Current Affairs: 1st September to 5th September 2026

1. ISRO Launches GSLV-F17 with EOS-05 Satellite

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, an advanced Earth-observation satellite, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• The launch took place on September 4, 2026, at around 2:55 AM IST. EOS-05 was placed into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO).
• ISRO describes EOS-05 as India’s first imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit, designed for advanced Earth observation. The satellite is expected to support applications requiring long-duration observation of specific regions.
• The mission marks another important milestone in India’s indigenous launch-vehicle and satellite capabilities.

2. India, Belgium Sign MoUs on Energy and Defence

• India and Belgium strengthened bilateral cooperation with agreements covering defence, renewable energy, trade and investment, maritime affairs, critical minerals, semiconductors and research.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever held discussions in New Delhi on September 3, 2026.
• The two countries also agreed to establish an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to facilitate Belgian investments in India and set an objective of doubling bilateral trade within five years.
• Both sides highlighted cooperation in strategic and emerging sectors while reaffirming their shared commitment to combating terrorism. The agreements are expected to deepen India-Belgium economic, technological and security partnerships.

3. Hyderabad Startup’s Ahuti Mk II Becomes India’s Fastest Multirotor UAV

• A Hyderabad-based startup has developed the Ahuti Mk II, described as India’s fastest multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
• The indigenous drone represents growing capabilities in India’s private defence and aerospace sector. Multirotor UAVs are widely used for surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics and other applications requiring vertical take-off and landing.
• The development highlights the increasing role of Indian startups in building advanced unmanned systems for national security and civilian applications.
• The Ahuti Mk II is part of the broader push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, encouraging domestic design, development and manufacturing of defence technologies.
• Its reported performance also underlines the rapid technological progress taking place within India’s emerging drone ecosystem.

4. Rajnath Singh Unveils RAKSHA Defence Diplomacy Document

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the ‘RAKSHA’ defence diplomacy document in New Delhi on September 3, 2026.
• The document provides India’s strategic roadmap and vision for global defence partnerships over the next 10 years.
• Its major pillars include strengthening strategic partnerships, capacity building, indigenous defence exports and maritime security.
• The framework seeks to deepen bilateral and multilateral military cooperation, expand joint exercises and training, promote Indian-made defence platforms globally, and strengthen India’s role as a Net Security Provider and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The initiative marks a more proactive approach to India’s defence diplomacy and international security partnerships.

5. GIFT IFSC Emerges as International Banking Hub

• GIFT City’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is emerging as a major international banking and foreign-currency financing hub.
• According to the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), banks operating through International Banking Units at GIFT IFSC had mobilised more than US$52.8 billion under the RBI’s FCNR(B) swap facility.
• They also recorded US$11.62 billion in External Commercial Borrowings and US$11.12 billion in bond listings on IFSC exchanges.
• As of March 2026, GIFT IFSC had more than US$111 billion in banking assets. The developments strengthen India’s ambition to establish GIFT City as a globally connected financial centre.

6. India to Host World Archery Para Series 2026

• India is hosting the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series for the first time.
• The third stage of the international competition will be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from September 5 to 9, 2026.
• A total of 109 para archers from 19 countries are expected to compete across recurve, compound, W1 and visually impaired categories.
• A 29-member Indian squad has been preparing for the event at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar.
• The tournament is particularly important ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, giving athletes valuable high-level competitive exposure.

7. India to Host Women’s Champions Trophy

• India will host the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy from February 14 to 28, 2027.
• The six-team tournament will be played at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Vadodara.
• The participating teams are India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
• The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka but was shifted after the ICC assessed alternative hosts.
• The six teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two progressing to the final.
• The event marks a significant milestone for women’s international cricket and gives India another major ICC hosting opportunity.

8. IAF Tests Indigenous Khagantak-243 Glide Bomb

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully tested the indigenous Khagantak-243 long-range glide bomb in Rajasthan.
• The test was conducted near Jaisalmer, demonstrating India’s growing capability to develop precision-strike weapons domestically.
• Reports indicate that the weapon was tested from a Su-30MKI fighter aircraft and has a reported range of more than 140 kilometres.
• The glide bomb is designed to travel towards its target without a conventional propulsion system after release.
• The successful trial strengthens India’s long-range precision-strike capabilities and supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence technology.
• A Nagpur-based company, JSR Dynamics, was also involved in its development.

9. 16th Aero India to Be Held in Bengaluru

• The 16th edition of Aero India will be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru, from February 8 to 12, 2027.
• Organised by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Aero India is recognised as Asia’s largest air show and one of the world’s major aerospace and defence exhibitions.
• The event will bring together global aerospace and defence companies, military delegations, policymakers, technology experts, innovators and industry stakeholders.
• It will showcase India’s capabilities in aerospace, defence manufacturing, emerging technologies and innovation.
• Online registration and exhibition-space booking began on September 3, 2026, through the official Aero India platform.

10. Abhinandan Varthaman Joins Goa-Based Airline FLY91 as Pilot

• Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot after retiring from the IAF.
• Varthaman, a Vir Chakra awardee, became internationally known following the February 2019 aerial confrontation between India and Pakistan, during which his MiG-21 Bison was shot down and he was subsequently captured before being returned to India.
• He served around 22 years in the IAF as a fighter pilot. His move to commercial aviation marks a new chapter in his flying career.
• He joins FLY91 as the airline expands its regional aviation operations.

11. Gollala Gudi Temple Added to India’s National Monuments List

• The Gollala Gudi Temple, in Palampet, Telangana has been reported as being added to India’s list of nationally protected monuments, highlighting the country’s continuing efforts to preserve important historical and cultural heritage.
• Such protection places significant responsibility on authorities to conserve the monument and safeguard its architectural and historical features.
• India’s protected-monument framework covers heritage sites of archaeological, historical and cultural importance, many of which are maintained under the Archaeological Survey of India.
• The addition reinforces the importance of preserving regional heritage alongside internationally recognised sites. The move is expected to strengthen conservation efforts and increase public awareness of the temple’s cultural and historical significance.

12. Apple Maps Renames Lake Ontario as Lake America

• Apple Maps has renamed Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for users in the United States, following an executive order by US President Donald Trump.
• The change is connected to the US government’s updated geographic naming policy. However, the change is not universal: Canadian users continue to see Lake Ontario, while international users may see both names.
• Lake Ontario is shared by the United States and Canada, with approximately 52% of its area within Canadian territory.
• The renaming has generated controversy in Canada, where political leaders have rejected the new name. Apple’s move follows a similar update by Google Maps for US users.

13. SCO Names Lahore Tourism and Cultural Capital

• Lahore has been designated the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026–27.
• The designation comes during the year marking the SCO’s 25th anniversary and Pakistan’s chairmanship of the organisation.
• The SCO has highlighted plans for joint cultural and tourism events to promote interaction among member states.
• SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev discussed the designation during a meeting with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture in Islamabad.
• Lahore, known for its historic monuments, cultural traditions and heritage, will serve as a platform for promoting tourism, cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts among SCO countries during the designated period.

14. Indian Railways Approves ₹170 Crore for Kavach 4.0

• Indian Railways has approved ₹170 crore for deploying Kavach Version 4.0 across the remaining 712 route kilometres of the Moradabad Division of Northern Railway.
• Kavach is India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system designed to enhance railway safety.
• The system helps prevent Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), automatically applies brakes when necessary, controls train speed in critical situations and reduces the risk of collisions.
• The latest approval is part of Indian Railways’ wider effort to expand Kavach coverage and modernise signalling infrastructure.
• Kavach 4.0 has already been commissioned on major high-density routes, including sections of the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors.

15. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes Youngest Duleep Trophy Half-Century Maker

• Young Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history in the 2026 Duleep Trophy by becoming the youngest player to score a half-century in the tournament.
• At just 15 years and 157 days, Sooryavanshi broke a record that had stood for 57 years.
• He reached his fifty in only 42 balls and eventually scored 92 runs from 81 deliveries, including seven fours and seven sixes.
• He also shared a 161-run partnership with Abhimanyu Easwaran, helping East Zone build a strong position against Central Zone.
• The record-breaking innings further underlines Sooryavanshi’s emergence as one of India’s most promising young batting talents.

16. Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Named First CEO of Ram Temple Trust

• Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
• The appointment was announced on September 2, 2026, as part of a major administrative restructuring of the Trust.
• Mishra previously headed the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 and was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for distinguished service.
• He retired from the IAF in 2026 after more than 38 years of service.
• The Trust also appointed Govind Dev Giri as General Secretary and inducted three new trustees.

17. OpenAI Launches GPT-6 Astra: New AI Model Targets Complex Computer Tasks and Advanced Reasoning

• OpenAI has launched GPT-6 Astra, its most capable broadly deployed AI model yet, marking a major step forward in advanced reasoning and agentic AI.
• Released on September 3, 2026, Astra is designed to handle complex computer-use tasks, coding, scientific research, mathematics, cybersecurity and professional workflows with less human supervision.
• It can navigate browsers, websites, spreadsheets and desktop applications and complete multi-step assignments.
• OpenAI says Astra is also its first model to reach the “Critical” cybersecurity capability threshold, prompting stronger safety protections.
• The model is being rolled out gradually to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise users, as well as through the API.

18. India Wins Nine Medals at International Earth Science Olympiad 2026

• Team India delivered its best-ever performance at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026, winning nine medals at the competition held in Turin, Italy.
• The Indian school students secured four gold, three silver and two bronze medals, competing against participants from 39 countries.
• The achievement highlights India’s growing strength in Earth and environmental sciences and the quality of its scientific training programmes.
• The success was celebrated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who felicitated the Indian team for its historic performance.
• IESO is an international competition that tests students’ knowledge and skills in Earth sciences.

19. Giorgia Meloni Becomes Italy’s Longest-Serving Postwar Prime Minister

• Giorgia Meloni has achieved a major political milestone after her government became Italy’s longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II.
• Meloni, who became Prime Minister in October 2022, crossed 1,413 consecutive days in office, surpassing the previous postwar record associated with Silvio Berlusconi’s 2001–2005 government.
• She is also Italy’s first woman Prime Minister. Meloni’s government has maintained its coalition despite Italy’s traditionally unstable political landscape.
• Supporters have highlighted political continuity, employment growth and fiscal policies, while critics have pointed to limited progress on structural reforms.
• The milestone comes ahead of Italy’s 2027 general election, when Meloni’s political durability will face another major test.

20. UN Votes for New World Map to Show Africa’s True Size

• The UN General Assembly has endorsed a resolution supporting the Equal Earth map projection, which represents Africa and other landmasses more accurately than the widely used Mercator projection.
• The resolution, spearheaded by Togo and supported by African countries, passed with 164 votes in favour, six abstentions and only the United States voting against.
• The Equal Earth projection shows Africa’s true relative size, addressing the distortion created by Mercator, which makes high-latitude regions appear much larger.
• For example, Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland, despite appearing similar in size on conventional Mercator maps.
• The resolution is not legally binding and encourages adoption in education, media and digital mapping.

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