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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Wednesday, 23 September 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay raises health insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has quintupled the health insurance coverage under the state's flagship scheme, significantly expanding the financial protection for beneficiaries. (Social welfare; state health policy) - Tamil Nadu Govt to extend Free Breakfast Scheme to Middle School students
— The current TVK government is expanding the free breakfast programme (originally launched by the previous DMK government) to cover middle school students, widening its reach beyond primary schools. (State welfare schemes; education policy) - Madras High Court rules no sanction required under BNSS to prosecute public servants for disproportionate assets
— Justice V. Lakshminarayanan refused to discharge former DMK Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam and family in a disproportionate assets case, clarifying the legal position under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. (BNSS; anti-corruption law; GS Paper II) - Annai Velankanni Shrine becomes a Minor Basilica
— The shrine is now the 30th basilica in India, a significant ecclesiastical designation. (Tamil Nadu heritage; static GS) - Fishermen plan protest against new Secretariat project at Foreshore Estate on Sept. 29
— Fishing communities oppose the proposed Secretariat construction at Foreshore Estate, Chennai, citing lack of government action to withdraw the plan. (State governance; coastal community rights) - MDMK's Vaiko urges CM Vijay to reject PM SHRI three-language scheme
— MDMK chief Vaiko called on the TVK government to refuse the PM SHRI scheme, framing it as Hindi imposition; Tamil Nadu continues its two-language policy. (Language policy; Centre-State relations; education)
India — National
- Drug trade to be uprooted by end of 2029: Amit Shah
— Union Home Minister, addressing a national anti-drug conference, directed enforcement agencies to dismantle entire trafficking chains using financial investigations and digital tracing. (Internal security; MHA; GS Paper III) - IAF to host second edition of multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti 26 this week
— The Indian Air Force's major multinational air exercise returns for its second edition, strengthening defence interoperability with partner nations. (Defence; GS Paper II/III) - EC announces biennial polls on October 16 for 11 Rajya Sabha seats
— The Election Commission has scheduled Rajya Sabha biennial elections covering seats across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. (Constitutional bodies; Rajya Sabha; GS Paper II) - Over 4,200 books withdrawn from circulation in J&K — 94% in Kashmir
— A significant book withdrawal exercise has been carried out in Jammu & Kashmir, raising concerns about press and academic freedom. (Civil liberties; J&K governance) - Centre doubles validity of environmental clearances for ports to minimum 20 years
— The Union government has extended the minimum validity of environmental clearances for port projects from 10 to 20 years, aiming to boost infrastructure investment. (Environment law; port policy; MoEFCC) - Sonam Wangchuk leads 20-km Ladakh march on September 23
— Climate activist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk led a march in Ladakh, continuing his campaign for Sixth Schedule status and statehood for the Union Territory. (Ladakh UT; Sixth Schedule; tribal rights; GS Paper II) - Maharashtra SIR: 30% electorate likely to be disenfranchised, says Congress
— Congress delegation flagged anomalies in Maharashtra's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls to the Chief Electoral Officer, seeking a two-month extension. (Election law; voter rights; GS Paper II)
Economy & Finance
- India-New Zealand FTA ratified, to come into effect on October 20
— New Zealand will remove tariffs on all goods imported from India; India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95% of current NZ imports, with sensitive sectors like dairy protected. (International trade; FTA; GS Paper II/III) - Economy maintains strong start to FY27: Industrial production rises 6.7% in July
— India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew 6.7% in July, indicating continued manufacturing momentum early in the fiscal year. (Economy; IIP data; GS Paper III) - Inflation rates rise in August; eyes turn to RBI's October meeting
— Elevated inflation in August has increased scrutiny of the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee ahead of its October review. (Monetary policy; RBI; inflation; GS Paper III) - Cabinet approves eight multitracking railway projects to decongest lines
— The Union Cabinet cleared eight multitracking infrastructure projects aimed at expanding railway capacity and easing freight and passenger congestion. (Railway infrastructure; GS Paper III) - After October 1, non-eKYC households will only receive smaller LPG refills at market prices
— Consumers who complete Biometric Authentication/Aadhaar-based KYC will continue receiving regulated-price LPG with subsidy; others lose the benefit. (LPG subsidy; direct benefit transfer; GS Paper II)
Science & Technology
- Gaganyaan parachute system explained
— ISRO's Gaganyaan crew module requires multiple parachutes for safe re-entry; the system undergoes rigorous testing to handle supersonic and subsonic deceleration phases. (ISRO; human spaceflight; GS Paper III) - Heart disease kills 28.6 lakh Indians annually; treatment remains uneven
— Cardiovascular disease is India's leading cause of death, with access gaps driven by distance, equipment shortages, specialist scarcity, and high costs. (Public health; GS Paper II) - Ecologists urge study of imminent 'Super' El Niño
— Scientists warn that an intensifying El Niño could severely impact India's agriculture, monsoon patterns, and natural ecosystems, calling for urgent policy preparedness. (Climate science; disaster preparedness; GS Paper I/III) - NIT-Srinagar to open campus observatory with 14-inch telescope
— Developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, the observatory will provide students hands-on astronomical research experience. (Higher education; science infrastructure)
Environment
- World Rhino Day: India-Bhutan joint conservation highlighted
— A translocation programme has rebuilt the one-horned rhino population in Manas Tiger Reserve from zero to 48 in 20 years; cross-border movement into Bhutan now poses new challenges. (Wildlife conservation; Project Rhino; GS Paper III) - Kerala research team records 3,261 flowering plant species in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
— A new checklist by the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute reaffirms the Western Ghats as a globally significant biodiversity hotspot. (Biodiversity; Western Ghats; GS Paper III) - State of India's Environment 2026 Report highlights rising climate risks and pollution monitoring gaps
— The CSE-DTE report flags increasing wildlife conflicts, climate vulnerabilities, and inadequate pollution tracking across India. (Environmental governance; GS Paper III)
Sports
- Asian Games 2026: Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu headline India's campaign
— India's marquee athletes take centre stage at the Asian Games 2026; Jay Meena reached the men's soft tennis singles quarterfinal; India defeated Philippines in men's sepak takraw regu. (Asian Games 2026; GS Sports) - Asian Games 2026: Wrestler Deepak gets favourable Delhi High Court order
— The Delhi High Court directed authorities to consider Deepak's inclusion in the Indian wrestling contingent and provide permissible relief within three days. (Sports law; Asian Games 2026)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred with Padma Bhushan
— The first female judge of the Supreme Court of India has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, recognising her landmark contributions to the Indian judiciary. (Padma Awards; judiciary; historic firsts — GS Paper II) - Former CJI J.S. Khehar awarded Padma honour
— Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, former Chief Justice of India whose decisions frequently differed from government positions, has received a Padma award. (Judiciary; Padma Awards) - Former SC Justice K.T. Thomas awarded Padma Vibhushan
— Justice K.T. Thomas, known for landmark judgments including on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan. (Padma Vibhushan; Supreme Court) - Justice Manikumar appointed new SHRC Chairman
— Justice Manikumar has been appointed as the Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission. (Human rights institutions; appointments)
International
- India-New Zealand FTA to take effect October 20
— The ratified trade agreement will eliminate all NZ tariffs on Indian goods while India reduces tariffs on 95% of NZ imports; dairy and sensitive agriculture sectors protected. (Bilateral trade; FTA; GS Paper II) - Macron urges UN to uphold rule of law; raises Gaza, Ukraine concerns
— French President Emmanuel Macron at the UN General Assembly called for multilateral solutions over unilateral force, flagging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stalled Ukraine peace talks. (UN; multilateralism; India's foreign policy context) - India-Canada FTA: Next round of talks from October 5
— Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed the fourth round of India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement talks concluded on September 18; fifth round begins October 5. (Trade diplomacy; CEPA; GS Paper II)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 Annai Velankanni Shrine (Tamil Nadu) has become India's 30th Minor Basilica (September 2026)
- 🔹 India-New Zealand FTA comes into effect on October 20, 2026 — NZ removes 100% tariffs on Indian goods; India removes/reduces tariffs on 95% of NZ imports
- 🔹 Justice M. Fathima Beevi — first female Supreme Court judge of India — awarded Padma Bhushan; Manas Tiger Reserve one-horned rhino population restored from zero to 48 in 20 years via translocation