Current Affairs 18 September 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM Vishwakarma Completes Three Years of Implementation
In September 2026, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme launched by the Government of India (GoI) in 2023 completed three years of implementation, achieving the milestone of 30 lakh registrations.
Event Details
Ministry: The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) will celebrate the Third Anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme on 17th September 2026 at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
Objective: The purpose of the scheme is to provide end-to-end support to
traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 identified trades.
Implementation: The scheme is being jointly implemented by the:

• Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME)
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and the
• Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Government of India.

India Merchandise And Services Exports Rise 15.5% to USD 399.27 Bn in April-August 2026: MoC&I
In September 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) reported that India’s combined Merchandise and Services exports reached an estimated USD 399.27 billion (Bn) in the first five months of Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27, April-August 2026), reflecting a growth of 15.5%.
Trade Data of April-August 2026:
Exports: Merchandise exports during April-August 2026-27 were USD 215.91 Bn as compared to USD 183.21 Bn during April-August 2025-26.
Imports: The total imports during April-August 2026-27 is estimated at USD 459.65 Bn registering a growth of 18.01%.
Trade Data of August 2026:
Exports: India’s total exports (Merchandise and Services combined) for August 2026 is estimated at USD 82.68 Bn, registering a positive growth of 25.41%.
Imports: Total imports (Merchandise and Services combined) for August 2026 is estimated at USD 92.09 Bn, registering a positive growth of 18.75%

Six States Sign Agreement for Kishau Multipurpose Project 
In September 2026, the Chief Ministers (CMs) of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh (HP), Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana signed the Kishau Multipurpose Project agreement in New Delhi, Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) and Minister of Cooperation and Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil.

• The agreement aims to advance the long-pending project and support the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River.

Highlights of the Project agreement:
Background:  Based on the 1994 Upper Yamuna Basin Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), consensus was reached on June 16, 2026, and the agreement was signed on September 15, 2026. Kishau Corporation Limited, a HP–Uttarakhand joint venture, will implement the project, subject to Union Cabinet approval.
National Project: Declared a National Project, with 90% of the financial burden borne by the Centre and 10% by the six participating states.
Kishau Dam: A 232.6-metre-high concrete gravity dam will be built on the Tons River along the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border, with 1,562 MCM storage capacity.

GoI Reconstitutes CBFC with 18 Members For Three Years
In September 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with 18 members for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, with immediate effect.

• The previous Board was formally reconstituted in August 2017.

About Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC):
Members: The panel will function under the leadership of Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Chairperson, CBFC.

• The new panel includes actors Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty, Roopali Ganguly, Pallavi Joshi, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, among others

Framework: The reconstitution of the CBFC was carried out by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
Significance: The reconstituted Board will enhance the film certification process through efficient functioning, diverse representation, stronger regulatory mechanisms, and improved engagement with the entertainment industry.
About CBFC: Headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, CBFC is a statutory body under the MIB responsible for examining films and granting certification for public exhibition in India as per prescribed guidelines.

Union MoS Jitin Prasada Inaugurates NIELIT–Infineon CoE on Semiconductor Manufacturing in Gujarat
In September 2026, National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with Infineon Technologies, inaugurated the NIELIT–Infineon Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Semiconductor Manufacturing at NIELIT Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• The CoE was inaugurated virtually by Union Minister of State (MoS) Jitin Prasada, MeitY, in the presence of Mr. Jochen Hanebeck, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Infineon Technologies AG, Dr. Madan Mohan Tripathi, Director General (DG), NIELIT.

About NIELIT–Infineon CoE:
Objective: The CoE will strengthen capabilities in Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP), Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT), and semiconductor workforce development.
Training : The Centre of Excellence (CoE) will establish a functional backend semiconductor manufacturing training line using industry-grade equipment provided by Infineon Technologies.
Skill Development: The facility will offer students, faculty, researchers and working professionals practical exposure to semiconductor manufacturing equipment and processes.
Equipment: Infineon Technologies provided 8 semiconductor manufacturing equipment units, including 2 ASM AD838 Die/Glue Bonders, 2 SHINKAWA UTC1000 Wire Bonders, 2 BESI FICO Moulding Machines, and 2 BESI FICO Trim-and-Form Machines to support semiconductor Die & Wire bonding, Moulding, Trimming, electrical interconnection, package protection, and lead-forming processes.

CISF Signs Two MoUs with IIT Kanpur to Strengthen Cybersecurity and Anti-Drone Capabilities 
In September 2026, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur),Uttar Pradesh(UP) to strengthen cybersecurity and drone/anti-drone capabilities for protecting critical and strategic infrastructure.
Key Details of MoU: 
Cyber Security MoU: Under the first MoU, IHUB NTIHAC Foundation (C3iHub) will conduct a six-week residential Cybersecurity Training Programme for 40 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel per batch under a three-year, non-commercial framework.

• The programme will cover Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), sector-specific threats in aviation, power and nuclear sectors, digital forensics, incident response, disaster recovery, business continuity, and emerging risks involving Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), deepfakes, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud and Operational Technology (OT), along with multi-sector crisis simulations.

Drone & Anti-Drone MoU: Under the second MoU, the CISF and IIIT Kanpur will establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at MPRTC Behror,Rajasthan under a five-year framework.

• It will focus on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations, drone and counter-drone systems, drone forensics and cybersecurity of unmanned systems, with joint research on rogue-drone analysis, Radio Frequency (RF) and micro-Doppler detection, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and high-altitude operations, supported by simulators, forensic labs and technical infrastructure.

MeitY Grants In-Principle Approval for AI-CoE in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
In September 2026, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, following a recommendation by the Government of Odisha, to create a national-level hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, startup incubation, and solution deployment.

• The initiative will be implemented by the Software Technology Parks of India  (STPI) under MeitY, with Blue Cloud Softech Solutions as the industry partner, contributing Rs. 4 crore.

Overview of Odisha AI CoE:
Objective: The AI CoE aims to promote applied AI innovation, support startup incubation, enable responsible AI deployment, and strengthen India’s AI ecosystem under the IndiaAI Mission.
Focus Areas: The centre will focus on high-impact sectors such as healthcare, governance, disaster management, education, industrial applications, coastal and marine economy, along with priority areas like oceanography, coastal fisheries, tidal energy, and women and child development.
Infrastructure: The centre will utilise 10,000 sq. ft. (Square feet) of built-up space to create an AI compute and innovation ecosystem supporting startups, capacity building, and research deployment.
Support: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions will provide industry leadership, mentorship, engineering resources, and access to its platforms such as BluHealth and Blura SAGA to support AI startups and scale solutions from proof-of-concept to large-scale deployment.
About STPI: It was established in 1991 and headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi is a Science and Technology (S&T) autonomous society under the MeitY that promotes Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES), innovation, and emerging technologies, and is headed by Director General (DG) Arvind Kumar.

BHEL, Titagarh Rail Signed JV Pact for Maintenance of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains for 35 Years
In September 2026, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) (formerly Titagarh Wagons Limited), a leading railway rolling stock manufacturer in India, signed an agreement to create a 50:50 Joint Venture Company (JVC) for the comprehensive maintenance of Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets for a period of 35 years.
Key Details of JVC:
Establishment: The proposed JVC will be incorporated as a private limited company with an initial paid-up capital of Rs 50 lakh with its headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
Composition: The company will comprise two Board of Directors (BoDs) each nominated by BHEL and TRSL.
Key Functions: The company will integrate the technical capabilities of both companies to maintain the operational readiness, safety and reliability of 80 Vande Bharat  train sets throughout their service life.
About BHEL: BHEL, incorporated as a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in 1964, works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MoHI) with headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

WEF’s Global Gender Gap Index 2026: India Retained 131st rank; Iceland Topped the Index for 17th Consecutive Year
In September 2026, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released the 20th edition of its annual report titled “Global Gender Gap Report 2026 ”. As per the index, India retained 131st spot out of 145 countries, witnessing a marginal increase in its overall score i.e. to 0.645.

• Also, countries like: Iceland with an overall score of 0.930 continued to secure top position for the 17th consecutive year, while Finland(rank 2nd, 0.872), and Norway(rank 3rd, 0.857) retained top spots for the 3rd consecutive year.

About WEF’s Global Gender Gap Index:
Background:The Global Gender Gap Report has been released annually by the WEF since 2006. The report provides consistent measures of the present state of gender parity, as well as the long-term evolution of global efforts to close the gender gap.
Key Domains: The Index evaluates gender equality across four main dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity; Educational Attainment; Health and Survival; and Political Empowerment.
Global Gender Gap: Globally, 69.2% of the gender gap has been closed, the highest level to date, up 0.4 percentage points from last year and 5.2 percentage points across 97 economies since 2006.

• At the current rate of progress, global gender parity is estimated to take 120 years.

India-Specific: India recorded 64.5% gender parity, below the global average, but improved by 4.3 percentage points since 2006, mainly due to educational attainment.

• Region-wise Performance: In Southern Asia, India ranked below Bangladesh (79th; 0.712), Maldives (119th; 0.669), Nepal (120th; 0.669), Bhutan (121st; 0.663) and Sri Lanka (129th; 0.646).

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Bharat Forge–Pratt & Whitney Canada Collaboration for DRDO HALE UAV
In September 2026, Bharat Forge Limited(BFL) and Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business of United States of America(USA)-based RTX, announced a collaboration to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into the High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) programme being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
About DRDO HALE UAV:
HALE-UAV: These are designed for high-altitude, long-duration surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance missions. They are deployed for surveillance, intelligence gathering and reconnaissance missions across land and maritime domains.
Integration:  Pratt & Whitney Canada will evaluate engine compatibility, while Bharat Forge will lead engine-airframe integration.
Significance: The collaboration strengthens India’s indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
About DRDO: Established in 1958, headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, functions under the Ministry of Defence(MoD) and is headed by Rajesh Kumar Singh.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Veteran Actor Padma Bhushan Anant Nag Conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024
In September 2026, the Government of India (GoI) announced that veteran actor, Padma Bhushan Anant Nag will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024, following the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.

• The award will be presented during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony on 22 September 2026 at Kevadia (Ekta Nagar), Gujarat.
• He became the second Kannada cinema artist to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, after Rajkumar (1995).

About Anant Nag:
Profile: Anant Nag (born Anant Nagarkatte) is considered one of the most influential actors of Kannada cinema, recognised for his versatility and contributions to both mainstream and parallel cinema through a career spanning over five decades in Indian cinema.

• He marked the Golden Jubilee of his 50-year cinematic journey in 2023.

Padma Bhushan: In 2025, Anant Nag was conferred with Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India from the Government of India (GoI) in the field of Art for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Awards and Recognitions: He received several honours, including 5 Filmfare Awards, 5 Karnataka State Best Actor Awards, Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, Karnataka State Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University (North), Karnataka.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani Elected to ICA Global Board for 2026-2030 Term 
In September 2026, Dileep Sanghani, chairman of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), one of India’s leading cooperative fertiliser organisations, was elected as an At-Large Director to the Global Board of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) for the 2026-2030 term.

• Sanghani was among the 15 At-Large Directors elected from 24 candidates during the ICA General Assembly 2026, held on 15 September 2026 at the Panama Convention Centre in Panama City, Panama.

ICA’s 2026 General Assembly:
Election: The ICA General Assembly elected 15 At-Large Directors from 24 candidates for the 2026–2030 mandate. The election saw 116 voters representing 193 ICA members from 66 countries.
President: Dr. Ariel Guarco of Argentina was re-elected unopposed as President of ICA for the 2026–2030 term.
Composition: The ICA Global Board comprises 30 members, including the President, 4 Regional Vice-Presidents, one representative from each of ICA’s 8 sectoral organisations, President of the Youth Committee, President of the Gender Equality Committee and 15 At-Large Directors.

IPS Officer Sanjukta Parashar Appointed as First Woman IG of CRPF CoBRA Unit
In September 2026, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjukta Parashar took charge as the Inspector General (IG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit, becoming the first woman officer to lead the elite jungle warfare force.

• She took charge as IG of the 10-battalion CoBRA sector headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi, succeeding Danesh Rana, a 1996-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories) cadre.

About Sanjukta Parashar
Profile: Sanjukta Parashar is a 2006-batch IPS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, popularly known as the “Iron Lady of Assam” for her frontline counter-insurgency operations.
Past Experience: She has served as a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), led the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wing of Assam Police, and handled field policing, anti-militancy operations, and national security investigations.
Award: For her outstanding contributions to policing and tactical administration, Sanjukta Parashar was awarded the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Training on 21 April 2022 by Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) during the 13th NIA Day in New Delhi, Delhi.
About CoBRA:  The CoBRA, raised in 2008–09, is a specialised 10-battalion CRPF unit trained for guerrilla warfare, long-range patrols, and operations against Left-Wing Extremism and insurgency.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA Discovers Massive ‘McGetchin’ Crater from 2024 Moon Impact 
In September 2026, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists confirmed discovery of the McGetchin crater on the Moon, formed by an asteroid/comet impact in May 2024, using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) imagery, making it the largest known impact crater formed in recent times in the solar system.

• The crater is named in honor of the late Thomas McGetchin, former Director of the Houston, United States of America (USA)-based Lunar and Planetary Institute.

About McGetchin Crater:
Formation: The crater formed in May 2024 when an asteroid or comet fragment, estimated to be as large as a multi-storey building, struck the Moon’s surface without prior detection.
Dimensions: It measures approximately 728 feet (222 meter, m) in diameter and 141 feet (43 m) in depth, making it larger than the Roman Colosseum and three times bigger than previously recorded craters.
Features: The impact created a 7 kilometer ( km)-wide cold spot due to loosened regolith and ejected debris over 100 km, indicating higher-than-expected material dispersion angles.
Frequency: Such large-scale impact events are rare, occurring roughly once every 132 years, making this a statistically rare scientific observation.

ENVIRONMENT

Two New Frog Species ‘Ingerana aizawl’ & ‘Duttaphrynus phawngpui’ discovered in Mizoram
In September 2026, a group of researchers from Mizoram  discovered a new stream-dwelling frog species  named “Ingerana aizawl” along the Hratdawng Stream on the Mizoram University campus in Aizawl, Mizoram. It was named after ‘Aizawl’ the capital city of Mizoram.

• ‘Duttaphrynus phawngpui’, a montane toad, was also discovered in Phawngpui National Park, Lawngtlai district, Mizoram. It was named after Phawngpui, Mizoram’s highest mountain, and belongs to the Duttaphrynus stuarti species group.

About Ingerana aizawl
Key Finding: Researchers confirmed that the Mizoram frog population, long identified as Ingerana borealis for nearly 20 years, is genetically and morphologically distinct, leading to its recognition as a new species, Ingerana aizawl.
Key Features: The new  frog species is small and stout, distinguished by mainly wrinkled dorsal skin, a distinct circular tympanum with elevated central protrusion and strongly developed supratympanic fold.
Habitat: The Aizawl frog species lives along small forest streams and calls at night, with each call consisting of a rhythmic series of 12 short notes.

• The new frog species breeds between the months of May and July.

Publishing: The findings of the discovery of new frog species was published in the international scientific journal “Zootaxa”.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South 2026 – September 16
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for the South annually on September 16 to highlight the role of STI in promoting economic growth and sustainable development, particularly across the Global South.

• September 16, 2026, marks the 3rd observance of the International Day of STI for the South.

Background: 
Origin: In September 2023, during the Summit on Science, Technology and Innovation held in Havana, Cuba, leaders of the Group of 77 (G77) and China agreed to designate September 16 as the International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South.

• The Havana Declaration on Current Development Challenges adopted at the Summit underscored the importance of STI in addressing development challenges.

UNGA Recognition: On January 9, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/78/259, officially proclaiming September 16 of every year as the International Day of STI for the South.
Significance: The resolution highlights the use of scientific and technological advancements to support sustainable development, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
First Observance: The day was observed for the first time on September 16, 2024.

International Day for Interventional Cardiology 2026 – September 16
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for Interventional Cardiology is observed annually across the globe on 16th September to raise global awareness about Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and the importance of interventional cardiology procedures in their treatment.

• 16th September 2026 marks the 4th International Day for Interventional Cardiology.

Background: 
Resolution: On 2 September 2022, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/76/302 declaring 16 September annually as the International Day for Interventional Cardiology and inviting the World Health Organization (WHO) to support its implementation.
First Observance: The first International Day for Interventional Cardiology was observed on 16 September 2023.
Significance: The date commemorates the first coronary angioplasty performed in 1977 by Dr. Andreas Roland Grüntzig at University Hospital Zürich, marking a milestone in cardiac treatment.

STATE NEWS

Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Declares Kumik as First Heritage Village During Zanskar Festival 2026 
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, declared Kumik village in Ladakh as the first Heritage Village during the 11th Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2026 held in Zanskar Valley on 15-16 September 2026, recognising its Buddhist manuscripts, traditional architecture, and cultural practices.

• The recognition aims to promote heritage tourism by attracting visitors to traditional settlements while preserving living traditions under the “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” visio.

About Kumik Heritage Village Declaration: 
Location: Kumik is located in Zanskar region of Kargil district in Ladakh, a remote high-altitude cold desert area known for Tibetan Buddhist traditions, monasteries, and manuscript preservation.
Heritage: Kumik preserves traditional mud architecture, sacred spaces, agricultural practices, and community customs along with rare Kanjur manuscripts, forming an integral part of Tibetan Buddhist literary heritage.
Concept: The Heritage Village concept focuses on “living heritage,” where cultural practices, traditions, and knowledge systems continue to function actively rather than being limited to preserved monuments or static heritage structures.

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