Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, has requested Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh to organize performances by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Display Team in Maharashtra. The proposal seeks to hold air shows at Lonar Crater Lake in Buldhana district, and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora between November 23–25, 2026. The objective is to promote tourism in Maharashtra by leveraging the reputation of the display team for precision and coordination. Furthermore, the initiative aims to highlight India’s aviation capabilities while inspiring interest among the youth to pursue careers in the Indian Air Force. The Minister highlighted Lonar Lake's unique geological features and the cultural significance of the Ajanta and Ellora caves.

The Ministry of Culture is actively participating in Special Campaign 6.0, launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). The campaign involves a preparatory phase from September 16 to 30, 2026, and an implementation phase from October 2 to 31, 2026. Specific targets set by the Ministry include cleanliness drives across 595 sites, review of 31,515 physical files and 323 e-files, and the redressal of pending matters such as 80 MP references, 46 Parliamentary Assurances, 26 PMO references, and 92 public grievances. The ministry also highlighted activities undertaken under the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026, including slogan and poster-making competitions, Nukkad Nataks by the National School of Drama, Shramdaan drives, and records management training.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, along with the Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and other officials, led a cleanliness drive under Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 at Yashwant Palace Market, Chanakyapuri. During the event, the Minister interacted with sanitation workers, acknowledged their contributions, and called for collective action and public participation to maintain clean public spaces, roads, and water bodies. Additionally, an 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' plantation drive was conducted to reinforce environmental responsibility.

The Directorate General Resettlement, Ministry of Defence, in association with the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management, Pune, has inaugurated a training programme on “Innovations and Agribusiness Management” at VAMNICOM, Pune. The programme runs from 28 September to 20 November 2026 and includes 52 participating officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. It aims to equip transitioning Armed Forces personnel with practical knowledge, managerial capabilities, and entrepreneurial perspectives in agribusiness, food processing, agricultural finance, and allied sectors to support their post-service employment and livelihoods.

The Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development is preparing to implement Special Campaign 6 from October 2nd to October 31st, 2026, aimed at institutionalizing swachhata and minimizing pendency in government offices. Spanning its three premises—Kartavaya Bhawan-3, CGO Complex, and Shivaji Stadium Annex—the campaign follows a preparatory phase conducted from September 15–30, 2026, focused on identifying pendency reduction targets, reviewing records, discarding e-waste and obsolete items, and planning cleanliness initiatives. Past performance during Special Campaign 5.0 included conducting 16 cleanliness campaigns, achieving 100% disposal of public grievances and appeals, and reviewing 2,415 physical and e-files for recording, weeding, or closing.

The Ministry of Textiles undertook Swachhata initiatives as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 Campaign under the theme "Swachhata Se Samriddhi." Various organizations under the ministry—including The Jute Corporation of India Limited, the National Jute Board, the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), the Cotton Corporation of India, and the National Institute of Fashion Technology—conducted activities such as waste-to-wealth and "Kabaad Se Jugaad" programs, health check-up camps for Safai Mitras, awareness sessions on reducing single-use plastics and practicing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), plantation drives under "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam," and campus beautification efforts.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), along with its network of institutes, regional centres, ATARIs, and KVKs, participated in the fortnight-long Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign from September 17 to October 2, 2026. Operating under the theme 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat', the campaign followed a five-pillar framework. These pillars included the transformation of cleanliness target units, youth engagement through Swachh Paathshala, welfare and safety initiatives for Safai Mitras under Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir, citizen participation in public cleanliness and eco-friendly celebrations, and waste management and recycling initiatives under Swachhata Se Samriddhi. The activities were documented daily on the SHS portal and culminated with the 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' shramdaan initiative.

Union Minister for Education Shri Pralhad Joshi led the 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' Shramdaan and Cleanliness Drive at Gargi College, University of Delhi, and planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Interacting with students, the Minister emphasized the connection between cleanliness, public health, and responsible citizenship, urging students to dedicate at least 30 minutes to cleanliness-oriented activities to transform Swachhata into a sustained habit and a people's movement. He also highlighted the importance of physical fitness, sports, and balancing screen-time, and noted that students play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of a clean, green, and healthy Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The Department of Posts has launched the implementation phase of Special Campaign 6, running from October 2 to October 31, 2026, across its nationwide network. The initiative focuses on institutionalising Swachhata, efficient record management, pendency reduction, and environmentally responsible waste management, including the scientific management of e-waste. Building on outcomes from Special Campaign 5, the current campaign targets the resolution of 1,50,000 public grievances and 1,500 appeals, alongside cleanliness drives at 1,35,000 sites. The campaign covers all categories of post offices, including rural branch offices, and incorporates the 'Jan Sampark – Dak Chaupal' initiative to promote citizen engagement, digital India, and financial inclusion at the last mile.

The Ministry of Ayush observed the 'Swachhata Hi Sewa 2026' campaign by organizing a joint cleanliness activity under the 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' initiative at Ayush Bhawan, led by the Secretary of the Ministry with the participation of senior officials and staff. Held from September 17 to October 2, 2026, the Ministry undertook workplace organization, reviewed and weeded out obsolete physical files, segregated electronic waste for auction, and organized a sports event for housekeeping staff.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is observing the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 Campaign from September 17, 2026, to October 2, 2026, under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat.” The campaign emphasizes a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach through cleanliness drives focusing on Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) across the country. Key activities undertaken include a Swachhata Pledge led by DoT Secretary Amit Agrawal, essay and poster-making competitions for employees' children, an awareness session on waste management for sanitation workers, and Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs to distribute safety equipment and first-aid kits to housekeeping staff. The campaign concludes with a tree plantation event by Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative.

Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL), a Miniratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Telecommunications, paid a dividend of ₹ 43.86 crore to the Government of India for the year 2025-26. The dividend cheque was presented to the Union Minister of Communications and DoNER by TCIL's Chairman & Managing Director. TCIL, in which the government holds 100% equity, achieved an operating revenue of ₹ 3,335 crore and a profit after tax of ₹ 146 crore for 2025-26. The release notes that TCIL's revenue grew by 115% over the last five years, and outlines its execution of various domestic and international telecommunications and information technology projects.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a virtual meeting with senior officials, emphasizing that cleanliness should be an ongoing part of everyday public behaviour rather than confined to specific campaigns. The meeting reviewed activities undertaken under Swachhata Hi Seva 2026, including office cleanliness drives, disposal of electronic waste and old furniture generating approximately Rs 15 lakh in revenue, honoring sanitation workers, and initiatives involving Krishi Vigyan Kendras and ICAR institutes to connect rural communities with waste management. Departments also outlined targets for an upcoming special campaign focusing on pending file disposal, scrap clearance, and space optimization.

The Sub-Committee on Safeguarding & Enforcement of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) convened its 26th meeting to review preparedness, enforcement, and compliance measures for targeted air pollution abatement across the National Capital Region (NCR). The review covered action plans for the complete elimination of paddy stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, alongside crop diversification and residue utilization. It evaluated vehicular pollution measures including entry restrictions for BS-IV and older commercial goods vehicles, cleaner bus migration, ANPR system installation at fuel stations to enforce valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), transitioning of aggregators and delivery services to cleaner mobility, impounding of End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles, and phasing out diesel auto-rickshaws by the end of 2026. Furthermore, the committee assessed industrial emission standards, stone crushing unit regulations, mechanical road sweeping machine procurement for winter dust control, and surprise inspection protocols for construction and demolition sites.

The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is preparing for Special Campaign 6.0, scheduled from 2nd to 31st October 2026, with a preparatory phase from 15th to 30th September 2026. The annual campaign aims to institutionalize Swachhata, reduce pendency, strengthen record management, and promote responsible e-waste disposal and office space optimization. Special emphasis is placed on effective e-waste collection, segregation, and disposal in line with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change guidelines. Activities during the preparatory phase include identifying pending references, assessing redundant materials, and setting implementation targets across the Department and its field and autonomous offices.

An international collaboration involving researchers from India's Raman Research Institute has used the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) telescope to make its first standalone detection of the glow of hydrogen from when the universe was about five billion years old. Published in The Astrophysical Journal, the breakthrough demonstrates that the CHIME interferometric radio telescope can detect faint hydrogen emissions using only its own data. This achievement provides a new, less expensive method to investigate cosmic expansion, galaxy formation and evolution, and dark energy without relying on external galaxy survey data.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) organized a ten-day Induction Programme for Newly Recruited Scientists from September 21-30, 2026, at the CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre in Ghaziabad. The programme brought together thirty-eight young scientists from various CSIR laboratories to equip them with technical expertise, administrative understanding, and behavioural competencies. Sessions covered topics including leadership development, AI in drug discovery, technology transfer, and commercialisation. Participants also attended the 85th CSIR Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi. The programme concluded with a valedictory address by the Director of the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR).

Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited operating in West Bengal and Jharkhand, has completed the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 6. The initiative focuses on institutionalizing cleanliness, minimizing administrative pendency, and modernizing governance. ECL's targeted targets include clearing 208,052 square feet across 30 key operational sites, disposing of 850 metric tons of scrap material, reviewing 1,200 physical files (with 1,000 earmarked for weeding out), and reviewing 3,800 e-files while closing 3,600 e-files.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has completed the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 6, focusing on cleanliness, efficient record management, disposal of pending matters, and sustainable practices. During this phase, the Ministry reviewed 134 physical files and 80 e-files, alongside identifying a large quantity of e-waste for disposal to improve office space utilization and efficiency. Furthermore, the Ministry continues to promote digital and paperless operations via e-governance platforms. The implementation phase of the campaign is scheduled to take place from 2nd October to 31st October 2026.

The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 comes into force on October 1, 2026, replacing the colonial-era Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891. The legislation modernises India's legal framework for the admissibility of banking records as evidence by introducing a technology-neutral framework that covers physical, electronic, and digital records. It sets standardised provisions for authentication and certification using manual, digital, and electronic signatures. Furthermore, the Act protects bank officials from routine court appearances or producing original records in proceedings where the bank is not a party, unless a special cause is recorded through a written court order. It also enables the government to extend its provisions to specified financial sector entities by notification.