Prelims Current Affairs includes India’s Sovereign Credit Rating Upgraded To A- By Jcr , Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026. Gollala Gudi Temple Added To National Monuments List. V-Dem’s Democracy Index. Iaf Tests Indigenous Khagantak-243 Glide Bomb, India To Host Women’s Champions Trophy & Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024

ECONOMY

1. INDIA’S SOVEREIGN CREDIT RATING UPGRADED TO A- BY JCR

Current Context: Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) upgraded India’s sovereign credit rating to ‘A-‘ from ‘BBB+’.

ABOUT THE UPGRADE

• A credit rating is an assessment of the creditworthiness of a borrower, meaning how capable and likely the borrower is to repay its debt on time.
• Outlook:Stable

Reasons for Upgrade:

• Robust economic growth (real GDP 7.8% in FY26)
• Fiscal discipline (fiscal deficit: 4.7% → 4.4% of GDP)
• Financial system resilience (IBC, capital infusions, RBI oversight)
• Strong foreign exchange reserves (higher than short-term external debts)

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

2. SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA 2026

Current Context: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed small savings scheme for the girl child, under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative. It is designed to encourage parents/guardians to build long-term savings for a girl’s education and marriage.

ABOUT SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA

• Launch: 22 January 2015
• Ministry: Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs
• Account can be opened in a Post Office or authorised bank.
• The account is opened in the name of the girl child, normally by her parent or legal guardian.

ELIGIBILITY

• A girl child below 10 years of age is eligible for opening an SSY account.
• Only one account per girl child is generally permitted.
• A family can normally open accounts for up to two girl children.
• An additional account may be permitted in case of twin/triplet girls, subject to prescribed conditions.

DEPOSIT RULES

• Minimum annual deposit: ₹250
• Maximum annual deposit: ₹1.5 lakh
• Deposits can be made for 15 years from the date of opening the account.
• The scheme encourages long-term savings rather than short-term investment.
• The SSY account normally matures after 21 years from the date of opening.
• Interest Rate (Jul-Sep 2026):2% per annum

Tax Benefits:

• Deduction under Section 80C
• Interest compounding
• Partial Withdrawal:Up to 50% for higher education

ART & CULTURE 

3. GOLLALA GUDI TEMPLE ADDED TO NATIONAL MONUMENTS LIST

Current Context: Gollalagudi Temple in Palampet village, Mulugu district, Telangana, declared monument of national importance on 1 September 2026.

ABOUT THE TEMPLE

• A Monument of National Importance is a historical, archaeological or architectural site considered to have sufficient national significance to warrant protection by the Central Government.
• Such monuments are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act).
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for their conservation, protection and maintenance.
• Location:Palampet village, Mulugu district, Telangana
• Type:Trikutalaya temple (three sanctums)
• Period:Kakatiya era (12th-13th centuries CE)
• Features:East-facing mandapa, three garbhagrihas
• Telangana now has 10 ASI-protected monuments
• About ASI: Archaeological Survey of India
• Established: 1861
• Founder: Alexander Cunningham
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Culture

About Kakatiya Architecture:

• Associated with Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh
• Ramappa Temple – UNESCO World Heritage Site

REPORTS/INDICES

4. V-DEM’S DEMOCRACY INDEX

Current Context: The V-Dem Democracy Report 2026, covering democratic conditions in 2025, placed India 106th out of 179 countries on the Electoral Democracy Index (EDI) with a score of 0.38. V-Dem classified India as an electoral autocracy.

ABOUT V-DEM INDEX

• V-Dem stands for Varieties of Democracy.
• It is a research institute based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Its Democracy Reports assess democratic developments across countries using a large number of indicators and expert assessments.
• 2026 Report title: Unraveling The Democratic Era?

Key Findings on India:

• Lowest Electoral Democracy Index score since 1975 (Emergency year)
• Slow autocratisation trend – systematic weakening of democratic institutions
• Judicial accountability, corruption, ECI autonomy at 50-year lows
• Deterioration in academic and cultural expression
• Increased harassment of journalists

Top-ranked country: Denmark – 1st rank, Electoral Democracy Index (V-Dem Democracy Report 2026), score 0.91

DEFENCE 

5. IAF TESTS INDIGENOUS KHAGANTAK-243 GLIDE BOMB

Current Context: IAF conducted successful drop trial of Khagantak-243 glide bomb from Su-30MKI on 2 September 2026.

ABOUT KHAGANTAK-243

• A glide bomb is an air-launched weapon that can travel towards its target using aerodynamic lift after being released from an aircraft. It does not simply fall vertically towards the target. It uses wings/control surfaces to extend its flight path.
• Type:Long-range glide bomb (precision-guided munition
• Stand-off Range:>140 km (from ~12,000 m altitude)

Development Partners:

• Design:JSR Dynamics (bomb body, control systems)
• Electronics:Bharat Electronics Limited
• Platform:Sukhoi Su-30MKI (primary integration platform)

SPORTS

6. INDIA TO HOST WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS TROPHY

Current Context: ICC named India as host of inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy 2027.

ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT

• Teams:6 (Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka)
• Venues:Cricket Club of India (Mumbai), Vadodara International Cricket Stadium

Host Selection:

• Sri Lanka removed as host (governance issues)
• India selected as replacement host

About ICC:

• Founded: 1909 (as Imperial Cricket Conference)

AWARDS & HONOURS

7. TENZING NORGAY NATIONAL ADVENTURE AWARDS 2024

Current Context: Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024 announced for four achievers.

ABOUT Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

• Administered by: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Awarded for: Outstanding achievements in the field of adventure

AWARDEES:

 About the Award:

• Prize:₹15 lakh + statuette + certificate
• Presented by:President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan

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