Current Affairs 13 September 2026

NPCI International and FOMO Pay Join Hands to Boost UPI in Singapore.

NIPL–FOMO Pay Partnership: Expands UPI acceptance across Singapore.
Merchant Network: FOMO Pay merchants can accept payments from Indian users through UPI apps.
First Merchant: Resorts World Sentosa is the first major merchant to enable UPI payments.
Payment Modes: Supports both online and in-store transactions.
Benefit: Enables convenient cashless payments for Indian travellers in Singapore.

100% Electrification: Southern Railway fully electrified its 5,068-km Broad Gauge network.
Final Section: Electrification completed on the 71-km Pattukkottai–Karaikkudi section.
Operational Benefit: Eliminates diesel-to-electric traction changes and enables smoother, faster train operations.
Environmental Benefit: Reduces fossil-fuel dependence and supports cleaner, energy-efficient rail transport.

WCEF 2026: India will host the World Circular Economy Forum in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 15–18, 2026.
First in South Asia: This marks the forum’s first edition in South Asia.
Theme: Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity.
Organizers: MoEF&CC and CPCB, with Sitra and Finland as international partners.
Participation: Over 2,000 participants from 65+ countries expected.
Expo: More than 125 national and international exhibitors will showcase circular-economy solutions.

Trade Target: India and Russia aim to reach $100 billion bilateral trade by 2030, up from the current $60 billion.
Investment Target: $50 billion in two-way investments.
Bilateral Investment Treaty: Efforts underway to fast-track a new BIT for greater investment protection.
Local Currency Payments: Plans to strengthen local currency settlement mechanisms to ease cross-border transactions.
Priority Projects: 40 projects being monitored across manufacturing, energy, mining and railways.
Focus Sectors: Pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, chemicals and automobiles identified for export growth.

New Rules: Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Amendment Rules, 2026 to take effect from January 1, 2027.
Price Transparency: Platforms must display the lowest price offered in the previous 30 days alongside discounts.
Sponsored Listings: Paid or sponsored results must be clearly labelled.
Dark Patterns: Platforms must follow 2023 dark-pattern guidelines and conduct an annual self-audit.
Consumer Protection: E-commerce entities must integrate with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH).
Product Details: Platforms must disclose expiry/best-before dates, warranty terms, importer details and country of origin.