1. EPFO Wage Ceiling Raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000
What happened: The Union Cabinet approved an increase in the wage ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, effective from 17 September 2026. The move is expected to bring more than 51 lakh additional employees under mandatory social-security coverage.
Why important: More workers will become eligible for benefits linked to provident fund, pension and insurance.
Exam Tip:
- Organisation – EPFO
- New wage ceiling – ₹25,000/month
- Previous ceiling – ₹15,000/month
- Additional employees – 51 lakh+
2. Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 Begins in Uttarakhand
What happened: The 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas between the Indian Army and the US Army began in Auli, Uttarakhand, with activities also conducted at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
Why important: The exercise strengthens military interoperability and cooperation between India and the United States, particularly in mountain and high-altitude warfare.
Exam Tip:
- Exercise – Yudh Abhyas
- Edition – 22nd
- Partner country – USA
- Auli – Uttarakhand
3. Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 Begins
What happened: The nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign began on 17 September. Its theme is “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”
Why important: The campaign promotes citizen participation, cleanliness and behavioural change across the country.
Exam Tip:
- Start date – 17 September 2026
- Theme – Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat
- Campaign focuses on – Jan Bhagidari & cleanliness
4. India Electric Mobility Index 2025 Released
What happened: The India Electric Mobility Index 2025 was highlighted in recent policy discussions, assessing India’s progress towards electric mobility and clean transportation.
Why important: Electric mobility is important for reducing emissions, lowering dependence on fossil fuels and developing India’s clean-transport ecosystem.
Exam Tip: Remember the keywords: EVs, clean mobility, charging infrastructure and energy transition.
5. India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Finalised
What happened: India and New Zealand completed ratification of their Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with the agreement scheduled to come into effect on 20 October 2026. The two countries aim to double bilateral trade to around ₹35,000 crore over the next four to five years.
Why important: The agreement is expected to improve market access and investment opportunities between the two countries.
Exam Tip:
- Countries – India & New Zealand
- FTA effective – 20 October 2026
- Trade target – ₹35,000 crore
- New Zealand Capital – Wellington
6. 72nd National Film Awards Presented
What happened: President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards on 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024.
Why important: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest honour for lifetime contribution to cinema.
Exam Tip:
- Award recipient – Anant Nag
- Award – Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- National Film Awards – 72nd edition
- President – Droupadi Murmu
7. India Wins First Gold Medal at Asian Games 2026
What happened: The Indian women’s cricket team won India’s first gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s T20 final.
Why important: It was India’s first gold medal of the ongoing Asian Games.
Exam Tip:
- Sport – Women’s T20 Cricket
- Opponent – Sri Lanka
- Winning margin – 147 runs
- Captain – Harmanpreet Kaur
8. Smriti Mandhana Becomes First Woman to Score 11,000 International Runs
What happened: During the Asian Games women’s T20 final, Smriti Mandhana became the first woman cricketer to reach 11,000 international runs. She scored 79 runs in India’s gold-medal victory.
Why important: She created a new milestone in women’s international cricket.
Exam Tip:
- Player – Smriti Mandhana
- Milestone – 11,000 international runs
- First woman to achieve it
9. Supreme Court Strengthens Safeguards for Arrested Persons
What happened: The Supreme Court ruled that an arrested person must be informed of the grounds of arrest, as protected under Article 22(1) of the Constitution. The Court also laid down safeguards regarding re-arrest after an arrest has been held unconstitutional.
Why important: The judgment reinforces constitutional protections relating to personal liberty and due process.
Exam Tip:
- Constitutional Article – Article 22(1)
- Subject – Rights of arrested persons
- Important principle – Grounds of arrest must be communicated.
10. India’s Participation in Global Gender Gap Index 2026
What happened: The Global Gender Gap Index 2026 was among the important reports highlighted during the week, assessing gender disparities across countries.
Why important: The index measures gender gaps in areas such as economic participation, education, health and political empowerment.
Exam Tip: Remember the four broad areas:
- Economic Participation & Opportunity
- Educational Attainment
- Health & Survival
- Political Empowerment
Quick Revision – 16 to 23 September
| No. | Current Affair | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EPFO Wage Ceiling | ₹15,000 → ₹25,000 |
| 2 | Yudh Abhyas 2026 | India–USA, 22nd edition |
| 3 | Swachhata Hi Seva | 17 Sept, new theme |
| 4 | Electric Mobility Index | EV & clean mobility |
| 5 | India–New Zealand FTA | Effective 20 Oct 2026 |
| 6 | National Film Awards | Anant Nag – Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 7 | Asian Games | India’s first gold – Women’s Cricket |
| 8 | Smriti Mandhana | 11,000 international runs |
| 9 | Supreme Court | Article 22(1) – arrest safeguards |
| 10 | Global Gender Gap Index | Gender equality indicators |
| No. | Current Affair | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forex inflows | $136.38 billion |
| 2 | Shakti Sharma | First non-medical woman AVM |
| 3 | EOS-05 | GSLV-F17, 4 Sept |
| 4 | India-China talks | First Corps Commander talks in Arunachal |
| 5 | Teachers’ Awards | 5 September |
| 6 | IIT Kharagpur | Affordable Healthcare CRTDH |
| 7 | UPI | 24.51 billion transactions in August |
| 8 | Dedicated Freight Corridor | 2,800+ km complete |
| 9 | International Literacy Day | 8 September |
| 10 | Global FinTech Fest | AI, tokenisation & cybersecurity |
Final Note for Students
Revise these points daily, practice multiple-choice questions weekly, and discuss current affairs aloud to improve confidence for written exams as well as interviews.