Minds of Aspirantspowered by Cortex Desk
Minds of Aspirantspowered by Cortex Desk

14 to 20 September 2026

GS2 · Polity, governance and international relations

  1. Monday 14 September · International Relations and Internal Security

    Colombo Security Conclave table-top exercise concludes in Visakhapatnam, strengthening coordinated maritime responses in the Indian Ocean

    The three-day exercise tested regional cooperation against maritime terrorism, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

    • The Colombo Security Conclave exercise was held at Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, from 9 to 11 September 2026.
    • The exercise covered maritime terrorism, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
    • The exercise reviewed standard operating procedures and information-sharing arrangements to strengthen collective maritime domain awareness.

    GS-IIGS-III

  2. Monday 14 September · Economy

    RBI rejects Tata Sons’ request to surrender NBFC registration, keeping pressure on the group to comply with upper-layer NBFC rules

    The RBI has rejected Tata Sons’ bid to deregister as a Core Investment Company, potentially requiring tighter disclosures and eventual public listing.

    • The Reserve Bank’s scale-based framework creates Base, Middle, Upper and Top Layers for non-banking financial companies.
    • Tata Sons was classified as an Upper Layer non-banking financial company in September 2022.
    • Tata Sons applied on March 28, 2024 to surrender its Certificate of Registration as a Core Investment Company.

    GS-IIGS-III

  3. Friday 18 September · Economy / Society

    Cabinet raises EPFO mandatory-coverage wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, effective September 17, 2026

    The revision is expected to bring over 51 lakh additional employees under statutory provident-fund, pension and insurance protection, widening India’s formal social-security net.

    • The Union Cabinet approved raising the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 monthly in September 2026. ([pib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2310811&lang=2&reg=48))
    • The revised Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation wage ceiling takes effect from 17 September 2026, Vishwakarma Jayanti and Sewa Divas. ([pib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2310973&lang=2&reg=48))
    • The government expects more than 51 lakh additional employees to enter compulsory Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation coverage. ([pib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2310811&lang=2&reg=48))

    GS-IIGS-III

  4. Friday 18 September · Environment / Governance

    India launches Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard to track climate commitments and mission progress

    The new digital platforms aim to improve transparency in voluntary net-zero disclosures and enable consolidated monitoring of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change.

    • India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change was launched in 2008 and originally comprised eight core national missions.
    • The Net Zero Portal allows voluntary registration, emissions disclosure, target declaration and annual progress updates by Indian entities.
    • The portal encourages Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting, while Scope 3 reporting remains voluntary under the announced framework.

    GS-IIGS-III

  5. Saturday 19 September · International Relations/Economy

    US Congress clears Russia sanctions bill giving Trump power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major Russian-energy buyers, including India

    The legislation exposes Indian exports to a possible additional tariff layer over New Delhi’s continued Russian oil purchases, though no tariff is automatic yet.

    • The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is H.R. 5334 in the United States Congress.
    • The House passed the measure 262–159 after Senate approval by 86–11 in August 2026.
    • President Donald Trump signed H.R. 5334 into law on September 18, 2026, according to the White House.

    GS-IIGS-III

  6. Saturday 19 September · Science & Technology/Economy

    SEMICON India 2026 launches Semicon 2.0 as India moves from semiconductor policy to commercial production

    The government expanded support for design, fabs, packaging, materials, R&D and talent while inaugurating new commercial semiconductor production lines.

    • Semicon 2.0 has six pillars: design; equipment and materials; fabs; advanced packaging; applied research and development; and talent.
    • India Semiconductor Mission funding rose from USD 8 billion under Semicon 1.0 to USD 13.5 billion under Semicon 2.0.
    • CDIL Semiconductor’s Mohali line produces discrete devices, while Suchi Semicon’s Surat line undertakes packaging.

    GS-IIGS-III

  7. Saturday 19 September · Economy

    CBDT removes arrest and civil imprisonment from prescribed tax-recovery methods

    The Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026 shift recovery of tax arrears away from personal detention towards attachment and sale of assets.

    • CBDT notified the Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026 on September 17, 2026, amending Rule 225.
    • Rule 225 concerns procedure for recovery of tax for purposes of sections 413 and 475 of the Income-tax Act, 2025.
    • Arrest and detention in prison were removed from the prescribed recovery modes under amended Rule 225.

    GS-IIGS-III

  8. Saturday 19 September · Society and Governance

    Supreme Court presses for permanent NTA structure as Nilekani panel prepares NEET reform report

    The Court directed attention to institutionalising NEET through permanent staff, dedicated verticals and stronger testing infrastructure, with an interim reform report expected by September-end.

    • The National Testing Agency conducts NEET and several other national examinations, including engineering and university entrance tests.
    • The Supreme Court bench comprises Justices P. S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe in the reported September 2026 proceedings.
    • Nandan Nilekani leads the task force expected to submit its first interim NEET reform report by September-end 2026.

    GS-IIGS-IV

  9. Sunday 20 September · Polity

    Telangana High Court disqualifies Danam Nagender under the anti-defection law and declares Khairatabad Assembly seat vacant

    The court set aside the Speaker’s decision and ruled that Nagender stood disqualified after contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha election on a Congress ticket while serving as a BRS MLA.

    • The Tenth Schedule was inserted by the Constitution (Fifty-Second Amendment) Act, 1985 to address defection by legislators.
    • Article 191(2) provides for disqualification of State legislators on grounds specified in the Tenth Schedule.
    • Article 190(3) states that a State legislature seat becomes vacant when its member becomes subject to constitutional disqualification.

    GS-II

  10. Sunday 20 September · Environment

    NGT climate conference launches mobile application and foregrounds climate justice, environmental jurisprudence

    The two-day NGT international conference in New Delhi brought together stakeholders from 17 countries and launched an NGT mobile application focused on climate governance and access to environmental justice.

    • The National Green Tribunal was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, which came into force on October 18, 2010. ([indiacode.nic.in](https://www.indiacode.nic.in/indiacode/handle/123456789/2025?view_type=browse&utm_source=openai))
    • Section 20 requires the NGT to apply sustainable development, precautionary and polluter pays principles while deciding matters. ([indiacode.nic.in](https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2025/1/AA2010__19green.pdf?utm_source=openai))
    • An NGT award or order is executable like a civil-court decree under Section 25 of the National Green Tribunal Act. ([indiacode.nic.in](https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2025/1/AA2010__19green.pdf?utm_source=openai))

    GS-IIGS-III

  11. Sunday 20 September · Defence and Maritime Security

    Keel laid for Indian Navy’s first Next Generation Missile Vessel at Cochin Shipyard

    The keel-laying milestone formally advances India’s six-vessel NGMV programme, combining maritime capability enhancement with indigenous defence manufacturing.

    • The first NGMV keel was laid at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, on 18 September 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence.
    • The NGMV construction contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited was concluded in March 2023 for six vessels.
    • Cochin Shipyard Limited is the Indian shipyard constructing the six-vessel NGMV programme for the Indian Navy.

    GS-IIGS-III

GS3 · Economy, environment, science and security

  1. Monday 14 September · Science and Technology, Environment and Infrastructure

    India records Guinness World Record for longest steel-slag road in Chhattisgarh, advancing waste-to-wealth infrastructure technology

    A 1.85-km road at Raigarh built with processed steel-slag aggregates highlights the potential of industrial-waste recycling in cheaper and stronger road construction.

    • The Guinness-recognised Raigarh road in Chhattisgarh is 1.85 kilometres long and has four divided lanes, PIB, 2026.
    • Approximately 200,000 tonnes of processed electric-arc-furnace steel slag were used in the Raigarh project, according to the reported project facts.
    • CSIR-Central Road Research Institute and Jindal Steel jointly pursued the Raigarh Guinness World Record project, PIB, 2026.

    GS-III

  2. Monday 14 September · Science & Technology / Agriculture

    OPU-IVF technology produces a Badri calf from a Sahiwal surrogate in Uttarakhand

    Scientists in Uttarakhand have used embryo-transfer technology to produce a healthy Badri female calf, strengthening prospects for conservation and genetic improvement of indigenous cattle.

    • A female Badri calf was born on September 11, 2026, at GB Pant University in Pantnagar through OPU-IVF technology.
    • The Badri embryo was transferred into a Sahiwal recipient cow after laboratory fertilisation and embryo culture.
    • The project involved GB Pant University, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute and Uttarakhand Biotechnology Council funding.

    GS-IIIGS-IV

  3. Sunday 20 September · Environment

    India’s cheetah population rises to 56 as an India-born female gives birth to four cubs at Kuno

    The birth of four cubs to KGP12, itself born in India to a South African cheetah, marks a transition from translocation to successive generations breeding under Project Cheetah.

    • Project Cheetah began at Kuno National Park on September 17, 2022, with eight cheetahs translocated from Namibia.
    • India’s cheetah population reached 56 in September 2026, including 36 cheetahs born in India.
    • Kuno National Park houses 53 cheetahs, while three are located at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

    GS-III

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