Current affairs
News for UPSC, SSC and defence exams, with the reason it matters.
September 2026
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.
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 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.
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.
Draft Seeds Bill to replace the Seeds Act, 1966; traditional seeds to stay free of registration
- On 10 September 2026, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met about 20 farmer groups on the draft Seeds Bill.
- The Bill would replace the Seeds Act, 1966. About 70% of seeds used are outside the old law.
- Farmers can still use, exchange and sell traditional seeds. Registering them will be voluntary.
Why it matters
[Policy] Fake seeds cause big crop losses for farmers. The new law aims to cover more seed and track it from source to sale. Farmers' right to save and share seed is a core exam point, as under the PPV&FR Act, 2001.
Centre amends E-Commerce Rules: prior price must be shown, sponsored listings labelled
- The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 amend the 2020 Rules.
- A discount must show both the reduced price and the prior price, the lowest price in the past 30 days.
- Sponsored listings must carry a clear label, and search results must not be manipulated.
Why it matters
[Economy] The 2020 Rules were made under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. In 2025, about 29% of National Consumer Helpline complaints were about e-commerce.
Japan’s JCR upgrades India’s sovereign credit rating to ‘A-‘
- On 2 September 2026, the Japan Credit Rating Agency raised India's rating one notch, from BBB+ to A-.
- The upgrade covers India's long-term foreign- and local-currency issuer ratings.
- JCR cited growth near 7%, digital public infrastructure, GST and bank NPAs below 2%.
Why it matters
[Data] A higher sovereign rating can lower the cost of government borrowing. The move lifts India out of the BBB band with JCR. Exams test which agencies rate India and why ratings matter.
Asked before: CDS (II) 2016 asked which of the listed bodies are credit rating agencies in India.