Daily Current Affairs - 14-09-2026

Tamil Nadu News

Elevated Bridge to Replace Part of Pallikaranai Radial Road

The Tamil Nadu government is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for constructing a 2-km-long, six-lane elevated bridge across the Pallikaranai marshland to replace a section of the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Radial Road. The bridge will extend from Chennai One IT SEZ on the Thoraipakkam side to a point 100 metres before the Kamakshi Hospital junction flyover. Removing the existing road will restore 7 hectares of land to the Pallikaranai marshland and facilitate the unobstructed flow of floodwater towards Okkiyam Maduvu, which needs to carry about 15,000 cusecs of water. At present, only 90 metres of the 2,100-metre road have culverts, which is inadequate for floodwater drainage. The project is significant as it involves the removal of an existing road for environmental conservation. It is expected to reduce annual flooding in Ram Nagar, Velachery and Madipakkam. The estimated civil construction cost is ₹450 crore, and the project is expected to take about two years without requiring land acquisition. The bridge will have 200-metre spans to reduce the number of supporting piers, with each pier having a diameter of 2.5 metres. The Radial Road connects Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR) with Velachery, Pallikaranai, Madipakkam, Kilkattalai and GST Road, and carries around 1.25 lakh vehicles daily. The road was planned along with the Pallavaram–Kundrathur Road, OMR, portions of ECR, Sholinganallur–Kudimiyanthoppu Road, Kodambakkam–Sriperumbudur Road and Chennai Bypass by the Madras Area Traffic Study Unit formed under CMDA. In 1998–1999, a separate Chief Engineer’s wing was established for constructing these roads, and the Radial Road, initially built using building debris and garbage, later required strengthening after sections of the road caved in due to the marshland conditions.

Science and Technology News

IIT-Madras Launches Student Wellness Initiatives

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on September 10, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) launched initiatives to strengthen student wellness by involving parents in the student support system. On September 9, IIT-Madras conducted an online interactive session titled PREM (Parents’ Role in Encouraging and Mentoring), featuring Dr. Yamini Kannappan, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist (Behavioural Science), Kauvery Hospital. The session focused on helping parents understand students’ needs, communicate effectively, and support their emotional and mental well-being during their academic journey. A book authored by Dr. Yamini, “SAFE – Building Psychological Safety for High-Achieving Students,” was also released, providing practical guidance to parents on psychological safety and pressures faced by high-achieving students. IIT-Madras also launched the MiTR Wellness Website, which provides information on faculty coordinators, hostel-wise student coordinators, emergency and useful contacts, MiTR initiatives, past events, student experiences and alumni details. A dedicated Wellness App was introduced to enable students to confidentially book counselling sessions with professionals in their preferred language.

Personalities, Awards and Events

BRICS Initiatives on Technology, Health and Economic Cooperation

At the BRICS Summit, several initiatives were agreed upon or proposed to strengthen cooperation among member countries in health, disaster management, supply chains, innovation, skills, agriculture, MSMEs and urban infrastructure. The BRICS Integrated Early Warning System was agreed upon for the prevention of and response to infectious diseases, while Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines were prepared to strengthen disaster management. The BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework was established to improve the reliability and resilience of supply chains. The BRICS Incubator Network was designed to connect start-ups and incubators across member countries, and the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund was proposed to promote innovative and scalable solutions. BRICS CONNECT focuses on skills, employability, women’s participation in the workforce, social security and capacity building. The BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture aims to connect Artificial Intelligence (AI), geospatial technology and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with farmers’ needs to create new opportunities in agriculture. The BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal was initiated to connect small and medium enterprises with knowledge, finance and new markets, while the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub was established to facilitate the sharing of best practices among cities.

Xi Jinping Proposes BRICS AI and Technology Initiatives

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for Global South countries to jointly uphold the rule of law in international affairs and basic norms of international relations, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful settlement of disputes, and stressed that international law and rules should apply equally without double standards. He proposed five AI and technology-focused initiatives for BRICS countries, including the establishment of a BRICS AI Open Source Community to promote an open AI ecosystem, a BRICS Special Economic Zone Partnership to support policy coordination and open development, a BRICS Digital Ecosystem Cloud Platform and Intelligent Manufacturing Cooperation Initiative to promote smart factories, common standards and manufacturing transformation, and a Science and Technology Talent Development Initiative featuring an Engineer Cultivation Alliance for joint development of engineers and mutual recognition of competency standards. China will host the next BRICS Summit and assume the BRICS Chairmanship from India.

International News

Putin Proposes BRICS Grain Market and Insurance Mechanism

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed establishing a dedicated BRICS economic growth platform and put forward initiatives including a BRICS grain market and an insurance mechanism for member countries. The G-7 countries, European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (U.K.) had restricted Western companies from insuring ships transporting Russian crude oil unless the oil was purchased at or below a specified price cap. Putin also highlighted the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral development bank established by BRICS countries, which is currently handling projects worth about $140 billion. He stressed the importance of strengthening intra-BRICS economic cooperation, trade and investment through a common platform benefiting member countries. BRICS functions in accordance with international law and the key provisions of the United Nations Charter (UN Charter).

Pezeshkian Calls for BRICS Economic Cooperation and Resilience

Pezeshkian Calls for BRICS Economic Cooperation and Resilience: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the concluding session of the two-day BRICS Summit and stressed the expansion of trade in national currencies, strengthening of the New Development Bank (NDB), and development of an inclusive global economic framework. He highlighted Iran’s geopolitical position, energy resources and transit capacities for developing trade and energy corridors among BRICS members and identified knowledge, innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies as important areas of BRICS cooperation. He also emphasised the importance of peace and security for sustainable development and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to BRICS cooperation.

Modi’s Bilateral Meetings Focus on Defence and Security Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Burundi President and African Union Chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The discussions covered defence, security, trade, investment, technology, energy, connectivity, space, education, science and technology, and strategic partnerships. India and the Philippines agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence and security, trade, investment, space, railways, fintech, education, science and technology, and innovation; the Philippines became India’s strategic partner in August 2025 and is a major customer for Indian defence equipment under a $375-million BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal. India and Kazakhstan reviewed cooperation in defence, security, connectivity, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. Malaysia held exploratory discussions on acquiring the BrahMos missile system, with no final decision taken. India and Nigeria discussed defence, security, trade, investment, energy, agriculture, health, and digital technologies, while talks with Uganda focused on technology partnerships, capacity building, and private-sector cooperation. Discussions with African Union Chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye covered development partnership and capacity building, highlighting India’s efforts to strengthen strategic and defence cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, Central Asia, and Africa.

National News

UCC to Be Implemented in 21 NDA-Ruled States by 2029

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented by 2029 in all 21 States ruled by the BJP and NDA. Regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, discussions were held on using 1951 as the baseline year, without specifying an implementation timeline. During his two-day visit to Maharashtra, the Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan was highlighted as a month-long national campaign from September 17 to October 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and his 25 years of public service as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. In connection with the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, investigation agencies are examining alleged financial irregularities of ₹25,000 crore and are expected to file a chargesheet in court. Regarding language policy, the government’s policy gives priority to the mother tongue in accordance with Constitutional directives. At the 52nd India Gem and Jewellery Awards, the potential expansion of the lab-grown diamond market was highlighted, with the market expected to grow nearly 50 times.