Daily filter — 25 September 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes cognizance of gang-rape suicide in Jhansi
NHRC has initiated an inquiry following reports of a 19-year-old woman's suicide after a gang-rape.
- NHRC, India took suo motu cognizance of the reported suicide.
- A 19-year-old woman committed suicide after being gang-raped by six people.
- Notices were issued to DM and SSP, Jhansi for a report within two weeks.
- The incident occurred on 23rd September 2026, as per media reports.
💡 NHRC's suo motu cognizance of the Jhansi gang-rape suicide led to notices to DM and SSP for a report within two weeks.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2315013
💰 Economy · UPSC track
CGTMSE Guarantee Cover Live on TReDS for MSMEs
The **Ministry of MSME** has rolled out credit guarantees on invoice discounting for **Micro and Small Enterprises** via the **TReDS** platform.
- CGTMSE portal integrated with TReDS on M1xchange, RXIL, and DTX (KredX) platforms.
- Guarantee covers 75% of default amount for eligible MSEs.
- Maximum exposure: ₹10 crore for MSE buyers, ₹2 crore for MSE sellers.
- This fulfills a Union Budget 2026–27 announcement from February 1, 2026.
💡 Remember: CGTMSE on TReDS boosts MSME working capital with 75% default cover, up to ₹10 Cr for buyers.
Source: Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises · PIB PRID 2314945
💊 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PLI Scheme Boosts Domestic Bulk Drug Manufacturing
Five greenfield projects under the **PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs** have commissioned facilities, enhancing India's pharmaceutical supply chain resilience.
- Lyfius Pharma established a 15,000 MT per annum Penicillin G facility in Andhra Pradesh.
- Kinvan Private Limited set up India's first fermentation-based Clavulanic Acid facility in Himachal Pradesh.
- Andhra Organics commissioned facilities for Sulfadiazine, Telmisartan, and Olmesartan in Andhra Pradesh.
- Meghmani LLP created a 13,500 MT per annum Para Amino Phenol (PAP) facility in Gujarat.
- Centrient Pharmaceuticals established a 206 MT per annum Atorvastatin API facility in Punjab.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 5 key bulk drugs (Penicillin G, Clavulanic Acid, Sulfadiazine/Telmisartan/Olmesartan, PAP, Atorvastatin) and their locations under the PLI scheme.
Source: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers - Department of Pharmaceuticals · PIB PRID 2314891
💊 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PLI Schemes Boost Pharmaceutical, Medical Device Manufacturing in India
Three PLI schemes have significantly strengthened India's pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing ecosystem since 2020.
- The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, approved in 2020 with ₹6,940 crore outlay, supports 41 critical products.
- The PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals, approved in 2021 with ₹15,000 crore outlay, focuses on high-value products.
- The PLI Scheme for Medical Devices, approved in 2020 with ₹3,420 crore outlay, incentivizes 5% incremental sales for five years.
- As of June 2026, ₹5,210.74 crore investment in Bulk Drugs, ₹46,744 crore in Pharmaceuticals, and 57 unique Medical Devices produced.
- Schemes created 5,127 jobs in Bulk Drugs and 1,21,294 jobs in Pharmaceuticals as of June 2026.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 3 Pharma/MedTech PLI schemes (Bulk Drugs, Pharma, Medical Devices) approved in 2020 & 2021, their outlays, and impact by June 2026.
Source: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers - Department of Pharmaceuticals · PIB PRID 2314746
🐅 Environment · UPSC track
6th Cycle of Tiger Reserve Management Evaluation Launched
The **6th Cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR)** in India has commenced, covering all **58 Tiger Reserves**.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) are collaborating.
- MEE-TR 2026 will cover all 58 Tiger Reserves in the country.
- This 6th Cycle introduces 'Solid Waste Management' as a new evaluation criterion.
- The MEE was initiated in India in 2006.
- Five previous assessment cycles were completed in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022.
💡 For the exam: Remember MEE-TR 2026 is the 6th cycle, covers all 58 reserves, and adds Solid Waste Management as a new criterion.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2314795
🪙 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI seizes 9.40 kg gold at Mumbai airport
The DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit intercepted three passengers arriving from Dubai with smuggled gold powder mixed in food products.
- DRI seized 9.40 kg foreign-origin gold on 23.09.2026.
- Gold was valued at approximately Rs. 14.81 crore.
- Smugglers mixed powdered gold with food products like milk powder and oats.
- Three Indian passengers were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
💡 DRI operation at Mumbai airport involved 9.40 kg gold mixed with food, leading to three arrests under Customs Act.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2314896
🚫 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI Seizes Smuggled Areca Nuts, Poppy Seeds in North-East
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted operations in Mizoram and Assam, seizing large quantities of foreign-origin smuggled goods.
- DRI seized over 1,25,000 kg areca nuts and 41,000 kg poppy seeds.
- The total value of seized goods is approximately Rs. 20.31 crore.
- Operations occurred on 23-24.09.26 in Mizoram and 22.09.26 in Assam.
- Goods were smuggled from Myanmar; four persons were arrested.
- Poppy seeds are a 'Restricted' item under Foreign Trade Policy.
💡 Remember: DRI intercepted Rs. 20.31 crore worth of smuggled areca nuts and poppy seeds near the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram and Assam.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2314894
⚕️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Arogya Manthan 2026: Eight Years of AB PM-JAY, Five of ABDM
Arogya Manthan 2026 celebrates the milestones of India's flagship health assurance and digital health schemes.
- AB PM-JAY completes eight years, covering over 60 crore beneficiaries as the world's largest health assurance program.
- ABDM completes five years, with over 97.8 crore ABHAs created and 121 crore health records linked.
- New initiatives include National Healthcare Providers Registry Mobile App and Secure Data Environment for AB PM-JAY.
- Scheme expanded to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
💡 Remember: AB PM-JAY 8 years, ABDM 5 years; AB PM-JAY covers 60 crore and all 70+.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2314839
👨🎓 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
DDU-GKY 2.0: Skill Training for 70,000 Rural Youth
The Ministry of Rural Development is initiating DDU-GKY 2.0 skill training batches for rural youth across States/UTs.
- Around 70,000 rural youth will begin training in October 2026.
- DDU-GKY 2.0 allocated 5.6 lakh targets to 1,200+ projects in 24 States/UTs.
- 31 participating States/UTs have 9 lakh+ targets for 2026-28.
- Training is placement-linked and follows NSQF aligned courses.
💡 DDU-GKY 2.0 (Oct 2026): 70,000 rural youth, 9 lakh+ targets for 31 States/UTs.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development · PIB PRID 2314665
🚀 Science & Tech · UPSC track
Agnikul Cosmos Receives ₹200 Cr for Reusable Agnibaan RLV
The Technology Development Board (TDB) is supporting **Agnikul Cosmos** to develop a fully reusable launch vehicle, boosting India's indigenous space capabilities.
- TDB-DST signed an agreement with M/s Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, Chennai, for ₹200 crore support.
- The funding is under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund via Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD).
- The project aims to develop the Agnibaan RLV, taking its technology from TRL-4 to TRL-8.
- It focuses on full-system reusability beyond just the first stage, reducing costs and space debris.
- The architecture includes a lightweight upper stage, precise orbital insertion, and a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system.
💡 For the exam: TDB-DST is funding Agnikul Cosmos with ₹200 crore under the RDI Fund to develop the Agnibaan RLV for full reusability.
Source: Ministry of Science & Technology · PIB PRID 2314836
♻️ Environment · UPSC track
India's Cities Embrace Circular Economy for Plastic Waste
Indian cities are implementing diverse initiatives to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic, moving towards a circular economy model.
- Single-use plastic items were prohibited since July 1, 2022.
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched October 2, 2014, strengthens waste management.
- Vita town, Maharashtra, installed five “Thaila ATMs” dispensing reusable cloth bags.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands initiated a buy-back scheme for used milk pouches, collecting 17,600 by November 2024.
- Bengaluru's Project Prithvi's Swachhata Kendra employs 76 Safai Saathis and processes plastic for recycling.
- Patiala's Plastic Recycling Facility turns difficult Multi-layered Plastics (MLPs) into 75 to 100 chipboards daily.
💡 Remember: SBM's 2014 launch and 2022 single-use plastic ban underpin diverse local initiatives like Thaila ATMs, milk pouch buy-backs, and MLP recycling for a circular plastic economy.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2314811
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC Online Internship Concludes, Urges Human Rights Advocacy
The **NHRC's** two-week Online Short-Term Internship Programme concluded, with 95 students completing the training on human rights.
- The NHRC internship ran from 14th September 2026 to 25th September 2026.
- 95 university-level students completed the program, shortlisted from 1008 applicants.
- Interns represented 19 states and union territories.
- Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi chaired the valedictory session.
💡 The NHRC's 2026 online internship saw 95 students from 19 states complete 2 weeks of training.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2315011