PM Vishwakarma Completes Three Years with 30 Lakh Artisans Registered
The PM Vishwakarma scheme completed three years on 17 September 2026. The Ministry of MSME reported that 30 lakh beneficiaries had registered, with substantial progress in skill training, toolkit distribution and concessional credit. West Bengal joined the scheme in May 2026 and hosted the third-anniversary celebration in Kolkata.
Key facts
PM Vishwakarma was launched on 17 September 2023 to support traditional artisans and craftspeople.
The scheme has registered 30 lakh beneficiaries across India.
Around 24.50 lakh beneficiaries have received basic skill training.
A total of 18.15 lakh modern toolkits have been delivered through India Post.
About 6.18 lakh Vishwakarmas received loans up to ₹1 lakh at a concessional interest rate of 5% per annum.
The loans disbursed under this category amounted to ₹5,297 crore.
West Bengal was onboarded for PM Vishwakarma implementation in May 2026 and received more than 7 lakh applications.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on Union government schemes, the Ministry of MSME, traditional artisans, skill development, concessional institutional credit and market support. The launch date, beneficiary figures, interest rate and West Bengal implementation are particularly relevant for competitive examinations.
Heavy Industries Ministry interaction highlights India’s electric mobility push
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy interacted with electric vehicle beneficiaries, distributors and industry representatives at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The programme highlighted government initiatives to promote EV adoption, charging infrastructure, domestic manufacturing and a self-reliant electric mobility ecosystem.
Key facts
The interaction was organised by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
It was held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
PM E-DRIVE supports electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure.
PLI-Auto and PLI-ACC support domestic manufacturing of advanced automotive technologies and battery cells.
The government emphasised localisation and an Atmanirbhar Bharat-oriented automotive ecosystem.
EV beneficiaries discussed applications in personal mobility, livelihoods, public transport and freight movement.
The Ministry also highlighted FAME I and II, PM-eBus Sewa (PSM) and the Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Scheme.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on electric mobility policies, government schemes, domestic manufacturing, battery technology, clean transportation and India’s Net Zero goals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thanks World Leaders for Birthday Wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Dr Tedros for their birthday greetings. He highlighted India’s friendship with Dominica, the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership, and cooperation in global health.
Key facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked world leaders for their birthday wishes.
He thanked Prime Minister Skerrit for the goodwill of Dominica’s government and people.
He described India’s relationship with Dominica as a close friendship.
He thanked Prime Minister Meloni and referred to the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership.
He thanked Prime Minister Tobgay for his warm wishes and kind words.
He thanked Dr Tedros and referred to cooperation in global health.
Modi stated that he had met Dr Tedros during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India’s diplomatic relations, the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership, BRICS-related engagements, and global health cooperation.
Prime Minister Expresses Gratitude for Birthday Wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked people across India for their birthday wishes, affection and blessings. He also appreciated those involved in Seva activities and called for collective efforts to build a Viksit Bharat.
Key facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude for birthday wishes received from across the country.
He said the people's warmth gives him renewed strength to serve them.
He appreciated people engaged in Seva activities throughout the day.
He called for continued collective efforts to build a Viksit Bharat.
The message was posted by the Prime Minister on X.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Prime Minister's official statements, Seva activities and the Viksit Bharat development vision.
SEMICON India 2026 Launches India’s Semicon 2.0 Roadmap
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi and announced the transition from Semicon 1.0 to Semicon 2.0. The new phase aims to expand India’s semiconductor ecosystem across design, equipment and materials, fabrication, advanced packaging, applied research and talent development.
Key facts
SEMICON India 2026 is being held from 17 to 19 September 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
Semicon 2.0 is built around six pillars: Design, Equipment and Materials, Fabs, Advanced Packaging, Applied R&D and Talent.
The India Semiconductor Mission budget is proposed to increase from USD 8 billion under Semicon 1.0 to USD 13.5 billion under Semicon 2.0.
The government stated that five commercial semiconductor ATMP units are operational out of twelve approved units under Semicon 1.0.
Commercial production lines were virtually inaugurated at CDIL Semiconductor in Mohali for discrete devices and Suchi Semicon in Surat for packaging.
Semicon 1.0 achievements cited at the event included training 70,000 design engineers and deploying EDA tools across more than 500 organisations.
The event features over 600 exhibitors, six country pavilions, twelve Indian state pavilions, a Startup Pavilion and workforce-development facilities.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on India’s semiconductor mission, electronics manufacturing, industrial policy, technology self-reliance, semiconductor packaging and government support for research and skill development.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, launched the Seva Sankalp, Khadi Mahotsav 2026 at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat. The nationwide programme will run from 17 September to 17 October 2026 and promote Khadi, Swadeshi, employment and self-reliance.
Key facts
The event was inaugurated by KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Goyal.
The Mahotsav will be observed nationwide from 17 September to 17 October 2026.
A margin money subsidy of ₹289 crore was disbursed under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
The subsidy is expected to support 3,366 projects and generate employment for approximately 37,026 people.
Bank loans of approximately ₹873 crore were provided for these projects.
Five thousand new PMEGP units were launched online during the event.
KVIC launched the E-Commerce Portal, PMEGP Online EDP Portal, PMEGP Online EDP Mobile App, Hindi Vaibhav Portal and KVIC Digital 2.0.
The programme will include cleanliness drives, tree plantations, Khadi Yatras, training programmes and artisan dialogues.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on KVIC, the Ministry of MSME, PMEGP, Khadi and Village Industries, rural employment, self-reliance and government digital initiatives.
‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ Programme Highlights Food-Processing Initiatives in Thane
The ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ programme was organised in Thane under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan–Seva Diwas initiative of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. It highlighted the role of government support in promoting food processing, entrepreneurship, employment and self-reliance among farmers, FPOs, women beneficiaries and entrepreneurs.
Key facts
The programme was held at Niyojan Bhawan, District Collector’s Office, Thane.
It was organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan–Seva Diwas initiative of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan interacted with beneficiaries of PMFME, PMKSY and PLI initiatives.
Participants included farmers, FPO members, women beneficiaries, entrepreneurs and food-processing units.
The programme highlighted food processing, preservation and value addition as opportunities linked to agriculture.
The lighting of the ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ symbolised hope, opportunity, confidence and self-reliance.
Maharashtra’s role in implementing food-processing initiatives was acknowledged.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, food-processing sector development, FPOs, women entrepreneurship, value addition in agriculture and government support schemes such as PMFME, PMKSY and PLI.
6th National Pharmacovigilance Week inaugurated by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission inaugurated the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week, being observed across India from 17 to 23 September 2026. The campaign focuses on rational medicine use, adverse drug reaction reporting and safer healthcare.
Key facts
The 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week is being observed from 17 to 23 September 2026.
The theme is “Promoting Rational Use of Medicines through Pharmacovigilance – A Step Towards Safer Healthcare”.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission is the National Coordination Centre for the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India.
The campaign seeks to increase awareness and reporting of adverse drug reactions.
The IPC highlighted the need to strengthen pharmacovigilance networks at the grassroots level.
The programme aims for every Aspirational District to have at least one ADR Monitoring Centre and one Medical Device Monitoring Centre.
Volume 16, Issue 2 of the PvPI Newsletter was released during the inaugural programme.
The technical sessions covered medication safety, rational medicine use and the role of materiovigilance in patient safety.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, adverse drug reaction reporting, rational use of medicines, ADR Monitoring Centres and Medical Device Monitoring Centres.
SVAMITVA Property Cards and Fisheries Schemes Highlighted at Anand Event
The Union Ministries of Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying organised an interaction programme and SVAMITVA property card distribution ceremony in Anand, Gujarat. The event highlighted the use of drone surveys for issuing rural property cards and government initiatives for fisheries-sector development.
Key facts
The programme was held at the National Dairy Development Board Auditorium in Anand, Gujarat, on 17 September 2026.
The event was organised jointly by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
SVAMITVA provides rural property or title cards based on drone surveys of land and properties.
More than 3 crore SVAMITVA cards have been distributed across the country, according to the source.
The second phase of SVAMITVA implementation was stated to be in its final stage, including in Gujarat.
The fisheries sector supports the livelihood of approximately 6 crore people in India, according to the source.
Blue Revolution and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana were highlighted as major fisheries-sector initiatives.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on SVAMITVA, rural property rights, drone-based land surveys, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, and government initiatives for rural and fisheries-sector development.
Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign Highlights NAMASTE Scheme in Budaun
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised a Swachhata Hi Seva campaign in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme and support for sanitation workers and waste pickers.
Key facts
The campaign was organised at the DIET Auditorium in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh.
The campaign theme was ‘Honour for Safai Mitras, Resolve for Swachh Bharat’.
NAMASTE aims to ensure the dignity and safety of sanitation workers and empower them socially and economically.
Under NAMASTE, 90,157 sewer and septic tank workers were profiled; 87,078 received PPE kits and 76,920 received health insurance coverage.
A total of 5,00,013 waste pickers were profiled, including 3,15,593 who were validated.
PPE kits were provided to 1,79,269 waste pickers.
In Budaun, 146 sewer and septic tank workers and 339 waste pickers were validated.
Ayushman cards were distributed to 31 Safai Mitras, and six Safai Mitras received keys of auto-rickshaws.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the NAMASTE Scheme, sanitation workers, waste pickers, social justice initiatives, PPE support, health insurance and government welfare programmes.
Department of Land Resources Launches Swachhata Hi Seva Initiative
The Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development commenced the Swachhata Hi Seva initiative on 17 September 2026. It promotes cleanliness as a collective responsibility, responsible waste management, recycling, reuse and sustainable public-service practices.
Key facts
The initiative commenced on 17 September 2026.
It was launched by the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development.
The initiative encourages clean offices, surroundings and neighbourhoods.
It promotes responsible management of plastic waste and e-waste.
Employees have been encouraged to reuse, repair, recycle or responsibly dispose of unused items.
The initiative links cleanliness with public service and responsible citizenship.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government departments, cleanliness initiatives, waste management, circular economy and sustainable citizenship.
‘Ashirvad Ka Diya’ Ceremony Promotes Substance-Dependence Recovery and Social Reintegration
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised the ‘Ashirvad Ka Diya’ ceremony under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan on Seva Diwas. Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar participated with persons who had completed treatment and rehabilitation for substance dependence, highlighting the importance of professional care, family support and community participation.
Key facts
The ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
It was held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in the National Capital.
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar lit the ceremonial diya with persons in recovery.
Around 250 persons from Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas participated.
The participants had received support through Grant-in-Aid Institutions of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The initiative focused on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration related to substance dependence.
The event formed part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan conducted on Seva Diwas.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, substance-abuse prevention, rehabilitation, social reintegration and inclusive welfare initiatives.
World Patient Safety Day 2026 Observed at Dr. RML Hospital
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda addressed a World Patient Safety Day 2026 event at ABVIMS and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi. The event focused on safe, coordinated and continuous care for people living with noncommunicable diseases, along with hospital cleanliness, infection prevention and quality assurance.
Key facts
World Patient Safety Day 2026 was observed on 17 September 2026.
The 2026 theme was “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases” and the slogan was “Safe care for life!”.
The event was held at ABVIMS and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi.
National Quality Assurance Standards certification was introduced in 2015.
The minister stated that 60,000 government health facilities are NQAS-certified, with a target of around 2 lakh institutions.
Ayushman Bharat provides eligible beneficiaries health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
More than 20,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established under PMBJP, with expansion planned to around 25,000 outlets.
The minister highlighted hand hygiene, proper waste disposal, infection-control protocols and early screening for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on important days, health schemes, public health policy, NQAS, Ayushman Bharat, PMBJP, noncommunicable diseases and hospital infection control.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Highlights Citizen-Centric Governance and Infrastructure Development
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that public service, quality infrastructure and last-mile connectivity are central to citizen-centric development. He highlighted integrated infrastructure planning, improved road connectivity, sustainable mobility and accountability in public projects.
Key facts
Nitin Gadkari addressed the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan – Aashirwad Ka Diya virtually.
He described ‘Seva Bhava’ as the guiding spirit of public service and development.
He highlighted PM GatiShakti for integrated infrastructure planning and improved connectivity.
The Zojila Tunnel and other all-weather connectivity projects were cited as initiatives benefiting remote communities.
He linked better roads and highways with access to schools, hospitals, markets, workplaces and essential services.
He emphasised safe, affordable and sustainable mobility through electric vehicles, alternative fuels, biofuels and hydrogen-based technologies.
He stressed time-bound, transparent, quality-driven development and accountability for substandard work and malpractices.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on citizen-centric governance, PM GatiShakti, infrastructure development, road connectivity, sustainable mobility and public service delivery.
CCI Approves OMERS Acquisition of Additional Stake in Azure Power
The Competition Commission of India approved the acquisition of certain additional shareholding in Azure Power Global Limited by OMERS Infrastructure Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd. from CDPQ Infrastructures Asia Pte. Ltd.
Key facts
The Competition Commission of India approved the proposed combination.
OMERS Infrastructure Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd. is the acquirer.
Azure Power Global Limited is the target entity.
The additional shareholding will be acquired from CDPQ Infrastructures Asia Pte. Ltd.
The acquirer is an investment entity of OMER Administration Corporation.
Azure group develops and operates renewable energy plants and sells solar power in India.
Exam relevance: Relevant for questions on the Competition Commission of India, corporate acquisitions, foreign investment, pension funds and renewable energy businesses in India.
CCI Approves Acquisition of Stake in Great White Global
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of certain equity share capital of Great White Global Private Limited by investment funds, the existing promoters and related entities. The proposed combination also includes the ITVIS transaction.
Key facts
The Competition Commission of India approved the proposed combination.
The acquisition involves certain equity share capital of Great White Global Private Limited.
The acquiring entities include ISAF III Onshore Fund, India Special Assets Fund III and Special Situation India Fund.
Mehul Jadavji Shah, Julie Mehul Shah and Mehul Shah HUF are also associated with the transaction.
Great White Global operates in fast-moving electrical goods and electrical infrastructure products.
Great White also manufactures and sells beauty and personal care products.
ITVIS provides intelligent lighting, lighting automation, smart electrical and sensor-based systems, and energy-efficient lighting technologies.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Competition Commission of India, merger and acquisition approvals, alternative investment funds, and the electrical and lighting sectors.
CCI Approves Acquisition of Three Professional Cricket Franchises
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of Rajasthan Royals, Paarl Royals and Barbados Royals by Westview Cricket Limited and Poonawalla Sports and Fitness Private Limited.
Key facts
The CCI approved the proposed acquisition of three professional cricket franchises.
The franchises are Rajasthan Royals in India, Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in Barbados.
The acquiring entities are Westview Cricket Limited and Poonawalla Sports and Fitness Private Limited.
Westview Cricket Limited is registered in the United Kingdom.
Poonawalla Sports and Fitness Private Limited is incorporated in India and wholly owned by Adar Cyrus Poonawalla.
EM Sporting Holdings Limited is incorporated and registered in Mauritius.
Royal Multisport Private Limited owns and operates the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the Indian Premier League.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Competition Commission of India, corporate acquisitions, competition regulation and ownership of sports franchises.
