Daily Current Affairs- 11th September 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 11th September 2026

Who Is Sudhakar Dalela? India’s BRICS Sherpa 2026, Role and Key Agenda

In the News: Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, is serving as India’s BRICS Sherpa during India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship. His role has gained prominence as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Key Points:

• India’s BRICS Sherpa: Sudhakar Dalela is the senior official responsible for coordinating and negotiating India’s positions within BRICS. He prepares issues for consideration by ministers and leaders and works to build consensus among member countries before major BRICS meetings.
• Diplomatic Career: Dalela is a 1993-batch Indian Foreign Service officer and has served in Indian missions in Tel Aviv, Brasilia, Chicago, Dhaka, Geneva, Thimphu and Washington, D.C. He was India’s Ambassador to Bhutan from 2022 to 2025 and became Secretary (Economic Relations) on September 1, 2025.
• Sherpa’s Functions: A BRICS Sherpa coordinates inputs from ministries and working groups, negotiates declarations and outcome documents, and works to resolve disagreements before they reach leaders. Dalela is also India’s Sherpa for IBSA and I2U2.
• India’s 2026 Theme: India’s BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The agenda stresses economic cooperation, emerging technologies, sustainable development, health, people-centric development and stronger representation of the Global South.
• BRICS Sherpa Meeting: The first BRICS Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa meeting under India’s 2026 Chairship was held in New Delhi on February 9–10 and chaired by Dalela. Shambhu L. Hakki, Joint Secretary for Multilateral Economic Relations, serves as India’s BRICS Sous-Sherpa.

Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 2026 Takes Effect From October 1

In the News: The Central Government has notified October 1, 2026 as the date on which the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 will come into force. The law modernises the framework governing the use of banking records as evidence and replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891.

Key Points:

• Effective Date: The Ministry of Finance issued the commencement notification on September 10, 2026, fixing October 1, 2026 as the date for enforcement of all provisions. The legislation is Act No. 15 of 2026.
• Replaces 1891 Law: The new Act received Presidential assent on August 13, 2026 and replaces the 135-year-old Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891. The reform seeks to align evidence law with present-day digital banking and financial practices.
• Digital Records Recognised: The Act follows a technology-neutral approach and recognises banking records maintained in physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based forms. This provides a clearer legal basis for presenting modern banking records in judicial proceedings.
• Certification Process: Certification of banking records has been simplified and standardised. Records may be authenticated using manual, digital or electronic signatures, making their production before courts more compatible with contemporary banking systems.
• Summoning Bank Officials: Where a bank is not itself a party to proceedings, a court must record a “special cause” in writing before summoning a bank official. The Central Government may also extend the Act to specified financial-sector entities or classes of entities.

Dhruva Space, Safran Space sign satellite supply deal

In the News: Indian space-tech company Dhruva Space and France’s Safran Space have signed contracts worth more than €5 million for technologies linked to India’s Space-Based Surveillance Phase-III programme. The agreements were announced at the International Space Summit in Paris in September 2026.

Key Points:

• Dhruva-Safran Agreement: Safran Space will supply systems for satellites being developed by Dhruva Space. The contracts cover technologies including satellite communication systems, inertial navigation units, optical payloads and ground-station equipment.
• SBS-III Programme: The equipment is intended for India’s Space-Based Surveillance-III or SBS-III constellation. The programme envisages a network of 52 surveillance satellites to strengthen monitoring of strategically important areas.
• Deployment Timeline: According to the announcement, the 52-satellite constellation is expected to be deployed between 2027 and 2030. The system is intended to strengthen India’s space-based surveillance and improve persistent monitoring capabilities.
• Private-Sector Participation: Of the 52 satellites planned under SBS-III, ISRO is expected to develop 21 while private-sector companies will contribute 31. This represents a significant expansion of private participation in strategic Indian space programmes.
• India-France Space Cooperation: The deal formed part of three India-France space agreements announced in Paris covering satellite launches, surveillance and microsatellite technology. India and France have maintained space cooperation for more than five decades, particularly through ISRO and the French space agency CNES.

India, US Secure Undersea Cable Networks under TRUST Initiative

In the News: India and the United States have strengthened cooperation to improve the security, resilience and diversification of global undersea cable networks. The two countries brought government and industry experts together for an Undersea Cables Workshop as cooperation expands under the broader India-US strategic technology framework.

Key Points:

• Undersea Cable Partnership: India and the US are cooperating to protect subsea communication infrastructure from physical damage, cyber threats and supply-chain vulnerabilities. Undersea cables form the backbone of international internet, cloud and digital communications.
• TRUST Initiative: TRUST stands for Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on February 13, 2025 to expand cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.
• Areas of Cooperation: TRUST covers artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, energy, defence and space. It also encourages the use of verified technology suppliers and aims to strengthen trusted and resilient strategic supply chains.
• Importance of Subsea Cables: More than 95% of global digital traffic is carried through undersea cables, making their security important for national economies and digital infrastructure. Damage to these networks can disrupt internet services, international commerce, cloud platforms and critical communications.
• Indian Ocean Connectivity: India has earlier committed to invest in the maintenance, repair and financing of undersea cables in the Indian Ocean using trusted vendors. The India-US framework also welcomed Meta’s planned 50,000-km undersea cable network connecting five continents and strengthening digital connectivity.

Digvijay Diwas 2026: Date, History, Significance and Key Points

In the News: Digvijay Diwas was observed on September 11, 2026 to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893. The observance recalls his message of universal brotherhood, tolerance and harmony and his role in presenting Indian philosophical thought before a global audience.

Key Points:

• Date of Observance: Digvijay Diwas is observed annually on September 11. The date commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s landmark appearance at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.
• Historic Chicago Address: Vivekananda addressed the Parliament on September 11, 1893 and famously began with the greeting “Sisters and Brothers of America.” His address brought international attention to Indian spiritual and philosophical traditions.
• World’s Parliament of Religions: The first Parliament of the World’s Religions was held in Chicago from September 11 to September 27, 1893. Vivekananda participated as an Indian representative and became one of the most prominent speakers associated with the event.
• Message and Significance: His speeches stressed tolerance, universal acceptance, harmony among religions and the idea of human brotherhood. Digvijay Diwas therefore commemorates both the Chicago address and the wider global recognition it brought to India’s intellectual and cultural traditions.
• Swami Vivekananda: Born as Narendranath Datta on January 12, 1863, Vivekananda was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and later established the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897. His birth anniversary, January 12, is observed in India as National Youth Day, making both dates important for competitive-exam preparation.