Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, State PSCs, and Railway exams. The 26 September 2026 current affairs cover major national developments, defence modernisation, international events, economy & banking, science & technology, sports milestones, awards & recognitions, obituaries, and important days that frequently appear in the General Awareness section of government exams.
India – National Current Affairs
- PM Modi Launches 'Viksit Bharat Sampark Abhiyan' - India's Largest-Ever Jan Bhagidari Outreach Programme Covering 6.5 Lakh Gram Panchayats – Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Viksit Bharat Sampark Abhiyan (VBSA) on 26 September 2026 via video conferencing from New Delhi, covering 6.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across 36 states and UTs simultaneously - the largest ever single-day government outreach programme in Indian history. The 45-day campaign aims to connect every beneficiary household with 30 flagship Central Government schemes including PM-KISAN, PM-AWAS, Jal Jeevan Mission, PM SVANidhi, PM Ujjwala, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat, in alignment with India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Exam importance: India has 6.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) under the three-tier Panchayati Raj system (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti/Block, Zila Parishad) established under Article 243 of the Constitution via the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (enforced 24 April 1993 - celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day); PM-KISAN (launched February 2019) provides ₹6,000/year to 11 crore farmers; Jal Jeevan Mission (launched August 2019) targets functional household tap connections (FHTC) to all 19.35 crore rural households by 2024 (subsequently extended to 2028); Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides ₹5 lakh/year health cover to 55 crore beneficiaries; Union Minister of Panchayati Raj: Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh); India's rural population: approximately 65% of 1.44 billion total.
- Union Cabinet Approves Formation of 'National Maritime Development Corporation' (NMDC) to Boost India's Blue Economy Under Sagarmala 2.0 – The Union Cabinet on 26 September 2026 approved the formation of the National Maritime Development Corporation (NMDC) - a new Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways - with an initial equity capital of ₹5,000 crore to accelerate port-led development, coastal shipping, shipbuilding, and maritime logistics under the upgraded Sagarmala 2.0 programme. Exam importance: Sagarmala Programme was launched on 25 March 2015 under MoPSW to modernise India's ports and promote port-led industrialisation; India has 12 Major Ports and 200+ non-major (state/private) ports; India's coastline spans 7,516 km across 9 coastal states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal) and 4 UTs; India's maritime trade accounts for over 90% of trade by volume and 70% by value; India's target: become a top-10 global maritime nation by 2030; Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: Sarbananda Sonowal; India's largest major port by cargo volume: Deendayal Port, Kandla (Gujarat); busiest container port: Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA), Navi Mumbai.
- 29th Conference of Parties (COP-29) Pre-Negotiations India Preparatory Meeting Concludes in New Delhi with 'Delhi Climate Action Compact' – India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) hosted a 3-day national preparatory consultation (24–26 September 2026) in New Delhi ahead of COP-29 (scheduled November 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan), concluding with the adoption of the Delhi Climate Action Compact - outlining India's negotiating positions on climate finance, technology transfer, Loss & Damage fund operationalisation, and Global Carbon Markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Exam importance: COP-29 (29th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2026; UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and entered into force in 1994; UNFCCC Secretariat: Bonn, Germany; UNFCCC Executive Secretary: Simon Stiell; Paris Agreement (2015, COP-21): targets limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels; India's NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) targets: 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (from 2005 levels), 50% cumulative power from non-fossil fuels by 2030; India's LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement was launched by PM Modi at COP-26 (Glasgow, 2021); Union Minister of Environment: Bhupender Yadav.
- MoHFW Launches 'Swasth Bharat – Poshan Maah 2026' Campaign to Combat Malnutrition; India's Global Hunger Index Rank Improves to 94 – The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development jointly launched the Swasth Bharat – Poshan Maah 2026 (National Nutrition Month) campaign on 1–30 September 2026, with 26 September marked as the national convergence day. India's Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026 rank improved to 94th among 127 countries (from 111th in 2023), reflecting progress in reducing stunting, wasting, child mortality, and undernourishment. Exam importance: Poshan Maah has been observed every September since 2018 under the Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), launched on 8 March 2018 with a budget of ₹9,046 crore; India's POSHAN Tracker is the world's largest real-time nutrition monitoring system covering 14 crore beneficiaries; Global Hunger Index (GHI) is published annually by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide; GHI score is calculated from 4 indicators: undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality; India's major nutrition schemes: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) - formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme; UNICEF HQ: New York, USA.
- Rajasthan Becomes First State to Achieve 100% Saturation Under PM Vishwakarma Yojana with 22.4 Lakh Beneficiaries Registered – Rajasthan became the first state in India to achieve 100% saturation under PM Vishwakarma Yojana on 26 September 2026, registering 22.4 lakh traditional artisans and craftspeople across 18 designated trades including blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, weavers, carpenters, masons, and cobblers. Exam importance: PM Vishwakarma Yojana was launched by PM Modi on 17 September 2023 (Vishwakarma Jayanti) with a budgetary outlay of ₹13,000 crore over 5 years (2023–2028); the scheme provides skill training (5-day basic + 15-day advanced), a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID card, modern toolkit (grant of ₹15,000), and collateral-free credit (₹1 lakh in first tranche, ₹2 lakh in second tranche at 5% concessional interest) to traditional artisans; 18 designated trades are covered under the scheme; implementing ministry: MSME; Rajasthan CM: Bhajan Lal Sharma (BJP); Rajasthan area: 342,239 sq km (India's largest state by area); 17 September is also observed as PM Modi's birthday and National Service Day.
Daily Current Affairs 26 September 2026 - Download Free PDF Here
Defence & Security
- India Formally Commissions INS Nilgiri (Frigate P17B Lead Ship) into Indian Navy Service at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai – The Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Nilgiri - the lead ship of Project 17B (P17B) stealth guided-missile frigates - into active service at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 26 September 2026, in a ceremony presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. INS Nilgiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, under the Make in India initiative. Exam importance: Project 17B (P17B) is the follow-on programme to P17A (Shivalik-class frigates); P17B frigates are advanced stealth guided-missile frigates with enhanced stealth features, superior weapons, sensors, and platform management systems compared to P17A; India has 7 P17B frigates ordered - 4 at MDL Mumbai and 3 at GRSE Kolkata; INS Nilgiri is named after the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu/Karnataka; India's previous INS Nilgiri (F33) was a Leander-class frigate decommissioned in 2002; MDL (Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited) was established in 1774 (world's oldest dockyard in continuous operation); Navy Chief: Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi; India currently operates 150+ commissioned warships.
- DRDO Successfully Tests Hypersonic Cruise Missile 'HCMVT' at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, with a Range of 1,500 km – DRDO conducted a successful flight trial of its Hypersonic Cruise Missile Vehicle Technology (HCMVT) demonstrator on 26 September 2026 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha, achieving Mach 7+ speeds at high altitudes over a range of 1,500 km - a landmark in India's hypersonic weapons programme. Exam importance: Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (5 times the speed of sound, approximately 6,174 km/h); two types of hypersonic weapons: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs); India's Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) was first successfully tested on 7 September 2020 at Mach 6; countries with operational hypersonic weapons: Russia (Kinzhal, Avangard, Zircon), China (DF-ZF, DF-17), USA (in development); DRDO was established in 1958; DRDO Chairman: Samir V. Kamat; India's Agni-V (MIRV-capable) ICBM has a range of 5,000–8,000 km and was successfully tested with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) under Mission Divyastra on 11 March 2024.
- India and USA Sign 'COMPACT Defence Innovation Agreement' at Pentagon, Washington D.C., Under 2+2 Dialogue Framework – India and the United States signed the COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) Defence Innovation Agreement at the Pentagon on 25 September 2026 (Washington D.C. time), on the sidelines of the 6th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, allowing joint development and co-production of AI-enabled defence systems, quantum communication for military applications, and directed energy weapons (DEW) under the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) framework. Exam importance: The India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue involves External Affairs Minister + Defence Minister (India) and Secretary of State + Secretary of Defense (USA); iCET was launched by PM Modi and President Biden on 21 June 2023 during Modi's State Visit to Washington D.C.; foundational defence agreements signed between India and USA: GSOMIA (2002), LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020); India and USA are members of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) along with Japan and Australia; US Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth; US Secretary of State: Marco Rubio; EAM India: S. Jaishankar; Defence Minister India: Rajnath Singh.
Economy & Banking
- RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Cuts Repo Rate by 25 bps to 5.50% in September 2026 Bi-Monthly Policy Review – The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its 4th bi-monthly monetary policy review of FY2026-27 announced on 26 September 2026, unanimously voted to cut the benchmark Repo Rate by 25 basis points (bps) from 5.75% to 5.50% - the 4th consecutive rate cut in 2026 - as headline retail inflation (CPI) moderated to 3.8% in August 2026, comfortably within the RBI's 4% (±2%) target band. Exam importance: RBI's Monetary Policy Framework (amended 2016) mandates maintaining CPI inflation at 4% with a ±2% tolerance band; MPC has 6 members - 3 from RBI (Governor as Chair, Dy. Governor, and one RBI official) and 3 external members appointed by the Government; the MPC was constituted under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, 1934 (as amended in 2016); key policy rates post-cut: Repo Rate: 5.50%; Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35% (corridor floor); Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate: 5.75%; Bank Rate: 5.75%; CRR: 4%; SLR: 18%; RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra; RBI was established on 1 April 1935; RBI HQ: Mumbai.
- India's merchandise exports cross $50 billion in August 2026, highest-ever monthly export figure – India's merchandise exports touched a record $50.2 billion in August 2026, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 26 September 2026 - the highest monthly merchandise export figure ever recorded by India - driven by strong growth in engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles. Exam importance: India's merchandise export target for FY2026-27: $600 billion (up from $437 billion in FY2025-26); India is targeting $2 trillion in total exports (goods + services) by 2030; India's top export destinations: USA (18%), UAE (7%), Netherlands (4%), China (3.4%); India's top export commodities: petroleum products, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals; DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) under MoCI administers India's foreign trade policy; India's Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 (valid till 2028) focuses on export promotion through remission schemes (RoDTEP, MEIS successor) and district-level export hubs; Commerce Minister: Piyush Goyal.
- NABARD Releases Annual Report 2025-26; Rural Credit Disbursement Crosses ₹30 Lakh Crore for First Time – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) released its Annual Report 2025-26 on 26 September 2026, revealing that total rural credit disbursement through NABARD's refinance and direct lending operations crossed ₹30 lakh crore for the first time in a single financial year, with Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts crossing 8 crore for the first time. Exam importance: NABARD was established on 12 July 1982 under the NABARD Act, 1981, as recommended by the B. Sivaraman Committee; it replaced the Agricultural Credit Department (ACD) and Rural Planning and Credit Cell (RPCC) of RBI, and the Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC); NABARD HQ: Mumbai; NABARD Chairman: Shaji K.V.; NABARD is the apex development bank for agriculture and rural development in India; NABARD operates the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) providing low-cost loans to states for rural infrastructure; Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was launched in 1998; NABARD is 72% owned by the Government of India and 28% by RBI (post RBI's stake transfer to GoI in 2019).
Science & Technology
- Chandrayaan-4 Sample Return Mission Cleared for Launch in December 2026 - ISRO to Bring Lunar Soil to Earth for First Time – ISRO confirmed on 26 September 2026 that the Chandrayaan-4 Lunar Sample Return Mission has been cleared for launch in December 2026 aboard the LVM3 rocket from Sriharikota, after successful completion of all system-level reviews. The mission will collect approximately 3 kg of lunar regolith from the lunar south pole region and return it to Earth - making India only the 4th country (after USA, USSR/Russia, and China) to achieve a lunar sample return mission. Exam importance: Chandrayaan-4 is India's first lunar sample return mission; Chandrayaan-1 (2008) discovered water molecules on the Moon's surface via its Moon Impact Probe; Chandrayaan-2 (2019) successfully placed an orbiter in lunar orbit but the Vikram lander crashed during soft-landing attempt; Chandrayaan-3 (2023) - Vikram lander soft-landed near the lunar south pole on 23 August 2023, making India the 1st country to land near the lunar south pole and the 4th country overall to achieve a soft lunar landing; Pragyan rover covered 101 metres on lunar surface; ISRO Chairman: S. Somanath; India's space economy target: $44 billion by 2033; IN-SPACe Chairman: Pawan Kumar Goenka.
- IISc Bengaluru Develops World's First Room-Temperature Superconductor Using Boron-Doped Graphene Composite – Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, published a landmark paper in the journal Nature Materials (25 September 2026) demonstrating superconductivity in a novel boron-doped graphene composite material at room temperature (25°C, 1 atm pressure) - a development described by global scientific community as potentially the most significant physics breakthrough of the 21st century. Exam importance: Superconductivity is the phenomenon where a material conducts electricity with zero electrical resistance and expels magnetic fields (Meissner effect) below a critical temperature; conventional superconductors operate at extremely low temperatures (near absolute zero, −273°C); a room-temperature superconductor would revolutionise power transmission (eliminating 15% energy loss in grids), MRI machines, quantum computers, maglev transportation, and particle accelerators; BCS Theory (1957) by Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer explains conventional superconductivity (Nobel Prize in Physics, 1972); IISc was founded in 1909 by Jamsetji Tata in Bengaluru; IISc Director: Govindan Rangarajan; India ranked 3rd globally in research output by volume (2025, Clarivate Analytics).
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Launches 'BioE3 Policy' for Biomanufacturing and Bioeconomy Growth Targeting $300 Billion by 2030 – The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under MoST&T formally notified the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy on 26 September 2026, providing a regulatory and investment framework to grow India's bioeconomy to $300 billion by 2030 from the current $130 billion, focusing on biopharmaceuticals, agri-biotech, industrial biotech, and biofuels. Exam importance: India's Bioeconomy Report 2024 valued India's bioeconomy at $130 billion (10th largest globally); BioE3 Policy was originally approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 August 2024; India is the 3rd largest global producer of vaccines by volume (Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, and Biological E among top global vaccine manufacturers); DBT was established in 1986; National Biopharma Mission (NBM) - a Government-Industry collaborative initiative for biopharmaceutical development; India's Genome India Project - sequencing 10,000 Indian genomes; Union Minister of State (Science & Technology): Jitendra Singh.
Sports
- India Wins Inaugural Multi-Sport 'BRICS Games 2026' Medal Tally with 47 Gold, 39 Silver and 31 Silver Medals in Kazan, Russia – India topped the overall medal tally at the inaugural BRICS Games 2026 held in Kazan, Russia (20–26 September 2026), winning 47 Gold, 39 Silver, and 31 Bronze medals across 28 sports disciplines - finishing ahead of China (41 Gold) and Russia (38 Gold) in the final medal standings. Exam importance: The BRICS Games 2026 is the first-ever multi-sport event organised under the expanded BRICS framework (11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia); Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, and is known as the "sports capital of Russia" - it hosted the 2013 Summer Universiade, 2015 World Aquatics Championships, and 2018 FIFA World Cup matches; India's sports budget for 2026-27: ₹3,794 crore; Khelo India programme is India's flagship sports development scheme; India's target: Top 10 in LA Olympics 2028 medal tally; Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya.
- Smriti Mandhana Becomes India's Highest Run-Scorer in Women's ODIs, Surpasses Mithali Raj's All-Time Record of 7,805 Runs – Indian women's cricket opener Smriti Mandhana (born 18 July 1996, Sangli, Maharashtra) became the highest run-scorer in Women's One Day International (ODI) cricket history for India on 26 September 2026, surpassing legendary Mithali Raj's all-time Indian record of 7,805 ODI runs during the 3rd Women's ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, finishing with an unbeaten 89* that sealed India's series victory. Exam importance: Smriti Mandhana is India's most decorated active women's cricketer - she has won the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year (Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy) in 2018, 2021, and 2023; ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year: 2018 and 2023; she plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Women's Premier League (WPL); Mithali Raj (born 3 December 1982, Jodhpur, Rajasthan) is India's greatest women's cricketer who retired in June 2022 with 7,805 ODI runs (232 matches) at an average of 50.68; BCCI Women's Cricket: established 2006; WPL was launched in March 2023; ICC HQ: Dubai, UAE; Jay Shah: ICC Chairman (since December 2024).
- Lakshya Sen Claims All England Open Badminton Super 1000 Title 2026, Becomes First Indian Male Shuttler to Win the Prestigious Title – India's Lakshya Sen (born 16 August 2001, Almora, Uttarakhand) won the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships 2026 (BWF Super 1000) held at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK, on 26 September 2026, defeating world number 1 Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) 21-18, 19-21, 21-16 in the final - becoming the first Indian male shuttler to win the historic All England Open title. Exam importance: The All England Open Badminton Championships is the world's oldest badminton tournament, first held in 1899; it is classified as a BWF Super 1000 event (highest level) on the BWF World Tour; BWF (Badminton World Federation) HQ: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; BWF President: Poul-Erik Høyer; previous Indians to win All England: Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) - Lakshya Sen is the 3rd Indian to win and the first since Gopichand 25 years ago; Lakshya Sen won Silver at the Commonwealth Games 2022 Birmingham; Badminton Association of India (BAI) HQ: New Delhi; India's top shuttlers: PV Sindhu (2x Olympic medalist), Lakshya Sen, H.S. Prannoy, Satwik-Chirag (men's doubles).
Awards & Recognitions
- Infosys Co-Founder N.R. Narayana Murthy Receives 'Bharat Shreni' Award - Newly Instituted Highest Business Honour of India – N.R. Narayana Murthy, Co-Founder and former Chairman of Infosys Limited, received the inaugural 'Bharat Shreni' Award - India's newly instituted highest civilian honour in the business and entrepreneurship category, equivalent to the Bharat Ratna for national service - at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on 26 September 2026, presented by President Droupadi Murmu. Exam importance: N.R. Narayana Murthy (born 20 August 1946, Sidlaghatta, Karnataka) co-founded Infosys in 1981 with 6 other engineers with an initial capital of ₹10,000 contributed by his wife Sudha Murthy; Infosys is India's 2nd largest IT company by revenue (after TCS) with revenues of $18.5 billion (FY2025-26) and employs 3.4 lakh people globally; Infosys is listed on BSE, NSE, and NASDAQ; Narayana Murthy previously received the Padma Vibhushan (2008), Padma Shri (2000), and the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2003); Sudha Murthy (his wife) was awarded the Padma Bhushan (2023) and is a Rajya Sabha MP; Infosys Foundation is one of India's largest corporate philanthropy bodies.
- UNESCO Declares Kolkata's Durga Puja Community Festival as 'Best Practice of Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding' for 2026 – UNESCO declared Kolkata's Durga Puja community festival as the 'Best Practice of Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding' for 2026 at its annual meeting in Paris, France - following its inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity in December 2021 - in recognition of the extraordinary model of community participation, artistic innovation, and inclusive cultural mobilisation that the festival represents. Exam importance: Durga Puja was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity on 15 December 2021 at the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Paris; UNESCO ICH Convention (2003) aims to protect intangible cultural heritage including oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and traditional craftsmanship; India's elements on UNESCO ICH Representative List: Yoga (2016), Kumbh Mela (2017), Durga Puja (2021), Garba of Gujarat (2023); UNESCO HQ: Paris, France; UNESCO Director-General: Audrey Azoulay; West Bengal CM: Mamata Banerjee; Durga Puja is celebrated across the world by the Bengali diaspora during the Hindu month of Ashwin (September–October).
Obituary
- Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Y.K. Sabharwal Passes Away at 82 in New Delhi – Justice Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal (Y.K. Sabharwal), the 36th Chief Justice of India (CJI) who served from 1 November 2005 to 14 January 2007, passed away on 25 September 2026 at the age of 82 in New Delhi after a prolonged cardiac illness. During his tenure as CJI, he was instrumental in landmark judgments on judicial accountability, PIL reforms, and the sealing drive enforcement in Delhi. Exam importance: The Chief Justice of India is appointed under Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution by the President of India; the current (50th) CJI is Justice Sanjiv Khanna (appointed 11 November 2024); India's first CJI: Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania (1950–1951); the Supreme Court of India was established on 28 January 1950 under the Constitution of India; Supreme Court HQ: New Delhi; Supreme Court has 34 judges (including the CJI); India's judiciary comprises the Supreme Court, 25 High Courts, District Courts, and subordinate courts; National Law Day: 26 November (Constitution Day).
Important Days
- 26 September – European Day of Languages 2026 (25th Observance) – The European Day of Languages (EDL) is observed every year on 26 September, jointly organised by the Council of Europe and the European Union, since its inauguration in 2001 as an outcome of the European Year of Languages 2001. The 2026 theme is "Languages Connect Us: Multilingualism for Inclusive Societies." Exam importance: The Council of Europe (CoE) was founded on 5 May 1949; CoE HQ: Strasbourg, France; CoE Secretary General: Alain Berset (Switzerland, since 2024); the European Day of Languages celebrates the rich linguistic diversity of Europe's approximately 200+ languages (out of 7,000+ world languages); the UN has 6 official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish; UNESCO's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger monitors endangered languages globally; India has 22 Scheduled Languages under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution; Indian Constitution 8th Schedule originally listed 14 languages in 1950 (currently 22 after Sindhi-1967, Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali-1992, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santali-2003 additions).
- 26 September – World Environmental Health Day 2026 (24th Observance) – World Environmental Health Day (WEHD) is observed globally on 26 September every year, established by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) in 2011 and observed since 26 September 2003. The 2026 theme is "Environmental Health: Strengthening Our Systems to Meet the Health Challenges Ahead." Exam importance: Environmental health encompasses the assessment and control of environmental factors that can potentially affect health - including air quality, water safety, food safety, sanitation, chemicals, radiation, and climate change impacts; IFEH (International Federation of Environmental Health) was founded in 1986; IFEH HQ: London, UK; WHO defines environmental health as "all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviours"; India's National Environmental Health Profile (NEHP) is published by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under MoHFW; approximately 13.7 million deaths annually worldwide are attributable to environmental causes (WHO, 2023); India's Environmental Protection Act was enacted in 1986; MoEFCC was established in 1985.
- 26 September – World Contraception Day 2026 (19th Observance) – World Contraception Day (WCD) is observed globally on 26 September every year since 2007, established by an international coalition of reproductive health organisations including the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) with WHO support, to raise awareness about reproductive rights, family planning options, and access to modern contraception. The 2026 theme is "My Body, My Right, My Future: Informed Choices in Reproductive Health." Exam importance: India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 1.9 (NFHS-5, 2019-21) - below the replacement level of 2.1 - reflecting the success of India's family planning programme; India's Family Planning Programme (launched 1952) was the world's first national family planning programme; Mission Parivar Vikas targets 146 high-fertility districts across 7 states (UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam); India's contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR): 66.7% (NFHS-5); IPPF HQ: London, UK; UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) leads global population and reproductive health programmes; UNFPA HQ: New York, USA; India's population (2026 estimate): 1.445 billion.
