Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CMDPA; commercial coal mining since 2020.
17 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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CAQM's statutory basis.
16 Sep 2026
On 16 September 2026 the MEA rejected the so-called Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission as having no legal basis. It said there is no boundary between Pakistan and China, the whole of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India, and India has never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963.
UPSC angle: Prelims: 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement. · Mains: India's position on PoK.
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FTP 2023; who issues RCMC.
16 Sep 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: World Ozone Day = Montreal Protocol; NAPCC year.
16 Sep 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: EPFO's parent Act and ministry. · Mains: Will a higher wage ceiling formalise jobs or raise employer costs?
16 Sep 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: AEO and WCO SAFE Framework.
16 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.
UPSC angle: Mains: Balancing heritage conservation and urban infrastructure.
15 Sep 2026
The 22nd edition of Yudh Abhyas, the joint exercise of the Indian and US Armies, opened on 15 September 2026 at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand. It runs at the same time at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. About 600 personnel from each side are training for operations in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain.
UPSC angle: Prelims: exercise–country matching (Yudh Abhyas = USA).
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MDR meaning; PSS Act 2007. · Mains: Who should pay for digital public infrastructure?
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