Introduction
The last week of September 2026 (26 September – 30 September) delivered a packed set of developments that every SSC, Banking, RRB, WBCS and UPSC aspirant must know. From India's archery gold sweep at the Asian Games to a key appointment at CBSE and an upgraded GDP forecast from the OECD, here are the top stories of the week — organised category-wise with the exam-relevant facts you will actually be tested on.
National News
India's 51st Doppler Weather Radar inaugurated at Sambalpur, Odisha
Union Minister Jitendra Singh virtually inaugurated India's 51st state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Sambalpur, Odisha, on 26 September 2026, in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The new radar strengthens the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) nowcasting network, giving western Odisha far better advance warning of thunderstorms, cyclones and heavy rainfall — a critical upgrade for a region repeatedly battered by extreme weather.
Foundation stone for India's first port-based e-methanol facility at Kandla
On 26 September 2026, the foundation stone was laid for India's first port-based e-methanol production facility at Deendayal Port, Kandla, Gujarat. E-methanol — produced using green hydrogen — is a clean fuel the world is eyeing for shipping and heavy transport, and the facility places India among the early movers in green maritime fuels. For exams, remember: location (Deendayal Port, Kandla), and that it is India's first port-based e-methanol plant.
Pashudhan Bima Portal launched for digital livestock insurance
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Panchayati Raj) launched the Livestock Insurance Portal, "Pashudhan Bima Portal", in New Delhi on 30 September 2026. Developed under the National Livestock Mission, it is a unified digital platform for farmers, insurers and implementing agencies, offering technology-driven, transparent livestock insurance. Key facts for exams: it is available in 11 regional languages plus Hindi and English, and it enables digital application submission, real-time monitoring and faster claims processing.
Ministry of Steel to set up Steel Industry Safety Council
The Ministry of Steel announced the creation of the Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC), an apex body to strengthen safety standards and accident prevention across India's steel sector. It will be chaired by Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik, with members drawn from the DGMS, PESO, NDMA, steel company CEOs and technical institutions. A Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) will provide technical support, conduct audits and investigate incidents.
Next phase of UDAN: 21 States and UTs sign MoUs
Twenty-one States and Union Territories signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi for the next phase of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) regional connectivity scheme. The regional air connectivity scheme continues to be one of the government's flagship aviation programmes.
Appointments
Mandeep K. Bhandari appointed CBSE Chairperson
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Mandeep K. Bhandari as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with the decision notified by the Department of Personnel and Training on 25 September 2026. Bhandari is a 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories). He was earlier Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and has also served as CEO of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Additional CEO of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and Joint Secretary (Drugs) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, where he handled central health administration during the COVID-19 period. Notably, he holds an MBBS degree. He replaces Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, who held additional charge after former Chairperson Rahul Singh was transferred in June 2026.
Dinesh Pant and Girija Subramanian appointed to IRDAI Board
The ACC also appointed senior insurance leaders Dinesh Pant, former Managing Director of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and Girija Subramanian, former CMD of the Agriculture Insurance Company of India, as Whole-Time Members of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for a three-year tenure.
Economy and Banking
OECD raises India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1%
In its Economic Outlook, Interim Report for September 2026, titled "Weathering Successive Shocks", the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) raised India's FY27 growth forecast by 80 basis points to 7.1%, up from 6.3% projected in June. The upgrade was credited to resilient domestic demand and government policies that shielded households and firms from higher energy prices. The OECD expects growth to moderate to 6.5% in FY28, with inflation averaging 4.7% in FY27 and easing to 4.2% in FY28. For global context: the OECD projects global growth of 2.9% in calendar 2026 and 3.0% in 2027. Earlier in September, Moody's had also raised its FY27 forecast for India to 7%.
India's net FDI hits a five-year high
India's net foreign direct investment reached a five-year high, underlining renewed global investor confidence in the Indian economy — a data point frequently asked in banking and RBI-grade exams.
SEBI clears overhaul of portfolio management and settlement rules
SEBI's board approved a sweeping overhaul of portfolio management and settlement rules, a significant regulatory development for India's capital markets that aspirants for SEBI, banking and finance exams should note.
HAL signs Rs 2,491 crore helicopter leasing programme
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a Rs 2,491 crore programme covering 30 helicopters on a leasing model — a major defence-commercial development.
India–New Zealand FTA to come into force on 20 October 2026
The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will come into force on 20 October 2026, granting 100% duty-free access for Indian exports — a landmark trade development for exam aspirants tracking India's bilateral FTAs.
Awards and Honours
Shantanu Moitra to receive National Lata Mangeshkar Award 2026
Music composer Shantanu Moitra will receive the Madhya Pradesh Government's National Lata Mangeshkar Award 2026 for his contribution to music direction. The award, instituted by the MP government in memory of the legendary singer, honours outstanding contributions to Indian music.
Bodhana Sivanandan becomes youngest Woman Grandmaster at 11
Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest Woman Grandmaster in chess history — a record-breaking feat that blends sports and honours, and is tailor-made for one-liner questions in competitive exams.
Sports
Asian Games 2026: India sweeps all three compound archery golds
At the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, India completed a clean sweep of the compound archery team titles on 30 September 2026. The women's team of Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep and Jyothi Surekha Vennam defeated China 238-234 in the final, defending their title from the previous edition. The men's team of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru edged China 238-237 in a dramatic comeback. Earlier, the mixed team of Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav had beaten South Korea in a tense shoot-off — a victory that also secured an Olympic quota place for the 2028 Games. India's medal tally stood at 53 (7 gold, 21 silver, 25 bronze).
Neeru Dhanda: first Indian woman to win individual Asian Games gold in trap
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda clinched gold in the women's individual trap at the Asian Games on 29 September 2026, becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in the event.
Vithya Ramraj breaks P.T. Usha's 1984 national record
Athlete Vithya Ramraj won bronze in the women's 400m hurdles at the Asian Games with a time of 54.75 seconds — breaking P.T. Usha's 55.42-second national record set in 1984. A record that stood for 42 years finally fell, making this a landmark moment for Indian athletics.
Chess Olympiad: India men win silver, women win bronze
India won medals in both sections at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand on 27 September 2026. The men's team — featuring world champion D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin — clinched silver in the open section, while the women's team took bronze. India became the only country to finish on the podium in both the open and women's sections. India had entered both sections as defending champions, having won a historic double gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
Shree Charani sets world record in ICC women's T20I bowling rankings
Star spinner Shree Charani achieved a career-best 817 rating points in the ICC Women's T20I Bowling Rankings announced on 29 September 2026 — the highest rating points ever achieved in women's T20I bowling, breaking the previous record of 806 set by Australia's Megan Schutt in November 2018. The 22-year-old left-arm spinner was India's go-to bowler in the triumphant run to an eighth Women's Asia Cup title, taking 12 wickets including 4/20 in the final against Sri Lanka.
Defence and International
9th India–Kazakhstan exercise KAZIND begins in Oskemen
The 9th edition of the India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND began in Oskemen, Kazakhstan — part of the continuing series of bilateral defence engagements between the two countries.
India to host Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2027 in Goa
The Asian Pencak Silat Federation awarded India the hosting rights for the 4th Junior and 11th Senior Asian Pencak Silat Championship, scheduled to be held in Goa in 2027 — another sign of India's growing role as a host of major Asian sporting events.
FAQs
Who is the new CBSE Chairperson appointed in September 2026?
Mandeep K. Bhandari, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre (and an MBBS holder), was appointed Chairperson of the CBSE by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on 25 September 2026, replacing Lokhande Prashant Sitaram who held additional charge.
What is the OECD's latest GDP growth forecast for India?
In its September 2026 Interim Economic Outlook ("Weathering Successive Shocks"), the OECD raised India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1% (from 6.3% in June), citing resilient domestic demand.
Who became the youngest Woman Grandmaster in chess history?
Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest Woman Grandmaster in chess history, setting the record in the last week of September 2026.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held, and how is India performing?
The 20th Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. As of 30 September 2026, India's medal tally stood at 53 (7 gold, 21 silver, 25 bronze), including a clean sweep of all three compound archery team golds.
Conclusion
The last week of September 2026 was rich in exam-relevant current affairs — from institutional appointments (CBSE, IRDAI) and economic upgrades (OECD's 7.1% forecast, record FDI) to a golden week for Indian sport at the Asian Games and the Chess Olympiad. Make one-liners out of the names, numbers and places in bold above, and revise them weekly. For daily current affairs updates, job alerts and free study material, keep following Job Ready Portal.
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