27 September 2026
The United States and China agreed to reduce tariffs on $30 billion of goods and to launch a dialogue on artificial intelligence, following President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington. A White House statement said the two countries reached consensus on recommendations for more favourable tariff treatment for $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction. The reductions cover US exports such as agricultural goods, wood and cosmetics, and US imports including small appliances, toys and decorations. The three-day summit between Xi and President Donald Trump ended on Friday. The two sides also agreed to set up a trade council and to extend the outcomes of earlier talks held in Kuala Lumpur. On artificial intelligence they agreed to hold a dialogue on the technology's risks and benefits, with the next round set for November, and to set up a communication channel for AI-related incidents. Both sides agreed to support each other in hosting the APEC leaders' meeting and the G20 summit.
Value of goods covered:
$30 billion in each direction
Next AI dialogue round:
November
New mechanism agreed:
A trade council
Summits both sides will support:
APEC leaders' meeting and the G20 summit
Why it matters for exams: US-China trade and technology understandings shape world trade questions and the G20 and APEC calendar.
UPSCSSCBank
27 September 2026
The Ministry of Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the National Digital Tourism Stack and the National Mission for Alternative Destinations — Dekho Apna Desh Campaign 2.0.
The Ministry also exchanged five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industry partners for joint tourism promotion and marketing.
Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, delivered the welcome address.
Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam AI, delivered the keynote address on this year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.
The Union Minister said the next phase of India’s tourism journey must ensure that growth reaches beyond popular destinations, creating opportunities for local communities, entrepreneurs, women and youth.
World Tourism Day 2026:
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):
five
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture:
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Secretary, Ministry of Tourism:
Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar
Why it matters for exams: New national tourism missions, portals and the World Tourism Day theme are standard scheme-and-theme questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
27 September 2026
Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the World Congress on Nanomedicine 2026 in New Delhi on 27 September 2026.
The congress is organised by the International Society of Nano Medical Sciences and the International Society for NanoMedicine.
The Department of Biotechnology is supporting 210 research and development projects in nanomedicine with financial backing of 174 crore rupees.
Dr Singh said nanomedicine is one of the most transformative developments in medical practice, with the potential to advance personalised healthcare at the cellular level.
The congress brings together scientists, researchers, students and industry representatives to exchange knowledge and build collaborations.
R&D projects supported:
210
Financial backing:
174 crore rupees
Venue:
New Delhi
Why it matters for exams: Science and technology questions pair the hosting of an international congress with the government department and outlay funding the research.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the country's first LNG-powered train at Sabarmati station on 27 September 2026.
Railway development projects worth over 1,500 crore rupees were taken up at the same event.
The WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed and automatic signalling systems were inaugurated, and the foundation was laid for the indigenous Kavach safety system.
Annual diesel consumption by the railways has come down from 293 crore litres to 108 crore litres.
Railway electrification has risen from 75 kilometres a year in 2010-11 to about 7,188 kilometres a year, and 99.6 per cent of the network has been electrified.
Value of railway projects:
over 1,500 crore rupees
Annual diesel use:
down from 293 crore litres to 108 crore litres
Network electrified:
99.6 per cent
Why it matters for exams: A first-of-its-kind traction technology, the Kavach safety system and railway electrification figures are all frequently asked facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
26 September 2026
Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the defining themes on Day 5 of the UN General Assembly's high-level debate on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan described AI as "the most urgent frontier" and said "Human beings must remain in control and accountable." Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Haji Hasan said the Global South "cannot simply become a destination for data centres" while decisions on AI are made elsewhere. Moldova's Prime Minister Vasile Tofan warned that technology is moving faster than regulation almost everywhere. Zambia's Foreign Minister Mulambo Hamakuni Haimbe said that by 2050 one in every four young people worldwide will be African.
Debate day:
Day 5
Africa's share of world youth by 2050:
one in every four
Why it matters for exams: Global AI governance and the digital divide are rising UPSC themes in science and international relations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
26 September 2026
The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice opened in Abu Dhabi on 26 September 2026. Countries adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration by acclamation at the opening. The Declaration addresses cybercrime, fraud and emerging trends described as "crime as a service" and "violence as a service". It commits countries to digitalize justice systems and use artificial intelligence with safeguards such as human oversight, transparency, due process and data protection. Hosted by the United Arab Emirates, the Congress runs through 1 October under the theme Protecting People and Planet in the Digital Age. UNODC, headed by Executive Director Monica Juma, is the Congress secretariat; the previous Congress was held in Kyoto, Japan.
Edition:
15th
Host:
United Arab Emirates
Countries represented:
119
Participants:
over 5,100
Why it matters for exams: UN Crime Congresses, their declarations and UNODC are asked under international organisations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime — The Vienna-based UN office dealing with drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism prevention.
26 September 2026
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the 7th edition of 'IITMAA Sangam', the annual conference of the IIT Madras Alumni Association, in Bengaluru on 26 September 2026. She launched the 'IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund-I', an Alternative Investment Fund jointly initiated by Unicorn India Ventures and IIT Madras / IITM Research Park. She said that under the Public Sector Enterprises (PSE) policy, all fields other than 8 strategic sectors, space and nuclear among them, have been opened to private participation. She said India has the potential to achieve 10%+ GDP growth. Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said IIT Madras has 560 startups with a collective valuation of ₹80,000 crore. Sitharaman also released the book "Cashless Nation: How UPI Changed Everything".
Fund launched:
IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund-I
Strategic sectors kept out of full opening:
8
IIT Madras startups:
560
Why it matters for exams: Alternative Investment Funds, the PSE policy on strategic sectors and startup funding are economy topics in UPSC and PSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AIF Alternative Investment Fund — A privately pooled investment fund registered with SEBI that invests in assets such as startups and private equity.
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
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that Delhi will begin enforcing rules against vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate from 1 October 2026.
The announcement was made while inaugurating an Automated Testing Station at Burari.
The Burari station can test 40,000 heavy motor vehicles and 60,000 light motor vehicles a year.
Another Automated Testing Station at Tehkhand, inaugurated on 3 September, has a capacity of about 72,000 vehicles a year.
Cameras are to be installed at all PUC centres that issue certificates, and the monitoring of these centres is to be strengthened through technology.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh was present at the inauguration.
Drive begins:
1 October
Burari station capacity:
40,000 heavy and 60,000 light motor vehicles a year
Tehkhand station capacity:
about 72,000 vehicles a year
Why it matters for exams: Automated testing stations and the PUC regime are concrete examples of technology used in emission control, often asked with figures.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ATS Automated Testing Station — A testing centre where a vehicle's fitness is checked by machines with little manual involvement.
26 September 2026
Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled five new popular science magazines in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and Assamese. They are published by CSIR-NIScPR, the CSIR National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research. The launch took place on the 85th Foundation Day of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Ministry said the aim is to make credible and engaging scientific knowledge accessible to readers in their own languages and to highlight regional scientific achievements.
Magazines launched:
Five
Languages:
Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese
Publisher:
CSIR-NIScPR
Occasion:
85th Foundation Day of CSIR
Why it matters for exams: CSIR, its institutes and science-communication initiatives are common science-and-technology institutions questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
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
UN Women launched a Digital, Innovation and AI Hub on Friday, 25 September 2026, during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The hub brings together researchers, governments, technology companies and women's rights organizations to shape artificial intelligence in ways that benefit women and girls.
According to UN Women, men hold nearly eight in 10 AI jobs and almost nine in 10 senior leadership positions in the technology.
A UN Women analysis of 133 AI systems found that 44 per cent showed gender bias.
The hub will support Member States in developing gender-responsible digital and AI policies.
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said AI can deepen gender inequality or help overcome it.
AI systems analysed:
133
Share showing gender bias:
44 per cent
AI jobs held by men:
nearly eight in 10
Why it matters for exams: Combines UN Women's mandate with AI governance and gender-bias data, a recurring theme in governance and science-technology papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
UN Women United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — UN body for gender equality, set up in 2010.
25 September 2026
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 25 September 2026.
The event, organised by the National Health Authority (NHA), marked eight years of AB PM-JAY and five years of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Under ABDM, Bihar, Ladakh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli were recognised as top-performing States/UTs across model districts based on district population categories.
The minister said more than 97.8 crore ABHAs have been created, with over 121 crore health records linked.
AB PM-JAY covers more than 60 crore beneficiaries and has facilitated over 13 crore hospital admissions.
Recognised under ABDM (model districts):
Bihar, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli
ABHAs created:
more than 97.8 crore
Health records linked:
over 121 crore
AB PM-JAY beneficiaries:
more than 60 crore
Why it matters for exams: State rankings and awards under flagship health schemes such as ABDM and AB PM-JAY are common in state and national exams.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ABDM Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission — National mission to build digital health infrastructure.
ABHA Ayushman Bharat Health Account — A unique digital health ID for citizens.
AB PM-JAY Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana — Health assurance scheme for hospital treatment.
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
WHO announced on 25 September 2026 that it is expanding its prequalification programme beyond in vitro diagnostics to cover more medical devices.
The categories added are male and female condoms, intrauterine devices, computer-aided detection (CAD) software for tuberculosis screening, and male circumcision devices.
Responsibility for prequalifying condoms and intrauterine devices moves from the UN Population Fund to WHO.
An estimated 70 per cent of countries report inadequate or weak regulatory systems for medicines and vaccines, with even greater gaps for other health products.
CAD software uses digital chest X-rays and artificial intelligence to flag possible tuberculosis cases for confirmatory testing.
WHO says voluntary medical male circumcision can reduce a man's risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual exposure by about 60 per cent.
WHO Chief Scientist Sylvie Briand said everyone everywhere should be able to rely on medical devices that are safe, effective and meet high standards of quality.
New categories:
condoms, IUDs, TB CAD software, male circumcision devices
Countries with weak regulation:
about 70 per cent
Why it matters for exams: WHO prequalification is a recurring question on how global health products reach countries with weak regulators.
Kerala PSCUPSC
25 September 2026
On 25 September 2026 WHO announced its recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines for the 2027 southern hemisphere season.
The advice came from a consultation of WHO Collaborating Centres and Essential Regulatory Laboratories that is held twice a year, using surveillance data from February to August 2026.
Egg-based vaccines should contain an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, an A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus and a B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Cell culture, recombinant protein or nucleic acid based vaccines should contain an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, an A/Darwin/1415/2025 (H3N2)-like virus and a B/Pennsylvania/14/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Influenza A viruses dominated in most regions, while influenza B dominated in Northern and Western Africa, North America and Eastern Asia.
WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System has been running for nearly 75 years.
Season covered:
2027 southern hemisphere
Surveillance period used:
February to August 2026
GISRS age:
nearly 75 years
Why it matters for exams: The twice-yearly WHO vaccine composition consultation and GISRS are standard public-health questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
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
25 September 2026
Home and Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala launched 'VACB Suite 3.0', an integrated digital platform developed in-house by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, at the auditorium of the Police Training College, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram.
The platform allows the progress of investigation in cases and related information to be checked in real time, avoids delay in files, gives investigating officers quick access to precise guidelines and ensures data security.
The Minister said the vigilance manual had been comprehensively revised after thirty years and that the reforms in the department are based on it, and that a system which would have cost more than about one crore rupees was developed by the Bureau's own technically qualified officers.
Under 'Project Zero', 38 cases were registered in the last 114 days and investigation was started against 115 officers, while 12 persons who took bribes were caught in trap operations.
The 'Operation Parppidam' inspection found financial irregularities of 45 lakh rupees and the ration godown inspection irregularities of 18 lakh rupees.
The Minister also released the VACB Suite 3.0 user manual, gave the Badge of Honour to vigilance officers and distributed the newly designed uniform jacket. State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar presided and Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham welcomed the gathering.
Cases under Project Zero:
38 cases in 114 days
Officers under investigation:
115
Irregularities in Operation Parppidam:
45 lakh rupees
Why it matters for exams: Named state e-governance platforms, the officials who head them and the numbers attached to departmental drives are common Kerala PSC one-mark questions.
Kerala PSCSSC
24 September 2026
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh formally launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA).
The initiative is being taken forward by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) under the BioE3 framework.
A ₹75 crore grant from BIRAC, under the Department of Biotechnology, supports a 100 TPA pilot-scale R&D facility for PLA and co-polymers.
The facility will be set up at BCML's manufacturing complex at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.
The Minister said India's bioeconomy has grown from about US$10 billion in 2014 to nearly US$195 billion.
The venture converts renewable sugar-based feedstock into PLA and bioplastics.
BIRAC grant:
₹75 crore
Pilot capacity:
100 TPA
Bioeconomy:
US$195 billion
Why it matters for exams: BioE3 policy, bioplastics and the bioeconomy figures are frequent science and environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PLA Polylactic Acid — A bio-based, biodegradable plastic made from renewable feedstock such as sugar.
BioE3 Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment — The Government's policy framework to grow biomanufacturing.
BIRAC Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council — A public-sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology that funds biotech innovation.
24 September 2026
Tanzania's Minister of Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, called on African countries and partners on 24 September 2026 to adopt sustainable strategies against malaria.
He spoke at a high-level meeting in New York on strengthening local innovation and speeding up the use of new malaria tools.
He said Africa carries most of the malaria burden and should take a bigger role in developing, financing and ensuring access to the tools needed to eliminate the disease, and should build capacity to produce essential health products close to the communities that need them, rather than relying only on imported technology and outside funding.
He cited Tanzania's record: early production of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Arusha, and production at Kibaha of biological larvicides that target mosquito breeding sites.
He also cited a large study in Misungwi, Mwanza Region, that produced evidence on nets with two active ingredients.
Speaker:
Mohamed Mchengerwa, Minister of Health
Venue:
New York
Larvicide production:
Kibaha
Dual-ingredient net study:
Misungwi, Mwanza Region
Why it matters for exams: Malaria elimination, local manufacturing of health products and new net technologies are recurring health and science questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Larvicide Larvicide — A substance that kills mosquito larvae in water before they become adults.
ITN Insecticide-treated net — A mosquito net treated with insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.
Dual-active-ingredient net Net with two active ingredients — A net combining two insecticides, used where mosquitoes resist a single chemical.