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Current Affairs September 2026
39 important events from September 2026, grouped by topic, each with a one-line exam point.
Top stories
- India hosts 18th BRICS Summit, New Delhi
- Anant Nag gets Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- ISRO launches EOS-05 on GSLV-F17
- Asian Games open in Aichi-Nagoya
- EPFO wage ceiling raised to Rs 25,000
- India-NZ FTA effective from 20 October
National Affairs
SC directs states to raise district judges' retirement age to 62
1 September 2026A three-judge Supreme Court bench asked seven states to amend service rules so that district judges retire at 62 instead of 60. Officers who retired on or after 31 March 2026 may opt to rejoin.
- Retirement age raised from 60 to 62 for district judiciary
- Seven states told to amend their service rules
- Retirees after 31 March 2026 can opt to rejoin service
Exam point: District judges' retirement age to rise from 60 to 62
Cabinet raises EPFO wage ceiling to Rs 25,000 a month
16 September 2026The Union Cabinet raised the mandatory wage ceiling for EPFO coverage from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. Employees earning between these two amounts now come under compulsory provident fund, pension and deposit-linked insurance cover.
- Old ceiling of Rs 15,000 had been unchanged since September 2014
- Over 51 lakh more employees expected to be covered
- Extra government cost about Rs 11,339 crore a year (about Rs 56,696 crore over five years)
- Labour Ministry notes give 17 September 2026 as the effective date
Exam point: EPFO mandatory wage ceiling raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000
SC refers challenge to 2023 Election Commissioners law to larger bench
23 September 2026A two-judge Supreme Court bench gave split opinions on the validity of the 2023 law on appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. Both judges agreed the question should go to a larger bench.
- Law under challenge: Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023
- Division bench delivered split verdict
- Matter referred to a larger bench
Exam point: Validity of the 2023 EC appointments law referred to a larger SC bench
CCEA clears eight rail multi-tracking projects worth Rs 20,804 crore
September 2026The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved eight multi-tracking railway projects to add line capacity and ease congestion. The projects span nine states and are planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- Total cost Rs 20,804 crore; about 1,196 km added across 31 districts
- Nine states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal
- Includes Arakkonam-Renigunta and Whitefield-Bangarapet 3rd and 4th lines
- Completion targeted by 2029-30
Exam point: Eight rail multi-tracking projects worth Rs 20,804 crore approved
SC bars forcible repossession of vehicles by lenders
September 2026In Hari Dutta Sharma v State of UP, the Supreme Court held that financial institutions cannot seize vehicles by force. It asked the RBI to enforce its repossession guidelines and awarded compensation for loss of livelihood.
- Bench: Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
- RBI directed to ensure compliance with repossession norms
- Arbitrary seizure treated as violation of right to livelihood
Exam point: Lenders cannot forcibly repossess vehicles, says Supreme Court
International Affairs
SCO Bishkek summit marks bloc's 25th anniversary
1 September 2026The 26th SCO Council of Heads of State met in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and adopted the Bishkek Declaration. PM Modi attended, and Pakistan took over the rotating chair for 2027.
- Held 31 August - 1 September 2026 in Bishkek
- Theme: '25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity'
- Pakistan to host the 2027 summit in Islamabad
Exam point: Bishkek Declaration adopted at 26th SCO summit; Pakistan next chair
18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi adopts New Delhi Declaration
13 September 2026India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, chaired by PM Narendra Modi. Leaders adopted a 140-paragraph New Delhi Declaration covering global governance reform, trade, terrorism and technology.
- Dates: 12-13 September 2026; theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'
- Declaration opposed unilateral tariffs and condemned the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack
- Endorsed a BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City, Gujarat
- China to chair BRICS and host the 19th summit in 2027
Exam point: New Delhi Declaration adopted at 18th BRICS Summit, 13 Sept 2026
Appointments
Suman Ray takes charge as RBI Executive Director
1 September 2026The Reserve Bank of India appointed Suman Ray as an Executive Director from 1 September 2026. He has over 30 years of experience in the central bank.
- Effective 1 September 2026
- Portfolio reported to include DICGC-related work
Exam point: Suman Ray became RBI Executive Director on 1 Sept 2026
Collegium recommends three High Court Chief Justices for Supreme Court
28 September 2026The Supreme Court Collegium recommended elevating Justices Sunita Agarwal, Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Aparesh Kumar Singh to the Supreme Court. On appointment, the court's sitting strength would reach 37.
- Three names recommended
- Sitting strength would rise to 37
Exam point: Justice Sunita Agarwal among three recommended for SC
Obituaries
Gujarati composer Gaurang Vyas dies at 87
3 September 2026Gaurang Vyas, music composer and son of Avinash Vyas, died at 87. He scored more than 100 films and many garba and light-music compositions.
- Known for 'Dikri To Parki Thapan' sung by Lata Mangeshkar
- PM Modi paid tribute
Exam point: Gaurang Vyas, Gujarati music composer, died at 87
Delhi Lokayukta Harish Chandra Mishra dies
3 September 2026Former judge Harish Chandra Mishra, Lokayukta of Delhi since 2022, died at 67.
- Delhi Lokayukta since 2022
Exam point: Delhi Lokayukta H.C. Mishra died in office
Jharkhand MLA Sudivya Kumar dies at 56
6 September 2026Sudivya Kumar, a Jharkhand MLA since 2019, died aged 56.
- MLA from Jharkhand since 2019
Exam point: Jharkhand MLA Sudivya Kumar died on 6 Sept
Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first post-handover leader, dies at 89
8 September 2026Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first Chief Executive after the 1997 handover from Britain, died aged 89. He resigned in 2005 during his second term.
- Chief Executive 1997-2005
- Given a state funeral in Hong Kong
Exam point: Tung Chee-hwa was Hong Kong's first Chief Executive (1997-2005)
Science, Tech & Space
ISRO launches EOS-05 (GISAT-1A) on GSLV-F17
4 September 2026ISRO launched the EOS-05 earth observation satellite on GSLV-F17 from Sriharikota into geostationary orbit. It carries a hyperspectral imager able to image India every 30 minutes, and the success followed two PSLV failures.
- Launched 4 September 2026 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre
- Also called GISAT-1A; successor to GISAT-1 lost in 2021
- Reported as first hyperspectral earth-surface imager in geostationary orbit
Exam point: EOS-05 launched on GSLV-F17 on 4 September 2026
ISRO and ESA extend cooperation agreement to 2032
10 September 2026ISRO and the European Space Agency extended their cooperation agreement until 8 January 2032. New areas include space weather, human and robotic exploration, and space sustainability.
- Signed in Paris on 10 September 2026
- Signatories: V. Narayanan (ISRO) and Josef Aschbacher (ESA)
- Original agreement dates from 2002
Exam point: ISRO-ESA cooperation extended till January 2032
Awards & Honours
President confers National Teachers Awards on 48 teachers
5 September 2026On Teachers' Day, President Droupadi Murmu gave the National Teachers Awards 2026 to 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- 48 teachers from 27 states, 7 UTs and 6 central organisations
- 26 men and 22 women
- Organised by Department of School Education and Literacy
Exam point: 48 school teachers got National Teachers Awards 2026
Anant Nag receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award
22 September 2026President Droupadi Murmu presented the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to veteran actor Anant Nag at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony. He is known for Kannada and Hindi cinema and the TV series Malgudi Days.
- India's highest film honour
- Hindi debut in Shyam Benegal's Ankur (1974)
- Kannada film debut Sankalpa (1972)
- Award carries Rs 10 lakh and a medallion
Exam point: Anant Nag: Dadasaheb Phalke Award at 72nd National Film Awards
72nd National Film Awards: Article 370 named Best Feature Film
22 September 2026President Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards, for films certified in 2024, at Ekta Nagar (Kevadiya), Gujarat. Article 370 won Best Feature Film.
- Best Actor shared: Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion)
- Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370)
- Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran)
- Best Popular Film: Kalki 2898 AD
Exam point: Article 370 won Best Feature Film at 72nd National Film Awards
Important Days
Teachers' Day
5 September 2026India marks Teachers' Day on the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The National Teachers Awards are presented on this day.
- Dr S. Radhakrishnan was India's second President
- 48 teachers awarded in 2026
Exam point: Birth anniversary of Dr S. Radhakrishnan
International Literacy Day
8 September 2026UNESCO's International Literacy Day marked its 60th anniversary in 2026.
- Observed since 1967
- 2026 is the 60th anniversary
Exam point: Theme 2026: Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity
Hindi Diwas
14 September 2026Hindi Diwas recalls the Constituent Assembly's adoption of Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union on 14 September 1949.
- Article 343: Hindi in Devanagari is the Union's official language
- Adopted 14 September 1949
Exam point: Marks adoption of Hindi as official language on 14 Sept 1949
International Day of Democracy
15 September 2026Observed every year on 15 September to promote democratic values.
- UNGA resolution adopted 8 November 2007
Exam point: Set up by the UN General Assembly in 2007; first observed in 2008
World Ozone Day
16 September 2026The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer marks the signing of the Montreal Protocol on 16 September 1987.
- Montreal Protocol signed 16 September 1987
- Coordinated by UNEP Ozone Secretariat
Exam point: Theme 2026: Global action for a cooler planet
National Ayurveda Day
23 September 2026Promotes Ayurveda; organised by the Ministry of AYUSH.
- Fixed date of 23 September from 2025
Exam point: Fixed on 23 September every year from 2025 (earlier tied to Dhanteras)
World Tourism Day
27 September 2026Observed by UN Tourism since 1980.
- Observed since 1980
- Organised by UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO)
Exam point: Marks the adoption of the UN Tourism statutes on 27 September 1970
States in News
Amit Shah presents President's Colour to Goa Police
7 September 2026Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colour to Goa Police at a parade in Panaji. The President's Colour is the highest honour given to a police force or military unit for distinguished service.
- Ceremony held in Panaji, Goa
- President's Colour (Nishaan) is the highest unit honour
- Presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Exam point: Goa Police received the President's Colour in Panaji
Defence & Security
India-Japan air exercise Veer Guardian-2026 held at Jodhpur
9 September 2026The Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defence Force held the bilateral exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur. It aimed to improve interoperability in air operations.
- Held 9-22 September 2026 (14 days)
- IAF: Tejas, Su-30 MKI, Rafale; JASDF: F-2A
- Venue: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Exam point: Veer Guardian-2026: IAF-JASDF exercise at Jodhpur
KAZIND-2026 India-Kazakhstan exercise begins at Oskemen
28 September 2026The ninth edition of India-Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND began in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. It focuses on counter-terrorism in semi-urban and mountain terrain, including drone and counter-drone use.
- 9th edition; 28 September - 11 October 2026
- 60-member Indian contingent led by a Garhwal Rifles battalion
- Includes Indian Air Force personnel
Exam point: KAZIND-2026 (9th edition) held in Oskemen, Kazakhstan
Sports
India win Women's T20 Asia Cup for eighth title
13 September 2026India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women's T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai. Openers Shafali Verma (68) and Smriti Mandhana (59) put on 129.
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
- India 183/5; Sri Lanka 111 all out
- Shree Charani took 4/20
- India's 8th Women's Asia Cup title (all formats)
Exam point: India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win Women's Asia Cup 2026
20th Asian Games open in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
19 September 2026Emperor Naruhito opened the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 19 September. The Games ran until 4 October, and India finished fourth with 85 medals, its second-best Asian Games haul.
- 469 events in 43 sports; motto 'Imagine One Asia'; mascot Honohon
- India: 21 gold, 27 silver, 37 bronze (4th place)
- Games closed on 4 October 2026; next edition Doha 2030
Exam point: India 4th at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with 85 medals (21 gold)
India's September golds at Asian Games: cricket, kabaddi, shooting, archery
26 September 2026India's early golds came in women's T20 cricket, shooting, both kabaddi events and three compound archery team events. Kabaddi teams beat Iran in both finals.
- 22 Sept: women's cricket team beat Sri Lanka in final
- 25 Sept: Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won mixed 10m air pistol
- 26 Sept: men's and women's kabaddi gold, both v Iran
- 30 Sept: men's, women's and mixed compound archery team golds
Exam point: India won both kabaddi golds on 26 September
46th Chess Olympiad: India win open silver and women's bronze
27 September 2026At the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, India took silver in the open section and bronze in the women's section. Uzbekistan won the open title and China the women's.
- Held 16-27 September 2026 in Samarkand
- India won the Gaprindashvili Cup for best combined result
- Savitha Shri won individual board gold
Exam point: Uzbekistan won open gold at Samarkand Olympiad; India silver
Economy
India-New Zealand FTA to take effect on 20 October 2026
21 September 2026India and New Zealand announced that their free trade agreement, signed in April 2026, will enter into force on 20 October 2026. All Indian exports to New Zealand will get duty-free access, while India has kept dairy and other sensitive farm items out.
- FTA signed 27 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- 100% of Indian exports get duty-free entry to New Zealand
- New Zealand to facilitate US$20 billion investment in India
- Dairy, sugar, edible oils and some meats excluded
Exam point: India-NZ FTA in force from 20 October 2026
ADB raises India's FY27 growth forecast to 7%
23 September 2026The Asian Development Bank lifted India's 2026-27 growth forecast to 7% from 6.6%, citing strong investment and services exports. It slightly lowered the 2027-28 forecast.
- FY27 growth 7% (earlier 6.6%); FY28 growth 7.1% (earlier 7.3%)
- FY27 inflation forecast cut to 5%
- Released in Asian Development Outlook September 2026
Exam point: ADB: India FY27 growth 7%
September GST collection rises 14.7% to Rs 2.04 lakh crore
September 2026Gross GST revenue for September 2026 was about Rs 2.04 lakh crore, up 14.7% from a year earlier. It was the third month in a row above Rs 2 lakh crore.
- Gross GST Rs 2,03,521 crore
- Net GST Rs 1,76,520 crore, up 18.1%
- April-September 2026 total about Rs 12.46 lakh crore
Exam point: September 2026 gross GST: Rs 2.04 lakh crore
Banking & Finance
RBI revises valuation norms for REIT and InvIT units
22 September 2026The RBI amended investment valuation rules for units of REITs and InvITs held by banks and all-India financial institutions. The change applied with immediate effect to commercial banks, small finance banks, payments banks and local area banks.
- Issued 22 September 2026
- Covers commercial banks, AIFIs, SFBs, payments banks and LABs
Exam point: RBI changed REIT/InvIT valuation norms for regulated entities
Environment & Heritage
IWC-70 meeting opens in Hobart, Australia
28 September 2026The 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission began in Hobart, Australia, as the body marked 40 years of the commercial whaling ban. India reaffirmed its support for whale conservation at the meeting.
- IWC has 89 member countries; India a member since 1981
- A South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary proposal needs a three-quarters vote
- IWC was set up in 1946; commercial whaling ban from 1986
Exam point: IWC-70 held in Hobart; 40 years of whaling moratorium
New begonia species described from Arunachal Pradesh
September 2026Botanists described Begonia neelamorum, a new begonia found along the Keyi River in Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh. It is named after the Neelam clan of the Nyishi community.
- Found at about 1,000 m altitude
- Takes Northeast India's begonia count to 54
Exam point: Begonia neelamorum found in Keyi Panyor, Arunachal Pradesh
Reports & Indices
India ranks 38th in Global Innovation Index 2026
30 September 2026WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2026 placed India 38th among 139 economies. India leads Central and Southern Asia and remains an innovation 'overperformer' for its income level.
- Rank 38 of 139; up from 40th
- Top three: Switzerland, Sweden, United States
- Published by WIPO
Exam point: India 38th in GII 2026; Switzerland 1st