2 Nov – 8 Nov 202626 Oct – 1 Nov 202619 Oct – 25 Oct 202612 Oct – 18 Oct 20265 Oct – 11 Oct 202628 Sep – 4 Oct 202621 Sep – 27 Sep 202614 Sep – 20 Sep 20267 Sep – 13 Sep 202631 Aug – 6 Sep 2026
Weekly at a glance
- Mon 19 Oct — MP Cabinet clears Rs 27,050 cr package & Soybean Bhavantar scheme; India's 3rd cheetah home opens; RBI hikes repo to 5.50%
- Tue 20 Oct — MP Cabinet clears a Rs 27,050-crore package and a Soybean Bhavantar scheme; cheetahs reach a third MP home; Supreme Court calls internet access a fundamental right
- Wed 21 Oct — Soybean Bhavantar window opens in MP, Indore hosts the Semiconductor Summit, and India's cheetah count reaches 60
- Thu 22 Oct — Soybean Bhavantar sale window opens in Madhya Pradesh today; Jabalpur–Indore Economic Corridor SPV cleared and Indore to host MP Semiconductor Summit; nationally, core-sector growth hits a record 7.9%.
- Fri 23 Oct — MP clears Soybean Bhavantar Scheme & Jabalpur–Indore corridor; Army unveils new Land Warfare Doctrine; RBI minutes confirm repo at 5.50%.
All topics — key facts for revision
19 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →MADHYA PRADESH MP Cabinet approves Rs 27,050 crore development package
- Law & judicial schemes: Rs 15,557 crore (2026-31), incl. Rs 12,252 cr for judicial salaries
- AYUSH colleges/hospitals umbrella: Rs 3,535 cr; National AYUSH Mission Rs 1,697 cr
- Four irrigation projects: Rs 3,076 cr (Jhirmiti, Barna, Kayampur-Sitamau, Chitrangi)
- Govt school infrastructure: Rs 2,875 cr; Sandipani school transport Rs 242 cr
MADHYA PRADESH Soybean Bhavantar (Price Deficiency) Scheme notified for Kharif 2026
- Follows Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under PM-AASHA
- Registration via e-Uparjan portal; eligible sale window 22 Oct 2026 - 15 Jan 2027
- Model rate = weighted 14-day average of mandi prices; recalculated daily
- Gap paid by DBT through the Mandi Board from the Price Stabilisation Fund
MADHYA PRADESH Ladli Behna: 41st instalment of Rs 1,834 crore transferred
- Rs 1,834 crore transferred to about 1.25 crore women via DBT
- Each eligible woman receives Rs 1,500 per month
- Scheme launched in 2023 to boost women's economic self-reliance
- Payment routed through Direct Benefit Transfer to curb leakages
ENVIRONMENT India's cheetah count reaches 60; third home opens at V. Durgavati
- India's cheetah population now 60, of which 41 were born in India
- Distribution: Kuno 54, Gandhi Sagar 4, V. Durgavati 2
- V. Durgavati spans Sagar, Damoh & Narsinghpur; MP's largest tiger reserve (~2,339 sq km)
- Project Cheetah began 17 Sept 2022 with Namibian cheetahs at Kuno
MADHYA PRADESH Ujjain gears up for Simhastha Kumbh 2028 with Rs 25,000 cr plan
- Estimated outlay about Rs 25,000 crore on roads, ghats and civic works
- Authorities anticipate up to 40 crore devotees over the mela
- Builds on the Mahakal Lok corridor around the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
- Simhastha is held every 12 years; Ujjain is one of four Kumbh sites
ECONOMY International Soya Conclave held in Indore to back the soybean economy
- Covered procurement, processing, oil extraction and trade
- Indore is the hub of the Malwa soybean belt
- MP is a leading soybean producer, central to India's edible-oil self-reliance
- Supports the national push to cut edible-oil imports
ECONOMY RBI hikes repo rate to 5.50% as September CPI inflation hits 5.54%
- Repo rate up 25 basis points to 5.50% (first rise since Feb 2023)
- Policy stance shifted to 'calibrated tightening'
- CPI at 5.54% stays within the 2-6% tolerance but above the 4% target
- MPC is the six-member rate-setting body chaired by the RBI Governor
HEALTH Centre caps trade margin on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30%
- Trade margin capped at 30% over the price to the first point of sale
- Covers 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer formulations
- Revised lower prices expected to take effect around 9 Nov 2026
- Implemented through the drug price regulator's directive
SCI-TECH India's space economy projected to reach USD 40-45 billion
- Target of about 5x growth in the space economy
- Driven by private launches, satellites and GCCs
- Enabled by reforms via IN-SPACe and NewSpace India Ltd
- Positions India to raise its share of the global space market
DEFENCE Indo-UK naval Exercise Konkan-26 concludes off Plymouth
- Konkan is the annual India-UK bilateral naval exercise
- Held off Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Focus on anti-submarine, air-defence and gunnery drills
- Boosts interoperability and maritime domain cooperation
SOCIETY Asian Para Games 2026 underway in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- 168 Indian para-athletes are competing across disciplines
- Hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, 18-24 October 2026
- India targets medals in athletics, badminton and swimming
- Reflects growing investment in para-sports in India
SCI-TECH CERT-In flags rogue AI agents targeting Indian firms
- Autonomous AI agents used to breach and exfiltrate sensitive data
- CERT-In is India's nodal cyber-incident response agency
- Signals a shift to AI-automated cyberattacks
- Reinforces need for stronger cyber hygiene and audits
20 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →MADHYA PRADESH MP Cabinet clears a Rs 27,050-crore development package
- Rs 15,557.35 cr for law & judicial schemes (2026-31), incl. Rs 12,252.66 cr for judicial staff salaries.
- Rs 3,535 cr for AYUSH colleges & hospitals; Rs 1,697.62 cr for the National AYUSH Mission.
- Rs 3,076.37 cr for four irrigation projects (Jhirmiti, Barna, Kayampur-Sitamau, Chitrangi).
- Rs 2,875.20 cr for government school infrastructure; Rs 241.88 cr for Sandipani school transport (tribal).
MADHYA PRADESH Jabalpur-Indore Economic Corridor company approved
- Initial paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore; powers over land acquisition, zoning, leasing and master planning.
- To host industrial, agro-processing, logistics, IT parks and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
- Designated an Investment Region Agency and nodal agency under the state's Ease of Doing Business law.
- Forest land usable only after compensatory afforestation and NPV payment; building the road itself is excluded.
MADHYA PRADESH Soybean Bhavantar scheme notified for 2026 kharif
- Registration on the e-Uparjan portal by 17 Oct 2026; eligible sale window 22 Oct 2026 - 15 Jan 2027.
- Payment = gap between MSP and the higher of sale price or model rate, only when that is below MSP.
- Model rate set from a 14-day weighted mandi average, then recalculated daily.
- Paid by DBT, reimbursed from the Price Stabilisation Fund; monitored by the Chief Secretary and collectors.
ECONOMY Rs 6,000 crore released under CM Kisan Kalyan Yojana
- Benefit transferred by DBT directly into farmers' bank accounts.
- The scheme supplements the central PM-KISAN income-support instalments.
- Supports farm liquidity ahead of the rabi sowing season.
- Part of a welfare push alongside the Soybean Bhavantar scheme for MP cultivators.
ENVIRONMENT Cheetahs reach Madhya Pradesh's third habitat
- Reserve spans Sagar-Damoh-Narsinghpur in Bundelkhand; area about 2,339 sq km (MP's largest tiger habitat).
- Project Cheetah was launched in 2022; MP's cheetah count has grown from 8 to 60.
- About 439 hectares set aside with enclosures (bomas); two more cheetahs expected next month.
- MP is the Tiger State and now a leading cheetah state; the reserve is also called Nauradehi.
SOCIETY Ladli Behna: tribal-inclusion plea before the High Court
- Women already drawing Rs 1,000+/month from a government scheme are ineligible for Ladli Behna.
- A separate Rs 1,500 nutrition grant to the family's woman head triggers this exclusion.
- Petitioner estimates about five lakh tribal women are affected.
- Plea argues the two schemes have different objectives - child nutrition vs women's economic independence.
POLITY Supreme Court: internet access is a fundamental right
- Rejected blanket bans on children's access and rigid age-verification that risks mass surveillance.
- Any curb must pass a three-part proportionality test - legal basis, legitimate aim, proportionality.
- Centre to frame a default child mode and a verified National Hash & URL List Database.
- Platforms must remove CSAM within 2 hours and acknowledge complaints within 24 hours.
IR US midterm elections due on 3 November 2026
- Senate currently 53-47 Republican; Democrats need a net +4 to flip it.
- A working House majority needs 218 seats.
- Reported backdrop: inflation 3.7%, petrol up 9.1%, presidential approval around 32%.
- AI data-centre expansion has become a local electoral issue.
ENVIRONMENT India's reservoirs at 68.58% of usable capacity
- Storage down 24.53% year-on-year and 16.44% below normal.
- Worst basin deficits: Pennar 72.32%, Cauvery 60.50%, Sabarmati 38.03%, Krishna 32.59%.
- Above normal: Narmada, Mahanadi and Swarnarekha basins.
- Low individual reservoirs include Idukki (10.62%) and Mettur (32.49%).
SCI-TECH India's space economy targets USD 40-45 billion
- ISRO completed Crew Module-Service Module separation tests at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram.
- The first uncrewed Gaganyaan (G1) mission is targeted within 2026.
- Growth is to be driven by private players and space start-ups.
- India opened the sector via IN-SPACe and the Indian Space Policy 2023.
SOCIETY Mughal cheetah painting fetches a record at auction
- Basawan was a leading master in Akbar's imperial atelier in the 16th century.
- It came from the collection of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan.
- Mughal miniatures fused Persian, Indian and European techniques.
- The cheetah theme echoes its historic use in royal hunts.
SOCIETY Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 106 young artists
- Instituted in 2006 and given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- Each award carries Rs 25,000, a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram.
- Eligibility is up to 40 years of age as of 1 April of the nomination year.
- Honours young talent in music, dance, theatre and allied arts.
21 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →MADHYA PRADESH Soybean Bhavantar: MP's mandi sale window opens 22 October
- Operates under the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) of the central umbrella scheme PM-AASHA.
- Soybean MSP is ₹5,328 per quintal; farmers registered on the e-Uparjan portal by 17 October are eligible.
- Payout = gap between MSP and the sale/model rate, paid by DBT via the Mandi Board from the Price Stabilisation Fund.
- The model rate is the 14-day weighted average of mandi prices, published daily on the e-Mandi portal.
MADHYA PRADESH MP Semiconductor Summit 2026 in Indore on 23–24 October
- 50+ companies to exhibit; the event has 8 panel discussions, 5 roundtables and 2 keynote addresses.
- Themes: chip design, semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging & testing, electronics manufacturing, R&D and skilling.
- The MP Semiconductor Policy 2025 offers a reported 25% subsidy and power at ₹2 per unit for 10 years.
- Winners of the MP Semicon Startup Competition final will be felicitated at the closing session.
MADHYA PRADESH MP Cabinet clears ₹27,050 crore package, Jabalpur–Indore corridor
- The corridor SPV is fully government-owned with ₹100 crore initial paid-up capital for land pooling, parks, GCCs and logistics hubs.
- ₹15,557 cr for law & judicial schemes; ₹3,076 cr for four irrigation projects; ₹2,875 cr for school infrastructure.
- ₹241.88 cr for Sandipani school transport (Tribal Affairs Dept): per-student aid up from ₹10,000 to ₹21,000.
- AYUSH gets ₹3,535 cr (colleges & hospitals) plus ₹1,697 cr (National AYUSH Mission).
MADHYA PRADESH Ladli Behna: 41st instalment of ₹1,500 to 1.25 crore women
- ₹1,500 per month transferred to about 1.25 crore women, totalling over ₹1,834 crore.
- The monthly aid has risen from ₹1,000 → ₹1,250 → ₹1,500 (since November 2025).
- Pension-receiving beneficiaries get a ₹900 top-up under the scheme's rules.
- Payments go directly via DBT, cutting leakages and middlemen.
MADHYA PRADESH Peacock conservation project and food park announced in Ujjain
- New potato processing units in Ujjain and Agar will buy from farmers across 35 districts.
- A project will conserve and rehabilitate the peacock, India's national bird.
- About ₹25,000 crore of works are underway for Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain.
- Mukhyamantri Sugam Bus Seva was relaunched; a ₹25,000 incentive is offered for taking road-accident victims to hospital.
ENVIRONMENT Project Cheetah: India's cheetah count reaches 60
- Kuno (MP) holds about 53 cheetahs; Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as the second home.
- The project began on 17 September 2022 with 8 from Namibia; 12 from South Africa (2023) and 9 from Botswana (2026) followed.
- The latest birth introduced the Botswanan genetic lineage, widening the founder gene pool.
- India is the only country attempting inter-continental cheetah reintroduction.
MADHYA PRADESH State Spotlight: Madhya Pradesh — India's Tiger & Wildlife State
- MP is the 'Tiger State' with the most tigers in India (785, 2022 estimate) and the largest forest cover by area.
- Six tiger reserves: Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri.
- It is also tagged the 'Leopard State' and now a 'Cheetah State' via Kuno & Gandhi Sagar.
- Key national parks: Kanha, Kuno, Madhav, Van Vihar, Satpura.
REPORT PLFS 2025: Female labour force participation jumps
- Rural FLFPR rose from 33% to 45.9%; urban from 23.3% to 27.7%.
- Arunachal Pradesh recorded the highest annual rise among the NE states/UTs studied.
- Lakshadweep recorded the largest rural decline.
- PLFS is released by the NSO under the MoSPI.
POLITY CJI cites separation of powers on CEC complaint
- Separation of powers divides functions among the legislature, executive and judiciary and is part of the Constitution's basic structure.
- Judicial conduct norms draw on the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct.
- The Election Commission conducts the SIR to clean up and update electoral rolls.
- Matters that are sub judice are generally not taken up administratively.
DEFENCE Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 begins in Thiruvananthapuram
- Held at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala).
- About 120 personnel from each army are taking part.
- Focus on sub-conventional operations in semi-urban and jungle terrain under a UN mandate.
- Part of India's deepening defence ties with Australia in the Indo-Pacific.
SCI-TECH ICAR highlights biofortified purple potato 'Kufri Jamunia'
- Released in 2024; rich in vitamin C, anthocyanins, carotenoids, iron and zinc.
- Earlier coloured varieties: Kufri Neelkanth (2018) and Kufri Manik (2021).
- Developed by the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla.
- Biofortification breeds higher nutrient content into staple crops.
22 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →MADHYA PRADESH Soybean Bhavantar sale window opens today across MP mandis
- Operates under PDPS guidelines of the central PM-AASHA umbrella; payout via DBT by the Mandi Board.
- Registration on the Food Department e-Uparjan portal closed 17 Oct 2026; sales from 1–21 Oct are deducted from eligible quantity.
- Compensation = MSP minus the higher of sale price or the model rate (14-day weighted mandi average, updated daily on e-Mandi).
- Payment basis = registered area × previous-year state average productivity; seed funding from the Price Stabilisation Fund.
- Oversight by a state committee under the Chief Secretary and district committees under Collectors.
MADHYA PRADESH Cabinet clears ₹27,050 cr package; govt SPV for Jabalpur–Indore corridor
- SPV: Jabalpur-Indore Economic Corridor Development Company Ltd — land pooling, zoning, leasing, monetisation and infra within hubs.
- Designated an Investment Region Agency under the MP Investment Region Development & Management Act, 2013.
- Package also funds ₹3,076 cr for four irrigation projects and ₹15,557 cr for law & legislative affairs (2026–31).
- Hubs to host industrial, agro-processing, logistics, IT parks and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
- Forest land use needs compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value (NPV) payment.
MADHYA PRADESH Indore to host MP Semiconductor Summit 2026 on 23–24 October
- More than 50 companies to exhibit; format spans 8 panels, 5 roundtables, 2 keynotes, an exhibition and a startup contest.
- Paras Semiconductors signed an MoU for a proposed ₹6,200 crore OSAT (assembly & testing) facility.
- Backed by the MP Semiconductor Policy 2025: a 25% subsidy and power at ₹2/unit for 10 years.
- Themes: chip design, advanced packaging & testing, photonics, quantum tech, AI infrastructure and MSMEs.
- CM to deliver the inaugural address on 'MP's Vision as a Semiconductor Hub'.
ENVIRONMENT Cheetahs Vyom & Neera settle MP's third cheetah home; India tally hits 60
- Both animals were translocated from Kuno National Park; India's cheetah population has reached 60 after five cubs were born at Kuno.
- MP's other cheetah sites: Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Project Cheetah began in 2022 as the world's first intercontinental large-carnivore translocation.
- The reserve extends cheetahs into the Bundelkhand region; it already hosts tigers.
- Also released: the Vulture Population Estimation Report 2026; wildlife tourism earned about ₹80 crore this year.
MADHYA PRADESH MP Urban Conclave (28 Oct) to drive Simhastha 2028 and city investment
- Financing tools on show: PPPs, Urban Challenge Fund, green & municipal bonds, temple bonds and viability gap funding.
- Simhastha prep: digital-twin modelling, technology-based crowd and traffic management for Ujjain.
- Themes include AMRUT 2.0, Namo Green City, EVs, waste-to-energy and compressed biogas (CBG).
- Urban planning focus: Transit-Oriented Development, TDR, FAR reform and ABPAS building-permit automation.
- CM Mohan Yadav to hold investor meetings and inaugurate urban projects.
SOCIETY Cabinet boosts tribal school transport to ₹241.88 cr under Sandipani push
- Per-student annual transport allocation rises from ₹10,000 to ₹21,000, with a 5% yearly increase.
- Transport to be outsourced and IT-monitored for accountability.
- MP has the country's largest Scheduled Tribe population; PESA, 1996 governs Fifth Schedule areas.
- Also cleared: 24 new posts for Women & Child Development in new districts (Niwari, Mauganj, Pandhurna, Maihar).
- Linked schemes: Saksham Anganwadi, POSHAN 2.0 and Integrated Child Protection.
ECONOMY Core industries grow a record 7.9% in September 2026
- Growth led by iron ore (18.4%), electricity (11.4%), coal (10.7%) and refinery products (10.3%).
- Cement rose 9.8% and steel 4.9%; crude oil (-1.4%), natural gas (-4.6%) and fertilisers (-11.7%) contracted.
- Fertiliser output has now fallen for seven straight months.
- Compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT; new series base year is 2022-23.
- Wholesale (WPI) inflation stood at 11.4% in September 2026.
ECONOMY RBI raises repo rate to 5.5% as inflation pressures widen
- The hike was unanimous; two external members dissented only on shifting the stance to 'calibrated tightening'.
- Governor Sanjay Malhotra projected headline CPI near 6% in Q3, staying above 5% for two quarters.
- Share of CPI items with inflation above 4% rose to 37% in August (from 20% in March).
- Core inflation was 4.2% in August; risks include West Asia conflict and high oil prices.
- India's flexible inflation-targeting band is 4% (+/- 2%).
SCI-TECH Data of ~3,900 SBI customers surfaces on the dark web
- SBI learned of the leak from its threat-intelligence provider, the Defence Cyber Agency and CERT-In — not its own systems.
- Disclosure to stock exchanges came five days after alerts, under SEBI listing norms; bank cites no material impact.
- The DPDP Act, 2023 duty to notify affected individuals takes effect only in 2027.
- Separately, eight web-security keys of a firm used by government/PSUs were reported leaked.
- CERT-In is India's national nodal cyber-incident response agency.
ENVIRONMENT India to mandate 1% SAF blending on international flights from January
- SAF is made from feedstocks like used cooking oil, agri-residue and municipal waste; it cuts lifecycle CO2.
- Aviation is a hard-to-abate sector; SAF blending supports India's net-zero-by-2070 goal.
- Separately, NHPC sought approval to fell over 23 lakh trees for the Kamala hydel project in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Links to the national biofuel/ethanol push and circular-economy feedstocks.
- India targeted 20% ethanol blending in petrol under its biofuel roadmap.
IR Rajnath Singh flags cross-border terror at SCO meet in Tajikistan
- India stressed that connectivity and trade depend on a stable security environment.
- Pakistan's Deputy PM Ishaq Dar was present at the meet.
- Follows India's 2025 refusal to endorse the SCO statement at Qingdao that omitted the Pahalgam attack.
- The SCO is a Eurasian security-economic bloc; India became a full member in 2017.
- SCO's counter-terror arm is RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure), based in Tashkent.
23 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →MADHYA PRADESH MP Cabinet clears Soybean Bhavantar Scheme & Jabalpur–Indore Economic Corridor
- Bhavantar pays the gap between MSP and the higher of sale/model rate via DBT, under PDPS of PM-AASHA.
- Farmers must register on the e-Uparjan portal by 17 Oct 2026.
- Jabalpur–Indore Economic Corridor Development Co. Ltd — a 100% state SPV with ₹100 crore paid-up capital.
- SPV to develop industrial, agro-processing, logistics, IT parks & GCCs along the corridor.
- MP is India's largest soybean producer — the 'Soybean State' (Malwa belt).
MADHYA PRADESH 'Bagh Didis' — women-led tiger watch launched near Kanha
- ~20 women appointed in the first phase in villages near Kanha.
- Trained to read pugmarks, report sightings and issue safety advisories.
- Priority to tribal women and high-conflict villages.
- Kanha: among the first 9 Project Tiger reserves (1973); national park since 1955.
- Famous for the hard-ground Barasingha — MP's state animal.
MADHYA PRADESH Ladli Behna 41st instalment — ₹1,834 crore to 1.25 crore+ women
- Each woman gets ₹1,500/month via Aadhaar-linked DBT.
- ₹115.10 crore two-month LPG (₹450 cylinder) subsidy to 23 lakh+ women.
- Scheme allocation ₹23,882.81 crore for 2026-27; first instalment paid June 2023.
- Also inaugurated/foundation-laid 136 works worth about ₹144.16 crore.
MADHYA PRADESH Project Cheetah: Veerangana Durgavati becomes MP's 3rd cheetah home; India count hits 60
- India's cheetahs now 60 (41 India-born) — all in Madhya Pradesh.
- Habitats: Kuno NP, Gandhi Sagar WLS, Veerangana Durgavati TR.
- Durgavati TR ~2,339 sq km (Sagar–Damoh–Narsinghpur); largest TR in MP; 439-ha release area.
- Project Cheetah (2022): NTCA + MP Forest Dept + WII.
MADHYA PRADESH 'Viksit MP 2047' resolution adopted; Assembly passes UCC Bill, 2026
- Pillars: Ken-Betwa/PKC/Tapi irrigation, Bhopal–Indore Metro (~₹23,000 cr), PM MITRA park (Dhar).
- GIS 2025 drew ₹30.77 lakh crore proposals; ~₹10 lakh crore under implementation.
- Targets: 2 lakh+ govt jobs, 12 new medical colleges, 12 skill universities.
- Simhastha 2028 (Ujjain) prep; linked works to finish by Diwali 2027.
DEFENCE Army unveils new Land Warfare Doctrine at Commanders' Conference
- Doctrine reorients land warfare for drones, cyber & multi-domain operations.
- The biannual apex conference reviews operational preparedness.
- Reflects lessons from recent operations and evolving threats.
ECONOMY RBI MPC minutes: repo hiked 25 bps to 5.50%, stance 'calibrated tightening'
- Decision 6-0; SDF 5.25%, MSF & Bank Rate 5.75%.
- FY27 real GDP 7.1%; CPI 5.2%, peaking at 6.0% in Q3.
- CPI rose to 4.8% in Aug 2026 on food & fuel.
- Next MPC meeting: 2–4 Dec 2026.
POLITY Supreme Court recognises internet access as a fundamental right
- Arose from a plea concerning child sexual exploitation material (CSEAM).
- Children must not be cut off; action should target the sources of harm.
- Builds on Anuradha Bhasin (2020) digital-rights jurisprudence.
ENVIRONMENT UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026 warns of ~2.8°C warming
- Needed cuts for the 1.5°C path: 18% by 2030, 45% by 2035, 69% by 2040.
- Released ahead of the COP climate talks.
- Stresses the fast-closing window to limit overshoot.
IR India–New Zealand FTA enters into force
- Boosts goods trade, services access and dairy-sensitive negotiations.
- Customs pact speeds up rules-of-origin verification.
- Part of India's widening FTA network (UAE, Australia, EFTA, UK).
Prelims rapid-fire — 30 facts
| Soybean State of India: Madhya Pradesh (Malwa plateau belt). |
| MP's third cheetah home: Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) Tiger Reserve. |
| RBI inflation target: 4% (+/- 2%) under flexible inflation targeting. |
| PM-AASHA umbrella includes PSS, PDPS and private procurement. |
| Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain is one of India's 12 Jyotirlingas. |
| CERT-In is India's nodal cyber-incident response agency (MeitY). |
| MP's 3rd cheetah habitat: Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) Tiger Reserve, ~2,339 sq km, in Bundelkhand. |
| Soybean Bhavantar eligible sale window: 22 Oct 2026 - 15 Jan 2027; follows PDPS under PM-AASHA. |
| Jabalpur-Indore Economic Corridor Development Co. Ltd - initial paid-up capital Rs 100 crore. |
| Supreme Court: internet access a fundamental right under Articles 19(1)(a) and 21. |
| India's space economy ~USD 9 bn now; target USD 40-45 bn in 7-8 years; Gaganyaan G1 due in 2026. |
| US midterms on 3 Nov 2026; Senate stands 53-47, House has 435 seats. |
| MP is India's 'Tiger State' with 785 tigers (2022) — the most of any state. |
| Soybean MSP is ₹5,328 per quintal; MP grows ~50% of India's soybean. |
| Kuno National Park & Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary host Project Cheetah in MP. |
| PM-AASHA's PDPS pays the gap between MSP and market price. |
| PLFS is released by the NSO under MoSPI. |
| AUSTRAHIND is the India–Australia joint army exercise. |
| India–New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Electronic Origin Data Exchange to ease FTA trade. |
| The Supreme Court is examining the religion-neutrality of OBC classification. |
| India's cheetah population has reached 60 after five cub births at Kuno. |
| The new core-sector index series uses base year 2022-23 and is compiled by DPIIT. |
| Madhya Pradesh is India's largest soybean producer (~45% of output), centred on the Malwa plateau. |
| All cetaceans (whales, dolphins) are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. |
| Barasingha (hard-ground swamp deer) is the state animal of MP; Kanha's mascot is 'Bhoorsingh'. |
| India's cheetah population reached 60 (41 India-born), all housed in Madhya Pradesh. |
| India's eight core industries grew 7.9% YoY in Sept 2026 (base year 2022-23). |
| Global Hunger Index 2026: India ranked 100 of 122, score 24.1 ('serious' category). |
| PLFS (Sept 2026): unemployment 5.0%, LFPR 55.5%, female LFPR 34.6%. |
| Jio Platforms IPO (₹30,213 crore, all fresh equity) closes 23 Oct 2026. |
Data points of the period
size of the MP Cabinet's single-day development package (15 Oct 2026)
Rs 27,050 crore
Largest allocations: Law & Judicial schemes Rs 15,557 cr; AYUSH colleges Rs 3,535 cr; four irrigation projects Rs 3,076 cr.
Largest allocations: Law & Judicial schemes Rs 15,557 cr; AYUSH colleges Rs 3,535 cr; four irrigation projects Rs 3,076 cr.
68.58%
India's 178 major reservoirs - live storage
Of usable capacity (126.717 BCM) on the latest bulletin - down 24.53% year-on-year; the Narmada basin, MP's lifeline, stays above normal.
Of usable capacity (126.717 BCM) on the latest bulletin - down 24.53% year-on-year; the Narmada basin, MP's lifeline, stays above normal.
₹5,328 / quintal
Soybean MSP & MP's share
Minimum Support Price for soybean this season. Madhya Pradesh grows nearly 50% of India's soybean, and its Bhavantar sale window opens 22 October 2026.
Minimum Support Price for soybean this season. Madhya Pradesh grows nearly 50% of India's soybean, and its Bhavantar sale window opens 22 October 2026.
₹4.38 lakh crore
MP Budget FY2026-27
Madhya Pradesh's FY2026-27 Budget was presented at about ₹4.38 lakh crore with no new taxes; ₹23,800 crore was earmarked for the flagship Ladli Behna Yojana (₹1,500/month per beneficiary).
Madhya Pradesh's FY2026-27 Budget was presented at about ₹4.38 lakh crore with no new taxes; ₹23,800 crore was earmarked for the flagship Ladli Behna Yojana (₹1,500/month per beneficiary).
₹30.77 lakh crore
Global Investors Summit 2025 — Investment intent for Madhya Pradesh
Investment proposals received at GIS 2025 (Bhopal); about ₹10 lakh crore already under implementation. MP has rolled out 25 industrial policies to court investors.
Investment proposals received at GIS 2025 (Bhopal); about ₹10 lakh crore already under implementation. MP has rolled out 25 industrial policies to court investors.
10 practice MCQs — MPPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the Soybean Bhavantar Yojana recently approved in Madhya Pradesh, consider the following: 1. It is modelled on the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under PM-AASHA. 2. It involves physical procurement of soybean at MSP by the state. 3. Payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
The scheme follows PDPS under PM-AASHA (1 correct) and pays the price gap via DBT (3 correct). PDPS compensates the price difference rather than physically procuring the crop, so statement 2 is wrong.
The scheme follows PDPS under PM-AASHA (1 correct) and pays the price gap via DBT (3 correct). PDPS compensates the price difference rather than physically procuring the crop, so statement 2 is wrong.
Q2. Consider the following about Project Cheetah in Madhya Pradesh: 1. Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) is MP's third cheetah habitat. 2. India's cheetah reintroduction began at Kuno in 2022. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Veerangana Durgavati became the third cheetah home (after Kuno and Gandhi Sagar) in October 2026, and reintroduction began at Kuno in September 2022. Both statements are correct.
Veerangana Durgavati became the third cheetah home (after Kuno and Gandhi Sagar) in October 2026, and reintroduction began at Kuno in September 2022. Both statements are correct.
Q3. The Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh's third cheetah habitat, lies across which districts?
- Sheopur, Morena and Bhind
- Mandsaur, Neemuch and Ratlam
- Sagar, Damoh and Narsinghpur
- Panna, Chhatarpur and Tikamgarh
Show answer
Answer: C
The reserve spans Sagar, Damoh and Narsinghpur in Bundelkhand and is MP's largest tiger habitat (about 2,339 sq km).
The reserve spans Sagar, Damoh and Narsinghpur in Bundelkhand and is MP's largest tiger habitat (about 2,339 sq km).
Q4. The Soybean Bhavantar scheme follows the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under which umbrella scheme?
- PM-KISAN
- PM-AASHA
- PM-FME
- PM-KUSUM
Show answer
Answer: B
PDPS is a component of PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan), which pays farmers the gap when prices fall below MSP.
PDPS is a component of PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan), which pays farmers the gap when prices fall below MSP.
Q5. With reference to the Soybean Bhavantar scheme, which one of the following is NOT correct?
- It operates under PM-AASHA's Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS).
- The price gap is paid to registered farmers through DBT.
- The government procures and stores the farmer's entire soybean crop.
- The reference soybean MSP is ₹5,328 per quintal.
Show answer
Answer: C
Bhavantar (PDPS) pays farmers the difference between the MSP and the sale/model rate via DBT; it does NOT physically procure or store the crop. The other three are correct.
Bhavantar (PDPS) pays farmers the difference between the MSP and the sale/model rate via DBT; it does NOT physically procure or store the crop. The other three are correct.
Q6. Consider the following about Project Cheetah: 1. Kuno National Park is in Madhya Pradesh. 2. The first cheetahs were brought from Namibia in 2022. 3. Gandhi Sagar is being developed as a second cheetah habitat. Which of the above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: D
All three are correct — Kuno is in MP, the first 8 cheetahs arrived from Namibia in September 2022, and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is the planned second home.
All three are correct — Kuno is in MP, the first 8 cheetahs arrived from Namibia in September 2022, and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is the planned second home.
Q7. With reference to the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, consider the following statements: 1. It compensates farmers for the difference between the MSP and the market/model rate. 2. Under it, the government agency physically procures the crop at MSP. 3. It is implemented under the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme of PM-AASHA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
Bhavantar pays the price difference and the farmer keeps selling in the mandi, so statement 2 (physical procurement) is wrong — that describes the Price Support Scheme (PSS). It runs under PDPS of PM-AASHA, so 1 and 3 are correct.
Bhavantar pays the price difference and the farmer keeps selling in the mandi, so statement 2 (physical procurement) is wrong — that describes the Price Support Scheme (PSS). It runs under PDPS of PM-AASHA, so 1 and 3 are correct.
Q8. Consider the following national parks/reserves currently associated with Project Cheetah in Madhya Pradesh: 1. Kuno National Park 2. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary 3. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve How many of the above host cheetahs?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: C
As of the latest release, all three — Kuno, Gandhi Sagar and Veerangana Durgavati — host cheetahs, making MP's third cheetah habitat. India's cheetah tally has reached 60.
As of the latest release, all three — Kuno, Gandhi Sagar and Veerangana Durgavati — host cheetahs, making MP's third cheetah habitat. India's cheetah tally has reached 60.
Q9. With reference to the Soybean Bhavantar Scheme, consider the following statements: (1) It is implemented under the Price Deficiency Payment (PDPS) component of PM-AASHA. (2) It pays farmers the difference between MSP and the market/model price through DBT. (3) Under this scheme the government physically procures soybean at MSP. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A
PDPS compensates the price deficiency via DBT without physical procurement; physical procurement at MSP is the Price Support Scheme (PSS), not PDPS. Hence (1) and (2) are correct, (3) is wrong.
PDPS compensates the price deficiency via DBT without physical procurement; physical procurement at MSP is the Price Support Scheme (PSS), not PDPS. Hence (1) and (2) are correct, (3) is wrong.
Q10. Which of the following are currently cheetah habitats in Madhya Pradesh? (1) Kuno National Park (2) Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (3) Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) Tiger Reserve (4) Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Select the correct answer:
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: B
Kuno NP, Gandhi Sagar WLS and the newly added Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) TR host cheetahs. Bandhavgarh is a tiger reserve, not a cheetah habitat.
Kuno NP, Gandhi Sagar WLS and the newly added Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi) TR host cheetahs. Bandhavgarh is a tiger reserve, not a cheetah habitat.
Mains practice questions
- "Price-deficiency payment schemes can protect farmers without the costs of physical procurement." In the light of Madhya Pradesh's Soybean Bhavantar Yojana, examine the merits and limitations of this approach. (15 marks, 250 words)
- Price-deficiency payment schemes such as Madhya Pradesh's Soybean Bhavantar Yojana are increasingly used to protect farm incomes. Examine their rationale and the practical challenges in implementation. (GS-III)
- Madhya Pradesh is branding itself at once as an agrarian powerhouse and an emerging industrial and conservation hub. Examine this with reference to the Soybean Bhavantar scheme, the Semiconductor Summit and Project Cheetah. (250 words)
- “Price-deficiency payment schemes such as Bhavantar can protect farmers without the fiscal and storage burden of physical procurement.” In light of Madhya Pradesh's Soybean Bhavantar scheme, critically examine the strengths and limitations of this approach. (250 words)
- Community participation — especially of tribal women — is emerging as a cornerstone of wildlife conservation in Madhya Pradesh. Discuss with reference to recent initiatives. (GS-III, 250 words)
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