13 September 2026 Current Affairs: BRICS Day 2 – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Sunday, 13 September 2026 included the second day of the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, India’s record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, the release of the Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation, and an MEA statement on an attack on MT El Gaia off Oman. President Droupadi Murmu issued greetings on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, which is observed on 14 September 2026, the same calendar date as Hindi Diwas.

Also verified today but excluded as lower exam priority: India–Afghanistan 1st T20I in New Delhi; 52nd India Gems and Jewellery Awards as a standalone honour list.

Source labels: [Official] = direct primary-source link. [Official – URL pending] = official release identified, direct link to follow. [Secondary] = reputable report; primary source not located. [Developing] = same-day figures/outcomes may still change.

Editorial cutoff: results verified up to about midnight IST on 13 September 2026 are included; later developments may appear in the next digest.

Note: The New Delhi Declaration was adopted on 12 September 2026; this edition covers 13 September’s Day-2 session, sideline meetings and same-day domestic events.

National & Policy

[Official] PM Modi flags weaponisation of tech and critical minerals at BRICS Day 2

At the 18th BRICS Summit session on Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder shared progress and called for inclusivity in technology adoption. He said India’s chairship had focused on those four pillars and that the New Delhi Declaration, adopted on 12 September, must be turned into time-bound action. Source: PIB, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: 18th BRICS Summit, Day 2
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Chairship theme pillars: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, Sustainability
• Warning: weaponisation of technology and critical minerals

Static Link: First BRICS leaders’ summit: 2009, Yekaterinburg; New Development Bank established 2014, HQ Shanghai; India is 2026 chair (fourth tenure after 2012, 2016 and 2021).

[Secondary] Vande Bharat freight EMU hits 130 kmph on Ahmedabad–Mumbai trial

India’s first Vande Bharat Freight EMU reached 130 kmph during an RDSO confirmatory trial on the Ahmedabad–Vadodara–Mumbai Central section of Western Railway. The 16-coach rake ran the return leg from Mumbai Central to Ahmedabad on 13 September with 50% payload and a 20.32-tonne axle load; the design speed is cited as 160 kmph for time-sensitive cargo. Secondary reporting: The Indian Express, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Train: Vande Bharat Freight EMU
• Trial body: RDSO
• Route: Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central
• Trial speed: 130 kmph

Economy & Banking

[Secondary] Putin proposes BRICS payments, reinsurance and grain-market tools

Proposed/consultation stage: At the concluding BRICS session, Russian President Vladimir Putin asked members to examine a BRICS payment, depository and clearance infrastructure, a reinsurance mechanism and a grain exchange. He said intra-BRICS trade had reached $1.2 trillion and cited the New Development Bank as handling projects worth USD 140 billion. These were presented as Russian proposals, not adopted decisions. Secondary reporting: The Hindu Business Line, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Proposed: BRICS payment, depository and clearance infrastructure
• Proposed: BRICS reinsurance mechanism
• Proposed: BRICS grain exchange
• NDB projects cited by Putin: USD 140 billion

[Secondary] Shah says India must control lab-grown diamond value chain

Addressing the 52nd India Gems and Jewellery Awards in Mumbai, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the lab-grown diamond value chain — machinery, production, jewellery, brands and overseas showrooms — should remain in Indian hands. He cited ₹2.44 lakh crore in gems-and-jewellery exports in 2025 (6.3% of merchandise exports) and about 75 lakh jobs, and said the Union government, along with Gujarat and Maharashtra, is formulating sector policies. Secondary reporting: ANI, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: 52nd India Gems and Jewellery Awards, Mumbai
• 2025 sector exports cited: ₹2.44 lakh crore
• Share of merchandise exports cited: 6.3%
• Status: Union, Gujarat and Maharashtra policies under formulation

Science & Technology

[Secondary] Xi proposes BRICS open-source AI community

Speaking on Day 2 in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would pioneer a BRICS AI open-source community to support cooperation on large language models, seminars and training. He outlined five cooperation tracks covering AI, trade and investment facilitation, digital industry, intelligent manufacturing and science-and-technology talent. Secondary reporting: Xinhua / China Daily, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Proposal: BRICS AI open-source community
• Focus: large language models, seminars, training
• Five tracks include AI, digital industry and intelligent manufacturing
• Speaker: Xi Jinping, BRICS Day 2

[Secondary] IIT Madras develops bird-inspired morphing skin to prevent stalls

Researchers at IIT Madras led by Dr Rinku Mukherjee reported a flexible morphing skin that reshapes as airflow begins to separate from a wing, aiming to prevent aerodynamic stall, raise lift and cut drag. The concept was tested on a 3D wing using a NACA 4415 airfoil, with Macro Fibre Composite strips for sensing and actuation; findings appeared in the European Journal of Mechanics. Secondary reporting: PTI, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Institute: IIT Madras
• Lead researcher: Dr Rinku Mukherjee
• Device: bird-inspired morphing skin
• Test airfoil: NACA 4415

Defence & Security

[Official – URL pending] India, Vietnam agree to speed defence-industry and ADMM-Plus work

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, in New Delhi after the Modi–Hung bilateral. Talks covered technology sharing, defence-industrial collaboration and maritime ties under the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides agreed the next Defence Policy Dialogue would be hosted in India on the sidelines of Aero India 2027, and flagged ADMM-Plus coordination. Source: Ministry of Defence release identified, URL pending — 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Indian official: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
• Framework: Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
• Next Defence Policy Dialogue: Aero India 2027, India
• Multilateral forum: ADMM-Plus

[Official – URL pending] INS Sudarshini sails from Livorno on Lokayan 2026 leg

Ongoing event: Sail training ship INS Sudarshini set sail from Livorno, Italy, as part of the Lokayan 2026 transoceanic expedition. The voyage is a multi-port goodwill and sail-training deployment that began from Kochi in January 2026 and is intended to cover about 22,000 nautical miles and multiple foreign ports. Source: PIB Defence release identified, URL pending — 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Ship: INS Sudarshini
• Expedition: Lokayan 2026
• 13 September action: sailed from Livorno, Italy
• Start port of voyage: Kochi

International Affairs

[Official – URL pending] MEA condemns attack on MT El Gaia off Oman; 13 Indians rescued

Developing: The Ministry of External Affairs condemned an attack on Panama-flagged tanker MT El Gaia off Oman. Of 14 Indian crew, 13 were rescued; search continued for one missing Indian. The Embassy in Oman coordinated with Omani authorities. MEA called for de-escalation and said targeting commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable. Source: MEA statement identified, URL pending — 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Vessel: MT El Gaia (Panama-flagged)
• Location: off Oman / Strait of Hormuz transit
• Indians onboard: 14; rescued: 13
• Snapshot: one Indian missing as of the evening of 13 September

[Secondary] UN Secretary-General backs Security Council reform at BRICS

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the New Delhi summit that multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council and the Bretton Woods system, must reflect today’s world rather than 1945. He said major emerging nations, with India at the forefront, have called for Council expansion and sought BRICS support on development finance, technology, climate justice and peace. Secondary reporting: The Indian Express / The Tribune, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Speaker: António Guterres
• Call: UNSC and Bretton Woods reform
• Benchmark year cited: 1945 versus present realities
• India described as at the forefront of Council-expansion demand

[Official] PM Modi holds Day-2 bilaterals with African Union, South Africa and others

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held sideline meetings with Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi; Chairperson of the African Union), and the Vice-Presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, among others. With the AU Chair, the two sides recalled India’s role in bringing the AU into the G20 in 2023 and discussed the early convening of the 4th India–Africa Forum Summit. Source: PIB, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• AU Chair met: Évariste Ndayishimiye (also President of Burundi)
• Discussed: 4th India–Africa Forum Summit
• G20 context: AU membership during India’s 2023 presidency
• Also met: South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa

Related in today’s digest: see PM Modi flags weaponisation of tech and critical minerals at BRICS Day 2 above — same summit day.

Environment & Ecology

[Official] Yadav releases Gujarat Action Plan for Great Indian Bustard

At Bhuj, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation, prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India with the Gujarat Forest Department. The plan seeks a minimum viable population of over 30 birds and 200–500 sq. km of safe habitat, starting with about 200 sq. km in the Lala–Rawa landscape. In Naliya, 11 sq. km of Prosopis juliflora-infested grassland has been restored and 15 sq. km fenced. Source: PIB, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Plan: Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation
• Prepared by: Wildlife Institute of India and Gujarat Forest Department
• Population target: over 30 birds
• IUCN status cited in release: Critically Endangered

Static Link: Great Indian Bustard is listed as Critically Endangered; Project GIB’s main conservation-breeding effort is centred in Rajasthan.

[Official] MISHTI review: Gujarat covers 27,652 hectares; MGIS portal launched

At a mangrove workshop in Bhuj, Yadav said Gujarat has covered 27,652 hectares under MISHTI against a 2023–27 target of 29,250 hectares, including 12,450 hectares in Kori Creek. He released the Mangroves Atlas of Gujarat and a Kachchh coffee-table book, and launched the Mangrove GIS (MGIS) Portal. The Guneri inland mangrove was noted as Gujarat’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site (January 2025). Source: PIB, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Scheme: MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)
• Gujarat coverage: 27,652 ha of 29,250 ha (2023–27)
• Kori Creek: 12,450 ha
• New tool: Mangrove GIS (MGIS) Portal

Sports

[Official] India win record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup

Harmanpreet Kaur’s India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final at Dubai International Stadium. India scored 183/5 (Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59; opening stand 129); Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 (Shree Charani 4/20). Shafali’s 24-ball fifty was the fastest in Women’s Asia Cup history. India completed an unbeaten campaign and an eighth title. Source: ICC, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Margin: India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs
• Venue: Dubai International Stadium
• India’s titles: eight
• Fastest Women’s Asia Cup fifty: Shafali Verma, 24 balls

Static Link: The Women’s Asia Cup is conducted under the Asian Cricket Council; India have now won the title eight times.

[Official – URL pending] India junior men beat South Korea 4–1 for sixth Asia Cup

India’s junior men defeated South Korea 4–1 in the final at Moqi Training Base, China, for a record sixth Junior Men’s Asia Cup and a fourth straight title, qualifying for the FIH Junior World Cup. Goals: Ajeet Yadav, Anmol Ekka, Prabhdeep Singh and Ashu Maurya; Lee Minhyeok replied. Previous Indian titles include 2004, 2008, 2015, 2023 and 2024. Source: Hockey India / AHF match coverage identified; URL pending — 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Score: India 4–1 South Korea
• Titles: sixth overall; fourth consecutive
• Venue: Moqi Training Base, China
• Qualification: FIH Junior World Cup

[Official – URL pending] India junior women beat China 1–0 to complete title hat-trick

India retained the AHF Women’s Junior Asia Cup, beating hosts China 1–0 through Sanika Chandrakant Mane’s 17th-minute goal, completing three successive titles and qualifying for the FIH Junior World Cup. India had beaten South Korea 5–1 in the semi-final. Source: Hockey India / AHF match coverage identified, URL pending — 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Score: India 1–0 China
• Goal: Sanika Chandrakant Mane, 17th minute
• Feat: third successive Women’s Junior Asia Cup
• Qualification: FIH Junior World Cup

[Secondary] Zverev wins US Open men’s title

Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6–3, 7–6(2), 5–7, 6–2 in the US Open men’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on 13 September. The result ended a long American wait for a home men’s singles champion. (The women’s final was on 12 September, when Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka.) Secondary reporting: AFP / tournament coverage, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Winner: Alexander Zverev (Germany)
• Runner-up: Ben Shelton (USA)
• Score: 6–3, 7–6(2), 5–7, 6–2
• Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York

Awards, Appointments & Obituaries

Limited verified coverage for this category on 13 September 2026. The 52nd India Gems and Jewellery Awards ceremony in Mumbai is recorded under Economy & Banking because the exam-relevant content is the sector data and proposed lab-grown-diamond policy, not the individual trophies. No nationally significant constitutional or statutory appointment or obituary cleared the significance filter.

Government Schemes, Reports & Indices

[Official] Upcoming event: World Circular Economy Forum 2026 in Gandhinagar

Upcoming event: India will host the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from 15 to 18 September 2026, themed ‘Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity’. PIB said it is the first WCEF in South Asia to be jointly inaugurated on 15 September by Bhupender Yadav and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with 2,000+ stakeholders from 65+ countries and 125+ exhibitors. Source: PIB, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: World Circular Economy Forum 2026
• Venue: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Dates: 15–18 September 2026
• Theme: Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity

[Official] BRICS Day-2 names India-chair initiatives for implementation

In the same Day-2 remarks, Modi listed instruments agreed or proposed under India’s chairship, including the BRICS Integrated Early Warning System (infectious diseases), Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines (disaster management), BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, BRICS Incubator Network, BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, BRICS CONNECT, BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal, BRICS Urban Mobility Hub and a BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for smart grids and energy storage. Source: PIB, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Health: BRICS Integrated Early Warning System
• Disasters: Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines
• Startups: BRICS Incubator Network; BRICS Startup Innovation Fund
• Farming: BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture

Related in today’s digest: see PM Modi flags weaponisation of tech and critical minerals at BRICS Day 2 above — same speech.

State-Specific News

[Secondary] West Bengal orders closure of 252 unrecognised madrasas

West Bengal’s Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department ordered closure of 252 unaided, unrecognised (Khariji) madrasas and issued show-cause notices to about 100 others after a district survey. Minister Kshudiram Tudu said institutions with approvals will continue. Closures were highest in Malda (44), Uttar Dinajpur (37) and South 24 Parganas (32). Secondary reporting: The Hindu / PTI, 13 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Closures ordered: 252 madrasas
• Show-cause notices: about 100
• Category: unaided, unrecognised (Khariji) madrasas
• Department: Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education, West Bengal

[Developing] Bihar floods: 48.35 lakh affected as rivers stay above danger mark

Developing snapshot: Bihar’s Disaster Management Department said about 48.35 lakh people in 575 gram panchayats across 87 blocks of 15 districts remained affected, even as most rivers began receding. September rainfall was given as 108.8 mm, about 20% above normal. 1,251 community kitchens, 13 relief camps, 1,790 boats, 10 NDRF and 27 SDRF teams were deployed. Developing snapshot: PTI citing Bihar DMD, 13 September 2026; figures may change

Exam Points:

• Authority: Bihar Disaster Management Department
• Snapshot affected: about 48.35 lakh people
• Spread: 15 districts, 87 blocks, 575 gram panchayats
• Do not treat the same-day headcount as final

Important Day / Theme

Not applicable to 13 September 2026 as a UN- or Government of India-designated observance.

Ganesh Chaturthi and Hindi Diwas fall on 14 September 2026. President Droupadi Murmu issued eve-of-festival greetings on 13 September; those observances belong in the next day’s digest.

Also informally marked by some awareness calendars: International Chocolate Day — no official government/UN source located for a 2026 theme.

Don’t Confuse

13 September 2026 Current Affairs: One-Liner Revision

• 18th BRICS Summit Day 2 was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• India chairship pillars: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
• PM Modi warned against weaponisation of technology and critical minerals.
• Vande Bharat Freight EMU hit 130 kmph on an RDSO Ahmedabad–Mumbai trial.
• Putin proposed a BRICS grain exchange, reinsurance tool and payments infrastructure.
• Shah cited 2025 gems-and-jewellery exports at ₹2.44 lakh crore.
• Xi proposed a BRICS AI open-source community for large language models.
• IIT Madras reported a bird-inspired morphing skin to prevent aircraft stalls.
• The next India–Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue is slated around Aero India 2027.
• INS Sudarshini sailed from Livorno on the Lokayan 2026 expedition.
• MEA: 13 of 14 Indians rescued from MT El Gaia off Oman; one missing (13 Sept snapshot).
• Guterres said the UNSC should reflect 2026 realities, not 1945.
• Gujarat GIB Action Plan targets over 30 birds and 200–500 sq. km of habitat.
• MISHTI: Gujarat has covered 27,652 ha of a 29,250 ha 2023–27 target.
• India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win an eighth Women’s Asia Cup.
• India junior men beat South Korea 4–1 for a sixth Junior Asia Cup.
• WCEF 2026 will be held in Gandhinagar from 15 to 18 September.
• West Bengal ordered the closure of 252 unrecognised madrasas.

Source note: use the linked official releases and the editorial cutoff above when revising; developing figures may be updated.

Revision tip: lock the BRICS Day-2 initiative names (Integrated Early Warning System, Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines) and the GIB/MISHTI numbers before tomorrow’s digest — Hindi Diwas and Ganesh Chaturthi will take the 14 September page.