In short: PRiSM is the monthly e-booklet of the Press Information Bureau’s Research Unit. The September 2026 edition (released in early October 2026) has 57 explainers on data, schemes and events of the month. This page gives a theme-wise index of every topic with its key takeaway, detailed notes on the 12 most exam-relevant topics, 10 practice MCQs, Mains questions and a Hindi summary.
All 57 topics at a glance
Topics are grouped by syllabus area. Related explainers (for example, the four semiconductor pieces and the several Swachh Bharat pieces) are combined into one row.
Economy and industry
| Topic | Key takeaway | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| India’s GDP performance; Q1 2026-27 GDP FAQs | Real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 2026-27, GVA 8.2%, nominal GDP 10.3%; explains negative GVA deflators | GS3 |
| Data centres in India | Capacity rose from about 375 MW (2020) to 1.57 GW (Aug 2026); projected about 8 GW by 2030 | GS3 |
| India building semiconductor future; Silicon Dreams; Beyond the Fab (Dholera); Whole-of-industry approach | Semicon 2.0 approved 15 July 2026 with ₹1,27,500 crore; SEMICON India 2026 held 17 September; 6 of 12 Semicon 1.0 projects in Gujarat | GS3 |
| Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme | Outlay raised to ₹40,000 crore; 106 projects approved in 15 States | GS3 |
| 12 years of Make in India | Launched 25 September 2014; Make in India 2.0 covers 27 sectors | GS3 |
| Districts as Export Hubs | Covers 770+ districts; grew out of ODOP (UP, 2018); exports US$ 863 billion in 2025-26 | GS3 |
| National Single Window System | Launched 22 September 2021 by DPIIT; 327 Central and 3,452 State approvals | GS3 |
| ECLGS 5.0 | Approved 5 May 2026; additional credit up to ₹2.55 lakh crore; run by NCGTC | GS3 |
| Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool | India’s first domestic marine insurance pool, ₹13,906.50 crore (USD 1.5 billion) | GS3 |
| 7th Global Fintech Fest 2026 | Fintech growth built on Aadhaar, UPI and digital public infrastructure | GS3 |
| Incentive scheme for domestic PNG connections | CGD entities get 200 SCM of domestic gas for each extra billed connection | GS3 |
| Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 | In force from 1 October 2026; replaces the 1891 Act for digital banking records | GS2/GS3 |
Agriculture, rural development and livelihoods
| Topic | Key takeaway | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Jute: India’s Golden Fibre | India makes about 75% of world jute goods; West Bengal has 89 of 120 composite mills | GS1/GS3 |
| Fuelling the Blue Economy (PMMSY at six) | Fish output 197.75 lakh tonnes (2024-25); total outlay ₹20,750 crore | GS3 |
| Decentralised Grain Storage Plan | Pilot from 31 May 2023 through PACS; 1.80 lakh tonnes built in 313 PACS by July 2026 | GS3 |
| PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana at seven | ₹3,000 monthly pension at 60 for small and marginal farmers; 24.96 lakh enrolled | GS2/GS3 |
| DDU-GKY 2.0 and DDU-GKY success story | Upgraded guidelines May 2025; ₹750 crore in Budget 2026-27 | GS2 |
| Last-mile architects of rural transformation | Community cadres (SHG workers, Swachhagrahis, ASHAs) deliver schemes at village level | GS2 |
| From Green Stems to Green Enterprises | Bamboo-based enterprises in the North East | GS3 |
| PMKKKY | District Mineral Foundation funds: 10% or 30% of royalty; at least 70% for high-priority sectors | GS2/GS3 |
Social sector
| Topic | Key takeaway | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah | Mission Poshan 2.0 unites POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi services and the adolescent girls scheme | GS2 |
| PMAY-U and PMAY-U 2.0 | PMAY-U 2.0 (Sept 2024): 1 crore more urban houses, up to ₹2.5 lakh a unit, 2024-29 | GS2 |
| PM SHRI | 14,500+ model schools under NEP 2020; ₹27,360 crore; 13,092 selected | GS2 |
| Progressing towards universal health coverage | AB-PMJAY at eight: 48.51 crore cards; 13.25 crore admissions worth ₹2.03 lakh crore | GS2 |
| Care beyond the prescription (Janaushadhi Bachpan) | Low-cost infant and maternal care products at Janaushadhi Kendras | GS2 |
| Literacy for All | Urban literacy (age 7+) 89% as per PLFS 2025 | GS1/GS2 |
| PM-AJAY | 100% centrally sponsored (2021-22); merged PMAGY, SCA to SCSP and BJRCY; 18,093 Adarsh Grams | GS2 |
| PM Vishwakarma | ₹13,000 crore; 18 trades; 30 lakh registrations; loans up to ₹3 lakh | GS2 |
| 11th Ayurveda Day | Integration of Ayurveda with mainstream health services | GS2 |
Environment, energy and sanitation
| Topic | Key takeaway | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Geothermal Energy | National Policy on Geothermal Energy (Sept 2025); first wells at Puga Valley, Ladakh; 1 MW demonstration plant planned | GS3 |
| Green Highways | Policy of 2015; 3.61 crore saplings in five years; NH network 1,46,572 km | GS3 |
| India’s Path to Blue Skies | NCAP in 130 cities; 108 cities cut PM10 versus 2017-18; Clean Air Day 7 September | GS3 |
| Swachhata Hi Seva; rural sanitation as a people’s movement; Swachhata as shared faith; women and transgender changemakers | SBM (2014): rural India declared ODF in 2019; SHS campaign since 2017 | GS2/GS3 |
| Power from waste; reclaiming legacy dumpsites; plastic story; beyond wastewater; green festivals | SBM-Urban: waste-to-energy, biogas, dumpsite remediation and used-water reuse | GS3 |
| Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari; India International Water Week 2026 | JSJB launched 6 September 2024; groundwater recharge rose to 448.52 BCM in 2025 | GS1/GS3 |
| From Awareness to Ownership (Namami Gange) | Namami Gange (2014): people’s participation in river conservation | GS3 |
Security, international relations and governance
| Topic | Key takeaway | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Vibrant Villages Programme | VVP-I and VVP-II together ₹11,639 crore; land borders over 15,000 km | GS2/GS3 |
| BRICS | 18th Summit in New Delhi, 12-13 September 2026; India’s fourth chairship; 11 members | GS2 |
| IMEI tampering | 15-digit IMEI; check with *#06#; Telecommunications Act, 2023 bans tampering | GS3 |
| Union Public Service Commission at 100 | First Public Service Commission set up on 1 October 1926 on the Lee Commission’s advice | GS2 |
Culture, media and tourism
| Topic | Key takeaway | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| World Tourism Day 2026 | Tourism: 5.22% of GDP, 8.46 crore jobs; theme on digital and AI in tourism | GS1/GS3 |
| India Cine Hub; WAVES OTT and MyWAVES | Single portal for film-shooting permits; public broadcaster’s OTT platform | GS2 |
| 72nd National Film Awards | Awards instituted in 1954, given by the I&B Ministry | GS1 |
High-yield topics in detail
GDP in Q1 2026-27
- Real GDP grew 7.8% in April-June 2026, the highest first-quarter growth in four years and above the RBI’s 7.0% estimate; real GVA grew 8.2%.
- Investment rose 11.9%, household consumption 7.1% and exports 12.0%; nominal GDP grew 10.3% to ₹88.27 lakh crore.
- S&P affirmed India’s BBB rating with a stable outlook in August 2026, after upgrading it in 2025 following an 18-year gap.
- A negative GVA deflator can occur when input prices rise faster than output prices; it does not by itself mean real growth is overstated.
Semiconductors and electronics
- Semicon 2.0 was approved on 15 July 2026 with ₹1,27,500 crore, building on Semicon 1.0, under which 12 projects were approved (six in Gujarat, including Dholera).
- India’s semiconductor market is projected at USD 110 billion by FY2030; chip imports totalled about USD 150 billion during FY17-FY25.
- The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme began with ₹22,919 crore, raised to ₹40,000 crore in Budget 2026-27; 106 projects worth ₹69,548 crore are approved.
- Electronics production rose from ₹1.9 lakh crore (2014-15) to ₹13.1 lakh crore (2025-26).
Data centres
- Installed data-centre capacity rose from about 375 MW in 2020 to 1.57 GW in August 2026, and may reach about 8 GW by 2030.
- Data centres were added to the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure in Budget 2022-23, easing long-term finance.
- The IndiaAI Mission has an outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore for compute capacity, datasets and skills.
Vibrant Villages Programme
- VVP was launched in 2023; VVP-I covers villages on the northern border (₹4,800 crore), and VVP-II extends to other land borders; combined outlay ₹11,639 crore.
- India’s land border exceeds 15,000 km: Bangladesh 4,096.7 km (longest), China 3,488 km, Pakistan 3,323 km.
- The aim is to stop out-migration and make border residents the “eyes and ears” of security; in May 1999, Kargil residents first reported the intrusion.
Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool
- Approved on 18 April 2026 and launched on 12 May 2026, it is India’s first domestic maritime insurance pool, worth ₹13,906.50 crore (USD 1.5 billion), with sovereign backing of ₹12,980 crore.
- Indian ships pay USD 45-60 million a year in Protection and Indemnity premiums to foreign clubs; the pool reduces this dependence and sanctions risk.
- Claims up to USD 100 million are paid from reserves; larger claims use the sovereign guarantee.
- Context: India has 12 major and 217 non-major ports, a coastline of about 11,098 km and an EEZ of 2.4 million sq km.
Geothermal energy
- The National Policy on Geothermal Energy was notified in September 2025.
- In July 2026, two 1,000-metre wells were drilled at Puga Valley, Ladakh (over 14,000 feet), paving the way for India’s first 1 MW demonstration geothermal power plant.
- Unlike solar and wind, geothermal power is available round the clock.
District Mineral Foundation and PMKKKY
- DMFs were created by the 2015 amendment to the MMDR Act, 1957; miners pay 10% of royalty for leases granted after 12 January 2015 and 30% for older leases.
- PMKKKY (17 September 2015) requires at least 70% of funds for high-priority sectors such as drinking water, health, education and environment; revised guidelines came in January 2024.
- DMFs exist in 656 districts across 23 States, and rules must follow PESA, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
ECLGS 5.0
- Approved on 5 May 2026 to support businesses hit by external disruptions; additional credit of up to ₹2.55 lakh crore.
- Run by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC), which guarantees extra working capital loans by lending institutions.
- ECLGS began in 2020 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package during COVID-19.
PM SHRI and AB-PMJAY
- PM SHRI (7 September 2022): over 14,500 exemplar schools under NEP 2020; ₹27,360 crore (Central share ₹18,128 crore); 13,092 schools selected through a challenge mode.
- AB-PMJAY (23 September 2018): ₹5 lakh cover per family per year for 1,961 procedures; 48.51 crore Ayushman cards; 13.25 crore admissions worth ₹2.03 lakh crore.
- Extended in September 2024 to all citizens aged 70 and above; over 1.36 crore Vay Vandana cards issued.
BRICS under India’s chairship
- India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September 2026, its fourth chairship.
- BRICS has 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia (which joined in January 2025).
- Ten partner countries joined in 2025, including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
- The first BRIC summit was held at Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009; South Africa joined in 2010.
PM Vishwakarma
- Launched on 17 September 2023; Central Sector Scheme of ₹13,000 crore (2023-24 to 2027-28) for 18 traditional trades.
- Benefits: training with ₹500 a day stipend, toolkit up to ₹15,000, and collateral-free loans of ₹1 lakh (18 months) and ₹2 lakh (30 months).
- The registration target of 30 lakh beneficiaries has been met.
UPSC at 100 and the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026
- India’s first Public Service Commission was set up on 1 October 1926, after the Lee Commission (1924) recommended it under the Government of India Act, 1919.
- Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to join the ICS (cleared 1863, joined 1864); the ICS exam was first held in India at Allahabad in 1922.
- The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 came into force on 1 October 2026, replacing the 1891 Act to cover digital banking records and other financial entities.
Practice questions
Prelims MCQs
Q1. According to official estimates, India’s real GDP growth in Q1 (April-June) 2026-27 was:
- 6.8%
- 7.0%
- 7.8%
- 8.2%
Show answer
Answer: (c) Real GDP grew 7.8%; real GVA grew 8.2%, and the RBI had estimated 7.0% for the quarter.
Q2. With reference to the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool, consider the following statements:
1. It is India’s first domestic maritime insurance pool.
2. It has sovereign backing from the Government.
3. It replaces all foreign Protection and Indemnity clubs for Indian ships by law.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a) Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The pool reduces dependence on foreign P&I clubs, but it does not ban them.
Q3. India’s first geothermal exploration wells for a demonstration power plant were drilled in July 2026 at:
- Tattapani, Chhattisgarh
- Puga Valley, Ladakh
- Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh
- Unai, Gujarat
Show answer
Answer: (b) Two 1,000-metre wells were drilled at Puga Valley in Ladakh, at over 14,000 feet, for a 1 MW demonstration plant.
Q4. Under the District Mineral Foundation rules, the contribution for mining leases granted on or after 12 January 2015 is:
- 10% of royalty
- 20% of royalty
- 30% of royalty
- 2% of royalty
Show answer
Answer: (a) It is 10% of royalty for newer leases and 30% for leases granted before 12 January 2015.
Q5. Consider the following statements about the Vibrant Villages Programme:
1. VVP-I covers villages along the northern border.
2. VVP-II covers villages along the remaining international land borders.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both are correct; together the two phases cover India’s entire international land border, with a combined outlay of ₹11,639 crore.
Q6. Which country joined BRICS as its eleventh full member in January 2025?
- Saudi Arabia
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Thailand
Show answer
Answer: (b) Indonesia became the eleventh full member in January 2025; Malaysia and Thailand are partner countries.
Q7. PM Vishwakarma provides collateral-free Enterprise Development Loans of up to:
- ₹1 lakh
- ₹2 lakh
- ₹3 lakh
- ₹5 lakh
Show answer
Answer: (c) Loans up to ₹3 lakh are given in two tranches of ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh, for artisans in 18 traditional trades.
Q8. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) is implemented by:
- SIDBI
- NABARD
- National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC)
- Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
Show answer
Answer: (c) ECLGS, including version 5.0 approved in May 2026, is implemented by the NCGTC under the Department of Financial Services.
Q9. India’s first Public Service Commission was set up in 1926 on the recommendation of the:
- Aitchison Commission
- Islington Commission
- Lee Commission
- Simon Commission
Show answer
Answer: (c) The Lee Commission (1924) recommended a statutory Public Service Commission, set up on 1 October 1926 under the Government of India Act, 1919.
Q10. How many digits does a mobile handset’s IMEI number have?
- 10
- 12
- 15
- 17
Show answer
Answer: (c) The IMEI is a unique 15-digit number; its first eight digits form the Type Allocation Code allocated through the GSMA.
Mains practice questions
Q. India’s semiconductor mission has moved from attracting fabs to building an ecosystem. Discuss with reference to Semicon 2.0 and the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme. (15 marks, 250 words)
Approach: Introduce Semicon 1.0 and 2.0. Cover fabs, packaging, components, talent and clusters such as Dholera; discuss import dependence and challenges of water, power and skills. Conclude on the value-chain approach.
Q. Border villages are the first line of national security. Examine the objectives and challenges of the Vibrant Villages Programme. (15 marks, 250 words)
Approach: Introduce VVP-I and VVP-II. Cover out-migration, infrastructure, livelihoods and the security role of residents; discuss terrain, ecology and coordination challenges. Conclude on development as security.
Q. Evaluate the role of District Mineral Foundations in ensuring that mining benefits reach affected communities. (15 marks, 250 words)
Approach: Explain DMF contributions and PMKKKY priorities; cover links with PESA and FRA; discuss misuse of funds, weak Gram Sabha role and audit gaps. Conclude with governance reforms.
FAQs
What is PIB PRiSM?
PRiSM is a monthly e-booklet compiled by the Research Unit of the Press Information Bureau that collects its explainers and backgrounders on government policies, schemes and data released during the month.
What does the September 2026 edition of PRiSM cover?
The September 2026 edition has 57 explainers, including Q1 GDP data, Semicon 2.0, data centres, the Vibrant Villages Programme, the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool, geothermal energy, PM SHRI, AB-PMJAY, BRICS and the UPSC centenary.
Is PRiSM useful for UPSC Prelims?
Yes, PRiSM is useful for Prelims because it gives official figures, launch dates, outlays and eligibility rules of schemes, which are the facts most often tested in scheme-based questions.
Where can the official PRiSM PDF be downloaded?
The official PRiSM PDF is published by the Press Information Bureau on its website; this page links to the PIB file and summarises the edition for revision.
हिंदी सारांश
PIB PRiSM पत्र सूचना कार्यालय की अनुसंधान इकाई की मासिक ई-पुस्तिका है। सितंबर 2026 संस्करण में 57 विषय हैं। प्रमुख तथ्य: 2026-27 की पहली तिमाही में वास्तविक GDP वृद्धि 7.8% रही; ₹1,27,500 करोड़ के सेमीकॉन 2.0 को जुलाई 2026 में स्वीकृति मिली; वाइब्रेंट विलेज कार्यक्रम का संयुक्त परिव्यय ₹11,639 करोड़ है; भारत मैरीटाइम इंश्योरेंस पूल ₹13,906.50 करोड़ का पहला घरेलू समुद्री बीमा पूल है; लद्दाख की पुगा घाटी में भू-तापीय कुएँ खोदे गए; PM SHRI के तहत 14,500 से अधिक विद्यालय विकसित होंगे; AB-PMJAY ने आठ वर्ष पूरे किए; भारत ने सितंबर 2026 में 18वें BRICS शिखर सम्मेलन की मेज़बानी की; और 1 अक्टूबर 1926 को भारत का पहला लोक सेवा आयोग बना था।
Sources: PIB Research Unit: PRiSM September 2026 (official PDF).
Related reading on GSMitra: All PIB Backgrounders explained for UPSC, PIB PRiSM monthly summaries, PIB News Today for UPSC.
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