UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

Indian space startup TakeMe2Space is set to launch its MOI-1A orbital computing satellite on October 1, 2026, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah flagged off India’s first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on September 27, 2026.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement with a start-up, partnering with Zero mK India Private Limited to develop an indigenous dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.

The United Kingdom announced the launch of No. III Space Effects Squadron, a Royal Air Force unit intended to counter hostile activity threatening British interests in space.

The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for 160 Satellite Smart Anti Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force.

IG Defence has announced the successful flight test of its indigenous long-range one-way attack drone, KAL, at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. The Noida-headquartered company said the drone was launched from a vehicle-mounted platform and that the trial validated its integrated airframe, propulsion, avionics, navigation and mission architecture.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over two LCA Tejas twin-seat trainers in Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration to the Indian Air Force in Bengaluru. 

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched OneTag, a new FASTag portability service on the Rajmargyatra mobile application.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated and implemented indigenous Gallium Nitride Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (GaN MMIC) technology for high-frequency defence applications.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched its first Dronathon-2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The three-day event is being held from September 14 to 16, 2026, with participation from more than 20 defence companies, start-ups, MSMEs, DPSUs and innovators.