UPSC Current Affairs — 23 September 2026
7 syllabus-tagged briefs · 5-question sprint · sources named on every item. How this brief is made →
72nd National Film Awards Ceremony
Why in news: President Draupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards with Anant Nag receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
President Draupadi Murmu presided over the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar. Veteran actor Anant Nag was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest film honour. The awards celebrate excellence in Indian cinema and recognise outstanding contributions to the film industry.
11th Ayurveda Day Observance
Why in news: India marks the 11th Ayurveda Day on 23 September as part of global recognition of traditional medicine systems.
The 11th Ayurveda Day is being observed across India and worldwide on 23 September. This annual commemoration promotes awareness of India's ancient healing system and its significance in modern healthcare. The observance underscores the Government's commitment to reviving and integrating traditional medical knowledge into contemporary health practices.
9th India International Water Week Inaugurated
Why in news: Vice President inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week 2026, highlighting focus on water governance and management.
The Vice President opened the 9th India International Water Week 2026, an important forum for dialogue on water security, management, and conservation. The event convenes stakeholders to discuss integrated approaches to water resource governance and addresses India's pressing water challenges in the context of climate variability and growing demand.
Mahandi Coalfields Environmental Drive
Why in news: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited launched Special Campaign 6.0 with an ambitious environmental remediation target.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) set a target to clean 10 lakh square feet of area under Special Campaign 6.0. This initiative demonstrates corporate commitment to environmental management and site remediation within mining operations. The campaign reflects efforts to balance coal production with environmental responsibility and land restoration.
UPI Merchant Discount Rate Implementation
Why in news: New 0.4% merchant discount rate on UPI P2M transactions above ₹2,000 comes into effect from 15 October, requiring merchants to understand tax compliance mechanisms.
From 15 October, a 0.4% merchant discount rate applies to person-to-merchant UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000. The National Payments Corporation of India clarified that GST levied on MDR can be adjusted against tax liability through input tax credit mechanism. This framework allows micro and small merchants to manage the additional cost without increased burden through proper tax planning.
Election Commission SIR Process Under Scrutiny
Why in news: Election Commissioner S.S. Sandhu and other high-ranking officials received Summary Information Report notices, raising questions about procedural fairness in voter verification.
The Election Commission's Summary Information Report (SIR) process, which deletes voter records and verifies later, is facing criticism from editorial observers as potentially undermining procedural fairness. High-ranking officials including Election Commissioner S.S. Sandhu have received SIR notices. The Hindu's editorial raises concerns that the current methodology of delete-first-verify-later approach needs reform to ensure transparent and fair election administration.
Centre Maintains Paddy Procurement Target Despite Lower Acreage
Why in news: Government sustained paddy procurement target of 71.95 million tonnes despite paddy acreage declining from 44.6 to 42.9 million hectares.
The Centre kept the paddy procurement target unchanged at 71.95 million tonnes despite a reduction in acreage to 42.9 million hectares as of 18 September, down from 44.6 million hectares year-on-year. This decision reflects government confidence in agricultural productivity and food security management. The policy signals commitment to maintaining minimum support price mechanisms and ensuring farmer income support despite declining cultivation area.
Test yourself: today's 5-question sprint
- Rajinikanth
- Anant Nag
- Kamal Haasan
- Amitabh Bachchan
Show answer
According to the brief on the 72nd National Film Awards, Anant Nag was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest film honour, at the ceremony held in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar.
- 1 October 2026
- 15 October 2026
- 20 October 2026
- 1 November 2026
Show answer
The brief on UPI Merchant Discount Rate Implementation states that from 15 October, a 0.4% merchant discount rate applies to person-to-merchant UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000.
- Increased from 42.9 to 44.6 million hectares
- Decreased from 44.6 to 42.9 million hectares
- Remained unchanged at 44.6 million hectares
- Increased to 71.95 million hectares
Show answer
The brief on paddy procurement explicitly states that paddy acreage as of 18 September stood at 42.9 million hectares, down from 44.6 million hectares a year earlier, despite the unchanged procurement target.
- National Thermal Power Corporation
- Mahanadi Coalfields Limited
- Coal India Limited
- Indian Bureau of Mines
Show answer
The brief on Mahandi Coalfields Environmental Drive clearly states that Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) set a target to clean 10 lakh square feet of area under Special Campaign 6.0.
- It marks the birth of modern medicine in India
- It promotes awareness of India's ancient healing system and its significance in modern healthcare
- It commemorates the founding of the Indian Medical Association
- It marks the establishment of AIIMS
Show answer
According to the brief on the 11th Ayurveda Day Observance, this annual commemoration promotes awareness of India's ancient healing system and its significance in modern healthcare, underscoring the Government's commitment to reviving and integrating traditional medical knowledge into contemporary health practices.
Syllabus-tagged current affairs every morning in the app — English and Hindi, free.
Open UPSCGenie free →