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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Wednesday, 16 September 2026
37 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay extends Free Breakfast Scheme to Middle School students
— The TVK-led government has announced expansion of the flagship scheme (launched by the previous DMK government) to cover middle school students, broadening its reach beyond primary classes. (Social welfare; CM Vijay's policy continuity) - CM Vijay's Rule 110 announcements — welfare package analysed
— Key announcements include closure of liquor shops, free electricity, and 8 grams of gold for women; analysts are estimating the cumulative fiscal cost of these pledges. (State governance; GS Paper II — welfare schemes) - Tamil Nadu government to maintain two-language policy; rejects Hindi imposition concerns
— A state minister clarified that the TVK government will follow Tamil Nadu's long-held two-language policy and will not adopt the PM SHRI scheme's three-language framework. (Centre-State relations; language policy) - Udhayanidhi Stalin condemns TVK govt over High-Level Committee on Union-State Relations
— Opposition leader (DMK) alleged the current government is paralysing the committee constituted during the M.K. Stalin-led DMK government by withdrawing support for research scholars. (Federalism; GS Paper II — Centre-State relations) - Power DISCOM remains heavily reliant on Tamil Nadu government financial support
— In 14 years since 2013–14, government aid (tariff subsidy and grants) has totalled ₹2.55 lakh crore, raising concerns about the utility's financial health. (State finance; energy sector) - VB-GRAMG scheme sparks political storm in Tamil Nadu
— The new TVK government's rural governance scheme has triggered controversy and is putting the Vijay government under political pressure from opposition parties. (State politics; governance)
India — National
- Key NDA allies TDP, Shiv Sena back Amit Shah's call for UCC in all NDA-ruled States
— TDP (16 MPs), Shiv Sena (13 MPs), and JD(U) (12 MPs) have expressed support, strengthening the BJP's position on implementing the Uniform Civil Code at state level. (GS Paper II — constitutional provisions; Article 44) - Bihar Cabinet approves ₹3,516 crore for Vishnupad Temple area development and Son-Falgu river link
— 17 decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Samrat Choudhary, including an MoU between the Civil Aviation Ministry, AAI, and the Bihar government for expanding air connectivity. (Infrastructure; pilgrimage tourism; GS Paper III) - Bihar CM transfers ₹579 crore in flood relief ahead of central team visit
— A team led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is scheduled to visit Bihar on September 16 to assess flood damage. (Disaster management; Centre-State coordination) - 'Sanjukta Parasor becomes first woman officer to lead CRPF's CoBRA unit
— The 'Iron Lady of Assam' has been appointed to head CRPF's elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) counter-insurgency unit — a historic first for a woman officer. (Defence; women empowerment; GS Paper II) - NCERT forms new textbook committees for English and Economics — ex-ABVP convenor, PM-EAC members included
— Former ABVP spokesperson Saket Bahuguna and PM-EAC members Sanjeev Sanyal and Shamika Ravi have been appointed to draft Class 11–12 textbooks. (Education policy; NEP implementation) - Manipur: Two more Kuki-Zo women killed by assailants
— The continuing ethnic violence in Manipur claimed two more lives, raising fresh concerns about the security situation in the state. (Internal security; GS Paper III) - Supreme Court intervenes to allow J&K's Mir Bilquis to travel for Asian Games 2026
— The SC quashed an official order denying the kayaking/canoeing coach permission to travel, citing pending departmental inquiries; she will now coach India's team. (Judiciary; sports administration; Article 32)
Economy & Finance
- August CPI inflation rises to 20-month high of 4.8%; RBI rate hike in October likely
— Driven by rising food prices, the August CPI figure has increased the probability of an RBI repo rate hike at the October MPC meeting, say economists. (Monetary policy; GS Paper III — inflation) - August WPI inflation rises to 9.92% — manufactured items hit series high of 8.37%
— Rising prices of food, fuel, and manufactured goods pushed WPI to 9.92%; manufactured items WPI at 8.37% is the highest in the series. (Inflation data; GS Paper III) - India's goods exports surge 26% in August 2026, lowering trade deficit
— According to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, this is the first time merchandise export growth surpassed import growth in both percentage and absolute value terms. (Trade; GS Paper III — BoP) - Cabinet approves eight multitracking railway projects to decongest lines
— The projects aim to expand rail network capacity; specific routes and investment figures await official release. (Infrastructure; GS Paper III) - Industrial production (IIP) rises 6.7% in July 2026
— Strong IIP growth signals that the economy has maintained momentum in Q2 FY27. (Economic indicators; GS Paper III) - Government appoints three more members to RBI Central Board
— The appointments strengthen the governance structure of the Reserve Bank; names to be confirmed in official gazette. (RBI governance; GS Paper III) - India approves expedited electricity export to flood-hit Nepal
— India's Power Ministry cleared emergency power supply to Nepal, reinforcing bilateral energy cooperation during Nepal's flood crisis. (India-Nepal relations; energy diplomacy)
Science & Technology
- New legless amphibian species discovered from Maharashtra's Western Ghats
— Named Gegeneophis chandgadi, the caecilian species was discovered by a multi-institutional team from the Chandgad area of Kolhapur district in the northern Western Ghats. (Biodiversity; GS Paper III — Western Ghats) - AI Sanskrit Heritage Model launched at Madras Sanskrit College
— Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the model, which aims to digitise and make India's Sanskrit literary heritage accessible globally. (Technology; cultural heritage; GS Paper I) - Meta to share child safety (CSAM) information directly with Indian agencies
— Previously, India-specific child sexual abuse material reports were routed through the US-based NCMEC; direct sharing with Indian agencies will improve response times. (Cyber law; child safety; GS Paper II) - Bamboo mass flowering and die-off can trigger ecological crisis — Kerala Forest Research Institute study
— Synchronous bamboo flowering can cause invasive weed spread, wildfires, rodent surges, and push elephants into farmland, warns the study. (Environment-Science interface; GS Paper III)
Environment
- Bamboo mass flowering triggers multi-level ecological risks — KFRI study
— The Kerala Forest Research Institute warns that synchronised bamboo die-offs can create conditions for invasive species, wildfires, and human-wildlife conflict, particularly involving elephants. (Ecology; GS Paper III) - *Drive underway to remove invasive Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora) in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu — The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has launched a campaign to eradicate the invasive species, which degrades native grassland and water table levels. (Invasive species; GS Paper III)*
- Forest Department enhances safety measures in O'Valley amid ongoing tiger capture efforts
— Authorities have stepped up local safety protocols as efforts continue to capture a tiger posing a threat to residents in the Nilgiris region. (Human-wildlife conflict; Tiger Conservation)
Sports
- India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I: India seal series
— Sanju Samson's explosive 22-ball 57 and a career-best bowling performance helped India restrict Afghanistan to 159/8 and chase it down comfortably, sealing the T20I series. (Cricket; exam angle — India series results) - Lionel Messi set for Argentina farewell in October 6 friendly against Benin
— After announcing international retirement, Messi's farewell match is confirmed for October 6, 2026. (International sports) - Asian Games 2026: India's kayaking/canoeing coach Mir Bilquis cleared to travel after SC order
— The Supreme Court quashed the J&K government's travel ban on the coach, ensuring India's kayaking team has its coach for the Asian Games. (Sports + Judiciary angle)
Appointments & Awards
- Padma Vibhushan announced for former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Thomas
— Justice Thomas, known for urging magnanimity towards the Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts, is among recipients of the Padma Vibhushan. (Judiciary; Padma Awards — GS Paper II) - Former CJI J.S. Khehar to receive Padma award — known for decisions contrary to government positions
— Justice Khehar, India's first Sikh Chief Justice of India, is recognised for judicial independence and landmark rulings. (Judiciary; GS Paper II) - Sanjukta Parasor appointed as first woman to head CRPF's CoBRA unit
— A historic appointment in India's paramilitary forces; CoBRA is CRPF's specialised counter-Naxal/insurgency battalion. (Defence appointments; women firsts) - Supreme Court raps RBI Governor's presence in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal
— SC observed that the RBI Governor's presence in the ITAT "fortifies aspersions of bias," raising questions about institutional independence. (Judiciary; RBI governance)
International
- U.S. House advances Russia sanctions Bill that proposes 100% tariffs on India and others
— The Bill, advanced by a 214–211 vote, could impose 100% tariffs on countries that trade with Russia, directly threatening India's import of Russian oil and defence equipment. (India-US trade; GS Paper II — India's foreign policy) - Tanker El Gaia attacked in Strait of Hormuz was operating in 'dark mode'; 14 Indian crew aboard
— The tanker had 25 crew members (14 Indian, 11 Pakistani); operating without AIS transponders raises maritime security concerns for Indian seafarers. (Maritime security; Strait of Hormuz — GS Paper II) - India-Canada begin next round of FTA talks; target $50 billion bilateral trade by 2030
— Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also plans a US bilateral meeting in late September; India also expects EU-FTA to be signed by year-end. (Trade diplomacy; GS Paper II — India's trade policy)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔴 August 2026 CPI inflation = 4.8% (20-month high); WPI = 9.92%; manufactured items WPI at 8.37% (series high) — RBI October rate hike likely
- 🔴 Sanjukta Parasor — first woman officer to head CRPF's CoBRA unit ('Iron Lady of Assam')
- 🔴 New caecilian species Gegeneophis chandgadi discovered from Chandgad, Kolhapur (northern Western Ghats), Maharashtra — legless amphibian