Weekly Current Affairs: August 31 – September 6, 2026 — GDP Grows 7.8% in Q1, 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Bihar–Jharkhand Sone Water Pact, ISRO’s EOS-05 on GSLV-F17, JCR Upgrades India to A- & Satwik–Chirag Win the China Masters
Your verified, exam-ready digest for the week
📌Key Points at a Glance
- 1The NSO estimated real GDP growth at 7.8% in Q1 2026-27 (April–June), up from 6.9% a year earlier; real GVA grew 8.2% and nominal GDP 10.3%.
- 2PM Modi attended the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek (August 31 – September 1), which marked the SCO’s 25th anniversary. The Bishkek Declaration was adopted, English became an official SCO language, and Pakistan takes over the chair to host the 2027 summit.
- 3Bihar (5.75 MAF) and Jharkhand (2 MAF) signed a Sone river water-sharing agreement on August 31 in the presence of Amit Shah, ending a dispute that began with Jharkhand’s creation in 2000.
- 4Gross GST collections for August rose 14.8% to ₹1,99,853 crore, with import revenue up 29%; net GST was ₹1,68,057 crore.
- 5Japan Credit Rating Agency upgraded India’s sovereign rating from BBB+ to A- with a stable outlook on September 2.
- 6The RBI approved LIC to acquire up to 9.99% of ICICI Bank within a year; LIC held 4.35% as of June 30, 2026.
- 7Belgian PM Bart De Wever visited India (September 2–4) — the first Belgian PM visit since 2006 — and the two sides agreed to double bilateral trade of about $13 billion within five years.
- 8The UN General Assembly adopted a Togo-led “correct the map” resolution (164-1-6) on September 4, encouraging equal-area projections such as Equal Earth over Mercator.
- 9ISRO launched the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite (2,367 kg) on GSLV-F17 from Sriharikota on September 4, designed to image India from geosynchronous orbit.
- 10Four Indian sites — the Rangpur–Sivasagar Historic Ensemble, the Painted Haveli Towns of Shekhawati, the Colonial Penal Settlement of the Andaman Islands and Nicobarese Cultural Continuity — were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
- 11AVM Shakti Sharma of the IAF’s Education Branch became the first non-medical woman two-star officer in the defence services on September 1.
- 12Tommy Koh (Singapore), Runa Khan (Bangladesh) and Bo Kyi (Myanmar) were named the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees; President Murmu presented the National Teachers’ Awards on September 5.
- 13Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty became the first Indians to win the China Masters; Lionel Messi announced his international retirement on August 31; Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026.
🏛️ National & Polity
Bihar and Jharkhand Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Pact, Ending 26-Year Dispute
Bihar and Jharkhand signed an agreement on sharing the waters of the Sone river in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, settling a dispute that began when Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in 2000. Bihar gets 5.75 million acre-feet (MAF) and Jharkhand 2 MAF.
Key Facts
- Bihar’s share: 5.75 MAF; Jharkhand’s share: 2 MAF — together the 7.75 MAF that undivided Bihar received under the 1973 Bansagar Agreement.
- The 1973 agreement among Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and undivided Bihar covered Sone water sharing and the cost of the Bansagar dam in Madhya Pradesh.
- No mechanism for sharing between Bihar and Jharkhand existed after bifurcation in 2000, because a large part of the catchment fell in Jharkhand.
- The pact was signed with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren present.
- It clears the way for the Indrapuri reservoir project, which will irrigate eight Bihar districts including Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Patna, Gaya and Arwal.
📌 Why It Matters
Inter-state river disputes are a staple of UPSC GS-2 (cooperative federalism) and Bihar/Jharkhand PSC papers. A negotiated settlement without a tribunal is a useful Mains example.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Sone rises near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and joins the Ganga near Patna; it is a major right-bank tributary of the Ganga. Article 262 of the Constitution and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 govern inter-state river water disputes. Jharkhand was formed on 15 November 2000.
India Hosts BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum at the Supreme Court
India hosted the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum at the Supreme Court in New Delhi under its 2026 BRICS Chairship. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant held bilateral meetings with judicial leaders and proposed a common BRICS platform for arbitration and mediation of commercial disputes.
Key Facts
- The forum was held from 4 to 6 September 2026 at the Supreme Court of India.
- Judicial leaders from BRICS members (Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the UAE) and partner countries attended.
- CJI Surya Kant proposed a common platform for arbitration and mediation of commercial disputes.
- Discussions covered mutual recognition of judicial awards, exchanges between judicial academies, use of artificial intelligence and speedy justice.
📌 Why It Matters
India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship is producing a series of ministerial and sectoral meetings, and questions on BRICS membership and India’s presidency are highly likely this year.
🧠 Static GK Connect
BRIC was formed in 2006 and became BRICS when South Africa joined in 2010. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joined in 2024 and Indonesia in 2025. The New Development Bank, set up by BRICS, is headquartered in Shanghai. The Chief Justice of India is appointed under Article 124 of the Constitution.
Four Indian Sites Added to UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
Four Indian cultural sites were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List — the Rangpur–Sivasagar Historic Ensemble (Assam), the Painted Haveli Towns of Shekhawati (Rajasthan), the Colonial Penal Settlement of the Andaman Islands and Nicobarese Cultural Continuity (Nicobar Islands).
Key Facts
- Rangpur–Sivasagar Historic Ensemble, Assam: the ceremonial heart of the Ahom kingdom, including Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar, the Sivasagar, Joysagar and Gaurisagar tanks, and the Sivadol, Devidol and Joydol temples.
- Painted Haveli Towns of Shekhawati, Rajasthan: fresco-painted havelis in towns such as Mandawa, Nawalgarh, Fatehpur, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Ramgarh and Sikar.
- Colonial Penal Settlement of the Andaman Islands, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair): centred on the Cellular Jail and its radial design.
- Nicobarese Cultural Continuity: the living indigenous culture of the Central Nicobar Islands, including traditional stilted dwellings.
- Inclusion on the Tentative List is the first step towards nomination for World Heritage status.
📌 Why It Matters
UNESCO heritage questions are asked in almost every exam. The Ahom monuments, Shekhawati havelis and Cellular Jail are also classic history and art-and-culture topics.
🧠 Static GK Connect
A country must place a site on its Tentative List before nominating it for the World Heritage List. The Cellular Jail (Kala Pani), completed in 1906, held freedom fighters such as V.D. Savarkar and Batukeshwar Dutt. Rang Ghar in Sivasagar, built by the Ahom king Pramatta Singha in the 18th century, is often called Asia’s oldest surviving amphitheatre. The Charaideo Moidams of the Ahoms became a World Heritage Site in 2024.
🌐 International
PM Modi Attends 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek; Pakistan Takes Over as Chair
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 26th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, which marked the grouping’s 25th anniversary. Leaders adopted the Bishkek Declaration, and Pakistan will take over the rotating chairmanship and host the 2027 summit.
Key Facts
- Theme: “25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity”; chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
- The Bishkek Declaration was adopted along with four MoUs and more than twenty decisions and statements.
- PM Modi stressed Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, called for action against terrorism without double standards, and said conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield.
- English was adopted as an official SCO language, and India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum.
- Pakistan assumes the rotating chairmanship and will host the 2027 summit in Islamabad.
📌 Why It Matters
SCO membership, the host of each summit and India’s positions are among the most frequently asked international organisation questions in UPSC and SSC.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The SCO was founded on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai; its Secretariat is in Beijing and its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is in Tashkent. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, taking membership to 10. India held the SCO chairmanship in 2023.
Belgian PM Bart De Wever Visits India; Trade to Be Doubled in Five Years
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever paid an official visit to India — the first by a Belgian Prime Minister in two decades — and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two sides announced ten outcomes focused on the “three Ts” of trade, technology and talent.
Key Facts
- It was the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister since 2006.
- Bilateral trade of about $13 billion is to be doubled within five years.
- Outcomes included a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation, a renewable energy MoU (green hydrogen, solar, offshore wind), an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism and an India–Belgium Business Forum.
- The CBI and the Belgian Federal Police signed an MoU on transnational organised crime and cybercrime.
- India will post a resident Defence Attaché at its Embassy in Brussels.
📌 Why It Matters
Belgium is a key EU partner and Antwerp is central to India’s diamond trade. The visit also feeds into the India–EU Free Trade Agreement track.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Belgium’s capital, Brussels, hosts the headquarters of the European Union institutions and NATO. Antwerp is the world’s largest diamond trading hub and Europe’s second-largest port. Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy.
UN General Assembly Backs Equal-Area Maps in Togo-Led Resolution
The UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding “correct the map” resolution, led by Togo on behalf of the African Group, encouraging governments, schools and technology firms to use equal-area projections such as the Equal Earth map instead of the Mercator projection where relative size matters.
Key Facts
- Vote: 164 in favour, 1 against (United States), 6 abstentions.
- The resolution does not ban the Mercator projection but encourages teaching its limitations.
- The Mercator projection enlarges landmasses near the poles, making Greenland look similar in size to Africa, which is about 14 times larger.
- France announced plans to move away from the Mercator projection for its official maps.
📌 Why It Matters
Map projections are part of geography syllabi, and a UN vote on them is an unusual and easily tested fact.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Mercator projection was created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569 for navigation; it preserves angles but distorts area. The Equal Earth projection was introduced in 2018 and preserves relative area. Africa is the second-largest continent by area after Asia.
💰 Economy & Banking
India’s GDP Grows 7.8% in April–June 2026 Quarter
The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, estimated real GDP growth at 7.8% in Q1 of 2026-27 (April–June 2026), up from 6.9% in Q1 of 2025-26. Real Gross Value Added (GVA) grew 8.2%.
Key Facts
- Real GDP growth: 7.8% in Q1 2026-27, against 6.9% in Q1 2025-26.
- Real GDP for the quarter: ₹81.36 lakh crore.
- Nominal GDP growth: 10.3%, against 8.1% a year earlier.
- Real GVA growth: 8.2%.
- Sector growth: Agriculture and allied 3.6%, Manufacturing 9.2%, Construction 7.7%, and Financial, Real Estate and Professional Services 12.1%.
📌 Why It Matters
Quarterly GDP numbers are asked directly in banking and SSC exams, and the sector-wise break-up is useful for UPSC Mains economy answers.
🧠 Static GK Connect
GDP = GVA + product taxes − product subsidies. Quarterly GDP estimates are released by the NSO under MoSPI roughly two months after the end of each quarter. The national accounts series now uses 2022-23 as its base year.
Gross GST Collections Rise 14.8% to ₹1.99 Lakh Crore in August
Gross Goods and Services Tax collections for August 2026 rose 14.8% year-on-year to ₹1,99,853 crore, led by a 29% jump in revenue from imports. Net GST revenue after refunds was ₹1,68,057 crore, up 8.3%.
Key Facts
- Gross GST (August 2026): ₹1,99,853 crore, up 14.8%.
- Gross domestic revenue: ₹1,37,249 crore (+9.3%); gross import revenue: ₹62,604 crore (+29.0%).
- Net GST: ₹1,68,057 crore (+8.3%).
- Domestic refunds rose 72.6% to ₹18,490 crore; export refunds rose 61.8% to ₹13,305 crore.
- April–August 2026: gross GST ₹10,42,757 crore (+11.0%).
- All figures are provisional.
📌 Why It Matters
Monthly GST figures are a regular banking and SSC question; the import-revenue surge is a useful data point for questions on the economy.
🧠 Static GK Connect
GST was rolled out on 1 July 2017 through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016. The GST Council is a constitutional body under Article 279A, chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
Japan’s JCR Upgrades India’s Sovereign Rating to ‘A-’
Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) upgraded India’s long-term sovereign credit rating by one notch from ‘BBB+’ to ‘A-’ with a stable outlook, citing solid growth of around 7%, a sounder financial system and effective economic policies.
Key Facts
- Rating change: BBB+ to A-, outlook stable.
- JCR cited growth of about 7%, robust private consumption and public investment, and improved health of banks and non-banking finance companies.
- India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at a record $729.33 billion as of 21 August 2026.
- The current account deficit was 0.5% of GDP.
📌 Why It Matters
Sovereign rating actions are frequently asked in banking exams. Remember the agency (JCR, Japan) and the new grade (A-).
🧠 Static GK Connect
The “Big Three” global rating agencies are S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch; S&P upgraded India to ‘BBB’ in August 2025. In India, CRISIL, ICRA, CARE and India Ratings are major domestic credit rating agencies, regulated by SEBI.
RBI Approves LIC to Acquire up to 9.99% Stake in ICICI Bank
The Reserve Bank of India approved Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to acquire up to 9.99% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of ICICI Bank. The acquisition must be completed within one year of the approval.
Key Facts
- Limit: up to 9.99% of ICICI Bank’s paid-up share capital or voting rights.
- The approval lapses if the acquisition is not completed within one year.
- LIC held 4.35% of ICICI Bank as of 30 June 2026.
- RBI approval is required for any acquisition that results in a holding of 5% or more in a private bank.
📌 Why It Matters
Bank shareholding rules and the 5% RBI-approval threshold are standard banking-awareness topics.
🧠 Static GK Connect
LIC was established on 1 September 1956 under the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 and is headquartered in Mumbai. ICICI Bank was set up in 1994 and is also headquartered in Mumbai. Insurance is regulated by IRDAI, headquartered in Hyderabad.
🚀 Science & Tech
ISRO’s GSLV-F17 Launches EOS-05 Earth Observation Satellite
ISRO launched the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite on GSLV-F17 from the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota at 2:55 a.m. on 4 September 2026. EOS-05 is designed to image India from geosynchronous orbit, about 36,000 km above the Earth.
Key Facts
- Launch vehicle: GSLV-F17; the satellite separated about 18 minutes 40 seconds after lift-off.
- Satellite mass: 2,367 kg.
- It was placed in a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit and will be raised to geosynchronous orbit.
- It can refresh images of the entire Indian landmass every 30 minutes and image selected areas every 5 minutes, with multispectral imaging at 42 m resolution.
- Its hyperspectral imagers cover visible, near-infrared and short-wave infrared bands, supporting agriculture, water resources, forestry, disaster management and ocean studies.
📌 Why It Matters
ISRO launches, their vehicles and satellite purposes are asked in every competitive exam. Imaging from geosynchronous orbit is a new capability for India.
🧠 Static GK Connect
GSLV uses an indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage. A geosynchronous orbit is about 35,786 km above the Equator, where a satellite completes one orbit in a sidereal day. ISRO’s earlier geo-imaging satellite GISAT-1 (EOS-03) was lost in August 2021 when GSLV-F10’s cryogenic stage failed.
🏆 Sports
Satwik–Chirag Become First Indians to Win the China Masters
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the men’s doubles title at the China Masters Super 750, beating China’s He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu 11-21, 21-13, 21-17 to become the first Indian players to win the tournament.
Key Facts
- Final score: 11-21, 21-13, 21-17 against He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu of China, in 70 minutes.
- They are the first Indian players to win the China Masters; they had lost the final in 2023 and 2025.
- It was their second title of 2026 after the Singapore Open in May, and their 10th BWF World Tour title overall.
- The win came two weeks before the Asian Games at Aichi-Nagoya.
📌 Why It Matters
Badminton titles won by Indians are staples of sports questions in SSC and Railway exams.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won India’s first-ever Asian Games badminton gold at Hangzhou 2022 (held in 2023), and were part of India’s first Thomas Cup-winning team in 2022. The Badminton World Federation is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur.
Lionel Messi Retires from International Football
Argentina captain Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football about six weeks after Argentina lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final 1-0 to Spain in extra time.
Key Facts
- Announcement: 31 August 2026.
- With Argentina he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
- He finished as runner-up at the 2026 World Cup after the extra-time loss to Spain on 19 July 2026.
- His international career spanned about two decades.
📌 Why It Matters
Retirements of global sports icons are a common general-awareness question.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico — the first with 48 teams. Spain won it by beating Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium. The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
🎖️ Awards & Honours
Tommy Koh, Runa Khan and Bo Kyi Named 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation named three recipients for 2026: Singaporean diplomat Tommy Koh, Bangladeshi social entrepreneur Runa Khan and Myanmar human rights defender Bo Kyi.
Key Facts
- Tommy Koh (Singapore) — recognised for six decades of diplomacy, including his role in negotiating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Runa Khan (Bangladesh) — founder of the NGO Friendship, which runs floating hospitals and schools for climate-vulnerable communities.
- Bo Kyi (Myanmar) — co-founder of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), documenting and defending political prisoners.
- No Indian was among the 2026 awardees.
📌 Why It Matters
The Magsaysay Award is called “Asia’s Nobel Prize” and its winners are asked in SSC, banking and State PSC exams every year.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 in memory of Ramon Magsaysay, the seventh President of the Philippines, who died in a plane crash that year. The first awards were given in 1958, when Vinoba Bhave became the first Indian recipient.
President Murmu Confers National Teachers’ Awards on Teachers’ Day
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Teachers’ Awards 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan on Teachers’ Day, including 48 school teachers selected by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
Key Facts
- The 48 school teachers — 26 male and 22 female — come from 27 States, 7 Union Territories and 6 Central Government organisations.
- The organisations include Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Sainik Schools, CBSE and CISCE.
- Teachers from higher education institutions were also honoured, taking the total to 82 awardees.
- The ceremony was broadcast live on Doordarshan and SWAYAM PRABHA channels.
📌 Why It Matters
Teachers’ Day and the National Teachers’ Awards are directly relevant to CTET, TET and State teaching exams, and appear in SSC general awareness.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Teachers’ Day on 5 September marks the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (born 1888), India’s first Vice-President (1952–62) and second President (1962–67), and a Bharat Ratna recipient in 1954. World Teachers’ Day is observed on 5 October.
Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic Crowned Miss World 2026
Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026 at the finale held in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam.
Key Facts
- Winner: Joheirry Mola (Dominican Republic), a 24-year-old business administration graduate.
- The runners-up were from Spain and Malaysia.
- The finale was held in Nha Trang, Vietnam on 5 September 2026.
📌 Why It Matters
International pageant winners occasionally appear in SSC and banking general awareness sections.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Miss World was founded in the United Kingdom in 1951. India has won the title six times — Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999), Priyanka Chopra (2000) and Manushi Chhillar (2017).
👤 Appointments
Shakti Sharma Becomes First Non-Medical Woman Two-Star Officer in Defence Services
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma took over as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, becoming the first woman officer from a non-medical branch of the Indian defence services to reach two-star rank.
Key Facts
- New post: Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education), Air Headquarters.
- She belongs to the Education Branch of the Indian Air Force and was commissioned on 18 June 1994.
- She was earlier the first woman Tri-Services officer to head a Sainik School, as Principal of Sainik School Kapurthala.
- She helped set up IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Savitribai Phule Pune University.
📌 Why It Matters
“First woman” milestones in the armed forces are among the most repeated questions in Defence, SSC and Police exams.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932, observed as Air Force Day. Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay (medical branch) was the first woman to become an Air Vice Marshal and later Air Marshal. Air Vice Marshal is a two-star rank, equivalent to Major General in the Army and Rear Admiral in the Navy.
📅 Important Days
International Day of Charity Observed on 5 September
The International Day of Charity was observed on 5 September, the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, to encourage charitable and philanthropic action worldwide.
Key Facts
- The UN General Assembly designated the day through resolution 67/105 in December 2012.
- It was first observed globally in 2013.
- The date marks the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, who died in Kolkata on 5 September 1997.
📌 Why It Matters
5 September is a double question in exams — Teachers’ Day in India and the International Day of Charity worldwide.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata in 1950, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and the Bharat Ratna in 1980, and was canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016.
🧠 Static GK Refresher
Connect this week's news with evergreen facts that exams love
| News Item | Static Fact to Remember |
|---|---|
| Bihar and Jharkhand signed the Sone water-sharing agreement. | The Sone rises near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and joins the Ganga near Patna. Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 deal with inter-state water disputes. The Bansagar dam on the Sone is in Madhya Pradesh. |
| India hosted the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum under its 2026 BRICS Chairship. | BRICS founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China (2006), with South Africa added in 2010. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joined in 2024 and Indonesia in 2025. The New Development Bank is in Shanghai. |
| Four Indian sites were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List. | The Cellular Jail in Port Blair (now Sri Vijaya Puram) was completed in 1906. Rang Ghar in Sivasagar was built by Ahom king Pramatta Singha. The Charaideo Moidams of Assam were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2024. |
| GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 2026-27. | The National Statistics Office under MoSPI releases GDP estimates. GDP at market prices = GVA at basic prices + product taxes − product subsidies. The national accounts base year is now 2022-23. |
| Gross GST collections for August 2026 were ₹1.99 lakh crore. | GST was introduced on 1 July 2017 by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016. The GST Council (Article 279A) is chaired by the Union Finance Minister. GST replaced taxes such as central excise, service tax and VAT. |
| JCR upgraded India’s sovereign rating to A-. | The three major global rating agencies are S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch. S&P upgraded India to BBB in August 2025. Credit rating agencies in India are regulated by SEBI. |
| RBI allowed LIC to acquire up to 9.99% of ICICI Bank. | LIC was established on 1 September 1956 and is headquartered in Mumbai. Under RBI rules, any acquisition resulting in a holding of 5% or more in a private bank needs prior RBI approval. |
| The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek. | The SCO was founded in Shanghai on 15 June 2001. Its Secretariat is in Beijing and RATS is in Tashkent. Members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan. |
| Belgian PM Bart De Wever visited India. | Brussels hosts the headquarters of the EU and NATO. Antwerp is the world’s leading diamond trading centre. Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy with three official languages — Dutch, French and German. |
| The UNGA backed equal-area maps over the Mercator projection. | Gerardus Mercator made his projection in 1569 for navigation. It preserves angles (conformal) but exaggerates area towards the poles. The Equal Earth projection (2018) preserves area. |
| ISRO launched EOS-05 on GSLV-F17. | GSLV uses an indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage and flies from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). Geosynchronous orbit is about 35,786 km above the Equator. GISAT-1 (EOS-03) was lost in August 2021. |
| AVM Shakti Sharma became the first non-medical woman two-star officer. | The IAF was founded on 8 October 1932. Air Vice Marshal (IAF), Major General (Army) and Rear Admiral (Navy) are equivalent two-star ranks. |
| The 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awards were announced. | The award was set up in 1957 in memory of Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay and first given in 1958. Vinoba Bhave was the first Indian recipient. |
| National Teachers’ Awards were conferred on Teachers’ Day. | Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888, was India’s first Vice-President and second President, and received the Bharat Ratna in 1954. World Teachers’ Day is 5 October. |
| Satwik–Chirag won the China Masters. | The pair won India’s first Asian Games badminton gold at Hangzhou and were part of India’s Thomas Cup-winning team in 2022. The Thomas Cup is the men’s world team championship; the Uber Cup is the women’s. |
Bihar and Jharkhand signed the Sone water-sharing agreement.
The Sone rises near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and joins the Ganga near Patna. Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 deal with inter-state water disputes. The Bansagar dam on the Sone is in Madhya Pradesh.
India hosted the BRICS Chief Justices’ Forum under its 2026 BRICS Chairship.
BRICS founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China (2006), with South Africa added in 2010. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joined in 2024 and Indonesia in 2025. The New Development Bank is in Shanghai.
Four Indian sites were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
The Cellular Jail in Port Blair (now Sri Vijaya Puram) was completed in 1906. Rang Ghar in Sivasagar was built by Ahom king Pramatta Singha. The Charaideo Moidams of Assam were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2024.
GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 2026-27.
The National Statistics Office under MoSPI releases GDP estimates. GDP at market prices = GVA at basic prices + product taxes − product subsidies. The national accounts base year is now 2022-23.
Gross GST collections for August 2026 were ₹1.99 lakh crore.
GST was introduced on 1 July 2017 by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016. The GST Council (Article 279A) is chaired by the Union Finance Minister. GST replaced taxes such as central excise, service tax and VAT.
JCR upgraded India’s sovereign rating to A-.
The three major global rating agencies are S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch. S&P upgraded India to BBB in August 2025. Credit rating agencies in India are regulated by SEBI.
RBI allowed LIC to acquire up to 9.99% of ICICI Bank.
LIC was established on 1 September 1956 and is headquartered in Mumbai. Under RBI rules, any acquisition resulting in a holding of 5% or more in a private bank needs prior RBI approval.
The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek.
The SCO was founded in Shanghai on 15 June 2001. Its Secretariat is in Beijing and RATS is in Tashkent. Members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Belgian PM Bart De Wever visited India.
Brussels hosts the headquarters of the EU and NATO. Antwerp is the world’s leading diamond trading centre. Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy with three official languages — Dutch, French and German.
The UNGA backed equal-area maps over the Mercator projection.
Gerardus Mercator made his projection in 1569 for navigation. It preserves angles (conformal) but exaggerates area towards the poles. The Equal Earth projection (2018) preserves area.
ISRO launched EOS-05 on GSLV-F17.
GSLV uses an indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage and flies from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). Geosynchronous orbit is about 35,786 km above the Equator. GISAT-1 (EOS-03) was lost in August 2021.
AVM Shakti Sharma became the first non-medical woman two-star officer.
The IAF was founded on 8 October 1932. Air Vice Marshal (IAF), Major General (Army) and Rear Admiral (Navy) are equivalent two-star ranks.
The 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Awards were announced.
The award was set up in 1957 in memory of Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay and first given in 1958. Vinoba Bhave was the first Indian recipient.
National Teachers’ Awards were conferred on Teachers’ Day.
Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888, was India’s first Vice-President and second President, and received the Bharat Ratna in 1954. World Teachers’ Day is 5 October.
Satwik–Chirag won the China Masters.
The pair won India’s first Asian Games badminton gold at Hangzhou and were part of India’s Thomas Cup-winning team in 2022. The Thomas Cup is the men’s world team championship; the Uber Cup is the women’s.
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