Today Current Affairs 26 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS
Important National, International, Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, Governance and State PCS Current Affairs
1. India’s First Port-Based e-Methanol Plant at Kandla
India took a major step towards green maritime fuel with the foundation stone of the country’s first port-based e-methanol production facility at Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla), Gandhidham, Gujarat, on 26 September 2026.
The plant will have a total planned capacity of 150 tonnes per day and will use renewable power, water and biogenic carbon dioxide to produce e-methanol for ships operating on the Asia-Europe International Trade Corridor.
- Total investment: ₹2,300 crore
- Phase I: 50 tonnes/day, ₹1,200 crore
- Phase II: additional 100 tonnes/day, ₹1,100 crore
- Expected employment: more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs
- Partners: Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd.
E-methanol is an electro-fuel produced using hydrogen and carbon dioxide, with renewable electricity playing a key role in low-carbon production. It is being explored as an alternative marine fuel.
The project links India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, maritime decarbonisation, green shipping and Net Zero 2070 objectives.
2. India Calls for Fair Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing
At the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, India called for an equitable Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system under the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
India stressed that countries contributing pathogens and biological resources should receive timely access to vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, technologies and other benefits developed from them.
India also highlighted:
- National sovereignty
- Resilient domestic health systems
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- One Health
- Global solidarity
The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted in May 2025, but the PABS Annex remains under negotiation. Therefore, adoption of the Agreement should not be confused with its entry into force.
During COVID-19, India supplied around 300 million vaccine doses to about 100 countries and two UN entities and provided medical assistance to more than 150 countries.
3. Special Campaign 6 Enters Preparatory Phase
The Government is undertaking preparatory activities for Special Campaign 6, with the implementation phase scheduled from 2 October to 31 October 2026. The preparatory phase began on 16 September and will continue until 30 September.
The campaign focuses on:
- Disposal of pending matters
- Cleanliness and office-space improvement
- e-Waste disposal
- Waste-to-wealth initiatives
- Record management
- Preservation of important historical records
The campaign is being coordinated by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
Special Campaigns connect administrative reform with Swachhata, records management, e-governance, efficiency and citizen-centric governance.
4. World Tourism Day 2026: Digital Agenda and AI
World Tourism Day 2026 will be observed on 27 September under the theme:
“Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”
The theme highlights how AI and digital technologies are changing tourism through personalised travel experiences, digital discovery, data-based planning and smarter destination management.
According to the latest figures highlighted by the Government:
- Tourism contributed 5.22% of India’s GDP in 2023–24.
- The sector supported about 8.46 crore jobs in 2023–24.
- Domestic tourist visits reached 428.55 crore in 2025.
- Foreign tourist visits reached about 2.53 crore in 2025.
- Tourism-related foreign exchange earnings reached ₹2,76,831 crore in 2025.
World Tourism Day is observed every year on 27 September and was first celebrated in 1980.
5. CSIR Launches Science Magazines in Five Indian Languages
On the occasion of the 85th Foundation Day of CSIR, CSIR-NIScPR launched five new popular-science magazines in Indian languages.
- Assamese: Bigyan Lahar
- Bengali: Bigyan Brittanto
- Marathi: Vidnyan Kshitij
- Tamil: Ariviyal Arikkaiyalar
- Telugu: Vigyan Velugu
The initiative aims to make credible scientific knowledge accessible in regional languages. AI-assisted translation is being used for selected content, followed by human review, fact-checking and editorial refinement.
The initiative links science communication with multilingualism, inclusive education, AI-assisted translation and public scientific literacy.
6. Election Commission Announces Changes During SIR
The Election Commission of India held a meeting on 26 September 2026 and announced several administrative decisions related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the ECINet system.
Among the measures:
- BLOs will visit the homes of certain electors who have received notices for unmapped or logical discrepancies and collect documents.
- Online hearings will be strengthened where hearings are required.
- Special help desks/camps will be arranged for vulnerable groups such as homeless persons and people living in night shelters.
- An expert committee will review the ECINet system for compliance with applicable laws and rules.
- Delhi’s claims and objections period was extended to 30 October 2026.
- Maharashtra’s claims and objections period was extended to 12 October 2026.
The ECI also stated that SIR has already been completed in 20 States/UTs, including Bihar and West Bengal, while continuous updation remains available for eligible persons.
SIR relates to the revision and verification of electoral rolls. The Election Commission derives its constitutional authority primarily from Article 324.
7. Asian Games 2026: India Adds Multiple Medals
The 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya continued on 26 September with several notable Indian performances.
- Men’s Kabaddi: India retained the Asian Games gold medal.
- Women’s Kabaddi: India won gold.
- Tajinderpal Singh: Silver in men’s shot put.
- Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal and Ashi Chouksey: Silver in women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event.
- Prachi Choudhary: Bronze in women’s 400m.
- Manush Shah and Diya Chitale: Bronze in mixed doubles table tennis.
- Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar: Bronze in squash mixed team.
The 2026 Asian Games are being hosted by Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
8. First Victim Rights Centre Inaugurated in Patna
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the country’s first Victim Rights Centre in Patna on 26 September 2026.
The centre has been established on the premises of the Bihar State Legal Services Authority and will provide legal assistance and other support services to victims under one roof.
The pilot project will initially operate in Patna for one year and is intended to subsequently be extended to other districts of Bihar.
The centre will also provide counselling and psychological support to victims.
Legal Services Authorities work within the framework of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which provides the statutory basis for free and competent legal services to eligible sections and Lok Adalats.
9. ₹108 Crore Four-Lane Road Over Bridge in Andhra Pradesh
The foundation stone for a four-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) between Guntur and Nambur railway stations was laid on 26 September 2026.
- Cost: ₹108 crore
- Length: 668 metres
- Funding: 100% by Indian Railways
- Purpose: Replacement of Level Crossing Gate No. 3
- Location: Guntur–Krishna Canal section
The project is intended to improve urban mobility, reduce waiting at the level crossing, save fuel and strengthen road-rail safety.
- India’s first port-based e-methanol plant → Kandla, Gujarat.
- Total planned e-methanol capacity → 150 tonnes/day.
- WHO Pandemic Agreement issue highlighted today → PABS.
- PABS → Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing.
- Special Campaign 6 implementation → 2–31 October 2026.
- World Tourism Day → 27 September.
- World Tourism Day 2026 theme → Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.
- CSIR-NIScPR launched five new science magazines → Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.
- First Victim Rights Centre → Patna, Bihar.
- 2026 Asian Games host → Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Today’s developments show three important governance trends: India is simultaneously pursuing green economic transition, technology-enabled public administration and greater inclusion in public services. The e-methanol project represents maritime decarbonisation; PABS reflects the equity dimension of global health governance; and multilingual science communication demonstrates how technology can support wider access to knowledge.
