Weekly Current Affairs: September 21–27, 2026 — 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, India–New Zealand FTA from October 20, Ayushman Bharat at 8, Jaishankar at UNGA 81, Tarang Shakti 2026 & India’s 37 Medals at the Asian Games
Your verified, exam-ready digest for the week
📌Key Points at a Glance
- 1President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat on September 22 — the first time the ceremony was held outside Delhi. Article 370 won Best Feature Film; Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) shared Best Actor; Yami Gautam won Best Actress; and Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- 2Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced on September 21 that the India–New Zealand FTA, signed on April 27, 2026, will enter into force on October 20, 2026, giving 100% of Indian exports duty-free access to New Zealand.
- 3Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY completed eight years on September 23. More than 48.51 crore Ayushman cards have been created, about 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth roughly ₹2.03 lakh crore funded, and more than 38,000 hospitals empanelled.
- 4Amit Shah inaugurated the third national conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (September 22–23), organised by the NCB, with the targets of the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29) to be met by December 31, 2029.
- 5EAM S. Jaishankar addressed the 81st UN General Assembly on September 26, asserting India’s right to act against cross-border terrorism, flagging the “4F” crisis of food, fuel, fertiliser and finance, and pressing for UN Security Council reform.
- 6Gautam Adani and family topped the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 with ₹9.23 lakh crore, ahead of Mukesh Ambani and family (₹8.63 lakh crore). India has 391 dollar billionaires.
- 7The second edition of the IAF’s multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti began at Jodhpur on September 26 and runs to October 12, with more than 40 countries taking part.
- 8The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth about ₹810.79 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited on September 23 for 160 DRDO-designed Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) for the IAF.
- 9The 18th India–Mongolia exercise Nomadic Elephant got under way at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, focusing on UN-mandated counter-insurgency operations.
- 10The UCI awarded the 2032 Road World Championships to Pune — India’s first time as host — at its 195th Congress in Montréal.
- 11The 11th Ayurveda Day was observed on September 23 with the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”; the national event was held in Nagpur.
- 12At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, India had 37 medals (4 gold, 16 silver, 17 bronze) by September 27, with golds in women’s cricket, men’s and women’s kabaddi, and the 10m air pistol mixed team.
🏛️ National & Polity
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Completes Eight Years; 48.5 Crore Ayushman Cards Issued
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, completed eight years on 23 September 2026. More than 48.51 crore Ayushman cards have been created and about 13.25 crore hospital admissions funded.
Key Facts
- Launched on 23 September 2018 at Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Ayushman cards created: more than 48.51 crore.
- Hospital admissions: about 13.25 crore, worth roughly ₹2.03 lakh crore.
- Network: more than 38,000 empanelled public and private hospitals.
- Cover: up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care; more than 1.36 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards issued to citizens aged 70 and above.
📌 Why It Matters
PM-JAY statistics are asked every year around its anniversary in SSC, banking and State PSC exams, and the scheme is central to UPSC GS-2 health questions.
🧠 Static GK Connect
PM-JAY is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Ayushman Bharat has two pillars — PM-JAY and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (formerly Health and Wellness Centres). The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was launched in 2021.
Amit Shah Inaugurates Third National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Forces
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the third national conference of heads of State and UT Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF), organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau. The conference focused on meeting the targets of the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029) by 31 December 2029.
Key Facts
- Organiser: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB); theme: “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility”.
- ANTF heads from all 36 States and Union Territories took part.
- Deadline: targets under the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29) are to be achieved by 31 December 2029.
- A revamped NCB website and four awareness TV commercials were launched; foundation stones were laid for NCB zonal complexes at Lucknow and Dehradun.
- Telangana’s ANTF was honoured as the best-performing ANTF.
📌 Why It Matters
Drug control institutions and targets are relevant for UPSC GS-3 (internal security) and Police exams.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Narcotics Control Bureau was set up in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and works under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 26 June is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in 2020.
🌐 International
Jaishankar Addresses UN General Assembly: India Will Defend Itself Against Terrorism
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, asserting India’s right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism and calling for reform of the Security Council and other global institutions.
Key Facts
- He said India’s right to defend itself against terrorism “will be exercised”.
- He called for an end to wars in Ukraine and West Asia and condemned attacks on commercial shipping.
- He warned against the “weaponisation of everything”, from finance to technology and supply chains.
- He highlighted the “4F” crisis — food, fuel, fertiliser and finance — facing the Global South.
- He said India has undertaken about 600 major development projects in 78 countries, and pressed for UN Security Council reform.
📌 Why It Matters
India’s positions at the UNGA are useful for UPSC GS-2 answers on multilateralism, terrorism and UNSC reform.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The UN General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the UN, with all 193 member states having one vote each. The UN Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 at San Francisco and came into force on 24 October 1945 (UN Day). India is a founding member of the UN.
💰 Economy & Banking
India–New Zealand FTA to Come Into Force on 20 October 2026
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on 20 October 2026, coinciding with Vijaya Dashami. All Indian exports to New Zealand will get duty-free access from that date.
Key Facts
- Entry into force: 20 October 2026.
- 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand will receive duty-free access.
- The agreement was signed on 27 April 2026 in New Delhi, after negotiations completed in about nine months.
- It was announced jointly with New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
📌 Why It Matters
India’s growing list of FTAs (UK, EU, Oman, New Zealand) is a key economy topic for UPSC and banking exams.
🧠 Static GK Connect
New Zealand’s capital is Wellington and its currency is the New Zealand dollar. India’s other recent trade agreements include the India–UAE CEPA (2022), India–Australia ECTA (2022), the India–EFTA TEPA (in force 2025) and the India–UK CETA (in force July 2026).
🛡️ Defence
IAF’s Multinational Air Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 Begins at Jodhpur
The second edition of the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti began at Air Force Station Jodhpur and runs until 12 October 2026, with more than 40 countries taking part as participants or observers.
Key Facts
- Edition: 2nd; dates: 26 September – 12 October 2026; venue: Jodhpur.
- More than 40 countries are participating, some with aircraft and others as observers.
- Aircraft include US F-35s, French Rafales and UAE F-16s, alongside IAF Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters, AEW&C aircraft and tankers.
- The first edition was held in 2024.
- It followed the India–Japan bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian, also at Jodhpur.
📌 Why It Matters
Tarang Shakti is India’s largest multinational air exercise — very likely in Defence and SSC exams.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Indian Air Force was formed on 8 October 1932. The first Tarang Shakti (2024) was held in two phases at Sulur (Tamil Nadu) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan). Other IAF-hosted exercises include Cope India (with the USA) and Garuda (with France, held alternately in both countries).
MoD Signs ₹810 Crore Contract with BDL for 160 SAT-SAAW Weapons
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth over ₹810 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) for the Indian Air Force.
Key Facts
- Value: about ₹810.79 crore; quantity: 160 systems.
- SAT-SAAW is a DRDO-designed air-to-ground precision-guided glide bomb meant to destroy enemy airfield infrastructure from stand-off ranges.
- It can be launched from aircraft such as the Jaguar, Hawk and Su-30MKI.
- Indigenous content is 60%; deliveries are scheduled in 2027-28 and 2028-29.
📌 Why It Matters
Indigenous weapons and the PSUs that make them are standard Defence and UPSC Prelims questions.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Bharat Dynamics Limited was set up in 1970 at Hyderabad and manufactures missiles such as Akash, Astra and Konkurs. The SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon) was first flight-tested by DRDO in 2016.
India–Mongolia Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 Held at Pithoragarh
The 18th edition of the India–Mongolia joint military exercise Nomadic Elephant got under way at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, focusing on counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a UN mandate.
Key Facts
- Edition: 18th; venue: Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
- Participants: Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces.
- Focus: counter-insurgency under a UN mandate, cordon-and-search drills, helicopter operations, and drone and counter-drone employment.
- The 17th edition was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in 2025.
📌 Why It Matters
Nomadic Elephant = India and Mongolia. Exercise–country pairs are asked in nearly every Defence and SSC paper.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Mongolia’s capital is Ulaanbaatar. India and Mongolia established diplomatic relations in 1955 and became Strategic Partners in 2015. Mongolia also hosts the multinational peacekeeping exercise Khaan Quest, in which India participates.
🏆 Sports
Asian Games 2026: India Reach 37 Medals Including Four Golds
By the end of competition on 27 September, India had won 37 medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games — 4 gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze. India’s golds came in women’s cricket, men’s and women’s kabaddi, and the 10m air pistol mixed team.
Key Facts
- Tally (as of 27 September): 4 gold, 16 silver, 17 bronze — 37 medals.
- Gold medals: women’s cricket, men’s kabaddi (beat Iran 40-34), women’s kabaddi (beat Iran 37-34), and 10m air pistol mixed team (Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh).
- On 27 September, Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh won squash silvers, Sarvesh Kushare (high jump) and Ancy Sojan (long jump) won athletics silvers.
- Parul Chaudhary won bronze in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with a national record; Tejaswin Shankar (decathlon) and Harita Bhadra (200m) also won bronze.
- The Games continue until 4 October 2026.
📌 Why It Matters
Asian Games medallists and India’s tally will be among the most-asked sports questions for the next year. The final tally will be covered once the Games end.
🧠 Static GK Connect
Kabaddi was introduced at the Asian Games in 1990 (Beijing); India won every men’s gold until 2018, when Iran won. Cricket was included at the Asian Games in 2010, 2014 and 2022. India’s best-ever Asian Games haul is 107 medals at Hangzhou 2022.
Pune to Host UCI Road World Championships 2032 — a First for India
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) awarded the 2032 UCI Road World Championships to Pune, Maharashtra, at its 195th Congress in Montréal. It will be the first time India hosts the event; the rival bid from Groningen–Drenthe (Netherlands) was awarded the 2034 edition.
Key Facts
- Host: Pune, Maharashtra — India’s first time hosting the Road World Championships.
- Decision taken at the 195th UCI Congress in Montréal, Canada.
- The Netherlands’ Groningen–Drenthe bid was given the 2034 edition.
- Earlier Asian hosts include Utsunomiya, Japan (1990) and Doha, Qatar (2016); Abu Dhabi will host in 2028.
📌 Why It Matters
India winning hosting rights for world championships is a common sports question.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The UCI, cycling’s world governing body, was founded in 1900 and is headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland. The Cycling Federation of India is the national body.
🎖️ Awards & Honours
President Confers 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar — First Outside Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat — the first time the ceremony has been held outside Delhi. Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Key Facts
- Best Feature Film: Article 370.
- Best Actor: shared by Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion).
- Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370); Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran).
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Anant Nag.
- Films in 34 languages were recognised, including Garhwali, Tulu and Santhali.
📌 Why It Matters
National Film Award winners — especially Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress and the Phalke Award — are asked in every exam cycle.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954 and are presented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Ekta Nagar is home to the Statue of Unity, the 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel unveiled in 2018.
📊 Reports & Indices
Gautam Adani Tops M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026
Gautam Adani and family topped the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 with wealth of ₹9.23 lakh crore, overtaking Mukesh Ambani and family (₹8.63 lakh crore). India now has 391 dollar billionaires.
Key Facts
- No. 1: Gautam Adani and family — ₹9.23 lakh crore (up 13%).
- No. 2: Mukesh Ambani and family — ₹8.63 lakh crore (down 10%).
- India has 391 dollar billionaires, including 27 new ones; 1,810 individuals have wealth of ₹1,000 crore or more.
- Mumbai has the most listed individuals (465). Roshni Nadar Malhotra is the richest woman (₹2.79 lakh crore).
- The youngest entrant is Zepto co-founder Kaivalya Vohra, aged 23.
📌 Why It Matters
Rich list rankings are commonly asked in banking and SSC general awareness.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Hurun Report was founded in Shanghai in 1998 by Rupert Hoogewerf. Forbes publishes the other widely cited billionaire lists.
📅 Important Days
11th Ayurveda Day Observed with Theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”
India observed the 11th Ayurveda Day on 23 September with the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”. The national programme of the Ministry of Ayush was held in Nagpur.
Key Facts
- Theme: “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”; edition: 11th.
- Since 2025, Ayurveda Day is observed on a fixed date, 23 September (it was earlier linked to Dhanteras). The change was notified in March 2025.
- Launches included the first Ayush Services Sector Report, Standard Treatment Guidelines for skin disorders and the Ayush Vision 2030 report.
- More than 9,700 activities were held across 30 States and UTs.
📌 Why It Matters
The shift of Ayurveda Day to a fixed date and the annual theme are likely one-mark questions.
🧠 Static GK Connect
The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on 9 November 2014. The All India Institute of Ayurveda is in New Delhi, and the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is at Jamnagar, Gujarat. Dhanvantari is regarded as the god of Ayurveda.
🧠 Static GK Refresher
Connect this week's news with evergreen facts that exams love
| News Item | Static Fact to Remember |
|---|---|
| AB PM-JAY completed eight years. | PM-JAY was launched on 23 September 2018 at Ranchi and is run by the National Health Authority. It gives up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. Ayushman Vay Vandana covers all citizens aged 70+. |
| The third ANTF national conference was held in New Delhi. | The NCB was created in 1986 under the NDPS Act, 1985 and is under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 26 June is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. |
| The India–New Zealand FTA will enter into force on 20 October 2026. | Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. India’s other recent trade pacts: India–UAE CEPA (2022), India–Australia ECTA (2022), India–EFTA TEPA and the India–UK CETA. |
| Jaishankar addressed the 81st UN General Assembly. | The UN Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 and came into force on 24 October 1945. The UN has 193 member states; India is a founding member. |
| Gautam Adani topped the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026. | The Hurun Report was founded in Shanghai in 1998. Forbes publishes the other major billionaire lists. |
| Tarang Shakti 2026 began at Jodhpur. | The first Tarang Shakti (2024) was held at Sulur and Jodhpur. The IAF was formed on 8 October 1932. Garuda is the India–France air exercise; Cope India is with the USA. |
| The MoD ordered 160 SAT-SAAW weapons from BDL. | Bharat Dynamics Limited was set up in 1970 at Hyderabad. SAAW is a DRDO-designed smart anti-airfield glide bomb first tested in 2016. |
| India and Mongolia held Nomadic Elephant 2026. | Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia’s capital. India–Mongolia diplomatic ties date from 1955 and became a Strategic Partnership in 2015. |
| The 72nd National Film Awards were presented at Ekta Nagar. | The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954. The Statue of Unity (182 m) at Ekta Nagar honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and was unveiled on 31 October 2018. |
| India had 37 medals at the Asian Games by 27 September. | Kabaddi entered the Asian Games in 1990. The Olympic Council of Asia is headquartered in Kuwait. India’s record haul is 107 medals at Hangzhou 2022. |
| Pune will host the 2032 UCI Road World Championships. | The UCI was founded in 1900 and is based in Aigle, Switzerland. |
| Ayurveda Day was observed on 23 September. | The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on 9 November 2014. The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is at Jamnagar, Gujarat. |
AB PM-JAY completed eight years.
PM-JAY was launched on 23 September 2018 at Ranchi and is run by the National Health Authority. It gives up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. Ayushman Vay Vandana covers all citizens aged 70+.
The third ANTF national conference was held in New Delhi.
The NCB was created in 1986 under the NDPS Act, 1985 and is under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 26 June is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The India–New Zealand FTA will enter into force on 20 October 2026.
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. India’s other recent trade pacts: India–UAE CEPA (2022), India–Australia ECTA (2022), India–EFTA TEPA and the India–UK CETA.
Jaishankar addressed the 81st UN General Assembly.
The UN Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 and came into force on 24 October 1945. The UN has 193 member states; India is a founding member.
Gautam Adani topped the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026.
The Hurun Report was founded in Shanghai in 1998. Forbes publishes the other major billionaire lists.
Tarang Shakti 2026 began at Jodhpur.
The first Tarang Shakti (2024) was held at Sulur and Jodhpur. The IAF was formed on 8 October 1932. Garuda is the India–France air exercise; Cope India is with the USA.
The MoD ordered 160 SAT-SAAW weapons from BDL.
Bharat Dynamics Limited was set up in 1970 at Hyderabad. SAAW is a DRDO-designed smart anti-airfield glide bomb first tested in 2016.
India and Mongolia held Nomadic Elephant 2026.
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia’s capital. India–Mongolia diplomatic ties date from 1955 and became a Strategic Partnership in 2015.
The 72nd National Film Awards were presented at Ekta Nagar.
The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954. The Statue of Unity (182 m) at Ekta Nagar honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and was unveiled on 31 October 2018.
India had 37 medals at the Asian Games by 27 September.
Kabaddi entered the Asian Games in 1990. The Olympic Council of Asia is headquartered in Kuwait. India’s record haul is 107 medals at Hangzhou 2022.
Pune will host the 2032 UCI Road World Championships.
The UCI was founded in 1900 and is based in Aigle, Switzerland.
Ayurveda Day was observed on 23 September.
The Ministry of AYUSH was formed on 9 November 2014. The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is at Jamnagar, Gujarat.
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⚠️ Accuracy Note: This summary is provided for reference and quick revision only. Mistakes are possible, so always cross-check important details — dates, names, figures, and notifications — with the official source before relying on them for your exam preparation.