24 September 2026
Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and Netherlands Vice Minister Jaap Slootmaker chaired a bilateral meeting on the Strategic Partnership on Water at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026.
Two tripartite MoUs were signed between the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Kalpasar Department of the Government of Gujarat, and the Dutch institutions Deltares and TU Delft.
The Kalpasar Project envisages a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water from the Narmada.
A Letter of Intent for technical cooperation had been signed on 16 May 2026, after the Prime Minister's visit to the Netherlands.
The Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands was cited as a useful parallel.
MoUs signed:
Two Tripartite Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
Dutch partners:
Deltares and TU Delft
Letter of Intent:
16 May 2026
Why it matters for exams: Kalpasar, the Gulf of Khambhat and India-Netherlands water ties are typical bilateral and geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CWC Central Water Commission — India's apex technical body for water resources under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Afsluitdijk Afsluitdijk — A closure dam in the Netherlands, nearly 100 years old, now being renewed.
24 September 2026
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh formally launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA).
The initiative is being taken forward by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) under the BioE3 framework.
A ₹75 crore grant from BIRAC, under the Department of Biotechnology, supports a 100 TPA pilot-scale R&D facility for PLA and co-polymers.
The facility will be set up at BCML's manufacturing complex at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.
The Minister said India's bioeconomy has grown from about US$10 billion in 2014 to nearly US$195 billion.
The venture converts renewable sugar-based feedstock into PLA and bioplastics.
BIRAC grant:
₹75 crore
Pilot capacity:
100 TPA
Bioeconomy:
US$195 billion
Why it matters for exams: BioE3 policy, bioplastics and the bioeconomy figures are frequent science and environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PLA Polylactic Acid — A bio-based, biodegradable plastic made from renewable feedstock such as sugar.
BioE3 Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment — The Government's policy framework to grow biomanufacturing.
BIRAC Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council — A public-sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology that funds biotech innovation.
25 September 2026
The Government of India, in consultation with the RBI, decided to borrow ₹7,86,000 crore in the second half (H2) of FY 2026-27.
This includes Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) of ₹15,000 crore.
Full-year market borrowing through dated securities is expected at ₹15,99,506 crore, against the Budget Estimate of ₹17,20,000 crore.
H2 borrowing will be done through 23 weekly auctions in tenors from 3 to 50 years; the 10-year paper has the largest share at 26.3%.
T-Bill borrowing in Q3 will be ₹23,000 crore per week for 13 weeks.
RBI fixed the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit for H2 at ₹50,000 crore.
H2 borrowing:
₹7,86,000 crore
Sovereign Green Bonds:
₹15,000 crore
WMA limit (H2):
₹50,000 crore
Weekly auctions:
23
Why it matters for exams: Government borrowing, green bonds, T-Bills and WMA are standard economy and banking exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
SGrB Sovereign Green Bond — A government bond whose proceeds fund green projects.
WMA Ways and Means Advances — Temporary loans from the RBI to the government to cover short mismatches in receipts and payments.
T-Bill Treasury Bill — A short-term government security of 91, 182 or 364 days.
25 September 2026
The Ministry of Rural Development will roll out Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0 training batches across most States/UTs from October 2026.
In 24 States/UTs, 2,015 batches involving around 70,000 rural youth are expected to begin training in October 2026.
Allocations of 5.6 lakh targets to more than 1,200 projects have been made by 24 States/UTs on the DDU-GKY 2.0 portal.
The 31 participating States/UTs have been allocated more than 9 lakh targets for 2026-28.
DDU-GKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of placement-linked skill training for poor rural youth, lasting 3 to 12 months.
States must allocate targets to Project Implementing Agencies by 31 October 2026.
Rural youth starting Oct 2026:
around 70,000
Batches:
2,015
Targets 2026-28:
more than 9 lakh
Why it matters for exams: DDU-GKY is a flagship rural skilling scheme often asked in Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DDU-GKY Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana — The Ministry of Rural Development's placement-linked skilling scheme for poor rural youth.
PIA Project Implementing Agency — An agency that runs the training and placement under the scheme.
25 September 2026
President Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials from envoys of six nations and entities at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 25 September 2026.
They were Mikko Kivikoski (Finland), Trinh Minh Manh (Vietnam), Pedro Blanco Pérez (Mexico) and Kristi Karelsohn (Estonia).
Jean-Eric Paquet presented credentials as Ambassador of the European Union.
Sophie Karlshausen presented credentials as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.
Presenting credentials to the head of state formally begins an ambassador's mission in the host country.
Envoys:
6
Venue:
Rashtrapati Bhavan
EU Ambassador:
Jean-Eric Paquet
Why it matters for exams: The President's role in receiving foreign envoys is a standard polity point; new EU and neighbour envoys are asked in current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Credentials Letter of Credence — A formal letter from one head of state to another accrediting an ambassador.
25 September 2026
Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal met Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of EDF, France, in New Delhi.
They reviewed engagement on the proposed deployment of EPR reactors in India.
Talks covered India's nuclear regulatory reforms and cooperation on pumped hydro storage.
The Secretary briefed EDF on the Draft SHANTI Rules and Regulations placed in the public domain by the Department of Atomic Energy.
The Rules provide time-bound licensing and allow private and foreign partners in India's nuclear power programme.
The two sides also discussed a proposed NTPC-EDF joint venture on pumped hydro storage.
EDF Chairman & CEO:
Bernard Fontana
Reactor technology:
EPR
Draft rules:
Draft SHANTI
Why it matters for exams: Jaitapur-linked EPR technology, the SHANTI framework and India-France energy ties are live exam themes.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
EDF Électricité de France — France's state-owned electricity utility and nuclear reactor operator.
SHANTI Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India — India's new legal framework for the nuclear power sector.
Pumped hydro storage Pumped hydro storage — Storing energy by pumping water uphill and releasing it through turbines when needed.
25 September 2026
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai on September 25, 2026 for Perth, Australia, under the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission.
Six Sea Riders are on board: two officers each from India and Japan, and one each from Australia and the United States.
The mission aims to improve interoperability and coordination among the Quad nations: India, Australia, Japan and the United States.
It is aligned with the Quad Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement of May 26, 2026.
The release links it to India's maritime vision MAHASAGAR.
Ship:
Shaunak
Route:
Chennai, Perth
Sea Riders:
Six
Why it matters for exams: Quad membership, MAHASAGAR and Coast Guard roles are recurring defence and IR questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Quad Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — A grouping of India, Australia, Japan and the United States focused on the Indo-Pacific.
MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — India's maritime cooperation vision for the Indian Ocean and beyond.
25 September 2026
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the Inception Workshop for the 6th Cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR) in New Delhi.
It is organised by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The 6th cycle will cover all 58 Tiger Reserves in the country.
The Minister said India has demarcated over 85,000 sq km for tiger conservation.
MEE began in India in 2006; earlier cycles were held in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
'Solid Waste Management' is a new separate evaluation criterion in MEE-TR 2026, and the Technical Manual of MEE 2026 was released.
Tiger Reserves covered:
58
Area for tiger conservation:
over 85,000 sq km
MEE started:
2006
Why it matters for exams: Tiger reserve counts, NTCA and MEE cycles are frequently asked environment facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NTCA National Tiger Conservation Authority — Statutory body under the Environment Ministry that oversees Project Tiger.
MEE Management Effectiveness Evaluation — An assessment of how well a protected area is managed, adapted from the IUCN-WCPA framework.