Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth attended the closing ceremony of the Centenary celebration of the Military Nursing Service (MNS) at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi, on September 30, 2026. The event marked the culmination of a year-long commemoration celebrating the legacy of the MNS. Dignitaries acknowledged the service, professionalism, and dedication of MNS officers in supporting the Armed Forces Medical Services during war, natural calamities, and peacetime. Highlights of the event included the release of a Commemorative Coin, the memoir Steel and Grace, the centenary book Healing Hands & Brave Hearts: MNS@100, and a commemorative video, alongside the inauguration of a historical photo gallery.

Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited operating in West Bengal and Jharkhand, has completed the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 6. The initiative focuses on institutionalizing cleanliness, minimizing administrative pendency, and modernizing governance. ECL's targeted targets include clearing 208,052 square feet across 30 key operational sites, disposing of 850 metric tons of scrap material, reviewing 1,200 physical files (with 1,000 earmarked for weeding out), and reviewing 3,800 e-files while closing 3,600 e-files.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has completed the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 6, focusing on cleanliness, efficient record management, disposal of pending matters, and sustainable practices. During this phase, the Ministry reviewed 134 physical files and 80 e-files, alongside identifying a large quantity of e-waste for disposal to improve office space utilization and efficiency. Furthermore, the Ministry continues to promote digital and paperless operations via e-governance platforms. The implementation phase of the campaign is scheduled to take place from 2nd October to 31st October 2026.

The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 comes into force on October 1, 2026, replacing the colonial-era Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891. The legislation modernises India's legal framework for the admissibility of banking records as evidence by introducing a technology-neutral framework that covers physical, electronic, and digital records. It sets standardised provisions for authentication and certification using manual, digital, and electronic signatures. Furthermore, the Act protects bank officials from routine court appearances or producing original records in proceedings where the bank is not a party, unless a special cause is recorded through a written court order. It also enables the government to extend its provisions to specified financial sector entities by notification.

The Ministry of Culture announced that 109 mementos representing West Bengal are featured in the 8th PM Mementos e-Auction 2026. The collection highlights the state's cultural, artistic, religious, and heritage traditions, including Durga Puja traditions, Sholapith and Dhokra craftsmanship, Bankura art, terracotta heritage, and portraits or commemorations of eminent personalities such as Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, and Satyajit Ray. The auction is live online until October 2, 2026.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has officially approved the acquisition of 100% shareholding of FMC India Private Limited by Crystal Crop Protection Limited. The transaction involves Crystal Crop purchasing the stake from FMC Netherlands Holdings II B.V. and its affiliates. Both entities operate within the Indian agricultural sector, specifically in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of crop protection products such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, seed treatments, and plant health and nutrition products. Crystal Crop has been active in the Indian market since 1994, while FMC India, a subsidiary of the global FMC Corporation, was incorporated in 2000.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of a majority of shares and voting rights in Everllence SE—a wholly-owned engineering subsidiary of Volkswagen—by funds managed and/or advised by Bain Capital Investors, LLC. The acquisition involves a share transfer from Volkswagen to Nikolaus (BC) Bidco GmbH, a special purpose vehicle ultimately controlled by Bain Capital. Everllence is headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, and specializes in propulsion, decarbonization, and efficiency solutions across marine, energy, and industrial applications through its 2-stroke engines, 4-stroke engines, and turbomachinery divisions.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of certain equity shareholding in Continuum Green Energy Limited by Chubu Electric Power Company Netherlands B.V. The proposed combination involves both primary subscription and secondary purchase of equity shares from Continuum Green Energy Holdings Ltd., Singapore. The acquirer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., Japan, engaging in investment and management functions, while the parent company operates in power generation, transmission, and distribution from renewable sources. The target company, Continuum Green Energy Limited, and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in generating and selling power through renewable sources like wind and solar in India.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of certain equity share capital in IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited by BNP Paribas Cardif. The acquirer, BNP Paribas Cardif, is incorporated in France and is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas SA, which offers financial, advisory, banking, investment, and protection services globally and in India. The target company, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited, is an IRDAI-licensed insurer incorporated in India that provides life insurance services.

The Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (MDoNER) and its organisations are undertaking Special Campaign 6, following guidelines from the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). Scheduled from 05–15 October 2026, the campaign focuses on workplace cleanliness, space optimisation, pendency reduction, and record management. It builds on the achievements of Special Campaign 5.0, which included cleanliness drives, freeing office space, resolving grievances and VIP references, weeding physical and electronic files, and generating revenue through scrap disposal. Special Campaign 6 aims to integrate Swachhata into daily office management for sustainable administrative efficiency.

The Second Edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) commenced in Subic Bay, Philippines, involving Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish alongside maritime forces from ASEAN Member States. Conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea,” the exercise features a Harbour Phase with professional interactions, cultural activities, and operational synchronisation, followed by a Sea Phase involving coordinated maritime exercises. The exercise aims to improve interoperability, professional understanding, and operational coordination in alignment with India's Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision.

The Ministry of Mines is launching the auction of two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea region for the grant of a Composite Licence. Conducted 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, encourage systematic exploration, and attract private sector investment. The blocks contain important minerals like cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements, which are vital for clean energy transitions, electric mobility, and strategic industries.

Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan interacted with probationers of the Indian Defence Estates Service (2025 Batch) at Uprashtrapati Bhavan. He highlighted the role of the Defence Estates Organisation in managing nearly 18 lakh acres of defence land, safeguarding national assets, providing civic amenities, and supporting Armed Forces operational readiness. The Vice-President appreciated initiatives like e-Chhawani and the use of emerging technologies such as AI, GIS, and drone surveys for digital governance in land management. He emphasized that technology must be paired with human responsibility, character, integrity, and ethical conduct. He also encouraged continuous capacity building through iGOT Karmayogi and underlined the role of civil servants in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), along with its Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Autonomous Institutes, has completed the Preparatory Phase of Special Campaign 6. Launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) to institutionalize Swachhata and minimize pendency, the preparatory phase ran from 15th September to 30th September, 2026. Activities included identifying and disposing of pendencies, reviewing and weeding out physical records, conducting cleanliness drives, and identifying and segregating e-waste. Participating entities include IREDA, SECI, NISE, NIWE, and SSS-NIBE. The Implementation Phase is scheduled from 2nd October to 31st October, 2026.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organized a plantation drive at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi, under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. Led by MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi and joined by senior officials and staff, the event aimed to promote a clean and green workplace and environmental sustainability. Additionally, as part of #SwachhataHiSeva, MNRE participants engaged in a cleanliness drive.

The Ministry of Labour & Employment, in collaboration with the Labour Department of Maharashtra, organized a District-Level Capacity Building and Awareness Programme titled “Shram Samvad” on Labour Codes at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The event aimed to create awareness among employers, industry stakeholders, HR professionals, and legal experts about the four Labour Codes (which came into force on November 21, 2025) and Central Rules notified on May 8, 2026. Technical sessions covered key provisions, employer compliance obligations, the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), and the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) Scheme to facilitate effective implementation and understanding of the new labour law framework.

The government highlights Used Water Management (UWM) under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), focusing on treating wastewater, preventing untreated sewage from entering water bodies, and promoting safe reuse. Under SBM 2.0, projects worth ₹11,785 crore have been approved to build Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in small cities, adding 4,900 million litres per day (MLD) of treatment capacity. The initiative is reinforced by the Water Plus certification, ODF++ protocols, and long-term planning by Urban Local Bodies to foster a circular economy. The release details case studies from cities such as Jaipur, Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Tirupati, showcasing diverse strategies including automated treatment, industrial supply, revenue generation, and municipal reuse.

The Ministry of Power has notified new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms for passenger vehicles manufactured or imported for sale in India, effective from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032. The framework introduces a tightened fuel-consumption benchmark moving from 3.996 litres/100 km in 2027–28 to 3.3273 litres/100 km in 2031–32, representing an approximate 16.7 percent improvement. The updated norms flatten the target line with a higher reference weight of 1,229 kg and provide flexibility through compliance blocks, credit trading, super credits for electric and hybrid vehicles, and a Carbon Neutrality Factor for alternative fuels like ethanol and biofuels.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme, aimed at developing India's Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) for evacuating up to 135 GW of renewable energy. The scheme includes the deployment of 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to address grid intermittency and peak-hour demand. Set to be established by FY 2032-33 with a total outlay of Rs. 1,86,405 crore, it features a Central Financial Support of Rs. 54,082 crore to help offset transmission charges and lower power costs. Greenfield projects will be implemented via Tariff Based Competitive Bidding, while State Transmission Utilities act as the overall implementing agency. The initiative supports India's target of 900 GW installed non-fossil capacity by 2035.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the Marketing Season 2027-28. The increases aim to ensure remunerative prices for growers and incentivize crop diversification towards pulses and oilseeds. The highest absolute increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower, followed by Rapeseed & Mustard, Lentil, Barley, Gram, and Wheat. The pricing aligns with the Union Budget announcement of fixing MSP at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost of production, with margins ranging from 50 to 106 percent across different crops. Additionally, the government highlighted comparative procurement figures and MSP amounts paid to farmers across previous decades.