NEW Firstpost Thu 17 Sep 2026 02:47:03 PM

PM Modi's 76th birthday: From US to Belgium, diplomatic missions extend warm wishes

SUMMARY
On September 17, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 76th birthday, receiving warm wishes from diplomatic missions worldwide. Indian embassies in the US, Belgium, and several other countries extended greetings, highlighting Modi's global leadership and diplomatic achievements. World leaders and international organizations also conveyed their best wishes, acknowledging his contributions to India's growing global stature. The occasion underscored Modi's strong international relationships built through active diplomacy and multilateral engagement during his tenure as PM.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - II International Relations
Focus Area Diplomatic Relations Bilateral Relations Soft Power Foreign Policy India’s Global Engagement
NEW Dainik Bhaskar Thu 17 Sep 2026 02:30:20 PM

आदित्य ठाकरे, अनिल देशमुख को 500 करोड़ का मानहानि नोटिस:दिशा सालियान के पिता ने भेजा; 7 दिन में माफी मांगने को कहा

SUMMARY
दिशा सालियान के पिता सतीश सालियान ने शिवसेना (UBT) नेता आदित्य ठाकरे और NCP नेता अनिल देशमुख को 500 करोड़ रुपये का मानहानि नोटिस भेजा है। नोटिस में आरोप है कि दोनों नेताओं ने दिशा की मौत को लेकर बिना सबूत के गलत और मानहानिकारक बयान दिए, जिससे परिवार की प्रतिष्ठा को भारी नुकसान पहुंचा। पिता ने 7 दिनों के भीतर सार्वजनिक माफी की मांग की है, अन्यथा कानूनी कार्रवाई की चेतावनी दी है। दिशा सालियान सुशांत सिंह राजपूत की मैनेजर थीं और 2020 में उनकी संदिग्ध मौत हुई थी।
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - II Polity & Governance
Focus Area Defamation Law Right to Reputation Freedom of Speech Judicial Process Criminal Justice
NEW The Hindu Thu 17 Sep 2026 02:30:15 PM

Keralam power crisis: Electricity consumption soars in September

SUMMARY
Kerala is facing a severe power crisis as electricity consumption surged dramatically in September due to extreme heat and reduced rainfall. Daily power demand exceeded 90 million units, straining the state's grid. Hydroelectric reservoirs recorded low water levels, limiting generation capacity. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) resorted to purchasing expensive power from external sources, increasing financial burden. Authorities urged citizens to conserve electricity and reduce AC usage during peak hours to manage the crisis effectively.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Economy
Focus Area Energy Security Electricity Demand Power Sector Energy Management Renewable Energy
NEW The Times Of India Thu 17 Sep 2026 02:30:04 PM

Video: US forces take out floating refuelling station allegedly tied to drug trade

SUMMARY
The US Coast Guard and Navy intercepted and destroyed a floating refueling station in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, believed to be linked to drug trafficking operations. The makeshift platform was allegedly used by drug smugglers to refuel semi-submersible vessels and go-fast boats transporting narcotics, primarily cocaine, from South America. Authorities dismantled the station to disrupt cartel supply chains. The operation is part of ongoing US counter-narcotics efforts targeting maritime drug corridors used by transnational criminal organizations.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Internal Security
Focus Area Narco-Trafficking Maritime Security Transnational Crime International Cooperation Drug Cartels
NEW Moneycontrol Thu 17 Sep 2026 02:21:19 PM

NSE Share Price: एनएसई का शेयर महंगा या सस्ता? इस दिग्गज एक्सपर्ट ने दिया सवाल का जवाब

SUMMARY
# NSE Share Price: क्या एनएसई का शेयर महंगा है या सस्ता?

नेशनल स्टॉक एक्सचेंज (NSE) अभी अनलिस्टेड मार्केट में ट्रेड होता है, जहां इसकी कीमत काफी ऊंची है। दिग्गज मार्केट एक्सपर्ट्स के अनुसार, NSE का वैल्यूएशन इसकी मजबूत रेवेन्यू ग्रोथ, ट्रेडिंग वॉल्यूम और मोनोपॉली जैसी पोजीशन को देखते हुए जस्टिफाइड है। हालांकि, IPO की अनिश्चितता और रेगुलेटरी चुनौतियों को देखते हुए कुछ एक्सपर्ट्स इसे मौजूदा भाव पर महंगा मानते हैं। निवेशकों को लॉन्ग टर्म नजरिए से सोच-समझकर फैसला लेना चाहिए।
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Economy
Focus Area NSE IPO Capital Market Stock Exchange Valuation Financial Markets
NEW The Hindu Thu 17 Sep 2026 02:04:15 PM

Stem cell therapy for autism only in approved clinical trials: Centre

SUMMARY
India's Union Health Ministry has directed that stem cell therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should only be administered within approved clinical trials, not as a commercial treatment. This follows concerns over unregulated clinics offering unproven stem cell treatments to vulnerable families, often at exorbitant costs. The Centre emphasized that no established, scientifically validated stem cell cure for autism currently exists. The directive aims to protect patients from exploitation and ensure safety standards, urging compliance with ICMR and CDSCO guidelines for clinical research protocols.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Science & Technology
Focus Area Stem Cell Therapy Regenerative Medicine Clinical Trials Biomedical Ethics Autism
NEW Firstpost Thu 17 Sep 2026 02:04:10 PM

US chip equipment giant Applied Materials to invest $5 billion in India over 10 years

SUMMARY
Applied Materials, the world's largest semiconductor equipment maker, has announced a $5 billion investment in India over the next decade. This major commitment aims to establish a collaborative engineering hub in Bengaluru, expanding its existing operations. The investment will bolster India's growing semiconductor ecosystem, aligning with PM Modi's "Make in India" initiative and the government's $10 billion semiconductor incentive scheme. The move will create thousands of high-skilled jobs, strengthen R&D capabilities, and position India as a global chip manufacturing hub amid the worldwide push to diversify supply chains away from China.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Science & Technology
Focus Area Semiconductor Ecosystem Chip Manufacturing Semiconductor Equipment FDI Supply-Chain Resilience
NEW Hindustan Times Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:47:17 PM

Odisha man beaten to death; set afire after fight at girlfriend’s home: Police

SUMMARY
A man from Odisha was brutally beaten to death and his body set on fire following a violent altercation at his girlfriend's home. According to police, the victim had visited the woman's residence, where a dispute erupted with her family members or associates. The confrontation turned deadly as the attackers assaulted him fatally and then attempted to destroy evidence by setting his body ablaze. Police have launched an investigation, registered a case, and are working to apprehend the accused involved in this gruesome crime.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Internal Security
Focus Area Violent Crime Criminal Justice Law & Order Police Investigation Rule of Law
NEW Mint Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:47:03 PM

Penny stock under 10 rupees hits 5% upper circuit following Indian stock market rebound

SUMMARY
A penny stock priced under ₹10 surged to its 5% upper circuit limit amid a broader Indian stock market rebound. The rally was driven by renewed investor confidence as benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty bounced back strongly after recent corrections. Penny stocks, known for high volatility and speculative trading, often witness sharp moves during market recoveries. Experts caution retail investors to exercise due diligence before investing in such low-priced stocks, as they carry significant risks including low liquidity and limited fundamentals.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Economy
Focus Area Stock Market Penny Stocks Upper Circuit Equity Markets Corporate Acquisitions
NEW Mint Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:30:17 PM

SGB 2019-20 Series IV redemption today at ₹15,173: ₹1 lakh investment grows to nearly ₹3.95 lakh

SUMMARY
India's Sovereign Gold Bond 2019-20 Series IV matures today, with the redemption price fixed at ₹15,173 per unit, based on the average closing gold price of the last three business days. Investors who purchased these bonds at ₹3,833 per gram during issuance have seen their ₹1 lakh investment grow to approximately ₹3.95 lakh—a nearly 4x return over eight years. Additionally, investors earned 2.5% annual interest throughout the tenure, with capital gains on maturity being fully tax-free for individuals.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Economy
Focus Area Sovereign Gold Bonds Government Securities Gold Investment RBI Financial Markets
NEW Hindustan Times Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:30:03 PM

US company lays off ‘entire Indian Customer service team’ over Google Meet: ‘All 80 employees’

SUMMARY
A US-based company reportedly laid off its entire Indian customer service team of approximately 80 employees during a single Google Meet call, sparking widespread outrage online. The mass termination was conducted virtually with little prior notice, leaving workers shocked and jobless. The incident went viral on social media, reigniting debates about how corporations treat offshore employees, the ethics of remote layoffs, and the lack of empathy in cost-cutting decisions. Critics condemned the impersonal approach, calling it dehumanizing, while others highlighted the vulnerability of outsourced workers.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Economy
Focus Area Employment Outsourcing IT-BPM sector Labour market Globalisation
NEW Moneycontrol Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:21:12 PM

Rupee vs Dollar: फेड के इंटरेस्ट रेट बढ़ाने से गिरा रुपया, जुलाई के बाद पहली बार 96 के लेवल के पार

SUMMARY
# रुपये में भारी गिरावट: फेड की ब्याज दर वृद्धि का असर

अमेरिकी फेडरल रिजर्व द्वारा ब्याज दरों में बढ़ोतरी के बाद भारतीय रुपये पर भारी दबाव आया है। डॉलर के मुकाबले रुपया जुलाई के बाद पहली बार 96 के लेवल को पार कर गया। फेड की सख्त मौद्रिक नीति से डॉलर इंडेक्स मजबूत हुआ, जिससे उभरती अर्थव्यवस्थाओं की मुद्राओं पर दबाव बढ़ा। विदेशी निवेशकों की बिकवाली और कच्चे तेल की ऊंची कीमतों ने भी रुपये की कमजोरी बढ़ाई। RBI बाजार में हस्तक्षेप कर रहा है, लेकिन वैश्विक अनिश्चितता के बीच रुपये पर दबाव बना हुआ है।
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Economy
Focus Area Exchange Rate US Fed Policy Capital Flows Inflation Crude Oil RBI
NEW Hindustan Times Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:21:03 PM

US Military Strikes Alleged Drug-Smuggling Vessel In Pacific In Latest Anti-Narcotics Op

SUMMARY
The US military intercepted and struck an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Pacific Ocean as part of its ongoing anti-narcotics operations. The strike, conducted under the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on drug trafficking, targeted a vessel suspected of transporting illegal narcotics toward US borders. The operation aligns with broader efforts involving Navy and Coast Guard assets deployed to disrupt cartel supply chains. Officials stated these missions aim to curb fentanyl and cocaine flows, reinforcing national security priorities.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Internal Security
Focus Area Drug Trafficking Maritime Security Transnational Organised Crime Narco-Terrorism International Cooperation
NEW The Hindu Thu 17 Sep 2026 01:04:12 PM

Andhra leaders greet Modi at 76; Naidu in Varanasi to mark PM’s 25 years in office

SUMMARY
Andhra Pradesh leaders extended warm wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu traveled to Varanasi, Modi's parliamentary constituency, to celebrate the occasion and mark Modi's 25 years in continuous public office as head of government—first as Gujarat Chief Minister from 2001 and then as Prime Minister since 2014. The visit highlights the strong political alliance between the TDP-led Andhra government and the BJP-led NDA at the Centre. Several AP leaders praised Modi's leadership and developmental contributions to the nation.
Relevent For: Prelims + Mains GS - II Polity & Governance
Focus Area Political Leadership Chief Minister Inter-State Political Outreach Centre–State Relations
NEW Hindustan Times Thu 17 Sep 2026 12:47:09 PM

Vishwakarma ji ki aarti: Vishwakarma Puja 2026 date, muhurat, rituals

SUMMARY
# विश्वकर्मा पूजा 2026: तिथि, मुहूर्त और विधि

विश्वकर्मा पूजा 2026 में 17 सितंबर (गुरुवार) को मनाई जाएगी। यह पूजा कन्या संक्रांति के दिन होती है। भगवान विश्वकर्मा को सृष्टि के शिल्पकार माना जाता है। इस दिन कारीगर, इंजीनियर और श्रमिक अपने औजारों व मशीनों की पूजा करते हैं। पूजा का शुभ मुहूर्त प्रातः 6:00 से 10:00 बजे तक रहता है। विधि में विश्वकर्मा जी की प्रतिमा स्थापित कर फूल, धूप, दीप, नैवेद्य अर्पित किया जाता है और आरती की जाती है। कारखानों व कार्यशालाओं में विशेष पूजन होता है। इस दिन कई जगह पतंग उड़ाने की भी परंपरा है।
Relevent For: Prelims GS - I Art & Culture
Focus Area Indian Festivals Hindu Traditions Cultural Practices Folk & Religious Traditions