22 September 2026 Current Affairs: National Film Awards – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Tuesday, 22 September 2026 included the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, the launch of UDAN Challenge Mode, India’s first Asian Games 2026 gold in women’s cricket, and the start of Project Rhino. The day also marked World Rhino Day, which the Prime Minister linked to range-state support for the greater one-horned rhinoceros.

Total verified items: 14 for 22 September 2026 (10 official/reputable-source verified, 4 secondary/developing)

Read time: ~16 minutes

Today’s coverage: 11 categories screened, 14 items retained; several 21 September stories that appeared in same-day exam roundups were excluded for date purity. Also verified today but excluded as lower exam priority: routine Swachhata camp logistics and TRAI highway network-quality surveys.

Source labels: [Official] = primary/official body (PIB, ministry, regulator, court, official federation) — linked where a direct URL was found. [Secondary] = reputable report; primary source not located. [Developing] = same-day figures/outcomes may still change.

Editorial cutoff: results verified up to late evening IST on 22 September 2026 are included; later Asian Games medals may appear in the next digest.

National & Policy

[Official] SC: State May Set National Song, Not Penalise Conscientious Objectors

The Supreme Court on 22 September 2026 said a government may decide the scope of the National Song, including how many stanzas are used, but cannot impose penal consequences on conscientious objectors who refuse to sing one or all stanzas of Vande Mataram. A Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, tied the principle to Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986) and sought the Centre’s reply on Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna’s challenge to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026.

Secondary reporting: The Hindu, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Court: National Song scope is for the elected state
• Penal action against conscientious objectors barred
• Precedent cited: Bijoe Emmanuel (1986)
• Petition challenges 2026 National Honour amendment
• Bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Bagchi and Mohana

Static Link: Article 25 and Article 26 protect freedom of religion; Bijoe Emmanuel (1986) upheld respectful silence during the National Anthem.

[Official] Amit Shah Inaugurates 3rd National ANTF Conference

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 3rd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) heads of States and UTs in New Delhi. The two-day NCB-organised meeting (22–23 September) is themed “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility” and reviews the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029). Shah also laid foundation stones for NCB zonal complexes in Lucknow and Dehradun, released anti-drug TVCs, and set a 31 December 2029 target to uproot the drug trade.

Source: PIB, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: 3rd National ANTF Conference, New Delhi
• Organiser: Narcotics Control Bureau
• Theme: United Resolve, Shared Responsibility
• Vision Document: Narcotics Control 2026–2029
• NCB complexes: Lucknow and Dehradun

[Official] SC Asks EC to Refine Delhi SIR Notices

The Supreme Court on 22 September 2026 told the Election Commission that Special Intensive Revision notices in Delhi over “logical discrepancies” or “no mapping” appeared machine-generated. The Bench asked the EC to consider additional filters. Counsel for the EC said about 14,000–15,000 BLOs and 1,200 EROs were deployed, and the present claims deadline is 29 October 2026, with scope to extend because Delhi is not election-bound.

Secondary reporting: The Hindu, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Exercise: Special Intensive Revision, Delhi
• Court concern: mechanically issued SIR notices
• Deadline cited: 29 October 2026
• EC: open to extending the Delhi timeline
• Institutional body: Election Commission of India

Economy & Banking

[Official] TRAI Mandates More Voice-and-SMS-Only STVs

TRAI issued the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, requiring telecom operators to offer voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers matching each validity of 30 days or less used for bundled voice-SMS-data packs, plus at least one longer-validity voice-and-SMS STV and a pack renewable on the same calendar date each month. The regulator said short-duration voice-only options had been scarce for low-income users after the 2024 Twelfth Amendment.

Source: TRAI, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Instrument: Telecom Consumer Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026
• Focus: voice-and-SMS-only STVs
• Must match bundled validities of 30 days or less
• Monthly same-date renewable pack required
• Draft consulted from 7 April 2026

Static Link: TRAI was established in 1997 under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997; headquarters New Delhi.

[Official] RBI Finalises Novation Rules for OTC Derivatives

The Reserve Bank of India on 22 September 2026 finalised instructions on novation of OTC derivative contracts, inserting them into master directions on forex, rupee interest-rate, G-sec forward and credit derivatives. Novation replaces a market-maker with another through a tripartite agreement at prevailing market rates, with the remaining party’s prior consent and upfront exchange of mark-to-market. The rules apply to novations on or after the circular date.

Source: RBI, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Subject: novation of OTC derivative contracts
• Circular: RBI/2026-27/263, 22 September 2026
• Mechanism: tripartite agreement; original contract extinguished
• Power: Section 45W, RBI Act, 1934
• Applies to novations from the issue date

[Official] RBI Amends InvIT and REIT Valuation for AIFIs

RBI issued the (All India Financial Institutions – Classification, Valuation, and Operation of Investment Portfolio) Amendment Directions, 2026, effective immediately. Quoted InvIT and REIT units are to be valued on the same basis as other quoted securities; unquoted units are valued at the trust’s disclosed NAV. If an InvIT does not compute and disclose NAV as required under SEBI InvIT Regulations, 2014, units are to be valued at ₹1.

Source: RBI, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Entities covered: All India Financial Institutions
• Instruments: InvIT and REIT units
• Quoted units: valued like other quoted securities
• Unquoted units: valued at disclosed NAV
• Missing InvIT NAV: value treated as ₹1

Science & Technology

Limited verified coverage for this category on 22 September 2026. SEMICON India 2026 ran on 17–19 September; no separate same-day science notification cleared the date and significance filters.

Defence & Security

Limited verified coverage for this category on 22 September 2026. Exercise Nomadic Elephant began on 21 September at Pithoragarh; INS Sahyadri and Kulish reached Subic Bay on 20 September for ADMM-Plus JCA. Those are dated outside the N-1 window.

International Affairs

[Secondary] Jaishankar Co-Chairs P4M Summit at UNGA Week

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace & Prosperity (P4M) Summit in New York with European Council President António Costa, on the sidelines of the 81st UNGA. India joined as a co-sponsor. Jaishankar warned that the “4F” crisis of fuel, food, fertiliser and finance cannot be left unattended and called for reformed multilateralism. He also met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (India–EFTA TEPA) and Nauru President David Adeang.

Secondary reporting: The Hindu, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Forum: P4M Summit, UNGA High-Level Week, New York
• India’s role: co-sponsor; Jaishankar co-chair
• Counterpart co-chair: António Costa
• Phrase used: 4F crisis — fuel, food, fertiliser, finance
• UNGA session: 81st

Environment & Ecology

[Official] VP Inaugurates 9th India International Water Week

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is hosting the five-day event (22–26 September 2026) on the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management.” Partner countries are the Netherlands and Germany. He launched the Sustainable Urban River Management (SURM) Framework and an AI/ML-driven Integrated Reservoir Sediment Management tool.

Source: PIB, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: 9th India International Water Week
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Dates: 22–26 September 2026
• Theme: Climate Resilient Water Management
• Launches: SURM Framework; AI/ML reservoir sediment tool

Sports

[Secondary] India Women Win Asian Games Cricket Gold

The Indian women’s team beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the T20 final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, winning India’s first gold of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 and retaining the Hangzhou title. India scored 216/3 — Smriti Mandhana 79 (45 balls), Shafali Verma 48, Richa Ghosh 49* — before bowling Sri Lanka out for 69. Mandhana also became the first woman to reach 11,000 international runs. Pakistan took bronze. India’s tally after the gold: 1 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze.

Secondary reporting: Reuters, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Result: India beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs
• India’s first gold at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
• India total: 216/3; Sri Lanka 69
• Mandhana: 79; first woman to 11,000 international runs
• Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin

Awards, Appointments & Obituaries

[Official] President Presents 72nd National Film Awards; Phalke to Anant Nag

President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards (for 2024) at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat — the first ceremony held outside Delhi. Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. Article 370 won Best Feature Film; Yami Gautam won Best Actress; Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) shared Best Actor; Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Direction for Amaran.

Source: PIB, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Ceremony: 72nd National Film Awards, Ekta Nagar
• Awards year: 2024 films
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024: Anant Nag
• Best Feature Film: Article 370
• First National Film Awards ceremony outside Delhi

Static Link: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, instituted in 1969, is India’s highest cinema honour, named after the director of Raja Harishchandra (1913).

[Secondary] India Grants Agrément for Bangladesh High Commissioner

Bangladesh received India’s agrément on 22 September 2026 for Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam to become the next High Commissioner to India, succeeding Riaz Hamidullah. Siam, a 1995-batch Bangladesh Foreign Service officer and Foreign Secretary since June 2025, is expected to take charge in the coming weeks. Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury is reported as the likely next Foreign Secretary.

Secondary reporting: The Hindu, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Appointee: Asad Alam Siam
• Post: Bangladesh High Commissioner to India
• Process completed: Indian agrément on 22 September 2026
• Outgoing envoy: Riaz Hamidullah
• Agrément: host-state consent before an ambassador/HC is posted

Government Schemes, Reports & Indices

[Official] Civil Aviation Minister Launches UDAN Challenge Mode

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu launched the Challenge Mode Portal for Aerodrome Development under the next phase of UDAN and signed MoUs with 21 States/UTs and AAI. States and UTs can nominate unused airstrips and helipads through the portal. Modified UDAN is framed around four pillars: passenger affordability, operational sustainability, transparent Challenge Mode, and indigenous manufacturing. The phase targets about 100 airstrips and 200 helipads, with a reported 10-year outlay near ₹29,000 crore.

Source: PIB, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Scheme: next phase of UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)
• New tool: Challenge Mode Portal for aerodrome development
• MoUs: 21 States/UTs and AAI
• Targets cited: ~100 airstrips; 200 helipads
• Full form: Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik

State-Specific News

[Secondary] Tamil Nadu Extends Breakfast Scheme to Classes VI–VIII

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to Classes VI–VIII in government and government-aided schools. About 15.3 lakh additional students in 15,454 schools are covered; total coverage is cited at about 3.46 million students from Classes I–VIII. An extra ₹217.63 crore takes the scheme outlay to ₹724 crore. Chengalpattu and Tiruppur were held back because of the Model Code of Conduct for by-elections.

Secondary reporting: The Hindu, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Scheme: Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme
• New coverage: Classes VI to VIII
• Additional students: 15.3 lakh
• Additional allocation: ₹217.63 crore
• Launch site: Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai

Important Day / Theme

[Official] World Rhino Day; PM Announces Project Rhino

World Rhino Day is observed on 22 September. The campaign framing widely used in 2026 is “Keep the Five Alive,” referring to the five living rhino species. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Assam holds nearly 80% of the world’s greater one-horned rhino population and announced Project Rhino for financial and technical support to range states for protection, habitat management, genetic improvement and population studies. He also cited the protection or return of rhinos in Bihar and West Bengal and reintroduction at Dudhwa, Uttar Pradesh.

Source: PIB, 22 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Date: World Rhino Day, 22 September
• 2026 campaign phrase: Keep the Five Alive
• New initiative: Project Rhino
• Assam share cited by PM: nearly 80% of global one-horned rhinos
• Reintroduction site named: Dudhwa, Uttar Pradesh

Static Link: World Rhino Day has been marked internationally on 22 September since 2011; India’s species is the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), IUCN status: Vulnerable.

The same date is also informally marked as World Car Free Day; it is not given a separate item here.

Don’t Confuse

22 September 2026 Current Affairs: One-Liner Revision

• SC: elected government may define the National Song but cannot penalise conscientious objectors.
• Precedent cited in the National Song hearing: Bijoe Emmanuel (1986).
• 3rd National ANTF Conference theme: United Resolve, Shared Responsibility.
• Narcotics Control Vision Document window: 2026–2029.
• SC asked the EC to add filters to mechanically issued Delhi SIR notices.
• TRAI 13th Amendment mandates more voice-and-SMS-only STVs.
• RBI finalised novation rules for OTC derivative contracts.
• Unquoted InvIT units with no SEBI-compliant NAV: value ₹1 for AIFI books.
• Jaishankar co-chaired the P4M Summit during the 81st UNGA.
• 9th India International Water Week theme: Climate Resilient Water Management.
• Indian women beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs for the first Aichi-Nagoya gold.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 conferred on Anant Nag.
• India issued agrément for Asad Alam Siam as Bangladesh High Commissioner.
• UDAN Challenge Mode portal launched for State-nominated aerodrome development.
• Tamil Nadu breakfast scheme extended to Classes VI–VIII (15.3 lakh more students).
• Project Rhino announced on World Rhino Day for greater one-horned rhino range states.

Source note: use the linked official releases and the editorial cutoff above when revising; developing figures may be updated.

Revision tip: lock the Phalke–Anant Nag pairing, UDAN Challenge Mode versus route bidding, and the Bijoe Emmanuel link to the National Song hearing before tomorrow’s digest.