Welcome to today’s TNPSC Daily Current Affairs for September 16, 2026.
This comprehensive compilation covers all important events across national politics,
international relations, science & technology, economy, sports, and more.
Sourced from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, and other reputed media.
Perfect for TNPSC Group 1, Group 2, Group 2A, and Group 4 exam preparation.

📌 Read in Tamil: தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கே கிளிக் செய்யவும்

🏛️ National Politics & Government

1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana Marks Seven Years of Successful Implementation

On 12 September 2026, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana ( PM-KMY ) completed seven years, marking continued support for the old-age social security of Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) through a voluntary contributory pension scheme.

Key points:

• PM-KMY Overview Launch: It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare ( MoA&FW ) in 2019.
• The scheme is implemented in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
• Objective: The PM-KMY is a voluntary, contributory old-age pension scheme, which offers eligible landholding SMFs the assurance of a steady monthly pension from the age of 60.
• Eligibility: All SMFs having cultivable landholding up to 2 hectares (ha) in the age group of 18 to 40 years, whose name appears in the land records of the respective States or Union Territories as on 1 August 2019.
• Monthly Contributions: Monthly contributions are in the range from Rs.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

2. India and MERCOSUR Sign First Additional Protocol to PTA for Paperless Trade Via e-CoO

In September 2026, India and MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market, a trade bloc comprising five South American countries) signed the First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement ( PTA ) to enable the acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin ( e-CoO ) and modernise customs procedures and preferential trade processes between the member countries.

Key points:

• About India–MERCOSUR PTA: Key Amendment: The protocol amends Article 16 of Annex III (Rules of Origin) of the India–MERCOSUR PTA by recognising e-CoO with the same legal validity and preferential trade value as paper certificates, provided they are issued and electronically signed by authorised entities under respective domestic laws.
• Provisions: The agreement aims for finalisation within one year of negotiations, covering wide-ranging tariff benefits, non-tariff trade issues, digital cooperation in Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) and High-Performance Computing ( HPC ), and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement ( DTAA ).
• The Protocol was signed by Rajesh Agarwal, Department of Commerce(DoC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I), along with Alberto Guani, Ambassador of Uruguay to India, and Fleming Raul Duarte Ramos, Ambassador of Paraguay to India, in the presence of Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

3. 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry Held in New Delhi, Delhi

On 9 September 2026, the 9th ASEAN –India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (9th AIMMAF) was held in New Delhi, Delhi, to strengthen cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India in agriculture and forestry.

Key points:

• Highlights of 9th AIMMAF: Commitment: Reaffirmed ASEAN–India cooperation for a food-secure, sustainable and resilient agricultural future and welcomed ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, the ASEAN Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026–2030.
• Cooperation: Prioritised climate-resilient agriculture, low-emission rice, water productivity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) -enabled digital agriculture, soil health, food safety, post-harvest management, circular bioeconomy, agroforestry and sustainable forest management.
• Decision: The meeting agreed to convene the 10th AIMMAF in 2028.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW), India, and Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Philippines, representing the ASEAN Chair.
• Bilateral trade in goods between India and ASEAN reached USD 128 billion in the Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26).

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

4. India, Vietnam Agree to Observe 2027 as ‘Year of India-Vietnam Friendship’

In September 2026, India and Vietnam agreed to observe 2027 as the “Year of India-Vietnam Friendship” to mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, during the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in New Delhi, Delhi.

Key points:

• Key Areas of Cooperation: Connectivity & Cooperation: India and Vietnam agreed to strengthen trade, investment, supply chains and market access, enhance financial, port and air connectivity, and expand cooperation in space and nuclear energy.
• Culture: Promoted Yoga, heritage conservation, seafarer standards, capacity building and people-to-people exchanges.
• Defence: Deepened defence and security cooperation, including co-production of Indian defence equipment, under the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Trade: India and Vietnam agreed to leverage complementary strengths, improve market access and facilitate business activities to achieve the USD 25 billion bilateral trade target by 2030.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs Minister Le Hoai Trung.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

5. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Launches Mangrove GIS portal in Gujarat

In September 2026, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), launched the Mangrove Geographic Information System ( MGIS ) Portal during the Workshop on Mangrove Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management held at Bhuj, Kachchh, Gujarat.

Key points:

• Key Highlights: MGIS Portal: It enables science-based mangrove conservation through habitat monitoring, conservation planning, and technology-driven restoration management.
• Other Launches: C offee Table Book on Kachchh Mangroves and Mangroves Atlas of Gujarat, highlighting mangrove ecology, distribution, conservation efforts and planning.
• Guneri Inland Mangroves: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, MoEFCC, felicitated the Guneri Inland Mangrove Village Biodiversity Management Committee for its community-led conservation efforts in protecting the rare inland mangrove ecosystem, which was declared Gujarat’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025.
• Progress: Under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), Gujarat has restored 27,652 hectares of mangroves against the 2023–27 target of 29,250 hectares.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

6. WB CM Suvendu Adhikari Approved DRDO’s Proposal to Establish Weapon and Missile Testing Range at Junput

In September 2026, Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister (CM), West Bengal ( WB ) approved the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s ( DRDO ) proposal to establish a new weapon and missile testing range at Junput coastal village in Purba Medinipur district, WB, along the Bay of Bengal coast.

Key points:

• About Junput Missile Testing Range: Capabilities: The facility will enhance DRDO’s weapon testing infrastructure by supporting frequent and complex trials of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, air-defence systems, and Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems, while increasing testing capacity, launch capability, and tracking support.
• Significance: Located 70 km (kilometres) northeast of Chandipur along the Bay of Bengal coast, the Junput range will strengthen coastal missile testing capabilities, while reducing the operational burden on the Integrated Test Range ( ITR ).
• Existing ITR: The ITR has launch complexes at Chandipur-on-Sea and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, while the Navdurga Missile Test Range (NMTR) is being developed at Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• About DRDO: Established in 1958 and headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, the DRDO works under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with the motto “Balasya Mulam Vigyanam” (Strength’s origin is in Science).
• The Junput facility will become DRDO’s third major missile-testing hub.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

7. Colombo Security Conclave Conducts Three-Day Table Top Exercise at in Visakhapatnam

In September 2026, a three-day Table Top Exercise (TTX) under the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) concluded at the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP), focusing on strengthening coordinated responses to illegal maritime activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Key points:

• Objectives: The exercise aims to strengthen regional maritime coordination, enhance collective response mechanisms, improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and promote information sharing for faster crisis response.
• Threat Areas: The exercise addresses maritime security challenges including maritime terrorism, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and other illicit activities in the Indian Ocean Region.
• About CSC: It is a regional security grouping focused on cooperation in areas such as maritime safety and security, counter-terrorism, disaster management and transnational organised crime in the IoR.
• Its members include India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Seychelles.
• The exercise, which began on September 9, 2026, brought together maritime security experts and delegations from CSC member and observer countries to simulate operational scenarios and improve regional maritime coordination.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

💰 Economy & Banking

8. Overview of Global Fintech Fest 2026 held from from September 8 to 11, 2026 in Mumbai, Maharashtra(Part – II)

The 7th edition of Global Fintech Fest (GFF 2026), one of the world’s leading fintech gatherings, held from September 8 to 11, 2026 at the Jio World Centre (JWC), Trident Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, was concluded successfully with launch and announcement of series of new digital initiatives in banking and financial sector.

Key points:

• Key Highlights: AI Model for Retail Banking: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched India’s 1st sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI) compact model called “Finance Model for India (FiMI) Banking”, designed specifically for the Indian retail banking use cases.
• It has further announced to collaborate with the HDFC Bank Limited to develop the technology for banking use cases.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

9. Cardless Payments: PhonePe

in collaboration with Visa announced the launch of three new payment solutions: Tap-to-Pay; Cross Border Scan to Pay; and Smart Accept, creating one of India’s most comprehensive cardless payment experiences, covering online purchases, in-store transactions and overseas travel, for Indians globally.

Key points:

• With the launch of these new payments solutions, PhonePe becomes the 1st application (app) in India to introduce Cross Border Scan to Pay for international transactions.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

10. Mastercard One Credential:

Mastercard in partnership with City Union Bank (CUB) launched pilot “Mastercard One Credential”.

Key points:

• Key MoUs/Collaborations: SBICAP Securities Limited (SSL) partnered with Appreciate Broking International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Private Limited for global market access via Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) IFSC.
• Award: Wibmo, a PayU companu and full-stack Pay Tech provider, won the Best Digital Banking Security Practices, a sub-category under the “Excellence in Banking Tech” category, in recognition for its Wibmo Intelligent Authentication Suite with Risk-Based Authentication.
• The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) signed a 3-year pact with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment (MISA); Paramotor Digital Technology Limited finalised four fintech deals; and the Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited (MCX) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IAMAI to establish a Commodity Markets Innovation Council.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

11. MoF Notifies No Charges on UPI Transaction of Upto Rs 2,000

In September 2026, the Ministry of Finance ( MoF ) notified that banks and payment system providers cannot impose any direct or indirect charges on Unified Payments Interface ( UPI ) transactions up to Rs 2,000 and payments made through RuPay-powered debit cards.

Key points:

• Key Details of the Notification: Act: In exercise of the powers conferred by section 10 A of the Payment and Settlement Systems ( PSS ) Act, 2007 (51 of 2007), the Central Government ( CG ) hereby specifies the following electronic modes of payment, namely: Charges: The CG prohibits banks and system providers from imposing, directly or indirectly, any MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) charges on a person making or receiving payments using debit cards powered by RuPay and UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000.
• Debit Card powered by RuPay; and.
• UPI transactions upto Rs. 2,000.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

🏏 Sports

12. US Open 2026: Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina Win Men’s and Women’s Singles Title

The 2026 United States (US) Open, the 146th edition of tennis’ US Open, was held on outdoor hard courts at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, United States of America (USA).

Key points:

• About US Open 2026: Alexander Zverev: Secured his second Grand Slam title after the 2026 French Open and completed a redemption arc from his 2020 final loss.
• Elena Rybakina: Won the women’s singles title, ending Sabalenka’s 19-match US Open streak, claiming her third Grand Slam title, and rising to World No.1.
• Doubles: Christian Harrison (USA) and Neal Skupski (United Kingdom, UK) won the men’s doubles, Kateřina Siniaková (Czech Republic) and Taylor Townsend (USA) won the women’s doubles, while Karolína Muchová and Jakub Menšík (Czech Republic) secured the mixed doubles title.
• Alexander Zverev of Germany defeated Ben Shelton of the United States of America (USA) 6–3, 7–6(2), 5–7, 6–2 in the men’s final, while Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan overcame two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6–4, 5–7, 6–2 in the women’s final to win the 2026 US Open singles titles.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Sports Current Affairs. Awards and achievements of sportspersons.

13. AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026: India Men and Women Clinch Double Titles

India achieved a historic golden double at the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, from 4-13 September 2026, with both men’s and women’s under-20 (U20) teams crowned champions.

Key points:

• About AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026: Overview: The AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, organised by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), is a premier continental U20 hockey tournament held in Moqi, China, serving as a qualifier for the FIH Junior World Cup.
• Key Players: Anmol Ekka emerged as top scorer with 17 goals in the men’s tournament, while Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored the decisive goal in the women’s final and netted 7 goals overall.
• Awards: Hockey India announced prize money of Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for each support staff member for both championship-winning teams.
• Dhiraj Bommadevara Wins Men’s Individual Title at Archery World Cup Final 2026 in Mexico In September 2026, an Indian archer Dhiraj Bommadevara created history by becoming the first Indian male recurve archer to win the men’s individual title at the Archery World Cup Final 2026, held in Saltillo, Mexico.
• About Archery World Cup Final 2026: Overview: The 20th Hyundai Archery World Cup, organised by World Archery, featured recurve and compound events across four stages, followed by the season-ending final.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Sports Current Affairs. Awards and achievements of sportspersons.

🌿 Environment & Geography

14. New Subterranean Amphibian Species ‘

Gegeneophis chandgadi’ Discovered in Maharashtra In September 2026, a multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a new subterranean, legless amphibian species, ‘Gegeneophis chandgadi’, in the Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra.

Key points:

• About G egeneophis chandgadi: Characteristics: It is a caecilian, a group of worm-like, legless amphibians adapted to living largely underground.
• Habitat: The species was found in residential and agricultural landscapes near human habitation, rather than exclusively inside protected forests.
• Identification: Scientists used molecular analysis along with detailed morphological and meristic studies to establish it as a distinct species.
• Diversity: The discovery takes the number of Gegeneophis species recorded in India to 12, including 11 endemic to the Western Ghats.
• The species was discovered at Buzawade in Chandgad, Kolhapur district, and was named after the Chandgadi dialect of Marathi spoken in the region.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Environment & Ecology (GS Paper 3). Conservation and geography.

📘 General Knowledge & Miscellaneous

15. Princess Astrid of Norway Passed Away at 94

In September 2026, Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg of Norway, formally known as Princess Astrid, Mrs.

Key points:

• Ferner, elder sister of the late King Harald V and late Princess Ragnhild, passed away at the age of 94 in Oslo, Norway.
• About Princess Astrid of Norway: Early Life: Princess Astrid was born on 12 February 1932 in Oslo as the second child of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway.
• She married businessman Johan Martin Ferner in 1961.
• Norwegian Royal Family: Princess Astrid belonged to the House of Glücksburg, the royal dynasty that has occupied the Norwegian throne since 1905.
• Contributions: Throughout her life, Princess Astrid undertook royal duties and supported several humanitarian and social causes, particularly initiatives related to children, people with disabilities and inclusion.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

16. Hindi Diwas 2026 – September 14

Hindi Diwas, also known as Hindi Day, is observed annually across India on September 14 to mark the Constituent Assembly’s 1949 decision to adopt Hindi in the Devanagari script as one of the 22 official languages of India.

Key points:

• Background: Proposal: At the 1918 Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Mahatma Gandhi proposed making Hindi the national language.
• Declaration: In 1953, former Prime Minister (PM) Jawaharlal Nehru declared that September 14 would be observed annually as Hindi Diwas, which also marks the birth anniversary of Beohar Rajendra Simha.
• 2026 Events: Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) addressed the inaugural session of Hindi Diwas 2026 and the 6th All India Official Language Conference in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• September 14, 2026 marks the 77th anniversary of Hindi’s adoption as an official language.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

17. National Engineer’s Day 2026 – September 15

National Engineers’ Day is observed annually in India on 15 September to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya and honour his outstanding contributions to engineering, nation-building and education.

Key points:

• Background: Recognition: In 1968, the Government of India (GoI) designated 15 September, the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, as National Engineers’ Day.
• First Observance: The first National Engineers’ Day was celebrated on 15 September 1968.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

📝 Practice Questions (MCQs)

Test your knowledge with these questions based on today’s current affairs. Each question has one correct answer — click to reveal it after you decide.

Q1. In which year did the following take place? — “Princess Astrid of Norway Passed Away at 94 In September _____, Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg of Norway , formally known as Princess Astrid, Mrs.”

(a) 2026
(b) 2032
(c) 2022
(d) 2018

Q2. In which year did the following take place? — “Vietnam agreed to observe _____ as the “Year of India-Vietnam Friendship” to mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, during the 19th India-Vietnam…”

(a) 2027
(b) 2023
(c) 2033
(d) 2019

Q3. Under which current-affairs category does this news item best fall? — “Mastercard One Credential:”

(a) General Knowledge
(b) National Politics & Government
(c) Environment & Geography
(d) Economy & Banking

Q4. Under which current-affairs category does this news item best fall? — “Princess Astrid of Norway Passed Away at 94”

(a) Sports
(b) Environment & Geography
(c) General Knowledge
(d) Economy & Banking

Q5. Under which current-affairs category does this news item best fall? — “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana Marks Seven Years of Successful Implementation”

(a) National Politics & Government
(b) Environment & Geography
(c) General Knowledge
(d) Sports