Current Affairs 23 September 2026

Karnataka Cabinet Grants Additional Official Language Status to Tulu

The Karnataka Cabinet, at its meeting in Mangaluru on 18 September 2026, decided to grant Tulu additional official (administrative) language status in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Tulu is widely spoken in these areas and also in northern Kasaragod district of Kerala. The State government will provide ₹82 lakh annually for translation, training, and other language-use activities.

The Cabinet decision by itself does not complete the legal process. Article 345 of the Constitution empowers State legislatures to adopt one or more languages for official purposes. Since the Karnataka Official Language Act, 1963 currently specifies Kannada as the official language, the Act would need to be amended to incorporate Tulu as an additional administrative language, followed by the required notification.

Starbucks to Set Up Global Capability Centre in Chennai

Starbucks has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government to establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Chennai. The project is expected to create 800 high-value jobs in its first phase, strengthening Chennai’s position as a destination for global business operations.

Tamil Nadu currently hosts more than 450 GCCs, accounting for approximately 10–15% of India’s GCC ecosystem. The source describes the State as India’s third-largest GCC hub, after Karnataka and Telangana.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Maharashtra’s Methanol Denaturation Rules

The Supreme Court on 18 September 2026 struck down certain provisions of the Maharashtra Poisons Rules, 1972 relating to the sale and use of methanol.

The rules required methanol sold to non-drug manufacturers to be mixed with colouring and bittering agents. The Court held that these restrictions placed an excessive burden on legitimate industries and were not proportionate to the objective of preventing illicit liquor.

The Court examined the rules under Article 14 (equality and protection against arbitrary State action) and Article 19(1)(g) (right to practise any profession or carry on trade, occupation or business). It applied the proportionality principle developed in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017).

662-Year-Old Vijayanagara Inscription Found in Sri Sathya Sai District

An ancient stone inscription discovered at the Sri Naga Lingeshwara Swamy Temple atop Penukonda Hill in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh, has revealed new information about the Vijayanagara Empire.

The 662-year-old inscription dates to the reign of Vijayanagara Emperor Bukka Raya I (1356–1377 CE). It states that the temple was commissioned by Anantharasu Chikka Odeyar, who served as the Prime Minister of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Methanol

Methanol (CH₃OH) is a colourless, highly toxic and flammable liquid also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol.

• It is mainly used as an industrial raw material.
• Major uses include the production of formaldehyde, paints, solvents, plastics and other chemicals.
• Methanol is not meant for human consumption. Even small amounts can cause serious poisoning, blindness or death.
• It can be misused in the production of illicit liquor, making it an important substance for regulatory authorities.
• Denaturation of methanol means adding substances such as colourants or bitterants to make it unsuitable for consumption.

SLINEX-26

The 13th edition of the Sri Lanka–India Bilateral Maritime Exercise (SLINEX-26) is being conducted at Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September 2026. The exercise began with the Harbour Phase, followed by the Sea Phase, under the aegis of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command.

Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT 2026

The 18th edition of Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT, the annual India–Mongolia Joint Military Exercise, commenced on 21 September 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The exercise will continue until 3 October 2026. It is conducted alternately between India and Mongolia.

US Open 2026

The 2026 US Open, the year’s fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament, concluded at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, USA. The tournament was held from 30 August to 13 September 2026.

Key Points for Exams:

• Men’s Singles Champion: Alexander Zverev (Germany)
• Women’s Singles Champion: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)

Q1. The 13th edition of the India–Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-26 is being conducted at which Indian city?
A. Kochi
B. Mumbai
C. Visakhapatnam
D. Chennai

Q2. Which language was recently granted additional official (administrative) language status by the Karnataka Cabinet?
A. Kodava
B. Konkani
C. Tulu
D. Beary

Q3. Who won the Men’s Singles title at the recently concluded US Open 2026?
A. Carlos Alcaraz
B. Alexander Zverev
C. Ben Shelton
D. Jannik Sinner

Q4. The 18th edition of Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT 2026 is a joint military exercise between India and which country?
A. Myanmar
B. Mongolia
C. Vietnam
D. Kazakhstan

Q5. Starbucks has signed an MoU with which State government to establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Chennai?
A. Karnataka
B. Telangana
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Kerala

Q6. Which of the following is commonly known as “wood alcohol”?
A. Ethanol
B. Methanol
C. Isopropanol
D. Propanol

Q7. According to the recently discovered inscription at Penukonda, who commissioned the Sri Naga Lingeshwara Swamy Temple?
A. Bukka Raya I
B. Krishnadevaraya
C. Anantharasu Chikka Odeyar
D. Harihara Raya I