26 September 2026Current Affairs & GK Compendium — September 2026

Daily Current Affairs & GK Compendium — 26 September 2026

Quantum Tech: DRDO signs first high-value deep-tech agreement with Zero mK India for indigenous dilution refrigerator.

Curated For:

Executive Briefing

High-level takeaways from today's compendium (PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express)

Quantum Tech: DRDO signs first high-value deep-tech agreement with Zero mK India for indigenous dilution refrigerator.
Scientific Research: CSIR celebrates eighty-fifth foundation day, showcasing technological breakthroughs across its thirty-seven national laboratories.
Electoral Reforms: Election Commission reviews financial transparency norms to curb tax misuse by registered unrecognised parties.
Corporate Sustainability: ICAI notifies Standard on Sustainability Assurance 5000 to enforce external audit rigor against corporate greenwashing.

Objective One-Liners

Rapid-fire factual bullets tailored for SSC, Banking, Railways & State PSC Prelims

Deep-Tech Startup Inking Landmark TDF Agreement with DRDO for Dilution Refrigerators: Zero mK India Private Limited.

Cryogenic Operating Temperature of the Quantum Dilution Refrigerator Funded by DRDO: 20 Millikelvin (mK).

Foundation Day Anniversary Celebrated Nationwide by CSIR on 26 September 2026: 85th Foundation Day.

Ex-Officio President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Prime Minister of India.

Statutory Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 Governing Political Party Registration: Section 29A.

Landmark 2002 Supreme Court Verdict Limiting ECI Power to Deregister Political Parties: Indian National Congress v. Institute of Social Welfare.

Standard on Sustainability Assurance Notified by ICAI to Audit ESG Disclosures: SSA 5000.

Annual Observance Commemorated on 26 September by International Federation of Environmental Health: World Environmental Health Day.

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Deep Tech, Quantum Computing and Indigenous Defence R&D

Topic ADeep Tech, Quantum Computing and Indigenous Defence R&D

DRDO Signs Maiden High-Value Deep-Tech Agreement with Startup Zero mK India for 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed its first high-value deep-tech agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme with startup Zero mK India Private Limited on 26 September 2026 for developing an indigenous 20 mK (millikelvin) Dilution Refrigerator.

Key Facts & Dimensions

Foundational Quantum Enabler: Dilution refrigerators provide extreme sub-Kelvin cryogenic operating temperatures (-273.13 degrees Celsius) indispensable for maintaining quantum coherence in superconducting qubit quantum processors and secure quantum communication payloads.
Breaking Import Dependencies: Eliminates critical technological dependence on a restricted global oligopoly of cryogenic manufacturers, securing India's strategic hardware supply chain for quantum computing and defence radars.
TDF Scheme Architecture: Executed under the Make in India initiative, the TDF scheme supports indigenous R&D in MSMEs and startups, granting financial assistance covering up to 90% of total development costs capped at Rs 50 crore.
Convergence with National Quantum Mission (NQM): Directly complements the targets of the Rs 6,003-crore National Quantum Mission aimed at deploying 50 to 1,000 physical qubit quantum computers by 2031.

Exam Takeaway & GS Relevance

UPSC GS-III (Indigenization of Technology, Quantum Computing, Deep Tech, DRDO TDF Scheme).

National Scientific Institutions and Industrial Innovation

Topic ANational Scientific Institutions and Industrial Innovation

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Celebrates 85th Foundation Day

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrated its 85th Foundation Day on 26 September 2026 across its nationwide network of 37 national laboratories and 39 outreach centres.

Key Facts & Dimensions

Historical Legacy: Founded on 26 September 1942 as an autonomous society under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, spearheaded by Sir Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar and Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar.
Governance Structure: Chaired by the Prime Minister of India as ex-officio President, with the Union Minister for Science and Technology serving as ex-officio Vice-President.
Youth Engagement and SciQuiz: Concluded the week-long CSIR Science and Innovation Quiz (CSIR SciQuiz) hosted on the MY Bharat portal in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to foster grassroots scientific temper.
Application-Driven Research: Showcased major contemporary contributions across bio-therapeutics, green hydrogen membranes, civil aviation (SARAS Mk-II), aroma mission crop cultivation, and strategic materials for defence.

Exam Takeaway & GS Relevance

UPSC GS-III (Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology, Institutional Architecture of R&D) and State PSCs.

Electoral Integrity, Democratic Governance and Political Finance

Topic AElectoral Integrity, Democratic Governance and Political Finance

Election Commission of India Reviews Regulatory Framework for Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) reviewed the regulatory and financial compliance mechanisms governing Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) on 26 September 2026.

Key Facts & Dimensions

Disproportionate Proliferation: Out of over 2,800 political parties registered in India, approximately 97% belong to the RUPP category, many of which have never contested elections despite maintaining registered status.
Fiscal Misuse Concerns: Scrutinized rampant misuse of 100% tax exemptions granted under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which are routinely claimed without submitting mandatory audited annual expenditure statements or contribution reports.
Statutory Lacuna on Deregistration: Reaffirmed the limitations imposed by the Supreme Court ruling in Indian National Congress v. Institute of Social Welfare (2002), which held that ECI lacks statutory power under Section 29A of the RPA 1951 to de-register parties except in cases of fraud or violation of constitutional loyalty.
Proposed Reforms: ECI recommended legislative amendments to empower the Commission with explicit deregistration authority and to condition Section 13A tax exemptions on contesting elections and securing minimum vote shares.

Exam Takeaway & GS Relevance

UPSC GS-II (Electoral Reforms, Political Parties, Representation of the People Act, Powers of ECI).

Corporate Governance, Sustainability and Financial Regulation

Topic ACorporate Governance, Sustainability and Financial Regulation

ICAI Notifies Standard on Sustainability Assurance (SSA) 5000 to Curb Corporate Greenwashing

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) officially rolled out the Standard on Sustainability Assurance (SSA) 5000 on 26 September 2026, setting a mandatory auditing benchmark for sustainability disclosures effective from FY 2027-28.

Key Facts & Dimensions

Global Standardization: Aligns domestic environmental auditing directly with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000.
Combatting Greenwashing: Mandates independent, evidence-backed third-party verification of corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance metrics and decarbonization roadmaps.
Regulatory Convergence with SEBI: Complements the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Core framework mandated for the top 1,000 listed entities.
Rigorous Audit Thresholds: Outlines standardized protocols for testing greenhouse gas emission accounting (Scope 1, 2, and 3), water neutrality claims, and sustainable supply chain certifications.

Exam Takeaway & GS Relevance

UPSC GS-III (Corporate Governance, Sustainable Development, Financial Market Regulations, Climate Reporting).

Static GK Foundations

Essential background concepts and core static knowledge tied to today's news

Focus #1

DRDO Technology Development Fund (TDF) and Cryogenic Dilution Physics

•TDF Scheme Objective: Executed by DRDO under the Make in India initiative to foster design innovation and self-reliance in private industry, specifically MSMEs and startups, by funding up to 90% of development costs capped at Rs 50 crore.
•Dilution Refrigerator Mechanics: Achieves temperatures below 20 millikelvin by circulating a mixture of helium-3 and helium-4 isotopes. Below 0.87 K, the mixture separates into two phases; the endothermic movement of helium-3 atoms across the phase boundary provides continuous cooling without moving mechanical parts.
•Quantum Mission Alignment: Superconducting qubits lose their quantum coherence unless thermal energy is suppressed below their superconducting energy gap, making sub-50 mK environments mandatory for quantum logic operations.

Focus #2

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Statutory Architecture and Milestones

•Institutional Character: Established in September 1942 as an autonomous society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, functioning under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology.
•Executive Hierarchy: The Prime Minister of India serves as ex-officio President; the Union Minister of Science and Technology serves as ex-officio Vice-President; the Director General also holds the rank of Secretary, DSIR.
•Flagship Innovations: Developed indelible election ink in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), pioneered the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) to prevent bio-piracy, and engineered the SARAS light transport aircraft.

Focus #3

Registration and Regulation of Political Parties under RPA 1951 and Judicial Precedents

•Section 29A Registration: Governs registration of political associations with the Election Commission of India. Requires a mandatory undertaking of true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India and principles of socialism, secularism, and democracy.
•Judicial Limit on Deregistration: In Indian National Congress v. Institute of Social Welfare (2002), the Supreme Court ruled that ECI does not have statutory power under Section 29A to deregister a party, except where registration was obtained by fraud, or where a party ceases to have faith in the Constitution, or is banned under UAPA.
•Section 13A Tax Immunity: Exempts political parties from paying income tax on voluntary contributions, provided they maintain audited accounts and submit reports of donations exceeding Rs 20,000 to the ECI under Section 29C.

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Daily Current Affairs MCQs & PYQs

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Progress

0 of 5 Answered

Q1PYQ • UPSC Civil Services Prelims

Consider the following statements regarding the Election Commission of India (ECI): 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body appointed by the President of India. 2. The Election Commission resolves disputes relating to splits and mergers of recognized political parties. 3. The Election Commission possesses explicit statutory powers under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to deregister political parties for violating internal party constitutions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q2PYQ • UPSC Civil Services Prelims

With reference to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), consider the following statements: 1. It is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 2. The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio President of the CSIR. 3. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology is awarded annually by CSIR for outstanding contributions by Indian scientists. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q3Daily MCQ • STANDARD

With reference to the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme executed by DRDO, consider the following statements: 1. It provides financial grant-in-aid to private MSMEs and startups for developing dual-use and defence technologies. 2. The scheme permits funding support of up to 90 percent of the total project cost capped at Rs 50 crore. 3. In September 2026, DRDO sanctioned support under TDF for the indigenous development of a 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator critical for quantum computing. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q4Daily MCQ • STANDARD

Regarding Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) in India, consider the following statements: 1. RUPPs are registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. The Election Commission of India has unconditional statutory authority under Section 29A to deregister any political party that fails to contest elections. 3. Political parties enjoy tax exemptions on voluntary contributions under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, subject to filing audited accounts. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q5Daily MCQ • STANDARD

Consider the following statements regarding the Standard on Sustainability Assurance (SSA) 5000 notified by ICAI in September 2026: 1. It serves as an independent auditing standard designed to verify corporate sustainability and ESG disclosures. 2. It directly aligns India's assurance protocols with the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000. 3. It completely exempts corporate entities from filing the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) mandated by SEBI. Which of the statements given above are correct?