Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Indian Naval Ship Tarkash, a frontline stealth frigate, arrived at Mombasa, Kenya on September 29, 2026, for a goodwill port call. The visit highlights the longstanding bilateral relationship between India and Kenya, focusing on maritime engagement across the Indian Ocean. During the port call, personnel from both navies will engage in professional interactions, cross-learning, cultural exchanges, sports, and community outreach activities to foster interoperability, trust, and camaraderie. The visit aligns with India's commitment to maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region under the spirit of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is participating in Special Campaign 6.0, organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), scheduled from 2nd to 31st October 2026. Ahead of the implementation phase, the Ministry conducted a preparatory phase between 15th and 30th September 2026 to identify pending matters, streamline record management, assess redundant materials, and plan e-waste disposal according to rules. During the upcoming campaign, the Ministry intends to address pending public grievances, appeals, parliamentary assurances, and references from Members of Parliament and State Governments, aiming to institutionalise cleanliness and improve workplace efficiency.

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, met with the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on October 1, 2026. The meeting was officially acknowledged by the Prime Minister's Office through social media channels.

The Ministry of Textiles is conducting Special Campaign 6 from 2nd October to 31st October 2026 across its organisations, subordinate offices, and Public Sector Undertakings. The campaign focuses on cleanliness, disposal of pending matters, record management, and a special emphasis on the collection, segregation, and disposal of e-waste. Targets set during the preparatory phase include disposing of public grievances, MP references, and parliamentary assurances, reviewing physical and e-files, and systematically disposing of identified e-waste items such as personal computers and CPUs through authorised channels.

The Union Ministry of Education has extended the deadline for submitting applications under the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the 2026-27 academic year to October 31, 2026. The NMMSS provides one lakh fresh scholarships of ₹12,000 per annum to eligible students from economically weaker sections to help them continue their studies from Class IX to Class XII. Applications are processed via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), requiring a One-Time Registration. The scheme includes verification stages by Institute and District Nodal Officers, and funds are disbursed directly to students' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Eligibility requires students to study in state government, government-aided, or local body schools, having scored at least 55% marks in Class VII (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students) and having an annual parental income not exceeding ₹3.50 lakh.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated an E-Waste Collection Stall at GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi, as part of Special Campaign 6. The initiative aims to promote responsible collection, disposal, and authorized recycling of electronic waste, while highlighting its potential for critical mineral recovery. The associated E-Waste Collection Drive is scheduled from October 2 to October 31, 2026, across more than 44 office locations nationwide. Additionally, the Ministry undertook plantation and beautification activities at an adopted public park, emphasizing cleanliness, resource efficiency, and circular economy principles.

The Prime Minister of India has issued a congratulatory message to the Indian Women’s Squash Team for winning the bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026. The Prime Minister commended the team for their spirited effort and resolve in reaching the podium. Furthermore, the Prime Minister stated that this achievement is expected to encourage young people to participate in the sport of squash, noting its increasing popularity within India.

The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS) and the CGST Goa Commissionerate highlighted digital-first and taxpayer-centric administrative reforms through the "Bharat Sarkar Aapke Dwaar" initiative. During a joint press conference in Panaji marking the culmination of a four-day outreach program, officials stated that indirect tax administration covering GST, Customs, and Central Excise has become completely digital, with over 99 percent of taxpayers operating via online registrations, returns, and refund claims without physical contact. The briefing covered multi-layered grievance redressal frameworks, Customs trade facilitation innovations like the 'Atithi' app and Authorized Economic Operator system, consumer literacy drives, and local performance metrics such as tax collections and rapid online refund processing.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) organised Swachhta Hi Seva 2026 activities at the National Media Centre, led by the Principal Director General along with officers and officials. The events included a tree plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative on September 30, a collective cleanliness drive under the 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' initiative on October 1, and a felicitation ceremony for Safai Mitras, Swachhagrahis, and sanitation workers to recognize their contributions to workplace cleanliness and sanitation.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti organized a large-scale Shramdaan activity at Kalindi Kunj Ghat, Okhla Barrage in New Delhi as part of the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026-Nirantar Prayas campaign. Led by Union Minister for Jal Shakti Shri C R Patil and Minister of State Shri V. Somanna, alongside senior officials and more than 1,100 volunteers from 16 organizations under the ministry, the drive focused on removing plastic waste, debris, and riverbank litter. The event highlighted public participation, community commitment to cleanliness, and river conservation.

The Prime Minister of India has congratulated athletes Prince Noble and Manu Francis for winning the Silver medal in the Men’s Skiff event at the Asian Games 2026. The Prime Minister acknowledged their improved performance, noting that they successfully reached the podium through their skill and determination.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Mines virtually launched the auction of two offshore mineral blocks—Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01—located in the Andaman Sea. Covering over 1,632 square kilometres, these blocks contain polymetallic nodules and crusts hosting critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements. The auction, conducted for the grant of a Composite Licence, is regulated under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, and the Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024. The initiative aims to unlock India's offshore mineral potential, enhance domestic mineral availability, and support advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and electric mobility.

The Prime Minister of India has formally congratulated athlete Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru for winning the bronze medal in the Men’s Compound Individual event at the Asian Games. The Prime Minister commended the athlete's precision, composure, and spirit displayed during the competition, while extending well wishes for his future sporting career.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the PRAGATI Q-FOUNDRY 2026 – NQM Co-development and Venture Partnership Meet in New Delhi, highlighting the progress of India's National Quantum Mission (NQM). He noted that India achieved a 1,000-km quantum secure communication in about three years, half of its eight-year target. The NQM has established four thematic hubs across premier institutions, involving 152 researchers and supporting 26 quantum startups after expanding from 17. The event featured the unveiling of new quantum technologies, startups, and strategic partnerships, with a strong focus on building domestic capability in quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials through collaborative efforts involving government, academia, and industry.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the preparedness and implementation timeline of Special Campaign 6.0 with Science Ministries and Departments. Scheduled from October 2 to October 31, 2026, the campaign sets a target of 1,500 cleanliness sites, with the Ministry of Earth Sciences targeting 100 sites. The initiative focuses on visible cleanliness outcomes, space optimization, record management, shredding of old files, and the systematic segregation, recycling, and disposal of e-waste using scientific capabilities. DARPG coordinates the campaign via a digital portal. Furthermore, the review evaluated budgetary expenditures, noting that DSIR and MoES achieved their 50 percent expenditure target by September 30.

The Union Minister for Coal and Mines will participate in a collective voluntary Shramdaan under the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign at Yashwant Place, New Delhi. As part of its initiatives, the Ministry of Mines has adopted a park at Netaji Nagar for landscaping and beautification, and will launch a one-month E-Waste Collection Drive from October 2 to October 31, 2026. The drive aims to encourage responsible disposal, segregation, and authorised recycling of electronic waste, highlighting its resource value for recovering critical minerals, supporting resource efficiency, and advancing circular economy practices.

The Ministry of Labour & Employment organised a 'Shram Samvad' District-Level Capacity Building and Awareness Programme on Labour Codes at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, in collaboration with FICCI and the Bhiwadi Manufacturers Association. The initiative aimed to educate employers, industry representatives, and HR professionals about the Labour Codes—which came into force on November 21, 2025—and the Central Rules notified on May 8, 2026. The programme featured technical sessions on compliance requirements, employer obligations, and central welfare measures such as the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) and the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Scheme.

On the occasion of Swachhata Hi Seva, the Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice organized a workshop titled “Best out of Waste – Turning Waste into Wonder: Kabad Se Jugad” at Kartavya Bhawan-2. Conducted with experts from India Aids NGO and N.K. Bagrodia Public School, the workshop featured demonstrations on transforming discarded materials into useful products, encouraging responsible waste management, recycling, and sustainable living among participating officers and staff.

The Sixth Meeting of the Scientific Steering Committee on One Health was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The meeting reviewed progress in operationalising the One Health approach across human, animal, and environmental health domains, emphasizing institutional ownership and avoiding parallel structures. During the session, the Minimum Standard Requirements document for BSL-3/4 laboratories was released. Discussions also covered the development of an interoperable One Health Dashboard, potential complementarities with the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and strategies to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination and national preparedness at national and sub-national levels.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organized the national level SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir under the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign, themed 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat' and 'Samman Safai Mitron Ka, Sankalp Swachh Bharat Ka'. Held in hybrid mode with nationwide participation of urban and rural local bodies, the programme aimed to honour sanitation workers, promote mechanization of sanitation work, and facilitate access to healthcare, safety equipment like PPE kits, and social protection measures such as the NAMASTE scheme, Ayushman Bharat, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and Swachhata Udyami Yojana. Preventive health check-ups, distribution of Ayushman cards, safety drill demonstrations, and Swachhata and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan pledges formed part of the event.