Current affairs for UPSC
Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
GS3 · EmploymentThe 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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: LFPR/WPR/UR definitions. · Mains: Causes of low female LFPR.
15 Sep 2026GS3 · External sectorIndia'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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: which sectors drove export growth. · Mains: Is India's export growth broad-based or concentrated?
15 Sep 2026GS2 · Consumer protection, governanceOn 15 September 2026 the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on the company that runs the Rapido ride-hailing app. It found two dark patterns, "confirm shaming" and "interface interference", in prompts that pushed riders to pay more before a ride was confirmed, and ordered the platform to stop them.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CCPA's parent Act; meaning of dark patterns.
15 Sep 2026GS3 · InflationOn 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).
UPSC angle: Prelims: base years and compilers of WPI/CPI. · Mains: Why WPI and CPI diverge.
14 Sep 2026GS3 · Digital infrastructureA 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.
UPSC angle: Mains: Data centres and India's AI ambitions: opportunities and environmental costs.
14 Sep 2026GS2 · India–NepalIndia's Ministry of Power has approved export of up to 654 MW of electricity to the Nepal Electricity Authority, 18 hours a day, from 13 September to 31 December 2026. Up to 600 MW will flow through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar line and up to 54 MW through Tanakpur-Mahendranagar. Floods had damaged Nepal's hydropower plants and cut its generation.
UPSC angle: Prelims: cross-border transmission lines.
14 Sep 2026GS2 · International relations, tradeOn 14 September 2026 India's Commerce Minister and Uruguay's Foreign Minister, speaking for MERCOSUR's Pro Tempore Presidency, announced the launch of negotiations to expand the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement. Both sides want to cover more areas of mutual interest. They are now finalising the Terms of Reference that will set the scope and structure of the expanded agreement.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MERCOSUR members; PTA vs FTA.
14 Sep 2026GS3 · EnergyThe Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections, launched on 18 August 2026 and in force since 1 September 2026, rewards city gas companies for adding billed home connections. For each connection above a set threshold, a company gets 200 standard cubic metres of cheaper APM gas. India had 1.74 crore home PNG connections on 18 August 2026.
UPSC angle: Prelims: PNGRB role; CGD.
13 Sep 2026GS3 · EnvironmentIndia 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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: WCEF host and theme.
13 Sep 2026GS2/GS3 · Health, biotechnologyOn 13 September 2026, at a reception for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Board and Investors Council in New Delhi, the Science Minister said India is the world's largest vaccine producer by volume. India, a CEPI founding member, makes nearly 60 per cent of global vaccine production. The DBT-BIRAC-CEPI strategy was renewed in September 2025 for five years.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CEPI expansion and role.
13 Sep 2026 
