Current Affairs Today: 1 September 2026 – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Tuesday, 1 September 2026 included the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, August GST data, Ahmedabad hub-and-spoke flights, a tighter sugar stock cap, RBI Q1 external-account figures and two defence appointments. The day’s most exam-relevant cluster is institutional: an SCO outcomes document, tax and external-sector releases, and a Supreme Court order under Article 142.

National & Policy

Ahmedabad joins India’s international hub-and-spoke flight network

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on 1 September 2026 launched international hub-and-spoke operations from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, the third airport after Varanasi (25 June) and Amritsar (28 July). Passengers complete check-in, immigration and through-baggage at Ahmedabad and connect via Delhi. Air India designated two daily Ahmedabad–Delhi Easy Connect flights linking 26 international destinations; 22 more airports, including Surat, are next.

Source: Ministry of Civil Aviation / PIB, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Third hub-and-spoke airport after Varanasi and Amritsar
• Hub airport: Delhi
• Air India Easy Connect: 26 international destinations
• Next phase: 22 more airports, including Surat

Centre halves sugar dealers’ stock limit to 2,000 quintals

The Government of India reduced the sugar dealers’ stock-holding limit from 4,000 quintals to 2,000 quintals, effective from 15 September 2026 to 30 November 2026. Dealers must not hold stock for more than 30 days from receipt. The 4,000-quintal cap is retained for Kolkata and its extended metropolitan area. The existing 4,000-quintal nationwide cap had applied from 1 August 2026.

Source: PIB, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• New dealer cap: 2,000 quintals
• Effective: 15 September to 30 November 2026
• Holding period cap: 30 days
• Kolkata exemption: 4,000 quintals retained

Supreme Court quashes NEET-protest FIRs under Article 142

A Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, on 1 September 2026 invoked Article 142 to quash FIRs linked to protests between 20 and 25 July. The order covers the listed cases and directs that related FIRs in other States and UTs not be investigated. Delhi Police may file a fresh FIR against 2,873 persons cited for serious criminal antecedents. The Court asked the Centre to frame a compensation mechanism, including for families of students who died by suicide over the NEET-UG 2026 paper-leak episode, within three months.

Source: The Hindu / Business Standard report, 1 September 2026; official statement not located at the time of writing

Exam Points:

• Provision used: Article 142
• Bench led by CJI Surya Kant
• Protest window covered: 20–25 July
• Exception: fresh FIR against 2,873 persons

Static Link: Article 142 lets the Supreme Court pass orders necessary for “complete justice” in a matter before it.

Second Kanda Express rake reaches Chennai with buffer onions

The Consumer Affairs Ministry said on 1 September 2026 that the second Kanda Express rake, carrying 840 tonnes of buffer-stock onion, reached Chennai on 31 August. Tamil Nadu planned distribution of 1 kg per ration card through the PDS. Retail intervention covers 19 cities at a subsidised ₹35 per kg via NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar and mobile vans. The first rake (450 tonnes) had reached Delhi on 27 August.

Source: Consumer Affairs Ministry statement via PTI, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Second rake load: 840 tonnes to Chennai
• Subsidised retail price: ₹35 per kg
• Agencies: NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar
• Retail cities covered: 19

Economy & Banking

Gross GST collections rise 14.8% to ₹1,99,853 crore in August

Provisional Finance Ministry data released on 1 September 2026 put August gross GST at ₹1,99,853 crore, up 14.8% from ₹1,74,116 crore a year earlier, but below July’s ₹2.11 lakh crore. Domestic gross GST rose 9.3% to ₹1,37,249 crore; import GST rose 29% to ₹62,604 crore. Refunds rose 67.9% to ₹31,795 crore. Net GST was ₹1,68,057 crore, up 8.3%. April–August gross GST was ₹10.43 lakh crore, up 11%.

Source: Ministry of Finance data via PTI / Business Standard, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• August gross GST: ₹1,99,853 crore (+14.8%)
• Import GST: ₹62,604 crore (+29%)
• Net GST: ₹1,68,057 crore (+8.3%)
• April–August gross: ₹10.43 lakh crore

India’s CAD widens to $4.2 billion in Q1 FY27

The RBI on 1 September 2026 reported a current account deficit of $4.2 billion (0.5% of GDP) in Q1 FY27 (April–June 2026), against $3.4 billion (0.4% of GDP) a year earlier. The merchandise trade deficit was $86.1 billion versus $68.9 billion. Net services receipts were $51.6 billion; personal transfers (mainly remittances) were $42.9 billion. Net FDI was $6.1 billion; foreign exchange reserves fell by $8.1 billion on a BoP basis.

Source: RBI, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Q1 FY27 CAD: $4.2 billion (0.5% of GDP)
• Merchandise trade deficit: $86.1 billion
• Remittances (personal transfers): $42.9 billion
• BoP reserve drawdown: $8.1 billion

Windfall tax on petrol and diesel exports raised from 1 September

Revised export levies took effect on 1 September 2026. Petrol export duty rose from nil to ₹1.50 per litre (SAED). Diesel export levy rose from ₹24 to ₹25 per litre (SAED ₹24 plus Road and Infrastructure Cess ₹1). ATF export SAED was cut from ₹19.50 to ₹19 per litre. Domestic retail duty rates were unchanged. The fortnightly review follows the previous revision from 15 August 2026.

Source: Finance Ministry notification via ET Now / Mint, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Petrol export duty: ₹1.50 per litre from nil
• Diesel export levy: ₹25 per litre
• ATF export SAED: ₹19 per litre
• Effective date: 1 September 2026

DGFT automates Free Sale and Commerce Certificates

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade enabled automated issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates on its portal. FSCs are issued under the Foreign Trade Policy, paragraph 2.34 of the Handbook of Procedures, for items not covered by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Eligible applications skip routine Regional Authority scrutiny; others stay on the manual route, with post-approval risk-management review. The change was set out in Trade Notice No. 24/2026-27 dated 31 August 2026 and publicised on 1 September.

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry / DGFT, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Certificate: Free Sale and Commerce Certificate
• Legal hook: Handbook of Procedures para 2.34
• Excluded statute: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Instrument: Trade Notice 24/2026-27

IPPB marks ninth Foundation Day, launches DakPay Sound Box

India Post Payments Bank, under the Department of Posts, marked its 9th Foundation Day on 1 September 2026. PIB said the bank launched DakPay Sound Box for merchants and new digital platforms for customers. IPPB is fully owned by the Government of India and was launched on 1 September 2018.

Source: PIB, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• IPPB Foundation Day: 1 September
• Launch year: 2018
• New product named: DakPay Sound Box
• Ownership: 100% Government of India

Science & Technology

Limited verified coverage for this category on 1 September 2026.

Defence & Security

Raksha Mantri reviews 16 DPSUs; FY26 turnover ₹1.29 lakh crore

Rajnath Singh held the annual review of 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings in New Delhi on 1 September 2026. Official figures cited for FY 2025-26 put DPSU turnover at ₹1.29 lakh crore (+15.4%) and cumulative PAT at ₹23,136 crore (+15.6%). DPSU exports rose 151.2% year-on-year. Seven CMDs — HAL, MDL, BEL, BDL, GRSE, BEML and MIDHANI — presented dividend cheques for the government’s equity.

Source: PIB, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• DPSUs reviewed: 16
• FY26 turnover: ₹1.29 lakh crore
• FY26 PAT: ₹23,136 crore
• Export growth: 151.2%

International Affairs

PM Modi addresses 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek; leaders sign declaration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 September 2026 addressed the 26th SCO Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, marking 25 years of the SCO. He restated three pillars — Security, Connectivity, Opportunity — called for dismantling the terror-financing ecosystem without double standards, and said connectivity must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum later in 2026. Leaders signed the Bishkek Declaration; reporting on the text said the charter was amended to add English as an official and working language alongside Russian and Chinese.

Source: PMO, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• 26th SCO Summit venue: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• India’s three pillars: Security, Connectivity, Opportunity
• India to host SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum
• English added as official/working language (per Declaration reporting)

Static Link: SCO founded 15 June 2001; Secretariat in Beijing; India became a full member in June 2017 (Astana).

Environment & Ecology

Limited verified coverage for this category on 1 September 2026. Same-day IMD rainfall bulletins did not clear the durability filter. SCO biodiversity and Green Technology Corridor decisions are recorded under International Affairs (one event, one category).

Sports

Limited verified coverage for this category on 1 September 2026. Same-day items (India’s Afghanistan T20I squad; Duleep Trophy domestic play) did not meet the sports significance filter.

Awards, Appointments & Obituaries

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja takes charge as 47th DGAFMS

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM & Bar, assumed charge as the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services on 1 September 2026, succeeding Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, who retired on 31 August 2026. An AFMC Pune alumnus commissioned in December 1986, he is a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS New Delhi and previously served as DGMS (Air). The DGAFMS oversees medical support to the defence forces.

Source: Ministry of Defence / PIB, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Post: 47th DGAFMS
• Incumbent: Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja
• Predecessor: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin
• Assumed charge: 1 September 2026. AVM Shakti Sharma becomes the first woman non-medical two-star officer

On 1 September 2026, Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first woman officer from the non-medical stream in the Indian defence services to reach Air Vice Marshal or equivalent rank. She assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters. Commissioned into the IAF Education Branch on 18 June 1994, she earlier became the first tri-services woman officer to head a Sainik School as Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.

Source: PIB, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• First woman non-medical two-star officer
• New post: ACAS (Education)
• Commissioned: 18 June 1994, Education Branch
• Earlier first: Principal, Sainik School Kapurthala

Government Schemes, Reports & Indices

Chouhan reviews PM-DDKY; 100-district score rises to 38.85

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 1 September 2026 reviewed the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana at Krishi Bhawan. The scheme covers 100 low-performing agri-districts through convergence of 36 central schemes of 11 ministries. The average dashboard score of the 100 districts across six objectives rose from 22.54 in April 2026 to 38.85 in July 2026. All 100 districts have uploaded District Action Plans. A Financial Progress Module went live on 31 August 2026.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare / PIB, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Scheme: PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
• Coverage: 100 districts
• Convergence: 36 schemes, 11 ministries
• Average score: 22.54 (April) to 38.85 (July)

State-Specific News

Maharashtra Cabinet approves policy to eradicate drugs by 2029

The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on 1 September 2026 approved a whole-of-government policy aiming to eradicate narcotics and synthetic drugs in the State by 2029. Four pillars are enforcement, supply reduction, demand reduction, and de-addiction and rehabilitation. From the academic year 2027, at least one drug-awareness lesson is to be introduced into the school curriculum from Class V. The State framed the plan as a state-level push under the national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

Source: Maharashtra government statement via PTI, 1 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Target year: 2029
• State: Maharashtra
• Curriculum start: Class V from 2027
• National frame: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan

Important Day / Theme

National Nutrition Week

National Nutrition Week in India runs from 1 to 7 September. It was launched in 1982 by the Food and Nutrition Board. No single official 2026 theme was uniformly stated across government releases at the time of writing; the week remains an awareness drive on balanced diets, dietary diversity and maternal and child nutrition. It is distinct from Rashtriya Poshan Maah, also observed in September.

Source: Food and Nutrition Board / Contemporary Explainers, 1 September 2026; official 2026 theme not located

Exam Points:

• Dates: 1–7 September
• Launched: 1982
• Nodal origin: Food and Nutrition Board
• Separate from: Rashtriya Poshan Maah

Static Link: National Nutrition Week began in 1982 under the Food and Nutrition Board; Poshan Maah is the later September nutrition month.

1 September 2026: One-Liner Revision

• Ahmedabad is the third hub-and-spoke airport after Varanasi and Amritsar, with Delhi as the hub.
• Sugar dealers’ stock cap will be 2,000 quintals from 15 September to 30 November 2026.
• The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to quash NEET-protest FIRs covering 20–25 July incidents.
• The second Kanda Express rake carried 840 tonnes of buffer onions to Chennai.
• August gross GST was ₹1,99,853 crore, up 14.8% year-on-year.
• India’s Q1 FY27 current account deficit was $4.2 billion, or 0.5% of GDP.
• Petrol export duty rose to ₹1.50 per litre from 1 September 2026.
• DGFT has automated Free Sale and Commerce Certificates under Handbook paragraph 2.34.
• India Post Payments Bank marked its 9th Foundation Day on 1 September 2026.
• Sixteen DPSUs posted ₹1.29 lakh crore turnover in FY 2025-26.
• The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
• Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja is the 47th DGAFMS.
• AVM Shakti Sharma is the first woman non-medical two-star officer in the defence services.
• PM-DDKY covers 100 agri-districts through 36 schemes of 11 ministries.
• Maharashtra approved a policy to eradicate drugs in the State by 2029.
• National Nutrition Week (1–7 September) was launched in 1982 by the Food and Nutrition Board.

Revision tip: lock the SCO Bishkek facts, the Article 142 order, and the exact August GST / Q1 CAD numbers before tomorrow’s digest — those three travel well into both prelims and banking GA.