25 September 2026
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in specified "disturbed areas" of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for six months from October 1, through Gazette notifications published on 25 September 2026.
In Manipur, the disturbed-area declaration covers the whole state except areas under 13 police stations in five districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching.
In Nagaland, it covers nine districts — Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Meluri — and areas under 21 police stations in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha and Zunheboto districts.
In Arunachal Pradesh, it covers Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and areas under the Namsai, Mahadevpur and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, which borders Assam.
The notifications cite Section 3 of the Act, under which an area can be declared "disturbed", and say the decision followed a further review of the law and order situation.
Period of extension:
Six months from October 1
Manipur police stations excluded:
13
Nagaland districts fully covered:
9
Enabling provision:
Section 3, AFSPA 1958
Why it matters for exams: AFSPA, the 'disturbed area' power under Section 3 and the districts covered in the North-East are standard internal-security questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
AFSPA Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 — A central law that gives the armed forces special powers in areas declared disturbed.
Disturbed area — An area notified under Section 3 of AFSPA, where the Act's special powers apply.
Gazette notification — An official order published in the Gazette of India, which gives it legal effect.
25 September 2026
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar co-chaired the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Troika Ministerial Meeting in New York on 25 September 2026, on the margins of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The GCC was represented by Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir.
The meeting reviewed the India-GCC Joint Action Plan (JAP) 2024-2028, which covers political dialogue, security, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, transportation, energy, health, culture and education.
The ministers welcomed the launch of India-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations, after the Terms of Reference were finalised in February 2026.
Total trade between India and the GCC stood at USD 178.66 billion in FY 2025-26, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Both sides agreed to hold the second India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue at an early date.
India-GCC trade, FY 2025-26:
USD 178.66 billion
Plan reviewed:
Joint Action Plan 2024-2028
FTA Terms of Reference finalised:
February 2026
GCC Secretary General:
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Why it matters for exams: The GCC, India's trade with the Gulf, the Joint Action Plan 2024-28 and the India-GCC FTA are recurring topics in international relations and economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
GCC Gulf Cooperation Council — A regional bloc of six Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Troika — A meeting format in which a group is represented by a team of three of its members or officials.
FTA Free Trade Agreement — A treaty under which partners cut or remove tariffs on trade between them.
Terms of Reference — The agreed scope and rules that frame a negotiation before it starts.
26 September 2026
The second edition of the Indian Air Force's multinational air exercise, TARANG SHAKTI 2026, is being conducted from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Air Force Station, Jodhpur; its operational phase commenced on 27 September.
This year's theme is 'Power in Partnership'.
Air forces of seven friendly foreign countries - Australia, the USA, the UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - are taking part alongside the IAF, and forces of 32 other friendly nations are joining as observers, taking the total to 40 countries.
Participating aircraft include the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A.
The exercise aims to share operational experience through joint training and strengthen interoperability among the participating air forces.
The inaugural edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024.
Dates:
26 September to 12 October 2026
Venue:
Air Force Station, Jodhpur
Theme:
Power in Partnership
Observer nations:
32
Participating foreign air forces:
7
Why it matters for exams: Names, hosts, venues and editions of India's military exercises are a staple of defence questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport — An aircraft that refuels other aircraft in flight and also carries cargo and troops.