NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Hindi Diwas Celebrated on September 14
- Hindi Diwas is observed annually on 14 September to commemorate the Constituent Assembly’s adoption of Hindi in the Devanagari script as the Official Language of the Union on 14 September 1949.
- Constitutional Provision: Article 343 provides that the Official Language of the Union is Hindi in the Devanagari script. The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, providing the constitutional framework for the Union’s official language.
- First Observance: Hindi Diwas was first observed in 1953 and has since been celebrated annually to promote the use and development of Hindi, particularly across central government offices in India and abroad.
- History: Constituent Assembly held extensive discussions on India’s official language while framing the Constitution. The 14 September decision remains the basis for the annual observance and recognition of Hindi’s role in public administration and national life.
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6th All India Official Language Conference
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed inaugural session of Hindi Diwas 2026 and the 6th All India Official Language Conference in Mumbai. The two-day conference was organised by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Objective: The conference highlights the relationship between Hindi and Maharashtra’s rich linguistic, cultural and literary traditions. The Rajbhasha Gaurav and Rajbhasha Kirti Awards 2025–26 were also presented.
- Constitutional Basis: Article 343 recognises Hindi in Devanagari script as the Union’s Official Language, while Article 351 directs the Union to promote and enrich Hindi.
- Key Features: Sessions focused on Vande Mataram, grassroots evaluation of TOLICs/NARAKAS, and a 32-stall multilingual exhibition showcasing publications, AI-based translation tools and linguistic research.
- Initiated in 2021, the annual conference rotates among Indian cities.
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
DILRMP 3.0: Operational Guidelines Launched
- Launch: Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Operational Guidelines for DILRMP 3.0 at a hybrid event in New Delhi.
- Objective: The third phase moves beyond digitisation towards an integrated Digital Public Infrastructure for land administration, making land information accurate, accessible and interoperable while facilitating institutional credit and reducing visits to government offices.
- Outlay & Coverage: The programme has an outlay of ₹565.5 crore for 2026–31, covering all States and UTs through 100% Central funding and performance-linked implementation via PFMS.
- Key Features: It will integrate land records, cadastral maps and property registrations through a GIS-based framework, including 14-digit Bhu-Aadhaar/ULPIN for every parcel, full map georeferencing, system interoperability, legacy-record scanning, a registration repository and computerisation of revenue courts.
- Monitoring: Progress will be tracked through a real-time DILRMP-MIS dashboard.
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Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Department of Consumer Affairs notified the 2026 amendments to strengthen consumer rights, promote fair digital trade and curb deceptive practices while maintaining ease of doing business.
- Effective Date: The rules will come into force from 1 January 2027 under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- Key Provisions: E-commerce entities must participate in the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) convergence process. Platforms cannot manipulate search results; sponsored listings must be identified, and promotional sales must display the lowest price charged in the previous 30 days.
- Dark Patterns & Data: Platforms must follow the 2023 Dark Patterns Guidelines, conduct annual self-audits and display compliance certificates. Consumer data requires express and affirmative consent for specified uses.
- E-Commerce Sector: India’s e-commerce market was valued at about US$125 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$345 billion by 2030. India had around 290–300 million online shoppers in 2025.
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
INS Sudarshini Completes Port Call in Italy During Lokayan 2026
- India–Italy Maritime Cooperation: Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini completed a port call at Livorno, Italy, strengthening maritime cooperation and professional ties between the two navies.
- Key Exchanges: Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Chief of the Italian Navy, visited INS Sudarshini and interacted with trainees. Indian trainees visited ITS Virginio Fasan and the Italian Naval Academy, while Italian personnel visited the Indian vessel.
- Lokayan 2026: The port call is part of a 10-month, 22,000-nautical-mile transoceanic expedition launched from Kochi on 20 January 2026, covering 18 foreign ports across 13 countries.
- Objective: The voyage showcases India’s maritime heritage, strengthens international goodwill and advances the MAHASAGAR vision.
- About MAHASAGAR: Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, announced in March 2025, expands the 2015 SAGAR vision from the IOR to the wider Indo-Pacific and Global South.
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REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
NSO Releases First-Ever District-Level Estimates of Unincorporated Non-Agricultural Sector
- First-Ever Estimates: The National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI released district-level estimates based on ASUSE 2025, offering granular data on establishments, employment, women’s participation and productivity.
- Coverage: Estimates cover 757 of 770 districts, including establishments, workers, ownership, female participation, registration, emoluments and GVA per establishment and worker. Million-plus cities are also covered within their respective districts.
- Key Finding: The sector is geographically concentrated, with the top 10 districts accounting for about one-tenth of establishments, workforce and GVA, while the top 50 contribute nearly one-third.
- Concentration: Only 16 districts have over 5 lakh establishments—eight in West Bengal, three in Maharashtra, two in Gujarat, and one each in Karnataka, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
- ASUSE 2025: It covers unincorporated manufacturing, trade and other services across rural and urban India, covering proprietorships, partnerships, cooperatives, societies, trusts and other ownership forms.
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AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
International Day for South-South Cooperation 2026
- Date & Theme: The International Day for South-South Cooperation is observed on 11 September. The 2026 theme is “Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development”, focusing on inclusive growth, sustainable development, innovation, knowledge-sharing and the SDGs.
- Global Alliance: The 2026 observance marks the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, a voluntary, UN-facilitated platform convened by UNOSSC to connect countries seeking solutions with partners providing expertise, technology and resources.
- Areas of Cooperation: The initiative supports collaboration in renewable energy, digital technology, healthcare, sustainable agriculture, education, disaster management and public services.
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World First Aid Day 2026
- Date & Theme: World First Aid Day is observed annually on the second Saturday of September. In 2026, it falls on 12 September, with the theme “First Aid in Migration Contexts.”
- Establishment: The day was established in 2000 by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to promote awareness and skills in first aid.
- Importance: First aid involves providing immediate, basic care during injuries or medical emergencies before professional help arrives. Prompt intervention can prevent deterioration and, in critical situations, save lives.
- About IFRC: Founded on 5 May 1919 in Paris, France, the IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, coordinating emergency assistance and relief operations through 191 National Societies.
- Global Reach: The IFRC network reaches approximately 160 million people annually, supporting communities affected by disasters, conflicts and health emergencies.
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National Forest Martyrs Day 2026
- National Forest Martyrs Day was observed on 11 September 2026 to honour forest guards, rangers and community members who sacrificed their lives protecting India’s forests, wildlife and biodiversity. The theme was “Remembering Martyrs, Protecting Forests.”
- Instituted: The day was instituted by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2013 and is observed annually on 11 September.
- Historical Significance: The date commemorates the 1730 Khejarli Massacre in Rajasthan, where 363 Bishnoi community members, led by Amrita Devi, were killed while protecting sacred Khejri trees from being felled.
- Significance: The observance recognises courage of personnel who have died combating forest fires, illegal logging, smugglers and poachers, while reinforcing India’s commitment to conserving its natural wealth and biodiversity.
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World EV Day 2026
- World EV Day is observed annually on 9 September to promote electric mobility and accelerate the transition towards cleaner, sustainable transportation. Launched in 2020, it has evolved into a global platform for EV-related discussions.
- India’s EV Market: In August 2026, CNG, hybrid and electric passenger vehicles together accounted for around 42% of sales, slightly exceeding petrol vehicles at about 41%, according to reported FADA data.
- Types of EVs: BEVs run entirely on batteries; HEVs combine engines and electric motors; PHEVs combine engines with rechargeable electric drivetrains; and FCEVs generate electricity through fuel cells, commonly using hydrogen.
- PM E-DRIVE: India’s PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme was approved with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore and supports e-2Ws, e-3Ws, buses, ambulances, trucks, charging infrastructure and vehicle-testing upgrades.
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