September 22, 2026 - Current Affairs

India’s New National Accounts Methodology

Context

MoSPI released the 8th revised National Accounts Series with 2022-23 as the base year in 2026, introducing methodological changes, notably double deflation in manufacturing GVA.

What are National Accounts?

National Accounts Statistics (NAS) provide a systematic picture of an economy’s production, income and expenditure.

They measure aggregates such as GDP, GVA, consumption, investment, saving and external trade, following the framework of the UN System of National Accounts (SNA).

India-New Zealand FTA

Context

India-New Zealand FTA will come into force on 20th October 2026.

What is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a pact between two or more countries where they agree to:

Reduce or eliminate customs duties on goods;

Growing Threat of Antifungal Resistance

Context

A research on Candida auris demonstrates that resistance to antifungals can arise through gene mutation, gene duplication and compensatory mechanisms in the cell.

What are Fungal Infections?

Fungal infections are diseases caused by pathogenic fungus that can damage the skin, nails, lungs, blood stream and other organs.

Dermatophytes are fungi that are common causes of skin, nail and hair infection, while yeasts such as Candida auris can cause severe systemic infection.

Kasturirangan Committee Report on Conservation of the Western Ghats

Context

Karnataka has convened an Assembly session to discuss the proposed implementation of the Kasturirangan Committee recommendations on the Western Ghats.

Kasturirangan Committee report

The High-Level Working Group (HLWG) chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan was constituted in 2012 to examine the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee on the conservation of the Western Ghats.

The committee recommended designating 37% of the Western Ghats, covering approximately 59,940 sq. km, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). It focused more on development balance and economic activities.

The Gender Snapshot 2026

Context

The Gender Snapshot 2026report says not one target under the Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality is on track to be met by 2030.

Major Highlights

Goals Off Track: Decades of progress on gender equality are being stalled or reversed at a time when no target under the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on gender equality is on track to be met by 2030.

Sustainable Development Goal 5 focuses on closing the gender gap and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

News In Short 22-09-2026

Context

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.