Current Affairs 04 September 2026

IIT Madras and UNESCO MGIEP Join Forces for AI-Driven SEL Learning.

• Partnership: IIT Madras + UNESCO MGIEP — 1 Sept 2026.
• Objective: AI & XR-based immersive learning for SEL.
• Focus: Gamified curricula with AI-powered tools.
• Key alignment: NEP 2020 & SDG 4.7.
• Target: Open-source, low-cost & low-bandwidth AI tools.
• SEL skills: Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness & responsible decision-making.

MSC Beryl Becomes the 1st Export Ship to Sail from Vizhinjam Seaport.

• First Export: MSC Beryl marked Vizhinjam Port’s first-ever export operation.
• Route: Vizhinjam, Kerala → Valencia, Spain (~20 days).
• Vessel: 366-metre container ship on Himalaya Express service.
• Cargo: 8 export containers — vegetables, processed food & clay.
• Port Feature: 18+ metre natural deep-water draft.
• Significance: Can handle mega container ships without prior dredging.

Annual Review Highlights Record Production by 16 DPSUs.

• Review: Annual performance review of 16 DPSUs held on 1 Sept 2026.
• Defence Production: ₹1.8 lakh crore in FY 2025–26; DPSUs contributed ₹1.29 lakh crore.
• Dividend: 7 DPSUs paid ₹3,951 crore dividend to the government.
• DISHA Initiative: Connects industries and students to promote defence technology awareness.
• Aatmanirbhar DPSU: 5-year roadmap for new products and indigenisation.
• Focus: “Make in India, Make for the World” through R&D, prototypes and IP creation.

NPCI Partners with Uzbekistan’s HUMO to Enable UPI Payments.

• Partnership: NIPL + Uzbekistan’s HUMO to enable UPI payments.
• Payment System: UPI payments through Unified National QR (UZQR).
• Use: Indian travellers can make P2M payments by scanning UZQR codes.
• Approval: Cleared by RBI and Central Bank of Uzbekistan.
• Significance: Uzbekistan becomes the 11th country to accept UPI.

India Receives an A- Sovereign Credit Rating from JCR.

• JCR upgraded India’s sovereign rating from BBB+ to A-, with a stable outlook.
• Country Ceiling also raised by one notch to A.
• Fiscal deficit improved from 4.7% in FY25 to 4.4% in FY26.
• Real GDP growth stood at 7.8% in FY26 and remained at 7.8% in Q1 FY27.
• Banking sector strength improved through IBC reforms and RBI supervision.
• Forex reserves remain well above short-term external debt, strengthening external resilience.
• GST and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) supported economic growth.