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Current Affairs — Sunday, 20 September 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay announces New Secretariat and Assembly Complex
— Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay is set to announce a plan for a new Secretariat and Assembly Complex in the state legislature soon, signalling a major infrastructure initiative by the TVK government. - Free Breakfast Scheme extended to Middle School students
— The Tamil Nadu government is expanding its flagship free breakfast scheme (originally launched under the previous DMK government) to cover middle school students, broadening the social welfare net. - CM Vijay raises health insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh
— The TVK government has increased health insurance coverage under the state scheme fivefold to ₹25 lakh per family — a major enhancement to Tamil Nadu's public health safety net. - TASMAC employees to wear uniforms from November 15
— Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) retail outlet employees will be required to wear uniforms from November 15, per new government directive. - Anna University student death due to Scrub Typhus, not Dengue — Public Health Dept clarifies
— The Tamil Nadu Public Health Department confirmed the Anna University student death was caused by scrub typhus, not dengue, dispelling panic over an alleged campus dengue outbreak. - Public holidays declared in Madurantakam and Dharapuram on October 6 for bypolls
— The state government declared public holidays in these two constituencies for the upcoming by-elections, relevant for polity/election process questions.
India — National
- India-Pakistan naval conflict in North Arabian Sea (September 15)
— An India-Pakistan maritime confrontation occurred in the North Arabian Sea on September 15 involving vessels from both sides; India and Pakistan have offered differing accounts of the incident — significant for defence and India-Pakistan relations GS questions. - Home Ministry designates Shahzad Bhatti's network as a terror group
— The Pakistani social media influencer had spread fear-based campaigns across 14 Indian states; the MHA's designation invokes anti-terror provisions and is relevant for internal security GS Paper III. - PM Modi at NGT International Conference — carbon emission blame on developing nations unfair
— PM Modi, addressing an NGT international conference, stated that carbon emission responsibility is being unfairly attributed to developing nations, reiterating India's climate equity stance. - Monsoon retreat begins with 43% of India rain-deficit
— The Southwest Monsoon has begun its withdrawal even as 43% of India's geographical area remains rain-deficit, raising concerns for kharif crop yields. - Indian Railways approves ₹736 crore projects in 4 states for safer train operations
— The Railway Ministry approved safety-focused infrastructure projects across four states; Cabinet also approved eight multitracking projects to decongest railway lines. - Bihar floods: 50 lakh affected across 15 districts; CM donates one month's salary
— Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary donated one month's salary to flood relief; Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led a central assessment team on September 16. - Flash floods in Nepal: toll may reach 10,000 — Finance Minister
— Nepal's Finance Minister warned the death toll from flash floods could reach 10,000, with India-Nepal cooperation on PM Balen Shah's November visit also being planned.
Economy & Finance
- EPFO wage ceiling revised — social security net expanded
— The government has revised the EPFO wage ceiling upward, expanding PF and pension coverage to more workers; the revision is expected to raise the minimum PF pension and is relevant for social security/labour law GS topics. - India's Industrial Production rises 6.7% in July (IIP data)
— The Index of Industrial Production grew 6.7% in July 2026, indicating a strong start to FY27; key metric for Economy GS Paper III. - UPI MDR of 0.4% on person-to-merchant payments above ₹2,000 from October 15
— RBI Deputy Governor confirmed a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate will apply to UPI P2M transactions above ₹2,000 from October 15, capped at ₹300 for ₹75,000 transactions; merchants bear the cost, not consumers. - RBI may deliver two rate hikes in CY2026 — analysts
— Elevated inflation risks and strong liquidity conditions are prompting market expectations of two RBI repo rate hikes before end of 2026, signalling a shift to a more restrictive monetary stance. - Government appoints three more members to RBI Central Board
— The central government expanded the RBI Central Board with three new appointments, relevant for RBI governance and institutional structure questions.
Science & Technology
- Ecologists warn of imminent 'Super' El Niño — India's natural systems at risk
— Scientists are urging policymakers to prepare for a Super El Niño event that could have devastating impacts on India's agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity. - Fungus evolving resistance to human drug Mycophenolic acid
— A fungus causing Pneumocystis Pneumonia has been found developing resistance to Mycophenolic acid, a drug primarily intended for human use — raising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) concerns. - NASA scan discovers new Moon crater 'McGetchin'
— NASA identified a new crater measuring 222 metres (730 feet) wide on the Moon, believed to have been formed in spring 2024 by a comet or asteroid impact — termed a 'once-in-a-century' discovery. - Asian Games 2026: ~500 Indian athletes competing in Japan across 35 sports
— India is fielding approximately 500 athletes in the 20th Asian Games in Japan, with Emperor Naruhito formally declaring the Games open — relevant for sports and international events GS.
Environment
- State of India's Environment 2026 Report: Rising climate risks, wildlife conflicts, pollution monitoring gaps
— The CSE-DTE State of Environment (SOE) 2026 report highlights escalating climate risks, increasing human-wildlife conflicts, and significant gaps in pollution monitoring across India. - Super El Niño preparedness flagged by ecologists
— Indian scientists and ecologists are urging a risk-based national response strategy to the approaching Super El Niño, which could disrupt monsoons, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Sports
- Asian Games 2026 opens in Japan with 11,000 athletes; India fields ~500 competitors
— The 20th Asian Games commenced in Japan, formally inaugurated by Emperor Naruhito; around 500 Indian athletes are competing across 35 sports disciplines. - Davis Cup: Czech Republic beats USA to qualify for finals
— Jiri Lehecka led the Czech Republic's win over USA in the Davis Cup, securing their spot in the finals. - Jorge Martin retakes MotoGP championship lead after Austrian sprint win
— Jorge Martin overcame an early setback to win the Austrian sprint race and reclaim the MotoGP Riders' Championship lead.
Appointments & Awards
- Justice M. Fathima Beevi — first woman judge of Supreme Court of India — passes away; conferred Padma Bhushan
— Justice M. Fathima Beevi, a historic figure as India's first female Supreme Court judge, has passed away and was posthumously/recently conferred the Padma Bhushan. - Justice K.T. Thomas conferred Padma Vibhushan
— Retired Supreme Court Justice K.T. Thomas, known for independent judicial positions, has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour. - Justice J.S. Khehar conferred Padma award
— Former Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar, whose decisions frequently contradicted the government's positions, has been recognised with a Padma award. - Justice Manikumar appointed as new State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairman
— Justice Manikumar has been appointed Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission, an important appointment for human rights institutional GS topics.
International
- U.S. Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026 — impact on India's Russian oil imports
— The new U.S. law introduces tariff-linked conditions that could affect India's imports of Russian crude oil; data shows India has previously yielded to U.S. pressure on energy sourcing from Venezuela, Iran, and Russia. - U.S. deploys 'space control' weapons — raises treaty concerns
— The U.S. has deployed space-based weapons under a 'space control' doctrine; analysts are questioning compatibility with the Outer Space Treaty, 1967 — relevant for IR and space law GS. - India-Nepal PM-level summit being planned for November
— India and Nepal are working on a visit by Nepal PM Balen Shah to India in November, signalling strengthening bilateral ties in India's neighbourhood-first policy framework.
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 Justice M. Fathima Beevi — India's first woman Supreme Court judge — passed away; conferred Padma Bhushan
- 🔹 Tamil Nadu CM Vijay raised state health insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh; TASMAC uniform mandatory from November 15
- 🔹 UPI MDR of 0.4% on P2M transactions above ₹2,000 effective October 15, 2026; India's IIP growth stood at 6.7% in July 2026