Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 9th Sep 2026

Cell Broadcast System: Resumed

The Cell Broadcast System (CBS) has been resumed in India, by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).

• Cell Broadcast System is a telecom-enabled public warning system that enables authorities to broadcast simultaneous, geo-targeted alerts to mobile devices within a defined area.
• It is indigenous technology developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• It uses common messaging protocols that have been incorporated by all the major handset makers around the world.
• Unlike SMS alerts, CB messages are broadcast to all mobile phones in a specific area, ensuring rapid delivery even in congested networks.
• Messages are delivered in near real-time, reaching users within seconds without any queuing delays.
• It offers precise geo-targeting capabilities, enabling alerts to be disseminated at the level of individual cell towers or clusters.
• It provides universal reach by covering all mobile users within the targeted area, including those who are roaming.
• Supported across 2G to 5G networks, it ensures wide reach in both urban and rural areas, including last-mile and roaming populations.
• These alerts are delivered as priority notifications, appearing as pop-up messages accompanied by distinct loud tones, with text message with multilingual alerts read aloud on supported mobile handsets.

Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon:

Mindoro bleeding-heart pigeon was reappeared after 20 years which confirmed that it is still surviving in the wild.

• Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon is a ground-dwelling pigeon endemic to Mindoro, Philippines.
• It is one of seven species of bleeding-hearts, or “bleeding-heart” doves, five of which are endemic to the Philippines.
• It is ground-dwelling and usually takes flight only when threatened.
• Males and females look almost identical.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (CR)
• Threats: It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
• Its habitat is affected by slash-and-burn agriculture, agricultural use, rattan harvesting, marble quarrying.

5th e-FAST India Summit 2026:

NITI Aayog launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) at the 5th e-FAST India Summit 2026.

• The e-FAST India (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport – India) is a NITI Aayog government–industry platform focused on moving medium- and heavy-duty freight towards zero-emission vehicles.
• It brings together government and industry stakeholders.
• It includes OEMs, logistics service providers, financiers, shippers and charge point operators – to accelerate the transition to zero-emission freight in India, particularly in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle segments.
• Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) is a flagship initiative under the e-FAST India platform.
• It is designed to aggregate freight demand from shippers, Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) and other ecosystem stakeholders and translate it into deployment opportunities across identified freight corridors.
• It brings together shippers, LSPs, vehicle manufacturers, financiers, charge point operators (CPOs) to improve demand visibility, support charging infrastructure planning and strengthen the commercial case for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (e-MHDVs).

The OPEC Plus:

Seven core OPEC+ nations decided in a virtual meeting to keep their crude oil output targets unchanged for October.The decision came amid global economic uncertainties and continuing supply disruptions across the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz.

• OPEC+ is an expanded coalition comprising member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and key non-OPEC oil-exporting nations, working collectively to regulate crude oil supply and manage global energy markets.
• Established in: Formed in late 2016 through the historic Declaration of Cooperation signed in Vienna, Austria.
• Origins of OPEC (1960): Founded at the Baghdad Conference by five founding members—Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela—to counter the dominance of multinational oil companies (Seven Sisters) and secure fair oil prices.
• Birth of OPEC+ (2016): Between 2014 and 2016, a massive surge in US shale oil production caused crude prices to crash. Recognizing that OPEC alone could no longer effectively balance the global market, OPEC partnered with 10 non-OPEC producers, led by Russia, creating the broader OPEC+ alliance to coordinate output cuts and stabilize prices.
• Participating Countries:
  • OPEC Members: Core producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Nigeria, Venezuela, and others.
  • Non-OPEC Partners: Major crude producers including Russia, Kazakhstan, Oman, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Malaysia, Mexico, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Key Functions:

• Sets and adjusts country-specific crude oil extraction ceilings to align global oil supply with fluctuating worldwide demand.
• Intervenes during market shocks—such as demand contractions or geopolitical supply cuts—by applying voluntary production increases or cuts to prevent extreme price volatility.
• Harmonizes energy and export strategies between OPEC members and non-OPEC allies to ensure stable returns for producing nations.
• Monitors inventory balances to ensure regular, dependable, and economically viable supplies of petroleum to consuming nations.
• Conducts comprehensive market research and economic forecasting through bodies like the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) to guide global energy policy.

Digital Hawala:

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has flagged the growing use of digital hawala for money laundering and terror financing.Its latest report notes that nearly 70% of surveyed jurisdictions have detected the use of new technologies in underground banking networks.

• Digital hawala is the technology-enabled evolution of the traditional informal hawala system, where money or value is transferred through networks of intermediaries without necessarily moving funds directly through conventional banking channels.
• It combines traditional hawala settlement methods with encrypted messaging, fintech platforms, mobile wallets, virtual assets, AI tools and other digital services.
• A customer gives cash or digital funds to a hawala operator.
• Instructions are transmitted to another operator through encrypted apps, online platforms or shared digital ledgers.
• The recipient receives the equivalent amount through cash, wallets, fintech platforms or virtual assets.
• Hawala operators later settle balances through cash, trade, formal payment infrastructure or crypto-assets such as stablecoins.
• Transactions may be concealed through front businesses, mule accounts, charities or layered digital transfers.

FATF Report:

• Rapid Digitisation: Nearly 70% of surveyed jurisdictions reported integration of new technologies into hawala and underground banking networks.
• Six Digital Forms: FATF identified six configurations, ranging from digital coordination and customer interfaces to virtual-asset settlement, fintech integration, AI tools and dedicated hawala apps.
• Virtual Assets: Stablecoins and other virtual assets are increasingly being used to settle balances between hawala operators.
• AI-enabled Transactions: AI tools can automate transaction structuring, mule-account routing and rapid fiat-to-crypto conversion, making detection harder.
• Cash Remains Important: Digitalisation has supplemented rather than replaced traditional hawala, with cash continuing to dominate collection and final payout points.

LORA Missile:

Germany successfully tested the LORA missile in the North Atlantic overnight, military officials said recently.

• The LORA (Long Range Artillery) is a short-range, road-mobile, ground- and sea-launched ballistic missile developed and operated by Israel.
• It is believed to have entered service in Israel in 2007.
• It is designed to strike high-value targets deep inside enemy territory.
• It is a single-stage, solid-propellant
• It can carry a payload of up to 600 kg and can deploy a single high explosive (HE) warhead or sub munitions.
• It has a range of 280 km.
• It uses Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System and TV for terminal guidance, with possible in-flight maneuvering capability.

The El Alamein International Airshow:

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sarang Helicopter Display Team reached Egypt to participate in the second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow.

• A premier international aerospace, defence, and commercial aviation exhibition serving Africa and the Middle East, showcasing static and flying aircraft displays alongside high-level industry conferences.
• Host: Egypt.
• Aim is to accelerate regional industrialization, digitalization, and defense-space partnerships, positioning Egypt as a strategic aviation crossroads between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Key Features:

• Features over 50 military, commercial, and private aircraft conducting live precision aerobatics, formation flying, and up-close static tarmac exhibitions.
• Unites diverse domains under one roof—encompassing commercial aviation, defence platforms, satellite and space exploration, avionics, and next-generation advanced air mobility.
• Hosts dedicated symposia and roundtables for defense chiefs, procurement leaders, and aviation policymakers to exchange market intelligence and technical breakthroughs.
• Facilitates targeted bilateral and commercial engagements connecting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with procurement heads and regional operators.

Luxembourg:

During an official visit to India, Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister strongly backed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• Luxembourg is small, landlocked sovereign grand duchy in northwestern Europe, functioning as a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary representative democracy.
• Capital: Luxembourg City.
• Border Nations: Bordered by three countries: Belgium, France, and Germany.

Key Geological Features:

• Oesling Highlands: The northern third of the country forms part of the Ardennes mountain plateau, featuring rugged, forested hills, incised river valleys, and schist and sandstone formations averaging 450 metres in elevation.
• Bon Pays (Gutland) Lowlands: The southern two-thirds of the nation, characterized by undulating agricultural lowlands, fertile soils, varied sandstone and limestone cuestas, and an average elevation of around 245 metres.
• River Drainage Network: Drained primarily by the Sûre (Sauer) River and its key tributary, the Alzette River, which forms the geographic and economic axis running directly through Luxembourg City.
• Moselle Valley Escarpment: A southeastern border region carved in chalk and calcareous clay, featuring sun-facing slopes along the Moselle River known for microclimates that support vineyards and wine cultivation.

India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS):

The United Kingdom has officially recognized India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) as a qualifying carbon pricing framework under its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

• A national market-based mechanism designed to establish the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) by pricing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, issuing tradable Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs), and driving industrial decarbonization.
• Notified by the Government of India in June 2023 under powers conferred by the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, with detailed compliance regulations adopted in July 2024.
• Aim is to accelerate the decarbonization of the Indian economy, fulfill India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and incentivize emission cuts across energy-intensive sectors through a transparent carbon-trading exchange.

Key Features:

• Dual-Track Framework: Combines an obligatory Compliance Mechanism for energy-intensive sectors with a Voluntary Offset Mechanism allowing non-obligated entities to register GHG reduction or removal projects.
• Governance Architecture: Governed by the National Steering Committee for the Indian Carbon Market (NSCICM), co-chaired by the Ministry of Power and MoEFCC, with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) serving as the chief administrator.
• Transition from the PAT Scheme: Builds upon and gradually absorbs the existing Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) energy efficiency mechanism, transitioning obligated industrial units from specific energy consumption targets to carbon emission intensity benchmarks.
• Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs): Entities outperforming their assigned emission intensity benchmarks earn CCCs (denominated in units of 1 tonne of CO₂ equivalent), while underperforming entities must purchase certificates to meet compliance.
• Comprehensive Emission Scope: Follows a gate-to-gate approach covering Scope 1 (direct combustion and process emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from electricity and heat), initially targeting CO₂ and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).

India-China Border Management:

India and China held their first Corps Commander-level talks in the Eastern Sector at the Wacha-Damai Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) Point in Arunachal Pradesh, against the backdrop of increased People’s Liberation Army (PLA) patrol activity and localised stand-offs in Taksing, Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.

• This marks an expansion of the military dialogue mechanism beyond its earlier focus on Ladakh, bringing India-China border management and the broader Line of Actual Control (LAC) dispute into the spotlight.
• India-China border management is shifting toward institutionalised deterrence and dialogue, with new Eastern Sector military talks, strengthened infrastructure, forward deployment, and mechanisms such as BPMs, hotlines and SR-level dialogue to prevent escalation along the LAC.
• Persistent disputes over the LAC, Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin remain unresolved, requiring India to combine border infrastructure, demographic consolidation through VVP, calibrated economic de-risking and strategic partnerships with sustained diplomatic engagement for long-term stability.
• Special Representatives (SR) on the Boundary Question: Established in 2003, it is the highest political-level mechanism to seek a final political settlement to the 3,488-km boundary dispute.
• Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC): A diplomatic and military channel set up in 2012 to coordinate on incidents along the LAC and maintain peace, though it lacks the mandate to settle the boundary itself.
• Corps Commander-Level Meetings: High-level military negotiations utilized to achieve tactical disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone creation during intense border stand-offs.
• Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) Points: Designated geographical locations along the LAC where local military commanders from both sides meet to resolve ground-level friction.
• Institutional Hotlines: Direct communication channels between regional military commands to quickly defuse misunderstandings before they escalate up the chain of command.
• Foundational Treaties and Protocols: The 1993 Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity Agreement (recognised the LAC and committed both sides to maintaining peace), 1996 Confidence-Building Measures Agreement (restricted military activities and use of weapons near the LAC), 2005 CBM Protocol (laid down procedures for handling face-to-face troop encounters), and 2013 Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) (strengthened communication and coordination between border forces).

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026:

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organized Swachh Vayu Diwas 2026 on the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (7thSeptember).

• During the event, the 5th Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards were conferred on the best-performing cities and wards under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Additionally, a Compendium of Best Management Practices under NCAP was released to facilitate the replication of successful air quality interventions across states.
• Introduced in 2022-23, the framework evaluates cities on specific measures taken to curb air pollution.
• These include managing road dust, solid waste management (SWM), vehicular and industrial emissions, construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and commercial emissions (like DG sets), alongside public outreach activities.
• The assessment covers all 130 NCAP cities, dividing them into three distinct groups based on population size:
  • Population above 10 Lakh
  • Population between 3 to 10 Lakh
  • Population below 3 Lak

Key Highlights of the 5th Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan (2026):

Top Performing Cities:

• Category 1 (Population > 10 Lakh): Lucknow secured the top rank for proactive measures like inducting EVs into municipal fleets, mechanized road sweeping, and remediating legacy waste. It was followed by Indore (2nd) and Jabalpur (3rd). Conversely, Chennai, Jamshedpur, Kota, Kolkata, and Madurai ranked in the bottom five. Delhi stood at the 30th spot.
• Category 2 (Population 3-10 Lakh): Rourkela (Odisha) emerged as the top performer.
• Category 3 (Population < 3 Lakh): Kalinganagar (Odisha) secured the first position.

Introduction of Ward-Level Awards: The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026 also introduced ward-level rankings across three population categories.

• Category I: Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) and Nashik (Maharashtra) secured the top three ranks for wards with over 30,000 population.
• Category II: Bhubaneswar (Odisha) wards ranked first, followed by Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh).
• Category III: Rourkela (Odisha) and Nalgonda (Telangana) secured the top two positions among wards with less than 10,000 population.

Data from 2025-26 indicates measurable progress compared to the 2017-18 baseline.

• Out of 130 NCAP cities, 108 recorded reduced PM10 levels. Notably, 72 cities achieved reductions of over 20%, and 26 cities achieved reductions exceeding 40%.
• The released document aggregates successful mitigation strategies in road dust control, vehicular/industrial pollution, solid waste, and construction & demolition (C&D) waste management to act as a blueprint for State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).

Consensus on Defining Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS):

128 countries reached a consensus in Geneva under the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) on a text defining Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), or “killer robots.” The non-binding agreement marks an important step towards developing international regulations or a future treaty on autonomous weapons.

• Defining “Killer Robots”: Autonomous military systems capable of detecting, selecting and engaging targets based on pre-programmed parameters without meaningful human intervention or approval for each individual attack.
• Ethical and Humanitarian Imperatives: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emphasized that unregulated deployment of autonomous weapons violates fundamental tenets of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), creating profound ethical, legal, and accountability vacuums on the battlefield.
• Geopolitical Divide on Binding Norms:
  • Opponents of a legally binding ban/treaty: Major powers including the United States, Russia, India, and Israel oppose restrictive treaties, favoring non-binding codes of conduct or relying on existing laws of armed conflict.
  • Proponents of strict regulation: A coalition led by Brazil, Ireland, and Norway is pushing for a mandatory, legally binding instrument to restrict autonomous targeting.
  • Concerns Over Text Dilution: Watchdogs such as the Stop Killer Robots coalition have criticized the consensus text for being substantially watered down, arguing that core protections for civilian populations and strict operational limits were weakened to accommodate major military powers.
  • Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)
• Adopted in Geneva in 1980 and entering into force in 1983, the CCW (also known as the Inhumane Weapons Convention) is a UN framework treaty.
• It seeks to prohibit or restrict the use of conventional weapons considered to cause unnecessary suffering to combatants or indiscriminate harm to civilians.
• The treaty consists of a framework convention containing general provisions and five annexed protocols containing specific prohibitions.
• Its flexible structure allows new weapons and emerging technologies to be addressed by adding new protocols.
• India is a state party to the CCW and actively participates in the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) discussions on LAWS, favoring discussions within this existing framework rather than creating separate parallel forums.

Striped Hyenas:

The conservation of the striped hyena has gained attention due to limited population data, conservation challenges, and the need for a coordinated national conservation strategy.

• The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is a member of the Hyaenidae family and one of the three true hyena species, along with the brown hyena and spotted hyena.
• However, the hyena family (Hyaenidae) also includes the aardwolf.
• It is smaller and less social compared to the widely known spotted hyena and is primarily a nocturnal scavenger.
• The striped hyena is found across parts of Asia and Africa. Global estimates suggest around 5,000–14,000 striped hyenas, with approximately 1,000–3,000 individuals in India. India does not currently have a comprehensive official census for the species.
• Striped hyenas act as natural cleaners of ecosystems by consuming carrion and removing decaying animal remains. Their scavenging behaviour supports ecosystem health by preventing accumulation of organic waste.
• Protection Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Khagantak-243 Long Range Glide Bomb:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the test drop of the indigenous Khagantak-243 Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), marking a significant advancement in India’s precision strike capabilities and defence self-reliance.

• The weapon has been developed by Nagpur-based start-up JSR Dynamics Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) model, highlighting public-private participation in defence manufacturing.
• Khagantak-243 is a 300 kg-class Long Range Glide Bomb equipped with a Mk-81 general-purpose blast fragmentation warhead containing around 125 kg explosive fill. It uses swivel-type glide wings and aft control surfaces to achieve a glide ratio of more than 12.
• The glide bomb can strike targets at a distance of 144–180 km when released from an altitude of around 12 km at Mach 0.8, allowing fighter aircraft to engage targets without entering hostile air defence zones.
• The weapon was initially tested from the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at Pokhran and is planned for integration with platforms such as the MiG-29K and Mirage-2000.
• Glide Bomb Technology: Unlike cruise missiles, glide bombs do not have an onboard propulsion system. They use aerodynamic lift generated by wings to extend their range after release, making them a cost-effective precision weapon system.
• Khagantak-243 will enhance the IAF’s ability to conduct long-range precision strikes against targets such as enemy runways, hardened shelters and command centres while reducing risks to aircraft.
• The Khagantak series also includes heavier variants such as Khagantak-306 and Khagantak-225, designed for longer-range strike capabilities.
• The induction of indigenous glide bombs will reduce dependence on imported precision munitions and strengthen India’s goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.