School Assembly news headlines today, September 29, 2026: Top National, World, Sports, Education and Business updates – Education Times

The top news updates for September 28, 2026, covering Indian domestic news to International geopolitical developments. Here’s what you need to know today.
1. Supreme Court refuses to stay UPI charges
The Supreme Court has chosen not to pause the Centre's plan to add a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant transactions that exceed ₹2,000.
The new rule will start on October 15.The Supreme Court wants the Centre, RBI and NPCI to answer a petition that fights this change.
Why students should know: UPI has become one of India's widely used digital‑payment systems, so any change in UPI fee structure could affect merchants and consumers.
2. Mumbai‑Ahmedabad Bullet Train project gets major steel bridge milestone
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited has built the 100‑metre‑long steel bridge weighing about 1,405 tonnes for the Mumbai‑Ahmedabad bullet train project in Maharashtra.
This bridge is a step toward faster travel.
3. Bank strike deferred after talks
The planned three‑day nationwide bank strike from September 28‑30 has been put on hold after talks between the United Forum of Bank Unions and the Indian Banks Association. The talks covered a request for a five‑day banking week and other pending issues.
1. UK police question five men after incident near US‑linked airbase
British counter‑terrorism police are questioning five men after they were taken into custody near RAF Fairford, an airbase used by US forces for operations that involve Iran.
Authorities think there might be explosives or terrorism offences.Police have not released a motive; they are looking at possibilities.
Why it matters: The incident comes amid continuing tensions involving the US, Iran and the wider Middle East.
2. Iran calls for diplomacy amid tensions with US
Iran says it wants a solution to its conflict with the United States and Israel after President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian offer about the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials say that negotiations are still possible with mediators. Iran wants peace.
Why students should know: The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's important oil‑shipping routes, so instability in the region can affect global energy prices and economies.
3. India‑US officials discuss sanctions and energy security
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met an US Congressional delegation led by Representative Brian Mast in New Delhi. They talked about India‑US relations, the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, energy security, counter‑terrorism and freedom of navigation.
1. Esha Singh wins silver at Asian Games
Indian shooter Esha Singh took the silver medal in the women's 25m event at the 2026 Asian Games.
The 21‑year‑old earned India's shooting medal after a tense final that had many shoot‑offs.
2. Vithya Ramraj wins bronze. Breaks a 42‑year record
Indian athlete Vithya Ramraj earned a bronze medal in the women's 400m hurdles at the Asian Games and set a personal best. Her run also highlighted a record that belonged to PT Usha and had lasted for 42 years.
3. India reach Asian Games cricket semi‑finals
India's men's cricket team moved into the Asian Games 2026 semi‑finals after their quarter‑final against Afghanistan was stopped because of rain in Nisshin, Japan.
India advanced through the tournament's knockout rules. Will play the winner of the Sri Lanka‑Nepal quarter‑final. Sports fact: India are the defending Asian Games men's T20 cricket champions after winning gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
1. GATE 2027 registration deadline extended to October 5
Students preparing for GATE 2027 have been given time to register. IIT Madras, the organising institute has pushed the application deadline to October 5 2026.
The official GATE website says the registration window closes on October 5. The GATE 2027 exam will be held on February 6,7, 13 ,14 , 20 and 21, 2027.
A new Robotics and Automation paper has also been added this year.
For students: This is especially important for engineering and other eligible undergraduate students who plan to apply for postgraduate studies or PSU jobs.
2. ICAR PG and PhD counselling begins today
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has started counselling for admission to postgraduate and PhD programmes from September 29 2026.
The official ICAR website has posted the counselling notice for the 2026‑27 session.
3. New task force looks at examination reforms
There is a high‑level task force, led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, that is looking at reforms in India’s examination system. This panel has consulted former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, who led a committee that was set up after the 2024 NEET‑UG paper‑leak controversy. The new task force is talking to students, parents, teachers, experts and examination bodies as it works on ways to improve examination security.
1. Indian stock market sees decline
The Indian benchmark equity indices fell significantly on September 28. The Sensex dropped 956 points to 72,939. The Nifty fell 306 points to 22,835 during afternoon trading according to Akashvani’s market report.
Why it matters: The stock market shows how investors feel and is affected by factors such as tensions, interest rates, oil prices and foreign investment flows.
2. Foreign investors withdraw ₹17,131 crore in September
The Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have pulled about ₹17,131 crore from equities in September so far. Global geopolitical uncertainty and higher US bond yields were among the factors that affected investor activity.
3. Indian startup prepares to launch computing satellite
Indian space startup TakeMe2Space is getting ready to launch its MOI‑1A satellite on SpaceX’s Transporter‑18 rideshare mission on October 1. The sub‑50‑kg satellite will carry Nvidia Orin NX processors and will do computing in orbit instead of sending all raw data back to Earth.
Why students should know: It shows how India’s growing private space sector is moving beyond satellite launches to space‑based computing and data processing.

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