Daily Current Affairs | 22 September 2026
The 22 September 2026 Current Affairs are highly important for competitive examinations because today’s developments cover Defence, Water Management, Environment, Wildlife Conservation, Civil Aviation, Sports, Awards, Traditional Medicine, International Relations and Economy.
The major highlights include the conclusion of India–Japan Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, inauguration of the 9th India International Water Week, 72nd National Film Awards, World Rhino Day, next phase of UDAN, India’s Asian Games achievements, preparations for the 11th Ayurveda Day and India–EU cooperation in clean technology and electric mobility.
These current affairs are useful for SSC, Railway, Banking, Defence, UPSC, State PSC and other competitive examinations.
✈️ 1. India–Japan Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 Concludes
The bilateral air exercise:
Veer Guardian 2026
between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) concluded at:
Air Force Station Jodhpur
on 22 September 2026.
The exercise was aimed at improving:
- Interoperability
- Joint air operations
- Professional cooperation
- Strategic partnership
- Advanced combat capabilities
Aircraft Participating
The Indian Air Force deployed:
- Su-30 MKI
- Rafale
- LCA Tejas
Japan participated with:
- F-2A fighter aircraft
During the 14-day joint training, both air forces conducted advanced flying missions, including:
- Within Visual Range combat
- Coordinated multi-aircraft missions
- Mission planning
- Engineering interactions
- Maintenance exchanges
- Aerospace safety discussions
On Distinguished Visitor’s Day, General Takehiro Morita, Chief of Staff, JASDF, and Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, visited Jodhpur.
General Morita also flew in India’s indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft.
Exam Connection
Exercise → Veer Guardian 2026
Countries → India & Japan
Venue → Jodhpur
IAF aircraft → Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas
JASDF aircraft → F-2A
💧 2. 9th India International Water Week 2026 Inaugurated
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the:
9th India International Water Week 2026
at:
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
on 22 September.
The five-day event is being organised from:
22–26 September 2026
by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Theme
“Climate Resilient Water Management”
The event brings together:
- Governments
- International organisations
- Researchers
- Industry
- Civil society
- Start-ups
- Innovators
- Young professionals
Partner Countries
Two countries are participating as Partner Countries:
Netherlands
Germany
Additionally:
14 States
are participating as Partner States.
The event focuses on:
- Water security
- Climate resilience
- Water conservation
- River management
- Innovation
- Technology
- International cooperation
- Sustainable water management
The Vice-President stressed the importance of judicious use and integrated management of water resources.
Exam Connection
Event → 9th India International Water Week
Venue → Bharat Mandapam
Dates → 22–26 September
Theme → Climate Resilient Water Management
Partner Countries → Netherlands & Germany
🏆 3. President Confers 72nd National Film Awards
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the:
72nd National Film Awards
at:
Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
on 22 September 2026.
The ceremony celebrated excellence in Indian cinema and highlighted India’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
One of the biggest honours was the:
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024
which was conferred on veteran actor:
Anant Nag
Anant Nag has worked in more than 300 films across six Indian languages during a career spanning more than five decades.
He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2025.
During the ceremony, the President urged members of the film industry to promote healthy lifestyles and avoid endorsement of harmful substances.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting also announced that the next edition of:
WAVES
will be held in:
October 2027.
Exam Connection
Awards → 72nd National Film Awards
Venue → Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 → Anant Nag
Next WAVES → October 2027
🦏 4. World Rhino Day 2026 Observed
World Rhino Day was observed on:
22 September 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s conservation achievements involving the:
Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
According to the official release, Assam is home to roughly 80% of the world’s population of this rhinoceros.
The Prime Minister highlighted conservation efforts in:
- Assam
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Uttar Pradesh
Special recognition was given to Kaziranga’s anti-poaching efforts.
The successful reintroduction of rhinoceroses at:
Dudhwa, Uttar Pradesh
was also highlighted.
The Prime Minister additionally shared information about the launch of:
Project Rhino
aimed at strengthening the conservation journey of the species.
Exam Point
World Rhino Day → 22 September
Species → Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
Major state → Assam
Important protected area → Kaziranga
Reintroduction → Dudhwa
✈️ 5. Next Phase of UDAN Takes Off
The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched:
Challenge Mode for Aerodrome Development
under the next phase of:
UDAN
UDAN stands for:
Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
As part of the initiative, the Ministry signed:
21 Memoranda of Understanding
with States and Union Territories.
The initiative aims to identify and develop aerodromes based on regional demand and strengthen air connectivity to underserved and unserved areas.
The programme is expected to support:
- Regional air connectivity
- Tourism
- Trade
- Investment
- Employment
- Economic development
The Challenge Mode approach is intended to encourage stronger participation from States and Union Territories in expanding India’s regional aviation network.
Exam Connection
Scheme → UDAN
Full form → Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
New initiative → Challenge Mode for Aerodrome Development
MoUs → 21
Ministry → Ministry of Civil Aviation
🏏 6. Indian Women’s Cricket Team Wins Asian Games Gold
India’s Women’s Cricket Team won the:
🥇 Gold Medal
at the Asian Games 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team on 22 September for its achievement.
The victory added another major medal to India’s Asian Games campaign and highlighted India’s strength in women’s cricket.
Cricket is an important current-affairs topic because questions about:
- Medal winners
- Host country
- Sporting events
- Indian teams
- Major championships
are frequently asked in competitive examinations.
Exam Point
Sport → Women’s Cricket
Competition → Asian Games 2026
India → Gold Medal
🥉 7. Suchika Tariyal Wins Asian Games Bronze in MMA
Indian athlete:
Suchika Tariyal
won a:
🥉 Bronze Medal
in:
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
at the Asian Games 2026.
The Prime Minister congratulated her achievement on 22 September.
The medal is significant from the perspective of emerging sporting disciplines and India’s expanding participation across different events at major multi-sport competitions.
Exam Connection
Athlete → Suchika Tariyal
Sport → Mixed Martial Arts
Medal → Bronze
Competition → Asian Games 2026
🌿 8. 11th Ayurveda Day Preparations Announced
The Ministry of Ayush announced that the:
11th Ayurveda Day
would be celebrated on:
23 September 2026
across India and worldwide.
The national programme is scheduled to be held in:
Nagpur
Theme
“Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”
The celebrations focus on:
- Evidence-based Ayurveda
- Scientific research
- Innovation
- Community wellbeing
- Ayurveda’s role in reducing NCD burden
- Integration of traditional knowledge with modern healthcare
The programme will also witness the launch of the:
First-ever Report on the Ayush Services Sector
prepared by the:
Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
Other launches include:
- Safety dossiers
- Guidelines
- Reports
- CCRAS–AGNI Web Portal
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine with roots extending back more than 5,000 years and references in the Rigveda.
Exam Point
Ayurveda Day 2026 → 11th edition
Date → 23 September
Venue → Nagpur
Theme → Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow
Ayush Services Sector Report → RIS
🇮🇳🇪🇺 9. India and EU Discuss EVs, Batteries and Green Steel
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy held talks with a delegation of the:
European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy — ITRE
in New Delhi.
The discussions focused on strengthening India–EU cooperation in:
- Electric vehicles
- Batteries
- Clean technologies
- Industrial decarbonisation
- Green steel
- Energy transition
- Advanced manufacturing
India highlighted programmes such as:
PLI Scheme for Automobile & Auto Components
PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells
PM E-DRIVE
India also invited European industries to participate in global bidding for:
10 GWh
of Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing for stationary energy-storage systems.
Other areas discussed included:
- BHEL’s indigenous gasification technology
- Steel-slag utilisation
- Scrap recycling
- Circular economy
- Sustainable mobility.
Exam Connection
India–EU cooperation → EV + Batteries + Green Steel
European Committee → ITRE
Battery opportunity → 10 GWh
EV initiative → PM E-DRIVE
📦 10. ECGC Supports Record ₹9.70 Lakh Crore Exports
The 68th Annual General Meeting of ECGC Ltd. highlighted a record performance for FY 2025–26.
ECGC supported exports worth:
₹9.70 lakh crore
during the financial year.
This represented:
13.46% growth
and covered approximately:
25% of India’s merchandise exports
ECGC also recorded its highest-ever gross premium of:
₹1,459.11 crore
Claims paid during FY 2025–26 reached:
₹811.02 crore
compared with ₹453.49 crore in the previous year.
The company reported:
Profit After Tax → ₹1,277.12 crore
ECGC plays an important role in providing export credit insurance and supporting Indian exporters against commercial and political risks.
Exam Connection
Organisation → ECGC Ltd.
Exports supported → ₹9.70 lakh crore
Growth → 13.46%
Share of merchandise exports → 25%
Gross premium → ₹1,459.11 crore
🧹 11. Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 Campaign Expands
The Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign continued across Central Government ministries and organisations.
The Ministry of Textiles and its organisations undertook:
- Cleanliness drives
- Awareness activities
- Workplace sanitation initiatives
- Public participation activities
At the National Media Centre, New Delhi, a preventive health check-up and consultation camp was also organised for:
- PIB officers
- Officials
- Safai Mitras
The initiative combines cleanliness with the health and welfare of sanitation workers.
Swachhata Hi Seva reinforces the broader objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission by promoting cleanliness as a participatory public movement.
Exam Point
Campaign → Swachhata Hi Seva 2026
Focus → Cleanliness + hygiene + public participation
Related mission → Swachh Bharat Mission
👩🌾 12. Institutional Finance Supports Rural Women Entrepreneurs
The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) and the West Bengal Scheduled Castes Development & Finance Corporation (WBSCDC) highlighted the role of institutional finance in supporting rural women.
The initiative demonstrates how access to affordable finance can help women:
- Form organised groups
- Develop sustainable livelihoods
- Start income-generating activities
- Improve economic independence
- Support family welfare
The programme reflects the broader objective of promoting financial inclusion and women’s entrepreneurship, particularly among disadvantaged communities.
Exam Connection
NSFDC → National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation
WBSCDC → West Bengal Scheduled Castes Development & Finance Corporation
Focus → Women entrepreneurship + financial inclusion
📝 Important One-Liners – 22 September 2026
- Which India–Japan air exercise concluded on 22 September 2026?
→ Veer Guardian 2026 - Where was Veer Guardian 2026 conducted?
→ Air Force Station Jodhpur - Which Japanese fighter participated in Veer Guardian 2026?
→ F-2A - Which indigenous Indian fighter participated in Veer Guardian?
→ LCA Tejas - Who inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week?
→ Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan - What is the theme of India International Water Week 2026?
→ Climate Resilient Water Management - Where is India International Water Week 2026 being held?
→ Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi - Which countries are Partner Countries for IIWW 2026?
→ Netherlands and Germany - Who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024?
→ Anant Nag - Where were the 72nd National Film Awards conferred?
→ Ekta Nagar, Gujarat - When is World Rhino Day observed?
→ 22 September - Which state holds roughly 80% of the world’s Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros population according to the government release?
→ Assam - What is the full form of UDAN?
→ Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik - How many MoUs were signed under the next phase of UDAN?
→ 21 - Which medal did the Indian Women’s Cricket Team win at Asian Games 2026?
→ Gold - Which medal did Suchika Tariyal win in Mixed Martial Arts?
→ Bronze - What is the theme of the 11th Ayurveda Day?
→ Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow - Where will the national Ayurveda Day programme be held?
→ Nagpur - How much export value was supported by ECGC in FY 2025–26?
→ ₹9.70 lakh crore - Which India–EU cooperation areas were highlighted on 22 September?
→ EVs, batteries, clean technologies and green steel
🧠 Quick Revision – 22 September 2026
Defence
Veer Guardian 2026 → India + Japan
Venue → Jodhpur
IAF → Su-30 MKI + Rafale + Tejas
JASDF → F-2A
Water
9th India International Water Week
Venue → Bharat Mandapam
Dates → 22–26 September
Theme → Climate Resilient Water Management
Partner Countries → Netherlands + Germany
Awards
72nd National Film Awards → Ekta Nagar
Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 → Anant Nag
Environment
World Rhino Day → 22 September
Greater One-Horned Rhino → Assam
Important location → Kaziranga
Aviation
UDAN → Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
Challenge Mode → Aerodrome Development
MoUs → 21
Sports
Indian Women’s Cricket → Asian Games Gold
Suchika Tariyal → MMA Bronze
AYUSH
11th Ayurveda Day → 23 September
Theme → Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow
National programme → Nagpur
International Relations
India + EU → EVs + batteries + green steel
European committee → ITRE
ACC opportunity → 10 GWh
Economy
ECGC exports supported → ₹9.70 lakh crore
Growth → 13.46%
Merchandise export coverage → 25%
🎯 Why These Current Affairs Matter for Exams
For SSC, focus on World Rhino Day, National Film Awards, UDAN, Ayurveda Day, Asian Games and India International Water Week.
For Railway exams, revise important government schemes, sports winners, awards, environmental days and international exercises.
For Banking exams, remember ECGC’s ₹9.70 lakh crore export support, 13.46% growth, India–EU industrial cooperation and financial inclusion initiatives.
For Defence exams, the most important combination is:
Veer Guardian → India + Japan
Jodhpur → Exercise venue
Tejas/Su-30 MKI/Rafale → India
F-2A → Japan
For UPSC and State PSC, focus on climate-resilient water management, World Rhino Day, regional air connectivity, green steel, electric mobility, traditional medicine and India–EU cooperation.
For Sports Current Affairs, remember the Indian Women’s Cricket Team’s Gold and Suchika Tariyal’s MMA Bronze at the Asian Games.
🔥 5 Facts You Must Remember
Veer Guardian 2026 → India–Japan → Jodhpur
India International Water Week → Climate Resilient Water Management
Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 → Anant Nag
World Rhino Day → 22 September
ECGC → ₹9.70 lakh crore exports supported in FY 2025–26
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