30 September 2026
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) left the SNB policy rate unchanged at 0% at its monetary policy assessment of 24 September 2026.
The discount for sight deposits above the remuneration threshold stays at 0.25 percentage points.
Inflation rose from 0.6% in May to 0.8% in August, mainly because of higher prices for oil products.
The conditional inflation forecast puts average annual inflation at 0.7% for 2026 and 0.8% for 2027 and 2028, assuming a 0% policy rate throughout.
The SNB expects GDP growth of between 1.5% and 2% for 2026 and around 1.5% for 2027.
SNB policy rate:
0%
Inflation, August:
0.8%
Expected 2026 GDP growth:
1.5% to 2%
Why it matters for exams: Central bank rate decisions and inflation figures of major economies are regular questions in UPSC, SSC and bank exams.
UPSCSSCBank
30 September 2026
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has hosted the draft Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on its website on 30th September, 2026.
An explanatory note giving a brief overview of the amendments accompanies it.
The exercise is described as pre-legislative consultation.
Stakeholders and the public may send comments to the Under Secretary (Distribution) on or before 30th October 2026.
Inputs received will be duly examined.
Draft:
Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Hosted on:
30 September 2026
Comments due:
30 October 2026
Ministry:
Petroleum and Natural Gas
Why it matters for exams: Pre-legislative consultation is a recurring polity and governance topic.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
30 September 2026
The Ministry of Power has notified new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Norms for passenger vehicles.
They apply from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032 to new passenger vehicles manufactured or imported for sale in India.
The fuel-consumption benchmark is tightened from 3.996 litres/100 km in 2027-28 to 3.3273 litres/100 km in 2031-32, an improvement of around 16.7 per cent.
The reference weight rises from 1,082 kg to 1,229 kg, and the flatter target line gives softer targets to lighter vehicles and tougher ones to heavier vehicles.
A Carbon Neutrality Factor recognises ethanol-blended petrol, biofuels and CBG.
Applicable period:
1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032
Benchmark 2027-28:
3.996 litres/100 km
Benchmark 2031-32:
3.3273 litres/100 km
Reference weight:
1,229 kg (from 1,082 kg)
Why it matters for exams: Vehicle-efficiency and energy-security regulation is a staple of UPSC, SSC and PSC current-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Fazilka district administration traces the town's origin to AD 1844.
It was founded by Mr Oliver and named after Mian Fazil Watoo, an early landowner of the area.
The town lies 11 km off the international border with Pakistan, about 325 km west of Chandigarh and 200 km south of Amritsar.
The Sutlej is the key river near the town.
Before 1947 Fazilka was the biggest wool market in undivided Punjab, and it remains a rice and cotton centre.
The district record notes a destructive flood in 1908 and the impact of the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971.
Origin:
AD 1844
Named after:
Mian Fazil Watoo
Distance from border:
11 km
Distance from Chandigarh:
325 km
Why it matters for exams: Border-district economics and founding dates recur in State geography and history questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The North Goa District Mineral Foundation Trust held its 17th governing council meeting on September 29, 2026.
North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, chaired the meeting, which was attended by MLAs Premendra Shet and Dr Deviya Rane.
The council reviewed ongoing projects worth over ₹15 crore across skill development, education, healthcare and animal husbandry.
It sanctioned approximately ₹6 crore in fresh proposals.
The new approvals cover rooftop solar subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, scholarships for Mining Engineering students at Goa Engineering College, smart classrooms and a Digital Learning Centre at Government Polytechnic, Bicholim, and upgrades to the operating theatre and the TruNat room at CHC Bicholim.
The council also approved streamlined procedures for the timely implementation of District Mineral Foundation projects.
Meeting:
17th governing council meeting
Projects reviewed:
over ₹15 crore
Fresh proposals sanctioned:
approximately ₹6 crore
Why it matters for exams: District Mineral Foundations and the PM Surya Ghar Yojana are frequently asked, and this shows how mining royalty money is actually spent.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DMF District Mineral Foundation — A trust in each mining-affected district funded by a share of mining royalty, for local welfare.
PM Surya Ghar Yojana Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana — A central scheme that subsidises rooftop solar power for households.
29 September 2026
The Austrian Federal Chancellery announced on 29 September 2026 that the European Commission had approved Austria's fifth and final payment request under the EU recovery plan.
The final instalment is 306 million euros, and Austria has drawn 100 per cent of the funds available to it.
The Austrian recovery plan is worth about 4 billion euros in all.
Austria fulfilled 166 required milestones and submitted 5,893 documents to the European Commission for verification.
Projects financed under the plan include 155 primary care units, broadband for 80,000 households, 400,000 digital devices for schools, 150 community nurses and 521 emission-free buses.
The plan also funded training for 94,000 persons and the digitisation of 600,000 cultural objects.
Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer said all milestones had been met and the available funds fully used, and State Secretary for Finance Barbara Eibinger-Miedl said the approval of the fifth and last payment request concluded Austria's EU recovery plan.
Final instalment:
306 million euros
Share of available funds drawn:
100 per cent
Milestones fulfilled:
166
Documents submitted for verification:
5,893
Why it matters for exams: NextGenerationEU style recovery funding and the milestone-linked disbursement model are standard questions on European economic governance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Bundeskanzleramt Federal Chancellery — The office of Austria's Federal Chancellor, the head of government.
Milestone Milestone — A reform or target a country must complete before the European Union releases the next instalment.
29 September 2026
The Culture Minister chaired a meeting of film organisations at the Government Guest House, Thycaud, on industry status for cinema, the Culture Department said on 29 September 2026.
Industry status will protect the art and cultural value of cinema while giving weight to its marketing prospects.
The draft proposals will be amended after the views of film bodies and then placed before the Cabinet.
The government announced industry status for cinema in its Budget.
Suggestions included bank loans for producers, e-ticketing, a single-window system for shooting permits and effective implementation of the POSH Act at film workplaces.
Meeting venue:
Government Guest House, Thycaud
Department:
Culture
Next step:
Amended draft to Cabinet
Why it matters for exams: Industry status for cinema is a Budget announcement now moving to Cabinet, and links to the POSH Act and cultural policy.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Industry status Industry status for cinema — Official recognition as an industry, which can open access to bank finance and incentives.
POSH Act Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act — A law requiring workplaces to have complaint committees against sexual harassment.
29 September 2026
NASA has added Blue Origin's New Glenn 9x4 launch service to the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract.
The addition used the contract's on-ramp clause, which allows annual competition for new providers.
The ordering period runs through June 2030 and the overall performance period through December 2032.
The vehicle can support missions in Human Spaceflight, Science, and Research and Technology.
The contract also lets NASA provide launch services to other government agencies, such as NOAA.
It is managed by NASA's Launch Services Program Office at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Contract:
NASA Launch Services (NLS) II
Ordering period:
Through June 2030
Performance period:
Through December 2032
Why it matters for exams: Launch-service contracts and commercial launch providers feature in science and technology current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — It is the U.S. agency for weather, oceans and climate.
On-ramp Contract on-ramp clause — It lets new providers join a running contract through annual competition.
29 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of Australia's Monetary Policy Board raised the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.60 per cent on 29 September 2026.
Its statement says inflation remains elevated and some of the upside risks flagged in August are materialising.
The Board pointed to a Middle East conflict pushing global energy prices higher and AI-related demand lifting technology goods prices.
ABC News reports it is the fourth rate rise of 2026 and the highest cash rate since November 2011.
The Board said it remains attentive to the data.
New cash rate target:
4.60 per cent
Increase:
25 basis points
Decision body:
Monetary Policy Board
Why it matters for exams: Central bank rate decisions and the inflation drivers behind them are staple questions in economy and current-affairs papers.
UPSCSSCBank
29 September 2026
The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology, has signed an agreement with Multi Nano Sense Technologies Private Limited, Nagpur, for ₹37.51 crore support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
The project has a total approved cost of ₹75.02 crore and aims to develop a MEMS + AFE SoC Multi-Gas Sensor platform.
The technology is to advance from TRL-4 to TRL-9.
Support will be given through Optionally Convertible Debt (OCD).
The project falls under the Deep Technology sector, with Quantum Technology as the sub-sector.
TDB support:
₹37.51 crore
Total approved cost:
₹75.02 crore
Instrument:
Optionally Convertible Debt (OCD)
Technology readiness:
TRL-4 to TRL-9
Why it matters for exams: Technology-funding bodies and TRL levels are popular in science-and-technology current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
A Memorandum of Understanding has been exchanged between the Ministry of MSME and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
It institutionalises sharing of unit-wise Udyam Registration data through APIs for the National Statistical Business Register (NSBR).
It was signed by Dr. Rajneesh of the Ministry of MSME and Dr. Dalip Singh of MoSPI.
The Statistical Business Register is a regularly updated central database of statistical units engaged in economic activities.
It helps identify the target population for economic surveys and supports survey sample selection.
Parties to MoU:
Ministry of MSME and MoSPI
Data source:
Udyam Registration (via APIs)
Purpose:
National Statistical Business Register
Date of release:
29 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Statistical infrastructure and MoSPI's role are frequent exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
29 September 2026
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing the Return of Income for Assessment Year 2026-27.
The date moves from 31st October, 2026 to 21st November, 2026 for persons subject to audit under the Income-tax Act, 1961.
The 'specified date' for furnishing the audit report for AY 2026-27 is extended from 30th September, 2026 to 21st October, 2026.
The relevant persons are those at Serial No. 2 in the Table below Explanation 2 to sub-section (1) of section 139.
A formal order or notification is being issued separately.
Assessment Year:
2026-27
Old return due date:
31 October 2026
New return due date:
21 November 2026
New audit report date:
21 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Tax due-date changes and the role of CBDT are routinely asked in bank, SSC and UPSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
29 September 2026
The Kerala State Electricity Board said on 29 September 2026 that partial power restrictions were likely between 6.45 pm and midnight because of a projected shortage of 600 to 800 MW.
Consumption in Kerala this September rose by about 1,200 MW over earlier years.
The Board attributed the rise to a rain deficit caused by the El Nino phenomenon and persistently high atmospheric temperatures.
The 200 MW that Kerala receives from Madhya Pradesh under a swap arrangement was not available between 6 pm and 8 pm, though an additional 50 MW was arranged from Haryana.
Grid India reported that national demand could rise by 5,000 MW alongside a 5,000 MW fall in wind generation.
Deficit:
600 to 800 MW
Restriction window:
6.45 pm to midnight
Swap power unavailable:
200 MW from Madhya Pradesh
Why it matters for exams: A current state power-supply figure tied to weather and inter-state exchange arrangements.
Kerala PSCSSC
Background
Norway is India's 33rd largest investor, and bilateral trade between the two countries has reached USD 1.1 billion.
Cooperation sectors identified between the two countries include the blue economy, green hydrogen, renewable energy, fisheries and water management.
The two sides have held an India-Norway Business Forum to widen business collaboration.
Ms May-Elin Stener is the Norwegian Ambassador to India.
Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal has proposed launching a startup bridge between the two countries.
Bilateral trade:
USD 1.1 billion
Norway's rank as investor in India:
33rd largest investor
Norwegian Ambassador to India:
Ms May-Elin Stener
Why it matters for exams: India's bilateral economic ties with individual partner countries are asked with ranks, figures and cooperation sectors.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
29 September 2026
The Kerala Transport Department has directed the State Transport Authority to reconsider its decision of 11 August 2021 that fixed a uniform colour scheme for contract carriages other than light motor vehicles.
Under the existing code such buses must have the body painted white, with a violet stripe running horizontally across the middle and a thin golden stripe above it.
The government order notes that the All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, do not prescribe a specific colour for the body of tourist vehicles.
Operators had argued that the state restriction puts Kerala-registered buses at a disadvantage against tourist vehicles registered in other states.
Any revision must still comply with a 2019 Kerala High Court judgment restricting displays on buses in the interest of road safety.
The existing colour code is not scrapped by the order; a change will depend on the decision of the State Transport Authority.
Decision to be reviewed:
11 August 2021
Central rules cited:
All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023
Reviewing body:
State Transport Authority
Why it matters for exams: Shows how a state transport rule interacts with central permit rules and an earlier High Court direction.
Kerala PSCSSC
29 September 2026
Norway's National Budget for 2027 will be presented to the Storting as Report no. 1 (2026-2027) on 7 October 2026 at 10:00 AM, the Government has announced.
The Storting is Norway's parliament and must consider and approve the budget.
The Ministry of Finance co-ordinates the preparation of the budget, which the Government presents to the Storting every autumn together with the fiscal budget.
A Revised National Budget is presented each spring.
Presentation date:
7 October 2026
Document:
Report no. 1 (2026-2027)
Presented to:
The Storting
Why it matters for exams: Budget calendars of major economies appear in economy and comparative-governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian asked the Centre for a timely and uninterrupted supply of 5.5 lakh metric tonnes of DAP and 15 lakh MT of urea for the coming Rabi season.
He placed the demand at the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Season 2026 in Delhi.
The requirement is critical for the State's major Rabi crops, wheat and potato.
Punjab has about 41 lakh hectares of cultivable land.
The State contributes nearly 40 per cent of the wheat and 22 per cent of the paddy that go into the national foodgrain pool.
The minister said earlier delays in fertiliser supply had caused hardship to farmers.
DAP sought:
5.5 lakh MT
Urea sought:
15 lakh MT
Cultivable land:
41 lakh hectares
Share of wheat in national pool:
nearly 40 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Fertiliser demand figures and Punjab's share in the national foodgrain pool are standard agriculture-economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met her Qatari counterpart Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari in Doha on 29 September 2026, on the sidelines of the AIIB annual meeting.
The two ministers discussed expanding India's UPI payment system across Qatar and strengthening financial cooperation.
They took up the implementation of Qatar's $10 billion investment commitment to India and greater engagement with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.
Finalisation of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was also discussed.
Sitharaman noted that recent high-level engagements had elevated India-Qatar relations to a strategic partnership.
Qatari investment commitment:
$10 billion
Venue:
Doha
Why it matters for exams: UPI internationalisation and India's investment treaties with Gulf partners are frequently examined economy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
29 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of India placed on its website on 29 September 2026 the report of the Advisory Committee on Ways and Means Advances to State Governments.
The Committee was chaired by Shri I S N Prasad, former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.
Its terms of reference included a review of State-wise WMA limits and other financial accommodation facilities available to the States.
The Reserve Bank said the Committee has made various recommendations which shall be examined by it.
Ways and Means Advances are short-term advances the Reserve Bank gives a State to bridge temporary mismatches between its receipts and payments.
Committee Chairman:
Shri I S N Prasad
Released on:
September 29, 2026
Why it matters for exams: Centre-State financial arrangements and RBI committees are standard ground for PSC, UPSC and bank examinations.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
29 September 2026
On 29 September 2026 the UN refugee agency UNHCR reported that 8.3 million refugees and forcibly displaced people are at risk of losing vital assistance because of funding cuts.
Available funding fell from $5.178 billion in 2024 to $3.932 billion in 2025.
By July 2026 the agency had received only 32 per cent of the $8.5 billion it needed for the year.
In Afghanistan cash grants for returnees were cut from $375 per person to $170 per household, and only 175 households received reintegration grants in 2026 against 5,300 in 2024.
In Chad registration delays affect 319,000 refugees, while in Ethiopia safe houses for survivors of gender-based violence fell from 29 to 13.
UNHCR cut its workforce by one third in 2025 and closed offices in 140 locations, and project-specific funding rose from 19 per cent in 2022 to 51 per cent in 2026.
Dominique Hyde, UNHCR's Director of External Relations, said that below a certain threshold the system does not shrink, it fails.
People at risk:
8.3 million
Funding received by July 2026:
32 per cent of $8.5 billion
Offices closed:
140 locations
Why it matters for exams: Humanitarian funding figures and UNHCR's mandate are recurring international-organisation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC