Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (2nd September, 2026) |

National News

India Highlights 13 Key Outcomes of SCO Bishkek Declaration

India welcomed the SCO Bishkek Declaration, which presents 13 major outcomes covering security, terrorism, artificial intelligence, climate change, energy and youth cooperation.
SCO members reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism, separatism and extremism without applying double standards.
New mechanisms for counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics cooperation aim to strengthen information sharing and tackle organised crime, drug trafficking and synthetic drugs.
The organisation also approved an MoU on artificial intelligence and measures related to climate change, energy conservation and efficiency.
India highlighted initiatives including the SCO Young Scientists Forum, Young Authors Conference and Civilisation Dialogue Forum.
Key Fact: The SCO amended its framework to add English as an official and working language.

CARA Launches Adoption Awareness 2026 for Legal Adoption

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) launched the Adoption Awareness 2026 campaign on September 1, 2026.
The campaign promotes legal, safe, transparent and child-centric adoption while discouraging private and unlawful adoption arrangements.
Its theme is “Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption!”, focusing on children’s rights, identity and dignity.
The year-round initiative will involve Women and Child Development departments, police, healthcare providers, courts, child-care institutions and NGOs.
State and Union Territory workshops will begin in September, while a Delhi workshop on September 10 will address lawful surrender and prescribed adoption procedures.
Key Fact: CARA CEO Bhavna Saxena launched the campaign during a live DD National morning show.

PM Modi Highlights Security, Connectivity, Opportunity at SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1, 2026.
He presented India’s three-pillar vision for the SCO: Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
On security, Modi called for stronger action against terrorism, terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation, safe havens and drug trafficking.
India supported connectivity projects that respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with improved customs procedures and digital documentation.
The Opportunity pillar focuses on youth, entrepreneurs and farmers through initiatives such as the SCO Start-up Forum and Young Scientists’ Forum.
Key Fact: The 2026 SCO Summit marked the organisation’s 25th anniversary.

PM Modi to Address Jal Shakti Summit on September 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to address the valedictory session of the Jal Shakti Departmental Summit on September 2, 2026, in New Delhi.
The two-day summit brought together Centre and State leaders and senior officials to strengthen Team India, cooperative federalism and governance outcomes.
Discussions focused on accelerating water infrastructure projects, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, Catch the Rain and sustainable drinking-water sources.
Reliable rural water systems and operation and maintenance under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 received special attention.
The summit aimed to identify implementation challenges, share best practices and prepare time-bound action plans.
Key Fact: The summit was held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 1–2.

AIIA Launches AyurVarta Series Ahead of Ayurveda Day 2026

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, launched the ‘AyurVarta’ digital dialogue series ahead of Ayurveda Day 2026.
The series aims to spread authentic Ayurveda knowledge and explain its scientific perspective and contemporary relevance.
The inaugural episode featured AIIA Director Professor (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati and Dean Professor (Dr.) Mahesh Vyas.
Discussions included the significance of September 23 as the date for Ayurveda Day and its connection with the Autumnal Equinox.
Future episodes will cover research, education, clinical practice, innovation, public health, medicinal plants and Ayurveda’s global role.
Key Fact: Ayurveda Day 2026 is scheduled for September 23.

Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 2026 Campaign Launched Nationwide

India launched the fifth edition of the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar (SSSS v.5.0) campaign on September 1, 2026.
The campaign will run from September 12 to September 19 across more than 100 beach locations.
It focuses on reducing marine litter and strengthening coastal conservation along India’s extensive coastline.
Implemented under the PRITHVI scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, it combines beach cleanups with shoreline erosion and seawater-quality monitoring.
The 2026 edition introduces a national Ocean Olympiad to involve young people in ocean conservation and has also launched a public conservation pledge portal.
Key Fact: The campaign covers India’s 11,098-kilometre coastline.

LiDAR Survey to Map Hidden Monuments at Lakkundi

A six-month LiDAR survey at Lakkundi in Karnataka’s Gadag district will search for buried and undocumented structures from the Kalyana-Chalukya era.
The project is being undertaken through an MoU between Karnataka’s Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage and NIAS, Bengaluru.
LiDAR, GIS mapping, remote sensing and Ground Penetrating Radar will be combined with archaeological field documentation.
These technologies can identify hidden structures while reducing the need for extensive excavation.
Lakkundi is renowned for temples, stepwells and inscriptions and is traditionally associated with “101 wells and 101 temples.”
Key Fact: Authorities have identified 70 monuments since 2023, while excavations have recovered more than 3,300 artefacts.

IIT Madras, UNESCO MGIEP Partner to Develop AI Learning Tools

IIT Madras and UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development signed a cooperation agreement on September 1, 2026.
The partnership aims to develop next-generation artificial intelligence and immersive learning technologies.
UNESCO MGIEP contributes expertise in Social and Emotional Learning, while IIT Madras brings capabilities in AI, Extended Reality and game design.
The partners will develop open-source, low-cost digital learning tools suitable for low-bandwidth environments.
Joint research will cover educational technology, pedagogy and learning sciences, supported by faculty and researcher exchanges.
Key Fact: The planned tools are designed to support personalised and interactive education, including lesson planning and assessments incorporating SEL concepts.

State News

Maharashtra Approves Drug-Free Policy Targeting 2029

The Maharashtra government approved a comprehensive Drug-Free Policy 2029 on September 1, 2026, using a Whole-of-Government Approach.
The policy targets the complete illegal drug chain, including cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, sale and consumption.
Its four pillars are strict enforcement, reducing drug supply, reducing demand, and de-addiction, treatment and rehabilitation.
Multiple departments will coordinate with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force through designated nodal officers.
From the 2027 academic year, schools will conduct at least one drug-awareness lesson annually from Class V onwards, while higher education institutions will promote drug-free campuses.
Key Fact: Maharashtra will announce a Best Drug-Free District award every year on June 26.

International News

Apple Maps Renames Lake Ontario as Lake America in US

Apple Maps changed the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for users in the United States on September 1, 2026.
The change followed a federal name change in the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Users in Canada continued to see the name “Lake Ontario,” while users elsewhere reportedly saw both names.
GNIS is maintained by the US Geological Survey and standardises geographic names used in federal maps and records.
Lake Ontario is one of North America’s five Great Lakes and is situated between Ontario, Canada, and New York, US.
Key Fact: Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five Great Lakes by surface area.

Trump Nominates Hung Cao as US Navy Secretary

US President Donald Trump nominated Hung Cao on September 1, 2026, to become the permanent United States Secretary of the Navy.
Cao had been serving as Acting Secretary since April 22, 2026, after previously serving as Under Secretary of the Navy.
The Secretary of the Navy is the civilian head of the Department of the Navy and oversees the US Navy and Marine Corps under the Department of Defense.
Cao retired as a US Navy Captain in October 2021 after 25 years of military service.
His service included special operations, diving and explosive ordnance disposal missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.
Key Fact: Cao established the Navy’s Office of the Defense Industrial Base in August 2026.

Guterres to Attend 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will participate in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.
India is hosting the summit at Bharat Mandapam after assuming the BRICS chairship on January 1.
India’s theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The agenda focuses on political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
More than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been organised across more than 25 Indian cities during India’s BRICS chairship.
Key Fact: The 18th BRICS Summit coincides with the grouping’s 20th anniversary.

Banking News

RBI Appoints Suman Ray as Executive Director From September 1

The Reserve Bank of India appointed Suman Ray as Executive Director, effective September 1, 2026.
Before his elevation, Ray served as RBI’s Regional Director for Maharashtra.
In his new position, he will oversee the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation and the Premises Department.
Ray has more than three decades of experience at the central bank across several important functions.
His previous responsibilities included currency management, financial inclusion, payment and settlement systems, consumer education and protection, and human resources.
Key Fact: Ray has also served as Secretary to the Western Area Local Board of the RBI.

UPI Transactions Hit Record 24.51 Billion in August

India’s UPI ecosystem processed a record 24.51 billion transactions worth ₹29.82 trillion in August 2026, according to NPCI data.
Transaction volume increased 3.6% month-on-month and 22% year-on-year, marking the second consecutive monthly record.
Average daily transactions rose from 763 million in July to 791 million in August.
Average daily transaction value stood at ₹96,205 crore, while overall value remained close to July’s record level.
Other payment systems showed mixed performance, with IMPS declining while FASTag and AePS volumes increased.
Key Fact: August 2026 marked the second consecutive monthly record for UPI transaction volume.

IPPB Marks 9th Foundation Day With New Digital Services

India Post Payments Bank marked its 9th Foundation Day on September 1, 2026, by introducing new digital financial services.
It launched the DakPay Sound Box for merchants, a Digital Insurance Technology Platform and a Digital Mutual Fund Platform.
As of March 31, 2026, IPPB had 13.25 crore customers, with 77% living in rural areas and 49% being women.
Customer deposits stood at ₹29,104 crore, while digital financial transactions reached ₹21.61 lakh crore.
New savings products include SHG Savings Account, Surakshit Savings Account and Sampoorna Savings Account.
Key Fact: IPPB had 13.25 crore customers as of March 31, 2026.

Ujjivan SFB Names Carol Furtado Interim CEO, MSME Head

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank appointed Carol Furtado as Interim CEO for three months from September 1, 2026, with RBI approval.
The leadership change followed MD and CEO Sanjeev Nautiyal’s early retirement on health grounds, with formal retirement scheduled for November 30.
The bank also appointed Vikas Agrawal as Business Head for MSME, effective September 1.
Agrawal has more than 25 years of banking experience and will focus on expanding secured MSME lending and diversifying the portfolio.
The changes came after strong Q1 FY27 performance, with net profit rising 206.7% to ₹317 crore.
Key Fact: Ujjivan SFB’s Q1 FY27 net interest income rose 38.6% to ₹1,186 crore.

Economy News

India’s Current Account Deficit Widens to $4.2 Billion in Q1

India’s current account deficit widened to $4.2 billion, or 0.5% of GDP, in Q1 FY27.
This compared with a deficit of $3.4 billion, or 0.4% of GDP, in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
The main pressure came from the merchandise trade deficit, which increased to $86.1 billion from $68.9 billion.
Stronger services receipts provided some support, with net services receipts rising to $51.6 billion.
Personal transfer receipts, mainly remittances, increased to $42.9 billion, while net FDI inflows improved to $6.1 billion.
Key Fact: Net services receipts rose from $47.9 billion to $51.6 billion year-on-year.

India’s August GST Collections Rise 14.8% to ₹2 Trillion

India’s gross GST collections rose 14.8% year-on-year to nearly ₹2 trillion in August 2026.
Although collections moderated from July’s record ₹2.11 trillion, they continued to register strong annual growth.
Import-related GST revenue increased 29% to ₹62,604 crore, while domestic GST collections rose 9% to ₹1.37 trillion.
After refunds, net GST collections stood at ₹1.68 trillion, representing an 8.3% annual increase.
During April–August 2026, gross GST collections increased 11% to ₹10.43 trillion, while net collections reached ₹8.89 trillion.
Key Fact: GST collections during April–August 2026 reached ₹10.43 trillion on a gross basis.

Appointments News

FADA Appoints Sai Giridhar as 38th President for 2026-28

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations appointed Sai Giridhar as its 38th President for the 2026–28 term on September 1, 2026.
Giridhar succeeded C S Vigneshwar and is the Managing Director of Jaipur-based Saisha Motors.
He brings more than three decades of experience in the automobile industry.
The new leadership team includes Amar Jatin Sheth as Vice President, Pradeep Agarwal as Secretary and Bharat Kumar Chordia as Treasurer.
FADA is India’s apex automobile dealer body and represents retailers while addressing industry policy and regulatory concerns.
Key Fact: Giridhar’s company, Saisha Motors, operates dealerships for Skoda, Volvo Cars, JSW MG Motor and MG Select.

Defense News

Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb Takes Over As Air Officer Maintenance

Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of the Indian Air Force on September 1, 2026.
He succeeded Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia, who retired after 39 years of service.
Sanjeeb was commissioned into the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical Branch) on September 3, 1988.
He has held important positions including Director General (Aircraft), Director General (System) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Maintenance Plans).
In 2003, he led the Air HQ project team that inducted the IAF’s first IL-78 flight refueller aircraft.
Key Fact: Sanjeeb received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.

Shakti Sharma Becomes First Woman Non-Medical Air Vice Marshal

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in India’s Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
She was commissioned into the Indian Air Force Education Branch on June 18, 1994.
Sharma has completed more than three decades of service across training institutions, field formations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters.
On September 1, 2026, she took charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.
She also established IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.
Key Fact: Sharma became the first Tri-Services woman officer to command a Sainik School, serving as Principal of Sainik School Kapurthala.

Science & Tech News

Türkiye Becomes 71st Signatory of NASA Artemis Accords

Türkiye officially joined the NASA Artemis Accords on August 31, 2026, becoming the 71st country to sign the international framework.
The agreement promotes peaceful and cooperative exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Its principles include transparency, scientific data sharing, astronaut assistance and protection of lunar heritage sites.
Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır signed the agreement at NASA headquarters in Washington.
Türkiye is expanding its national space programme and is preparing AYAP-1, its first lunar mission.
Key Fact: Türkiye became the 71st country to sign the Artemis Accords.

Important Days News

World Coconut Day 2026: Date, History, Significance and Facts

World Coconut Day is observed annually on September 2, and in 2026 it falls on Wednesday.
The observance highlights coconut’s importance in agriculture, food, trade, rural livelihoods and sustainable resource use.
Coconut is often called the “tree of life” because it provides products such as water, milk, oil, flesh, husk and shell.
World Coconut Day was first observed in 2009 and is associated with the International Coconut Community, formerly known as the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community.
The day promotes sustainable coconut farming, farmer livelihoods, value addition and coconut-based industries in tropical and coastal regions.
Key Fact: The 2026 official theme had not been confirmed in the source material.