Current Affairs - September 17, 2026 Current Affairs

Michael Kremer has been appointed as the World Bank Group Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics. He is a Nobel Prize-winning economist known for applying economic research and experimentation to development challenges. In 2019, Kremer shared the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences with Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. His research covers education, healthcare, agriculture, innovation, technology and economic growth. He has also contributed to initiatives such as Advance Market Commitments for vaccines and digital technologies aimed at improving the productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers.

Eknath Shinde, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, received the inaugural Statesmanship Award from the World Leadership Forum in London. The award recognised his contribution to major infrastructure and welfare initiatives, including the Atal Setu and the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. During the event, Shinde also presented a vision of “Design in London and Manufacture in Maharashtra” to encourage greater investment from the United Kingdom in Maharashtra. The initiative highlights Maharashtra’s efforts to strengthen international economic cooperation, attract investments, and promote industrial development. The recognition was presented during his visit to London.

New Delhi topped the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025 with a score of 84 out of 100. The index, jointly developed by NITI Aayog and WRI India, evaluates all 36 states and union territories on electric mobility using 16 indicators across transport electrification, charging readiness, and research and innovation. Maharashtra secured the second position with 78 points, followed by Karnataka with 73 points. Delhi also recorded a strong performance in transport electrification and charging readiness. The 2025 edition showed overall improvement, with the national median score rising from 36 in 2024 to 40 in 2025.

Vietnam will observe Friendship Year 2027 with India to commemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The decision was discussed during the 19th Joint Commission Meeting, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. India and Vietnam agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership through greater cooperation in defence, including the co-production of Indian defence equipment. Discussions also covered trade and economic cooperation in areas such as pharmaceuticals and agriculture. The two countries also explored collaboration in space and nuclear energy, reflecting the broadening scope of their bilateral relationship across strategic, economic, technological and energy sectors.

N Chandrasekaran has been reappointed as the Chairman of Tata Sons for another five-year term. The Tata Sons board approved his reappointment on September 17, 2026, after requesting him to reconsider his earlier decision not to seek an extension. Chandrasekaran has served as Chairman of Tata Sons since 2017 and was previously reappointed in 2022. His renewed appointment comes amid disagreements between the Tata Sons board and Tata Trusts, which hold more than 66% of the holding company. Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts, opposed the reappointment and questioned its legitimacy under the company’s articles of association.

September 17 is observed as Hyderabad Liberation Day, commemorating the integration of the Hyderabad State into the Indian Union in 1948. Operation Polo, the military operation undertaken by India, commenced on September 13, 1948, and lasted for five days. On September 17, Major General Syed Ahmed El Edroos, commander of the Hyderabad State Forces, surrendered, following which the Nizam declared a ceasefire. The event marked a significant development in the political history of independent India and brought the Hyderabad State into the Indian Union.

Ayodhya has been selected for a new regional centre of the National Security Guard (NSG). The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the transfer of 65 acres of land in Ayodhya to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs at no cost. The land is valued at approximately Rs 16.9 crore. The proposed NSG centre is expected to strengthen security arrangements around the Ram Temple and improve rapid response capabilities in the region. The facility will enhance the availability of specialised counter-terrorism resources and support quicker deployment of security personnel in response to potential emergencies and security threats.

Tata Steel commissioned India’s first coke oven gas injection project in Odisha as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. The project was developed in collaboration with Paul Wurth-SMS and uses coke oven gas, a byproduct of the steel-making process, to replace conventional fossil fuels. This technology is expected to contribute to lower carbon emissions while improving operational efficiency. The initiative also supports Tata Steel’s broader sustainability strategy and its target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2045. The project represents an important step toward adopting cleaner technologies in India’s steel industry.

The Delhi Government has doubled the monthly incentive for ASHA workers from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. The increase was approved by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to recognise the important role played by ASHA workers in the primary healthcare system. Delhi has 6,725 ASHA workers, with each worker serving approximately 2,000 people or 400 families. The revised incentive is intended to improve their morale and support their contribution to healthcare delivery. The initiative also aims to strengthen primary healthcare services and promote women’s economic empowerment by providing better financial support to ASHA workers.

Odisha will receive a Rs 3,406-crore silicon carbide chip project to be established by Tamil Nadu-based SiCSem Private Limited. The semiconductor unit will be located at IDCO Infovalley-II in Khordha. The facility will manufacture silicon carbide diodes and MOSFETs for both domestic consumption and export markets. The project is expected to strengthen Odisha’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and contribute to India’s growing electronics and chip industry. It is also projected to generate Rs 4,523 crore in foreign exchange over a period of five years, making the investment significant for industrial development, technology manufacturing, employment and export-oriented economic activity in the state.

Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest T20I century for India by reaching his hundred in just 30 balls against Afghanistan on 17 September 2026 in New Delhi. He surpassed Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of a 35-ball century, achieved against Sri Lanka in 2017. Abhishek’s explosive innings ended with 108 runs from 34 deliveries, including a large number of boundaries. His century was also the fastest T20I hundred by a player representing a Test-playing nation. Overall, only Sahil Chauhan and Muhammad Fahad had recorded faster T20I centuries, in 27 and 29 balls respectively.