Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT has commenced at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, scheduled from 21 September to 03 October 2026. This annual platoon-level exercise alternates between India and Mongolia, with both the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces represented by 45 personnel each. The exercise aims to enhance joint military capability for Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under the United Nations Mandate. The training curriculum includes tactical-level operations, Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training, and the use of drones and counter-drone systems.

The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) has agreed to provide scientific support and technical expertise to the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) to improve road infrastructure and safety in Visakhapatnam. A high-level meeting brought together local officials and CSIR-CRRI delegates to discuss technologies for flexible pavements, subgrade improvement, urban road safety, and the upgrade of gravel and WBM roads to BT/CC standards across multiple constituencies. The collaboration will be formalized through Memoranda of Agreement/Understanding (MoAs/MoUs) to address challenges including coastal erosion, urban flooding, pedestrian facilities, and road asset management.

Ahead of the 11th Ayurveda Day observance under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”, nationwide public participation has gained momentum with over 9,700 activities reported across 30 States and UTs. More than 3.6 lakh participants have registered via the official Ayurveda Day website, and nearly 89.3 lakh citizens have pledged support through the microsite (ayurvedaday.org.in). Activities include awareness programmes, health and wellness camps, medicinal plant plantation drives, school and college outreach, youth initiatives, campaigns on Ayurveda Ahara, and quizzes. Additionally, international participation spans 10 countries and territories with over 1,900 participants.

The first meeting of the Sowa-Rigpa Working Group was held under the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Chaired by Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya and attended by Sowa-Rigpa experts including Dr. Padma Gurmet, the meeting marked the formal initiation of work on developing Sowa-Rigpa Pharmacopoeias and Formularies. The Working Group will follow a step-wise action plan to create statutory and non-statutory documents for drug quality assurance and regulatory implementation under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. This initiative aims to standardise and integrate traditional medicines within the government's regulatory framework.

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) is preparing for Special Campaign 6.0, scheduled from 2nd to 31st October, 2026, under the aegis of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG). The campaign focuses on cleanliness, citizen experience, e-waste management in line with E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, digitisation, record weeding, space management, and clearing pending references and public grievances. A preparatory phase is running from 15th to 30th September, 2026. The release also outlines achievements under Special Campaign 5.0 and the subsequent period up to September 2026, including the disposal of public grievances, weeding of files, and freeing up of office space across the Ministry and its constituent organisations.

The release highlights the entrepreneurial journey of Smt. Shalaka Darshan Nagotkar from Thane, Maharashtra, who established a home-based beauty parlour using financial assistance under the NSFDC Term Loan Scheme. After learning about National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) schemes through the internet and approaching the Leather Industries Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (LIDCOM), she received a loan of Rs. 3,75,000 disbursed on 30 October 2024. This timely credit support enabled her to purchase necessary equipment and materials, helping her overcome financial barriers to commercial real estate costs and attain economic independence with a stable monthly income.

Dr. Anik Saha, a 33-year-old scholar from the Scheduled Caste community (Sunri including Saha), overcame severe financial hardship following his father's demise to complete his higher education and doctoral research. From 2018 to 2022, he received financial assistance through the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) at rates equivalent to NET-JRF fellows. The fellowship covered admission fees, fieldwork, thesis printing, and submission costs, allowing him to focus on his M.Phil. and Ph.D. studies instead of relying entirely on evening private tuitions. Currently, Dr. Saha works as a Research Assistant on an Indian Council of Social Science Research project at Kazi Nazrul University, West Bengal.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has launched the 'CSIR SciQuiz' on the MY Bharat portal in collaboration with the Department of Youth Affairs. Held as part of CSIR's 85th Foundation Day celebrations from 20–26 September 2026, the quiz is open to all Indian citizens. It features multiple-choice questions covering CSIR's achievements, technologies, and contributions across fields such as healthcare, agriculture, environment, energy, aerospace, and biotechnology. The initiative aims to promote scientific awareness and public engagement among youth, offering winners a day visit to a CSIR laboratory, with further quiz sessions planned for coming months.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Nagpur, conducted a Field-Level Super Outreach Financial Literacy Programme for 650 women police cadets and 50 faculty members at the Police Training Centre, Nagpur. Presided over by RBI Executive Director Smt. Sonali Sen Gupta and Regional Director Shri Sachin Y. Shende, the programme aimed to promote awareness of financial concepts among trainees. Speakers emphasized financial literacy as an essential professional competency for police personnel and highlighted the risks of digital fraud and cybercrimes in the evolving digital financial ecosystem. The sessions introduced cadets to topics such as RBI Retail Direct, RBIOS, DICGC cover, cyber security in banking, and currency note security features, supplemented by a Marathi street play.

The Office of the Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA), Maharashtra & Goa, organized an online Telecom Outreach Programme to enhance compliance awareness among telecom licensees regarding key Licence Agreement provisions. Led by Dr. Satish Chandra Jha, the session highlighted that the Maharashtra & Goa telecom circle is the country's second-largest circle for Licence Fee and Spectrum Usage Charges collection, contributing approximately ₹2,380 crore in Non-Tax Revenue during 2025-26. The programme covered Bank Guarantee management, SAMPARK portal onboarding, quarterly and annual document submissions, and targeted Virtual Network Operator (VNO) licensees to promote regulatory transparency and timely compliance.

The Ministry of Railways is undertaking preparations for Special Campaign 6 for Institutionalizing Swachhata and Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM 6), launched by the Government of India. Structured into a preparatory phase from September 15 to 30, 2026, and an implementation phase from October 2 to 31, 2026, the campaign focuses on e-waste disposal, scrap disposal, space management, and clearing pending references. The Ministry has designated over 150 nodal officers to monitor and coordinate activities across field units, Zonal Railways, PSUs, and training institutes. Building on previous achievements, such as releasing 6.06 lakh square feet of space and generating ₹570 crore during Campaign 5.0, the Ministry plans to organize 'Rail Jan Samvaad' to foster public engagement during SCDPM 6.

The Ministry of Culture has launched the 8th edition of the PM Mementos e-Auction 2026, featuring 1,498 items from across India, with a notable collection highlighting Gujarat's cultural heritage, traditional arts, architecture, and contemporary achievements. Items in the Gujarat collection include replicas of temples, traditional textiles, paintings, sporting memorabilia, and modern innovations such as solar tiles and semiconductor plaques. The auction, organised via the National Gallery of Modern Art, began on September 17, 2026. Proceeds from the auction support the Namami Gange Programme for the conservation of the River Ganga, connecting cultural heritage preservation with environmental conservation.

The 72nd National Film Awards are set to be held on 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat, marking a shift of the ceremony outside the national capital as part of a new Ministry of Information and Broadcasting initiative to celebrate cinematic diversity across different parts of India. The President of India will present the honours recognizing achievements for the year 2024. Veteran actor Anant Nag will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to cinema. Major awardees include 'Article 370' for Best Feature Film, Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan for Best Actor, Yami Gautam for Best Actress, and Randeep Hooda for Best Debut Director.

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered the immediate suspension of Marketing Officer Anurag following a bribery complaint. The complaint alleged that the officer sought bribes during an inspection of warehouses in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore district in exchange for releasing subsidy amounts. Specifically, a demand of ₹1 lakh was allegedly made from Shivay Warehouse and ₹60,000 from Shri Krishna Warehouse. Upon being notified, the Minister directed immediate suspension, underlining the Ministry's stance on irregularities concerning government processes for farmers and warehouse operators.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated athlete Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil for securing a Bronze Medal in the 10m Air Rifle Men’s event at the Asian Games. The Prime Minister formally acknowledged the athlete's performance, specifically commending his focus and discipline throughout the competition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated shooters Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Himanshu Dhillon, and Parth Rakesh Mane for securing a Silver Medal in the 10m Air Rifle Men’s Team event at the Asian Games 2026. The Prime Minister commended the team for their focus, consistency, and teamwork displayed during the competition.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation met with the seer of the Pejawar Mutt, Sri Vishwaprasanna Teerth Swami Ji, in New Delhi. The meeting took place during the Swami Ji's 39th holy Chaturmasya Vrat. The Union Home Minister expressed his respect for the ritual of Chaturmasya Vrat, noting its association in Indian culture with the virtues of renunciation, meditation, and restraint practiced by ascetics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated athlete Himanshu Dhillon for winning a Silver Medal in the 10m Air Rifle Men’s Team event at the 2026 Asian Games. The Prime Minister commended Dhillon’s accuracy and performance under pressure, stating that India is proud of the achievement.

The Prime Minister shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam that highlights the virtues of dharma, forgiveness, knowledge, and non-violence. The shared verses convey that dharma leads to the highest good, forgiveness brings ultimate peace, knowledge provides the highest fulfillment, and non-violence is the source of true happiness.

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, expressed condolences over the passing of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. In his message conveyed via social media, the Prime Minister offered heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Dubai, stating that the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to serve society will be remembered by future generations.