Marathi film Gondhal selected as India’s official Oscar 2027 entry.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The Film Federation of India selected Marathi film Gondhal as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.
Key Highlights:
1. The announcement was made on September 18, 2026.
2. Santosh Davakhar directed the film and had won the 2025 IFFI Silver Peacock for Best Director.
3. A P. Sheshadri-led jury chose it from 33 submissions.
4. Gondhal is the fourth Marathi film selected after Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory and Court.
5. The 99th Academy Awards will be held on March 14, 2027 in Los Angeles.
Additional Information:
1. Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan are the only Indian films to reach final nominations in this category.
2. The Film Federation of India is headquartered in Mumbai and selects India’s official Oscar entry.
India tests first indigenous long-range attack drone KAL.
Dated: 24 September 2026
India successfully flight-tested its first indigenous long-range one-way attack drone KAL at Pokhran, Rajasthan, on September 22, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. Noida-based IG Defence designed and developed the drone.
2. KAL has a strike range up to 1,000 km and endurance of 7-8 hours.
3. It can carry 50 kg and operate up to 5,000 metres above mean sea level.
4. A vehicle-mounted launcher enables mobile deployment.
5. Multi-band GNSS and inertial navigation support autonomous flight.
Additional Information:
1. The one-way loitering platform is compatible with the AI-powered GRID battle-management system.
2. Pokhran in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district hosted India’s 1974 Smiling Buddha nuclear test.
Starbucks opens first India Global Capability Centre in Chennai.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Starbucks Coffee announced its first Indian Global Capability Centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on September 21, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The technology and business hub will create 800 high-paying jobs initially.
2. It will operate as a standalone entity separate from the Tata Consumer Products retail joint venture.
3. The memorandum was signed with Guidance Tamil Nadu.
4. The centre supports Tamil Nadu’s plan for three dedicated GCC corridors in Chennai.
5. Higher Floor Space Index is proposed in these corridors to attract global firms.
Additional Information:
1. Starbucks was established in 1971 and is headquartered in Seattle, USA.
2. Guidance Tamil Nadu is the state’s investment-promotion and single-window agency.
Rs.320 crore approved for Kurukshetra ITI Cluster under PM-SETU.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The National Steering Committee approved a Rs.320 crore Strategic Investment Plan for Haryana’s Kurukshetra ITI Cluster under PM-SETU on September 21, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. Jindal Naveen Avsar Limited will be the anchor industry partner with the Haryana Government.
2. Government ITI Kurukshetra will be the hub and six institutes will operate as spokes.
3. Total approved investment reached Rs.2,491 crore across 10 clusters.
4. PM-SETU has a national outlay of Rs.60,000 crore.
5. The programme targets 1,000 government ITIs through 200 hubs and 800 spokes.
Additional Information:
1. PM-SETU means Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs.
2. The Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry is the nodal ministry.
Microsoft launches fourth India cloud region in Hyderabad.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Microsoft launched its fourth Indian cloud region in Hyderabad on September 21, 2026, as part of a $20.5 billion AI and cloud infrastructure commitment.
Key Highlights:
1. The South Central region joins existing regions in Pune, Chennai and Mumbai.
2. The investment includes $17.5 billion announced in December 2025 for cloud, operations and AI adoption.
3. India generates 20% of global data but has 3% of global data-centre capacity.
4. National data-centre capacity is projected to rise from 2 GW to 12-14 GW by 2035.
5. Microsoft aims to train 20 million Indians in AI, including 2 million teachers, by 2030.
Additional Information:
1. Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
2. The company is headquartered in Redmond, USA, and led by Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella.
IOB and Novio launch co-branded RuPay credit card.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Indian Overseas Bank and Novio launched a co-branded RuPay credit card at the Global Fintech Fest on September 22, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The partnership targets UPI-active customers and first-time credit users.
2. RuPay Select and RuPay Platinum variants were introduced.
3. Features include UPI linkage, instant digital onboarding, rewards and an FD-backed facility for users without credit history.
4. The card was unveiled at the NPCI Pavilion by an IOB Executive Director.
5. The partners aim to issue 50 lakh cards in three years, including users in Tier-V cities.
Additional Information:
1. IOB was founded in 1937 by M. Ct. M. Chidambaram Chetty and is headquartered in Chennai.
2. NPCI, established in 2008 by RBI and IBA, developed RuPay and UPI.
18th India-Mongolia exercise Nomadic Elephant begins in Pithoragarh.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The 18th India-Mongolia joint military exercise Nomadic Elephant began at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, on September 21, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The exercise runs from September 21 to October 3, 2026.
2. Each army is represented by 45 personnel.
3. Training covers counter-insurgency in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
4. Activities include special heliborne operations, cyber security, drones and counter-drone systems.
5. Cordon-and-search and room-intervention drills are included.
Additional Information:
1. Nomadic Elephant is an annual platoon-level exercise held alternately in India and Mongolia.
2. The 17th edition was held in Ulaanbaatar during May-June 2025.
Madhya Pradesh becomes first state to offer free rural property registration.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the Swamitva Adhikar Abhilekh Nispadan Evam Panjiyan Yojana-2026 in Indore on September 17, making Madhya Pradesh the first state to register rural properties free of cost.
Key Highlights:
1. The programme targets about 50 lakh private rural properties across all 55 districts.
2. PMAY houses and private residential plots are covered.
3. Beneficiaries pay no stamp duty or registration fee.
4. The campaign runs from September 17 to October 17, 2026 in three principal phases.
5. Patwaris are execution officers for door-to-door facilitation.
Additional Information:
1. The central SVAMITVA scheme maps village inhabited areas using drone surveying.
2. Madhya Pradesh had prepared 68.47 lakh rights records in 41,568 villages.
IIIT-Bangalore and Taipei Computer Association sign technology cooperation LOI.
Dated: 24 September 2026
IIIT-Bangalore and the Taipei Computer Association signed a Letter of Intent for digital-economy, innovation and technology cooperation on September 17, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The signing occurred at the Electronica India 2026 exhibition in Bengaluru.
2. It creates a framework leading to a formal ICT and science-and-technology memorandum.
3. Priority areas include AI, cyber security, semiconductors, electronics, smart manufacturing and smart cities.
4. The partnership combines IIIT-B software research with Taiwan’s hardware strength.
5. It will support knowledge sharing, business matching and delegations between Taiwan and Karnataka.
Additional Information:
1. IIIT-B was established in 1999 as a registered society.
2. Taipei Computer Association was founded in 1974 and represents Taiwan’s ICT and semiconductor sectors.
7th National Formulary and Biovigilance Programme launched.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel launched the 7th National Formulary of India 2026 and the Biovigilance Programme of India in New Delhi on September 21, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The launch occurred during the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
2. The theme promoted rational medicine use through pharmacovigilance for safer healthcare.
3. India rose from 123rd during 2009-14 to 8th globally in WHO patient-safety database contributions.
4. The IPC-led biovigilance framework monitors adverse events involving organs, tissues, blood and biological products.
5. NFI 2026 contains 34 chapters, 20 appendices and 653 drugs.
Additional Information:
1. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission is an autonomous Health Ministry institution headquartered in Ghaziabad.
2. The ADR-PvPI 2.0 mobile app and NFI online portal were also launched.
Jharkhand celebrates Karam festival of nature and tribal culture.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The Karam festival of tribal culture and nature worship was observed across Jharkhand on September 22, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. It symbolises crop protection, nature worship and the bond between brothers and sisters.
2. A sacred Karam branch is installed at the akhara for overnight worship.
3. Sisters observe a waterless fast for their brothers’ prosperity and long life.
4. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar attended the state celebration at Bero, Ranchi.
5. Events included traditional nagada and mandar instruments and a tribal fashion show.
Additional Information:
1. Munda, Oraon, Ho and Santhal communities celebrate this important harvest festival.
2. Jharkhand was formed from Bihar on November 15, 2000, with Ranchi as capital.
Indian Oil to build Rs.2,449 crore Kochi-Thoothukudi gas pipeline.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Indian Oil Corporation announced a Rs.2,449 crore investment on September 21, 2026, for a 424.65-km natural-gas pipeline linking Kochi, Kanyakumari and Thoothukudi.
Key Highlights:
1. The route crosses Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
2. The pipeline will carry 6.84 million standard cubic metres per day.
3. Its common-carrier capacity will be 1.674 MMSCMD.
4. The investment is approximately $255.6 million.
5. The project expands gas infrastructure and supports a higher share of gas in India’s energy mix.
Additional Information:
1. Indian Oil was established in 1959 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
2. The Maharatna public-sector company works under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.
NCB holds 3rd National ANTF Conference in New Delhi.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the two-day 3rd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force heads in New Delhi on September 22, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The Narcotics Control Bureau organised it for ANTF heads from all 36 states and Union Territories.
2. Its theme was United Resolve, Shared Responsibility.
3. A 2026-29 vision document covers enforcement, synthetic drugs, demand reduction and capacity building.
4. Foundation stones were laid for NCB zonal complexes in Lucknow and Dehradun.
5. Awareness television films and a revamped NCB website were launched.
Additional Information:
1. NCB was established in 1986 under the NDPS Act.
2. The New Delhi-headquartered agency works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
HAL delivers Tejas trainers, first HTT-40 and Dhruv-NG helicopters.
Dated: 24 September 2026
HAL delivered two LCA Tejas FOC trainers, the first HTT-40 Ankur trainer and four Dhruv-NG helicopters in Bengaluru on September 18, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The two Tejas twin-seaters and HTT-40 went to the Indian Air Force.
2. The four Dhruv-NG helicopters were delivered to Pawan Hans.
3. HTT-40 was the first delivery under a 70-aircraft contract.
4. The basic trainer has a 1,100 SHP engine, 300-knot maximum speed and 1,000-km range.
5. Dhruv-NG is a 5.5-tonne helicopter with twin Shakti 1H1C engines.
Additional Information:
1. HAL was established in 1940 and is a Bengaluru-headquartered Navratna defence public enterprise.
2. LCA Tejas is India’s first indigenous light combat aircraft and was designed by ADA.
India-New Zealand FTA duty-free access begins October 20.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on October 20, 2026, giving all Indian exports duty-free access to New Zealand.
Key Highlights:
1. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on April 27, 2026 after nine months of negotiations.
2. The roadmap seeks to double bilateral goods and services trade to about Rs.35,000 crore in four to five years.
3. Merchandise trade reached $1.3 billion in 2024-25, up 49%.
4. India’s merchandise exports were $711 million, up 32%.
5. Indian services exports reached $634 million in 2024, led by IT, travel and business services.
Additional Information:
1. New Zealand’s capital is Wellington and its currency is the New Zealand Dollar.
2. The Commerce and Industry Ministry is India’s nodal agency for FTA negotiations.
Central Bureau of Narcotics and Brahma Kumaris sign drug-awareness MoU.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The Central Bureau of Narcotics and Brahma Kumaris signed an MoU at Mount Abu, Rajasthan, on September 18, 2026, for preventive drug awareness and youth empowerment.
Key Highlights:
1. The collaboration supports the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
2. Work will focus on Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
3. CBN’s Operation Yuva Raksha targets schools, colleges, universities, hostels and coaching centres.
4. Activities include exhibitions, rallies, digital campaigns and volunteer ambassadors.
5. Meditation, yogic breathing, stress management, counselling and treatment information are included.
Additional Information:
1. CBN works under the Revenue Department of the Finance Ministry and is headquartered in Gwalior.
2. Brahma Kumaris was founded in 1936 and is headquartered at Mount Abu.
WWF Global Conservation Conference inaugurated in Jaipur.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The Union Environment Minister inaugurated the WWF Global Conservation Conference in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on September 21, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. Representatives from more than 100 countries participated.
2. India’s protected areas rose from 750 to more than 1,000 during the last decade.
3. Tiger reserves increased from 47 to 58, elephant reserves from 30 to 33 and Ramsar sites from 24 to 101.
4. India conducts national estimates for tigers, elephants, dolphins, lions and snow leopards.
5. Rajasthan reported conservation-breeding success for the Great Indian Bustard.
Additional Information:
1. WWF was established in 1961 and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.
2. The Ramsar Convention on wetlands was adopted at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
Karan Yadav appointed CEO of Indian Super League.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Karan Yadav was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Super League on September 21, 2026, to lead its transition to a club-led model.
Key Highlights:
1. He will manage the league’s strategic, commercial and organisational direction.
2. The model aligns the League Office with clubs on partnerships, broadcasting and fan engagement.
3. He will strengthen relations with broadcasters, sponsors and the All India Football Federation.
4. The 2026-27 ISL season begins on October 10, 2026 and concludes in May 2027.
5. The appointment aims to build a high-performing League Office for Indian football.
Additional Information:
1. ISL was founded in 2013 and played its first season in 2014.
2. Football Sports Development Limited administers India’s top-tier professional football league.
Moody's raises India's FY27 GDP growth projection to 7%.
Dated: 24 September 2026
Moody's Investors Service raised India's GDP growth projection for FY27 to 7% on September 18, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The forecast was revised upward after stronger-than-expected April-June economic data.
2. Strong domestic activity and sustained momentum supported the revision.
3. The estimate applies to fiscal year 2026-27.
4. The issuing rating agency is headquartered in New York, USA.
5. The revision signals improved expectations for India’s near-term expansion.
Additional Information:
1. Moody’s was established in 1909 by John Moody.
2. It is one of the Big Three credit-rating agencies with S&P and Fitch.
18th World Bamboo Day observed on September 18.
Dated: 24 September 2026
The 18th World Bamboo Day was observed globally on September 18, 2026, to promote bamboo’s ecological and economic benefits.
Key Highlights:
1. The World Bamboo Organization formally established the observance in 2009.
2. The first event was held on September 18, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand.
3. Assam bamboo expert Kamesh Salam initiated the observance.
4. He served as World Bamboo Organization president from 2007 to 2009.
5. The 2026 observance marked the 18th consecutive year.
Additional Information:
1. The World Bamboo Organization promotes bamboo as a sustainable resource.
2. The first day was launched during the World Bamboo Congress in Thailand.