Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The second day of Dryland Congress 2026 in New Delhi commemorated 50 years of collaboration between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Leaders and experts from both institutions reflected on achievements, deliberated on a roadmap toward Viksit Bharat 2047, and focused on resilient farming systems, seed systems in the Global South, and gender- and youth-centred transformation. Panel discussions, parallel technical sessions, and poster presentations highlighted strategies for climate-smart agriculture, inclusive policies, and scaling scientific innovations for dryland agri-food systems.

The Ministry of Coal reports steady growth in coal production from captive and commercial mines. Captive mine production rose from 167.44 million tonnes in FY 2024-25 to 184 million tonnes in FY 2025-26. Combined with commercial mines, the segment accounted for 210 million tonnes out of a total domestic production of 1,039 million tonnes in FY 2025-26. Performance has continued into the current year, with captive mines producing 68.98 million tonnes up to 10 September 2026, marking a 5% growth over the corresponding period in FY 2025-26 despite monsoon challenges. Furthermore, new capacity additions are underway, with nine captive and commercial mines expected to commence production in FY 2026-27.

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), in collaboration with the Government of NCT of Delhi and Delhi SARA, organized an Adoption Awareness Workshop under the theme “Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption.” The workshop brought together approximately 200 participants from child protection, health, police, and grassroots sectors to build awareness regarding transparent legal adoption processes and the severe risks of illegal adoption. Discussions covered emerging trends, inter-departmental coordination among agencies like CWCs and DCPUs, and the enforcement of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. A fiction film and a thematic play were also launched to emphasize child rights and safety.

Senior officers of the Ministry of Rural Development undertook a two-day Area Officer visit to Manipur from September 8 to 10, 2026, to monitor rural development schemes in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts. The officials interacted with Self-Help Groups, beneficiaries, and stakeholders, reviewed scheme implementation, and advised district administrations to expedite projects and conduct grassroots awareness programmes. Emphasis was placed on inter-scheme convergence. Specific grievances regarding delays in Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin and National Social Assistance Programme payments were addressed, and DAY-NRLM Self-Help Groups were noted for their performance toward achieving Lakhpati Didi goals.

This press release highlights the impact of the Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) under the NAMASTE Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through the success story of Ajay Kumar, a sanitation worker from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Benefiting from an upfront capital subsidy and a loan totalling a project cost of Rs. 11,34,000, he procured mechanised equipment (a tractor-cum-sewer suction machine). This institutional financial assistance helped him expand his sanitation services, improve his income to Rs. 30,000–Rs. 35,000 per month, support his family's living standards, fund his daughters' education, and manage regular medical expenses for his mother.

AIC BARC Anushakti Foundation (AIC Anushakti) organized a Technology Transfer & Incubation Agreement Signing, Product Launch and Certificate Distribution Ceremony in association with the Technology Transfer and Collaboration Division. The event marked the signing of 22 technology transfer agreements, 2 incubation agreements, and 3 product launches. Transferred technologies included hydrogen mitigation systems for reactors, Tele ECG, textile effluent decolouring systems, boron carbide production, and bio-waste converters. Established under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, AIC Anushakti serves as the technology translation arm of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to commercialize spin-off technologies and support the startup ecosystem.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari launched ‘OneTag’, a NETC FASTag portability solution, at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai. Developed as a joint initiative of the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), OneTag allows NETC FASTag users to switch their issuer banks without replacing the existing physical tag affixed to their vehicle. The service will be hosted on NHAI’s Rajmargyatra mobile app. The initiative aims to improve interoperability, lower operational and reissuance costs, and streamline the customer onboarding process while supporting the goal of achieving a barrier-free tolling system.

The Vice-President of India addressed a public function at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Government College during his maiden visit to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNHDD). He described the Union Territory as a "mini India" for its social diversity and harmony. The Vice-President highlighted various developmental achievements over the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Administrator Praful Patel, including infrastructure projects worth over ₹13,000 crore, improvements in healthcare such as new medical colleges and hospitals, expansions in education through new schools and professional institutions, growth in tourism and industrial strength, and initiatives like 100 per cent solarisation of government buildings and distribution of PM Vishwakarma toolkits.

MY Bharat Goa, operating under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, organized an awareness and mobilization program on the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2027 at Goa University. The event was attended by the Governor of Goa, the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of Goa University, and the Director of MY Bharat Goa. The program aimed to encourage students to participate in VBYLD 2027, highlighting its six pathways: Viksit Bharat Challenge, Cultural Track, Design for Bharat, Hack for Social Cause, Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge, and Youth Parliament. The multi-tier progression of the Viksit Bharat Challenge takes participants through district and state levels, culminating in the National VBYLD 2027 summit in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister paid tributes to Acharya Vinoba Bhave on his Jayanti. He noted that Vinoba Bhave's call of 'Jai Jagat' placed humanity above all boundaries and that his efforts focused on the welfare and empowerment of all. The Prime Minister also highlighted that Vinoba Bhave's faith in equality, dignity, and service provided strength to the marginalized.

NITI Aayog Member (Health) Prof. (Dr.) M. Srinivas visited the CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH) in Hyderabad. During the visit, he was briefed on the institute's digital portals, repositories, historical research, and documentation of traditional systems of medicine. He commended the digitisation of rare manuscripts and the maintenance of historical scientific records. Prof. Srinivas suggested adopting international standards for museum maintenance, introducing training and post-doctoral programmes, positioning NIIMH as an educational tourism destination, engaging with regulatory bodies like NCISM and NMC, and developing mini-museums at Institutions of National Importance.

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Government of Maharashtra through CIDCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a dedicated Art District at Sector 24, Central Park, Kharghar. CIDCO will provide approximately 4 hectares of land for the project. The Art District will include art galleries, cultural institutions, artist studios and residencies, art storage facilities, art education spaces, and allied infrastructure. Developed in a phased manner with Phase I undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, the project aims to commence operations within three years to support the creative economy and cultural ecosystem.

Ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit, the Prime Minister of India emphasized the significance of positive and meaningful dialogue among global leaders. The Prime Minister shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam—‘Sadbhireva Sahasita Sadbhih Kurvita Sangatim; Sadbhirvivadam Maitrim Cha Nasadbhih Kinchidacharet’—to highlight the value of associating with the virtuous. The essence of this message is that engaging in discussions and building friendly relations with virtuous entities fosters mutual goodwill, which in turn contributes to strengthening global peace and cooperation. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the BRICS Summit will focus on various issues guided by the aspiration for collective global welfare.

This release from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment outlines the rehabilitation journey of a 23-year-old individual, Raju, who overcame severe substance dependency through structured intervention at Naya Jeevan-Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, run by the Gujarat Kelavani Trust. The source details how vulnerability arising from an unsupportive family background, emotional distress, social stigma, and financial instability led to substance dependency. Following admission to the centre on July 24, 2024, Raju received individual and family counselling, de-addiction treatment, and follow-up support, enabling him to lead a drug-free life, secure full-time employment, and achieve financial self-reliance.

On September 11, 2026, the Prime Minister commemorated the historic address delivered by Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893. The Prime Minister remarked that the address provided an insight into the civilisational ethos of India and noted that Swami Vivekananda's words continue to hold global resonance.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remembered and honored the victims of the 9/11 attacks on its 25th anniversary, expressing solidarity with affected families. Highlighting that terrorism has claimed countless lives globally, the Prime Minister noted that India, as a victim of cross-border terrorism, has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism for several decades. He reiterated India's unwavering resolve and opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations despite the evolving nature of the threat, while also sharing glimpses from his 2014 visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

This PIB backgrounder details the evolution, cooperation framework, and India's leadership of BRICS, highlighting its transformation from a four-country economic dialogue initiated in 2001 to an 11-member geopolitical and economic bloc representing significant global population, GDP, and trade shares. The document outlines the history of BRICS summits, including India's previous chairships in 2012, 2016, and 2021, and its ongoing 2026 chairship. Under its 2026 presidency theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,' India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi and oversees numerous ministerial meetings leading to practical outcomes across agriculture, health, traditional medicine, MSME cooperation, digital public infrastructure, logistics, and global value chains.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal addressed the India Ship Leasing and Financing Summit at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, outlining India's objective to become a global hub for ship ownership, leasing, and maritime finance. The summit, organised by the IFSCA in collaboration with MoPSW, highlighted GIFT City as the enabling platform for India's maritime ambitions. Key developments mentioned include 38 registered ship lessors leasing 43 vessels surpassing 2.99 million DWT, funding extensions by banks, and institutional reforms like exemptions under the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, and permission for GIFT IFSC-based shipping companies to own foreign-flag vessels. Financial mechanisms like the Maritime Development Fund and the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme 2.0 were also highlighted alongside long-term roadmaps such as Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the INNOPROM India 2026 Co-Chair Plenary Session in New Delhi, alongside Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Mr. Anton Alikhanov. He called for accelerating the India-Russia economic partnership to achieve $100 billion in bilateral trade and $50 billion in two-way investment by 2030. Highlighting the growth in non-energy trade, the Minister emphasized expanding Indian exports in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, auto components, food products, and engineering goods. Both nations are currently fast-tracking a bilateral investment treaty, progressing on free trade negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union, and strengthening local currency settlement mechanisms and transport corridors like the International North-South Transport Corridor.

Marking six years of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), this PIB backgrounder details achievements in India's fisheries and aquaculture sector. Launched in 2020 with an outlay of ₹20,750 crore, the umbrella scheme has supported infrastructural growth, increased fish production from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, and elevated fisheries exports to ₹73,890 crore in 2025-26. The government allocated a record ₹2,500 crore in BE 2026–27. The note highlights structural components like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP), the promotion of Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs), technology-driven aquaculture methods such as RAS and Bio-floc, and contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 14.