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September 2026

GS1 · History, geography and society

  1. Tuesday 1 September · Environment and Economy

    IMD forecasts below-normal rainfall for September after August becomes India’s warmest on record

    The India Meteorological Department expects September rainfall to remain below 91% of the long-period average, increasing risks for kharif output, water availability and food inflation.

    • IMD forecast September 2026 rainfall below 91% of the 1971-2020 long-period average; September is the final monsoon month.
    • India’s cumulative monsoon rainfall deficit stood at 14% by August 31, 2026, while August alone had over 16% deficit.
    • August 2026 mean temperature was 28.01°C, 0.67°C above average, the highest August mean since 1901.

    GS-IGS-III

  2. Friday 4 September · Environment

    WMO warns of a very strong El Niño persisting through February 2027

    The WMO projects near-certain persistence and further intensification of El Niño, raising risks of altered rainfall, extreme heat, floods and droughts worldwide.

    • WMO in 2026 estimated an almost 100% likelihood that the current El Niño would persist through February 2027.
    • The Niño 3.4 index was approximately 2.2–2.6°C above average from late July to mid-August 2026, according to WMO.
    • WMO forecast above-normal temperatures across almost all land areas during September–November 2026.

    GS-IGS-III

  3. Sunday 6 September · Polity and Governance

    Census 2027 population enumeration begins in Ladakh and other snow-bound Himalayan areas

    The first phase of population enumeration under Census 2027 has begun in Ladakh and designated snow-bound areas, highlighting digital census methods and data-governance concerns.

    • The Census 2027 population enumeration in notified Himalayan areas runs from 1 to 30 September 2026, followed by revision.
    • Self-enumeration in the notified snow-bound areas was available from 17 to 31 August 2026.
    • The reference date for these areas is 00:00 hours on 1 October 2026.

    GS-IGS-II

  4. Monday 7 September · International Relations and Environment

    China continues Yarlung Zangbo mega-dam project despite renewed seismic, ecological and downstream concerns

    Beijing’s continued prioritisation of the lower Yarlung Zangbo hydropower project near India’s frontier has renewed debate over transboundary water security and Himalayan disaster risks.

    • The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and the Brahmaputra downstream in Assam before entering Bangladesh.
    • China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period is 2026–2030 and promotes a hydropower project on the lower Yarlung Zangbo.
    • The Medog project was officially announced as having begun construction in July 2025 near the Great Bend.

    GS-IGS-IIGS-III

  5. Thursday 10 September · Polity and Society

    Supreme Court to examine whether marital-rape prosecution can proceed before deciding the constitutional validity of the BNS exception

    On September 9, 2026, the Court posted the issue for final hearing while separating interpretation of the existing exception from its constitutional validity.

    • Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita contains the rape provision corresponding to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.
    • Independent Thought v. Union of India, 2017, removed the marital exception for wives below 18 years.
    • The Supreme Court’s September 9, 2026 Bench was headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.

    GS-IGS-IIGS-IV

  6. Thursday 10 September · Science and Technology; Environment

    India launches indigenous ORV Sagar Manthan under the Deep Ocean Mission

    GRSE launched India’s advanced ocean research vessel on September 9, 2026, strengthening domestic capability for deep-sea surveys, climate research and marine-resource assessment.

    • ORV Sagar Manthan was launched at Kolkata on September 9, 2026, for NCPOR under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
    • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers designed and built Sagar Manthan for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.
    • Sagar Manthan is being developed under Vertical-4, Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration, of the Deep Ocean Mission.

    GS-IGS-III

  7. Saturday 12 September · Polity and Federalism

    Tripura and Mizoram agree to maintain status quo and begin technical process for boundary settlement

    The two northeastern states have initiated official talks, agreed to preserve existing arrangements and proposed joint surveys to resolve their long-standing inter-state boundary dispute.

    • The first formal Tripura–Mizoram officials’ meeting on this issue was held in Agartala on September 10, 2026.
    • The disputed Phuldungsei area lies in the Jampui Hills region associated with North Tripura and Mizoram’s neighbouring claims.
    • Both states agreed to maintain existing arrangements while pursuing a permanent settlement of the boundary dispute.

    GS-IGS-II

  8. Sunday 13 September · Environment and Disaster Management

    Bihar floods affect 47.92 lakh people across 15 districts as several rivers remain above danger levels

    The expanding flood emergency highlights Bihar's recurring Ganga-basin vulnerability, riverbank-erosion risks and the need for basin-wide disaster management.

    • On September 12, 2026, Bihar reported 47.92 lakh affected people across 15 districts, 575 gram panchayats and 87 blocks. Source: ThePrint/PTI, 2026.
    • Bihar’s Water Resources Department identifies 68.80 lakh hectares as flood-prone out of 94.16 lakh hectares geographically. Source: Bihar WRD, 2026.
    • The Ganga, Kosi, Punpun and other rivers were reported above danger levels at several locations during the September 2026 flood episode.

    GS-IGS-IIGS-III

  9. Monday 21 September · Environment & Disaster Management

    IMD forecasts well-marked Bay of Bengal low-pressure system to intensify into depression and deep depression within 48 hours

    The system over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify, raising risks of heavy rainfall, flooding and disruption along eastern coastal regions.

    • The India Meteorological Department forecast the 21 September 2026 well-marked low-pressure area to become a depression and then deep depression within 48 hours. ([mausam.imd.gov.in](https://mausam.imd.gov.in/Forecast/marquee_data/Press%20Release%2021-09-2026.pdf))
    • The system moved west-northwestwards from the east-central Bay and was expected near the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast around 23 September 2026. ([mausam.imd.gov.in](https://mausam.imd.gov.in/backend/assets/cyclone_pdf/Tropical_Weather_Outlook_based_on_0300_UTC_of_21_09_2026.pdf))
    • The associated cyclonic circulation extended up to 7.6 kilometres above mean sea level on 21 September 2026. ([mausam.imd.gov.in](https://mausam.imd.gov.in/Forecast/marquee_data/Press%20Release%2021-09-2026.pdf))

    GS-IGS-III

  10. Sunday 27 September · Environment/Infrastructure

    Environment panel recommends clearance for Arunachal Pradesh’s 1,605-MW Upper Subansiri hydropower project despite major forest-diversion concerns

    The proposed project could strengthen power generation and flood moderation but would require diversion of 2,733 hectares of forest land and felling of about 1.35 lakh trees.

    • Upper Subansiri is a proposed 1,605-megawatt hydropower project near Menga, about 20 kilometres from Daporijo, Arunachal Pradesh. ([indianexpress.com](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/arunachals-upper-subansiri-project-gets-green-nod-recommendation-1-35-lakh-trees-at-risk-10893789/lite/))
    • The project requires approximately 2,733 hectares of forest diversion and may involve felling 1,35,733 trees, according to 2026 appraisal minutes. ([indianexpress.com](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/arunachals-upper-subansiri-project-gets-green-nod-recommendation-1-35-lakh-trees-at-risk-10893789/lite/))
    • The Subansiri River is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra and hosts multiple proposed projects in a cascade. ([indianexpress.com](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/arunachals-upper-subansiri-project-gets-green-nod-recommendation-1-35-lakh-trees-at-risk-10893789/lite/))

    GS-IGS-III

Mains questions

  1. What is El Niño? Explain its mechanism and examine its implications for the Indian monsoon and global climate. WMO warns of a very strong El Niño persisting through February 2027
  2. How should Indian administration adapt national programmes to difficult terrain and climate-sensitive regions? Illustrate with the early enumeration in snow-bound Himalayan areas. Census 2027 population enumeration begins in Ladakh and other snow-bound Himalayan areas
  3. Explain the importance of scientific mapping and historical records in settling territorial disputes. Tripura and Mizoram agree to maintain status quo and begin technical process for boundary settlement
  4. Discuss the geographical and human causes of recurrent floods in the Ganga basin, with special reference to Bihar. Bihar floods affect 47.92 lakh people across 15 districts as several rivers remain above danger levels
  5. Discuss the factors responsible for the intensification of low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and their implications for India’s east coast. IMD forecasts well-marked Bay of Bengal low-pressure system to intensify into depression and deep depression within 48 hours

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