Daily Current Affairs — 26 September 2026
· 20 min read · TS Police Hub (Anvil Edtech)
The Visegrad Group backs India for a permanent UNSC seat; AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal; ADR's defections report (Telangana 3rd) and the Supreme Court upholding Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender's disqualification; record FDI of USD 94.53 billion, Make in India at 12 and India 31st in WEF's tourism index; Haryana's Parali Protection Force and GI Gulbarga tur dal to the Maldives; India–Netherlands MoUs on the Kalpasar project; the SICKLE crop dataset, GalaxEye's OptoSAR satellite and DRDO's first deep-tech TDF project; AP DigiVerify and AP clean-energy approvals; the BRICS Theatre Festival; a new CBSE chairperson and Muthoot FinCorp as BCCI title sponsor; and 26 September days.
1. International
Visegrad Group Backs India for a Permanent UNSC Seat
Why in news: At the first-ever India–Visegrad Group (V4) foreign ministers' meeting, held in New York on 21 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, the four V4 countries supported India's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. India was represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar; Slovakia, which holds the V4 presidency, hosted the meeting.
- What was agreed: The ministers agreed to hold an annual India–V4 business forum and regular foreign-minister meetings, with cooperation in trade, technology, supply chains, defence, connectivity, education and mobility.
2. Polity & Governance
AFSPA Extended in Parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
Why in news: The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) for six more months from 1 October 2026 (to 31 March 2027) in notified 'disturbed areas' of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, after reviewing the law-and-order situation.
- Where it applies: Manipur — the whole state except areas under 13 police stations in 5 valley districts. Nagaland — 9 full districts (including Dimapur, Mon and Kiphire) plus 21 police-station areas in 5 other districts. Arunachal Pradesh — Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts plus three police-station areas of Namsai district.
- Key sections: Section 3 — the Centre, the Governor or a UT Administrator can declare an area 'disturbed'. Section 4 — special powers to the armed forces (search, arrest without warrant, use of force after warning). Section 6 — no prosecution of armed-forces personnel without the Centre's sanction.
ADR Report: 111 MPs and MLAs Switched Parties Since 2022
Why in news: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch reported that between 2022 and 2026, 111 sitting legislators changed parties after winning elections — 26 Lok Sabha MPs, 7 Rajya Sabha MPs and 78 MLAs, across 17 states and UTs.
| Rank | State | Legislators who switched |
|---|
| 1 | Nagaland (all MLAs) | 32 |
| 2 | West Bengal (all Lok Sabha MPs) | 20 |
| 3 | Telangana (all MLAs) | 9 |
- ADR's suggestions: Move the power to decide disqualification from the Speaker/Chairman to the President (for MPs) or the Governor (for MLAs) on the Election Commission's advice; fix a time limit for deciding petitions; bar defectors from public office until re-elected; bring political parties under the RTI Act.
3. Telangana Focus
Supreme Court Upholds Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender's Disqualification
Why in news: On 24 September 2026 the Supreme Court (bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana) dismissed the appeal of Danam Nagender and upheld the Telangana High Court's order disqualifying him as MLA of Khairatabad under the Tenth Schedule. This clears the way for a by-election.
- Background: He won Khairatabad on a BRS ticket in 2023 and, while still an MLA, contested the 2024 Secunderabad Lok Sabha election as a Congress candidate. The Speaker had rejected the disqualification petitions; on 18 September 2026 a Division Bench of the High Court (Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin) set that aside and disqualified him with effect from 23 April 2024.
4. Economy
Record FDI of USD 94.53 Billion in 2025-26
Why in news: India received its highest-ever annual foreign direct investment (FDI) — a total inflow of USD 94.53 billion in 2025-26, up from about USD 81 billion in 2024-25 — Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on 25 September 2026.
- Key numbers: Total vs equity: USD 94.53 billion is the total (gross) FDI; FDI equity inflow alone was about USD 58.8 billion. Cumulative FDI from 2014-15 to 2025-26 is USD 843 billion. Top sources of equity: Singapore (1st), USA (2nd), Mauritius (3rd). Top states: Maharashtra (1st), Karnataka (2nd).
Make in India Completes 12 Years
Why in news: The Make in India initiative, launched on 25 September 2014 to turn India into a global manufacturing hub, completed 12 years on 25 September 2026.
- Key facts: Nodal department: DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It now covers 27 sectors — 15 manufacturing and 12 services. Its logo is a lion made of gear wheels. Anniversary figures: electronics production rose from Rs 1.9 lakh crore (2014-15) to Rs 13.11 lakh crore (2025-26); mobile-phone manufacturing grew about 33 times, making India the 2nd-largest mobile maker by volume.
India Rises to 31st in WEF's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
Why in news: In the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026, India ranked 31st out of 110 economies (score 4.42 out of 7) — up nine places from its recalculated 2024 rank. Japan ranked 1st, the USA 2nd and Spain 3rd.
5. Environment & Agriculture
Haryana's 'Parali Protection Force' Against Stubble Burning
Why in news: Ahead of the paddy harvest, Haryana is deploying a 'Parali Protection Force' at district and block levels to end crop-residue (stubble) burning, as decided at a review chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi to follow the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
- How it works: The force combines police, agriculture and administrative officers, backed by 8,134 village-level nodal officers. Drones will watch fields in real time, and patrols will be stepped up in the evenings and at night. Farmers get Rs 1,200 per acre for managing residue with machines; each verified burning case brings an FIR, a fine and a 'red entry' in the farmer's land records.
GI-Tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal Exported to the Maldives
Why in news: On 24 September 2026, APEDA flagged off a consignment of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives. Farmers received about Rs 82 per kg through this export channel, against a market price of about Rs 60 per kg.
6. Water Resources
India–Netherlands MoUs on Gujarat's Kalpasar Project
Why in news: Two tripartite MoUs for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar project were signed on 24 September 2026 between the Central Water Commission, the Kalpasar Department of the Gujarat government and Dutch institutions Deltares and TU Delft, on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week in New Delhi.
- About Kalpasar: A 60.13-km dam across the Gulf of Khambhat will create a freshwater reservoir of about 8,000 million cubic metres, fed by the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers and Saurashtra's coastal rivers (Narmada water comes in separately through a canal). It is meant to supply drinking, irrigation and industrial water to dry Saurashtra, and about 2,470 MW of hybrid renewable energy is planned on reclaimed land.
7. Science & Technology
SICKLE — a Satellite Dataset to Monitor Crops and Predict Yields
Why in news: Researchers of IIIT-Delhi, with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, developed SICKLE — 'Satellite Imagery for Cropping annotated with Key parameter Labels' — an AI dataset that uses satellite images to identify crops, track their growth stages and predict yields.
- Key facts: It combines images from three satellites — Landsat-8, Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 — and covers four districts of Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta, with paddy as the main crop. It can support crop-insurance, planning and food-security decisions.
TDB Backs GalaxEye's OptoSAR Satellite
Why in news: On 24 September 2026 the Technology Development Board (TDB, under the Department of Science & Technology) signed an agreement to support Bengaluru start-up GalaxEye Space with Rs 63.84 crore for a multi-sensor 'OptoSAR' satellite that combines optical (camera) and Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging at better than 0.5-metre resolution.
DRDO's First High-Value Deep-Tech Project Under TDF
Why in news: On 24 September 2026 DRDO signed its first high-value deep-tech project under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) with Zero mK India Pvt Ltd (Alwar, Rajasthan) to indigenously develop a 20-millikelvin dilution refrigerator — ultra-cold cooling equipment needed for quantum computers.
8. Andhra Pradesh Focus
AP Makes 'DigiVerify' Mandatory for Certificate Checks
Why in news: On 25 September 2026 the Andhra Pradesh government ordered that all government-issued certificates be verified digitally through AP DigiVerify for admissions, welfare schemes and jobs; manual checks are allowed only for certificates not yet on the platform.
- What it is: A blockchain-based platform of the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) that verifies certificates issued through MeeSeva and AP Seva by QR scan, upload or ID search. Both government and private organisations can use it; blockchain records cannot be secretly altered, which stops fake certificates.
AP Cabinet Clears Clean-Energy Projects; 70% Green Power for Data Centres
Why in news: On 23 September 2026 the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved renewable-energy projects under the AP Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, and IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced that data centres in the state must meet 70% of their power needs from renewable sources.
| District | Project |
|---|
| Sri Sathya Sai (Madakasira) | 675 MW solar |
| YSR Kadapa | 118.8 MW solar |
| Nandyal (Midthur) | 24 tonnes/day compressed biogas plant |
| Kurnool | 100 MW wind + solar hybrid |
| Annamayya (Kommuru) | 2,000 MW pumped-storage allotment cancelled |
9. Art & Culture
BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 in New Delhi
Why in news: Under India's BRICS Chairship, the Ministry of Culture will hold the BRICS Theatre Festival in New Delhi from 12 to 14 October 2026, with the National School of Drama as the main venue. Its theme is 'Shared Stories, Shared Futures'.
10. Persons in News & Sports
Mandeep K. Bhandari Appointed CBSE Chairperson
Why in news: The Centre appointed senior IAS officer Mandeep K. Bhandari (2001 batch, AGMUT cadre) as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on 25 September 2026. He was earlier Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir.
Muthoot FinCorp Becomes BCCI Title Sponsor Till 2028
Why in news: BCCI named Kerala-based Muthoot FinCorp as the title sponsor for India's home cricket until 31 March 2028, starting with the first ODI against the West Indies at Thiruvananthapuram on 27 September 2026. It replaces IDFC First Bank.
- What it covers: All international matches played in India (men's and women's senior, A and Under-19 teams) and BCCI domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. BCCI did not disclose the value; media reported about Rs 150 crore.
11. Important Days
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons — 26 September
Why in news: The UN observes 26 September as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons and the goal of a world free of them.
Practice questions with answers
The Visegrad Group, which backed India's bid for a permanent UNSC seat in September 2026, was formed in which country?
- Poland
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Czech Republic
Answer: (B) Hungary
Explanation: The V4 was formed on 15 February 1991 at Visegrád, Hungary, by Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland; after Czechoslovakia split (1993) it has four members — Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. At the first India–V4 foreign ministers' meeting (New York, 21 September 2026) all four backed India's permanent UNSC membership. India has been a non-permanent member 8 times.
With reference to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, consider the following statements:
- Under Section 3, the Centre, the Governor or a UT Administrator can declare an area 'disturbed'.
- AFSPA was withdrawn from Tripura in 2015.
- The Supreme Court struck down AFSPA in the Naga People's Movement of Human Rights case (1997).
- 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: in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997) the Supreme Court UPHELD AFSPA (with safeguards). The Act has now been extended for six months from 1 October 2026 in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh; it was withdrawn fully from Meghalaya in 2018.
According to ADR's September 2026 report on legislators who switched parties after winning (2022–2026), which state ranks 3rd?
- Goa
- Maharashtra
- Punjab
- Telangana
Answer: (D) Telangana
Explanation: Nagaland was 1st (32 MLAs), West Bengal 2nd (20 Lok Sabha MPs) and Telangana 3rd (9 MLAs). In all, 111 legislators switched — 26 Lok Sabha MPs, 7 Rajya Sabha MPs and 78 MLAs. The anti-defection law is in the Tenth Schedule, added by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The courts could examine the Telangana Speaker's decision rejecting the disqualification petitions against Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender.
Reason (R): In Kihoto Hollohan (1992), the Supreme Court held that the Speaker's decision under the Tenth Schedule is subject to judicial review.
- Both A and R are true, and R explains A
- Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
- A is true, R is false
- A is false, R is true
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Both are true and R explains A. Because the Speaker's Tenth-Schedule decision is open to judicial review (Kihoto Hollohan, 1992), the Telangana High Court could set aside the Speaker's order and disqualify Danam Nagender (18 September 2026); the Supreme Court upheld this on 24 September 2026, and a by-election must follow within six months.
India's total FDI inflow in 2025-26, a record, was about:
- USD 58.8 billion
- USD 81 billion
- USD 94.53 billion
- USD 843 billion
Answer: (C) USD 94.53 billion
Explanation: Total (gross) FDI was a record USD 94.53 billion in 2025-26 (vs about USD 81 billion in 2024-25). USD 58.8 billion is the equity-only figure, and USD 843 billion is the cumulative FDI from 2014-15 to 2025-26. The figures were released as Make in India (launched 25 September 2014) completed 12 years.
In WEF's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, which country ranked 1st?
- Spain
- Japan
- USA
- France
Answer: (B) Japan
Explanation: Japan ranked 1st, the USA 2nd and Spain 3rd. India ranked 31st of 110 economies (score 4.42), up nine places from its recalculated 2024 rank; its best pillars are Natural Resources (6th) and Cultural Resources (9th). The index is published every two years.
Match the item in news with its correct description:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. Parali Protection Force | 1. Satellite dataset for crop monitoring (IIIT-Delhi) |
| B. Kalpasar | 2. Andhra Pradesh blockchain certificate verification |
| C. SICKLE | 3. Haryana's drive against stubble burning |
| D. DigiVerify | 4. Gulf of Khambhat freshwater reservoir, Gujarat |
- A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
- A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
- A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
- A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
Answer: (C) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Explanation: Parali Protection Force — Haryana's stubble-burning drive (drones, night patrols, Rs 1,200/acre incentive). Kalpasar — the 60.13-km Gulf of Khambhat dam project (India–Netherlands MoUs). SICKLE — IIIT-Delhi/MSSRF satellite crop dataset (Landsat-8, Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2). DigiVerify — AP's blockchain certificate platform (RTGS). Hence A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2.
DRDO signed its first high-value deep-tech project under the Technology Development Fund to develop which item?
- A hypersonic engine
- An anti-drone laser
- A satellite-guided glide bomb
- A 20-millikelvin dilution refrigerator for quantum technology
Answer: (D) A 20-millikelvin dilution refrigerator for quantum technology
Explanation: The project, signed on 24 September 2026 with Zero mK India (Alwar, Rajasthan), is to build a 20-millikelvin dilution refrigerator — ultra-cold equipment needed for quantum computers — supporting the National Quantum Mission. It is the first project from TDF's Rs 500 crore deep-tech corpus.
The Centre announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for how many crops?
- 14
- 22
- 25
- 30
Answer: (B) 22
Explanation: MSP covers 22 mandated crops — 14 kharif, 6 rabi and 2 commercial (jute and copra); sugarcane gets a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) instead. Tur (arhar) is a kharif crop — GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal (GI in 2019) was exported to the Maldives on 24 September 2026, fetching farmers about Rs 82/kg against a market price of about Rs 60/kg.
The BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 (12–14 October, New Delhi) has which theme?
- One Earth, One Family
- Culture for Peace
- Shared Stories, Shared Futures
- Stage of Nations
Answer: (C) Shared Stories, Shared Futures
Explanation: The theme is 'Shared Stories, Shared Futures'. The festival is organised by the Ministry of Culture under India's BRICS Chairship, with the National School of Drama as the main venue. Earlier, the 11th BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting at Bhopal (8 August 2026) adopted the Bhopal Declaration.
తెలుగులో సారాంశం (Telugu summary)
డైలీ కరెంట్ అఫైర్స్ — 26 సెప్టెంబర్ 2026
భద్రతా మండలిలో భారత శాశ్వత సభ్యత్వానికి విసెగ్రాడ్ గ్రూప్ మద్దతు; మణిపూర్, నాగాలాండ్, అరుణాచల్ ప్రాంతాల్లో AFSPA పొడిగింపు; ADR పార్టీ ఫిరాయింపుల నివేదిక (తెలంగాణ 3వ స్థానం), ఖైరతాబాద్ ఎమ్మెల్యే దానం నాగేందర్ అనర్హతను సమర్థించిన సుప్రీంకోర్టు; రికార్డు స్థాయిలో USD 94.53 బిలియన్ FDI, మేక్ ఇన్ ఇండియాకు 12 ఏళ్లు, WEF పర్యాటక సూచీలో భారత్ 31వ స్థానం; హర్యానా 'పరాలి ప్రొటెక్షన్ ఫోర్స్', మాల్దీవులకు GI గుల్బర్గా కందిపప్పు; కల్పసర్ ప్రాజెక్టుపై భారత్–నెదర్లాండ్స్ ఒప్పందాలు; SICKLE పంటల డేటాసెట్, GalaxEye OptoSAR ఉపగ్రహం, DRDO తొలి డీప్-టెక్ TDF ప్రాజెక్ట్; ఏపీ డిజివెరిఫై, ఏపీ క్లీన్ ఎనర్జీ అనుమతులు; బ్రిక్స్ థియేటర్ ఫెస్టివల్; CBSE కొత్త ఛైర్పర్సన్, BCCI టైటిల్ స్పాన్సర్గా ముత్తూట్ ఫిన్కార్ప్; సెప్టెంబర్ 26 దినోత్సవాలు.
పూర్తి తెలుగు పాఠం కోసం పేజీలో భాష మార్చండి (English / తెలుగు).