Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (26th September, 2026) |

National News

APEDA Flags Off GI-Tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal Export to Maldives

APEDA facilitated the export of 1 MT GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to Maldives on September 24, 2026.
The initiative aims to expand overseas markets for India’s GI-tagged agricultural products.
Farmers received ₹82/kg, compared with the market price of ₹60/kg.
This provided farmers an additional ₹22/kg, or around 36.7% higher realisation.
The consignment was exported by M/s Silken Global Exports and Imports, Mysuru, and transported by sea.
Key Fact: Gulbarga Tur Dal received GI registration in 2019.

India Declares Four Ports as Mega Ports Under 2025 Act

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways notified four Indian ports as mega ports on September 25, 2026.
The notification was issued under Section 73 of the Indian Ports Act, 2025.
The ports are Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Paradip Port and Mundra Port.
A port qualifies as a mega port after handling 150 MMT bulk cargo or 7.5 million TEUs in the previous financial year.
The designation remains valid for five years, subject to reevaluation, without changing the original major/non-major classification.
Key Fact: Mundra Port was previously classified as a non-major port.

State News

AFSPA Extended in Parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh

The Central Government extended AFSPA, 1958 in specified areas of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
The extension will remain effective from October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, unless withdrawn earlier.
In Manipur, the disturbed-area declaration excludes areas under 13 police stations across five districts.
In Nagaland, it covers nine districts and areas under 21 police stations in five other districts.
In Arunachal Pradesh, it continues in Tirap, Changlang and Longding and specified areas of Namsai district.
Key Fact: Section 3 of AFSPA empowers authorities to declare an area as disturbed.

President Murmu Returns West Bengal Anti-Goonda Bill

President Droupadi Murmu returned the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026 for reconsideration.
The West Bengal Assembly had passed the Bill on June 29, 2026.
It proposes measures including preventive detention for up to 12 months and restrictions on entry into specified areas.
The Centre raised concerns over provisions covering certain offences under the NDPS Act, 1985.
The issue involves possible overlap with the PITNDPS Act, 1988, raising questions under Article 254.
Key Fact: Article 201 allows a state legislature to reconsider and repass a returned Bill.

Maharashtra Declares Drought Across 265 Talukas, Announces Relief

Maharashtra declared drought conditions in 265 of its 358 talukas following deficient 2026 Kharif monsoon rainfall.
The declaration was made under Trigger-1 of the Drought Management Code, 2016.
A 12-point relief package was activated for farmers, agricultural labourers and rural households.
District Collectors were directed to conduct panchnamas and collect GPS-based geotagged photographs.
Relief includes land-revenue waiver, loan restructuring, electricity concessions, exam-fee waiver, tankers, foodgrains and fodder.
Key Fact: The affected talukas span six divisions of Maharashtra.

International News

US and China Agree on AI Incident Communication Channel

The United States and China agreed to establish a bilateral AI incident communication channel during the September 2026 Trump-Xi summit.
The mechanism will enable direct communication during AI-related incidents requiring rapid clarification or coordination.
Earlier discussions involved Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
Both countries also agreed to establish a US-China Super Intelligence (SI) Dialogue.
The next exchange under the dialogue is expected by November 2026.
Key Fact: Xi Jinping stressed that AI development should remain under human control.

India and Liberia Launch Maritime Safety Group at UNGA

India and Liberia launched the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers in New York.
The initiative was launched on September 25, 2026, during UNGA High-Level Week.
India and Liberia will serve as the co-chairs of the multilateral initiative.
It focuses on shipping safety, maritime security, seafarer welfare and international regulatory compliance.
The initiative also addresses environmental stewardship and emerging maritime-security challenges.
Key Fact: The initiative is linked to IMO and ILO frameworks.

India Signs UN Convention to Strengthen Global Cybercrime Cooperation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar signed the UN Convention against Cybercrime on September 25, 2026.
The convention is the first comprehensive global treaty on cybercrime.
It was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, through Resolution 79/243.
The treaty establishes cooperation on cybercrime investigations, electronic evidence, extradition and recovery of criminal proceeds.
It also creates a 24/7 Network and provides technical assistance and capacity-building.
Key Fact: The convention requires 40 ratifications to enter into force.

Saudi Arabia Withdraws From mBridge Cross-Border Payment Project

Saudi Arabia withdrew from Project mBridge in 2025, according to the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
mBridge is a multi-central-bank digital currency project for improving cross-border payments and settlement.
It uses distributed ledger technology (DLT) and wholesale central bank digital currencies.
Saudi Arabia joined as an observer in 2023 and became a full participant in 2024.
The project reached its minimum viable product stage in 2024.
Key Fact: mBridge was launched in 2021 by the BIS Innovation Hub and partner central banks.

Jaishankar to Address 81st UN General Assembly in New York

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to address the 81st UNGA High-Level Session on September 26, 2026.
The 81st UNGA is being held in New York under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation.”
The session opened on September 8, 2026, while the General Debate runs from September 22 to 28.
Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh is the President of the 81st UNGA session.
Key areas include peace and security, sustainable development, climate resilience, human rights and technological transformation.
Key Fact: The UN General Assembly represents 193 Member States, with one vote per country.

Appointments News

Mandeep K Bhandari Appointed New CBSE Chairperson

The government appointed Mandeep K Bhandari as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
The appointment was made on September 25, 2026, with approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Bhandari is a 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre.
He will hold the post in the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary to the Union Government.
The position was temporarily upgraded for his appointment.
Key Fact: Mandeep K Bhandari belongs to the AGMUT cadre.

Business News

Government Approves Dinesh Pant’s Premature LIC Retirement

The Central Government approved the premature termination of Dinesh Pant’s LIC Managing Director appointment following voluntary retirement.
The decision became effective on September 24, 2026.
Pant had assumed charge as LIC Managing Director on June 1, 2025.
His original tenure was scheduled to continue until May 31, 2027.
He previously served as LIC’s Appointed Actuary and Executive Director (Actuarial).
Key Fact: Pant was appointed IRDAI Whole-Time Member (Actuary) in June 2026.

Economy News

Government Plans ₹7.86 Trillion H2FY27 Market Borrowing Programme

The central government plans to raise ₹7.86 trillion through dated securities during H2FY27.
The borrowing programme covers October 2026 to March 2027, following ₹8.14 trillion in H1FY27.
Gross market borrowing for FY27 is projected at around ₹16 trillion.
The government plans 23 weekly auctions, each raising ₹33,000–36,000 crore.
It will also issue ₹15,000 crore in sovereign green bonds and ₹2.99 trillion through T-Bills in Q3FY27.
Key Fact: The H2FY27 WMA limit is ₹50,000 crore.

Defense News

INS Trishul Joins 24th India-France VARUNA Naval Exercise

Indian Navy warship INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on September 22, 2026.
It is participating in the 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA with the French Navy.
VARUNA was initiated in 2001 to strengthen naval cooperation, coordination and interoperability.
The 2026 exercise includes harbour and sea phases, cross-deck visits, operational interactions and best-practice exchanges.
INS Trishul is a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate commissioned in 2003.
Key Fact: VARUNA is the bilateral naval exercise between India and France.

Ranks & Reports News

Delhi Leads Indian Cities in Oxford Global Cities Index 2026

Delhi ranked 268th globally in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026.
It was the highest-ranked Indian city among the 1,000 cities assessed.
Bengaluru ranked 311th, Mumbai 330th, Chennai 381st and Hyderabad 421st.
Delhi ranked 13th in Human Capital and 116th in Economics.
The index evaluates Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance.
Key Fact: New York ranked first globally in the index.

Sports News

India Secures Women’s 50m Rifle 3P Team Silver

India won silver in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event at the Asian Games 2026.
Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal and Ashi Chouksey combined for 1763 points.
China won gold with 1773 points, while Kazakhstan secured bronze with 1754 points.
Tilottama scored 590 points and finished third in individual qualification.
Vidarsa scored 588 points and finished sixth, while Ashi scored 585 points.
Key Fact: India’s team qualification score was 1763 points.

Sawan Barwal Ends India’s 44-Year Asian Games Marathon Wait

Sawan Barwal won silver in the men’s marathon at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 26, 2026.
He completed the 42.195-km race in 2:11:37.
Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita won gold with a time of 2:10:49.
Barwal ended India’s 44-year wait for an Asian Games marathon medal.
He also improved his previous national record of 2:11:58 by 21 seconds.
Key Fact: Barwal became India’s first Asian Games marathon medallist since 1982.

India Defends Women’s Kabaddi Title with Fourth Gold

India defeated Iran 37-33 in the women’s kabaddi final on September 26, 2026.
The final was played at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
India completed an unbeaten five-match campaign at the Asian Games.
It defeated Bangladesh, Iran and Japan in the group stage before beating Nepal in the semifinal.
The victory successfully defended India’s Hangzhou 2022 women’s kabaddi title.
Key Fact: India has won women’s kabaddi gold in 2010, 2014, 2022 and 2026.

Baranica Elangovan Makes History with Asian Games Bronze

Baranica Elangovan won bronze in the women’s pole vault at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
She became the first Indian to win an Asian Games pole vault medal.
Baranica cleared 4.15 metres, sharing bronze with Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova.
She successfully cleared 3.85m and 4.00m before clearing 4.15m in two attempts.
Her 2026 season included an Indian national record of 4.23m set in Bhubaneswar.
Key Fact: Baranica’s medal was India’s first Asian Games pole vault medal.

Important Days News

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Birth Anniversary: Key Contributions

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was born on September 26, 1820, in Birsingha village, West Bengal.
He was a Sanskrit scholar, educationist, writer and social reformer of the Bengal Renaissance.
He received the title “Vidyasagar,” meaning Ocean of Knowledge, after studying at Sanskrit College, Calcutta.
His campaign for widow remarriage contributed to the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, 1856.
He also promoted women’s education and helped establish girls’ schools across Bengal.
Key Fact: The Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act was passed on July 25, 1856.

CSIR Marks 85 Years of Scientific Research and Innovation

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is observing its 85th Foundation Day on September 26, 2026.
CSIR was established on September 26, 1942, and is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It has a nationwide R&D network comprising 37 national laboratories.
Its headquarters is located at Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, with Dr. N. Kalaiselvi as Director General.
CSIR conducts research in areas including hydrogen, carbon capture, solar energy, plastic recycling and energy storage.
Key Fact: CSIR was established on September 26, 19422.