Amrita team finishes second in ISRO Robotics Challenge 2026.

Dated: 19 September 2026

Team Quantum Realm from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai, secured second place in the ISRO Robotics Challenge-URSC 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Nearly 600 teams entered and 20 finalists competed in Bengaluru from July 21-23.
2.  The team received Rs.7 lakh at an August 23 ceremony in Ahmedabad.
3.  The challenge focused on autonomous drones and base stations for GPS-denied planetary environments.
4.  Gujarat minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia and ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan presented the award.
5.  The event was organised through the U. R. Rao Satellite Centre.

Additional Information:
1.  ISRO was established in 1969 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.
2.  August 23 is observed as National Space Day in India.

Goa hosts third BIMSTEC conference on traditional medicine.

Dated: 19 September 2026

The third BIMSTEC conference on traditional medicine, genetic resources and intellectual property rights was held in Goa on September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Ministry of Ayush and All India Institute of Ayurveda Goa organised it with the second meeting of the nodal group.
2.  All seven BIMSTEC members participated.
3.  Discussions covered traditional knowledge digital libraries, AI, genetic resources, prior consent and benefit sharing.
4.  The conference followed the Centre of Excellence proposal made at the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in April 2025.
5.  It sought regional cooperation to protect and commercialise traditional knowledge responsibly.

Additional Information:
1.  BIMSTEC was founded through the Bangkok Declaration on June 6, 1997 and is headquartered in Dhaka.
2.  AIIA works under the Ministry of Ayush; its principal campus is in New Delhi and satellite centre in Goa.

NITI Aayog approves Coimbatore airport expansion.

Dated: 19 September 2026

NITI Aayog approved the Coimbatore International Airport expansion master plan on September 17, 2026 at an investment of Rs.2,132 crore.

Key Highlights:
1.  A new terminal will handle 12 million passengers annually.
2.  A total of 627 acres was acquired and handed to Airports Authority of India.
3.  The project seeks better regional connectivity.
4.  The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority issued Terms of Reference for mandatory assessment.
5.  The approval advances aviation infrastructure in western Tamil Nadu.

Additional Information:
1.  AAI is a Civil Aviation Ministry statutory body formed April 1, 1995 and headquartered in New Delhi.
2.  Coimbatore is western Tamil Nadu’s industrial-hub airport and received international status in October 2012.

CBIC celebrates 10 years of AEO Programme.

Dated: 19 September 2026

CBIC celebrated the 10th anniversary of India’s Authorised Economic Operator Programme in New Delhi on September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The theme was AEO@10: Accelerating Growth, Enhancing Trust, Optimizing Trade.
2.  India has 5,967 certified entities across T1, T2, T3 and logistics categories.
3.  Eligible Manufacturer Importer documents fell from 10 to 3 under Circular 39/2026.
4.  AEO aligns with the WCO SAFE Framework and rewards compliant traders.
5.  A commemorative publication and roadmap on technology, MSMEs and mutual recognition were released.

Additional Information:
1.  CBIC works under Revenue, began January 1, 1964 and is chaired by Vivek Chaturvedi; Dr. Kavita Bhatnagar manages AEO.
2.  India introduced AEO through Circular 33/2016 to secure and facilitate trade.

India observes 78th Hyderabad Liberation Day.

Dated: 19 September 2026

India observed the 78th Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17, 2026, commemorating the former Hyderabad State’s integration with India in 1948.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Union government has held official celebrations since 2022.
2.  The main event took place at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad.
3.  Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan was the chief guest.
4.  The former state covered present-day Telangana, Marathwada and Kalyana Karnataka regions.
5.  Operation Polo in September 1948 led to Hyderabad’s integration.

Additional Information:
1.  September 17 marks the end of Nizam rule in the former princely state.
2.  The commemoration highlights the contributions of people who participated in the liberation struggle.

India named Gulfood 2027 official partner country.

Dated: 19 September 2026

APEDA signed an MoU with InD Events Dubai on September 16, 2026 naming India Gulfood 2027’s Official Partner Country for the second consecutive year.

Key Highlights:
1.  Gulfood will run March 15-19, 2027 in Dubai.
2.  APEDA Secretary Dr. Saswati Bose and Mark Napier signed at Vanijya Bhawan.
3.  The partnership deepens trade under India-UAE CEPA.
4.  Dubai provides a gateway to GCC, Middle Eastern and African markets.
5.  It expands participation by MSMEs, FPOs, start-ups, women and SC/ST exporters.

Additional Information:
1.  APEDA was established in 1986 under the 1985 Act and is headquartered in New Delhi.
2.  India-UAE CEPA was signed February 18, 2022 and entered force May 1, 2022.

US hosts Jordan for Exercise Eager Lion 2026.

Dated: 19 September 2026

US Central Command and Jordanian Armed Forces launched the 12th Exercise Eager Lion at Fort Carson, Colorado on September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  For the first time the United States hosted the biennial exercise.
2.  More than 200 personnel, including Colorado and Illinois National Guard members, joined.
3.  The two-week training covers counterterrorism, air defence, maritime security, cybersecurity and disaster response.
4.  It operates under the State Partnership Program pairing Colorado and Jordan since 2004.
5.  The exercise strengthens combined operational effectiveness.

Additional Information:
1.  CENTCOM manages US Middle East deployments, is based at MacDill Air Force Base and led by Admiral Brad Cooper.
2.  The State Partnership Program began in 1993; Jordan’s capital is Amman and currency Jordanian Dinar.

Brendan Taylor sets record for longest ODI career.

Dated: 19 September 2026

Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor completed an ODI career span of 22 years and 148 days on September 15, 2026, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 22 years and 91 days.

Key Highlights:
1.  Taylor achieved the record in the first ODI against Australia at Harare.
2.  Sanath Jayasuriya is next on the list with 21 years and 184 days.
3.  Taylor debuted against Sri Lanka in April 2004.
4.  He had 6,704 runs in 207 ODI appearances and a Zimbabwe-record 11 centuries.
5.  After retiring in 2021, he returned in 2025 following a 3.5-year ICC ban for failing to report a corrupt approach.

Additional Information:
1.  Tendulkar scored 18,426 ODI runs in 463 matches.
2.  The 2027 ODI World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Delhi launches month-long Seva Sankalp campaign.

Dated: 19 September 2026

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Seva Sankalp campaign from September 17 to October 17, 2026, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.

Key Highlights:
1.  Projects worth Rs.13,820 crore were linked to the campaign.
2.  The opening day targeted 2,500 blood units and health checks for 25,000 senior citizens, alongside the SOTTO platform.
3.  Rs.8,000 crore was assigned to Yamuna work and 70 lakh trees were planned.
4.  A three-day Seva Setu was arranged in all 70 constituencies.
5.  Activities involved 21,350 Anganwadi workers at 10,897 centres and 5 lakh students in 5,000 schools.

Additional Information:
1.  Delhi’s special constitutional provisions are contained in Article 239AA.
2.  Delhi is one of five centres under the Innovation Challenge initiative.

Six states sign MoU for Kishau Multipurpose Project.

Dated: 19 September 2026

The Union government and six states signed an MoU on September 15, 2026 for the Rs.15,624 crore Kishau Multipurpose Project on the Tons River.

Key Highlights:
1.  The six states are Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
2.  The project includes a 232.6-metre gravity dam, 1,562 MCM storage and 660 MW power capacity.
3.  It is expected to generate 1,476 million units annually and irrigate about 1 lakh hectares.
4.  The Centre will provide 90% grant for the water component.
5.  The Rs.2,000 crore power component for Himachal Pradesh will be funded by Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Additional Information:
1.  Kishau Corporation is a joint venture of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; the project traces to the May 12, 1994 Upper Yamuna agreement.
2.  Tons is the largest tributary of the Yamuna; the Upper Yamuna River Board was formed in 1994 under the Jal Shakti Ministry.

Cabinet raises mandatory EPFO wage ceiling to Rs.25,000.

Dated: 19 September 2026

The Union Cabinet approved raising the mandatory EPFO wage ceiling from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 per month on September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  About 51 lakh additional employees will gain mandatory provident fund, pension and deposit-linked insurance coverage.
2.  The previous revision was in September 2014, when the limit rose from Rs.6,500 to Rs.15,000.
3.  Estimated government expenditure is Rs.11,339 crore annually and Rs.56,696 crore over 5 years.
4.  The measure broadens formal social security and supports the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
5.  The new mandatory coverage threshold is Rs.25,000 monthly.

Additional Information:
1.  EPFO is a Labour Ministry statutory body under the 1952 Act and is headquartered in New Delhi.
2.  EDLI began in 1976 to provide life insurance to families of deceased private-sector salaried members.

Government reconstitutes CBFC with 18 members.

Dated: 19 September 2026

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification with 18 members on September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The tenure is 3 years or until further orders.
2.  Action used Section 3(1) of the 1952 Cinematograph Act and Rule 3 of the 2024 Rules.
3.  Members include Manoj Joshi, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi and Preity Zinta.
4.  Ricky Kej, Hansraj Hans, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi, Abhishek Jain and Roopali Ganguly also joined.
5.  The board includes film personalities and artists.

Additional Information:
1.  CBFC is a Mumbai statutory body under the Information Ministry.
2.  It regulates public exhibition under the 1952 Act; films need certification before screening.

Delhi tops India Electric Mobility Index 2025.

Dated: 19 September 2026

NITI Aayog released the second India Electric Mobility Index 2025 on September 17, 2026, with Delhi first at 84.

Key Highlights:
1.  Maharashtra ranked 2nd at 78 and Karnataka 3rd at 73.
2.  Manipur led hilly and northeastern states at 46; Chandigarh scored 71 and Goa 65.
3.  Maharashtra and Karnataka led large states.
4.  Karnataka scored 97 in charging readiness; Delhi, Chandigarh and Maharashtra led transport electrification.
5.  Madhya Pradesh improved from 23rd to 7th.

Additional Information:
1.  NITI Aayog was established January 1, 2015 and is chaired by the Prime Minister.
2.  IEMI assesses transport electrification, charging infrastructure and EV research and innovation.

Kumik declared Ladakh’s first Heritage Village.

Dated: 19 September 2026

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena declared Kumik in Zanskar as Ladakh’s first Heritage Village on September 15, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The announcement came at the 11th Zanskar Festival, first since Zanskar became a district in April 2026.
2.  The project preserves Kanjur manuscripts, Buddhist material, traditional homes, sacred spaces and farming.
3.  It supports Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.
4.  College magazine Shesrab and a Gonbo Rangjon postal cover were released.
5.  The festival entered Ladakh’s tourism calendar.

Additional Information:
1.  Kumik is a high-altitude Zanskar settlement and the Union Territory’s first Heritage Village.
2.  Ladakh became a Union Territory October 31, 2019; Zanskar became a district in April 2026.

NSTFDC and HPCL partner for Rajasthan smart classrooms.

Dated: 19 September 2026

NSTFDC and HPCL signed an MoU on September 16, 2026 for smart classrooms and computer labs in 29 Rajasthan EMRS schools.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Rs.16.01 crore project covers 11 districts during 2026-27 and 2027-28.
2.  Over 10,000 tribal students in Classes VI-XII will benefit annually.
3.  Each school gets 4 rooms with 86-inch panels, 10 tablets, LAN, UPS and fast internet.
4.  NSTFDC handles procurement; NESTS validates academics.
5.  The project follows NEP 2020 and Innovative Livelihood Enhancement CSR.

Additional Information:
1.  NSTFDC is a Tribal Ministry corporation established in 2001; HPCL is a Mumbai Maharatna under Petroleum Ministry.
2.  EMRS began in 1997-98 under Article 275(1) and is managed by NESTS.

Sanjukta Parasor becomes first woman to lead CRPF CoBRA.

Dated: 19 September 2026

IPS officer Sanjukta Parasor took charge as Inspector General of CRPF’s CoBRA unit on September 15, 2026, becoming its first woman commander.

Key Highlights:
1.  The 2006-batch officer succeeded Danesh Rana.
2.  It is the first woman leadership of the 10-battalion force.
3.  Two units are in Manipur; others conduct anti-Maoist work in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra.
4.  The Home Ministry said operations helped end Maoist violence by March 2026.
5.  Parasor earlier served as NIA DIG and is called the Iron Lady of Assam.

Additional Information:
1.  CoBRA is CRPF’s 2008 jungle-warfare wing specialising in guerrilla tactics, patrol and counter-IED work.
2.  CRPF is India’s largest Central Armed Police Force under the Home Ministry, headquartered in New Delhi.

India’s cheetah population reaches 52.

Dated: 19 September 2026

The Four Years of Cheetahs in India review released September 17, 2026 reported 52 cheetahs, including 32 born in India.

Key Highlights:
1.  Kuno houses 49 and Gandhi Sagar 3.
2.  There are 3 surviving Namibian adults with 22 offspring, 8 South African adults with 10 offspring and 9 Botswana cheetahs.
3.  At Kuno, 17 are wild and 32, including 19 cubs below 1 year, are in soft-release bomas.
4.  The project’s first year focused adaptation, second breeding and 13-cub survival, and fourth consolidation.
5.  Reintroduction began in 2022.

Additional Information:
1.  Kuno in Sheopur became a sanctuary in 1981 and National Park in 2018; Project Cheetah is the first intercontinental large-carnivore translocation.
2.  India declared cheetahs extinct in 1952; Gandhi Sagar is the second reintroduction site.

India launches Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard.

Dated: 19 September 2026

Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh launched India’s Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard in Mumbai on World Ozone Day, September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The portal enables voluntary registration and disclosure of net-zero commitments by Indian entities.
2.  Entities may report greenhouse-gas emissions and targets, focusing on Scope 1 and 2 while Scope 3 remains voluntary.
3.  The dashboard consolidates monitoring across national climate missions.
4.  The Environment Ministry manages both platforms.
5.  They support coordination, evidence-based action, clean energy, efficiency and carbon removal.

Additional Information:
1.  World Ozone Day is September 16 and recalls the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
2.  NAPCC began in 2008 and has 8 missions including solar, water and enhanced energy efficiency.

GHG calculator launched for urban solid-waste management.

Dated: 19 September 2026

Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood launched a GHG calculator application and Life Cycle Assessment framework for urban solid-waste management on September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras and IIT-BHU developed it under the Principal Scientific Adviser’s guidance.
2.  It measures methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, black carbon, logistics and avoided emissions.
3.  It helps urban bodies complete mandatory environmental tender metrics.
4.  It assesses biomining, anaerobic digestion, waste-to-energy, composting, recycling and landfilling.
5.  The framework supports Waste to Wealth and Swachh Bharat Urban using data from 6 cities.

Additional Information:
1.  The Principal Scientific Adviser’s New Delhi office advises the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
2.  Swachh Bharat Urban began October 2, 2014 under the Housing Ministry for scientific municipal-waste management.

Anant Nag selected for Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024.

Dated: 19 September 2026

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag was announced as the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 recipient on September 17, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The award will be presented September 22 at the 72nd National Film Awards.
2.  Nag completed 50 cinema years in 2023 and acted in over 300 films across 6 languages.
3.  He is known for Malgudi Days.
4.  He served in Karnataka’s Legislative Council, Assembly and as Bangalore City Development Minister of State.
5.  He received Padma Bhushan in 2025.

Additional Information:
1.  Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest cinema honour, instituted in 1969.
2.  Devika Rani was the first recipient; it honours outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

US lists India among major drug transit nations for FY2027.

Dated: 19 September 2026

The US President designated India, China and Pakistan among 23 major drug-transit or illicit drug-producing countries for FY2027 on September 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Classification uses geographic, commercial and economic factors enabling illicit production or transport.
2.  Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia were identified as demonstrably failing international obligations.
3.  India was credited for action against illicit opium and stronger supply-chain integrity.
4.  China was identified as the largest precursor-chemical producer for fentanyl and methamphetamine.
5.  India-US cooperation continues through the Drug Policy Framework.

Additional Information:
1.  The bilateral framework coordinates law enforcement and prevents precursor-chemical diversion.
2.  Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid and major international counternarcotics concern.

UEFA names Munich and Barcelona Champions League final hosts.

Dated: 19 September 2026

UEFA selected Munich and Barcelona for the 2028 and 2029 Champions League finals on September 15, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The 2028 final will be at Munich Football Arena and June 2, 2029 final at Camp Nou.
2.  Europa finals will be in Bucharest in 2028 and Belgrade in 2029.
3.  Conference finals will be in Turin in 2028 and Budapest in 2029.
4.  Super Cups will be in Amsterdam in 2027 and Astana in 2028.
5.  The plan covers UEFA’s major men’s club finals.

Additional Information:
1.  UEFA administers football, futsal and beach soccer in Europe.
2.  It was established June 15, 1954, is headquartered in Nyon and organises the European Championship.