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22 September 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exam.

Deep-Sea Exploration in India

Why in News?

India’s growing deep-sea exploration capabilities have sparked discussions on balancing access to critical seabed minerals with the conservation of fragile and inadequately studied deep-ocean ecosystems.

India’s Deep-Sea Exploration Landscape

1. Exploration Footprint:

India holds three exploration contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), covering approximately 95,000 sq. km for polymetallic nodules and sulphides in the Indian Ocean.

2. Resource Potential:

India’s 75,000 sq. km Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) block is estimated to contain 366 million tonnes of dry polymetallic nodules.

3. Regulatory Status:

The ISA has approved exploration contracts in the international seabed Area.
Commercial exploitation is yet to commence, pending finalisation of the ISA’s exploitation regulations.

4. Technology Demonstration:

India’s seabed mining system has completed mobility and system-power trials at a depth of 5,270 metres in the CIOB.

5. Seamount Biodiversity:

The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, surveyed 25 seamounts and documented 195 deep-sea species.

5. Hydrothermal Vent Exploration:

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, identified active and inactive hydrothermal vents through autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) surveys.

Significance of Deep-Sea Exploration for India

1. Strengthening Mineral Security:

Assessment of seabed nodules could diversify India’s sources of cobalt and nickel.
This is relevant given India’s reported 100% import dependence for these minerals in 2022–23.

2. Advancing Technological Self-Reliance:

Deep-sea operations promote indigenous capabilities in underwater robotics, human-occupied submersibles and seabed mining systems.
These technologies must operate under extreme pressure and other challenging deep-ocean conditions.

3. Promoting Industrial Development:

Potential commercialisation could support an integrated mine-to-metal value chain.
Associated sectors include subsea robotics, specialised shipbuilding and extractive metallurgy.

4. Expanding Scientific Knowledge:

Deep-ocean surveys help establish ecological baselines in poorly understood habitats.
Such information is essential for assessing environmental impacts before any future commercial extraction.

5. Developing the Marine Bioeconomy:

Deep-sea exploration has led to the isolation of nearly 1,845 microbes.
These organisms can expand India’s genetic resource base and support bioprospecting and industrial biotechnology research.

Challenges of Deep-Sea Exploration

1. Long-Term Ecological Impacts:

Biological evidence of disturbances at benthic test sites even after 44 years points to the exceptionally slow recovery of directly affected abyssal ecosystems.

2. Sediment Plumes:

Particulate matter dispersed over several kilometres during abyssal collector trials can extend disturbance beyond the immediate extraction site.

3. Extensive Baseline Surveys:

India’s 95,000 sq. km ISA contract area requires substantial geological and environmental investigation.
Reliable resource estimates and ecological baselines are necessary for informed decision-making.

4. Dependence on Specialised Technology:

Defects in European-developed syntactic foam reportedly delayed MATSYA-6000’s planned 500-metre dive.
The episode highlighted dependence on specialised foreign components for deep-sea operations.
Uncertain Commercial Viability: The absence of finalised ISA exploitation regulations, unproven industrial-scale extraction systems and uncertain mineral economics create investment-related challenges.

Government Initiatives

1. Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)

Integrates six thematic areas: Deep-sea technology development, Climate services, Marine biodiversity, Ocean surveys and exploration, Ocean energy and freshwater, Marine biology
Seeks to promote the sustainable exploration and utilisation of ocean resources.

2. Samudrayaan Mission

Focuses on developing the MATSYA-6000 human-occupied submersible.
Designed to carry three aquanauts to a depth of 6,000 metres for direct deep-sea exploration.

3. O-SMART Scheme (2021–26)

Supports ocean observation systems and underwater engineering.
Facilitates polymetallic resource exploration in India’s allotted seabed areas.

4. Polymetallic Nodules Programme

Undertakes seabed surveys and develops mining technologies.
Includes extractive metallurgical research in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.

5. Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration

Focuses on identifying potential polymetallic sulphide deposits along Indian Ocean ridges.
Aims to strengthen national assessments of seabed mineral resources.

WMO State of Global Water Resources 2025

Why in News?

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of Global Water Resources 2025, an annual assessment of the global hydrological cycle, highlighting increasing variability in river flows, groundwater levels and glacier mass.

Key Global Findings

1. Declining Normal River Flows:

The past seven years recorded the fewest river basins with “normal” flows since 1991.
This reflects increasing fluctuations between drought conditions and floods.

2. Low Global River Discharge:

2025 was among the driest years for global river discharge in 35 years.
Around 36% of global basin areas experienced below-normal river flows.

3. Groundwater Stress:

About 34% of global groundwater monitoring stations recorded below-normal or much-below-normal groundwater levels in 2025.
Persistent groundwater stress raises concerns over long-term water availability.

4. Continued Glacier Mass Loss:

Glaciers recorded mass loss for the fourth consecutive year.
They lost approximately 1,400 gigatonnes of ice between 2023 and 2025.
Continued glacier retreat increases the risks of flash floods in the short term and water insecurity in the long term.

5. High Human Cost of Water-Related Disasters:

Asia and Africa together accounted for more than 80% of reported deaths from water-related disasters during the preceding five years.

India-Specific Findings

1. Groundwater Depletion

India is experiencing significant groundwater stress, particularly across its northern and north-western regions.
The Ganges–Indus headwater region is among the areas facing substantial groundwater depletion.

2. Major Drivers of Depletion

Uncontrolled groundwater abstraction is a major factor behind aquifer depletion.
Agricultural irrigation is a key contributor to excessive groundwater withdrawal.
Climate variability further intensifies pressure on groundwater resources.

3. Water Quality Concerns

Increasing water temperatures are placing additional stress on freshwater ecosystems.
Agricultural and industrial pollution contributes to deteriorating river-water quality.
These pressures can aggravate processes such as acidification and eutrophication in Indian rivers.

Significance for India

Agricultural Sustainability: Persistent groundwater depletion can threaten irrigation-dependent agriculture.
Water Security: Falling groundwater levels increase vulnerability to water shortages during periods of inadequate rainfall.
Ecosystem Health: Rising temperatures and pollution can affect freshwater biodiversity and ecological functions.
Disaster Management: Greater variability in river flows requires stronger preparedness for both floods and droughts.
Climate Resilience: Glacier loss and changing hydrological patterns underline the need for integrated water-resource management.

Gender Snapshot Report 2026

Why in News?

UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) released the Gender Snapshot 2026, the eighth edition of the annual report assessing global progress, emerging trends and persistent gaps in gender equality across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About the Gender Snapshot Report

The report has been published annually since 2019.
It monitors progress towards gender equality across all 17 SDGs, with particular emphasis on SDG 5: Gender Equality.
The report highlights the gap between existing progress and the targets to be achieved by 2030.

Key Findings of the 2026 Edition

1. Gender Equality Off Track

None of the 18 indicators and sub-indicators under SDG 5 is currently on track to meet the 2030 targets.
At the prevailing pace of progress, achieving global gender equality could take approximately 171 years.

2. Weakening of Gender Institutions

Around one in three national gender equality institutions reported a decline in their institutional power during the preceding two years.
This reflects concerns over the weakening of institutional mechanisms responsible for advancing gender equality.

3. Political Representation

Six out of seven countries are headed by men.
Women account for only 27.4% of parliamentary seats and 35.6% of local government positions

4. Declining Gender-Focused Funding

Bilateral aid directed towards gender equality objectives declined by 13% between 2023 and 2024.
Funding for women’s rights organisations fell by 28% over the same period.

5. Persistent Legal Inequality

No country has achieved complete legal equality between women and men.
Among 131 countries, around 51% continue to have significant legal gaps affecting gender equality.

6. Gender-Based Violence

Nearly one in three women have experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime.
Approximately 316 million women experienced intimate-partner violence during the preceding 12 months.

Greenland

Why in News?

The United States and Denmark announced a new security agreement concerning Greenland that seeks to strengthen US military access while maintaining Danish sovereignty over the territory.

Geographical Profile

1. Location:

Greenland is the world’s largest island.
It lies between the Arctic Ocean and North Atlantic Ocean.
Geographically, it forms part of North America.
Capital: Nuuk.

Greenland | History, Denmark, Trump, Population, Map, Flag, & Weather | Britannica

2. Boundaries:

North: Arctic Ocean
East: Greenland Sea
Southeast: Denmark Strait
South: North Atlantic Ocean
West: Davis Strait and Baffin Bay

3. Canada:

Greenland and Canada are separated by the Nares Strait, with Tartupaluk/Hans Island forming part of the maritime boundary.

Political Status

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Its present autonomy is based on the 2009 Self-Government Act.
Denmark retains responsibility for Foreign affairs and Defence and security
Greenland is not a part of the European Union, despite its association with the Kingdom of Denmark.

Physical Geography

Approximately 80% of Greenland’s landmass is covered by ice.
Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park.
Scoresby Sund on Greenland’s eastern coast constitutes the world’s largest fjord system.
Highest Point: Gunnbjørn Fjeld (3,694 m) in the Watkins Range.

Greenland Ice Sheet and Glaciers

The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second-largest ice sheet on Earth, after the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as Jakobshavn Glacier:

Drains into the Ilulissat Icefjord.
The Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The glacier is among the fastest-flowing glaciers in the world.

Mineral Resources

Southern Greenland’s Gardar Province contains significant deposits of several rare earth and critical minerals.
Important minerals include Tantalum, Niobium, Hafnium, Zirconiu.

North Sea

Why in News?

Denmark inaugurated Project Greensand, described as the European Union’s first commercial offshore Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility. The project stores liquefied carbon dioxide (CO₂) in depleted oil reservoirs beneath the North Sea.

Geographical Profile

The North Sea is a shallow marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean.
It lies between the British Isles and north-western mainland Europe.
Average depth: Approximately 90 metres.
Deepest point: The Norwegian Trench, reaching around 725 metres.
Surrounding Countries:
- West: England and Scotland
- South: France, Belgium and the Netherlands
- East: Germany, Denmark and Norway

Connectivity

Atlantic Ocean: Connected through the English Channel and Strait of Dover.
Baltic Sea: Connected through the Skagerrak and Kattegat.
Ocean Current: North Atlantic Current, a warm ocean current, helps keep many North Sea ports largely ice-free.

Strategic and Economic Significance

1. Hydrocarbon Resources

The North Sea basin contains substantial offshore oil and natural gas reserves.
Offshore petroleum activities are governed within the framework of international maritime law, including principles associated with the 1958 Geneva Convention.
Brent Crude, historically associated with North Sea production, serves as an important global benchmark for crude-oil pricing.

2. Maritime Trade

The North Sea is a major maritime transportation corridor connecting Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
It includes major European ports such as Rotterdam, Netherlands and Hamburg, Germany
Its extensive shipping network makes it strategically important for European trade and logistics.

3. Fisheries

Nutrient-rich shallow areas, including the Dogger Bank, support highly productive fishing grounds.
Important commercial species include Cod, Herring, Mackerel

Project Greensand

Project Greensand is an offshore Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiative.
It involves the transport and geological storage of liquefied CO₂ in subsurface formations associated with former oil reservoirs beneath the North Sea.
The project highlights the potential use of offshore geological formations for long-term carbon storage and decarbonisation efforts.

Tulu Gets Second Official Language Status in Karnataka

Why in News?

The Karnataka Government has granted second official language status to Tulu in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, giving the language greater administrative recognition in its traditional heartland.

About Tulu

1. Language Family

Tulu is a Dravidian language.
It is predominantly spoken along the south-western coastal belt of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district of Kerala.
The broader cultural region associated with Tulu-speaking communities is known as Tulu Nadu.

2. Speakers

The 2011 Census recorded approximately 1.8 million native Tulu speakers.

3. Literary Tradition

Tulu has a rich oral literary and cultural tradition.
Historically, comparatively less written literature developed in the language.

Script and Historical Development

Tulu has historically been written using the Tigalari or Tulu Lipi.
The script is derived from the Grantha script.
Tigalari inscriptions are attested from around 1159 AD.
Contemporary Tulu literature is predominantly written using the Kannada script.

Status and Vulnerability

UNESCO Classification: Tulu is categorised as “Vulnerable” in the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger.
Despite its large speaker base and strong cultural traditions, the language faces challenges related to its transmission, documentation and use in formal domains.

Cultural Significance

The Tulu-speaking region has a distinctive cultural heritage, with traditions such as:

Yakshagana: A major traditional theatre and performing-art form of coastal Karnataka.
Bhoota Kola: A ritualistic performance tradition deeply associated with the cultural landscape of Tulu Nadu.

Tulu and the Eighth Schedule

Tulu is not currently included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The Eighth Schedule presently recognises 22 languages.
Constitutional recognition under the Eighth Schedule is distinct from the official-language status granted by a state or its administrative units.

Hawkish and Dovish Monetary Policy

Why in News?

A recent interest-rate hike by the US Federal Reserve has renewed discussion about whether its monetary policy stance is hawkish or dovish.

Basis	Hawkish Monetary Policy	Dovish Monetary Policy
Primary objective	Prioritises controlling inflation and preventing persistent price pressures.	Emphasises economic growth and employment, especiallywhen inflation is manageable.
Interest rates	Favours raising rates or keeping them elevated.	Favours lowering rates or reducing policy rates.
Policy stance	Contractionary or tighter monetary policy.	Expansionary or easier monetary policy.
Borrowing costs	Makes borrowing more expensive for households and businesses.	Reduces borrowing costs for households and businesses.
Consumption and investment	Can discourage consumption and investment.	Can encourage consumption, investment and economic activity.
Economic growth	May slow economic growth as demand moderates.	Can support economic growth and employment.
Inflationary impact	Helps moderate excess demand and contain inflation.	Excessive monetary easing may intensify inflationary pressures.

How Monetary Policy Transmits to the Economy

Hawkish stance: Higher interest rates tend to raise borrowing costs, moderate spending and investment, and reduce demand-side inflationary pressures.
Dovish stance: Lower interest rates tend to reduce borrowing costs, support spending and investment, and stimulate economic activity.

Revised CBFC Film Certification Guidelines

Why in News?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has notified revised guidelines for film certification, replacing the previous framework issued in 1991.

Key Highlights

1. Existing Age-Based Categories Retained:

The revised guidelines incorporate the UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+ age categories.
These categories were introduced through amendments to the Cinematograph Act in 2025.

2. Restrictions on Content:

The guidelines prohibit the glorification of Violence and sexual violence, Communal sentiments, Anti-national sentiments
They also emphasise safeguards for children, women and other vulnerable groups.

3. Mandatory Narcotics Warning:

Scenes depicting the use or trafficking of narcotic or psychotropic substances must carry the prescribed statutory warning.

4. Holistic Assessment of Films:

Films must be evaluated in their entirety, rather than judging individual scenes in isolation.
Assessment should take into account the context and narrative of the film, the historical period being depicted and contemporary societal standards

5. Compliance with Other Laws:

Film certification remains subject to applicable laws and regulations, including those concerning Tobacco advertising, Animal cruelty, Indecent representation of women, Protection of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

Business Climate Survey 2026

India has been ranked 1st in business climate among 40+ global markets in the latest Business Climate Survey 2026, published by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India.
The survey evaluates the business environment and investment climate from the perspective of companies operating in India.

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