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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Saturday, 12 September 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay raises health insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a fivefold increase in health insurance coverage under the state's health scheme, significantly expanding financial protection for beneficiaries. (GS: State welfare schemes, Health policy) - Free Breakfast Scheme extended to Middle School students
— The Tamil Nadu government announced the extension of its free breakfast programme beyond primary schools to middle school students, widening the flagship welfare initiative. (GS: Social welfare, state schemes) - First dedicated skate park inaugurated in Ooty
— Tamil Nadu's first purpose-built skate park was inaugurated in Ooty (Udhagamandalam), marking a new sports infrastructure milestone for the state. (GS: Sports infrastructure) - Bypolls for Madurantakam and Dharapuram: First EVM randomisation held
— The first randomisation of EVMs and VVPAT units was conducted on September 12 for byelections scheduled on October 6 to these two Assembly segments. (GS: Election process, ECI procedures) - Tamil Nadu reaffirms two-language policy amid PM SHRI row
— A state minister confirmed no change in Tamil Nadu's two-language policy, responding to MDMK chief Vaiko's demand that CM Vijay reject the Centre's PM SHRI scheme over alleged Hindi imposition concerns. (GS: Language policy, Centre–State relations) - Show-cause notice to CSI Church management over Vellore roof collapse
— The Vellore District Collector issued a show-cause notice to CSI Church management following a roof collapse incident, with the state government assuring compensation to victims' families. (GS: Disaster accountability, state administration)
India — National
- BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi meets Putin and Iran's Pezeshkian
— PM Modi held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on trade, defence, energy and critical minerals, and separately met Iranian President Pezeshkian, stressing the need to protect navigation and seafarers. (GS: Foreign policy, multilateral diplomacy) - Xi–Modi talks at BRICS: Beijing pledges partnership
— China stated it would work to "be partners helping each other succeed" ahead of Xi Jinping's India visit at the BRICS summit, signalling continued diplomatic thaw despite persisting business hurdles. (GS: India–China relations, bilateral diplomacy) - Gauhati High Court rules 'talaq-e-hassan' is valid divorce
— The court directed registration of the divorce under the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorce Act, 2024, giving legal standing to this form of Muslim personal law divorce. (GS: Personal law, judiciary, Article 44) - Allahabad HC stays ₹6.41 crore damage recovery over Saharanpur mosque demolition
— The court sought the Uttar Pradesh government's reply after the mosque was demolished within three days of an eviction order, raising due process concerns. (GS: Judiciary, minority rights, Article 25–26) - Banking services disrupted as unions strike for 5-day workweek
— Public sector bank employees and officers across India went on a nationwide strike, causing partial or complete closure of most PSB branches pressing for a five-day working week. (GS: Labour rights, public sector banking) - Cabinet approves eight multitracking projects to decongest railway lines
— The Union Cabinet cleared eight multitracking railway projects aimed at easing congestion on heavily trafficked corridors, boosting freight and passenger capacity. (GS: Infrastructure, Ministry of Railways) - Western Dedicated Freight Corridor now fully operational at 2,843 km
— The Western DFC has become fully operational, providing India a key logistics backbone and serving as a template for future freight corridor expansion. (GS: Infrastructure, logistics, Ministry of Railways)
Economy & Finance
- India's forex reserves surge by record $44.903 billion
— Foreign exchange reserves jumped by a record $44.903 billion in the latest reporting week, following the previous week's all-time high of $740.803 billion, reflecting strong capital inflows. (GS: RBI, Balance of Payments) - Industrial production rises 6.7% in July, signalling strong FY27 start
— Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew 6.7% in July 2026, indicating the economy's continued momentum at the start of the financial year. (GS: Economic indicators, MoSPI) - RBI Governor flags inflation watch at next MPC meeting
— Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the MPC will reassess growth-inflation dynamics at its next meeting, noting that rising crude oil prices could impact inflation depending on pass-through levels. (GS: Monetary policy, RBI) - Government appoints three more members to RBI Central Board
— The Centre expanded the RBI Central Board with three new appointments, strengthening governance of the apex bank. (GS: RBI structure, Ministry of Finance) - BRICS nations urged to link payment systems and trade in local currencies
— Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at the BRICS Business Forum 2026, called for inter-linked BRICS payment systems and local-currency trade to reduce dollar dependence. (GS: BRICS, de-dollarisation, trade policy)
Science & Technology
- Gaganyaan Life Support System explained
— Episode 6 of ISRO's Gaganyaan series focused on the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that sustains three astronauts inside a sealed spacecraft, a critical mission-readiness element. (GS: ISRO, human spaceflight) - Biotech sector crosses 1,100 new startups in one year: K. VijayRaghavan
— Veteran biologist K. VijayRaghavan noted the biotech sector's steady growth with over 1,100 startups launched in the past year, while highlighting concerns over regulatory frameworks and education quality. (GS: Biotechnology, startup ecosystem) - AI cancer screening among 37 innovations showcased at BRICS Summit
— Artificial intelligence-based cancer screening technology was among 37 innovations displayed at the 18th BRICS Summit, highlighting India's tech diplomacy push. (GS: Health technology, BRICS) - India severely underfunds research: only 262 researchers per million people
— India spends just $13 per person annually on research (vs. China's $250 and the US's $2,100), with only 2,500 government-funded postdoc positions, fuelling brain drain. (GS: Science policy, R&D investment)
Environment
- State of Environment 2026 Report highlights rising climate risks and wildlife conflicts
— CSE–Down To Earth's SoE 2026 report flagged increasing climate-related risks, human–wildlife conflicts, and gaps in pollution monitoring across India. (GS: Environment, climate change, CSE) - Ancient spice route shaped Malabari goat's genetic legacy: Study
— Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University researchers decoded the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Malabari goat, linking its genetic diversity to Kerala's historic spice trade routes. (GS: Biodiversity, animal genetics)
Sports
- Alexander Zverev reaches US Open 2026 final
— German tennis player Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in the US Open semifinals and will play for his second Grand Slam title of the year. (GS: International sports) - Mohammed Siraj returns to form ahead of India series
— Pacer Siraj credited his rhythm restoration to playing in the Duleep Trophy final, after a poor performance during India's Sri Lanka tour. (GS: Cricket, domestic tournaments) - Jasprit Bumrah finds rhythm against Sooryavanshi
— India's pace spearhead Bumrah showed form in the Duleep Trophy, key ahead of upcoming international commitments. (GS: Cricket)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred Padma Bhushan
— Justice M. Fathima Beevi, the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India, was conferred the Padma Bhushan, recognising her landmark contribution to the Indian judiciary. (GS: Padma awards, judiciary, firsts in India) - Justice K.T. Thomas awarded Padma Vibhushan
— Retired Supreme Court judge Justice K.T. Thomas, known for independent judgments including on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. (GS: Padma awards, Supreme Court) - Former CJI J.S. Khehar receives Padma award
— Former Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar, known for decisions that often contradicted government positions, was recognised with a Padma award. (GS: Padma awards, CJI) - Justice Manikumar appointed Chairman of Tamil Nadu SHRC
— Justice Manikumar was appointed as the new Chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission. (GS: State appointments, human rights bodies)
International
- PM Modi–Putin bilateral: Trade, defence, energy and critical minerals on agenda
— PM Modi and Russian President Putin held comprehensive talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, covering bilateral trade expansion, defence cooperation, energy supply and critical minerals. (GS: India–Russia relations, foreign policy) - India–Canada relations "well beyond reset": Canadian High Commissioner
— Canadian High Commissioner Christopher Cooter stated that bilateral ties are being actively rebuilt, describing the current environment as the most constructive in 80 years of diplomatic relations. (GS: India–Canada relations, foreign policy) - Saudi Arabia shuts East–West oil pipeline after drone attack from Iraq
— Saudi Arabia closed its major East–West oil pipeline on September 11 after drones launched from Iraq struck it, raising concerns about regional energy security. (GS: West Asia, energy security, global oil supply)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 India's forex reserves hit a record weekly jump of $44.903 billion; previous week's all-time high was $740.803 billion
- 🔹 Justice M. Fathima Beevi — first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India — awarded Padma Bhushan (2026)
- 🔹 Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay raised state health insurance from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh and extended the Free Breakfast Scheme to middle school students