International Coffee Day | 1 October

International Coffee Day, celebrated annually on October 1st to honor the beverage and the millions of people involved in its production.

Coffee is the world’s most widely traded tropical product and one of its most widely consumed beverages. Up to 25 million farming households, largely in developing countries, produce around 80 per cent of the world’s coffee. Brazil, Viet Nam and Colombia lead global production, while the European Union and the United States of America are the largest importing and consuming markets.

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Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme. This historic initiative will strengthen India’s Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) to enable evacuation of up to 135 Gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy across States/ Union Territories.

The scheme also provides for deployment of 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at the Renewable Energy (RE) developer/generator end or any other location of importance for grid flexibility to address intermittency, congestion, peak-hour curtailment and meet non-solar hour demand.

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Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme

The scheme will facilitate grid integration and power evacuation with in the States/UTs of India.

The scheme is targeted to be set up by FY 2032-33 with total project outlay of Rs.1,86,405 crore, comprising Rs.1,36,378 crore for the development of Intra-State Transmission Systems (InSTS) under GEC-III, Rs.50,000 crore for 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The Scheme involves a total Central Financial Support of Rs.54,082 crore. The Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will help in offsetting the Intra-State transmission charges and thus keep the power costs down.

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Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme

Thus, the Government support will ultimately benefit the end users – the citizens of India.

All Greenfield projects under the InSTS component will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mode, while brownfield upgradation and network strengthening works will be executed under Cost Plus Basis (CPB). The State Transmission Utilities will be the overall implementing agency, and Transmission Service Providers (TSPs) will participate under TBCB on a Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) model.

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Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme

The scheme will help in achieving the target of 900 GW installed Non-Fossil capacity by 2035. The scheme will also contribute to long term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing carbon footprint.

It will generate large direct & indirect employment in the power sector, manufacturing, and construction industries.

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Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28.

Government has increased the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce.

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Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2027-28

The absolute highest increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower at Rs.675 per quintal followed by Rapeseed & Mustard at Rs.413 per quintal.

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AU Small Finance Bank Crosses 1,000 Microfinance Branches, Reaches 20 Lakh+ Customers

AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) has crossed the milestone of 1,000 Microfinance & Financial Inclusion Business (MFIB) branches, strengthening its financial inclusion network across rural and semi-urban India.

The bank’s MFIB network now serves more than 20 lakh customers and 58 lakh+ rural savings account holders across 59,000+ villages in 17 states and one Union Territory. The branches are spread across rural and semi-urban markets in North, Central, East and South India.

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AU Small Finance Bank Crosses 1,000 Microfinance Branches, Reaches 20 Lakh+ Customers

According to the bank, the MFIB network has supported women-led micro-enterprises, agriculture-linked and livestock-based livelihoods, and small rural businesses, helping households create income opportunities and strengthen their financial resilience.

AU SFB’s MFIB network extends beyond credit services by providing underserved households with access to a broader range of financial products and services.

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AU Small Finance Bank Crosses 1,000 Microfinance Branches, Reaches 20 Lakh+ Customers

These include savings accounts, insurance solutions, Aadhaar-enabled banking services, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) access, digital payments, financial literacy programmes and doorstep banking support.

The expansion of the MFIB network has also focused on supporting women entrepreneurs and small businesses in rural and semi-urban communities.

Uttam Tibrewal, Deputy CEO – Retail Banking, AU Small Finance Bank, said the milestone represents more than an expansion of the bank’s branch network and reflects the trust built with customers across rural India.

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Ayush Emerges as One of India’s Fastest-Growing Service Sectors, RIS Study Estimates US$36.92 Billion Economy

The Ayush services sector has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing service sectors, with its economic contribution estimated at US$36.92 billion in FY2024-25, according to a new study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS). Registering a 16.91 per cent CAGR since FY2022-23, the sector is increasingly contributing to India’s economic growth through healthcare, wellness, employment generation and Medical Value Travel.

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Ayush Emerges as One of India’s Fastest-Growing Service Sectors, RIS Study Estimates US$36.92 Billion Economy

The study projects that the Ayush services economy could scale to US$216–318 billion by 2047, underlining its significant potential to contribute to the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. The Report was formally released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations in Nagpur on 23rd September.

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Shri Chouhan Approves Rs.5,547.99 Crore Procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds Under PSS for Kharif 2026-27

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved procurement worth Rs 5,547.99 crore at Minimum Support Price (MSP) under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Kharif Marketing Season 2026-27 in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The decision is aimed at protecting farmers from a decline in market prices and ensuring remunerative returns for their produce, particularly for pulse and oilseed growers.

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Shri Chouhan Approves Rs.5,547.99 Crore Procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds Under PSS for Kharif 2026-27

In Uttar Pradesh, the largest share of the approved procurement, worth Rs 3,992.57 crore, has been sanctioned. This includes procurement of 4,66,000 metric tonnes of tur valued at ₹3,937.70 crore and 6,250 metric tonnes of moong valued at Rs 54.87 crore at MSP.

For pulse and oilseed farmers in Karnataka, procurement worth Rs.1,107 crore has been approved under PSS. This includes 1,15,500 metric tonnes of soybean valued at Rs 659.27 crore, 38,250 metric tonnes of moong valued at Rs.335.83 crore and 13,413 metric tonnes of sunflower valued at Rs 111.90 crore.

In Telangana, procurement worth Rs 448.42 crore has been approved. This comprises 62,000 metric tonnes of soybean valued at Rs 353.90 crore and 10,766 metric tonnes of moong valued at Rs 94.52 crore, to be procured at MSP under the Price Support Scheme.

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India Mining Week 2026 Brings Together Diplomatic Missions from 19 Countries for ‘India Mining: Global Connect’

India Mining Week 2026, India’s largest conference-cum-exhibition for the mining and minerals sector, hosted ‘India Mining: Global Connect’, an international outreach interaction that brought together representatives of diplomatic missions from 19 countries to discuss opportunities for greater international participation and collaboration in India’s mining and minerals sector.

The interaction was organised as part of the build-up to India Mining Week 2026, scheduled from 15-17 November 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, by the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Mines, Government of India, in association with the mining industry.

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India Mining Week 2026 Brings Together Diplomatic Missions from 19 Countries for ‘India Mining: Global Connect’

Addressing the gathering at the India Mining: Global Connect, Smt. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, invoked the timeless Indian ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, highlighting the spirit of partnership and collaboration that can shape the future of the global mining sector. As India advances as the world’s fourth-largest economy, the mining and minerals sector has a significant role to play in supporting the country’s growth and global ambitions.

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OPERATION DRISHTI: Armed Forces Medical Services Conduct Two Landmark Mega Eye Surgical Camps in Kashmir

The 11th Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti concluded at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on September 30, 2026, bringing the Kashmir leg of the initiative to a successful close. Across the two mega eye camps conducted at Tangdhar and Srinagar, the surgical team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral) (AHRR), under the leadership of Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, performed 364 eye surgeries, including cataract, glaucoma, pterygium and retinal procedures.

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OPERATION DRISHTI: Armed Forces Medical Services Conduct Two Landmark Mega Eye Surgical Camps in Kashmir

In the weeks preceding the surgical camps, teams from 92 Base Hospital and 328 Field Hospital conducted 18 screening camps across remote and forward areas of the Kashmir Valley, including Tangdhar, Dawar, Machil, Uri, Baramulla, Bandipora, Khanabal and Kangan. The beneficiaries were subsequently treated in two phases under Operation Drishti.

The first phase was conducted at Tangdhar, in the sensitive sector along the Line of Control (LoC). The camp, held from September 24-25, 2026, marked the first-ever mega eye surgical camp conducted at the LoC in an underground operation theatre.

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OPERATION DRISHTI: Armed Forces Medical Services Conduct Two Landmark Mega Eye Surgical Camps in Kashmir

The surgical team successfully performed 220 sight-restoring surgeries over two days, demonstrating the capability to provide advanced ophthalmic care even in remote and operationally challenging locations.

The second phase was conducted at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, from September 28-29, 2026, where 144 patients underwent eye surgeries.

With the successful completion of its Kashmir leg, Operation Drishti has now reached the North, West, East and Central regions of the country. The next phase of the initiative is scheduled to be conducted in Odisha.

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ASEAN-INDIA MARITIME EXERCISE (AIME-2026) COMMENCES IN SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINES

The Second Edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) commenced at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 28 Sep 2026, with the participation of Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish, along with maritime forces from ASEAN Member States. Conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea”, the exercise brings together maritime forces from India and ASEAN countries for professional, operational and social engagements aimed at enhancing mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability.

The exercise commenced with the Opening Ceremony, wherein His Excellency Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour and addressed the participating maritime forces.

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ASEAN-INDIA MARITIME EXERCISE (AIME-2026) COMMENCES IN SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINES

The participation of INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish in AIME-2026 underscores the Indian Navy’s continued commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships and promoting practical cooperation with ASEAN maritime forces. The exercise is being conducted in furtherance of India’s Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

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CAG Launches BHASHINI-Powered AI Translation Platform for Official Documents

The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under the Digital India Corporation (DIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, in collaboration with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), today launched “CAG-BHASHINI Anuvaad”, an AI-enabled document translation solution developed by BHASHINI to support the translation of official CAG documents and audit-related reports. The solution was launched during the closing ceremony of the 74th Hindi Diwas and Hindi Pakhwada 2026 at the CAG Office, New Delhi.

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CAG Launches BHASHINI-Powered AI Translation Platform for Official Documents

CAG-BHASHINI Anuvaad has been developed as a customised Language AI solution for the CAG, with a focus on supporting consistent terminology, contextual translation and quality of output. The solution provides an AI-enabled environment for translation of official documents while addressing institutional requirements relating to security, controlled access and data sovereignty.

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First female prime minister named in Morocco after winning elections

Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has been named Morocco's first female prime minister, after her centrist Authenticity and Modernity Party (Pam) won the most seats in last week's parliamentary elections.

Her appointment makes her only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world, after Tunisia's Najla Bouden.

She was named by King Mohammed VI, who chose her as prime minister over the country's football chief Fouzi Lekjaa, a top politician from the same party. El Mansouri, 50, has been the mayor of Marrakesh for a number of years and also served as a minister in the previous coalition government.

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Shubman Gill's 117-ball double century tops the list: Top five fastest 200s in ODI cricket history, ranked by balls

The India captain took just 117 balls as India comfortably chased down 406 against the West Indies in the second ODI at Guwahati.

India captain Shubman Gill scored the fastest double century in the history of ODI cricket on Wednesday. Gill, 223 not out off 133 balls at the end of India's chase, reached his double ton off just 117 balls as the hosts thrashed the West Indies by 8 wickets with 39 balls to spare at Guwahati. Chasing 406 to win, Rohit Sharma (101) and Gill added 251 for the opening wicket to set the tone for an easy win as India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

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UPSC Completes 100 Years: From 1926 Advisory Panel To Independent Constitutional Body

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed 100 years today, October 1, 2026. According to a report by the Press Information Bureau, its institutional journey began on October 1, 1926, when India's first Public Service Commission was constituted: an advisory body whose chairman and members were appointed by the Secretary of State in London. Over the century that followed, the commission evolved in structure, status, and responsibilities, becoming what it is today: an independent constitutional body.

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UPSC Completes 100 Years: From 1926 Advisory Panel To Independent Constitutional Body

The UPSC conducts recruitment by examination for the following posts and services: the Civil Services, Indian Forest Service, Engineering Services, Combined Medical Services, National Defence Academy & Naval Academy, Combined Defence Services, and Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants), among others.

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UPI usage holds steady in September despite backlash over new MDR norms

UPI processed an average 802 million transactions a day in September, about 1 per cent more than the 792 million a day over the same period in August.

NPCI published the MDR framework for UPI on September 15, a day after a gazette notification paved the way for banks to levy charges on UPI. It set a 0.4 per cent fee on person-to-merchant payments above Rs.2,000 starting October 15.

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UPI usage holds steady in September despite backlash over new MDR norms

Since the framework, daily volumes over the fortnight averaged 777.6 million, compared to 777.9 million in August.

The value of transactions has been higher at Rs.89,067 crore a day against Rs.87,378 crore for the same fortnight in September and August, respectively.

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HDFC Bank Group General Counsel Sudhir Kumar Jha retires after 22 years

Sudhir Kumar Jha has retired from HDFC Bank effective September 30, 2026, concluding his 22-year tenure. Following his retirement, Jha will no longer hold a senior management position at the bank. HDFC Bank recognized Jha's significant contributions to its legal and compliance framework over the years. Jigar Shah is set to succeed Jha as General Counsel starting October 1, 2026. The transition marks another leadership change within the HDFC Group.

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HDFC Bank Group General Counsel Sudhir Kumar Jha retires after 22 years

The bank placed on record its appreciation for Jha’s services, saying he played an important role in strengthening its legal and compliance framework and ensuring effective management of legal risks.Jha was associated with the HDFC Group for 22 years, including his tenure with Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd and HDFC Bank.

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Kotak Mahindra Bank gets RBI nod to appoint Anup Saha as MD & CEO

Anup Kumar Saha has been appointed by the Reserve Bank of India as managing director and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank. His three-year term will begin on January 1, 2027, succeeding Ashok Vaswani. Saha has extensive experience in financial services, including leadership roles at Bajaj Finance and ICICI Bank. The Kotak board will formalize this appointment and seek approval from shareholders.

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HDFC Capital, Shalimar create Rs 750 crore platform for UP real estate

HDFC Capital Advisors, the real estate private equity arm of HDFC Group, has created a Rs 750 crore platform with Shalimar Corp to develop residential and mixed-use projects across key markets in Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Varanasi and Kanpur.

The platform will include multiple projects with a combined development potential of more than 5 million sq ft and about 3,000 homes, targeting demand for aspirational housing in these markets.

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HDFC Capital, Shalimar create Rs 750 crore platform for UP real estate

Shalimar has launched projects worth Rs 6,000 crore in the last three years. In FY27, it plans to launch projects worth Rs 4,000 crore.Shalimar Corp has delivered more than 70 projects and developed more than 25 million sq ft of premium real estate. It is also executing township projects in Lucknow.

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Interest rates on small savings schemes remains unchanged for Oct-Dec

The government left interest rates unchanged for various small savings schemes, including PPF and NSC, for the tenth straight quarter, beginning October 1, 2026.The rates of interest on various Small Savings Schemes for the third quarter of FY 2026-27, starting from October 1, 2026, and ending on December 30, 2026, shall remain unchanged from those notified for the second quarter (July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026) of FY 2026-27

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Interest rates on small savings schemes remains unchanged for Oct-Dec

As per the notification, deposits under the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will attract an interest rate of 8.2 per cent, while the rate on a three-year term deposit remains at 7.1 per cent during the third quarter.

The interest rates for popular public provident fund (PPF) and post office savings deposit schemes have been retained at 7.1 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively.

The interest rate on Kisan Vikas Patra will be 7.5 per cent, and the investments will mature in 115 months.

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