CURRENT AFFAIRS 20-21 September, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 20-21 September, 2026

1. GWALIOR TO GET ASIA’S FIRST TELECOM MANUFACTURING ZONE –

• Gwalior is set to emerge as a significant telecom manufacturing center with the upcoming development of the country’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ). The estimated investment for the project amounts to ₹5,500 crore and is set to create more than 18,000 job opportunities. Recently, Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, inspected the proposed site at Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Counter Magnet City (SADA). The TMZ will be home to various telecom manufacturers, resulting in an industrial cluster and not a manufacturing unit alone.

Key Features of the Gwalior Telecom Manufacturing Zone

• The proposed TMZ will consist of 24-25 telecom manufacturers who are expected to manufacture various telecom equipment and devices.
• During the first phase, it is proposed to have an area of about 170 acres. Around 90 acres are located in SADA and 70+ acres are in the IT Park.
• Project: Telecom Manufacturing Zone
• Location: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
• Investment: ₹5,500 crore
• Direct employment: 18,000+
• First phase land: 170 acres
• Proposed units: 24-25
• Applying Companies: 24
• Common Testing Lab: ₹500 crore

2. CHANDNI CHOWK TOWN HALL TO BECOME GLOBAL HERITAGE CENTRE –

• Chandni Chowk’s historic Town Hall complex is gearing up for a new beginning as the government plans to develop it into a Global Heritage Centre. The Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) signed an MoU that will allow it to conserve the Grade-I heritage property while converting it for museums, cultural activities and tourism purposes. This project will cover the historic Town Hall, Press Building and the adjacent park, which covers an area of about 12,180 square metres and will continue to remain a property of MCD.

Delhi Signs MoU for Town Hall Redevelopment

• This MoU was signed between DTTDC and MCD in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Delhi Secretariat on September 20, 2026.
• This MoU has been drawn up keeping the twin objective of conserving the heritage property along with ensuring contemporary usage for its public use. It is estimated that this Global Heritage Centre will give Delhi a special attraction for all those people interested in visiting places related to Delhi’s history and architecture.

3. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2026 –

• International Day of Peace 2026 is being celebrated on 21 September with the aim of promoting peace, nonviolence, and cooperation between different societies. This year’s main theme for the day is “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” which emphasizes the importance of individuals and their communities’ efforts in building peace. In this regard, the United Nations acknowledges the importance of “everyday architects of peace” who work towards making their communities stable through dialogue and other efforts.

Theme of International Day of Peace in 2026

• The theme for 2026 will be “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
• The theme focuses on building peace as an ongoing duty for all people, and not as something that falls exclusively to governments, diplomats or intergovernmental organizations.
• The UN calls those citizens, who promote peace through their own work at the local level, the “everyday architects of peace.” Their actions might involve fostering communication, helping other people, promoting cooperation and providing a climate where communities stay stable.

4. SLINEX-26: INDIA AND SRI LANKA BEGIN NAVAL EXERCISE –

• India and Sri Lanka are conducting the 13th edition of their annual maritime exercise known as SLINEX-26 from September 17 to 21, 2026 in Visakhapatnam. SLINEX involves interaction between both navies in professional, joint, and operational activities. This exercise will commence with Harbour Phase and then proceed to Sea Phase, which is going to place special emphasis on operational coordination and interoperability. Over the years, SLINEX has become an important platform for fostering maritime cooperation and understanding between Indian and Sri Lanka Navies.

SLINEX-26: Significant Points

• This exercise is taking place under the auspices of Eastern Naval Command. Harbor phase started with an opening ceremony and a reception on board the INS Kavaratti for the visiting Sri Lankan crew.
• Ships participating are,
• Indian Navy: INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti
• Sri Lanka Navy: SLNS Sindurala
• INS Kavaratti is a home-built ASW Corvette, while INS Jyoti is a Fleet Tanker.

5. LADAKH UNVEILS WORLD’S HIGHEST FLOWER FIELDS AT 10,600 FEET –

• The newly introduced flower fields in Leh District have transformed the high-altitude region with their colorful beauty. Ladakh has introduced twin flower fields located at a height of 10,600 feet in the Leh District. The objective of introducing flower fields is to make commercial floriculture a new way to earn money for local farmers. These flower fields cover an area of 40 acres and have over 25 lakh flowers that include Lilium and Gladiolus. These flower fields were inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on September 17.

Where Are the New Flower Fields of Ladakh?

• These twin flower fields are situated at Choglamsar and Stakna in the Leh district of Ladakh. Located at the altitude of 10,600 feet, they are claimed to be the highest flower fields of the world and the highest flower fields of India as well.
• The total area covered by the project is 40 acres, which consist of more than 25 lakh plants, which include,
• 24 lakh plants of Lilium
• 1 lakh plants of Gladiolus

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  What is the name of the indigenous basic trainer aircraft developed by HAL and recently handed over to the Indian Air Force ?

1. a) Ankur
2. b) Kiran
3. c) Deepak
4. d) Lakshya

Q2.  Tulu has recently been approved as an additional administrative language in which state ?

1. a) Tamil Nadu
2. b) Gujarat
3. c) Karnataka
4. d) Kerala

Q3.  Patriot Missile Defence System has been developed by which country ?

1. a) Iran
2. b) France
3. c) United States
4. d) Israel

Q4.  With reference to the findings of the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025, consider the following statements:

1. Delhi topped the overall index among all States and Union Territories.
2. Delhi also recorded the highest score in the EV Research and Innovation Status theme.
3. India’s overall EV sales penetration remained static below 1% between 2018 and 2025.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: Delhi topped the overall IEMI 2025 rankings with a composite score of 84, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Statement 2 is correct: Delhi led the Research and Innovation category with a score of 94, performing strongly in EV startups, R&D, and patent filings.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: India’s EV penetration has expanded rapidly, rising from 0.5% in 2018 to 8.25% in 2025–26, with over 8.7 million electric vehicles operational on Indian roads.

Q5.  With reference to the militarisation and weaponisation of outer space, consider the following statements:

1. Militarisation of space strictly involves deploying systems designed to attack or destroy ground-based targets using space assets.
2. The phenomenon where ASAT attacks create orbital debris that triggers cascading collisions, rendering space unusable, is known as the Kessler Syndrome.
3. India, the United States, Russia, and China have all demonstrated Anti-Satellite (ASAT) capabilities.

         Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Explanation of Statement 1: Incorrect. This statement describes “weaponisation,” not militarisation. Militarisation refers to using satellites and space assets for supportive military purposes such as communication, navigation, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Weaponisation involves deploying systems explicitly designed to attack, disrupt, or destroy space or ground targets.
• Explanation of Statement 2: Correct. The Kessler Syndrome is a major concern where space debris generated by ASAT attacks or collisions triggers a cascading chain reaction of further collisions, making orbital zones hazardous and unusable.
• Explanation of Statement 3: Correct. The text explicitly notes that the US, Russia, China, and India have all successfully demonstrated Anti-Satellite (ASAT) capabilities.

Answer Key