Monthly at a glance
- Sat 5 Sep — UP launches UPCOS for 20 lakh outsourced workers, fast-tracks 25,000 hectares along expressways, and honours 81 teachers on Teachers' Day.
- Sun 6 Sep — UP honours 81 teachers on Teachers' Day; Cabinet clears four new expressways and a Rs 2 lakh crore Data Centre Policy
- Mon 7 Sep — UP launches 'Project Praveen' skilling in Sarvodaya schools, fast-tracks 25,000 ha for 27 expressway industrial clusters, and stays India's No.1 tourism state.
- Tue 8 Sep — UP Textile Conclave (UPTEX-2026) opens in Lucknow with the UP Tex Mitra portal and over ₹4,000 crore in weaver support; CM honours Anganwadi workers in Ayodhya; state rolls out a Student Mental-Health Policy for all universities.
- Wed 9 Sep — 9th National Poshan Maah opens in Varanasi; UP hikes Anganwadi honorarium to ₹12,000 with ₹5 lakh health cover; Cabinet clears ₹5,507 cr industrial push
- Thu 10 Sep — UP unveils interest-free ₹1 lakh credit for 1 crore women; UP–Japan Meet 2026 and a ₹5,507 cr Cabinet investment push power the state's $1-trillion economy drive
- Fri 11 Sep — UP Cabinet clears ₹24,000 cr expressway & industry push; Anganwadi honorarium trebled to ₹12,000 with ₹5 lakh health cover; Lucknow tops India's clean-air survey
- Sat 12 Sep — UP's 5th Gomti Book Festival opens in Lucknow; Anganwadi honorarium raised to ₹12,000 with ₹5 lakh health cover; UP Cabinet clears ₹5,507 cr industrial investment.
- Tue 15 Sep — UP clears 250 AC electric buses & fast-tracks a ₹15,400 cr expressway push; state emerges as India's electronics-semiconductor hub with ₹43,000 cr invested.
- Wed 16 Sep — Yogi Cabinet clears 23-proposal package headlined by the ₹1,008-cr Chitrakoot Link Expressway and Krishak Samriddhi Yojana; UP confirmed India's No.1 domestic tourism state; national GST hits a record August of ₹1.99 lakh crore.
- Thu 17 Sep — UP launches month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Divyangjan assistive-device camps in all 75 districts, as the Yogi Cabinet clears the Chitrakoot Link Expressway and a farmer-loan scheme.
- Fri 18 Sep — UP Cabinet extends Ganga Expressway to Haridwar and clears a ~₹24,000 crore expressway-and-industry package; one lakh government jobs to be filled from Sep 19; EPFO wage ceiling raised to ₹25,000.
- Sat 19 Sep — UP Cabinet's mega welfare push and Chitrakoot Link Expressway lead the day, as Yogi govt hands 818 appointment letters and fast-tracks 25,000 ha for expressway industrial clusters
- Sun 20 Sep — UP launches Mission Rojgar for one lakh government jobs in six months; Cabinet clears 23 proposals including the Chitrakoot Link Expressway; UP tops India in domestic tourism.
- Mon 21 Sep — UPITS 4.0 opens 25 Sept in Greater Noida, UP rolls out 1 lakh new government jobs, and the Ganga Expressway anchors the state's USD 1-trillion economy push.
- Tue 22 Sep — UPITS 4.0 opens in Greater Noida, UP stays India's No.1 tourism state, and the ₹23,731-cr GOBARdhan CBG scheme gets Cabinet nod.
- Wed 23 Sep — UP Cabinet clears 23 proposals; Chitrakoot Link Expressway & Krishak Samriddhi Yojana approved as UPITS 4.0 opens in Greater Noida
- Thu 24 Sep — UP Cabinet clears 23 proposals, UP stays India's No.1 in GI tags, and Semicon 2.0 anchors the national tech push.
- Fri 25 Sep — UP International Trade Show 2026 opens in Greater Noida; UP clears ₹2,606 cr fresh investment; India–France VARUNA naval exercise
- Tue 29 Sep — UPITS 4.0 wraps up in Greater Noida, heavy-rain alert shuts schools across UP, and Aligarh's Gulveer Singh bags a second Asian Games silver
- Wed 30 Sep — UPITS 2026 closes with ₹6,500 crore MoUs; CM sets 70% approval–60% spending budget targets; MLC & Rajya Sabha polls notified in UP
All topics — key facts for revision
5 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE UP honours 81 teachers on Teachers' Day 2026
- 5 September is National Teachers' Day, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
- UP felicitates 81 teachers of Basic & Secondary Education under the State Teacher Award and Chief Minister Teacher Award.
- Selection is based on outstanding contribution to teaching, innovation and educational development.
UP-SCHEME Yogi govt launches UPCOS to shield 20 lakh outsourced workers
- UPCOS = Uttar Pradesh Outsourced Services Corporation, a non-profit state body to regulate and protect outsourced workers.
- Covers about 20 lakh (2 million) outsourced workers in the state.
- Guarantees direct salary to bank accounts, EPF and ESI cover, and transparent recruitment without middlemen.
- Launched by the Chief Minister at Varanasi with a dedicated portal and grievance-redressal cell.
UP-INFRA UPEIDA fast-tracks 25,000 hectares near expressways for industry
- Land is being acquired along the Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Ganga, Gorakhpur Link and Agra-Lucknow expressways.
- Target of 25,000 hectares to develop 27 Industrial Manufacturing & Logistics Clusters (IMLCs) across 14 districts on a PPP basis.
- Over 4,250 hectares already acquired, feeding a ~₹8 lakh crore GBC 5.0 pipeline toward a $1-trillion state economy.
UP-GOVERNANCE Month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' from 17 September to 17 October
- Runs 17 September to 17 October 2026 with 13 flagship programmes across all 75 districts.
- Key events: Seva Setu camps, Janseva Mahakumbh, Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and Seva Jyoti Yatra (7 Oct).
- Reach mandated down to Gram Panchayat / Nyay Panchayat level, tracked by a CMO control room.
UP-CULTURE UP retains India's No.1 spot in domestic tourism (2026)
- UP recorded about 646.8 million domestic tourist visits — more than double No.2 Tamil Nadu (306.8 million).
- Ayodhya (~72 million in Jan–Jun) and Varanasi (~22.5 million in Jan–Mar) drive the surge; Kashi Vishwanath sees 1 lakh+ daily devotees.
- Backed by ₹37,688 crore tourism investment proposals and the Prayagraj Mahakumbh after-effect.
NATIONAL National Teachers' Awards 2026 conferred on Teachers' Day
- President Droupadi Murmu honoured 48 teachers (26 men, 22 women) from 27 States/UTs at Vigyan Bhawan.
- Awardees received a certificate, cash prize and silver medal.
- 5 September is also the UN International Day of Charity (Mother Teresa's death anniversary).
NATIONAL ISRO launches EOS-05 aboard GSLV-F17
- GSLV-F17 successfully placed EOS-05, described as India's first imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous (GEO) orbit.
- Enables continuous, all-weather Earth observation for agriculture, disaster management and security.
- Reinforces India's growing space-application capability.
6 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE UP honours 81 teachers on Teachers' Day 2026
- 81 teachers honoured — 61 from Basic Education and 20 from Secondary Education; 33 awardees are women.
- Each awardee receives a citation, memento and Rs 25,000 prize; State Teacher Award winners get a two-year extension in retirement age.
- Awardees also get lifetime free travel of 4,000 km/year on state road transport buses.
- Awards recognise innovation, effective school management and holistic student development.
UP-INFRA Cabinet clears four expressway links to build a seamless grid
- Vindhya Expressway (~Rs 26,315 crore) to connect Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra.
- Vindhya-Purvanchal Spur Link (Rs 9,039 crore) linking Ghazipur, Mirzapur and Chandauli.
- Two link expressways connect Agra-Lucknow with the Ganga (Rs 7,489 cr, via Farrukhabad) and Purvanchal (Rs 4,776 cr) expressways.
- All six-lane (expandable to eight); to be built in 36 months on the EPC model with a five-year maintenance period.
UP-SCHEME UP Data Centre Policy 2026 targets Rs 2 lakh crore & AI infrastructure
- Targets Rs 2 lakh crore in private investment and 2 GW of new data-centre capacity.
- Special support for GPU-based and energy-efficient facilities and AI-driven computing.
- Enhanced incentives for projects in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal to spread investment.
- Expected to create ~7,500 direct long-term jobs and about 50,000 construction-phase jobs.
UP-SCHEME Free tablets for youth under Swami Vivekananda scheme
- Over 25 lakh eligible youth to benefit in FY 2026-27; about 60 lakh devices already distributed.
- Budget outlay of Rs 2,374.6 crore for the year, at roughly Rs 17,000 per device.
- Covers UG, PG, diploma, technical, health-education and ITI/skill-development trainees.
- Aims to boost digital learning and employability skills of young people.
UP-GOVERNANCE 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' — month-long statewide service drive
- Runs 17 September - 17 October 2026 across villages, towns and cities.
- Activities: Arogya Melas (health camps), cleanliness and tree-planting drives, blood-donation camps.
- Distribution of aids and appliances to persons with disabilities and youth-education programmes.
- A Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra procession is planned in every district on 7 October.
UP-SCHEME UP Startup Mission 2026 and Rs 1,000 crore startup fund
- A Rs 1,000 crore startup fund to support early-stage and growth-stage ventures.
- Part of a package including new data-centre, urban-reform and home-guard welfare decisions.
- Seeks to expand incubators and formalise support for entrepreneurs across the state.
- Complements UP's investment-summit momentum and MoUs signed at global forums.
POLITY SC pushes states to raise district judge retirement age to 62
- Aimed at easing a backlog of about 5.18 crore pending cases in district courts.
- Only seven states have agreed to the increase so far.
- Extension to be subject to a suitability assessment at age 60.
- Concerns the subordinate/district judiciary, the base of India's court system.
ECONOMY GDP series rebased to 2022-23 with a new PPI deflator
- New base year 2022-23 revises GDP figures from 2022-23 through 2025-26.
- Deflation shifts from Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to a Producer Price Index (PPI).
- Updates the Index of Industrial Production and a new Banking Services Price Index.
- Improves accuracy of real-growth measurement to reflect the current economy.
NATIONAL ISRO's EOS-05 becomes India's first dedicated GEO imaging satellite
- 2,367 kg imaging satellite at about 36,000 km (geosynchronous) altitude.
- Launched aboard GSLV-F17, with a mission life of about nine years.
- Provides near-real-time coverage for disaster response, border surveillance and crop monitoring.
- Adds persistent, wide-area imaging that low-earth-orbit satellites cannot match.
7 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-SCHEME 'Project Praveen': skilling enters Sarvodaya schools
- Over 3,000 students of Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalayas to gain job skills alongside schooling in FY 2026-27.
- Trades cover Apparel, IT-ITeS and Management; batches capped at 35 learners, 300 training hours each.
- Curriculum aligned to Sector Skill Council (SSC) norms; training to begin by 30 September 2026.
- Run jointly by the Social Welfare Department and the UP Skill Development Mission.
UP-GOVERNANCE CM promises one lakh government jobs in six months
- Appointment letters given to 3,572 recruits — 3,446 Technical Assistants (Agriculture Dept) and 126 Mandi Secretaries.
- Target of about one lakh fresh government appointments across departments within six months.
- Drive stresses merit and transparency and curbing examination irregularities.
UP-INFRA 25,000 hectares to be acquired for 27 industrial clusters
- UPEIDA to acquire 25,000 hectares along expressways for 27 Industrial Manufacturing & Logistics Clusters (IMLCs).
- About 5,000 ha identified so far; over 4,250 ha already acquired across 14 districts.
- Nodes span Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Ganga, Gorakhpur Link and Agra–Lucknow expressways; Bundelkhand & Ganga are the largest.
- Clusters to offer plug-and-play plots, multimodal links and PPP options ahead of Ground Breaking Ceremony (GBC) 5.0.
UP-SCHEME Free bus travel for elderly women; 25 lakh tablets for youth
- Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrishakti Yojana — lifelong free UPSRTC bus travel for women aged 60+ (Aadhaar/voter ID as proof); about 1 crore beneficiaries.
- Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme — 25 lakh tablets for students; ₹2,374.60 crore for FY 2026-27.
- Rules amended to let elderly parents evict neglectful adult children within a 30-day hearing window.
UP-INFRA Ganga Expressway to reach Haridwar; new Jhansi Link cleared
- Ganga Expressway to be extended to Haridwar (Uttarakhand) at ₹10,761 crore.
- 106.3-km Jhansi Link Expressway cleared at ₹7,968.30 crore, deepening Bundelkhand connectivity.
- 250 electric buses sanctioned (₹400 crore); Sultanpur cluster (₹272.25 crore) and three FDI projects (₹2,606 crore) approved.
UP-CULTURE UP stays India's No.1 state in domestic tourism
- 646.8 million domestic visits in 2026 — more than double the next state (about 306.8 million).
- Ayodhya drew about 7.2 crore visitors (Jan–Jun 2026); Varanasi about 2.25 crore; Kashi Vishwanath sees 1 lakh+ pilgrims daily.
- Tourism-policy investment proposals worth ₹37,688.58 crore; a five-day Ayodhya–Varanasi–Prayagraj 'Spiritual Triangle' circuit launched.
UP-CULTURE UP leads GI tagging; 'One District One Cuisine' rolled out
- UP tops India with 77 GI-tagged products; the Kashi (Varanasi) region alone holds 32, a global GI hub.
- One District One Cuisine (ODOC) — a culinary extension of ODOP — promotes a signature dish per district (Agra petha, Mathura peda, Banarasi malaiyo).
- GI protection guards artisans against counterfeits, boosts exports and rural jobs (valid 10 years).
NATIONAL ISRO orbits EOS-05 earth-observation satellite
- GSLV-F17 placed EOS-05 into geosynchronous orbit (~35,786 km) — a geo earth-observation satellite.
- Enables continuous, real-time imaging for disaster management and agriculture monitoring.
- Demonstrates the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage with private-sector participation.
NATIONAL 'Lakhpati Didi' target scaled up to 6 crore women
- Target doubled from 3 crore to 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' under DAY-NRLM.
- ₹10 lakh crore for SHG collective loans and ₹1 lakh crore for individual women entrepreneurs over five years.
- Quarterly and half-yearly reviews with SRLMs, RBI, NABARD and banks.
NATIONAL India and Belgium vow to double trade in five years
- Joint statement launched an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to ease flows both ways.
- Both sides agreed to double bilateral trade within five years.
- Belgium reaffirmed support for India's permanent UN Security Council seat.
8 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-SCHEME UP Textile Conclave 2026 (UPTEX-2026) opens in Lucknow; UP Tex Mitra portal launched
- Launched the UP Tex Mitra portal plus the Mukhyamantri Handloom Weaver Prosperity Scheme and a Textile Sector Training & Skill Development Scheme.
- ₹416.75 crore distributed to 157 textile units; Letters of Comfort issued to 214 units for expansion and diversification.
- ₹3,446.44 crore electricity relief for 99,929 powerloom weavers (Atal Bihari scheme); ₹77.45 crore to 4,039 SC weavers (Jhalkari Bai Kori scheme); ₹73.18 crore to 4,122 weavers (Handloom & Powerloom Development).
- PM MITRA mega textile park coming up on 1,000 acres at the Lucknow–Hardoi border, boundary-wall work nearly complete.
UP-GOVERNANCE CM honours Anganwadi workers in Ayodhya; appointment letters distributed statewide
- About 12,000–15,000 workers and helpers from the Ayodhya division participated, with parallel ceremonies across all UP districts.
- Appointment letters were distributed to newly selected workers and outstanding supervisors were recognised.
- The programme reinforces the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) delivery network for nutrition and early-childhood care.
UP-GOVERNANCE UP finalises Student Mental-Health & Well-Being Policy for all colleges and universities
- Mental-Health Support Cells to be set up in every college and university, with confidential counselling, helplines and an online assessment portal.
- Three-tier governance: Director of Higher Education as state nodal officer, a Steering Committee under the Principal Secretary, and district committees chaired by District Magistrates.
- Staff training, awareness drives and an integrated monitoring dashboard target exam anxiety, career stress and emotional well-being.
UP-INFRA Ganga Expressway—UP's longest—nears completion, targeted to open in 2026
- Six-lane (expandable to eight), running through roughly a dozen districts including Budaun, Hardoi, Unnao and Raebareli.
- It becomes UP's sixth and longest expressway, ahead of the Purvanchal (341 km) and Bundelkhand (296 km) expressways.
- The corridor is designed to cut Meerut–Prayagraj travel time sharply and open industrial and logistics clusters along the route.
UP-CULTURE Uttar Pradesh remains India's No. 1 state in GI-tagged products
- GI tags protect region-specific products such as Banarasi silk, Bhadohi carpets, Firozabad glassware and a range of ODOP items.
- The tags dovetail with the ODOP programme, boosting exports and artisan incomes across districts.
- A GI tag is granted for an initial 10 years (renewable) under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.
NATIONAL Defence Acquisition Council clears ~₹1.10 lakh crore buys, 98% from domestic industry
- Around 98% of the value is earmarked for domestic sourcing, deepening the Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence.
- Approvals span CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, advanced helicopters, indigenous marine gas turbines and Arudhra radars.
- Indigenous marine gas turbines cut dependence on foreign suppliers for naval propulsion.
NATIONAL India's BRICS chairmanship: 'non-West, not anti-West'
- BRICS seeks greater voice for emerging economies in bodies like the IMF and World Bank.
- The New Development Bank (est. 2014) offers alternative development financing to members.
- India pursues 'strategic autonomy'—engagement without exclusive alignment.
NATIONAL ISRO deepens private-sector role; EOS-05 earth-observation satellite launched
- The EOS-05 earth-observation satellite was placed in orbit by a GSLV-class launch (GSLV-F17).
- IN-SPACe promotes and authorises non-government (private) space activity.
- Earth-observation data supports agriculture, disaster management and remote sensing.
9 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTAR PRADESH 9th National Poshan Maah launched from Varanasi
- 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah launched at the Rudraksh Convention Centre, Varanasi.
- 2026 theme: “Our Anganwadis, Our Responsibility” — citizens co-own Anganwadi centres.
- Rooted in Poshan Abhiyaan (2018) and now run under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0.
- Focus: dietary diversity, adequate protein, hot cooked meals with millets, pulses & seasonal veg.
UP-SCHEME UP raises Anganwadi honorarium 50%, adds ₹5 lakh health cover
- Anganwadi workers' honorarium raised ₹8,000 → ₹12,000/month; helpers ₹4,000 → ₹6,000.
- New cashless health cover of up to ₹5,00,000 for workers and helpers.
- Sarees distributed and appointment letters handed to newly recruited staff.
- Meritorious girl students and top-performing Anganwadi supervisors felicitated.
UP-GOVERNANCE UP Cabinet clears ₹5,507 cr investment for 11 industrial units
- Total ₹5,507.01 crore across 11 units in 9 districts, cleared in one Cabinet meeting.
- 8 units (₹2,900.97 cr) under the UP Industrial Investment & Employment Promotion Policy 2022.
- 3 units (₹2,606.04 cr) under the FDI/Foreign Capital Investment Policy 2023.
- Largest: Canpack India, Unnao (₹1,573.62 cr); sectors led by packaging and food & beverages.
UP-INFRA New 74-km, 6-lane link to join Noida Airport with Ganga Expressway
- 74-km, six-lane corridor from the Yamuna Expressway (near Film City) to the Ganga Expressway near Syana.
- Estimated cost about ₹8,586 crore; passes through 56 villages in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahr.
- About 20 km runs through the New Noida Investment Region; 3-year completion deadline.
- Feeds the 594-km Ganga Expressway (Meerut–Prayagraj), boosting cargo and passenger links.
UP-SCHEME ODOP milestone: 9 lakh youth employed in nine years
- One District One Product (ODOP) launched in 2018 to revive district-level traditional crafts and industry.
- 9 lakh youth employed through ODOP; 3.25 crore youth and artisans engaged across schemes.
- Backed by MSME revival, Vishwakarma-style skilling, marketing and credit support.
- Many ODOP products overlap with UP's GI-tagged items — UP leads India in GI tags.
ECONOMY India's Q1 FY27 GDP grows 7.8%, beats RBI's 7% forecast
- Real GDP +7.8% y-o-y in Q1 FY27; real GVA +8.2%; nominal GDP +10.3% (released by MoSPI).
- Services +10.0% and manufacturing +9.2% led growth; agriculture +3.6%; mining contracted 2.4%.
- Gross Fixed Capital Formation surged 11.9%, its share rising to 34.3% of GDP.
- Marks a fourth straight quarter of near-potential growth despite global headwinds.
POLITY Supreme Court's Article 142 'complete justice' power in focus
- Article 142 lets the Supreme Court pass any order needed to do ‘complete justice’ in a case.
- A study counted 791 direct invocations of the power since 1949.
- It was recently used to quash FIRs arising from nationwide exam protests.
- Critics warn of over-reach; safeguards trace to the 1962 and 1998 rulings limiting its scope.
NATIONAL India moves on a green-steel decarbonisation push
- India produces about 160 million tonnes of steel a year, ~32% above the global emissions intensity.
- Coal-based blast-furnace capacity could rise from 43% to 56% by 2030 without a shift.
- A roughly ₹5,000-crore decarbonisation scheme is being launched to push EAF/DRI routes.
- Supports India's net-zero-by-2070 pledge and green-hydrogen ambitions.
10 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-SCHEME UP to give interest-free ₹1 lakh credit to 1 crore SHG women
- Up to ₹1 lakh interest-free credit to each of nearly 1 crore SHG women, paid by Direct Benefit Transfer.
- Released in three tranches — ₹20,000 (by December), ₹30,000 and ₹50,000 — as women scale up their ventures.
- Anchored in the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission; adds special women's credit cards and digital sales linkage.
- Extra support: up to ₹2 lakh for women buying e-rickshaws and 100 new women-empowerment centres.
- Final eligibility and beneficiary rules await formal Cabinet approval.
UP-SKILL PM-SETU skilling funds flow to UP's Meerut ITI cluster
- The 5th National Steering Committee approved ₹735.70 crore for three ITI clusters (including UP).
- UP's Meerut ITI cluster secured ₹240.40 crore for modernisation and industry-linked training.
- Total PM-SETU commitment now stands at about ₹2,171 crore across 9 clusters nationally.
- Focus: aligning ITI trades with local industry demand and improving trainee employability.
UP-INFRA UP–Japan Investment Meet 2026 anchors big-ticket YEIDA projects
- Escorts Kubota to invest ₹2,025 crore (tractors & construction equipment), 3,800+ jobs, in YEIDA.
- Minda Corporation to invest ₹1,166 crore in auto components, creating about 6,440 jobs.
- A 500-acre dedicated 'Japanese City' is planned in YEIDA for Japanese firms and suppliers.
- Four MoUs signed with Yamanashi Prefecture covering skilling, tourism, GCCs and Japanese-language workforce.
- Positioned as part of UP's drive to become a $1-trillion economy.
UP-GOVERNANCE Cabinet clears ₹5,507 crore for 11 industrial units in 9 districts
- Total cleared investment of ₹5,507 crore across 11 units in 9 districts.
- Sector split: packaging (~45%) and food & beverage (~41%) dominate; metals & speciality make up the rest.
- Largest single project: a packaging unit in Unnao (~₹1,573 crore); Unnao district leads overall.
- Approvals routed through the 2022 policy (8 units) and 2023 FDI policy (3 units).
UP-INFRA Expressway industrial corridors and Jhansi Link Expressway advance
- About ₹7,000 crore earmarked for industrial corridors along 5 expressways.
- The Jhansi Link Expressway (~₹7,968 crore) was cleared, connecting the Bundelkhand Expressway to NH-44.
- UP already operates India's largest expressway network (Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Ganga, etc.).
- Corridors aim to spread industry to Bundelkhand and eastern UP, easing regional imbalance.
UP-GOVERNANCE Assistive-device and artificial-limb camps planned in all 75 districts
- Assistive-device and artificial-limb distribution camps to be organised across all 75 districts.
- Aims at accessible, on-ground delivery rather than centralised distribution.
- Reinforces UP's welfare architecture for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities).
- Complements pension and accessibility measures already in place.
UP-CULTURE Ayodhya–Varanasi–Prayagraj drive religious-tourism surge
- Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj anchor record religious-tourism growth in the state.
- The circuit is emerging as a multi-day luxury cultural route, boosting local livelihoods.
- Tourism reinforces UP's ranking among India's top destinations by visitor numbers.
- Feeds hospitality, transport and handicraft demand across the corridor.
UP-CULTURE UP retains India's top rank in GI tags, eyes 152 products
- UP holds the highest number of GI-tagged products among Indian states.
- A fresh action plan targets roughly 152 GI-tagged products in the state.
- GI tags protect region-specific crafts and produce, boosting ODOP exports.
- Strengthens artisan incomes and brand value for UP handicrafts.
NATIONAL India–Japan air exercise Veer Guardian-2026 at Jodhpur
- Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 held at Jodhpur (Rajasthan) over a 14-day schedule.
- IAF fielded Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale; Japan's ASDF deployed F-2A fighters.
- Objective: interoperability, tactical proficiency and operational synergy.
- Part of a widening India–Japan special strategic and global partnership.
ECONOMY Aluminium tech tie-up and fresh RBI payment approvals
- A national aluminium producer signed a technology-licensing deal to add 0.5 million tonnes/year of smelting capacity at Angul, Odisha.
- The upgrade uses advanced smelting technology to raise efficiency and output.
- The RBI cleared a Payment Aggregator authorisation for a fintech and a GIFT City licence for cross-border services.
- Signals continued formalisation and expansion of India's digital-payments ecosystem.
11 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-SCHEME UP Anganwadi honoraria trebled to ₹12,000; ₹5 lakh cashless health cover added
- Anganwadi workers' honorarium raised to ₹12,000/month (from ₹8,000); helpers to ₹6,000 (from ₹4,000).
- ₹5 lakh annual cashless treatment for workers and helpers at empanelled, government hospitals and medical colleges.
- Over 70,000 Anganwadi centres to be restructured, with own buildings planned for centres in rented/shared spaces.
- Workforce is drawn almost entirely from women in lower-income rural households; scheme sits under ICDS.
UP-INFRA UP Cabinet approves ~₹24,000 cr push: expressways plus 11 industrial units
- Ganga Expressway extension (~₹10,761 crore): six-lane greenfield corridor (expandable to eight) along the Prayagraj–Haridwar stretch; DPR to be prepared.
- Jhansi Link Expressway (~₹7,968 crore) for the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority region and Jhansi defence corridor; Sultanpur logistics cluster (~₹272 crore).
- ₹5,507 crore cleared for 11 industrial units in nine districts, incl. an aluminium beverage-can plant in Unnao (~₹1,573 crore).
- Reinforces UP's push to convert investment-summit MoUs into operating projects and its largest-expressway-network status.
UP-SCHEME UP Textile Vision 2026: ₹5,196 cr proposals, 10+ parks, PM MITRA and weaver welfare
- ₹5,196 crore in new investment proposals signed; letters of comfort (~₹163 crore) and subsidy support (~₹60 crore) extended.
- Textile parks reserved in Varanasi, Amroha, Bareilly, Sant Kabir Nagar and Bijnor; Noida designated an apparel city; a PM MITRA mega-hub in the pipeline.
- UP has ~2 lakh handlooms and 5 lakh+ powerloom weavers; textile exports up ~56% in six years, making UP India's 4th-largest textile exporter.
- New UP Tex Mitra portal and Hathkargha Bunkar Samriddhi Yojana launched; 17 GI-tagged textile products across 35+ districts.
UP-GOVERNANCE Lucknow tops Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026; 16 UP cities in national clean-air rankings
- Lucknow scored 198/200 in Category-I (10 lakh+ population), edging Indore (197) by a single point.
- Top order: Lucknow 198, Indore 197, Jabalpur 195, Bhopal & Agra 192.
- 16 UP cities featured in the national clean-air rankings — the first time Lucknow overtook long-time leader Indore.
- Scoring rewards pollution-control actions, monitoring and public awareness, not only ambient PM levels.
UP-CULTURE Braj region to be developed 'on the lines of Ayodhya and Kashi'
- Mathura–Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon and Govardhan to get integrated pilgrim facilities and connectivity.
- Model cited is Ayodhya, now drawing ~1 lakh visitors daily (5–50 lakh during festivals) with an international airport, Ram Path and Bhakti Path.
- Aims to blend heritage preservation with devotee-centric infrastructure.
- Part of UP's strategy of building pilgrimage hubs as spiritual-cum-economic engines.
UP-GOVERNANCE Reemployment age for specialist doctors raised 65→70; 500 consultant posts opened
- Maximum reemployment age for retired specialist doctors raised from 65 to 70 years.
- 500 consultant posts opened to fill specialist gaps in government facilities.
- Targets shortages in district and referral hospitals.
- Complements the Anganwadi and public-health measures announced the same week.
NATIONAL CCEA clears eight railway multitracking projects worth ₹20,804 crore
- Eight multitracking projects, ~₹20,804 crore, across nine states, serving a population of about 52 lakh.
- Aim: decongest saturated routes, cut logistics costs and raise freight capacity.
- Adds to recent commissioning of final sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (~₹20,700 crore).
- Supports the PM Gati Shakti multimodal connectivity framework.
NATIONAL Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 launched; PMMVY marks 10 years
- 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah observed 9 September–8 October 2026; theme: 'Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari'.
- Marks 10 years of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the maternity cash-benefit scheme.
- Focus on Anganwadi-led community mobilisation for nutrition.
- Directly connects to UP's simultaneous Anganwadi strengthening measures.
12 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-CULTURE 5th Gomti Book Festival 2026 opens at Lucknow University
- Nine-day festival (12–20 September), organised by the National Book Trust (under the Union Education Ministry).
- Over 120 publishers and 200+ book stalls; author interactions, panel talks and book launches.
- Visitors get access to the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, the national digital library with 3,000+ e-books across Indian languages.
- Showcases literature, culture and heritage in the state capital.
UP-SCHEME Anganwadi honorarium raised to ₹12,000; ₹5 lakh cashless health cover
- Workers' monthly honorarium raised from ₹8,000 to ₹12,000; helpers from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 — a four-fold rise from earlier ₹3,000/₹1,500.
- New annual ₹5 lakh cashless treatment cover per worker/helper at empanelled hospitals, government hospitals and medical colleges.
- 70,000+ Anganwadi centres reorganised over nine years; dedicated buildings promised for all.
- Part of the state's women & child development and nutrition (Poshan) push.
ECONOMY UP Cabinet clears ₹5,507 cr investment — 11 units across 9 districts
- Approved under the UP Industrial Investment & Employment Promotion Policy 2022 and the FDI / Fortune Global 500 Policy 2023.
- Sector split: packaging ₹2,494 cr, food & beverage ₹2,252 cr, metals/specialty ₹522 cr.
- District spread led by Unnao (₹1,937 cr), then Hathras, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Mathura, Bijnor, Barabanki, Lakhimpur Kheri, Kanpur Dehat and Hamirpur.
- Incentives: capital subsidy plus net SGST reimbursement to select units.
UP-INFRA Jewar Link Expressway approved — ₹8,585 cr, 74.5 km
- Six-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway (expandable to eight lanes), passing through 56 villages.
- Connects the Noida International Airport (Jewar) to the Ganga Expressway via Bulandshahr — Bhaipur Brahman (Noida) to Bahapur (Bulandshahr).
- To be developed by the UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA); no central funding proposed.
- Offers a shorter route toward Prayagraj and strengthens the Jewar airport logistics corridor.
UP-SCHEME Digital Entrepreneur Scheme launched in 8,000 Nyaya Panchayats
- One digital entrepreneur per Nyaya Panchayat; 50% reserved for women (daughters/daughters-in-law of the same panchayat).
- Interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh each; support for optical-fibre access and onboarding village products to online marketplaces.
- Linked to a ₹100 cr Women Entrepreneur Product Marketing Centre initiative at the Nyaya Panchayat level.
- Complements the rural broadband push to take high-speed internet to gram panchayats across the state.
NATIONAL Universal Bhu-Aadhaar & DILRMP 3.0 for land records
- Introduces a 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN / Bhu-Aadhaar) for every geo-referenced land parcel.
- Enables paperless registration and integrates revenue courts with land records to curb fraudulent transactions.
- Part of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP).
POLITY Bankers' Books Evidence Act 2026 in force from 1 October
- Modernises a 135-year-old law; effective 1 October 2026.
- Recognises digital, cloud-based and virtual banking records as admissible evidence.
- Certification allowed via manual, digital or electronic signatures.
NATIONAL BRICS Chennai Declaration on Science, Technology & Innovation
- Deepens BRICS cooperation in AI, quantum technology and biotechnology via shared research infrastructure and researcher mobility.
- Sets up a Young Scientist Forum and Youth Innovator Prize; explores a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund.
- Reinforces India's science-diplomacy footprint within the grouping.
15 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-INFRA / GREEN MOBILITY 250 AC electric buses cleared for UP cities (₹425.5 cr)
- Total outlay ₹425.5 cr: ₹400 cr state share + ₹25.5 cr UPSRTC contribution.
- Fleet split: 100 low-floor 50-seater (3×2) + 150 41-seater (2×2) 12-metre AC buses.
- Anchored in the UP Electric Vehicle Manufacturing & Mobility Policy (notified Oct 2022) — 100% road-tax & registration exemption for EVs.
- Rollout ahead of the CAQM norm (from 01 Nov 2026) allowing only CNG/electric/BS-VI vehicles in Delhi-NCR.
UP-ECONOMY / ELECTRONICS UP becomes India's electronics & semiconductor hub (₹43,000 cr)
- 200+ companies operating; 3 lakh+ jobs; 55%+ of India's mobile-phone production.
- 1,000-acre semiconductor park being developed in the Yamuna Expressway (YEIDA) region.
- India Chip Pvt Ltd's ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, Packaging) unit (₹3,700 cr) at YEIDA Sector 28.
- Backed by the UP Electronics Component Manufacturing Policy 2025.
UP-INFRA / EXPRESSWAYS Supplementary budget fast-tracks expressways (₹15,400 cr)
- Vindhya Expressway: ₹6,500 cr for land — 594 km linking Ganga Expressway to Sonbhadra via Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Chandauli.
- Ganga Expressway extension: ₹5,700 cr (Meerut–Prayagraj corridor, inaugurated 29 Apr 2026).
- Purvanchal Link Spur (Sonbhadra–Chandauli–Ghazipur): ₹2,300 cr.
- Implemented by UPEIDA (UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority).
UP-GOVERNANCE / JUDICIARY Welfare & digitisation package for advocates announced at Prayagraj
- Cashless health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh for practising advocates.
- Family assistance from the lawyers' welfare fund raised from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
- Eligibility age for family assistance raised from 60 to 70 years.
- Tablets for 400 state law officers; chambers/furniture for 10,000+ lawyers in multi-level complexes.
UP-ECONOMY / INVESTMENT UP steps up global outreach for a $1-trillion economy by 2030
- Japan: Yamanashi Prefecture delegation (200); a 500-acre 'Japanese city' planned near Greater Noida.
- Germany: GIBA delegation to Lucknow; Frankfurt MoU (Feb 2026) on MSMEs, startups, IT, aviation.
- Taiwan: UP delegation at SEMICON 2026, Taipei, for chip supply-chain and R&D tie-ups.
- Priority sectors: semiconductors, data centres, green hydrogen and precision manufacturing.
NATIONAL / ECONOMY Economy snapshot: GST at ₹2.32 lakh cr; ADB sees 7.4% growth
- August 2026 gross GST collection: ₹2.32 lakh crore — second-highest monthly figure ever.
- ADB revised India's FY2026-27 GDP growth forecast up to 7.4%.
- SEBI extended T+0 same-day settlement to the top 500 listed securities.
NATIONAL / SCHEMES Cabinet clears PM-SHRI Universities Phase-II; Krishi Abhiyan launched
- PM-SHRI Universities Phase-II: ₹22,000 cr to upgrade 50 central and 100 state universities by 2030.
- Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan targets 6 crore farm families across 700 districts over 180 days.
- Focus: crop diversification and awareness of farmer-income schemes.
NATIONAL / AWARDS & DAYS Observances & honours: Democracy Day, Engineer's Day, Gukesh, Harmanpreet
- International Day of Democracy (15 Sep) — theme: 'Democracy for Sustainable Development'.
- Engineer's Day marks the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna M. Visvesvaraya.
- D. Gukesh defended the FIDE World Chess title; Harmanpreet Kaur named ICC Women's Cricketer of the Decade.
16 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE UP Cabinet Clears 23-Proposal Package for Growth & Welfare
- 23 proposals approved across infrastructure, agriculture, education, employment, industry and urban development.
- Marquee items: Chitrakoot Link Expressway, Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, Smart Schools, Agniveer reservation and a new Toy Manufacturing Policy-2025.
- Welfare push includes cashless medical cover for PRD volunteers and an extra ₹25/quintal margin for fair-price shop dealers.
- Ease-of-living moves: stamp-duty exemption on 10-year lease deeds to ease rentals of homes and shops.
UP-ECONOMY 4th UP International Trade Show (UPITS) to Open on 25 September
- UPITS 4.0 to run 25–29 September 2026 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.
- Focus on ODOP (One District One Product), MSMEs, textiles and the state's export ecosystem.
- Positions UP as a leading investment and manufacturing hub, building on record investment intents.
UP-INFRA Chitrakoot Link Expressway Approved at ₹1,008.67 Crore
- 15.172 km, six-lane, access-controlled greenfield expressway at ₹1,008.67 crore.
- Entire cost borne by the UP government; construction agency via global bidding.
- Improves connectivity in the Bundelkhand region and links to the Bundelkhand Expressway.
- Boosts pilgrimage tourism, logistics and industrial access in a backward region.
UP-SCHEME Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana: ₹6 Lakh Loans at 6%
- Loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% annual interest for small and marginal farmers.
- Routed through the UP Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Ltd.
- Targets timely, affordable credit to reduce dependence on informal moneylenders.
UP-GOVERNANCE 20% Agniveer Reservation & Cashless Cover for PRD Volunteers
- 20% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in Enforcement Constable (Transport) and Jail Warder posts.
- Four-year Agniveer service counts toward age; an extra 3-year age relaxation granted.
- Cashless medical treatment for PRD (Provincial Armed Constabulary) volunteers and dependents; duty allowance raised.
UP-INFRA Industrial & Education Push: Toy Policy, Smart Schools, Ethanol Plant
- Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025 approved to boost artisans, women's employment and clusters.
- 120 KLPD ethanol plant cleared at Chhata Sugar Company Ltd, Mathura, on a concession-lease.
- Smart Schools Initiative to upgrade Basic Education Council primary schools with modern learning infrastructure.
- WorldFish MoU signed for an eastern-UP fisheries development project.
UP-GOVERNANCE NSG Regional Centre in Ayodhya; Urban Expansion Funds Cleared
- 65 acres of state land allotted free in Ayodhya for an NSG Regional Centre.
- Funds cleared for Lucknow, Unnao and Raebareli under the Mukhyamantri Shahri Vistaarikaran Yojana.
- Completion of a high-tech township in Lucknow also approved.
UP-CULTURE UP Confirmed India's No.1 Domestic Tourism Destination (2026)
- UP recorded 646.8 million domestic tourist visits in 2026 — rank 1 nationally.
- More than double second-placed Tamil Nadu (306.8 million).
- Ayodhya drew 7.2 crore visitors (Jan–Jun) and Varanasi 2.25 crore (Jan–Mar).
- Prayagraj continued a post-Mahakumbh surge.
ECONOMY GST Collections Hit a Record August of ₹1.99 Lakh Crore
- Gross GST of ₹1,99,853 crore in August 2026 — up 14.8% YoY, a record for any August.
- Domestic GST ₹1,37,249 crore (+9.3%); import IGST ₹62,604 crore (+29%).
- April–August cumulative collections at ₹10.43 lakh crore (+11%).
NATIONAL / IR India Hosts 18th BRICS Summit; New Delhi Declaration Adopted
- 18th BRICS Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi; theme: *Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability*.
- Leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration on global-governance and economic cooperation.
- Ten members took part, including newer entrants Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and the UAE.
17 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' launched across Uttar Pradesh
- Month-long drive from 17 September to 17 October 2026, marking the PM's 25 years in public life and 76th birthday.
- Focus on service, good governance and public welfare, taking government achievements to every citizen.
- Includes health camps, welfare-saturation drives and beneficiary-outreach from the block to the district level.
- Coordinated across all districts by the state administration and the ruling party organisation.
UP-SCHEME Divyangjan assistive-device & artificial-limb camps begin (Phase 1)
- Camps to cover all 75 districts, providing free assistive devices and artificial limbs to eligible Divyangjan.
- Phase 1: 41 districts on 17 September and 34 districts on 2 October 2026.
- Later phases run 20 Oct–15 Nov and 3–15 December 2026.
- Implemented by the state's Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, via District Divyangjan Empowerment Officers.
UP-INFRA Cabinet clears Chitrakoot Link Expressway
- 15.172 km, six-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway at a cost of ₹1,008.67 crore.
- Improves connectivity from Bundelkhand to Chitrakoot Dham and is expected to boost regional tourism.
- Part of a Cabinet meeting that cleared 23 proposals spanning infrastructure, jobs, education and welfare.
- Cabinet also allotted 65 acres in Ayodhya for an NSG Regional Centre and urban-development funds for Lucknow, Unnao and Raebareli.
UP-GOVERNANCE Yogi Cabinet's 23 proposals: farmer loans, toy policy, ethanol plant
- Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana: loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% annual interest for small and marginal farmers, via the UP Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank.
- Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025 approved to make UP a toy-manufacturing hub.
- A 120 KLPD ethanol plant cleared at Chhata, Mathura, on a concession-cum-lease basis.
- 20% horizontal reservation for former Agniveers in Enforcement Constable (Transport) and Jail Warder posts, with age relaxation.
UP-ECONOMY One lakh new government jobs from 19 September; UPITS 4.0 ahead
- One lakh new government jobs to begin from 19 September 2026 and be filled within six months.
- State claims over 60 lakh youth employed through private investment since 2017.
- The UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 4.0 is scheduled for 25–29 September 2026 at Greater Noida.
- Recruitment and the trade show together underline the state's jobs-and-investment pitch.
UP-CULTURE UP leads India's domestic tourism with 646.8 million visits
- UP recorded about 646.8 million domestic tourist visits in 2026, the highest among Indian states.
- Growth driven by the Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj religious-tourism circuit.
- Heritage and pilgrimage infrastructure continue to anchor the state's tourism economy.
- Tourism is being positioned as a major driver of jobs and local livelihoods.
ECONOMY Retail inflation rises to 4.82% in August 2026
- CPI-based retail inflation accelerated to 4.82% in August 2026 from 4.45% in July.
- Food inflation stood at about 5.95%.
- Unemployment rate was 5.0% with a Labour Force Participation Rate of 55.6% (PLFS).
- The RBI's phased 100-basis-point CRR cut continues to support credit expansion.
POLITY India retains 131st rank in Global Gender Gap Index; Pension Sakhis launched
- India retained its 131st rank in the Global Gender Gap Index, with overall parity at 64.5%.
- The Rural Development Department and PFRDA signed an MoU for a 'Pension Sakhis' initiative.
- Pension Sakhis are women-led networks to expand pension awareness and enrolment in rural India.
- Both items connect gender, social security and last-mile financial inclusion.
NATIONAL India hosts 18th BRICS Summit; Yudh Abhyas 2026 with the US begins
- India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit on 12–13 September, with outcomes on health, space, agriculture and MSMEs.
- Yudh Abhyas 2026, the 22nd India–US joint exercise, began on 15 September across Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.
- In sport, India won its 8th Women's T20 Asia Cup, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs.
- The 2029 World Athletics Championships were awarded to Nairobi, Kenya — the first African edition.
18 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-INFRA Ganga Expressway to be extended to Haridwar
- Six-lane greenfield corridor, expandable to eight lanes.
- Estimated cost ₹10,761 crore; a detailed project report (DPR) is to be prepared.
- Extends the Meerut end onward to Haridwar (Uttarakhand).
- Cuts UP–Uttarakhand travel time and boosts religious tourism.
UP-INFRA ₹24,000 crore expressway + industry package
- Ganga Expressway extension ₹10,761 crore; Jhansi Link Expressway ₹7,968.30 crore (Bundelkhand/defence corridor).
- 11 industrial projects worth over ₹5,500 crore — including Canpack aluminium cans (Unnao, ₹1,573.62 crore).
- Sultanpur integrated manufacturing & logistics cluster ₹272.25 crore near the Purvanchal Expressway.
UP-GOVERNANCE One lakh government jobs from Sep 19
- 77,000 posts in the Police & Home Guards departments.
- State cites 9.5 lakh government jobs given since 2017.
- Announced at Gorakhpur; 119 projects (~₹40 crore) inaugurated.
- Pension amount and coverage to be raised for seniors, destitute women and PwD.
UP-SCHEME Cabinet clears youth, women & artisan schemes
- Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana: 25 lakh free tablets; ₹2,374.60 crore (2026-27), 5-year rollout.
- Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yojana: free UPSRTC bus travel for women aged 60+ (1 crore+).
- Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0: toolkits and margin-money loans for artisans.
UP-SCHEME Social-security net widened
- 1.10 crore seniors, destitute women and PwD get a ₹12,000/year pension; amounts and coverage to rise.
- Women aged 60+ get lifetime free state-bus travel.
- 25 lakh youth to receive tablets for digital access.
UP-ECONOMY Countdown to UPITS 4.0 at Greater Noida
- Showcases ODOP products, MSMEs and UP manufacturing to global buyers.
- Sectors: textiles, food processing, engineering, electronics, handicrafts.
- Anchored in the 'Vocal for Local → global' export drive.
- Builds on ODOP, UP's district-led export model, now a national blueprint.
ECONOMY EPFO wage ceiling raised to ₹25,000
- About 51 lakh additional employees are expected to be covered.
- Government outlay ~₹11,339 crore/year (₹56,696 crore over five years).
- UPI: zero charges up to ₹2,000 and on RuPay debit cards (Payment & Settlement Systems Act, 2007).
- PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana completed 7 years — a pension scheme for small and marginal farmers.
NATIONAL SEMICON India 2026 inaugurated
- Theme: 'Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem'.
- 600+ exhibitors; 12 semiconductor projects approved nationally.
- Advances India's chip-manufacturing self-reliance push.
NATIONAL India deepens trade ties & partnerships
- India–MERCOSUR: electronic Certificates of Origin; modernised preferential trade.
- 2027 to be 'Year of India–Vietnam Friendship' (55 years); trade target USD 25 billion by 2030.
- India–ASEAN trade USD 128 billion in FY 2025-26.
19 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTAR PRADESH CM hands 818 UPPSC/UPSSSC appointment letters in Lucknow
- 818 appointment letters given across four departments through UPPSC and UPSSSC.
- Ayush: 404 posts (teachers, Ayurveda/Unani/Homeopathy, pharmacists); Medical & Health: 357 X-Ray Technicians.
- Skill/Vocational Education: 48 instructors; MSME: 9 Assistant Statistical Officers.
- Selections stressed as transparent and merit-based through the recruitment commissions.
UP-INFRA UP Cabinet clears Chitrakoot Link Expressway among 24 decisions
- Chitrakoot Link Expressway: 15.172 km, six-lane access-controlled greenfield road, ₹1,008.67 cr, linking Bundelkhand to Chitrakoot Dham.
- Ex-Agniveers: 20% horizontal reservation in Enforcement Constable (Transport) and Jail Warder posts, with age relaxation.
- NSG Regional Centre: 65 acres allotted free in Milkipur tehsil, Ayodhya.
- Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana: loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% for small/marginal farmers; 120 KLPD ethanol plant at Chhata, Mathura; new Toy Manufacturing Policy-2025.
UP-SCHEME Mega welfare push: free bus travel for elderly women, tablets for youth
- Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yojana: free lifetime travel on all UPSRTC buses for 1 crore+ women aged 60+.
- Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana: 25 lakh free tablets, budget ~₹2,374.60 cr for 2026-27, five-year rollout.
- Ganga Expressway extended to Haridwar (Uttarakhand), easing UP–Uttarakhand travel and pilgrimage.
- Package deliberately spans social security + digital empowerment + transit connectivity.
UP-INFRA UP fast-tracks 25,000 hectares for expressway industrial clusters
- 25,000 hectares targeted for 27 Industrial Manufacturing & Logistics Clusters (IMLCs); ~4,250 ha already acquired.
- Corridors: Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Ganga, Gorakhpur Link and Agra-Lucknow expressways.
- GBC 5.0 targets private investment near ₹8 lakh crore; Invest UP has compiled a project list of ~₹6 lakh crore.
- IMLCs offer plug-and-play plots, multimodal connectivity and flatted factories for land efficiency.
UP-SCHEME Vishwakarma Shram Samman mela drives 'Atmanirbhar UP' artisan push
- Held under Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0 on Vishwakarma Jayanti at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow.
- Launch of a Margin Money Loan Portal plus distribution of toolkits and cheques to beneficiaries.
- Links traditional trades to modern technology, credit and markets under Vocal for Local / Atmanirbhar UP.
- Complements ODOP (One District One Product) and the upcoming UP International Trade Show 2026 (25–29 Sep, Greater Noida).
UP-INFRA Six states, including UP, sign Kishau multipurpose project pact
- Signatories: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana.
- On the Tons river (largest tributary of the Yamuna); dam height 232.6 m — among India's tallest.
- Storage 1,562 MCM, irrigation 97,000 ha, hydropower 1,476 MU; cost ~₹15,624 cr.
- 25% environmental flow earmarked for Yamuna rejuvenation; environmental & forest clearances still pending.
NATIONAL PM Janaushadhi scheme widens basket beyond medicines
- 20,000+ Jan Aushadhi Kendras operating nationwide; basket now 2,110 medicines + 315 devices.
- Cumulative sales (2021–26) ₹7,873.85 cr; estimated citizen savings ₹37,200 cr.
- New sub-baskets Janaushadhi Bachpan (infants) and Jan Aushadhi Swabhiman (adult care).
- Administered by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (PMBJP).
ECONOMY US Fed hikes rate 25 bps to 3.75-4.00% — first rise in three years
- Rate raised by 25 basis points to a 3.75–4.00% range — the first hike in three years.
- Higher US rates can spur rupee depreciation and capital outflows from emerging markets.
- Widens pressure on the RBI's own rate calculus and on external borrowing costs.
- US inflation not expected to reach the 2% target before 2029.
ENVIRONMENT FAO 'Forests for Food' report flags wild-food and deforestation trends
- Over 50,000 wild species are used globally for food and medicine.
- Global deforestation stands at 10.9 million hectares annually (2015–25 decade).
- Wild foods are linked to lower child stunting; forest foods can supply up to 80% of protein in some communities.
- India's tools: Forest Rights Act (2006), Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, National Agroforestry Policy (2014).
20 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE Mission Rojgar: one lakh UP government jobs targeted in six months
- Department-wise plan: ~36,000 UP Police, ~41,000-42,000 Home Guards, 25,000-30,000 UPSSSC (phase 1), 20,000-25,000 UPSSSC (phase 2) and 15,000-16,000 UPPSC posts.
- About 818 selected candidates received appointment letters on 19 September; roughly 1,000 more were scheduled for 20 September.
- Interviews abolished for Group C and Group D recruitment to curb manipulation; about 9.5 lakh youths were placed under earlier Mission Rojgar rounds.
UP-INFRA UP Cabinet clears 23 proposals led by the Chitrakoot Link Expressway
- Chitrakoot Link Expressway: a 15.172-km, six-lane expressway costing ₹1,008.67 crore on EPC mode to improve Bundelkhand-Chitrakoot connectivity and tourism.
- Agniveer veterans granted 20% horizontal reservation and age relaxation in Enforcement Constable (Transport) and Jail Warder posts.
- Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025 approved; a 120 KLPD ethanol plant cleared at Chhata, Mathura.
- 65 acres of barren land in Ayodhya allotted free to set up an NSG Regional Centre.
UP-SCHEME Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana: farm loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6%
- Provides long-term loans of up to ₹6 lakh to small and marginal farmers.
- Credit is routed through the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Ltd.
- Concessional interest rate of 6% per annum funds land development, equipment and allied activities to raise rural incomes.
UP-SCHEME CM Smart Schools plan to digitise 14,429 primary schools
- Covers 14,429 primary schools under the Basic Education Council.
- Total outlay of about ₹300 crore, roughly ₹2.07 lakh per school.
- Funds internet, ICT facilities and digital content for interactive, technology-enabled classrooms.
UP-INFRA Fourth UP International Trade Show set for 25-29 September in Greater Noida
- Scheduled for 25-29 September 2026 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar).
- Expected participation of about 2,500 exhibitors and 650 foreign buyers across 17-plus halls.
- Dedicated space for MSMEs and One District One Product (ODOP), with Invest UP, UPEIDA and UPSIDA showcases.
UP-CULTURE Uttar Pradesh tops India in domestic tourism with 646.8 million visits
- 646.8 million domestic tourist visits in 2026 - more than double the second-ranked state.
- Ayodhya drew about 7.20 crore visitors in January-June 2026 following the Ram temple's opening.
- Varanasi recorded about 2.25 crore visits in January-March 2026, with over one lakh daily devotees at Kashi Vishwanath.
- Investment proposals worth over ₹37,688 crore have been received under the state tourism policy.
NATIONAL 20th Rozgar Mela: over 51,000 central appointment letters handed out
- More than 51,000 appointment letters distributed to newly recruited central government personnel.
- Rozgar Mela is a recurring drive to fast-track recruitment across central ministries and departments.
- The initiative complements state-level employment drives such as UP's Mission Rojgar.
POLITY Active FCRA-registered NGOs decline to 14,466
- Active FCRA-registered NGOs fell from 29,022 in 2015 to 14,466 by mid-September 2026.
- The decline reflects tighter compliance and non-renewal of registrations under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
- Foreign contributions reported have nonetheless increased over the period.
NATIONAL Defence Minister pitches integrated civil-military aerospace ecosystem
- Emphasis on building sovereign aircraft-design and development capacity within India.
- Aims to align civil aviation and military aerospace supply chains for scale and self-reliance.
- Supports the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence manufacturing.
21 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-ECONOMY UPITS 4.0 opens 25 Sept in Greater Noida with 45,000+ buyers registered
- The 4th UP International Trade Show (UPITS) runs 25-29 Sept 2026 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.
- 45,000+ domestic B2B buyers already registered (target 1.5 lakh); around 1,500 international buyer registrations.
- Partner countries confirmed: Japan, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Austria; 36,500 sq m exhibition space booked.
- 20 knowledge sessions and cultural programmes; showcases UP's industries, ODOP products, MSMEs and export strength.
UP-GOVERNANCE 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' launched from Varanasi
- Launched 17 Sept (PM's birthday) in Varanasi by the Union Defence Minister and the UP CM.
- Features a 20-day Varanasi-Vadnagar bike yatra (500 youth, 250 bikes) and a river-water exchange between Kashi and Gujarat.
- Exhibition '25 Years of Janseva se Rashtra Seva' held at the Rudraksha Convention Centre under the 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat' theme.
UP-JOBS UP to give 1 lakh new government jobs in six months
- CM announced 1,00,000 new state jobs in the next six months; recruitment began 19 Sept 2026.
- 77,000 posts in Police & Home Guards; the remaining ~23,000 across other departments.
- Government claims 9.5 lakh jobs already provided to youth since 2017 — stressed as merit-based and transparent.
- Simultaneous move to raise social-pension amounts and coverage (currently ~1.10 crore beneficiaries).
UP-SCHEME Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0 & Swadeshi Mela
- Relaunched around Vishwakarma Jayanti to empower traditional artisans across 18 trades.
- Combines skill training + free toolkits + a new Margin-Money Loan portal + market linkage.
- Advances the 'Vocal for Local' / Swadeshi push; toolkits and loan sanction letters distributed at Lucknow.
UP-GOVERNANCE Cabinet clears LDA takeover of Sushant Golf City township
- The UP Cabinet (15 Sept) approved the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) claim to complete the stalled township.
- Release of 2,747 mortgaged plots (of 3,489) protects existing registries and gives relief to thousands of homebuyers.
- LDA to finish development pocket-wise and place its proposal before the NCLT; early release via a refundable guarantee.
UP-INFRA Ganga Expressway — 594 km corridor powering UP's rise
- 594 km, 6-lane (expandable to 8) greenfield expressway linking Meerut to Prayagraj across 12 districts.
- Cost around Rs 36,230 crore (including ~Rs 9,500 crore land acquisition); operational since 2026.
- Industrial nodes planned at Meerut, Budaun, Kanpur, Prayagraj & Varanasi; sections double as an IAF emergency airstrip.
- Phase-2: Meerut-Haridwar (110 km) and Prayagraj-Ballia (314 km) extensions under development.
UP-ECONOMY UP's growth engine: the road to a USD 1-trillion economy
- Strategy rests on six pillars: expressways & infra, jobs & skilling, ODOP/GI, investment (UPITS), textiles/MSME and tourism/heritage.
- UP is India's No.1 state in GI-tagged products and among the leaders in expressway length.
- Investment inflows (UPITS, PM MITRA textile park, industrial corridors) anchor the manufacturing-and-export drive.
ECONOMY EPFO wage ceiling raised to Rs 25,000 a month
- The EPF monthly wage ceiling was revised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, its first hike in years.
- Brings an estimated 51 lakh additional workers into formal social-security coverage (annual cost ~Rs 11,339 crore).
NATIONAL Semicon 2.0 approved; chip units enter commercial production
- Union Cabinet cleared Semicon 2.0 with a Rs 1,27,500 crore outlay to deepen India's chip ecosystem.
- 5 of 12 first-phase semiconductor units are now in commercial production; SEMICON India 2026 drew ~40,000 visitors.
ECONOMY Key macro data — inflation, exports, services
- Retail (CPI) inflation at 4.82% in August; merchandise exports USD 82.68 bn (+25.4% YoY).
- Software/services exports for 2025-26 at USD 221.4 bn (+8.2%) — a resilient external sector.
22 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTAR PRADESH UP International Trade Show (UPITS 4.0) opens 25 September in Greater Noida
- 4th edition, 25–29 September 2026 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida; focus on industry, investment and exports.
- Over 45,000 domestic B2B buyers registered (target 1.5 lakh) plus 1,500+ international buyers; six partner nations — Japan, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore and Austria (Thailand pending).
- 36,500 sq.m of exhibition space booked; 20 knowledge sessions and 25 cultural programmes planned; showcases ODOP products, MSMEs and development authorities.
- Expected to generate a boost of about ₹25,000 crore for the state's MSME sector.
UP-CULTURE Uttar Pradesh remains India's No.1 domestic tourism state in 2026
- UP logged 646.8 million domestic visits in 2026 — No.1 in India, ahead of Tamil Nadu (306.8 mn) and Karnataka (304.6 mn).
- Ayodhya drew about 7.2 crore visitors (Jan–Jun 2026); Varanasi about 2.25 crore (Jan–Mar); Kashi Vishwanath sees 1 lakh+ devotees daily.
- Tourism projects worth ₹1,283 crore initiated; investment proposals of ₹37,688 crore received.
- The Ayodhya–Kashi–Prayagraj spiritual circuit, plus the Braj region (to be developed on Ayodhya/Kashi lines), drives the boom.
UP-GOVERNANCE Yogi Cabinet clears 23 proposals across infrastructure, farming, jobs and industry
- Chitrakoot Link Expressway (15.172 km, six-lane, ₹1,008.67 crore) cleared to link the Bundelkhand Expressway with Chitrakoot Dham.
- Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana — loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% for small and marginal farmers via the Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank.
- 20% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in Enforcement Constable (Transport) and Jail Warder posts, with age relaxation.
- NSG Regional Centre on 65 acres at Milkipur, Ayodhya (cost-free); a 120 KLPD ethanol plant at Chhata, Mathura; and the Toy Manufacturing Policy-2025.
UP-INFRA Chitrakoot Link Expressway approved to connect Bundelkhand with Chitrakoot Dham
- Length 15.172 km, six-lane (expandable), to be built on EPC mode at ₹1,008.67 crore.
- Connects the Bundelkhand Expressway to Chitrakoot Dham, cutting travel time to the temple town.
- Aims to boost religious tourism and industrial access in the Bundelkhand region.
- Adds to UP's expressway grid — the country's densest — alongside Ganga, Purvanchal and Bundelkhand expressways.
UP-SCHEME Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana widens cheap farm credit in UP
- Long-term loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% annual interest through the UP Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Ltd.
- Targets farm mechanisation, irrigation and allied activities to raise rural incomes.
- The same cabinet also cleared a WorldFish MoU for eastern UP and an extra ₹25/quintal margin for fair-price shop dealers.
- Complements ODOP and PM-KISAN by deepening institutional credit access in rural UP.
UP-ECONOMY ODOP + MSME push drives UP toward a one-trillion-dollar economy
- MSME and ODOP initiatives have generated over 4 crore jobs in the state.
- State exports stand at about ₹2 lakh crore annually; investments of about ₹15 lakh crore grounded.
- Supporting schemes: Startup Policy-2026, Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana and a new One District One Cuisine (ODOC).
- These feed UP's declared goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
NATIONAL Cabinet approves ₹23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme for Compressed Bio-Gas
- Outlay ₹23,731 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36; run by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
- Capital assistance up to ₹2 crore per TPD of capacity; CBG price fixed at ₹2,110/MMBTU for 10 years.
- CBG blending obligation rises 3% (FY27) → 4% (FY28) → 5% (FY29 onwards); targets roughly a ten-fold rise in output.
- GOBARdhan = Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan; converts cattle dung, farm residue and organic waste into clean fuel.
NATIONAL New National Investment Policy for Urea (NIPU-2026) to lift domestic output
- Targets new gas-based urea plants; India has 33 units with a reassessed capacity of about 269.42 LMT.
- Return-on-equity band of 12–16%; expected savings of ₹250 crore+ per plant versus the 2012 policy.
- Reforms include fixed/variable cost separation and conversion of fixed costs to rupees after 4 years to cut forex risk.
- Successor to NIP-2012 (which added 6 urea plants); aims at fertiliser self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
NATIONAL Asian Games 2026 under way in Aichi–Nagoya; India opens its medal account
- India had 6 medals (0 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze) and stood 12th in the early tally; China led with 38.
- Shooter Elavenil Valarivan became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games silver in the individual 10m air rifle.
- 43 sports feature on the programme; the Games run 19 September – 4 October 2026.
- Multi-sport events, hosts and Indian medallists are standard current-affairs facts.
23 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE Yogi Cabinet approves 23 proposals in one sitting
- 23 proposals approved in a single Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.
- Headline clearances: a new Chitrakoot Link Expressway, Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana and 20% reservation for ex-Agniveers.
- Industrial push: a 120 KLPD ethanol plant at Chhata (Mathura) and the Toy Manufacturing Policy-2025.
- Urban/welfare items under Mukhyamantri Shahri Vistaarikaran Yojana for Lucknow, Unnao and Raebareli; 65 acres allotted for an NSG regional centre at Ayodhya.
- Fair-price shop dealers' margin raised by Rs 25/quintal; stamp-duty and vehicle-testing amendments also cleared.
UP-INFRA Chitrakoot Link Expressway gets Cabinet nod
- Length 15.172 km, built to six-lane standard (expandable).
- Sanctioned cost about Rs 1,008.67 crore as per official state data.
- Improves Bundelkhand-Chitrakoot connectivity and links to the Bundelkhand Expressway network.
- Expected to cut travel time, aid religious tourism to Chitrakoot and support industrial corridors.
UP-SCHEME Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana launched
- Long-term loans of up to Rs 6 lakh per eligible farmer.
- Concessional interest of 6% per annum, aimed at small & marginal cultivators.
- Loans meant for farm assets such as irrigation, equipment and allied activities.
- Complements central schemes like KCC and PM-KISAN by targeting capital investment on farms.
UP-GOVERNANCE 20% reservation for ex-Agniveers in two UP cadres
- 20% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in Enforcement Constable (Transport) and Jail Warder posts.
- 3-year age relaxation granted to the first batches of ex-Agniveers.
- Follows similar assurances for police and PAC recruitment made earlier by the state.
- PRD (Provincial Armed Constabulary/Home Guard) volunteers also got a cashless medical scheme and higher duty allowance.
UP-ECONOMY UP International Trade Show 4.0 opens at Greater Noida
- Fourth edition (UPITS 4.0), held at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.
- Over 45,000 domestic buyers registered (target 1.5 lakh); ~1,500 international buyers.
- Partner countries include Japan, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore and Austria.
- Platform links UP's MSMEs, exporters and ODOP artisans with global buyers and investors.
UP-CULTURE UP tops India in domestic tourism with 646.8 million visits
- 646.8 million domestic visits in 2026 — roughly double second-placed Tamil Nadu (306.8 M).
- Ayodhya drew about 72 million devotees in Jan-Jun 2026; Varanasi ~22.5 million in Jan-Mar.
- Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj form the state's 'spiritual triangle' tourism engine.
- Tourism growth is being tied to jobs, hospitality investment and heritage-city upgrades.
NATIONAL India's Asian Games 2026 campaign underway at Aichi-Nagoya
- Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — the 20th edition of the Asian Games.
- Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu claimed a medal in the women's 49 kg on Day 4.
- India's haul on 23 September spanned weightlifting, shooting (skeet) and other disciplines.
- UP athletes such as distance runner Parul Chaudhary feature in India's athletics squad.
ECONOMY GST 2.0 four-slab structure stays in the exam spotlight
- Rate structure simplified to broadly 0%, 5%, 18% and 40% slabs.
- Most everyday and essential items moved to lower slabs, easing household costs.
- A high 40% slab is retained for select luxury/'sin' goods.
- GST is administered by the GST Council, a model of Centre-State fiscal cooperation.
24 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTAR PRADESH Health, education, sport and farm — the day's UP roundup
- Health watch: a confirmed H1N1 (swine-flu) case in a 60-year-old woman (Barabanki) triggered Rapid Response Team screening and a KGMU-Lucknow referral, with seasonal influenza monitoring reinforced across districts.
- Education: a state minister inspected an under-construction CM Model Composite School (Kannauj), pushing timely completion; composite schools club pre-primary to upper-primary on one campus to cut dropouts.
- Agriculture: a farmers' mahapanchayat has been called for 7 October, with a demand to raise the sugarcane state advised price to ₹600/quintal.
- Sport: three Kanpur players were selected for the Junior State Kabaddi Championship at Ayodhya.
UP-GOVERNANCE UP Cabinet clears 23 proposals — industry, housing and welfare push
- A ₹200-crore ethanol plant at Chhata (Mathura) revives a defunct sugar mill, targeting ~3.96 crore litres a year from cane and rice — boosting the ethanol-blending economy.
- A 20% horizontal-style reservation was approved for ex-Agniveers in state recruitments across departments and forces.
- A Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy 2025 (5-year term) aims to make UP a toy hub, focusing on eastern UP and Bundelkhand.
- The Lucknow Development Authority will take over a stalled hi-tech township, protecting ~5,000 homebuyers with a liability cap of ₹2,912 crore.
UP-SCHEME Vishwakarma Shram Samman 2.0 & Swadeshi Mela empower artisans
- The scheme links traditional artisans (carpenters, potters, blacksmiths, tailors) with skill training, modern toolkits and collateral-light credit under 'Vocal for Local'.
- A new Margin Money Loan portal was launched with cheque and toolkit distribution to beneficiaries in Lucknow.
- The initiative dovetails with ODOP (One District One Product) to widen market access and branding for local crafts.
UP-INFRA Expressway and connectivity drive keeps UP India's infra front-runner
- The state has committed to a large multi-expressway programme (about ₹50,000 crore for seven new expressway projects) to deepen east-west and north-south links.
- UP already operates/builds one of India's densest expressway networks, anchoring industrial corridors and logistics parks.
- Toll-collection and O&M contracts under the state expressway authority (UPEIDA) reflect a maturing PPP and revenue model.
UP-CULTURE Prayagraj–Varanasi–Ayodhya circuit gets a Magh Mela transport plan
- Railways and roadways were directed to add ~10% extra capacity (rakes and buses) over the previous Magh Mela to manage pilgrim surges.
- A 'ring-rail' style circular service connects the three faith cities, easing crowd flow across the spiritual circuit.
- Tenders and ground works are being front-loaded so infrastructure is ready before the mela season.
UP-CULTURE Uttar Pradesh stays India's No.1 state for GI-tagged products
- UP leads the country with 77 GI (Geographical Indication) tags, protecting the identity of region-specific crafts and produce.
- The Varanasi region alone accounts for ~32 GI products — among the densest GI clusters in the world.
- GI protection boosts artisan incomes, exports and ODOP branding for products like Banarasi silk, Bhadohi carpets and various regional foods and crafts.
NATIONAL Semicon 2.0: India deepens its chip ecosystem with a ₹1.27 lakh-crore push
- India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 carries an outlay of about ₹1.27 lakh crore to build fabs, design, equipment, materials and packaging (ATMP/OSAT).
- Six pillars span chip design and IP, domestic equipment/materials, more fabs, advanced ATMP, sub-28nm nodes and large-scale talent development.
- An indigenous 64-bit microprocessor line (developed by a national computing centre) signals a self-reliance thrust in strategic electronics.
ECONOMY GST 2.0 rate structure simplifies India's indirect-tax slabs
- The rationalised GST structure works around a leaner slab design — broadly 0%, 5% and 18%, with a special 40% rate on select sin/luxury goods.
- Fewer slabs aim to cut classification disputes, ease compliance for MSMEs and make everyday goods cheaper.
- Rate rationalisation is expected to support consumption while the GST Council continues trade-facilitation measures.
25 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-INFRA / ECONOMY UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 2026 opens in Greater Noida
- Fourth edition of UPITS held 25–29 September 2026 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida; inaugurated by the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister, with the valedictory by the Union Defence Minister.
- Over 2,400 exhibitors and 550+ international buyers from 85 countries; six partner nations — Austria, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Belarus and Vietnam.
- Showcases One District One Product (ODOP) and the new One District One Cuisine (ODOC) across 20+ sectors — EVs, defence, electronics, textiles, IT and food processing.
- The 2025 edition drew about 5.07 lakh visitors and MoUs worth roughly ₹1,882 crore.
UP-SCHEME / ECONOMY UP clears ₹2,606 crore in fresh industrial investment
- Letters of Comfort issued to three units: Canpack India (aluminium beverage cans, Unnao) ₹1,573.6 cr; Agristo Masa (potato flakes & French fries, Bijnor) ₹794.3 cr; Supreme Industries (plastic building solutions, Kanpur Dehat) ₹238.2 cr.
- Investments extend manufacturing to Unnao, Bijnor and Kanpur Dehat, strengthening food processing and packaging.
- Expected to create direct and indirect employment across the three districts.
UP-SCHEME Vishwakarma Swarojgar & Swadeshi Mela empowers traditional artisans
- Held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow under the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0.
- Launched an online Margin Money Loan Portal; distributed cheques and free toolkits to artisans.
- Blends traditional crafts with modern technology and market access under the 'Vocal for Local' mission.
UP-INFRA New 76-km link to connect Jewar airport with the Ganga Expressway
- Proposed 76-km expressway to link Noida International (Jewar) Airport with the Ganga Expressway via Bulandshahr, meeting the Yamuna Expressway about 24 km short.
- Estimated at roughly ₹4,415 crore, with about ₹1,000 crore released initially; benefits Meerut and Bulandshahr.
- Part of a plan for 12 expressway hubs (4 on Bundelkhand, 8 on Purvanchal) plus about ₹800 crore to strengthen the Agra–Lucknow corridor.
UP-CULTURE GI-tagged crafts and ODOC put UP heritage on display
- Amroha's GI-tagged dholak (crafted from mango and sheesham wood) and namkeen sev featured at UPITS under ODOP/ODOC.
- Uttar Pradesh leads Indian states in the number of GI-tagged products, spanning handicrafts and agri-products.
- One District One Cuisine (ODOC) debuts to promote regional culinary heritage alongside ODOP crafts.
NATIONAL Exercise VARUNA 2026: India–France naval drills off Toulon
- 24th edition of the India–France bilateral naval exercise, held off Toulon, France; INS Trishul participated.
- Harbour and sea phases covered air defence, anti-submarine warfare and surface operations.
- VARUNA began in 1983 and was formally named in 2001; it is conducted alternately near India and France.
NATIONAL Make in India momentum: manufacturing and PLI gains
- Manufacturing GVA grew about 10.88% annually (revised accounts) in recent years; PLI schemes drew over ₹2.40 lakh crore of investment by March 2026.
- PLI-linked production/sales crossed ₹22.66 lakh crore; electronics and mobile manufacturing now meet most domestic demand.
- Anchors the Atmanirbhar Bharat drive across 14 sectors.
NATIONAL Momentum builds for UN Security Council veto restraint
- A France–Mexico initiative for voluntary veto restraint during mass atrocities has backing from about 128 countries; the UK is the second P5 member to endorse it.
- The Liechtenstein 'veto initiative' (2022) mandates a UN General Assembly debate within 10 working days of any veto.
- Feeds the wider debate on UNSC reform and expansion, in which India seeks permanent membership.
29 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-ECONOMY UP International Trade Show 4.0 concludes today at Greater Noida
- 2,400+ exhibitors; buyers from about 85 countries; ~1.5 lakh B2B visitors expected.
- 6 partner countries: Japan, Russia, Vietnam, Singapore, Austria, Belarus.
- New 'One District, One Cuisine' (ODOC) showcase alongside ODOP pavilions.
- UP exports goods worth over ₹2 lakh crore a year; state has 79 GI-tagged products.
- 2025 edition: 5.07 lakh visitors, 2,400+ MoUs (₹1,882 cr), inquiries of ₹11,200 cr+.
UP-DISASTER MGMT Heavy-rain alert: schools shut across UP districts; paddy damage and cattle-shelter deaths reported
- At least 17 rain-related deaths reported; schools shut in 19 districts at the weekend peak.
- Extreme-rain alert for 8 Terai/Rohilkhand districts incl. Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit.
- Standing paddy flattened in Jaunpur, Mirzapur and Azamgarh.
- Badaun: administration confirmed 32 cattle deaths in gau-ashrayas; case filed, CDO-level monitoring.
UP-SPORTS Aligarh's Gulveer Singh wins second silver at Asian Games, Nagoya
- Double silver: 10,000 m and 1500 m.
- Same day: Yashvir Singh javelin silver (85.72 m), Rohit Yadav javelin bronze (84.35 m).
- Vithya Ramraj (400 m hurdles bronze) broke P.T. Usha's 42-year-old national record.
- Men's and women's kabaddi teams won gold, beating Iran.
UP-GOVERNANCE Yogi Cabinet's 23 decisions: Chitrakoot Link Expressway, ex-Agniveer quota, cheap farm loans
- Chitrakoot Link Expressway: 15.172 km, six-lane, ₹1,008.67 cr.
- Small/marginal farmers: loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% p.a. via Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank.
- 20% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in Enforcement Constable & Jail Warder posts.
- 14,429 primary schools to become smart schools (₹300 cr); PRD allowance ₹500→₹600/day.
- ~26 ha free land for an NSG regional hub in Ayodhya; 120 KLPD ethanol plant at Chhata (Mathura).
UP-INFRA AMRUT 2.0 in UP: ₹29,716-crore urban water & sewerage portfolio
- Drinking water ₹18,829 cr and sewerage ₹10,124 cr — the two biggest heads.
- Lake rejuvenation ₹403.45 cr; parks/green spaces ₹89.76 cr.
- Status: 114 completed, 453 ongoing.
- Executing agency: UP Jal Nigam; focus on time-bound completion.
UP-SCHEME ODOP, GI & Vishwakarma Shram Samman 2.0: UP's craft-to-export chain
- ODOP (launched 24 Jan 2018, UP Diwas): one signature product per district.
- Famous GI crafts: Bhadohi carpets, Moradabad brassware, Kannauj perfume, Banarasi silk.
- 6 lakh+ artisans trained/given toolkits; trades covered raised from 11 to 25.
- UP has 1 crore+ MSME units employing 3 crore+ people.
UP-CULTURE Deepotsav 2026: Ayodhya plans ~30 lakh diyas and a 2,100-drone show on 7 November
- Target of ~30 lakh diyas (2025 record: ~26 lakh).
- 2,100-drone aerial show, repeated on Jamghat; 3D projection, laser, green fireworks.
- 284 projects worth ₹5,452.79 cr to be inaugurated/founded during the festivities.
- Ten Ramayan-themed gateways on Dharma Path; diaspora from 30+ countries invited.
UP-GOVERNANCE New Automated Testing Station Policy 2026 and a statewide road-repair push
- Up to 3 ATS per district, each testing up to 24,000 vehicles/year.
- Land norm cut 2.5 acre → 1 acre; ₹6-crore net-worth condition dropped.
- Private investment model — no extra burden on the state exchequer.
- PWD review: pothole repair, pending projects above ₹50 cr, plan for FY 2027-28.
NATIONAL · ECONOMY OECD raises India's FY27 growth forecast to 7.1%
- Upgrade of 80 basis points; FY28 growth seen moderating to 6.5%.
- OECD: Paris-based, 38 members; India is a key partner, not a member.
- At UPITS, the Union HM cited India's 7.8% growth as fastest among major economies.
NATIONAL · INFRA Centre notifies India's first four 'mega ports' under the Indian Ports Act, 2025
- Criteria: 150 MMT/year cargo (bulk) or 7.5 million TEUs (container).
- Mundra is the only privately operated port on the list.
- States: Gujarat (Kandla, Mundra), Maharashtra (JNPA), Odisha (Paradip).
30 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-ECONOMY UPITS 2026 concludes: 4,400 MoUs worth ₹6,500 crore
- 4,400 MoUs worth ~₹6,500 crore signed; potential business from enquiries ₹15,500 crore.
- 41,500 B2B meetings (+31%); total footfall ~5.99 lakh incl. ~1.75 lakh business buyers.
- Partner countries rose from 1 (Russia, 2025) to 6: Russia, Austria, Japan, Singapore, Belarus, Vietnam.
- Theme “Ultimate Sourcing Begins Here”; ODOP plus the new One District One Cuisine showcased all 75 districts.
UP-GOVERNANCE CM sets November targets: 70% approvals, 60% spending of Budget 2026-27
- UP Budget 2026-27: ₹9,99,056.48 crore; development schemes ₹5,01,957.09 crore.
- Approvals so far ₹5.16 lakh crore (51.6%); expenditure ₹2.84 lakh crore.
- Target by November: 70% financial approvals, 60% expenditure; Finance Minister to hold regular reviews.
- Focus: KCC mapping of farmers, better credit-deposit ratio, a Rural Credit Conclave, branding of GI products.
UP-POLITY Polls notified for 11 UP Legislative Council seats and 10 Rajya Sabha seats
- MLC: 5 Graduates' + 6 Teachers' seats; polling 23 Oct, counting 27 Oct; seats fall vacant 6 Dec 2026.
- Rajya Sabha: 10 UP seats, polling & counting 16 Oct; nine terms end 25 Nov 2026.
- Nominations till 6 Oct; withdrawal 9 Oct (both polls).
- RS quota: 37 first-preference votes per seat (effective Assembly strength 397), single transferable vote.
UP-SPORTS Meerut's Parul Chaudhary wins two bronzes at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
- 3000m steeplechase bronze (27 Sept) in 9:08.67 — new national record (old: 9:12.46).
- 5000m bronze (28 Sept) in 15:14.61; also 4th in the 1500m.
- At Hangzhou 2022 she won 5000m gold and steeplechase silver; she is an Arjuna Award winner.
UP-SCHEME Cabinet clears Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana among 23 decisions
- Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana: long-term loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% a year for small & marginal farmers.
- Channel: UP Cooperative Village Development Bank.
- Council primary schools to become smart schools; cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh for PRD volunteers.
- Modified Chitrakoot Link Expressway (Bundelkhand) approved; land for an NSG regional hub at Milkipur.
UP-GOVERNANCE 20% horizontal quota for ex-Agniveers; new Automatic Testing Station Policy
- 20% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in jail warden and transport enforcement posts.
- 3-year upper age relaxation for them.
- ATS Policy 2026: up to 3 automated vehicle-testing stations per district, needing only 1 acre of land.
- Stamp duty on rent agreements simplified (annual rent up to ₹10 lakh).
UP-INDUSTRY UP Toy Manufacturing Policy 2025 and a ₹200-crore ethanol plant at Chhata
- Toy Manufacturing Incentive Policy 2025 aims to make UP a toy hub and cut import dependence.
- Chhata sugar mill (Mathura) to get an ethanol plant costing >₹200 crore, capacity 3.96 lakh litres/day.
- Plant is multi-feed: sugarcane, maize and rice; the mill reopens after about 19 years.
- Private Sai Global University, Kol tehsil (Aligarh), gets Letter of Intent.
UP-GOVERNANCE CM: 1 lakh more government appointments within six months
- 1 lakh youths to get appointment letters in the next 6 months.
- About 9.5 lakh appointments already made through state recruitment bodies.
- CM stressed transparent, merit-based recruitment by boards and commissions such as UPPSC.
UP-SCHEME Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0 and margin-money loan portal launched
- Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0 — umbrella support for traditional artisans.
- New Margin Money Loan Portal; cheques and toolkits distributed to beneficiaries.
- Built on Vocal for Local and the ‘Atmanirbhar Uttar Pradesh’ goal.
NATIONAL Net FDI hits 5-year high of $7.35 billion in July 2026
- Net FDI $7.35 bn in July 2026, up ~64% year-on-year.
- Gross inflows $14.58 bn; communication, financial & computer services ≈ 60% of equity inflows.
- April–July 2026: net FDI $13.4 bn (+38%).
NATIONAL India's first Blue Bond issued for maritime infrastructure
- Base size ₹600 crore + ₹500 crore green-shoe; 10-year tenor; rated AA+.
- Funds for ports, greenfield port projects, coastal roads and maritime lending.
- Blue bonds are debt instruments earmarked for ocean/marine projects.
NATIONAL KAZIND-2026: India–Kazakhstan exercise begins at Oskemen
- 9th edition; Indian contingent of 60, led by a Garhwal Rifles battalion.
- Focus: counter-terrorism in semi-urban & mountainous terrain (UN mandate).
- 8th edition (2024) was held at Auli, Uttarakhand.
Prelims rapid-fire — 131 facts
| Teachers' Day (5 Sep) — birth anniversary of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. |
| UPCOS to cover ~20 lakh outsourced workers. |
| UP tops domestic tourism: 646.8 million visits (2026). |
| EOS-05 launched aboard GSLV-F17 (first GEO imaging satellite). |
| 27 IMLCs planned along UP expressways by UPEIDA. |
| Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: 17 Sep–17 Oct across all 75 districts. |
| UP Data Centre Policy 2026: ₹2 lakh crore / ~2 GW target. |
| Ayodhya drew ~72 million visitors in Jan–Jun 2026. |
| Legal Metrology (IST) Rules 2026: IST as sole official time. |
| Botanical Survey of India found new plant species Osbeckia ulotricha. |
| 5 Sep is also the UN International Day of Charity. |
| Teachers' Day awards venue: Gorakhpur (Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium). |
| Vindhya Expressway districts: Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra. |
| UP Startup Fund size: Rs 1,000 crore under Startup Mission 2026. |
| Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 preparations under way ahead of the Diwali record event. |
| UP Tourism to showcase the state at global travel fair FITUR 2026. |
| UP data-centre capacity target: 2 GW; investment target Rs 2 lakh crore. |
| Appointments: UP Outsource Service Corporation — logo, website and portal launched in Lucknow. |
| Employment: 3,572 appointment letters distributed (Agriculture Dept + Mandi Board). |
| GI Hub: Kashi (Varanasi) region holds 32 of UP's 77 GI tags. |
| Tourism: UP ranked No.1 in domestic tourism — 646.8 million visits in 2026. |
| Culture: 'One District One Cuisine' (ODOC) promotes a signature dish per district. |
| Skilling: 'Project Praveen' brings 300-hour vocational courses to Sarvodaya schools. |
| Portal: UP Tex Mitra portal launched to support textile businesses & weavers. |
| Scheme: Mukhyamantri Handloom Weaver Prosperity Scheme rolled out for handloom weavers. |
| Infra: PM MITRA mega textile park (1,000 acres) coming up at the Lucknow–Hardoi border. |
| Expressway: 594-km Ganga Expressway (Meerut–Prayagraj) set to become UP's longest. |
| Heritage: UP remains India's No. 1 state by number of GI-tagged products. |
| Governance: Mental-Health Support Cells to be set up in every UP college & university. |
| Poshan Maah 2026 theme: “Our Anganwadis, Our Responsibility” (9th edition) |
| Poshan Maah 2026 host city: Varanasi — Rudraksh Convention Centre |
| UP Anganwadi worker honorarium: raised to ₹12,000/month; helpers ₹6,000 |
| UP Cabinet industrial clearance: ₹5,507 cr — 11 units across 9 districts |
| Noida Airport–Ganga Expressway link: 74 km, 6-lane, ~₹8,586 cr |
| GI tags leader in India: Uttar Pradesh — highest number of GI-tagged products |
| Appointment: Cricketer Rinku Singh named a Regional Sports Officer by the UP government. |
| Sport: India finished 4th at the Pickleball World Cup 2026 in Vietnam with 41 medals (7 gold). |
| Policy: UP Startup Policy 2026 proposes a ₹1,000 crore fund with deep-tech support. |
| Heritage: UP targets ~152 GI-tagged products, retaining its national lead. |
| Infra: Jhansi Link Expressway (₹7,968 cr) to link the Bundelkhand Expressway to NH-44. |
| Tribute: State paid homage to Govind Ballabh Pant, UP's first CM, on his 139th birth anniversary. |
| Clean Air No. 1: Lucknow tops Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026 (198/200); Agra also in top five. |
| Politics: BSP chief Mayawati expels nephew Akash Anand from the party, ahead of the 2027 UP polls. |
| Textiles: UP is India's 4th-largest textile exporter; 17 GI-tagged textile products across 35+ districts. |
| National award: Kishor Makwana (NCSC) receives the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Jan Seva Puraskar 2026. |
| Science: Deep Ocean Mission's new research vessel ORV 'Sagar Manthan' (~₹840 cr) to replace Sagar Kanya. |
| New portal/scheme: UP launches 'UP Tex Mitra' portal and 'Hathkargha Bunkar Samriddhi Yojana' for weavers. |
| Gomti Book Festival: organised by the National Book Trust at Lucknow University; 5th edition, 12–20 Sep 2026. |
| Anganwadi honorarium raised to ₹12,000/month (worker) and ₹6,000 (helper), with ₹5 lakh health cover. |
| Jewar Link Expressway: 74.5 km, ₹8,585 cr; links the Noida (Jewar) airport to the Ganga Expressway. |
| GI tags: Uttar Pradesh leads all Indian states in the number of GI-tagged products. |
| Bankers' Books Evidence Act 2026 effective 1 October; digital banking records now admissible. |
| Schizopygopsis waddellii — a rare Tibetan coldwater fish recorded in India for the first time (Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh). |
| New UP DGP: Rajeev Krishna — first full-time DGP after years of acting chiefs (2026). |
| Appointment: Former DGP Prashant Kumar appointed UPESSC chairman. |
| GI leadership: UP remains India's leader in number of GI-tagged products. |
| CAQM deadline: From 01 Nov 2026, only CNG/electric/BS-VI vehicles allowed in Delhi-NCR. |
| Global ranking: IIT Bombay at 118th — India's best in QS World University Rankings 2027. |
| Naval push: Cabinet cleared 'Mission Anant' — ₹1.44 lakh cr for 18 warships (Make in India). |
| Sports: India won the Women's T20 Asia Cup, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs for a record 8th title; Shafali Verma hit a 24-ball fifty. |
| GI / ODOP: UP is targeting 152 GI-tagged products; Gorakhpur terracotta remains a flagship ODOP–GI success. |
| Defence: Exercise Veer Guardian-2026 — India–Japan air drill at Jodhpur (Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas vs F-2A). |
| Defence: Yudh Abhyas 2026 — India–US exercise near the LAC; first deployment of the US MLIDS counter-drone system. |
| Space: ISRO launched GISAT-1A (EOS-05) on a GSLV, ending a seven-month launch gap. |
| Important Day: 16 September — International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol, 1987). |
| Appointment: Monisha Chakraborty took charge as an RBI Executive Director (Foreign Exchange & Financial Markets Regulation). |
| Sports: India won its 8th Women's T20 Asia Cup title, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs; Shafali Verma hit a 24-ball fifty, the fastest in the tournament. |
| Sports venue: The 2029 World Athletics Championships were awarded to Nairobi, Kenya — the first in Africa. |
| UP-Security: The UP Cabinet allotted 65 acres in Ayodhya (Milkipur) for an NSG Regional Centre. |
| UP-Culture: Vishwakarma Jayanti was observed across UP on 17 September 2026. |
| UP-Industry: UP's Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025 aims to make the state a toy-manufacturing hub. |
| Expressway — Ganga Expressway to be extended to Haridwar (₹10,761 crore). |
| Free travel — women aged 60+ under the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yojana. |
| Free tablets — 25 lakh youth under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. |
| Jobs drive — 1 lakh posts in 6 months; recruitment from Sep 19. |
| Mega event — UPITS 4.0 at Greater Noida, Sep 25-29, 2026. |
| Artisans — Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0 (toolkits + margin-money loans). |
| India's Oscar entry (99th Academy Awards) — 'Gondhal' (Marathi), dir. Santosh Davakhar |
| New NSG Regional Centre site — Milkipur tehsil, Ayodhya (UP) — 65 acres |
| 120 KLPD ethanol plant approved at — Chhata Sugar Co., Mathura (UP) |
| Ganga Expressway now extended to — Haridwar, Uttarakhand |
| New 6-day luxury cultural circuit — Varanasi–Prayagraj–Ayodhya |
| Ex-Agniveer reservation in UP posts — 20% horizontal (Transport Constable, Jail Warder) |
| Agniveer reservation (UP): 20% horizontal reservation + age relaxation in Enforcement Constable (Transport) & Jail Warder posts. |
| Industrial LoCs: ₹2,606 crore cleared - Canpack (Unnao), Agristo (Bijnor), Supreme Industries (Kanpur Dehat). |
| NSG Regional Centre: 65 acres of land allotted free in Ayodhya for a National Security Guard regional centre. |
| Sports: India won trap gold at the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun 2026 in Italy. |
| Appointment: Hansraj Singh Verma named India's Ambassador to Cuba. |
| UP fairs: Vishwakarma Swarojgar & Swadeshi Mela 2026 organised in Lucknow to promote local artisans. |
| GI Leader: UP is India's No.1 in GI-tagged products (77); the Kashi region alone has 32 GI tags — the 'world's GI hub' (~Rs 25,500 crore/yr business). |
| Textiles: UPTEX-2026 (Lucknow) disbursed Rs 416.75 crore to 157 textile units; a PM MITRA mega textile park (1,000 acres) is coming up on the Lucknow-Hardoi border. |
| Water: The Kishau multipurpose dam MoU was signed by 6 CMs including UP — a 232.6 m dam on the Tons River. |
| Sports: The Asian Games 2026 opened on 19 Sept at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; India's contingent, including UP athletes, is in action. |
| Jobs: The 20th Rozgar Mela (national) distributed 51,000+ appointment letters; ~12.75 lakh since October 2022. |
| Energy: UP power plants' coal stock rose 16% in a fortnight to 8.41 lakh tonnes — energy security ahead of the festive season. |
| UP Diwas 2026: Celebrated with the theme 'Viksit Bharat – Viksit Uttar Pradesh'. |
| GI leadership: UP has the highest number of GI-tagged products in India (75+). |
| Chitrakoot Link Expressway: 15.172 km, six-lane, ₹1,008.67 crore, EPC mode. |
| Agniveer quota: 20% horizontal reservation in UP Transport Enforcement Constable & Jail Warder posts. |
| Braj region: To be developed on the lines of Ayodhya and Kashi. |
| Asian Games 2026: Elavenil Valarivan — first Indian woman with an individual 10m air rifle silver. |
| Biggest Cabinet decision: 23 proposals cleared on 23 Sep 2026 |
| New expressway approved: Chitrakoot Link Expressway (15.172 km, 6-lane) |
| New farmer scheme: Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana (up to Rs 6 lakh @6%) |
| Ex-Agniveer quota: 20% horizontal reservation + 3-yr age relaxation |
| UPITS 2026: 4th edition, 25-29 Sep, India Expo Centre, Greater Noida |
| Tourism rank: UP No.1 in domestic visits (646.8 million, 2026) |
| Ex-Agniveers: 20% reservation approved in UP state recruitments. |
| Mathura ethanol plant: ₹200 crore; ~3.96 crore litres/year capacity. |
| GI tags — UP: 77 products, India's No.1 state for GI tagging. |
| Varanasi: ~32 GI products — a global Geographical-Indication hub. |
| Farmer mahapanchayat: called for 7 Oct; demand to raise cane price to ₹600/quintal. |
| Kabaddi: 3 Kanpur players picked for the Junior State Championship, Ayodhya. |
| Partner nations at UPITS 2026: Austria, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Belarus, Vietnam. |
| New concept at UPITS 2026: One District One Cuisine (ODOC). |
| Amroha GI product: Dholak (made from mango & sheesham wood). |
| Exercise VARUNA: 24th edition, India–France, off Toulon (INS Trishul). |
| UP industrial clearance: ₹2,606 cr — Canpack, Agristo Masa, Supreme Industries. |
| GI leadership: UP has the most GI-tagged products among Indian states. |
| Ashok Singhal centenary: Year-long celebrations launched in Lucknow on 27 Sep (born 27 Sep 1926) |
| PRD volunteers: Daily duty allowance raised to ₹600; ~27,794 beneficiaries |
| Chhata (Mathura): 120 KLPD ethanol plant approved at the Chhata sugar mill |
| Smart schools: 14,429 UP primary schools to be upgraded (₹300 cr) |
| WEF T&T Index 2026: India rises 9 places to 31st; Japan tops |
| CBSE Chairperson: Mandeep K. Bhandari (IAS, 2001 batch) appointed |
| Asian Games medallist (UP): Parul Chaudhary (Meerut, UP Police DSP) — bronze in 3000m steeplechase (NR 9:08.67) & 5000m |
| Award (health): UP honoured as top large State for ABDM-enabled HMIS in sub-centres at Arogya Manthan 2026 |
| Transport: Namo Bharat (Delhi–Meerut RRTS) launches trip passes of up to 40 journeys |
| Education: Sai Global University, Kol tehsil (Aligarh) — Letter of Intent approved |
| Security: Land approved for NSG regional hub at Milkipur (Ayodhya) |
| Festival / Culture: Vishwakarma Jayanti (17 Sept) — Vishwakarma Swarojgar & Swadeshi Mela, Lucknow |
Data points of the period
646.8 million (No.1 in India)
UP domestic tourist visits, 2026
More than double No.2 Tamil Nadu (306.8 million); led by Ayodhya and Varanasi.
More than double No.2 Tamil Nadu (306.8 million); led by Ayodhya and Varanasi.
Rs 47,600+ crore
UP expressway push (four new links)
Combined approved outlay for the Vindhya Expressway, its Purvanchal spur and two Agra-Lucknow link expressways.
Combined approved outlay for the Vindhya Expressway, its Purvanchal spur and two Agra-Lucknow link expressways.
646.8 million
UP domestic tourist visits, 2026
Rank 1 in India — more than double the second-placed state.
Rank 1 in India — more than double the second-placed state.
₹4,000+ crore
UPTEX-2026 weaver & textile support
Combined disbursal across powerloom electricity relief, SC-weaver, handloom and textile-unit incentive schemes on day one of the conclave.
Combined disbursal across powerloom electricity relief, SC-weaver, handloom and textile-unit incentive schemes on day one of the conclave.
7.8%
India Q1 FY27 real GDP growth
Beat the RBI's 7% forecast; GVA grew 8.2% (MoSPI, Apr–Jun 2026).
Beat the RBI's 7% forecast; GVA grew 8.2% (MoSPI, Apr–Jun 2026).
₹1 lakh × ~1 crore women
Women's interest-free credit
Released in three DBT tranches (₹20k + ₹30k + ₹50k) via the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission.
Released in three DBT tranches (₹20k + ₹30k + ₹50k) via the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission.
₹24,000 crore
UP Cabinet capital push (single day)
Expressways + industrial units cleared on 10 Sep 2026, led by the Ganga Expressway extension.
Expressways + industrial units cleared on 10 Sep 2026, led by the Ganga Expressway extension.
₹5,507 crore
UP Cabinet single-cycle investment clearance
11 industrial units across 9 districts
11 industrial units across 9 districts
₹43,000 crore
UP electronics & semiconductor investment
200+ companies • 3 lakh+ jobs • 55% of India's mobile-phone output
200+ companies • 3 lakh+ jobs • 55% of India's mobile-phone output
646.8 million visits
UP Domestic Tourism, 2026
India's No.1 state — more than double 2nd-placed Tamil Nadu (306.8 million).
India's No.1 state — more than double 2nd-placed Tamil Nadu (306.8 million).
4.82%
CPI retail inflation, August 2026
Up from 4.45% in July 2026; food inflation about 5.95%.
Up from 4.45% in July 2026; food inflation about 5.95%.
₹24,000 crore
UP Cabinet package
Expressways plus 11 industrial projects cleared in one Cabinet meeting.
Expressways plus 11 industrial projects cleared in one Cabinet meeting.
25,000 hectares
UP expressway industrial land targeted
for 27 IMLCs; ~4,250 ha already acquired ahead of the proposed GBC 5.0 (₹8 lakh crore).
for 27 IMLCs; ~4,250 ha already acquired ahead of the proposed GBC 5.0 (₹8 lakh crore).
646.8 million
UP domestic tourist visits, 2026
India's highest - more than double the second-placed state; led by Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj.
India's highest - more than double the second-placed state; led by Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj.
1,00,000
New UP government jobs (6 months)
77,000 in Police & Home Guards; recruitment began 19 Sept 2026.
77,000 in Police & Home Guards; recruitment began 19 Sept 2026.
646.8 million
UP domestic tourist visits, 2026
Rank #1 in India — more than double the No.2 state.
Rank #1 in India — more than double the No.2 state.
646.8 million
UP domestic tourist visits, 2026
Highest among Indian states — nearly double Tamil Nadu; powered by Ayodhya, Varanasi & Prayagraj.
Highest among Indian states — nearly double Tamil Nadu; powered by Ayodhya, Varanasi & Prayagraj.
77 (India's No.1)
UP GI-tagged products
Varanasi region alone has ~32 GI products, among the densest GI clusters in the world.
Varanasi region alone has ~32 GI products, among the densest GI clusters in the world.
~₹1,882 crore MoUs; 5.07 lakh visitors
UPITS 2025 impact (benchmark for 2026)
The 2025 edition also generated business inquiries exceeding ₹11,200 crore, setting the target the 2026 show aims to beat.
The 2025 edition also generated business inquiries exceeding ₹11,200 crore, setting the target the 2026 show aims to beat.
₹29,716.29 crore
AMRUT 2.0 outlay in Uttar Pradesh
637 approved projects across 762 urban local bodies; 114 completed so far
637 approved projects across 762 urban local bodies; 114 completed so far
₹6,500 crore
UPITS 2026 MoU value
Up 142.5% from ₹2,680 crore in 2025
Up 142.5% from ₹2,680 crore in 2025
42 practice MCQs — UPPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to UPCOS recently in news, consider: 1) It is a state corporation for outsourced workers. 2) It provides EPF and ESI cover. 3) It is a central government body. Which of the above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A
UPCOS is a Uttar Pradesh (state) non-profit corporation providing direct salary, EPF and ESI to outsourced workers; it is not a central body, so statement 3 is incorrect.
UPCOS is a Uttar Pradesh (state) non-profit corporation providing direct salary, EPF and ESI to outsourced workers; it is not a central body, so statement 3 is incorrect.
Q2. The EOS-05 satellite recently launched by ISRO was carried by which launch vehicle?
- PSLV-C57
- GSLV-F17
- SSLV-D3
- LVM3-M4
Show answer
Answer: B
EOS-05, India's first imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit, was launched aboard GSLV-F17.
EOS-05, India's first imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit, was launched aboard GSLV-F17.
Q3. With reference to the recently approved UP expressway projects, consider the following: 1. The Vindhya Expressway will connect Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra. 2. All four approved expressways are to be built on the BOT (toll) model. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: A
The Vindhya Expressway links Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra, so statement 1 is correct. The projects are being built on the EPC (not BOT) model, so statement 2 is wrong.
The Vindhya Expressway links Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra, so statement 1 is correct. The projects are being built on the EPC (not BOT) model, so statement 2 is wrong.
Q4. The National Accounts Statistics 2026 revised India's GDP series. Which of the following changes was introduced?
- Base year shifted to 2022-23 with a Producer Price Index (PPI)-based deflator
- Base year shifted to 2011-12 with a Consumer Price Index deflator
- GDP replaced by Gross National Income as the headline number
- Switch from PPI to Wholesale Price Index for deflation
Show answer
Answer: A
The series was rebased to 2022-23 and the deflator moved from the WPI to a Producer Price Index (PPI), improving the measurement of real growth.
The series was rebased to 2022-23 and the deflator moved from the WPI to a Producer Price Index (PPI), improving the measurement of real growth.
Q5. With reference to Uttar Pradesh's 'One District One Cuisine' (ODOC) initiative, consider the following statements: 1. It is an extension of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. 2. It seeks to identify and promote a signature traditional dish from each district. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
ODOC extends the ODOP model into culinary heritage, promoting one signature dish per district to boost tourism and local enterprise. Both statements are correct.
ODOC extends the ODOP model into culinary heritage, promoting one signature dish per district to boost tourism and local enterprise. Both statements are correct.
Q6. The 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, seen in the news, is most closely associated with which one of the following?
- Digital literacy for senior citizens
- Self-Help Group women under DAY-NRLM
- A UNESCO world-heritage programme
- Crop insurance for small farmers
Show answer
Answer: B
'Lakhpati Didi' aims to help Self-Help Group women earn at least ₹1 lakh a year under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM); the target was scaled up to 6 crore.
'Lakhpati Didi' aims to help Self-Help Group women earn at least ₹1 lakh a year under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM); the target was scaled up to 6 crore.
Q7. With reference to the PM MITRA scheme, consider the following: 1) It sets up mega integrated textile parks. 2) A PM MITRA park is coming up at the Lucknow–Hardoi border in Uttar Pradesh. Which is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region & Apparel) parks are being developed across states, and UP's park is on 1,000 acres at the Lucknow–Hardoi border. Both statements are correct.
PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region & Apparel) parks are being developed across states, and UP's park is on 1,000 acres at the Lucknow–Hardoi border. Both statements are correct.
Q8. A Geographical Indication (GI) tag in India is initially granted for a period of:
- 5 years
- 10 years
- 15 years
- 20 years
Show answer
Answer: B
Under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, a GI is registered for 10 years and is renewable. Uttar Pradesh leads India in the number of GI tags.
Under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, a GI is registered for 10 years and is renewable. Uttar Pradesh leads India in the number of GI tags.
Q9. With reference to the National Poshan Maah, consider the following statements: 1. It is observed every year in the month of September. 2. It is anchored in the Poshan Abhiyaan launched in 2018. 3. It is currently implemented under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: D
Poshan Maah is observed each September; it flows from Poshan Abhiyaan (2018) and is delivered under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0. All three are correct.
Poshan Maah is observed each September; it flows from Poshan Abhiyaan (2018) and is delivered under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0. All three are correct.
Q10. Article 142 of the Constitution of India is best described as the power of the Supreme Court to:
- Advise the President on questions of law
- Pass any order necessary for doing 'complete justice'
- Review its own judgments
- Transfer cases between High Courts
Show answer
Answer: B
Article 142 lets the SC pass any decree/order for 'complete justice'; advisory jurisdiction is Article 143 and review is Article 137.
Article 142 lets the SC pass any decree/order for 'complete justice'; advisory jurisdiction is Article 143 and review is Article 137.
Q11. The proposed UP scheme to give interest-free credit up to ₹1 lakh to nearly one crore women is anchored in which of the following?
- National Rural Employment Guarantee framework
- UP State Rural Livelihood Mission (self-help groups)
- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana only
- State Public Distribution System
Show answer
Answer: B
The scheme routes interest-free working capital to self-help-group women through the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission, in three DBT tranches of ₹20,000, ₹30,000 and ₹50,000.
The scheme routes interest-free working capital to self-help-group women through the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission, in three DBT tranches of ₹20,000, ₹30,000 and ₹50,000.
Q12. Exercise 'Veer Guardian-2026', in the news recently, is a bilateral air exercise between India and which country?
- France
- Japan
- Australia
- United Kingdom
Show answer
Answer: B
Veer Guardian is the India–Japan bilateral air exercise; the 2026 edition was held at Jodhpur with IAF Tejas/Su-30 MKI/Rafale and Japanese F-2A fighters.
Veer Guardian is the India–Japan bilateral air exercise; the 2026 edition was held at Jodhpur with IAF Tejas/Su-30 MKI/Rafale and Japanese F-2A fighters.
Q13. With reference to the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It is conducted under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). 2. Lucknow topped the Category-I (cities with over 10 lakh population). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is conducted under NCAP (2019). In the 2026 edition Lucknow topped Category-I (10 lakh+ cities) with 198/200, ahead of Indore. Both statements are correct.
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is conducted under NCAP (2019). In the 2026 edition Lucknow topped Category-I (10 lakh+ cities) with 198/200, ahead of Indore. Both statements are correct.
Q14. The Ganga Expressway extension approved by the UP Cabinet is planned to enhance connectivity primarily along which stretch?
- Prayagraj–Haridwar
- Delhi–Meerut
- Lucknow–Gorakhpur
- Agra–Lucknow
Show answer
Answer: A
The approved extension is a greenfield corridor along the Prayagraj–Haridwar stretch, connecting major pilgrimage/Kumbh nodes, with an estimated cost of about ₹10,761 crore.
The approved extension is a greenfield corridor along the Prayagraj–Haridwar stretch, connecting major pilgrimage/Kumbh nodes, with an estimated cost of about ₹10,761 crore.
Q15. The Gomti Book Festival 2026 was organised by which of the following bodies?
- Sahitya Akademi
- National Book Trust
- NCERT
- National Council of Science Museums
Show answer
Answer: B
The National Book Trust (under the Union Education Ministry) organised the 9-day festival at Lucknow University.
The National Book Trust (under the Union Education Ministry) organised the 9-day festival at Lucknow University.
Q16. The 14-digit unique identification number assigned to every land parcel under DILRMP is known as:
- Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN)
- Khasra Number
- e-Dhara ID
- Bhoomi Code
Show answer
Answer: A
ULPIN, also called Bhu-Aadhaar, is a 14-digit identifier for geo-referenced land parcels under DILRMP 3.0.
ULPIN, also called Bhu-Aadhaar, is a 14-digit identifier for geo-referenced land parcels under DILRMP 3.0.
Q17. With reference to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), consider the following: 1. It is a statutory body for Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas. 2. From 1 November 2026, only CNG, electric and BS-VI vehicles are permitted in its zone. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
CAQM is a statutory body (Act, 2021); the phased norm from 01 Nov 2026 restricts entry to CNG/electric/BS-VI vehicles — UP's e-bus rollout is timed to it.
CAQM is a statutory body (Act, 2021); the phased norm from 01 Nov 2026 restricts entry to CNG/electric/BS-VI vehicles — UP's e-bus rollout is timed to it.
Q18. The Vindhya Expressway, in the news, will connect the Ganga Expressway to which district of Uttar Pradesh?
- Sonbhadra
- Saharanpur
- Shamli
- Sant Kabir Nagar
Show answer
Answer: A
The 594-km Vindhya Expressway links the Ganga Expressway to Sonbhadra via Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Chandauli.
The 594-km Vindhya Expressway links the Ganga Expressway to Sonbhadra via Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Chandauli.
Q19. The newly approved Chitrakoot Link Expressway will primarily improve connectivity to which region of Uttar Pradesh?
- Rohilkhand
- Bundelkhand
- Awadh
- Purvanchal
Show answer
Answer: B
Chitrakoot lies in the Bundelkhand region; the 15.172-km link connects the town to the Bundelkhand Expressway.
Chitrakoot lies in the Bundelkhand region; the 15.172-km link connects the town to the Bundelkhand Expressway.
Q20. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in India through which Constitutional Amendment Act?
- 100th Amendment Act
- 101st Amendment Act
- 102nd Amendment Act
- 103rd Amendment Act
Show answer
Answer: B
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced GST; the GST Council is set up under Article 279A.
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced GST; the GST Council is set up under Article 279A.
Q21. Consider the following statements about the Chitrakoot Link Expressway approved by the UP Cabinet in September 2026: 1. It is a six-lane, access-controlled expressway of about 15 km. 2. It is intended to improve connectivity between the Bundelkhand region and Chitrakoot Dham. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
The expressway is a 15.172-km, six-lane, access-controlled project (₹1,008.67 crore) meant to link Bundelkhand with Chitrakoot Dham and boost tourism. Both statements are correct.
The expressway is a 15.172-km, six-lane, access-controlled project (₹1,008.67 crore) meant to link Bundelkhand with Chitrakoot Dham and boost tourism. Both statements are correct.
Q22. Which one of the following is correct regarding key national data reported around August–September 2026?
- CPI inflation fell below 4%
- CPI inflation rose to 4.82% in Aug 2026
- India ranked 1st in the Gender Gap Index
- Unemployment crossed 10%
Show answer
Answer: B
CPI retail inflation rose to 4.82% in August 2026 (from 4.45% in July). India retained the 131st rank in the Gender Gap Index and the unemployment rate was around 5.0%.
CPI retail inflation rose to 4.82% in August 2026 (from 4.45% in July). India retained the 131st rank in the Gender Gap Index and the unemployment rate was around 5.0%.
Q23. The Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yojana, approved by the UP Cabinet, primarily provides:
- Free tablets to students
- Free UPSRTC bus travel to women aged 60 and above
- Interest-free loans to artisans
- Old-age pension to farmers
Show answer
Answer: B
It grants lifetime free travel on UPSRTC buses to women aged 60+, benefiting over 1 crore women.
It grants lifetime free travel on UPSRTC buses to women aged 60+, benefiting over 1 crore women.
Q24. The EPFO mandatory wage ceiling was recently revised to:
- ₹18,000 per month
- ₹21,000 per month
- ₹25,000 per month
- ₹30,000 per month
Show answer
Answer: C
The Union Cabinet raised it from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000/month — the first revision since 2014.
The Union Cabinet raised it from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000/month — the first revision since 2014.
Q25. With reference to the recently approved Chitrakoot Link Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, consider the following: 1. It is a six-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway. 2. It connects the Bundelkhand region to Chitrakoot Dham. 3. Its approved length is about 150 km. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A
The Chitrakoot Link Expressway is a 15.172-km (not 150 km) six-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway costing ₹1,008.67 crore, linking Bundelkhand to Chitrakoot Dham. Statements 1 and 2 are correct; 3 is wrong on length.
The Chitrakoot Link Expressway is a 15.172-km (not 150 km) six-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway costing ₹1,008.67 crore, linking Bundelkhand to Chitrakoot Dham. Statements 1 and 2 are correct; 3 is wrong on length.
Q26. The Kishau Multipurpose Project, for which a six-state agreement was recently signed, is located on which river?
- Tons (tributary of the Yamuna)
- Betwa
- Ken
- Gandak
Show answer
Answer: A
Kishau is on the Tons river, the largest tributary of the Yamuna. The pact involves Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana, with a 232.6 m dam and 25% flow reserved for Yamuna rejuvenation.
Kishau is on the Tons river, the largest tributary of the Yamuna. The pact involves Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana, with a 232.6 m dam and 25% flow reserved for Yamuna rejuvenation.
Q27. With reference to the Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana recently approved in Uttar Pradesh, consider the following statements: 1. It provides long-term loans of up to ₹6 lakh to small and marginal farmers. 2. The loans are routed through the UP Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Ltd at 6% annual interest. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
The scheme offers long-term loans up to ₹6 lakh to small and marginal farmers through the UP Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Ltd at 6% per annum, so both statements are correct.
The scheme offers long-term loans up to ₹6 lakh to small and marginal farmers through the UP Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Ltd at 6% per annum, so both statements are correct.
Q28. In 2026, Uttar Pradesh ranked first among Indian states in which of the following? 1. Domestic tourist visits 2. Number of Geographical Indication (GI) tags Select the correct answer using the code below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Uttar Pradesh leads India both in domestic tourist visits (646.8 million in 2026) and in the number of GI-tagged products, so both are correct.
Uttar Pradesh leads India both in domestic tourist visits (646.8 million in 2026) and in the number of GI-tagged products, so both are correct.
Q29. The Ganga Expressway (Phase-1), recently operational, connects which two cities of Uttar Pradesh?
- Lucknow - Ballia
- Meerut - Prayagraj
- Agra - Varanasi
- Delhi - Kanpur
Show answer
Answer: B
The Ganga Expressway is a 594 km, 6-lane greenfield expressway from Meerut to Prayagraj, passing through 12 districts (~Rs 36,230 crore).
The Ganga Expressway is a 594 km, 6-lane greenfield expressway from Meerut to Prayagraj, passing through 12 districts (~Rs 36,230 crore).
Q30. The EPFO monthly wage ceiling was recently revised to which of the following?
- Rs 18,000
- Rs 21,000
- Rs 25,000
- Rs 30,000
Show answer
Answer: C
The ceiling was raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, bringing about 51 lakh more workers under EPF coverage.
The ceiling was raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, bringing about 51 lakh more workers under EPF coverage.
Q31. The UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 2026 is being held at which venue?
- Vibhuti Khand, Lucknow
- India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida
- Rudraksh Convention Centre, Varanasi
- HCL City, Noida
Show answer
Answer: B
UPITS 4.0 (25–29 Sept 2026) is held at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida — UP's flagship export and investment expo.
UPITS 4.0 (25–29 Sept 2026) is held at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida — UP's flagship export and investment expo.
Q32. The GOBARdhan scheme approved with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore is primarily associated with which sector?
- Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG)
- Solar rooftop power
- Green hydrogen
- Urea manufacturing
Show answer
Answer: A
GOBARdhan is the National Unified/Circular Bioenergy Scheme for Compressed Bio-Gas, run by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (FY2026-27 to 2035-36).
GOBARdhan is the National Unified/Circular Bioenergy Scheme for Compressed Bio-Gas, run by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (FY2026-27 to 2035-36).
Q33. With reference to the Chitrakoot Link Expressway approved by the UP Cabinet (Sep 2026), consider the following: 1. It is planned as a six-lane expressway. 2. It improves connectivity for the Bundelkhand region. Which is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
The Chitrakoot Link Expressway (~15.172 km, about Rs 1,008.67 crore) is a six-lane project meant to boost Bundelkhand-Chitrakoot connectivity, so both statements are correct.
The Chitrakoot Link Expressway (~15.172 km, about Rs 1,008.67 crore) is a six-lane project meant to boost Bundelkhand-Chitrakoot connectivity, so both statements are correct.
Q34. Which body, established under Article 279A, decides GST rates and slabs in India?
- Finance Commission
- GST Council
- NITI Aayog
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes
Show answer
Answer: B
The GST Council (Art. 279A) — chaired by the Union Finance Minister with state representatives — decides rates, slabs and exemptions, embodying cooperative fiscal federalism.
The GST Council (Art. 279A) — chaired by the Union Finance Minister with state representatives — decides rates, slabs and exemptions, embodying cooperative fiscal federalism.
Q35. Uttar Pradesh recently retained its position as India's leading state in a particular category. It is the No.1 state in India for:
- Number of operational expressways
- Number of GI (Geographical Indication) tagged products
- Installed solar capacity
- Number of international airports
Show answer
Answer: b
UP leads India with 77 GI tags; the Varanasi region alone has ~32. GI tags protect region-specific goods and boost artisan incomes and exports.
UP leads India with 77 GI tags; the Varanasi region alone has ~32. GI tags protect region-specific goods and boost artisan incomes and exports.
Q36. With reference to 'Semicon 2.0' (India Semiconductor Mission 2.0), consider the following statements: 1. It aims to build fabrication units, chip design and packaging (ATMP/OSAT) capacity. 2. It has an outlay of about Rs 1.27 lakh crore. Which is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: c
Semicon 2.0 (outlay ~₹1.27 lakh crore) spans design, fabs, equipment/materials, ATMP/OSAT, advanced nodes and talent — so both statements are correct.
Semicon 2.0 (outlay ~₹1.27 lakh crore) spans design, fabs, equipment/materials, ATMP/OSAT, advanced nodes and talent — so both statements are correct.
Q37. With reference to the UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 2026, consider the following statements: (1) It was held in Lucknow. (2) The 2026 edition was its fourth. (3) It showcases both ODOP and the new One District One Cuisine (ODOC). Which of the statements are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
UPITS 2026 was held in Greater Noida, not Lucknow, so (1) is wrong; the 2026 event was the 4th edition and it features ODOP plus the new ODOC, so (2) and (3) are correct.
UPITS 2026 was held in Greater Noida, not Lucknow, so (1) is wrong; the 2026 event was the 4th edition and it features ODOP plus the new ODOC, so (2) and (3) are correct.
Q38. Exercise VARUNA, seen recently in the news, is a bilateral naval exercise between India and which country?
- United States
- Russia
- France
- United Kingdom
Show answer
Answer: C
VARUNA is the premier annual India–France bilateral naval exercise; its 2026 edition (the 24th) was held off Toulon, France.
VARUNA is the premier annual India–France bilateral naval exercise; its 2026 edition (the 24th) was held off Toulon, France.
Q39. With reference to the UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was the fourth edition, held at Greater Noida. 2. Japan and Russia were among its partner countries. 3. 'ODOC' showcased at the event stands for 'One District, One Crop'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
UPITS 4.0 was held at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, with six partner countries incl. Japan and Russia. ODOC means 'One District, One Cuisine', so statement 3 is wrong.
UPITS 4.0 was held at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, with six partner countries incl. Japan and Russia. ODOC means 'One District, One Cuisine', so statement 3 is wrong.
Q40. Which of the following ports were notified as 'mega ports' under the Indian Ports Act, 2025? 1. Paradip 2. Mundra 3. Vizhinjam 4. Deendayal (Kandla). Select the correct answer:
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: A
The four notified mega ports are Deendayal (Kandla), JNPA, Paradip and Mundra; Vizhinjam is not on the list.
The four notified mega ports are Deendayal (Kandla), JNPA, Paradip and Mundra; Vizhinjam is not on the list.
Q41. With reference to the UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was the fourth edition, held at Greater Noida. 2. Russia was its only partner country. 3. MoUs worth about ₹6,500 crore were signed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
The 2026 edition (25–29 Sept) had six partner countries — Russia, Austria, Japan, Singapore, Belarus and Vietnam — so statement 2 is wrong.
The 2026 edition (25–29 Sept) had six partner countries — Russia, Austria, Japan, Singapore, Belarus and Vietnam — so statement 2 is wrong.
Q42. Consider the following about the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council: 1. It has 100 members. 2. One-twelfth of its members are elected by graduates of at least three years' standing. 3. Teachers' constituency voters must have taught for at least three years in institutions not lower than secondary school. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: D
Article 171(3)(b) and (c) provide 1/12 seats each for graduates and teachers; UP's Council has 100 members.
Article 171(3)(b) and (c) provide 1/12 seats each for graduates and teachers; UP's Council has 100 members.
Mains practice questions
- “Uttar Pradesh's expressways are being reimagined from transit routes into industrial corridors.” In light of UPEIDA's IMLC push and the Data Centre Policy 2026, examine how infrastructure is anchoring the state's $1-trillion-economy ambition. (250 words)
- Uttar Pradesh is combining large expressway grids with policies for data centres, startups and digital empowerment of youth. Examine how such physical and digital infrastructure can together drive balanced regional development in the state. (250 words)
- "Expressway-led industrial corridors have become the fulcrum of Uttar Pradesh's economic strategy." Examine this in the light of the state's Industrial Manufacturing & Logistics Clusters (IMLCs) and its $1-trillion-economy goal. (150 words)
- Uttar Pradesh's expressway grid and textile-park push are presented as engines of industrial growth and employment. Examine how such infrastructure- and cluster-led initiatives can transform the state's economy, and the challenges involved. (250 words)
- “Uttar Pradesh's expressway-led, policy-backed investment model is reshaping the state's economic geography.” Examine, with recent examples. (UPPSC Mains, GS-III / UP-special)
- "Linking self-help groups to interest-free credit can transform rural women from beneficiaries into entrepreneurs." Examine this in the context of Uttar Pradesh's recent women's-credit initiative. (250 words)
- "Uttar Pradesh's expressway network is increasingly the spine of its industrial and tourism economy." Discuss with reference to recent state initiatives. (250 words)
- “Incentive-driven industrial policy is helping Uttar Pradesh shed its erstwhile BIMARU image.” Critically examine with recent examples. (250 words)
- "Uttar Pradesh's clean-mobility and expressway drive is reshaping the state's economic geography." Examine how green transport initiatives and expressway corridors together advance UP's goal of a one-trillion-dollar economy. (10 marks, 150 words)
- “Expressway-led connectivity has become the backbone of Uttar Pradesh's investment and tourism growth.” Examine with recent examples. (250 words)
- Uttar Pradesh is increasingly positioning itself as a manufacturing and investment hub through expressway-led corridors and sector-specific policies. Examine how such infrastructure and policy measures can translate into inclusive employment and balanced regional development. (250 words)
- “Uttar Pradesh's expressway network is increasingly being leveraged as a backbone for industrial corridors.” Discuss with recent examples. (GS-III)
- "Expressway-led industrialisation has become the cornerstone of Uttar Pradesh's growth strategy." In light of the state's Industrial Manufacturing & Logistics Clusters (IMLCs) along expressway corridors, examine how this model can transform the state economy, and the challenges it must overcome. (250 words)
- Infrastructure-led development - expressways, industrial corridors and investment fairs - is increasingly the engine of Uttar Pradesh's economy. Critically examine how far this model can translate into broad-based employment and inclusive growth. (250 words)
- "Expressway-led infrastructure is emerging as the backbone of Uttar Pradesh's ambition to become a one-trillion-dollar economy." Critically examine. (250 words)
- Discuss how Uttar Pradesh's ODOP (One District One Product) model and events like UPITS are reshaping the state's export economy and rural employment. (250 words)
- Expressway-led connectivity and religious tourism are together reshaping Uttar Pradesh's economy. Discuss. (250 words)
- Discuss how Geographical Indication (GI) tagging and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme together strengthen Uttar Pradesh's rural economy and traditional crafts. (150 words)
- One District One Product (ODOP) has become the cornerstone of Uttar Pradesh's export and artisan-empowerment strategy. Discuss its objectives and the role of platforms such as the UP International Trade Show in scaling it.
- "ODOP, GI tagging and trade platforms like UPITS can turn Uttar Pradesh's MSME base into an export engine." Examine. (GS-VI, 125 words)
- Trade fairs such as UPITS and schemes like ODOP aim to plug Uttar Pradesh's MSMEs into global value chains. Examine their role and limits in UP's pursuit of a $1 trillion economy. (125 words)
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