24 September 2026 Current Affairs: Edible Oil Duty Cut – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Thursday, 24 September 2026 included a cut in basic customs duty on major edible oils, an FSSAI draft curb on analogue “paneer”, a DRDO deep-tech pact for a 20 mK dilution refrigerator, and multiple Indian medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The day also marked World Maritime Day, observed by the IMO under the 2026–2027 theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

Total verified items: 19 for 24 September 2026 (16 official/reputable-source verified, 3 secondary/developing)

Read time: ~20 minutes

Today’s coverage: 11 categories screened, 19 items retained; several 23 September wrap stories and political CEC-removal demands were excluded for date purity or limited exam durability.
Also verified today but excluded as lower exam priority: routine Assembly-match scores and same-day condolence statements on a local bus fire.

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: Asian Games results verified through evening IST coverage on 24 September 2026 are included; later podiums may appear in the next digest.

National & Policy

[Official] FSSAI Proposes Ban on Calling Non-Milk Analogues ‘Paneer’

Proposed/consultation stage: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, to stop analogue products being sold as “paneer.” Products licensed under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category would have to drop the word from names, labels and marketing. Objections may be filed within 60 days of Gazette copies becoming public. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Regulator: FSSAI; parent Act, 2006
• Draft: Amendment Regulations, 2026
• Target: paneer not derived from milk
• Stakeholder window: 60 days

Static Link: FSSAI is a statutory body under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; administrative ministry is Health and Family Welfare; headquarters New Delhi.

[Official] Supreme Court Sets POCSO Safeguards in Custody Disputes

The Supreme Court on Thursday laid down safeguards against misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 in matrimonial and custody fights, and quashed an FIR against a father after a CBI probe found the allegations unreliable. A Bench of Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. V. Viswanathan said the precautions apply when the alleged offence is by a parent or co-resident family member and a matrimonial dispute exists. Source: Supreme Court of India, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Statute: POCSO Act, 2012
• Bench: Justices Pardiwala and Viswanathan
• Trigger: parent/family member plus matrimonial dispute
• False-complaint clause already in Section 22

[Official] Supreme Court Asks ECI for TMC Name-and-Symbol Timeline

A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, asked the Election Commission of India to state a realistic timeline for deciding the All India Trinamool Congress name and ‘flowers and grass’ symbol dispute. The matter was posted for 28 September. An ECI interim order of 17 September had barred both factions from the reserved name and symbol ahead of 6 October by-elections. Source: Supreme Court of India, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Dispute body: Election Commission of India
• Reserved TMC symbol: flowers and grass
• Next listing: 28 September 2026
• Related bypolls: 6 October 2026

Economy & Banking

[Official] Centre Cuts Basic Customs Duty on Major Edible Oils

The government reduced Basic Customs Duty on key crude edible oils to ease retail prices, with effect from 24 September 2026. Crude sunflower oil duty fell from 10% to nil; crude soybean and crude palm oil from 10% to 5%. Refined sunflower oil moved from 32.5% to 22.5%, and refined soybean and palm oils from 32.5% to 27.5%, keeping a 19.25% crude–refined differential. The industry was told to pass the benefit into PTD and MRP. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Crude sunflower BCD: nil (from 10%)
• Crude soybean and palm BCD: 5%
• Crude–refined gap retained: 19.25%
• Effective date: 24 September 2026

[Official] MCA Warns Public on High-Return Nidhi Company Deposits

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs cautioned savers against Nidhi firms promising unusually high returns. Only 395 companies have been declared Nidhis by the Centre. Many firms had missed Form NDH-4 or other Nidhi Rules, 2014 duties. Deposits with Nidhi companies are not insured by DICGC. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Declared Nidhis so far: 395
• Mandatory form: NDH-4
• Law: Companies Act, 2013 and Nidhi Rules, 2014
• DICGC cover: not applicable to Nidhi deposits

[Official] SAIL AGM Sets 35 MTPA Crude Steel Target by FY31

At its 54th AGM on 24 September 2026, Steel Authority of India Limited said it aims to raise crude steel capacity to 35 MTPA by FY 2030-31. CMD A. K. Panda cited value-added steels, green capacity and MSME-retail integration. SAIL reported FY26 value-added output of 10.7 MT (56% of saleable steel) and revenue above ₹1,09,000 crore. Shareholders considered a final dividend of ₹2.35 per share. Source: NSE filing, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Capacity goal: 35 MTPA by FY 2030-31
• Meeting: 54th AGM, 24 September 2026
• Proposed final dividend: ₹2.35 per share
• FY26 value-added steel: 10.7 MT

Science & Technology

[Official] DRDO Signs First High-Value TDF Pact for 20 mK Fridge

DRDO signed its first high-value deep-tech agreement under the Technology Development Fund with start-up Zero mK India Private Limited, Alwar, for an indigenous 20 mK dilution refrigerator for quantum applications. It is the first such pact under the ₹500 crore deep-tech corpus earlier cleared by the Raksha Mantri. The project is aligned with the National Quantum Mission and mentored by the Solid State Physics Laboratory. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Partner start-up: Zero mK India, Alwar
• Target temperature: 20 millikelvin
• TDF deep-tech corpus: ₹500 crore
• Alignment: National Quantum Mission

Static Link: National Quantum Mission approved on 19 April 2023; outlay ₹6,003.65 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31; nodal department DST.

Defence & Security

[Official] INS Sudarshini Makes Second Alexandria Call on Lokayan 26

Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Alexandria, Egypt, on 24 September 2026 on the return leg of Lokayan 26. The Ministry of Defence said the three-masted barque left Kochi on 20 January 2026 for a roughly 10-month, 22,000-nautical-mile voyage across 18 ports in 13 countries. The port call includes exchanges with the Egyptian Navy. Source: Ministry of Defence, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Ship: INS Sudarshini (sail training ship)
• Expedition: Lokayan 26, from 20 January 2026
• Planned span: about 22,000 nm, 18 ports, 13 countries
• 24 September call: Alexandria, Egypt

International Affairs

[Official] India Puts ‘Sarvodaya’ Before G7 Development Ministers

Upcoming / UNGA sidelines: MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George told the 2nd G7 Development Ministers’ meeting, hosted by France in New York, that India’s path is human-centric and anchored in Sarvodaya. He said development is not only finance but domestic capability and resilience. He also backed early adoption of a Covenant on the Right to Development at a UNGA segment marking 40 years of the 1986 Declaration. Source: Ministry of External Affairs, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Forum: 2nd G7 Development Ministers’ meeting
• 2026 G7 chair: France
• Indian phrase used: Sarvodaya
• UNGA marker: 40th year of Right to Development Declaration

[Official] Upcoming Event: BRICS Theatre Festival Set for 12–14 October

The Ministry of Culture will host the BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 in New Delhi from 12 to 14 October, themed “Shared Stories, Shared Futures.” More than 100 practitioners from nine BRICS member and partner countries will take part. The opening is at the National School of Drama on 12 October. The festival follows the Bhopal Declaration of the BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting (August 2026). Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Dates and city: 12–14 October 2026, New Delhi
• Theme: Shared Stories, Shared Futures
• Opening venue: National School of Drama
• Linked text: Bhopal Declaration, August 2026

Environment & Ecology

[Secondary] India, Netherlands Sign Kalpasar Technical MoUs

On the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week at Bharat Mandapam, Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and Dutch Vice Minister Jaap Slootmaker oversaw two tripartite MoUs on Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project. The parties are the Central Water Commission, Gujarat’s Kalpasar Department, and Dutch institutes Deltares and TU Delft. IIWW 2026 (22–26 September) uses the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management.” A Letter of Intent was signed on 16 May 2026 after the Prime Minister’s Netherlands visit. Secondary reporting: ANI, 24 September 2026; official Jal Shakti release URL not located

Exam Points:

• Project: Kalpasar, Gujarat
• Dutch partners: Deltares and TU Delft
• IIWW 2026 theme: Climate Resilient Water Management
• LoI date: 16 May 2026

[Secondary] CII Paper Flags Climate Risk to India’s Milk Balance

A working paper by the CII Food and Agri Centre of Excellence and the Environmental Defence Fund, released on Thursday, said milk-output growth has slowed to about 3.5–3.7% from 6–7%, while demand has not. It cited a loss of 1.5 to 2 litres of milk per animal per day for each 1°C rise. Suggested tools include a national dairy data platform and a fodder-security strategy. These are industry-paper recommendations, not Union government targets. Secondary reporting: Business Standard / CII paper, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Cited growth slowdown: 6–7% to 3.5–3.7%
• Heat-loss thumb rule: 1.5–2 litres per animal per 1°C
• Issuers: CII FACE and Environmental Defence Fund
• Status: industry working paper, not a government target

Sports

[Official] Seema Wins Women’s 10,000m Bronze at Asian Games

Seema won bronze in the women’s 10,000m at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, ending a 16-year Indian drought in the event. The Prime Minister congratulated her on 24 September 2026. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: women’s 10,000m, Asian Games 2026
• Medal: bronze
• Drought ended: 16 years
• Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan

[Secondary] India Takes Silver in Mixed 4x400m Relay

India won silver in the mixed 4×400m relay. The quartet was T. S. Manu, M. R. Poovamma, Vishal T. K. and Vithya Ramraj, with Ramraj anchoring the final lap. Secondary reporting: The Hindu / Sportstar, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: mixed 4×400m relay
• Medal: silver
• Anchor: Vithya Ramraj
• Other members: T. S. Manu, M. R. Poovamma, Vishal T. K.

[Official] Naruka and Dhaliwal Win First Mixed-Skeet Asian Games Medal

Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal won bronze in mixed team skeet, India’s first Asian Games medal in that event. The Prime Minister congratulated the pair on 24 September 2026. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: mixed team skeet
• Medal: bronze
• Pair: Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Parinaaz Dhaliwal
• Status: India’s first AG medal in the event

[Official] Naorem Roshibina Devi Takes Wushu Sanda 60kg Silver

Naorem Roshibina Devi won silver in women’s sanda 60kg after losing the final 0–2 to China’s Zhang Xiaoyu. Reports described it as her third straight Asian Games medal (bronze 2018, silver 2023). The Prime Minister issued congratulations on 24 September 2026. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event: women’s sanda 60kg
• Medal: silver
• Opponent in final: Zhang Xiaoyu (China)
• Athlete: Naorem Roshibina Devi

Government Schemes, Reports & Indices

[Official] Upcoming Event: Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan

Upcoming event: Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda will inaugurate Arogya Manthan 2026 on 25 September 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, marking eight years of AB PM-JAY and five years of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Planned launches include the NHPR mobile app and a Secure Data Environment. As of 1 September 2026, NHA cited 97.8 crore ABHAs and 121 crore linked records; PM-JAY coverage was put at over 60 crore beneficiaries. Source: PIB, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Event date and venue: 25 September 2026, Vigyan Bhawan
• PM-JAY: eight years; ABDM: five years
• ABHAs cited: 97.8 crore (as of 1 September 2026)
• Linked health records cited: 121 crore

State-Specific News

[Secondary] Assam Cabinet Approves Muslim Marriage Registration Rules

The Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved the Assam Muslim Marriage Registration (Compulsory) Rules, 2026 under Section 25 of the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorces Act, 2024. Registration will be by government registrars, with panchayat-level officers if volumes rise. The Cabinet also gave women SHG members time until 31 March 2027 to finish Aadhaar enrolment and raised the October Arunodoi payout to ₹1,500 from ₹1,250. Secondary reporting: PTI, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Rules: Assam Muslim Marriage Registration (Compulsory) Rules, 2026
• Parent Act: 2024
• Registrars replace kazis for this function
• October Arunodoi amount: ₹1,500

Important Day / Theme

[Official] World Maritime Day

World Maritime Day fell on 24 September 2026, the last Thursday of September. The IMO theme for 2026 and 2027 is “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence” — the first two-year theme. A parallel event is due in Busan, Republic of Korea, on 26–27 October 2026. Source: IMO, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• 2026 date: last Thursday of September (24 September)
• Theme 2026–27: From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence
• First biennial IMO theme
• 2026 parallel event: Busan, 26–27 October

Static Link: IMO created by a 1948 Geneva Convention (then IMCO); convention in force 1958; renamed IMO in 1982; headquarters London.

[Official] World Cancer Research Day

The same date also marks World Cancer Research Day, kept each year on 24 September. IARC and partner bodies marked the 10th anniversary under the 2026 theme “Advancing Cancer Research Together.” Source: IARC, 24 September 2026

Exam Points:

• Fixed date: 24 September
• 2026 theme: Advancing Cancer Research Together
• 2026 marks the 10th anniversary
• Convening body among founders: IARC (WHO)

Don’t Confuse

24 September 2026 Current Affairs: One-Liner Revision

• FSSAI draft would bar non-milk analogues from using the name “paneer”; 60-day comments.
• Supreme Court set POCSO safeguards for custody cases involving a co-resident parent.
• Supreme Court asked ECI for a timeline on the TMC name and flowers-and-grass symbol.
• Crude sunflower BCD cut to nil; crude soybean and palm to 5%, effective 24 September 2026.
• Only 395 firms are Centre-declared Nidhis; their deposits are not DICGC-insured.
• SAIL targeted 35 MTPA crude steel capacity by FY 2030-31 at its 54th AGM.
• DRDO–Zero mK TDF pact is for an indigenous 20 mK dilution refrigerator.
• INS Sudarshini reached Alexandria on 24 September on the Lokayan 26 return leg.
• India invoked Sarvodaya at the France-chaired G7 Development Ministers’ meeting.
• BRICS Theatre Festival is scheduled in New Delhi on 12–14 October 2026.
• Kalpasar technical MoUs link CWC and Gujarat with Deltares and TU Delft.
• CII paper cited milk-output growth slowing to about 3.5–3.7%.
• Seema won Asian Games bronze in the women’s 10,000m.
• India took silver in the mixed 4×400m relay.
• Naruka and Dhaliwal won India’s first mixed-skeet Asian Games medal.
• World Maritime Day 2026–27 theme: From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.

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

Revision tip: lock the edible-oil duty grid, the FSSAI paneer draft, and the IMO biennial theme before tomorrow’s digest — all three are compact, repeatable prelim facts.