WEEK 4: September 24 – 30, 2026
Current Affairs & GK for Competitive Exam Aspirants
Covers: UPSC | SSC CGL | IBPS PO | RRB NTPC | State PSC | CTET | NDA | CDS
Weekly Current Affairs September 24–30, 2026 (with GK and MCQs): this digest covers the Rabi MSP 2027-28, Green Energy Corridor Phase-III, National Coastal Mission 2.0, PRAHAAR and the new Extradition Portal, India’s Asian Games 2026 gold rush, the 46th Chess Olympiad, THE World University Rankings 2027, Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister and more. Every topic ends with an Exam Tip of static GK, and the digest closes with MCQs and FAQs for quick revision.
September 2026 – Important Days (September 24–30)
- September 24 – World Maritime Day (IMO; 2026 theme: ‘From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence’); National Service Scheme (NSS) Day
- September 25 – Antyodaya Diwas (birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya); World Pharmacists Day; World Lung Day
- September 26 – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons; World Environmental Health Day; World Contraception Day; CSIR Foundation Day (85th)
- September 27 – World Tourism Day (2026 theme: ‘Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism’); World Rivers Day (fourth Sunday of September)
- September 28 – World Rabies Day; International Day for Universal Access to Information; Bhagat Singh Jayanti (born 1907)
- September 29 – World Heart Day; International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
- September 30 – International Translation Day
| Exam Tip: NSS was launched on September 24, 1969 (Gandhi birth-centenary year) with the motto ‘Not Me But You’. World Rabies Day marks the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur (September 28, 1895), who developed the first rabies vaccine. CSIR was set up on September 26, 1942; the Prime Minister is its President. International Translation Day falls on the feast of St Jerome, the translator of the Bible into Latin. Bhagat Singh was born in Banga, Lyallpur (now in Pakistan). |
The week of September 24–30, 2026 was dominated by a major Union Cabinet meeting on September 30 (MSP, green energy transmission and Delhi traffic), India’s best week at the Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games, the close of the 46th Chess Olympiad, a national counter-terrorism conference, and important rankings and appointments. Here are the 13 most important GK topics for the week.
- Rabi MSP 2027-28: Wheat MSP Raised to ₹2,610 per Quintal [Economy / Agriculture]
On September 30, 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all six mandated rabi crops for the Rabi Marketing Season 2027-28. Safflower received the highest increase (₹675 per quintal), followed by rapeseed and mustard (₹413) and lentil (₹390). Wheat, the main rabi crop, rose by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal.
|
Rabi Crop |
MSP 2027-28 (₹/quintal) |
Increase (₹/quintal) |
| Wheat |
2,610 |
25 |
| Barley |
2,286 |
136 |
| Gram |
5,958 |
83 |
| Lentil (Masur) |
7,390 |
390 |
| Rapeseed & Mustard |
6,613 |
413 |
| Safflower |
7,215 |
675 (highest) |
| Exam Tip: MSP is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), set up in 1965 as the Agricultural Prices Commission and renamed in 1985; the CCEA gives final approval. Since the Union Budget 2018-19, MSP is fixed at a minimum of 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production. MSP is announced for 22 mandated crops (14 kharif, 6 rabi and 2 commercial – jute and copra). |
- Cabinet Approves ₹1.86 Lakh Crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III [Economy / Energy]
The same Cabinet meeting on September 30, 2026 approved Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-III with an outlay of ₹1,86,405 crore. It will build intra-state transmission to evacuate about 135 GW of renewable power and deploy 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with completion targeted by FY 2032-33. Central assistance is about 29% (₹54,082 crore).
The Cabinet also cleared a ₹1,789.52 crore AI-based Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) for 42 corridors in Delhi, to be implemented by Delhi Police over 24 months.
| Exam Tip: GEC Phase-I was approved in 2015 (with KfW, Germany, as a lending partner) and Phase-II in January 2022. Link with India’s Panchamrit pledges at COP26, Glasgow: 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070. Battery storage is supported separately through a Viability Gap Funding scheme. |
- National Coastal Mission 2.0 Launched with ₹767 Crore Outlay [Environment]
On September 30, 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the guidelines for National Coastal Mission (NCM) 2.0 in New Delhi. It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with an outlay of ₹767 crore for 2025-26 to 2030-31, covering nine coastal states and four Union Territories. Its focus areas include vulnerability assessment, climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration (mangroves, coral reefs), pollution management, sustainable tourism and coastal spatial planning.
| Exam Tip: The nine coastal states are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal; the four coastal UTs are Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Coastal development is regulated by the CRZ Notification, 2019, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. |
PRAHAAR: Amit Shah Launches Extradition Portal at National Counter-Terror Conference [Internal Security]
On September 28, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a national conference on counter-terrorism in New Delhi and launched an Extradition Portal to speed up the return of fugitives. He said PRAHAAR must reach every police station and called for an automated counter-terror response mechanism. Since 2019, India has brought back 288 fugitive criminals from 36 countries.
Separately, the Centre extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in notified areas of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six months from October 1, 2026.
| Exam Tip: PRAHAAR (Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism), India’s national counter-terrorism policy, was unveiled on February 23, 2026, and rests on seven pillars. Extradition is governed by the Extradition Act, 1962; the CBI is India’s National Central Bureau for Interpol. AFSPA dates from 1958; Section 3 allows an area to be declared ‘disturbed’. |
- Paradip Declared a Mega Port; India’s First LNG-Powered Train Flagged Off [Infrastructure / Transport]
On September 25, 2026, Paradip Port in Odisha was designated a mega port under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, alongside Deendayal Port (Kandla), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Mundra. On September 27, Amit Shah flagged off India’s first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati, Ahmedabad. On September 28, the Railways approved ₹223 crore to install Kavach 4.0 on 614.75 route-km in the Varanasi Division.
| Exam Tip: The Indian Ports Act, 2025 replaced the colonial Indian Ports Act, 1908. Paradip, in Jagatsinghpur district at the Mahanadi delta, began operations in 1966. Mundra (Gujarat) is India’s largest private port. Kavach is the indigenous Automatic Train Protection system developed by RDSO and certified to Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4). |
- Asian Games 2026: Kabaddi Double Gold and Neeru Dhanda’s Historic Trap Gold [Sports]
India’s biggest gold rush at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya came this week. On September 25, Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won the 10m air pistol mixed team gold (484.6). On September 26, the women’s kabaddi team beat Iran 37–34 for a fourth title, and the men beat Iran 40–34 for a ninth. Sawan Barwal won silver in the men’s marathon, ending a 44-year wait for an Indian marathon medal at the Games.
On September 29, Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win individual trap gold at the Asian Games, setting an Asian record. In javelin, Yashvir Singh won silver (85.72 m) and Rohit Yadav bronze (84.35 m). On September 30, Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai won the mixed trap gold with an Asian-record score of 34, India’s ninth gold of the Games.
| Exam Tip: Kabaddi entered the Asian Games in 1990 (Beijing) for men and 2010 (Guangzhou) for women. India’s only men’s defeat came in 2018 (Jakarta), when Iran won. The 2026 Games ran from September 19 to October 4; the next edition is Doha 2030. The Olympic Council of Asia is headquartered in Kuwait City. |
- 46th Chess Olympiad: India Win Open Silver and Women’s Bronze in Samarkand [Sports]
The 46th Chess Olympiad concluded in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 27, 2026. Hosts Uzbekistan won the Open gold (20/22 match points) and China won the Women’s gold. India’s Open team took silver with 18 points on tie-break over Germany, and the women’s team won bronze. B Savitha Shri won an individual board gold (9/10), and R Praggnanandhaa won an individual bronze. British-Indian prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, aged 11, became the youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster.
| Exam Tip: India won double gold (Open and Women) at the 45th Olympiad in Budapest (2024). India hosted the 44th Olympiad at Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, in 2022, the first time in the country. The Olympiad is held every two years under FIDE (founded 1924 in Paris; headquartered in Lausanne). D Gukesh became World Champion in December 2024. |
- Tarang Shakti 2026 Begins in Jodhpur; KAZIND and Varuna Under Way [Defence]
The second edition of the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti began at Jodhpur Air Force Station on September 26, 2026 and runs until October 12. Air forces from countries including the USA, France, Germany, Australia, the UAE, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are taking part, with around 30 more countries attending as observers.
The 9th edition of the India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND began on September 28 at Oskemen, Kazakhstan (until October 11), with the Garhwal Rifles representing India. The 24th edition of the India–France naval exercise Varuna is also under way off Toulon, France, where INS Trishul arrived on September 22.
| Exam Tip: Tarang Shakti’s first edition (2024) was held in two phases at Sulur (Tamil Nadu) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan). Other exercises to remember: Garuda (India–France air force), Shakti (India–France army), Cope India (India–USA air force), Red Flag (USA). Useful for CDS, NDA and AFCAT. |
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Becomes Morocco’s First Woman Prime Minister [International]
On September 29, 2026, King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister after the parliamentary elections. She leads the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), has served as Mayor of Marrakesh and as Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning and Housing, and succeeds Aziz Akhannouch, who had been Prime Minister since 2021.
| Exam Tip: Morocco is a constitutional monarchy; under its 2011 Constitution, the King appoints the Prime Minister from the party that wins the most seats. Capital: Rabat; currency: Moroccan dirham. Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Tata Advanced Systems’ armoured-vehicle plant at Berrechid was India’s first defence manufacturing facility in Africa. |
- THE World University Rankings 2027: IISc Is India’s Top Institution at 254 [Rankings / Education]
Times Higher Education (THE) released its World University Rankings 2027 on September 30, 2026. The University of Oxford was ranked first for the 11th consecutive year, with MIT second. The rankings assessed 2,297 universities from 118 countries; 143 Indian institutions featured, and IISc Bengaluru remained India’s highest-ranked institution, although it slipped to 254th.
| Exam Tip: Do not confuse the rankings: THE (UK-based Times Higher Education), QS World University Rankings (Quacquarelli Symonds, UK) and India’s own NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework, launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Education). In NIRF’s Overall category, IIT Madras has been ranked first for several consecutive years. |
- Arogya Manthan 2026 Marks 8 Years of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY [Health / Governance]
On September 25, 2026, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking eight years of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and five years of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). PM-JAY has covered over 60 crore beneficiaries, with more than 13 crore hospital admissions worth over ₹2 lakh crore. Under ABDM, 97.8 crore ABHA health IDs have been created and over 121 crore health records linked.
| Exam Tip: AB PM-JAY was launched on September 23, 2018 at Ranchi and gives health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year; since October 2024, all citizens aged 70+ are covered through the Ayushman Vay Vandana card regardless of income. ABDM was launched on September 27, 2021. Both are implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA). |
- India’s First Victim Rights Centre Opens in Patna [Polity / Law & Justice]
In the last week of September 2026, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated India’s first Victim Rights Centre in Patna. Run by the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, it works as a single window (‘one centre, one file, one point of accountability’). It gives crime victims legal aid, compensation under the BNSS, 2023 and the Bihar Victim Compensation Scheme, 2014, and medical, counselling and rehabilitation support. The CJI said justice should reach people rather than wait for them to seek help.
| Exam Tip: Article 39A (inserted by the 42nd Amendment, 1976) directs the State to provide free legal aid. NALSA was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987; the CJI is its Patron-in-Chief. Victim compensation is now under Section 396 of the BNSS (earlier Section 357A CrPC). National Legal Services Day: November 9. Important for Judiciary and CLAT. |
CSIR Turns 85; TRAI Launches Digital Connectivity Rating Platform [Science & Technology]
At CSIR’s 85th Foundation Day on September 26, 2026, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched five regional-language science magazines in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and Assamese. On September 25, TRAI launched its Digital Connectivity Rating Platform, where property managers can register buildings for rating of indoor telecom connectivity. Also on September 25, the Technology Development Board signed a ₹200 crore RDI Fund agreement with Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos to develop a fully reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle.
| Exam Tip: CSIR was established on September 26, 1942; Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar was its first Director-General. TRAI was set up in 1997 under the TRAI Act. Agnikul’s Agnibaan SOrTeD flew from its own launch pad ‘Dhanush’ at Sriharikota on May 30, 2024, using a single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine. |
More in the News – One-Liners (September 24-30)
|
Date |
News in One Line |
| Sep 24 | Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) completed 12 years; it is a placement-linked skilling scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development. |
| Sep 25 | IAS officer Mandeep K. Bhandari (2001 batch, AGMUT cadre) approved as Chairperson of CBSE. |
| Sep 25 | Stanford mathematician Sarah Peluse named winner of the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize 2026 (ceremony at Kumbakonam, December 2026). |
| Sep 25 | Environment Minister launched the sixth Management Effectiveness Evaluation cycle covering all 58 tiger reserves. |
| Sep 27 | Lalit Kala Akademi named 20 artists for awards at its 65th National Exhibition of Art. |
| Sep 28 | Labour Ministry launched the 90-day ‘Shram Samvad’ awareness campaign on the four Labour Codes in 316 districts. |
| Sep 28 | FASTag Annual Pass crossed 1 crore users (₹3,075; valid for one year or 200 toll crossings). |
| Sep 28 | A digital livestock insurance portal was launched, supporting Hindi, English and 11 regional languages. |
| Sep 2026 | Jharkhand’s traditional percussion instrument ‘Mandar’ received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. |
| Sep 30 | Foodgrain production target for 2026-27 fixed at a record 373.93 million tonnes. |
| Sep 30 | Indian Army’s ‘Exercise Jai Se Vijay’ showcased helicopter operations on NH-911 near Dantour, Rajasthan. |
Quick Revision — MCQ Practice
Q1. What is the MSP of wheat for the Rabi Marketing Season 2027-28?
(a) ₹2,425 (b) ₹2,585 (c) ₹2,610 (d) ₹2,710
Ans: (c) ₹2,610 — an increase of ₹25 per quintal.
Q2. Which rabi crop received the highest MSP increase for 2027-28?
(a) Wheat (b) Lentil (c) Rapeseed & Mustard (d) Safflower
Ans: (d) Safflower — ₹675 per quintal.
Q3. Green Energy Corridor Phase-III aims to evacuate about how much renewable energy?
(a) 50 GW (b) 100 GW (c) 135 GW (d) 500 GW
Ans: (c) 135 GW — with 50 GWh of battery storage by FY 2032-33.
Q4. What is the outlay of National Coastal Mission 2.0?
(a) ₹576 crore (b) ₹767 crore (c) ₹1,767 crore (d) ₹7,670 crore
Ans: (b) ₹767 crore — for 2025-26 to 2030-31.
Q5. What does PRAHAAR stand for?
(a) Programme for Rapid Action Against Hostile Armed Radicals (b) Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism (c) Plan for Rapid Anti-terror Handling and Response (d) Policy for Rapid Arrest of Hostile Agents and Radicals
Ans: (b) Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism — India’s national counter-terrorism policy, unveiled February 2026.
Q6. Under which Act was Paradip designated a mega port in September 2026?
(a) Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 (b) Indian Ports Act, 1908 (c) Indian Ports Act, 2025 (d) Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
Ans: (c) Indian Ports Act, 2025 – it replaced the Indian Ports Act, 1908.
Q7. From where was India’s first LNG-powered train flagged off?
(a) Surat (b) Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) (c) Vadodara (d) Mumbai Central
Ans: (b) Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) – flagged off by Amit Shah on September 27, 2026.
Q8. Who became the first Indian woman to win individual trap gold at the Asian Games?
(a) Shreyasi Singh (b) Rajeshwari Kumari (c) Neeru Dhanda (d) Manisha Keer
Ans: (c) Neeru Dhanda — on September 29, 2026, with an Asian record.
Q9. Which team won the Open section gold at the 46th Chess Olympiad?
(a) India (b) USA (c) China (d) Uzbekistan
Ans: (d) Uzbekistan – India won silver on tie-break over Germany.
Q10. Where is the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti being held?
(a) Sulur (b) Jodhpur (c) Gwalior (d) Hindon
Ans: (b) Jodhpur – September 26 – October 12, 2026.
Q11. Exercise KAZIND is held between India and which country?
(a) Kyrgyzstan (b) Kazakhstan (c) Kuwait (d) Kenya
Ans: (b) Kazakhstan — its 9th edition is at Oskemen, Kazakhstan.
Q12. Who was appointed Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister?
(a) Nadia Fettah Alaoui (b) Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri (c) Leila Benali (d) Amina Bouayach
Ans: (b) Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri – appointed by King Mohammed VI on September 29, 2026.
Q13. Which university topped THE World University Rankings 2027?
(a) MIT (b) Stanford (c) University of Oxford (d) Harvard
Ans: (c) University of Oxford – for the 11th consecutive year.
Q14. Arogya Manthan 2026 marked how many years of AB PM-JAY?
(a) Five (b) Six (c) Seven (d) Eight
Ans: (d) Eight – and five years of ABDM.
Q15. India’s first Victim Rights Centre was opened in which city?
(a) New Delhi (b) Lucknow (c) Patna (d) Bhopal
Ans: (c) Patna — run by the Bihar State Legal Services Authority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the most important current affairs of September 24–30, 2026?
The key topics are Rabi MSP 2027-28 (wheat ₹2,610), Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (₹1,86,405 crore), National Coastal Mission 2.0, PRAHAAR and the Extradition Portal, India’s kabaddi and shooting golds at the Asian Games 2026, India’s medals at the 46th Chess Olympiad, Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister and THE World University Rankings 2027.
Q: When did the Cabinet approve the Rabi MSP for 2027-28?
On September 30, 2026. The MSP of wheat is ₹2,610 per quintal, and safflower received the highest increase of ₹675.
Q: Which Indian institution ranks highest in THE World University Rankings 2027?
IISc Bengaluru, ranked 254th. A total of 143 Indian institutions appear in the 2027 rankings.
Q: Is this digest useful for SSC, Banking and State PSC exams?
Yes. Each topic gives the news, an Exam Tip with linked static GK, and practice MCQs, which suits UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, State PSC, CLAT and Judiciary exams.
Note: All content is curated for educational purposes from publicly available reports. Aspirants are advised to cross-verify facts with PIB, official ministry releases, and standard reference books before the examination.