September 2026 Current Affairs: Monthly Compilation for Govt Exams

A single-place revision of September 2026's exam-relevant current affairs, consolidated from the month's weekly editions and grouped by theme. Each item carries the facts and the exam points worth memorising.

National & Government

1. Union Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III)

Approved on 30 September 2026 to strengthen intra-State transmission and evacuate renewable power. Exam Points: evacuation of up to 135 GW renewable energy; total outlay ₹1,86,405 crore; includes 50 GWh battery storage (₹50,000 cr); central support ₹54,082 cr; target FY 2032–33; supports the 900 GW non-fossil capacity goal by 2035.

2. SEMICON India 2026

The 5th edition, inaugurated by PM Modi on 17 September at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi (17–19 September). Exam Points: theme "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem"; 600+ exhibitors (~300 international) from 52 countries; 56 MoUs/announcements; sector — semiconductors & electronics.

3. 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026

Concluded during the month, focused on climate-resilient water management. Exam Points: 9th edition; theme — climate-resilient water management and sustainable water services.

4. Special Campaign 6.0

Government cleanliness-and-pendency drive across ministries, departments and PSUs. Exam Points: preparatory phase 15–30 September 2026; main phase 2–31 October 2026; nodal body DARPG; 2026 adds a focus on e-waste management.

5. 11th Ayurveda Day

Main event at Nagpur, Maharashtra, on 23 September. Exam Points: 11th edition; theme "Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow"; Ministry of Ayush.

6. FSSAI draft on 'Paneer' labelling

FSSAI proposed that only milk-derived products may be sold as "Paneer". Exam Points: regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India); analogue/non-milk products to be labelled differently.

7. TRAI Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026

Issued by TRAI as part of telecom consumer-protection measures. Exam Points: regulator TRAI; Thirteenth Amendment, 2026.

Polity & Governance

8. UPSC completes 100 years

The Union Public Service Commission, established in 1926, marked its centenary with a programme on 30 September–1 October at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Exam Points: established 1926; centenary 2026; a constitutional body (Articles 315–323); commemorative coin, stamp and publication released.

Economy & Banking

9. India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Ratified in September 2026; enters into force 20 October 2026. Exam Points: signed 27 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi; zero-duty access for 100% of India's exports from day one; covers textiles, leather, footwear, engineering and processed agriculture.

10. Index of Eight Core Industries

Grew 4.8% (provisional) in August 2026. Exam Points: eight core sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, electricity; base year 2022–23.

11. RBI liquidity management

System liquidity fell during September after RBI measures and tax outflows. Exam Points: ~₹4.92 lakh crore on 21 September vs ~₹10.34 lakh crore average in early September; RBI used open-market bond sales to absorb surplus.

12. RBI's forward dollar position at a record

Net forward dollar liabilities reached around $200 billion (August data) after large inflows; forex reserves also at record levels. Exam Points: revise — forex reserves, spot vs forward market, dollar-rupee swaps, RBI intervention.

13. RoDTEP extension under consideration

The export-incentive scheme faced a 30 September expiry; an extension was under consideration. Exam Points: RoDTEP = Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products; reimburses embedded taxes not refunded elsewhere; Ministry of Commerce; ~₹230 billion sought for FY 2026–27.

14. Edible oil import duty cut

The government reduced import duty on major edible oils for consumer relief. Exam Points: aimed at easing food inflation and edible-oil import costs.

15. Public-sector banks opened on Sunday, 27 September

PSBs and RRBs were directed to work on 27 September ahead of a proposed 28–30 September bank strike. Exam Points: special working day 27 Sep 2026; covered PSBs + RRBs; approved by RBI.

International Relations

16. 18th BRICS Summit, New Delhi

India hosted the summit on 12–13 September as 2026 BRICS chair; the New Delhi Declaration was adopted and urged restraint over the Middle East. Exam Points: host India; venue New Delhi; India is 2026 BRICS chair; outcome — New Delhi Declaration; China hosts the next summit.

17. Modi–Xi bilateral on the sidelines

PM Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping; the page notes Xi's first India visit in about seven years. Exam Points: India–China; talks on trade, connectivity and border peace; a BRICS AI Open Source Zone for AI cooperation was proposed.

18. 81st UN General Assembly

General Debate held 22–26 September (with a sitting on 28 September). Exam Points: 81st session; theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all".

19. East Asia Summit economic meetings

India took part in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting and the 23rd ASEAN–India Economic Ministers' Consultation. Exam Points: forums — EAS Economic Ministers (14th), ASEAN–India Economic Ministers (23rd); focus — trade and economic cooperation.

Defence

20. Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026

The Indian Air Force hosted this multinational air exercise. Exam Points: service IAF; theme "Power in Partnership"; focus — interoperability and international air cooperation.

21. Exercise VARUNA (India–France)

INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, for the 24th edition of the India–France bilateral naval exercise. Exam Points: VARUNA; 24th edition; India–France; Navy; ship INS Trishul; Toulon, France.

22. Exercise KAZIND-2026 (India–Kazakhstan)

An Indian contingent departed for the joint military exercise with Kazakhstan. Exam Points: KAZIND-2026; India + Kazakhstan; joint military exercise.

23. Naval deployments and activities

INS Sudarshini reached Alexandria, Egypt (mission Lokayan 26); INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish joined an ADMM-Plus Maritime Security activity; the Indian Coast Guard ran the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission. Exam Points: INS Sudarshini (sail training ship) → Alexandria; ADMM-Plus = ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus; QUAD-at-Sea observer mission — Indian Coast Guard.

24. Indian Navy Commanders' Conference 2026

The second (biannual) edition ran 29 September–1 October at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi. Exam Points: venue Nausena Bhawan; reviews operational readiness and capability development.

25. India–Republic of Korea defence cooperation

The 10th Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation was held. Exam Points: India + Republic of Korea; 10th edition.

26. HAL hands over aircraft and helicopters

HAL delivered 2 LCA Tejas FOC twin-seat trainers and 3 HTT-40 basic trainers to the IAF, and 4 Dhruv NG helicopters. Exam Points: manufacturer HAL; LCA Tejas FOC trainers + HTT-40 to IAF.

27. Second Next-Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV)

Steel cutting of the second NGMV took place at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. Exam Points: NGMV (2nd); builder Cochin Shipyard Limited.

28. CORE Programme 2026

A five-day jointness programme, 14–18 September, at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Exam Points: CORE = Combined Operational Review and Evaluation; organised by HQ IDS, conducted by CENJOWS.

Science & Technology

29. Technology Development Board backing for startups

The TDB (under DST) signed agreements of ₹200 crore with Agnikul Cosmos (reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle) and ₹63.84 crore with GalaxEye (multisensor satellite tech). Exam Points: institution TDB (under DST); Agnikul → Agnibaan reusable rocket, ₹200 cr; GalaxEye → multisensor satellite, ₹63.84 cr.

30. DRDO deep-tech quantum project

DRDO signed its first high-value deep-tech agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) for an indigenous 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator for quantum applications. Exam Points: organisation DRDO; scheme TDF; technology — quantum (dilution refrigerator).

31. Bio-based biodegradable plastic launched

Launched under the BioE3 policy framework. Exam Points: BioE3 = Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment.

Environment & Awards

32. World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026

Hosted by India at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 15–18 September. Exam Points: host India; venue Gandhinagar; keyword — circular economy (reduce, reuse, recycle, resource efficiency).

33. 72nd National Film Awards

Presented on 22 September at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat, by President Droupadi Murmu (for films of 2024). Exam Points: 72nd edition; presenter President Droupadi Murmu; Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2024) to Kannada actor Anant Nag; ceremonies to rotate across states in future.

34. 4th Eco Warrior Awards 2026

Held in New Delhi for forest, wildlife and environmental conservation. Exam Points: Lifetime Achievement Award to B. K. Singh; field — forest and wildlife conservation.

Sports

35. 20th Asian Games 2026 — Aichi-Nagoya, Japan

Held 19 September–4 October 2026; India won medals across disciplines. Exam Points: 20th edition; host Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; 43 sports, 469 medal events.

36. India at the Asian Games — key medals

Exam Points: Women's cricket gold — India beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs (22 Sep; Smriti Mandhana 79, captain Harmanpreet Kaur) — India's first gold of the Games; Smriti Mandhana became the first woman to reach 11,000 international runs; Neeru Dhanda — Women's Trap gold; Women's 4×400m relay gold; Women's Trap team silver; Gulveer Singh — Men's 5000m bronze; Pooja — Women's High Jump bronze; Men's 4×400m relay bronze.

Early September (1–9) — from cross-verified sources

37. ISRO launches EOS-05 on GSLV-F17

On 4 September, ISRO launched the Earth-observation satellite EOS-05 from Sriharikota. Exam Points: launch vehicle GSLV-F17; payload ~2,367 kg — the heaviest GSLV transfer-orbit payload; first launch after a ~7-month gap.

38. 26th SCO Summit, Bishkek

PM Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State summit at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (concluded ~1 September). Exam Points: 26th SCO Summit; host Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek).

39. Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026

India beat Sri Lanka in the final (13 September, Dubai) to win a record 8th title. Exam Points: Women's T20 Asia Cup; India's 8th title; (distinct from the Asian Games women's cricket gold on 22 Sep).

Important Days in September

Exam Points: International Day of Peace — 21 Sep; Antyodaya Diwas & World Pharmacists Day — 25 Sep; World Environmental Health Day — 26 Sep; World Tourism Day — 27 Sep; World Rabies Day & International Day for Universal Access to Information — 28 Sep; World Heart Day — 29 Sep; International Translation Day — 30 Sep.