India notifies its first four "mega ports", the OECD lifts India's FY27 growth forecast to 7.1%, the IAF opens the 40-nation Tarang Shakti 2026 air exercise at Jodhpur, IIT Delhi unveils India's first indigenous working micro-GPU, and India's kabaddi teams strike a golden double at the Asian Games as Sawan Barwal ends a 44-year marathon medal drought. Here is the news that matters for competitive exams today.
India – National Affairs
MoPSW notifies India's first four "mega ports", including Adani's Mundra
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) notified four ports as India's first "mega ports" under Section 73 of the Indian Ports Act, 2025: Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT, Nhava Sheva), Paradip Port, Deendayal (Kandla) Port and Adani Group's Mundra Port.
Key details
- Validity: the status is valid for 5 years, subject to periodic review.
- Criteria (from a July 2026 notification): annual throughput of 150 million metric tonnes for a bulk port, or 7.5 million TEUs for a container port.
- Mundra, operated by Adani Ports and SEZ, is the fourth and the only privately owned port on the list; the other three are government-owned.
Make in India completes 12 years
On 25 September 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) marked the 12th anniversary of the Make in India initiative.
- Launched: 25 September 2014, later expanded as Make in India 2.0.
- Guiding principle: "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance."
- Coverage: 27 sectors – 15 manufacturing and 12 service sectors.
Centre approves interest-free loan of Rs. 50,000 per barn for FCV tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh
The Government of India approved a one-time, interest-free loan of Rs. 50,000 per barn for Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh under the Interest-Free Working Capital Assistance Scheme.
- Expected to cover about 44,000 growers with a total outlay of around Rs. 220 crore, disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- FCV tobacco is mainly grown in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
PM Modi inaugurates NGT's international conference on environment and climate
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day International Conference on "The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics", organised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 19–20 September 2026.
- Judges and judicial representatives from 17 countries took part, with representatives of UNEP and the Asian Development Bank.
- Themes: climate change and resilience, circular economy, biodiversity and ecosystem services, sustainable energy.
JICA-supported forest management project launched
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched a workshop on the Capacity Enhancement for Effective Forest Management Project in New Delhi with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
- Implemented over 2025–26 to 2031–32, covering all States, to train frontline forest personnel.
- Total outlay Rs. 537.10 crore – Rs. 440.42 crore from JICA and Rs. 96.68 crore from the Government of India.
Mandeep K. Bhandari appointed CBSE Chairperson
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Mandeep K. Bhandari, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). He was earlier Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and replaces Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who held additional charge after former Chairperson Rahul Singh was transferred in June 2026.
Other national headlines
- Green fuels: the foundation stone was laid on 26 September 2026 for India's first port-based e-methanol production facility at Deendayal Port, Kandla, Gujarat.
- 9th India International Water Week concluded on 26 September at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (theme "Climate Resilient Water Management"; inaugurated by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on 22 September).
- India-New Zealand FTA comes into force on 20 October 2026, with 100% duty-free access for Indian exports.
Daily Current Affairs 28 September 2026 -Download Free PDF Here
Economy & Banking
OECD raises India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1%
In its Economic Outlook, Interim Report (September 2026), "Weathering Successive Shocks," the OECD raised India's FY27 growth forecast by 80 basis points to 7.1%, from 6.3% in June.
Key projections
- Reason for upgrade: resilient domestic demand and government policies that shielded households and firms from higher energy prices.
- FY28 growth: expected to moderate to 6.5%.
- Inflation: average 4.7% in FY27, easing to 4.2% in FY28.
- Risk flagged: reduced purchasing power could weaken growth through the second half of 2026 before a gradual rebound in 2027.
- Global growth: 2.9% in CY2026 and 3.0% in CY2027.
For comparison: Moody's raised its FY27 forecast for India to 7% earlier this month.
NTPC and EDF Power Solutions form 50:50 joint venture
NTPC Limited and EDF Power Solutions India (a subsidiary of France's Electricité de France) signed a 50:50 joint venture agreement to develop, own and operate low-carbon energy projects in India and neighbouring countries.
- Scope: pumped storage projects, hydropower, other renewables and electricity distribution.
- Aligned with India's goal of about 100 GW of pumped-storage capacity by 2036.
- Signed in the presence of NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh and EDF Chairman and CEO Bernard Fontana. NTPC was established in 1975 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
JICA signs USD 150 million loan with IIFL Home Finance
JICA signed a USD 150 million loan agreement with IIFL Home Finance Limited to expand affordable housing finance for low-income women, including Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG).
WEF Travel and Tourism Development Index 2026: India jumps nine places to 31st
The World Economic Forum released the 10th edition of the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI 2026). India climbed nine places to 31st with a score of 4.42, helped by low travel costs, cultural resources and natural attractions.
- Top five: Japan (score 5.27), the United States, Spain, Australia and France.
- Prepared with Zurich Insurance Group, covering 110 economies; Mali ranked lowest.
- The index was earlier the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (2007–2019) and was relaunched in 2022.
Recap: UPI merchant-charge framework and Tata Sons
- NPCI's revised UPI MDR framework (flat Rs. 5 on select categories above Rs. 2,000; P2P always free) takes effect on 15 October 2026.
- Markets continue to track Tata Sons' next steps after the RBI declined its Core Investment Company deregistration request.
Science & Technology
IIT Delhi develops India's first indigenous working micro-GPU
Researchers at IIT Delhi, led by Prof. Jayadeva and Prof. Kaushik Saha of the Electrical Engineering Department, developed India's first working and demonstrable indigenous micro-Graphics Processing Unit (micro-GPU).
Key details
- Implemented in Register Transfer Language (RTL) as a custom floating-point GPU engine, prototyped on a Spartan-7 FPGA.
- Applications: industrial displays, low-cost HMIs, e-rickshaw dashboards, inland navigation, e-readers and embedded visualisation.
- Roadmap: an 8–16 core vector-style GPU with an optimised compiler toolchain, and a 65 nm ASIC proof of concept.
TDB signs Rs. 200 crore pact with Agnikul Cosmos for reusable launch vehicle
The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology signed an agreement with Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos to develop the Agnibaan Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), with Rs. 200 crore through Optionally Convertible Debentures under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
- Aims to advance the technology from TRL-4 to TRL-8, using a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system with deep throttling and restart capability.
- TDB also agreed Rs. 63.84 crore of support for GalaxEye Space Solutions under the same fund.
Defence & Security
IAF opens 2nd edition of multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Jodhpur
The Indian Air Force began the 2nd edition of 'Tarang Shakti' at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, running from 26 September to 12 October 2026 with participation from 40 countries.
Key details
- Air participants (8 friendly foreign countries): Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, UAE and the United States. 32 other countries are observers.
- Platforms: IAF Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI, alongside the USAF F-35, RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet, French Rafale, UAE F-16, German A400M Atlas and Bangladesh C-130J.
- Training: counter-air, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift, air-to-air refuelling, BVR and WVR combat, dynamic targeting and Combat Search and Rescue.
Exercises under way and concluding
- Yudh Abhyas 2026 (India–US, 22nd edition; Auli, Uttarakhand, and Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan) concludes today, 28 September.
- Exercise Varuna (India–France, 24th edition): INS Trishul reached Toulon on 22 September for the harbour and sea phases.
- Nomadic Elephant (India–Mongolia, 18th edition) continues at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, with 45 personnel from each side.
MoD-BDL contract for SAT-SAAW
The Ministry of Defence signed an Rs. 810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited on 23 September for 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) for the Indian Air Force.
Sports
Asian Games 2026: India's kabaddi teams retain both titles; Sawan Barwal ends 44-year marathon wait
Day 7 (26 September) of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan was India's best so far, with seven medals in a day: two gold, three silver and two bronze.
Highlights
- Kabaddi (men): India beat Iran 40–34 in the final, captained by Sunil Kumar, for India's ninth Asian Games kabaddi gold.
- Kabaddi (women): India beat Iran 37–34 to defend the Hangzhou title – their fourth Asiad gold.
- Athletics: Sawan Barwal won silver in the men's marathon with a national record – India's first marathon medal since 1982 and its first outside home soil. Tajinderpal Singh Toor took shot put silver, and Prachi Choudhary won 400m bronze.
- Shooting: India's women's 50m rifle 3 positions team won silver (1,763 points, behind China's Games record 1,773).
- Squash: Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won mixed-doubles bronze; Anahat Singh became the first Indian woman to win a singles silver at the Asian Games.
- High jump: Sarvesh Kushare ended a 56-year wait for an Indian high jump medal at the Games.
Medal tally
- India has won 37 medals – 4 gold, 16 silver, 17 bronze – across 12 sports, and stood 12th in the standings, ranked by gold medals.
- The four golds: women's cricket, 10m air pistol mixed team (Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh, 25 September), and the men's and women's kabaddi teams.
- Athletics has contributed the most medals (13).
- China leads with 216 medals (123 gold, 51 silver, 42 bronze), followed by Japan and South Korea.
- The Games run until 4 October 2026.
West Indies tour of India begins
The West Indies are touring India from 27 September to 17 October 2026, opening India's 2026–27 international home season.
Important Days
28 September – International Day for Universal Access to Information; World Rabies Day; Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary
- International Day for Universal Access to Information: observed on 28 September; proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015 and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2019. It highlights public access to information as a fundamental freedom and a driver of sustainable development.
- World Rabies Day: observed each year on 28 September, the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
- Bhagat Singh Jayanti: the freedom fighter was born on 28 September 1907.
27 September – World Tourism Day
Observed every year on 27 September under UN Tourism. The 2026 observance carried the theme "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism," with the main international celebration in El Salvador, as reported by aggregator sources.
24 September – National Service Scheme (NSS) Day
Marks the launch of the National Service Scheme on 24 September 1969 by then Education Minister Dr V.K.R.V. Rao in 37 universities, during Mahatma Gandhi's birth centenary year. The scheme runs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
23 September – International Day of Sign Languages
2026 theme: "Declaring Deaf People's Human Rights," observed within the International Week of Deaf People (21–27 September). Designated by UNGA Resolution A/RES/72/161; first observed in 2018; marks the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951.
22 September – World Car-Free Day
Observed on 22 September to encourage people to avoid using cars for a day; the date coincides with the EU's European Mobility Week (16–22 September).
Coming up
- 29 September: World Heart Day.
- 30 September: International Translation Day.
Quick Revision – One-Liners
- India's first "mega ports" – JNPT, Paradip, Deendayal (Kandla) and Mundra; under Section 73, Indian Ports Act, 2025; valid 5 years.
- Mega port criteria – 150 MMT (bulk) or 7.5 million TEUs (container) a year.
- Only private port among the four – Mundra (Adani Ports and SEZ).
- Make in India – launched 25 September 2014; completed 12 years; 27 sectors (15 manufacturing + 12 services).
- OECD FY27 India growth forecast – 7.1% (from 6.3%); FY28 – 6.5%.
- WEF TTDI 2026 – India 31st (up 9 places); Japan tops; 10th edition; 110 economies.
- NTPC-EDF JV – 50:50; pumped storage focus; India target 100 GW by 2036.
- New CBSE Chairperson – Mandeep K. Bhandari (2001-batch IAS, AGMUT).
- India's first port-based e-methanol facility – Deendayal Port, Kandla; foundation stone 26 September 2026.
- IIT Delhi's invention – India's first working indigenous micro-GPU (Prof. Jayadeva, Prof. Kaushik Saha).
- Agnikul Cosmos's vehicle – Agnibaan RLV; Rs. 200 crore from TDB via the RDI Fund.
- Tarang Shakti 2026 – 2nd edition, Jodhpur, 26 September–12 October; 40 countries (8 with aircraft, 32 observers).
- Kabaddi finals at Asian Games 2026 – men 40–34 and women 37–34 over Iran.
- India's first marathon medal at Asian Games since 1982 – Sawan Barwal (silver, national record).
- First Indian woman to win an Asiad squash singles silver – Anahat Singh.
- India's Asian Games 2026 tally – 37 medals (4G, 16S, 17B); 12th place; China leads.
- Asian Games 2026 dates – 19 September to 4 October, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- World Rabies Day – 28 September; International Day for Universal Access to Information – 28 September.
- NSS launched – 24 September 1969, in 37 universities.
