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Support23 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.
Reformed Multilateralism for Global Development
Why in News?
- During the 81st United Nations General Assembly, a coalition of middle powers launched the Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity (P4M) initiative.
About P4M
- Conceptualised by: Leaders from the European Union, Brazil, Canada and Kenya.
- Initial co-sponsors: India, Australia and Barbados.
- Objective: To advance UN reforms in alignment with the UN80 initiative and respond to growing global fragmentation.
- Strategic approach: Reflects the Carney Doctrine, seeking to provide an alternative to intense competition among major powers, including the United States, China and Russia.
Why Multilateralism Matters for Global Development
- Provision of global public goods: Tackling the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution—requires coordinated international action.
- Development finance: Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) help mobilise concessional and long-term funding for climate action and socio-economic development in the Global South.
- Protection of trade: A rules-based multilateral trading system can protect developing economies from arbitrary tariffs while supporting resilient and diversified supply chains.
Why Traditional Multilateralism Requires Reform
- Superpower polarisation: Unilateral actions and zero-sum geopolitical rivalries weaken international consensus and often place hard-security concerns ahead of socio-economic development.
- Institutional limitations: Established institutions face bureaucratic inertia and overlapping mandates, while struggling to address emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
- Underrepresentation of the Global South: Post-Second World War institutions do not adequately reflect the contemporary demographic and economic weight of developing countries, raising concerns about their legitimacy.
- The “4F” crisis: Major powers increasingly use sanctions, export controls and tariffs in ways that disrupt the supply of Food, Fuel, Fertilisers and Finance, placing pressure on vulnerable economies.
- Development financing gap: Developing countries face an estimated $4 trillion annual financing shortfall, aggravated by high borrowing costs, credit-rating biases and sovereign debt distress.
- WTO challenges: The multilateral trading system faces difficulties arising from the use of tariffs as geopolitical tools, plurilateral industrial subsidies and the weakened functioning of the WTO Appellate Body.
India’s Role in Advancing Reformed Multilateralism
1. Reforming global institutions:
- Advocates expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- Supports realignment of quotas in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
- Calls for reforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address post-war power imbalances and strengthen a fair, rules-based multipolar order.
2. Advocacy for the Global South:
- Facilitated the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20 during India’s 2023 G20 Presidency.
- Hosted the Voice of Global South Summits to bring developing countries’ priorities into international discussions.
3. Promoting global public goods:
- Advances Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the India Stack to support accessible and scalable digital solutions.
- Promotes climate cooperation through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
4. Diversifying development finance:
- Engages with the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
- Supports reform of Multilateral Development Banks and broader access to counter-cyclical financing beyond traditional conditional lending.
Article 22(1) Safeguards Against Unconstitutional Arrest
Why in News?
- In Jaskaran Jeet Singh Deol v. State of Punjab (2026), the Supreme Court strengthened constitutional safeguards governing arrest and laid down additional safeguards for re-arrest following an unconstitutional arrest. The judgment was delivered on 21 September 2026 by a Bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Atul S. Chandurkar.
Article 22(1): Constitutional Safeguard Against Arbitrary Arrest
- Article 22(1) provides that an arrested person must be informed of the grounds of arrest as soon as possible.
- Has the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice. - The Supreme Court reiterated that the grounds of arrest must be provided in writing, in a language understood by the accused, and that a copy must be furnished at the earliest.
Key Rulings of the Supreme Court
1. Violation of Article 22(1) Vitiates the Arrest
- Failure to furnish written grounds of arrest amounts to a violation of the fundamental right under Article 22(1).
- Such violation renders the arrest and subsequent custody unconstitutional.
- The Court clarified that a later filing of a chargesheet or taking of cognisance by a court cannot retrospectively validate an unconstitutional arrest.
2. Applies Across Criminal Laws
- The protection under Article 22(1) is not confined to any particular statute.
- It applies across the criminal justice framework, including arrests under special enactments.
- The Court treated the safeguard as a mandatory constitutional requirement rather than a mere procedural formality.
3. Immediate Release from Unconstitutional Custody
- Where violation of Article 22(1) is established, the accused must be released from the illegal and unconstitutional detention.
- Such release is distinct from ordinary bail; it is a consequence of the constitutional violation.
Safeguards for Re-Arrest
- The Court clarified that release following an unconstitutional arrest does not create permanent immunity from a subsequent lawful arrest. However, re-arrest cannot be left solely to the discretion of the authority responsible for the original violation.
Procedure Prescribed by the Court
- Written grounds must first be supplied
- Before seeking re-arrest, the investigating agency must furnish the accused with the grounds of arrest in writing. - Fresh application before Magistrate: If custodial interrogation is considered necessary, the investigating agency must approach the concerned Magistrate with an application explaining
- The reasons for seeking re-arre
- Why the grounds of arrest were not furnished initially. - Superior-officer endorsement
- The application must carry the endorsement of the immediate superior authority to ensure institutional oversight of the earlier constitutional violation. - Independent judicial scrutiny: The Magistrate must examine the application and determine whether
- There were bona fide reasons for the initial failure to furnish the grounds; and
- Fresh custody is genuinely necessary.
- Re-arrest can proceed only after the Magistrate grants the requisite judicial approval. - Departmental accountability
- Where re-arrest is sought after such a violation, the Court directed that the investigation be transferred to another officer and that a departmental inquiry be initiated against the officers responsible for the original constitutional breach.
Judicial Rationale
- The Supreme Court emphasised that the authority responsible for violating Article 22(1) should not have unilateral discretion to re-arrest the same person.
- Requiring judicial imprimatur introduces an independent check between the original constitutional violation and any subsequent deprivation of liberty.
Transforming Rural Sanitation Through Collective Action and Behaviour Change
Why in News?
- Sanitation coverage in India increased from 39% in 2014, when the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched, to 100% rural sanitation coverage by 2019.
- Between 2014 and 2019, more than 10.28 crore toilets were constructed across 36 States and Union Territories, leading to the declaration of rural India as Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2019.
Key Initiatives for Enhancing Rural Sanitation
1. ODF Plus Villages
- ODF Plus villages aim to sustain ODF status while ensuring effective solid and liquid waste management.
- These villages are categorised into three progressive stages:
|
Category |
Key Features |
|
Aspiring |
Manages either solid or liquid waste. |
|
Rising |
Manages both solid and liquid waste. |
|
Model |
Manages both waste streams, maintains visual cleanliness and displays ODF Plus messaging. |
- Progress (September 2026): India has achieved 5.69 lakh ODF Plus villages, including 5.25 lakh ODF Plus Model villages.
2. GOBARdhan Initiative
- Full form: Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan.
- A flagship umbrella initiative under SBM-G Phase II, aimed at converting cattle dung, agricultural residues and other organic waste into Biogas and Compressed Biogas and Organic manure and bio-slurry.
- Progress: 1,314 GOBARdhan biogas plants are operational across 582 districts.
- At the household level, 12.22 crore individual toilets and 98,273 biogas plants have been constructed.
3. Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS)
- Launched in 2017, SHS is an annual cleanliness campaign that encourages citizen participation and strengthens the Jan Bhagidari approach.
- 2026 theme: “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”
Best Practices for Collective Action and Behaviour Change
1. From Toilet Construction to Habit Formation
- Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) places Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) at the centre of sustaining ODF outcomes.
- Households are encouraged to use toilets safely and adopt appropriate sanitation practices.
- Manage wet waste through compost pits and biogas plants.
2. Women as Agents of Change
- SBM-G guidelines provide special preference to women as Swachhagrahis and recognise the role of DAY-NRLM Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in behaviour change communication.
Examples of community-led initiatives:
- Howrah, West Bengal: SHGs conducted a plastic removal drive across 18 Ganga-adjacent Gram Panchayats, collecting 9.32 tonnes of plastic waste in 18 days.
- Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: Around a dozen SHG women operate a Resource Recovery Centre, collecting household waste and segregating it into wet and dry waste.
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: A Cluster Level Federation operates a Material Recovery Facility under an MoU with SBM-G for the sale and purchase of collected plastic waste.
3. Schools as Drivers of Sanitation Behaviour
- SBM-G Phase II recognises schools as important institutions for sustaining sanitation outcomes.
- Chandil, Jharkhand: A school prohibited single-use plastic and constructed a soak pit to manage greywater—domestic wastewater from kitchens and bathrooms.
4. Children and Menstrual Hygiene Management
- Children are extending sanitation efforts beyond conventional cleanliness activities.
- In Jharkhand, members of child cabinets have taken responsibility for Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) activities.
5. Strengthening Community Ownership
- Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) support Village-level planning and mobilisation, Implementation and supervision of sanitation initiatives and Community engagement and behaviour change.
- Gadli Gram Panchayat, Haryana: Achieved ODF Plus Model status through a process-driven, community-led approach.
6. Convergence of Institutional Resources
- SBM-G draws upon multiple funding sources, including Government allocations, Finance Commission grants, Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) funds and Other revenue-generation mechanisms.
7. Cleanliness as a Collective Practice
- Jan Bhagidari promotes sanitation as a shared community responsibility.
- Karnataka’s Swachh Sanivara: Before cleanliness drives, Panchayat representatives engage with village communities, youth groups, cooperatives and SHGs to encourage participation.
8. Creating Livelihoods Through Sanitation
- Nadia, West Bengal: Expansion of toilet construction generated demand for trained masons.
- Around 2,400 men and women were trained in toilet construction, demonstrating the potential of sanitation initiatives to create local employment.
9. Converting Waste into a Resource
- Expanding sanitation systems require appropriate infrastructure and technical support alongside community participation.
- Vedancha, Gujarat: Demonstrates how community demand can lead to the development of a locally designed wastewater management system.
Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) Magnets
Why in News?
- India is expanding domestic manufacturing of rare-earth permanent magnets to reduce its dependence on imported sintered NdFeB magnets, which are critical components in several advanced technologies.
What are NdFeB Magnets?
- Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets are rare-earth permanent magnets known for having the highest magnetic strength among commercially available permanent magnets.
- They combine high magnetic energy density, coercivity and remanence, enabling strong magnetic performance in a relatively small volume.
Crystalline Structure
- NdFeB magnets are primarily composed of Neodymium (Nd): Rare-earth metal, Iron (Fe): Transition metal, Boron (B): Metalloid.
- These elements form the Nd₂Fe₁₄B tetragonal crystal structure, characterised by high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, which contributes to the material's strong magnetic properties.
Key Characteristics
1. High Magnetic Performance
- Their high energy density, coercivity and remanence provide greater magnetic strength per unit volume compared with conventional ferrite and Alnico magnets.
2. Thermal Limitations
- Standard NdFeB magnets can undergo irreversible demagnetisation above around 80°C.
- Adding dysprosium or terbium can improve coercivity and magnetic performance at elevated temperatures.
3. Oxidation and Corrosion
- NdFeB magnets are vulnerable to oxidation and intergranular corrosion.
- Protective coatings such as nickel-copper-nickel or epoxy are therefore commonly used.
|
Type |
Characteristics |
|
Sintered NdFeB |
Magnetic powder is compacted and heat-treated into a dense solid; |
|
Bonded NdFeB |
Magnetic powder is combined with a polymer binder; allows greater |
Major Applications
- Electric-vehicle traction motors.
- Direct-drive wind-turbine generators.
- Certain permanent-magnet magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems.
- Other applications requiring compact, high-strength permanent magnets.
Global Supply Concentration
- China accounted for around 91% of global rare-earth magnet refining and 94% of global sintered permanent-magnet production in 2024.
- Such concentration creates supply-chain vulnerabilities for countries dependent on imports.
India’s Domestic Manufacturing Push
- India currently imports all of its sintered NdFeB magnets.
- The Union Cabinet approved the ₹7,280-crore Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) Scheme in 2025.
- Ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries.
- Target capacity: 6,000 MTPA of rare-earth permanent magnets.
Rare Earth Corridors
- The Union Budget 2026–27 announced Rare Earth Corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
- These corridors are intended to support activities across the rare-earth value chain, including Mining, Processing, Research, Manufacturing
Agentic AI
Why in News?
- The term Agentic AI has recently gained attention with the growing use of AI systems capable of independently performing complex, multi-step tasks.
What is Agentic AI?
- Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can autonomously plan, make decisions, use digital tools and execute multiple steps to accomplish a specified objective.
- Unlike conventional AI systems that primarily respond to individual instructions, agentic systems can determine and execute a sequence of actions with limited human intervention.
|
Type of AI |
Core Function |
|
Traditional AI |
Analyses information and performs predefined or rule-based tasks. |
|
Generative AI |
Creates new content such as text, images, audio or code. |
|
Agentic AI |
Plans, makes decisions and takes actions autonomously to achieve a specified goal. |
Key Characteristics
- Autonomous planning: Breaks a broad objective into multiple tasks.
- Decision-making: Selects actions based on available information and the desired outcome.
- Tool utilisation: Can interact with software, databases, APIs and other digital tools.
- Multi-step execution: Performs a sequence of connected actions rather than providing a single response.
- Goal-oriented operation: Continuously works towards achieving a defined objective.
Applications
- Healthcare: Supporting clinical workflows and patient-management processes.
- Finance: Automating financial analysis and transaction-related processes.
- Education: Providing personalised learning assistance and academic support.
- Cybersecurity: Detecting threats and responding to security incidents.
- Scientific research: Assisting with research workflows, data analysis and experimentation.
- Business automation: Managing complex workflows and operational tasks.
Concerns Associated with Agentic AI
- Accountability: Determining responsibility when autonomous systems make consequential decisions.
- Safety: Preventing unintended actions and harmful outcomes.
- Privacy: Protecting sensitive information accessed or processed by AI agents.
- Human oversight: Ensuring meaningful human supervision over autonomous actions.
- Autonomous decision-making: Managing risks arising when AI systems make decisions without direct human intervention.
Agentic Misalignment
- Agentic misalignment refers to a situation in which an AI agent autonomously takes actions that conflict with the objectives, instructions or interests of its human operator.
- It highlights the importance of aligning an AI system's autonomous behaviour with human-defined goals and safeguards.
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026
Why in News?
- The United States enacted the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026, on 18 September 2026, expanding its authority to impose sanctions and tariffs related to Russia and Iran.
Objectives
- To curb Russia’s oil and gas revenues by pressuring major importing countries to reduce their purchases of Russian energy.
- To strengthen economic measures against Russia and those facilitating sanctions evasion.
Key Provisions
1. Section 113: Tariffs on Countries Purchasing Russian Energy
- Authorises tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported into the United States from:
- The five largest purchasers of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas.
- The five countries most involved in facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion. - Scope: The tariffs may apply to all goods exported by the designated countries to the US, rather than only energy-related products.
- Additional duties: These tariffs would be imposed in addition to other applicable duties.
- Presidential authority: The President may exercise waiver powers under the Act, subject to the applicable statutory conditions.
2. Other Tariff Provisions
- Section 112: Authorises tariffs of up to 500% on goods imported from Russia, subject to the Act’s provisions and exceptions.
Implications for India
- Potential exposure: India, identified as the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China in the supplied source, could be affected by Section 113.
- Trade implications: Since the provision covers goods beyond energy products, any tariffs imposed could affect a broader range of Indian exports to the US.
- Energy security: The measure could create pressure on India’s decisions concerning Russian energy imports.
India Deep Tech Alliance
Why in News?
- At SEMICON India 2026, the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) announced investments of around ₹2,170 crore in 56 deep-tech companies.
- IDTA also partnered with SEMI to establish the India Semiconductor Academy (ISA), aimed at developing a fab-ready semiconductor workforce.
About India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA)
- Launched: At SEMICON India 2025.
- Nature: A consortium bringing together Investors, Corporates, Technology partners, Other deep-tech ecosystem stakeholders
- Primary objective: To address the commercialisation gap in deep technologies by providing Patient capital, Technical mentorship, Market access, Policy engagement.
- Investment Focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum technologies, Robotics, Space technology, Energy transition, Biotechnology, Bio-economy
India Semiconductor Academy (ISA)
- IDTA has partnered with SEMI to establish the India Semiconductor Academy.
- Objective: To develop a skilled, fab-ready workforce capable of supporting India's expanding semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
About SEMICON India
- SEMICON India is an annual semiconductor conference organised by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in partnership with SEMI.
About SEMI
- Full Form: Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International.
- It is a global non-profit industry association connecting stakeholders across the electronics design and manufacturing supply chain.
District-Level Labour Market Indicators Released for the First Time
Why in News?
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) has released district-level key labour market indicators for the first time, enabling a more granular understanding of employment trends across districts.
About the National Statistical Office (NSO)
- Established in 2019 by merging the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) and the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).
- Functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
- Serves as the apex body for statistical coordination, data quality and socio-economic surveys.
Key Highlights
- Female Labour Force Participation: Around 57.8% of districts recorded a female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 40% or above.
- Worker Population Ratio: Among the most populous districts, WPR across the top 50% ranged from 37.3% to 76.7%.
- District-level variation: Among the 100 most populous districts:
- Surat, Gujarat, recorded the highest LFPR and WPR.
- Darbhanga, Bihar, recorded the lowest LFPR and WPR. - Youth NEET: More than 75% of districts reported Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) rates below 30%.
|
Indicator |
Definition |
|
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) |
Percentage of the population that is in the labour force—that |
|
Worker Population Ratio (WPR) |
Percentage of the population that is employed or engaged |
|
Unemployment Rate (UR) |
Percentage of unemployed persons among those in the |
|
NEET Rate |
Percentage of the population that is not in employment, |
Elias 2-24 b
Why in News?
- Astronomers have confirmed Elias 2-24 b as the youngest known exoplanet, estimated to be less than 1 million years old.
- The discovery was made using archival observations from the W. M. Keck Observatory.
About Elias 2-24 b
- Nature: A Jovian planet, meaning a Jupiter-like gas giant.
- Host Star: It orbits Elias 2-24, a young T Tauri star belonging to the pre-main-sequence stage of stellar evolution.
- Location: The system lies within the Ophiuchus molecular cloud, approximately 450 light-years from Earth.
- Formation Stage:
- The planet is still actively accreting gas and dust from the surrounding protoplanetary disk.
- This indicates that it is undergoing a rapid phase of atmospheric growth. - Orbital Location:
- Elias 2-24 b is situated within a narrow gap in the protoplanetary disk.
- It is located approximately 55 astronomical units (AU) from its host star.
Core Accretion Model
- Core accretion is a widely studied model of planet formation in which a solid planetary core forms first through the accumulation of dust and planetesimals.
- Once the core becomes sufficiently massive, it begins to capture surrounding gas, eventually forming a giant planet.
One-Liners
- SLINEX-26: The 13th edition of the Sri Lanka–India bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26, was conducted at Visakhapatnam.
- Indian Navy: INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti.
- Sri Lanka Navy: SLNS Sindurala. - McGetchin Crater: NASA identified the McGetchin Crater, a 222-metre-wide lunar impact crater formed in 2024 near the Moon’s eastern edge, most likely due to the impact of an asteroid or comet.
- It is reported as the largest newly formed impact crater identified in the Solar System.
- The Moon’s near-absence of an atmosphere provides negligible atmospheric braking or burning, allowing incoming space debris to reach the lunar surface and produce impact craters.
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