Daily Current Affairs - 24-09-2026

International News

Defence Ministry Signs ₹810.79 Crore Agreement with BDL for SAT-SAAW Weapons

On September 23, 2026,the Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in New Delhi for the procurement of 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) worth ₹810.79 crore, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The SAT-SAAW is a glide bomb weapon designed to attack ground-based airfield infrastructure and runways from a stand-off range of about 100 km using satellite guidance. The weapon can be launched from aircraft such as Jaguar, Hawk and Su-30MKI, as well as helicopters. The weapons are scheduled for delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF) during 2027–28 to 2028–29. The SAT-SAAW system was designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with its equipment manufactured domestically.

India–Central Asia–Europe Economic Corridor Plan

The India–Central Asia–Europe Economic Corridor is a proposed connectivity initiative involving India and Central Asian countries to strengthen trade and economic connectivity through rail and economic links. The corridor plan was announced during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi and involves countries including India and Israel. During the United Nations General Assembly session in New York in September 2026, the United States held discussions with Central Asian leaders regarding the initiative and its further implementation. US President Donald Trump expressed support for advancing the corridor plan.

Reports and Indices

India’s GDP Growth Forecast Raised to 7% for 2026–27

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised its forecast for India’s GDP growth in the 2026–27 financial year from 6.6% to 7%. S&P also raised its forecast from 6.6% to 7%, while Fitch Ratings increased its forecast from 6.4% to 6.9%. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) raised its forecast to 7.1%. India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the April–June quarter of 2026. Moody’s Ratings projected India’s growth at 7% for 2026–27 and identified India as the fastest-growing economy among G20 nations.

Rasipuram Ghee and Its Traditional Production

Rasipuram, located at the foothills of the Kolli Hills in Namakkal district, is a historically significant town in the Kongu region. During the Sangam period, the region was known as Rajapuram and was associated with Valvil Ori, one of the Kadai Ezh Vallalgal. Rasipuram is known for handloom silk sarees, traditional ghee production, and the sago industry. Rasipuram ghee is traditionally prepared by boiling cow and buffalo milk, converting it into curd, churning it to obtain butter, and heating the butter at a controlled temperature to produce ghee; moringa leaves are used during the preparation as a natural preservative. A weekly butter market is held every Tuesday at Rasipuram, where dairy farmers from surrounding villages bring butter for sale. The town is also a major sago and starch production centre, with more than 170 sago factories operating in Rasipuram taluk. The products are distributed across India through SAGOSERVE (Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd.). Rasipuram Ghee is known for its traditional production method and regional identity, and there is a demand for obtaining a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag for the product.

Miscellaneous News

President Droupadi Murmu Addresses Students at Maharaja Sayajirao University Convocation

President Droupadi Murmu addressed students at the 75th Convocation Ceremony of Maharaja Sayajirao University, held in Vadodara, Gujarat. She highlighted the importance of national interest, social welfare and inclusive growth, particularly through the increasing participation of women in higher education and professional fields. She urged students to uphold the constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity in their personal and professional lives. She also highlighted the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology, emphasising human responsibility in determining their direction and application. The President encouraged engineers to develop technologies for improving quality of life, doctors to view healthcare as a service, scientists to develop solutions with human welfare in mind, artists and writers to promote social awareness, and entrepreneurs to create employment and new opportunities.

National News

Ayushman Bharat Scheme Completes Eight Years

The Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme was launched on 23 September 2018 to provide health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. On its 8th anniversary, the scheme had enrolled 48.54 crore beneficiaries, provided more than 13 crore treatments, and empanelled over 39,000 hospitals across India. Medical treatments worth more than ₹2 lakh crore have been provided to beneficiaries through government and private hospitals. The scheme includes major initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Ayushman Digital Mission, and Ayushman Vaya Vandana Scheme. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda stated that the scheme has expanded access to healthcare services across the country.

Supreme Court Delivers Split Verdict on Election Commissioners Appointment Case

On 23 September 2026, a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, delivered a split verdict on whether petitions challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 should be referred to a larger Bench. The 2023 Act replaced the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the selection committee for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The Central Government sought reference of the petitions to a larger Bench, after the Supreme Court reserved its order on the request on 30 July 2026. Justice Dipankar Datta held that the constitutional principles governing the appointment of Election Commissioners had already been settled by a five-judge Constitution Bench judgment of 2023 and therefore a larger Bench was not necessary. That earlier judgment provided for appointments by the President on the recommendation of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Chief Justice of India. Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, however, held that the case involved substantial questions concerning constitutional provisions and should be decided by a Constitution Bench under Article 145(3) of the Constitution. Despite their differing views on the reference to a larger Bench, both judges directed that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice of India for constitution of a Constitution Bench.

Supreme Court Orders ₹12 Lakh Compensation in Gender Discrimination Case

The Supreme Court of India ordered Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to pay ₹12 lakh compensation to Sumitra, a woman from Haryana, after she was denied employment at the IOC plant in Karnal on grounds related to gender. In 1989, recruitment was conducted for LPG cylinder filling work at a daily wage of ₹34, and Sumitra, who was registered with the Employment Exchange, was among 49 shortlisted candidates. She approached the Karnal subordinate court in 1990 against the denial of employment, and in 1993, the district court directed IOC to appoint her as an Office Assistant or equivalent administrative employee, holding that employment could not be denied on the basis of gender. The matter subsequently reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court and later the Supreme Court. By the time the case reached the Supreme Court, Sumitra had crossed the employment age limit; therefore, the Court ordered ₹12 lakh compensation in lieu of employment. The case concerns the constitutional principles of equality before law, equal opportunity in public employment and non-discrimination, reflected in Articles 14, 16 and 15 of the Constitution of India.

Tamil Nadu News

Madras High Court Vacates Stay on Removing Caste Names from Public Places

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed a petition challenging the Tamil Nadu Government Order (G.O.) dated October 6, 2025, which provides guidelines for removing caste-based names from streets, roads, residential areas and water bodies. A Division Bench comprising Justice C.V. Karthikeyan and Justice R. Sakthivel vacated the earlier interim stay on implementation of the G.O. and directed the State Government to identify and rename places left out of the process. The petition was filed by S. Paramasivam of Madurai. The court observed that the Government Order did not warrant objection and that the renaming process could continue.

Keeladi Excavation Report: ASI Officer Amarnath Ramakrishna Responds to Culture Minister’s Remarks

K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, a senior officer of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), led the first and second phases of excavations at Keeladi, Tamil Nadu, while serving as Superintendent Archaeologist. He prepared a 982-page report on the findings of the Keeladi excavations and submitted it to the ASI headquarters. The report was subsequently returned for revisions, after which Ramakrishna was transferred from Tamil Nadu and posted to the ASI Guwahati Circle. In September 2026, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat commented on the release of the Keeladi excavation report, following which Amarnath Ramakrishna responded through Instagram, stating that the report had been submitted through the prescribed procedure.

‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2026’ Awareness Programme Held at Chennai Collectorate

On September 23, 2026, Chennai District Collector S. Malathi Helen inaugurated a cleanliness and environmental protection awareness programme at the Chennai District Collectorate under Swachhata Hi Seva 2026. The programme was organised by the Geo India Foundation on behalf of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The foundation donated two plastic bottle collection bins to the Chennai District Collectorate to promote proper collection and recycling of plastic waste. The campaign focuses on cleanliness in public places, proper plastic waste management, recycling and environmental protection. ONGC officials Priyadharshini and Ranjith and Geo India Foundation founder Priya Jemima participated in the programme.

13-Member Committee to Study Paid Menstrual Leave in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Government has constituted a 13-member committee comprising women members to examine the possibility of granting paid menstrual leave to women employees. The government informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court about the committee in response to a petition filed by R. Mathura of Gomathipuram, Madurai. The petition was heard by Justices G.R. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel. The government stated that the committee would require three months to submit its report. The Madras High Court adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, and directed the committee to submit its report by that date.

Traditional Indian Folk Art Exhibition Held in Chennai

A special art exhibition showcasing the traditional folk art forms of India commenced at the Inco Centre, Adyar, Chennai. Ritu Bhandari, the exhibition coordinator, Mallika Srinivasan, Chairperson of TAFE, and film director Raghuram were among those who visited the exhibition and viewed the paintings.

Sports News

Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver in Weightlifting at 2026 Asian Games

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting event at the 20th Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, lifting a total of 198 kg (87 kg Snatch + 111 kg Clean and Jerk). This was Mirabai Chanu’s first Asian Games medal and India’s first Asian Games weightlifting medal since 1998, when Karnam Malleswari won silver at the Asian Games in Thailand. Mirabai Chanu made her Asian Games debut in 2014 and finished 9th, missed the 2018 Asian Games due to injury, and finished 4th at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. North Korea’s Ri Song-gum won the gold medal with a total lift of 215 kg (94 kg Snatch + 121 kg Clean and Jerk), while Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana won the bronze medal with 191 kg. Mirabai Chanu had previously won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, three World Championships medals, four Commonwealth Games medals, a bronze medal at the Asian Championships, and five Commonwealth Championships medals.

Important Days

International Day of Democracy Observed on September 15

The United Nations General Assembly designated September 15 as the International Day of Democracy in 2007 to promote and strengthen democratic principles worldwide. The observance highlights the importance of democratic participation, citizens’ rights and accountability in governance. For TNPSC preparation, the key facts are that the International Day of Democracy is observed annually on September 15 and was established by the United Nations in 2007.