UPSC Current Affairs for 2026-09-20

Use this daily collection to understand why each development matters, then verify time-sensitive facts through the linked sources before adding them to notes.

• What India’s growth really meansEconomy · India's real GDP grew 7.8% in April-June 2026, exceeding RBI's 7% forecast despite global headwinds.
• How will the U.S.’s Sanctioning Act affect India? | ExplainedInternational Relations · U.S. President signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026, which may impose 100% tariffs on Indian imports if India continues importing Russian oil.
• Currency conundrum: On the BRICS New Delhi DeclarationInternational Relations · The BRICS New Delhi Declaration shows incremental progress on local currency trade without concrete proposals.
• RBI may deliver two rate hikes by CY 2026:AnalystsEconomy · Analysts expect RBI to hike repo rate twice by December 2026 due to inflation risks and excess liquidity.
• Judiciary at a crossroads, introspection necessary to restore neutrality: Justice Anand VenkateshPolity · Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of Madras High Court called for judicial introspection to restore neutrality at the ninth State Conference of Indian Association of Lawyers.
• Study attempts to find out how India made expensive diabetes medicines affordableHealth and Pharmaceuticals · A study in Diabetes Care examines how India made modern diabetes drugs affordable, offering lessons for other low- and middle-income countries.
• What does the new U.S.-Denmark deal over Greenland entail, after Trump’s takeover threats?International Relations · The U.S., Denmark, and Greenland have reached an agreement allowing a significant U.S. military presence in Greenland while barring adversaries from establishing bases or making sensitive investments.
• MDR apprehension unlikely to spur higher cash usage: RBI Deputy GovernorEconomy · RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu addressed concerns that the new MDR on UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 would increase cash usage.