TRAI launches Digital Connectivity Rating Platform.

Dated: 29 September 2026

TRAI launched the Digital Connectivity Rating Platform and mobile app on September 25, 2026, to assess the digital readiness of properties.

Key Highlights:
1.  It implements the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations 2024 and Rating Manual 2026.
2.  Public, government, commercial and private properties can register at constructed or under-construction stages.
3.  A DCRA mobile app supports field assessment and in-building connectivity measurements.
4.  eSign verifies documents and QR codes authenticate rating certificates.
5.  Evaluation covers fibre readiness, Wi-Fi infrastructure, mobile availability and indoor connectivity solutions.

Additional Information:
1.  TRAI is a statutory regulator established under the TRAI Act 1997.
2.  TRAI is headquartered in New Delhi and regulates telecommunications and broadcasting.

APEDA exports GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal to Maldives.

Dated: 29 September 2026

APEDA flagged off a 1 MT consignment of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives on September 24, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The consignment travelled by sea and was exported by Silken Global Exports and Imports of Mysuru through an FPO-led brand.
2.  Farmers realised Rs.82 per kg against the local market price of Rs.60 per kg, an increase of over 30%.
3.  The product received GI registration in 2019.
4.  It originates in the Kalaburagi region and is recognised for distinctive taste and dryland farming.
5.  Kalaburagi is called the Pulse Bowl of Karnataka.

Additional Information:
1.  APEDA was established in 1986 under the APEDA Act.
2.  A GI registration remains valid for 10 years and can be renewed.

NIMAS team scales 20 unclimbed Ladakh peaks in 23 days.

Dated: 29 September 2026

The Defence Ministry held the flag-in ceremony on September 25, 2026, after a NIMAS expedition made the first ascent of 20 unclimbed peaks in Ladakh.

Key Highlights:
1.  All 20 peaks exceeded 6,000 metres and were climbed in a record 23 days.
2.  The climbs covered Chamser-Lungser, Gyama Nala and Chokula areas of the Ladakh Range.
3.  The 20-member team was led by Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal.
4.  The ceremony at Kartavya Bhavan-2 in New Delhi was attended by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
5.  NIMAS operates under the Ministry of Defence.

Additional Information:
1.  NIMAS is located at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh.
2.  It is India’s first national institute training people in land, air and aqua adventure sports.

Madhya Pradesh launches Sugam Parivahan and PM E-Bus services.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan and PM E-Bus Sewa in Madhya Pradesh on September 25, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The launch restored a state-run bus service after a gap of 21 years.
2.  It occurred on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birth anniversary, observed as Antyodaya Diwas.
3.  A total of 351 buses will operate through a Public-Private Partnership model.
4.  Initial cities are Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Dewas, Katni and Bhind.
5.  The objective is safe, modern and environment-friendly urban-rural connectivity.

Additional Information:
1.  Madhya Pradesh was established on November 1, 1956.
2.  Bhopal is its capital and the state is known as India’s Tiger State.

IIT Delhi develops India’s first indigenous micro GPU.

Dated: 29 September 2026

IIT Delhi researchers developed India’s first working and demonstrable indigenous micro Graphics Processing Unit on September 28, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Electrical Engineering Department designed it using Register Transfer Language.
2.  It was mapped to a Spartan-7 Field Programmable Gate Array platform.
3.  It includes a custom floating-point GPU engine and programmable architecture.
4.  Uses include e-book readers, e-rickshaw navigation, small-boat terminals and industrial displays.
5.  The roadmap covers an 8-16 core vector-style processor and migration to a 65 nm ASIC process.

Additional Information:
1.  IIT Delhi began in 1961 as the College of Engineering and Technology.
2.  It became an Institute of National Importance under the 1963 IIT amendment law.

Assam raises Orunodoi payout to Rs.1,500.

Dated: 29 September 2026

The Assam Cabinet approved a Rs.1,500 Orunodoi payment for October 2026 and cleared major infrastructure and industrial decisions on September 24.

Key Highlights:
1.  The regular monthly grant is Rs.1,250 and the higher amount is a festival benefit for women.
2.  The Rs.796.88 crore SWIFT project will restore 102 derelict community wetlands using an ADB loan of Rs.637.504 crore.
3.  A Rs.11,000 crore JK Lakshmi Cement proposal covers a clinker unit and four grinding units.
4.  The state will bear the 10% promoter contribution under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund for eligible collective entities.
5.  A 20% bonus was approved for eligible Assam Tea Corporation workers.

Additional Information:
1.  Orunodoi began in 2020 for poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment.
2.  It is Assam’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer scheme and covers about 4 million beneficiaries.

TDB supports GalaxEye OptoSAR satellite project.

Dated: 29 September 2026

TDB signed an agreement with GalaxEye Space Solutions on September 24, 2026, to support indigenous next-generation OptoSAR satellite technology.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Research Development and Innovation Fund provides Rs.63.84 crore through Optionally Convertible Debentures.
2.  The approved project cost is Rs.247.69 crore.
3.  OptoSAR combines Synthetic Aperture Radar night and cloud imaging with high-resolution Electro-Optical imagery.
4.  The multisensor satellite targets resolution better than 0.5 metre.
5.  The project seeks to raise the technology from TRL-6 to TRL-9.

Additional Information:
1.  TDB is a statutory body established in 1996 under the Technology Development Board Act 1995.
2.  GalaxEye is a Bengaluru-based Indian space-technology start-up.

Commercial biodegradable plastic launched under BioE3 Policy.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Jitendra Singh launched commercial use of Polylactic Acid-based biodegradable plastic under the BioE3 framework on September 24, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  BIRAC provided a Rs.75 crore grant for the project.
2.  A 100 tonnes-per-year pilot research facility for PLA and co-polymers is being built.
3.  The facility is at Balrampur Chini Mills’ integrated complex in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.
4.  It converts renewable sugar feedstock and sugarcane into lactic acid and valuable biopolymers.
5.  India’s bioeconomy grew from $10 billion in 2014 to about $195 billion in 2024.

Additional Information:
1.  BioE3 means Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment.
2.  BIRAC was established in 2012 by the Department of Biotechnology.

Abhiram Singh Yadav elected to ICC Chief Executives’ Committee.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Persatuan Cricket Indonesia’s Abhiram Singh Yadav was elected an Associate Member representative on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee on September 28, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  He occupies one of the committee’s three seats reserved for Associate Members.
2.  He filled the vacancy left by Gurumurthy Palani, who joined the ICC Board in July 2026.
3.  His term continues until elections at the ICC Annual Conference.
4.  The next election round is scheduled for June 2027.
5.  The committee manages the sport and commercial activities of the ICC.

Additional Information:
1.  The ICC began as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909.
2.  The ICC is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Environment Ministry and JICA launch forest management workshop.

Dated: 29 September 2026

The Environment Ministry launched a workshop for the Capacity Enhancement for Effective Forest Management Project with JICA in New Delhi on September 25, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The seven-year project runs from 2025-26 to 2031-32.
2.  Its total budget is Rs.537.10 crore, comprising Rs.440.42 crore from JICA and Rs.96.68 crore from India.
3.  It strengthens frontline staff in forest-fire management, biodiversity conservation and climate action.
4.  Digital transformation, livelihood-oriented wood transformation and joint India-Japan research are included.
5.  All States and Union Territories participate, with priority for new participating states.

Additional Information:
1.  JICA was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Tokyo.
2.  JICA forestry cooperation in India has benefited more than 7 lakh people over nearly three decades.

Psychiatrist Anand Pandurangi passes away at 74.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Renowned psychiatrist Anand Pandurangi died at age 74 in Dharwad, Karnataka, on September 24, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Karnataka Government accorded him full state honours at his funeral.
2.  He was a noted psychiatrist whose work was associated with mental healthcare.
3.  Dharwad is often described as the cultural capital of North Karnataka.
4.  Dharwad Peda has a Geographical Indication tag.
5.  Karnatak University in Dharwad was established in 1949.

Additional Information:
1.  Karnataka was formed as Mysore State on November 1, 1956.
2.  Mysore State was officially renamed Karnataka in 1973.

Arogya Manthan 2026 marks AB PM-JAY and ABDM milestones.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Health Minister J. P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 in New Delhi on September 25 to mark 8 years of AB PM-JAY and 5 years of ABDM.

Key Highlights:
1.  AB PM-JAY covers more than 60 crore beneficiaries and enabled over 13 crore admissions worth above Rs.2 lakh crore.
2.  More than 49 crore Ayushman Cards were created and coverage extends to all citizens aged 70 years or above.
3.  ABDM created over 97.8 crore ABHA IDs, linked 121 crore records and registered 5.6 lakh facilities plus 11 lakh professionals.
4.  New launches included the NHPR mobile app, IISc-developed Secure Data Environment and claims Auto-Adjudication Framework.
5.  The National Health Authority hosted the event at Vigyan Bhawan.

Additional Information:
1.  AB PM-JAY launched from Ranchi in September 2018 and provides Rs.5 lakh annual family cover.
2.  ABDM launched on September 27, 2021, to build a digital health ecosystem.

World Lung Day 2026 observed with lifetime health theme.

Dated: 29 September 2026

World Lung Day was observed globally on September 25, 2026, to promote universal respiratory health.

Key Highlights:
1.  The 2026 theme was A Lifetime of Lung Health.
2.  It advocates protecting lung development early in life and reducing adult environmental and occupational exposure.
3.  It also supports people living with chronic respiratory conditions.
4.  Global action is sought against air pollution, tobacco use and unequal access to specialist care.
5.  The observance unites international organisations and health professionals.

Additional Information:
1.  The first global World Lung Day was held on September 25, 2017.
2.  The Forum of International Respiratory Societies initiated and coordinates it.

NHAI issues sustainable high-speed highway corridor guidelines.

Dated: 29 September 2026

NHAI issued planning and design guidelines on September 24, 2026, for high-speed access-controlled National Highways other than expressways.

Key Highlights:
1.  They apply to upcoming four-lane and six-lane greenfield and brownfield access-controlled highways.
2.  Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction is mandatory for embankments and pavements.
3.  Multi Lane Free Flow tolling will replace conventional toll plazas.
4.  Drip irrigation on medians will support water-efficient plantation maintenance.
5.  Water harvesting in loop areas and drainage planning at DPR stage are required.

Additional Information:
1.  NHAI was constituted under the NHAI Act 1988.
2.  It works under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and is headquartered in New Delhi.

TDB grants Rs.200 crore for reusable Agnibaan vehicle.

Dated: 29 September 2026

TDB and Agnikul Cosmos signed a Rs.200 crore agreement on September 25, 2026, to develop a fully reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle.

Key Highlights:
1.  Support comes through Optionally Convertible Debentures under the Research Development and Innovation Fund.
2.  The project aims to move Agnibaan reusable launch-vehicle technology from TRL-4 to TRL-8.
3.  Its semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion supports deep throttling and restart for orbital insertion and controlled descent.
4.  The design pursues full-system reusability rather than recovery of only the first stage.
5.  It uses Agnilet, described as the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine.

Additional Information:
1.  Agnikul Cosmos was established in 2017 and is headquartered in Chennai.
2.  It launched India’s first private launchpad at Sriharikota.

World Tourism Day 2026 focuses on AI and digital agenda.

Dated: 29 September 2026

World Tourism Day was observed on September 27, 2026, with a theme highlighting digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence in tourism.

Key Highlights:
1.  The theme was Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.
2.  El Salvador hosted the global celebration.
3.  India’s event at Bharat Mandapam launched the National Digital Tourism Stack and Dekho Apna Desh 2.0.
4.  India offers e-Visas to 172 countries through 88 ports and about 78% of its visas are electronic.
5.  Sea cruise traffic grew 328% from 2014-15 to 2025-26 and reached 4.62 lakh passengers.

Additional Information:
1.  World Tourism Day marks adoption of UNWTO statutes on September 27, 1970.
2.  The day was first celebrated globally in 1980.

India’s first port-based e-methanol facility planned at Kandla.

Dated: 29 September 2026

The foundation stone for India’s first port-based e-methanol facility was laid at Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla, Gujarat, on September 26, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  DPA and Assam Petro-Chemicals formed the venture with a 76:24 capital contribution ratio.
2.  DPA provided Rs.567.32 crore equity and 75 acres of land.
3.  The Rs.2,300 crore project has a Rs.1,200 crore 50-tonne-per-day first phase and Rs.1,100 crore 100-tonne-per-day second phase.
4.  The plant will produce 150 tonnes daily using renewable energy and biogenic carbon dioxide.
5.  Estimated production cost is $750 per tonne against a global rate of $1,300.

Additional Information:
1.  Kandla Port was renamed Deendayal Port in 2017.
2.  India has 12 major ports and targets net-zero emissions by 2070.

IAF begins Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur.

Dated: 29 September 2026

The Indian Air Force began the operational phase of multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12.

Key Highlights:
1.  The 2026 theme is Power in Partnership.
2.  Seven participating countries are Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
3.  Aircraft include F-35, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A.
4.  The exercise covers combat, airlift and air-to-air refuelling operations.
5.  It promotes interoperability, mutual learning, aerospace safety and military cooperation.

Additional Information:
1.  Tarang Shakti is the largest multilateral air exercise hosted by the IAF.
2.  Its inaugural edition was conducted in 2024.

India ranks 10th at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Dated: 29 September 2026

India finished 10th at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from September 22-27, 2026, improving from 13th in 2024.

Key Highlights:
1.  India earned 26 awards: 6 silver medals and 20 Medallions for Excellence.
2.  Smriti Nambiar won bakery silver and the Best of Nation title.
3.  Other silver medallists were Mohammed Salam, Kovid Ajay Gangrade, Parth Vohra, Mehrunissa Begum and Saniya Joshi.
4.  India sent its largest contingent of 70 competitors across 63 skills.
5.  It debuted in 11 emerging categories including unmanned aerial systems and software testing.

Additional Information:
1.  WorldSkills International was established in 1950 and is headquartered in Amsterdam.
2.  NSDC coordinated India’s participation under the Skill Development Ministry.

India’s first LNG-powered train flagged off at Sabarmati.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Amit Shah flagged off India’s first LNG-powered train at Sabarmati Railway Station on September 27, 2026, while inaugurating projects worth Rs.1,472 crore.

Key Highlights:
1.  The train uses Liquefied Natural Gas to reduce emissions.
2.  A Rs.700 crore WAG-12 maintenance shed will service 12,000-horsepower locomotives.
3.  The indigenous Kavach system was introduced on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Sabarmati section with Rs.48 crore investment.
4.  Indian railway electrification reached 99.6%.
5.  A WAG-12 locomotive can haul freight equivalent to 600 trucks.

Additional Information:
1.  Kavach automatically applies brakes when a driver fails to respond and helps prevent collisions.
2.  Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad is associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March.

Government launches Livestock Insurance Portal.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the Livestock Insurance Portal in New Delhi on September 28, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The portal provides services in 11 regional languages in addition to Hindi and English.
2.  It streamlines policy issuance and claim processing.
3.  Real-time monitoring and data-based insurance management are integrated.
4.  It offers one platform for reporting and tracking under the Livestock Insurance Scheme.
5.  The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying developed and manages the portal.

Additional Information:
1.  The department works under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
2.  It also oversees the National Livestock Mission.

Lalit Kala Akademi announces 20 awards at 65th exhibition.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Lalit Kala Akademi announced 20 awards during the 65th National Exhibition of Art on September 27, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The exhibition received 6,175 artworks from 2,495 artists across 27 States and Union Territories.
2.  A first-tier jury chose 270 works for display and presentation.
3.  A second-tier jury selected the 20 winning works.
4.  Awardees included Chandra Shekhar Sain for My Entire World-I and Gopal Chandra Naskar for The Tune of The Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
5.  Other works included Paryavaran by Kishor Kumar Narkhadiwala and Tangible Dreams by Nidhi Chopra.

Additional Information:
1.  Lalit Kala Akademi is also called the National Academy of Art.
2.  It is headquartered in New Delhi and works under the Ministry of Culture.

Dhiraj Bommadevara sets Asian Games recurve qualification record.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Indian archer Dhiraj Bommadevara set a men’s recurve qualification record at the Asian Games in Okazaki City, Japan, on September 27, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  He scored 698 out of 720 points.
2.  He surpassed South Korea’s Lee Woo Seok, who held the previous record of 690.
3.  Chikitha Taniparthi topped women’s compound qualification with 705 points.
4.  India took the 1st compound mixed-team seed through Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav.
5.  Dhiraj and Kumkum Mohod earned the 2nd recurve mixed-team seed.

Additional Information:
1.  The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951.
2.  The Olympic Council of Asia governs the Asian Games and is headquartered in Kuwait City.

Baranica Elangovan wins India’s first Asian Games pole vault medal.

Dated: 29 September 2026

Baranica Elangovan won women’s pole-vault bronze at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 25, 2026, giving India its first medal in the discipline.

Key Highlights:
1.  She cleared 4.15 metres.
2.  She shared bronze with Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova, who also cleared 4.15 metres.
3.  Japan’s Misaki Morota won gold at 4.55 metres and China’s Chunge Neu took silver at 4.50 metres.
4.  The result lifted India’s medal count to 23: 2 gold, 9 silver and 12 bronze.
5.  The Tamil Nadu athlete joined the Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar in 2023.

Additional Information:
1.  Sindhushree Ganesan holds India’s women’s pole-vault record of 4.25 metres set in June 2026.
2.  The 2026 Asian Games are officially called the XX Asiad.