Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The steel cutting ceremony for the second ship of the Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project for the Indian Navy took place at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, on September 17, 2026. The contract for the NGMV construction was concluded with Cochin Shipyard Limited in March 2023. These vessels are planned to be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors to enhance the Indian Navy's combat capabilities. The Ministry of Defence noted that major role-defining equipment is indigenously developed and manufactured, supporting the Government of India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', 'Make in India', and 'Make for the World' initiatives.

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.

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.

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma, stated that the Central Government is committed to 'Vanchiton Ko Variyata' (giving priority to the deprived) during an event in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, held under the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. He highlighted the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, aimed at ensuring the dignity, safety, and socioeconomic empowerment of sanitation workers. During the event, PPE kits, Ayushman cards, and auto-rickshaw keys were distributed to Safai Mitras, sewer and septic tank workers, and waste pickers. The Minister also shared statistics regarding the profiling, distribution of PPE kits, and health insurance coverage of sewer/septic tank workers and waste pickers under the scheme.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), along with its attached and subordinate offices, has detailed its achievements under the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) between November 2025 and August 2026. Achievements include reviewing 5,617 files, weeding 467 physical files, closing 4,680 e-files, conducting 61 cleanliness campaigns, and disposing of 426 public grievances. Furthermore, the Ministry announced its preparations for the Government of India's Special Campaign 6.0, scheduled from 2nd to 31st October 2026, with a preparatory phase from 15th to 30th September 2026. The upcoming campaign focuses on institutionalizing cleanliness, minimizing office pendency, and prioritizing the effective collection, segregation, and disposal of e-waste across field offices.

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.

The Goa Science Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is organizing a four-day ‘Chitari Heritage Art Workshop’ from September 22 to 25, 2026. Held in anticipation of World Tourism Day, the workshop is designed to introduce homemakers to the traditional Chitari art form of Goa through hands-on artistic activities. The initiative is intended to foster awareness and appreciation for Goa’s cultural traditions while providing participants with practical experience in preserving and promoting regional heritage. The event emphasizes the integration of creativity, traditional knowledge, and cultural learning, with limited participation allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

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.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various Government organisations under the 20th Rozgar Mela held via video conferencing on 19 September 2026. The event takes place across 45 locations nationwide. Recruits will join various ministries and departments such as the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services, and Ministry of Defence. The initiative aims to reflect the Government's focus on creating employment opportunities for youth, bringing the total number of distributed appointment letters to about 12.75 lakh.

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 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.

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 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 Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and its field formations are preparing to participate in Special Campaign 6 from October 2 to October 31, 2026. The campaign focuses on institutionalising cleanliness, reducing administrative pendency, and managing records and space in government offices. Building on the achievements of Special Campaign 5.0—which included weeding out 23,743 physical files, freeing up 43,009 square feet of office space, and disposing of 22,728 kg of scrap—Special Campaign 6 places particular emphasis on the effective collection, segregation, and disposal of e-waste, alongside handling public grievances and references from Members of Parliament.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared an article written by former Finance and Revenue Secretary Shri Hasmukh Adhia that highlights how visionary thinking, right intent, and good governance are aiding India's progress. According to the Prime Minister, the article provides insights into the transformative effects of people-centric policies and effective implementation in strengthening the nation when policies focus on the poor and underprivileged.

Officers of the Anti-Evasion Branch, CGST Delhi South Commissionerate, arrested the proprietor of a firm dealing in iron and steel goods for allegedly committing tax fraud involving the fraudulent availment, utilisation, and passing on of inadmissible Input Tax Credit (ITC) exceeding Rs. 25.22 crore via bogus invoices totaling approximately Rs. 140.14 crore. Investigations indicated that the firm availed ITC through invoices from non-existent or non-functional entities without actual receipt or supply of goods. Following the recording of statements under Section 70 of the CGST Act, 2017, the proprietor was arrested on September 17, 2026, under Section 69 of the CGST Act, 2017, and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by the Patiala House Court.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to inaugurate the 8.90-km-long Indora Chowk–Dighori Chowk Flyover on NH-353D in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as part of the Nagpur–Umred section at a cost of ₹997.44 crore, the two-lane facility incorporates Ultra-High Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) technology, two Road Over Bridges, and multi-level integration with an existing Metro corridor. The project aims to ease urban traffic congestion, improve road safety by separating through traffic from local traffic, reduce fuel consumption and vehicular emissions, and enhance overall connectivity.

The Office of the Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA), Maharashtra & Goa, organized a Quarterly Pension Adalat in Nashik on September 18, 2026, under the chairmanship of Dr. Satish Chandra Jha. The event provided a platform for pensioners to present pension-related grievances, which were examined and addressed in accordance with the provisions of the CCS (Pension) Rules. The gathering highlighted the importance of direct interaction with pensioners, transparent and citizen-centric grievance redressal, and timely settlement of pension matters within prescribed timelines.

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.