1. National Affairs
The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 concluded in New Delhi on September 13 under India’s BRICS Chairship.
The theme of the BRICS Summit 2026 was “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026.
The New Delhi Declaration focused on global governance reform, sustainable development, climate action, international trade, technology and cooperation among developing countries.
BRICS leaders called for greater representation of developing countries in major international institutions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India for the BRICS Summit.
India and China discussed bilateral relations, trade, border-related issues and economic cooperation during the BRICS Summit.
The 20th Asian Games began in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 19, 2026.
The Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
India is participating in the Asian Games with a contingent of 503 athletes.
India will compete across 36 disciplines at the Asian Games.
Pawan Sehrawat and Manu Bhaker were India's flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games.
The Union Government continued preparations for the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign.
The government highlighted the progress of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
PM Vishwakarma completed three years on September 17, 2026.
PM Vishwakarma was launched on September 17, 2023.
PM Vishwakarma is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at supporting traditional artisans and craftspeople.
The scheme covers 18 traditional trades.
The total financial outlay of PM Vishwakarma is ₹13,000 crore.
The scheme provides skill training, toolkit incentives, digital transaction incentives, concessional credit and marketing support.
The 20th Rozgar Mela was organised during the week.
More than 51,000 appointment letters were distributed to newly recruited government employees through the Rozgar Mela.
The Rozgar Mela was organised across 45 locations.
The government continued work on major infrastructure and development programmes under the broader Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
2. Economy and Finance
India’s cumulative merchandise and services exports during April–August 2026-27 were estimated at around US$399.27 billion.
Exports during April–August 2026-27 recorded approximately 15.55% year-on-year growth.
India and MERCOSUR launched negotiations to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement.
India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol relating to electronic certificates of origin.
India welcomed New Zealand’s legislative steps for implementing the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
The government eased certain export compliance requirements for smaller exporters.
The Registration-cum-Membership Certificate requirement was relaxed for export consignments valued up to ₹3 lakh.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) provisional data for August 2026 was released.
The current WPI base year is 2022–23.
A conference of Finance Ministers and Finance Secretaries of States and Union Territories was held on the theme “Financing India’s Journey towards Viksit Bharat.”
India’s foreign-exchange reserves remained at historically high levels during the week.
The Indian rupee remained under pressure amid global economic uncertainty and elevated crude-oil prices.
Global crude-oil prices remained an important factor affecting India’s inflation and external-sector outlook.
India continued to strengthen domestic manufacturing through semiconductor, electronics and technology-related initiatives.
India's electronics production reached approximately ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025–26.
India's electronics exports reached approximately ₹4.24 lakh crore in 2025–26.
The government continued implementation of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).
ECMS aims to increase domestic value addition in electronics manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
The scheme supports manufacturing of components and materials such as printed circuit boards, camera and display modules, connectors, capacitors, lithium-ion cells and rare-earth magnets.
3. Banking and Financial Sector
The Reserve Bank of India continued its focus on liquidity management and financial-sector stability.
RBI continued monitoring foreign-exchange flows and domestic liquidity conditions.
Foreign-currency deposits remained an important component of India's external financing strategy.
RBI measures relating to FCNR(B) and NRE deposits continued to attract attention in the banking sector.
Digital payments and the economics of UPI transactions remained an important policy discussion.
Regulatory oversight of NBFCs remained a major focus of the RBI.
The Scale Based Regulation framework for NBFCs continued to be important for financial-sector regulation.
RBI’s NBFC regulatory framework classifies NBFCs into Base Layer, Middle Layer, Upper Layer and Top Layer.
RBI rejected Tata Sons’ request to surrender its NBFC licence and directed the company to comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
The Tata Sons case is significant in the context of RBI's regulation of large NBFCs.
SEBI continued work on reforms related to securities-market settlement and derivatives.
The calculation of expiry-day settlement prices for derivatives remained an important market-regulation issue.
Banking-sector discussions also focused on digital banking, financial inclusion and technology-driven financial services.
Public-sector banks, Regional Rural Banks and other financial institutions remained focused on uninterrupted banking services and employee-related issues.
4. Government Schemes and Policies
PM Vishwakarma
Launch date: 17 September 2023
Type: Central Sector Scheme
Total outlay: ₹13,000 crore
Number of traditional trades covered: 18
Target beneficiaries: Traditional artisans and craftspeople
Major benefits include:
Skill training
Toolkit incentives
Concessional credit
Digital transaction incentives
Marketing support
Semicon 2.0
Semicon 2.0 continued to be a major technology-policy initiative.
The programme has an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
It aims to develop a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in India.
Major focus areas include:
Chip design
Semiconductor fabrication
Advanced packaging
Semiconductor equipment
Semiconductor materials
Research and development
Skilled manpower
Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme
The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) aims to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities for critical electronic components.
The scheme seeks to increase domestic value addition and reduce dependence on imports.
PMAY-Urban
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban continued to focus on providing affordable housing to eligible urban households.
PMKKKY
Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana focuses on the welfare and development of people living in mining-affected areas.
5. Science and Technology
SEMICON India 2026 was held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from September 17 to 19.
The theme of SEMICON India 2026 was “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
The event brought together semiconductor companies, investors, policymakers, researchers and technology companies.
India used SEMICON India 2026 to showcase its expanding semiconductor ecosystem.
Semicon 2.0 aims to move beyond semiconductor fabrication and develop capabilities across the complete value chain.
India's semiconductor strategy is linked to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, 5G, 6G, electric vehicles, defence technology, Internet of Things and data centres.
India's electronics manufacturing sector continued to expand rapidly.
Electronics production reached around ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025–26.
Electronics exports reached around ₹4.24 lakh crore in 2025–26.
BHASHINI continued to be an important initiative for multilingual artificial intelligence and language technology.
India continued promoting indigenous and open-source artificial intelligence ecosystems.
Satellite-based observations continued to be used to study oceanic and environmental changes.
ISRO's Earth-observation capabilities are increasingly being used for climate, agriculture, ocean and environmental monitoring.
6. Defence and Security
The Indian Air Force Dronathon 2026 was conducted to promote innovation in unmanned aerial systems and drone technologies.
The Indian Navy participated in the 4th edition of Exercise Samudra Laksamana with Malaysia.
INS Mysore participated in the exercise conducted with the Malaysian Navy.
INS Sudarshini continued its Lokayan 2026 deployment.
INS Kulish arrived at Ream Naval Base, Cambodia, as part of India's maritime engagement.
The Colombo Security Conclave tabletop exercise concluded at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
India continued strengthening maritime-security cooperation with countries in the Indian Ocean region.
The 43rd Indian Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference focused on emerging maritime-security challenges and technological modernisation.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over LCA Tejas FOC Twin Seater Trainers, HTT-40 Basic Trainer aircraft and Dhruv NG helicopters.
The Next Generation Missile Vessel programme progressed during the week.
The first Next Generation Missile Vessel was keel-laid at Cochin Shipyard.
Steel-cutting for the second Next Generation Missile Vessel was also undertaken.
The programme is part of India's effort to strengthen indigenous naval shipbuilding capabilities.
The government continued its emphasis on Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
India continued strengthening indigenous production of aircraft, helicopters, naval vessels, missiles and unmanned systems.
7. Environment and Climate
India hosted the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 15 to 18.
The theme of the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 was “Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity.”
The forum focused on resource efficiency, sustainable production, recycling and circular-economy solutions.
World Ozone Day was observed on September 16.
The official name of World Ozone Day is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
The day commemorates the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987.
India launched the Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard.
NAPCC stands for National Action Plan on Climate Change.
The government continued conservation efforts for the Great Indian Bustard.
A Great Indian Bustard Soft Release Centre was inaugurated in Gujarat.
A Gujarat Action Plan for Great Indian Bustard conservation was released.
The MISHTI programme continued to focus on mangrove plantation and restoration.
MISHTI is associated with India's efforts to conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems.
The government continued initiatives related to Project Cheetah, grassland restoration and biodiversity conservation.
Measures for controlling air pollution in Delhi-NCR continued.
The government continued monitoring industrial pollution and other sources of air pollution in the National Capital Region.
8. International Affairs
The 18th BRICS Summit was the major international diplomatic event of the week.
The summit was held in New Delhi.
The summit theme was “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The summit concluded with the New Delhi Declaration 2026.
BRICS leaders discussed reform of global governance institutions.
Greater representation for developing countries in international financial and political institutions was emphasised.
Climate change, sustainable development, international trade and emerging technologies were major areas of discussion.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India for the BRICS Summit.
India and China discussed bilateral relations and economic cooperation.
India and MERCOSUR began negotiations to expand their preferential trade agreement.
India and MERCOSUR signed an additional protocol related to electronic certificates of origin.
India welcomed New Zealand’s legislative steps for implementing the India–New Zealand FTA.
India and Nepal held discussions on trade, transit and economic cooperation.
The 25th Meeting of SCO Ministers Responsible for Economic and Foreign Trade Activities was held in Tajikistan.
Global trade, supply-chain resilience, energy security and geopolitical developments remained important international issues.
West Asian geopolitical developments continued to influence global energy markets.
Crude-oil prices remained elevated during the week.
9. Sports
Cricket
India won the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final.
India scored 183/5 in the final.
Sri Lanka were dismissed for 111 runs.
Shafali Verma scored 68 runs.
Smriti Mandhana scored 59 runs.
Shree Charani took four wickets for 20 runs.
India won its eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
England defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the T20I series.
England completed a 3–0 T20I series sweep against Sri Lanka.
England moved ahead of India at the top of the ICC T20I rankings.
England also completed a 3–0 Test series sweep against Pakistan.
Hockey
India won the Men’s Junior Asia Cup Hockey title.
India defeated South Korea 4–1 in the final.
India secured its sixth Junior Asia Cup title.
The victory secured India's qualification for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup.
India also won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup Hockey title.
Tennis
Elena Rybakina won the 2026 US Open Women’s Singles title.
Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Rybakina became the women's singles world No. 1 following her victory.
Alexander Zverev won the 2026 US Open Men’s Singles title.
Zverev defeated American player Ben Shelton in the final.
The US Open is one of tennis's four Grand Slam tournaments.
Asian Games 2026
The 20th Asian Games began in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 19.
The Games will continue until October 4.
Athletes from 45 nations and regions are participating.
The Games feature 43 sports.
A total of 369 gold medals are scheduled to be awarded.
Esports, teqball and virtual taekwondo are among the newer disciplines.
India has sent a contingent of 503 athletes.
India will participate in 36 sports disciplines.
Pawan Sehrawat was India's male flag-bearer.
Manu Bhaker was India's female flag-bearer.
Cricket, hockey and kabaddi are among India's major medal sports.
Hockey at the Asian Games also has importance because of its Olympic qualification pathway.
Other Sports
Pramod Bhagat won gold at the Japan Para Badminton International 2026.
Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam won silver in the doubles event.
Indian badminton player Tanvi Patri won the U-17 Asian title.
Ganges Grandmasters won the Global Chess League title.
Ian Nepomniachtchi was part of the Ganges Grandmasters team.
10. Awards and Honours
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag was announced as the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024.
The award recognises his contribution to Indian cinema.
The award is scheduled to be presented during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony.
Anant Nag received the Padma Bhushan in 2025.
The 52nd India Gems and Jewellery Awards ceremony was held in Mumbai.
11. Important Days and Dates
September 14 – Hindi Diwas
Hindi Diwas was observed on September 14.
Hindi in the Devanagari script was adopted as an official language of the Union by the Constituent Assembly on September 14, 1949.
The day is observed annually as Hindi Diwas.
September 15 – Engineers’ Day
Engineers’ Day was observed on September 15.
It commemorates the birth anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
M. Visvesvaraya was born on September 15, 1861.
September 15 – International Day of Democracy
International Day of Democracy was observed on September 15.
The day highlights democratic principles, participation and human rights.
September 16 – World Ozone Day
World Ozone Day was observed on September 16.
Official name: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
It commemorates the Montreal Protocol of 1987.
September 17 – Vishwakarma Jayanti
Vishwakarma Jayanti was observed on September 17.
The day is associated with Lord Vishwakarma, traditionally regarded as the divine architect.
PM Vishwakarma also completed three years on this date.
September 17 – World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day was observed on September 17.
The day focuses on improving patient safety and reducing preventable harm in healthcare.
September 18 – World Bamboo Day
World Bamboo Day was observed on September 18.
The day highlights bamboo's role in sustainable development, livelihoods and environmental protection.
September 19 – International Red Panda Day
International Red Panda Day was observed on September 19, 2026.
It is observed annually on the third Saturday of September.
12. Trade and International Economic Relations
India began negotiations to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement.
India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol relating to electronic certificates of origin.
India welcomed New Zealand’s legislative steps towards implementing the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
India continued efforts to increase exports and diversify international markets.
India's cumulative merchandise and services exports during April–August 2026-27 reached approximately US$399.27 billion.
The government introduced measures aimed at reducing compliance requirements for smaller exporters.
India continued efforts to strengthen trade relationships with developing and emerging economies.
13. Infrastructure and Transport
Infrastructure development remained a major government priority during the week.
The maritime sector continued to receive attention under the Sagarmala Programme.
Sagarmala focuses on port development, port connectivity, coastal economic development, shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure.
Cochin Shipyard remained in focus because of the Next Generation Missile Vessel programme.
Railway infrastructure development and connectivity projects continued across the country.
Infrastructure development remained closely linked with the government's Viksit Bharat@2047 objective.
14. Digital Economy and Technology
India continued efforts to establish itself as a major global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing hub.
Semicon 2.0 is designed to strengthen India's entire semiconductor value chain.
The programme covers:
Chip design
Fabrication
Advanced packaging
Equipment
Materials
Research and development
Skilled manpower
India's electronics production reached approximately ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025–26.
Electronics exports reached approximately ₹4.24 lakh crore in 2025–26.
BHASHINI continued to support India's multilingual AI ecosystem.
India continued promoting indigenous artificial intelligence capabilities.
Digital public infrastructure remained an important component of India's technology and economic-development strategy.
Important One-Liners for Competitive Exams
18th BRICS Summit 2026: New Delhi
BRICS 2026 Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
BRICS 2026 Declaration: New Delhi Declaration
World Circular Economy Forum 2026: Gandhinagar
WCEF 2026 Theme: Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity
SEMICON India 2026 Venue: Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
SEMICON India 2026 Theme: Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem
SEMICON India 2026 Dates: September 17–19, 2026
Semicon 2.0 Outlay: ₹1,27,500 crore
PM Vishwakarma Launch Date: September 17, 2023
PM Vishwakarma Outlay: ₹13,000 crore
PM Vishwakarma Trades Covered: 18
PM Vishwakarma Beneficiaries: Traditional artisans and craftspeople
April–August 2026-27 Exports: US$399.27 billion
WPI Base Year: 2022–23
Asian Games 2026 Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
Asian Games 2026 Dates: September 19–October 4
India's Asian Games Contingent: 503 athletes
India's Asian Games Disciplines: 36
Asian Games 2026 Sports: 43
Asian Games 2026 Gold Medals: 369
India's Male Asian Games Flag-Bearer: Pawan Sehrawat
India's Female Asian Games Flag-Bearer: Manu Bhaker
Women's Asia Cup 2026 Winner: India
Women's Asia Cup 2026 Runner-up: Sri Lanka
India's Women's Asia Cup Titles: 8
2026 US Open Women's Singles Champion: Elena Rybakina
2026 US Open Men's Singles Champion: Alexander Zverev
2024 Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Anant Nag
Junior Men's Hockey Asia Cup 2026 Winner: India
India's Junior Men's Hockey Asia Cup Titles: 6
World Ozone Day: September 16
Engineers' Day: September 15
Hindi Diwas: September 14
International Day of Democracy: September 15
Vishwakarma Jayanti: September 17
World Patient Safety Day: September 17
World Bamboo Day: September 18
International Red Panda Day 2026: September 19
Great Indian Bustard Conservation: Gujarat
MISHTI: Mangrove conservation and restoration
NAPCC: National Action Plan on Climate Change
ECMS: Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme
BHASHINI: India's multilingual AI and language-technology initiative
India–MERCOSUR Development: Negotiations launched to expand preferential trade agreement
India–New Zealand Development: Steps taken towards implementation of FTA
Next Generation Missile Vessel: Construction linked to Cochin Shipyard
Exercise Samudra Laksamana: India–Malaysia naval exercise
World Circular Economy Forum 2026: September 15–18
PM Vishwakarma: Central Sector Scheme
Montreal Protocol: 1987
M. Visvesvaraya Birth Anniversary: September 15
Hindi as Official Language adopted by Constituent Assembly: September 14, 1949
Most Important Topics
BRICS Summit 2026
New Delhi Declaration
Semicon 2.0
SEMICON India 2026
PM Vishwakarma
Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme
World Circular Economy Forum
Asian Games 2026
India's 503-member Asian Games contingent
Women's Asia Cup 2026
US Open 2026
Junior Hockey Asia Cup
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
India–MERCOSUR trade negotiations
India–New Zealand FTA
India's export figures
RBI and NBFC regulation
Tata Sons NBFC licence issue
World Ozone Day
Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard
Great Indian Bustard conservation
MISHTI
Defence and naval developments
Next Generation Missile Vessel
Exercise Samudra Laksamana
Indian Coast Guard developments
Electronics manufacturing in India
India's semiconductor ecosystem
Important national and international days
Government schemes and policy initiatives