Daily Current Affairs- 7th September 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 7th September 2026

Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 Begins in Jodhpur

In the News: Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, the second edition of the bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, is scheduled to be conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from September 9 to 22, 2026. The Japanese contingent has arrived in Jodhpur ahead of the exercise.

Key Points:

• Participating Air Forces: The exercise brings together the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It is intended to strengthen interoperability, operational coordination, tactical proficiency and mutual understanding between the two air forces.
• Aircraft Participation: Japanese Mitsubishi F-2 fighter aircraft are expected to train alongside the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The deployment is significant as it marks the operation of JASDF F-2 fighters from Indian soil.
• Japanese Contingent: JASDF C-2 military transport aircraft have arrived at Air Force Station Jodhpur as part of the Japanese contingent. The Kawasaki C-2 is an indigenous Japanese transport aircraft designed primarily for strategic and tactical airlift operations.
• Previous Edition: The inaugural Veer Guardian exercise was conducted in Japan in January 2023. It was the first bilateral fighter-aircraft exercise between India and Japan and marked an expansion of defence cooperation between the two countries.
• India-Japan Defence Cooperation: Veer Guardian complements other bilateral military engagements between India and Japan across the air, maritime and land domains. The exercise supports closer defence coordination under the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Tamil Nadu Launches Third Phase of Poompuhar Underwater Exploration

In the News: The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology commenced the third phase of underwater archaeological exploration off the Poompuhar coast in Mayiladuthurai district in September 2026. The project seeks further evidence relating to the submerged remains of ancient Kaveripoompattinam.

Key Points:

• Ancient Poompuhar: Poompuhar, historically known as Kaveripoompattinam, was located near the mouth of the River Kaveri on the Tamil Nadu coast. It developed as an important maritime and commercial centre and finds mention in ancient Tamil literary traditions.
• Exploration Area: The latest investigation covers an extensive offshore region near Poompuhar and involves exploration at varying depths. Researchers are examining underwater formations that may provide evidence about the ancient settlement and its maritime infrastructure.
• Technology Used: Archaeologists are using technologies such as side-scan sonar and echo sounders to identify unusual formations on the seabed. Professional divers and archaeologist-divers can subsequently inspect locations identified during the geophysical surveys.
• Institutional Collaboration: The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology is undertaking the exploration with technical support from the Indian Maritime University. Underwater archaeological work seeks to combine archaeological methods with modern marine-survey technologies.
• Earlier Discoveries: Previous investigations in and around Poompuhar have yielded pottery, ring wells, structural remains and evidence of overseas contacts. Discoveries such as amphorae, rouletted ware and foreign pottery indicate the settlement’s historic connections with maritime trade networks.

Article 142 of the Constitution

In the News: In the News: Article 142 of the Constitution came into focus on September 1, 2026, when a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant invoked the provision in cases arising from the NEET-UG 2026 protests. The Court quashed FIRs connected with protests held between July 20 and 25, 2026, while issuing additional directions under its power to ensure “complete justice.”

Key Points:

• Constitutional Provision: Article 142 is contained in Part V of the Constitution of India and deals with the enforcement of decrees and orders of the Supreme Court. Article 142(1) empowers the Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in a cause or matter pending before it.
• NEET-UG 2026 Protest Cases: On September 1, 2026, a three-judge Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant invoked Article 142 to quash FIRs linked to the NEET-UG 2026 protests held between July 20 and 25. The Bench also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
• Compensation Policy: The Supreme Court directed the Union Government to frame a compensation policy within three months. The direction formed part of the broader relief granted by the Court while exercising its extraordinary constitutional powers under Article 142.
• Fresh FIR Permitted: While quashing the existing protest-related FIRs, the Court permitted the registration of a fresh and specific FIR against 2,873 individuals identified through facial-recognition technology in connection with the protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.
• Scope of Article 142: Orders passed under Article 142 are enforceable throughout the territory of India. Article 142(2) additionally empowers the Supreme Court in matters relating to attendance of persons, discovery and production of documents, and investigation or punishment for contempt of itself, subject to laws made by Parliament.

India Clarifies Stand on UN Map Resolution and Kashmir

In the News: India supported a United Nations General Assembly resolution concerning more equitable global cartographic representation while subsequently clarifying its position regarding Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. India stated that its support for the initiative did not amount to acceptance of any inaccurate depiction of its territorial boundaries.

Key Points:

• UN General Assembly Resolution: The resolution focused on improving the geographical representation of regions on commonly used world maps. It highlighted concerns that some traditional map projections significantly distort the relative sizes of continents and geographical regions.
• Purpose of the Initiative: The initiative seeks greater awareness of cartographic methods that represent the relative surface areas of continents more accurately. Africa has been a major focus because conventional projections often make its land area appear smaller in comparison with regions at higher latitudes.
• India’s Position: India clarified that its support was for the principle of equitable cartographic representation and not for any particular map depicting political boundaries. It reiterated that maps must respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh: India maintained that any depiction of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh inconsistent with the official map of India is unacceptable. Its position regarding the territorial status of these regions remains unchanged.
• Map Projection Issue: The Mercator projection is widely used but enlarges regions located farther from the equator, creating substantial size distortions. Equal-area projections seek to preserve the relative area of landmasses more accurately, although their shapes may appear different.