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.
Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission sails from Chennai on Coast Guard ship Shaunak
- Indian Coast Guard ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai with sea riders from all four Quad countries.
- Six sea riders took part: two each from India and Japan, one each from Australia and the US.
- The mission was announced at the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 26 May 2026.
Why it matters
[First] The Quad is India, Australia, Japan and the US. The observer mission builds coast guard teamwork for a free and open Indo-Pacific. The 2025 and 2026 host ships are an easy trap.
G4 and L.69 ministers press for UN Security Council reform at UNGA-81
- G4 foreign ministers of India, Brazil, Germany and Japan met on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.
- They called for expanding the UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent seats.
- They opposed a 'bridging proposal' before text-based negotiations begin.
Why it matters
[Groupings] G4 is the four-nation group seeking permanent seats. L.69 is a cross-regional group of developing countries. C-10 is the African Union's ten-nation committee on UNSC reform. Matching group to members is a common question.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
India hosts 18th BRICS Summit; leaders adopt the New Delhi Declaration
- On 12 September 2026, the 11-member BRICS adopted the New Delhi Declaration at Bharat Mandapam.
- PM Modi chaired the 18th summit. Putin, Xi Jinping and Iran's Pezeshkian attended.
- The declaration backs a bigger UN Security Council role for India and Brazil.
Why it matters
[Policy] India forged consensus after Iran and the UAE agreed on wording about the West Asia war. The declaration opposed unilateral tariffs. BRICS summits and their hosts are a regular exam question.
Asked before: NDA (II) 2025 asked which statements about BRICS Summits are correct.
Modi and Xi meet in New Delhi, welcome ‘steady progress’ in India-China ties
- On 12 September 2026, PM Modi met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
- It was their first meeting since the SCO summit in Tianjin in August 2025.
- Both sides said differences should not become disputes.
Why it matters
[Mains] Xi came to India for a two-day visit amid a thaw since the 2020 Galwan clash. Talks covered the boundary question and peace along the LAC. Leader-level meetings since Kazan 2024 mark the slow repair of ties.
Rajnath Singh makes first Indian Defence Minister visit to Sri Lanka in 38 years; three MoUs signed
- Rajnath Singh visited Sri Lanka on 8-10 September 2026, the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister since 1988.
- On 9 September, he met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo.
- The two sides signed three MoUs on defence equipment and training.
Why it matters
[First] The last such visit was by K.C. Pant in 1988. Dissanayake repeated that Sri Lanka will not let its land be used against India's security. The visit fits India's Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2024 asked about Exercise Mitra Shakti, the India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise.
India and China hold first Corps Commander talks in the Eastern Sector, in Arunachal
- On 6 September 2026, India and China held their first Corps Commander-level meeting in the Eastern Sector.
- It took place at the Vacha-Damai Border Personnel Meeting Point in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Lt Gen Girish Kalia of 3 Corps (Spear Corps) led India's 12-member delegation.
Why it matters
[First] The meeting extends the Corps Commander mechanism beyond Ladakh to the eastern LAC. It came amid reports of Chinese activity in the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri. It was held days before India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit.
Belgian PM Bart De Wever’s India visit: aim to double trade in five years, defence Letter of Intent signed
- Bart De Wever made the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in two decades.
- India and Belgium aim to double bilateral trade in five years. Trade was over $13 billion in 2025-26.
- They signed a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation.
Why it matters
[International Relations] Brussels hosts the EU and NATO headquarters. Antwerp is a global diamond-trading hub.
Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh expires on 31 December 2026; Centre to weigh Bihar’s concerns
- The 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty expires on 31 December 2026.
- EAM S. Jaishankar said India will keep Bihar's interests in mind before deciding on renewal.
- JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha had asked the Centre not to renew it, saying it hurt Bihar.
Why it matters
[Mains] The treaty shares the Ganga's water at Farakka in the dry season. Its renewal is a major item in India-Bangladesh ties this year. It also shows how states can shape India's water diplomacy.
Asked before: CAPF 2022 asked with which country India shares Ganga water at Farakka.
Rajnath Singh releases ‘Raksha’, a 10-year framework for India’s defence diplomacy
- On 3 September 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released 'Raksha', a 10-year defence diplomacy framework.
- It covers defence partnerships, joint exercises, training and capacity building with friendly countries.
- It aims to grow defence exports and make India a reliable defence manufacturing partner.
Why it matters
[Policy] This is a written long-term roadmap for defence diplomacy. It ties exports, exercises and maritime security into one plan. 'Net Security Provider' and 'First Responder' are common GS-II and GS-III terms.
26th SCO Summit in Bishkek adopts 28 documents; Pakistan takes over the 2026-27 chair
- The 26th SCO Heads of State Council met in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 1 September 2026.
- It approved 28 documents, including the Bishkek Declaration and a protocol amending the SCO Charter.
- It also approved an MoU with the African Union Commission.
Why it matters
[International Relations] The SCO was founded in 2001 and now has 10 full members. India became a full member in 2017.