Daily Current Affairs - 2026-09-28

Stay ahead in your exam preparation with today's roundup of the most important national and international developments — spanning green energy, science communication, sports, governance, and economy.

India's First Port-Based E-Methanol Plant Takes Shape at Kandla

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, along with the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Assam, laid the foundation stone for India's first port-based e-methanol plant at Deendayal Port, Kandla. The Rs 2,300-crore joint venture between the Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd will use renewable power and captured CO2 to produce green methanol for ships on the Asia-Europe trade route, with an eventual capacity of 150 tonnes/day. Exam relevance: This ties into India's Net Zero by 2070 target, maritime decarbonisation, port infrastructure, and green hydrogen/methanol economy — recurring themes in UPSC Prelims/Mains and SSC/Banking GA sections.

CSIR Turns 85: Science Now Speaks Five More Indian Languages

On its 85th Foundation Day, CSIR launched five new popular-science magazines in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, and Assamese, adding to its existing English, Hindi, and Urdu editions. The initiative uses AI-assisted translation reviewed by subject experts and encourages original scientific writing in regional languages. Exam relevance: Useful for questions on CSIR (a key S&T body under the Ministry of Science and Technology), science communication policy, and government efforts to promote multilingual STEM outreach.

RBI Ensures Banks Stay Fully Operational Despite Proposed Strike

Ahead of a proposed strike by bank employee unions, the RBI directed all bank branches, ATM-linked branches, and currency chests to remain fully functional on 27 September 2026, ensuring uninterrupted cash withdrawals, deposits, and clearing operations. Exam relevance: A recurring RBI regulatory measure — important for Banking exam aspirants covering RBI's supervisory role and banking sector functioning.

World Tourism Day 2026: India Bets Big on AI-Driven Tourism

India observed World Tourism Day on 27 September under the global theme 'Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism', with events at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Ministry of Tourism showcased e-Visas, AI-powered platforms, the new National Digital Tourism Stack, and 'Dekho Apna Desh 2.0'. Exam relevance: Important for Static GK (World Tourism Day date and theme) and schemes under the Ministry of Tourism — a favourite area for SSC/Railway static GK questions.

India Champions Equitable Pandemic Preparedness at UN High-Level Meeting

At the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York, India's Health Secretary advocated for a fair Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system under the WHO Pandemic Agreement (adopted May 2025), which needs ratification by 60 countries to come into force. Exam relevance: Relevant for UPSC Mains (International Relations/Health Governance) and GA sections covering WHO agreements and India's global health diplomacy.

Asian Games 2026: India's Medal Tally Crosses 37 on Day 9

• India added seven medals on Day 9 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, taking its overall tally to 37 (4 gold, 14 silver, 17 bronze).
• Squash stars Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh won medals in singles events.
• Athlete Parul Chaudhary set a national record en route to bronze in the women's 3000m steeplechase.
• Sarvesh Kushare (high jump) and Ancy Sojan (long jump) won silver, while Tejaswin Shankar and Harita Bhadra added bronzes.

Exam relevance: Sports current affairs, especially medal winners and records at the Asian Games, are frequently asked in SSC/Railway GK and UPSC Prelims.

Tamil Nadu Reverses RTI Exemption for Law and Order Department

Tamil Nadu withdrew its 21 September 2026 order that had exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act, 2005 under Section 24(4). The reversal followed criticism from CPI(M) and VCK, who argued the department handles sensitive accountability issues like custodial deaths and police firing. Exam relevance: Key for Polity/Governance topics — RTI Act provisions, Section 24 exemptions, and the balance between security confidentiality and transparency, a frequent UPSC Mains GS-II theme.

Maharashtra Declares Drought in 265 Talukas Amid Weak Monsoon

Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas (about 74% of the state) after an 18.8% rainfall deficit between June and mid-September 2026, with Marathwada and Vidarbha worst hit. Relief measures include crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions, and power bill subsidies. Exam relevance: Important for Geography/Disaster Management sections — drought classification, monsoon patterns, and state relief mechanisms are common in UPSC and state PSC exams.

MSME Ministry and MoSPI Sign MoU to Strengthen Statistical Business Register

The MSME Ministry signed an MoU with MoSPI to share Udyam Registration data through a structured framework, strengthening the Statistical Business Register (SBR) and improving the coverage and reliability of official business statistics. Exam relevance: Relevant for Economy sections covering MSME policy, Udyam Registration, and national statistical systems — useful for both Prelims facts and Mains economy answers.

That wraps up today's current affairs digest — revise these points regularly to strengthen your GK and GS sections for upcoming exams.