements shape how states respond to external threats, share military resources, and coordinate strategy. Some are collective-defence treaties with binding obligations, while others are looser security forums focused on consultation, technology, or regional stability. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is the most enduring military alliance in modern history. It was established on 4 April 1949 by 12 founding members from Europe and North America, with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. During the Cold War, the United States and its partners created regional pacts to contain communism and limit Soviet influence in Asia and the Middle East. Two important examples were SEATO and CENTO. The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) was signed in 1951 and was designed to ensure collective security in the Pacific during the Cold War.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. TARANG SHAKTI 2026 Multinational Air Exercise to Begin on 26th September in Jodhpur: The second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti will be hosted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from September 26 to October 12, 2026. The exercise aims to expose all participants to planning and execution of multinational joint combat operations in a realistic contemporary battlespace and derive tactically viable solutions. Eight Friendly Foreign Countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, UAE and USA will participate with air assets, while 32 nations will be attending as observers.
2. India-Mongolia Exercise Nomadic Elephant Begins in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand: The 18th edition of the Press Information Bureau India-Mongolia joint military exercise, Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026, commenced on September 21 and will run until October 3, 2026, at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Core Objective: To enhance joint military capabilities for undertaking Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
List of Bilateral Exercises (2026)
· Yudh Abhyas 2026 (India–US): Conducted in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand
· IMBAX 2026 (India–Myanmar): at Umroi, Meghalaya
· MAITREE-XV (India–Thailand): at Surat Thani, Thailand
3. Exercise Dharma Guardian (India–Japan): Hosted at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand
‘Samudra Laksamana’ (India-Malaysia Maritime Exercise ): held in Lumut, Malaysia SLINEX (Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise): at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Important Military and Space Bases in the Arctic: The Arctic has emerged as a major strategic zone because of its shipping routes, mineral wealth, and military value. Its harsh climate has not prevented Arctic states from building airfields, naval bases, radar sites, and space-monitoring facilities to secure territory and monitor missile threats. These installations now play a growing role in defense, surveillance, logistics, and scientific operations. The Arctic Circle marks the northern polar region, where extreme cold, ice cover, and permafrost shape life and infrastructure. Eight states are considered Arctic nations: Canada, Denmark through Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States through Alaska. As sea ice melts, routes such as the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage are becoming more navigable, reducing travel time between Europe and Asia.
4. India’s AH-64E Apache Helicopters Join Yudh Abhyas 2026: India’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters are participating in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, the 22nd edition of the annual India-United States bilateral military exercise. The exercise began on 15 September 2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 28 September 2026. It involves Indian Army and United States Army personnel in integrated field training across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Yudh Abhyas is an annual bilateral military exercise between India and the United States. The 2026 edition is the 22nd iteration of the exercise and includes approximately 600 personnel from each side. The United States contingent includes troops from the 11th Airborne Division. The exercise is being conducted at two locations with different terrain profiles. The Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan provides desert conditions, while the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand offers high-altitude mountainous terrain. These locations support training in desert, mountain, and semi-mountainous environments.
SPORTS
1. Mirabai Chanu Wins Asian Games Silver in 49 kg: Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games on 23 September 2026. The competition was held at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center in Aichi, Japan, and Chanu lifted a total of 198 kg, including 87 kg in the snatch and 111 kg in the clean and jerk. Weightlifting at the Asian Games includes the snatch and the clean and jerk, and the combined total decides the final ranking. The women’s 49 kg category is one of the lighter bodyweight divisions in international weightlifting. This silver medal was Mirabai Chanu’s first Asian Games medal. She has also won major international medals at the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games, and she had finished fourth at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 after a thigh injury.
2. Major Racket Sports in Asia: Asia has a deep and varied racket-sports culture, ranging from globally mainstream disciplines such as tennis and badminton to regionally rooted games like soft tennis. These sports have shaped the continent’s medal prospects, inspired strong national systems, and expanded opportunities through international circuits, continental events, and school-level talent pathways. Lawn tennis is played on a rectangular court divided by a net, with singles and doubles formats. The aim is to place the ball so that the opponent cannot make a valid return. It is one of the most globally visible racket sports in Asia, with the region regularly hosting major events and producing top-ranked players. Badminton uses a shuttlecock instead of a ball and is especially popular in East and Southeast Asia. Fast rallies, sharp reflexes and explosive movement define the sport. It has become one of Asia’s most successful Olympic disciplines and a key medal source for several countries.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Major Spectrum Allocation Mechanisms in India: Radio-frequency spectrum is one of India’s most valuable and limited digital resources. Its allocation affects mobile connectivity, broadcasting, satellite services, public safety, and national security. Because spectrum is a scarce public asset, India uses a mix of market-based auctions and administrative assignment to balance efficiency, fairness, and strategic needs. Spectrum refers to a range of electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication. Since it cannot be endlessly expanded, governments must decide how to distribute it among competing uses. In India, spectrum policy is shaped by the need to support telecom growth, ensure equitable access, protect sensitive services, and align domestic use with global technical standards. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are central to this framework. DoT handles policy implementation, licensing, and spectrum management, while TRAI advises on regulatory and pricing issues. Together, they influence how spectrum is released, priced, and assigned across sectors.
2. Hurricane Polo Reaches Category 5 off Mexico: Hurricane Polo intensified to a Category 5 hurricane on 22 September 2026 off Mexico’s Pacific coast. The U.S. National Hurricane Center classified Polo as an extremely dangerous storm with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph to 180 mph, or 265 kph to 290 kph. Category 5 is the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies hurricanes by sustained wind speed. In the Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins, Category 5 storms have sustained winds of at least 157 mph, or 252 kph. On 22 September 2026, Polo remained offshore near Zihuatanejo in Guerrero and Manzanillo in Colima. The storm was projected to move towards the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula on 26–27 September 2026. Forecasts for 22–24 September 2026 called for 4 to 8 inches of rain in parts of Guerrero and Michoacán. Mexican authorities suspended classes in coastal regions of Guerrero and Michoacán and closed ports to shipping in those states.
3. Cyclone Alert Levels and Naming Systems: Tropical cyclones are among the most destructive weather systems over warm oceans, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges. For public safety, they are tracked through graded warning systems and a formal naming process. In India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) plays the key role in monitoring North Indian Ocean systems and issuing cyclone advisories. Tropical cyclones are violent rotating storms that form over tropical or subtropical waters. They have a low-pressure centre, spiralling winds and intense convection. Their formation depends on a set of favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions. In the North Indian Ocean, the IMD classifies tropical weather systems on the basis of maximum sustained wind speed averaged over three minutes. This classification is important because warnings, preparedness measures and response protocols are linked to storm intensity.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI issues final Basel III market risk capital rules for banks: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given commercial banks until April 1, 2027, to adopt its revised framework for minimum capital requirements for market risk. The final directions aim to align Indian regulations with the revised Basel III standards while ensuring simplicity and flexibility in implementation. The RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Minimum Capital Requirements for Market Risk) Directions, 2026, on 21 September after examining feedback on the draft guidelines released in February 2023. The revised framework will come into effect on April 1, 2027. Intermediate transition scalars have been in effect since April 1, 2024, to facilitate a smooth transition. Among the key changes, the RBI has removed instructions defining the trading book, as its Investment Directions already identify it under the Held for Trading (HFT) accounting sub-classification. The final directions instead refer to the relevant Investment Directions.
2. WEF Survey Places India at Top of Global Growth Outlook: The World Economic Forum’s September 2026 Chief Economists’ Outlook, based on an August 2026 survey, places India at the top of the global growth outlook. The survey covers expectations for growth, inflation, household incomes, and business conditions across major regions. The Chief Economists’ Outlook is a periodic survey published by the World Economic Forum. It records the views of chief economists on macroeconomic trends, including growth, inflation, labour markets, and regional performance. In the September 2026 survey, 98% of chief economists expected moderate or stronger growth in India over the next 12 months. About 74% expected strong or very strong growth, compared with 52% in the May 2026 survey. The World Economic Forum raised India’s GDP growth forecast for fiscal 2026-27 to 6.7% in August 2026.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre Wins National Clinical Excellence Award: Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre received the “Excellence in Clinical Services – Mental Health & Wellness” award in the National category at the ET Healthcare Awards 2026 on 11 September 2026. The award ceremony was held in New Delhi and was organised by ETHealthworld, the healthcare division of The Economic Times. The centre follows a clinical model in which staffing depends on the severity of cases rather than a fixed staff-to-bed ratio. All Jagruti centres employ full-time psychiatrists, and daily psychiatric reviews are part of the care process because withdrawal and acute psychiatric illnesses can change rapidly. The ET Healthcare Awards 2026 used a two-tiered jury process for evaluating nominees. The assessment criteria included innovation, implementation, and impact on India’s healthcare environment.
2. Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist Announced: The Booker Prize 2026 shortlist was announced on 22 September 2026. The list includes six novels by authors from different literary backgrounds, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony on 9 November 2026. The Booker Prize is a major literary award for a novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland. The prize was first awarded in 1969 and is administered by the Booker Prize Foundation. The six shortlisted books are The End of Everything by M. John Harrison, The Disappearers by Marlon James, Black Bag by Luke Kennard, May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry, The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, and John of John by Douglas Stuart. Each shortlisted author will receive £2,500.
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