India Calls for Greater Opportunities for Women-Led Enterprises in BRICS Trade
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged BRICS countries to improve women entrepreneurs’ access to credit, markets and predictable business rules. He proposed stronger cooperation through a common BRICS trade platform, electronic trade documents and women-led business delegations.
Key facts
Piyush Goyal addressed the BRICS WBA Women-Led Development Conference in New Delhi.
He identified access to credit, buyers and markets, and predictable business rules as three key challenges for entrepreneurs entering international trade.
India has opened nearly 300 million bank accounts for women and provided collateral-free loans to women entrepreneurs, according to the minister.
Around 100 million rural women are members of nine million self-help groups, cooperatives or women-led enterprise groups.
More than 30 million women earning over Rs. 1 lakh in personal income are referred to as ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
BRICS countries agreed to explore a common platform for international trade under the Jaipur Consensus.
BRICS cooperation may include electronic trade documents, e-invoices, electronic bills of lading and e-customs declarations.
The minister highlighted the potential for greater services trade and women’s participation in the digital economy.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on BRICS, international trade, women-led development, financial inclusion, self-help groups, MSMEs, digital trade and India’s trade diplomacy.
India Showcases Steel Sector at INNOPROM India 2026
The Ministry of Steel established the India Steel Pavilion at INNOPROM India 2026 in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to present India’s steel-sector capabilities and explore cooperation with Russia across the steel and mining value chain.
Key facts
INNOPROM India 2026 is being held from 9 to 11 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.
The India Steel Pavilion is themed “Forging Together - For Infinite Progress.”
The pavilion highlights India’s steel-sector growth, achievements and future opportunities.
Areas of India–Russia cooperation include coking coal, nickel, speciality steel, research and development, and advanced steel technologies.
SAIL, NMDC, MOIL and MECON are participating in the pavilion.
A session on “India–Russia Collaboration on Steel Value Chain” was organised under the India–Russia Business Dialogue.
The session was co-chaired by Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and Mikhail Yurin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
Discussions covered investment, technology exchange, sustainable production and supply-chain resilience.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India–Russia economic cooperation, the Ministry of Steel, central public sector enterprises, industrial development and the steel value chain.
DRI Seizes Protected Wildlife and Wildlife Derivatives in Six Operations
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence conducted six intelligence-led operations across India over 10 days and seized protected wildlife and animal derivatives, including leopard pelts, Indian star tortoises, tokay geckos, pangolin scales and tiger bones. Thirteen persons were arrested or apprehended, and several cases were handed over to Forest Department authorities for further action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Key facts
DRI conducted six wildlife-trafficking operations at different locations across India.
Recoveries included two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian star tortoises and 12 live tokay geckos.
The operations also seized around 24 kg of pangolin scales and 500 grams of tiger bones.
Thirteen persons were arrested or apprehended across the six operations.
Leopards, Indian star tortoises and pangolins were identified as protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Pangolins are listed in Appendix I of CITES, while tokay geckos are listed in CITES Appendix II.
The operations involved coordination among DRI, Forest Departments and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on wildlife protection, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, CITES appendices, protected species and inter-agency action against illegal wildlife trafficking.
Ministry of Culture Organises Programmes for Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum Development
The Ministry of Culture organised Shilpkar Samagam and a Vendor Development Programme in September 2026 as part of the development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum. The programmes brought together artisans, designers, architects, museum planners and firms working on museum technologies and infrastructure.
Key facts
Shilpkar Samagam was held on 2–3 September 2026.
The Vendor Development Programme was held on 7–8 September 2026.
The programmes supported the ongoing development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum.
Over 100 master artisans and craftspeople displayed works representing diverse Indian craft traditions.
The programmes explored the integration of traditional crafts into the museum’s interiors and public spaces.
Participating firms displayed museum-grade cases, lighting systems, conservation materials, digital technologies and immersive media solutions.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on Indian cultural heritage, museum development, traditional crafts, cultural infrastructure and the creative economy.
DILRMP 3.0 Operational Guidelines to Be Launched with ₹565.50 Crore Outlay
The Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development is scheduled to launch the Operational Guidelines for DILRMP 3.0 on 10 September 2026. The five-year programme will focus on creating a GIS-enabled, interoperable Land Stack integrating maps, ownership records, property registration and court cases.
Key facts
DILRMP 3.0 will cover the period 2026–2031.
The programme will be implemented by the Department of Land Resources across all States and Union Territories.
It is proposed to operate as a Central Sector Scheme.
The anticipated financial outlay is ₹565.50 crore.
The programme aims to develop a GIS-enabled Land Stack as Digital Public Infrastructure.
The Land Stack will integrate maps, land ownership details, property registration and court cases.
An upgraded DILRMP-MIS dashboard will support real-time monitoring of progress.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on government schemes, digital land governance, Digital Public Infrastructure, the Ministry of Rural Development and Central Sector Schemes.
Foundation Stone Laid for BEDF Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit
Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada laid the foundation stone for the BEDF Basmati and Organic Training Centre-cum-Demonstration Farm at Tanda Bijeshi in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. The APEDA-BEDF project will support Basmati and organic cultivation, quality seed production, farmer training and agri-exports.
Key facts
The centre is a joint project of APEDA and the Basmati Export Development Foundation.
It is being established at Tanda Bijeshi in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
The facility will demonstrate Basmati production, organic cultivation, Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Nutrient Management.
A dedicated Seed Multiplication Centre will produce and multiply breeder, foundation, certified and truthful seeds.
The centre will provide training and support to farmers, FPOs, entrepreneurs, startups and government extension workers.
It will support national Basmati trials under the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Programme.
Training on organic and bio-input production will be provided with support from the National Centre for Organic & Natural Farming.
The project aims to strengthen links between Basmati production, organic farming and international markets.
Exam relevance: Relevant for questions on APEDA, BEDF, Basmati exports, organic farming, seed multiplication, FPO support and Uttar Pradesh's role in India's agri-export ecosystem.
9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry Held in New Delhi
India and ASEAN held their 9th Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry in New Delhi on 9 September 2026. The meeting focused on climate-resilient agriculture, digital innovation, research cooperation, food security, sustainable forestry and resilient agricultural value chains.
Key facts
The 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry was held in New Delhi on 9 September 2026.
The meeting was co-chaired by Shivraj Singh Chouhan of India and Francisco P. Tiu Laurel of the Philippines.
The proposed ASEAN–India Medium-Term Plan of Action for Cooperation in Agriculture and Forestry 2026–2030 covers digital innovation, joint research, capacity building and farmer exchanges.
Key cooperation areas included climate-resilient agriculture, low-emission rice, AI-enabled digital agriculture, soil health, food safety and agroforestry.
The India–ASEAN Friendship Spike for Agriculture and Forestry was unveiled as a symbol of cooperation.
The 10th ASEAN–India Agriculture Working Group Meeting was held on 8 September 2026 with 45 delegates from 11 ASEAN Member States.
The 10th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry will be convened in 2028.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India–ASEAN relations, agricultural diplomacy, climate-resilient farming, international cooperation, ICAR and regional partnerships.
Agrivoltaics to Get Dedicated Component in Next Phase of PM-KUSUM
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the next phase of PM-KUSUM will include a dedicated agrivoltaics component, allowing farmers to cultivate crops while generating solar power. The initiative will focus on small and marginal farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives and panchayats, while retaining land ownership with farmers.
Key facts
Agrivoltaics combines crop cultivation with solar power generation on the same land.
The next phase of PM-KUSUM is proposed to include a dedicated agrivoltaics component.
The focus will be on small and marginal farmers, FPOs, cooperatives and panchayats.
Farmers may earn from crop sales, electricity sold to DISCOMs and savings on diesel.
Around 29 lakh pumps have been solarised under PM-KUSUM, according to the minister.
India added 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity last year, as stated at the event.
The 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 will be held from 21 to 23 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The Agrivoltaics Pitch Hub will be organised with NSEFI as the knowledge partner.
Exam relevance: Relevant for questions on PM-KUSUM, renewable energy, solarisation of agriculture, agrivoltaics, decentralised solar power, farmer income security and India’s clean-energy transition.
International Literacy Day 2026 Celebrations Conclude with ULLAS Mela
The two-day International Literacy Day 2026 celebrations concluded in New Delhi with the ULLAS Mela, showcasing literacy achievements, best practices and innovative learning methods from participating States and Union Territories.
Key facts
The ULLAS Mela was inaugurated in New Delhi by T. K. Anil Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy.
The event was dedicated to participating learners, volunteer teachers and States/Union Territories.
Exhibition stalls were set up by 28 participating States/UTs, NCERT, NCTE and NIOS.
The stalls showcased achievements, best practices, learning materials and innovative methods.
The event included cultural performances and panel discussions.
The Director of NCERT highlighted the importance of financial, legal, digital and electoral literacy.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on literacy initiatives, adult education, educational institutions and the role of financial, digital and electoral literacy in citizen empowerment.
Union Education Minister Releases Commemorative Publication on Bharat Innovates 2026
The Ministry of Education released a commemorative publication documenting the first edition of Bharat Innovates, an initiative designed to identify and promote high-potential deep-tech innovations from India’s higher education and research ecosystem.
Key facts
The publication was released by Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi.
The maiden edition of Bharat Innovates was held in Nice, France, from 14 to 16 June 2026.
The event was organised under the aegis of the India-France Year of Innovation.
The initiative aims to connect innovators with industry, investors and other ecosystem stakeholders.
The first edition brought together 120 deep-tech startups and innovators and 45 research projects from India.
Bharat Innovates seeks to accelerate technology translation and create a pathway from laboratory to market.
The initiative supports the research, innovation, creativity and scientific temper priorities of the National Education Policy 2020.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on Ministry of Education initiatives, deep-tech innovation, higher education and research, National Education Policy 2020, and India-France cooperation in innovation.
NICDC Showcases Industrial Corridors and Investment Opportunities at INNOPROM India 2026
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) participated in the first edition of INNOPROM India 2026 in New Delhi to promote India–Russia cooperation in manufacturing, industrial technology, investment and logistics. It presented India’s industrial smart cities, PM MITRA Parks, BHAVYA, the Industrial Corridor Land Platform and digital logistics initiatives.
Key facts
INNOPROM India 2026 was held from 9 to 11 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
NICDC functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme covers 11 industrial corridors, 20 greenfield industrial smart cities and 13 states.
Four developed industrial smart cities are located in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
NICDC is the Project Management Agency for seven PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks.
BHAVYA aims to develop 100 investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks during FY 2026–27 to FY 2031–32.
The Industrial Corridor Land Platform provides GIS-enabled information on more than 4,000 industrial parks.
Logistics Data Bank provides end-to-end visibility of export-import container movement and has tracked over 10 crore containers.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on industrial corridors, DPIIT, India–Russia economic cooperation, PM MITRA Parks, BHAVYA, PM GatiShakti, industrial infrastructure and digital logistics platforms.
Global Dryland Congress 2026 to be Held in New Delhi
The Global Dryland Congress 2026 will bring together scientists, policymakers, farmers and development partners in New Delhi to discuss dryland agriculture, climate resilience and South–South Cooperation.
Key facts
The three-day Congress will be held in New Delhi from 10 to 12 September 2026.
It is jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and ICRISAT.
The theme is “Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation”.
The event will be hosted at the National Agricultural Science Complex.
More than 800 participants from Asia, Africa and the Americas are expected to attend.
The six themes include breeding, climate resilience, nutrition and markets, farming systems, seed systems, and gender and youth inclusion.
The Congress will commemorate the United Nations Day for South–South Cooperation.
The proceedings are expected to culminate in the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Dryland (3D).
Exam relevance: Important for questions on ICAR, ICRISAT, dryland agriculture, climate resilience, South–South Cooperation, agricultural research and international development partnerships.
Rajnath Singh Meets Sri Lankan Prime Minister in Colombo
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo on September 9, 2026. Discussions focused on development cooperation, capacity building, education, information technology, infrastructure, innovation and research.
Key facts
Rajnath Singh called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo.
The meeting took place on September 9, 2026.
Development cooperation was a central theme of the discussions.
Both sides reviewed cooperation in education, information technology, infrastructure, innovation and research.
The leaders highlighted ancient civilisational ties and people-to-people exchanges between India and Sri Lanka.
India emphasised capacity building as an important pillar of bilateral cooperation.
Singh encouraged more Sri Lankan women to benefit from ICCR scholarships and other Indian government initiatives.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on India-Sri Lanka relations, bilateral cooperation, capacity building, ICCR scholarships and women’s participation in governance.
Bhagwat Prasad Makwana Assumes Charge as Chairperson of NCSK
Bhagwat Prasad Makwana assumed charge as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) on 9 September 2026. The Government of India appointed him to the post on 6 September 2026.
Key facts
Bhagwat Prasad Makwana assumed charge as Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis.
The Government of India appointed him to the post on 6 September 2026.
He previously served as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Safai Karamchari Commission, Government of Uttarakhand.
He served as an Independent Director on the Board of NHPC.
He was a member of the Central Monitoring Committee constituted under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
He holds a Master’s degree in Economics.
He has experience in social work concerning the welfare and empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on appointments, statutory commissions, Safai Karamcharis, manual scavenging legislation and Scheduled Caste welfare.
Dr. Panchanan Das Completes Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and GIS with Fellowship Support
Dr. Panchanan Das, a 36-year-old scholar from a Scheduled Caste community, completed his Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and GIS with financial, academic and fellowship support. He now works as a Software Engineer and GeoAI Expert at Uncharted AI, contributing to mapping, GIS, LiDAR and route-optimisation projects.
Key facts
Dr. Panchanan Das is 36 years old and belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.
He completed a Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and GIS.
Fellowship assistance supported his higher education, research requirements and technical skill development.
He developed expertise in GIS, Remote Sensing, Artificial Intelligence, GeoAI and software engineering.
He works with Uncharted AI as a Software Engineer and GeoAI Expert in Mapping and GIS.
His work includes geospatial technologies, LiDAR and route optimisation.
He aims to contribute to research in remote sensing, drone technology and geospatial analytics.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on geospatial technology, GeoAI, remote sensing, GIS, LiDAR, fellowship support and inclusive higher education. It also illustrates the role of institutional assistance in promoting research and professional mobility.
India and Thailand Discuss Strengthening Trade and Investment Ties
India and Thailand discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and investment, improve business-to-business linkages and address market-access issues. The two sides also reviewed the progress of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement and emphasised deeper engagement through the India-Thailand Joint Trade Committee.
Key facts
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun.
The meeting was held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
Both sides discussed enhancing bilateral trade, investment and business opportunities.
They exchanged views on the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
The ministers emphasised deeper bilateral engagement through the India-Thailand Joint Trade Committee.
Thai business representatives from sectors including space technologies, cold-chain logistics, food processing, health and wellness attended the interaction.
Exam relevance: Relevant for questions on India-Thailand relations, bilateral trade mechanisms, ASEAN-India economic engagement, AITIGA and the India-Thailand Joint Trade Committee.
Under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana component of the NAMASTE Scheme, Bihar-based sanitation professional Dharmendra Kumar Ray received financial assistance to purchase mechanised sanitation equipment and establish an independent service.
Key facts
Dharmendra Kumar Ray is a 39-year-old sanitation professional from Bihar.
He had experience in sewer and septic tank cleaning operations.
He worked for nearly four years as a Helper and Graver Machine Operator in Noida.
Under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana component of the NAMASTE Scheme, he received an upfront capital subsidy.
The project cost was Rs. 14,77,500, consisting of a Rs. 7,38,750 loan and an equal capital subsidy.
The assistance enabled him to purchase a Jetting Cum Graver Machine and a Mahindra Maxx City CBC 1.3 LX vehicle.
His mechanised sanitation service was deployed under the Greater Noida Authority.
His monthly income increased by approximately Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government livelihood support, mechanised sanitation, sanitation workers and the NAMASTE Scheme.
UIDAI Launches Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK and Sandbox
The Unique Identification Authority of India launched the Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK and Sandbox at the Global Fintech Fest 2026. The tools are designed to help government departments, banks, fintech companies and other organisations integrate and test Aadhaar Face Authentication within their own mobile applications.
Key facts
The SDK supports Aadhaar Face Authentication directly within native Android and iOS applications.
It includes AI/ML-based liveness detection and anti-spoofing capabilities.
The Sandbox allows organisations to test authentication processes, consent, face capture, error handling and response validation.
Testing can be conducted without external biometric hardware and includes failure scenarios such as network interruptions, timeouts and spoofing attempts.
The launch reduces dependence on the separate Aadhaar FaceRD app for face authentication.
UIDAI stated that its Face Authentication solution, launched in 2021, has processed over 500 crore transactions and been adopted by nearly 200 entities.
The technology received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2023 under the Innovation category.
UIDAI also unveiled a Playbook on Ease of Onboarding for BFSI entities.
Exam relevance: Relevant for questions on UIDAI, Aadhaar authentication, digital governance, fintech, artificial intelligence, biometric security, e-KYC and public administration innovation.
India and Sri Lanka Call for Stronger Maritime Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean
During his visit to Sri Lanka, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for enhanced India-Sri Lanka cooperation to secure sea lanes, protect freedom of navigation and address emerging maritime threats in the Indian Ocean Region.
Key facts
Rajnath Singh addressed Sri Lankan defence officials at the Ministry of Defence in Colombo on September 9, 2026.
He stressed that secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, international law and unhindered maritime trade are vital for the Indian Ocean Region.
India and Sri Lanka have expanded cooperation through capacity building, joint exercises, search and rescue operations, counter-narcotics and anti-piracy efforts.
The Colombo Security Conclave covers maritime safety, counter-terrorism, cyber security and organised crime.
The jointly established Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre was highlighted as an example of bilateral cooperation.
Both countries discussed developing an integrated Maritime Domain Awareness system to address illegal fishing, suspicious vessels, trafficking, smuggling and terrorism.
Rajnath Singh linked closer maritime cooperation with the MAHASAGAR vision: Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
He proposed exploring a joint Maritime Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief system for coordinated disaster response.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India-Sri Lanka relations, Indian Ocean security, maritime cooperation, the Colombo Security Conclave, Maritime Domain Awareness and the MAHASAGAR vision.
MSDE Launches ‘Skill Manthan’ on Sustainable Livelihoods for Women
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship organised the inaugural session of ‘Skill Manthan’, a knowledge-sharing platform for showcasing district-led initiatives that promote women’s livelihoods through skilling, entrepreneurship, finance, technology and market access.
Key facts
The initiative was organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
The inaugural session focused on building sustainable livelihoods for women.
District initiatives from Meerut and Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh and NTR District in Andhra Pradesh were highlighted.
Meerut presented a women-centric manufacturing model for badminton rackets and shuttlecocks.
Bijnor showcased Vidur Prerna Swadeshi, which supports rural women entrepreneurs through branding, market access and enterprise support.
The initiative is aligned with district-led planning and District Skill Development Plans.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, district-led development, women’s economic empowerment, District Skill Development Plans and grassroots livelihood models.
