Daily Current Affairs 19 September 2026

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over indigenous aircraft and helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Pawan Hans Limited (PHL) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The IAF received 2 LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance (FOC) two-seater trainer aircraft and 3 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft.
• Pawan Hans Limited was handed over 4 Dhruv Next Generation (NG) indigenous multi-role helicopters for civilian operations.
• The handover ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu.
• The HTT-40 is an indigenous basic trainer aircraft designed and manufactured by HAL to replace aging basic trainers and meet IAF pilot training requirements.
• The induction marks growing synergy between defence aerospace and civil aviation sectors to build an integrated aerospace ecosystem.

Summary of Handed Over Aviation Assets

Source: PIB release

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the 100-week Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan for Viksit Bharat nationwide.
• The campaign commenced with a countrywide Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh organized in partnership with MY Bharat - National Service Scheme (NSS).
• The campaign covered 259 institutions across all 28 States and 8 Union Territories, drawing over 1,47,798 participants across 1,455 activities on day one.
• The initiative is designed as a continuous 100-week or 100-Sunday campaign focusing on youth engagement, fitness, and substance abuse prevention.
• The first phase of the campaign focuses on the theme 'Mera Swasthya, Mera Garv' (My Health, My Pride).
• Subsequent phases will feature structured focus months including 'Fit Yuva', 'Nasha-Mukt Yuva', and 'Jeevan Kaushal Maah' (Life Skills Month).

Campaign Highlights

Source: PIB release

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reviewed the implementation of the umbrella scheme Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYYAY).
• A total of Rs 1,089.58 crore has been released/expended under the IPSRC and SAPSRC components.
• Under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSRC), over 10.76 lakh senior citizens benefited with an expenditure of Rs 953.53 crore from FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26.
• The State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSRC), launched in FY 2019-20, has seen releases of Rs 136.05 crore to assist States and UTs.
• Other key sub-schemes under AVYYAY include Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and the Elderline national toll-free helpline (14567).
• IPSRC provides funding to NGOs and voluntary organisations to run Senior Citizen Homes offering shelter, food, medical care, and entertainment.

Key Components of AVYYAY Umbrella Scheme

• IPSRC: Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (shelter, food, healthcare through homes).
• SAPSRC: State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (state-specific needs, cataract surgeries, awareness).
• RVY: Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (physical aids and assisted-living devices for BPL seniors).
• Elderline: National Helpline for Senior Citizens providing counselling and grievance redressal.

Source: PIB release

• The 5-day Joint Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme 2026 concluded at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
• The programme was organized by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and conducted by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
• Held from 14 to 18 September 2026, the review brought together senior officials from the Tri-Services, MoD, MEA, and MHA.
• Deliberations focused on jointness, military integration, modern warfighting, and non-kinetic national security dimensions.
• Emerging technological domains discussed included Artificial Intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and cognitive warfare.
• Senior military leaders including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) actively engaged with participants.

CORE Programme Key Details

Source: PIB release

• The 17th edition of the Kathakali Festival was inaugurated at the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.
• The three-day festival (18–20 September 2026) is organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture by the Kalakshetra Foundation.
• The official theme of the festival is 'Katha Rasa Sangamam - Sangam of the Essence of Stories'.
• The festival unites three leading Kathakali institutions: Sadanam Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam, and Margi Theatre.
• Featured plays include Sadanam Academy's 'Mandodari', Kerala Kalamandalam's adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 'The Old Man and the Sea', and Margi Theatre's 'Rugmangada Charitam'.
• The Kalakshetra Foundation was established in 1936 by the legendary classical dancer Rukmini Devi Arundale.

Kathakali Performances at the Festival

Source: PIB release

• The 5th ITEC Executive Capacity-Building Programme on Human Rights for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of the Global South concluded in New Delhi.
• The 6-day programme was organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• The programme trained 38 senior participants representing NHRIs from 14 countries of the Global South.
• Participating nations included Algeria, Chile, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Samoa, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe.
• The valedictory address was delivered by NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian.
• The ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) Programme was instituted by the Government of India in 1964 as a bilateral assistance programme.

Participating Global South Nations

• Africa & Middle East: Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Oman.
• Asia & Pacific: Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Samoa, Tajikistan.
• Americas: Chile, Ecuador.

Source: PIB release

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh led a coastal cleanup drive at Juhu Beach, Mumbai, on the eve of International Coastal Cleanup Day.
• The 2026 edition of the 'Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar' (Clean Coast, Safe Sea) campaign was observed from 12 to 19 September 2026.
• The initiative was originally launched during the 75th year of India's Independence (2022) as a 75-day inter-ministerial campaign.
• International Coastal Cleanup Day is traditionally observed every year on the third Saturday of September.
• The campaign leverages citizen science and volunteer reporting through the Sagar Prahari digital platform.
• The Minister highlighted India's flagship Deep Ocean Mission and the conservation of India's extensive coastline spanning over 11,000 km.

Campaign Fast Facts

Source: PIB release

• Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 38th Pune Festival at Shree Ganesh Kala Krida Rangamanch in Pune, Maharashtra.
• Veteran actor Mohan Joshi was conferred the 'Founder Suresh Kalmadi Pune Festival Lifetime Achievement Award' for distinguished contributions to Indian cinema and theatre.
• The festival was attended by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
• The Vice-President emphasized the national vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi', balancing rapid modern development with cultural heritage preservation.
• Prominent segments of the Pune Festival include 'Ugwate Tare' and 'Indradhanu' for young artists, alongside the 'Mahila Mahotsav'.
• The festival showcases classical music, dance, sports, and theatre, tracing back to the cultural initiatives started by late Suresh Kalmadi.

Award & Dignitaries at 38th Pune Festival

Source: PIB release