Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Guwahati, concluded its 10-day celebrations for the 11th Ayurveda Day 2026, held under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow.” The events featured free health check-up camps across Assam, awareness lectures on daily regimens (Dinacharya), seasonal regimens (Ritucharya), and diet (Ahara), along with exhibitions on medicinal plants. Outreach programmes for CISF personnel at IOCL Bongaigaon focused on stress management and yoga. Additionally, an expert seminar on Marma Chikitsa was conducted. The celebrations concluded with a public walkathon involving healthcare professionals, youth, and local community members.

The Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in New Delhi celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day with events aimed at promoting traditional medicine, preventive healthcare, and healthy lifestyles. Activities included Dhanwantri Poojan, a 'Run for Ayurveda' involving staff and patients, an awareness lecture on Ayurvedic principles in contemporary healthcare, a press conference, and the distribution of medicinal plants to visiting patients to encourage conservation and appropriate use. The programme was coordinated by institute officials.

The Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) in Mandi celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day on September 23, 2026, culminating a month-long public awareness campaign held under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthy Tomorrow”. Throughout September, the Institute conducted lectures, student competitions, a Prakriti Assessment Camp, and a walkathon to promote evidence-based treatment practices, healthy diet, prevention of lifestyle disorders, and overall well-being. The celebrations featured traditional rituals, distribution of medicinal plants, and addresses by Institute officials emphasizing the relevance of adopting an Ayurvedic lifestyle.

The Department of Posts, Goa Division, is organizing a Divisional Level Dak Adalat on October 1, 2026, at the office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices in Panaji. The adalat will address postal service complaints and grievances that have remained unsettled for more than six weeks. Applications must be restricted to a single complaint per form, include specific details of the officer to whom the original complaint was addressed along with relevant documents, and be submitted either personally or by post to the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Goa Division, by September 29, 2026.

In view of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions from September 28 to 30, 2026, and the preceding weekend holidays, the government has taken steps to maintain banking services. All Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for bank branches, offices, ATM-link branches, and Currency Chests to remain fully operational on that date.

On the occasion of Ayurveda Day, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of Ayurveda as a holistic science rather than merely a system of medical treatment. By referencing a Sanskrit Subhashitam, the Prime Minister characterized Ayurveda as a framework that provides guidance on beneficial versus harmful lifestyles, the distinction between healthy and diseased states, and the measures necessary for achieving a long and healthy life. The statement serves to promote the adoption of traditional medical heritage as a medium for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle in contemporary society.

The Ministry of Textiles has undertaken cleanliness drives and awareness activities under the 'Swachhta Hi Seva' 2026 campaign across all its organizations. Activities conducted by various bodies under the ministry, including the Jute Corporation of India Limited, Cotton Corporation of India Ltd., Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Ltd., National Jute Board, and National Handloom Development Corporation Limited, involved deep cleaning drives, pledge ceremonies, school art competitions under the theme "Swachh Paathshala – Yuva for Swachhata," public space maintenance, waste segregation, removal of damaged infrastructure for e-auction, social media promotions, and employee lectures.

The Ministry of Textiles has announced its participation in Special Campaign 6, scheduled to run from October 2 to October 31, 2026, following a preparatory phase from September 15 to 30, 2026, and an evaluation phase in November. The campaign focuses on institutionalizing cleanliness (Swachhata), reducing pendency in government activities, and emphasizing the effective collection, segregation, and scientific disposal of e-waste. It builds on the outcomes of Special Campaign 5, which involved file reviews, space freeing, scrap disposal revenue generation, site cleaning, and resolution of VIP references and public grievances.

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), operating under the Ministry of Ayush, celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day–2026 at its campus through public awareness rallies, seminars, and book launches. The morning featured a public awareness rally aimed at promoting Ayurveda principles and holistic healthcare. The afternoon seminar focused on the theme “One Health, One Future: Integrating Science through Evidence, Innovations & Holistic Care,” attended by academic and ministry officials. During the event, books titled “Tarangini Sara Sangraha” and “Integrative Healthcare for Better Outcomes” were launched, alongside the introduction of the talk show “AyurVarta” and workshops on Ayurveda Dermatology and Cosmetology.

Marking its eighth anniversary in September 2026, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) continues to serve as India's flagship public health assurance scheme providing annual cashless hospitalization coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family. The scheme covers about 33% of the population, having funded 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth Rs. 2.03 lakh crore. It operates alongside three other pillars: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for primary care, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) for integrated health accounts (ABHA IDs), and the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) for strengthening public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and critical care blocks across India.

The Vice-President of India inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Running from 22 to 26 September 2026 under the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management,” the event brings together domestic and international stakeholders, including partner countries the Netherlands and Germany, alongside 14 partner states and two central ministries. The event features ministerial plenaries, global water leader sessions, international exhibitions, and the concurrently held Second International WASH Conference 2026. Key publications launched include the “Sustainable Urban River Management Framework” and “AI and ML Driven Integrated Reservoir Sediment Management.”

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) hosted its third Investors’ Roundtable in Bengaluru for India’s first integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Chaired by the Union Minister of Communications and the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the initiative is a collaborative effort featuring 100% central funding support of ₹493 crore for Phase-I and state incentives including approximately 170 acres of land provided free of cost. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with 51% equity from the Madhya Pradesh government and 49% from the DoT has been formed. The TMZ functions as a plug-and-play industrial cluster aimed at boosting domestic value addition, research and development, intellectual property creation, and manufacturing in telecom and electronics sectors.

The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment through the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), aims to ensure safety, dignity, and livelihood support for sanitation workers and waste pickers. As of September 22, the scheme has validated 90,186 sewer and septic tank workers across 36 States and Union Territories, and profiled 2,51,756 waste pickers across 34 States and Union Territories. Interventions include the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and safety equipment sets, health-insurance eKYC completions, occupational trainings, workshops, and capital-subsidy support for mechanization via the Swachhta Udyami Yojana.

The fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 was held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi under the theme 'Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem'. Organised by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, the three-day event showcased India's expanding semiconductor capabilities across the entire value chain, including chip design, advanced packaging, materials, equipment, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing. The exhibition featured over 600 exhibiting companies alongside special pavilions for start-ups, workforce development, and country and state representations. Key indigenous innovations highlighted include C-DAC’s AUM HPC-AI Processor, RUDRA-AUM compute node, and 64-bit RISC-V processors, alongside application-specific chips by domestic start-ups. The release also notes policy progress under Semicon 2.0, the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, and the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme.

The National Single Window System (NSWS) is a digital platform implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to guide investors in identifying and applying for business approvals. Launched on September 22, 2021, and completing five years of operation, the portal integrates approvals across Central Ministries, State Governments, and regulatory bodies through a single interface. Key functionalities include the Know Your Approvals (KYA) module, a Common Registration Form, an Applicant Dashboard, a centralized Document Repository, and an E-Communication Module. By streamlining submissions, reducing duplication, and utilizing the Permanent Account Number (PAN) as a single business ID, NSWS supports the ease of doing business and fosters a transparent investment ecosystem in India.

The government released a backgrounder on the 11th Ayurveda Day, celebrated annually around the autumnal equinox on September 23rd under the theme "Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow." The release details India's strategy to integrate Ayurveda and other traditional healing systems into mainstream public healthcare through the National Ayush Mission (NAM) and National Health Mission (NHM). Key developments include upgrading health facilities into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, establishing Departments of Integrative Medicine in central government hospitals, extending telemedicine via eSanjeevani, incorporating Ayurveda terms into the WHO ICD-11 module, implementing insurance coverage through IRDAI mandates and general insurance empanelments, and advancing research via schemes like AYURGYAN and AYUR SWASTHYA Yojana alongside digital translation initiatives like Anuvadini AI.

The bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian 2026' between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 22 September 2026. The 14-day exercise featured advanced flying missions, including within visual range combat and coordinated multi-aircraft missions. The IAF deployed Su-30 MKI, Rafale, and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, while the JASDF participated with F-2A fighter aircraft. The event included ground interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and operational discussions, serving to enhance interoperability, share best practices, and strengthen the strategic defence partnership between India and Japan.

The India Cine Hub (ICH) is a digital single-window portal managed by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) to simplify film permits, visa processing, and vendor access for domestic and global creators. It consolidates state approvals, police clearances, and co-production applications into one central platform to improve the ease of doing business in the entertainment sector. The platform is also expanding to support live event permissions via the Live Events Development Cell. The backgrounder highlights India's expanding media and entertainment economy, prominent film production hubs like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Noida, state-level film tourism incentives, and the institutional role of the NFDC in promoting Indian cinema.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy held discussions with a delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) in New Delhi. The talks focused on strengthening India-EU cooperation in industrial development, clean energy, electric mobility, and industrial decarbonisation. The discussions highlighted key initiatives such as the PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components, PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC), and PM E-DRIVE, alongside inviting European industries to participate in the global bidding process for 10 GWh of ACC manufacturing for stationary storage energy systems. Both sides emphasized potential cooperation in trade, technology, and green steel initiatives.

On the occasion of World Rhino Day, the Prime Minister celebrated the greater one-horned rhinoceros and highlighted India's conservation milestones. He noted that Assam accounts for nearly 80 percent of the global rhino population, praised anti-poaching efforts in Kaziranga, and mentioned the return or protection of rhinos in Bihar, West Bengal, and Dudhwa in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, the Prime Minister announced the initiation of Project Rhino to extend financial and technical assistance to range states for habitat management, protection, genetic improvement, and the study of population dynamics.