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NEW Mint Sun 13 Sep 2026 08:51:08 AM

Bank holidays this week: SBI, HDFC, ICICI, PNB closed on up to 4 days from 14–20 Sep; check city-wise RBI list

SUMMARY

Banks across India, including SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and PNB, will remain closed on up to 4 days between September 14–20, 2025, due to regional festivals, weekends, and national holidays. Closures vary by city as per the RBI's holiday calendar, covering occasions like Milad-un-Nabi, weekend offs (2nd/4th Saturdays and Sundays), and local festivals. Customers should plan transactions, ATM withdrawals, and online banking accordingly. Check the RBI's official list for city-specific bank holiday details.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - III Economy

Focus Area Banking System RBI Bank Holidays Financial Services

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Sun 13 Sep 2026 08:30:03 AM

800 child labourers, 503 from Bengaluru alone, rescued in two-hour crackdown across Karnataka

SUMMARY

In a massive two-hour crackdown across Karnataka, authorities rescued 800 child labourers, with 503 from Bengaluru alone. The operation targeted establishments illegally employing minors, including workshops, factories, and eateries. Officials from the Labour Department, police, and child welfare committees conducted simultaneous raids in multiple districts. The rescued children were handed over to child welfare authorities for rehabilitation. Cases were registered against employers under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. The drive highlights the persistent issue of child exploitation in urban and semi-urban areas, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns to protect children's rights.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - II Society & Social Justice

Focus Area Child Labour Child Rights Labour Laws Child Protection Social Justice

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Sun 13 Sep 2026 08:12:10 AM

Xi, Modi welcome ‘steady progress’ in India-China ties

SUMMARY

Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, marking a significant thaw in bilateral relations strained since the 2020 Ladakh border standoff. Both leaders welcomed "steady progress" in normalizing ties following a recent agreement on military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control. They agreed to resume direct flights, enhance trade, and restore diplomatic exchanges. This meeting signaled a mutual desire to stabilize relations between the two Asian giants.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area India-China Relations Border Dispute Bilateral Relations Strategic Cooperation Asian Geopolitics

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW Dainik Bhaskar Sun 13 Sep 2026 08:12:02 AM

हथिनी माधुरी 13 महीने बाद वनतारा से लौटी:कोल्हापुर में हुआ भव्य स्वागत, हजारों लोगों ने फूलों की बारिश की

SUMMARY

**हथिनी माधुरी का कोल्हापुर में भव्य स्वागत**

कोल्हापुर की लोकप्रिय हथिनी माधुरी 13 महीने बाद अंबानी के वनतारा एनिमल केयर सेंटर से वापस लौटी। माधुरी को इलाज के लिए वनतारा भेजा गया था। उसकी वापसी पर कोल्हापुर में हजारों लोगों ने भव्य स्वागत किया और फूलों की बारिश की। ढोल-ताशे बजाए गए और जुलूस निकाला गया। माधुरी कोल्हापुर के अंबाबाई मंदिर से जुड़ी है और शहरवासियों की भावनात्मक लगाव है। लोगों ने खुशी जताते हुए उसका स्वागत किया।

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Environment & Ecology

Focus Area Elephant conservation Wildlife management Animal welfare Human-wildlife conflict Captive elephant management

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Sun 13 Sep 2026 07:51:12 AM

Houthis say hit Saudi base after renewed fighting with Yemeni govt forces

SUMMARY

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed they struck a Saudi military base with drones and missiles following an escalation in fighting with Yemeni government forces. The attack came amid renewed clashes between Houthis and the internationally recognized government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The coalition has been fighting Houthis since 2015 after the group seized the capital Sanaa. Despite UN-brokered truce efforts, hostilities have persisted, deepening Yemen's humanitarian crisis, with millions facing famine and displacement.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area Saudi Arab Houthis Gulf war Axis of Resistance Hamas Hezbollah

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW Dainik Bhaskar Sun 13 Sep 2026 07:30:10 AM

यूपी के 26 जिलों में बाढ़:MP के 15 जिले अलर्ट पर, मंदाकिनी का जलस्तर बढ़ा; बिहार में बाढ़ से 44 लाख लोग प्रभावित

SUMMARY

**उत्तर प्रदेश के 26 जिलों में बाढ़ की गंभीर स्थिति बनी हुई है। भारी बारिश के कारण नदियां उफान पर हैं। मध्य प्रदेश के 15 जिलों में अलर्ट जारी किया गया है। चित्रकूट में मंदाकिनी नदी का जलस्तर खतरे के निशान से ऊपर पहुंच गया है, जिससे निचले इलाकों में पानी भर गया है। बिहार में बाढ़ से करीब 44 लाख लोग प्रभावित हैं। कई गांव जलमग्न हैं और हजारों लोग विस्थापित हुए हैं। राहत और बचाव कार्य जारी है। NDRF और SDRF की टीमें तैनात हैं।**

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Disaster Management

Focus Area Flood management River flooding Disaster preparedness Early warning Relief & rehabilitation

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Sun 13 Sep 2026 07:12:06 AM

West Bengal professors oppose Govt.’s inter-university transfer Bill, call it an attack on education

SUMMARY

West Bengal professors are strongly opposing a government bill that allows inter-university transfers of faculty members between state universities. Academics argue this bill undermines institutional autonomy and academic freedom, calling it a direct attack on higher education. Critics fear the government could misuse the provision to transfer dissenting professors as a punitive measure, disrupting research and academic stability. Faculty associations and opposition parties have demanded the bill's withdrawal, warning it politicizes education and demoralizes teachers.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - II Polity & Governance

Focus Area Inter-University Transfer Grievances National Education Policy

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW India Today Sun 13 Sep 2026 07:12:02 AM

AI race needs a slowdown, Anthropic’s Dario Amodei says, Musk, Altman agree

SUMMARY

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has called for slowing down the AI race, warning that unchecked competition could compromise safety. Elon Musk and OpenAI's Sam Altman have echoed similar concerns, agreeing that the rapid pace of AI development poses significant risks. Amodei emphasized the need for responsible scaling and regulatory frameworks to ensure AI benefits humanity. Despite being rivals, these tech leaders share growing unease about an arms race mentality, urging collaboration over reckless speed to prevent potential catastrophic outcomes from advanced AI systems.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - III Science & Technology

Focus Area AI Threats of AI AI used in Terrorism AI threatening Humans

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW Dainik Bhaskar Sun 13 Sep 2026 06:30:08 AM

भास्कर अपडेट्स:गुजरात में बीमारी से 62 शेरों की मौत, शावक सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित

SUMMARY

**गुजरात में शेरों की मौत चिंताजनक**

गुजरात के गिर वन क्षेत्र में बीमारी के कारण 62 एशियाई शेरों की मौत हो गई है। इनमें सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित शावक रहे हैं, जिनकी रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता कम होती है। कैनाइन डिस्टेंपर वायरस (CDV) और प्रोटोजोआ संक्रमण को मुख्य कारण माना जा रहा है। गिर दुनिया में एशियाई शेरों का एकमात्र प्राकृतिक आवास है। वन विभाग ने प्रभावित शेरों को अलग कर इलाज शुरू किया है। विशेषज्ञों ने शेरों को अन्य अभयारण्यों में स्थानांतरित करने की मांग तेज की है ताकि एक ही जगह पर पूरी प्रजाति को खतरा न रहे।

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Environment & Ecology

Focus Area Asiatic lions Wildlife disease Gir ecosystem Conservation Biodiversity

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW Hindustan Times Sun 13 Sep 2026 06:12:10 AM

Why did the Trump administration block $25 million in national park project funds-Explained

SUMMARY

The Trump administration blocked $25 million in funds designated for national park infrastructure projects across the U.S. This decision was part of broader federal spending freezes and budget cuts aimed at reducing government expenditures. The halted funds were intended for maintenance, repairs, and improvements at various national parks already facing a massive maintenance backlog worth billions. Critics, including conservation groups and lawmakers, condemned the move, arguing it jeopardizes public lands, visitor safety, and local economies dependent on park tourism. Supporters claimed it aligned with fiscal responsibility goals.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area US administration Public funding Environmental governance Federal policy Conservation

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Sun 13 Sep 2026 05:51:16 AM

Govt. employee quitting to fight polls can’t seek reinstatement: Rajasthan High Court

SUMMARY

The Rajasthan High Court ruled that a government employee who voluntarily resigns to contest elections cannot seek reinstatement if they lose. The court held that resignation, once accepted, is final and irrevocable, and the employee cannot claim their job back citing electoral defeat. The bench emphasized that contesting elections is a personal choice, and public employment cannot be treated as a fallback option. This judgment reinforces accountability in voluntary resignation decisions by government servants.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - II Polity & Governance

Focus Area Electoral participation Government service rules Judicial interpretation Public employment Constitutional governance

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW Dainik Bhaskar Sun 13 Sep 2026 05:51:02 AM

भास्कर अपडेट्स:गुजरात में बीमारी से 62 शेरों की मौत, शावक सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित

SUMMARY

**गुजरात में शेरों की मौत चिंताजनक**

गुजरात के गिर वन क्षेत्र में बीमारी के कारण 62 एशियाई शेरों की मौत हो गई है। इनमें सबसे ज्यादा शावक प्रभावित हुए हैं, जो चिंता का विषय है क्योंकि शावकों की रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता कम होती है। कैनाइन डिस्टेंपर वायरस और प्रोटोजोआ संक्रमण को मुख्य कारण माना जा रहा है। गिर दुनिया में एशियाई शेरों का एकमात्र प्राकृतिक आवास है। सरकार ने वन्यजीव विशेषज्ञों की टीम गठित कर टीकाकरण और निगरानी तेज की है। पर्यावरणविदों ने शेरों को अन्य क्षेत्रों में बसाने की मांग दोहराई है।

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Environment & Ecology

Focus Area Asiatic lions Wildlife disease Gir ecosystem Conservation Human-wildlife interface

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Times Of India Sun 13 Sep 2026 05:30:09 AM

Brics Summit success gives BJP a boost in domestic politics

SUMMARY

The BRICS Summit, hosted by India, was hailed as a diplomatic triumph for PM Modi's government, boosting the BJP's domestic standing. India successfully navigated geopolitical tensions, expanding the bloc's membership and reinforcing its role as a global leader. BJP leveraged the summit's success to project Modi as a strong international statesman ahead of key state elections. The opposition criticized the move as political posturing, but the ruling party gained momentum, highlighting India's growing influence on the world stage and strengthened multilateral ties.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area BRICS diplomacy Foreign policy Domestic politics Political narrative India’s global role

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Times Of India Sun 13 Sep 2026 04:30:02 AM

'Global South must shape, not just follow, rules': PM Modi at Brics Summit

SUMMARY

At the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, PM Narendra Modi emphasized that the Global South must actively shape global rules rather than merely follow them. He called for reforming multilateral institutions like the UN, WTO, and IMF to reflect contemporary realities and ensure equitable representation. Modi stressed BRICS' role as a platform for developing nations to voice concerns on trade, climate, and technology governance. He advocated for inclusive development, counter-terrorism cooperation, and a human-centric approach to global challenges, positioning India as a leader of the developing world.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area Global South BRICS Global governance Multilateral reforms Strategic autonomy

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts

NEW The Times Of India Sun 13 Sep 2026 04:12:02 AM

Brics opposes unilateral trade steps like EU carbon border tax

SUMMARY

The BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has voiced strong opposition to unilateral trade measures, specifically targeting the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This carbon border tax imposes levies on imports based on their carbon emissions during production. BRICS nations argue it is protectionist, violates WTO principles, and unfairly burdens developing economies. They advocate for multilateral climate solutions respecting common but differentiated responsibilities, warning such measures could disrupt global trade and hinder economic growth in emerging nations.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area BRICS EU-CBAM Trade barriers Global South Multilateral trade

MCQs Mains Question Basic Concepts