This weekly current affairs compilation covers important national and international developments from September 20 to September 26, 2026. It includes National Affairs, International Affairs, Economy, Banking, Sports, Awards, Government Schemes, Important Days, Appointments, Science and Technology, and other examination-oriented facts.1. National Current AffairsGovernment, Administration and GovernanceRozgar Mela: The 20th Rozgar Mela was held on 19 September 2026, immediately before the coverage week. More than 51,000 appointment letters were distributed to newly recruited candidates across 45 locations in India. Recruitment covered Railways, Revenue, Home Affairs, Health, Financial Services and Defence. The cumulative number of appointment letters distributed through the programme reached approximately 12.75 lakh.3rd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF): Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the conference in New Delhi on 22 September. The conference focused on coordination among States and Union Territories to combat drug trafficking and narcotics networks.Special Campaign 6: The Ministry of Home Affairs prepared to participate in the sixth edition of the Special Campaign organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. The initiative focuses on improving government office efficiency, records management and cleanliness.President Droupadi Murmu's Gujarat visit: The President undertook an official visit to Gujarat from 21 to 23 September, including engagements in Vadodara and at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.75th Annual Convocation of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda: President Droupadi Murmu attended the convocation in Gujarat on 23 September.Kartavya Bhawan: Central government offices in Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan were asked to vacate their existing premises by the end of September as part of the transition to the new Kartavya Bhawan administrative complex.Election Commission and electoral rolls: The Election Commission clarified that notices issued during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process do not automatically mean that a voter's name has been deleted from the electoral roll. The clarification concerned verification procedures and voters' rights.Mahanadi river water dispute: Negotiations between Odisha and Chhattisgarh advanced towards resolving the long-standing inter-State dispute over sharing the waters of the Mahanadi River.Arunachal Pradesh AFSPA extension: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was extended in specified areas of Arunachal Pradesh for six months, up to 31 March 2027.Siang Multipurpose Project: The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet approved a survey committee for preparing a pre-feasibility report for the proposed 11,000 MW Siang Multipurpose Project.Railway Protection Force: The RPF established a dedicated narcotics cell and planned an operational memorandum of understanding with the Narcotics Control Bureau to improve information sharing and joint action against drug trafficking through railway networks.Defence and Internal SecurityIndia–Mongolia military cooperation: Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 featured in the week's defence engagements, strengthening bilateral military cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Army and Mongolian armed forces.Tarang Shakti 2026: The Indian Air Force announced preparations for the second edition of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti.LCA Tejas and Japan: Japan's Air Chief, General Takehiro Morita, flew India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at Jodhpur during defence engagements. The aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.Anti-drone laser system: The Defence Research and Development Organisation advanced its 30-kW anti-drone laser system towards production, supporting India's indigenous counter-drone capability.KAVACH 4.0: Indian Railways' automatic train protection system continued to feature in railway safety developments, including deployment-related updates on the South Central Railway network.Science, Technology and InfrastructureTelecom Manufacturing Zone: A telecom manufacturing zone in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was highlighted as an industrial development project involving an investment of approximately ₹5,500 crore and an anticipated employment potential of over 18,000 jobs. The project covers around 170 acres.SEMICON India 2026: Outcomes of the fifth edition of SEMICON India continued to feature in national technology and industrial policy discussions, particularly semiconductor manufacturing, electronics supply chains and indigenous technology.Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve: A biodiversity assessment documented 3,261 flowering plant species in the Agasthyamalai region of the Western Ghats, highlighting the ecological significance of the reserve.7th National Formulary of India: The National Formulary was among the pharmaceutical-sector developments reported during the week, supporting standardised information on medicines and their rational use.Biovigilance Programme: Updates concerning India's biovigilance framework highlighted the monitoring of adverse events associated with biological products.2. International Current AffairsUnited Nations and Global Diplomacy81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA): World leaders gathered in New York during the week for the high-level session of the UN General Assembly. Discussions centred on global conflicts, artificial intelligence governance, energy security, food security and multilateral cooperation.UN Secretary-General António Guterres: The Secretary-General highlighted the need for international safeguards and common rules governing artificial intelligence, warning about risks associated with uncontrolled technological development. His term was scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026.Ukraine conflict: The continuing Russia–Ukraine conflict remained a major issue at the UN, particularly its impact on civilian populations, global food supplies, fertiliser trade and energy prices.Middle East: The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to affect regional security and international energy markets. Developments around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea shipping routes remained significant for global trade.Palestine at the UN: The UN General Assembly allowed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the assembly through video, following the denial of a US visa for his physical attendance.Sudan: The Sudanese conflict and its humanitarian consequences remained part of diplomatic discussions on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.International Agreements and Bilateral RelationsIndia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: The agreement was reported to be moving towards implementation, with 20 October 2026 indicated as the proposed date for entry into force. The pact is associated with commitments relating to trade and investment, including an anticipated $20 billion in foreign direct investment into India over 15 years.United States–Denmark–Greenland: The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a defence-related agreement expanding the US military role in Greenland, amid continuing discussions on Arctic security.India–Sri Lanka maritime cooperation: The 13th edition of the India–Sri Lanka bilateral naval exercise SLINEX-26 was conducted at Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September. The exercise strengthened naval interoperability and maritime cooperation under India's MAHASAGAR vision.India–Japan defence relations: The participation of Japan's Air Chief in activities involving India's LCA Tejas reflected continuing defence engagement between the two countries.International Organisations and Global IssuesArtificial intelligence governance: International coordination on AI regulation, safety and governance became a prominent issue during the UN General Assembly session.Global food security: Disruptions in Black Sea shipping and conflicts in the Middle East continued to raise concerns regarding the movement of food, fertilisers and energy commodities.Arctic security: Greenland's strategic location and its importance for defence and security remained a focus of US–European diplomatic engagement.Global energy security: Developments affecting the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Black Sea trade routes remained important for oil prices, shipping costs and global supply chains.3. Economy and FinanceIndian EconomyFiscal management: India's Chief Economic Adviser reiterated the government's commitment to prudent fiscal management and fiscal consolidation despite uncertainties in global oil and fertiliser markets.GIFT City: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) was reported to have improved its position in the Global Financial Centres Index, reflecting developments in India's international financial services sector.Modified UDAN: The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the next phase of the regional air connectivity scheme across 22 States and Union Territories. The initiative seeks to expand access to air travel and improve connectivity to underserved and unserved destinations.Edible oil customs duty: The government reduced customs duty on crude soybean and crude palm oils to 5%, while the duty on refined varieties was set at 27.5%. The measure is relevant to edible oil imports, domestic availability and food inflation.India–New Zealand trade: The proposed implementation of the India–New Zealand trade agreement was an important development for bilateral trade and investment.India Electric Mobility Index: The India Electric Mobility Index 2025, released earlier in September, continued to be relevant for examination questions on electric mobility, sustainable transport and State-level progress.India and global economic rankings: India's position in global GDP rankings and its growth outlook remained important topics for economy and banking examinations. Candidates should distinguish nominal GDP rankings from purchasing power parity (PPP) rankings.Financial Markets and Monetary PolicyRBI liquidity management: The Reserve Bank of India continued measures to absorb surplus liquidity from the banking system through open market operations, variable rate reverse repos and foreign exchange interventions.Banking system liquidity: The liquidity surplus declined to approximately ₹4.92 lakh crore by 21 September, from a record ₹11.16 lakh crore on 6 September.Open Market Operations (OMO): The RBI announced bond sales totalling ₹1 lakh crore to absorb excess liquidity. Government securities worth ₹75,000 crore had been sold in the first two tranches, with the remaining ₹25,000 crore tranche scheduled for 28 September.Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR): Banks parked approximately ₹3.4 lakh crore with the RBI through reverse repo operations, helping absorb excess funds from the financial system.FCNR(B) deposits: Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits contributed significantly to the earlier liquidity surplus, with inflows reported at approximately $132.98 billion.Weighted Average Call Rate (WACR): The rate was reported at around 5.24%, broadly aligned with the repo rate of 5.25% cited in the week's financial reporting.Foreign exchange swaps: RBI foreign exchange swap operations formed part of the measures used to manage liquidity and exchange-rate pressures.Important Economic Concepts for ExamsOpen Market Operations: Purchase or sale of government securities by the central bank to manage liquidity in the banking system.Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to banks against eligible securities.Reverse Repo: A mechanism through which banks place funds with the central bank, absorbing liquidity from the system.Fiscal Consolidation: Measures aimed at reducing fiscal deficits and stabilising government debt.FCNR(B): A deposit scheme that allows eligible non-resident Indians to hold bank deposits in permitted foreign currencies.4. Banking and Financial AwarenessRBI liquidity operations: The RBI's liquidity absorption measures through OMO bond sales, VRRR auctions and forex swaps were among the week's important banking developments.NPCI and UPI: The revised UPI merchant-charge framework was reported in September, making digital payment charges and merchant discount rate (MDR) important revision topics.Unified Payments Interface: UPI transaction volumes and the role of NPCI in India's digital payment ecosystem remain important for banking examinations.RBI market-risk capital directions: New directions concerning market-risk capital requirements were reported during the week, relevant to capital adequacy and banking regulation.Demat 2.0: Developments concerning the Demat 2.0 initiative were relevant to digital investment services and securities-market access.OneTag: The NHAI's OneTag initiative was associated with FASTag portability and improvements in electronic toll collection.GIFT IFSC: GIFT City continued to feature in discussions on international financial services, cross-border financial activity and India's financial-sector infrastructure.RBI's monetary policy: The reported repo rate of 5.25% is an important figure to revise alongside the RBI's liquidity management measures. Candidates should check the latest policy announcement before an examination.Banking liquidity versus monetary policy: Liquidity absorption through OMO and VRRR operations is distinct from changing the policy repo rate. These operations manage the availability of funds in the banking system.5. Sports Current AffairsAsian Games 2026Asian Games 2026: The 20th Asian Games are being held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan. India began its medal campaign with two silver medals in shooting on 20 September.Elavenil Valarivan: The Indian shooter was among the prominent Indian performers in the opening shooting events.Indian women's shooting: Indian shooters secured two silver medals in the women's 10m air rifle event on the opening day.Indian hockey: India's hockey campaign also began during the early days of the Games.Asian Games host: Japan, with Aichi and Nagoya as the principal host locations.Exam fact: The Asian Games are organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).ChessChess Olympiad 2026: India's men's team defeated the Netherlands 3–1 in Round 5, recording its fifth consecutive victory in the tournament.R Praggnanandhaa: Defeated Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri in the fifth round.D Gukesh: The reigning world champion secured another victory for India in the match against the Netherlands.Arjun Erigaisi: Recorded his first victory in the event during India's campaign.Indian women's team: The women's team lost to Poland, ending its winning run in the tournament.CricketEngland vs Sri Lanka ODI series: Sri Lanka defeated England by 16 runs in the second ODI at Headingley, Leeds, on 24 September.Sri Lanka's score: 321/6 in 50 overs.England's score: 305/9 in 50 overs.England vs Sri Lanka, first ODI: England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs on 22 September.South Africa vs Australia: South Africa defeated Australia by 67 runs in the first ODI at Kingsmead, Durban, on 24 September.South Africa's score: 297/8 in 50 overs.Australia's score: 230 all out in 41.2 overs.Zimbabwe vs Australia: Australia defeated Zimbabwe by one wicket in the third ODI on 20 September, scoring 272/9 while chasing 272.6. Awards and Honours72nd National Film Awards: President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards on 22 September 2026.Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Kannada actor Anant Nag was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award during the ceremony. The award is India's highest honour in the field of cinema.Dadasaheb Phalke: The award is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian cinema.78th Primetime Emmy Awards: The 2026 Emmy Awards were among the major international entertainment developments reported in September. The television series Widows Bay was reported to have received 14 awards.Jean Smart: The American actress continued her record of consecutive wins in the lead actress category for a comedy series.India's Oscar 2027 entry: Marathi film Gondhal was reported as India's official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category.7. Important Days and Dates21 September – International Day of Peace: Observed to strengthen the ideals of peace, non-violence and international cooperation. The United Nations established the observance.21 September – World Alzheimer's Day: Observed to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.22 September – World Rhino Day: Observed to promote rhinoceros conservation and awareness of threats such as poaching and habitat loss.23 September – International Day of Sign Languages: Observed to promote awareness of sign languages and the linguistic rights of deaf people.23 September – International Day of the Deaf: The broader International Week of Deaf People is observed during the final full week of September, with awareness activities on deaf culture and inclusion.24 September – World Bollywood Day: An entertainment-related observance that may appear in general awareness material; it is not a UN-designated international day.25 September – World Pharmacists Day: Observed to recognise the contribution of pharmacists to healthcare systems. The International Pharmaceutical Federation promotes the observance.25 September – Antyodaya Diwas: Observed in India to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and to highlight the welfare and upliftment of the poorest sections of society.26 September – World Environmental Health Day: Observed to raise awareness of environmental factors affecting human health.26 September – European Day of Languages: Promotes linguistic diversity, multilingualism and language learning across Europe.26 September – World Contraception Day: An awareness initiative focused on reproductive health and informed contraceptive choices.8. Government Schemes and Social SectorModified UDAN: The next phase of the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik scheme was launched across 22 States and Union Territories. The programme seeks to expand regional air connectivity and improve access to underserved destinations.Ayushman Bharat: The scheme marked eight years of implementation in September 2026, with reported coverage of approximately 60 crore beneficiaries and treatment expenditure exceeding ₹2 lakh crore.Swachh Bharat Mission–Gramin: The programme continued to focus on sustainable sanitation, waste management and ODF Plus villages, moving beyond toilet construction towards long-term sanitation outcomes.Community Cadre Approach: More than 30 lakh frontline workers, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and community resource persons, contribute to last-mile delivery of public services and rural development.Fisheries development: A review of fisheries and aquaculture development in West Bengal highlighted the State's production capacity and investment base.National Formulary of India: The seventh edition was among the pharmaceutical policy developments reported in the week, supporting standardisation of information on medicines.Biovigilance Programme: The programme supports monitoring of adverse events associated with biological products and strengthens medicine safety surveillance.9. Important One-Liners for Competitive ExamsWho is the President of India? — Droupadi Murmu.Who is the UN Secretary-General? — António Guterres.Which edition of the UN General Assembly was held in September 2026? — 81st session.Which country hosted the Asian Games 2026? — Japan.Which are the principal host locations of the Asian Games 2026? — Aichi and Nagoya.Which organisation organises the Asian Games? — Olympic Council of Asia.Which Indian shooter featured prominently in the opening Asian Games events? — Elavenil Valarivan.Which Indian chess player defeated Anish Giri in the Chess Olympiad? — R Praggnanandhaa.Who is the reigning world chess champion mentioned in the week's Chess Olympiad updates? — D Gukesh.Which Indian actor received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award during the 72nd National Film Awards? — Anant Nag.Which is India's highest award in cinema? — Dadasaheb Phalke Award.Who is known as the father of Indian cinema? — Dadasaheb Phalke.Which organisation conducts the National Film Awards ceremony? — The Government of India, through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.What is the full form of ANTF? — Anti-Narcotics Task Force.Which Union Minister inaugurated the third National Conference of ANTF Heads? — Amit Shah.What is the full form of UDAN? — Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik.Which ministry implements the UDAN regional connectivity scheme? — Ministry of Civil Aviation.What is the full form of GIFT City? — Gujarat International Finance Tec-City.What is the full form of FCNR(B)? — Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank).What is the full form of OMO? — Open Market Operations.What is the full form of VRRR? — Variable Rate Reverse Repo.What is the full form of WACR? — Weighted Average Call Rate.Which organisation operates UPI in India? — National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).What is FASTag? — An electronic toll collection tag used under India's electronic toll collection system.What is the full form of LCA? — Light Combat Aircraft.Which organisation manufactures the LCA Tejas? — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).Which organisation developed India's indigenous anti-drone laser technology? — Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).What is KAVACH in Indian Railways? — India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.Which river is involved in the Odisha–Chhattisgarh water-sharing dispute? — Mahanadi.Which biosphere reserve is associated with the documentation of 3,261 flowering plant species? — Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.Which day is observed on 25 September in India in memory of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya? — Antyodaya Diwas.Which day is observed on 25 September to recognise pharmacists? — World Pharmacists Day.Which day is observed on 26 September to promote environmental health awareness? — World Environmental Health Day.Which day is observed on 21 September to promote global peace? — International Day of Peace.Which day is observed on 23 September to promote linguistic rights of deaf people? — International Day of Sign Languages.10. Important Revision SummaryNational Affairs: Rozgar Mela, ANTF conference, Kartavya Bhawan, Siang project, AFSPA extension and KAVACH.International Affairs: 81st UNGA, AI governance, Ukraine conflict, Middle East security and India–New Zealand trade agreement.Economy and Banking: RBI liquidity management, OMO, VRRR, FCNR(B), UPI, GIFT City and edible oil customs duties.Sports and Awards: Asian Games 2026, Chess Olympiad, cricket ODIs, Anant Nag and the 72nd National Film Awards.Important Days: International Day of Peace, World Rhino Day, World Pharmacists Day and Antyodaya Diwas.

1. NationalBanks Open on Sunday: Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks are functioning on 27 September 2026 (Sunday) to facilitate banking services ahead of the proposed nationwide bank strike from 28 to 30 September 2026.Six Nations Present Credentials: Envoys of six countries presented their credentials to President Droupadi Murmu on 25 September 2026.Make in India Completes 12 Years: The initiative, launched on 25 September 2014, completed 12 years. It aims to promote domestic manufacturing, investment, innovation and employment.India International Water Week 2026: The 9th India International Water Week was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 22 September 2026.72nd National Film Awards: President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 22 September 2026.Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema.Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana 2.0: The government highlighted the upgraded rural skill development initiative aimed at enhancing employment opportunities and livelihood security for rural youth.India Cine Hub: The initiative promotes India as a global destination for film production and facilitates film shooting and related permissions.National Single Window System: The system facilitates investment by providing a unified digital platform for business approvals and clearances.72nd National Film Awards – Important Fact: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in the field of cinema.2. International81st United Nations General Assembly: The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is being held in New York in 2026.India at UNGA: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called for stronger multilateralism and greater cooperation to address global geopolitical tensions and conflicts.Partners for Multilateralism Summit: S. Jaishankar co-chaired the inaugural summit alongside European Council President António Costa, focusing on international law, peace and prosperity.India–ASEAN Economic Cooperation: India participated in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting and the 23rd ASEAN–India Economic Ministers' Consultation on 24 September 2026.India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: The India–New Zealand FTA is scheduled to enter into force on 20 October 2026.Global South Cooperation: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan called for greater strategic cooperation among Global South nations to address emerging security and developmental challenges.World Tourism Day: Observed internationally on 27 September every year to highlight the importance of tourism in economic development, cultural exchange and sustainable growth.World Tourism Day 2026: The day is being observed today, 27 September 2026, with an emphasis on tourism's global significance.3. EconomyIndia–New Zealand FTA: The agreement is scheduled to come into force on 20 October 2026, strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation.PLI Schemes: Production-Linked Incentive schemes have generated ₹23.8 lakh crore in production and sales, attracted ₹2.40 lakh crore in investment, and supported more than 14.6 lakh jobs, according to figures highlighted by the Commerce Ministry.PLI Exports: The schemes have contributed to exports worth approximately ₹15.2 lakh crore, supporting domestic manufacturing and export competitiveness.Foreign Direct Investment: India's FDI inflow reached a record US$94.53 billion in FY 2025–26.Core Industries: Provisional estimates of the Index of Eight Core Industries for August 2026 were released on 21 September 2026.Government Borrowing Plan: The Finance Ministry released the borrowing plan for the second half of FY 2026–27 on 25 September 2026.Government Securities: The issuance calendar for marketable dated securities covering October 2026 to March 2027 was released.Treasury Bills: The government released the Treasury Bills auction calendar for the quarter ending December 2026.ECGC: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India supported a record ₹9.70 lakh crore of exports in FY 2025–26.RINL Land E-Auction: The National Land Monetization Corporation conducted investor outreach programmes ahead of the e-auction of land belonging to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited.Gulbarga Tur Dal Exports: APEDA facilitated the export of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives.Tobacco Growers: The government approved a one-time interest-free loan of ₹50,000 per barn for FCV tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh.Consumer Price Index: The Consumer Price Index for August 2026 was released using the revised base year 2024 = 100.Banking Awareness: The proposed bank strike from 28–30 September 2026 is an important development for banking aspirants. Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks are operating on 27 September to facilitate customer services.4. Date’s Importance – 27 SeptemberWorld Tourism Day: Observed every year on 27 September.Established by: United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), now known as UN Tourism.First celebrated: 1980.Purpose: To promote awareness of tourism's social, cultural, political and economic importance.UN Tourism Headquarters: Madrid, Spain.International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste: Observed on 29 September (upcoming).World Maritime Day 2026: Observed on 24 September 2026.5. Person of the DayAnant NagAnant NagVeteran Indian actor associated primarily with Kannada cinema.Received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony.Known for his contributions to Kannada films, theatre and Indian cinema.The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest honour in cinema.6. SportsAsian Games 2026: The 20th Asian Games are being held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.India's Medal Tally: India had recorded 22 medals as of the night of 25 September, comprising 2 gold, 9 silver and 11 bronze medals.Gulveer Singh: Won silver in the men's 10,000-metre athletics event with a time of 28:29.38.10m Air Pistol Mixed Team: India's Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won gold with an Asian Games record score of 484.6.Women's Pole Vault: Baranica Elangovan won bronze with a clearance of 4.15 metres, marking India's first Asian Games medal in this event.Women's Shot Put: Manpreet Kaur won bronze with a throw of 17.17 metres.Women's Cricket: The Indian women's cricket team won gold after defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs.Women's 49 kg Weightlifting: Mirabai Chanu won silver.Men's Badminton: The Indian men's badminton team won bronze.Mixed 4 × 400 m Relay: The Indian team won silver at the Asian Games.Men's Double Sculls: Satnam Singh and Salman Khan won bronze.Women's Sanda 60 kg: Naorem Roshibina Devi won silver.Men's Skeet Mixed Team: Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka won bronze.7. AwardsDadasaheb Phalke Award 2024: Conferred on Anant Nag for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.AGU 2026 Awards: Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll and Neelima Satyam were selected among the awardees.Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communications Prize: Roxy Mathew Koll was selected for his contribution to climate science communication and research on Indian Ocean changes.Devendra Lal Memorial Medal: Neelima Satyam, a professor at IIT Indore, was selected for her work in geotechnical engineering and seismic hazards.FAO Recognition: ZT Lalrithangi of Mizoram was selected for the Food and Agriculture Organization's 100 Women in Agrifood Systems recognition.National Awards to Teachers: The awards recognise the outstanding contributions of teachers in the education sector.8. Other Important SignificanceMake in India: The initiative completed 12 years on 25 September 2026. Make in India 2.0 covers 27 sectors, comprising 15 manufacturing sectors and 12 services sectors.National Statistics: The Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin for August 2026 was released by the National Statistical Office.India's Health Sector: India highlighted its progress in universal health coverage, hepatitis elimination and sickle cell care at the 81st UN General Assembly.National Formulary of India 2026: The 7th edition was launched, alongside an announcement of the Biovigilance Programme to strengthen patient safety.FSSAI: Proposed a draft amendment to ensure that only milk-derived products are represented as paneer.Defence Procurement: The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth ₹810.79 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited for Stand-off Anti-Tank Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons.Exercise Varuna 2026: Indian Navy's INS Trishul participated in the 24th edition of the bilateral naval exercise with France.Science and Technology: India's electronics and semiconductor manufacturing ambitions were highlighted as part of the broader Make in India initiative.Swachhata Hi Seva 2026: The nationwide campaign continues to focus on cleanliness, sanitation and public participation.

National AffairsIndia's indigenous defence production: The Defence Ministry signed a ₹811 crore contract for 160 Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW) for the Indian Air Force. The weapon is designed to target enemy airfield infrastructure.Bharat NCAP 2.0: India is introducing an upgraded vehicle crash-safety assessment programme to strengthen automobile safety standards and consumer awareness.Maharashtra Women Farmer Empowerment Bill: Maharashtra has passed legislation recognising women as farmers irrespective of land ownership, addressing formal recognition of women's contribution to agriculture.Kavach 4.0: South Central Railway deployed the upgraded indigenous automatic train protection system on a 108-km stretch of the Hyderabad division.Mining law and Centre–State relations: Amendments to mining legislation have triggered objections from some states concerning their constitutional authority over mineral resources.Government e-Marketplace (GeM): The national public procurement platform completed ten years of operations. It facilitates online procurement of goods and services by government departments and public sector organisations.Special Campaign 6: The Union Government has initiated a campaign focused on reducing pending matters, improving cleanliness and enhancing administrative efficiency in government offices.Women in agriculture: Recognition of women farmers irrespective of land ownership highlights the importance of gender inclusion, agricultural policy and access to institutional benefits.Indian Railways: The expansion of Kavach technology is aimed at improving train safety through automatic train protection and collision prevention.International Affairs81st United Nations General Assembly: The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is underway in New York. India has highlighted reform of multilateral institutions and issues affecting developing countries.India–France–UAE trilateral cooperation: The three countries have held discussions on emerging technologies, cultural cooperation and regional stability in West Asia.India and the Global South: India's diplomatic engagement has highlighted the interconnected challenges of fuel, food, fertiliser and finance affecting developing economies.United Nations Security Council: The Security Council condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed concern over threats to regional security and Gulf shipping.India–European Union relations: India–EU trade negotiations and economic cooperation remain important developments in international trade and strategic relations.Russia and Iran sanctions: Proposed US sanctions legislation concerning Russia and Iran has raised questions about energy security, international trade and India's strategic autonomy.Global water resources: The World Meteorological Organization's 2025 assessment reported a fourth consecutive year of glacier mass loss, estimated at 408 ± 132 gigatonnes, contributing approximately 1.1 mm to sea-level rise.Denmark's work permit policy: Denmark approved a collective-agreement-based business scheme providing a new route for foreign workers to obtain work permits.Economy and BankingIndia's foreign direct investment: India recorded its highest-ever annual FDI inflow of 94.53 billion in FY 2025-26. Cumulative FDI inflows since 2014 reached US 843 billion.Reserve Bank of India Bulletin: The September 2026 Bulletin described the domestic economy as resilient while highlighting downside risks arising from the West Asia conflict.UPI merchant discount rate: A Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) has been proposed on specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions from 15 October 2026. MDR refers to the charge levied on merchants for processing eligible digital payments.National Stock Exchange: NSE has listed its own shares on the Bombay Stock Exchange, marking a significant development in India's capital market structure.Five-day banking week: The United Forum of Bank Unions has announced a nationwide bank strike from 28 to 30 September 2026, demanding a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the performance-linked incentive scheme.Bank operations on 27 September: The RBI has permitted bank branches, ATM-linked branches and currency chests to remain open on Sunday, 27 September, to maintain banking services around the strike and weekend.India's economic outlook: Growth forecasts for FY 2026–27 have been revised by international financial institutions, with domestic consumption and industrial output supporting growth while food inflation and climate risks remain concerns.India's public procurement: GeM continues to support transparent, digital government procurement by connecting public buyers and registered sellers.Digital payments: The proposed MDR changes for eligible UPI merchant transactions are relevant to payment-system economics, digital financial inclusion and banking awareness.Foreign investment: FDI is an important indicator of long-term investment in productive assets and business operations, unlike portfolio investment in financial securities.Date's Importance – 26 SeptemberInternational Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons: Observed annually on 26 September to promote global nuclear disarmament and raise awareness of the humanitarian and security consequences of nuclear weapons.European Day of Languages: Celebrated on 26 September to promote linguistic diversity, multilingualism and language learning across Europe.World Contraception Day: Observed on 26 September to raise awareness about contraception and informed reproductive health choices.World Environmental Health Day: Observed on 26 September to highlight the relationship between environmental conditions and public health.International Maritime Day 2026: The IMO's World Maritime Day observance falls on 24 September in 2026, while the associated World Maritime Day theme and celebrations focus on the contribution of shipping to global trade and sustainable development.Person of the DayS. JaishankarPosition: Minister of External Affairs, Government of India.Known for: India's foreign policy, international diplomacy and bilateral relations.Current relevance: India's engagement at the 81st UN General Assembly and its emphasis on multilateral reforms and Global South priorities.SportsAsian Games 2026: The 20th Asian Games are being held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.India at the Asian Games: Indian athletes are competing across multiple disciplines, including athletics, shooting, wrestling, badminton and hockey.World Archery: Indian archers continue to participate in international competitions, including World Cup events and para-archery competitions.Cricket governance: BCCI has stated that it will comply with the National Sports Governance Act once cricket is notified as a designated sport under the legislation.BCCI centenary: BCCI has announced plans to begin its centenary celebrations in December 2027.ICC Women's Champions Trophy: India is scheduled to host the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy in February 2027.India–Japan cricket: India and Japan are participating in international cricket fixtures, reflecting the expansion of cricket into new markets.Pune and cycling: Pune has been selected to host the 2032 UCI Road World Championships, an important development for Indian cycling.Awards and HonoursDadasaheb Phalke Award: Kannada actor Anant Nag has been announced as the recipient of the 56th Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest honour in cinema.Bueche Award 2026: Chennai-born computer scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan was named the recipient of the Arthur M. Bueche Award by the US National Academy of Engineering.Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024: Four adventurers have been selected across the categories of Land Adventure, Water Adventure, Air Adventure and Lifetime Achievement.Ig Nobel Prizes 2026: The 36th Ig Nobel Prize ceremony was held in Zurich, Switzerland, marking the first time the ceremony took place outside the United States in its 35-year history.Emmy Awards 2026: The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards recognised outstanding achievements in television, including acting, directing and production.Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Jan Seva Award 2026: Kishor Makwana, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, received the award at the Sansad Ratna Awards.Other Important SignificanceIndia's semiconductor industry: Indigenous micro-GPU development by researchers at IIT Delhi highlights India's efforts to build domestic semiconductor design capabilities.Western Ghats conservation: Karnataka has rejected the Centre's seventh draft notification concerning Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, highlighting environmental protection and federal relations.India's labour statistics: The National Statistics Office has released district-level labour market estimates using the revamped Periodic Labour Force Survey.India Electric Mobility Index 2025: Delhi ranked first with a score of 84, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka, reflecting progress in electric mobility adoption and infrastructure.Global Gender Gap Index 2026: India was ranked 131st, with a gender gap score of 64.5%.Global Financial Centres Index 40: GIFT City ranked 37th, improving nine positions from the previous edition. Mumbai ranked 49th.Climate and agriculture: Climate variability, monsoon conditions and glacier loss remain important topics for environmental studies, food security and sustainable development.National Single Window System: The system aims to simplify regulatory approvals and clearances for businesses through a unified digital platform.Make in India: Expansion of domestic mobile-phone manufacturing remains a significant example of manufacturing growth and import substitution.