Staying updated with daily current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, and State PSC examinations. The 12 September 2026 current affairs cover important developments including the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India in New Delhi, a Digital Bharat Nidhi telecom agreement with Jharkhand, updated RBI forex reserves data, the US Open 2026 women's singles final, the countdown to the Asian Games in Japan, and important international observances.
India – National Current Affairs
18th BRICS Summit 2026 Begins in New Delhi
India began hosting the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12 September, marking the fourth time India has held the BRICS chairship (after 2012, 2016, and 2021). The two-day summit, running through 13 September, is themed "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" and is being chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Heavy traffic restrictions were in place across the capital from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the opening day.
Exam importance:
- BRICS now comprises 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, along with 10 partner countries.
- Together, BRICS nations account for roughly 49.5% of world population, 40% of global GDP, and 26% of global trade.
- The summit is expected to conclude with the "New Delhi Declaration" outlining agreed outcomes.
- India assumed the BRICS chairship on 1 January 2026, succeeding Brazil (host of the 17th Summit in 2025).
- 2026 also marks 20 years since BRICS was first formalised (2006).
Digital Bharat Nidhi Signs Agreement with Jharkhand for Amended BharatNet Programme
The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), under the Department of Telecommunications, signed an agreement with the Jharkhand government this month to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), with an approved outlay of Rs. 1,684 crore.
Exam importance:
- DBN is the successor to the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), renamed under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- Similar ABP agreements have recently been signed with Andhra Pradesh (Rs. 2,432 crore) and Chhattisgarh, part of a state-by-state rollout to strengthen last-mile rural connectivity.
- ABP aims to upgrade linear-topology Gram Panchayat networks to ring topology for resilience and extend coverage to newly created and on-demand villages.
Daily Current Affairs 12 September 2026 – Download Free PDF Now
Economy & Banking
India's Forex Reserves – Most Recent Verified Figure
The most recent solidly-sourced RBI Weekly Statistical Supplement figure shows India's foreign exchange reserves crossed $707 billion (around Rs. 67.32 lakh crore) for the week ended 7 August 2026, a rise of $14.136 billion driven by higher foreign currency assets and gold holdings.
Exam importance:
- Foreign Currency Assets (the largest component) stood at $574.625 billion; gold reserves at $108.738 billion; SDRs at $18.745 billion; and India's reserve position with the IMF at approximately $4.894 billion.
- India's forex reserves had earlier touched an all-time high of $728.49 billion in February 2026 before easing amid Middle East-related geopolitical tensions.
- Not specified: a verified weekly figure for early-to-mid September 2026 - the RBI publishes updated data every Friday.
Science & Technology
Gaganyaan Uncrewed Mission Preparations – Still the Key Ongoing Story
No new, independently verified Science & Technology story specific to 12 September was found. The most significant recent development remains ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan's 4 September statement that work is progressing "vigorously and systematically" toward the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission within this calendar year, following the successful GSLV-F17/EOS-05 launch.
Exam importance:
- The uncrewed Gaganyaan mission (G1) will test the crew module's aerodynamics, orbital operations, and re-entry/recovery systems ahead of India's first crewed spaceflight.
- Six more ISRO launches, including navigation satellite NVS-03 (part of the NavIC constellation), are planned for the rest of this financial year.
Sports
US Open 2026 – Women's Singles Final Today
Today, 12 September 2026, hosts the US Open women's singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, between two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and second seed Elena Rybakina.
Exam importance:
- Regardless of the result, Rybakina becomes the new WTA world No. 1 from the following Monday's rankings, ending Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top.
- It is the pair's second Grand Slam final meeting of the season, after Rybakina's win at the Australian Open.
- The 2026 US Open carries a record $108 million total prize purse, a 20% rise over 2025's $90 million; the singles champion earns $5.5 million and 2,000 WTA ranking points.
- In doubles, Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski won their second US Open title in three years, defeating top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.
2026 Asian Games (Aichi–Nagoya, Japan) – Opens in 7 Days
The 20th Asian Games opens on 19 September and closes on 4 October 2026 across Aichi Prefecture, with Nagoya as the main hub.
Exam importance:
- Official motto: "Imagine One Asia."
- Nagoya becomes the third Japanese city to host the Asian Games, after Tokyo (1958) and Hiroshima (1994).
- OCA President Randhir Singh is from India.
- India's best-ever performance remains Hangzhou 2022: 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silver, 41 bronze).
Obituary
Veteran Tamil Scholar and Padma Shri Awardee Solomon Pappaiah Passes Away
Veteran Tamil scholar, orator, and Padma Shri awardee Solomon Pappaiah passed away in September 2026 at the age of 90, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Exam importance:
- Born 22 February 1936 at Sathangudi, Thirumangalam, Madurai.
- Honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021 in the Literature and Education category - the first Pattimandram (Tamil debate) moderator to receive the award.
- Headed the Department of Tamil at The American College, Madurai, from 1961 to 1994, and moderated over 12,000 Pattimandrams during his lifetime.
Important Days
12 September – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
Observed annually to promote cooperation among developing countries, this day was established by UN General Assembly resolution 58/220.
Exam importance: "South-South Cooperation" refers to collaboration between countries of the Global South, distinct from traditional North-South (developed-developing) cooperation frameworks.
12 September – International Mindfulness Day
An annual observance encouraging people worldwide to pause and practise mindful awareness.
