Current affairs relevant to GS3.
On World Ozone Day, 16 September 2026, in Mumbai, the Environment Minister of State launched India's Net Zero Portal and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) Dashboard. The portal lets Indian entities register and disclose voluntary net zero targets. The dashboard tracks progress of the National Missions under the NAPCC on one platform.
16 Sep 2026
On 16 September 2026 the DGFT amended Para 2.57 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 so that a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is not needed for export consignments with a Free-on-Board value of up to ₹3 lakh. Larger consignments still need it. The aim is to make it easier for MSMEs, artisans and first-time exporters to start.
16 Sep 2026
On 15 September 2026, seven flying squads of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) inspected 22 industrial units in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. Sixteen broke norms and statutory directions, and 12 show cause notices were issued. The UP Pollution Control Board sealed two units, one burning hazardous sludge in a wood-fired pit furnace.
16 Sep 2026
India's total exports of goods and services in April to August 2026-27 are estimated at US$ 399.27 billion, 15.55 per cent more than a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on 15 September 2026. Merchandise exports grew 17.85 per cent. In August alone, electronic goods exports rose 89.82 per cent to US$ 5.55 billion.
15 Sep 2026
The Periodic Labour Force Survey bulletin for August 2026, released on 15 September 2026, shows the labour force participation rate for people aged 15 and above rising to 55.6 per cent. Female participation was 34.8 per cent, up 1.1 points in a year. The unemployment rate held at 5.0 per cent, and rural unemployment fell to 4.1 per cent.
15 Sep 2026
The Government clarified on 15 September 2026 that under the new UPI framework all person-to-person payments stay free, and so do merchant payments up to ₹2,000. A merchant discount rate (MDR) of 0.4 per cent applies only to merchant payments above ₹2,000, capped at ₹300. About 96 per cent of merchant transactions will not be affected.
15 Sep 2026
The Varuna Elevated Corridor, approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2026, is a ₹10,998-crore, 43.218-km road along the Varuna river in Varanasi. It will link NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road. NHAI will build it, with a cable-stayed bridge. Travel time from NH-31 to Kashi Railway Station should fall from about 40 to 20 minutes.
15 Sep 2026
A PIB backgrounder of 14 September 2026 explains India's data centre push. Installed capacity grew from about 375 MW in 2020 to 1.57 GW by August 2026 and may reach nearly 8 GW by 2030. Data centres have had infrastructure status since Budget 2022-23, and Budget 2026-27 gave eligible foreign cloud firms a tax holiday until 2047.
14 Sep 2026
On 14 September 2026 the Government released price data for August 2026. Wholesale (WPI) inflation was 9.92 per cent, with fuel and power up 22.93 per cent. Retail (CPI) inflation, on the new base year 2024, was 4.82 per cent, and food inflation 5.95 per cent. Rural retail inflation (5.23 per cent) was higher than urban (4.31 per cent).
14 Sep 2026
India is hosting the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from 15 to 18 September 2026, the first time in South Asia. The theme is "Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity". It is organised by CPCB, Finland's innovation fund Sitra, MoEFCC, the Gujarat Government and GPCB, with over 2,000 stakeholders from 65+ countries.
13 Sep 2026