Current Affairs - September 1, 2026 Current Affairs

September 4 is the scheduled launch date for ISRO’s GSLV-F17 mission carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite. The launch is planned for 2:55 AM IST from the Second Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. EOS-05 is significant because it is planned to become India’s first imaging satellite to operate from a geosynchronous orbit. The mission will demonstrate the GSLV’s capability to place advanced satellites into high-altitude orbits and strengthen India’s space-based Earth observation capabilities for environmental research, resource management, and monitoring changes on Earth’s surface.

John Ternus is set to become Apple’s CEO from September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook after Cook’s 15-year tenure. Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and rose to become senior vice president of hardware engineering, overseeing teams responsible for major products including the iPhone. As CEO, he is expected to focus on hardware innovation, artificial intelligence, product development, and Apple’s geopolitical and manufacturing challenges. Tim Cook will remain with Apple as executive chairman of the board, focusing on engagement with policymakers worldwide while Ternus concentrates on engineering, technology, and product strategy.

Depalpur became the first city in India to achieve Zero Legacy Waste status under the Swachh Shehar Jodi initiative on August 31, 2026. The city successfully remediated 1,250 metric tonnes of accumulated waste that had built up over five years. Depalpur worked as a mentee city, with Indore serving as its mentor under the initiative’s Each One Teach One model. The effort also recovered recyclable materials, directed Refuse Derived Fuel to cement factories, and introduced a four-bin waste segregation system. The dumpsite was subsequently transformed into a green space and community hub, supporting cleaner and more sustainable urban development.

India’s real GDP grew by 7.8% year-on-year in the first quarter of FY27, covering the period from April to June 2026. This growth exceeded the Reserve Bank of India’s forecast of 7%, as well as estimates from the Moneycontrol poll and Reuters survey. The strong performance reflected the resilience of the Indian economy despite uncertainty in the global economic environment. Growth was supported by strong domestic demand, higher private and government consumption, robust investment, and positive performance in sectors such as services and manufacturing.

New Delhi is the venue for the 4th Indo-German Environmental Forum, scheduled for September 1, 2026. The forum aims to strengthen cooperation between India and Germany on climate and environmental policy. It is co-chaired by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and German Minister Carsten Schneider and is organised under the theme “Together For More Resilience.” Key areas of discussion include low-carbon industries, biodiversity conservation, resource efficiency, circular economy models, sustainable finance, green skills, and investment mobilisation. The event is jointly organised by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Germany’s BMUKN.

The United States signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with India on August 29, 2026, for the procurement of Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems for the Indian Army. The agreement establishes a direct government-to-government procurement route and marks India’s formal entry as a customer for the shoulder-fired Javelin system. India and the US are also working toward eventual joint production of the missile system in India. The Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank missile featuring a top-attack flight profile designed to target the weaker roof armor of tanks and armored vehicles.

Bihar is set to establish the state’s first women’s university, as announced by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on August 27, 2026. The university will have women serving as the Vice-Chancellor, professors, and other staff members, making it a dedicated institution for women’s education, leadership, and professional development. The announcement was made during the Viksit Bharat-Samridh Bihar program, alongside welfare initiatives worth ₹600 crore. Other measures included financial assistance to women through Direct Benefit Transfer, loans under the Jeevika Nidhi fund, rural market construction, and reforms to recruitment examinations and student grievance mechanisms.

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after an extraordinary 20-year career with Argentina. He made 207 international appearances and scored 125 goals, becoming Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer. Messi played a key role in Argentina’s major recent successes, including the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also scored seven goals during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar. His retirement marks the conclusion of one of the most celebrated international careers in football history.

Bihar and Jharkhand signed an agreement to share water from the Sone River, resolving a longstanding interstate water dispute. The agreement aims to improve irrigation and drinking water availability across several districts in both states. In Bihar, regions such as Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Arwal, Gaya, and Patna are expected to benefit. In Jharkhand, Palamu and Garhwa will receive water for irrigation and drinking purposes. The agreement is also considered an example of cooperative federalism, with dialogue between states being used to address water-resource and rural development needs.

Bangladesh announced the commencement of a Two-Plus-Two (2+2) Dialogue with China on August 30, 2026, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in diplomacy and defence. The initial discussions will be conducted at the Minister of State level, with subsequent meetings expected to move to the Foreign Minister level. The two countries are also focusing on strategic and economic cooperation, including the modernisation of Mongla Port, a proposed Mongla Export Processing Zone, the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, and the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh corridor. The dialogue represents an effort to deepen Bangladesh-China strategic relations across multiple sectors.