All Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function on Sunday, September 27, 2026, following approval from the Reserve Bank of India. The move comes ahead of a three-day nationwide strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions from September 28 to 30, which follows the weekend holidays on September 26 and 27. The Finance Ministry said the decision aims to prevent prolonged disruption and ensure customers can access essential banking services. RBI approval covers bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests. The government and bank managements have also appealed to unions to defer the planned strike. The strike is primarily linked to demands for a five-day banking workweek. (PC: X)

India will showcase its growing defence manufacturing capabilities to air force leaders from around 40 countries during the Tarang Shakti exercise, officials said. The visiting delegations are expected to tour Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru, as well as the C295 aircraft production line in Vadodara. The visits are scheduled for September 29 and October 3. Tarang Shakti, the Indian Air Force’s largest multilateral combat exercise, will be held in Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12. The initiative comes as India seeks to expand defence exports and strengthen international partnerships through indigenous aerospace, weapons, sensors and unmanned systems. (PC: HT)

The Finance Ministry has announced that all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to ensure uninterrupted banking services. The decision comes ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30 called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The RBI has approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-link branches and currency chests on Sunday. The government and bank managements have also appealed to unions to defer the strike. The move aims to prevent disruption to customers’ essential banking needs during the extended holiday period. (PC: The Hindu)

Gautam Adani and his family have reclaimed the top position on the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026, with wealth estimated at ₹9.22 lakh crore, surpassing Mukesh Ambani and family at ₹8.63 lakh crore. Adani’s wealth increased by about 13% from last year, while Ambani’s declined by around 10%. Lakshmi Niwas Mittal and family ranked third with ₹3.39 lakh crore. The latest list includes 1,810 individuals with wealth of at least ₹1,000 crore, while India’s dollar-billionaire count reached a record 391. The report also highlights rapid wealth creation in artificial intelligence and other emerging sectors. (PC: PTI)

The Supreme Court on September 22 said people who refuse to sing Vande Mataram on genuine religious or conscientious grounds should not face criminal penalties. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant referred to the 1987 Bijoe Emmanuel judgment, which protected three Jehovah’s Witness children who declined to sing the national anthem but stood respectfully during its rendition. The court is examining the penal consequences under the 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which extends protection to the National Song. The Centre has been asked to respond within two weeks. (PC: X)

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on September 22 raised concerns over recent sexual assault cases involving women and minors in Delhi and Bihar. Speaking in Wayanad, she described the incidents as “horrible” and said violence against women was becoming more frequent and increasingly violent. She urged both the Centre and state governments to take steps to ensure women can safely travel and move around in public spaces. Her remarks came after several recent cases in Delhi and the alleged harassment of two minors in Bihar’s Jamui district. Police have registered cases and taken action in the Jamui incident. (PC: The Hindu)

India has introduced revised passport rules, with changes to validity periods and application fees for different age groups. Under the new rules, a 36-page ordinary passport issued to children below 15 will remain valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes first. Earlier, the age limit was 15. The revised fee structure came into effect from July 1, 2026. A 36-page adult passport now costs ₹2,500, while the 60-page version costs ₹3,500. For minors, the normal 36-page passport fee is ₹1,750. Children below eight and senior citizens above 60 continue to receive a 10% discount on fresh applications. (PC: X)

The Supreme Court has questioned the sharp rise in prices of essential cancer medicines after being told that a drug bought by retailers for Rs 2,700 was sold with an MRP of Rs 27,000. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta questioned how patients could be charged 10 times the procurement cost and why authorities had not acted. The court also raised concerns over hospitals buying medicines at high prices and seeking reimbursement under government health schemes. The petitions before the court allege excessive markups, forced purchases from hospital pharmacies and limited access to cheaper alternatives. (PC: India Today)

Bank customers face a five-day disruption from September 26 to 30, as a weekend and a nationwide strike combine to shut branches. Banks will be closed on September 26 (fourth Saturday) and 27 (Sunday), followed by a three-day strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions from September 28-30. SBI, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank have issued advisories urging customers to complete urgent transactions early. The strike, over demands for a five-day banking week and pension issues, mainly hits public sector banks; private lenders should function normally. UPI, net banking and ATMs will remain unaffected. Unions have warned of an indefinite strike from October 26 if demands aren't met. (PC: Economic Times)

Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) in Delhi suspended classes after a police encounter involving an accused in the Astha Kunj Park alleged gang-rape case took place about 50 metres from its back gate. Classes were suspended from noon on September 22, with some sessions shifted online on Wednesday. Police said the accused, Asif, opened fire when officers intercepted him, prompting retaliatory firing. The incident came a day after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped at Astha Kunj Park. LSR students have raised safety concerns, with some parents asking their daughters to return home. Others are considering leaving Delhi temporarily. (PC: The Hindu)