29 September 2026 | English | FREE Current Affairs PDF

Today’s Highlight: The Centre has set its second-half FY27 market borrowing target at ₹7.86 trillion through dated securities, including ₹15,000 crore through Sovereign Green Bonds. Banking aspirants should note this with the RBI’s ₹50,000 crore Ways and Means Advances limit, as government borrowing figures are often asked in exams.

News in One Liner – 29 September 2026

PIB News

DRDO Signs First High-Value TDF Deal for 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator

DRDO signed its first high-value deep tech agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme with Rajasthan-based startup Zero mK India Private Limited. The startup will indigenously build a 20 mK (millikelvin) Dilution Refrigerator, an ultra-low temperature platform needed for quantum computing. It is the first agreement under the enlarged ₹500 crore TDF corpus and supports the National Quantum Mission.

INS Trishul Reaches Toulon for 24th India-France Exercise VARUNA

Indian Navy stealth frigate INS Trishul reached Toulon, France, on September 22, 2026 for the 24th edition of the India-France naval exercise VARUNA. The drill includes anti-submarine warfare, air defence and cross-deck helicopter operations. VARUNA began in 1993 and was named in 2001; INS Trishul is a Talwar-class stealth frigate.

Jitendra Singh Launches PLA Bioplastic Production under BioE3 Policy

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh formalised the commercial launch of Poly Lactic Acid (PLA)-based biodegradable plastic under the BioE3 policy. A ₹75 crore BIRAC grant supports a 100 TPA pilot facility at Balrampur Chini Mills Limited’s complex in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh. The process turns sugarcane and farm biomass into lactic acid and PLA biopolymers.

India-ASEAN Trade Reaches USD 128.38 Billion in FY 2025-26

India’s bilateral trade with ASEAN reached USD 128.38 billion in FY 2025–26, as per Ministry of Commerce and Industry data. ASEAN accounts for about 11% of India’s total global trade. The milestone comes as both sides review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), signed in 2009.

12 Years of Make in India: Capital Goods Output Nearly Doubles

The ‘Make in India’ initiative, launched on September 25, 2014, has completed 12 years. Capital goods production nearly doubled from ₹2,87,233 crore in FY 2019–20 to ₹5,69,900 crore in FY 2024–25. Manufacturing is now moving from simple assembly to components, capital goods and deep-tech, supported by PLI schemes in 14 sectors.

FSSAI Proposes Reserving the Term ‘Paneer’ for Milk Products Only

FSSAI proposed a draft amendment that bars non-milk and plant-fat analogue products from using the term ‘Paneer’ on labels or in ads. The aim is to stop imitation products from misleading consumers. Stakeholders can send feedback within 60 days; FSSAI was set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

PM Congratulates Seema on Asian Games 10,000m Bronze

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated athlete Seema for winning bronze in the Women’s 10,000m at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Her medal gave India a podium finish in this event after a gap of several years. The 2026 Asian Games are the 20th edition of the Games.

MCA Warns Public Against Non-Compliant Nidhi Companies

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) warned investors against depositing money with non-compliant Nidhi companies that promise high returns. Deposits with Nidhi companies are not insured by DICGC. Only 395 companies have filed Form NDH-4 to get the official Nidhi declaration from the Central Government.

Industry News

Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 Sent to Cabinet

The Ministry of Power sent the draft National Electricity Policy 2026 to the Union Cabinet for inter-ministerial consultation. It aims to improve the financial viability of power distribution and ensure reliable, quality power, in line with Viksit Bharat 2047. It will replace the 2005 policy, as India’s non-fossil power capacity has reached about 300 GW.

Centre Sets H2 FY27 Market Borrowing at ₹7.86 Trillion

The Government set its second-half FY27 market borrowing target at ₹7.86 trillion through dated securities, over 23 weekly auctions. This includes ₹15,000 crore through Sovereign Green Bonds. Total gross borrowing for FY27 is about ₹16 trillion, and RBI fixed the Ways and Means Advances limit for H2 at ₹50,000 crore.

India’s Forex Reserves Fall $14.88 Billion to $765.90 Billion

RBI data showed India’s forex reserves fell by $14.88 billion to $765.90 billion in the week ended September 18. This is the steepest weekly fall since November 2024, after a record high of $785.7 billion earlier in the month. Foreign currency assets caused almost the entire drop, while gold reserves rose by $68 million to $111.29 billion.

Updated Model Bilateral Investment Treaty Sent for Cabinet Approval

The Ministry of Finance sent a revised Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) draft to the Union Cabinet to replace the 2015 template. It will help conclude investment pacts under talks with the UK, EU, Oman and Qatar. The new model cuts the local-remedies period before international arbitration to one year from five years and keeps taxation outside the treaty.

₹36,754 Crore Disbursed under PLI Schemes Across 14 Sectors

DPIIT said the government has disbursed ₹36,754 crore to companies under PLI schemes across 14 sectors as of June 30, 2026. The schemes brought investments of ₹2.58 lakh crore and created over 14.57 lakh direct and indirect jobs. The PLI scheme was launched in 2020.

Power Ministry to Mandate Indian Chips in Smart Meters by Mid-2028

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said domestically designed chips will be made mandatory in smart electricity meters by mid-2028. The main reason is to cut cybersecurity risks from foreign components in power infrastructure. About 20.33 crore smart meters are sanctioned under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), and 7.24 crore smart meters are installed nationwide.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Loans Cross ₹1 Trillion

Loans sanctioned under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) have crossed ₹1 trillion, as per Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare data. The fund supports post-harvest infrastructure like cold chains, warehouses and ripening chambers. Individual farmers hold about 59% of sanctioned projects, and Madhya Pradesh is among the top beneficiary states.

Financial News

SEBI Approves Mutual Fund Lite and Performance-Based PMS Fees

SEBI approved a Mutual Fund Lite framework with relaxed net worth and track-record rules for managers of passive schemes. Portfolio managers can now charge performance-based fees, subject to the high-water mark principle. SEBI also simplified registration for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts at its board meeting on September 24, 2026.

RBI Penalises Two Financial Institutions for Non-Compliance

RBI imposed monetary penalties on two financial institutions for not following its directions. Inspections found lapses in income recognition, asset classification and credit information reporting. The penalties were imposed under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and do not affect the validity of customers’ transactions.

RBI Cancels Registration of an NBFC over Net Owned Fund Shortfall

RBI cancelled the Certificate of Registration of a non-banking financial company (NBFC) for breaking capital adequacy and operational norms. The main trigger was a shortfall in the minimum Net Owned Fund. Section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934 governs NBFC registration, and the company must stop all lending and deposit-taking at once.

Gold Loans Surge 4.4 Times as Unsecured Credit Slows

Gold loans have grown 4.4 times within personal credit, as banks and NBFCs shift towards secured lending. Higher risk weights on unsecured personal loans and credit cards pushed lenders towards gold-backed loans. RBI caps the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for gold loans at 75%.

World News

Jaishankar Chairs 2nd FIPIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the second Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York, on the sidelines of the UNGA High-Level Week. Ministers reviewed the 12-Point Action Plan and cooperation in renewable energy, climate action, health and education. FIPIC was launched in 2014 during PM Modi’s visit to Fiji.

G4 Foreign Ministers Call for Early UN Security Council Reform

Foreign Ministers of the G4 nations — Brazil, Germany, India and Japan — met in New York and called for urgent reform of the UN Security Council. They sought expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories and backed the African Group’s reform model. The G4 was formed in 2005 to support each other’s bids for permanent UNSC seats.

Appointments and Resignation

Mandeep K Bhandari Appointed CBSE Chairperson

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed IAS officer Mandeep K Bhandari as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). He is a 2001-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre. The post has been temporarily upgraded to the rank and pay of Additional Secretary; CBSE was formed in 1962.

Sports News

Pune to Host 2032 UCI Road World Championships, a First for India

Pune won the hosting rights for the 2032 UCI Road World Championships, the first time the event will be held in India. The announcement was made at the UCI Congress in Montreal, and the bid was led by the Maharashtra Government and the Cycling Federation of India. The UCI is headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland.

Satnam Singh and Salman Khan Win Rowing Bronze at Asian Games

Indian rowers Satnam Singh and Salman Khan won bronze in the Men’s Double Sculls at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, clocking 6:13.25. It is India’s first Asian Games medal in this event. China won the gold, and the race was held at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course.

India Wins Silver in Mixed 4x400m Relay at Asian Games

The Indian team of Poovamma Raju, Vishal Thennarasu, Manu TS and Vithya Ramraj won silver in the Mixed 4x400m Relay at the Asian Games with a time of 3:14.46. Anchor Vithya Ramraj overtook Vietnam on the final lap to seal second place. Bahrain won gold in a Games-record time of 3:12.87.

Kamaljeet and Suruchi Win 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Gold

Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh won gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Asian Games, India’s second gold of the Games. They scored 484.6 in the final to set a new Asian Record. South Korea took silver and Iran won bronze.

Manpreet Kaur Wins Women’s Shot Put Bronze at Asian Games

Seven-time national champion Manpreet Kaur won bronze in the Women’s Shot Put at the Asian Games with a best throw of 17.17 m. It is her first Asian Games medal. China’s Song Jiayuan won gold with 19.40 m and Zhang Linru took silver with 18.14 m.