Daily Current Affairs: 28 September 2026

Daily Current Affairs, This daily digest covers key national and international developments relevant to CLAT, judiciary exams and law students.
The developments are from 28 September 2026, with exam-focused notes for quick revision.

India

1. Supreme Court Refuses to Stay Merchant Fee on UPI Payments Above ₹2,000

Subject: Judiciary and Digital Payments

What Happened

On Monday, 28 September 2026, the Supreme Court declined to stay the Centre’s decision to levy a merchant discount rate (MDR) on select UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000. The Court asked the Centre to explain the legal basis and nature of the levy. The bench also directed the Centre, the Reserve Bank of India and the National Payments Corporation of India to file their responses within four weeks. The challenge was brought through a public interest petition seeking to halt the fee before it began.

Key Facts

• The charge applies to UPI payments above ₹2,000 and is scheduled to take effect from 15 October 2026.
• The four-week response timetable runs beyond 15 October, so the framework stands while the case continues.
• The fee rate has been reported as 0.4 per cent; this figure should be treated as reported rather than confirmed.
• The Court’s refusal is an interim step and does not determine whether the levy is legally valid.

Exam Angle

This story connects judiciary, public interest litigation and digital-payment policy. An exam question could distinguish an interim order from a final ruling, or test the roles of the RBI and NPCI in the payments ecosystem. The concept of MDR and the circumstances in which a court may decline an interim stay while seeking the government’s justification are also relevant.

2. Supreme Court Dismisses Meenakshi Natarajan’s Plea Over Rajya Sabha Nomination, Form 26 Disclosure in Focus

Subject: Polity and Elections

What Happened

The Supreme Court dismissed Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s challenge to the rejection of her Rajya Sabha nomination from Madhya Pradesh. The controversy centred on the alleged non-disclosure of a pending criminal complaint and the legal scope of Form 26 under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The case brings together candidate disclosure requirements, the voter’s right to information and the constitutional limits on judicial intervention during an ongoing electoral process.

Key Facts

• Form 26 is the candidate affidavit format prescribed by the Election Commission.
• Section 33-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 requires disclosure of criminal antecedents.
• In Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms (2002), the Supreme Court recognised the voter’s right to information.
• Article 329(b) and P. Ponnuswami v. Returning Officer (1952) concern judicial restraint in interrupting an ongoing electoral process.

Exam Angle

This is a high-value polity and election-law linkage. Remember the chain connecting Form 26, Section 33-A, the ADR judgment and Article 329(b). Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006) held the right to elect to be statutory, while Article 326 guarantees adult suffrage; Rajbala v. State of Haryana (2015) described voting as a constitutional right.

3. Tamil Nadu Rescinds Order Exempting Public Department From RTI Act

Subject: Governance and Transparency

What Happened

The Tamil Nadu government rescinded a Government Order that had exempted the Public Department from the Right to Information Act. The withdrawal was reported on 28 September 2026. The available material does not provide the specific order number, the reasons for withdrawal or further details about the timing, so those details are not included here. The development coincides with the International Day for Universal Access to Information.

Key Facts

• The withdrawn order concerned the Public Department’s exemption from the RTI Act.
• 28 September is observed as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
• The 2026 theme is “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder.”
• UNESCO and the Government of Sierra Leone are hosting the 2026 global conference from 28 to 30 September.

Exam Angle

The story is relevant to governance and transparency. It can be used to revise the broader purpose of the RTI framework and the role of access to information in public accountability. The date and 2026 theme of the International Day for Universal Access to Information are also useful factual points.

4. Foreign Secretary Misri Meets US Congressional Delegation as Russia Sanctions Law Looms

Subject: International Relations (India’s Foreign Policy)

What Happened

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met a five-member US Congressional delegation led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast on Sunday, 27 September. The meeting was reported on 28 September and came days after the US Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions against Russia and Iran Act (SRIA) on 16 September. Russia sanctions were the focus of the discussions.

Key Facts

• The SRIA provides for sanctions of up to 100 per cent on countries that buy Russian oil.
• It also extends sanctions on trade with Iran.
• The Act was passed by the US Congress on 16 September 2026.
• The available material describes the Act as providing for sanctions and does not state that it has been signed into law.

Exam Angle

The development connects India’s foreign policy with international sanctions and energy purchases. It also highlights the diplomatic role of the Foreign Secretary and parliamentary-level exchanges between countries. Questions may test the name and passage date of the SRIA or identify India’s Foreign Secretary in the reported meeting.

5. India–Kazakhstan Exercise KAZIND-2026 Begins in Oskemen

Subject: Defence

What Happened

The ninth edition of the India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise, KAZIND-2026, began in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, on 28 September 2026. The exercise focuses on joint counter-terrorism training and interoperability between the two armies. The exercise is part of India’s defence engagement with a Central Asian partner.

Key Facts

• KAZIND-2026 is the ninth edition of the India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise.
• It began in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, on 28 September 2026.
• A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent has reportedly departed for the exercise.
• The exercise is reportedly scheduled from 28 September to 11 October 2026, with training reportedly including mountainous and semi-urban terrain.

Exam Angle

The exercise is relevant to defence and India’s engagement with Central Asia. Its counter-terrorism focus, ninth-edition status and host location are useful static-fact areas. The description of training under a UN mandate should be treated as reported rather than as an independently established fact.

6. Kandla to Host ₹2,300-Crore E-Methanol Plant for Green Shipping

Subject: Environment and Infrastructure

What Happened

India is reportedly developing a 150-tonne-per-day e-methanol production facility at Kandla, Gujarat, to support the green shipping transition. The project is reportedly being developed jointly by the Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. It is proposed to be implemented in two phases, beginning with a smaller production capacity before expansion.

Key Facts

• The project is reportedly valued at ₹2,300 crore.
• The planned total production capacity is reportedly 150 tonnes per day.
• The project is reportedly being developed jointly by Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd.
• The two reported phases comprise 50 tonnes per day initially, followed by another 100 tonnes per day.

Exam Angle

The story links environmental transition with port infrastructure. E-methanol can be studied in the context of lower-emission shipping fuels, while the project illustrates the role of port authorities in green-fuel infrastructure. The location, partner bodies and phased capacity figures may be useful for factual questions. All project details should be treated as reported.

7. Centre Launches Livestock Insurance Portal

Subject: Government Schemes and Agriculture

What Happened

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the Livestock Insurance Portal in New Delhi on 28 September 2026. The digital platform is intended to handle multiple functions connected with livestock insurance, including policy issuance, claims processing, monitoring and reporting. A separate scheme was also launched in Tamil Nadu on the same day, with one outlet reporting details of a gold-ring benefit for eligible newborns in government hospitals.

Key Facts

• The Livestock Insurance Portal was launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• It was launched in New Delhi on 28 September 2026.
• The portal handles policy issuance, claims processing, monitoring and reporting under livestock insurance.
• Tamil Nadu’s Thaaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam was also launched in Madurai; its reported benefit should be treated as attributed.

Exam Angle

This story is relevant to government schemes, agriculture and digitisation of public-service delivery. A likely factual question could ask which department launched the portal or identify its functions. The Tamil Nadu scheme is a secondary development and its reported details should not be treated as independently confirmed.

8. India Wins Silver at Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand

Subject: Sports

What Happened

India won the silver medal at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. India finished with 18 match points and 28.5 game points, tying Germany on match points and taking second place on the TB2 tiebreak. Uzbekistan claimed the gold medal with 20 match points. The available results do not specify which section of the Olympiad this refers to.

Key Facts

• The Chess Olympiad was held in Samarkand.
• India won the silver medal.
• India recorded 18 match points and 28.5 game points.
• Uzbekistan won gold with 20 match points, while India took second place on the TB2 tiebreak.

Exam Angle

The development is relevant to sports and places in news. Samarkand, India’s silver-medal position and the 18-match-point tally are useful revision facts. The available material does not identify the specific section of the Olympiad, so no section is specified here.

International

9. Russia Backs India’s Bid for a Permanent UNSC Seat but Opposes Germany and Japan

Subject: United Nations and Diplomacy

What Happened

At the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed support for India and Brazil as permanent members of the UN Security Council. He rejected new permanent seats for Germany and Japan, even though all four countries are members of the G4 reform bloc and support one another’s claims to permanent seats. The issue highlights the institutional difficulty of reforming the Security Council.

Key Facts

• The G4 comprises India, Brazil, Germany and Japan and supports the members’ claims for permanent seats.
• The Uniting for Consensus group, also called the “Coffee Club”, opposes new permanent seats and favours more non-permanent seats.
• Article 108 of the UN Charter requires a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of members, including all five permanent members, for Charter amendment.
• India has served eight terms as a non-permanent member, most recently in 2021 to 2022.

Exam Angle

This is important for international organisations and UN reform. The G4, Coffee Club and Article 108 form a useful set of connected facts. A likely question could ask about the composition of the G4 or the amendment procedure under Article 108. The Intergovernmental Negotiations process on Security Council reform has been running since 2009.

10. COP31 Hosts Australia and Türkiye Face the Fossil-Fuel Question

Subject: Environment and Climate

What Happened

Australia and Türkiye, the hosts of the COP31 climate conference, face scrutiny over the fossil-fuel question, according to the supplied analysis. One analysis refers to the conference as COP31 in Antalya. The discussion also places India’s stated climate targets in the wider debate over fossil-fuel use and climate action.

Key Facts

• Australia and Türkiye are the hosts identified for COP31.
• The reference to Antalya as the location is attributed to the supplied analysis.
• India’s stated target is 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
• India’s stated net-zero target is 2070.

Exam Angle

The story is relevant to environment and climate diplomacy. Fossil-fuel phase-down is a central issue in climate negotiations, while India’s stated 2030 and 2070 targets provide important revision points. Questions may test the COP31 hosts or India’s stated non-fossil capacity and net-zero targets.

Quick Revision Points

• KAZIND-2026 is the ninth India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise and began in Oskemen on 28 September 2026.
• Form 26 is the candidate affidavit format prescribed by the Election Commission, while Section 33-A of the RPA 1951 concerns criminal-antecedent disclosure.
• Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms (2002) recognised the voter’s right to information.
• P. Ponnuswami v. Returning Officer (1952) and Article 329(b) are associated with avoiding judicial interruption of an ongoing electoral process.
• Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006) held the right to elect to be statutory, while Article 326 guarantees adult suffrage.
• Article 108 of the UN Charter requires a two-thirds General Assembly vote and ratification by two-thirds of members, including all five permanent members, for amendment.
• The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions against Russia and Iran Act was passed by the US Congress on 16 September 2026.
• 28 September is the International Day for Universal Access to Information; the 2026 global conference is hosted by UNESCO and Sierra Leone from 28 to 30 September.

Closing

These developments span constitutional law, elections, governance, defence, international relations, climate policy and sports.
For revision, focus on the cases, constitutional provisions, institutions, dates, places and figures supplied above.