21 September 2026 | English | FREE Current Affairs PDF

Today’s Highlight: A 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate on UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 will start on 15 October 2026, and a PIL has already challenged it in the Supreme Court. Person-to-Person UPI transfers stay free, so this is a key banking and digital payments topic for exams.

News in One Liner – 19, 20 & 21 September 2026

PIB News

43rd Indian Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference Begins in New Delhi

The 43rd Indian Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference is being held at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi, from 17 to 19 September 2026. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth addressed senior leaders on day one. Talks focused on maritime security, operational readiness and indigenisation under ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

PM Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from 17 to 19 September. Its theme is ‘Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem’. The event has over 600 companies and 50,000 visitors from 52 countries, with six Country Pavilions.

Anant Nag to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024

Veteran actor Anant Nag will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. It will be given at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on 22 September 2026. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2025.

Coal Ministry Launches 16th Round of Commercial Coal Auctions

The Ministry of Coal launched the 16th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions. The aim is to boost private participation, raise domestic output and cut imports. Commercial mining allows 100% FDI under the automatic route. India has the world’s 5th-largest coal reserves.

Hyderabad Liberation Day Marked at Secunderabad Parade Ground

The Ministry of Culture held the Hyderabad Liberation Day event at Secunderabad Parade Ground on 17 September 2026. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan was the Chief Guest. The day marks Operation Polo of September 1948, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which integrated Hyderabad State into India.

Health Ministry Observes World Patient Safety Day 2026

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed World Patient Safety Day in New Delhi on 17 September 2026. Out-of-pocket health spending fell from about 62% in 2014 to 43%. Jan Aushadhi Kendras have crossed 20,000 functional outlets.

Industry News

Petroleum Ministry Issues GOBARdhan Guidelines, Fixes CBG Price

The Petroleum Ministry issued guidelines for the GOBARdhan scheme, which has an outlay of ₹23,731 crore. The Compressed Biogas (CBG) price is fixed at ₹2,110 per MMBTU, a 43% hike. CBG blending for City Gas Distribution is set at 3% for FY27, rising to 5% by FY29.

Nomura Projects $65.5 Billion Balance of Payments Surplus

Nomura expects India’s Balance of Payments surplus to reach $65.5 billion in FY27, helped by NRI deposit inflows. India’s August trade deficit narrowed to $26.9 billion from $32 billion in July. Exports rose 26.1% year-on-year, with electronic goods exports up 90%.

Applied Materials Announces $5 Billion Investment in India

US firm Applied Materials will invest $5 billion in India over ten years. It will build a research lab and a supply-chain ecosystem. The plan was announced at SEMICON India in New Delhi.

Labour Ministry Proposes Higher Medical Reimbursement, Dialysis Cover

The Labour Ministry proposed changes to the Labour Welfare Scheme. Medical reimbursement limits will rise and free dialysis cover will be added. Beneficiary records will link to digital health platforms for paperless claims.

Financial News

GST Council to Meet on 7 October for Process Reforms

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the GST Council will meet on 7 October. The agenda includes simpler e-invoicing and easier Input Tax Credit reconciliation. It also covers stopping fraudulent invoices while easing compliance for genuine businesses.

SEBI Bars Six Entities, Orders ₹28.12 Crore Disgorgement

SEBI issued an interim order barring a stockbroker and five related entities from the securities market. It ordered disgorgement of ₹28.12 crore in illegal profits. The entities allegedly manipulated cash-market prices to benefit their single-stock futures and options positions.

PIL in Supreme Court Challenges 0.4% MDR on UPI Payments

A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court against the 0.4% MDR on merchant UPI payments above ₹2,000. The notification was issued under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The petition says it hurts digital inclusion. The fee is capped at ₹300.

Finance Ministry Says P2P UPI Transfers Stay Free

The Finance Ministry said all Person-to-Person UPI transfers remain free, whatever the amount. About 96% of Person-to-Merchant payments, those below ₹2,000, stay exempt from MDR. The new merchant payment framework starts on 15 October 2026.

National & State News

Education Ministry Launches 6-Month Bridge Course for Primary Teachers

Education Minister Pralhad Joshi launched a six-month Certificate Bridge Course in Primary Teacher Education. It is for in-service teachers of Classes I to V who hold B.Ed. degrees and were appointed between 28 June 2018 and 11 August 2023. It follows a Supreme Court judgment and runs through NIOS in Open and Distance Learning mode.

Health Ministry Restricts Stem Cell Therapy to Approved Conditions

The Health Ministry limited stem cell therapy to 18 approved conditions in adults and 14 in children. Routine commercial use for Autism Spectrum Disorder is banned outside approved clinical trials. The advisory follows a Supreme Court judgment of 30 January 2026.

World News

IMF’s Nigel Clarke Says India Can Drive Next Wave of Growth

IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke said India can power the next wave of global growth. He named innovation, digital transformation and manufacturing as strengths. He made the remark after a five-day visit to New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

India Summons Pakistani Diplomat Over Arabian Sea Naval Incident

India’s MEA summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires over unacceptable manoeuvres by Pakistani naval units. The manoeuvres caused a collision with an Indian Navy vessel in international waters. India said this broke the 1991 Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements.

US House Passes Russia Sanctions Bill; India Cites Energy Security

The US House passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262 votes to 159. It allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy, including India and China. India’s MEA reaffirmed its commitment to energy security. India imports over 88% of its crude oil.

India Rejects Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission

India’s MEA said the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission has no legal basis. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. India also rejected the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, under which Pakistan ceded over 5,180 sq km of the Shaksgam Valley to China.

Defence News

IG Defence Demonstrates Counter-Drone System T-SHUL BEAM

Indian startup IG Defence demonstrated its man-portable counter-drone system T-SHUL BEAM at Pokhran, Rajasthan. The test took place during the IAF’s Dronathan 2026 exercise. The soft-kill system uses RF jamming to disrupt drone command, video and GNSS links.

Rankings and Reports

QS Global MBA Rankings 2027: IIM Bangalore Tops Indian B-Schools

The QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings 2027 include 19 Indian business schools. IIM Bangalore ranks 64th and tops India for the fourth year in a row. IIM Ahmedabad is 70th and IIM Calcutta is 95th. MIT Sloan School of Management is No. 1 in the world.