Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in New Delhi celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day with events aimed at promoting traditional medicine, preventive healthcare, and healthy lifestyles. Activities included Dhanwantri Poojan, a 'Run for Ayurveda' involving staff and patients, an awareness lecture on Ayurvedic principles in contemporary healthcare, a press conference, and the distribution of medicinal plants to visiting patients to encourage conservation and appropriate use. The programme was coordinated by institute officials.

The Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) in Mandi celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day on September 23, 2026, culminating a month-long public awareness campaign held under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthy Tomorrow”. Throughout September, the Institute conducted lectures, student competitions, a Prakriti Assessment Camp, and a walkathon to promote evidence-based treatment practices, healthy diet, prevention of lifestyle disorders, and overall well-being. The celebrations featured traditional rituals, distribution of medicinal plants, and addresses by Institute officials emphasizing the relevance of adopting an Ayurvedic lifestyle.

The Department of Posts, Goa Division, is organizing a Divisional Level Dak Adalat on October 1, 2026, at the office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices in Panaji. The adalat will address postal service complaints and grievances that have remained unsettled for more than six weeks. Applications must be restricted to a single complaint per form, include specific details of the officer to whom the original complaint was addressed along with relevant documents, and be submitted either personally or by post to the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Goa Division, by September 29, 2026.

On the occasion of Ayurveda Day, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of Ayurveda as a holistic science rather than merely a system of medical treatment. By referencing a Sanskrit Subhashitam, the Prime Minister characterized Ayurveda as a framework that provides guidance on beneficial versus harmful lifestyles, the distinction between healthy and diseased states, and the measures necessary for achieving a long and healthy life. The statement serves to promote the adoption of traditional medical heritage as a medium for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle in contemporary society.

In view of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions from September 28 to 30, 2026, and the preceding weekend holidays, the government has taken steps to maintain banking services. All Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for bank branches, offices, ATM-link branches, and Currency Chests to remain fully operational on that date.

The Ministry of Textiles has announced its participation in Special Campaign 6, scheduled to run from October 2 to October 31, 2026, following a preparatory phase from September 15 to 30, 2026, and an evaluation phase in November. The campaign focuses on institutionalizing cleanliness (Swachhata), reducing pendency in government activities, and emphasizing the effective collection, segregation, and scientific disposal of e-waste. It builds on the outcomes of Special Campaign 5, which involved file reviews, space freeing, scrap disposal revenue generation, site cleaning, and resolution of VIP references and public grievances.

The Ministry of Textiles has undertaken cleanliness drives and awareness activities under the 'Swachhta Hi Seva' 2026 campaign across all its organizations. Activities conducted by various bodies under the ministry, including the Jute Corporation of India Limited, Cotton Corporation of India Ltd., Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Ltd., National Jute Board, and National Handloom Development Corporation Limited, involved deep cleaning drives, pledge ceremonies, school art competitions under the theme "Swachh Paathshala – Yuva for Swachhata," public space maintenance, waste segregation, removal of damaged infrastructure for e-auction, social media promotions, and employee lectures.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared an article written by Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav, which highlights government efforts in strengthening the conservation journey of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. The Prime Minister noted that India's rhino story demonstrates a remarkable recovery with sustained population growth, positioning India as one of the world's most important custodians of the species. Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that protecting the grasslands and wetlands supporting the rhinoceros is central to its future.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has cleared over 23,000 promotions in the last 12 years to address career progression and stagnation issues among central government employees. During an interaction with a delegation from the Central Secretariat Group-C Employees' Association, the Minister noted the government's efforts to ensure timely career progression, maintain a work-friendly environment, and enhance administrative efficiency. The delegation submitted inputs on service conditions, cadre reviews, and promotion avenues, which the Minister assured would be examined through appropriate institutional mechanisms.

The National Single Window System (NSWS) is a digital platform implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to guide investors in identifying and applying for business approvals. Launched on September 22, 2021, and completing five years of operation, the portal integrates approvals across Central Ministries, State Governments, and regulatory bodies through a single interface. Key functionalities include the Know Your Approvals (KYA) module, a Common Registration Form, an Applicant Dashboard, a centralized Document Repository, and an E-Communication Module. By streamlining submissions, reducing duplication, and utilizing the Permanent Account Number (PAN) as a single business ID, NSWS supports the ease of doing business and fosters a transparent investment ecosystem in India.

The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment through the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), aims to ensure safety, dignity, and livelihood support for sanitation workers and waste pickers. As of September 22, the scheme has validated 90,186 sewer and septic tank workers across 36 States and Union Territories, and profiled 2,51,756 waste pickers across 34 States and Union Territories. Interventions include the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and safety equipment sets, health-insurance eKYC completions, occupational trainings, workshops, and capital-subsidy support for mechanization via the Swachhta Udyami Yojana.

The government released a backgrounder on the 11th Ayurveda Day, celebrated annually around the autumnal equinox on September 23rd under the theme "Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow." The release details India's strategy to integrate Ayurveda and other traditional healing systems into mainstream public healthcare through the National Ayush Mission (NAM) and National Health Mission (NHM). Key developments include upgrading health facilities into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, establishing Departments of Integrative Medicine in central government hospitals, extending telemedicine via eSanjeevani, incorporating Ayurveda terms into the WHO ICD-11 module, implementing insurance coverage through IRDAI mandates and general insurance empanelments, and advancing research via schemes like AYURGYAN and AYUR SWASTHYA Yojana alongside digital translation initiatives like Anuvadini AI.

The fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 was held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi under the theme 'Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem'. Organised by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, the three-day event showcased India's expanding semiconductor capabilities across the entire value chain, including chip design, advanced packaging, materials, equipment, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing. The exhibition featured over 600 exhibiting companies alongside special pavilions for start-ups, workforce development, and country and state representations. Key indigenous innovations highlighted include C-DAC’s AUM HPC-AI Processor, RUDRA-AUM compute node, and 64-bit RISC-V processors, alongside application-specific chips by domestic start-ups. The release also notes policy progress under Semicon 2.0, the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, and the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) hosted its third Investors’ Roundtable in Bengaluru for India’s first integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Chaired by the Union Minister of Communications and the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the initiative is a collaborative effort featuring 100% central funding support of ₹493 crore for Phase-I and state incentives including approximately 170 acres of land provided free of cost. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with 51% equity from the Madhya Pradesh government and 49% from the DoT has been formed. The TMZ functions as a plug-and-play industrial cluster aimed at boosting domestic value addition, research and development, intellectual property creation, and manufacturing in telecom and electronics sectors.

The Vice-President of India inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Running from 22 to 26 September 2026 under the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management,” the event brings together domestic and international stakeholders, including partner countries the Netherlands and Germany, alongside 14 partner states and two central ministries. The event features ministerial plenaries, global water leader sessions, international exhibitions, and the concurrently held Second International WASH Conference 2026. Key publications launched include the “Sustainable Urban River Management Framework” and “AI and ML Driven Integrated Reservoir Sediment Management.”

Marking its eighth anniversary in September 2026, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) continues to serve as India's flagship public health assurance scheme providing annual cashless hospitalization coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family. The scheme covers about 33% of the population, having funded 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth Rs. 2.03 lakh crore. It operates alongside three other pillars: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for primary care, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) for integrated health accounts (ABHA IDs), and the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) for strengthening public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and critical care blocks across India.

The India Cine Hub (ICH) is a digital single-window portal managed by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) to simplify film permits, visa processing, and vendor access for domestic and global creators. It consolidates state approvals, police clearances, and co-production applications into one central platform to improve the ease of doing business in the entertainment sector. The platform is also expanding to support live event permissions via the Live Events Development Cell. The backgrounder highlights India's expanding media and entertainment economy, prominent film production hubs like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Noida, state-level film tourism incentives, and the institutional role of the NFDC in promoting Indian cinema.

The 9th Molecular Virology Meeting (MVM 2026) concluded at the BRIC–National Institute of Immunology (BRIC–NII), New Delhi, bringing together about 200 clinicians, researchers, and students to discuss viral biology, vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and public-health preparedness. Hosted by BRIC–NII alongside the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), the two-day forum covered diverse viral systems such as influenza, dengue, chikungunya, HIV, and coronaviruses. The event featured scientific sessions, poster presentations, and a panel discussion on the future of virology research, its alignment with the BioE3 Policy, and its contribution toward Viksit Bharat by strengthening academia–industry–government partnerships and health security.

The bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian 2026' between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 22 September 2026. The 14-day exercise featured advanced flying missions, including within visual range combat and coordinated multi-aircraft missions. The IAF deployed Su-30 MKI, Rafale, and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, while the JASDF participated with F-2A fighter aircraft. The event included ground interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and operational discussions, serving to enhance interoperability, share best practices, and strengthen the strategic defence partnership between India and Japan.

A delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE) met with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss bilateral cooperation. The talks focused on the effective implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), science, technology, research, and critical emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, and advanced research. Both sides highlighted avenues for enhanced collaboration through the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), Horizon Europe, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and joint initiatives in clean energy, green hydrogen, and electric vehicle technologies.