National:
- On 27 September 2026, Lalit Kala Akademi selected 20 artists for awards at its 65th National Exhibition of Art. The exhibition provides artists from across India with a national platform to present their work. The awards recognise achievement in the visual arts and form part of the Akademi’s efforts to promote contemporary artistic practice. Lalit Kala Akademi is India’s national academy for visual arts. The main facts associated with this development are the institution, the 65th edition of the exhibition and the selection of 20 awardees.
- On 27 September 2026, Uttar Pradesh made it mandatory for sellers to display use-by dates on loose sweets, with the requirement taking effect on 15 October 2026. Sweets sold without packaging may lack the shelf-life information normally printed on food labels. Displaying a use-by date gives customers a clearer indication of when a product should be consumed and strengthens accountability among sellers. The measure is intended to improve food safety, particularly for perishable sweets.
- The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying scheduled the launch of a digital livestock insurance portal in New Delhi on 28 September 2026. The portal is intended to simplify access to livestock insurance services and improve the administration of insurance-related processes. Its announced interface supports Hindi, English and 11 regional languages, helping livestock owners in different parts of the country use the platform. Insurance can protect farmers and other animal owners from financial losses arising from covered risks. The initiative brings an important agricultural support service onto a multilingual digital platform.
- On 25 September 2026, the Centre designated Paradip Port in Odisha as a mega port under the Indian Ports Act, 2025. The same notification covered Deendayal Port at Kandla, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Mundra. These ports are significant to India’s maritime trade and logistics network. Paradip serves the eastern coast, while the other three named ports are located on the western coast. Their inclusion in the mega-port category was made through a single notification.
- On 28 September 2026, Tamil Nadu launched the Thaaimaman Thanga Mothiram scheme for eligible newborn children in government hospitals. The scheme provides a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring as a benefit associated with births in the public healthcare system. It is intended to support and recognise families using government maternity facilities. The benefit, implementing state and beneficiary group distinguish the scheme from other maternal and child welfare measures. Distribution is subject to the eligibility and administrative conditions prescribed by the Tamil Nadu government.
- In September 2026, reports stated that track laying had been completed on Iran’s Chabahar–Zahedan railway. The line is intended to connect Chabahar port, on the Gulf of Oman, with Zahedan and the broader Iranian rail network. Once operational, the connection could improve freight movement towards Afghanistan and Central Asia. It is strategically important to India because Chabahar offers a route for regional trade. Track laying represents a construction milestone; additional work and operational clearances may be necessary before regular trains can use the line.
- Following discussions on 27 September 2026, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) deferred its proposed nationwide bank strike scheduled for 28–30 September. The talks involved the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and addressed union demands, including progress towards a five-day banking week. Deferring the strike avoided the planned disruption to banking services on those dates while discussions continued. The development concerned the proposed industrial action; it did not itself implement a five-day workweek. The organisations involved and the three proposed strike dates are the key banking-sector facts.
- On 25 September 2026, captive coal-based power plants were directed to maximise electricity generation during 1 October–31 December 2026. Captive plants primarily supply electricity to the industrial facilities with which they are associated. Increasing their output can help meet industrial demand and reduce pressure on other sources of power during periods of high consumption. The measure was linked to anticipated electricity requirements over the three-month period.
- On 27 September 2026, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discussed Uttar Pradesh’s target of ₹5 lakh crore in annual exports by 2030 at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show in Greater Noida. The target was set against a current export level of about ₹2 lakh crore. Achieving it would require growth in production, stronger logistics, competitive products and wider access to international markets. The ₹5 lakh crore figure is a goal for exports in a year by 2030, rather than the total value of exports over several years.
- On 27 September 2026, NMDC commissioned iron-ore processing infrastructure in Chhattisgarh involving a reported investment of approximately ₹5,427 crore. The facilities include a 2-million-tonne-per-year pellet plant at Nagarnar and a 15-million-tonne-per-year slurry pipeline between Bacheli and Nagarnar. The pellet plant processes iron ore into a product used by the steel industry. The pipeline transports ore in slurry form between locations. Together, these facilities strengthen the movement and processing of raw material within India’s steel supply chain.
- In its September 2026 economic outlook, reported on 23–24 September, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) raised its forecast for India’s FY27 GDP growth to 7.1%. Its previous projection was 6.3%, making the revision 0.8 percentage points. The revised estimate indicates stronger expected economic activity than the organisation had projected earlier. A GDP forecast is an assessment of likely growth, subject to changes in economic conditions and later data. The final FY27 growth rate will be determined from actual economic performance.
- SpaceX scheduled its 14th Starship test flight for 28 September 2026. Starship is a large rocket system being developed for reuse, and successive test flights help engineers assess its flight performance, systems and recovery procedures. Information gathered from each flight can guide changes to future vehicles and missions. The scheduled date identifies the planned test, while its actual outcome depends on launch conditions and flight results.
- On 26 September 2026, the foundation stone was laid for India’s first planned port-based e-methanol production facility at Deendayal Port, Kandla, Gujarat. The project involves Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals and includes a proposed 150-tonne-per-day plant. E-methanol is being developed as a lower-carbon marine fuel, making port-based production relevant to shipping. The wider project carries a reported investment of approximately ₹2,300 crore. Locating fuel production and supply facilities at a port could support ships seeking alternatives to conventional marine fuels.
- On 27 September 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off an LNG-powered train from Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. LNG, or liquefied natural gas, is natural gas cooled into liquid form for storage and transport. Its use in a train represents an alternative-fuel initiative for rail operations. The project is relevant to efforts to assess different energy sources in transport and their practical operating requirements. The defining details are the LNG fuel, the Sabarmati flag-off location and the date of the event.
- On 28 September 2026, Indian space-technology company TakeMe2Space outlined plans for an orbital data-centre mission. The proposed system would place computing capability in space, allowing some information collected by satellites to be processed in orbit before selected results are sent to Earth. Such an approach could change how space-generated data is handled. The company has also discussed developing networked orbital infrastructure. The mission remains a plan requiring future development and launch. Its importance lies in the proposed application of computing services in orbit.
- On 24 September 2026, IIT Delhi developed a working indigenous micro-GPU for embedded graphics and display applications. A graphics processing unit performs calculations used to create visual output and can handle multiple operations in parallel. A micro-GPU is designed for smaller systems with different size and power requirements from large computing hardware. The working demonstrator represents progress in domestic chip and processor design. Further development would be required for wider manufacturing and adoption, but the reported achievement establishes that the researchers produced a functioning design.
- In late September 2026, reports described AI-agent activity on publicly accessible US government websites. AI agents can visit webpages and perform online tasks automatically, raising questions about how public institutions identify and manage such traffic. The issue also concerns appropriate use of public data and safeguards for digital services as automated tools become more capable. The available reports discussed website activity and its implications for oversight. They do not, by themselves, establish that restricted government systems were accessed or that a cyberattack occurred.
- The Indian Air Force hosted the second edition of Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from 26 September to 12 October 2026. Announced foreign participants included Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The multinational air exercise brought participating air forces together for flying activities and professional exchanges. Its purpose was to strengthen cooperation, improve operational coordination and build familiarity with one another’s procedures.
- The National Green Tribunal organised an international conference on environment and climate dynamics at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 19–20 September 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event. The conference theme was “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics.” The NGT was headed by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava. The gathering addressed environmental governance and the challenges associated with climate change, bringing these issues into a forum for discussion among participants concerned with law, policy and environmental protection.
- A 50:50 joint venture between NTPC and EDF Power Solutions for low-carbon energy projects was reported on 25 September 2026. Equal ownership would give each partner half of the venture. The arrangement is intended to support the development of renewable energy and related infrastructure by bringing together the organisations’ resources and experience. A joint venture provides a structure through which partners can pursue projects, share responsibilities and make investments. Individual projects under that structure would still require their own planning and execution before they begin operating.
- On 25 September 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed IAS officer Mandeep K. Bhandari as chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Bhandari is a 2001-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre. CBSE is responsible for important academic and examination functions for its affiliated schools. The appointment placed Bhandari at the head of the board’s administration. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet was the approving authority, while CBSE was the organisation to which the officer was appointed
- World Car-Free Day was observed on 22 September 2026 to encourage alternatives to private-car travel, including walking, cycling and public transport. The day draws attention to congestion, air pollution and the use of public space in cities. Local authorities and organisations may observe it through their own travel initiatives and public activities. Its broader purpose is to encourage discussion about cleaner and more accessible urban transport.
- The International Day of Sign Languages was observed on 23 September 2026 with the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.” The observance promotes the use and recognition of sign languages and the rights of deaf people to communicate and participate fully in society. Sign languages are complete languages used by different communities; there is no single sign language shared universally. Access to education, public information and services in sign languages is central to inclusion.
- National Service Scheme Day was observed on 24 September 2026. The National Service Scheme encourages students to serve their communities while developing social awareness and responsibility. Its motto, “Not Me But You,” expresses the value of placing community needs alongside individual concerns. NSS volunteers participate in activities such as awareness programmes and local service projects. The day marks the establishment of the scheme and recognises student volunteerism
- World Tourism Day was observed on 27 September 2026 with the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” The theme focuses on the ways digital systems and AI can influence travel planning, access to information and tourism services. Tourism contributes to employment, economic activity and cultural exchange, making changes in the sector significant beyond travel businesses alone. India’s observance also addressed tourism data and digital transformation.
- 28 September 2026 marked the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh, who was born on 28 September 1907. He was a revolutionary freedom fighter associated with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association and remains an important figure in India’s independence movement. His political activities and writings helped shape his lasting public legacy. The anniversary commemorates his birth and contribution to the struggle against colonial rule.
Questions:
Q1. According to the OECD’s September 2026 outlook, what was its revised forecast for India’s GDP growth in FY27?
a) 6.3%
b) 6.7%
c) 7.1%
d) 7.5%
Answer: c) The OECD raised its FY27 growth forecast for India from 6.3% to 7.1%, an increase of 0.8 percentage points.
Q2. Which two organisations held discussions after which the proposed bank strike of 28–30 September 2026 was deferred?
a) RBI and SEBI
b) IBA and UFBU
c) NABARD and RBI
d) SBI and the Ministry of Finance
Answer: b) The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) held discussions, following which the proposed strike was deferred. The unions’ demands included progress towards a five-day banking week. Deferral of the strike did not mean that a five-day banking week had been implemented.
