Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (21st September, 2026) |

National News

WWF Global Conservation Conference 2026 Inaugurated in Jaipur

The WWF Global Conservation Conference 2026 was inaugurated in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on September 21, 2026.
Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the conference.
Representatives from more than 100 countries are participating in the global conservation event.
Discussions focus on wildlife conservation, habitat protection, climate action and sustainable natural-resource management.
India highlighted its conservation progress, including an increase in protected areas from around 750 to more than 1,000.
Tiger reserves increased from 47 to 58, while elephant reserves rose from 30 to 33 and Ramsar sites from 24 to 101.
Key Fact: Constitutional provisions supporting environmental protection include Articles 48A and 51A(g).

Amit Shah to Inaugurate National ANTF Conference in Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the 3rd National Conference of ANTF Heads in New Delhi on September 22, 2026.
The two-day conference is being organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
ANTF heads from all 36 States and Union Territories will participate along with government departments and other stakeholders.
The conference will be held under the theme “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility.”
It will review the implementation of the Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026–29.
Eight technical sessions will discuss drug cartels, rehabilitation, synthetic drugs, illicit cultivation, darknet and cryptocurrency investigations.
Key Fact: The conference focuses on supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.

Cheetah Radha Arrives at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Three-year-old female cheetah Radha, originally from Botswana, has arrived at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier identified as CCB-2, she was renamed Radha by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Radha was transferred from Kuno National Park and placed separately in a protective enclosure.
Her arrival has increased the cheetah population at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary to four.
The sanctuary now has Prabhas, Pawak, Dheera and Radha.
India’s total cheetah population stands at 56, including 52 at Kuno and four at Gandhi Sagar.
Key Fact: Gandhi Sagar is India’s second cheetah habitat under Project Cheetah.

India International Water Week 2026 to Focus on Climate-Resilient Water Management

The 9th India International Water Week 2026 will be held from September 22 to 26 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan is scheduled to inaugurate the five-day event.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Its theme is “Climate Resilient Water Management.”
Policymakers, experts and stakeholders will discuss water governance and climate-related challenges.
The Netherlands and Germany are Partner Countries, while 14 Indian states are participating as partner states.
Key Fact: The event will also feature an International Water Technology Exhibition from September 22–25.

State News

Gwalior to Get Asia’s First Telecom Manufacturing Zone

Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh is set to develop a proposed Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ).
The project is described in the source as Asia’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone.
It involves an estimated investment of ₹5,500 crore.
The project is expected to create more than 18,000 direct jobs.
Around 170 acres have been identified for the first phase, with 24–25 manufacturing units proposed.
Twenty-four companies have started the application process following investor roadshows in Delhi and Mumbai.
Key Fact: A ₹500-crore Common Testing Lab has also been proposed for the zone.

Chandni Chowk Town Hall to Become Global Heritage Centre

Delhi’s historic Town Hall complex in Chandni Chowk will be transformed into a Global Heritage Centre.
The MoU for redevelopment was signed between DTTDC and MCD on September 20, 2026.
The Grade-I heritage complex covers approximately 12,180 sq m.
The complex includes the Town Hall, Press Building and an adjoining park.
Built between 1860 and 1866, the Town Hall served as the municipal headquarters until 2010.
The redevelopment will follow an adaptive-reuse approach, including a museum, cultural facilities and tourism activities.
Key Fact: The Town Hall complex will remain under MCD ownership.

International News

S Jaishankar to Lead India at 81st UN General Assembly

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead India’s delegation during the High-Level Week of the 81st UN General Assembly.
The high-level session will be held in New York, USA.
Jaishankar is scheduled to deliver India’s address on September 26, 2026.
India will present its positions on major international issues during the UN proceedings.
Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral and plurilateral meetings with representatives of other countries.
The meetings will cover areas of mutual interest and international cooperation.
Key Fact: The UN General Assembly is the UN’s main deliberative and representative body.

Awards News

Angh Wins TIFF 2026 Platform Prize, Gains Oscar Pathway

Nagaland filmmaker Theja Rio’s Konyak-language film Angh won the Platform Prize at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.
The film was selected among 12 entries in TIFF’s competitive Platform section.
Angh received a C$20,000 cash prize and trophy.
It became the first film to use TIFF’s newly designated pathway for International Feature Film Oscar consideration.
The film is set in Nagaland in the early 1960s.
It follows a former village chief and his young son as an American missionary’s arrival challenges their traditional way of life.
Key Fact: The jury awarding the Platform Prize was led by Pablo Trapero.

Defense News

DRDO to Seek Industry Partner for 30kW Laser Weapon

DRDO plans to issue an Expression of Interest within six months to select an industry partner for its 30kW-class directed-energy weapon.
The truck-mounted laser is designed primarily for counter-drone operations.
It can engage drone swarms, fixed-wing UAVs and surveillance sensors.
The system can operate against targets at ranges of up to 5 km.
Its final trials were completed in August 2025.
DRDO also has 2kW and 10kW directed-energy weapon systems, with the 10kW system cleared for procurement.
Key Fact: The 30kW system is DRDO’s most powerful demonstrated directed-energy weapon.

SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Begin 13th Naval Exercise

India and Sri Lanka are conducting the 13th edition of their bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26.
The exercise is being held in Visakhapatnam from September 17 to 21, 2026.
It is conducted under the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.
The participating Indian ships are INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti.
The Sri Lankan Navy is represented by SLNS Sindurala.
The exercise includes Harbour and Sea Phases focused on operational coordination and interoperability.
Key Fact: SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005.

Science & Technology News

Microsoft Launches Fourth Cloud Region in India in Hyderabad

Microsoft has launched its fourth cloud region in India in Hyderabad.
The new facility is called the India South Central cloud region.
It expands infrastructure for cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads.
Microsoft already operates cloud regions in Pune, Chennai and Mumbai.
The launch is part of Microsoft’s $20.5-billion investment commitment in India.
India generates nearly 20% of global data but has around 3% of global data-centre capacity, according to Microsoft.
Key Fact: India’s data-centre capacity is projected to reach 12–14 GW by 2035.

Assam to Establish ISRO Advanced Radar Research Centre

Assam is set to establish an advanced radar research centre at Chandrapur near Guwahati.
The foundation stone was laid on September 21, 2026, under ISRO’s Project NETRA.
The facility will track satellites, space debris and other orbital objects.
It will support collision avoidance and protection of critical space assets.
The radar is expected to detect objects as small as 10 cm from distances up to 2,000 km.
The project involves an estimated investment of ₹1,000 crore and covers around 67 acres.
Key Fact: The project is targeted for completion within one year.

Rare Leafless Orchid Gastrodia keyiensis Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Scientists have discovered the rare leafless orchid Gastrodia keyiensis in Arunachal Pradesh.
The species was found in a remote gorge along the Keyi River in Keyi Panyor district.
It grows at around 1,000 metres in deep shade and decaying leaf litter.
The orchid lacks leaves and chlorophyll and therefore cannot photosynthesise.
It obtains nutrients through soil fungi through a process called holomycotrophy.
Researchers recorded only five flowering individuals, with plants growing up to about 35 cm.
Key Fact: The species was formally described in Phytotaxa on September 9, 2026.

Sports News

Asian Games 2026 Day 1: India Wins Two Silver Medals

India began its Asian Games 2026 campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with two silver medals.
Both silver medals came from shooting events.
Elavenil Valarivan won silver in the women’s 10m air rifle individual event with 252.4 points.
Elavenil also teamed up with Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod to win team silver.
The Indian team scored 1,898.0 points in the team event.
Suchika Tariyal secured a medal in the women’s traditional 60kg MMA category by reaching the semifinals.
Key Fact: India finished Day 1 with two silver medals and one guaranteed MMA medal.

Asian Games 2026 Day 2: India Wins Four More Medals

India won four more medals on Day 2 of the Asian Games 2026.
The tally included two silver and two bronze medals.
Himanshu Dhillon won silver and Rudrankksh Patil won bronze in the men’s 10m air rifle individual event.
Dhillon, Patil and Parth Mane secured another silver in the team event.
Suchika Tariyal won bronze in the women’s traditional 60kg MMA category.
India defeated Japan 49-24 in men’s kabaddi and Pakistan 3-0 in women’s table tennis.
Key Fact: India’s overall medal tally reached six medals after Day 2.

Suchika Tariyal Wins Historic MMA Bronze for India

Suchika Tariyal became India’s first athlete to win an Asian Games medal in mixed martial arts.
She secured bronze in the women’s traditional -60kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Tariyal defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinal.
She subsequently lost to Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo in overtime in the semifinal.
MMA made its Asian Games debut at the 2026 Games.
Tariyal has also competed in judo, kurash and Jiu-Jitsu.
Key Fact: Tariyal won a World Fighting Jiu-Jitsu title in 2024.

Karan Yadav Appointed First CEO of Indian Super League

Karan Yadav has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Super League.
He announced his appointment on September 21, 2026.
Yadav previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at JSW Sports from April 2023 to September 2026.
As ISL CEO, he will oversee strategy, commercial development, partnerships, broadcasting and sponsorships.
His responsibilities will also include stakeholder coordination and fan engagement.
He brings nearly two decades of experience in sports, media and marketing.
Key Fact: Yadav co-founded football-focused digital platform TheHardTackle.com in 2010.

Smriti Mandhana Becomes Highest Women’s T20I Run-Scorer

Smriti Mandhana became the highest run-scorer in Women’s T20I cricket on September 20, 2026.
She surpassed New Zealand’s Suzie Bates during India’s Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh.
Mandhana scored 37 runs off 19 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Her T20I tally reached 4,788 runs, surpassing Bates’ 4,758.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Chamari Athapaththu follow her on the reported Women’s T20I run-scoring list.
In the same match, Shafali Verma scored an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls.
Key Fact: Mandhana’s reported international career tally reached 10,966 runs across formats.

Savita Punia Becomes India’s Most-Capped Women’s Hockey Player

Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia became the most-capped player in Indian women’s hockey.
She surpassed Vandana Katariya’s record of 320 senior international appearances.
Savita achieved the milestone during India’s Pool B match against Indonesia at the Asian Games.
She had equalled Katariya’s record on September 20 after India’s 19-0 win over Uzbekistan.
Hockey India announced a ₹10 lakh cash reward for the milestone.
Savita made her senior international debut in 2009 and has represented India at three Olympic Games.
Key Fact: Savita reached her 300th international cap in February 2025.

Important Days News

World Alzheimer’s Day 2026: Theme, Symptoms and Key Facts

World Alzheimer’s Day 2026 was observed on September 21 during World Alzheimer’s Month.
The day aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The 2026 theme is “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.
Common warning signs include persistent memory loss, confusion and difficulty completing familiar tasks.
Changes in communication, mood and personality can also occur.
Key Fact: Alzheimer’s disease can affect memory, thinking, behaviour and everyday activities.

International Day of Peace 2026: Theme, History and Significance

International Day of Peace is observed annually on September 21 to promote peace, non-violence and cooperation.
The 2026 theme is “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
The United Nations General Assembly established the observance in 1981.
A 2001 resolution designated September 21 specifically as a day for non-violence and ceasefire.
The UN describes people who promote dialogue and local stability as “everyday architects of peace.”
Activities include peace-building initiatives and the Peace Bell Ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York.
Key Fact: September 21 was designated specifically for non-violence and ceasefire in 2001.

Obituaries News

Padma Shri Cardiologist G. Vijayaraghavan Dies at 84

Padma Shri awardee cardiologist Dr. G. Vijayaraghavan died on September 20, 2026, aged 84.
He was born on September 18, 1942, in Perumpuzha, Kollam, Kerala.
He completed his medical degree from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1964.
In 1980, he established India’s first two-dimensional echocardiography laboratory at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
He founded KIMS Healthcare and served as its vice-chairman while leading its Cardiology Department for more than two decades.
He received the Padma Shri in 2009 for medical sciences.
Key Fact: His cremation was scheduled with State honours on September 22, 2026.