Current Affairs Quiz - September 2026

Notes:
The Chhattisgarh government recently approved the five-year ‘NIPUN’ Mission, which is a major initiative aimed at youth upskilling, promoting entrepreneurship, and establishing industry-linked employment opportunities. Under this mission, the state plans to set up dedicated district Entrepreneurship Development Centres and specialized laboratories for emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. This state-level framework is specifically designed to align the local youth’s vocational capabilities with actual market demands, distinguishing it from national-level initiatives of similar nomenclature.

Notes:
Digvijay Diwas is observed annually on 11 September to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s historic speech in Chicago in 1893. On 11 September 1893, Vivekananda addressed the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, USA. His speech famously began with “Sisters and Brothers of America”, receiving a standing ovation. Through the address, he introduced Vedanta philosophy and India’s spiritual heritage to a Western audience. His speech promoted religious tolerance, universal brotherhood and harmony among religions.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited Indian private companies to participate in developing a specialised directed-energy testing facility. The initiative comes under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme of DRDO. The programme is called SHIELD — S-band High-Power Microwave Integrated Evaluation System for Lethality and Damage. SHIELD is designed to test the vulnerability of electronic systems to High-Power Microwave (HPM) radiation. The system will help evaluate the effects of intense microwave radiation on drones, electronic equipment and other microelectronic systems.

Notes:
The Karnataka Cabinet launched the Shramika Nivas scheme to provide housing facilities close to workplaces for industrial workers. Initially, 10,000 houses are proposed under the Shramika Nivas scheme, with government support and subsidies. Industries investing in backward taluks may receive support of up to 10%, while investments in most backward taluks may receive up to 20%. The incentives will be based on the level of backwardness identified in the M. Govinda Rao Committee report.

Notes:
Scientists from the ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR) have recorded the rare fish Schizopygopsis waddellii for the first time from a natural lake in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The fish was recorded at an altitude of around 12,800 feet above sea level. The discovery expands the known range of this rare Himalayan fish into India. Earlier, Schizopygopsis waddellii had been recorded from the Tibetan and China Plateau. The finding adds to the understanding of India’s freshwater biodiversity, particularly in the Himalayan region.

Notes:
South Asian countries have pledged stronger coordinated action against illegal wildlife trade. The commitment was made through the Kathmandu Declaration. The declaration was adopted at the first General Assembly of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in Kathmandu. SAWEN is a regional intergovernmental mechanism for cooperation against wildlife crime. SAWEN comprises 8 countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bhutan. Member countries reaffirmed their political commitment to combat illegal wildlife trade and transnational organised crime.

Notes:
The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance won the First Prize under the Rajbhasha Kirti Awards for 2025–26. The award was given in the category of ministries/departments having fewer than 300 personnel. The award recognises outstanding implementation and innovative achievements in the use of Official Language Hindi. The award was presented during the 6th All India Official Language Conference and Hindi Diwas 2026. The conference was organised by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs. The conference was held on 14–15 September 2026.

Notes:
National Engineers’ Day is observed in India every year on 15 September. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (M. Visvesvaraya). Visvesvaraya was born on 15 September 1861. He is widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Mysore”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Visvesvaraya and greeted engineers across India on Engineers’ Day.

Notes:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS). The scheme aims to improve higher education opportunities for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students. From 2014–15 to 2025–26, around ₹3,509.39 crore was spent under its four major components. During the same period, 1,18,248 beneficiaries were covered under these components. SHREYAS provides a continuum of support ranging from competitive-examination coaching to advanced research.

Notes:
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed authorities to urgently rehabilitate Paniya tribal families living in temporary shelters at Vaniyampuzha. 26 families have been living in plastic/tarpaulin tents for around 7 years. Their homes were destroyed during the August 2019 floods. The Paniya (Paniyan) are an Adivasi/tribal community primarily associated with Kerala, particularly the Wayanad and Malabar region. They are also found in parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Paniya are recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in Kerala. Traditionally, they have been associated with agricultural labour and forest-based livelihoods.