September 2026: Important Days Till Today

National Punctuation Day Observed on 24 September 2026

• Annual Observance: National Punctuation Day is observed annually on 24 September to promote awareness of correct punctuation and clear written communication.
• Historical Background: The observance was founded in 2004 by Jeff Rubin in the United States. Rubin promoted the importance of proper punctuation and writing skills, and the observance was listed in Chase's Calendar of Events.
• Educational Significance: Schools, universities and educators have used the day for punctuation-related activities, contests and educational programmes.
• Importance of Punctuation: Correct punctuation helps convey meaning clearly and can be particularly important in formal, contractual and legal writing.

Deep Depression over Bay of Bengal Crosses North Andhra Pradesh–South Odisha Coast

• Weather System: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) tracked a Deep Depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal in September 2026. The system moved west-northwestwards and crossed the North Andhra Pradesh–South Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam during the night of 23 September/early 24 September.
• Cyclone Naming: “Arnab” is the next cyclone name contributed by Bangladesh under the North Indian Ocean naming system. However, the September 2026 system did not intensify into a Cyclonic Storm and was therefore not officially named Arnab.
• Impact: The system brought heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, while rainfall activity also affected West Bengal and adjoining regions. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea along affected coastal areas.
• Preparedness: State authorities and disaster-management agencies were placed on alert, while residents in vulnerable areas and fishermen were advised to follow official weather and safety advisories.

WWF Global Conservation Conference Inaugurated in Jaipur

• Conference: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the WWF Global Conservation Conference in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on 21 September 2026.
• International Participation: Representatives from more than 100 countries participated in the conference.
• Conservation Focus: Discussions emphasized wildlife conservation, coexistence, scientific monitoring, habitat protection, species recovery and community participation.
• Rajasthan Focus: The conference highlighted Rajasthan's Great Indian Bustard conservation-breeding programme and community-led protection of Oran sacred groves.

India Reaffirms 2030 Goal for Hepatitis C Elimination under NVHCP

• National Programme: India's National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) aims for countrywide elimination of Hepatitis C by 2030, while seeking significant reductions in Hepatitis B and C infections, morbidity and mortality.
• Launch: NVHCP was launched on 28 July 2018, World Hepatitis Day.
• Healthcare Services: The programme provides access to free diagnostics and medicines for eligible patients and supports prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.
• Global Alignment: The programme supports India's commitment to United Nations SDG Target 3.3, which includes combating hepatitis by 2030.

Assam to Become Fully Paperless through e-Office by 1 January 2027

• Digital Governance: The Assam government has set 1 January 2027 as the deadline for government offices across the state to transition fully to the NIC-developed e-Office system.
• Current Progress: All 58 departments of the Assam Secretariat are already using e-Office, while implementation is being extended to directorates and Deputy Commissioners' offices.
• Function: The platform enables electronic receipt and movement of files, digital preparation of notes and drafts, digital signatures and electronic archiving.

Delhi Police to Constitute Dedicated 'Pink Force' for Women's Safety

• Directive: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed the Delhi Police to create a dedicated ‘Pink Force’ comprising trained women police personnel.
• Deployment: The proposed women-centric patrol unit will conduct high-visibility patrolling around schools, colleges, metro stations and other vulnerable locations, particularly during vulnerable hours.
• Model: The proposed force is being planned along the lines of Goa Police's Pink Force.
• Objective: The initiative aims to strengthen visible policing, deterrence and rapid response to incidents involving harassment and women's safety in vulnerable public spaces.

Justice Nisha Sahay Saxena Appointed as Permanent Judge of the Delhi High Court

• Judicial Appointment: Justice Nisha Sahay Saxena was appointed a permanent judge of the Delhi High Court.
• Collegium Recommendation: The Supreme Court Collegium recommended her appointment on 10 September 2026.
• Government Notification: The Union Government subsequently notified her appointment along with six other judicial officers.
• Oath: Justice Nisha Sahay Saxena took oath as a judge of the Delhi High Court on 21 September 2026.
• Constitutional Mechanism: High Court judges are appointed by the President of India under Article 217 of the Constitution following the constitutionally prescribed consultation process.
• Current Court Strength: Following the latest appointments, the Delhi High Court has 50 judges against a sanctioned strength of 60.

Andhra Pradesh Police Launches 'SafeStay AP' App and AI-Based Centralised Drone Monitoring Portal

• Technology Initiatives: Andhra Pradesh Police launched two technology-based initiatives — the SafeStay application and the AI-based Centralised Drone Monitoring Portal (CDMP) — on 22 September 2026.
• Launch Authority: Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta launched the CDMP and unveiled the SafeStay application and its logo at the Guntur SP office.
• SafeStay Application: The application provides police with real-time information on people staying at hotels and paying guest (PG) accommodations across Andhra Pradesh, including guest and occupancy details.
• Centralised Drone Monitoring Portal: The CDMP brings live feeds from police drones across Andhra Pradesh onto a centralised dashboard, supporting technology-enabled surveillance and policing.
• Objective: The initiatives are intended to strengthen public safety, crime prevention, investigation and technology-enabled policing.

Sikkim Rolls Out 'AI-FunZone' AI-Powered Learning Programme in 71 Government Schools

• State Education Initiative: The Government of Sikkim, through its Education Department in collaboration with the EkStep Foundation, has begun implementing the AI-FunZone AI-powered learning programme across 71 government schools.
• Target Students & Coverage: The pilot programme covers approximately 2,100 students of Classes 3, 4 and 5 in the Khamdong, Nandok and Martam blocks of Gangtok district.
• AI-Based Learning: AI-FunZone provides personalised and adaptive practice in English, Nepali and Mathematics, with the objective of strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN).
• Classroom Integration: The programme is integrated into the regular school day through dedicated AI-FunZone learning sessions. Teachers remain central to the programme, while AI is used as a support tool rather than a replacement for teachers.
• Implementation: The project follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2026 between the Sikkim Education Department and EkStep Foundation.

Government Dissolves 'Digital Communications Commission' After Nearly 37 Years

• Historic Dissolution: The Government of India has dissolved the Digital Communications Commission (DCC), the apex inter-departmental decision-making body under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), after nearly 37 years of functioning.
• Institutional Background: The body was originally established as the Telecom Commission in 1989 and was re-designated as the Digital Communications Commission in 2018. Sam Pitroda was its first chairman.
• Official Dissolution: The Department of Telecommunications issued a resolution dated 19 September 2026, stating that the DCC would stand dissolved from the date of publication of the resolution. The resolution was published in the Gazette of India.
• Reason for Restructuring: The move came amid concerns over overlapping functions within DoT, vacant positions in the Commission and changes in the way telecom-related financial and administrative decisions were being handled. The DCC's last meeting was held on 3 September 2026, when it finalised decisions relating to satellite communication spectrum.
• Important Distinction: The DCC was an administrative decision-making body, whereas TRAI remains a separate statutory telecom regulator established under the TRAI Act, 1997.

ISRO and ESA Extend and Broaden Space Cooperation Agreement Until January 2032

• Pact Extension: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have extended their long-standing Cooperative Agreement for another five years, until 8 January 2032.
• Signing: The extension was formalised through an exchange of letters in Paris on 10 September 2026, on the margins of the International Space Summit.
• Current Leadership: Dr. V. Narayanan is the current Chairman of ISRO. He assumed charge on 13 January 2025. ESA's Director General is Josef Aschbacher.
• Ground-Station Cooperation: ESA has an established arrangement to provide ground-station support for India's Gaganyaan missions through its European Space Tracking Network (Estrack), enabling tracking, monitoring and commanding support.
• Broadened Cooperation: The renewed agreement expands cooperation to include space weather, human and robotic exploration and sustainability of outer-space activities, while continuing cooperation in areas including space science, Earth observation and mission operations.

18th Edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant 2026' Commences in Pithoragarh

• Exercise Inception: The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant 2026’ commenced on 21 September 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The exercise is scheduled to continue until 3 October 2026.
• Participants: The Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces are represented by 45 personnel each.
• Nature of Exercise: Nomadic Elephant is an annual, platoon-level bilateral military exercise conducted alternately in India and Mongolia.
• Operational Scope: The exercise focuses on Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations Mandate.
• Training Activities: Training includes Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training, and the employment of drones and counter-drone systems.
• Objective: The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and operational coordination between the armed forces of India and Mongolia.

IAF to Host Second Edition of Multinational Joint Exercise 'Tarang Shakti' in Jodhpur

• Multinational Air Exercise: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will host the second edition of the multinational air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti 2026’.
• Dates & Venue: The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and adjoining air bases. As of 24 September 2026, the exercise had not yet commenced.
• International Participation: The exercise will involve foreign air forces, with eight foreign air forces expected to participate with aircraft, while other countries are expected to participate as observers.
• Operational Scope: The exercise will involve missions including counter-air operations, air defence, combat, reconnaissance, airlift and air-to-air refuelling, providing opportunities to practise interoperability and complex mission coordination.
• Strategic Significance: Tarang Shakti is intended to enhance interoperability, operational coordination and cooperation between the Indian Air Force and participating friendly foreign air forces. The 2026 edition builds on the first edition conducted in 2024.

Ministry of Defence Signs ₹810.79 Crore Agreement with Bharat Dynamics for 160 SAT-SAAW Systems

• Procurement Agreement: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) on 23 September 2026 for the procurement of 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Contract Value & Category: The contract has a total value of ₹810.79 crore and was concluded under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category.
• Developer & Weapon Type: SAT-SAAW has been indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is an air-to-ground precision-guided glide bomb designed to engage enemy airfield infrastructure from stand-off range.
• Launch Platforms: The weapon can be launched from aircraft including the Jaguar, Hawk and Su-30MKI.
• Indigenous Content: The system will have 60% indigenous content, with further indigenisation of subsystems including the Initial Measurement Unit, Long Impact Delay Fuse and Twin Store Carrier.
• Delivery & Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Deliveries are scheduled for 2027–28 and 2028–29. The contract is intended to strengthen indigenous defence production and enhance the operational capability of the Indian Air Force.

Fitch Ratings Raises India's GDP Growth Forecast to 6.9% for FY 2026-27

• GDP Forecast Revision: Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings raised India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY 2026-27 to 6.9%, from its previous forecast of 6.4%.
• Reason for Revision: Fitch cited stronger-than-expected economic activity and resilience in the Indian economy as key reasons for the upward revision.
• Investment: Private investment is expected to remain an important driver of growth, with investment growth projected to remain strong during FY27.
• Growth Outlook: Fitch expects India's economic momentum to moderate somewhat during the remainder of FY27 amid risks including weaker consumption and rising inflationary pressures.
• Inflation: Fitch expects headline inflation to rise to around 5.5% by December 2026.
• Monetary Policy: Fitch expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points in October 2026 amid inflationary pressures.
• Sovereign Rating: Fitch maintains India's sovereign credit rating at ‘BBB-’ with a Stable Outlook.

India Tops Global Growth Outlook in World Economic Forum (WEF) Chief Economists Survey

• Strongest Growth Outlook: According to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Chief Economists' Outlook: September 2026, India has the strongest growth outlook among the geographies covered by the survey.
• Survey Findings: Around 74% of surveyed chief economists expect strong or very strong growth in India over the next 12 months, up from 52% in the May 2026 survey. Overall, 98% expect India's growth to be moderate or stronger.
• Growth Projection: The WEF's assessment places India's GDP growth at approximately 6.7% for FY2026-27, with growth supported by resilient domestic demand. Higher energy prices remain a risk to the outlook.
• Regional Comparison: South-East Asia, Central Asia and the United States also received strong growth assessments, while China's outlook weakened and Europe remained the weakest region in the survey.
• Household Income Outlook: Around 62% of chief economists expect inflation-adjusted household incomes in India to rise over the next year. India and South-East Asia were the only regions where more than 60% of respondents expected real household incomes to increase.
• Business Environment: Despite India's strong growth outlook, its relative ranking as a favourable business environment for multinational companies fell to fourth place from second, with 40% of respondents placing India among their top three destinations.
• Global Risks: Geopolitical conflicts remained a major source of uncertainty, while the WEF also highlighted asset-price corrections, rising living costs and uncertainty surrounding AI-related investment.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Celebrates 15th Foundation Day in New Delhi

• Foundation Day Milestone: The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) celebrated its 15th Foundation Day on 21 September 2026 with a Stakeholders' Meet in New Delhi.
• Establishment: SECI was incorporated on 20 September 2011 as India's dedicated implementing agency for the National Solar Mission and has since expanded its mandate across the renewable energy ecosystem.
• Navratna Status: SECI is a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It received Navratna status on 30 August 2024.
• Renewable Energy Milestone: As of its 15th Foundation Day, SECI had facilitated the commissioning of over 41 GW of renewable energy generation capacity through third-party developers.
• Power Sale Agreements: SECI had signed Power Sale Agreements (PSAs) exceeding 67 GW with various DISCOMs and consumers.
• Investment Enabled: SECI's activities have enabled approximately ₹3.6 lakh crore in cumulative market investments.
• Green Hydrogen and Energy Storage: SECI is active in green hydrogen, green molecules, energy storage and other emerging clean-energy areas. It serves as an implementing agency for specified components of the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Leadership: The current Managing Director of SECI is Shri Akash Tripathi, IAS, who joined the organisation on 27 August 2025.

ONGC Discovers Natural Gas in Mahanadi Offshore under 'Samudra Manthan' Initiative

• Gas Discovery: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has discovered natural gas in a deepwater exploration well in the Mahanadi Basin off the Odisha coast.
• Location & Water Depth: The discovery is located approximately 43 km off the Odisha coast, with the gas-bearing zone encountered at a water depth of around 1,450 metres.
• Samudra Manthan Scheme: The discovery comes amid India's intensified offshore exploration efforts under the Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2026 with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore up to FY 2030–31.
• Commercial Assessment: Further evaluation is required to determine the commercial viability and recoverable potential of the gas discovery.
• Energy Security & Offshore Potential: The discovery contributes to India's efforts to expand domestic exploration and production and reduce dependence on imported hydrocarbons. The Mahanadi Basin is among India's prospective offshore sedimentary basins and is part of the country's expanding deepwater exploration programme.

Rajat Sharma Re-elected President of News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) for 2026–27

• Re-election: Veteran journalist and India TV Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma has been unanimously re-elected as President of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) for 2026–27.
• Election: The decision was taken at a meeting of the NBDA Board of Directors in September 2026.
• Industry Body: NBDA is an apex industry association representing leading news and current-affairs broadcasters and digital news platforms in India.
• Current Membership: NBDA currently has 29 leading news and current-affairs broadcasters, representing approximately 130 news channels and digital platforms, according to the latest reports on its 2026–27 leadership.
• Self-Regulation: NBDA is associated with the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), which deals with complaints concerning broadcasting standards and the industry's self-regulatory framework.

248th 'Heikru Hidongba' Boat Race Festival Celebrated in Manipur

• Traditional Festival: The 248th Heikru Hidongba festival was celebrated in Manipur on 22 September 2026, featuring its traditional socio-religious boat race and rituals.
• Venue: The main celebration was held at the Bijoy Govinda Moat at Sagolband in Imphal West district.
• Community & Calendar: Heikru Hidongba is an annual traditional socio-religious festival of the Meitei community, observed on the 11th day of Langban, the sixth month of the Meitei/Manipuri lunar calendar, which falls in September.
• Purpose & Boat Race: The festival is traditionally associated with prayers and rituals seeking peace, prosperity and well-being for the community, accompanied by the traditional boat race and cultural practices.
• Historical Significance & Dignitary: The festival has been carried forward for centuries and is an important part of Manipur's Meitei cultural heritage. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla attended the 2026 celebration and witnessed the traditional rituals and boat race.

Jai Meena Wins India's First Medal in Soft Tennis at 2026 Asian Games

• Historic Achievement: Indian soft-tennis player Jai Meena won India's first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
• Event & Bronze Medal: Meena competed in the men's singles soft-tennis event and secured the bronze medal after reaching the semifinals, where he lost 2–4 to Japan's Takuya Kurosaka (losing semifinalists receive bronze medals).
• Historic Milestone: His achievement marked India's first-ever medal in soft tennis at the Asian Games.
• Asian Games Experience: Meena has also represented India at the 2018 Jakarta and 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, making Aichi-Nagoya 2026 his third Asian Games appearance.
• About Soft Tennis: Soft tennis is a racket sport played with soft rubber balls rather than the hard felt-covered balls used in conventional tennis. It can be played in singles or doubles.

⚡ One-Liner Current Affairs — 24 September 2026

High-yield points covering all 12 key events for rapid revision before competitive examinations (UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Banking, Railways & Defence).