Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) launched 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026' and 'Special Campaign 6.0' with a focus on cleanliness, sustainable development, efficient resource management, and good governance. Building on Special Campaign 5.0, WCL set enhanced targets for Special Campaign 6.0, including cleanliness drives at 300 sites covering approximately 6.50 lakh sq. ft., disposal of 539.65 MT of scrap with an expected revenue generation of around ₹2.27 crore, reviewing and weeding out 500 physical files, and reviewing and closing 7,500 e-files. The campaign also emphasizes e-waste management, waste segregation, single-use plastic awareness, and administrative efficiency.

Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the 10.86 km Chouk-Karjat railway section of Central Railway in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of ₹497 crore. Approved under umbrella works for network augmentation, the project covers the Panvel-Chouk-Karjat route, which serves as a corridor for passenger and freight movement. Upon completion, the project aims to facilitate five additional passenger trains in each direction daily, support additional freight traffic of 18.35 Million Tonnes Per Annum, and reduce the detention of freight trains.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report concerning the death of a four-year-old girl who fell into an uncovered manhole near her home in Palwal, Haryana on September 14, 2026. According to reports, the manhole remained uncovered despite complaints from local residents. The NHRC issued notices to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Palwal, requesting a detailed report within two weeks, which is to include the status of the investigation and details regarding any compensation paid to the victim's family.

The Ministry of Steel is organizing an Open House on 24th September 2026 in New Delhi to discuss issues related to the import of steel. Companies and industry associations representing sectors such as auto, aerospace, telecom, and defense can participate to address matters concerning SIMS, SARAL SIMS, and Quality Control Order (QCO) exemptions. Interested participants must register by sending an email with specified details by 21st September 2026 to secure a confirmed time slot. To manage logistics and ensure wider participation, walk-ins are not permitted, and organizations are restricted to a single representative without third-party representation.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is preparing for Special Campaign 6, focusing on measurable outcomes, cleanliness, and grievance redressal across its offices and institutions. This follows the implementation of Special Campaign 5.0, during which the Ministry conducted over 1,95,000 cleanliness drives across locations such as Anganwadi Centres, Child Care Institutions, and One Stop Centres, freeing 26,506 square feet of office space and generating ₹14,29,703 from scrap and e-waste disposal. The previous campaign also involved reviewing physical and e-files, resolving public grievances and grievance appeals, and utilizing the Poshan Tracker database to generate beneficiary lists for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana as a administrative best practice.

The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with its subordinate offices and autonomous bodies, will participate in Special Campaign 6.0 from October 2 to October 31, 2026. Guided by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the campaign aims to institutionalize Swachhata and improve office management through reduced pendency, better record management, optimized space utilization, and the disposal of scrap and e-waste. The initiative is divided into a Preparatory Phase from September 16 to 30, 2026, and an Implementation Phase in October 2026, building on the previous Special Campaign 5.0.

The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice is observing a fortnight for the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026 from September 17, 2026, to October 2, 2026. Administered under the theme "Swachhta Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bhart," the initiative features activities aimed at strengthening voluntarism and collective action. Planned actions include Cleanliness Target Units and Shramdaan activities at Jaisalmer House, Jan Bhagidari for daily cleanliness and a tree plantation drive under "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", Swachhata Se Samriddhi through the auction of unserviceable items, and Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir providing welfare kits and incentives.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is set to launch Special Campaign 6.0 from October 2 to October 31, 2026, following guidelines from the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG). The campaign aims to institutionalize Swachhata, minimize work pendency in government offices, enhance public experience, and manage e-waste collection, segregation, and disposal according to rules. The release also highlights past activities and achievements under Special Campaign 5.0, which included comprehensive cleanliness drives, disposal of public grievances, record management, weeding out physical files, freeing up office space, and generating revenue through waste disposal.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and its affiliated offices sustained the momentum of Special Campaign 5.0 through an extended implementation period from November 2025 to August 2026, focusing on institutionalizing Swachhata and enhancing public administration efficiency. Key achievements include the disposal of 1,426 public grievances, 201 public grievance appeals, 35 VIP references, 17 inter-ministerial consultations, and 7,099 total files. Additionally, the department conducted 324 cleanliness campaigns, freed up 51,989 square feet of office space, and generated ₹19,20,173 in revenue from scrap disposal. Building on these results, DST is preparing to implement Special Campaign 6.0 from October 2 to October 31, 2026.

This press release highlights an individual case study under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It details the recovery journey of a nursing professional from Imphal West, Manipur, who overcame substance dependence through professional medical care, counseling, family participation, and rehabilitation support provided at Sneha Bhavan, an Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts. The release underscores how structured intervention, relapse-prevention counselling, and life-skills education can assist individuals in achieving sobriety, restoring family relationships, and returning to productive employment.

Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a subsidiary of Coal India under the Ministry of Coal, has launched the preparatory phase of 'Special Campaign 6.0' from September 15 to September 30, 2026, with the implementation phase scheduled from October 2 to October 31, 2026. The campaign focuses on e-waste management, cleanliness, records management, scrap disposal, and the optimum utilization of unused spaces. Specific targets include cleaning 90 sites, covering 100,000 square feet, disposing of approximately 3,500 metric tonnes of scrap, and reviewing physical and electronic files. The initiative also features the 'Adopt-a-Spot' program, 'Waste to Wealth' efforts, and public awareness activities such as Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan and shramdaan.

The 17th Kathakali Festival, organized by the Kalakshetra Foundation under the Ministry of Culture, was inaugurated at the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium in Chennai. Scheduled from 18 to 20 September 2026 under the theme “Kadha Rasa Sangama – Confluence of Essence of Stories”, the three-day festival features performances by Sadanam Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam, and Margi Theatre. The event showcases productions such as “Mandodari”, “The Old Man and the Sea”, and “Rugmangada Charitham”, alongside lecture-demonstrations and student presentations. The Kalakshetra Foundation, established in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale, works toward the preservation and dissemination of India's classical arts and cultural heritage.

Shri Mantu Dhar, a research scholar from West Bengal, has been pursuing his Ph.D. with assistance from the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme. Facing severe financial constraints, familial dependency on a single low-income earner, and limited access to academic infrastructure, he struggled with admission fees and research expenses. Since 2022, he has received Rs. 2,96,186 through fellowship assistance, House Rent Allowance, and contingency support. This financial backing has enabled him to meet essential academic costs, reduce his family's burden, and maintain stability to focus on his doctoral research.

The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 on 15 July 2026 with an outlay of Rs 1,27,500 crore, building on the implementation of Semicon 1.0 (approved in December 2021 with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore). Semicon 2.0 advances India's semiconductor ecosystem through six strategic pillars: research and development, chip design, machines and materials, setting up more fabs, talent development, and strengthening the ATMP/OSAT industry. India's semiconductor demand is projected to reach USD 110 billion by FY2030 and exceed USD 200 billion by FY2035. The government reports that twelve semiconductor manufacturing units have been approved under the mission, with five commencing commercial production, supported by various policy schemes like the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, SPECS, and the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme.

The Department of Fisheries organized a National Workshop on Promotion of Deep-Sea Fishing and Interaction with Access Pass and Letter of Authorization Holders in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The workshop focused on promoting deep-sea fishing to harness high-value marine resources such as tuna, addressing stakeholder challenges, and advancing India's Blue Economy. Key discussions highlighted fish production figures, seafood export resilience, technological adoption, vessel modernization, cold-chain infrastructure, skill development, and concessional financing through mechanisms like the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). The event included sessions covering the entire deep-sea fisheries value chain, bringing together policymakers, research institutions, financial organizations, and fishers.

India has launched its first soil carbon payments for regenerative agriculture, with over ₹2.9 crore being digitally disbursed to more than 2,500 smallholder farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Implemented through the 'Aadi' farmer carbon programme by Grow Indigo with technical guidance from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the initiative rewards farmers adopting sustainable practices such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), reduced tillage, and crop residue management between 2019 and 2022. The programme utilizes the Verra VM0042 methodology to measure, verify, and issue agricultural carbon credits. It aims to generate additional income opportunities for smallholders while promoting water conservation, soil health, climate resilience, and a reduction in stubble burning and associated air pollution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026, marking the transition of India's semiconductor sector from policy and pilot phases to commercial production, with new plants commencing production in Mohali and Surat. Highlighting India's economic growth of 7.8 percent and recent sovereign rating upgrades, the Prime Minister announced the launch of the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission, increasing its financial scope from about $8 billion to $13.5 billion. The expanded framework includes policy reforms enabling international collaborations with startups, Indian design companies, and OCI-owned companies. Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized India's massive talent pool, ongoing skilling initiatives targeting one lakh engineering students with over 70,000 already trained, and robust investments in renewable and nuclear energy infrastructure to address the power and data-center demands of the AI-driven semiconductor era.

India has welcomed the passage of legislation by the Parliament of New Zealand on September 16, 2026, to give effect to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed on April 27, 2026. The agreement provides duty-free access for 100 per cent of Indian exports to New Zealand, covering sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and processed food products. For New Zealand, the agreement provides enhanced and preferential market access for items like wood, wool, sheep meat, and leather raw hides. Furthermore, the pact covers services, investment, professional, student and youth mobility, targets USD 20 billion of investment into India, and strengthens cooperation in various fields.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the rapid expansion of India's semiconductor ecosystem, innovation opportunities, and economic growth. Tracing the sector's evolution since 2022, he noted the commencement of commercial production in plants in Mohali and Surat, with chips now reaching domestic and global customers. The Prime Minister announced the $13.5 billion second phase of the Semiconductor Mission and highlighted new regulatory reforms. He emphasized India's demographic advantage, noting that 70,000 out of a target of one lakh engineering students have been trained in chip design. Furthermore, he outlined the nation's energy security investments, including expanded solar and nuclear capacity, to support AI data centers and manufacturing plants.

The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) aims to make India self-reliant in the electronics supply chain by supporting domestic manufacturing across components, sub-assemblies, supply-chain products, and capital goods. Notified on 8 April 2025 with an initial outlay of ₹22,919 crore, its financial allocation was increased to ₹40,000 crore in the Union Budget 2026–27. The scheme has a six-year tenure with a five-year capex incentive. As of August 2026, 106 projects involving ₹69,548 crore across 15 states have been approved, with production ongoing in 38 plants. The government also highlighted related initiatives, including SEMICON India 2026, NPE 2019, various PLI schemes, and the Electronics Development Fund, as part of broader efforts to target a $500 billion domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem and $150 billion in exports by 2030.