Current Affairs 23 September 2026 covers the latest national and international developments important for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence, State PCS and other competitive examinations. Today’s key updates include developments in India’s semiconductor sector, a new India–Mongolia military exercise, defence procurement, rural sanitation, weather forecasting, banking regulations, international gender equality data and important appointments.
Current Affairs 23 September 2026 – National Affairs
1. SEMICON India 2026 Held in New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 5th edition of SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi. The three-day event was held from September 17 to September 19 at Yashobhoomi India International Convention & Expo Centre.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in partnership with Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI).
The theme of SEMICON India 2026 was “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
During the event, 56 MoUs, announcements and strategic initiatives were reported across semiconductor design, fabrication, advanced packaging, equipment, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, research and development and skill development.
A report titled “Semicon India 2.0: From Capacity Creation to Ecosystem Leadership” projected that India’s semiconductor market could increase from nearly USD 64 billion in 2026 to USD 200 billion by 2035.
Exam Point: SEMICON India 2026 focused on strengthening India’s semiconductor and electronics ecosystem.
2. PMKKKY Completes 11 Years
The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) completed 11 years on September 17, 2026.
The scheme was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Mines to improve the quality of life of people living in mining-affected areas.
More than 4.70 lakh projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore have been sanctioned under the scheme.
The programme is implemented through District Mineral Foundations (DMFs), which use funds collected from mining lease holders for welfare and development activities.
3. 100 Weeks Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through Mera Yuva Bharat and the National Service Scheme, launched the 100 Weeks Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan.
The campaign began with the nationwide Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh on September 18, 2026. More than four lakh participants took part across over 1,000 locations.
The campaign follows four key pillars:
- Prevent
- Protect
- Recover
- Lead
The initiative focuses on awareness, prevention, rehabilitation and youth participation in efforts against drug abuse.
4. Nomadic Elephant 2026 Begins in Uttarakhand
The 18th India–Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 began on September 21 at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
The exercise will continue until October 3, 2026.
The exercise involves personnel from the Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces. Training areas include cordon and search operations, room intervention drills, special heliborne operations, cyber security and the use of drones and counter-drone systems.
Exam Point: Nomadic Elephant is an annual joint military exercise between India and Mongolia.
5. Defence Ministry Signs ₹586 Crore Contract for Tank APUs
The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹586 crore contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited (AICPL) for the supply of 3,257 Auxiliary Power Units for T-72 and T-90 tanks.
The order includes:
- 1,657 APUs for T-90 tanks
- 1,600 APUs for T-72 tanks
APUs provide electrical power to critical tank systems such as fire-control equipment, firing circuits and gun stabilisation systems when the main engine is switched off.
The project comes under the Make-II framework and supports indigenous defence manufacturing.
6. Swachh Seva Aankalan Launched
Union Minister C. R. Patil launched Swachh Seva Aankalan (SSA) for monitoring rural sanitation service delivery under Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen 2.0.
The digital self-assessment framework involves Gram Panchayats, Gram Sabhas, Village Water and Sanitation Committees and district, state and Union Territory authorities.
The assessment covers areas such as:
- ODF sustainability
- Visual cleanliness
- Solid and Liquid Waste Management
- Functionality of sanitation assets
- Operation and maintenance
The Gram Sabha will validate the assessment and help identify sanitation gaps.
7. India’s 51st Doppler Weather Radar Inaugurated
Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s 51st Doppler Weather Radar at Jamadarpali in Sambalpur, Odisha.
With this installation, Odisha now has three Doppler Weather Radars at Sambalpur, Gopalpur and Paradip.
The new radar can provide meteorological observations within a 250-km radius, with 150-metre resolution and weather updates every 10 minutes.
The radar will improve rainfall forecasting, storm monitoring and short-term weather nowcasting across several areas of eastern India.
Banking and Finance Current Affairs
8. RBI Issues New Market Risk Capital Directions
The Reserve Bank of India issued the RBI (Commercial Banks – Minimum Capital Requirements for Market Risk) Directions, 2026.
The new framework for minimum capital requirements for market risk under Basel III will come into effect from April 1, 2027.
The RBI also eased certain KYC requirements for Foreign Portfolio Investors by allowing specified documents to be certified by authorised authorities outside India.
9. India’s Software Services Exports Rise
According to an RBI survey, India’s software services exports increased by 8.2% year-on-year to USD 221.4 billion in 2025–26.
The United States remained the largest destination, accounting for 54.1% of India’s software exports, followed by Europe.
The United Kingdom accounted for 15.4% of total software services exports.
10. RBI Cancels Licences of Five NBFCs
The RBI cancelled the Certificates of Registration of five Non-Banking Financial Companies and accepted the surrender of registrations from eight other NBFCs.
The actions were associated with factors including exits from the NBFC business, mergers and regulatory compliance changes.
Among the NBFCs whose registrations were cancelled were Dar’s Financial Services, Rolta Holding and Finance Corporation, Vasudeo Securities, Parsoli Corporation and A C Choksi Financial Services.
11. RNFI Money Gets RBI Approval
RNFI Money Private Limited received RBI approval to undertake cross-border trade remittances.
The approval allows the company to provide regulated foreign exchange, remittance and trade-payment services through its existing network.
The development expands its role in cross-border payments and foreign exchange services.
International Current Affairs
12. Gender Snapshot 2026 Released
UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs released The Gender Snapshot 2026 report.
The report examines progress towards gender equality across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the report, women’s representation in national parliaments increased from 22.3% in 2015 to 27.4% in 2026.
The report also highlighted funding pressures affecting gender-equality institutions and women’s rights organisations.
13. India Participates in G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting
Union Minister Manohar Lal led India’s delegation at the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting 2026 held in Houston, USA, from September 14 to 16.
The meeting focused on:
- Energy security and affordable baseload
- Permitting and regulatory efficiency
- Critical minerals and resilient supply chains
India joined other G20 countries in adopting consensus outcomes concerning household energy access, regulatory efficiency, water reuse and critical-mineral supply chains.
Appointments and Resignations
14. Luke J. Lindberg Appointed WFP Executive Director
Luke J. Lindberg was appointed as the next Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) for a five-year term.
He succeeds Cindy McCain.
Lindberg has served as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture since 2025.
15. Jayanti Prasad Takes Additional Charge as IBBI Chairperson
Jayanti Prasad, Whole-Time Member of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), took additional charge as Chairperson with effect from September 13, 2026.
He succeeded Ravi Mital and will hold the additional charge until November 20, 2026.
Important Days
World Cleanup Day 2026
World Cleanup Day was observed on September 20, 2026.
The 2026 theme was “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities.”
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 20 as World Cleanup Day through Resolution A/RES/78/122.
National Pharmacovigilance Week 2026
National Pharmacovigilance Week 2026 is being observed from September 17 to September 23.
The 2026 theme is:
“Promoting Rational Use of Medicines through Pharmacovigilance – A Step Towards Safer Healthcare.”
The week promotes safe and rational medicine use and encourages reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs).
During the programme, the 7th edition of the National Formulary of India (NFI 2026) was launched.
Current Affairs 23 September 2026 – MCQs
Q1. What was the theme of SEMICON India 2026?
A. Digital India for Global Growth
B. Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem
C. Semiconductor India: From Design to Delivery
D. Electronics for a New India
Answer: B. Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem
Q2. Where did Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 begin?
A. Leh, Ladakh
B. Dehradun, Uttarakhand
C. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
D. Gangtok, Sikkim
Answer: C. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
Q3. Which countries participate in Exercise Nomadic Elephant?
A. India and Japan
B. Mongolia and India
C. India and France
D. Australia and India
Answer: B. India and Mongolia
Q4. What is the value of the MoD contract signed with AICPL for tank APUs?
A. ₹386 crore
B. ₹486 crore
C. ₹586 crore
D. ₹686 crore
Answer: C. ₹586 crore
Q5. Where was India’s 51st Doppler Weather Radar inaugurated?
A. Sambalpur, Odisha
B. Ranchi, Jharkhand
C. Raipur, Chhattisgarh
D. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Answer: A. Sambalpur, Odisha
Q6. Which organisation released The Gender Snapshot 2026 jointly with UN DESA?
A. UNICEF
B. UNDP
C. UN Women
D. UNESCO
Answer: C. UN Women
Q7. Who was appointed as the next Executive Director of the World Food Programme?
A. Carl Skau
B. Luke J. Lindberg
C. Qu Dongyu
D. António Guterres
Answer: B. Luke J. Lindberg
Q8. What is the theme of National Pharmacovigilance Week 2026?
A. Safe Medicines for All
B. Medicines and Public Health
C. Promoting Rational Use of Medicines through Pharmacovigilance – A Step Towards Safer Healthcare
D. Pharmacovigilance for Universal Healthcare
Answer: C. Promoting Rational Use of Medicines through Pharmacovigilance – A Step Towards Safer Healthcare
Q9. Which scheme completed 11 years in September 2026?
A. PM-KISAN
B. PMKKKY
C. PMAY
D. PM Surya Ghar
Answer: B. PMKKKY
Q10. Which institution issued the new Minimum Capital Requirements for Market Risk Directions, 2026?
A. SEBI
B. NABARD
C. RBI
D. PFRDA
Answer: C. RBI
Why Current Affairs 23 September 2026 Matters for Exams?
The Current Affairs 23 September 2026 topics are relevant for both objective and descriptive examinations. Defence exercises, semiconductor developments, RBI regulations, international reports, government schemes, appointments and important days can be useful for General Awareness and Current Affairs sections.
For UPSC and State PCS preparation, candidates should focus not only on the headline but also on the background of schemes, institutions, reports and international organisations. For SSC, Banking and Railway exams, important names, dates, places, themes, amounts and organisations are especially useful for revision.
Regular revision of daily current affairs can help aspirants build a stronger monthly current-affairs database and improve performance in current-affairs-based questions.
Also Read Previous Current Affairs: Current Affairs 22 September 2026
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