Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (3rd September, 2026) |

National News

India Plans 100 New Airports Under Modified UDAN Scheme

India plans to develop 100 new airports over the next 10 years under the Modified UDAN scheme.
The scheme has a central budgetary outlay of ₹28,840 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36.
The initiative was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026.
It aims to improve regional air connectivity in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, Himalayan regions, islands and remote areas.
India’s active airport count increased from 74 in 2014 to 166 in 2026.
Key Fact: The scheme also plans 200 new helipads.

Gollala Gudi Temple Declared Monument of National Importance

The ASI declared Gollala Gudi Temple a Monument of National Importance through a Gazette notification dated August 31, 2026.
The temple is located at Palampet in Mulugu district, Telangana.
It is a Kakatiya-era Trikutalaya featuring three sanctums.
The central shrine houses a Shiva Linga, while the temple has intricate Kakatiya-style carvings.
Sculptures of Vishnu, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Mahishasuramardini adorn the temple walls.
Key Fact: Gollala Gudi Temple is located near the Ramappa Temple UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Named Ram Temple Trust CEO

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed the first CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
He was commissioned as an Indian Air Force fighter pilot on December 6, 1986.
Mishra has more than three decades of operational and leadership experience.
He has logged more than 3,000 hours of flying as a fighter combat leader and experimental test pilot.
Around 5,200 applications were received for the post, with 18 candidates shortlisted for interviews.
Key Fact: Jeetendra Mishra is the first CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

State News

Kerala Plans Coconut Park to Boost Value Addition and Exports

The Kerala government plans to establish a Coconut Park with support from the Coconut Development Board.
The park will focus on coconut processing, value addition, packaging, branding and marketing.
It aims to promote premium-quality coconut products for international markets.
The initiative is expected to create opportunities for entrepreneurship, investment and product development.
Kerala plans discussions with exporters and stakeholders within three months to develop export-oriented projects.
Key Fact: The initiative was announced during World Coconut Day 2026 celebrations on September 2.

Tamil Nadu Proposes 21-Day Limit for Business Clearances

Tamil Nadu introduced the Tamil Nadu Business Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the State Assembly.
The Bill proposes a 21-day limit for processing business and regulatory clearances.
Existing shorter timelines will continue, while Central-law clearances will follow their respective timelines.
The Bill proposes a Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Commission chaired by the Chief Secretary.
The commission will monitor major projects involving investment of ₹200 crore or more or employment for 5,000 or more people.
Key Fact: The proposed standard processing limit for eligible clearances is 21 days.

Ahmedabad Launches Hub-and-Spoke International Flight Services

Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport launched hub-and-spoke flight operations on September 1, 2026.
It became the third Indian airport under the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s hub-and-spoke framework.
Air India’s Easy Connect service uses two daily Ahmedabad–Delhi flights, AI1121 and AI1117.
Eligible passengers can complete customs, immigration and baggage procedures in Ahmedabad.
The government plans to extend the model to 22 more airports, including Surat.
Key Fact: Ahmedabad became the third hub after Varanasi and Amritsar.

Supreme Court Directs Tamil Nadu to Regulate Fishing Vessel Transit

The Supreme Court directed Tamil Nadu to frame rules specifying a designated channel for fishing vessels to reach the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The September 2, 2026 order concerns vessels using purse seine nets and delays in fishing permits.
The Court noted that 226 of 257 applications on the ReALCRaft Portal were pending as of August 3.
Only six permits had been issued from those applications.
The Court highlighted fishermen’s right to practise their profession under Article 19(1)(g).
Key Fact: India’s EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast.

Economy News

India Could Push Economic Growth Beyond 8%, Says Ajay Banga

World Bank President Ajay Banga said India has the potential to raise economic growth beyond 8%.
He cited strong services, exports and sustained investment as major growth drivers.
Banga described India’s current 7–8% growth as robust despite global challenges.
He stressed the need to convert economic growth into jobs and opportunities for India’s young population.
He highlighted infrastructure, regulatory reforms, education, healthcare and skilling as important priorities.
Key Fact: Banga said India could potentially achieve more than 8% economic growth.

India’s Sovereign Credit Rating Upgraded to A- by JCR

The Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) upgraded India’s sovereign credit rating from BBB+ to A-.
JCR maintained a Stable outlook for India.
The upgrade reflected strong economic growth, improving fiscal quality and a resilient financial system.
India recorded real GDP growth of 7.8% in fiscal 2026.
The central government’s fiscal deficit improved from 4.7% of GDP in FY2025 to 4.4% in FY2026.
Key Fact: India’s new JCR sovereign rating is A-.

Business News

IRDAI Proposes Public Insurance Registry to Boost Sector

The IRDAI has proposed a Public Insurance Registry (PIR) as interoperable digital public infrastructure for the insurance sector.
A consultation paper on the proposal was released on September 1, 2026.
The registry could allow policyholders to view policies, track claims and grievances, compare products and identify unclaimed insurance amounts.
PIR is proposed as an access layer rather than a centralised database.
Eight stakeholder groups, including policyholders, insurers, reinsurers and government departments, are expected to participate.
Key Fact: Stakeholders can submit feedback on the proposal until September 30, 2026.

Vivek Jetley to Become Hexaware Technologies CEO

Hexaware Technologies appointed Vivek Jetley as CEO Designate.
His appointment will take effect from October 28, 2026.
He will succeed outgoing CEO Srikrishna Ramakarthikeyan (Keech).
Keech will step down from the company’s Board but continue as Senior Advisor.
Jetley will focus on strengthening Hexaware’s position as an AI-led services company.
Key Fact: Vivek Jetley will become CEO of Hexaware Technologies on October 28, 2026.

Banking News

GIFT IFSC Records Strong Growth in International Banking Activity

GIFT IFSC in Gujarat is expanding its role as an international financial centre through foreign-currency banking and capital-market activity.
As of August 31, 2026, 20 International Banking Units had sanctioned $54.02 billion under the RBI’s special swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits.
Of this amount, $52.82 billion had been disbursed.
IBUs disbursed $11.62 billion in External Commercial Borrowings between April and August 2026.
Indian banks also raised $11.12 billion through bond listings on GIFT IFSC exchanges during the period.
Key Fact: GIFT IFSC is regulated by the IFSCA.

Awards News

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024 Announced

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024.
Baljeet Kaur and Skalzang Rigzin received awards for Land Adventure.
Rimo Saha received the award for Water Adventure.
Shiv Prasad Chamoli received the award for Lifetime Achievement.
No award was given in the Air Adventure category.
Key Fact: Each awardee will receive ₹15 lakh, a statuette and a certificate.

Defense News

Surgeon Vice Admiral Dilip Raghavan Takes Charge as DG Hospital Services

Surgeon Vice Admiral Dilip Raghavan, VSM, assumed charge as Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) on September 1, 2026.
He joined the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, in 1985 and completed his MBBS in 1989.
He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 26, 1989.
He has served as Command Medical Officer of the Southern and Eastern Naval Commands.
He also commanded INHS Asvini, Mumbai, which received the Raksha Mantri Trophy for Best Command Hospital during his tenure.
Key Fact: Raghavan was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) on January 26, 2026.

Aero India 2027 to Showcase India’s Growing Defence Capabilities

The 16th edition of Aero India will be held at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, from February 8 to 12, 2027.
The Ministry of Defence announced the event on September 2, 2026.
The exhibition will be primarily organised by the Department of Defence Production.
The event will use nine exhibition hangars, designated A to I.
Hangars A and B will be reserved for the IAF and DRDO, while international registration begins on September 3, 2026.
Key Fact: India’s defence exports reached ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025–26.

Abhinandan Varthaman Joins Goa-Based Regional Airline FLY91

Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot.
He resigned from the IAF on March 31, 2026, after nearly 22 years of military service.
He joined FLY91 in August 2026 for mandatory type training and clearances.
Varthaman gained international recognition during the February 27, 2019 aerial engagement near the Line of Control.
He was awarded the Vir Chakra in November 2021.
Key Fact: FLY91 operates ATR 72-600 aircraft for regional connectivity.

DRDO-UoH Patent Advances Next-Generation Rocket Propulsion

Scientists from DRDO and the University of Hyderabad (UoH) secured a patent for BAM-H24.
BAM-H24 is a high-energy compound containing boron, hydrogen and nitrogen.
The compound was developed through research at ACRHEM.
It has high chemical and thermal stability and resistance to impact and friction.
Scientists expect it to provide high specific impulse and low ignition delay for solid rocket propulsion.
Key Fact: The patented compound is named BAM-H24.

IAF Conducts Drop Trial of Khagantak-243 Glide Bomb

The Indian Air Force successfully conducted a drop trial of the indigenous Khagantak-243 long-range glide bomb on September 2, 2026.
The weapon was released from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.
It is a stand-off precision-guided munition designed to strike targets from considerable distances.
The glide bomb reportedly has a range of over 140 km when released from around 12,000 metres.
It uses INS, jamming-resistant satellite navigation and terminal EO/IR or passive homing seekers.
Key Fact: Khagantak-243 was co-developed by JSR Dynamics and BEL.

Science & Technology News

IIT Mandi Study Identifies Critical Glacial Lakes in Himachal

An IIT Mandi study identified nine to 12 potentially critical glacial lakes in Himachal Pradesh.
Researchers examined more than 2,000 lakes and numerous glaciers.
Several lakes expanded by 30% to 60% over the past decade.
The expansion raises concerns about Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
The NDMA identified Ghepan, Vasuk, Kashang and a lake near Baspa for immediate attention.
Key Fact: Ghepan, Yoche and Kali Kund showed continuous changes and annual expansion.

New Zealand Kākāpō Population Reaches 325 Birds

New Zealand’s critically threatened kākāpō population has reached 325 birds.
The population increased after 90 chicks survived to 150 days during the 2026 breeding season.
The flightless, nocturnal parrot is scientifically known as Strigops habroptilus.
In 2026, 79 females nested and produced 258 eggs and 106 hatchlings.
The Kākāpō Recovery Programme uses predator control, monitoring, supplementary feeding and managed breeding.
Key Fact: The population has recovered from just 51 birds in 1995.

Sports News

Tamil Nadu to Establish World-Class Olympic City in Chennai

Tamil Nadu has announced plans to establish a world-class Olympic City in Chennai.
The project will be developed by the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority.
It will integrate training, competition and specialised athlete-support facilities.
The proposed facility will include sports arenas, modern equipment and a high-performance training centre.
Dedicated sports science and sports medicine centres will support athlete performance, recovery and rehabilitation.
Key Fact: The Olympic City will be developed as an integrated sports hub.

Ahmedabad to Host World Archery Para Series 2026

India will host the Hyundai World Archery Para Series 2026 for the first time.
Stage 3 will be held in Ahmedabad from September 5 to 9, 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
The event will feature Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1 and Visually Impaired categories.
More than 100 athletes from around 20 countries are expected to participate.
India will field a 29-member squad, including Paris 2024 Paralympic medallists Harvinder Singh, Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar.
Key Fact: Ahmedabad is hosting Stage 3 of the 2026 series.

ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 Moves to India

The ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 will be hosted by India.
The inaugural tournament was shifted from Sri Lanka amid concerns over government interference in Sri Lanka Cricket.
The tournament will be held from February 14 to February 28, 2027.
Six teams—Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka—will participate.
Matches will be played at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and the International Cricket Stadium in Vadodara.
Key Fact: The 2027 tournament will be the first edition of the Women’s Champions Trophy.