Background
Greece joined NATO on 18 February 1952, alongside Türkiye. NATO says extending security to south-eastern Europe was strategically important at the time. Membership helped curb communist influence in a country recovering from civil war. Greece was part of the early Cold War effort to reinforce NATO's southern flank.
Joined NATO:
18 February 1952
Joined alongside:
Türkiye
Why it matters for exams: Accession years of countries to NATO and the EU are staple international-organisation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Nathu La Pass sits at 4,310 metres in the Dongkya Range of the Himalayas. It bridges China's Yadong County in Tibet and the Indian state of Sikkim. The pass marks the India-China frontier and facilitates Indo-Chinese border trade. It was historically a part of the ancient Silk Route. The pass is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and closed on Mondays.
Altitude:
4,310 metres
Range:
Dongkya Range
Connects:
Sikkim and Yadong County, Tibet
Closed on:
Mondays
Why it matters for exams: Mountain passes and border trade points are standard geography and security questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
The District Level Narcotics Coordination and Enforcement Committee (NCORD) met in the District Collector's chamber at Namchi on 29 September 2026. District Collector Anupa Tamling stressed placing children and young people at the centre of preventive efforts. The Health and Family Welfare Department was advised to continue monitoring de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities. The committee reviewed action against illicit cannabis cultivation and disposal through the Drug Disposal Committee. ASP Namchi Bikash Tiwari briefed the committee on the proposed inclusion of e-Sakshya for systematic evidence documentation.
Meeting place:
District Collector's chamber, Namchi
District Collector:
Anupa Tamling
System proposed:
e-Sakshya
Why it matters for exams: District-level coordination bodies and anti-narcotics machinery are asked under governance and internal security.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The North Atlantic Treaty was signed on 4 April 1949 by 12 founding countries. NATO now has 32 members, the latest being Finland (4 April 2023) and Sweden (7 March 2024). Article 5 says an armed attack against one member is an attack against all. Article 10 lets any European State that can further the treaty's principles join. The headquarters is in Brussels. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine are listed as aspiring members.
Members:
32
Founding members:
12
Headquarters:
Brussels
Why it matters for exams: NATO's structure, membership and Article 5 are perennial questions on international organisations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
A Russian drone struck the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the historic centre of Kyiv, near the German Embassy, killing at least two people. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko condemned the attack. Volodymyr Horbulin, a former secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, was slightly wounded and his assistant was killed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least nine people were killed in Russian drone strikes across the country. More than 80 people were wounded nationwide.
Killed at the Academy:
at least 2
Killed nationwide (Zelenskyy):
at least 9
Why it matters for exams: Tracks how the Russia-Ukraine war is going; attacks on cultural and scientific institutions are a recurring current-affairs theme.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
Puntland authorities said security forces rescued the tanker MT Honour 25, which was hijacked off Somalia in April 2026. The Palau-flagged vessel was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil. The Puntland Information Ministry said the pirates on board killed five of the crew before the operation began. The deaths appear to be the first at the hands of Somali pirates in more than a decade. Experts attribute the revival of Somali piracy in 2026 in part to the effects of the war on Iran.
Crew killed:
5
Cargo:
18,500 barrels of oil
Why it matters for exams: Maritime security and piracy near key sea lanes recur in security and geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
In the popular vote of 27 September 2026, about 70% of voters rejected the neutrality initiative.
A majority in all 26 cantons voted against it, so not one canton backed the plan.
The initiative, launched by the pro-sovereignty group Pro Schweiz (Pro Switzerland) and backed by the Swiss People's Party, would have defined neutrality as 'perpetual and armed'.
It would have barred Switzerland from joining or cooperating with military alliances, except when under attack or facing imminent attack, and from joining sanctions not imposed by the United Nations.
The Swiss government, parliament and nearly all major parties opposed the proposal.
Voters against:
about 70%
Cantons in favour:
0 of 26
Why it matters for exams: Swiss neutrality and its direct-democracy votes are standard topics when examiners ask about Switzerland and Europe.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
A key transit centre for Ebola patients burned down in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday evening, the UN reports.
It stood in the Kigonze camp, which had sheltered some 19,000 people fleeing violence and now lies abandoned.
Thousands fled Kigonze after reports that soldiers entered the site searching for weapons.
More than 3,000 people also fled the Rhoe displacement camp in Djugu territory after clashes intensified on 27 September.
Fighting in Masisi in North Kivu has displaced more than 24,000 people since mid-September.
A UN response official said losing a centre means losing capacity and investment, and that patients do not get the care they need.
Province:
Ituri
People sheltered at Kigonze:
some 19,000
Fled Rhoe camp:
more than 3,000
Displaced in Masisi since mid-September:
more than 24,000
Why it matters for exams: Disease outbreaks in conflict zones and humanitarian access are common themes in international and health current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ebola Ebola virus disease — A severe, often fatal viral disease spread by contact with body fluids.
OCHA UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs — The UN body that coordinates emergency humanitarian response.
29 September 2026
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, secured the deportation of Red Notice subject Sandeep Mistry from the UAE to India.
He is wanted in the Nirav Modi PNB Bank Fraud case.
A Red Notice was published in July 2026 through INTERPOL channels; he was arrested by UAE authorities and deported.
He arrived in Mumbai at 2355 Hrs on 28.09.2026 and was sent to jail custody.
More than 175 wanted criminals have been brought back to India through INTERPOL channels in the last few years.
Fugitive:
Sandeep Mistry (Nirav Modi PNB fraud case)
Deported from:
UAE
Red Notice published:
July 2026
Returned via INTERPOL channels:
More than 175
Why it matters for exams: India-UAE cooperation, INTERPOL Red Notices and CBI's nodal role are common in UPSC and PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
29 September 2026
The UN Security Council met in New York on the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
UN News says clashes between Government forces and M23 rebels continue in the east despite a series of peace agreements.
The DRC and Rwanda signed the Washington Accords in December 2025, and Kinshasa and M23 signed the Doha peace framework a month earlier.
Ambassadors were likely to focus on ceasefire monitoring and rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.
MONUSCO's mandate comes up for renewal in December.
DRC-Rwanda agreement:
Washington Accords (December 2025)
Rebel group:
M23
UN mission up for renewal:
MONUSCO (December)
Why it matters for exams: Peace accords, rebel groups and UN missions in Africa are common international-affairs topics.
UPSCSSC
29 September 2026
Izz al-Din al-Beik, head of Hamas's armed wing in the northern Gaza Strip, was killed in an Israeli strike on an apartment building in Gaza City early on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the killing in a joint statement.
Hamas issued a statement confirming his death.
Al Jazeera reports he had assumed command of the Qassam Brigades in northern Gaza, succeeding Ahmed al-Ghandour.
The Israeli military says it has killed at least 20 Hamas members this month.
Person killed:
Izz al-Din al-Beik
Location:
Gaza City
Armed wing:
Qassam Brigades
Why it matters for exams: Gaza conflict developments and the people and organisations involved are recurring international current-affairs questions.
UPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The UN Security Council on Tuesday 29 September 2026 extended the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti by six months.
The mandate now runs until 31 March 2027.
China, Russia and Pakistan abstained, citing concerns over insufficient funds, personnel and efficacy.
US ambassador Mike Waltz said around 1,500 GSF troops are now deployed in Haiti.
The force stands at less than 30 per cent of its intended size.
Haiti's leaders first called for international security support in 2022.
Mandate extension:
Six months
New end date:
31 March 2027
Abstentions:
China, Russia, Pakistan
Troops deployed:
About 1,500
Why it matters for exams: UNSC mandate renewals, abstentions and peacekeeping-type missions are frequent UPSC and SSC current-affairs questions.
UPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The Government has prepared a roadmap to make Drug Free India by 2029, the 'Vision Document 2026-2029' for a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched it at the 10th Apex-level NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) meeting in New Delhi on 26 June 2026.
It followed consultations with more than 35 ministries, departments and agencies.
The roadmap runs from July 2026 to July 2029 on four pillars, with the mantra Detect, Disrupt and Destroy.
From 2019 to July 2026, 93,33,987 kilograms of narcotic and psychotropic substances with an estimated value of Rs.1,53,212 crore were seized.
Document:
Vision Document 2026-2029
Launched:
26 June 2026 at 10th Apex NCORD meeting
Consultations:
More than 35 ministries, departments and agencies
Seized 2019 to July 2026:
93,33,987 kg, estimated value Rs.1,53,212 crore
Why it matters for exams: Internal-security campaigns and their institutional architecture (NCORD, NCB) are regular exam themes.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The 10th India-Republic of Korea Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation was held in New Delhi on September 29, 2026.
It was co-chaired by Shri Dinesh Mahur, Additional Secretary (Defence Production), and Mr. Kim Il Dong, Vice Minister, Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Republic of Korea.
Larsen & Toubro and BEML took part from India; Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air, Hanwha Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries and DS Navcours from Korea.
On the sidelines, Mr. Kim Il Dong called on Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth.
Both sides reaffirmed commitment to deepening cooperation in defence industries and logistics.
Meeting:
10th Joint Committee Meeting, New Delhi, 29 Sep 2026
Indian co-chair:
Dinesh Mahur, Additional Secretary (Defence Production)
Korean co-chair:
Kim Il Dong, Vice Minister, DAPA
Indian firms:
L&T, BEML
Why it matters for exams: India-abroad defence cooperation items are routinely asked in UPSC, SSC and PSC current-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Norway became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949, the year the alliance was created.
NATO's founding member countries were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Among the Nordic countries, Denmark, Iceland and Norway were founding members, while Finland and Sweden joined much later.
Norway therefore takes part in NATO's collective defence commitment from the alliance's beginning.
Year Norway joined:
1949
Founding members:
12
Why it matters for exams: NATO's founding members and later accessions are a recurring defence and international organisation question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The Indian Navy's guided-missile frigate INS Tarkash arrived at Mombasa Port in Kenya on 29 September 2026 for an operational turnaround.
The port call runs until 2 October 2026.
It includes professional exchanges, interactions between the crews and community outreach, and the ship will be open to visitors.
On departure INS Tarkash will carry out a Passage Exercise with the Kenya Navy.
The deployment is in line with India's MAHASAGAR vision for the Western Indian Ocean region.
Ship:
INS Tarkash
Port:
Mombasa, Kenya
Why it matters for exams: Naval port calls, ship names and India's Indian Ocean outreach doctrines are asked in defence sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The India-Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND-2026 moved into its joint training phase at Oskemen in Kazakhstan on 29 September 2026.
The opening ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Regional Command East of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, Major General Zhenis Maralov, and the Defence Attache of India to Kazakhstan, Colonel Pankaj Vidyarthi.
Troops from both countries began coordinated training and interaction.
The stated aim is to strengthen bonds of camaraderie and mutual understanding through progressive joint training and tactical activities.
Location:
Oskemen, Kazakhstan
Indian Defence Attache:
Colonel Pankaj Vidyarthi
Why it matters for exams: Names of India's bilateral military exercises and the partner country are asked in almost every defence section.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The Supreme Court on 29 September 2026 quashed the detention of Mulla Afroz under the National Security Act in connection with the Sambhal violence case.
The Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu imposed a cost of Rs 10 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government.
The Court held that the detention order could not rest on a confession said to have been made while the detenu was in police custody.
It held that a mere possibility of the detenu becoming involved in crime again, without cogent material supporting that apprehension, cannot furnish a valid basis for preventive detention.
The Bench set aside the Allahabad High Court order that had upheld the detention.
Cost imposed:
Rs 10 lakh
Bench:
Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu
Why it matters for exams: Preventive detention limits under the National Security Act are a core polity and rights topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
United States forces left their last bases in Iraq under a withdrawal deadline of Wednesday 30 September 2026, ending the deployment of the US-led coalition whose operation against ISIL was first launched in 2015.
The withdrawal was agreed in 2024 under President Joe Biden and carried out by Donald Trump's administration.
Around 2,500 US troops had been stationed in Iraq in recent years, and 4,500 Americans died during more than two decades of war.
In the wake of the withdrawal the two countries appear to be reverting to the 2008 Strategic Framework and Security Agreement, signed under President George W Bush, which pledges continued, if non-binding, US security support for Iraq.
Iraq is set to hold four Sovereignty Days, a national holiday marking the complete withdrawal of US troops.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Iraq is striving to ensure that the state is the ultimate decision-maker in matters of peace and war and that weapons remain in the hands of its constitutional institutions, and that the relationship with strategic partners is moving from military cooperation to economic and development cooperation.
The government pushed back an initial 30 September 2026 deadline to June 2027 for bringing all weapons under state control.
Withdrawal deadline:
30 September 2026
Troops stationed recently:
around 2,500
Framework now governing ties:
2008 Strategic Framework and Security Agreement
Why it matters for exams: West Asian security arrangements and the end of long foreign military deployments are common international-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
The UN General Assembly held a high-level plenary meeting on 29 September 2026 to mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
About 12,400 nuclear weapons remain in existence despite decades of reduction efforts.
The meeting closed the General Assembly's High-Level Week.
The eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ended on 22 May 2026 without consensus on a final declaration.
Strikes on nuclear infrastructure in Iran and in Ukraine were cited as compounding present risks.
Nuclear weapons have been used in war only twice, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
Nuclear weapons remaining:
about 12,400
NPT Review Conference:
eleventh, ended 22 May 2026 without consensus
Why it matters for exams: Warhead counts, the NPT review cycle and UN disarmament observances are standard exam material.
Kerala PSCUPSC