28 September 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the conference on 'PRAHAAR - National CT Policy and Strategy' in New Delhi.
He launched a new Extradition Portal meant to speed up the return of fugitives from abroad.
He said 288 fugitive criminals were brought back from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.
PRAHAAR rests on seven pillars: Prevention, Response, Aggregating Internal Capacities, Human Rights, Attenuating Conditions for Terrorism, Aligning International Efforts, and Recovery and Resilience.
He called for an institutionalised, automated counter-terrorism response mechanism at every level.
He said the government follows a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of terrorism.
Fugitives extradited, 2019 to 2026:
288
Countries involved:
36
Pillars of PRAHAAR:
7
Why it matters for exams: A new national counter-terrorism framework and a named portal are standard internal-security exam material.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
28 September 2026
A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent departed for Oskemen, Kazakhstan, to take part in the ninth edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND.
The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 28 September to 11 October 2026.
The Indian contingent is drawn mainly from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, along with troops from other arms and services and personnel from the Indian Air Force.
The Kazakhstan Armed Forces will field a contingent of matching strength, comprising primarily personnel from its Land Forces.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen the joint capability of both forces to undertake joint counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate.
KAZIND-2026 focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, with emphasis on air mobility and the integrated employment of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Counter-UAS capabilities.
A Joint Command Post and an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre will be established, and the training will culminate in a validation exercise against a simulated terrorist threat.
Exercise:
KAZIND-2026 (ninth edition)
Partner country:
Kazakhstan
Venue:
Oskemen, Kazakhstan
Dates:
28 September to 11 October 2026
Indian contingent:
60-member, mainly Garhwal Rifles
Why it matters for exams: Names, editions and venues of India's bilateral military exercises are standard exam material.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
27 September 2026
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, said India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism and that countries sponsoring cross-border terrorism must be held accountable. "There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism," he said, adding that the financial aspects of terrorism must be exposed and countered. He said "Friendship and goodwill cannot co-exist with terrorism." On the conflict in the Gulf he called for restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilians, and opposed attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers using international waterways. On the Ukraine conflict, now in its fifth year, he cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's position that "endless war must give way now, to an end to war". On West Asia he said a durable peace required a Two-State solution and pointed to India's humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people.
UNGA session:
81st session
Speaker:
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
Stand on West Asia:
Two-State solution
Year of the Ukraine conflict:
Fifth year
Why it matters for exams: India's national statement at the UNGA is a standard source for questions on India's stand on terrorism, Ukraine and West Asia.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Indian naval ships INS Sahyadri, a stealth frigate, and INS Kulish, a missile corvette, took part in the 23rd ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Maritime Security Joint Cooperation Activity (EWG-MS JCA).
The activity was hosted by the Philippine Navy and co-chaired by Japan, at Naval Operating Base Subic, Subic Bay in the Philippines.
The opening ceremony was held on 21 September 2026 and the closing ceremony on 25 September 2026.
Drills covered Search and Rescue, Hydrographic Survey, Casualty and Medical Evacuation, Deck Landing Qualification and assistance to vessels aground.
The Ministry of Defence announced the conclusion of India's participation on 27 September 2026.
Edition:
23rd
Host:
Philippine Navy
Co-chair:
Japan
Dates:
21 to 25 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: ADMM-Plus is one of the ASEAN-led security mechanisms India belongs to, and the ships it deploys are asked by name.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
The Indian Air Force is conducting Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
The theme of the exercise is "Power in Partnership".
Seven Friendly Foreign Countries are taking part: Australia, the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Aircraft taking part include the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A.
Several other friendly foreign countries are taking part as observers.
The exercise is organised by the Ministry of Defence and follows the edition held in 2024.
Dates:
26 September to 12 October 2026
Venue:
Air Force Station Jodhpur
Friendly Foreign Countries:
Seven
Theme:
Power in Partnership
Why it matters for exams: Names, venues and participating countries of India's military exercises are standard one-mark questions in Kerala PSC, SSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
27 September 2026
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth delivered the keynote address on 'Aatmanirbharta in an Era of Transformative Wars' at a defence conclave in New Delhi on 27 September 2026.
He said India's defence readiness must go beyond self-reliance in manufacturing to the ability to sustain, adapt and regenerate military capability through prolonged conflicts.
He described modern conflicts as 'wars with pause'.
He said capabilities must match India's own geographic and operational conditions, from sea level to high altitude and across extremes of temperature.
He said inexpensive drone technology now threatens costly military platforms, so the competitive advantage lies in rapid innovation and adaptation.
Theme of address:
Aatmanirbharta in an Era of Transformative Wars
Venue:
New Delhi
Why it matters for exams: The current Chief of the Army Staff and the shift from self-reliant manufacturing to sustaining capability in long conflicts are both examinable.
Kerala PSCUPSC
26 September 2026
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan delivered the national statement at the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on 26 September.
He said the veto power of the Security Council must be challenged and ultimately abolished.
He said expanding the Council's membership alone will not be enough to resolve its failures.
He urged every General Assembly member to question the use of the veto, especially in cases of crimes against humanity.
He said Resolution 76/262 had already created an accountability channel between the Security Council and the General Assembly.
The Security Council has 15 members, five of them permanent members with the veto.
UNGA session:
81st
Resolution cited:
76/262
Security Council members:
15 (5 permanent)
Why it matters for exams: UN Security Council reform and the veto are standard topics in UPSC international relations papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNGA United Nations General Assembly — The main deliberative body of the UN, in which every member state has one vote.
Veto Veto power — The right of each of the five permanent Security Council members to block a substantive resolution.
Resolution 76/262 UN General Assembly resolution 76/262 — The General Assembly resolution that links a Security Council veto to a debate in the Assembly.
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.
26 September 2026
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan addressed the UN General Assembly on 26 September 2026. He said "the security of the Gulf region is part and parcel of the security of the region and the world at large". He called for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. He called for the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to return to its status before 28 February "without the imposition of any fees or restrictions". He backed a two-State solution with an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He said Saudi Arabia had provided more than $29 billion in humanitarian and development assistance to Yemen.
Speaker:
Prince Faisal bin Farhan
Aid to Yemen:
more than $29 billion
Why it matters for exams: Strategic chokepoints such as Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are high-frequency geography and security questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Bab el-Mandeb Bab el-Mandeb Strait — The strait linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, between Yemen and Djibouti.
26 September 2026
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on 26 September 2026. She said more than 50 active conflicts are under way in the world and that disputes must be resolved through diplomacy and law, not violence and might. She repeated the Philippine call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, and backed a two-state solution. She described UNCLOS as the constitution of the oceans and noted that 2026 marks a decade since the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which she called final and legally binding. She also called for reform of the Security Council to make it more representative, transparent and accountable.
Speaker:
Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Session:
81st UN General Assembly
Active conflicts cited:
More than 50
Arbitral award recalled:
2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award
Why it matters for exams: Links the South China Sea arbitral award, UNCLOS and Security Council reform, all recurring topics in international relations papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — The 1982 treaty that sets the rules for territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and the use of the oceans.
2016 Arbitral Award South China Sea Arbitration (Philippines v. China) — The 2016 ruling of a tribunal under UNCLOS that rejected China's nine-dash-line claims against the Philippines.
General debate UN General Assembly general debate — The annual high-level segment each September where every member state addresses the Assembly.
26 September 2026
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on 26 September 2026. He said countries distant from conflicts were paying a heavy price despite bearing no responsibility for them. He called for a two-State solution in West Asia and, on Ukraine, said the focus must shift from "an endless war" to "ending the war". He described State-sponsored, cross-border terrorism as "a direct affront to the global order" and said there could be no weakening of zero tolerance towards terrorism. He said India had supported 600 development projects in 78 countries. He closed with the words on Mahatma Gandhi's statue at the UN: "There is no path to peace. Peace is the path."
UNGA session:
81st
Development projects supported:
600 development projects in 78 countries
Why it matters for exams: India's stated positions at the UN General Assembly on terrorism, Ukraine and West Asia are asked in UPSC international relations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNGA United Nations General Assembly — The main deliberative organ of the UN, in which all 193 member States have one vote each.
26 September 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the General Debate of the UN General Assembly's 81st session on Saturday 26 September 2026.
He announced that Russia, Belarus and like-minded partners had adopted a statement in New York launching work on a Eurasian Charter on Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century.
He called it a new continent-wide architecture of peace and development.
He said Moscow's military operation in Ukraine would be carried through to the end.
UN News reports his speech.
Speaker:
Sergey Lavrov
Session:
81st UN General Assembly
Initiative:
Eurasian Charter on Diversity and Multipolarity
Why it matters for exams: UN General Assembly sessions and new multilateral initiatives are regular current-affairs questions.
UPSCSSC
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
On 25 September 2026 the UN Human Rights office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory called on Israel to immediately halt the demolition of Palestinian villages in Msafer Yatta, South Hebron Hills.
On 23 September, Israeli forces demolished dozens of structures, including homes, water tanks and solar panels, in the village of Jinba.
Three additional villages in Msafer Yatta had already been almost entirely destroyed in September 2026.
There are 12 villages in Msafer Yatta housing over 1,100 Palestinians.
According to OCHA, demolitions have displaced 1,500 people in the occupied West Bank in 2026.
In the 1980s, Israel declared some 30,000 dunums of Msafer Yatta as "Firing Zone 918".
Ajith Sunghay, Head of UN Human Rights – OPT, said forcible transfer of a civilian population by an occupying power is a war crime.
Villages in Msafer Yatta:
12
Residents:
over 1,100
Displaced by demolitions in West Bank, 2026 (OCHA):
1,500
Military zone declared in the 1980s:
Firing Zone 918
Why it matters for exams: Msafer Yatta, Firing Zone 918 and the law on forcible transfer under occupation are frequent topics in questions on the Israel–Palestine conflict.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights — UN office leading human rights work; based in Geneva.
OCHA UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs — UN office that coordinates humanitarian response.
25 September 2026
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine called on the United Nations on Friday, 25 September 2026, to apologise for the harm caused by 67 nuclear weapons tests in her country. The tests were conducted between 1946 and 1958, when the Marshall Islands was a UN Strategic Trust Territory. "The lack of acknowledgment remains a moral failure," she said. Kiribati President Taneti Maamau, speaking the same day, reaffirmed support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and an international trust fund for victims. Pacific leaders said communities continue to experience displacement, illness and contamination decades after nuclear testing ended.
Nuclear tests:
67
Period:
1946 and 1958
Status at the time:
UN Strategic Trust Territory
Why it matters for exams: Pacific nuclear testing, the UN Trusteeship system and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons are disarmament topics in UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TPNW Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons — The UN treaty that bans the development, testing and use of nuclear weapons for its parties.
25 September 2026
Haiti's Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé told the UN General Assembly that Haiti is at a 'watershed moment' in its fight against gang violence.
He said the international force meant to support Haiti was still not fully operational or at its planned strength of 5,500 personnel.
He called for renewal of the mandate of the 'gang suppression force' and its full deployment.
Haiti is training 4,000 police officers, more than 2,000 of whom have been trained, and over 1,500 new soldiers have completed training.
The Government plans to train 15,000 more soldiers over the next three years.
Planned force strength:
5,500 personnel
Police training programme:
4,000 police officers
Additional soldiers planned:
15,000 over three years
Why it matters for exams: UN-backed security missions such as Haiti's gang suppression force are asked in international relations papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Gang suppression force Gang Suppression Force — A UN-authorised international force to help Haiti's police fight armed gangs.
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
The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology, signed an agreement with Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, Chennai, to support development of the reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle. The support amounts to ₹200 crore, extended through Optionally Convertible Debentures under TDB's Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. The funding will help Agnikul progress the vehicle from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 and above to TRL-8, targeting full-system reusability rather than conventional single-stage recovery. Key technical areas include a lightweight upper stage, a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system with deep throttling and restart capability, and a descent propulsion system for controlled recovery. Agnikul had earlier developed the Agnibaan orbital-class launch vehicle and the Agnilet engine, a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine. TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the initiative supports indigenous technologies that require sustained investment to advance India's space capabilities.
Financial support:
₹200 crore
Funding mechanism:
Optionally Convertible Debentures
Target technology level:
TRL-4 to TRL-8
Why it matters for exams: Tests awareness of government mechanisms (TDB, RDI Fund) supporting private space start-ups and India's push toward reusable launch vehicles.
Kerala PSCUPSC
24 September 2026
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime at UN Headquarters in New York on 24 September 2026.
He signed it while leading Indonesia's delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
With the signature Indonesia joined 90 other signatories of the convention.
The convention sets a framework for international cooperation against cybercrime, including the sharing of electronic evidence.
Indonesia said it will help its law enforcement act against online scams, online gambling and child sexual abuse material.
The convention enters into force 90 days after the 40th instrument of ratification is deposited; Indonesia's next step is ratification.
Signed by:
Foreign Minister Sugiono
Place:
UN Headquarters, New York
Other signatories:
90
Entry into force:
90 days after the 40th ratification
Why it matters for exams: The UN Convention against Cybercrime is the first global treaty on cybercrime; its signatories and entry-into-force rule are likely UPSC international-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ratification Ratification — The formal act by which a state agrees to be legally bound by a treaty it has signed.
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on the sidelines of UNGA81 in New York.
Both sides underscored the longstanding Thai-U.S. alliance and strategic partnership.
They welcomed cooperation in defence and security, combating online scams and counternarcotics.
They also noted the progress of the bilateral trade negotiations.
The two sides exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar and the Thai-Cambodia situation.
US official:
Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State
Date:
24 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Thailand is a US treaty ally in Asia; alliance partners and their cooperation areas are common prelims questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC