Prelims Current Affairs includes World Heart Day 2026, Onescd Launched, India’s First Lng-Powered Train Flagged Off From Sabarmati, Digital Connectivity Rating (Dcr) Platform, Chess Olympiad 2026, Sawan Barwal Wins Silver In Asian Games 2026 Marathon & Cool Leaders Award

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. WORLD HEART DAY 2026

Current Context: World Heart Day is observed annually on 29 September to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), their warning signs, prevention and management.

ABOUT WORLD HEART DAY

Led by: World Heart Federation (WHF), an umbrella organisation representing more than 200 cardiovascular organisations worldwide.

• Established: 1999, through the World Heart Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
• First observed: 24 September 2000, when it was held on the last Sunday of September.
• Since 2011, World Heart Day has been observed on the fixed date of 29 September.
• Purpose: To address the growing burden of heart disease and promote preventive action.
• Theme/Campaign: “Don’t Miss a Beat”

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. ONESCD LAUNCHED

Current Context: India co-hosted the launch of OneSCD – A Global Partnership to Advance Equity and Transform Sickle Cell Care on 23 September 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.

ABOUT ONESCD

• OneSCD stands for a Global Partnership to Advance Equity and Transform Sickle Cell Care.
• It is a multilateral coordination mechanism designed to support country-led SCD programmes and help countries expand proven approaches to prevention and care.
• The initiative was hosted by the Government of Nigeria and co-organised with WHO, UNICEF, Africa CDC, World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. India was among the countries co-hosting the launch.
• It brings together governments, UN agencies, health experts, civil society organisations and people with lived experience of SCD.

KEY FACTS ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SCD)

• SCD is a group of inherited blood cell disorders that affect haemoglobin.
• The most common and severe type is sickle cell anaemia.
• Cause: Defective gene called sickle cell gene.
• Normal RBCs are disc-shaped and flexible.
• In SCD, atypical haemoglobin S distorts RBCs into sickle or crescent shapes.
• Sickle cells can block blood flow and stick to vessel walls.

Symptoms:

• Early stage: Extreme tiredness, fussiness from anaemia, painfully swollen hands and feet, jaundice.
• Later stage: Severe pain, anaemia, organ damage, infections.
• Treatment:Bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant) can cure SCD. Gene therapy is also being explored.

ECONOMY

3. INDIA’S FIRST LNG-POWERED TRAIN FLAGGED OFF FROM SABARMATI

Current Context: India’s first LNG-powered train was flagged off from Sabarmati Railway Station, Ahmedabad, Gujarat by Union Home and Cooperation Minister.

ABOUT INDIA’S LNG-POWERED TRAIN

• The train uses a diesel + LNG dual-fuel system, meaning it does not run entirely on LNG.
• Two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars (DPCs) at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot were converted to operate using the dual-fuel technology.
• LNG can replace around 40% of diesel consumption under the system.
• More than 2,000 km of field trials were completed to test the performance and reliability of the technology.
• The inaugural train is an 8-coach, non-AC chair car train and its first run is between Sabarmati and Mahesana. Its regular route is yet to be finalised.

WHAT IS LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)

• It is mainly composed of methane.
• Natural gas is cooled to approximately −162°C, causing it to become a liquid.
• Liquefaction reduces its volume substantially, making LNG easier to store and transport.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

4. DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY RATING (DCR) PLATFORM

Current Context: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) launched the Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform and a dedicated mobile app to assess, certify and publicly display the quality and readiness of digital connectivity inside properties across India.

ABOUT DCR PLATFORM

• It is an integrated web platform + mobile application developed by TRAI to standardise the assessment of digital connectivity within buildings and other properties.
• It implements the TRAI (Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity) Regulations, 2024, as amended in May 2026, along with the Rating Manual 2026 issued on 9 June 2026.
• The framework is currently voluntary, rather than mandatory for property owners.

KEY FEATURES

• Unified Digital Platform:Connects property managers, registered Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) and consumers.
• Comprehensive Connectivity Assessment:Evaluates fibre readiness, 4G/5G coverage, Wi-Fi infrastructure and in-building connectivity across common areas, lifts and basements.
• Dedicated Mobile Testing App:Enables on-site signal strength and internet speed tests.
• Digital Verification:Uses Aadhaar-based eSign and issues QR-coded rating certificates.
• Wide Property Coverage:Supports under-construction and completed properties, including residential complexes, commercial offices, government buildings and public spaces.

ABOUT TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)

• It is India’s independent statutory regulator for the telecommunications sector.
• TRAI was established under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It came into existence on 20 February 1997.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Communications, Government of India

SPORTS

5.  CHESS OLYMPIAD 2026

Current Context: The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

ABOUT CHESS OLYMPIAD

• India won the silver medal in the Open section, finishing with 18 match points, while host Uzbekistan won gold and Germany won bronze. India drew 2-2 with Hungary in the final round.
• The Chess Olympiad is a major international team chess competition organised by FIDE (International Chess Federation).
• It is generally held once every two years and has separate Open and Women’s sections.

FINAL STANDINGS

WARDS & HONOURS

6. SAWAN BARWAL WINS SILVER IN ASIAN GAMES 2026 MARATHON

Current Context: India’s Sawan Barwal won the silver medal in the men’s marathon at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan on 26 September.

RESULT

• Barwal’s time of 2:11:37is a new national record.
• It ended India’s 44-year waitfor a medal in the Asian Games marathon.
• India’s last marathon medal was in 1982(Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan, Bronze, New Delhi).

ABOUT SAWAN BARWAL

• Born: 18 February 1998, according to World Athletics.
• Age: 28 years in 2026.
• State: Himachal Pradesh.
• Sport: Athletics, long-distance running.
• Speciality: Marathon, 10,000m, 5,000m and other distance events.
• He is an Indian Army athlete and serves as a Havildar.

AWARDS & HONOURS

7.      COOL LEADERS AWARD

Current Context: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition launched the inaugural Cool Leaders Award during the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026 in Singapore.

ABOUT COOL LEADERS AWARD

• The initiative aims to promote peer learning and replication by giving visibility to successful approaches in cooling policy, technology and implementation.
• The inaugural Cool Leaders serve for one year and are expected to share their experiences and encourage wider action.

2026 INAUGURAL WINNERS

• Singapore:For integrating passive cooling, urban greenery and heat-resilient urban planning.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE):For large-scale district cooling infrastructure and international climate diplomacy.
• Dong Mingzhu (Gree Electric Appliances):For advancing ultra-efficient, low-carbon cooling technologies, including the Zero Carbon Source air-conditioning system.

About Cool Coalition

• The Cool Coalition is a global multi-stakeholder network led by UNEP that promotes a rapid transition towards efficient and climate-friendly cooling.
• It brings together governments, cities, international organisations, businesses, financial institutions, academia and civil society.
• It was launched in 2019 as a flagship initiative of the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit.

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