Daily Current Affairs September 24
Table of Contents
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September 24 | Daily Current Affairs 2026
Important Days – Daily Current Affairs September 24
1. What is the theme of World Maritime Day 2026?
A) Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet
B) Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity
C) Navigating the Future: Safety First
D) From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence
E) Green Shipping for Global Prosperity
Answer: D) From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.
Event and Location:
- Event: World Maritime Day 2026 was observed with the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence” to highlight effective implementation of international maritime standards.
- Location: The observance has global relevance, while the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event is associated with Busan, Republic of Korea.
- Date: World Maritime Day 2026 was observed on 24 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The International Maritime Organization selected the 2026–2027 theme to emphasize practical implementation of international maritime conventions, codes, regulations, and standards through technical assistance, training, institutional strengthening, enforcement, and information exchange.
- Objectives: The observance aims to strengthen maritime safety, security, efficiency, environmental protection, capacity building, innovation, and sustainable development across the international shipping sector.
Important Terms Explained:
- International Maritime Organization (IMO): It is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for developing the global regulatory framework for the safety, security, efficiency, and environmental performance of international shipping.
- Maritime Conventions: These are international agreements that establish common rules and standards covering areas such as ship safety, maritime security, pollution prevention, and efficient shipping.
- Capacity Building: It refers to strengthening the skills, institutions, systems, and technical capabilities required to implement and enforce maritime standards effectively.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): They are global goals under the UN 2030 Agenda, with the 2026–2027 maritime theme linked particularly to SDG 9, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 17.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | World Maritime Day 2026. |
| Date | 24 September 2026. |
| Theme | “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”. |
| Theme period | The theme applies to both 2026 and 2027. |
| Organising body | International Maritime Organization. |
| Parallel event location | Busan, Republic of Korea. |
| Main focus | Effective implementation of international maritime rules, conventions, and codes. |
| Significance | Maritime transport carries more than 80% of world trade and is vital to global economic activity. |
Sports – Daily Current Affairs September 24
2. Who won the silver medal for India in women’s 60 kg Sanda at the Asian Games 2026 on Day 5?
A) Parinaaz Dhaliwal
B) Naorem Roshibina Devi
C) Anahat Singh
D) Sakshi Chaudhary
E) Pranati Nayak
Answer: B) Naorem Roshibina Devi.
Event and Location:
- Event: India won three medals on Day 5 of the Asian Games 2026, comprising one silver and two bronze medals, taking its overall tally to 15 medals.
- Location: The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Date: India recorded these Day 5 results on 24 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: Naorem Roshibina Devi won silver in women’s 60 kg Sanda, Satnam Singh and Salman Khan secured bronze in men’s double sculls, and Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka won bronze in mixed team skeet.
- Objectives: India aimed to strengthen its overall medal tally across individual and team events while progressing further in disciplines including kabaddi, hockey, table tennis, squash, boxing, athletics, and shooting.
Important Terms Explained:
- Sanda: It is a competitive Chinese martial arts combat discipline involving striking and throwing techniques, and forms part of wushu competition.
- Double Sculls: It is a rowing event in which two rowers each use two oars to propel a racing shell.
- Mixed Skeet: It is a shooting event in which a male and female shooter compete together as a team in skeet shooting.
- Quadruple Sculls: It is a rowing event featuring four rowers, each using two oars.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Host location | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. |
| Day 5 date | 24 September 2026. |
| Day 5 medals | India won one silver and two bronze medals. |
| Wushu medal | Naorem Roshibina Devi won silver in women’s 60 kg Sanda. |
| Rowing medal | Satnam Singh and Salman Khan won bronze in men’s double sculls. |
| Shooting medal | Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Anantjeet Singh Naruka won bronze in mixed team skeet. |
| Overall medal tally | India reached 15 medals with 1 gold, 6 silver, and 8 bronze medals. |
| Historic achievement | The men’s double sculls bronze was India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in that event. |
Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs September 24
3. To what level did the Asian Development Bank (ADB) raise India’s GDP growth forecast for FY2026-27 in September 2026?
A) 6.5%
B) 6.6%
C) 6.8%
D) 7.0%
E) 7.3%
Answer: D) 7.0%.
Event and Location:
- Event: The Asian Development Bank raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY2026-27 to 7.0% from its July 2026 estimate of 6.6%.
- Location: The revised economic growth forecast applies to India.
- Date: The revised forecast was released in the September 2026 Asian Development Outlook.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: ADB revised India’s FY2026-27 growth projection upward by 0.4 percentage points after GDP expanded by 7.8% year-on-year in the first quarter, supported by strong investment demand, consumption, manufacturing, and services.
- Objectives: The outlook assesses India’s economic prospects by evaluating domestic demand, public and private investment, inflation, fiscal conditions, external balances, and risks from geopolitical and weather-related disruptions.
Important Terms Explained:
- Asian Development Outlook (ADO): It is ADB’s economic publication providing growth, inflation, and other macroeconomic forecasts and assessments for economies in Asia and the Pacific.
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP): It is the total monetary value of final goods and services produced within a country during a specified period and is a key measure of economic activity.
- Fiscal Deficit: It is the gap between a government’s total expenditure and its total receipts excluding borrowings, and ADB expects India’s fiscal deficit to remain around 4.3% of GDP.
- Foreign Exchange Reserves: These are external assets held by a country’s central bank, and India’s reserves were reported at USD 740.8 billion.
- Repo Rate: It is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends short-term funds to commercial banks against eligible securities.
- Current Account Deficit: It occurs when a country’s imports of goods, services, and transfers exceed its corresponding exports and receipts, with India’s deficit expected to widen in FY2026-27 before narrowing in FY2027-28.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| FY2026-27 GDP forecast | ADB raised India’s growth forecast to 7.0%. |
| Previous forecast | The July 2026 projection was 6.6%. |
| Q1 GDP growth | India’s GDP grew by 7.8% year-on-year in Q1 FY2026-27. |
| FY2027-28 forecast | ADB lowered the growth projection to 7.1% from 7.3%. |
| Inflation forecast | ADB reduced the FY2026-27 inflation estimate to 5.0% from 5.2%. |
| Fiscal deficit | India’s fiscal deficit is expected to remain around 4.3% of GDP. |
| Forex reserves | India’s foreign exchange reserves were reported at USD 740.8 billion. |
| Key growth drivers | Domestic demand, public infrastructure investment, manufacturing, services, and private investment are expected to support growth. |
4. From which date did the Punjab government’s revised DA and DR rates of 50% become effective?
A) 1 July 2026
B) 1 August 2026
C) 1 September 2026
D) 1 October 2026
E) 1 January 2027
Answer: C) 1 September 2026.
Event and Location:
- Event: The Punjab government notified an 8 percentage-point increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners and family pensioners, raising both rates from 42% to 50%.
- Location: The revised allowance and relief rates apply to eligible Punjab state government employees, pensioners, and family pensioners.
- Date: The revised DA and DR rates became effective from 1 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Punjab government increased DA for eligible employees and DR for pensioners and family pensioners from 42% to 50% following consultations with employee trade unions and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
- Objectives: The increase is intended to provide additional financial support to employees and pensioners against rising living expenses and the higher cost of essential commodities.
Important Terms Explained:
- Dearness Allowance: It is an allowance paid to eligible government employees to compensate for the impact of inflation on their salaries.
- Dearness Relief: It is the inflation-linked relief provided to pensioners and family pensioners on their pension benefits.
- Percentage Point: It measures the absolute difference between two percentage rates, meaning the increase from 42% to 50% is 8 percentage points rather than an 8% increase on the existing rate.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Decision | Punjab notified an increase in DA and DR rates. |
| Effective date | The revised rates apply from 1 September 2026. |
| Previous rate | DA and DR were previously 42%. |
| Revised rate | DA and DR were increased to 50%. |
| Increase | The revision amounts to 8 percentage points. |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible state government employees, pensioners, and family pensioners. |
| Consultation | The decision followed discussions between employee trade unions and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. |
| Purpose | The revision provides additional support against inflation and rising living costs. |
Awards – Daily Current Affairs September 24
5. Which Mizoram farmer has been selected among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development?
A) Z T Lalrithangi
B) Lalhmingliani
C) Vanlalruati
D) Zothanpari
E) Lalbiakveli
Answer: A) Z T Lalrithangi.
Event and Location:
- Event: Mizoram farmer Z T Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i, was selected among the FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development for her contribution to farming and rural development.
- Location: She hails from the Sangau area of Lawngtlai District in southern Mizoram, while the recognition ceremony will be held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
- Date: FAO informed her of the selection on 21 September 2026, and the recognition ceremony is scheduled during the World Food Forum from 12 to 16 October 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Food and Agriculture Organization is recognising 100 women for their contributions to agrifood systems and rural development as part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
- Objectives: The initiative aims to highlight women farmers’ contributions and draw attention to challenges involving access to land, finance, technology, education, services, and decision-making in agrifood systems.
Important Terms Explained:
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): It is a specialised agency of the United Nations that works to improve food security, agriculture, nutrition, and rural development.
- International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026: It is a United Nations-designated observance aimed at recognising women farmers and promoting gender equality across agrifood systems.
- Agrifood Systems: These encompass the entire process of producing, processing, distributing, marketing, consuming, and managing food and agricultural products.
- Horticulture: It is the branch of agriculture concerned with cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other high-value crops, including strawberries, avocados, and bananas.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Awardee | Z T Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i. |
| Recognition | She was selected among FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development. |
| Home district | She belongs to Sangau in Lawngtlai District of Mizoram. |
| Main crop | She developed a successful livelihood through strawberry cultivation. |
| Farm scale | She now cultivates more than 10,000 strawberry plants along with avocado and banana on two hectares. |
| Income achievement | She earned more than ₹10 lakh from strawberry farming in 2025. |
| Global initiative | The recognition is linked to the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026. |
| Award ceremony | The recognition will be presented during the World Food Forum in Rome from 12 to 16 October 2026. |
6. Who will receive the National Lata Mangeshkar Award 2026 for contribution to music direction?
A) A R Rahman
B) Shantanu Moitra
C) Pritam Chakraborty
D) Vishal Bhardwaj
E) Amit Trivedi
Answer: B) Shantanu Moitra.
Event and Location:
- Event: Music composer Shantanu Moitra will receive the National Lata Mangeshkar Award 2026 for his contribution to music direction.
- Location: The award ceremony will be held at the Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- Date: The award will be presented on 28 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Government of Madhya Pradesh will confer the award on Shantanu Moitra during a two-day programme marking the birth anniversary of legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.
- Objectives: The award recognises outstanding contribution to the music industry and preserves the musical legacy associated with Lata Mangeshkar.
Important Terms Explained:
- National Lata Mangeshkar Award: It is an award instituted by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1984 to honour distinguished contributions to the field of music.
- Music Direction: It refers to composing, arranging, and supervising music for films or other productions, including songs and background scores.
- National Film Award: It is a major Indian film honour, and Shantanu Moitra received the National Film Award for Best Music Direction in the background score category for the Telugu film Na Bangaru Talli in 2014.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Award name | National Lata Mangeshkar Award 2026. |
| Recipient | Shantanu Moitra. |
| Awarding authority | Government of Madhya Pradesh. |
| Presentation date | 28 September 2026. |
| Venue | Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium, Indore. |
| Award component | The award carries a tax-free cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a citation. |
| Reason for honour | Shantanu Moitra is being recognised for his contribution to music direction. |
| Associated occasion | The award ceremony forms part of a two-day celebration of Lata Mangeshkar’s birth anniversary. |
Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs September 24
7. Which NASA mission has advanced to Phase B for preliminary design and technology development as a far-infrared space telescope?
A) James Webb Space Telescope
B) PRIMA
C) Hubble Space Telescope
D) Roman Space Telescope
E) Chandra X-ray Observatory
Answer: B) PRIMA.
Event and Location:
- Event: NASA advanced PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) to Phase B, beginning preliminary design and technology development for a new far-infrared space telescope.
- Location: The mission is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, with contributions from other NASA centres and international partners.
- Date: NASA announced PRIMA’s advancement to Phase B on 23 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: PRIMA will undergo preliminary design and technology development in Phase B before a confirmation review determines whether it can proceed to Phase C for implementation.
- Objectives: The mission aims to study planet formation, galaxy and black-hole evolution, the accumulation of dust and heavy elements, and the origins of water on Earth through sensitive far-infrared observations.
Important Terms Explained:
- Phase B: It is the NASA mission-development stage focused on preliminary design, technology development, requirements refinement, and preparation for later implementation.
- Far-Infrared: It is a region of the electromagnetic spectrum between the mid-infrared wavelengths observed by telescopes such as JWST and the submillimetre wavelengths studied by facilities such as ALMA.
- Probe Explorers: It is a new class of mid-cost astrophysics missions within NASA’s Explorers Program designed to address major scientific questions at lower cost than flagship observatories.
- Confirmation Review: It is the assessment of a mission’s technical readiness, programme performance, cost, and schedule before approval to proceed into Phase C.
- Decadal Survey: It is a priority-setting assessment prepared by the US National Academies that recommends major scientific goals and mission priorities for astronomy and astrophysics.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Mission name | PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics. |
| Development stage | PRIMA has advanced to Phase B for preliminary design and technology development. |
| Announcement date | NASA announced the decision on 23 September 2026. |
| Telescope size | The observatory will use a 5.9-foot, or 1.8-metre, telescope. |
| Launch target | PRIMA is targeted for launch in 2033. |
| Planned mission duration | The planned operational mission length is five years. |
| Project cost cap | The project cost is capped at $1.2 billion if confirmed, excluding launch and other non-project costs. |
| Managing centre | NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California manages the mission. |
8. What is the orbital period of eRASSU J060839.5–704014 (eRASSU J0608), the ultracompact double-white-dwarf binary studied by an international team led by Indian astronomers?
A) 274.15 seconds
B) 324.15 seconds
C) 374.15 seconds
D) 424.15 seconds
E) 474.15 seconds
Answer: C) 374.15 seconds.
Event and Location:
- Event: An international team led by Indian astronomers studied eRASSU J0608 and identified it as one of the fastest-evolving ultracompact double-white-dwarf binaries, completing an orbit in about 374.15 seconds.
- Location: The binary appears in the direction of the Large Magellanic Cloud but is considered to lie in its foreground, with its exact distance still uncertain.
- Date: The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on 10 August 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The researchers analysed X-ray observations collected over about three-and-a-half years using NASA’s NICER, China’s Einstein Probe, and ESA’s XMM-Newton to measure the binary’s orbital evolution and physical characteristics.
- Objectives: The study aims to understand rapid orbital decay, direct transfer of matter between compact stars, and gravitational-wave emission from ultracompact stellar binaries while assessing the system as a potential verification source for future space-based detectors.
Important Terms Explained:
- White Dwarf: It is a dense stellar remnant left after a low- or intermediate-mass star exhausts its nuclear fuel and sheds its outer layers.
- Ultracompact Binary: It is a binary star system in which two compact objects orbit extremely close to each other with a very short orbital period.
- Direct-Impact Accretion: It is a process in which matter transferred from one star strikes its companion directly without first forming an accretion disk.
- Gravitational Waves: They are ripples in spacetime produced by accelerating massive objects, with compact binary systems losing orbital energy and angular momentum through gravitational radiation.
- Chirp Mass: It is a combined mass parameter derived from the masses of two orbiting objects that strongly determines the frequency evolution and amplitude of their gravitational-wave signal.
- Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA): It is a planned European Space Agency mission designed to detect low-frequency gravitational waves using three spacecraft separated by millions of kilometres.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Object studied | eRASSU J060839.5–704014, also known as eRASSU J0608. |
| System type | It is an ultracompact double-white-dwarf binary. |
| Orbital period | The two white dwarfs complete an orbit in 374.15013 seconds, or about 6.24 minutes. |
| Orbital decay rate | The orbital period is decreasing at about 4.7 × 10⁻¹¹ seconds per second. |
| Accretion mechanism | Matter is believed to strike the companion directly through direct-impact accretion. |
| Estimated chirp mass | The system has an estimated chirp mass of about 0.43 solar masses. |
| Observatories used | The study used data from NICER, Einstein Probe, and XMM-Newton. |
| Scientific significance | The system may serve as a verification source for future gravitational-wave observations, including LISA. |
International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs September 24
9. What is the name of the UK’s first dedicated military unit created to counter hostile activity in space and protect satellites?
A) No. I Space Operations Squadron
B) No. II Space Warning Squadron
C) No. III Space Effects Squadron
D) Space Defence Operations Wing
E) Orbital Security Squadron
Answer: C) No. III Space Effects Squadron.
Event and Location:
- Event: The United Kingdom established No. III Space Effects Squadron as its first dedicated military unit designed to counter hostile activity in space and protect critical satellite infrastructure.
- Location: The squadron has been established in the United Kingdom under UK Space Command and will safeguard UK and allied interests in outer space.
- Date: The squadron was created in September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The squadron will defend satellites, respond to hostile activities in orbit, employ electronic warfare capabilities, support defensive and offensive space operations, and disrupt, degrade, or deny adversarial space-based capabilities.
- Objectives: The unit aims to protect satellite systems supporting defence, communications, navigation, intelligence, surveillance, and missile-warning functions while strengthening the UK’s ability to deter threats in space.
Important Terms Explained:
- UK Space Command: It is the military command responsible for coordinating the United Kingdom’s defence activities and capabilities in the space domain.
- Electronic Warfare: It involves the use of electromagnetic energy to detect, disrupt, deceive, or deny an adversary’s use of electronic systems and communications.
- Space-based ISR: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance refers to the use of satellites and other space systems to collect information for monitoring, assessment, and defence operations.
- NATO Article 5: It is NATO’s collective-defence provision under which an armed attack against one member may be treated as an attack against all members, subject to the alliance’s decision-making process.
- Space Debris: It refers to defunct satellites, fragments, and other human-made objects in orbit that can endanger operational spacecraft through high-speed collisions.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Unit name | No. III Space Effects Squadron. |
| Country | United Kingdom. |
| Established | September 2026. |
| Command structure | The unit operates under UK Space Command. |
| Main role | It will counter hostile activity in space and protect critical satellite infrastructure. |
| Operational capabilities | It will use electronic warfare and support defensive and offensive space operations. |
| Related RAF units | It will operate alongside No. I Space Operations Squadron and No. II Space Warning Squadron. |
| Investment | The UK has committed £880 million over four years to space-based ISR and Space Control capabilities. |
Schemes – Daily Current Affairs September 24
10. What is the core operating principle of Bharat Taxi?
A) Passenger First
B) Driver is the Owner
C) One Nation One Taxi
D) Mobility for All
E) Cooperative Transport Mission
Answer: B) Driver is the Owner.
Event and Location:
- Event: Bharat Taxi was launched as a cooperative ride-hailing service based on the principle of “Driver is the Owner” across five cities of Uttar Pradesh.
- Location: The service was launched in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, and Prayagraj, with the main launch programme held in Lucknow.
- Date: Bharat Taxi was launched in the five Uttar Pradesh cities on 23 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The cooperative-led platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited allows taxi, two-wheeler, and three-wheeler drivers called Saarthis to register, earn without ride commissions, receive payments directly, and participate in cooperative ownership and decision-making.
- Objectives: The initiative aims to extend the cooperative model into urban mobility, strengthen drivers’ ownership and income security, provide social-security benefits, and create a driver-centric alternative in the ride-hailing sector.
Important Terms Explained:
- Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL): It is the cooperative entity operating Bharat Taxi and enabling participating drivers to hold a stake in the platform.
- Saarthis: This is the term used for drivers registered with Bharat Taxi, who participate as stakeholders in the cooperative-based mobility platform.
- Zero Commission Model: It means registered drivers do not pay commission on individual rides, allowing their ride earnings to be credited directly to their accounts.
- e-Shram: It is a national database platform for unorganised workers that can facilitate access to eligible social-security, health, and insurance benefits.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): It is a formal agreement outlining cooperation between organisations, with Lucknow Airport, Lucknow Metro, and Lucknow Police signing MoUs with Bharat Taxi.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Launch date | Bharat Taxi was launched in the five Uttar Pradesh cities on 23 September 2026. |
| Cities covered | Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, and Prayagraj. |
| Operating principle | The service follows the “Driver is the Owner” model. |
| Operating entity | The platform is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited. |
| Registered drivers in five cities | Around 40,000 Saarthis had registered across the five Uttar Pradesh cities. |
| National participation | More than 10 lakh Saarthis had joined nationally since the service began in February 2026. |
| Platform scale | Around 40 lakh passengers had joined, with approximately 20,000 daily rides. |
| Driver earnings | More than Rs 100 crore had been credited to Saarthis. |
11. Under the DURGA Scheme, how many pink electric autos will be allocated in the first phase?
A) 1,000
B) 1,100
C) 1,200
D) 1,300
E) 1,500
Answer: D) 1,300.
Event and Location:
- Event: The Delhi Cabinet approved the Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto (DURGA) Scheme to allocate 1,300 pink electric autos to women and transgender persons in its first phase.
- Location: The scheme applies across 13 revenue districts of Delhi.
- Date: The Delhi Cabinet approved the scheme on 23 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The scheme provides 1,170 pink e-autos for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries, with recipients owning and driving the vehicles and applications to be accepted through a dedicated online portal.
- Objectives: The scheme aims to promote self-employment among women and transgender persons, improve passenger safety, expand their participation in the transport sector, strengthen last-mile connectivity, and encourage cleaner electric mobility.
Important Terms Explained:
- Pink E-Auto: It is an electric auto-rickshaw with distinct DURGA branding intended to provide identifiable public transport operated by eligible women and transgender beneficiaries.
- Lock-In Period: It is the mandatory three-year period during which a vehicle allotted under the scheme cannot be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of.
- Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Badge: It is an authorisation required for eligible drivers to operate specified passenger transport vehicles for public service.
- Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) Licence: It is a driving licence category required under the scheme for applicants seeking to operate the allotted electric autos.
- Last-Mile Connectivity: It refers to transport services that connect passengers between major public transport points and their final destinations.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Scheme name | Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto Scheme. |
| Approval date | The Delhi Cabinet approved the scheme on 23 September 2026. |
| Total e-autos | The first phase provides 1,300 pink electric autos. |
| Beneficiary allocation | 1,170 autos are reserved for women and 130 for transgender persons. |
| District cap | A maximum of 90 autos for women and 10 for transgender persons are allotted per revenue district. |
| Eligibility age | Applicants must be between 20 and 40 years of age. |
| Lock-in period | Each allotted e-auto carries a mandatory three-year lock-in period. |
| Charging support | DMRC has provided space for EV charging at parking areas of 70 metro stations. |
12. What is the maximum combined rooftop solar subsidy available for systems up to 3 kW through the Delhi PM Surya Ghar initiative?
A) ₹78,000
B) ₹1.00 lakh
C) ₹1.20 lakh
D) ₹1.56 lakh
E) ₹2.00 lakh
Answer: D) ₹1.56 lakh.
Event and Location:
- Event: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Delhi PM Surya Ghar registration portal to facilitate rooftop solar installations and access to combined Central and Delhi government subsidies.
- Location: The portal and additional rooftop solar benefits apply to eligible households in Delhi.
- Date: The portal was launched on 21 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The initiative provides online registration, information on authorised vendors, subsidy details, complaint facilities, and a rooftop solar calculator, while offering combined subsidies of up to ₹1.56 lakh for systems of up to 3 kW.
- Objectives: The initiative aims to expand residential rooftop solar adoption, lower household electricity costs, promote clean energy, and support Delhi’s target of covering around 2.30 lakh families.
Important Terms Explained:
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: It is a Central government rooftop solar programme launched on 13 February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore to cover one crore households and enable up to 300 units of free electricity per month.
- Delhi PM Surya Ghar Portal: It is Delhi’s rooftop solar registration platform at solar.delhi.gov.in, providing registration, subsidy information, authorised vendor details, complaint facilities, and solar-capacity calculations.
- Rooftop Solar System: It is a solar photovoltaic installation placed on a building’s roof to generate electricity for household or common-area consumption.
- Central Subsidy: It provides ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the additional capacity up to 3 kW, with the Central support capped at ₹78,000.
- New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC): It is the civic body that separately approved measures including electric vehicles, EV parking concessions, an Ayush hospital, street-lighting upgrades, and other municipal initiatives.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Portal launch date | The Delhi PM Surya Ghar portal was launched on 21 September 2026. |
| Launched by | Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the registration portal. |
| Maximum subsidy | Combined Central and Delhi government support can reach ₹1.56 lakh for systems up to 3 kW. |
| Central support | The Central subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 for rooftop solar capacity up to 3 kW. |
| Delhi support | The Delhi government provides an additional subsidy of up to ₹78,000. |
| Household target | The Delhi initiative aims to cover around 2.30 lakh families. |
| Zero upfront provision | Domestic consumers using up to 400 units per month can get systems up to 3 kW installed without upfront payment. |
| Maintenance support | Authorised vendors will operate and maintain installed systems for the first five years. |
National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs September 24
13. Which two Indian entries were included in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027?
A) Gujarat and Nilgiri Mountain Railway
B) Gujarat and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
C) Rajasthan and Kalka–Shimla Railway
D) Kerala and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
E) Gujarat and Konkan Railway
Answer: B) Gujarat and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
Event and Location:
- Event: Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 included Gujarat among 25 recommended destinations and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway among 25 recommended travel experiences.
- Location: Gujarat and the Darjeeling region of West Bengal represented India in the 2027 selection.
- Date: The Best in Travel 2027 selection was reported on 24 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: Lonely Planet selected 25 destinations and 25 travel experiences across six global regions, with Gujarat recognised for its landscapes, wildlife, heritage, and craftsmanship, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway chosen for its distinctive mountain rail journey.
- Objectives: The selection highlights noteworthy global destinations and travel experiences while showcasing India’s natural diversity, cultural heritage, historic railway engineering, and tourism potential.
Important Terms Explained:
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR): Popularly known as the Toy Train, it is a 2-foot narrow-gauge mountain railway running from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling through the hills of West Bengal.
- Mountain Railways of India: It is a UNESCO World Heritage property comprising the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka–Shimla Railway.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: It is a place recognised by UNESCO for outstanding cultural or natural value, with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway first inscribed in 1999.
- Rann of Kachchh: It is a major salt desert landscape in Gujarat and was among the natural features highlighted in the state’s selection.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| List name | Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027. |
| Total selections | The list contains 25 destinations and 25 travel experiences. |
| Indian destination | Gujarat was selected among the 25 destinations. |
| Indian experience | Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was selected among the 25 travel experiences. |
| Gujarat highlights | Salt flats, coastal areas, wildlife, historic towns, handicrafts, and textile traditions were highlighted. |
| Railway significance | The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway offers a mountain journey through hills and tea plantations. |
| UNESCO status | The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999. |
| Railway route | The narrow-gauge railway runs from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling via Ghoom. |
14. Under which project is ISRO’s Advanced Radar Research Centre at Chandrapur being developed?
A) Project Gaganyaan
B) Project NETRA
C) Project NISAR
D) Project Shukrayaan
E) Project NavIC
Answer: B) Project NETRA.
Event and Location:
- Event: The foundation stone for ISRO’s Advanced Radar Research Centre was laid to strengthen India’s capability to track satellites, space debris, and other objects in orbit.
- Location: The centre is being established at Chandrapur near Guwahati in Assam and is described as the first facility of its kind in Northeast India.
- Date: The foundation stone was laid on 21 September 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The centre is being developed under Project NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis) with a phased-array radar and other tracking systems for detecting orbital objects, determining their trajectories, and supporting collision and re-entry monitoring.
- Objectives: The facility aims to improve India’s space situational awareness, protect important space assets, strengthen debris-tracking capability, and support research related to clouds, rainfall, floods, and other space-linked observations.
Important Terms Explained:
- Space Situational Awareness (SSA): It refers to detecting, tracking, and predicting the movement of satellites, rocket bodies, and space debris to reduce collision risks and protect space assets.
- Phased-Array Radar: It is a radar system that electronically steers its beam using multiple fixed antenna elements, allowing rapid scanning without mechanically moving the antenna.
- Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR): It is an existing ISRO radar facility at Sriharikota designed to track multiple space objects simultaneously.
- Space Debris: It consists of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, fragments, and other human-made objects remaining in Earth orbit.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Facility name | ISRO Advanced Radar Research Centre. |
| Location | Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam. |
| Foundation stone date | 21 September 2026. |
| Project | The centre is part of Project NETRA. |
| Key officials | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and ISRO Chairperson V Narayanan were present at the ceremony. |
| Radar type | The proposed facility will use phased-array radar technology. |
| Reported capability | The radar is expected to detect objects as small as 10 cm at ranges of up to 2,000 km. |
| First radar timeline | A radar intended for cloud research is expected by February 2027. |
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