Amit Shah sets a drug-free India target for 2029, the Ministry of Defence signs an Rs. 810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics for anti-airfield weapons, INS Trishul reaches Toulon for the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna with France, Premier Energies commissions India's largest solar cell facility, and the India-Mongolia joint exercise Nomadic Elephant gets under way in Pithoragarh. Here is the news that matters for competitive exams today.
India – National Affairs
Amit Shah inaugurates 3rd ANTF Conference; sets drug-free India target for 2029
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, inaugurated the 3rd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Heads of States/UTs in New Delhi on 22–23 September 2026, with participation from 36 States and UTs.
Key details
- Organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under MHA, on the theme "United Resolve, Shared Responsibility."
- The conference aims to implement the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029), targeting a drug-free India by 31 December 2029, aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
- Focus areas: dismantling drug-trafficking networks through a whole-of-government approach involving central agencies, states and other stakeholders.
BIS expands mandatory quality-mark list to more electronic goods
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) expanded its list of electronic products requiring mandatory quality certification, adding to the existing list of smartphones, laptops, chargers, LED televisions, microwave ovens, printers and set-top boxes.
About BIS: established on 1 April 1987, headquartered in New Delhi, functioning as India's National Standards Body under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Supreme Court Collegium approves 12 additional judges as permanent judges
The Supreme Court Collegium approved the appointment of 12 additional judges as permanent judges across four High Courts on 23 September 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen judicial capacity.
India-New Zealand FTA to come into force from 20 October 2026
The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will officially come into force on 20 October 2026. India has secured 100% duty-free access for all its exports to New Zealand under the pact.
Key details
- The deal aims to double bilateral trade to Rs. 35,000 crore within five years.
- It follows the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years.
ZT Lalrithangi selected for FAO's '100 Women in Agrifood Systems' recognition
ZT Lalrithangi, also known as Pi Mari-i, a 35-year-old farmer from Sangau village in Lawngtlai district, Mizoram, has been selected for the Food and Agriculture Organization's "100 Women" recognition in agrifood systems, highlighting grassroots contributions by women farmers to sustainable agriculture.
Great Indian Bustard spotted breeding under new conservation initiative
The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard was recently spotted breeding within a protected sanctuary as part of a new conservation initiative, a positive sign for one of India's most threatened bird species, whose population is estimated at fewer than 150 individuals in the wild.
Other national headlines
- The CBN (Confederation for Nasha Mukt Bharat) and the Brahma Kumaris signed an MoU at Mount Abu to boost awareness against drug abuse, part of the broader Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0, a rural skilling programme upgraded through notified guidelines in May 2025, continues to feature in policy updates on skill development and rural livelihoods.
- Telangana has set a target of 5 GW hyperscale data centre capacity by 2029, linked to an estimated USD 30 billion in potential investment.
- A new human brain-cell atlas study mapped gene activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex across the human lifespan, analysing nuclei from more than 6.3 million brain cells – a landmark international neuroscience effort with Indian research participation.
Daily Current Affairs 25 September 2026 - Download Free PDF Here
Economy & Banking
MoD signs Rs. 810.79 crore contract with BDL for 160 SAT-SAAW systems
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth Rs. 810.79 crore 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. The contract was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Premier Energies commissions India's largest solar cell facility
Premier Energies commissioned a 7 GW N-type TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) G12R solar cell manufacturing facility at Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh, raising its total solar cell manufacturing capacity from 3.6 GW to 10.6 GW – the largest such capacity in India.
Facility details
- Spread over 101 acres, developed with a capital expenditure of Rs. 3,293 crore.
- Trial runs are underway ahead of commercial production, with capacity to produce around 88,000 solar cells per hour at an average efficiency of about 25.8% after stabilisation.
- Uses N-type TOPCon technology with digital manufacturing systems, artificial intelligence, and a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) water-recycling system.
Maruti Suzuki commissions first Green Hydrogen electrolyser plant
Maruti Suzuki India Limited commissioned its first Green Hydrogen (GH2) electrolyser plant at its Manesar facility in Haryana on 24 September 2026, marking a step toward decarbonising its manufacturing operations.
Multilateral bank sanctions USD 500 million loan for Indian urban mobility
A multilateral development bank sanctioned a USD 500 million loan to support urban mobility infrastructure projects in India, part of continuing international financing for sustainable transport and city-transit systems.
Follow-through: Russia sanctions law and India's trade diplomacy
Discussions between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the implications of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act for India's energy trade continue to be closely watched, alongside the newly finalised India-New Zealand FTA and ongoing UPI merchant-charge deliberations.
Science & Technology
Human brain-cell atlas maps gene activity across the human lifespan
An international research consortium published a comprehensive human brain-cell atlas, mapping gene activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex across different life stages. The study analysed nuclei from more than 6.3 million brain cells, offering fresh insight into neurodevelopment, ageing and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Follow-through: India's space and quantum programmes
- ISRO's Advanced Radar Research Facility (IARRF) at Chandrapur, Assam, and the ISRO-ESA Cooperative Agreement extension to 2032 remain the month's key space-sector milestones.
- India's National Quantum Mission continues to expand through C-DOT's indigenous quantum products and IISc Bengaluru's Foundation for Quantum Computing Innovation.
Note: claims circulating on some aggregator sites of a "NISAR-2" satellite launch this week could not be verified against ISRO or NASA sources; the original NISAR mission, launched in July 2025, remains India's only active NASA-ISRO radar satellite and entered its science operations phase in January 2026.
Defence & Security
India-Mongolia joint exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' begins in Pithoragarh
The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia joint military exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' began at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, with both nations deploying 45 personnel each to enhance joint military capacity.
Key details
- Focus: counter-insurgency operations conducted under a UN mandate.
- Training covers drone operations, cybersecurity, and cordon-and-search drills.
INS Trishul arrives at Toulon, France for 24th edition of Exercise Varuna
The Indian Navy's guided missile frigate INS Trishul arrived at the Toulon naval base, France, on 22 September 2026 to take part in the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy.
Key details
- Naval cooperation between India and France began in 1993; the exercise series was formally christened "Varuna" (after the Hindu god of the oceans) in 2001.
- This edition includes both a harbour phase and a sea phase, featuring cross-deck visits, operational interactions, communication and tactical-manoeuvre drills, and sporting engagements between the two navies.
- Varuna is a key pillar of India-France defence cooperation, alongside regular exercises in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean regions.
MoD-BDL contract strengthens IAF's precision-strike capability
The Rs. 810.79 crore contract for 160 SAT-SAAW systems (Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons) adds a precision, satellite-guided standoff strike capability to the Indian Air Force, reinforcing India's push for indigenous precision-guided munitions under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence framework.
Sports
Asian Games 2026: India's campaign continues in Aichi-Nagoya
Building on Mirabai Chanu's weightlifting silver and India's Day 5 tally of 14 medals, the Indian contingent continued competing across rowing, wushu, shooting, athletics, badminton, squash and table tennis through the week at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which runs until 4 October 2026.
- India's women's cricket team remains the country's first gold medallist at these Games, having beaten Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final.
- China continues to dominate the overall medal table; India has been positioned around the 13th spot through the middle days of the Games.
- Five individual Olympic medallists – PV Sindhu, Manu Bhaker, Lovlina Borgohain, Aman Sehrawat and Mirabai Chanu – remain central to India's medal hopes in the remaining days.
Important Days
Nomadic Elephant 2026 and ANTF Conference – national security observances
While not formally designated "days," this week's 3rd ANTF Conference (22–23 September) and the launch of Nomadic Elephant 2026 both carry exam relevance under themes of national security, counter-narcotics policy and defence diplomacy.
Recap: International Day of Sign Languages – 23 September
Observed annually since 2018 to promote recognition of national sign languages and protect the human rights of deaf people, as part of the International Week of the Deaf.
Recap: Ayushman Bharat Diwas – 23 September
Marks the anniversary of the launch of Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY on 23 September 2018; the scheme completed eight years this week.
Quick Revision – One-Liners
- 3rd ANTF Conference 2026 – organised by NCB under MHA; theme "United Resolve, Shared Responsibility"; drug-free India target – 31 December 2029.
- India-New Zealand FTA – in force from 20 October 2026; India gets 100% duty-free access; trade target – double to Rs. 35,000 crore in five years.
- MoD-BDL contract – Rs. 810.79 crore for 160 SAT-SAAW systems for the IAF.
- India's largest solar cell facility – Premier Energies, Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh; total capacity now 10.6 GW.
- Maruti Suzuki's first Green Hydrogen plant – at its Manesar facility, Haryana.
- India-Mongolia joint exercise – 'Nomadic Elephant', 18th edition, at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand; 45 personnel each side; focus on counter-insurgency under UN mandate.
- INS Trishul's destination and exercise – Toulon, France; 24th edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy.
- Exercise Varuna christened in – 2001; India-France naval cooperation began in 1993.
- Mizoram farmer selected for FAO's "100 Women" recognition – ZT Lalrithangi (Pi Mari-i), Sangau village, Lawngtlai district.
- BIS establishment year and headquarters – 1 April 1987; New Delhi.
- Supreme Court Collegium's 23 September decision – approved 12 additional judges as permanent judges across 4 High Courts.
- Telangana's hyperscale data centre target – 5 GW by 2029; estimated investment USD 30 billion.
- Asian Games 2026 India's first gold – women's cricket team (beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs).
