Daily Current Affairs — 22 September 2026
· 17 min read · TS Police Hub (Anvil Edtech)
Today's digest covers National Affairs (3rd Anti-Narcotics Task Force conference), Polity & Governance (Supreme Court on arrest, MP's free rural property registration), Defence & Security (Nomadic Elephant, the KAL attack drone, ICGS Savitribai Phule), Economy & Infrastructure (India's largest solar cell plant in AP, Adani's Assam thermal project, Gwalior telecom zone), Science & Technology (ISRO Project NETRA), Environment (WWF conference, WMO & UNEP reports, a new wild cat), International (Iran's Code 100), Awards & Cinema (Oscars entry 'Gondhal', TIFF winner 'Angh'), Sports (Savita Punia, Suchika Tariyal), Important Days (World Rhino Day, India Water Week) and an AP & Telangana Focus — with 10 practice questions.
1. National Affairs
3rd National Anti-Narcotics Task Force Conference
Why in news: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 3rd National Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Conference in New Delhi on 22 September 2026. The two-day conference (22–23 September) is organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the theme 'United Resolve, Shared Responsibility'.
ANTF heads of all 36 states and Union Territories are attending, to firm up a strategy for a 'Drug-Free India' over the next three years. Amit Shah also laid the foundation stones for two new NCB zonal complexes — at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Dehradun (Uttarakhand).
Key facts to remember
- Telangana honoured: Telangana's Anti-Narcotics Task Force was felicitated at the conference as one of the best-performing state task forces.
- About the NCB: The Narcotics Control Bureau is the apex drug-law-enforcement agency, set up in 1986 under the NDPS Act, 1985. It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs; HQ New Delhi.
2. Polity & Governance
Supreme Court: Grounds of Arrest Must Be in Writing
Why in news: The Supreme Court ruled that every arrested person must be informed of the grounds (reasons) of arrest in writing, in a language they understand.
- The safeguard: This flows from Article 22 of the Constitution (protection against arrest and detention). The bench of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar held that it applies to ALL arrests — including under the PMLA and UAPA.
Madhya Pradesh: Free Rural Property Registration
Why in news: Madhya Pradesh became the FIRST state in India to offer free registration of rural properties, under the 'Swamitva Adhikar Abhilekh Nishpadan Evam Panjiyan Yojana-2026', launched by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Indore on 17 September 2026.
- What it does: It waives stamp duty and registration fees for about 50 lakh rural properties across all 55 districts, strengthening land-ownership rights and reducing land disputes.
3. Defence & Security
Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 (India–Mongolia)
Why in news: The 18th edition of Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant', a joint military (Army) exercise between India and Mongolia, began at Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) and runs from 21 September to 3 October 2026.
- The exercise: A platoon-level exercise (about 45 personnel each side) focused on counter-insurgency in semi-urban/mountainous terrain. Conducted since 2006; the previous (17th) edition was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (2025).
- About Mongolia: Capital: Ulaanbaatar; currency: Tögrög. It is a landlocked country between Russia and China.
India's First Indigenous Long-Range Attack Drone 'KAL'
Why in news: India successfully test-fired its first indigenous long-range attack drone, 'KAL', at the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan.
- Key features: A one-way ('kamikaze'/loitering) attack drone with a strike range of about 1,000 km, launched from a vehicle-mounted platform. It was developed by the Noida-based defence firm IG Defence, and uses multi-band GNSS + an inertial navigation system hardened against electronic warfare.
ICGS Savitribai Phule Decommissioned
Why in news: The Indian Coast Guard decommissioned the ship ICGS Savitribai Phule at Karwar (Karnataka) after about two decades of service.
- The vessel: A Sarojini Naidu-class Fast Patrol Vessel built by Goa Shipyard Ltd, commissioned on 28 October 2006. Naming honours Savitribai Phule (1831–1897), a pioneering woman educator and social reformer who (with Jyotirao Phule) opened India's first girls' school at Bhidewada, Pune, in 1848.
4. Economy & Infrastructure
India's Largest Solar Cell Plant (Andhra Pradesh)
Why in news: Premier Energies commissioned India's largest solar cell facility — a 7 GW n-type TOPCon plant — at Naidupeta, in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh.
- The plant: Built on about 101 acres at a cost of roughly Rs 3,293 crore, it can produce about 88,000 solar cells per hour. With it, Premier Energies' total solar-cell capacity reaches 10.6 GW — the highest in the country.
- India's clean-energy standing: India is 3rd in the world in renewable-energy installed capacity (after China and the USA). Non-fossil sources now make up 54.18% of India's installed power capacity — beating the 2030 target of 50%. India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Northeast India's Largest Power Project (Assam)
Why in news: The foundation stone for the Northeast's largest power project — a 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant by Adani Power — was laid at Chapar in Dhubri district, Assam, on 20 September 2026 by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Adani Group director Jeet Adani.
- The project: A coal-based plant of 4×800 MW costing about Rs 48,000 crore, expected to create around 20,000 construction jobs, with phased commissioning from December 2030. 'Ultra-supercritical' technology runs at higher steam temperature/pressure, giving higher efficiency and lower emissions.
Gwalior to Get Asia's First Telecom Manufacturing Zone
Why in news: Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) is set to host Asia's first telecom manufacturing zone, with an estimated investment of about Rs 5,500 crore.
5. Science & Technology
ISRO's Advanced Radar Centre under Project NETRA (Assam)
Why in news: The foundation stone for ISRO's Advanced Radar Research Centre — under Project NETRA — was laid at Chandrapur, near Guwahati, Assam, on 21 September 2026. It is the first facility of its kind in the Northeast.
- What is Project NETRA: NETRA = 'Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis'. It is ISRO's early-warning / Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system to detect and track satellites, defunct spacecraft and space debris, protecting India's space assets from collisions. It uses radars, optical telescopes and a control centre.
6. Environment & Ecology
WWF Global Conservation Conference, Jaipur
Why in news: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the WWF Global Conservation Conference at Jaipur, Rajasthan (21 September 2026), with over 100 countries represented.
- India's conservation gains: Over the last decade India's protected areas grew from about 750 to over 1,000; tiger reserves rose from 47 to 58; and elephant reserves from 30 to 33.
Two Global Reports: Water & Air
- State of Global Water Resources 2025: By the World Meteorological Organization (WMO): it flags continuing groundwater depletion, especially in northwestern India. WMO is a UN specialised agency (est. 1950, HQ Geneva).
- 'Hidden Assets' report: By UNEP with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC): air pollution is linked to about 8.4 million premature deaths in 2025. UNEP: est. 1972, HQ Nairobi (Kenya). The most dangerous pollutant is fine particulate matter, PM2.5.
New Wild Cat Species: Leopardus tilcayo
Why in news: Scientists identified a new 'tiger cat' species, Leopardus tilcayo, in Bolivia (South America) — the first new wild cat species described in about 100 years.
7. International
Iran Activates 'Code 100' Military Alert
Why in news: Iran activated 'Code 100', its highest/maximum military alert (imminent-attack readiness), amid fears of a strike from the USA and Israel.
- Iran's neighbours: Iran shares LAND borders with SEVEN countries: Iraq, Turkey (Türkiye), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
8. Awards & Cinema
'Gondhal' is India's Official Oscars 2027 Entry
Why in news: The Film Federation of India (FFI) selected the Marathi film 'Gondhal', directed by Santosh Davakhar, as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027).
- About the film: Set in rural Maharashtra, it unfolds over a single night around a traditional ritual; it was chosen from 33 submitted films and won a Silver Peacock (Best Director) at the 56th IFFI. The 99th Oscars will be held on 14 March 2027 at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles.
Nagaland Film 'Angh' Wins TIFF Platform Prize
Why in news: 'Angh', a Konyak-language film from Nagaland directed by Theja Rio (his debut feature), won the Platform Prize at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
9. Sports
Savita Punia — Most-Capped Indian Woman Hockey Player
Why in news: Goalkeeper Savita Punia became the most-capped player in Indian women's hockey history, reaching her 321st senior international match at the Asian Games 2026 (vs Indonesia).
Suchika Tariyal — India's First Asian Games MMA Medal
Why in news: Suchika Tariyal (from Haryana) won India's first-ever medal in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) — a bronze in the women's 60 kg (traditional) category, on MMA's Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
10. Important Days
World Rhino Day — 22 September
Why in news: World Rhino Day is observed every year on 22 September to spread awareness about protecting rhinos from poaching and habitat loss. It was first announced by WWF-South Africa in 2010.
- Indian rhino: There are 5 rhino species worldwide. India's is the Greater One-Horned (Indian) Rhino — IUCN status 'Vulnerable'. Kaziranga National Park (Assam) has the highest rhino POPULATION; Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam) has the highest rhino DENSITY.
9th India International Water Week
Why in news: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (22–26 September 2026). The theme is 'Climate Resilient Water Management'.
11. AP & Telangana Focus
Telugu-States Link in Today's News
- Andhra Pradesh: India's largest solar cell plant (7 GW) was commissioned at Naidupeta, Tirupati district (see the Economy section). It is built by Premier Energies — a company headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Telangana: At the 3rd National Anti-Narcotics Task Force Conference (New Delhi), Telangana's ANTF was felicitated as one of the best-performing state task forces.
Practice questions with answers
The 3rd National Anti-Narcotics Task Force Conference (September 2026) was inaugurated by which Union Minister, under what theme?
- Rajnath Singh — 'Drug-Free Youth'
- Amit Shah — 'United Resolve, Shared Responsibility'
- Nirmala Sitharaman — 'Nasha Mukt Bharat'
- Amit Shah — 'One Nation, One Mission'
Answer: (B) Amit Shah — 'United Resolve, Shared Responsibility'
Explanation: Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated it in New Delhi (22–23 Sept 2026) under the theme 'United Resolve, Shared Responsibility'; ANTF heads of 36 states/UTs attended, and foundation stones for NCB zonal complexes at Lucknow and Dehradun were laid. The NCB works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
India's largest solar cell plant (7 GW), commissioned by Premier Energies, is located at:
- Sri City, Andhra Pradesh
- Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh
- Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh
- Hyderabad, Telangana
Answer: (B) Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: The 7 GW n-type TOPCon facility is at Naidupeta, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. With it, Premier Energies' total solar-cell capacity reaches 10.6 GW (highest in India). The company is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. India is 3rd in the world in renewable installed capacity.
Which state became the FIRST in India to offer free registration of rural properties (September 2026)?
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Maharashtra
Answer: (B) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Madhya Pradesh, under the 'Swamitva Adhikar Abhilekh Nishpadan Evam Panjiyan Yojana-2026' launched by CM Mohan Yadav in Indore (17 Sept 2026), covering about 50 lakh rural properties. Do not confuse it with the CENTRAL SVAMITVA Yojana (2020), which drone-maps abadi land and issues property cards.
India's first indigenous long-range attack drone, recently test-fired at Pokhran, is named:
- Nagastra
- KAL
- Rustom
- Tapas
Answer: (B) KAL
Explanation: 'KAL', a one-way ('kamikaze'/loitering) attack drone with a strike range of about 1,000 km, developed by the Noida-based firm IG Defence and launched from a vehicle-mounted platform. Pokhran (Rajasthan) is also India's nuclear-test site (1974, 1998).
The 18th edition of Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant', held at Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), is between India and:
- Nepal
- Mongolia
- Kazakhstan
- Bhutan
Answer: (B) Mongolia
Explanation: Nomadic Elephant is a joint Army exercise between India and Mongolia (18th edition, 21 Sept–3 Oct 2026), conducted since 2006. Mongolia is a landlocked country between Russia and China; capital Ulaanbaatar, currency Tögrög.
India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027), 'Gondhal', is in which language?
- Hindi
- Marathi
- Telugu
- Konyak
Answer: (B) Marathi
Explanation: 'Gondhal' is a Marathi film directed by Santosh Davakhar, chosen by the Film Federation of India. (The Nagaland film 'Angh', in the Konyak language, separately won the TIFF 2026 Platform Prize.) The 99th Oscars are on 14 March 2027 in Los Angeles.
Who became the most-capped player in Indian women's hockey history (321 matches) at the Asian Games 2026?
- Vandana Katariya
- Rani Rampal
- Savita Punia
- Salima Tete
Answer: (C) Savita Punia
Explanation: Goalkeeper Savita Punia ('The Wall of India') reached 321 caps, surpassing Vandana Katariya's 320, in the match vs Indonesia. Hockey India announced a Rs 10 lakh reward. The world hockey body is the FIH.
World Rhino Day is observed on 22 September. What is the IUCN status of India's Greater One-Horned Rhino?
- Critically Endangered
- Endangered
- Vulnerable
- Least Concern
Answer: (C) Vulnerable
Explanation: The Greater One-Horned (Indian) Rhino is IUCN 'Vulnerable'. Kaziranga National Park (Assam) has the highest rhino population; Pobitora WLS (Assam) has the highest density. World Rhino Day was announced by WWF-South Africa in 2010. There are 5 rhino species worldwide.
The 9th India International Water Week (22–26 September 2026), inaugurated by the Vice-President, had which theme?
- Water for Peace
- Climate Resilient Water Management
- Har Ghar Jal
- Rivers for Life
Answer: (B) Climate Resilient Water Management
Explanation: The theme was 'Climate Resilient Water Management'. It was inaugurated by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Union Minister C. R. Paatil).
With reference to ISRO's 'Project NETRA', consider the following statements:
- It is a Space Situational Awareness system to track satellites and space debris.
- A new Advanced Radar Research Centre under it is coming up at Chandrapur, Assam.
- ISRO is headquartered in Ahmedabad.
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong — ISRO's headquarters is in BENGALURU (not Ahmedabad). Project NETRA = 'Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis'; its new radar centre is at Chandrapur, near Guwahati, Assam. ISRO Chairman: V. Narayanan.
తెలుగులో సారాంశం (Telugu summary)
డైలీ కరెంట్ అఫైర్స్ — 22 సెప్టెంబర్ 2026
నేటి డైజెస్ట్: జాతీయ వ్యవహారాలు (3వ మాదకద్రవ్య నిరోధక టాస్క్ ఫోర్స్ సదస్సు), రాజ్యాంగం & పాలన (అరెస్టుపై సుప్రీంకోర్టు, ఎంపీ ఉచిత గ్రామీణ ఆస్తి రిజిస్ట్రేషన్), రక్షణ & భద్రత (నొమాడిక్ ఎలిఫెంట్, KAL దాడి డ్రోన్, ICGS సావిత్రిబాయి ఫూలే), ఆర్థికం & మౌలిక సదుపాయాలు (ఏపీలో దేశ అతిపెద్ద సోలార్ సెల్ ప్లాంట్, అస్సాంలో అదానీ థర్మల్, గ్వాలియర్ టెలికాం జోన్), సైన్స్ & టెక్ (ఇస్రో ప్రాజెక్ట్ నేత్ర), పర్యావరణం (WWF సదస్సు, WMO & UNEP నివేదికలు, కొత్త పిల్లి జాతి), అంతర్జాతీయం (ఇరాన్ కోడ్ 100), అవార్డులు & సినిమా (ఆస్కార్ ఎంట్రీ 'గోంధల్', TIFF విజేత 'అంఘ్'), క్రీడలు (సవితా పూనియా, సుచికా తరియాల్), ముఖ్యమైన రోజులు (వరల్డ్ రైనో డే, ఇండియా వాటర్ వీక్), ఏపీ & తెలంగాణ ఫోకస్ — 10 ప్రాక్టీస్ ప్రశ్నలతో.
పూర్తి తెలుగు పాఠం కోసం పేజీలో భాష మార్చండి (English / తెలుగు).