Current Affairs 12 September 2026

NPCI Introduces UPI Tap-to-Pay and the My UPI Platform.

• UPI Tap & Pay: NFC-based payments at POS terminals; PIN-less transactions up to ₹5,000.
• My UPI: AI-powered platform to track UPI transactions and AutoPay mandates across banks/apps.
• Safety Switch: Allows users to instantly block UPI debit transactions in case of suspected fraud.
• Demat 2.0: Enables tokenisation of corporate bonds, being piloted by REC, L&T and IIFL Finance.

Dhruva Space to Receive €5 Million Space-Based Surveillance Systems from Safran.

• Dhruva Space–Safran Deal: Contracts worth €5+ million signed under the SBS-3 programme.
• Procurement: Includes optical payloads, navigation units, communication systems and ground stations.
• SBS-3: A 52-satellite surveillance constellation in LEO and GEO, planned for deployment during 2027–2030.
• Satellite Allocation: ISRO – 21 satellites; Private sector – 31 satellites.
• Private Sector: Antaris – 15, Pixxel – 8, Dhruva Space – 8 satellites.
• Other Deals: RIDE! to launch two TakeMeToSpace satellites; U-Space and Axiscades partnered on microsatellite development.

Indian and French Companies Sign Key Agreements at Paris Space Summit.

• Paris Space Summit: Indian and French space companies signed strategic agreements to strengthen cooperation.
• Summit Scale: 51 announcements worth around €20 billion were unveiled.
• RIDE!–TakeMeToSpace: RIDE! will launch two satellites for TakeMeToSpace.
• Safran–Dhruva Space: €5+ million deal for navigation units, optical payloads and ground stations for India’s SBS-III surveillance programme.
• SBS-III: Plans to deploy 52 satellites between 2027 and 2030.
• U-Space–AXISCADES: Partnership to explore India’s microsatellite market under the Make in India initiative.
• Summit Focus: Cooperation on Moon exploration and low-Earth-orbit activities.

DGCA Plans Mandatory Drug Screening for Airline Pilots.

• 100% Drug Testing: DGCA proposes mandatory drug testing for all airline pilots, replacing the current 10% random testing.
• Focus: Testing for psychoactive substances, including marijuana.
• New Guidelines: Revised CAR rules expected by end-September 2026.
• Trigger: Proposal follows a Phuket–Delhi flight incident in which the captain tested positive for drugs.

Karnataka Unveils Aerospace Policy 2026–31, Targets ₹60,000 Crore Investment.

• Aerospace Policy 2026–31: Targets ₹60,000 crore investment and 60,000 jobs over five years.
• Employment Fund: ₹300 crore allocation, with ₹2,500/month per employee incentive for two years in 10 backward districts.
• Drone Testing Facility: India’s first facility to be set up in Chikkaballapur at ₹42.9 crore.
• Worker Housing: 10,000 houses planned under the Shramika Nivasa programme.
• AI Hub: To be established at IIIT-B for research, startups and technical training.