Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 24th Sep 2026

Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will host the second edition of its largest-ever multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti-26 in Jodhpur.

• Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is the multinational air exercise to be conducted in Jodhpur.
• Participating Countries: Eight friendly foreign countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, UAE and USA will participate with air assets, while 32 nations will be attending as observers.
• It is aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating air forces, while providing a platform for exchanging operational experience and showcasing India’s air combat capabilities.
• The exercise will see the participation of advanced combat aircraft, including the U.S. Air Force’s F-35, the French Rafale, the UAE’s F-16 and a Bangladeshi C-130J.
• The IAF will field a range of its frontline platforms, including the Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.

Lord Howe Island:

A 16-year study from Lord Howe Island found record levels of plastic ingestion in fledgling sable shearwaters.

• Lord Howe Island is a crescent-shaped, volcanic island.
• It was discovered in 1788 and named for Admiral Lord Howe by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball of the British navy.
• About 47% of the island’s vascular plants are endemic, including the famous Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana).
• It has endemic species like the Lord Howe Island Phasmid which is considered the world’s largest stick insect, and the flightless Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallis sylvestris).
• It hosts the world’s largest known population of sable shearwaters.
• The Lord Howe Island Group is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts countless unique plants and animals, many of which are endemic to the region.

Oxyserphus narendrani:

Researchers discovered the tiny insect in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and named it Oxyserphus narendrani.

• Oxyserphus narendrani is a new species of parasitic wasp discovered in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Assam.
• The members of the Oxyserphus genus are incredibly rare in insect collections globally and are typically only found in high-altitude areas.
• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.
• It was originally created to help conserve the habitat of the rare white-winged wood duck.
• The Park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south.
• It mainly consists of moist mixed semi-evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests, canebrakes and grasslands. It is the largest salix swamp forest in north-eastern India.
• It has a tropical monsoon climate with a hot and wet summer and cool and usually dry winter.
• It mainly consists of Hollong, Nahor, Simul, Sissoo, Khair, and Jamun are commonly found.
• Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Hog Deer, Sambar Deer, and Barking Deer are commonly found.

International Mobile Equipment Identity Number:

India’s active wireless mobile subscriber base reached 1,204.01 million in July 2026 and it brings new security challenges i.e the misuse of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number or IMEI tampering.

• It is a unique 15-digit number that identifies a mobile device on a telecom network.
• The first eight digits of an IMEI form the Type Allocation Code (TAC), which identifies the device model or type.
• Allocation of IMEI numbers: The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) oversees the global allocation of TAC.
• GSMA allocate TACs to manufacturers and brand owners. Manufacturers then assign unique IMEIs to individual devices.
• A dual-SIM phone generally has two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot.
• Identification: Users can dial *#06#on their mobile device to display its IMEI number.
• India’s IMEI Ecosystem:
  • They must register the IMEI numbers of all applicable telecom devices manufactured in India with the Government before their first sale, testing, research or other use.
  • Registration is carried out through the Device Setu–Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) portal.
  • They must register IMEI numbers on Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) portal with the Central Government before importing applicable telecom equipment into India.
  • They also must ensure that telecom devices offered for sale have valid and untampered IMEI numbers.
  • They must ensure that devices sold under their brands comply with applicable IMEI registration and cybersecurity requirements.
  • India’s legal framework to protect the telecommunication ecosystem:
    • The Telecommunications Act, 2023: It provides stringent action against tampering with telecommunication identifiers, including the IMEI number of mobile handsets and other telecommunication devices.
      • Section 42(3)(c)prohibits tampering with telecommunication
      • Section 42(3)(e)prohibits obtaining Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) or telecommunication identifiers through fraud, cheating or impersonation.
      • Violations may attract imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both. Such offences are cognizable and non-bailable under Section 42(7) of the Act.
      • Under Section 42(6), persons who abet or promote the commission of such offences are also liable to the same punishment.

National Single Window System: In News

The National Single Window System marks a significant step towards creating a transparent, and technology-driven regulatory ecosystem.

• National Single Window System serves as a digital platform that guides investors in identifying and applying for the approvals required for their businesses.
• It is implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• It integrates approvals offered by Central Ministries, State Governments, and regulatory authorities on a common digital platform.
• It is the Know Your Approvals (KYA) module, a tool that identifies the approvals applicable to a business based on its proposed activities.
• The portal hosts applications for approvals from 32 Central Ministries/ Departments and 34 State Governments and Union Territories.
• It captures information through a single interface and enables reuse of information across applications.
• It offers seamless access through a dedicated State Registration Form, ensuring integration with State-level approval mechanisms.
• It includes an applicant dashboard for submitting applications, monitoring their status, and responding to departmental queries.
• A centralized Document Repository enables one-time upload and reuse of documents across multiple approvals, reducing duplication of submissions.
• It facilitates online exchange of queries and clarifications between applicants and the concerned Ministries and State Governments.
• It simplifies the approval process by enabling one-time submission of information and documents.
• It helps reduce compliance and approval timelines.
• It also enhances transparency through real-time application tracking and online communication with regulatory authorities.
• NSWS minimizes duplication of information across departments and improves coordination among government agencies through an integrated digital ecosystem.

Emi Koussi Volcano:

A 2024 astronaut photo captured an unusual salt patch shining like snow on top of northern Chad’s imposing Emi Koussi volcano, which is covered with ancient lava, hidden vents and shadowy waterways.

• Emi Koussi Volcano is a large shield volcano located in the central Sahara in the north of the Republic of Chad.
• It lies at the southeast end of the Tibesti Mountains.
• It is not only the highest mountain in Chad but also the highest in the Sahara.
• Nested within the main caldera is a smaller crater that contains white salts of a dry lake at its lowest point.
• Emi Koussi is extinct, and it is not known when it last erupted.
• A maar is a broad, low-relief volcanic crater caused by an explosion which occurs when groundwater comes into contact with hot lava or magma.
• A maar characteristically fills with water to form a relatively shallow crater lake.

What is the Great Cormorant?

A Hyderabad-born Canadian birder spotted a rare Great Cormorant at Ameenpur Lake near BHEL recently.

• Great Cormorant is a large waterbird and a member of the cormorant family of seabirds.
• Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax carbo
• They are probably the most widespread member of the cormorant family with a range that includes North America, Europe, Africa, China, India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and
• Well adapted to aquatic environments, they live in the shallow waters along marine shorelines but may inhabit lakes and rivers.
• It is the largest member of the cormorant family.
• Males are typically larger and heavier than females.
• They have dark, glossy plumage, very long necks, long, hooked bills and webbed feet.
• Their powerful bills are greyish with white patches around its base.
• They employ their powerful webbed feet for efficient swimming and diving to catch a variety of prey, including fish, crabs, and, in some areas, frogs or ducklings.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO):

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation recently called for rational, safe and responsible use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used commonly to relieve pain and inflammation, and antibiotics.

• Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetics.
• It is responsible for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945.
• Its primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs, medical devices, and diagnostic kits.
• The organization plays a pivotal role in the regulation and supervision of drug development, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing in India.
• It works under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Headed By the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is the head of the CDSCO.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for:
  • Approval of new drugs; Conduct of clinical trials; Laying down the standards for drugs; Control over the quality of imported drugs in the country; Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations;
  • CDSCO, along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for the grant of licenses for certain specialized categories of critical drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine, and Sera.
  • It is also responsible for overseeing the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of medical devices in the country.
  • The CDSCO ensures that medical devices comply with safety, quality, and efficacy standards.

Koel River : In News

Four teenagers recently drowned in the Koel River in Jharkhand’s Palamu district while immersing materials used for Karma Puja

• Koel River is an important river flowing through the states of Jharkhand and Odisha.
• It originates from the Palamau Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand, and flows in the western part of Palamu District.
• The river is believed to be fed by three streams of Jharkhand, namely South Karo, North Karo and Koina.
• The river divides into two:
  • North Koel River: It is tapped near Kutku for irrigation reasons and finally joins with the Son River (a principal southern tributary of the Ganges).
  • South Koel River: It joins the Sankh River near Rourkela in Odisha to form the Brahmani River.
• Flowing through the hilly terrain of Jharkhand and Odisha, the Koel River is part of the larger Damodar Valley region, known for its mineral-rich landscape.
• It is prone to seasonal flooding, particularly during the monsoon months.
• The North Koel Dam, also known as the Mandal Dam, was constructed on the North Koel River in Jharkhand, intended to generate hydroelectric power and supply irrigation water.

Garamantes Civilization:

A recent study using satellite imagery and aerial photographs has revealed previously undocumented fortified farms, walled villages and fortified towns in Libya’s Fezzan region, providing new evidence of the Garamantes civilization and its extensive settlement network.

• They were an ancient civilization that thrived in the Sahara Desert from approximately 500 BCE to 200 CE, primarily centered in the Fazzan region of southwest Libya.
• They established significant urban centers, including their capital, Germa, as well as Zinchera and Saniat Gebril, alongside numerous other settlements.
• Contrary to historical depictions of them as nomadic, archaeological findings suggest that the Garamantes were an advanced society skilled in constructing extensive underground irrigation systems known as foggara, which allowed them to access groundwater for agriculture in an arid environment.
• The origins of the Garamantes remain debated among scholars, with theories ranging from Berber ancestry to connections with Neolithic peoples.
• Their civilization engaged in trade with nearby Mediterranean regions, exchanging goods like salt, gold, ivory, and slaves, and transitioned from military conflict to becoming important trading partners with the Roman Empire.
• However, environmental changes, particularly falling water levels, led to the decline of the Garamantes by the sixth century CE, resulting in the eventual abandonment of their urban centers.
• The legacy of the Garamantes is marked by their innovative adaptation to a challenging landscape and their role in shaping the cultural and historical landscape of ancient North Africa.

World Rhino Day 2026:

World Rhino Day was observed on 22nd September to raise awareness about the conservation of the world’s five remaining rhinoceros species. The 2026 theme, “Keep the Five Alive”, focuses on protecting rhino habitats, preventing poaching and curbing illegal rhino horn trade.On this occasion, the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) released its 2026 State of the Rhino Report, highlighting the status and conservation challenges of the five remaining rhino species.The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) State of the Rhino Report is an annual assessment of the status, population trends and conservation challenges of the world’s five remaining rhino species.It uses population estimates and wildlife crime data compiled by the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups and TRAFFIC.According to the latest estimates, the global rhino population stands at approximately 26,700 individuals. Conservation outcomes remain mixed, with some species showing recovery while others continue to face severe threats.

Species-wise Trends:
Greater One-Horned Rhino: Population increased to around 4,075, reflecting a major conservation success due to protection and recovery efforts.
Black Rhino: Population increased from 6,195 in 2022 to 6,788 in 2024, showing continued recovery with sustained conservation action.
White Rhino: Population declined from 17,464 in 2023 to 15,752 in 2024, mainly due to poaching pressure in South Africa.
Javan Rhino: Remains critically threatened, with poaching between 2019 and 2023 causing a sharp decline; continued protection is essential to prevent extinction.
Sumatran Rhino: Faces severe decline due to habitat loss and reproductive challenges, with captive breeding efforts providing hope for recovery.

11th Ayurveda Day:

The 11th Ayurveda Day was celebrated by the Ministry of Ayush in Nagpur with the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthy Future.”The celebrations witnessed the release of Safety Dossiers on Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Chandrashura (Lepidium sativum), Standard Treatment Guidelines for dermatological disorders, and the “From Traditional Wisdom to Global Leadership: Ayush Vision 2030” Report.Ayurveda is an ancient science of life (over 5,000 years old) with roots in the Rigveda, derived from Ayu (life) and Veda (knowledge). Its core aim is to maintain health in the healthy and treat illness in the diseased.Ayurveda defines health as a balance between doshas (bio-energies), agni (metabolic fire), dhatus (body tissues), malas (waste elimination), and harmony of body, mind and spirit.Ayurveda uses the medicinal properties of plants, animal products and minerals, with classical knowledge documented in texts such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.Ayurveda Day is observed annually on 23 September to promote Ayurveda as an ancient Indian system of medicine and enhance its global recognition.

World Circular Economy Forum 2026:

The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, under the theme “Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity”. It was the first time WCEF was hosted in South Asia, focusing on practical and scalable circular economy solutions.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the Government of Gujarat, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra jointly organised WCEF 2026.WCEF is a global platform that brings together governments, businesses, researchers, innovators and civil society to discuss and promote solutions for a circular economy.WCEF 2026 focused on four key tracks — people, business, governance and growth — through plenary sessions, parallel discussions, accelerator sessions and exhibitions showcasing practical circular economy solutions.A circular economy is a sustainable model of production and consumption that focuses on reducing waste and extending the life cycle of products through practices such as reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling.It aims to keep materials and resources in circulation for as long as possible, creating additional value while reducing dependence on the traditional linear “take–make–consume–dispose” model.

9th India International Water Week 2026:

The 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, focusing on climate-resilient water management and global cooperation for water security.IIWW 2026: Organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti from 22nd–26th September 2026 on the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management,” the event has evolved from India Water Week into an international platform for policy dialogue, technology exchange and global cooperation.IIWW 2026 brings together governments, multilateral organisations, research institutions, industries, start-ups and civil society. The Netherlands and Germany are partner countries, while 14 States and two Central Ministries are partner participants.The Union Minister of Jal Shakti highlighted major initiatives including Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, Namami Gange, Atal Bhujal Yojana, National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM), Ken-Betwa Link Project and Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP).