New Delhi, September 12, 2026 — Current Affairs 12 September 2026 brings a news day that cuts across sustainability, fintech, defence, space technology, biodiversity, and state-level youth policy. From India’s largest bank teaming up with a packaged water brand to fight plastic waste, to a prime minister calling for cybersecurity guardrails in fintech, to an ocean research vessel that marks a new chapter in deep-sea exploration — today’s update covers ground that every competitive exam aspirant needs to walk.
If you are preparing for UPSC, SSC, IBPS, RBI, Railway, or any State PSC examination, this daily GK update covers every headline from September 12 that deserves a place in your revision notes. Read it once. Bookmark it. Come back to it before your prelims.
National News
SBI and Bisleri Partner to Promote Plastic Waste Recycling Across All Offices
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 opens with a partnership that brings together one of India’s largest institutions and one of its most recognisable consumer brands in the fight against plastic pollution. The State Bank of India has signed a Letter of Association with Bisleri International to promote responsible plastic waste management across all SBI branches and offices (citation:3)(citation:4).
The collaboration operates under Bisleri’s flagship sustainability programme, “Bottles for Change,” which works with institutions, housing societies, corporates, and communities to promote awareness around the segregation, collection, and recycling of plastic waste (citation:3).
What the Partnership Involves
- Training and Awareness — Bisleri will conduct specialised sessions for SBI employees and housekeeping staff on correct plastic waste segregation and disposal (citation:3)(citation:4).
- Collection and Recycling — Used plastic waste will be collected from SBI offices and sent for recycling through Bisleri’s established waste-management framework (citation:4).
- Sustainability Alignment — The partnership supports SBI’s broader target of achieving Net Zero emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) by 2055, its centenary year, and aligns with India’s circular economy goals and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision (citation:3)(citation:4).
Shri Ravi Ranjan, Managing Director (Risk, Compliance and SARG) at SBI, said the collaboration is “a step towards embedding sustainable practices into our everyday workplace culture,” adding that when employees are empowered to make responsible choices, “that awareness extends well beyond our offices and into the communities that we serve” (citation:3)(citation:4).
Dr. Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International, said the partnership “can become a scalable model for corporate participation in advancing a circular economy for plastics” (citation:3)(citation:4). For exam aspirants, the circular economy concept — where waste is minimised through reuse, recycling, and regeneration — is a recurring theme in GS Paper III and essay questions.
PM Modi Inaugurates Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 carries a major development from India’s financial technology sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai on September 8, marking his third consecutive appearance at the event (citation:15). The theme this year was “Potential to Impact — Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum” (citation:15).
The Prime Minister used the occasion to make several significant points about India’s economic strength and digital payments ecosystem:
Key Highlights from PM Modi’s Address
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| GDP Growth | India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the April–June quarter, contrasting with global economic uncertainty (citation:15) |
| Sovereign Rating Upgrade | A Japanese credit rating agency upgraded India’s sovereign rating to A- category after three decades, citing structural reforms and macroeconomic stability (citation:15) |
| UPI Expansion | UPI is now live in 11 countries; over 24 billion transactions recorded in August 2026 alone (citation:15) |
| PM SVANidhi | Scheme boosted street vendors’ average annual income by over 20%; extended until 2030 (citation:15) |
| Emerging Technologies | Highlighted Agentic AI, tokenisation, and quantum computing as transformative forces in financial services (citation:15) |
The Prime Minister laid out a four-point roadmap for the fintech industry — cybersecurity, ethical data protection, a strong regulator-industry innovation ecosystem, and a fintech consumer protection index (citation:15). He urged the sector to expand beyond payments into credit, insurance, savings, investments, and pensions, and called for integrating UPI with domestic payment systems of partner countries to reduce remittance costs for the diaspora (citation:15).
For UPSC aspirants, the Global Fintech Fest is worth tracking as a convergence point of India’s digital payments leadership, financial inclusion agenda, and emerging technology policy — all of which feature prominently in GS Paper III and the Essay paper.
Chhattisgarh Approves ₹500 Crore NIPUN Mission for Youth
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 includes a significant state-level policy development. The Chhattisgarh government has approved the Chief Minister Startup and NIPUN Mission with a financial outlay of ₹500 crore over five years to transform youth from job-seekers into job-creators.
Key Details
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | New-age Industry Preparedness through Upskilling of Youth (NIPUN) |
| Budget | ₹500 crore over five years |
| Approved | September 2026 |
| Core Goal | Shift youth focus from job-seekers to job-creators |
| Entrepreneurship Centres | To be established in all 33 districts |
| Emerging Technology Labs | 100 labs for hands-on exposure to new technologies |
The Entrepreneurship Development Centres in all 33 districts will serve as incubation hubs, while the 100 Emerging Technology Labs will give young people hands-on exposure to modern technologies — moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical experiments and technology-based solutions.
For aspirants, the NIPUN Mission connects to broader themes of skill development, startup ecosystem building, and demographic dividend utilisation — all staples of GS Paper III and essay questions on India’s youth potential.
India Hosts Global Dryland Congress 2026 in New Delhi
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 features a major global agricultural event being held on Indian soil. The three-day Global Dryland Congress 2026, organised by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), is underway at the NASC Complex in New Delhi from September 10 to 12 (citation:6)(citation:8).
The Congress is being held on the theme “Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South-South Cooperation” and brings together global experts from research, academia, industry, MSMEs, food processing startups, policymakers, and NGOs (citation:6).
Key Themes and Sessions
- Breeding for Tomorrow — Accelerating genetic gains in dryland crops (citation:6)
- Climate-Resilient Dryland Landscapes — Building resilience against climate change (citation:6)
- Better Diets and Nutrition through Markets and Policies — Addressing nutrition security (citation:6)
- Reimagining Resilient Dryland Farming Systems — Inclusive innovations for production systems (citation:6)
- Transforming Seed Systems in the Global South — Strengthening seed and livelihood ecosystems (citation:6)
- Gender and Youth-Centred Transformation — Ensuring inclusivity in agricultural development (citation:6)
The Congress also marks the Golden Jubilee of the ICAR-ICRISAT collaboration — 50 years of partnership that has delivered climate-resilient crop varieties, strengthened seed systems, and improved productivity for smallholder farmers across India (citation:6). The event will commemorate the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation on its final day (citation:6).
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the Congress, and the event features 18 lead talks and 54 invited presentations (citation:6). The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is a sponsor, with its Regional Manager for South Asia, Dr. Pratibha Singh, joining a panel on better diets and nutrition through markets and policies (citation:9).
For UPSC Prelims, note that ICRISAT is a CGIAR research centre headquartered in Hyderabad, focused on agricultural research for the semi-arid tropics. South-South Cooperation — collaboration between developing countries to share knowledge and solutions — is an important concept in international development and GS Paper II.
Banking and Financial News
Jio Payment Solutions Launches Cross-Border Payments
Jio Payment Solutions Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio Financial Services, has launched cross-border payment services to empower Indian exporters to accept international payments seamlessly. The service supports virtual accounts, international cards, and local payment rails from customers worldwide.
The launch follows authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border transactions, covering both exports and imports. The service targets online sellers, digital businesses, freelancers, creators, and SaaS companies — segments where collecting international payments has traditionally been a fragmented and complex process.
For banking awareness sections, note that Jio Financial Services was demerged from Reliance Industries and listed on Indian stock exchanges in 2023. Its entry into cross-border payments puts it in competition with established players like Razorpay, PayU, and Wise.
Awards
Former CJI Justice Dipak Misra Conferred with Kalinga Ratna Award
Former Chief Justice of India Justice Dipak Misra has been conferred with the Kalinga Ratna Award by Sarala Sahitya Sansad in Cuttack, Odisha. The award — a state-level civilian honour given annually to recognise iconic figures from Odisha for lifetime achievements — comprises a silver idol of Goddess Saraswati and a citation. Justice Misra served as the 45th Chief Justice of India from 2017 to 2018.
Defence
India and Morocco Hold Inaugural Joint Defence Committee Meeting
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 covers a new chapter in India’s defence diplomacy. India and Morocco held their inaugural Joint Defence Committee meeting in New Delhi on September 8, 2026, aimed at expanding bilateral military and industrial cooperation.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, while Morocco was represented by Brigadier General Abdellah Athmani, Chief of the 2nd Bureau of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces.
Areas Discussed
- Defence Industry — Joint ventures, co-production, technology collaboration, and maintenance ecosystems, building on private sector steps like Tata Advanced Systems’ manufacturing footprint in Morocco
- Military Collaboration — Enhanced training, education, joint exercises, and maritime cooperation
- Emerging Security Domains — Cyber defence, military medicine, and UN peacekeeping operations
The meeting comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of India-Morocco diplomatic ties in 2027. For defence-related exam questions, note that Morocco is a key North African partner for India, and this was the first-ever meeting of a Joint Defence Committee between the two countries.
Indian Navy Launches ORV Sagar Manthan — Advanced Ocean Research Vessel
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 marks a milestone in India’s oceanographic research capabilities. The Indian Navy launched the advanced Ocean Research Vessel ‘Sagar Manthan’ at Rishi Bankim Shipyard in Kolkata on September 9, 2026.
Key Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | ORV Sagar Manthan |
| Launched | September 9, 2026, at Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata |
| Designed and Built By | Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) |
| Client | National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Ministry of Earth Sciences |
| Programme | Deep Ocean Mission — Vertical 4 (Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration) |
| Estimated Cost | ~₹840 crore |
| Significance | First advanced Ocean Research Vessel built by GRSE; major Atmanirbhar Bharat milestone |
The vessel represents a significant step towards self-reliance in oceanographic research and maritime technology. For exam purposes, note that the Deep Ocean Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021 with an estimated budget of ₹4,077 crore over five years. NCPOR, headquartered in Goa, is the nodal agency for India’s polar and ocean research programmes.
India and Sri Lanka Sign MoU on L70 Gun Upgradation
India and Sri Lanka exchanged Memorandums of Understanding on the upgradation of L70 air defence guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force and cooperation between the National Cadet Corps and National Defence Colleges of both countries.
The upgradation of these air defence guns will strengthen the air defence architecture of critical assets in Sri Lanka. The MoU on academic cooperation will formalise knowledge sharing and the NCC youth exchange programme between the two countries.
For Prelims, the L70 is a 40mm anti-aircraft gun widely used by the Indian armed forces. India’s defence cooperation with Sri Lanka is part of a broader neighbourhood-first policy that includes training, equipment supply, and joint exercises.
Science and Technology
India and Australia Announce Five New Space-Industry Partnerships at Bengaluru Space Expo 2026
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 highlights an expanding space partnership between India and Australia. Five new industry partnerships were announced at the 9th Bengaluru Space Expo 2026, covering satellite ground infrastructure, reusable spacecraft recovery, spaceport testing, future commercial missions, and university-industry cooperation.
Partnership Details
| Partnership | Key Area |
|---|---|
| LatConnect 60 — NSIL | Use of NSIL ground-station infrastructure in India for the SWIRSAT mission, including mission operations and data downlink |
| Space Angel Group — Andura Expeditions | Spaceport activities, spacecraft testing, high-altitude drop-test campaigns, and hypersonic recovery |
| Space Angel Group — Inbound Aerospace | Recovery of autonomous reusable capsules and returned microgravity payloads |
| Space Angel Group — Balloon Aerospace | Future commercial space missions, including spacecraft recovery and potential return of resources from celestial bodies |
| University of Western Australia — SIA-India | Education, research, industry engagement, expertise sharing, and knowledge exchange |
For exam purposes, note that NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, established in 2019 to facilitate Indian industry participation in the space sector. The Bengaluru Space Expo is one of Asia’s largest space technology exhibitions.
Botanical Survey of India Discovers New Species “Osbeckia ulotricha”
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 reports a new discovery in India’s biodiversity catalogue. The Botanical Survey of India has discovered and described Osbeckia ulotricha, a new woolly-haired flowering plant species in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, which spans Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats.
Species Profile
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Osbeckia ulotricha |
| Family | Melastomataceae |
| Genus | Osbeckia |
| Location | Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, Kerala-Tamil Nadu (Western Ghats) |
| Altitude | 1,200 to 1,500 metres |
| Flowering Season | February to May |
| Distinct Features | Woolly or curly-haired appearance (ulotricha from Greek); leaves clustered at the apex; sub-globose/urn-shaped hypanthium; ovary crowned with true bristles |
The name “ulotricha” derives from Greek roots meaning “woolly-haired,” a reference to the plant’s distinctive physical appearance. For Prelims, the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve was designated a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016 and is one of the most biodiverse regions in the Western Ghats.
Obituary
Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s First Chief Executive, Passes Away at 89
Current Affairs 12 September 2026 records the passing of a figure who shaped Hong Kong’s modern political history. Tung Chee-hwa, the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, died on September 8 at the age of 89.
Tung governed Hong Kong through eight turbulent years that included the Asian financial crisis and the SARS epidemic. His push for national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law left a lasting imprint on the territory’s political landscape. He was succeeded by Donald Tsang in 2005 after resigning citing health reasons.
For exam aspirants, Hong Kong was handed over from British to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997, under the “one country, two systems” framework. The Basic Law serves as Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
Quick Revision Table — Current Affairs 12 September 2026
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| SBI-Bisleri Partnership | Bottles for Change; plastic waste management across SBI offices; Net Zero by 2055 |
| Global Fintech Fest 2026 | PM Modi inaugurated Sept 8; theme: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum; UPI in 11 countries; 24B transactions in August |
| Chhattisgarh NIPUN Mission | ₹500 crore over 5 years; 33 district centres; 100 Emerging Technology Labs; youth job-creators |
| Dryland Congress 2026 | ICRISAT-organised; NASC Complex New Delhi; Sept 10-12; South-South Cooperation theme; ICAR-ICRISAT Golden Jubilee |
| Jio Cross-Border Payments | Jio Payment Solutions; RBI PA-CB authorisation; exporters, freelancers, SaaS companies |
| Kalinga Ratna Award | Former CJI Dipak Misra; Sarala Sahitya Sansad, Cuttack |
| India-Morocco Defence | Inaugural Joint Defence Committee; Sept 8 New Delhi; joint ventures, cyber defence, peacekeeping |
| ORV Sagar Manthan | GRSE-built; NCPOR; Deep Ocean Mission; ~₹840 crore; first advanced ORV by GRSE |
| India-Sri Lanka MoU | L70 gun upgradation; NCC youth exchange; air defence cooperation |
| India-Australia Space | 5 partnerships at Bengaluru Space Expo 2026; NSIL ground stations; reusable spacecraft; university cooperation |
| Osbeckia ulotricha | New plant species; Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve; Melastomataceae family; woolly-haired |
| Tung Chee-hwa | First HK Chief Executive; died Sept 8 at 89; Asian financial crisis, SARS, Article 23 |
UPSC and Competitive Exam Relevance
UPSC Prelims Focus Areas
- Bottles for Change — Bisleri’s plastic waste management initiative targeting segregation, collection, and recycling
- Global Fintech Fest — UPI expansion to 11 countries; 24 billion transactions in August 2026; PM SVANidhi extended to 2030
- NIPUN Mission — Chhattisgarh; ₹500 crore; New-age Industry Preparedness through Upskilling of Youth
- ICRISAT — CGIAR research centre; headquartered Hyderabad; semi-arid tropics agriculture; est. 1972
- Deep Ocean Mission — approved 2021; ₹4,077 crore over five years; Vertical 4 for deep ocean survey; NCPOR Goa
- GRSE — Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers; Kolkata; Mini Ratna Category 1 defence PSU
- NSIL — NewSpace India Limited; ISRO’s commercial arm; est. 2019
- Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve — UNESCO 2016; Kerala-Tamil Nadu; Western Ghats
- Hong Kong — handed over July 1, 1997; one country two systems; Basic Law as mini-constitution
UPSC Mains Focus Areas
GS Paper II — India-Morocco defence cooperation and India’s expanding defence diplomacy; India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations; South-South Cooperation in agriculture; India-Australia strategic partnership in space.
GS Paper III — Circular economy and plastic waste management; India’s fintech ecosystem and UPI’s global expansion; Deep Ocean Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing; biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats; skill development and youth entrepreneurship through the NIPUN Mission.
Essay Paper — Financial technology and India’s digital transformation; the role of youth in India’s economic future; ocean exploration and India’s maritime ambitions; biodiversity and the Western Ghats.
Banking and SSC Exams
SBI-Bisleri partnership, Jio Payment Solutions’ cross-border payments launch, UPI’s 24 billion monthly transactions milestone, and the Global Fintech Fest are directly relevant for banking awareness sections. The Kalinga Ratna Award, Osbeckia ulotricha discovery, and ORV Sagar Manthan are likely current affairs quiz items for SSC and State PSC exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SBI-Bisleri partnership about?
SBI has signed a Letter of Association with Bisleri International under the “Bottles for Change” initiative to promote responsible plastic waste management across all SBI branches and offices. Bisleri will conduct training sessions for employees, collect used plastic waste, and send it for recycling. The partnership supports SBI’s Net Zero target of 2055 (citation:3)(citation:4).
What were the key points from PM Modi’s Global Fintech Fest 2026 address?
PM Modi highlighted India’s 7.8% GDP growth, UPI’s expansion to 11 countries with 24 billion transactions in August, a sovereign rating upgrade to A- category, and the extension of PM SVANidhi until 2030. He laid out a four-point roadmap focusing on cybersecurity, ethical data protection, regulator-industry ecosystem, and a fintech consumer protection index (citation:15).
What is the Chhattisgarh NIPUN Mission?
NIPUN stands for New-age Industry Preparedness through Upskilling of Youth. It is a ₹500 crore five-year mission approved by the Chhattisgarh government to establish Entrepreneurship Development Centres in all 33 districts and 100 Emerging Technology Labs, aiming to transform youth from job-seekers to job-creators.
What is the Global Dryland Congress 2026?
A three-day congress organised by ICRISAT at the NASC Complex in New Delhi from September 10–12, 2026, on the theme “Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South-South Cooperation.” It also marks the Golden Jubilee of the ICAR-ICRISAT collaboration (citation:6)(citation:8).
What is ORV Sagar Manthan?
An advanced Ocean Research Vessel launched on September 9, 2026, at Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata. Designed and built by GRSE for NCPOR under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, it is part of the Deep Ocean Mission (Vertical 4) at an estimated cost of ₹840 crore. It is the first advanced ORV built by GRSE.
What partnerships were announced at Bengaluru Space Expo 2026?
India and Australia announced five new space-industry partnerships covering satellite ground infrastructure (LatConnect 60-NSIL), spaceport testing (Space Angel Group-Andura Expeditions), reusable capsule recovery (Space Angel Group-Inbound Aerospace), future commercial missions (Space Angel Group-Balloon Aerospace), and university-industry cooperation (University of Western Australia-SIA-India).
What is Osbeckia ulotricha?
A newly discovered woolly-haired flowering plant species found in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (Kerala-Tamil Nadu). It belongs to the Melastomataceae family, thrives at 1,200–1,500 metres altitude, and flowers from February to May. The name “ulotricha” is derived from Greek, meaning “woolly-haired.”
Published by TheExamHub.in | September 12, 2026 | Sources: PIB Delhi, SBI, Bisleri International, IBEF, ICRISAT, ACIAR, GRSE, Ministry of Defence, MEA, Botanical Survey of India, Invest India
