Monthly current affairs for September 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed an MoU with Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) to establish a simplified and time-bound framework for granting approvals to facilitate the crossing of National Highways, canals, and pipelines across Gujarat.

According to the 40th edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40) released by Z/Yen Partners, in collaboration with the China Development Institute (CDI), the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is ranked 37th globally.

New York is ranked top among the global financial centres, followed by London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

According to the 20th edition of the “Global Gender Gap Report 2026” released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India is ranked 131st out of 145 evaluated nations with a score of 0.645.

Iceland is ranked top for the 17th consecutive year with a score of 0.93, followed by Finland and Norway.

Typhoon Dujuan has hit the eastern part of Japan, resulting in record-breaking precipitation and violent winds. The weather event has triggered severe flooding and landslides across the affected regions.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh has unveiled several policy initiatives at the ‘VIMARSH 2026’ DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet held in New Delhi under the theme ‘Varta se Vikas’.

During the event, 9 Licensing Agreements for ToT (LAToTs) were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners. DRDO also signed a contract with the Quality Council of India (QCI) for the implementation of the ‘System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating’ (SAMAR) version 2.0.

A group of scientists led by Dr Meena Mishara has developed indigenous Gallium Nitride (GaN) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technology for high-frequency defence applications, was unveiled.

The bilateral air exercise “Veer Guardian 2026” between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) has concluded at the Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. Su-30 MKI, Rafale, and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas of the IAF and F-2A fighter aircraft of the JASDF participated in the exercise.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government to develop a Greenfield Shipbuilding Industrial Cluster in the Raigad district.

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by CM Yogi Adityanath, has approved 23 development proposals focusing on industrial growth and employment.

Key approvals include the establishment of an ethanol plant in Mathura and the “UP Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2025” to incentivize specialized manufacturing. The measures also cover various infrastructure projects and welfare reforms to strengthen the socio-economic framework of the state.

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the eighth edition of the “businessline Changemaker Awards” in New Delhi. Purnima Devi Barman, known as the “Stork Sister”, was named the “Changemaker of the Year” for her work in the conservation of Greater Adjutant Stork and women empowerment.

The “Iconic Changemaker” award was given to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for modernising border infrastructure and Dr. MR Rajagopal for community-based palliative care.

Other winners include ARMAAN for “Digital Transformation” (healthcare via mobile technology), Gourmet Popcornica for “Financial Transformation” (agro-processing), and “Project Sambandh” for “Social Transformation” (aiding bereaved military families).

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has granted in-principle approval for the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The AI CoE will function as a national-level hub for AI innovation, startup incubation, and solution deployment.

The initiative will be implemented by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) under MeitY, in collaboration with Blue Cloud Softech Solutions as the industry partner.

Indian Railways has commissioned KAVACH Version 4.0 for the first time on the South Central Railway (SCR). The project involved the upgradation from KAVACH Version 3.2 to Version 4.0.

The implementation was completed on the Malkajgiri-Kamareddi section of the Hyderabad Division, covering a total distance of 108 Route Kilometres (RKm).

India has inaugurated its first farm-level soil carbon payment initiative at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana, Punjab.

The payments are distributed as part of the ‘Aadi’ farmer carbon programme, which was launched by Grow Indigo in 2019 under the technical guidance of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). A total of 2,550 smallholder farmers from Punjab and Haryana will receive disbursements of over ₹2.9 crore for implementing verified regenerative agricultural practices.

It is to be noted that the initial phase of the project covered 30,000 acres and generated over 50,000 verified carbon credits. Individual payouts to the farmers ranged from ₹3,000 to ₹15,000, depending on the volume of verified carbon credits generated from the landholdings.

According to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the GDP growth forecast of India for FY27 is revised to 7% from the earlier estimate of 6.6% in July.

novio, operated by Credilio Financial Technologies Pvt Ltd, has partnered with the Indian Overseas Bank to launch a co-branded RuPay credit card.

According to the 17th edition of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for August 2026 released by the NSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the overall unemployment rate (UR) for individuals aged 15+ decreased to 5.0% in August 2026, compared to 5.1% in July 2026.

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for the same age group increased to 55.6% in August 2026 (up from 55.4% in July 2026). The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) also rose to 52.8% from 52.5% in the previous month.

According to the 9th edition of the “Trade Watch Quarterly (TWQ) Thematic Analysis: Metals and Ores Trade” released by the NITI Aayog for the first quarter (Q1) of FY 2027 (April to June 2026), global goods trade reached $13.7 trillion in the first half of Calendar Year (CY) 2026, reflecting a 12.5% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth.

The total merchandise and services trade of India expanded to $506.9 billion in Q1 FY27, registering a 15.5% Y-o-Y growth. During the same period, merchandise exports increased by 16% to $129.5 billion, while merchandise imports grew by 19.8% to reach $216.1 billion.

US President Donald Trump, along with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland, has signed a trilateral security agreement titled “Infinite Life” at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The pact allows for the expansion of the military presence of the USA in the Arctic region without changing the territorial status of Greenland. The agreement grants the USA permanent basing, overflight, and operational rights. It is to be noted that the agreement serves as an update to the original defense pact which was established in 1951.

Zoho has launched ‘Zia Chat’, a unified AI interface for business operations. The company also announced its entry into vertical Software as a Service (SaaS) by introducing 7 industry-specific applications.

These applications are designed to cater to sectors including retail, automotive, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), healthcare, education, real estate, and restaurants.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has signed an MoU with the government of Andhra Pradesh to serve as the anchor shipyard for a mega greenfield shipbuilding industrial cluster.

The proposed industrial facility is scheduled for development at Dugarajapatnam in the Tirupati district of the state.

The Madhya Pradesh government has launched the ‘Swamitva Adhikar Abhilekh Nispadan Evam Panjiyan Yojana-2026’ to provide free registration for approximately 50 lakh rural properties across 55 districts.

It is to be noted that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in India to offer free registration for rural residential plots under the scheme. The initiative was introduced during the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, a campaign marking the birthday of PM Narendra Modi.