Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (23rd September, 2026)

National News

India Reaffirms 2030 Goal to Eliminate Hepatitis B and C

• India aims to eliminate Hepatitis B and C as public health threats by 2030.
• Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the strategy at a UNGA 81 side event.
• Focus areas include prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care.
• CDSCO also advised against indiscriminate NSAID and antibiotic use due to Chronic Kidney Disease risks.

KAVACH 4.0 Commissioned on South Central Railway for Safety

• KAVACH 4.0 has been commissioned for the first time on South Central Railway.
• It covers 108 route km between Malkajgiri and Kamareddi in Telangana.
• The system improves train-location accuracy and signal information.
• It integrates with Electronic Interlocking and supports automatic braking to prevent Signal Passing at Danger.

Bay of Bengal Deep Depression to Cross Andhra Odisha Coast

• A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is approaching north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha.
• It is expected to cross near Kalingapatnam by September 23 night.
• Maximum sustained winds are 52–61 kmph.
• Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
• Fishermen have been advised to avoid the affected seas.

BIS Makes Smartphone Screen Protector Certification Mandatory

• BIS certification will become mandatory for smartphone screen protectors from April 1, 2027.
• The requirement follows IS 19348:2025, notified by MeitY.
• Manufacturers and importers must complete certification by March 31, 2027.
• Standards cover strength, durability, optical clarity, adhesive quality and specialised features.

India International Water Week 2026 Begins in New Delhi

• The 9th India International Water Week 2026 began at Bharat Mandapam on September 22.
• Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the event.
• Theme: “Climate Resilient Water Management.”
• Netherlands and Germany are partner countries.
• The SURM Framework and AI/ML-based reservoir sediment management initiative were launched.

State News

Assam Sets January 2027 Deadline for Paperless e-Office System

• Assam has fixed January 1, 2027 as the deadline for paperless e-Office adoption.
• The platform was developed by the National Informatics Centre.
• All 58 Assam Secretariat departments already use the system.
• It enables digital files, signatures, tracking and electronic archiving.
• e-Office District was launched in 2026.

Andhra Pradesh Police Launches AI Drone Portal and SafeStay App

• Andhra Pradesh Police launched CDMP and SafeStay AP in Guntur on September 22.
• CDMP provides centralised live drone feeds with AI monitoring and analytics.
• SafeStay AP tracks real-time hotel and PG occupancy.
• DGP Harish Kumar Gupta unveiled the platforms.
• KL University students and technology experts contributed to their development.

International News

India Fields Largest-Ever Team at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

• India has sent its largest-ever WorldSkills delegation of 70 competitors.
• The team will compete in 63 of 64 categories in Shanghai.
• India is debuting in 11 future-ready skill categories.
• MSDE and NSDC are coordinating the participation.
• India ranked 13th at Lyon 2024, winning four Bronze Medals and 12 Medallions for Excellence.

Bangladesh Appoints Asad Alam Siam as New Envoy to India

• Asad Alam Siam, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, is set to become the new envoy to India.
• He will succeed Riaz Hamidullah, who has served since February 2025.
• Siam previously served as Bangladesh’s envoy to Washington, DC.
• Hamidullah is expected to become Bangladesh’s permanent representative at the UN Office in Geneva.

US Denmark Greenland Sign New Arctic Defense Agreement

• The US, Denmark and Greenland signed an updated Arctic defence agreement on September 22.
• It supplements the 1951 Defense Agreement on Greenland.
• The framework covers military access and defence infrastructure.
• It permits US activities at Pituffik Space Base and provisions for areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.
• NATO Arctic cooperation will also be strengthened.

Banking News

RBI Revises REIT InvIT Valuation Rules for AIFIs

• RBI has revised valuation rules for REIT and InvIT units held by AIFIs.
• Quoted units will follow existing RBI rules for quoted securities.
• Unquoted units will generally use the trust’s disclosed NAV.
• Units without prescribed NAV disclosure will be valued at ₹1.
• The changes have immediate effect under the 2026 Amendment Directions.

Axis Bank Appoints Arvind Subramanian as Independent Director

• Arvind Subramanian has been appointed additional independent director of Axis Bank.
• His four-year term runs from September 23, 2026 to September 22, 2030.
• The appointment is subject to shareholder approval.
• He is currently EVP and MD of Iron Mountain India.
• He previously worked nearly 15 years at Boston Consulting Group.

Economy News

India Records Strongest Global Growth Outlook in WEF Survey

• The WEF September 2026 survey shows strong growth expectations for India.
• 98% of chief economists expect moderate or stronger growth over the next 12 months.
• 74% expect strong or very strong growth.
• WEF had projected 6.7% FY27 GDP growth for India.
• Geopolitical conflicts were identified as a major uncertainty by 97%.

Fitch Raises India FY27 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.9%

• Fitch Ratings raised India’s FY27 growth forecast from 6.4% to 6.9%.
• The revision followed 7.8% GDP growth in the June quarter.
• Investment is expected to rise by over 10%.
• Fitch expects a 25-basis-point RBI rate hike to 5.5% in October.
• Inflation and weak monsoon conditions remain risks.

S&P Raises India FY27 GDP Growth Forecast to 7 Percent

• S&P Global Ratings increased India’s FY27 GDP forecast from 6.6% to 7%.
• Strong industrial output, consumption, exports and government investment supported the revision.
• Growth may moderate in the second half of FY27.
• S&P expects a 25-basis-point RBI rate increase.
• FY27 consumer inflation is projected at 5.1%.

Appointments News

Rajat Sharma Re-Elected NBDA President for 2026-27 Term

• Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of India TV, was re-elected NBDA President.
• His new term is for 2026-27.
• The decision was taken at the NBDA Board meeting on September 23, 2026.
• The association represents 29 broadcasters covering 130 news channels and digital platforms.
• Jayant Mammen Mathew joined the Board of Directors.

Awards News

Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist Features Six Finalist Novels

• The Booker Prize 2026 shortlist contains six novels selected from 163 submissions.
• Authors include M. John Harrison, Marlon James, Luke Kennard, Rebecca Perry, Elizabeth Strout and Douglas Stuart.
• Former winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart are shortlisted again.
• Rebecca Perry’s novel is the only debut work.
• The £50,000 winner will be announced on November 9, 2026.

Defense News

India Japan Air Forces Strengthen Interoperability During Veer Guardian

• Veer Guardian 2026 concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur on September 22.
• The 14-day exercise involved IAF and JASDF.
• India deployed Su-30 MKI, Rafale and LCA Tejas.
• Japan participated with F-2A fighters.
• Training covered air combat, coordinated missions, planning and tactical discussions.

Schemes News

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Completes Eight Years, Expands Healthcare

• AB-PMJAY completed eight years since its September 2018 launch.
• Eligible beneficiaries receive healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually.
• More than 60 crore people have access to the scheme.
• Around 13 crore beneficiaries have received cashless treatment.
• Over 48.54 crore Ayushman cards have been issued.

Modified UDAN Scheme Extends Funding and Boosts Regional Connectivity

• The modified UDAN scheme will enter a new 10-year phase.
• 21 states have signed MoUs with the Centre.
• States will identify high-potential airstrips under the new Challenge Mode.
• Projects will have an 18-month completion target.
• VGF support for airlines has increased from 3 to 5 years.

Sports News

Mirabai Chanu Wins Asian Games Silver After 28-Year Wait

• Mirabai Chanu won silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting category.
• She lifted a combined 198kg: 87kg snatch and 111kg clean and jerk.
• North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won gold.
• Chanu became India’s first Asian Games weightlifting medallist since Karnam Malleswari in 1998.
• She has also won Olympic, World Championships and Commonwealth medals.

Important Days News

International Day of Sign Languages 2026 Highlights Deaf Rights

• International Day of Sign Languages is observed on September 23.
• 2026 theme: “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
• The UN proclaimed the day through Resolution A/RES/72/161 in 2017.
• September 23 marks the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951.
• 2026 marks WFD’s 75th anniversary.