Commerce Ministry data released on September 14, 2026 showed India’s Wholesale Price Index inflation increased to 9.92% in August from 9.78% in July.

Key Highlights:
1.  August marked the fourth consecutive month near double digits; June was revised to 9.97% from 9.87%, against 3.98% in March.
2.  Fuel and power inflation rose to 22.93%, manufactured products to 8.37%, and crude petroleum and natural gas to 34.41%.
3.  The WPI Food Index was 7.05%, manufactured food inflation 9.65%, and primary food articles 5.67%.
4.  Output PPI increased to 110.8 while manufacturing Input PPI fell to 104.2.
5.  Chemicals reached 14.30%, rubber and plastics 11.18%, while computers and electronics remained in -0.47% deflation.

Additional Information:
1.  WPI is published by the Office of Economic Adviser in the Commerce Ministry, uses base year 2011-12 and measures wholesale goods prices.
2.  WPI excludes services and weights manufactured goods most; CPI includes services and gives food and beverages the highest weight.

The Finance Ministry notified on September 15, 2026 that banks and payment-system providers cannot impose direct or indirect charges on UPI transactions up to Rs.2,000 or on RuPay debit-card payments.

Key Highlights:
1.  The notification was issued under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
2.  The exemption covers RuPay debit cards and UPI payments valued up to Rs.2,000.
3.  A nominal merchant discount rate may be considered only for specified merchant transactions above the threshold.
4.  UPI processed 24.51 billion transactions worth Rs.29.82 trillion in August.
5.  The measure protects small-value digital payments from user charges.

Additional Information:
1.  NPCI developed UPI, launched it in 2016 and operates from Mumbai; NPCI was established in 2008 as a Section 8 company.
2.  The 2007 Act makes RBI the payment-system regulator, while Section 10A bars charges on specified electronic modes.

The Supreme Court of India announced Jan Soochna Seva, a Hindi public-information service, on September 14, 2026 to make important judgments and orders easier for citizens to understand.

Key Highlights:
1.  It provides simplified summaries of significant judgments and orders.
2.  Audio and video bulletins will run for 15 to 30 minutes and include links to original judgments.
3.  The service begins in Hindi and will expand gradually to other Indian languages.
4.  It is designed for ordinary citizens, litigants and persons with disabilities.
5.  Court proceedings and judgments remain officially in English, while the service bridges the language gap.

Additional Information:
1.  The Supreme Court was established on January 28, 1950, replaced the Federal Court and is constituted under Article 124.
2.  Article 348(1) requires Supreme Court proceedings in English; Hindi Diwas recalls the September 14, 1949 language decision.

The Road Transport Ministry proposed draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to remove the unladen-weight criterion for low-speed electric two-wheelers, with comments due September 21, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The proposed continuous 30-minute motor output remains below 600 watts and maximum speed below 25 kmph.
2.  The existing unladen-weight ceiling of 60 kg would be removed.
3.  Heavier 80-100 kg vehicles could consequently avoid registration and licensing, raising safety and regulatory concerns.
4.  Stakeholders warned of possible Chinese dumping and a shift from single-seat to double-seat unlicensed vehicles.
5.  The segment serves about 6 million gig workers; Bajaj Auto makes 10,000 electric vehicles monthly for Yulu.

Additional Information:
1.  Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 are subordinate to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and govern licences, registration and traffic signs.
2.  Homologation certifies roadworthiness and compliance before vehicle sale; MoRTH is the national road-transport rule-making ministry.

Padma Shri awardee, Konkani educationist and writer N. Purushothama Mallya died in Kochi on September 11, 2026 at the age of 97.

Key Highlights:
1.  He founded Konkani Bhasha Prachar Sabha at Mattancherry in 1966, the first Konkani-promotion centre outside Goa.
2.  He presided over the 12th All India Konkani Sahitya Parishad Sammelan.
3.  He served as State President of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins Maha Sabha.
4.  His books and research examined Konkani scholars’ historical role in Kerala’s social and cultural life.
5.  Born at Mattancherry on May 7, 1929, he became a leading voice for Konkani scholarship in South India.

Additional Information:
1.  Konkani is Goa’s official language and entered the Eighth Schedule through the 71st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
2.  Padma Shri, instituted in 1954 and announced around Republic Day, is India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.

The National Highways Authority of India announced on September 14, 2026 that the 1033 National Highway Helpline will be upgraded with artificial intelligence and real-time caller-location tracking.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Next Generation 1033 platform will combine AI, computer-aided dispatch and voice technology.
2.  It will capture caller locations and dispatch ambulances, cranes and patrol vehicles while handling calls in several Indian languages.
3.  The platform will also send proactive incident alerts and advisories to highway users.
4.  NHAI-promoted Indian Highways Management Company Limited will design, deploy and maintain the system.
5.  The existing service covers more than 1.46 lakh km and handles about 15,000 calls daily; expert partners are being sought.

Additional Information:
1.  The 24x7 helpline began in 2018 for medical emergencies, breakdowns and FASTag problems.
2.  NHAI was created under the 1988 Act under the Road Transport Ministry; IHMCL implements electronic tolling and related highway projects.

The Cellular Operators Association of India and British High Commission signed an MoU at CO.AI 2026 in New Delhi on September 14 to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital trust and intelligent connectivity.

Key Highlights:
1.  The first pillar covers AI for intelligent and autonomous networks.
2.  The second focuses on AI for security, digital trust and resilience, while the third covers citizens, services and public value.
3.  Objectives include fighting digital fraud and strengthening consumer protection.
4.  The partnership seeks efficient networks, resilient infrastructure and secure digital services at scale.
5.  TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti, Acting British High Commissioner Ben Mellor and COAI Director General S. P. Kochhar attended.

Additional Information:
1.  COAI was established in 1995 in New Delhi as the apex association of Indian mobile-service providers.
2.  TRAI is a New Delhi statutory regulator established on February 20, 1997 under the TRAI Act, 1997.

The United Nations observed International Day for South-South Cooperation on September 12, 2026 to promote technical and economic collaboration among countries of the Global South.

Key Highlights:
1.  The 2026 theme was Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development.
2.  The date recalls adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action on September 12, 1978 for technical cooperation among developing countries.
3.  UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/58/220 was adopted on December 23, 2003.
4.  The first observance took place on December 19, 2004.
5.  In 2011, the General Assembly shifted the annual observance from December 19 to September 12.

Additional Information:
1.  The UN General Assembly was established in 1945, is based in New York and is the UN’s principal policy-making organ.
2.  The 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action remains the foundation of modern South-South Cooperation.

India’s installed data-centre power capacity reached 1.57 GW by August 2026 and is projected to expand to 8 GW by 2030 to support the digital economy.

Key Highlights:
1.  Capacity rose from 375 MW in 2020; the Central Electricity Authority projects 17 GW of data-centre electricity demand by 2031-32.
2.  Projects worth USD 70 billion are underway and USD 90 billion have been announced.
3.  Semicon India Phase 2 received Rs.1,27,500 crore and the electronics-components scheme allocation rose from Rs.22,000 crore to Rs.40,000 crore.
4.  Data centres entered the infrastructure list in Budget 2022-23; Budget 2026-27 offered eligible foreign cloud providers a tax holiday until 2047.
5.  IT Hardware PLI 2.0 supports server production, while NIC operates hubs in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar.

Additional Information:
1.  NIC works under MeitY and runs 4 national and 37 smaller state-capital data centres; IndiaAI Mission has Rs.10,371.92 crore.
2.  SHANTI means Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India and supports clean energy for AI and data centres.

The Indian Air Force conducted its inaugural Dronathon-2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer from September 14 to 16, 2026 to test emerging unmanned aircraft technologies under realistic conditions.

Key Highlights:
1.  Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit inaugurated the event, which involved more than 20 MSMEs, defence PSUs and start-ups.
2.  The indigenous multi-mode Vayu UTtaM unmanned traffic-management system demonstrated real-time identification and tracking of military and civil drones.
3.  The system is intended for civil aviation, critical infrastructure and airspace safety applications.
4.  The IAF UAS Roadmap was released to align industry and academia with future capability priorities.
5.  Technology demonstrations covered swarms, autonomous operations, electronic warfare, propulsion, sensors and counter-unmanned aircraft systems.

Additional Information:
1.  The Indian Air Force was established on October 8, 1932, is headquartered in New Delhi and uses the motto Nabhah Sprusam Diptam.
2.  Pokhran is in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district and hosted India’s 1974 Smiling Buddha and 1998 Operation Shakti nuclear tests.

Bank of Baroda launched the upgraded AI-powered bob World 2.0 mobile-banking application with voice-command payment capability at Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai on September 14.

Key Highlights:
1.  Artificial intelligence enables voice-guided navigation and execution of financial transactions through spoken commands.
2.  The application offers tailored experiences for senior citizens, women, NRIs and millennials.
3.  Its Personal Finance Management module provides a consolidated account view and supports financial wellness.
4.  A multi-layered security framework gives real-time protection to digital transactions.
5.  DFS Secretary Sanjay Lohia and Bank of Baroda MD and CEO Debadatta Chand attended the launch.

Additional Information:
1.  Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III founded Bank of Baroda on July 20, 1908; it is headquartered in Vadodara and was nationalised in July 1969.
2.  Global Fintech Fest is an annual international fintech platform; its 2026 edition highlighted digital-payment and financial-security innovation.

The Department of Rural Development and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority signed an MoU on September 15, 2026 to launch the Pension Sakhis initiative for rural retirement security.

Key Highlights:
1.  The programme uses the community network of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
2.  It targets Self-Help Group members, rural women and Lakhpati Didis.
3.  Banking Correspondent Sakhis and trained community resource persons will provide doorstep NPS enrolment and retirement-planning support.
4.  Digital dashboards, mobile tools and the department’s LoKoS system will track outreach and enrolment.
5.  Joint Secretary Amit Shukla and PFRDA Executive Director Sumeet Kaur Kapoor signed the agreement.

Additional Information:
1.  PFRDA is a New Delhi statutory regulator under the 2013 Act; DAY-NRLM began in June 2011 and was renamed in 2015.
2.  NPS is a voluntary defined-contribution scheme launched for government staff in 2004 and opened to all citizens in 2009.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde received the inaugural Statesmanship Award for Transformative Leadership at International Conclave 2026 in London on September 10.

Key Highlights:
1.  World Leadership Forum presented the first such award for infrastructure development and public service.
2.  The 9th conclave was held in a House of Commons committee room and organised by IEBF, WLF, Bharat in UK and Ram Sita Trust.
3.  Shinde proposed Design in London and Manufacture in Maharashtra to attract fintech, green-energy and technology investment.
4.  He highlighted the 21.8 km Atal Setu built for over Rs.17,840 crore, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai Coastal Road, Navi Mumbai airport and Vadhvan Port.
5.  The recognition was aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Additional Information:
1.  Atal Setu links Sewri with Chirle, is India’s longest sea bridge and includes a 16.5 km sea section.
2.  The 701 km Samruddhi Expressway is formally named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg.

The Chhattisgarh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai approved the Chief Minister’s Startup and NIPUN Mission and Export Promotion Policy 2026-30 on September 10, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The mission has a Rs.500 crore provision for 5 years.
2.  It will establish entrepreneurship development centres in all 33 districts, 100 emerging-technology laboratories and 5 industry excellence centres.
3.  It focuses on skills, entrepreneurship and employment, seeking to turn job seekers into job creators and build a technology-industry hub.
4.  The Export Promotion Policy 2026-30 aims to make Chhattisgarh a leading export hub through logistics and better market access.
5.  The policy prioritises value-added agricultural and industrial exports.

Additional Information:
1.  Chhattisgarh became India’s 26th state on November 1, 2000 after separation from Madhya Pradesh and has Raipur as capital.
2.  Vishnu Deo Sai is the Chief Minister and the state Cabinet meets in Raipur.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances received the Rajbhasha Utkrishtata Sammaan 2025-26 on Hindi Diwas, September 14, for excellence in implementing the Official Language.

Key Highlights:
1.  The honour was conferred at the 6th All India Official Language Conference at CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Navi Mumbai.
2.  Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented it to DARPG Secretary Nivedita Shukla Verma.
3.  DARPG ranked first for its official-language implementation performance.
4.  It had won the Rajbhasha Kirti First Prize in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.
5.  Rules make a two-time consecutive first-prize winner ineligible the next year, leading to this special excellence honour.

Additional Information:
1.  DARPG works under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions as the nodal body for reforms and grievance redressal.
2.  The Department of Official Language was established in June 1975 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were held in Los Angeles on September 14, 2026, honouring outstanding American primetime television programmes and performances.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Pitt won Best Drama; Widow’s Bay won Best Comedy; DTF St Louis won Best Limited or Anthology Series.
2.  Noah Wyle and Rhea Seehorn won drama leads; Tom Pelphrey and Allison Janney won supporting drama; Matthew Rhys and Jean Smart won comedy leads.
3.  Stephen Root and Kate O’Flynn won comedy supporting honours; Matthew Rhys and Sally Field won limited-series leads; David Harbour and Linda Cardellini won limited-series supporting awards.
4.  Saul Metzstein and Vince Gilligan won drama directing and writing; Hiro Murai and Katie Dippold won comedy directing and writing; DTF St Louis won limited directing and writing.
5.  The Traitors won reality competition, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won variety series and writing, South Park won animation, and Remarkably Bright Creatures won television movie.
6.  Guest winners included Shailene Woodley, Ernest Harden Jr., Betty Gilpin and Rob Reiner; The Muppet Show won pre-recorded variety special and Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show won live special.

Additional Information:
1.  Matthew Rhys achieved a rare double acting win; DTF St Louis dominated limited categories; HBO and HBO Max were leading networks.
2.  The first Primetime Emmy ceremony was held in 1949 and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences administers the awards.

India observed National Engineers’ Day on September 15, 2026 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna engineer and statesman Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.

Key Highlights:
1.  Visvesvaraya is remembered as the Father of Modern Mysore.
2.  He designed Krishna Raja Sagara Dam, introduced automatic sluice gates and developed Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar for Musi flood control.
3.  He also implemented an erosion-control system for Visakhapatnam port.
4.  His books include Planned Economy for India, Reconstructing India and Memoirs of My Working Life.
5.  The annual observance honours engineers’ contribution to national development.

Additional Information:
1.  Born in 1861 at Muddenahalli, Karnataka, he served as Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918.
2.  He studied civil engineering at the College of Science, Pune and received Bharat Ratna in 1955.

Tata Steel commissioned India’s first coke oven gas injection project at its Meramandali plant in Odisha on September 10, 2026 to reduce blast-furnace dependence on external fossil fuels.

Key Highlights:
1.  The project injects hydrogen- and hydrocarbon-rich by-product gas into a blast furnace as a reductant.
2.  It creates a three-fuel blast-furnace system and improves operational flexibility.
3.  Paul Wurth-SMS was the technology partner and Kobelco supplied equipment.
4.  The project supports Tata Steel’s Net Zero by 2045 target.
5.  The plant has also demonstrated injection of coal-bed methane, hydrogen and biochar as low-carbon technologies.

Additional Information:
1.  Tata Steel was founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1907, is headquartered in Mumbai and established India’s first private integrated steel plant at Jamshedpur.
2.  Odisha’s capital is Bhubaneswar and its major steel centres include Kalinganagar, Rourkela and Angul.