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The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris was inaugurated on 6 September 2026 in Bussy-Saint-Georges, eastern Paris, becoming the first traditional Hindu stone temple in France.
The temple follows ancient Vedic architecture and was completed under the guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.
A 13-day Festival of Culture was held from 2–14 September 2026 to mark the inauguration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inauguration ceremony virtually.
The festival featured Jal Yatra, Nagar Yatra, Palkhi Yatra, Vedic Mahayagna, Murti-Pratishtha, and cultural and devotional programmes.
The temple is regarded as a symbol of faith, harmony, service and cultural diversity.
PM Modi described the Mandir as a new milestone in India–France cultural relations, reflecting the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
The Government of India has appointed a new Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three Members to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) on 7 September 2026. The appointments will remain effective up to 31 March 2028, completing the remaining tenure of the present Commission.
Chairperson: Shri Bhagwat Prasad Makwana
Vice-Chairperson: Shri Kaishab Bihari
Members: Shri Manoj Kumar Balmiki, Smt. Sushma Gaudiyal and Shri Ravi Ramu Kalose
The new team brings experience in social welfare, public service, administration and academia.
The appointments aim to strengthen the NCSK’s work for the rights, dignity and socio-economic welfare of Safai Karamcharis and other disadvantaged communities.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment welcomed the appointments and expressed confidence in the new team.
The 18th BRICS Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026 under India’s chairship. Hosted at Bharat Mandapam, the summit will mark the 20th anniversary of BRICS, established in 2006. The theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Key Points for Exams
18th BRICS Summit: 12–13 September 2026
Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Chair:India
Theme:Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
Indian badminton pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won their maiden China Masters 2026 title on 6 September in Shenzhen, defeating China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu 11–21, 21–13, 21–17 in a 70-minute final.
Event: Li-Ning China Masters 2026 — BWF Super 750
Venue: Shenzhen Arena, China
Historic achievement: First Indian men’s doubles pair to win the China Masters.
Career milestone: Their 10th BWF World Tour title and second Super 750 title of 2026, after the Singapore Open.
Comeback: They recovered brilliantly after losing the opening game.
Breakthrough: After finishing runners-up in 2023 and 2025, they finally captured the title on their third final appearance.
World ranking: Currently World No. 5 in men’s doubles.
Significance: The victory provides strong momentum ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, beginning 19 September.
The UN General Assembly on 4 September 2026 supported replacing the traditional Mercator world map with a map that more accurately represents the actual size of continents, particularly Africa.
The “Correct the Map” resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by African Union members, received 164 votes in favour.
The United States voted against the resolution, while six countries abstained.
The resolution is non-binding, but aims to encourage governments and institutions to move away from the traditional Mercator projection.
The Mercator map, created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569, significantly enlarges regions near the poles.
Africa appears much smaller than its actual size on the Mercator map; in reality, Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland.
The Equal Earth projection, developed in 2018, provides a more accurate representation of the relative sizes of continents.
The African Union’s 54 member states adopted the Equal Earth projection in February 2026.
France supported the change and plans to stop using the Mercator map, while the US criticised the UN vote as a distraction from more serious global issues.
Supporters argue that maps influence how people perceive the political, economic and geographical importance of different regions.
Teachers’ Day is celebrated in India every year on 5 September, marking the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India and a renowned philosopher, scholar, and educationist.
When Dr. Radhakrishnan became President in 1962, his students and friends wanted to celebrate his birthday. He suggested instead that 5 September be observed as Teachers’ Day, dedicating the occasion to teachers and their contribution to society.
Key Points
Date: 5 September
Occasion: Birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Dr. Radhakrishnan: Second President of India
First observed: 1962
National Teachers’ Awards: Presented to outstanding teachers for their contribution to education.
Teachers play an important role in developing knowledge, values, curiosity, critical thinking, and character.
Important: India’s Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 5 September, while World Teachers’ Day is observed globally on 5 October under UNESCO.
Krishna Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, is being observed on 4 September 2026 (Friday), with devotees marking the occasion through fasting, prayers and midnight worship.
Birth of Lord Krishna: Krishna was born in Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva and was taken to Gokul, where he was raised by Nanda and Yashoda.
This auspicious festival falls on the Ashtami Tithiof Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (Shravan in some regions).
Significance: His midnight birth symbolizes the victory of good over evil and dharma over adharma.
Bhagavad Gita: Krishna later guided Arjuna on the battlefield of the Mahabharata, delivering the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Major traditions:Jhulan Utsav, bhajans, kirtans, Raslila and Dahi Handi are important parts of Janmashtami celebrations.
Midnight Puja: The Nishita Puja Muhurat is 11:56 PM to 12:42 AM.
Fasting: Many devotees observe a fast until midnight, when Krishna’s birth is ritually celebrated
ISRO successfully launched EOS-05 aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket on September 4, 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s Earth-observation capabilities with its first geo-imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit.
Launch Date: 4 September 2026 at 2:55 AM IST
Launch Vehicle: GSLV-F17
Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
Satellite: EOS-05 — India’s first geo-imaging Earth observation satellite
Payload Mass: Approximately 2,367 kg, the heaviest satellite carried by a GSLV
Orbit: Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, targeting geosynchronous orbit at around 36,000 km
Key Capability: Continuous/frequent high-resolution imaging of large geographical areas
India’s credit rating has been upgraded by Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) from ‘BBB+’ to ‘A-’, reflecting the country’s strong economic fundamentals and improving financial and fiscal position.
Rating upgrade: ‘BBB+’ → ‘A-’
Outlook:Stable
Country ceiling: Upgraded by one notch to ‘A’
Key reasons: Strong economic growth, effective economic policies, improved fiscal quality and a stronger financial system.
Growth drivers: Robust private consumption and public investment.
Economic reforms: Digital Public Infrastructure and Goods and Services Tax (GST) have strengthened India’s economic foundations.
Fiscal improvement: Central Government fiscal deficit declined from 4.7% in FY25 to 4.4% in FY26.
Capital expenditure: Remained high, with greater focus on infrastructure investment.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on 2 September 2026 appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at a meeting held in Ayodhya.
Jeetendra Mishra: Former Indian Air Force officer who headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor. He was selected from three shortlisted candidates after 5,585 applications were scrutinised.
New General Secretary:Govind Dev Giri, the trust’s former treasurer.
New Treasurer:Mahesh Bhagchandka.
New Trustees:Madan Mohan Pandey of Ayodhya, Mahesh Bhagchandka of Delhi and Dr Nirmala Yadav of Shikohabad.
Mishra, who hails from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, received several military decorations, including the Yudh Seva Medal.
Madan Mohan Pandey is an advocate who represented Ram Lalla Virajman in the Ram Janmabhoomi case.
The trust may appoint a Joint CEO or Deputy CEO if required and will prepare an SOP defining the CEO’s duties and responsibilities.
India’s Gross GST revenue in August 2026 reached ₹1.99 lakh crore, registering a 14.8% year-on-year growth over August 2025. The strong collection reflects robust domestic consumption, improved tax compliance, and continued growth in manufacturing and services.
📊 Key Facts
GST Collection: ₹1.99 lakh crore
YoY Growth:14.8%
CGST: ~₹35,000 crore
SGST: ~₹44,000 crore
IGST: ~₹95,000 crore
Cess: ~₹25,000 crore
GST introduced:1 July 2017
Tagline/Concept:“One Nation, One Tax”
About GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Introduced: 1 July 2017
Nature: Indirect tax replacing multiple levies like excise duty, service tax, VAT.
Structure:
CGST: Collected by the Centre on intra-state sales.
SGST: Collected by States on intra-state sales.
IGST: Collected by Centre on inter-state sales and imports.
Objective:“One Nation, One Tax” – to simplify taxation, remove cascading effect, and create a unified national market.
The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the SCO. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration.
🔑 Key Points
Theme:“25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity”
Members: 10 countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Belarus.
Counter-terrorism: Members called for action against terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and terrorist safe havens. PM Modi stressed that terrorism cannot be a strategic asset for anyone.
Cybersecurity: Adopted the 2026–2028 International Information Security Cooperation Plan.
Anti-narcotics: Cooperation programmes against drug addiction and synthetic drugs up to 2030; an SCO Anti-Narcotics Centre was also proposed/established.
Green technology: Roadmap for a Green Technology Corridor (2026–2030).
Biodiversity: Cooperation initiative for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management during 2026–2031.
Connectivity: Action Plan for developing transport and logistics centres (2026–2030).
West Asia & Iran: The declaration addressed the conflict in West Asia, including the situation involving Iran and Palestine, and opposition to unilateral sanctions.
India’s focus: India highlighted counter-terrorism, stronger connectivity with Central Asia and greater institutional cooperation within the SCO.
India’s real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 (April–June) of FY 2026–27, while real GVA increased 8.2%, reflecting strong economic activity despite global uncertainties, oil price shocks and supply-chain disruptions.
Key Points
Real GDP growth: 7.8% in Q1 FY27
Real GVA growth: 8.2%
Real GDP: ₹81.36 lakh crore
Nominal GDP: ₹88.27 lakh crore, up 10.3%
Manufacturing: Major driver of growth
Capital goods output: +15.2%
Electrical equipment manufacturing: +27%
Computer, electronic & optical products: +12.4%
Exports of goods and services:+25.8%
Imports:+30.5%
Transport goods exports:+52.2%
Machinery and equipment exports:+31.9%
Commercial vehicle sales:+18.3%
Three-wheeler sales:+29.7%
The estimates use the new national accounts series with 2022–23 as the base year, introduced by MoSPI in February 2026.
Next GDP estimates (Q2 FY27): Scheduled for 30 November 2026.
Apple has undergone a major leadership transition. John Ternus became Apple’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective September 1, 2026, while Tim Cook became the company’s Executive Chairman. Apple had announced the leadership transition in April 2026.
Before becoming CEO, John Ternus served as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, leading hardware engineering for products including the iPhone, iPad, Mac and AirPods.
Apple Inc. is a leading American technology company best known for products such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. Its major software platforms include iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS and tvOS, along with services such as the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple introduced the Macintosh in 1984, marking a major milestone in personal computing.
Q. NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy on 30 August 2026 to study dark energy, dark matter and exoplanets, is named after whom? 30 अगस्त 2026 को SpaceX Falcon Heavy के माध्यम से प्रक्षेपित NASA के Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope का नाम किसके नाम पर रखा गया है, जो डार्क एनर्जी, डार्क मैटर और एक्सोप्लैनेट्स का अध्ययन करेगा?
A) NASA’s first chief astronomer, known as the “Mother of Hubble” / NASA की पहली Chief Astronomer, जिन्हें “Mother of Hubble” के नाम से जाना जाता है B) NASA’s first woman astronaut / NASA की पहली महिला अंतरिक्ष यात्री C) The first woman to walk on the Moon / चंद्रमा पर चलने वाली पहली महिला D) The scientist who designed the James Webb Space Telescope / James Webb Space Telescope को डिजाइन करने वाली वैज्ञानिक
Answer / उत्तर: A) NASA’s first chief astronomer, known as the “Mother of Hubble” / NASA की पहली Chief Astronomer, जिन्हें “Mother of Hubble” के नाम से जाना जाता है NASA successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on 30 August 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The telescope will study dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets. NASA ने 30 अगस्त 2026 को फ्लोरिडा के Kennedy Space Center से SpaceX Falcon Heavy के माध्यम से Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope का सफल प्रक्षेपण किया। यह टेलीस्कोप डार्क एनर्जी, डार्क मैटर और एक्सोप्लैनेट्स का अध्ययन करेगा।
Q. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, was held in which city? Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026, जो Shanghai Cooperation Organisation की 25वीं वर्षगांठ के अवसर पर आयोजित किया गया, किस शहर में आयोजित हुआ?
A) Tashkent, Uzbekistan / ताशकंद, उज़्बेकिस्तान B) Astana, Kazakhstan / अस्ताना, कज़ाखस्तान C) Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan / बिश्केक, किर्गिस्तान D) Dushanbe, Tajikistan / दुशांबे, ताजिकिस्तान
Answer / उत्तर: C) Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan / बिश्केक, किर्गिस्तान The SCO Summit 2026 was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). SCO Summit 2026 का आयोजन 31 अगस्त से 1 सितंबर 2026 तक बिश्केक, किर्गिस्तान में किया गया। यह सम्मेलन Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) की 25वीं वर्षगांठ के अवसर पर आयोजित हुआ।
The SCO Summit 2026 is being held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The summit brings together leaders of its 10 member states, including India, China, Russia and Iran.
Key Facts
Founded: 2001 in Shanghai, China
Founding members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
India & Pakistan: Joined in 2017
Iran: Became a full member in 2023
Belarus: Joined in 2024
Current members:10 countries
2026 Summit venue:Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Dates:31 August–1 September 2026
2026 theme:“25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity”
Main Agenda
The summit focuses on regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity, trade, energy cooperation, cybercrime, organised crime and cultural exchanges. Connectivity projects such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway are also significant.
Significance for India
The SCO provides India with an important platform to engage simultaneously with China, Russia and Central Asian countries. India also highlights the need for a terrorism-free region and seeks stronger connectivity and economic cooperation through initiatives such as Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
NASA successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on 30 August 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The telescope will study some of the biggest mysteries of the universe, including dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets.
Key Points
Launch Date: 30 August 2026
Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon Heavy
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Destination: Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 2 (L2), about 1 million miles from Earth
Journey: Around 3 months to reach its final orbit
Field of View: About 100 times wider than Hubble
Exoplanets: Expected to help discover around 100,000 new planets
Major Instrument: Coronagraph for directly imaging exoplanets and planet-forming disks
Main Studies: Dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets and the evolution of galaxies
The telescope is named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer, who is often called the “Mother of Hubble” for her important role in establishing NASA’s space-based astronomy programme.
In August 2026, a catastrophic flash flood hit Nepal’s northern river valleys after a glacial collapse near the Tibet border triggered a sudden surge down the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. The disaster swept away major infrastructure and caused widespread loss of life across the region.
Trigger: A massive ice and rock slide detached from a glacier near Langtang Lirung, temporarily damming the Lhende Khola river before bursting and creating a surge up to 9 meters high.
Human Impact: Hundreds of fatalities were confirmed across Nepal and Tibet, with over 2,000 people reported missing, including local residents, guides, and foreign tourists.
Infrastructure Destruction: Over 30 bridges, key mountain highways, and 14 solar and hydropower projects were destroyed or severely damaged, cutting off roughly 10% of Nepal’s power grid capacity.
Economic Disruption: Key cross-border trade hubs, including the Gyirong Port complex, were swept away, severing a major trade route between Nepal and China.
Regional & Relief Response: Surging river waters caused flooding downstream in northern India, triggering evacuations, while search and rescue operations in Nepal faced major delays due to severed communications and destroyed roads.
World Sanskrit Day 2026 (विश्व संस्कृत दिवस) was observed on28 August 2026, coinciding withShravana Purnima. It celebrates the timeless legacy of Sanskrit, India’s classical language, and promotes awareness of its role in literature, philosophy, science, and spirituality.
📌 Key Facts About World Sanskrit Day 2026
Date: 28 August 2026 (Shravana Purnima, full moon of Shravana month).
Other Names: Sanskrit Diwas, Vishva Sanskrit Diwas.
First Observed: 1969, initiated by India’s Ministry of Education.
Purpose: Promote Sanskrit learning, preserve cultural heritage, and highlight its relevance in modern knowledge systems.
🌍 Significance
Cultural Heritage: Sanskrit is the language of the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, and classical sciences like Ayurveda and Yoga Shastras.
Intellectual Legacy: Contributions of scholars like Panini (grammar), Aryabhata (mathematics), and Charaka (medicine) are rooted in Sanskrit texts.
Modern Relevance: Though not widely spoken, Sanskrit continues to influence Indian languages, linguistics, philosophy, and traditional knowledge.
Educational Importance: Schools, colleges, and universities organize shloka recitations, essay contests, debates, seminars, and Vedic chanting to encourage Sanskrit learning.
PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has completed 12 years, transforming financial inclusion in India by providing millions of people, especially women and rural populations, access to banking, digital payments and direct welfare benefits.
Key Points
Launched: 28 August 2014
Completed: 12 years in August 2026
Total PMJDY Accounts:59.09 crore (as of 19 August 2026)
Women Account Holders:32.92 crore (55.7%)
Rural & Semi-Urban Accounts:45.95 crore (77.8%)
Total Deposits:₹3.17 lakh crore
Average Deposit per Account:₹5,356
RuPay Cards Issued:41.29 crore
Key Benefits
Zero-balance basic bank account with no maintenance charges.
Free RuPay debit card with accident insurance cover of up to ₹2 lakh.
Overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000, subject to eligibility.
Access to insurance, pension and other financial services.
The JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) enables direct, transparent and diversion-proof transfer of welfare benefits.
PMJDY accounts have also helped expand access to digital payments, savings, credit and schemes such as MUDRA loans.
Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour. He defeated defending champion Fabiano Caruana 15–13 in the final at St. Louis, USA, on 27 August 2026.
After trailing by six points, Praggnanandhaa staged a remarkable comeback by winning both rapid games and holding his lead in the blitz games. He won the $200,000 first prize and secured a place in the next year’s Grand Chess Tour.
The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) has issued its first compliance certificate for a 15-metre multi-axle sleeper bus under AIS-119 and AIS-153, in accordance with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR).
Recipient: Synaty Automotive Pvt. Ltd.
Bus: 15-metre multi-axle sleeper bus designed for long-distance travel.
Capacity: 42 berths in the fully sleeper version; 21 berths + 42 seats in the hybrid version.
Focus: Structural strength, vehicle and fire safety, emergency provisions, passenger movement and comfort.
The certification demonstrates ICAT’s capability to test and certify advanced passenger vehicle configurations while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
The certificate was formally handed over by Saurabh Dalela, Director, ICAT, to Naresh Kumar Yadav, Managing Director, Synaty Automotive Pvt. Ltd.
National Sports Day 2026 will be observed from 28–30 August as a three-day nationwide campaign themed “Tribute, Play, and Move,” commemorating Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary on 29 August and promoting sports, fitness, and youth participation.
Date: 29 August every year; first observed in 2012.
2026 Campaign:28–30 August 2026.
Themes:Tribute, Play, Move.
Major Event: PM Narendra Modi’s “Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, PM Ke Saath” on 27 August.
Reach: More than 1,500 locations across India.
Focus: Youth participation, grassroots sports, fitness, athlete development, and preparation for the 2036 Olympics.
Participants: Schools, colleges, universities and Fit India-registered institutions.
Key athletes: P.T. Usha, Mary Kom, Mirabai Chanu, Saina Nehwal, Baichung Bhutia and others.
India’s indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’, is set to be delivered to the Indian Army soon. Manufactured at the Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, the rifle is being produced by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) under an India-Russia technology-transfer arrangement.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on 25 August 2026 approved the purchase of 25 lakh tablets for free distribution to eligible youth under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana.
Tablets: 25 lakh
Budget for 2026–27: ₹2,374.60 crore
Scheme duration: 5 years
Beneficiaries: Eligible youth pursuing higher education, diploma, skill development and other training programmes.
Purpose: Provide access to digital education, training, employment and self-employment opportunities.
The scheme aims to technologically empower youth and improve their employability skills.
The decision was taken under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
India and China held the 25th round of Special Representatives (SR) border talks in Beijing on 25 August 2026, with NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi focusing on maintaining stability along the LAC and improving bilateral ties.
Date & Venue: 25 August 2026, Beijing
Participants:Ajit Doval (India) and Wang Yi (China)
Main focus: Boundary question and institutionalising stability along the LAC
Background: Talks follow the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and Ladakh standoff.
Progress: The October 2024 disengagement at Demchok and Depsang helped reduce tensions.
Strategic importance: Talks aim to create a favourable atmosphere for PM Modi–Xi Jinping interaction during the upcoming BRICS Summit.
Xi Jinping’s expected visit: New Delhi for the BRICS Summit on 12–13 September 2026.
UPI (Unified Payments Interface)has completed 10 years on 25 August 2026, transforming India’s digital payments ecosystem and becoming the world’s largest real-time payment system.
Launched: 25 August 2016 by NPCI under RBI oversight.
Transaction growth: From 1.78 crore transactions in 2016–17 to 24,162 crore in 2025–26 — nearly 13,000-fold growth.
Transaction value: Increased from ₹0.07 lakh crore to ₹314 lakh crore.
July 2026: Record 2,366 crore transactions worth ₹29.88 lakh crore.
Banks on UPI: Increased from 44 to 703.
Global recognition: UPI accounted for 49% of global real-time payment transactions in 2025.
International reach: UPI is accepted in several countries, including Singapore, UAE, France, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Mauritius.
Impact: Promotes financial inclusion, cashless payments, digital innovation and convenient P2P/P2M transactions.
East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan 4–1 in the Durand Cup 2026 final at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on 23 August 2026, ending a 22-year wait for the trophy.
🏆 Winner: East Bengal
⚽ Score: East Bengal 4–1 Mohun Bagan SG
🏟️ Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
🏆 17th Durand Cup title for East Bengal, equalling Mohun Bagan’s record.
⏳ Their previous title came in 2004.
⭐ Edmund Lalrindika scored a spectacular hat-trick in the first half.
⚽ Bipin Singh scored East Bengal’s opening goal.
🇮🇳 East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are now joint-most successful teams in the Durand Cup.
Extra Facts for Exam: Asia’s oldest football tournament is the Durand Cup, which has been held since 1888
The Government has approved duty-free import of 10 lakh tonnes (10 LMT) of raw sugar to boost domestic availability and stabilize sugar prices ahead of the festive season.
Sugar prices rose from ₹48.18/kg (20 July) to ₹55.70/kg (20 August 2026).
Domestic sugar production is estimated at 306 LMT, below the initial estimate of 343 LMT.
Price rise is attributed to lower production, festive demand, crop damage, global supply concerns, and hoarding/speculation—not ethanol diversion.
10 LMT duty-free raw sugar imports have been approved as a precautionary supply measure.
A 400-tonne stock limit has been imposed on sugar dealers from 1 August to 30 November 2026.
Sugar mills have been advised to begin crushing from 15 October 2026 to increase festive-season supply.
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