Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched India’s advanced Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) ‘Sagar Manthan’ at Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata. The vessel has been designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). It is being developed under Vertical-4, Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration of the Deep Ocean Mission, at an estimated cost of around ₹840 crore. ‘Sagar Manthan’ is an all-weather, multidisciplinary research vessel designed to conduct oceanographic and geophysical research, including surveys of deep-sea mineral resources.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the 9th edition of Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on 9 September. The month-long campaign will be observed from 9 September to 8 October 2026 under the theme “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari.” The campaign focuses on dietary diversity, adequate protein intake, fresh hot cooked meals, maternal health and early childhood development. Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, the government is upgrading 2 lakh Anganwadi Centres into Saksham Anganwadis.

Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru have developed a metal-free organic material that can improve solar-driven hydrogen production. The material combines aspartic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid, with perylene diimide (PDI), a light-absorbing organic molecule. These molecules self-assemble into highly ordered 2D nanosheets in water, improving light absorption and the separation and movement of charges. The new material produced nearly 18% higher photocurrent than its bulk counterpart during solar-driven water splitting.

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Dipak Misra has been honoured with the Kalinga Ratna Award by Sarala Sahitya Sansad in Cuttack, Odisha. The award includes a silver idol of Goddess Saraswati and a citation. Justice Misra highlighted the importance of fraternity, dignity and respect for every individual, rising above caste, creed, language and social status. He also spoke about the destructive consequences of war, noting that victory does not necessarily bring peace. The Sarala Samman was also conferred on eminent litterateur Dr Ramachandra Behera for his contribution to Odia literature spanning more than six decades.

Saitual district in Mizoram has become the first and only district in the state to achieve ‘Surakshit’ status under the Mobilisation AIDS Suraksha (MAS) campaign. Saitual achieved all three 95-95-95 HIV targets — people knowing their HIV status, diagnosed people receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), and treated people achieving viral-load suppression. Under the campaign, ‘Surakshit’ is given to districts that achieve all three targets, while ‘Surakshit+’ also requires zero mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The achievement was supported by health officials, community leaders, NGOs and churches, especially through HIV testing and awareness programmes.