Current Affairs - September 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Shree Charani became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 wickets in Women’s T20 Internationals, achieving the milestone in just 29 matches. She reached the landmark during the Women’s Asia Cup semifinal against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium. With this achievement, she became the joint second-fastest bowler globally to claim 50 wickets in Women’s T20Is, alongside Leigh Kasperek and Anisa Mohammed. China’s Mengting Liu holds the world record, reaching 50 wickets in 28 matches. At 22 years and 37 days, Charani also became the second-youngest Indian to reach the milestone after Radha Yadav.

New Delhi approved the Grassroots Training Support Assistance component under the Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana to support young athletes training at Delhi government sports centres and stadiums. Under this initiative, eligible athletes in the Under-14, Under-17, Under-19, and Under-21 categories will receive ₹2,000 per month. The assistance is limited to 25% of regularly enrolled trainees at each sports facility. Up to 100 athletes can benefit at standard sports centres, while larger stadiums can cover up to 150 athletes. The broader scheme also provides financial support for coaching, equipment, nutrition, and competition expenses.

France hosted the first International Space Summit in Paris, where several Indian and French space companies signed strategic agreements to strengthen international cooperation in the space sector. The summit featured 51 announcements representing approximately €20 billion in activities aimed at advancing global space initiatives. Agreements included a deal between French provider RIDE! and India’s TakeMeToSpace for launching two satellites, as well as a contract between Safran Space and Dhruva Space for equipment for India’s future SBS-III space-surveillance constellation. The summit also promoted cooperation on Moon exploration and the use of low Earth orbits, highlighting growing India-France collaboration in space technology and exploration.

Jharkhand signed an agreement with Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the rollout of the Amended BharatNet Program in the state. The Government of India approved ₹1,684 crore in financial support for the project. Implementation will be carried out through Jharkhand Digital Infrastructure Corporation Limited (JDICL), a newly established Special Purpose Vehicle. The project covers 4,395 Gram Panchayats and 26,777 villages. It also aims to upgrade 4,387 Gram Panchayats to ring topology and provide more than four lakh rural home fibre connections, strengthening broadband connectivity across rural areas.

Alexander Zverev won the 2026 US Open men’s singles championship by defeating American player Ben Shelton in a four-set final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev won the match 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2, securing his second Grand Slam title of the 2026 season. He maintained consistency from the baseline and served effectively throughout the contest. Shelton briefly fought back by winning the third set, but Zverev regained control in the fourth set and sealed the championship. The victory also improved Zverev’s head-to-head record against Shelton to 6-0 and marked his first US Open title.

INS Mysore participated in the 4th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise Samudra Laksamana with the Royal Malaysian Navy in Malaysia. The Indian Navy ship arrived at Lumut on September 9, 2026, for the exercise, which includes professional engagements both in harbour and at sea. Activities involve cross-deck visits, operational interactions, and sporting engagements designed to strengthen interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies. The exercise aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision and forms part of the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026. INS Mysore is an indigenously built Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1999.

Gandhinagar, Gujarat, will host the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 from September 15 to 18. It will be the first edition of the forum to be held in South Asia. Organised under the theme “Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity,” the event will bring together more than 2,000 delegates from over 65 countries. Participants will include business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, academicians, and innovators. The forum will focus on practical solutions for reducing waste through reuse, refurbishment, recycling, and reintegration of materials into the economic value chain. It will also promote international cooperation and investment in circular-economy initiatives.

New Delhi will host the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2026) at Bharat Mandapam from October 27 to 29, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the conclave on October 27. The event will focus on the theme “Creative Minds, Catalysing Science, Empowering Technologies” and will bring together scientists, innovators, policymakers, startups, and industry representatives. Organised by CSIR under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, the conclave will feature 12 thematic areas, including quantum communication, semiconductors, and synthetic biology, along with participation from three Nobel Laureates.

Dhruva Space was allocated 8 satellites under the private-sector component of the SBS-3 programme, a strategic satellite-based surveillance initiative. The 52-satellite constellation will be deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) between 2027 and 2030. ISRO will build 21 satellites, while private companies will manufacture 31 satellites. Antaris has been allocated 15 satellites, Pixxel 8 satellites, and Dhruva Space 8 satellites. Headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, Dhruva Space is an Indian full-stack space-engineering startup involved in developing satellite systems and related space technologies.

IIT Ropar signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Army Air Defence College (AADC), Gopalpur, to provide MTech degrees in Defence Technology to Indian Army officers. Under the programme, officers undertaking the Long Air Defence Course will receive formal academic accreditation through an MTech programme. IIT-Ropar faculty will mentor dissertations and research projects, while officers will gain access to laboratories and research infrastructure. The collaboration also includes online and offline seminars and lectures by faculty members. The agreement was signed by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT-Ropar, and Lt Gen Amit Rao, Commandant of AADC. IIT-Ropar was established in 2008 and is located in Rupnagar, Punjab.