News In Short 22-09-2026

Kathakali Festival 

Syllabus: GS1/Art and Culture

In News

• The 17th Kathakali Festival was organised by the Kalakshetra Foundation under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Kathakali 

• The word Kathakali is derived from Malayalam “Katha” (story) + “Kali” (play). 
• Kathakali is believed to have evolved in Kerala in the 17th century. 
• Kathakali combines devotion, drama, dance, music, costumes, and make-up to retell the great stories of the past, mostly from Indian epics, using hand and facial gestures and expressions.
• Performances of Kathakali are based on Attakatha literature and highlight eye movements, rhythmic footwork, body motions and expressive acting. 
• The music is of the Sopana/Abhinaya Sangeetham genre with accompaniment from instruments like Chenda, Maddalam, Chengila and Ilathalam.
• The singers are called Ponnani and Shinkidi. 
• Traditionally, Kathakali has been performed overnight, but is often staged as shorter performances. 
• Traditionally a male performance, women also participate in Kathakali at various levels.

Source: PIB

CCTV Surveillance at Medical Stores

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• The Union Health Ministry has proposed mandatory CCTV surveillance at retail medical stores, with recordings to be preserved for three months.

Need for CCTV Surveillance

• The proposal seeks to prevent the unauthorised sale and access of Schedule H, H1 and X medicines, which can include antibiotics, psychotropic substances and other prescription-only drugs.
• The measure is particularly aimed at preventing the sale of such medicines to minors without prescriptions and addressing prescription-drug misuse.
• The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has also proposed a centralised Management Information System (MIS)/drug portal to capture relevant information on the sale of prescription medicines.
• CCTV footage would primarily provide a mechanism to verify transactions in case of complaints or suspected violations.

Source: IE

Supreme Court on Article 22

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

In News

• The Supreme Court held that the right to be informed in writing and in a language understood by the arrested person of the grounds of his imprisonment and the right to consult a lawyer of his choice are the necessary fundamental rights under Article 22(1).

Article 22

• Article 22 protects against arrest and detention to ensure freedom of person, and hence has a direct link with the concept of personal liberty under Article 21. 
• Article 22(1): Every person who is arrested shall be notified, as quickly as may be, of the grounds for such arrest and shall be entitled to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.
• Article 22(2): An arrested individual shall be brought before a Magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, excluding the time necessary for travel. Authority of magistrate to detain beyond 24 hours.

Supreme Court on Re-arrest and Article 22

• SC reiterating that Article 22(1) safeguards cannot be diluted.
• It laid down strict conditions for re-arrest:
  • The accused must first receive the grounds of arrest in writing
  • Police must approach a magistrate with reasons for the proposed re-arrest and explain why the grounds were not supplied initially;
  • The application must have the endorsement of a superior officer; investigation must be transferred to another officer; and
  • A departmental inquiry must be initiated against the officer responsible.
  • Re-arrest requires judicial approval, and the magistrate must be satisfied that there were bona fide reasons for the initial failure and that re-arrest is necessary. 
• The Court also directed High Courts to award appropriate compensation for violations of procedural safeguards. 

Source: TH

Rozgar Mela

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, GS3/ Economy

Context

• The 20th edition of the National Rozgar Mela distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted youth in government departments and organisations.

About National Rozgar Mela

• The National Rozgar Mela is a government initiative aimed at accelerating recruitment to government posts and filling vacancies across Ministries, Departments and government organisations.
• It seeks to promote youth empowerment, timely recruitment and employment opportunities while strengthening the availability of human resources in government institutions.
• The initiative was launched in 2022.

What is a Rozgar Mela?

• A Rozgar Mela is an employment-oriented event that brings employers and prospective job seekers together for direct interaction, application and recruitment.
• In the broader employment ecosystem, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) organises Rozgar Melas in collaboration with Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs).
• Private-sector employers are mobilised to participate and offer employment opportunities to eligible candidates.
• Rozgar Melas cater to youth aged 18 to 35 years and offer employment opportunities to candidates with diverse educational and skill backgrounds, including:
  • 8th, 10th and 12th pass candidates
  • ITI and Diploma holders
  • Graduates
  • Trained and certified candidates aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
• Rozgar Melas also provide complementary services such as Career Counselling, Kaushal Melas, Mudra Loan Facilitation and Skill Exhibitions.

Source: PIB

Biometric Aadhaar Authentication For LPG

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• Domestic LPG consumers across the country will need to complete Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) to continue booking subsidised cylinder refills from October 1, 2026.

About

• The move aims to ensure that subsidised LPG reaches genuine domestic households, while preventing the diversion of domestic cylinders for commercial or industrial use. 
• It will also help identify duplicate and ineligible LPG connections and improve transparency in subsidy delivery. 
• According to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, till now, 27.43 crore active domestic LPG consumers, or 89.9% of the total, have completed the authentication process. 
• Consumers who have not completed BAA will be able to book subsidised refills only after authentication. 
• BAA can be completed through:
  • At the time of delivery, when delivery personnel can carry out the authentication using the mobile application of the concerned oil marketing company (OMC);
  • At the distributor’s showroom; or,
  • Through the OMC’s mobile application from home.
• Consumers unwilling or unable to complete BAA can still purchase LPG, but without the subsidy, subject to the applicable arrangements. 

Source: PIB

SC Rejects Methanol Rules

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

In News

• The Supreme Court struck down Maharashtra Poisons Rules, 1972 requiring methanol to be mixed with colourant and bitterant before being sold to non-drug manufacturers. 

Background 

• The Maharashtra government introduced stricter controls on methanol following a 1991 hooch tragedy in Mumbai, in which around 93 people died after consuming spurious liquor containing methanol
• In 2011, Maharashtra amended its Poisons Rules and introduced Rules 18A and 18B.
• The rules restrict the purchase of methanol and mandate the addition of bitterant and colourant to methanol before sale to a non-drug manufacturer.
• Further, by operation of Rule 18B, any possession of methanol without a licence in Form A is liable to confiscation.

Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) CH3OH

• It is a colourless, water-miscible, extremely flammable liquid with a boiling point of around 65°C. 
• It was formerly made by destructive distillation of wood.
• It is now mostly made from carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas) using catalysts, including syngas from biomass.
• It is used significantly in the production of formaldehyde, synthetic resins, dyes, medicines, and perfumes, and also as a solvent, antifreeze, and fuel. 
• It is also widely used as an industrial raw material in products including formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, paints, resins, and other chemicals.
• It is very poisonous (unlike ethanol ), and drinking it can cause blindness or death. 

Source:TH

Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT, commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.

About the Exercise

• Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternately in India and Mongolia since 2006. The last edition of the same exercise was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2025.
• The exercise aims 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.

Source: PIB

Angh Wins TIFF Platform Prize

Syllabus: Miscllenous

In News

• Nagaland filmmaker Theja Rio’s debut feature film, Angh, won the prestigious Platform Prize at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

About

• Set in the early 1960s near the Indo-Myanmar border, the film follows Anghba, a Konyak village chief, and his family as traditional beliefs encounter Christianity and modern influences.
• Shot largely in the Konyak language, with local non-professional actors alongside Scottish actor Douglas Henshall.
• The film explores the cultural, religious and social transition of Naga society, including the gradual decline of traditional customs and identity.

Source: AIR