Current affairs
News for UPSC, SSC and defence exams, with the reason it matters.
September 2026
India hosts ninth Deputy NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave
- India virtually hosted the ninth Deputy NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave on 30 September 2026.
- Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Seychelles took part.
- Deputy NSA Pavan Kapoor led the Indian delegation.
Why it matters
[Data] The Colombo Security Conclave is a small Indian Ocean security grouping led by India. It covers maritime security, counter-terrorism and disaster relief, among its five pillars. It is a key part of India's neighbourhood security plan. Its member list is a likely exam question.
Jharkhand’s folk drum Mandar gets a Geographical Indication tag
- The GI Registry in Chennai granted a GI tag to 'Mandar of Jharkhand' in September 2026.
- Mandar is a folk percussion instrument central to Jharkhand's tribal music and dance.
- Its body is made from locally sourced red clay using traditional methods.
Why it matters
[First] A GI tag links a product's quality to its place of origin. It gives legal protection against imitations. GI tags in India are granted under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999. Musical instruments with GI tags are a favourite trap in state and SSC papers.
IIP growth quickens to 8% in August 2026; electricity at 27-month high
- On 28 September 2026, MoSPI data showed IIP growth of 8% in August, up from 7.35% in July.
- Manufacturing grew 8.95%. Electricity grew 12.3%, a 27-month high.
- Capital goods grew 16.9% and consumer durables 11.1%.
Why it matters
[Data] Strong factory output points to good festive-season demand. MoSPI releases the IIP. Manufacturing carries the most weight in the index, about 76%.
Asked before: CDS (II) 2020 asked which use-based category carries the most weight in the IIP.
KAZIND-2026: India-Kazakhstan counter-terror exercise begins in Oskemen
- The ninth India-Kazakhstan exercise KAZIND runs from 28 September to 11 October 2026.
- It is held at Oskemen, Kazakhstan.
- India sent 60 troops, mainly from the Garhwal Rifles, plus IAF personnel.
Why it matters
[Data] KAZIND is India's army exercise with Kazakhstan. Khanjar is with Kyrgyzstan and Dustlik with Uzbekistan. This edition also practises drone and counter-drone use.
India retains Gaprindashvili Trophy at 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand
- The 46th Chess Olympiad was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 27 September 2026.
- India won silver in the Open section on tie-break; hosts Uzbekistan took gold.
- India's women won bronze; China won the women's gold.
Why it matters
[Data] The Gaprindashvili Trophy goes to the best nation across both sections combined. India also won it in 2022 at home and in 2024 in Budapest, where it took double gold. Olympiad hosts, winners and India's medals are common sports questions.
Centre extends AFSPA in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six more months
- The Home Ministry extended AFSPA, 1958 in 'disturbed areas' of three states for six months from 1 October 2026.
- In Manipur, it covers the whole state except areas under 13 police stations.
- In Nagaland, it covers nine districts, including Dimapur, Mon, Kiphire and Phek.
Why it matters
[Polity] AFSPA gives the armed forces special powers in areas declared 'disturbed'. The Centre or a state can make that declaration. Extensions come every six months, so the covered states and districts are a favourite exam detail.
New flowering plant Begonia neelamorum described from Arunachal Pradesh
- In September 2026, scientists described a new Begonia species from Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Begonia neelamorum is named after the Neelam clan of the Nyishi community.
- It is the 54th Begonia species recorded from Northeast India.
Why it matters
[First] The Eastern Himalaya is a biodiversity hotspot. New species keep turning up there. Local communities helped find this one, a common theme in new-species stories.
Pune to host UCI Road World Championships 2032, a first for India
- India will host the UCI Road World Championships for the first time, in 2032.
- Pune, in Maharashtra, was chosen as the host city.
- The decision was announced at the UCI Congress in Montreal, Canada.
Why it matters
[First] Host cities of world championships are standard sports questions. This is India's first road cycling world championship. Montreal is where the vote was held, not the host city.
India-EU FTA to be signed in Brussels on 16 December 2026, sources say
- On 23 September 2026, sources said the India-EU FTA will be signed on 16 December 2026 in Brussels.
- Talks restarted in June 2022 and ended in January 2026.
- The deal does not need separate approval by each EU country.
Why it matters
[Policy] Leaders on both sides call it the 'mother of all deals'. The EU is one of India's largest trading partners. Both sides left out the hardest issues to get it done.
Supreme Court split verdict on CEC selection panel; minister on panel ‘fails perception test’
- On 23 September 2026, a two-judge Supreme Court Bench gave a split verdict on the 2023 CEC Act case.
- The 2023 Act replaced the Chief Justice with a Cabinet Minister on the CEC selection panel.
- Justice Dipankar Datta said this gives the government an effective veto and fails the 'perception test'.
Why it matters
[SC Ruling] An independent Election Commission is part of the Basic Structure. The panel now has the PM, a minister and the Leader of Opposition. The validity of the 2023 Act is still undecided.
Asked before: NDA (I) 2026 asked how the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed under Article 324.
INS Trishul reaches Toulon for the 24th edition of India-France naval exercise Varuna
- On 22 September 2026, the stealth frigate INS Trishul reached Toulon, France.
- It went there for the 24th edition of Varuna, the India-France naval exercise.
- The exercise has harbour and sea phases to improve how the two navies work together.
Why it matters
[Data] Varuna is India's naval exercise with France. Shakti is the army exercise and Garuda the air exercise. Exams often test these pairings.
Second edition of IAF’s multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti to be held at Jodhpur
- Tarang Shakti 2026 is the second edition of the IAF's multinational air exercise.
- It runs from 26 September to 12 October at Air Force Station Jodhpur and nearby bases.
- Eight countries are sending aircraft: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, UAE and the USA.
Why it matters
[Defence] Tarang Shakti is India's largest multinational air exercise. The first edition was held in 2024. Exams ask about its host, edition and participants.
Anant Nag gets Dadasaheb Phalke Award as President presents 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, near the Statue of Unity.
- Kannada actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024.
- 92 awardees were honoured across feature, non-feature and writing-on-cinema categories.
Why it matters
[Award] The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest film honour. It is given by the I&B Ministry along with the National Film Awards. The ceremony was held outside New Delhi this time.
India-New Zealand FTA ratified; it comes into force on 20 October 2026
- On 21 September 2026, India and New Zealand exchanged notes completing ratification of their FTA.
- The agreement comes into force on 20 October 2026.
- New Zealand removes duties on all Indian goods. Most of its exports to India become duty-free or cheaper.
Why it matters
[Policy] It is one of India's newest FTAs. Keeping dairy out was India's key condition. New Zealand also committed $20 billion of investment in India.
Asked before: CDS (I) 2026 asked about the India-New Zealand FTA signed in December 2025.
India and the Visegrad Group hold first V4+India foreign ministers’ meeting
- On 21 September 2026, India and the Visegrad Group (V4) held their first foreign ministers' meeting.
- The V4 is Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
- It met on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
Why it matters
[First] This creates a new format for India's ties with Central Europe. It builds on deepening India-EU ties. Defence, technology and connectivity were key topics.
18th India-Mongolia exercise Nomadic Elephant begins at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
- The 18th edition of India-Mongolia exercise Nomadic Elephant began at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh.
- It is an annual platoon-level exercise, held alternately in India and Mongolia.
- Each side sent 45 personnel. The exercise runs till 3 October.
Why it matters
[Defence] Matching an exercise to its partner country is a common exam question. Nomadic Elephant pairs India with Mongolia. The venue alternates between the two countries each year.
Japan’s air chief flies in Tejas during India-Japan air exercise Veer Guardian 2026
- Veer Guardian 2026, the second India-Japan bilateral air exercise, was held at Jodhpur in September 2026.
- On 20 September, IAF chief A.P. Singh and Japan's air chief Gen. Takehiro Morita flew together in a Tejas formation.
- Gen. Morita flew in a Tejas trainer.
Why it matters
[First] A foreign air chief flying in Tejas signals trust in the Indian-made jet. It may help Tejas exports. Exam questions often ask which country takes part in which exercise.
Government dissolves the 37-year-old Digital Communications Commission
- A notification dated 19 September 2026 dissolved the Digital Communications Commission.
- It was set up in 1989 as the Telecom Commission and renamed in 2018.
- It was the Department of Telecom's top decision body on policy and spectrum pricing.
Why it matters
[Policy] The Commission decided most telecom matters before they went to the Cabinet. It also weighed TRAI's advice. Its satcom spectrum plan now goes to the Cabinet.
NSO releases district-level labour market indicators for the first time
- The National Statistical Office released district-level labour market indicators for the first time.
- About 57.8% of districts had a female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 40% or more.
- Among the 100 most populous districts, Surat had the highest LFPR and WPR. Darbhanga had the lowest.
Why it matters
[First] Labour data was earlier available mainly at the national and state level. District figures help local job planning. Know LFPR, WPR and NEET as terms.
India and Sri Lanka hold 13th edition of naval exercise SLINEX in Visakhapatnam
- SLINEX-26, the 13th India-Sri Lanka naval exercise, ran in Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September 2026.
- India sent the anti-submarine corvette INS Kavaratti and fleet tanker INS Jyoti.
- Sri Lanka sent SLNS Sindurala.
Why it matters
[Data] SLINEX is India's naval exercise with Sri Lanka. Mitra Shakti is the army exercise. Exams often mix up such pairs. It came a week after Rajnath Singh's visit to Colombo.
India’s cheetah population reaches 52, four years after reintroduction
- India now has 52 cheetahs, four years after Project Cheetah began on 17 September 2022.
- 32 cubs have been born in India since the reintroduction.
- 49 cheetahs live in Kuno National Park and 3 in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
Why it matters
[Environment] Project Cheetah is a frequent exam topic. Know the two sites in Madhya Pradesh and the three source countries.
India and Bhutan complete two-way UPI payment link
- EAM S. Jaishankar and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay launched the second phase of international UPI in Thimphu.
- Bhutanese citizens visiting India can now pay with UPI.
- With UPI already in use in Bhutan, this completes two-way UPI payment links.
Why it matters
[First] UPI is run by NPCI. Its spread abroad is a common exam theme. Bhutan is now linked both ways.
Cabinet raises EPFO wage ceiling to ₹25,000 a month from ₹15,000
- On 16 September 2026, the Union Cabinet raised EPFO's mandatory wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month.
- It took effect on 17 September, Vishwakarma Jayanti.
- Over 51 lakh more workers are expected to get mandatory EPF, EPS and EDLI cover.
Why it matters
[Policy] More workers now get pension and insurance cover. Pension contributions rise too, so some take-home pay may fall. Trade unions called it too little, too late.
India stays 131st of 145 on WEF Global Gender Gap Index 2026
- On 16 September 2026, the World Economic Forum released the Global Gender Gap Index 2026.
- India stayed 131st of 145 countries, with 64.5% of its gender gap closed.
- Iceland, Finland and Norway took the top three places. Chad came last.
Why it matters
[Data] India's score improved slightly, but its rank did not move. Its weakest area is economic participation, at 41.2% parity. The WEF says full global parity is still 120 years away.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2017 asked which body publishes the Global Gender Gap Index.
India rejects Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission as having no legal basis
- On 16 September 2026, India rejected the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission.
- The commission held its first meeting in Islamabad.
- India says there is no boundary between Pakistan and China.
Why it matters
[Mains] India treats all of J&K and Ladakh as its territory, including areas under Pakistan's control. It also opposes CPEC, which runs through PoK. The Shaksgam Valley and the 1963 agreement are common exam facts.
Asked before: UPSC Mains 2018 asked about CPEC as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
22nd edition of India-US Army exercise Yudh Abhyas begins at Auli, Uttarakhand
- The 22nd edition of India-US Army exercise Yudh Abhyas opened at the Foreign Training Centre, Auli, in Chamoli district.
- Each side sent a contingent of 600 personnel.
- Drills are held at Auli and at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
Why it matters
[Defence] Yudh Abhyas is India's army exercise with the United States. Exams often ask for its partner country and venue.
UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 to carry 0.4% MDR from 15 October 2026
- On 15 September 2026, the government set a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate on some UPI payments.
- It applies to merchant payments above ₹2,000, from 15 October 2026.
- Person-to-person transfers and small merchant payments stay free. Customers pay no charge.
Why it matters
[Policy] The government had paid about ₹2,000 crore a year to keep UPI free for merchants. A parliamentary panel said zero MDR strained public finances. Traders and opposition parties have opposed the fee.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2018 asked what the term 'Merchant Discount Rate' describes.
World Circular Economy Forum held in India for the first time, at Gandhinagar
- The 10th World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF 2026) opened at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar.
- It is the first time the forum has been held in India.
- Finland's innovation fund Sitra co-organised it with the Environment Ministry, the CPCB and the Gujarat government.
Why it matters
[First] A circular economy reuses, repairs and recycles instead of throwing away. India's EPR rules and Mission LiFE are linked ideas.
WPI inflation rises to 9.92% in August 2026, fuel and power at 22.93%
- On 14 September 2026, data showed WPI inflation at 9.92% in August, up from 9.78% in July.
- Fuel and power inflation was 22.93%. Manufactured items hit a series high of 8.37%.
- Food index inflation rose to 7.05%.
Why it matters
[Data] Wholesale inflation near 10% is far above retail CPI inflation of 4.82%. The gap shows costs rising for producers before shoppers. The Commerce Ministry releases WPI. The MoSPI releases CPI.
Asked before: CDS (II) 2023 asked which factors raised wholesale price inflation in India in 2021-22.
India and MERCOSUR sign First Additional Protocol to their trade pact; talks to expand it launched
- India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol to their Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
- It moves Certificates of Origin to digital, paperless issue and checking.
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin also launched talks to expand the PTA.
Why it matters
[Trade] MERCOSUR is a South American trade bloc founded in 1991. Under the PTA, India gives concessions on 450 tariff lines and MERCOSUR on 452.