Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Agrinnovate India Ltd., the agribusiness and corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund-mobilizing arm of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), facilitated Memoranda of Understanding between ICAR and three industry partners—M/s Pidilite Industries Ltd., M/s Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., and M/s Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd. The partnerships aim to leverage CSR support for public-benefit initiatives across agriculture and allied sectors. The collaborations encompass priority areas such as sustainable agri-food systems, climate-resilient agriculture, technology transfer, women and youth empowerment, agri-startups, farm mechanisation, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of a 1 MT consignment of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives. Exported by M/s Silken Global Exports and Imports, the export-linked channel enabled participating farmers to achieve a realisation of ₹82 per kg, compared to the prevailing domestic market price of ₹60 per kg. Gulbarga Tur Dal, associated with Karnataka's Kalaburagi region, received its GI tag in 2019. The initiative aims to expand international markets for Indian agricultural products and strengthen the participation of Farmer Producer Organisations in export-oriented value chains.

The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), operating under the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, conducted an eleven-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for Master Trainers in the 'Geriatric Care Provider' job role at its campus in Dwarka, New Delhi. Held from September 7 to 18, 2026, the initiative aimed to build a national pool of certified Master Trainers to standardize geriatric care training across India. The curriculum covered both Domain Skills—such as age-related health changes, dementia care, mental health, non-communicable diseases, geriatric nutrition, first aid, yoga, and ageing with dignity—and Platform Skills focused on effective instruction and training methodology. The programme engaged participants from various professional healthcare backgrounds.

The National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC), operating under the Ministry of Finance, has concluded a three-city investor outreach programme in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad. The programme aimed to inform prospective buyers, investors, and NRIs about the upcoming e-auction of 459 non-core land parcels belonging to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The land portfolio comprises residential and commercial-industrial plots aggregating 93,572.21 square yards in Visakhapatnam. The e-auction is scheduled to be conducted in two sessions on October 12 and October 16, 2026, using the RailTel E-Nivida e-Procurement Platform, with Quikr India Pvt. Ltd. acting as the transaction consultant.

The 'Make in India' initiative, launched by the Government of India, has completed 12 years of implementation. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the progress of the initiative, noting that it has facilitated an increase in domestic production, foreign and domestic investment, and export volumes. According to the Prime Minister, the impact of the 'Make in India' initiative is observable across various economic sectors.

Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Smt. Anupriya Patel addressed the 71st Foundation Day celebrations of AIIMS New Delhi. During the event, she highlighted the transformation of India's healthcare and medical education landscape, noting that the number of medical colleges has grown from 387 to over 800 and undergraduate seats from 51,000 to nearly 1.3 lakh since 2014, with a vision to add another 75,000 seats. She emphasized AIIMS New Delhi's role as the apex mentor for the national network of 23 AIIMS institutions, advocated for the development of indigenous medical technologies, stressed that technology must complement rather than replace human clinical judgment, and highlighted the role of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in providing financial protection.

Researchers from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have tracked high-energy blazars to uncover new clues about X-ray emission sources in active galaxies. By analyzing X-ray observations from NASA's NICER and NuSTAR space telescopes for four classical TeV blazars (Mrk 421, Mrk 501, PG 1553+113, and PKS 2155-304), the study found that during moderate-to-low active states, emission from the accretion disk contributes to the X-ray spectra alongside jet emissions. This finding offers insights into extreme physical conditions around supermassive black holes and how active galaxies are powered.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, in coordination with the Air Intelligence Unit of Mumbai Airport Customs, intercepted three Indian passengers arriving from Dubai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on September 23, 2026. Authorities recovered approximately 9.40 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at around Rs. 14.81 crore. The gold was concealed through a sophisticated method of being converted into fine powder and blended into packaged food products such as milk powder, oats, flours, Nutella, and coconut milk powder. All three passengers admitted to acting for an organized gold-smuggling syndicate and were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

The 11th Ayurveda Day was celebrated globally and nationally on September 23 under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”. The Ministry of AYUSH reported massive public participation with over 1.32 crore citizens extending support through the official digital platform, 13,10,690 registered participants, and more than 22,000 reported activities. States like Maharashtra, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh recorded extensive involvement. Additionally, the event expanded internationally, with activities reported across more than 38 countries, including the UK, USA, China, Japan, and others. The celebrations featured health and wellness camps, awareness programmes, medicinal plant plantation drives, and dietary awareness campaigns.

The Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) has commenced the preparatory phase of the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM 6.0), following its launch by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). The campaign period runs from October 2, 2026, to October 31, 2026. The DoPPW has set specific targets, including the disposal of 6,500 public grievances and 800 appeals, the review of 847 physical files and 653 electronic files, the issuance of 23 Office Memorandums for ease of living, and generating ₹25,000 in revenue. Additionally, the campaign involves cleanliness drives across 21 nationwide sites identified through Central Government Pensioners' Associations.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged-in the First Ascent Mountaineering Expedition on September 25, 2026. A team of 20 climbers from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal, successfully summited 20 previously unclimbed peaks above 6,000 meters in the Ladakh region. The mission, completed in 23 days, targeted peaks located in the Chamser-Lungser, Gyama Nala, and Chokula areas of the Ladakh Range. The expedition, intended to promote adventure and exploration in high-altitude frontiers, was recognized by the government for demonstrating India’s technical expertise, high-altitude endurance, and leadership in mountaineering sports.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), along with its Central Public Sector Undertakings (IREDA and SECI) and autonomous institutes (NISE, NIWE, and SSS-NIBE), is undertaking the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 6. Launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), the campaign focuses on institutionalising Swachhata, efficient record management, minimising pendency, and the collection, segregation, and disposal of e-waste. The implementation phase is scheduled from October 2, 2026, to October 31, 2026, following target identification during the ongoing preparatory phase.

The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) organized the 40th National Good Governance Webinar on the theme 'Sustainability and Replication of the Awarded Initiatives under PMA' on 25th September 2026. The webinar featured presentations on 'Project PATHA', an initiative implemented in Mehsana district for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) which won the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration for 2022. Officials discussed its institutionalization, evolution into Grade-Appropriate Learning, and scaling up through platforms like DIKSHA and integration into the State-level 'Nipun Gujarat' initiative.

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, and the 132 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) ECO RAJPUT launched the Ashwagandha Plantation and Research Initiative at the Terriers Herbal Garden, Bhatti Mines, South Delhi. Under this collaboration, 10,000 Ashwagandha saplings will be planted and subjected to scientific monitoring to study their growth and adaptation in the local climatic and environmental conditions of the Aravalli landscape. The initiative combines traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and environmental restoration in areas affected by mining along Delhi's Southern Ridge.

The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) conducted 220 sight-restoring surgeries, predominantly cataract surgeries along with selective retinal procedures and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, during a two-day Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti. Held on September 24 and 25, 2026, the camp took place at an underground operation theatre in Tangdhar, Kupwara, along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative, envisaged by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, utilized advanced medical equipment transported across mountainous terrain and involved patient screening supported by local broadcasts. Cumulatively, the series has screened over 1.50 lakh patients and conducted over 3,500 surgeries across 10 cities, with the 11th camp scheduled in Srinagar.

The Ministry of Ayush successfully implemented Special Campaign 6.0 from November 2025 to August 2026 to enhance citizen-centric governance and efficient administration. During the campaign, the Ministry disposed of 3,100 out of 3,134 public grievances, achieving a disposal rate of nearly 99 per cent, and resolved 454 out of 461 public grievance appeals. Additionally, the Ministry cleared multiple government references, including 70 references from Members of Parliament, 18 Parliamentary Assurances, 14 PMO references, and 3 State Government references, aiming to strengthen institutional accountability and public service delivery.

Media registration has opened for India Mining Week (IMW) 2026, scheduled to take place from 15 to 17 November 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi. Organised under the theme “Stronger Resources, Smarter Mining, Sustainable Tomorrow”, the Ministry of Coal-related three-day international event serves as a platform for policymakers, mining companies, investors, and researchers to discuss topics such as mineral security, exploration, digitisation, automation, mine safety, sustainability, and critical minerals.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of the ‘Make in India’ initiative as it marks 12 years. In a post on social media, the Prime Minister stated that the initiative focuses on creating infrastructure, enterprise, and innovation to support national growth and prosperity.

The Ministry of Culture has announced the inclusion of Odisha's cultural heritage in the PM Mementos e-Auction 2026. The 8th edition of the auction features a collection of 62 mementos highlighting the state's traditions of devotion, craftsmanship, painting, textiles, and literature. Key items in the catalogue include representations of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, Pattachitra paintings depicting the Puri Rath Yatra, Cuttack silver filigree (Tarakasi), Sambalpuri textiles, Ikat art, and photographs of regional festivals such as Panchu Dola Melana and Chilika Lake gatherings. The auction remains live until 2 October 2026.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment's National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) has provided financial assistance to Ashish Kumar Singh, a 29-year-old Ph.D. scholar in Political Science from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Receiving support since April 2024, he reports a monthly fellowship and House Rent Allowance of Rs. 44,400 along with contingency support. This assistance has helped alleviate financial pressure on his family, funded his research expenses, books, seminars, and living costs, and enabled him to focus on his doctoral studies and future career aspirations in education and public service.