![Illustration about Social Issues: The [World Economic Forum] (WEF) released the Global Gender Gap Index 2026, ranking India at 131 out of 145 countries, u](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-09-16%2Findias-rank-on-global-gender-gap-index-unchanged-at-131-iceland-retains-top-spot-de67d4e4.png&w=1200&q=75){kind=icon}
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India's rank on Global Gender Gap Index unchanged at 131; Iceland retains top spot
The [World Economic Forum] (WEF) released the Global Gender Gap Index 2026, ranking India at 131 out of 145 countries, unchanged from the previous year. While global gender parity improved slightly, the WEF projects full parity is still 120 years away, with India showing progress in education but lagging in economic and political empowerment.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Polity & Governance: The [Supreme Court of India] has clarified that while the unauthorized distribution of live-streamed court proceedings i](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-09-16%2Fsupreme-court-says-falsely-quoting-judges-in-barred-online-court-clips-crosses-over-from-contempt-to-crime-7da30b8b.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadSupreme Court says falsely quoting judges in barred online court clips crosses over from contempt to crime
The [Supreme Court of India] has clarified that while the unauthorized distribution of live-streamed court proceedings is considered [contempt of court], circulating video clips with false insertions or misattributed remarks is a more serious offense that constitutes criminal conduct. The Court advised lawyers facing such issues to first seek 'takedown' orders under the [Information Technology Act, 2000] before approaching the apex court.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Internal Security: The [Ministry of Defence] annual report for 2025-26 details 'Operation Sindoor', a coordinated military response to the](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-09-16%2Fwhat-does-the-defence-ministrys-annual-report-for-2025-26-say-on-operation-sindoor-and-the-lac-situation-0cb17c93.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadWhat does the Defence Ministry’s annual report for 2025-26 say on Operation Sindoor and the LAC situation?
The [Ministry of Defence] annual report for 2025-26 details 'Operation Sindoor', a coordinated military response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack, marking a shift towards targeted, multi-domain strikes against state-sponsored terrorism. Concurrently, the report notes a de-escalation along the [Line of Actual Control] (LAC), with a significant reduction in Chinese troop deployments, attributed to renewed diplomatic and military engagements.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Geography: According to the India Drought Monitor, developed by [IIT Gandhinagar]'s Water and Climate Lab, over 53% of India's land](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-09-16%2Fel-ni%C3%B1o-effect-kharif-crops-winter-sowing-face-stress-as-drought-hits-53-of-india-d915dd9f.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadEl Niño effect: Kharif crops, winter sowing face stress as drought hits 53% of India
According to the India Drought Monitor, developed by [IIT Gandhinagar]'s Water and Climate Lab, over 53% of India's landmass is currently experiencing some form of drought conditions. This significant expansion of drought-affected areas, driven by an [El Niño] induced 15% deficit in the southwest monsoon, poses a severe threat to the standing Kharif crops and upcoming winter sowing.
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Must ReadUnion Cabinet approves raising EPFO wage ceiling to ₹25,000 per month
The Union Cabinet has approved an increase in the mandatory wage ceiling for coverage under the [Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation] (EPFO) from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month. This policy change, effective September 17, 2026, aims to bring an estimated 51 lakh additional workers into the formal social security net.
Must ReadNew Zealand parliament passes 'once-in-a-generation' India trade deal, cutting tariffs on most exports
The New Zealand Parliament has passed legislation ratifying a 'once-in-a-generation' Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, which was initially signed in April. The deal promises immediate duty-free access for all Indian goods into New Zealand and includes a commitment from Wellington to invest $20 billion in India over 15 years.
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Must ReadIndia's $40.8 billion Russian crude imports put it in Trump's 100% tariff line of fire
The US House of Representatives is advancing the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could authorize the US President to impose up to 100% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy, significantly threatening India's vast crude oil imports from Russia. This potential legislation creates a complex diplomatic and economic situation for India, intertwining its energy security needs with ongoing bilateral trade negotiations with the United States.
![Illustration about International Relations: The recent [BRICS Summit] highlighted contrasting approaches to Artificial Intelligence (AI) development between the US-](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-09-16%2Fai-cooperation-on-artificial-intelligence-at-a-crossroads-bdfe0752.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadAI cooperation: On Artificial Intelligence at a crossroads
The recent [BRICS Summit] highlighted contrasting approaches to Artificial Intelligence (AI) development between the US-led model, which is heavily funded and driven by geopolitical competition, and the BRICS vision of an open-source, collaborative AI community. India, adopting a middle path, seeks to insulate AI from national rivalries to harness its economic potential while recognizing the inherent security risks and the need for cooperative defensive capabilities, especially for the Global South.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Economy: The Government of India has revised the base year for calculating [Gross Domestic Product] (GDP) to 2022-23. This revisi](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-09-16%2Fdecoding-indias-gdp-base-revision-40fb3bca.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadDecoding India’s GDP base revision
The Government of India has revised the base year for calculating [Gross Domestic Product] (GDP) to 2022-23. This revision, written about by officials from the [Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation] and the [National Statistical Commission], has led to a downward revision of India's nominal GDP estimates for the overlap years.
![Illustration about Economy: This editorial by the [IFAD] Country Director highlights India's success in rural development, arguing that smallholder](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-09-16%2Flessons-from-indias-smallholder-farmers-8ddf19bb.png&w=1200&q=75)
ImportantLessons from India’s smallholder farmers
This editorial by the [IFAD] Country Director highlights India's success in rural development, arguing that smallholder agriculture can move beyond subsistence towards prosperity through a combination of organization, commercial opportunity, and resilience. The author suggests that India's model, which integrates infrastructure, enterprise development, skills, finance, and market access, offers valuable lessons for the Global South, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive ecosystem over isolated interventions.
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