Today in India: 23 September 2026

23 September 202614 storiesUpdated 22:37 IST

Jaishankar raises concerns over US Russia sanctions law in New York meet with Rubio. A Supreme Court split verdict on election commissioner appointments awaits the CJI's decision. Global agencies raise India's FY27 GDP forecast to about 7%.

1. 

   World & Diplomacy

   Jaishankar raises India concerns on Russia sanctions with Rubio

   External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Wednesday and raised India's concerns over the new Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act (SRIA). The law, signed by President Trump, authorises up to 100% tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India. Jaishankar also discussed the Gulf.

   3 sources, 1 government-critical, 2 neutral

2. 

   World & Diplomacy

   Indian sailor killed in MV Cape Dao attack near Strait of Hormuz

   One Indian national was killed when the MV Cape Dao was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed the death and is coordinating with authorities. Nineteen of the 20 Indian seafarers have been rescued. The deceased was identified as Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

3. 

   Politics

   SC split verdict on poll panel appointment law, CJI to decide

   The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on Wednesday on whether to refer petitions challenging the 2023 law on Election Commissioner appointments to a Constitution Bench. Justice Dipankar Datta rejected the reference, while Justice Satish Chandra Sharma disagreed, saying the question of excluding a neutral selector raised a substantial constitutional issue. The Chief Justice will now decide.

   3 sources, 1 government-critical, 2 neutral

4. 

   Business & Economy

   S&P, Fitch, ADB, OECD raise India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to about 7%

   Four global agencies raised India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to about 7%, following stronger-than-expected 7.8% expansion in the June quarter. OECD raised its projection to 7.1%, S&P and ADB to 7%, and Fitch to 6.9%. Moody's had raised its forecast to 7% last week. The upgrades are driven by resilient domestic demand and robust industrial activity.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

More from today

1. 

   Business & Economy

   OECD, S&P, Fitch raise India FY27 GDP growth forecasts

   Multiple global agencies raised India's FY27 GDP growth forecast. OECD raised its projection to 7.1% from 6.3%, citing resilient domestic demand. S&P Global and Moody's forecast 7% growth, while Fitch revised its estimate to 6.9% from 6.4%. ADB also raised its forecast to 7%. The upgrades follow India's 7.8% GDP growth in the June quarter.

   7 sources, 7 neutral

2. 

   Technology

   Senior techies fuel AI upskilling boom at IIT Kharagpur

   IIT Kharagpur and upGrad reported a threefold quarter-on-quarter jump in enrolments for executive AI programmes, driven by experienced technology professionals. The median work experience is 12 years, with 63% having spent over a decade in the workforce. Learners include vice presidents from TCS, JPMorgan Chase, Infosys and Accenture. The partners expanded their AI portfolio from four to seven programmes.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

3. 

   Sports

   Pakistan coach Hesson calls India benchmark in white-ball cricket

   Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson called India the benchmark in white-ball formats ahead of the Asian Games in Japan. India have won the last six T20 matches against Pakistan. Hesson said the challenge is to catch up with India. The teams can only face each other in the final or bronze medal match.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

4. 

   World & Diplomacy

   India rejects OIC Kashmir remarks, asks it to counsel Pakistan

   India rejected as 'unwarranted and factually incorrect' the OIC Contact Group's references to Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs said the OIC has no locus standi to comment on India's internal matters. The MEA said repeated endorsement of politically motivated propaganda raises questions about the OIC's credibility and urged it to counsel Pakistan instead.

   4 sources, 4 neutral

5. 

   Sports

   India men's badminton settles for bronze after 1-3 loss to China

   India's men's badminton team won bronze at the Asian Games 2026 after losing 1-3 to China in the semifinals on Wednesday. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat the reigning world champions, but Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and the doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun lost their matches.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

6. 

   Health & Science

   Murmu urges stars to drop harmful product ads, FDA acts

   President Droupadi Murmu called on film stars to stop endorsing products harmful to health, speaking at the 72nd National Film Awards in Gujarat. She said true stars should promote disciplined lifestyles. The Maharashtra FDA is examining whether a Vimal Elaichi advertisement featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff amounts to surrogate advertising for Vimal Pan Masala, which is banned in the state.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

Useful today

1. India

   Deep depression to bring heavy rain across central and eastern India

   The IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall from September 24 as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moves inland. Extremely heavy rain is forecast in north coastal Andhra Pradesh, south interior Odisha and south Chhattisgarh on September 24. Widespread rainfall is likely over Odisha, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Bihar.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

2. Business & Economy

   FSSAI initiates penal action against Amazon, Zepto, Flipkart over misleading claims

   FSSAI initiated penal proceedings against Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket and Zepto for alleged violations including misleading claims. The regulator flagged issues with Happilo Premium Date Bites, Milky Mist dairy products, and sale of Dhatura fruits. Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket were also cited for violations.

   2 sources, 2 neutral

3. Business & Economy

   Banks to open on Sunday ahead of 3-day strike

   All public sector banks and regional rural banks will open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of a three-day nationwide strike by the UFBU from September 28 to 30. The RBI approved the opening of branches and ATM-linked branches. The strike follows an inconclusive conciliation meeting with the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner.

   3 sources, 3 neutral

4. Technology

   TRAI mandates cheaper voice and SMS-only recharge plans

   TRAI finalised rules mandating telecom operators to offer voice and SMS Special Tariff Vouchers with validity of 30 days or less. The move aims to reduce tariffs for consumers who do not need data bundles, especially low-income users. Operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vi must introduce such plans.

   2 sources, 2 neutral

The closing thought

The day's news reflects a blend of diplomatic friction over sanctions, a judicial deadlock on election reform, and economic optimism. The Supreme Court's split verdict leaves the election commission appointment process uncertain, and the CJI's decision will be watched closely. Meanwhile, the GDP upgrades offer a counterweight to external risks. The coming week will test the monsoon's severity and the banking sector's resilience to a strike.

This digest is refreshed through the day at indianopinion.org/today.

This digest was compiled and written by AI from the day’s Indian Opinion coverage.