Daily Current Affairs 22 September 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 22 September 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

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India And The US Need A Pragmatic Strategic Partnership

Source: Indian Express
GS II: International Relations- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and affecting its interests, Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

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Why in the News?

India-US relations are facing challenges due to trade disputes, differences over strategic priorities and concerns about regional security.

News in Brief

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• India and the US need to move beyond differences and adopt a pragmatic approach to bilateral relations.
• Defence cooperation, emerging technologies and resilient supply chains offer opportunities to deepen strategic ties.
• Both countries should strengthen coordination in the Indo-Pacific while managing disagreements over trade and regional security.
• Cooperation among democratic partners, along with people-to-people ties, can provide a stronger foundation for the relationship.

Six Steps to Strengthen India-US Relations

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Strengthen Reciprocal Defence Cooperation

• India and the US should deepen defence cooperation through reciprocal commitments and greater strategic engagement.
• India can expand its role in the Indo-Pacific by supporting US leadership and strengthening maritime security.
• Cooperation should include joint exercises, logistics support, intelligence sharing and access to regional military facilities.
• Existing frameworks can be used to improve interoperability and facilitate the deployment of naval and other military assets.
• Strengthens maritime security, improves military coordination and supports a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Manage Differences in High-Technology Cooperation

• Both countries should establish clear rules for cooperation in sensitive technologies.
• Collaboration should move beyond ceremonial military exercises towards real-time tactical data sharing and integrated defence systems.
• Cooperation in cyber defence, satellite networks and space technologies can improve their ability to address emerging threats.
• Joint initiatives in space defence and missile technology can strengthen strategic capabilities.
• Builds technological resilience and improves preparedness against cyberattacks and other security threats.

Expand Reciprocal Defence Procurement

• India and the US should align their defence procurement policies with their respective global defence strategies.
• Joint ventures under initiatives such as Make in India can promote the domestic production of advanced military equipment.
• Cooperation can cover long-range drones, co-production of defence systems and future precision-strike technologies.
• Greater investment in defence infrastructure and maintenance facilities can reduce dependence on external suppliers.
• Promotes defence indigenization, technology transfer and resilient supply chains.

Strengthen Technology and Resource Supply Chains

• India should strengthen its regulatory and institutional framework to participate more effectively in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
• The US can facilitate trusted technology transfers while streamlining export controls.
• Both countries should implement the Bilateral Critical Minerals Framework to improve access to essential resources.
• Public-private partnerships can support the development of secure supply chains for lithium, rare earth elements and other critical minerals.
• Reduces strategic dependence on China and supports cooperation in semiconductors, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

Deepen Cooperation Through Minilateral Groupings

• India and the US should use smaller strategic groupings to strengthen regional security and economic cooperation.
• The Quad, comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia, provides a platform for cooperation in maritime security, critical technologies and regional resilience.
• Partnerships with countries such as the Philippines can strengthen maritime cooperation.
• Bilateral and minilateral arrangements can help translate diplomatic commitments into practical defence cooperation.
• Strengthen the Indo-Pacific security architecture and promotes collective responses to regional challenges.

Leverage the Indian and American Diasporas

• Both countries should use their strong people-to-people connections to build a more durable-partnership.
• The Indian diaspora contributes to trade, investment, innovation, research and cultural exchange in the US.
• Greater professional mobility can support cooperation in science, technology, education and entrepreneurship.
• Stronger institutional and cultural ties can help maintain public support for bilateral relations despite political disagreements.
• Builds trust, strengthens economic links and creates a long-term social foundation for the partnership.

Major Challenges in India-US Relations

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• India-US relations face several challenges, including trade disputes over tariffs and market access, and strategic differences in their approaches towards Russia and regional conflicts.
• Moreover, US export controls and restrictions on sensitive technologies can limit cooperation, while differences in defence procurement and technology transfer may delay joint projects.
• Both countries also need to coordinate their approaches towards China and Indo-Pacific security while respecting India’s strategic autonomy.

Way Forward and Conclusion

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India and the US should adopt a pragmatic, interest-driven approach to strengthen their partnership by resolving trade disputes through negotiations, expanding defence co-production and technology sharing, and deepening cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Further better coordination through in Quad and other Indo-Pacific frameworks, along with stronger educational, research and diaspora ties, can improve bilateral relations.

India-US relations need not be free from disagreements to remain strategically valuable. By respecting each other’s strategic priorities and focusing on shared interests, both countries can strengthen economic ties, technological capabilities and Indo-Pacific security while building a stable and mutually beneficial partnership.

 

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Strengthening Food Security Through Ration Portability

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Governance; GS III: Inclusive Growth, Issues of buffer stocks and food security

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Why in the News?

The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) reform has improves the portability of subsidized foodgrain entitlements under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

News in Brief

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• India operates one of the world’s largest food-based safety net programmes, providing subsidized foodgrains to eligible households through nearly five lakh Fair Price Shops.
• Before 2019, ration entitlements were linked to the location recorded on the ration card, making it difficult for migrant workers to access foodgrains outside their home districts or States.
• Introduced in 2019, ONORC enables beneficiaries to access their entitled foodgrains from any participating FPS across India using Aadhaar-based authentication.
• Research based on ration transaction data from Bihar suggests that portability gives beneficiaries greater choice of ration dealers and can improve their bargaining power.

The Problem of Ration Shop Monopoly

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• The traditional PDS system tied beneficiaries to designated ration shops.
• This limited their ability to switch dealers, even when they faced problems such as;
  • Shortage of foodgrains or reduced quantities.
  • Poor-quality grains and inadequate services.
  • Unfair treatment by ration ddealers.
• The problem particularly affected migrant workers, women and economically weaker households, who often had limited alternatives.
• Beneficiaries had little bargaining power, while dealers faced limited competition.

One Nation One Ration Card Reform

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• ONORC was introduced to address the geographical restrictions of the PDS and improve access to food security for migrant workers.
• It has two important features;
  • Portability: Beneficiaries can collect their entitled foodgrains from any participating FPS across India, subject to applicable authentication and distribution procedures.
  • Divisibility: Eligible households can split their entitlements, collecting part of their foodgrains at one location and the remaining quantity elesewhere.
• These features allow migrant workers to access foodgrains near their workplace without losing access to their entitlements at their home location.

Why Bihar is an important Case Study

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• Bihar is a major migrant-sending State, making it useful for understanding the impact of ration portability.
• The study discussed in the report uses data from 891 ration shops, drawing on the Aadhaar-enabled Public Distribution System (AePDS) portal and inter-State transaction data.
• Its findings indicate that beneficiaries use portability not only to address migration-related needs but also to seek better service from ration dealers.

Two Types of Portability

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The study distinguishes between two forms of ration portability.

Type 1: Nearby portability

• Beneficiaries switch to another ration shop in the same locality .
• This may occur when they are dissatisfied with the price, quantity, quality of foodgrains or service provided by their assigned dealer.
• It allows beneficiaries to choose a better-performing dealer without travelling long distances.

Type 2: Long-distance portability

• Migrants access ration benefits at a location far from their registered or usual ration shop.
• This addresses the difficulties faced by workers who move between States or districts for employment.
• The study suggests that nearby portability is more common than long-distance portability in Bihar.

Evidence from Bihar

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• The study provides several important findings:
  •  62 out of every 100 transactions in February and March took place at the assigned ration shop.
  • Approximately 38% of transactions occurred at the assigned shop, 55% at another shop in the same block, 4% at a shop in a different block of the same district, 2% in another district and 1% in another State, according to the reported decomposition.
  • The findings suggest that many beneficiaries use portability to access alternative dealers within their local area rather than exclusively to address long-distance migration.
  • The share of portable transactions has increased by roughly six percentage points a year since April 2022, with growth largely concentrated in nearby portability.
• Portability serves both as a safety net for migrants and as a mechanism through which beneficiaries can respond to poor service.

How ONORC Reduces Dealer Monopoly

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ONORC changes the relationship between ration dealers and beneficiaries.

Before ONORC	After ONORC
Beneficiaries largely depended on their assigned ration dealer.	Beneficiaries can choose among participating ration shops.
Switching dealers was difficult.	Portability makes switching easier.
Dealers faced limited competitive pressure.	Dealers may have incentives to improve service to retain beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries had limited options when they received poor service.	Beneficiaries can seek alternatives where portability is available.

• The ability to switch shops gives beneficiaries an exit option.
• If a dealer provides poor service, beneficiaries can take their business elsewhere, potentially encouraging better service and accountability.
• However, the study notes that divisibility is used comparatively sparingly.
• Limited awareness, dealer incentives and other practical constraints may explain this patttern.

Challenges

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• Despite its benefits, ONORC faces challenges such as limited awareness among beneficiaries, authentication failures and poor internet connectivity in some areas.
• Uneven service quality across ration shops and biometric authentication difficulties may prevent eligible households from accessing their entitlements.
• The limited use of divisibility also reduces the flexibility available to beneficiaries.
• Strengthening awareness, grievance redressal and monitoring of ration dealers is essential to ensure effective and inclusive implementation.

Way forward and Conclusion

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Strengthening ONORC requires greater awareness among migrant workers, reliable connectivity, alternative authentication mechanisms and effective grievance redressal. Regular monitoring of ration shops, social audits and transparent electronic transaction records can improve accountability and prevent the denial of entitlements.

ONORC has the potential to transform the PDS from a dealer-dependent system into a more flexible, beneficiary-centred model. Ensuring fair access, effective implementation and accountability can strengthen food security and empower vulnerable households.

 

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SARAS Mela 2026 Promoting Rural Livelihoods

Source: PIB
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections; GS III: Inclusive growth

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Why in the News?

The National SARAS Mela 2026 is being organised at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, from 13 to 31 October 2026. It is the first National SARAS Mela to be held outside the Delhi-NCR region.

News in Brief

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• The Mela brings together around 1,500 women Self-Help Group (SHG) entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis from 34 States and Union Territories, with more than 650 stalls.
• It provides opportunities for product marketing, business training, institutional support and buyer–seller interactions.
• The eSARAS platform extends market access beyond physical exhibitions by enabling customers to discover and purchase SHG products online.
• The initiative promotes women’s economic empowerment, traditional crafts, rural livelihoods and the vision of Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

About SARAS Mela

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• SARAS Melas are organized under DAY-NRLM to connect rural women-led enterprises with consumers, institutional buyers and wider markets.
• The first National SARAS Mela was organized in Delhi in 1999, with around 65 beneficiaries.
• Since then, the initiative has expanded to national, regional, state and district levels.
• 117 National SARAS Melas have been organized, with annual sales exceeding rupees 200 crore.
• States and Union Territories organize at least two State-level SARAS Melas annually, while around 50 events take place nationally each year on average.
• SARAS Melas help rural women move beyond subsistence-based livelihoods towards sustainable enterprises by improving market access, product visibility and business connections.

DAY-NRLM and Rural Women’s Empowerment

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• The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a flagship government programme aimed at reducing rural poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
• Its major functions include;
  • Organizing rural women into Self-Help Groups and their federations.
  • Improving access to financial services, skills, technology and livelihood opportunities.
  • Supporting women-led enterprises through branding, product visibility and market linkages.
  • Connecting SHGs with physical, digital and institutional markets.
• SARAS Melas complement these efforts by enabling women to sell directly to consumers, understand market preferences and develop long-term business partnerships.

Lakhpati Didi Initiative

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• A Lakhpati Didi is a woman belonging to an SHG whose household earns at least rupees 1 lakh annually on a sustainable basis.
• The assessment covers at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cylce.

Key developments;

• The initiative received national impetus in August 2023, with an initial ambition to create two crore Lakhpati Didis.
• The target was increased to three crore in the Interim Budget 2024–25.
• Three-crore milestone was achieved by December 2025.
• In February 2026, the government announced an enhanced target of six crore Lakhpati Didis.
• SARAS Melas support this initiative by providing market access, business learning, branding opportunities and avenues for bulk and institutional orders.
• The initiative illustrates the shift from providing livelihood opportunities to ensuring sustainable household incomes and promoting women-led entrepreneurship.

Major Attractions of the Vijayawada Mela

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• The Mela showcases India’s diverse traditional crafts, textiles, processed foods and regional products.
• Examples include;
  • Textiles: Phulkari from Punjab, Pashmina from Jammu and Kashmir, Ikat and Telia textiles from Telangana, and Paunchei from Mizoram.
  • Handicrafts: Meenakari, Dokra, brasswork, woodcraft and traditional paintings.
  • SHAKTI installation: A 16-foot installation titled SHAKTI – The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi symbolises women’s collective strength, craftsmanship and economic independence.
  • Institutional support: The Mela receives support from institutions such as NABARD and the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR).
• These activities promote traditional knowledge while creating opportunities for rural producers to access national markets.

Dedicated Pavilions and Their Functions

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• The Vijayawada Mela goes beyond product exhibitions by providing spaces for trainig, knowledge-sharing and institutional linkages.

Pavilion	Major functions
Lakhpati Didi Pavilion	Showcases successful women entrepreneurs, including those earning over ₹10 lakh annually and some earning over ₹1 crore.
Learning and Knowledge Pavilion	Provides workshops and expert sessions on packaging, branding, business proposals, e-commerce and social media marketing.
Convergence Pavilion	Connects entrepreneurs with government departments, financial institutions and technical agencies for credit, skills, certification and other support.
Demonstration Pavilion	Features live demonstrations of pottery, needlework, mirror-work embroidery and other traditional and contemporary production techniques.

• The pavilions encourage peer learning and help women improve product quality, business practices and access to institutional support.
• The Convergence Pavilion also connects SHG entrepreneurs with platforms and institutions such as the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Textiles, ONDC, Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and TRIFED.

India Food Court

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• The India Food Court highlights the role of food-based enterprises in rural women’s economic empowerment.
  • It features 50 food stalls showcasing regional cuisines.
  • More than 200 first-generation women food-service entrepreneurs from over 28 States and Union Territories participate.
  • Dishes include Litti Chokha from Bihar, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Mushroom Pitha from Assam, and Makke Di Roti with Saag from Punjab.
  • It provides women entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase regional culinary traditions in a national marketplace.
• The initiative demonstrates how traditional food knowledge can support entrepreneurship, preserve cultural heritage and create income-generating opportunities.

Digital Integration and Market Access

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• The SARAS ecosystem combines physical exhibitions with digital platforms to ensure that market opportunities continue beyond the Mela.
• Key components;
  • UPI: Enables convenient and transparent digital payments. Cash and coupon-based payment facilities are also available for visitors who prefer them.
  • eSARAS platform: Allows customers to discover and purchase products made by SHG entrepreneurs online.
  • SARAS Gallery and e-commerce channels: Help rural products reach customers beyond geographical boundaries.
  • SARAS Mela Digital App: Introduced in 2025 to support SHG nominations, attendance management and the sharing of event-related information.
• Digital integration can expand market reach, improve product visibility and reduce dependence on physical exhibitions.
• However, sustained benefits depend on digital literacy, product quality, logistics and reliable delivery systems.

Cultural Significance

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• The Mela features traditional art forms, crafts, textiles, music and dance from participating regions.
• These showcases;
  • Preserve traditional skills and cultural heritage.
  • Promote regional identities and indigenous craftmanship.
  • Connect cultural products with commercial opportunities.
  • Encourage consumers to appreciate the people and skills behind handmade products.

Significance for Rural Development

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• The Vijayawada Mela reflects a broader approach to decentralizing national platforms and bringing market opportunities closer to producers and consumers.
• Its major contributions include;
  • Women’s empowerment: Strengthens women’s participation in economic activities and decision-making.
  • Rural entrepreneurship: Helps SHGs develop sustainable, market-oriented enterprises.
  • Financial inclusion: Creates opportunities to connect women entrepreneurs with financial institutions and government support.
  • Traditional industries: Promotes local crafts, textiles, food products and indigenous skills.
  • Digital inclusion: Connects rural enterprises with online marketplaces and digital payments.
  • Regional development: Extends national-level market opportunities beyond Delhi-NCR.
  • Local manufacturing: Supports the broader objectives of Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The Mela was organized during SEVA Pakhwada, beginning on 2 October 2026, as part of the government’s efforts to promote public participation and development-oriented initiatives.

Challenges

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• Despite their potential, rural women-led enterprises faces several constraints.
• Rural women-led enterprises face several challenges, including limited access to wider markets and continued dependence on local sales.
• Inadequate branding, packaging and quality certification can restrict their competitiveness, while limited digital literacy affects their participation in e-commerce.
• Access to affordable credit, storage and reliable transportation also remains a concern.
• Moreover, participation in exhibitions does not necessarily ensure regular sales or sustainable household incomes.

Way Forward and Conclusion

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Strengthening partnerships between SHGs, retailers, e-commerce platforms and institutional buyers can expand market access for rural women entrepreneurs. Better access to affordable credit, skill development, business mentoring, digital literacy, quality certification and branding can improve their competitiveness. Reliable logistics and supply chains, along with the expansion of regional SARAS Melas, can connect rural producers with wider markets.

SARAS Melas can help transform rural women’s traditional skills into sustainable enterprises. Integrating market access, digital platforms and institutional support with the Lakhpati Didi initiative can strengthen women’s economic empowerment, promote inclusive growth and advance the vision of Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

 

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Kashipur Site Reveals Clues To Ancient Indian History

Source: Indian Express
GS I: Indian Heritage and Culture- Salient aspects of art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times.

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Why in the News?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun a fresh excavation at Kashipur, near Rudrapur in Uttarakhand, to study its archaeological remains and establish the site’s cultural sequence. The site is traditionally associated with the Mahabharata and is believed to have been an ancient settlement known as Govishana.

News in Brief

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• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun fresh excavations at a 90-acre mound near Drona Sagar Lake in Kashipur, Uttarakhand.
• The site is identified with Govishana, visited by Chinese traveller Xuanzang in the 7th century CE, and is traditionally linked to the Mahabharata.
• Earlier excavations uncovered temple structures from different phases, while pottery findings indicate occupation from the Painted Grey Ware period to the early medieval period.
• The latest excavation aims to examine earlier finds, uncover deeper layers and establish the site’s cultural sequence and architectural history.

Historical Significance of Kashipur

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• Kashipur is identified with Govishana, a place  visited by the Chinese Buddhist scholar and traveler Xuanzang in the 7th century CE.
• Alexander Cunningham, regarded as the founder of the Archaeological Survey of India, identified Kashipur with the Govishana mentioned in Xuanzang’s accounts.
• Cunningham also traced the remains of a large structure at Bhim-Gaja, described as the highest point at the site.

Connection with the Mahabharata

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• According to local traditions, the site was associated with Dronacharya, who trained the Pandavas and Kauravas in warfare.
• The Pandavas are believed to have built Drona Sagar Lake as guru dakshina for Dronacharya.
• These associations  form part of the region’s cultural memory.
• However, the Mahabharata connection remains a traditional attribution and requires independent archaeological evidence for historical confirmation.

Findings from earlier excavations

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• The ASI’s earlier excavations revealed evidence of a temple complex constructed in different phases.
• The earliest identified structure appears to have been a soil-brick platform, possibly associated with a sanctuary during the Gupta period.
• Two additional enclosing walls were subsequently constructed, probably during the 6th-7th centuries CE.
• The excavations revealed substantial portions of the temple’s layout and its successive construction phases.
• Pottery recovered from the site indicates occupation extending from the Painted Grey Ware period to the early medieval period.

Painted Grey Ware Culture

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• The Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture is an archaeological culture characterized by fine grey pottery decorated with black geometric designs.
• It is associated with several early settlements in northern India and is generally dated to the early Iron Age, although chronology varies across sites.
• PGW has often been discussed in relation to the later Vedic Period and traditions associated with the Mahabharata.
• However, the presence of PGW pottery alone cannot establish that a site is directly connected with events described in the epic.

Evidence of Continuous Occupation

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• Pottery dating to the Kushan, Gupta and medieval periods has also been recovered at Kashipur.
• These findings suggest that the region experienced human activity across several historical periods.
• The range of archaeological remains makes the site important for understanding settlement patterns, religious architecture and cultural changes in northern India.

Objectives of the Fresh Excavation

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According to the report, the last excavation aims to;

• Examine objects recovered during earlier excavations.
• Investigate deeper archaeological layers to establish the site’s cultural sequence.
• Obtain a more detailed understanding of the temple’s architectural plan.
• Study the newly identified brick structures and circular formation.
• Assess the possibility of extending the excavation based on the findings.

The ASI has identified that the site could eventually be developed for research and tourism, subject to further investigation.

Significance and Challenges

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• Ancient Indian history: Helps explain the use of archaeological evidence to reconstruct the history of early settlements.
• Art and culture: Temple remains provide insights into the evolution of religious architecture.
• Sources of history: Highlights the importance of combining literary accounts, local traditions, pottery and structural remains.
• Cultural heritage: Demonstrates the need to preserve archaeological sites while promoting responsible heritage tourism.

Challenges

• Epic narratives and local traditions need to be examined alongside verifiable archaeological evidence.
• Excavation and tourism development must not damage fragile archaeological remains.
• Different layers and artefacts must be carefully dated to establish the site’s sequence of occupation.
• Further scientific investigation is necessary to understand the site’s full historical significance.

Conclusion

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The fresh excavation at Kashipur offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding of ancient settlements, temple architecture and cultural continuity in northern India. Scientific investigation and careful preservation are essential to distinguish historical evidence from traditional accounts and protect the site’s archaeological heritage.

 

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