Daily Current Affairs

Daily digests (5-8 items/day).

GS3 · Defence indigenisation

HAL hands over Tejas twin-seat trainers, HTT-40 trainers and Dhruv NG helicopters

On 18 September 2026 in Bengaluru, HAL handed over two LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance twin-seat trainers and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the Indian Air Force, and four Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited. The Defence Minister called for public-private synergy to build India's aerospace capability.

18 Sep 2026
GS3 · Energy resources, mining policy

16th round of commercial coal mine auctions launched; CMDPAs signed for six mines

On 17 September 2026 the Coal Ministry launched the 16th round of commercial coal mine auctions, offering 25 blocks in nine States: 21 fully explored and four partially explored. Agreements were also signed for six mines sold in earlier rounds. Since commercial mining opened in 2020, 147 mines have been auctioned.

17 Sep 2026
GS2 · IR / GS3 · Energy

India on the US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act

On 17 September 2026 the MEA said India has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress and is watching what follows. It said India will keep securing energy for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing, and will take all steps needed to protect its trade and economic interests.

17 Sep 2026
GS3 · Agriculture, carbon markets

India’s first soil-carbon payments: ₹2.9 crore to 2,550 farmers in Punjab and Haryana

On 17 September 2026, at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, the ICAR Director General started direct payments of over ₹2.9 crore to 2,550 farmers of Punjab and Haryana for carbon stored in their soil. The money comes from carbon credits earned under 'Aadi', a Grow Indigo programme of 2019 with ICAR guidance, after the gains were measured and verified.

17 Sep 2026
GS3 · Semiconductors, industrial policy

Semicon 2.0: ~₹1 lakh crore commitments; focus on design, equipment, packaging, talent

On 17 September 2026, at SEMICON India 2026, the IT Minister said Semicon 2.0 has drawn investment commitments of about ₹1 lakh crore (USD 11 to 12 billion), with close to 1 lakh jobs expected. Semicon 1.0 laid the foundation; Semicon 2.0 will build the whole ecosystem through six pillars, from chip design to training 1 lakh technicians.

17 Sep 2026
GS3 · Exports, textiles

Textile exports up 16.1% to ₹29,776 crore in August 2026

India's textile exports rose 16.1% year-on-year to ₹29,776 crore in August 2026, from ₹25,656 crore in August 2025, the Textiles Ministry said on 17 September 2026. For April to August 2026 they reached ₹1.43 lakh crore, up 10.3%. Handicrafts (excluding handmade carpets) grew fastest, by 41.4%.

17 Sep 2026
GS3 · Trade facilitation

10 years of the Authorised Economic Operator programme in customs

On 16 September 2026 the CBIC marked ten years of India's Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme with an event called "AEO@10" in New Delhi. The programme, aligned with the World Customs Organisation's SAFE Framework, gives trusted traders faster customs clearance. 5,967 entities have been certified so far across the T1, T2, T3 and LO categories.

16 Sep 2026
GS2/GS3 · Social security, labour

Cabinet raises EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month

On 16 September 2026 the Union Cabinet raised the wage ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month. More than 51 lakh more employees will now come under provident fund, pension (EPS) and insurance (EDLI) cover. The ceiling was last raised in September 2014. The Government's yearly outgo is estimated at about ₹11,339 crore.

16 Sep 2026
GS3 · Climate policy

Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard launched on World Ozone Day

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