PAIPrelimsAI

Current affairs — 27 September 2026

4 prelims-relevant stories, each distilled into quick facts — with a 4-question quiz at the end.

Scienceinfluenza-surveillance

Ernakulam continues to report highest number of influenza cases in Keralam

Ernakulam recorded Keralam’s highest influenza burden, with 969 cases through September 26, while the State reported 2,205 confirmed cases and 20 deaths during the month. District authorities are using the year-long Arogyabheri programme to promote public participation, sanitation, and prevention of person-to-person transmission.

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

Prelims pointers

  • Ernakulam reported 969 influenza cases through September 26, the highest district total in Keralam.
  • Keralam recorded 2,205 confirmed influenza cases and 20 influenza deaths during the month.
  • Arogyabheri is a year-long epidemic-prevention programme jointly implemented by the district panchayat and Health department.
  • Arogyabheri was implemented in all local bodies from September and focuses on public participation, sanitation, and health education.
  • Ernakulam reported 58 confirmed and 12 suspected leptospirosis cases, plus 649 suspected and 234 confirmed dengue cases during the month.
Environmentwestern-ghats-esa

What is Karnataka’s objection to the ESA? | Explained

Karnataka’s Legislature unanimously rejected the current Kasturirangan Committee-based Western Ghats ESA draft and sought a year for a physical survey. The State objects to satellite-based demarcation, inclusion of settled and cultivated areas, whole-village coverage, and the absence of livelihood alternatives.

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

Prelims pointers

  • The Kasturirangan High Level Working Group was set up in 2012 and submitted its Western Ghats recommendations in 2013.
  • It recommended ESA status for 59,940 sq. km covering 4,156 villages across Keralam, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
  • The report identified 20,668 sq. km across 1,576 Karnataka villages, the largest recommended area among the six States.
  • The latest draft seeks to notify 56,825 sq. km covering 4,402 villages, after changes including Keralam’s ground survey.
  • Proposed bans cover mining, quarrying, sand extraction, red-category industries, thermal plants, large buildings, and township projects.
Polity & Governancecriminal-procedure

Madras HC quashes order taking cognisance of ED complaint against drug smuggling accused Jaffer Sadiq

The Madras High Court set aside a Chennai sessions court’s cognisance order in an ED money-laundering complaint against Jaffer Sadiq because he had not been heard. It restored the complaint and directed compliance with Section 223(1) of the BNSS, which mandates an opportunity of hearing.

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

Prelims pointers

  • The Madras High Court set aside the cognisance order but restored the ED complaint for fresh proceedings in accordance with law.
  • Section 223(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita mandates an opportunity of hearing before cognisance.
  • The petition sought to quash proceedings initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
  • The ED’s March 11, 2024 ECIR relied on three drug cases that were shown as predicate offences for invoking the PMLA.
  • The petitioner cited the Supreme Court’s May 25, 2025 judgment in Kushal Kumar Agarwal versus Directorate of Enforcement.
Geographystrait-of-hormuz

Trump rejects Iran proposal for deal to reopen Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposed truce, under which the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within seven days if conditions including an end to hostilities, sanctions relief, release of frozen assets and an end to the U.S. naval blockade were met.

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

Prelims pointers

  • Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal on September 26, 2026; Tehran said the plan could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week.
  • Masoud Pezeshkian said the proposal was developed in coordination with Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
  • Abbas Araghchi said the Iranian plan called for a cessation of hostilities in West Asia, including Lebanon.
  • The stated conditions included releasing frozen Iranian assets, lifting sanctions on Iranian oil and ending the U.S. naval blockade.
  • Iran said the Strait would reopen on the seventh day of a truce if conditions were met, and that the plan was conveyed to the U.S. through Qatar.

Today's quiz

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Question 1 of 4

Which epidemic-prevention action plan was implemented in all Ernakulam local bodies starting in September?

Answer key

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

  1. Q1

    Which epidemic-prevention action plan was implemented in all Ernakulam local bodies starting in September?

    (A) Arogyabheri

  2. Q2

    Which activity did the Kasturirangan Committee report allow in the Western Ghats ESA subject to specified conditions?

    (D) Hydroelectricity projects

  3. Q3

    What did the Madras High Court say Section 223(1) of the BNSS mandates before a court takes cognisance?

    (A) An opportunity of hearing to the accused

  4. Q4

    Under Iran's proposal described in the report, when would the Strait of Hormuz reopen if the necessary conditions were met?

    (B) On the seventh day of the truce

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