26 September 2026
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone of India's first port-based e-methanol plant at Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, on 26 September 2026. The 150-tonne-per-day plant will use renewable power, water and biogenic CO2 to make e-methanol for ships on the Asia-Europe trade corridor. The Rs 2,300 crore project is a joint initiative of Deendayal Port Authority and Namrup-based Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd, with capital shared 76:24. Phase I adds 50 tonnes per day for ₹1,200 crore by January 2027, and Phase II adds 100 tonnes per day for ₹1,100 crore by March 2027. The release puts the expected production cost at US$750 per tonne against a global rate of US$1,300 per tonne. The project is expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Capacity:
150-tonne-per-day
Total investment:
₹2,300 crore
DPA : APCL capital ratio:
76:24
Jobs:
more than 3,500
Why it matters for exams: Green shipping fuels, Deendayal (Kandla) Port and India's Net Zero 2070 target are standard economy and environment topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
e-methanol electro-methanol — Methanol made from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide using renewable electricity.
DPA Deendayal Port Authority — The major port authority at Kandla in Gujarat's Kutch district.
26 September 2026
The Kerala State Lotteries Department drew the Thiruvonam Bumper (BR-111) on 26 September 2026 at Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.
The first prize of ₹30 crore went to ticket TL 360615, sold through an authorised agent of the Kannur District Lottery Office.
The second prize is ₹1 crore each for 20 tickets, and the third prize is ₹25 lakh each for 20 tickets.
The ticket price was ₹500 and 90 lakh tickets were sold across the State.
Prizes above ₹10 lakh must be claimed at the Lottery Directorate in Thiruvananthapuram within 90 days.
First prize:
₹30 crore
Winning ticket:
TL 360615
Second prize:
₹1 crore each to 20 winners
Ticket price:
₹500
Tickets sold:
90 lakh
Why it matters for exams: Kerala State Lotteries is a State revenue department and its bumper draws are routine Kerala general knowledge questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Bumper lottery Festival bumper lottery — A special high-prize lottery the Kerala State Lotteries Department runs around major festivals.
26 September 2026
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma dedicated 1,452 development works worth Rs 924 crore in seven districts of Udaipur division at Pratapgarh on 26 September 2026. Of these, 423 projects worth over Rs 256 crore were inaugurated and the remaining 1,029 received foundation stones. He launched the 'Vangiri' brand for tribal forest produce, said 530 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have been established in eight districts, and said 1.90 lakh government posts have been filled.
Works:
1,452
Total value:
Rs 924 crore
Works inaugurated:
423 (over Rs 256 crore)
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras:
530
Why it matters for exams: State tribal-development schemes, the Van Dhan programme and project outlays are common state-level current-affairs questions.
UPSCSSC
26 September 2026
The Kerala State Lotteries drew the Thiruvonam Bumper (BR-111) on 26-09-2026.
The first prize of 30 crore rupees went to ticket number TL 360 615.
The ticket was sold by agent Aneesh M.V., agency code C 3789, of the Kannur district lottery office.
20 winners take the second prize of 1 crore rupees each and 20 more take the third prize of 25 lakh rupees each.
The ticket price was 500 rupees and 90 lakh tickets were sold across the state.
First prize:
30 crore rupees
Winning ticket:
TL 360 615
Ticket price:
500 rupees
Tickets sold:
90 lakh
Why it matters for exams: The Kerala State Lotteries department and its bumper draws appear in Kerala PSC questions on state revenue and welfare funding.
Kerala PSC
25 September 2026
At the end of Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-day state visit to Washington, the White House issued a fact sheet on 25 September 2026 setting out the outcomes of his talks with President Donald Trump.
Under the U.S.-China Board of Trade, the two countries reached consensus on recommendations for more favorable tariff treatment for $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction.
The leaders operationalized the U.S.-China Board of Trade and the U.S.-China Board of Investment, which were chartered during the May 2026 Summit in Beijing.
They agreed to use the term "super intelligence" rather than "artificial intelligence", set up the U.S.-China Super Intelligence (SI) Dialogue with the next exchange by November 2026, and agreed on a bilateral communication channel for SI incidents.
China will import at least 10 million metric tons of coal from the United States in 2027 and again in 2028.
The two sides also agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and that no country or institution can be allowed to impose tolls on international waterways.
Goods for tariff relief:
$30 billion in each direction
US coal imports by China:
At least 10 million metric tons in 2027 and 2028
Next SI Dialogue exchange:
By November 2026
Why it matters for exams: Relations between the world's two largest economies shape global trade, technology governance and energy markets.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Board of Trade U.S.-China Board of Trade — A government-to-government body of the two countries for handling trade issues.
Fact sheet — A short official summary of decisions, issued here by the White House.
State visit — The highest level of official visit by a head of state, hosted by another head of state.
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.
25 September 2026
Bank Indonesia (BI) and Banco Central de Timor-Leste (BCTL) signed a memorandum of understanding in Jakarta on 25 September 2026.
The MoU covers cooperation in payment systems and digital financial innovation, including information exchange.
BI Governor Destry Damayanti and BCTL Governor Hélder Lopes signed it.
The signing took place at the Indonesia Digital Economy and Finance Festival, held with the Indonesia Fintech Summit and Expo 2026.
The MoU lays the groundwork for payment connectivity between the two countries, including exploring cross-border use of QRIS.
Signatories:
Destry Damayanti (BI) and Hélder Lopes (BCTL)
Place:
Jakarta
Payment link explored:
QRIS cross-border
Why it matters for exams: Cross-border QR payment links between central banks, like India's UPI links, are a recurring banking-awareness topic.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
QRIS Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard — Indonesia's national standard for QR-code payments, run under Bank Indonesia.
25 September 2026
Indian Railways has approved a new tri-weekly Amrit Bharat Express between Bhuj in Gujarat and Barauni in Bihar.
The service will cover 2,532 km, connecting Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Train No. 19427 Bhuj-Barauni Amrit Bharat Express will take 58 hours and 35 minutes; the return Train No. 19428 will take 61 hours and 20 minutes.
The Bhuj-Barauni service will run on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and the Barauni-Bhuj service on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Stops in Bihar include Siwan, Chhapra, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur and Samastipur.
The Ministry of Railways announced the service on 25 September 2026.
Distance:
2,532 km
Train numbers:
19427 / 19428
Bhuj to Barauni journey time:
58 hours and 35 minutes
Frequency:
Tri-weekly
Why it matters for exams: New long-distance trains, their termini and the states they link are regular general-knowledge questions on railways and connectivity.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Amrit Bharat Express Amrit Bharat Express — A category of Indian Railways long-distance trains.
25 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of India released the September 2026 issue of its monthly Bulletin on 25 September 2026. Its 'State of the Economy' article says the Indian economy grew 7.8 per cent in Q1:2026-27. Headline inflation inched up to 4.8 per cent in August, driven by food and beverages along with fuel and core components. It notes that foreign exchange reserves reached an all time high. A second article, 'Credit-Deposit Divergence: A Balance Sheet Decomposition', notes the credit-deposit ratio has risen above 80 per cent since FY2023. The Bulletin carries seven speeches and three articles.
GDP growth, Q1:2026-27:
7.8 per cent
Headline inflation, August 2026:
4.8 per cent
Credit-deposit ratio:
above 80 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Quarterly GDP growth, CPI inflation and the credit-deposit ratio are frequently asked economy data points.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CD ratio Credit-Deposit ratio — The share of a bank's deposits that it has lent out as credit.
25 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of India, in consultation with the Government of India, fixed the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit for the second half of 2026-27 at ₹50,000 crore. The limit covers October 2026 to March 2027 and was announced on 25 September 2026. The RBI may trigger fresh floatation of market loans when the Government uses 75 per cent of the WMA limit. Interest on WMA is charged at the repo rate, and on overdraft at two per cent above the repo rate. The same day the RBI also released the issuance calendar for Government dated securities, including Sovereign Green Bonds, for October 2026 to March 2027.
WMA limit, H2 2026-27:
₹50,000 crore
Trigger for fresh market loans:
75 per cent
Overdraft interest:
Two percent above the Repo Rate
Why it matters for exams: Ways and Means Advances, overdraft rules and the RBI's role as banker to the Government are core banking-awareness topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
WMA Ways and Means Advances — Temporary loans from the RBI to the Government to cover short gaps between receipts and payments.
Overdraft Overdraft — Borrowing by the Government beyond its WMA limit, charged at a higher rate.
SGrB Sovereign Green Bond — Government bonds whose proceeds fund green projects.
25 September 2026
The Kerala government issued an order extending the special treasury deposit mobilisation scheme for 2026-27. The scheme will now remain open until 7 October. The incentive interest rate offered under the scheme will not change. The decision was announced in a release of the Information and Public Relations Department.
Scheme year:
2026-27
Extended until:
7 October
Incentive interest rate:
Unchanged
Release number:
PNX 3982/2026
Why it matters for exams: State treasury and resource-mobilisation measures feature in Kerala economy questions.
Kerala PSC
25 September 2026
Six nurses from the seventh batch of NORKA Triple Win Kerala received employment contracts. The programme recruits nurses from Kerala for Germany. Two of them are posted to Charité University Hospital and the other four to LA Regio Klinik in Landshut. After completing procedures they can reach Germany in October–November. The contracts were handed over at the Norka Centre, Thycaud, in the presence of General Manager Prakash P. Joseph. NORKA Triple Win Kerala is run jointly by NORKA Roots, the German Federal Employment Agency and the German Agency for International Cooperation.
Batch:
7th
Contracts handed over:
6
Hospitals:
Charité University Hospital; LA Regio Klinik, Landshut
Expected arrival in Germany:
October–November
Why it matters for exams: NORKA programmes and Kerala's overseas migration links are frequent Kerala PSC questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
NORKA Roots Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Roots — The Kerala government's field agency for the welfare and recruitment of non-resident Keralites.
25 September 2026
On 25 September 2026, Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi attended the Fiftieth Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 in New York.
The meeting was chaired by Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin under the theme "The Global South and the Future of Multilateralism".
It adopted the 2026 Ministerial Declaration and endorsed Rwanda as Chair of the Group for 2027.
Thailand voiced support for UN reform under the UN80 Initiative and cited its hosting of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings.
A Chiang Mai University project was approved for funding under the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation (PGTF), as reported when Thailand followed up on the Fund's Committee of Experts report at the G77 senior officials' meeting on 23 September.
Meeting:
Fiftieth Annual Meeting of G77 Foreign Ministers
2026 meeting chair:
Mario Lubetkin (Uruguay)
Chair for 2027:
Rwanda
Why it matters for exams: The G77, its rotating chair and South-South cooperation are recurring topics in international organisations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
G77 Group of 77 — The largest coalition of developing countries at the United Nations.
PGTF Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation — A G77 fund that finances South-South cooperation projects.
UN80 Initiative UN80 Initiative — The UN Secretary-General's reform agenda launched around the UN's 80th anniversary.
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
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
This item follows the Government of Kerala's sustainable tourism note, last updated on 25 September 2026, which sets out budget and hundred-day-plan announcements. In the first phase, Green Marshals are to be deployed at Fort Kochi, Munnar, Kovalam and Alappuzha for cleanliness, environmental protection and visitor safety. Brand Wayanad is to be launched to develop the district as a sustainable hill-station destination, along with a 'Why Not Wayanad?' campaign. The Muziris Global Heritage Tourism Project is to be expanded with live and heritage museums and boat tours on traditional waterways, and the reconstruction of the damaged roof of the Mala Synagogue is to be completed. Among the budget announcements, Rs 325.36 crore is to be earmarked for the tourism sector and tourism is to be declared an industry.
Tourism allocation:
₹325.36 crore
Green Marshal sites:
Fort Kochi, Munnar, Kovalam, Alappuzha
Why it matters for exams: Budget allocations, Muziris and heritage tourism projects are staple Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Muziris Ancient port near Kodungallur — An ancient spice-trade port on the Malabar coast, now the focus of a heritage tourism project.
25 September 2026
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the 'Sambandh' statewide membership drive for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and LAMPCS at OUAT Krushi Shiksha Sadan, Bhubaneswar, on 25 September 2026. Online core banking using the National PACS Software was launched across 300 PACS, and 66 appointments were issued. The state cited a Minimum Support Price of ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy. The release states that Odisha has become the first state in the country to formulate its own Cooperative Policy 2026; the drive follows the Centre's 'Sahakar Se Samruddhi' vision.
Paddy MSP cited:
₹3,100 per quintal
PACS on online core banking:
300
Appointments issued:
66
Why it matters for exams: Cooperative policy, PACS digitisation and MSP figures are frequent in state and rural-economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
25 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of India released its monthly Bulletin for September 2026, carrying seven speeches and three articles. Its 'State of the Economy' section noted that the Indian economy recorded growth of 7.8 per cent in Q1 (April-June) of 2026-27 amid global turbulence. Headline inflation edged up to 4.8 per cent in August, driven mainly by food and beverages. The Bulletin also examined a credit-deposit divergence, noting the credit-deposit ratio stayed above 80 per cent, and projected private corporate capital expenditure of about ₹3.2 lakh crore for 2026-27, pointing to sustained momentum in private investment.
Q1 FY 2026-27 GDP growth:
7.8%
August 2026 inflation:
4.8%
Projected private capex 2026-27:
₹3.2 lakh crore
Why it matters for exams: RBI Bulletin data on GDP growth, inflation and investment trends are frequently tested figures in economy sections of competitive exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
24 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, on the sidelines of UNGA81, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met Algeria's Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.
They discussed trade, investment and energy cooperation, including Thailand's energy investment in Algeria.
The same day he met Uganda's Foreign Minister Adonia Ayebare.
He welcomed the end of the Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda.
In both meetings he underscored the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI) for expanding Thailand's cooperation with African countries.
Algerian FM:
Ahmed Attaf
Ugandan FM:
Adonia Ayebare
Initiative:
Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI)
Why it matters for exams: Asian countries' Africa outreach and recent disease outbreaks such as Ebola appear in international-relations and health questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TAI Thailand-Africa Initiative — Thailand's policy framework for expanding cooperation with African countries.
24 September 2026
The Controller, Legal Metrology, Goa, notified the offices where vehicle tanks must be calibrated.
In North Goa District, tanks registered with the Transport Authorities of Pernem, Bardez, Bicholim and Tiswadi taluka will be calibrated at the Office of the Inspector, Legal Metrology, Mapusa – I, Dattawadi, Mapusa.
For South Goa and Kushavati Districts, tanks registered in talukas including Ponda, Salcete, Quepem and Canacona will be calibrated at the Office of the Inspector, Legal Metrology, Margao – I, opposite Railway Station, Margao.
The notice names Kushavati as a district alongside North Goa and South Goa.
North Goa centre:
Mapusa – I, Dattawadi, Mapusa
South Goa and Kushavati centre:
Margao – I, opposite Railway Station
Why it matters for exams: Goa's districts (North Goa, South Goa and the new Kushavati) and the role of legal metrology in weights and measures are useful state-focus facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Legal Metrology — The government function that enforces standard weights and measures in trade.
Calibration — Checking and certifying that a tank or instrument measures volume correctly.