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23Sep
Wednesday · 2026 · Daily Digest

Daily Current Affairs 23 September 2026

Eight exam-ready news topics of the day for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO and GD — written in the one-line fact format the General Awareness section actually asks for, each closing with an Important Facts for Exams slip, plus 10 practice MCQs at the end.

08Topics
10Practice MCQs
80+Exam Facts
10Min Read

Today at a glance

If you have two minutes, read only this. Every line below is a potential one-mark question.

Awards & Honours National Awards 23 September 2026

President Conferred 72nd National Film Awards; Dadasaheb Phalke to Anant Nag

  • President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat, near the Statue of Unity.
  • Veteran actor Anant Nag was conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2024 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
  • The President commended the film Article 370 for presenting a vivid account of the critical challenges and solutions related to national integration.
  • Biographical drama Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and non-feature film Bhangar received special appreciation during the ceremony.
  • Film Bhakshak was lauded for creating societal awareness on women's safety, while Santhali film Aangen was recognized for advancing cultural diversity.
  • President Murmu urged the film fraternity to ensure women's representation on every regional jury and protect the social security of background artists.

72nd National Film Awards Overview

Event72nd National Film Awards
Ceremony VenueEkta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat (Statue of Unity)
Dadasaheb Phalke AwardeeAnant Nag (for the year 2024)
Highlighted Feature FilmsArticle 370, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Bhakshak
Highlighted Non-Feature FilmBhangar
Santhali Film RecognizedAangen
Dadasaheb Phalke Instituted1969 (First recipient: Devika Rani)

Important Facts for Exams

  • Who was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024?: Anant Nag
  • Where was the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony organized?: Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat
  • Which Santhali film won national acclaim at the 72nd awards?: Aangen
  • Which non-feature film was specially appreciated by the President?: Bhangar
  • In which year was the Dadasaheb Phalke Award instituted?: 1969

Source: PIB release

Defence Joint Military Exercise 23 September 2026

IAF and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Conclude Exercise Veer Guardian 2026

  • The bilateral air defence exercise Veer Guardian 2026 between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
  • The exercise was held over 14 days, focusing on tactical interoperability and coordinated multi-aircraft combat missions.
  • The IAF fielded frontline platforms including Su-30MKI, Rafale, and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
  • The JASDF participated with its advanced F-2A fighter aircraft.
  • On the Distinguished Visitors' Day, JASDF Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita and IAF Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew sorties in the indigenous LCA Tejas.
  • Ground interactions covered operational discussions, mission planning conferences, aircraft maintenance drills, and aerospace safety debriefs.

Exercise Summary

Exercise NameVeer Guardian 2026
Participating ForcesIndian Air Force (IAF) & Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)
VenueAir Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Duration14 Days
IAF AircraftSu-30MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas
JASDF AircraftF-2A Fighter Jet
Key Leadership FlightGen Takehiro Morita & ACM A.P. Singh flew LCA Tejas

Important Facts for Exams

  • Which two nations conduct Exercise Veer Guardian?: India and Japan
  • Where was Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 conducted?: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan
  • Which fighter aircraft was deployed by the JASDF?: F-2A
  • Which indigenous fighter was flown by both air chiefs during the exercise?: LCA Tejas
  • Who is the Chief of the Air Staff of the IAF?: Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh

Source: PIB release

Science & Technology Important Days 23 September 2026

Ministry of Ayush Celebrates 11th Ayurveda Day in Nagpur

  • The Ministry of Ayush hosted the national celebrations of the 11th Ayurveda Day on 23 September 2026 in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
  • The focal theme for the 11th Ayurveda Day is 'Ayurveda for a Healthy Future' (स्वस्थ भविष्य के लिए आयुर्वेद).
  • The first-ever comprehensive assessment report on the 'Ayush Service Sector', prepared by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), was officially released.
  • Safety dossiers were introduced for two critical medicinal herbs: Gokshura (*Tribulus terrestris*) and Chandrasur (*Lepidium sativum*).
  • The CCRAS-AGNI (Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative) Assessment Scale web portal was launched to bolster evidence-based documentation.
  • Key policy publications released include the 'Ayush Vision 2030' report and a national status report on Ayush-related inventions.

11th Ayurveda Day Key Launches

Occasion11th Ayurveda Day (23 September 2026)
National Event VenueNagpur, Maharashtra
Official ThemeAyurveda for a Healthy Future
Service Sector Report ByRIS (Research and Information System for Developing Countries)
Herb Safety DossiersGokshura (Tribulus terrestris) & Chandrasur (Lepidium sativum)
Portal LaunchedCCRAS-AGNI Assessment Scale Web Portal

Important Facts for Exams

  • Where was the national event for the 11th Ayurveda Day held?: Nagpur, Maharashtra
  • What is the theme of the 11th Ayurveda Day?: Ayurveda for a Healthy Future
  • What does AGNI stand for under CCRAS?: Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative
  • Which organization authored the first Ayush Service Sector report?: RIS
  • Safety dossiers were released for which two herbs?: Gokshura and Chandrasur

Source: PIB release

Environment & Ecology Summits & Conferences 23 September 2026

Vice-President Inaugurates 9th India International Water Week in New Delhi

  • Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
  • Organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the 5-day summit (22–26 September 2026) is themed 'Climate-Resilient Water Management'.
  • Marking a global transition from 'India Water Week', the event featured the Netherlands and Germany as partner countries.
  • The conference brought together 14 partner states and two partner central ministries alongside global water specialists.
  • Two landmark publications were unveiled: Sustainable Urban River Management Framework and AI and ML Driven Integrated Reservoir Sediment Management.
  • Grassroots water warriors Smt Ram Kumari (Chhindwara, MP) and Shri Sitaram Madavi (Gadchiroli, Maharashtra) were felicitated for community water conservation.

Event Details

Edition9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026
Dates & Venue22–26 September 2026 | Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
ThemeClimate-Resilient Water Management
Partner CountriesNetherlands and Germany
Partner States14 States
Union Minister of Jal ShaktiC.R. Patil

Important Facts for Exams

  • Where was the 9th India International Water Week held?: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
  • What is the theme of IIWW 2026?: Climate-Resilient Water Management
  • Which two nations served as partner countries for IIWW 2026?: Netherlands and Germany
  • Who is the Union Minister of Jal Shakti?: C.R. Patil
  • Which AI-focused water publication was launched at IIWW 2026?: AI and ML Driven Integrated Reservoir Sediment Management

Source: PIB release

Environment & Ecology Wildlife Conservation 23 September 2026

PM Modi Commemorates World Rhino Day; Highlights Launch of Project Rhino

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated World Rhino Day on 22 September 2026, highlighting India's strides in one-horned rhino conservation.
  • The Prime Minister announced that Assam now shelters nearly 80 percent of the world's greater one-horned rhinoceros population.
  • To strengthen species protection, Project Rhino has been launched to provide financial and technical assistance to frontline range states.
  • Project Rhino focuses on habitat management, genetic improvement, and tracking population dynamics of rhinoceroses.
  • Successful reintroduction was underscored in Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh), alongside thriving populations in Bihar and West Bengal.
  • Anti-poaching and habitat-protection initiatives in Kaziranga National Park were specially lauded for halting poaching.

Rhino Conservation Key Facts

Date22 September (World Rhino Day)
Species ProtectedGreater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
Global Population in AssamNearly 80%
Key Reintroduction SiteDudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh
New Government SchemeProject Rhino
Flagship ReserveKaziranga National Park, Assam

Important Facts for Exams

  • When is World Rhino Day observed annually?: 22 September
  • What share of the global rhino population does Assam hold?: Nearly 80%
  • Which scheme provides financial and technical aid to rhino range states?: Project Rhino
  • Which national park in Uttar Pradesh achieved success in rhino reintroduction?: Dudhwa National Park
  • What is the IUCN conservation status of the Greater One-horned Rhino?: Vulnerable

Source: PIB release

Government Schemes Civil Aviation 23 September 2026

Civil Aviation Ministry Launches Challenge Mode for Aerodrome Development

  • Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu launched the Challenge Mode Portal for aerodrome development under the modified UDAN scheme.
  • A total of 21 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and states/UTs.
  • The Challenge Mode allows state and UT administrations to competitively nominate unserved and underserved airstrips and helipads for infrastructure development.
  • Under the revised UDAN phase, the ministry aims to connect 120 new destinations and fly 4 crore additional passengers over the next 10 years.
  • Since inception in 2016, UDAN has operationalized 687 routes, 95 aerodromes, and flown over 1.71 crore passengers across 3.66 lakh flights.
  • Employment in India's aviation sector grew from 30 lakh in 2014 to 77 lakh, with a projection of reaching 2.5 crore by 2040.

UDAN Achievements and Targets

Scheme Inception2016 (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)
Routes Operationalized687 routes
Aerodromes Operationalized95 aerodromes
Passengers Flown~1.71 crore
10-Year Target (Next Phase)120 destinations, 4 crore passengers
MoUs Signed21 with States/UTs

Important Facts for Exams

  • How many MoUs were signed under the next phase of UDAN?: 21 MoUs
  • What is the 10-year destination target under revised UDAN?: 120 new destinations
  • How many routes have been operationalized under UDAN since 2016?: 687 routes
  • What portal was introduced for competitive nomination of airstrips?: Challenge Mode Portal
  • Who is the Union Minister of Civil Aviation?: Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

Source: PIB release

Government Schemes Internal Security 23 September 2026

Union Home Minister Inaugurates 3rd National Conference of ANTF Heads in New Delhi

  • Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 3rd National Conference of Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) of States and UTs in New Delhi.
  • The Central Government set a firm deadline of 31 December 2029 to completely eradicate the illicit narcotics trade from India.
  • A multi-agency Vision Document 2026–2029 was introduced as the operational master plan to eliminate cartels and trace financial drug trails.
  • Foundation stones were laid for new Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Complexes in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Dehradun (Uttarakhand).
  • A nationwide anti-drug TV commercial and a revamped NCB official website were launched during the conference.
  • Districts nationwide will be divided into three operational clusters: drug manufacturing/entry districts, transportation corridor districts, and consumption districts.

Conference Highlights

Event3rd National Conference of ANTF Heads
OrganizerNarcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
Zero-Drug Target Deadline31 December 2029
Operational DocumentVision Document 2026–2029
New NCB Zonal ComplexesLucknow (UP) and Dehradun (Uttarakhand)
Campus Awareness CampaignNasha Mukt Mitra (in 10 lakh schools/colleges)

Important Facts for Exams

  • Where was the 3rd National Conference of ANTF Heads held?: New Delhi
  • What target deadline has been set to eradicate the drug trade from India?: 31 December 2029
  • New NCB Zonal Complexes will be established in which two cities?: Lucknow and Dehradun
  • What is the duration of the new anti-narcotics Vision Document?: 2026–2029
  • What does the acronym ANTF stand for?: Anti-Narcotics Task Force

Source: PIB release

Economy & Banking Infrastructure 23 September 2026

NHAI and SSNNL Sign MoU to Accelerate Infrastructure Crossings in Gujarat

  • The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an MoU with Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
  • The agreement establishes a simplified, time-bound approval process for national highway, canal, and pipeline crossings.
  • NHAI and SSNNL have mutually agreed to a full waiver of fees, charges, and levies on intersecting crossings.
  • The fee waiver directly reduces overall project costs, eliminates administrative bottlenecks, and optimizes the use of public funds.
  • The framework mandates standardized engineering practices and clearly defines maintenance and construction responsibilities.

NHAI-SSNNL Framework

Signatory AgenciesNHAI and Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL)
Signing VenueGandhinagar, Gujarat
Focus AreasNational highway, canal, and pipeline crossing approvals
Key Financial ReformMutual waiver of crossing fees and charges
Parent Ministry of NHAIMinistry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)

Important Facts for Exams

  • Which Gujarat state corporation signed an infrastructure MoU with NHAI?: Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL)
  • Where was the NHAI-SSNNL MoU signed?: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
  • What key fiscal relief was agreed upon between NHAI and SSNNL?: Mutual waiver of crossing fees and charges
  • Which Union Ministry exercises administrative control over NHAI?: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Source: PIB release

Test Yourself

SSC Current Affairs Quiz — 23 September 2026

10 exam-style questions from today's news. Tap an option to check your answer instantly.

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About this page

Daily Current Affairs 23 September 2026 for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS and CPO

This page carries the complete current affairs of 23 September 2026, prepared specifically for candidates preparing for SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC CPO, SSC GD Constable and other competitive examinations. Every topic on this page is compiled from official Press Information Bureau releases and written in the short, factual, one-line style that the General Awareness section of SSC papers actually tests — dates, full forms, ministries, venues, appointments and numbers — rather than long news reporting.

The topics covered today are the 72nd National Film Awards, Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations, 9th India International Water Week, World Rhino Day and Project Rhino, UDAN next phase challenge mode, 3rd National Conference of ANTF Heads, and NHAI-SSNNL infrastructure MoU. Each topic ends with an Important Facts for Exams box, and the page closes with 10 practice MCQs with answers.

Why daily current affairs matter in the SSC exam

In SSC CGL Tier I, the General Awareness section carries 25 questions of 2 marks each, that is 50 marks out of 200, and it must be completed in a locked 15-minute sectional window under the 2026 pattern. Unlike Quantitative Aptitude or Reasoning, General Awareness rewards recall rather than calculation, so a well-prepared candidate can finish the whole section in seven or eight minutes and carry the saved time as a psychological cushion into the rest of the paper.

Within that section, current affairs typically account for a meaningful share of questions, and the questions are almost always factual one-liners — who launched a scheme, where a summit was held, which ministry implements a programme, what a scheme's full form is. That is exactly why this page is written as short bullet facts rather than paragraphs of analysis.

Topics covered on 23 September 2026 and the sections they belong to

TopicCategoryMost likely question
National Film AwardsAwards & HonoursDadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 recipient
Ex Veer Guardian 2026DefenceParticipating nations and venue of Veer Guardian 2026
11th Ayurveda DayScience & TechnologyTheme and host city of 11th Ayurveda Day
India Water Week 2026Environment & EcologyTheme and partner countries of India International Water Week 2026
Project Rhino LaunchedEnvironment & EcologyAssam's global rhino share and Project Rhino objective
UDAN Challenge ModeGovernment SchemesTargets and operational routes under UDAN scheme
ANTF Heads ConferenceGovernment SchemesDeadline to eradicate drug trade and NCB new zonal centers
NHAI-SSNNL MoUEconomy & BankingSignatories and purpose of NHAI-SSNNL MoU

How to use this daily current affairs page effectively

  1. Read the “Today at a glance” box first. A handful of lines, under two minutes. If you are short on time on a busy day, this alone keeps you current.
  2. Then read each topic once, slowly. Do not try to memorise on the first pass — understanding what happened makes the facts stick far better than rote repetition.
  3. Revise only the Important Facts for Exams boxes. These are deliberately written in question–answer shape, so they double as a revision sheet in the last week before the exam.
  4. Attempt the practice MCQs the same day. Active recall on the day you read something is worth several passive re-readings later.
  5. Do a weekly sweep every Sunday. Open the last seven date pages from the archive and read only the fact boxes — that takes about fifteen minutes and covers a full week.
  6. Link every current affair to static GK. When you read about a summit, revise the organisation's headquarters and member capitals at the same time. SSC frequently mixes the two.

Standard categories SSC asks current affairs from

Over the last several exam cycles, current affairs questions in SSC papers have clustered into a predictable set of buckets. Reading with these buckets in mind makes your notes far easier to revise:

Related practice on TrickySSC

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Veteran actor Anant Nag was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat.
Where was the joint air exercise Veer Guardian 2026 conducted?
Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 was conducted over 14 days at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
What was the theme and host city of 11th Ayurveda Day 2026?
The 11th Ayurveda Day was hosted in Nagpur, Maharashtra by the Ministry of Ayush on 23 September 2026 under the theme 'Ayurveda for a Healthy Future'.
Which countries were partner nations in the 9th India International Water Week?
The Netherlands and Germany participated as partner nations in the 9th India International Water Week 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
What is the primary objective of Project Rhino announced by PM Modi?
Project Rhino provides financial and technical assistance to frontline states to manage habitats, study population genetics, and safeguard greater one-horned rhinos.
What is the Challenge Mode portal launched under the UDAN scheme?
The Challenge Mode portal enables State and UT governments to competitively nominate unserved and underserved airstrips and helipads for development under the revised UDAN scheme.
Is current affairs enough to score well in SSC General Awareness?
No. Current affairs are important but static GK — History, Geography, Polity, Economics and Science — still carries the larger share of the General Awareness section. The most reliable approach is to read current affairs daily for about ten minutes and revise static GK chapter-wise alongside, using chapter-wise tests to check retention.
Are these daily current affairs pages free on TrickySSC?
Yes. All daily current affairs pages and the complete date-wise archive are free to read, with no login required. SSC CGL and SSC CHSL previous year papers are also free; the full 100-mock test series is available on the paid plan, with Mocks 1–4 free for everyone.

Last updated: 23 September 2026 · Published by TrickySSC · Compiled from official Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases and presented for examination preparation purposes only.