Gulveer Singh Wins Silver in Men's 1500m at Asian Games
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gulveer Singh for winning the silver medal in the men's 1500m event at the Asian Games. The performance was also described as his personal best.
Key facts
Gulveer Singh won the silver medal in the men's 1500m event.
The achievement came at the Asian Games.
His performance was described as a personal best.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him.
The Prime Minister said that India was proud of his achievement.
Exam relevance: Useful for sports current affairs and questions on Indian medal winners at international multi-sport events.
Yashvir Singh Wins Silver and Rohit Yadav Bronze in Asian Games Javelin Throw
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian javelin throwers Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav for winning silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the Asian Games.
Key facts
Yashvir Singh won the silver medal in javelin throw.
Yashvir Singh achieved a personal best performance.
Rohit Yadav won the bronze medal in javelin throw.
Both athletes finished on the Asian Games podium.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the two athletes.
The Prime Minister described the result as significant for Indian athletics.
Exam relevance: Relevant for sports current affairs and questions on India’s performance at the Asian Games.
Livestock Insurance Portal launched under National Livestock Mission
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the Livestock Insurance Portal to digitise livestock insurance services, including policy issuance, premium management, claims and beneficiary verification.
Key facts
The portal was launched by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh.
It operates under the Livestock Insurance activity of the National Livestock Mission.
The platform provides digital services for policy issuance, premium management and claim processing.
It enables beneficiary verification and real-time monitoring.
The portal brings farmers, State Governments, insurance companies and implementing agencies onto one interface.
More than 30 lakh animals had already been insured during the year, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Exam relevance: Relevant for questions on the National Livestock Mission, livestock insurance, digital governance, farmer welfare and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
RRU to Launch Second Batch of Master’s in Financial and Economic Security
Rashtriya Raksha University, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, will launch the second batch of its one-year Master’s in Financial and Economic Security programme in November 2026. The hybrid programme is designed for working professionals and focuses on emerging financial crimes, digital assets, terror financing and technology-enabled financial threats.
Key facts
Rashtriya Raksha University is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The programme is being conducted with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
The second batch is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
The one-year programme is offered in hybrid mode for working professionals.
The first cohort included more than 40 professionals from fields such as banking, law enforcement and academia.
The programme covers financial crimes, virtual digital assets, terror financing and proliferation financing.
IRDAI is a Knowledge Partner in the programme.
The second cohort is open to national and international participants.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on Rashtriya Raksha University, ministries, financial security, emerging financial crimes, digital assets and institutional capacity building.
India Highlights Forest and Landscape Restoration Efforts at COFO 28
At the 28th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry in Rome, India highlighted its progress in forest restoration, sustainable forest management and climate action. It presented initiatives such as the Aravalli Green Wall, MISHTI and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and reaffirmed its support for international cooperation and the proposed UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation for 2027–2036.
Key facts
COFO 28 was held in Rome from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
India's forest and tree cover is 82.74 million hectares, or 25.17% of its geographical area.
The FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 ranked India ninth globally in forest area and third in net annual forest area gain.
India created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2021.
India aims to create an additional carbon sink of 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2035, compared with 2005 levels.
Under the Bonn Challenge, India aims to restore 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030; 21.76 million hectares had been brought under restoration.
The Aravalli Green Wall has identified approximately 6.45 million hectares of degraded land for restoration.
More than 3.5 billion saplings have been planted under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam – Plant4Mother.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on environmental initiatives, forest and landscape restoration, climate commitments, carbon sinks, the Bonn Challenge, FAO, Ramsar Sites and international environmental cooperation.
DoWR, RD & GR to Implement Special Campaign 6 from 2–31 October 2026
The Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, will implement Special Campaign 6 across its department and organisations from 2 October to 31 October 2026. The campaign will focus on cleanliness, space management, disposal of pending references and scientific e-waste management.
Key facts
Special Campaign 6 will be implemented from 2 October to 31 October 2026.
The campaign will cover the Department of Water Resources, RD & GR and its organisations.
It will focus on cleanliness practices and improved space management in government offices.
Timely disposal of pending VIP, PMO and other references is a major objective.
Scientific collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste will receive special emphasis.
Secretary Smt Archana Varma chaired the preparatory meeting on 28 September 2026.
Campaign progress is monitored and updated on the SCDPM Portal of DARPG.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Ministry of Jal Shakti, administrative reforms, government cleanliness campaigns, e-waste management and citizen-centric governance.
The fifth edition of India Energy Week will be held in Kolkata from 28 to 31 January 2027 under the theme “Unlocking Innovation. Securing Energy. Shaping Tomorrow.” The event will focus on energy security, affordability, sustainability, technology and investment.
Key facts
India Energy Week 2027 will take place from 28–31 January 2027.
Kolkata will host the event for the first time, taking it to eastern India.
The theme is “Unlocking Innovation. Securing Energy. Shaping Tomorrow.”
The event is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry is organising the event with Informa Markets as conference organiser.
Key areas include oil and gas, LNG, refining, petrochemicals, hydrogen, biofuels, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
The venue is the New Town Convention Centre in Kolkata.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on India’s energy policy, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, energy transition, hydrogen, biofuels, LNG and major international conferences hosted in India.
India-France Discuss Cooperation in Higher Education and Innovation
India and France discussed strengthening cooperation in higher education, research, innovation, academic mobility and institutional partnerships. French higher education institutions were invited to explore opening branch campuses in India, including in GIFT City, Gujarat.
Key facts
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held a bilateral meeting with French Minister Philippe Baptiste in New Delhi.
The discussions covered education, research, innovation, academic mobility and institutional partnerships.
The India-France Year of Innovation 2026 was highlighted as an opportunity to deepen cooperation.
Both sides discussed mobility of students, faculty and researchers, along with collaborative academic programmes.
French higher education institutions were invited to explore opening branch campuses in India, including GIFT City, Gujarat.
The two countries discussed language learning, teacher education, digital education and technology-enabled learning.
The ongoing revision of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Agreement was also discussed.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India-France relations, international education cooperation, higher education reforms, academic mobility, GIFT City and mutual recognition of qualifications.
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment Organises Swachhata Extempore Competition
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment organised an extempore competition on Swachhata under the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026 to promote cleanliness, hygiene and civic responsibility.
Key facts
The event was organised by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
It was held under the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026.
The competition took place at Manan Conference Hall in the Social Justice Ministry.
Senior officers of the Department participated in the event.
The activity focused on cleanliness, hygiene and collective action.
The initiative aimed to strengthen dignity, social responsibility and a culture of cleanliness.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government departments, cleanliness campaigns and civic responsibility.
Amit Shah Inaugurates PRAHAAR Conference on Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the PRAHAAR conference in New Delhi. The conference discussed a seven-pillar, whole-of-society approach to counter-terrorism and focused on strengthening coordination among central and state agencies. A new Extradition Portal was also launched to expedite efforts to bring fugitives back from abroad.
Key facts
The PRAHAAR conference was held in New Delhi on 28 September 2026.
It was inaugurated by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah.
PRAHAAR has seven pillars: Prevention, Response, Aggregating Internal Capacities, Human Rights, Attenuating Conditions for Terrorism, Aligning International Efforts, and Recovery & Resilience.
The conference promoted a whole-of-society approach and coordination among stakeholders.
The government highlighted its zero-tolerance policy towards all forms and manifestations of terrorism.
A new Extradition Portal was launched to synergise and expedite efforts to bring fugitives back from abroad.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on India's counter-terrorism strategy, the seven pillars of PRAHAAR, inter-agency coordination, extradition mechanisms, and the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Health Minister Reviews Expansion of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda reviewed infrastructure expansion, specialised healthcare, medical education and patient-care initiatives at Lady Hardinge Medical College and its associated hospitals. The augmentation of Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital will significantly increase bed, ICU and operation-theatre capacity.
Key facts
J.P. Nadda reviewed Lady Hardinge Medical College, Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital and Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital.
Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital’s bed capacity is planned to increase from 394 to 894 beds.
Its ICU capacity is planned to rise from 40 to 200 beds, while operation theatres will increase from 4 to 12.
The LHMC Skill Lab provides simulation-based training in areas including ICU care, surgery, obstetrics, neonatology, trauma, ENT and ophthalmology.
The Department of Neonatology has 80 intensive care beds and reports overall survival exceeding 93 percent.
The recently functional NICU-B includes 7 NICU beds, 8 HDU beds, 15 Kangaroo Mother Care beds and 12 mothers’ cots.
The Minister emphasised patient-centric planning, timely project monitoring and parallel recruitment of healthcare professionals.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on public healthcare infrastructure, medical education, neonatal care, simulation-based training and capacity expansion in government hospitals.
Shram Samvad Campaign Launches Labour Code Awareness Drive
The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the Shram Samvad Awareness Campaign to explain the recently introduced Labour Codes, employer compliances and labour welfare schemes. The campaign will cover industrial clusters across 316 districts in all 36 States and Union Territories over 90 days.
Key facts
The District Awareness Programme was held at the Regional Labour Institute in Faridabad.
The Shram Samvad Campaign aims to create awareness about the Labour Codes and related compliances.
Industrial clusters across 316 districts in all 36 States and Union Territories will be covered over 90 days.
Around 75 participants, including employers, state authorities, advocates and other stakeholders, attended the Faridabad programme.
Sessions covered Labour Code provisions, employer compliances, PM-SYM and PMVBRY.
PM-SYM was presented as a social security scheme for eligible unorganised workers.
The programme included an interactive question-and-answer session on Labour Code implementation and compliance.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Labour Codes, labour welfare, social security schemes, PM-SYM, PMVBRY and the geographical coverage of government awareness campaigns.
Green Highways: Sustainable Plantation and Bio-Bitumen Initiatives
India is integrating environmental sustainability into National Highway development through large-scale plantation, digital monitoring, recycled materials and bio-bitumen technology. The Green Highways Policy, 2015, guides plantation and maintenance, while new standards and performance benchmarks aim to improve the survival and coverage of roadside greenery.
Key facts
India’s National Highway network increased from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,572 km by March 2026, a growth of nearly 61%.
More than 3.61 crore saplings were planted across approximately 1.32 lakh km of National Highways during the five years up to July 2026.
The Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015, guides the greening of National Highways.
NHAI’s September 2026 guidelines require plantation coverage over at least 80% of the available plantation-designated Right of Way for provisional completion certification.
Planted saplings must record a minimum 90% survival rate during official inspection and the Operations and Maintenance period.
Bio-bitumen produced through pyrolysis of farm residue was developed by CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi, and CSIR-IIP, Dehradun.
A 100-metre bio-bitumen trial stretch was laid on the Jorabat–Shillong Expressway, NH-40, in Meghalaya.
Pollinator corridors are being developed along identified stretches of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway under the “Trees for Bees” campaign.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on environmental governance, sustainable infrastructure, National Highways, NHAI guidelines, waste-to-value technology, bio-bitumen, compensatory afforestation and pollinator conservation.
DFPD Conducts Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 Activities Across Offices and Communities
The Department of Food and Public Distribution and its associated organisations conducted cleanliness, sanitation, awareness and community outreach activities under the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign in September 2026.
Key facts
DFPD organised a door-to-door awareness campaign at Firoz Gandhi Camp, New Delhi, on 21 September 2026.
A Walkathon and Plogging Drive was held from Krishi Bhawan to Jantar Mantar on 22 September 2026.
DFPD conducted a Swachhata Samvad on 23 September 2026 to discuss cleanliness and sanitation.
A health check-up camp was organised at Krishi Bhawan on 24 September 2026 for Safai Mitras, security guards and officials.
FCI offices conducted rallies, cleanliness drives, competitions and awareness programmes under the campaign.
FCI offices organised outreach activities at government schools and Anganwadi Centres to promote hygiene and responsible waste management.
IGMRI Ludhiana organised a Neki Ki Deewar for collecting and reusing usable clothes.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government cleanliness campaigns, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the Food Corporation of India, sanitation awareness and responsible waste management.
Piyush Goyal to Attend G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in the United States
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will visit the United States from 29 September to 5 October 2026 to participate in the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee and hold bilateral and business engagements.
Key facts
Piyush Goyal will visit the United States from 29 September to 5 October 2026.
The G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 30 September and 1 October 2026.
India will support a rules-based, open, inclusive and transparent multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.
Goyal will hold bilateral meetings with trade counterparts and discuss opportunities for farmers, fishermen, women entrepreneurs, startups and MSMEs.
India and the United States will discuss advancing a balanced bilateral trade agreement and finalising an interim deal.
Goyal will meet American business leaders in Milwaukee and Chicago to promote India as a manufacturing and investment destination.
He will pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti and to Swami Vivekananda in Chicago.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on G20, India-US trade relations, the World Trade Organization, multilateral trade negotiations, MSMEs and India’s investment diplomacy.
