UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil text Thirukkural during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi on September 11, 2026, ahead of the BRICS Summit.

The “Painted Haveli Towns of Shekhawati” in Rajasthan have been added to the UNESCO Tentative List. India submitted the proposal to UNESCO on 1 June 2026. The proposed cultural heritage site covers historic haveli ensembles across 14 towns in the Shekhawati region. 

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the historic Gollala Gudi Temple at Palampet village in Mulugu district, Telangana, a Monument of National Importance.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) began the three-day National Conclave on Tribal Languages & Museums in Mysuru, Karnataka. It brought together policymakers, linguists, researchers, technologists and tribal community representatives.

The President of India will confer the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the years 2024 and 2025 on 13 August 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Despite receiving the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2010, Punjab's traditional embroidery Phulkari continues to face challenges such as declining artisan incomes, competition from machine-made products, and inadequate market recognition. The issue has once again highlighted the need to preserve India's traditional handicrafts and support artisan livelihoods.

The Pithora Painting, a centuries-old ritual wall painting tradition of Gujarat's tribal communities, particularly the Rathwa tribe, has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2026. 

Recently, the Union Minister for Culture informed the Lok Sabha about the implementation of the Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY), highlighting its role in promoting India's cultural heritage, supporting artists, preserving traditional art forms, and strengthening the country's cultural and creative economy.

After defeating England 2-1 in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentine players displayed a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falkland Islands/Malvinas are Argentine").

During the recent visit of Narendra Modi to Indonesia, his visit to Prambanan Temple drew significant attention. The visit highlighted the deep civilizational, cultural, and historical ties between India and Southeast Asia, making the temple.