Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 20&21 September, 2026

Context
Union Minister of State (IC), Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated SPROUT — a state-of-the-art agricultural research facility at the BRIC-National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi — to develop climate-resilient crops.

What SPROUT Stands For

SpeedSeed Phenotyping and Resource Optimization for Unified Trait Analysis

It is an agricultural technology platform focused on rapid and efficient analysis of crop traits.

• Speed Seed Phenotyping: Quickly studies and measures important characteristics (traits) of seeds and plants.
• Resource Optimization: Helps reduce the time, labour and resources needed for crop evaluation.
• Unified Trait Analysis: Brings different crop-trait measurements together for more systematic analysis.

Aim

• Develop climate-resilient crops by enabling precise trait evaluation under varied environmental conditions
• Strengthen plant genome research and high-throughput phenotyping

Important Facts for Exams

• Located at BRIC-NIPGR, New Delhi; Director Prof. Manoj Prasad
• Initial crop: chickpea
• SpeedSeed / speed breeding cuts crop cycles to about 40 days, allowing several generations per year instead of one or two
• Phenotyping — measuring a plant’s observable traits (height, yield, stress response); high-throughput means automated, at large scale
• Genotype vs phenotype — genotype is the genetic makeup; phenotype is the expressed traits, shaped by genes and environment
• BRIC — Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, an autonomous body under the Department of Biotechnology, formed 2023 by merging 14 DBT institutes
• NIPGR — established 1998; focuses on plant genomics
• BioE3 Policy — approved 2024, promoting biomanufacturing and a high-performance bioeconomy
• India’s first genome-edited rice varieties — DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1 — were released in 2025
• SDN-1 and SDN-2 genome editing, which introduces no foreign DNA, is exempt from GM regulation in India
• Chickpea (gram) — India’s largest pulse crop, a rabi crop; India is the world’s largest producer

• MoPNG issued component-wise operational guidelines for the GOBARdhan Scheme to strengthen India’s Compressed Biogas (CBG) sector.
• The Government assured full offtake of CBG available for sale, subject to technical and operational feasibility.
• CBG purchase obligation for CGD companies has been fixed at 3% in FY27, 4% in FY28 and 5% from FY29 onwards.
• The initial Administered CBG Price (ACP) is ₹2,110/MMBTU, approximately ₹98/kg, for at least 10 years up to 31 March 2036.

• The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign was launched on 17 September 2026 by MoHUA and DDWS.
• The campaign will continue from 17 September to 2 October 2026, culminating on Gandhi Jayanti.
• Its theme is “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, focusing on citizen participation and shared responsibility.
• Five pillars include Clean Public Places, Swachh Paathshala, SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman, Jan Bhagidari and Swachhata Se Samriddhi.

• DoSJE extended its MoU with The Art of Living under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA).
• The partnership focuses on substance-abuse prevention, awareness, community mobilisation and reducing stigma.
• The initiative follows a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
• NMBA was launched in 2020 by DoSJE.

• NSTFDC and HPCL signed an MoU to establish integrated computer labs and smart classrooms in 29 EMRSs across Rajasthan.
• The ₹16.01 crore project will benefit more than 10,000 Scheduled Tribe students annually.
• Each school will receive four smart classrooms, computer labs and 10 tablets with competitive-exam content.
• The project covers 11 districts and is expected to be completed within six months.

• NITI Aayog released the 9th edition of Trade Watch Quarterly (TWQ) focusing on Metals and Ores Trade for Q1 FY27.
• Global goods trade reached USD 13.7 trillion in H1 2026, growing 12.5% year-on-year.
• India’s merchandise and services trade reached USD 506.9 billion in Q1 FY27, registering 15.5% growth.
• India’s merchandise exports rose 16% to USD 129.5 billion, while imports increased 19.8% to USD 216.1 billion, resulting in an USD 86.6 billion merchandise trade deficit.

• NIELIT and Infineon Technologies inaugurated a Centre of Excellence on Semiconductor Manufacturing in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• The centre focuses on ATMP, OSAT and semiconductor workforce development.
• Infineon provided 8 industry-grade semiconductor manufacturing equipment units for practical training.

• MeitY granted in-principle approval for an AI Centre of Excellence in Bhubaneswar, Odisha under the IndiaAI Mission.
• The centre will promote AI innovation, startup incubation and responsible AI deployment.
• Its focus areas include healthcare, governance, disaster management, education, coastal and marine economy and fisheries.

• NPCI released a revised Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework, effective from 15 October 2026.
• P2P UPI transactions will remain free, irrespective of the transaction amount.
• UPI P2M transactions below ₹2,000 will continue to remain free for merchants and users.
• For specified categories such as railways, telecom, insurance and fuel, a flat ₹5 MDR will apply to transactions above ₹2,000; capital-market transactions will attract 0.02%, capped at ₹300.

• NSE enabled India’s first tokenised corporate bond issuances, worth ₹1,000 crore, under the SEBI Regulatory Sandbox Framework, 2020.
• REC and L&T each raised ₹500 crore through tokenised corporate bonds.
• The issuances use Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to digitally represent and manage securities.
• The technology aims to improve transparency, operational efficiency and settlement processes.

• RBI sold ₹50,000 crore of Government Securities through an Open Market Operation (OMO) to absorb durable liquidity.
• It is the first tranche of a ₹1 trillion programme, with ₹25,000 crore auctions scheduled for 21 and 28 September 2026.
• WACR stood at 5.05%, while the repo rate was 5.25%.
• Net liquidity surplus stood at ₹7.37 trillion, while durable liquidity was estimated at around ₹14 trillion by mid-September.

• Kamlesh Chandra Varshney was reappointed as a Whole-Time Member (WTM) of SEBI beyond 19 September 2026.
• He will continue until 4 August 2029, when he reaches the age of 65, or until further orders.
• He is a 1990-batch Indian Revenue Service officer and joined SEBI as WTM in September 2023.
• He has handled areas including market intermediaries, legal affairs, surveillance and information technology.

Context
India was ranked first in business climate among 41 global markets in the Global Business Climate Survey 2026, published by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India (SCCI) with Business Sweden.

What the Survey Is

• An annual international benchmark capturing the perspectives, performance, profitability and expansion plans of Swedish multinational corporations operating in key global markets
• Jointly produced by Business Sweden and the Swedish Chambers of Commerce
• First instituted in 2020
• The 2026 edition is the largest to date, covering 41 major economies across Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, MEA+ and the Americas

Aim

• Provide a comparative framework tracking macroeconomic conditions, regulatory hurdles, ease of doing business and forward-looking investment sentiment for Swedish enterprises abroad

The Top Three Markets

• India
• Ireland
• Vietnam

— standing out for economic momentum, political stability and high investor confidence

India’s Performance

• Ranked No. 1 overall in business climate favourability
• In the global top three for four consecutive years
• 73 per cent of surveyed Swedish companies rated India’s operating climate good or very good
• Along with the Philippines and Poland, India recorded the highest market-level revenue and growth projections

Global Findings

• Despite geopolitical shocks, 64 per cent of Swedish companies globally reported profitability
• 80 per cent maintained a neutral or positive operational outlook
• About 44 per cent plan to scale up investments over the next 12 months
• Asia-Pacific leads capital allocation over Europe and the Americas
• Winning strategy identified: cost discipline, sharp sales execution and integration into local supply chains

Important Facts for Exams

• Global Business Climate Survey 2026 — by Business Sweden and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India
• India ranked first among 41 markets; Ireland second, Vietnam third
• India in the top three for four consecutive years
• 73 per cent of Swedish firms rated India’s climate good or very good
• Global: 64 per cent profitable, 80 per cent neutral or positive, 44 per cent planning more investment
• Survey instituted in 2020; the 2026 edition is the largest yet
• Business Sweden — Sweden’s trade and investment promotion agency, jointly owned by the Swedish government and industry
• India-Sweden relations: a Strategic Partnership since 2018; the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), launched jointly by India and Sweden at the UN Climate Action Summit 2019
• India-Sweden links also include the India-EFTA TEPA framework (Sweden is an EU member, not EFTA), and cooperation on green transition and innovation

Context
NITI Aayog released the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025, which measures the progress of States and Union Territories in developing their electric mobility ecosystem.

What does the IEMI measure?

The India Electric Mobility Index evaluates EV progress through three broad areas:

• Transport Electrification Progress – extent of electric vehicle adoption and electrification of transport.
• Charging Infrastructure Readiness – availability of charging infrastructure and supporting measures.
• EV Research and Innovation Readiness – development of research, innovation and the EV startup ecosystem.

Details

• This is the 2nd edition of the IEMI
• Title: “India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025: Tracking Electric Mobility Trends in Indian States”
• Assessment period: January to December 2025
• Uses 16 indicators across three themes
• Delhi’s score rose from 77 to 84, retaining the top position

Category-wise Leaders

Large States

• Maharashtra — top performer
• Karnataka — second
• Tamil Nadu (61) — third

Hilly and Northeastern States

• Manipur (46) — top
• Tripura (36) — second
• Assam (35) — third

UTs and City States

• Delhi — top
• Chandigarh — second
• Goa — third

Important Facts for Exams

• IEMI 2025 — the 2nd edition; covers January–December 2025
• Developed by NITI Aayog with WRI India
• 16 indicators; weights: Transport Electrification 50 per cent, Charging Infrastructure 30 per cent, EV Research and Innovation 20 per cent
• Delhi: 84 (up from 77); Maharashtra: 78; Karnataka: 73
• Category leaders: Large States — Maharashtra; Hilly and NE — Manipur (46); UTs and City States — Delhi
• Tamil Nadu: 61, third among large states
• Madhya Pradesh rose from 23rd to 7th overall; Goa climbed ten places to fifth
• Karnataka leads charging readiness (97); Delhi leads research and innovation (94)
• India’s EV penetration: 8.25 per cent in 2025-26, up from 0.5 per cent in 2018
• Note: Goa is a state, though grouped here with UTs and city states for comparison on size and urban profile

Context
The Z/Yen Partners, with the China Development Institute (CDI), released the 40th edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40). GIFT City, Gujarat, improved by 9 positions to rank 37th globally and entered the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-Pacific region.

Key Highlights

GIFT City improves its global ranking

• GFCI 40: 37th
• GFCI 39: 46th
• Improvement: 9 positions
• GIFT City became the only Indian financial centre in the Asia-Pacific top 15.

Other Indian financial centres

The Top Four

About GFCI

• A biannual ranking of global financial centres
• Assesses competitiveness using quantitative indicators and assessments from financial services professionals

The Five Competitiveness Areas

• Business Environment
• Human Capital
• Infrastructure
• Financial Sector Development
• Reputation

Important Facts for Exams

• GFCI 40 — by Z/Yen Partners (London) with the China Development Institute (Shenzhen)
• GIFT City: 37th, up 9 places from 46th
• Top four: New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore
• Biannual — published every March and September
• 139 centres researched; 117 in the main index; 22 associates
• 144 instrumental factors; 39,531 assessments from 6,147 respondents
• Five areas: Business Environment, Human Capital, Infrastructure, Financial Sector Development, Reputation
• GIFT City — Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, at Gandhinagar; India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
• Regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), a unified regulator established 2020 under the IFSCA Act, 2019
• GIFT City hosts NSE IX and India INX; the BRICS Risk Lab has been proposed there under the New Delhi Declaration

Context
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rolled out OneTag, a nationwide FASTag bank-portability service integrated into its official Rajmargyatra mobile app.

What It Is

• A digital interoperability framework — functioning like Mobile Number Portability for electronic toll collection
• Lets vehicle owners migrate between authorised issuer banks
• While keeping their existing physical FASTag sticker, Tag ID and vehicle registration linkage intact

Who Developed It

• Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL)
• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

Aim

• Give motorists greater choice of FASTag providers
• Switch issuers without replacing the RFID tag or surrendering the account

• India’s combined merchandise and services exports reached USD 399.27 billion during April–August 2026, registering 15.5% growth.
• Merchandise exports stood at USD 215.91 billion during the period.
• Total imports reached USD 459.65 billion, growing 18.01%.
• In August 2026, combined exports stood at USD 82.68 billion, while imports were USD 92.09 billion.

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) signed an MoU with the Maharashtra Government to develop a ₹27,000 crore Greenfield Shipbuilding Industrial Cluster at Dighi, Raigad.
• The cluster will have an annual shipbuilding capacity of at least 2 million Gross Tonnage (GT).
• MDL plans to invest around ₹15,000 crore as the anchor shipyard and develop 1.2 million GT annual capacity.
• The project aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2026 will come into force from 1 October 2026.
• Births and deaths must generally be reported within 21 days of occurrence.
• Delayed registration after one year and up to two years will require approval from the District Magistrate, SDM or authorised Executive Magistrate.
• Registration delayed by more than two years will require an order from the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC).

• DoSJE extended its partnership with The Art of Living to strengthen substance-abuse prevention and awareness.
• The initiative will use grassroots networks to promote family resilience, value-based living and reduced stigma.
• MoSJE has partnered with 12 spiritual organisations under NMBA.

• Indian-American computer scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan was named the recipient of the Arthur M. Bueche Award 2026 by the National Academy of Engineering.
• He became the first Indian-American to receive the award.
• The award, established in 1982, recognises major contributions to science and technology policy.
• Panchanathan was also conferred the Padma Shri in 2025 in Science and Engineering.

• Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan passed away at the age of 78.
• He represented Sivaganga in the 13th Lok Sabha and later served two terms in the Rajya Sabha.
• He served as Minister of State for Commerce and Industry from 2013 to 2014.
• He was also a Supreme Court advocate and chaired a Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee.

• World Patient Safety Day is observed annually on 17 September by the WHO.
• The 2026 theme is “Safe care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)”.
• The slogan for 2026 is “Safe care for life!”
• The day was established in 2019 through the 72nd World Health Assembly.

• International Equal Pay Day is observed annually on 18 September to promote equal pay for work of equal value.
• 2026 marks the 7th observance of the day.
• The UN General Assembly proclaimed 18 September as International Equal Pay Day through Resolution A/RES/74/142 in 2019.
• The first observance took place on 18 September 2020.

• The 5-day Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme 2026 concluded at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
• It brings together senior Armed Forces leadership and civil bureaucrats for strategic training and evaluation.
• The programme was instituted in September 2025 by HQ Integrated Defence Staff.
• It serves as a permanent civil-military interface for discussing modern warfare and operational challenges.

• The Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force are conducting Veer Guardian 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
• The 14-day bilateral exercise focuses on advanced operational missions and professional interaction.
• IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief General Takehiro Morita flew together in a Tejas formation sortie.
• The exercise strengthens operational cooperation between the two air forces.

• Angh, directed by Naga filmmaker Theja Rio, won the Platform Prize 2026 at the Toronto International Film Festival.
• It was among 12 films selected for TIFF’s competitive Platform programme.
• The achievement marks a notable international recognition for Naga cinema and filmmaking.

• The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force conducted an aerial display in Meerut.
• The team performed using nine Hawk Mk 132 aircraft in close formation.
• The event was attended by MoS Defence Sanjay Seth and aimed to inspire young people towards the armed forces and aviation.