UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 22 September 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 22 September 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 22 September 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report

September 22, 2026
State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report

State of Global Water Resources Report Latest News

India’s groundwater levels are declining persistently, according to the State of Global Water Resources 2025 report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently.

About State of Global Water Resources (SGWR) Report

  • It is annually published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 
  • It provides a comprehensive quantitative overview of global water resources, with a focus on hydrological variability and trends. 
  • SGWR 2025 Report Highlights:
    • Satellite observations and hydrological models showed that 42% of global land area had below-normal water storage in 2025. 
      • The measure covers water in rivers, streams and lakes, groundwater, soil moisture, snow and ice. 
    • Global terrestrial water storage has shown a declining trend since 2014–2016 — a persistent, decade-long signal. 
    • For the fourth consecutive year, every major glaciated region on Earth lost ice mass. 
      • The estimated loss during the 2025 hydrological year was about 408 gigatonnes, equivalent to roughly 1.1 millimetres of global sea-level rise.  
      • Central Asia, western Canada and the United States were among the regions recording particularly severe glacier losses. 
    • 2025 was one of the driest years for the world’s rivers in 35 years, with normal flows recorded across just 36% of global river basin area. 
    • Another 36% recorded below-normal or much-below-normal flows, while 21% had above-normal or much-above-normal flows. The remaining 7% was classified as having no data. 
    • The WMO found that the seven years from 2019 to 2025 had the smallest shares of river basins with normal flows since 1991. Those shares ranged from 34% to 38%, compared with an average of 46% over 1991–2020. 
    • Persistent groundwater deficits were observed during 2022–2025 in parts of the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, India, southern Africa and Australia, with over-abstraction identified as an important driver in several regions. 
    • Nearly two-thirds of monitored wells worldwide showed conditions outside the historical norm in 2025, and the balance shifted further toward deficit compared with 2024, not toward recovery.
    • Globally, 34 percent of groundwater observation stations reported below-normal to much-below-normal levels in 2025, compared with 25 per cent in 2024. 
    • Around 31 percent of observation stations reported above-normal to much-above-normal groundwater levels in 2025. 
    • Asia and Africa together accounted for at least half of all recorded water-related extreme events and more than 80% of reported associated deaths over the past five years 
    • India-Specific Findings:
      • India recorded below-normal terrestrial water storage in 2025, particularly across the northern part of the country.  
      • The report also found above- to much-above-normal reservoir inflows across India, while soil moisture was above or much above normal during both the December-February and June-August assessment periods. 
      • Among India's major river systems, the Ganges, Godavari, Krishna and Indus recorded above-normal to much-above-normal discharge in 2025. 
      • However, the higher river flows did not translate into a broad recovery of India's deeper water reserves.
      • The WMO found persistent groundwater deficits in India during 2022-2025, with widespread below-normal to much-below-normal groundwater levels, particularly in northwestern India.

News: DTE

State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report FAQs

Q1: Which organization publishes the State of Global Water Resources (SGWR) Report annually?

Ans: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) publishes the report annually.

Q2: What percentage of global land area had below-normal water storage in 2025 according to State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report?

Ans: 42% of the global land area had below-normal water storage.

Q3: How was 2025 described in terms of global river flows according to State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report?

Ans: It was one of the driest years for the world's rivers in 35 years.

Q4: What was the status of groundwater in India during 2022–2025 according to State of Global Water Resources 2025 Report?

Ans: India experienced persistent groundwater deficits during 2022–2025.

Visegrád Group

September 22, 2026
Visegrád Group

Visegrád Group Latest News

Recently, the four members of the Visegrád Group backed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council at their first foreign ministers’ meeting with India.

About Visegrád Group

  • The Visegrad Group is also known as the "Visegrad Four" or simply "V4". 
  • It is a cultural and political alliance which was created in 1991.
  • It aims to advance cooperation in military, economic, cultural, and energy affairs.
  • Member Countries:  Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia
  • Background
    • It was created when Polish, Czechoslovakian and Hungarian leaders met in the Hungarian town of Visegrád to promote cooperation between the three States following the Warsaw Pact. 
    • In 1993, Slovakia separated from the Czech Republic and the Group became the “V4”. 
  • Working
    • The V4 is an informal intergovernmental forum and makes its decisions by consensus.
    • It does not have any permanent structures.
    • The group’s work is centred around a presidency which rotates on an annual basis.
    • It conducts regular meetings at various levels: Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers for European Affairs, technical ministries, etc.
    • The agenda for meetings is set by the presidency
    • The V4 occasionally works with other States, both EU and non-EU members, in formats known as “V4+”.

Source: BT

Visegrád Group FAQs

Q1: Which are the member countries of Visegrád Group?

Ans: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia

Q2: What is Visegrád Group?

Ans: It is a cultural and political alliance which was created in 1991.

Outer Space Treaty

September 22, 2026
Outer Space Treaty

Outer Space Treaty Latest News

US President Donald Trump recently posted 'The Moon Is Ours' on Truth Social, but the 1967 Outer Space Treaty rules out any country owning lunar territory.

About Outer Space Treaty

  • It is an international agreement that governs how nations act in space. 
  • Formally known as the "Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies," it is one of international space law’s foundational documents. 
  • Born out of the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War and the competitive spirit of the space race, the treaty emerged as a response to the potential militarization of space. 
  • The overall purpose of the Outer Space Treaty is to keep space peaceful. 
  • The treaty was adopted by the United Nations in 1967. 
  • Its first signatories were the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.  
  • 115 countries are parties to the treaty, including all major spacefaring nations, including India and China. Another 22 countries are signatories. 
  • It includes several important principles that guide space exploration and use to this day. 
  • According to the U.N. Office of Outer Space Affairs, the treaty’s key principles are:
    • That the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind;
    • That outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all states;
    • That outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means;
    • That states shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner;
    • That the Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes; prohibits their use for testing weapons of any kind, conducting military maneuvers, or establishing military bases, installations, and fortifications;
    • That astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind;
    • That states shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities;
    • That states shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects; and
    • That states shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.
    • Verification:
      • States Parties agree to inform the UN Secretary-General as well as the public and the international scientific community, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, of the nature, conduct, locations, and results of activities covered in this treaty.
      • The Treaty sets forth that all stations, installations, equipment, and space vehicles on the Moon and other celestial bodies shall be open to representatives of other States Parties on a reciprocal basis.

News: HT

Outer Space Treaty FAQs

Q1: What is the Outer Space Treaty?

Ans: It is an international agreement governing how nations act in outer space.

Q2: In which year was the Outer Space Treaty adopted by the United Nations?

Ans: It was adopted in 1967.

Q3: Can a country claim sovereignty over outer space under the Outer Space Treaty?

Ans: No, outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty or through use, occupation or other means.

Q4: What does the Outer Space Treaty prohibit states from placing in orbit or on celestial bodies?

Ans: It prohibits placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies.

Dermatophytes

September 22, 2026
Dermatophytes

Dermatophytes Latest News

For a long time, fungal infections have meant itchy skin, discoloured nails and sometimes hair loss, a group of symptoms collectively called dermatophytosis, and are caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes.

About Dermatophytes

  • They are a group of fungi that live off keratin, a substance in your hair, nails and the outer layer of your skin. 
  • They don’t infect living tissue. 
  • They can cause skin lesions in humans and animals. 
  • Infections caused by dermatophytes are called dermatophytosis. 
  • The fungi use keratin as a carbon source and colonise keratinised tissue, such as hair, skin or nails.
  • Major genera of dermatophytes include Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. 
  • Dermatophytes are highly contagious. 
    • Some dermatophytes are spread directly from one person to another (anthropophilic organisms). 
    • Others live in and are transmitted to humans from soil (geophilic organisms), and still others spread to humans from animal hosts (zoophilic organisms). 
    • Transmission of dermatophytes also can occur indirectly from fomites (e.g., upholstery, hairbrushes, hats). 
    • Anthropophilic organisms are responsible for most fungal skin infections.
  • Why do dermatophytes cause so many different types of disease? 
    • All dermatophytes infect host surfaces containing keratin, including skin, hair, and nails. 
    • As such, the same infecting organism could cause disease in the foot, fingernail, body, or head. 
    • Both climate and lifestyle contribute to the prevalence of dermatophyte infections. 
    • Tropical climates and overcrowding predispose populations to dermatophyte infections. 
    • Increased urbanization, including the use of occlusive footwear, community showers, and participation in sports, has been linked to higher prevalence of Tinea pedis and onychomycosis (nail infections). 
    • It is very rare for a dermatophyte to cause an invasive or disseminated infection, although cases in immunocompromised patients have been reported. 
    • Disease severity correlates with the ecological niche of the infecting dermatophyte.

News: TH

Dermatophytes FAQ's

Q1: What are dermatophytes?

Ans: Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that live off keratin found in hair, nails and the outer layer of skin.

Q2: Do dermatophytes normally infect living tissue?

Ans: No, they do not normally infect living tissue.

Q3: What are infections caused by dermatophytes called?

Ans: They are called dermatophytosis.

Q4: Which tissues are commonly infected by dermatophytes?

Ans: Skin, hair and nails are commonly infected.

National Formulary of India

September 22, 2026
National Formulary of India

National Formulary of India Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfarelaunched the 7th Edition of the National Formulary of India (NFI) and also announced that the Biovigilance Programme of India has been approved by the Government of India.

About National Formulary of India

  • It has been published periodically by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) since 2009.
  • The first edition of NFI was published in 1960.
  • It is a guidance document for healthcare professionals aimed at promoting the rational and safe use of medicines.
  • It is an authoritative guide to prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines for healthcare professionals.
  • It will be useful for framing national drug policies in the country.
  • It serves as an important bridge between scientific standards and clinical practice, guiding healthcare professionals in the appropriate and rational use of medicines.
  • National Formulary of India 2026
    • It comprises 34 chapters, 20 appendices and 653 drugs, including 42 fixed-dose combinations and 30 immunologicals.
    • Drug monographs have been revised to align with the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and National Health Programmes.
    • It provides access to links relating to National Health Programmes, immunisation schedules, Jan Aushadhi, safe disposal of unused or expired pharmaceutical products and other authoritative regulatory resources.

What is the Biovigilance Programme of India?

  • It is aimed at expanding the country’s patient-safety framework.
  • Under the programme, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission will monitor and prevent adverse events linked to medicines and biological products used in organ and tissue transplantation.
  • The new programme will complement existing pharmacovigilance and materiovigilance mechanisms, creating a broader safety-monitoring framework covering medicines, medical devices and transplant-related procedures.

Source: PIB

National Formulary of India FAQs

Q1: What is National Formulary of India?

Ans: It is a guidance document for healthcare professionals aimed at promoting the rational and safe use of medicines.

Q2: Who publishes National Formulary of India?

Ans: It has been published periodically by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) since 2009.

Scrub Typhus

September 22, 2026
Scrub Typhus

Scrub Typhus Latest News

The recent death of an Anna University student at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMCH) due to scrub typhus, has once again brought this bacterial infection to the fore. 

About Scrub Typhus

  • It is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi.
  • It is spread by the bite of infected larval mites or chiggers.
  • Symptoms
    • Symptoms usually begin within 10 days of infection.
    • It includes fever and chills, headache, body aches and muscle pain, a dark, scab-like region at the site of the chigger bite (also known as eschar),
    • Mental changes ranging from confusion to coma, enlarged lymph nodes and a rash.
  • Timely treatment is critical. If left untreated, severe illness from scrub typhus infection can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, meningitis and kidney failure.
  • It is not a contagious disease.
  • Treatment
    • There is no vaccine as yet for scrub typhus.
    • It should be treated with the antibiotics doxycycline or azithromycin.

Key Facts about Typhus Fever

  • Typhus (or typhus fever) is the name used for several different types of bacterial infections spread by bug bites that cause similar symptoms, like high fever and rash. 
  • There are three types of illnesses commonly called typhus
    • Epidemic Typhus: It is caused by Rickettsia prowazeki and it is spread to people through contact with infected body lice. 
    • Scrub Typhus: It is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and spread by chiggers.
    • Murine Typhus: It is caused by Rickettsia typhi spread by fleas. It occurs in tropical and subtropical climates around the world.

Source: TH

Scrub Typhus FAQs

Q1: What is Scrub Typhus?

Ans: It is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi.

Q2: How Scrub Typhus gets transmitted?

Ans: It is spread by the bite of infected larval mites or chiggers.

Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project

September 22, 2026
Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project

Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project Latest News

A water leakage from the Parbati-II hydropower project flooded areas near Rella village in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district recently, damaging houses and agriculture fields and forcing residents to flee.

About Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project

  • It is a run-of-the-river project under construction on the Parbati River (major tributary of the Beas River), in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh.
  • By constructing an 83.7 m high concrete gravity dam near Pulga village in the Manikaran valley, the flow of the Parbati River is diverted, and the water is being taken to Sainj Valley through a 31.56 km long headrace tunnel, where a powerhouse has been constructed at Siund village. 
  •  The 31.56 km long HRT of the project is the longest hydroelectric tunnel in India.  
  • The water flow of Parbati is further increased by the mixing of water from five nalas coming along the head race tunnel.  
  • Total Capacity: 800 MW (four units of 200 MW each)
  • Once fully commissioned, it is expected to generate approx. 3,074 million units (MU) of electricity annually.
  • The project is being developed and currently owned by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Private Limited (NHPC). The company has a stake of 100%.
  • Himachal Pradesh will get 12% free power from the project, and the additional 1% free power will be used for the Local Area Development Fund.

News: TOI

Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project FAQs

Q1: Where is the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project located?

Ans: It is located in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.

Q2: On which river is the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project being constructed?

Ans: It is being constructed on the Parbati River.

Q3: What is the total installed capacity of the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: Its total installed capacity is 800 MW.

Q4: Which company is developing the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: The project is being developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

September 22, 2026
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Latest News

Tourists will now be able to visit the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) for nearly eight months, with the tourism season extended from November 1 to June 30, a senior forest official said recently.

About Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

  • It is situated in the Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Kheri districts of Uttar Pradesh, forming part of the Terai Arc Landscape, in the upper Gangetic Plain. 
  • It lies along the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas.
  • Rivers: The River Gomti originates from the PTR, which is also the catchment of several others like Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot.
  • The Sharda Sagar Dam, extending up to a length of 22 km, is on the boundary of the reserve.
  • It has a dry and hot climate, which brings a combination of dry teak forest and Vindhya Mountain soils.
  • Vegetation: Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests, Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, Seasonal Swamp Forests and Tropical Semi-evergreen Forests are the major forest types found in the reserve.
  • Flora: 
    • The Sal woodland is very dense with good natural regeneration, amounting to almost 76% of the reserve area.
    • Other trees like teak, khair, semal and Mahua are also seen.  
  • Fauna: It is home to a myriad of wild animals, including the endangered tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, hog deer, leopard, etc.

News: TP

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Where is Pilibhit Tiger Reserve located?

Ans: It is located in the Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Kheri districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Q2: Which landscape is Pilibhit Tiger Reserve part of?

Ans: It forms part of the Terai Arc Landscape.

Q3: Along which international border is Pilibhit Tiger Reserve located?

Ans: It lies along the India-Nepal border.

Q4: Which rivers have their catchment in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve?

Ans: The reserve is the catchment of rivers such as Sharda, Chuka and Mala Khannot.

Q5: Which major forest types are found in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve?

Ans: Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous, Seasonal Swamp and Tropical Semi-evergreen forests are found there.

Sea of Japan

September 22, 2026

Sea of Japan Latest News

Recently, it was reported that North Korea fired two missiles into the Sea of Japan with the launches taking place within hours of each other.

About Sea of Japan

  • Location: The Sea of Japan, or East Sea, is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean.
  • Boundaries: It is bounded by Russia and Sakhalin Island in the north, by North Korea in the west, South Korea in the southwest, and by the Japanese archipelago (Hokkaidō, Honshū, and Kyūshū islands) in the east and south.
  • Connections
    • It is connected with the East China Sea via the Tsushima and Korea straits and with the Okhotsk Sea in the north by the La Perouse and Tatar straits.
    • In the east, it is connected with the Inland Sea of Japan via the Kanmon Strait and the Pacific Ocean by the Tsugaru Strait.
  • Deepest Point: Dohoku Seamount, an underwater volcano, is its deepest point.
  • Climate: Its relatively warm waters contribute greatly to the mild climate of Japan.
  • Tides: Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific Ocean. 
  • The sea is known for its high concentration of oxygen (dissolved in the seawater), which results in high biological productivity. 
  • Major Ports
    • Russia: Vladivostok, Sovetskaya Gavan, Nakhodka, Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, and Kholmsk. 
    • North Korea: Hamhung, Chongjin, and Wonsan.
    • Japan: Niigata, Tsuruta, and Maizuru.

Source: HT

Sea of Japan FAQs

Q1: Where is Sea of Japan?

Ans: The Sea of Japan, or East Sea, is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean.

Q2: What is the deepest point of Sea of Japan?

Ans: Dohoku Seamount

Exercise Nomadic Elephant

September 22, 2026
Exercise Nomadic Elephant

Exercise Nomadic Elephant Latest News

The 18th edition of the Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. 

About Exercise Nomadic Elephant

  • It is an annual joint military exercise conducted alternatively in India and Mongolia.
  • The last edition of the exercise was conducted at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
  • Aim: To enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under the United Nations Mandate.
  • Focus of Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026
    • It focuses on tactical-level operations, exchange of best practices, refinement of operational drills and enhancement of interoperability between the two armies.
    • The training curriculum will include Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training and employment of drones and counter-drone systems, among other activities.
    • These drills will provide troops of both Armies an opportunity to train together in realistic operational scenarios and strengthen their ability to operate jointly.

Source: PIB

Exercise Nomadic Elephant FAQs

Q1: Exercise Nomadic Elephant is conducted between which two countries?

Ans: India and Mongolia

Q2: What is the aim of Exercise Nomadic Elephant?

Ans: To enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under the United Nations Mandate

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