PAIPrelimsAI

Current affairs — 21 September 2026

2 prelims-relevant stories, each distilled into quick facts — with a 2-question quiz at the end.

Sciencedengue-surveillance

Dengue cases in Tamil Nadu decline for third consecutive year as per government data

Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department data show reported dengue cases declining from 56,863 in 2023 to 46,971 in 2024 and 25,585 in 2025. The 2026 count was 17,049 cases and nine deaths through September 19, but it is not directly comparable with earlier full-year totals.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • Tamil Nadu reported 56,863 dengue cases in 2023, 46,971 in 2024 and 25,585 in 2025.
  • The 2026 count was 17,049 cases and nine deaths through September 19, rather than a full-year total.
  • Reported dengue cases fell by 17% between 2023 and 2024, followed by a 46% decline in 2025.
  • Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquito and can sometimes cause severe disease.
  • Persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and extreme weakness were listed as warning signs needing prompt attention.
Indian Economyrare-earth-magnets

Missing measure in India’s magnet mission

An opinion article argues that India’s permanent-magnet strategy needs an Integrated Techno-Economic Mapping framework to trace capabilities and dependencies across the value chain. It identifies NdFeB magnets as important to energy transition and advanced manufacturing, while noting that domestic industrial and trade statistics provide an incomplete picture of the market.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • NdFeB magnets combine high magnetic strength with a high power-to-weight ratio and are important to energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
  • India’s critical-mineral strategy includes the National Critical Mineral Mission, overseas acquisitions, geological exploration and PLI schemes.
  • China imposed tight export controls on rare-earth magnets and materials in April 2025, exposing value-chain vulnerabilities.
  • The Annual Survey of Industries estimates India’s domestic permanent-magnet market at around ₹750 crore, below import values reported in trade statistics.
  • The proposed Integrated Techno-Economic Mapping framework would combine engineering and economic information across the magnet value chain.

Today's quiz

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Question 1 of 2

According to the Tamil Nadu government data reported in the article, in which year were 46,971 dengue cases recorded?

Answer key

Take the quiz above first. This key is for revision after you finish.

  1. Q1

    According to the Tamil Nadu government data reported in the article, in which year were 46,971 dengue cases recorded?

    (B) 2024

  2. Q2

    Consider the following statements: 1. NdFeB magnets combine high magnetic strength with a high power-to-weight ratio. 2. India’s statistical system gives only a partial picture of permanent-magnet production and trade. Which is correct?

    (D) Both 1 and 2

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