September 2026: Important Days Till Today

International Day of Sign Languages Observed Globally on 23 September 2026

• Global Observance: The United Nations International Day of Sign Languages is observed every year on 23 September to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages in the full realization of the human rights of deaf people.
• 2026 Theme: The theme for International Day of Sign Languages 2026 is “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.” The same theme is being used for the International Week of Deaf People, observed from 21–27 September 2026.
• Historical Significance: The date commemorates the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951.
• UN Recognition: The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages through Resolution A/RES/72/161, adopted without a vote on 19 December 2017. The Day was first observed in 2018.
• 2026 Milestone: The year 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the World Federation of the Deaf and 20 years since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
• Global Representation: The WFD currently represents 140 national member organisations and advocates for the human rights of more than 70 million deaf people worldwide.
• Indian Initiatives: The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, maintains the Government of India's Indian Sign Language Dictionary. The dictionary contains 10,000 terms. NCERT has also been working with ISLRTC to provide curriculum-based content in Indian Sign Language.

11th Ayurveda Day 2026 Observed Across India and Worldwide with the Theme 'Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow'

• National & Global Observance: The 11th Ayurveda Day 2026 is being observed on 23 September 2026 under the leadership of the Ministry of Ayush. The national-level celebration is being held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• Central Theme: The theme for 2026 is “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow”(स्वस्थ भविष्य के लिए आयुर्वेद), with emphasis on evidence, research, innovation, integrated healthcare, community wellbeing and sustainable living.
• Fixed Date: An important correction to the earlier formulation is that Ayurveda Day is no longer linked to Dhanvantari Jayanti/Dhanteras. The Government of India notified 23 September as the fixed annual date from 2025. Before 2025, Ayurveda Day was observed on Dhanteras, whose date varies according to the lunar calendar.
• 2026 Initiatives: The 11th Ayurveda Day programme includes the launch of the first Ayush Services Sector Report, safety dossiers on Gokshura and Chandrasura, Standard Treatment Guidelines on skin disorders, the “Ayush Vision 2030” report and the CCRAS–AGNI Assessment Scale Web Portal.
• Public Participation: Ahead of the observance, more than 9,700 activities had been reported across 30 States/UTs, with more than 3.6 lakh registered participants and nearly 89.3 lakh citizen pledges on the Ayurveda Day 2026 platform. International activities were also reported from multiple countries and territories.

September (Autumnal) Equinox 2026 Occurs on 23 September

• Astronomical Phenomenon: The September Equinox (Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere) occurs on 23 September 2026. The exact astronomical moment occurs at approximately 00:05 UTC, which corresponds to about 5:35 AM IST on 23 September.
• Astronomical Definition: An equinox occurs when the centre of the Sun crosses the plane of Earth's equator. During the September equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving from north to south.
• Seasonal Transition: The September equinox marks the beginning of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and astronomical spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Day and Night: The term equinox comes from the Latin aequus (“equal”) and nox (“night”). Day and night are approximately equal in length, but they are not exactly 12 hours each at most locations because of atmospheric refraction, the Sun's apparent disk and the definition of sunrise and sunset.

9th India International Water Week (IIWW 2026) Inaugurated in New Delhi

• Inauguration: The 9th India International Water Week (IIWW 2026) was inaugurated by Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 22 September 2026.
• Dates: The five-day event is being held from 22 to 26 September 2026.
• Theme: The official theme of IIWW 2026 is “Climate Resilient Water Management.”
• Partner Countries: The Netherlands and Germany are participating as Partner Countries.
• Partner States: 14 Indian States are participating as Partner States.
• Global Platform: The event brings together governments, international and multilateral organisations, research and academic institutions, industry, civil society, start-ups, innovators and young professionals.
• Purpose: IIWW 2026 provides a platform for policy dialogue, technology demonstration, knowledge exchange, networking, business partnerships and collaboration on water-related challenges.
• Climate Resilience: The discussions focus on sustainable and integrated water management in the face of climate change, urbanisation and increasing pressure on water resources.
• National Water Priorities: The event provides a platform for discussions relevant to India's water-security programmes and broader climate-resilient water management efforts.

Union Health Ministry Unveils 7th Edition of National Formulary of India (NFI) in New Delhi

• Official Release: Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Anupriya Patel launched the 7th Edition of the National Formulary of India (NFI) 2026 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, during the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week programme organised by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).
• Core Objective: The National Formulary of India is a guidance document for healthcare professionals that promotes the rational and safe use of medicines and supports evidence-based prescribing and medicine use.
• Updated Content: The 2026 edition contains 34 chapters, 20 appendices and 653 drugs, including 42 fixed-dose combinations and 30 immunologicals. Drug monographs have been revised in alignment with the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and National Health Programmes.
• Digital Availability: The 7th Edition has also been made available digitally through NFI Online, with links to resources relating to National Health Programmes, immunisation schedules, Jan Aushadhi and safe disposal of unused or expired medicines.
• Pharmacovigilance Context: The launch took place during the 6th National Pharmacovigilance Week, observed from 17–23 September 2026, with the theme “Promoting Rational Use of Medicines through Pharmacovigilance: A Step Towards Safer Healthcare.”

Tamil Nadu Expands 'Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme' to Classes 6 to 8

• Major Expansion: The Tamil Nadu Government expanded the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to students of Classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools.
• Beneficiaries: The expansion brings approximately 15.30 lakh additional students under the breakfast programme.
• Overall Coverage: With the expansion, the programme covers approximately 34.64 lakh students from Classes 1 to 8 across 44,984 schools.
• Financial Allocation: The expansion involves an additional allocation of ₹217.63 crore, taking the overall allocation for the scheme to approximately ₹724 crore.
• Purpose: The programme provides nutritious morning meals intended to address classroom hunger and support school attendance, participation and learning.
• Historical Background: The programme was originally launched in 2022 for primary-school students and has subsequently been expanded. The expanded scheme is named after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.

Government of India Targets FMD-Free Status by 2030

• Eradication Target Year: The Government of India has set the national objective of achieving Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free status by 2030.
• National Programme: The effort is being implemented under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) for FMD and Brucellosis. The programme was launched in 2019 with a total outlay of ₹13,343 crore for its initial five-year period.
• Vaccination & Surveillance: NADCP focuses on large-scale vaccination, disease surveillance and control of FMD in susceptible livestock, along with Brucellosis control through vaccination of eligible female bovine calves.
• Latest Progress: According to government information, the programme has administered 147.16 crore FMD vaccine doses, benefiting approximately 8.04 crore farmers. Reported FMD outbreaks declined from 132 in 2019 to 40 in 2025.
• Economic Importance: FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals and can reduce milk production, growth, reproductive performance and working capacity, while also affecting livestock trade.

3rd National Conference of Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) Held in New Delhi

• High-Level Conference: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the 3rd National Conference of Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) of States and Union Territories in New Delhi on 22 September 2026.
• Participants: The two-day conference was organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and brought together the Heads of ANTFs from all 36 States and Union Territories, along with representatives of concerned ministries, departments and other stakeholders.
• Drug-Free India Vision: The Government reiterated its objective of building a drug-free India as an important component of the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The conference emphasised coordinated action against drug trafficking and drug abuse.
• Vision Document 2026–2029: Discussions focused on implementing the targets and deliverables of the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029) unveiled at the 10th Apex-Level NCORD meeting in June 2026.
• Dismantling Drug Networks: The conference placed emphasis on dismantling drug cartels, tackling synthetic drugs and clandestine laboratories, and strengthening investigations into darknet and cryptocurrency-based narcotics trafficking.
• Institutional Measures: Amit Shah also released anti-drug awareness TVCs, laid the foundation stones for new NCB Zone complexes in Lucknow and Dehradun, and launched the revamped NCB website. The best-performing State/UT ANTF was also felicitated.
• NIDAAN & NCORD: The Government continues to use NIDAAN (National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-offenders) and the NCORD mechanism to strengthen information-sharing and coordination among agencies. ANTFs have been established in all States/UTs and also serve as NCORD secretariats at the local level.

81st Session of the UN General Assembly: High-Level Week Underway in New York

• Global Gathering: The 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is holding its High-Level Week at UN Headquarters in New York. The General Debate is scheduled from 22–28 September 2026, with world leaders and senior representatives addressing the Assembly.
• Current Theme: The 81st session is being conducted under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
• UNGA President: The 81st session is presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, who assumed the presidency in September 2026.
• Pact for the Future: The Pact for the Future was adopted in 2024, so the 81st session is focused on advancing and reviewing implementation of its commitments rather than adopting the Pact for the first time.
• Major Issues: The High-Level Week includes discussions on international peace and security, climate action, sustainable development, pandemic preparedness, sea-level rise, digital cooperation and global governance reforms.
• India's Priorities: India has continued to raise issues including UN Security Council reform, development priorities, climate-related concerns and cooperation on global challenges during multilateral engagements.

First Visegrad Group (V4) + India Foreign Ministers' Meeting Held in New York

• Pioneering Diplomatic Engagement: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the first Visegrad Group (V4) + India Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
• Visegrad Four (V4) Countries: The Visegrad Group comprises Czech Republic (Czechia), Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.
• Cooperation Areas: Discussions covered trade and investment, technology and innovation, resilient supply chains, defence and security, connectivity, education, mobility and people-to-people exchanges.
• Institutionalisation: India and the V4 countries agreed to establish annual meetings of foreign ministers and an Annual Business Forum, creating a regular platform for India–V4 engagement.
• Strategic Cooperation: The sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in technology, innovation, research, education, defence, space, connectivity and cultural and people-to-people relations.
• UNSC Reform: The meeting produced a significant diplomatic development: the four V4 countries expressed support for India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár explicitly backed India's inclusion as a permanent member.
• Global Agenda: The ministers also exchanged views on global and regional developments, peace and security, multilateral cooperation and the need for reformed multilateralism.

IAF to Host Second Edition of Multinational Air Exercise 'Tarang Shakti 2026' in Jodhpur

• Multinational Air Exercise: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will host the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
• Venue: The exercise will be centred at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan, with associated airspace and bases involved in the exercise.
• Participation: Eight foreign countries are expected to participate with air assets, while 32 countries are expected to attend as observers.
• Participating Countries: The countries reported to be participating with air assets are the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Greece, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.
• Major Aircraft: The exercise is expected to feature advanced platforms including US F-35 fighters, French Rafale aircraft, UAE F-16s, German A400M aircraft and other combat/support aircraft.
• Operational Objectives: The exercise aims to enhance multinational interoperability, joint mission planning, air defence, counter-air operations, reconnaissance, airlift, air-to-air refuelling and other complex aerial operations.
• 2026 Status: As of 23 September 2026, the exercise is scheduled to begin on 26 September and therefore should not be described as already completed.
• Important Correction: Japan and Singapore should not be listed as 2026 participating air forces in this entry. They were participants in the 2024 edition.

18th India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant 2026' Commences in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand

• Bilateral Defence Drill: The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT 2026 commenced on 21 September 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
• Duration: The exercise is scheduled from 21 September to 3 October 2026.
• Participating Forces: The Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces are represented by 45 personnel each.
• Nature of Exercise: Nomadic Elephant is an annual platoon-level bilateral military exercise, conducted alternately between India and Mongolia.
• Objective: The exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both forces for counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
• Training Areas: The curriculum includes Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training, drones and counter-drone systems, tactical-level operations and exchange of operational best practices.
• Previous Edition: The 17th edition was conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May–June 2025.

India's Indigenous Long-Range One-Way Attack Drone 'KAL' Successfully Tested at Pokhran

• Defence Technology Milestone: Noida-based defence technology company IG Defence announced the successful flight test of its indigenously designed and developed KAL long-range One-Way Attack (OWA) drone at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
• Date of Test: The trial was conducted on 20 September 2026 using a vehicle-mounted launch platform.
• Purpose of Trial: According to the company, the test validated the integration of KAL's airframe, propulsion, avionics, navigation and mission systems.
• Claimed Specifications: IG Defence states that KAL has a range of up to 1,000 km, 7–8 hours of endurance, a payload capacity of up to 50 kg, and an operating altitude of up to 5,000 metres above mean sea level.
• Navigation: The system uses a navigation architecture combining multi-band GNSS and an Inertial Navigation System (INS) for autonomous flight.
• Important Qualification: The 1,000-km figure is the manufacturer's stated maximum range, not the distance demonstrated during the Pokhran trial. The company has not publicly disclosed how far or how long the drone flew during this particular test, nor whether it carried a live payload or conducted a terminal strike.
• Indigenous Development: KAL has been designed and developed by IG Defence in India and forms part of the company's GRID STRIKE long-range precision-strike portfolio.
• Current Status: As of 23 September 2026, no confirmed order from the Indian Armed Forces or confirmed export contract for KAL has been publicly announced.

Foundation Stone Laid for ISRO's Advanced Radar Research Facility at Chandrapur, Assam, under Project NETRA

• Strategic Space Landmark: On 21 September 2026, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone for the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) Advanced Radar Research Facility at Chandrapur in Kamrup Metropolitan district, Assam.
• Project NETRA: The facility is being established under Project NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis), ISRO's initiative for strengthening India's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities.
• Purpose: The facility will use advanced radar systems and optical telescopes to monitor and track satellites and other objects in space, helping improve protection of India's space assets and support safer space operations.
• Regional Significance: The facility is described as the first facility of its kind in Northeast India for space surveillance and is expected to strengthen the region's space-science and research ecosystem.
• Additional Research Role: The facility will also support research related to atmospheric and weather phenomena. The first cloud-research radar is expected to be commissioned by February 2027, according to statements made at the foundation-stone event.
• Land: The Assam Government has provided roughly 70 acres (about 200 bighas) at the former Chandrapur Thermal Power Station site for the facility.

NIT Srinagar Becomes the First NIT to Establish a Dedicated Campus-Based Astronomical Observatory

• Pioneering Academic Achievement: NIT Srinagar has established a dedicated Observatory for Astronomy and Astrophysics, making it the first National Institute of Technology in India to have a dedicated campus-based observatory.
• Inauguration: The observatory was inaugurated in September 2026 following its development at NIT Srinagar.
• Scientific Collaboration: The facility was developed with scientific guidance from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru.
• Main Instrument: The observatory is equipped with a high-performance 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
• Research & Observation: The telescope will facilitate observation and imaging of the Moon, planets, nebulae, star clusters and distant galaxies.
• Education & Outreach: The observatory will support student training, astronomical research, astrophotography and public outreach, strengthening astronomy and astrophysics education at the institute.
• Important Clarification: The current announcement does not substantiate earlier unverified claims about a complete suite of automated celestial spectrographs, routine near-Earth-asteroid tracking or satellite telemetry; observations are focused on optical celestial imaging, astrophysical student research, and outreach.

Deep Depression over Bay of Bengal Approaches Andhra Pradesh–Odisha Coast; 'Arnab' Is the Next Possible Cyclone Name

• Current Weather System: As of 23 September 2026, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is tracking a Deep Depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal.
• Important Correction: The system should not currently be described as “Cyclone Arnab.” IMD's latest information indicates that it is a Deep Depression, and it is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur as a Deep Depression.
• Expected Landfall: The system is forecast to cross the coast during the night of 23 September or early hours of 24 September 2026, close to the Kalingapatnam area.
• Movement: The Deep Depression is moving west-northwestwards towards the coast.
• Rainfall & Wind: Heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in some areas, has been forecast over parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with impacts also extending into neighbouring regions. Squally winds along the coast may reach around 55–65 km/h with higher gusts, with some coastal areas experiencing stronger gusts.
• Current Precautionary Measures: Authorities in affected areas have taken precautionary measures including alerts, preparedness operations and suspension/closure of some public activities in vulnerable districts.
• Name 'Arnab': Arnab is the next available name on the North Indian Ocean tropical-cyclone naming list, contributed by Bangladesh. It would be used if a system reaches the required cyclonic-storm intensity. The name means “ocean” in Bengali.
• Naming Authority: Tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean are named by RSMC New Delhi, operated by the India Meteorological Department, using the regional list approved under the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.

Starbucks to Establish Its First India Global Capability Centre in Chennai

• Strategic Investment: Starbucks has announced plans to establish its first Global Capability Centre (GCC)/technology hub in India in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• Agreement: Starbucks signed an MoU with the Government of Tamil Nadu for the Chennai project on 21 September 2026.
• Employment: The first phase is expected to create approximately 800 high-value technology jobs. Hiring is expected to begin during Q1 2027, according to reports on the project.
• Global Functions: Starbucks says the Chennai technology hub will support its global business and work closely with technology and business teams in the United States and elsewhere. The company also intends to bring some work currently handled by third-party service providers in-house over time.
• Strategic Importance: The centre will strengthen Starbucks' global technology and business capabilities while leveraging India's technology talent and Chennai's established business-services ecosystem.
• Starbucks India Presence: Tata Starbucks is operated through a 50:50 joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products. The business crossed 500 stores in India, reaching 502 stores across 80 cities during FY2025–26.

Indian Women's Cricket Team Wins Gold Medal at Asian Games 2026

• Gold Medal: The Indian Women's Cricket Team won the gold medal in women's T20 cricket at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
• Final Result: India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the gold-medal match on 22 September 2026.
• India's Score: India scored 216/3 in 20 overs, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 79 off 45 balls, Shafali Verma scoring 48, and Richa Ghosh contributing an unbeaten 49 off 22 balls.
• Sri Lanka's Innings: Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69 runs, giving India a 147-run victory.
• Historical Achievement: This was India's second gold medal in women's cricket at the Asian Games, after the team won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 (held in 2023). Therefore, it is incorrect to describe the 2026 victory as India's maiden Asian Games cricket gold.
• India's First Gold at Aichi-Nagoya: The women's cricket team secured India's first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games.
• Key Performers: Smriti Mandhana's 79 and Richa Ghosh's unbeaten 49 powered India's total, while the Indian bowling attack restricted Sri Lanka to 69.

England Fast Bowler Mark Wood Announces Retirement from International Cricket

• Retirement Announcement: England fast bowler Mark Wood announced his retirement from international cricket on 22 September 2026, ending an 11-year international career.
• Career Statistics: Wood finished with 38 Tests, 70 ODIs and 38 T20Is, taking 253 international wickets.
• Speed & Impact: He was renowned for his express pace and regularly bowled at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, particularly during his peak international performances.
• World Cup Double Winner: Wood was part of England's 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup-winning team and 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup-winning team.
• Final International Appearance: His last appearance for England came in November 2025, in the first Ashes Test against Australia in Perth.

72nd National Film Awards: 'Article 370' Wins Best Feature Film Award

• Prestigious Honour: Article 370 won the Best Feature Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards.
• Film Profile: The film was directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar. It stars Yami Gautam Dhar and Priyamani in leading roles.
• Subject Matter: The film depicts events and operations surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, using a fictionalised cinematic narrative.
• Additional Honour: Yami Gautam won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370.
• Award Ceremony: The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was held on 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the awards. The awards recognised films from the 2024 eligibility year.

248th Traditional Boat Racing Festival 'Heikru Hidongba' Celebrated in Manipur

• Traditional Festival: The 248th Heikru Hidongba was celebrated on 22 September 2026 with traditional religious rituals and a ceremonial boat race at the Bijoy Govinda Thangapat (moat) in Sagolband, Imphal West, Manipur.
• Timing & Significance: The festival is traditionally observed on the 11th day of Langban, the sixth month of the Meitei lunar calendar. It is associated with prayers and rituals seeking peace, prosperity, agricultural abundance and well-being for the community.
• Historical Background: Historical accounts trace the tradition to the period of Meidingu Irengba. The festival was subsequently revived and institutionalised at the Bijoy Govinda moat during the reign of Maharaja Bhagyachandra, particularly from 1779, when Shri Bijoy Govindaji was brought from the royal palace and installed at the new temple at Sagolband.
• Ceremonial Boat Race: The festival's principal attraction is the traditional Heiyang Tanaba/boat race, involving long traditional boats and elaborate religious rituals before the race.
• Traditional Offerings: A traditional ritual includes a garland prepared from 108 heikru (Indian gooseberries/amla). Another traditional offering consists of 108 rice grains. The offerings are associated with the religious and cultural rituals surrounding the race.
• 2026 Event: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla attended the 248th edition and witnessed the traditional boat race and associated rituals.

Traditional Nature and Harvest Festival 'Karam' Celebrated Across Jharkhand

• Tribal Cultural Festival: Karam Parv/Karam Festival was celebrated across Jharkhand on 22 September 2026, with traditional rituals, music, dance and community gatherings. Preparations and related events were held in several parts of the state in the days preceding the main festival.
• Timing: Karam is traditionally observed on Bhadra Shukla Ekadashi, the 11th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada/Bhado.
• Cultural Significance: The festival is associated with nature worship, agricultural prosperity, fertility, community wellbeing and the relationship between brothers and sisters.
• Karam Tree: A branch of the sacred Karam tree (Nauclea parvifolia) is central to the traditional ritual. The branch represents Karam Devta/Karam deity and is worshipped for prosperity and a good harvest.
• Jawa: Germinated grains or seeds known as Jawa form an important part of the ritual traditions in several communities.
• Music & Dance: Traditional celebrations feature Karam songs and dances, accompanied by instruments such as the Mandar and Nagada.
• Regional Spread: Karam is celebrated by several tribal communities not only in Jharkhand but also in parts of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and other regions.

⚡ One-Liner Current Affairs — 23 September 2026

High-yield points covering all 22 key events for rapid revision before competitive examinations (UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Banking, Railways & Defence).