Current Affairs - September 21, 2026 Current Affairs

Sambalpur in Odisha is the location where India’s 51st Doppler Weather Radar was inaugurated under Mission Mausam on September 17, 2026. The radar is designed to strengthen regional weather monitoring and preparedness by providing meteorological data for Western Odisha and adjoining areas. Its coverage includes Southern Jharkhand, Northern Chhattisgarh, and parts of North Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. This became Odisha’s third Doppler Weather Radar, joining facilities at Gopalpur and Paradip. Mission Mausam aims to expand India’s weather observation network and improve high-precision forecasting, particularly for agriculture, power management and disaster preparedness involving thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rainfall.

September 21 is observed as World Alzheimer’s Day as part of World Alzheimer’s Month, which aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The observance highlights the importance of understanding symptoms, reducing stigma and encouraging timely medical evaluation. The 2026 theme, “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters,” emphasises the benefits of early diagnosis. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and can affect memory, thinking and daily activities. Early diagnosis can help individuals and families access appropriate care, treatment and support while planning for the future.

September 21 is observed as the International Day of Peace, promoting peace, non-violence and cooperation among societies. The United Nations General Assembly first declared the observance in 1981. In 2001, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution designating September 21 as a day for non-violence and ceasefire. The date also marks the beginning of the regular session of the UN General Assembly. In 2026, the theme is “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” emphasising that peace-building is a continuous responsibility involving individuals, communities and organisations.

Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh is set to host Asia’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ), with an estimated investment of ₹5,500 crore and the potential to create more than 18,000 direct jobs. The proposed zone is expected to accommodate around 24–25 telecom manufacturing units producing various equipment and devices. The first phase will cover approximately 170 acres across SADA and the IT Park. The project also includes a proposed Common Testing Lab costing ₹500 crore. Improved road, rail and air connectivity, along with a strong technical education base, are expected to support the development of the telecom manufacturing cluster in Gwalior.

DRDO, or the Defence Research and Development Organisation, is developing the 30kW-class directed-energy weapon (DEW). The laser-based system is mounted on a truck chassis and is designed to counter drone swarms, fixed-wing UAVs and surveillance sensors at ranges of up to 5 km. DRDO plans to release an Expression of Interest within six months to select an industrial partner for developing the first-of-production model. The final trial of the system was conducted in August 2025. The 30kW DEW is currently described as the most powerful directed-energy weapon system developed by DRDO, forming part of India’s broader directed-energy capability programme.

Nagaland is associated with Angh, a Konyak-language film directed by filmmaker Theja Rio, which won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026. The film is set in Nagaland in the early 1960s and explores the lives of a former village chief and his young son amid social and cultural changes. The Platform Prize is TIFF’s top award in its competitive Platform section and carries a cash prize of C$20,000. The award also provides Angh with a pathway toward consideration for the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards through the newly introduced festival-award qualification route.

Chandni Chowk is associated with the historic Town Hall complex that is planned to be redeveloped as a Global Heritage Centre. The Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have signed an MoU to conserve the Grade-I heritage property while adapting it for museums, cultural activities and tourism. The complex includes the historic Town Hall, Press Building and an adjacent park covering about 12,180 square metres. The Town Hall was constructed between 1860 and 1866 in the Shahjahanabad-Chandni Chowk area and served as the Municipal Corporation’s headquarters for more than five decades.

Visakhapatnam is the venue for SLINEX-26, the 13th edition of the annual maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy. The exercise is being conducted from September 17 to 21, 2026, under the auspices of the Eastern Naval Command. It includes a Harbour Phase followed by a Sea Phase, focusing on professional interactions, operational coordination and interoperability. Indian Navy ships INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti, along with Sri Lanka Navy ship SLNS Sindurala, are participating. SLINEX strengthens maritime cooperation, information exchange and mutual understanding between the two neighbouring countries.

Michael Kremer was appointed as the new Chief Economist of the World Bank Group, with his tenure scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026. He succeeds Indermit Gill in the position and will lead the World Bank’s research division. Kremer is a Nobel laureate who received the 2019 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences jointly with Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. He is a professor at the University of Chicago and heads the Development Innovation Lab. His research mandate includes poverty reduction, healthcare, education and access to clean water.

Savita Punia became the most-capped Indian women’s hockey player after reaching 321 international appearances and surpassing Vandana Katariya’s previous record of 320 caps. The goalkeeper achieved the milestone during India’s Pool B match against Indonesia at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Savita made her senior international debut in 2009 and has represented India at three Olympics and two Asian Games, along with other major tournaments. Hockey India recognised her achievement with a ₹10 lakh reward. She had equalled Katariya’s record on September 20, 2026, during India’s 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan.