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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Sunday, 13 September 2026
36 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay raises health insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh
— The Tamil Nadu government has enhanced the health insurance coverage under the state scheme fivefold, significantly expanding the benefit for eligible residents. (Welfare scheme; GS Paper II — State governance) - TN government to extend Free Breakfast Scheme to middle school students
— The scheme, originally launched for primary school students under the previous Stalin government, will now cover middle school children, broadening its reach. (Social welfare; GS Paper II — education/nutrition schemes) - CM Vijay flags off Silverstone motor race in UK as actor Ajith competes
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay travelled to Silverstone Circuit, UK, to flag off the race featuring Tamil actor-racer Ajith Kumar, who expressed hopes of hosting such events in India. (Soft power/sports diplomacy) - DMK stages statewide demonstrations condemning Vijay's remarks against Stalin
— DMK workers protested across Tamil Nadu demanding expunction of CM Vijay's Assembly remarks against former CM M.K. Stalin, signalling continued political tensions between TVK and DMK. (State politics; GS Paper II) - TN minister reaffirms two-language policy amid PM SHRI controversy
— Amid MDMK chief Vaiko's demand to reject the Centre's PM SHRI three-language scheme, the Vijay government clarified it will continue the state's longstanding two-language (Tamil and English) policy. (Language policy; GS Paper II — Centre-State relations) - Namma Chennai app opens volunteer registration ahead of Northeast monsoon
— Greater Chennai Corporation is enrolling volunteers via the Namma Chennai app, requiring name, mobile number, email, address and PIN code, in preparation for the Northeast monsoon season. (Disaster preparedness; GS Paper II — urban governance)
India — National
- BRICS Summit gala dinner hosted by PM Modi at Bharat Mandapam
— PM Modi hosted world leaders at a gala dinner on September 12 featuring millet-based dishes like millet pulao and shahtoot phirni, showcasing India's millet diplomacy. (International relations; India's BRICS presidency) - NIMHANS designated nodal body for BRICS Centres of Excellence in mental wellness
— The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, has been named India's nodal institution for BRICS cooperation on mental health. (Health policy; GS Paper II — institutions) - BRICS Declaration opposes carbon border tax; acknowledges fossil fuels' continued role
— The BRICS joint declaration pushed back against carbon border adjustment mechanisms (like EU's CBAM), reflecting developing nations' concerns about green trade barriers. (Environment & economy; GS Paper III) - BRICS members call for constructive engagement on pathogen access and benefit sharing
— Members agreed to work collaboratively on equitable access to pathogens and sharing of benefits from research, a key global health governance issue. (GS Paper II — international health governance) - Cabinet approves eight multitracking railway projects to decongest lines
— The Union Cabinet cleared eight railway multitracking projects aimed at easing congestion on key freight and passenger corridors. (Infrastructure; GS Paper III — transport) - West Bengal professors oppose inter-university transfer Bill
— WBCUTA termed the Bill an attack on academic freedom, vowing to write to the Governor (also Chancellor of universities), highlighting tensions between state governments and university autonomy. (GS Paper II — federalism, education) - Govt. employee quitting to contest polls cannot seek reinstatement: Rajasthan HC
— The court upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal's ruling that contesting elections as a party candidate violates service rules requiring political neutrality. (GS Paper II — judiciary; service rules)
Economy & Finance
- India's forex reserves jump by a record $44.903 billion in a single week
— Total reserves rose to a new all-time high of $785.706 billion (previous week: $740.803 billion), the largest single-week jump on record. (GS Paper III — economy; RBI data) - Industrial production rises 6.7% in July 2026
— The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew 6.7% in July, indicating a strong start to FY27. (GS Paper III — economic indicators) - Banking services disrupted as unions strike for 5-day workweek
— Public sector bank employees and officers went on a nationwide strike, causing widespread disruption to branch services across the country. (GS Paper III — banking; labour) - Western Dedicated Freight Corridor now fully operational at 2,843 km
— The complete operationalisation of the Western DFC provides India a key logistics backbone and a template for future corridor development. (GS Paper III — infrastructure; DFC) - Government appoints three more members to RBI Central Board
— The Centre expanded the RBI Central Board with three new appointments, strengthening the governance structure of the central bank. (GS Paper III — RBI governance) - BRICS treads carefully on de-dollarisation; finance track focuses on payment systems, not common currency
— While Russia and Iran pushed de-dollarisation, BRICS nations agreed to discuss alternative payment mechanisms without committing to a common currency. (GS Paper II/III — international finance)
Science & Technology
- *New legless amphibian species Gegeneophis chandgadi discovered from Maharashtra — A multi-institutional team discovered the caecilian species from the Chandgad area of Kolhapur district in the northern Western Ghats. (GS Paper III — biodiversity; Western Ghats)*
- Biotech sector grows with over 1,100 new startups in the past year: K. VijayRaghavan
— The veteran biologist highlighted India's growing biotech ecosystem while flagging concerns about regulatory frameworks and funding gaps. (GS Paper III — science policy) - India spends only $13 per person per year on research; low postdoc funding fuelling brain drain
— With just 262 full-time researchers per million people, India lags far behind China ($250) and the USA ($2,100+) in R&D spending, leading to talent exodus. (GS Paper II/III — education; R&D policy) - Gaganyaan life support system highlighted in Episode 6 of 'The Scope' series
— India's human spaceflight mission's Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) design ensures crew survival in a sealed spacecraft. (GS Paper III — ISRO; space mission)
Environment
- State of India's Environment 2026 Report highlights rising climate risks, wildlife conflicts, and pollution monitoring gaps
— The CSE-DTE report flags increasing human-wildlife conflict, climate vulnerabilities, and inadequate pollution monitoring infrastructure across India. (GS Paper III — environment; key report) - Ancient spice-trade routes may have shaped Malabari goat's genetic legacy
— Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University published the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Malabari goat, providing molecular evidence of historical trade-route influence on livestock genetics. (GS Paper III — animal genetics; biodiversity)
Sports
- Elena Rybakina wins 2026 US Open women's singles title, dethroning Sabalenka
— The 27-year-old Kazakh player overcame an ankle injury to claim her second Grand Slam, adding the US Open to her 2022 Australian Open crown. (Sports GK — Grand Slam 2026) - Women's T20 Asia Cup Final: India eye record-extending eighth title against Sri Lanka
— India reached the final seeking an unprecedented eighth Women's T20 Asia Cup title, with Smriti Mandhana's century being a key highlight of their campaign. (Sports GK) - India vs Afghanistan T20I series begins ahead of Asian Games
— A full-strength India squad led by Shreyas Iyer, with Jasprit Bumrah included, faces Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series as preparation for the Asian Games. (Sports GK) - Harrison and Skupski win US Open men's doubles title
— The American-British pair, defending Australian Open champions, claimed the men's doubles crown at the US Open 2026. (Sports GK)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice K.T. Thomas conferred Padma Vibhushan
— The former Supreme Court judge, known for his landmark judgments including his position on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, has been awarded India's second-highest civilian honour. (GS Paper II — awards) - Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred Padma Bhushan
— India's first female Supreme Court judge has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, recognising her historic contribution to the judiciary. (GS Paper II — firsts; awards; judiciary) - Former CJI J.S. Khehar conferred Padma award
— Justice Khehar, known for judgments that often differed from the government's position, has been recognised with a Padma award. (GS Paper II — judiciary; awards) - Justice Manikumar appointed as new Chairman of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
— The appointment strengthens the human rights oversight mechanism at the state level. (GS Paper II — institutions; SHRC)
International
- PM Modi holds bilateral engagements with Putin and Xi at BRICS Summit in New Delhi
— The summit at Bharat Mandapam saw key trilateral optics and discussions on trade barriers, sea route disruptions, de-dollarisation and West Asia peace. (GS Paper II — foreign policy; BRICS) - Zelenskyy ready to meet Putin at Miami G20; Kremlin refuses
— Ukraine expressed willingness for a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting on the sidelines of the G20 in Miami, but Russia declined; Trump's envoy indicated "next steps" in peace talks within weeks. (GS Paper II — international relations) - US military reports 100 ships redirected in two months due to Iran blockade
— The United States has been diverting maritime traffic away from Iranian ports as part of economic pressure on Tehran, disrupting global shipping routes relevant to India's trade. (GS Paper II — India's maritime interests)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔑 India's forex reserves surged by a record $44.903 billion in a single week, reaching an all-time high of approximately $785.7 billion
- 🔑 A new legless amphibian species _Gegeneophis chandgadi_ was discovered from Chandgad, Kolhapur, Maharashtra (northern Western Ghats) — a first for that region
- 🔑 Justice M. Fathima Beevi (India's first woman Supreme Court judge) received the Padma Bhushan; Justice K.T. Thomas received the Padma Vibhushan