UPSC Current Affairs, 30 September 2026
7 stories from the news of the day, each in short with why it matters for Prelims and Mains. Practise their UPSC-style questions and take the daily quiz in CAShorts.
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EconomyPrelimsGS3
Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III for intra-State lines and batteries
The Union Cabinet on 30 September 2026 approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III, a Rs 1,86,405 crore scheme to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) and evacuate up to 135 GW of renewable power. It includes 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems, has Rs 54,082 crore of central support and is to be set up by FY 2032-33.
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Sci-TechPrelimsGS2
CDSCO warns against unsupervised use of painkillers and antibiotics
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, in a September 21 circular, warned against indiscriminate, repeated or prolonged use of NSAID painkillers and antibiotics, linking misuse to kidney damage and chronic kidney disease. The regulator reminded doctors, pharmacists, hospitals and the public that these drugs need prescriptions. It urged doctors to follow antimicrobial stewardship; no new ban was announced.
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EconomyGS3Prelims
IRDAI proposes phased cuts to insurers' distribution cost limits
IRDAI’s September 23 consultation proposes phased cuts to insurers’ management and distribution expense limits, plus commission and sales-practice changes. For life insurers, one company-level limit of 15% of gross direct premium income would apply within two years, falling to 12.5% within five years. These are proposals, not binding rules. India already permits up to 100% foreign ownership of insurers.
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EnvironmentPrelimsGS3
Centre notifies CAFE-III fuel-efficiency norms for passenger vehicles from 2027
The Centre notified the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms on September 29, tightening fleet-wide fuel-efficiency targets for passenger vehicles from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2032. The final rules drop a proposed concession for small petrol cars, revise the weight-based target formula and give super-credits to electric, hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles.
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EconomyGS3Prelims
India proposes AIIB support for MSME technology adoption and skills
At the AIIB annual meeting in Doha on September 29, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed wider financing for AI, MSMEs and workforce skills alongside physical infrastructure. The report links the proposal to Indian small firms’ technology and training needs. This was India’s proposal, rather than an announced AIIB lending scheme or approved project.
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EnvironmentPrelimsGS2
NGT orders joint panel to inspect encroachments at Sambhar Lake
The National Green Tribunal's Central Zone Bench in Bhopal on September 28 set up a joint committee to inspect Rajasthan's Sambhar Lake, a Ramsar wetland, over alleged encroachments, illegal salt pans, borewell extraction of brine and groundwater, and blocked inflows. The panel must report within six weeks; the case returns on December 9.
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Sci-TechGS3
Railways launches first LNG-diesel dual-fuel DEMU train from Sabarmati
Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off India's first LNG–diesel dual-fuel DEMU at Sabarmati, Gujarat, on September 27. The eight-coach train runs on two 1,400 HP driving power cars converted at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot. LNG can replace about 40% of the diesel; from trial data, Railways estimates fuel savings of about Rs 23.9 lakh a year for the rake.
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