Daily Current Affairs & GK – 23 September 2026
Daily Current Affairs and GK – 23 September 2026: Important national, international, economy and banking, appointments, science and technology, sports and culture, awards and recognition, obituary, important days and static GK for UPSC, SSC, IBPS, Banking, RRB, NTPC, State PSC and other competitive examinations.
National
1. Ayushman Bharat completes eight years
Ayushman Bharat completed eight years on 23 September 2026. The Prime Minister highlighted that more than 60 crore beneficiaries now have access to ₹5 lakh annual health cover under the programme.
He also noted that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have recorded more than 500 crore visits, strengthening primary healthcare at the grassroots.
Exam Point:
Programme: Ayushman Bharat
Major health-cover component: PM-JAY
Annual cover: ₹5 lakh
2026 milestone: 8 years
2. 11th Ayurveda Day celebrated in Nagpur
The 11th Ayurveda Day was celebrated across India and internationally on 23 September, with the main national programme held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
The 2026 theme was “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow.”
The occasion saw the launch of the first Ayush Services Sector Report, Ayush Vision 2030, the CCRAS–AGNI Assessment Scale Web Portal, safety dossiers on medicinal plants and Standard Treatment Guidelines on skin disorders.
3. India strengthens digital-device security framework
The government highlighted the risks associated with IMEI tampering and misuse of mobile-device identifiers.
The Department of Telecommunications stated that the active wireless mobile subscriber base had reached 1,204.01 million in July 2026. The government also highlighted the role of Sanchar Saathi, CEIR and the Device Setu–ICDR system in strengthening device authenticity and telecom security.
4. DRI seizes 86 live Tokay Geckos in Assam
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 86 live Tokay Geckos in Assam and arrested two persons in a wildlife-trafficking case.
The animals were recovered at Mariani, Assam, and handed over to the Forest Department. Tokay Gecko is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Appendix II of CITES.
5. DRI seizes 10,000 kg of firecrackers at Nhava Sheva
DRI officers seized approximately 10,000 kg of firecrackers, comprising about 19,800 pieces, at Nhava Sheva Port.
The fireworks had allegedly been concealed behind declared cargo. DRI said the import of firecrackers is a restricted activity under the Foreign Trade Policy and requires the prescribed authorisations and licences.
6. President Murmu attends 75th convocation of MS University of Baroda
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 75th Annual Convocation of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The event highlighted the university's contribution to higher education, research and national development.
7. Prasar Bharati expands its digital public-broadcasting ecosystem
A PIB backgrounder highlighted the development of WAVES OTT and MyWAVES, reflecting Prasar Bharati's transition towards a digital public-service ecosystem.
WAVES OTT combines live television, radio, on-demand programmes, archives, education and publications. MyWAVES allows citizens to create, upload and share original content.
International
1. First V4+India Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New York
The first V4+India Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York under the Slovak Presidency of the Visegrád Group.
The V4 comprises Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The meeting opened another platform for engagement between India and the Central European grouping.
2. UN marks 40 years of the Declaration on the Right to Development
The United Nations held a high-level meeting on 23 September 2026 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
The declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986 and recognises development as an inalienable human right.
3. UN Climate Summit 2026 focuses on faster climate action
UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened leaders from governments, business, finance and civil society for the Climate Summit 2026.
Discussions focused on accelerating clean-energy deployment, increasing climate finance, strengthening resilience and advancing a just energy transition.
4.India reiterates commitment to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030
India reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as public-health threats by 2030 at a side event of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The commitment highlights the importance of screening, vaccination, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of transmission.
Economy and Banking
1. OECD projects global growth at 2.9% in 2026
The OECD Interim Economic Outlook – September 2026 projected global economic growth of 2.9% in 2026 and 3.0% in 2027.
The OECD said the global economy had absorbed the energy shock associated with the Middle East conflict better than initially expected, partly because of alternative supply routes, strategic-reserve releases, additional production outside the Gulf and lower oil demand.
2. OECD projects India's FY2026–27 growth at 7.1%
The OECD projected India's real GDP growth at 7.1% in FY 2026–27, followed by 6.5% in FY 2027–28.
The report cited strong recent momentum but said reduced purchasing power could weigh on growth in the second half of the year.
3.RBI absorbs ₹75,026 crore through overnight VRRR auction
The Reserve Bank of India absorbed ₹75,026 crore from the banking system through an overnight Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction. The cut-off and weighted-average rate was 5.24 percent. RBI data showed surplus liquidity of approximately ₹4.45 trillion as of 22 September.
Exam Relevance:
- VRRR auctions are used to absorb excess liquidity.
- Banks park funds with the RBI for a specified period.
- The RBI also used open-market sales of government securities to manage liquidity.
Science and Technology
1. India highlights security risks associated with IMEI tampering
The Department of Telecommunications highlighted unlawful manipulation of IMEI numbers, which can make device identification and network security more difficult.
Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, tampering with telecommunication identifiers can attract imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both. The government also advised citizens to use the Sanchar Saathi platform to check device details.
2. WAVES OTT expands India's digital public-media ecosystem
WAVES OTT, launched by Prasar Bharati in November 2024, has expanded into a multilingual platform carrying television, radio, archives, education, publications and on-demand content.
The platform has also introduced MyWAVES, which enables citizens and emerging creators to submit and share original digital content.
Sports and Culture
1. Mirabai Chanu wins silver at Asian Games
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women's 49 kg weightlifting event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The medal was confirmed on 23 September, adding another podium finish for India's weightlifting contingent.
2. India wins bronze in men's skeet team event
Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill and Mairaj Ahmad Khan won the bronze medal in the men's skeet team event at the Asian Games.
The achievement was congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
3. India wins bronze in women's skeet team event
Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Maheshwari Chauhan and Raiza Dhillon won the bronze medal in the women's skeet team event at the Asian Games.
4. Jay Meena becomes India's first Asian Games medallist in soft tennis
Jay Meena won the bronze medal in the men's individual soft tennis event, becoming India's first-ever Asian Games medallist in soft tennis.
The achievement marked a significant milestone for the sport in India.
Awards and Recognition
Ayush Quality Mark certifications presented
During the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations, Ayush Quality Mark certificates were presented to four industries as part of efforts to promote quality and standardisation in the Ayush sector.
The event also launched new safety dossiers, treatment guidelines and other initiatives aimed at strengthening evidence-based Ayurveda.
Appointments
Khalilur Rahman presides over the 81st UN General Assembly
Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh is serving as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The position is held for one year and involves presiding over plenary meetings and representing the Assembly in its institutional capacity
Obituary
Dr G. Vijayaraghavan passes away
Dr G. Vijayaraghavan, a Padma Shri awardee and noted cardiologist, passed away at the age of 84.
His death was reported in connection with the medical and public-health community, where he had been recognised for his contribution to cardiology and healthcare.
Days Observed
1.International Day of Sign Languages – 23 September
The International Day of Sign Languages was observed on 23 September.
The 2026 theme was:
“Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
The date commemorates the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951. The UN General Assembly proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages in 2017, and the day was first observed in 2018.
2.Ayurveda Day – 23 September
India observed the 11th Ayurveda Day on 23 September 2026.
Theme: “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow.”
The national celebration was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Static GK for Exam Preparations
Ayushman Bharat
- Launched: 2018
- Major hospitalisation component: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
- Annual health cover under PM-JAY: ₹5 lakh per family
- Primary healthcare component: Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
- 2026 milestone: 8 years
Ayurveda Day
- 2026 edition: 11th
- Date: 23 September
- Main venue: Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Theme: Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow
- Fixed annual date since 2025; earlier linked to Dhanteras.
IMEI
- Full form: International Mobile Equipment Identity
- Usually a 15-digit unique number
- Used to identify mobile devices on telecom networks.
- First eight digits: Type Allocation Code (TAC)
- Users can check a device's IMEI using *#06#.
- Sanchar Saathi can be used for device verification.
International Day of Sign Languages
- Date: 23 September
- UN resolution: A/RES/72/161
- First observed: 2018
- WFD founded: 23 September 1951
- 2026 theme: Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights
- 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the WFD.
OECD
- Full form: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- OECD Interim Economic Outlook September 2026:
- Global growth 2026: 2.9%
- Global growth 2027: 3.0%
- India FY2026–27: 7.1%
- India FY2027–28: 6.5%
Tokay Gecko
- Scientific name: Gekko gecko
- Type: Gecko
- Wildlife trade status: Listed in CITES Appendix II
- In India, it is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; DRI reported a seizure of 86 live specimens in Assam on 23 September.
Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026
- Edition: 20th Asian GamesHost: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- Dates: 19 September–4 October 2026
- Mirabai Chanu: Women's 49 kg silver
- Jay Meena: Men's individual soft tennis bronze
- India: Bronze in men's and women's skeet team events.
Variable Rate Reverse Repo
- Conducted by: Reserve Bank of India
- Purpose: Absorb surplus liquidity
- Rate: Determined through auction
- Difference from fixed reverse repo: The interest rate varies according to the auction outcome.
Viral Hepatitis
- Hepatitis B and C are viral infections affecting the liver.
- Prevention and control require vaccination, safe blood and injection practices, screening, diagnosis and treatment.
- India’s stated public-health objective: Eliminate Hepatitis B and C as public-health threats by 2030.
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