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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Tuesday, 15 September 2026
35 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay raises health insurance coverage to ₹25 lakh
— The Tamil Nadu government has increased health insurance coverage under the state scheme from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh per family, a five-fold increase announced by CM C. Joseph Vijay. (Welfare scheme; GS Paper II — State govt initiatives) - TN government to extend Free Breakfast Scheme to middle school students
— The flagship scheme, originally launched for primary school students under the previous Stalin government, will now cover middle school students. (Social welfare; GS Paper II — flagship schemes) - CM Vijay signs MoUs during London visit to attract investment
— Investment MoUs signed during CM Vijay's UK visit are expected to create approximately 7,000 jobs across design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and logistics sectors. (Industrial policy; GS Paper III — FDI, state investment) - CB-CID arrests Rajasthan man for AI deepfake video impersonating CM Vijay
— The accused used AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating CM Vijay to defraud the public via WhatsApp; marks a significant cybercrime enforcement action. (Cybercrime; GS Paper III — technology & law) - Left parties announce candidates for Tamil Nadu bypolls
— CPI will contest the Dharapuram constituency and CPI(M) the Madurantakam constituency in the upcoming Tamil Nadu by-elections. (Electoral politics; GS Paper II — state legislature) - TN Minister rejects PM SHRI three-language scheme, reaffirms two-language policy
— Tamil Nadu's government confirmed it will not accept the PM SHRI scheme's three-language requirement, maintaining the state's long-standing two-language (Tamil-English) policy. (Centre-State relations; GS Paper II — federalism, language policy)
India — National
- Government bars bank charges on UPI and RuPay debit card payments up to ₹2,000
— The Centre notified amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, eliminating merchant discount rate (MDR) charges on small digital transactions to boost financial inclusion. (GS Paper III — digital payments, fintech policy) - India approves expedited electricity export to flood-hit Nepal
— India fast-tracked electricity exports to Nepal to help meet power requirements during the flood crisis, reinforcing bilateral energy cooperation. (GS Paper II — India-Nepal relations; disaster diplomacy) - India and Vietnam agree to deepen defence ties and co-produce military equipment
— The two nations signed agreements to expand defence manufacturing cooperation, significant in the context of India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific strategy. (GS Paper II — bilateral relations; defence) - Assam railway network becomes 100% electrified
— A landmark infrastructure milestone; fully electrified railway network in Assam reduces fossil fuel dependency and improves train efficiency in the Northeast. (GS Paper III — infrastructure; railway electrification) - Cabinet approves eight multitracking railway projects to decongest lines
— The Union Cabinet cleared eight rail multitracking projects aimed at easing congestion on key routes, boosting freight and passenger capacity. (GS Paper III — transport infrastructure) - CJI asserts judiciary must remain open to scrutiny
— The Chief Justice of India stated that courts cannot earn public trust by shielding themselves from scrutiny and must remain open to examination and criticism. (GS Paper II — judiciary; constitutional values) - India and Canada begin next round of free trade agreement talks
— Both countries have targeted increasing bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 through a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). (GS Paper II — international trade; bilateral relations)
Economy & Finance
- WPI inflation rises to 9.92% in August
— Wholesale Price Index inflation jumped to 9.92% in August 2026, driven by rising food, fuel, and manufactured goods prices; WPI inflation in manufactured items hit a series high of 8.37%. (GS Paper III — inflation; RBI policy) - IIP rises 6.7% in July, economy maintains strong FY27 start
— India's Index of Industrial Production grew 6.7% in July 2026, indicating sustained industrial momentum at the start of FY2026-27. (GS Paper III — economic indicators) - Oil prices surge over $3 per barrel after strikes on Saudi Arabia and Strait of Hormuz
— Brent crude crossed $108.23/barrel and WTI reached $103.20/barrel following fresh attacks, raising concerns about India's import bill and inflation. (GS Paper III — energy security; global economy) - Government appoints three new members to RBI Central Board
— Three fresh appointments to the RBI's Central Board strengthen the apex bank's governance structure. (GS Paper III — RBI governance) - FM Nirmala Sitharaman meets bankers; focuses on Gen Z banking and deposit mobilisation
— The Finance Minister held consultations with bank heads on attracting younger depositors and improving deposit growth strategies. (GS Paper III — banking sector)
Science & Technology
- New species of legless amphibian discovered from Maharashtra's Western Ghats
— Named Gegeneophis chandgadi, the caecilian was discovered from the Chandgad region of Kolhapur by a multi-institutional team, adding to the Western Ghats' biodiversity records. (GS Paper III — biodiversity; Western Ghats) - Gaganyaan Episode 6 highlights Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS)
— ISRO's Gaganyaan mission documentation details the life support systems required to sustain three astronauts in a sealed spacecraft — critical for India's first crewed spaceflight. (GS Paper III — space technology; ISRO) - Scientists develop new approach to tackle key quantum computing challenge
— Indian and international researchers have reported a breakthrough technique addressing a fundamental obstacle in quantum computing scalability. (GS Paper III — emerging technology) - Ancient spice route may have shaped Malabari goat's genetic legacy
— Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University researchers published the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Malabari goat, suggesting historical spice trade routes influenced the breed's genetics. (GS Paper III — animal husbandry; biodiversity)
Environment
- Bamboo mass flowering and die-off can trigger ecological crisis, study warns
— A Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) study found that synchronous bamboo flowering opens pathways for invasive weeds, wildfires, rodent surges, and elephant encroachment into farmland. (GS Paper III — ecology; wildlife conflict) - State of India's Environment 2026 Report highlights rising climate risks and pollution monitoring gaps
— The CSE-DTE report flagged increasing climate-linked risks, expanding wildlife conflicts, and significant gaps in pollution monitoring infrastructure across India. (GS Paper III — environment policy; reports & indices) - Underwater survey ordered to assess long-term impact of MSC Elsa 3 sinking off Kerala coast
— The Centre informed the Kerala High Court that an underwater survey will assess the ecological damage caused by the sinking of the Liberian-flagged MSC vessel off Alappuzha in May 2025. (GS Paper III — marine environment; disaster management)
Sports
- Varun Chakravarthy ruled out of India vs Afghanistan series due to injury
— The mystery spinner's absence raises doubts over his participation in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. (Sports current affairs) - Hockey India and franchises discuss changes in Hockey India League governance structure
— Discussions took place in Chandigarh during the announcement of the men's Asian Champions Trophy, with HI president Dilip Tirkey meeting Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. (GS Paper II — sports governance) - Asia Cup trophy row: BCCI's Rajeev Shukla says Pakistan's Naqvi raised no objection on collective decision
— The BCCI Vice-President clarified the controversy around the Asia Cup trophy presentation, calling discussions between BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi routine. (Sports governance)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice K.T. Thomas conferred Padma Vibhushan
— Former Supreme Court judge Justice K.T. Thomas, known for his landmark judgments including his stand on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been awarded India's second-highest civilian honour. (GS Paper II — awards; judiciary) - Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred Padma Bhushan
— India's first female Supreme Court judge, Justice M. Fathima Beevi, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, recognising her historic contribution to the judiciary. (GS Paper II — firsts; judiciary; women achievers) - Former CJI J.S. Khehar awarded Padma honour
— Justice J.S. Khehar, whose judicial decisions frequently contradicted the government's position, has been recognised with a Padma award. (GS Paper II — judiciary; awards) - Government appoints three additional members to RBI Central Board
— The appointments strengthen the RBI's board composition in line with the RBI Act provisions. (GS Paper III — RBI; appointments)
International
- U.S. Senator submits amendment naming India in Russia sanctions act
— Senator Lindsey Graham's amendment to the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act — passed 86-11 in the U.S. Senate — seeks to include India, raising concerns about India's continued energy and defence trade with Russia. (GS Paper II — India-US relations; geopolitics) - Xi Jinping and PM Modi reach 'most important consensus' on India-China partnership
— Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that both leaders agreed that India and China should be partners, not rivals — signalling a diplomatic thaw. (GS Paper II — India-China relations; foreign policy) - BRICS finance track carefully navigates de-dollarisation debate
— At the BRICS Business Forum, Russia and Iran pushed for de-dollarisation while member nations cautiously discussed payment alternatives rather than a common currency. (GS Paper II — BRICS; international finance)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 Tamil Nadu CM Vijay raised health insurance coverage five-fold — from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh per family.
- 🔹 Justice M. Fathima Beevi (India's first woman SC judge) awarded Padma Bhushan; Justice K.T. Thomas awarded Padma Vibhushan.
- 🔹 Assam's railway network is now 100% electrified; new legless amphibian species Gegeneophis chandgadi discovered from Chandgad, Kolhapur (Western Ghats, Maharashtra).