Monthly at a glance
- Sat 5 Sep — Uttarakhand's ₹147 cr pension push & record 15.12 lakh Char Dham footfall; India's Q1 GDP at 7.8% and the 26th SCO Summit lead the day.
- Sun 6 Sep — Uttarakhand's ₹147-crore one-click pension DBT, CM Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana for free exam coaching, and India's direct-tax buoyancy staying above 1 for a third year.
- Mon 7 Sep — Alaknanda's 219 hanging glaciers flag rising GLOF risk; RBI holds repo at 5.25% with FY27 growth at 6.7%; ISRO's GSLV-F17 lofts EOS-05.
- Tue 8 Sep — Uttarakhand launches Mukhyamantri Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana for 11,000 students; IMD flags flash-flood risk in 10 hill districts; DAC clears defence buys worth ₹1.10 lakh crore.
- Wed 9 Sep — Uttarakhand launches free-coaching Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana; ₹147-crore pension DBT to 9.9 lakh; India to host 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
- Thu 10 Sep — Uttarakhand's ₹1.11 lakh crore youth-focused Budget, a record 37-lakh Char Dham rush and a fresh UCC test in the Nainital High Court lead today; nationally, a proposed Article 371(K) for Ladakh and ₹20,804 crore of rail multitracking stand out.
- Fri 11 Sep — Dhami Cabinet clears 10 proposals and raises interns' stipend; Char Dham Yatra crosses 50 lakh pilgrims; DAC approves ₹1.10 lakh crore defence buys
- Sat 12 Sep — 18th BRICS Summit opens in New Delhi under India's chair; Char Dham Yatra crosses 50 lakh pilgrims with second phase from Sep 15; Uttarakhand to draw up disaster-management plans for every school.
- Tue 15 Sep — Amit Shah seals 6-state Kishau Dam pact; Char Dham Yatra enters its second phase; retail inflation climbs to 4.82%
- Wed 16 Sep — Uttarakhand launches 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'; Char Dham crosses 19.80 lakh pilgrims; India chairs 18th BRICS Summit amid record GST mop-up.
- Thu 17 Sep — CM Dhami launches month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'; Char Dham Yatra crosses 50 lakh pilgrims; Centre raises EPFO wage ceiling to ₹25,000
- Fri 18 Sep — Uttarakhand launches month-long 'Seva Sankalp' service campaign; state studies 5 high-risk glacial lakes; India chairs 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
- Sat 19 Sep — Uttarakhand launches DBT tablet aid for govt-school students; UCC set for 21 NDA states by 2029; MDR returns to high-value UPI from 15 October
- Sun 20 Sep — Char Dham Yatra enters historic second phase as CM visits Badrinath; Yudh Abhyas 2026 opens at Auli; EPFO wage ceiling raised to Rs 25,000
- Mon 21 Sep — Char Dham phase-1 hits record 50.56 lakh; Uttarakhand HC clears Haldwani shift; UCC & homestay reforms advance
All topics — key facts for revision
5 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand transfers ₹147 crore pension to 9.91 lakh people
- ₹147.05 crore transferred in one instalment
- 9,91,914 (9.91 lakh) beneficiaries covered
- 8 categories: old-age, widow, disability, farmer, deserted-women, dwarf, Teelu Rauteli & maintenance allowance
- 5,605 new pensions sanctioned in Aug 2026
- State share ₹140.11 cr; Centre ₹6.94 cr (NSAP: 2.14 lakh)
POLITY Uttarakhand tightens UCC rules on marriage & live-in registration
- Marriage registration compulsory within 60 days
- Uniform marriage age: 21 (men) / 18 (women)
- Live-in relationships must be registered with the Sub-Registrar
- Non-registration: up to ₹25,000 fine and/or 3 months jail
- Triple talaq not recognised; equal inheritance for all
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 hits record 15.12 lakh pilgrims; crowd caps enforced
- 15.12 lakh pilgrims in first 30 days (opened 19 Apr 2026)
- Kedarnath 5.5L, Badrinath 3.5L, Yamunotri 3L, Gangotri 3L
- Peak footfall 70,000-80,000/day
- Mandatory registration; mobile ban inside Kedarnath temple
- Managed by the BKTC temple committee
UTTARAKHAND CM hands appointment letters to 101 officers; flags 34,000 jobs in 5 years
- 101 officers: 88 Livestock Extension Officers + 13 Sugarcane Supervisors
- 34,000+ government jobs in five years (merit-based)
- Sugarcane farmers paid ₹5/quintal more than in UP
- Schemes: Aanchal Amrit, Ghasyari Kalyan, Rajya Pashudhan Mission
- Strict anti-copying law for recruitment
ENVIRONMENT Uttarakhand deepens Gross Environment Product to value Himalayan ecology
- GEP = 'Green GDP' valuing air, water, soil & forest services
- About 71% of the state is under forest cover
- Complements GDP; supports payment for ecosystem services
- Aligns with the GEP index and eco-sensitive-zone protection
IR 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek adopts declaration; bloc marks 25 years
- 10 full members; ~25% of global GDP, ~40% of world population
- English added as a 3rd official language (with Russian, Chinese)
- 'SCO Plus' dialogue format launched
- India stressed 'zero double standards on terrorism'
- Pakistan to chair SCO for 2026-27
ECONOMY India's Q1 GDP grows 7.8% on revised 2022-23 base year
- Real GDP +7.8%; nominal GDP +10.3% (Apr-Jun)
- Base year revised 2011-12 → 2022-23 (from 27 Feb 2026)
- Debate over the manufacturing GVA gap flagged
POLITY Supreme Court: Bar Council cannot discipline law students
- BCI power under the Advocates Act, 1961 is limited to enrolled advocates
- Students' Article 19 free-speech rights protected (NALSAR case)
- Universities remain the disciplinary authority for students
DEFENCE India releases first 10-year defence-diplomacy framework 'RAKSHA'
- Released by the Defence Minister on 3 Sep 2026
- India's first 10-year defence-diplomacy framework
- Four pillars: Strategic Partnerships, Capacity Building, Indigenous Exports, Maritime Security
SCI-TECH Government launches 'BIO-NIVESH' to fund biotech start-ups
- Launched by the Dept of Biotechnology via BIRAC
- Inaugural edition: 20 start-ups, ~50 investors
- Supports the ₹20 lakh crore bioeconomy target by 2030
HEALTH Panel flags 40 crore Indians in health-cover 'missing middle'
- ~40 crore Indians (>25%) lack coverage - out of PM-JAY, too poor for private
- Private sector: 60%+ inpatient, 70%+ outpatient care
- Public health spend 1.43% of GDP (target 2.5%)
- Private childbirth ₹37,630 vs public ₹2,299
6 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand transfers ₹147 crore pension to 9.91 lakh via one-click DBT
- ₹147.05 crore released via one-click DBT on 4 September 2026
- 9,91,914 beneficiaries — 2,14,711 under NSAP + 7,77,203 under state schemes
- Funding split: State ₹140.11 crore, Centre ₹6.94 crore
- Covers old-age, widow, disability, farmer, deserted-women, Teelu Rauteli and dwarf pensions
- 5,605 new pensions sanctioned in August 2026
UTTARAKHAND CM Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana-2026: free online coaching for youth
- Free online coaching for UPSC/PSC, CDS, SSC, banking and railways, and entrance tests (CAT, GATE, NET)
- Eligibility: students in state universities and government / government-aided colleges
- Targets economically weaker youth unable to afford private coaching
- Focus on remote and hill districts to bridge the access gap
- Complements the state's new Yuva Aayog (youth commission)
ENVIRONMENT Char Dham monsoon watch: response chain on alert as Garhwal rivers swell
- IMD rain alerts prompt temporary halts to the Char Dham Yatra on affected stretches
- SDRF and NDRF kept on standby; DDMAs coordinate district-level response
- Key hazards: landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts and GLOF risk
- Pilgrims advised to follow official advisories and route status before travel
- Rivers of the Alaknanda-Bhagirathi (Ganga) system swell rapidly in the catchment
UTTARAKHAND Udyamshala scheme powers rural entrepreneurship; women lead the way
- Over 13,000 entrepreneurs trained under Udyamshala
- More than 8,000 women among the beneficiaries
- A dedicated marketing centre planned in Dehradun
- Village-level chaupals used for grassroots outreach
- Aims to curb distress migration ('palayan') by creating local livelihoods
ENVIRONMENT Himalayan ecology & GEP: Uttarakhand's green-accounting focus
- GEP = value of ecosystem services from air, water, soil and forests
- Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to adopt Gross Environment Product accounting
- Concept associated with environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi
- Complements demands for a Green Bonus for Himalayan states
- Links to eco-sensitive zones, carrying capacity and GLOF-risk management
POLITY One year of the Uniform Civil Code; Amendment Ordinance 2026 in force
- Uttarakhand is the first state to implement a Uniform Civil Code (enforced 2024)
- UCC (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 in force from January 2026
- Covers common rules on marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships
- Mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships
- Scheduled Tribes are exempted from the Code
ECONOMY India's direct-tax buoyancy stays above 1 for a third year (1.39)
- Direct-tax buoyancy at 1.39 for 2024-25
- Buoyancy has stayed above 1 for three consecutive years
- Buoyancy > 1 means tax revenue grows faster than GDP
- Reflects better compliance, digitisation and formalisation
- Direct taxes include income tax and corporate tax
POLITY Eight new High Court Chief Justices notified; new LG for A&N Islands
- Eight new High Court Chief Justices appointed, approved by President Droupadi Murmu
- Sanjay K. Agrawal is the 44th Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court
- Dinesh Sharma appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- HC Chief Justices are appointed under Article 217 on collegium recommendation
- The Collegium is headed by the Chief Justice of India
IR India backs UN 'Correct the Map'; Nov 27 named Child Marriage Elimination Day
- India voted for the 'Correct the Map' resolution on map distortions
- Common projections (e.g. Mercator) exaggerate high-latitude landmasses
- UNGA designated 27 November as the day to eliminate child marriage
- Resolution adopted on 4 September 2026
- India also announced it will host the BRICS Chief Justices' Forum in New Delhi
DEFENCE Adani Defence signs five-year AK-203 ammunition supply deal
- Five-year deal to supply 7.62x39 mm ammunition for AK-203 rifles
- Partner: Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd (IRRPL), the AK-203 joint venture
- AK-203 rifles are made at the Korwa (Amethi), Uttar Pradesh plant
- Supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and defence-export goals
- Reduces import dependence for small-arms ammunition
SOCIETY Assam's Ahom-era Rangpur-Sivasagar ensemble enters UNESCO tentative list
- Rangpur-Sivasagar Historical Ensemble (Assam) added to UNESCO's Tentative List
- Linked to the Ahom dynasty, which ruled Assam for about 600 years
- Follows the earlier inscription of the Moidams (Ahom burial mounds) as a World Heritage Site
- Highlights Tai-Ahom architecture and statecraft
- The Tentative List is a mandatory first step toward World Heritage nomination
7 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ENVIRONMENT 219 Hanging Glaciers Mapped in Alaknanda Basin — Rising GLOF & Avalanche Risk
- Total glacier area 71.7 sq km; ice volume 2.39 cubic km; one-third of unstable ice in the Badrinath–Mana sector.
- Buildings at risk projected to rise 120% by 2030 (vs 2000); population in vulnerable zones up 17%.
- Recalls the February 2021 Chamoli disaster (Rishiganga valley) that killed 200+ with no prior monitoring.
- NH-7 (Badrinath highway) and pilgrim sites Badrinath, Kedarnath, Joshimath lie in the risk zone.
- Glacier types flagged: Ramp-Slab, Terrace-Slab, Terrace-Wedge.
UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand on High Alert as Monsoon Fury Triggers Landslides; SDRF Steps Up
- IMD red alerts issued for multiple hill districts; schools shut and pilgrim movement regulated.
- SDRF, NDRF and district authorities mobilised; SACHET alerts and control rooms activated.
- Landslides recurrently block the Rishikesh–Badrinath (NH-7) and Sonprayag–Kedarnath stretches.
- State pushing a 'disaster-resilient' Char Dham Yatra model after heavy-rain casualties in 2026.
ENVIRONMENT Gross Environment Product (GEP): Uttarakhand's Green-Accounting Model in Focus
- GEP values four natural assets: air, water, forest and soil.
- Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to launch a GEP framework, complementing GSDP with an ecological measure.
- Underpins the state's demand for a 'Green Bonus' / payments for ecosystem services from the Centre.
- Aligns with the concept of Green GDP and natural-capital accounting.
POLITY Uniform Civil Code: Uttarakhand's Rollout and 2026 Amendment in the Spotlight
- UCC covers marriage, divorce, succession and live-in registration; tribal communities are exempted.
- Backed by Article 44 of the Constitution (Directive Principles of State Policy).
- A dedicated online portal handles registrations and grievances.
- The 2026 amendment eased procedural and registration provisions.
POLITY Supreme Court Nudges States to Raise District Judges' Retirement Age to 62
- Bench led by CJI Surya Kant; states to decide in two weeks, amend rules in two months.
- Seven states have already agreed; Uttarakhand is among those yet to commit.
- Court called the financial-burden objection 'negligible' (citing a 1992 precedent).
- Suitability assessment to follow the Madras High Court model.
ECONOMY GDP Base Year Shifts to 2022-23; WPI Replaced by Producer Price Index
- New base year: 2022-23 (from 2011-12).
- PPI replaces WPI; a new Banking Services Price Index (BkSPI) — India's first — is introduced.
- IIP item coverage widened; 60 statements including revised estimates released.
- Aligns India's statistics with international standards.
ECONOMY RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Raises FY27 Growth View to 6.7%
- Repo 5.25%, SDF 5.00%, MSF/Bank Rate 5.50%; decision unanimous.
- FY27 GDP raised to 6.7%; CPI cut to 5.0%.
- Quarterly GDP: Q1 7.0%, Q2 6.4%, Q3 6.5%, Q4 6.8%.
- Cited global uncertainty from Middle-East geopolitical tensions.
SCI-TECH ISRO's GSLV-F17 Successfully Launches EOS-05 Earth-Observation Satellite
- EOS-05 mass 2,367 kg; 9-year design life; geosynchronous orbit (~36,000 km).
- 19th GSLV flight; 107th launch from Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR).
- Three-stage vehicle (51.7 m, ~420 t) with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
- Uses: agriculture, disaster management, environment and border monitoring.
REPORT UN Warns 1.5°C Target Will Be Breached; Pins Hope on Carbon Removal
- Current warming ~1.4°C; on present policies, 2.6°C by 2100.
- Fallback: cap overshoot near 1.8°C, then remove carbon to bring temperatures down.
- CDR methods: afforestation, BECCS, direct air capture (DAC), enhanced weathering.
- Warns of AMOC weakening and near-total coral bleaching at 1.5°C.
IR India–China Hold First Corps Commander Talks in Arunachal's Eastern Sector
- Talks aimed at easing border tensions in the eastern (Arunachal) sector.
- Part of continued military-diplomatic engagement on the LAC.
- Complements ongoing disengagement discussions across sectors.
- China claims Arunachal as 'South Tibet'; India firmly rejects this.
8 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Dhami launches ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana’
- 11,000 students to get free online coaching in the first phase.
- Targets government, government-aided colleges and state universities.
- Aimed especially at youth from mountain and remote regions.
- Over 2.5 lakh students were consulted while designing the scheme.
- A separate Youth Commission will be set up for employment & aspirations.
ENVIRONMENT IMD flags flash-flood risk across 10 Uttarakhand hill districts
- 10 districts flagged: Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi.
- Widespread to very widespread rainfall forecast during the period.
- Thunderstorms, lightning and wind gusts up to 60 kmph possible.
- State disaster teams (USDMA, SDRF) kept on high alert.
- Follows the Dharali (Uttarkashi) flash-flood disaster of Aug 2025.
UTTARAKHAND Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027: October 2026 deadline for major works
- Infrastructure projects worth about ₹235 crore launched for the mela.
- Centre allocated 8,029 MT additional foodgrain (wheat & rice) quota.
- Major works deadline set for October 2026, ahead of the 2027 mela.
- Focus on crowd management, sanitation, ghats and connectivity.
POLITY Uttarakhand deepens Uniform Civil Code (UCC) implementation
- Uttarakhand UCC came into force on 27 January 2025.
- Covers marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships.
- Mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships.
- Excludes Scheduled Tribes from its ambit (Art. 342 protection).
- Rests on Article 44 (Directive Principle) of the Constitution.
ENVIRONMENT Gross Environment Product (GEP): Uttarakhand's ‘green GDP’ model
- GEP values four ecosystem services: air, water, soil and forest.
- Concept championed by environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi.
- Complements GDP by pricing ecological health, not just output.
- Supports payment-for-ecosystem-services and green-bonus demands.
ECONOMY PM to dedicate Western Dedicated Freight Corridor sections
- Three WDFC sections worth over ₹35,000 crore dedicated.
- DFCs separate freight from passenger rail traffic for efficiency.
- Cuts logistics cost & transit time; boosts Make in India exports.
- India has Western and Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors.
DEFENCE Defence Acquisition Council clears buys worth ₹1.10 lakh crore
- Clearances worth about ₹1.10 lakh crore across all three services.
- Includes CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, radars, advanced light helicopters.
- Also marine gas turbines, bridge systems and mechanical mine layers.
- CBRN = Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear.
IR India to host 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi; dates 12–13 September 2026.
- Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
- BRICS was founded in 2009 (BRIC); South Africa joined in 2010.
- Recent expansion added new members, boosting Global South voice.
ECONOMY RBI holds repo at 5.25%; Q1 FY27 GDP grows 7.8%
- Repo rate 5.25%; SDF 5.00%; MSF 5.50% — stance neutral.
- Q1 FY27 GDP growth at 7.8%; FY26 growth projected 7.4%.
- RBI ran a ₹6 lakh crore VRRR auction to absorb surplus liquidity.
- MPC is a 6-member body chaired by the RBI Governor.
IR Rajnath Singh visits Sri Lanka to deepen maritime security ties
- Visit dates: 8–10 September 2026.
- Focus on defence cooperation and maritime security.
- Reflects Neighbourhood First and SAGAR vision in the IOR.
- Sri Lanka is a key partner astride vital Indian Ocean sea lanes.
9 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand launches Mukhyamantri Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana for free exam coaching
- Covers UPSC, State PSCs, CDS, banking, railways, SSC and higher tests (CAT, GATE, NET, CSIR-NET).
- Beneficiaries: university and government/aided college students, especially in remote and hilly areas.
- Aim: end the need to travel to big cities for coaching — bridges the rural-urban access gap.
- Budget 2026-27 earmarked ₹10 crore for the scheme.
UTTARAKHAND Dhami government transfers ₹147 crore social-security pension to 9.9 lakh beneficiaries
- Schemes: old-age, widow, disability, farmer, deserted-women pensions, plus Teelu Rauteli & dwarf pensions.
- ₹140.11 crore from state funds + ₹6.94 crore central share; 2,14,711 covered under NSAP.
- 5,605 new pensioners sanctioned in August (3,945 old-age, 1,000 widow).
POLITY Uttarakhand High Court clears path to shift seat from Nainital to Haldwani
- New complex planned at Gaulapar, Haldwani citing space limits and ecological load on Nainital.
- Shifting a High Court seat involves a Presidential process under the Arts. 214-231 framework.
- Uttarakhand HC was established in 2000 on the state's creation.
POLITY Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code enforcement continues under 2026 amendment
- Mandatory registration of marriage, divorce and live-in relationships; equal inheritance rights.
- The state's Scheduled Tribes are kept outside the UCC's ambit.
- Rooted in Article 44 directing the State towards a uniform civil code.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 crosses 11 lakh pilgrims; crowd management under strain
- Kedarnath most-visited — 4.5 lakh darshan in 20 days; Sonprayag saw major jams.
- Four shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath.
- Biometric registration and weather alerts used for crowd regulation.
ENVIRONMENT Gross Environment Product (GEP): Uttarakhand's green-GDP measure in focus
- GEP measures ecosystem services — a 'green GDP' complementing economic output.
- Four components assessed: air, water, soil and forest.
- Strengthens the state's claim for a larger green bonus / ecological compensation.
ENVIRONMENT Himalayan disaster management in focus as GLOF risk window is flagged
- State agency USDMA coordinates warning; SDRF leads hill rescue.
- Uttarakhand lies largely in high seismic zones IV-V.
- Glacial-lake mapping and Doppler radar are strengthening early warning.
IR New Delhi to host the 18th BRICS Summit on 12-13 September 2026
- 11-member BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia.
- India's 4th chairship (2012, 2016, 2021, 2026); the grouping marks its 20th anniversary.
- 350+ meetings across 25+ cities held during the chairship year.
POLITY Supreme Court: no teacher appointment without prescribed qualifications
- The issue arose in a PIL on provincialisation of schools.
- The bench invoked Articles 14, 16, 21A and 254.
- Reinforces quality norms underpinning the Right to Education.
ECONOMY RBI holds repo rate at 5.25%, raises FY27 growth forecast to 6.7%
- The MPC voted unanimously to pause, citing global and geopolitical uncertainty.
- Quarterly GDP path: Q1 7.0%, Q2 6.4%, Q3 6.5%, Q4 6.8%.
- Inflation target band: 4% (+/-2%) under flexible inflation targeting.
DEFENCE Rajnath Singh's Sri Lanka visit boosts maritime-security ties in the IOR
- Advances 'Neighbourhood First' and the SAGAR vision in the Indian Ocean Region.
- The same week saw the first commander-level India-China flag meeting (6-7 Sept) on the eastern LAC.
SOCIETY Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 launched to strengthen Anganwadi nutrition
- Month-long drive to strengthen Anganwadi centres and community nutrition.
- Anchored in Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission).
- Targets malnutrition, anaemia and early-childhood care.
10 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand launches Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana — free exam coaching for youth
- Free online coaching from home for UPSC/PSC, SSC, banking, railways, CDS defence and CAT/GATE/NET aspirants.
- Phase 1 covers 11,000 students in state universities and govt/aided colleges.
- Targets remote, hilly and financially weaker students to bridge the coaching-access gap.
- Fits the Budget's Yuva (youth) focus under the GYAN model.
ENVIRONMENT Heavy-rain alert for five hill districts; disaster machinery on watch
- Districts on alert: Dehradun, Tehri, Nainital, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh.
- Thunderstorm and strong-wind warning for all districts through Sep 14.
- Monsoon hazards: landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts and road blockages on hill routes.
- The Char Dham Yatra can be halted or re-routed during severe spells.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 sees record rush — 37 lakh+ pilgrims in 61 days
- Char Dham = Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath; Kedarnath tops preference.
- 37 lakh+ pilgrims in 61 days signals strong post-pandemic religious-tourism demand.
- Online registration is mandatory for crowd and safety management.
- Tourism is a mainstay of the hill economy and employment.
POLITY UCC faces a fresh legal challenge in the Nainital High Court
- Uttarakhand is the first state to implement a UCC (in force from 27 Jan 2025; an Amendment Ordinance 2026 added rules).
- PILs argue the law violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 and privacy.
- UCC covers marriage, divorce, succession and live-in registration; Scheduled Tribes are excluded.
- Article 44 (DPSP) urges a Uniform Civil Code for citizens.
ENVIRONMENT Green accounting: Uttarakhand's Gross Environment Product back in focus
- Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to launch a GEP (Green GDP) index.
- GEP values four ecological services: air, water, soil and forest.
- It aims to quantify nature's contribution alongside GSDP growth.
- It complements protected areas: Corbett, Rajaji, Nanda Devi, Valley of Flowers, Gangotri.
POLITY Centre proposes special 'Article 371(K)' safeguards for Ladakh
- A proposed 'Article 371(K)' would offer special protections and a possible legislative body for Ladakh.
- Ladakh became a UT without legislature after Article 370 was read down in 2019.
- Demands include Sixth Schedule status, statehood and job/land safeguards.
- Article 371 already gives special provisions to states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim.
ECONOMY Cabinet clears 8 railway multitracking projects worth ₹20,804 crore
- Total outlay ₹20,804 crore, spread over nine states.
- Multitracking adds parallel lines to decongest busy routes.
- Supports PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy.
- Aims to raise rail's freight share and lower emissions.
DEFENCE India's defence push: DRDO's SHIELD directed-energy programme and joint drills
- SHIELD = programme to test high-power microwave & directed-energy (anti-drone) tech.
- 22nd India–US 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise runs Sep 9–28.
- India–Japan 'Veer Guardian 2026' air exercise at Jodhpur (Tejas, Su-30, Rafale vs F-2A).
- The Army's AASHVAST Lab will detect Chinese components in drones.
ENVIRONMENT PM-KUSUM 2.0 with an agrivoltaics component on the anvil
- PM-KUSUM (2019) promotes solar pumps and grid-connected solar for farmers.
- Phase 2 to add agrivoltaics — crops + solar panels together.
- Boosts farmer income, energy security and clean-energy targets.
- Supports India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity goal by 2030.
11 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Dhami Cabinet clears 10 proposals; medical interns' stipend raised to ₹25,000
- Medical interns' stipend raised from ₹17,000 to ₹25,000 across 5 government medical colleges.
- 245 jobs for national/international sports medalists + 33 Assistant Physical Education posts.
- 15 acres near Salepur allotted for an ESI Hospital.
- Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to run 17 Sep–17 Oct 2026 (plantation & cleanliness).
- Govt advocates' fees revised; Prison Service & Legal Metrology rules amended.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 crosses 50 lakh pilgrims; second phase opens 15 September
- Four dhams: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath (portals opened Apr 2026).
- 50 lakh+ pilgrims by 10 Sep vs 51 lakh in the whole of the previous year.
- Officials project a record ~60 lakh by the season's end in November.
- Landslide-prone stretches flagged on Rishikesh–Badrinath and Kedarnath routes.
ENVIRONMENT Monsoon disaster management back in focus as Himalayan hazards mount
- Recurring hazards: cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, GLOF, earthquakes, forest fires.
- State response led by the USDMA with SDRF; central support via NDRF/NDMA.
- Uttarakhand falls largely in seismic Zone IV and V — India's highest risk band.
- GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) risk rises as Himalayan glaciers retreat.
UTTARAKHAND 'Mukhyamantri Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Yojana' pitched as youth-empowerment engine
- Targets skilling, self-employment and jobs for the state's youth.
- Aligns with the fight against palayan (out-migration) from hill districts.
- Complements sports-quota jobs and the state's start-up/homestay push.
POLITY Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code stays in national spotlight
- UCC unifies rules on marriage, divorce, succession and mandates live-in registration.
- Enacted under the Uttarakhand UCC Act, 2024; rules notified in 2025.
- Rooted in Article 44 (Directive Principles) urging a common civil code.
- Scheduled Tribes are kept outside the Code's ambit.
SCI-TECH IIT Roorkee to host 'Physical AI Lab' for industrial autonomy
- Lab to work on Physical AI — AI that senses and acts in the real world (robotics, autonomy).
- IIT Roorkee is among India's oldest technical institutions (est. 1847).
- Strengthens Uttarakhand's positioning as a research & innovation hub.
DEFENCE Defence Acquisition Council clears ₹1.10 lakh crore in acquisitions
- Approvals include CBRN vehicles, helicopters, radars and fighter-jet upgrades.
- DAC is the apex body headed by the Defence Minister.
- Advances the Atmanirbhar Bharat push for indigenous defence manufacturing.
HEALTH 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah observed through September under POSHAN 2.0
- Theme centres on “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari” and dietary diversity.
- Focus indicators: stunting, wasting, anaemia (tracked via NFHS).
- Marks 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
- Delivered through the Anganwadi network under the ICDS umbrella.
ECONOMY Western Dedicated Freight Corridor sections dedicated; ₹20,804-crore rail push cleared
- WDFC sections worth about ₹20,700 crore dedicated; part financed with JICA support.
- Cabinet cleared 8 rail multitracking projects worth ₹20,804 crore across 9 states.
- DFCs are run by DFCCIL, a PSU under the Ministry of Railways.
- Lower logistics cost boosts PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy goals.
SCI-TECH ISRO eyes first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in 2026
- Gaganyaan is India's maiden human-spaceflight programme.
- Recent success: GSLV-F17 launched the EOS-05 Earth-observation satellite.
- Manifest includes the NVS-03 navigation satellite and further FY2026 missions.
IR Four new Indian sites added to UNESCO Tentative List
- New entries include the Rangpur–Sivasagar ensemble (Assam) and Shekhawati haveli towns.
- India's inscribed tally stands at 73 sites (53 cultural, 3 mixed, 17 natural).
- Tentative-list entry is a mandatory first step before formal nomination.
12 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra crosses 50 lakh; second phase from Sep 15
- The four dhams are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
- Gates opened Apr 19 (Gangotri/Yamunotri), Apr 22 (Kedarnath), Apr 23 (Badrinath); yatra runs to November.
- Last year 51 lakh pilgrims completed the yatra — 2026 is on course for a record.
- Landslide-prone stretches persist near Kameda, Parthadeep, Maithana and Hathi Pahad.
UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand to prepare disaster-management plans for all schools
- Plans cover earthquakes, landslides, floods, flash floods, cloudbursts, avalanches and fires.
- Each school gets risk assessment, evacuation routes, safe assembly points, first-aid and rescue kits.
- Student-led teams (warning, evacuation, first aid, fire, search-and-rescue) with adult supervision.
- A joint committee of the Education Dept and USDMA will oversee implementation.
POLITY 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' launched (Sep 17 - Oct 17)
- Four pillars: service, public participation, dialogue and innovation.
- Focus on saturation of welfare schemes and grievance redressal at the grassroots.
- Departments to run camps and outreach across districts through the month.
ENVIRONMENT Himalaya Diwas observed to protect the mountain ecology
- Himalaya Diwas is marked every year on September 9.
- The theme underlines conservation of glaciers, forests and springs.
- Uttarakhand ties it to its Gross Environment Product (GEP) green-accounting push.
POLITY UCC implementation deepens with 2026 amendment
- UCC applies uniform rules on marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships (tribal communities exempt).
- Registration is done through the official UCC portal for residents.
- The amendment eased and clarified registration procedures and timelines.
DEFENCE Yudh Abhyas 2026: India-US drill at Auli and Bikaner
- Yudh Abhyas is the annual India-United States army exercise.
- It is conducted under the 'Operation Pathways' framework.
- Auli (Chamoli district) offers ideal high-altitude, mountain-warfare terrain.
IR 18th BRICS Summit opens in New Delhi under India's chair
- BRICS has expanded to 11 member economies after recent enlargement.
- Original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
- The first BRICS summit was held in 2009 at Yekaterinburg, Russia.
- India's priorities centre on the Global South and reform of multilateral institutions.
POLITY DILRMP 3.0 launched with 14-digit 'Bhu-Aadhaar'
- DILRMP = Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme.
- Budget of Rs 565.50 crore for the period 2026-2031.
- Creates GIS-based integrated digital land records across states.
- Bhu-Aadhaar = ULPIN, a unique land parcel identification number.
HEALTH Supreme Court pushes FSSAI on front-of-pack warning labels
- FoPL would put red 'hexagon' warnings on high salt, sugar and fat foods.
- FSSAI = Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
- Aim: help consumers make informed, healthier choices against lifestyle disease.
SCI-TECH ISRO clears CE20 cryogenic engine test at 220 kN
- The CE20 is a home-grown cryogenic upper-stage engine.
- It powers the LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III) rocket.
- Test held at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu).
ECONOMY NSO releases first-ever district-level ASUSE data
- ASUSE = Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.
- Women made up at least one-third of the workforce in 237 districts.
- Top districts concentrate enterprises in Gujarat, Telangana, UP and West Bengal.
15 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Amit Shah chairs 6-state meeting to revive Kishau Multipurpose Project
- Built on the Tons river, the largest tributary of the Yamuna, on the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border.
- Six states: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.
- Centre to bear 90% of the water-component cost; the six states share the remaining 10%.
- Purposes: irrigation, hydro-power, drinking water and Yamuna rejuvenation.
- An MoU for implementation was agreed and is to go before the Union Cabinet.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 enters disaster-resilient second phase
- The four shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
- Over 50.6 lakh pilgrims have completed the yatra; 64 lakh+ registrations so far.
- Current daily footfall of 13,000–14,000; helicopter services resumed 15 September.
- Heavy monsoon rain killed about 129 pilgrims/people during this year's season.
- Landslide-monitoring systems deployed on vulnerable stretches; bottlenecks cleared.
UTTARAKHAND Revised Homestay Scheme bets on community tourism to curb 'palayan'
- New Community-Based Tourism Units group 8–10 homestays across clusters of 3–6 villages.
- Room cap raised from 6 to 8; beds capped at 24; validity 5 years with online renewal.
- A new BnB category added for both rural and urban areas.
- Over 5,000 homestays registered; about 1,500 owners aided since the 2015 launch.
- Aim: local self-employment so residents 'do not migrate to cities' — tackling palayan.
POLITY UCC in Uttarakhand: online marriage registrations cross 4.7 lakh
- UCC took effect on 27 January 2025; the UCC Amendment Ordinance, 2026 further eased rules.
- Over 4.7 lakh marriages registered online in about a year.
- Covers marriage, divorce, succession and mandatory live-in relationship registration.
- Draws constitutional backing from Article 44 (DPSP) on a uniform civil code.
- Tribal communities under Schedule protections are exempted.
ENVIRONMENT Uttarakhand's Gross Environment Product (GEP) — valuing nature
- GEP measures the economic value of ecosystem services — much like GDP does for the economy.
- Launched in Uttarakhand in 2024; assessed across air, water, soil and forest.
- Aligns with the state's push on green growth and payment for ecosystem services.
- Reinforces Uttarakhand's role as a water tower and carbon sink for the plains.
- Supports arguments for larger green bonus / GST-type compensation to Himalayan states.
IR India hosts the expanded 11-member BRICS Summit in New Delhi
- BRICS now has 11 core members including India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, plus Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
- Around 10 partner countries engage in the wider framework.
- Agenda: cross-border payments, local-currency trade, AI, MSMEs and climate resilience.
- India's theme stressed 'Humanity First' and reform of multilateral institutions.
- Signals a stronger Global South voice in world economic governance.
ECONOMY Retail inflation quickens to 4.82% in August 2026
- CPI headline: 4.82% (Aug) vs 4.45% (Jul).
- Food inflation climbed to 5.95%; onion inflation jumped to 48.27% YoY.
- RBI's flexible-inflation-targeting band is 4% ±2% (i.e. 2–6%).
- The next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets on 5–7 October 2026.
- Elevated prices may delay any further repo-rate cut.
SCI-TECH Bengaluru Space Expo 2026 showcases India's private-space push
- India's rockets have now carried 430+ satellites for 34 nations, a point PM Modi hailed at a Paris space summit.
- Focus on private-sector participation, satellites and launch-vehicle manufacturing.
- IN-SPACe and NSIL anchor commercialisation of the space sector.
- Aligns with the goal of expanding India's share of the global space economy.
- Builds on missions like Chandrayaan and Aditya-L1.
ECONOMY No bank charge on UPI up to Rs 2,000; Aadhaar deepens welfare delivery
- UPI person-to-merchant payments up to Rs 2,000 carry no MDR/charge for users.
- UPI is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- Aadhaar (issued by UIDAI) underpins Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Expansion raises fresh privacy and consent questions in digital governance.
- Digital rails have made India a global leader in real-time payments.
16 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand launches month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'
- Runs 17 Sep – 17 Oct 2026; spans 11 flagship programmes.
- Anchored to the 'Viksit Bharat @2047' vision.
- 'Seva Setu' camps deliver Central + State scheme benefits at the doorstep.
- 'Seva First Innovation Challenge' ties in IITs and IIMs.
- Focus on women, youth and rural participation.
UTTARAKHAND Dhami Cabinet clears health, sports & land proposals
- Stipend hiked for MBBS & PG intern doctors.
- New 3-year compulsory hill-service bond for govt medical-college MBBS graduates before PG.
- 283 posts across departments reserved for athletes under Sports Policy 2021.
- 15 acres near Haridwar allotted for an ESI hospital.
- 972 sq yd GMVN land transferred to the Garhwal Sabha.
POLITY UCC: near-100% online marriage registration milestone
- Uttarakhand = first state to enforce a UCC (27 Jan 2025).
- Amendment Ordinance 2026 notified 27 Jan 2026 under Art. 213.
- Nearly 100% of marriages now registered online.
- 4,74,447 marriages registered by 19 Jan 2026; certificate in ~5 days.
- Aligns penal procedure with the new criminal codes (BNS/BNSS).
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 crosses 19.80 lakh pilgrims
- 19,80,437 pilgrims in the first 34 days (from 19 Apr 2026).
- Kedarnath highest at 7.82 lakh; Badrinath 5.24 lakh.
- Yamunotri 3.40 lakh, Gangotri 3.34 lakh.
- Single-day peak 89,079 devotees (23 May 2026).
- SDRF/NDRF on alert; online registration mandatory.
ENVIRONMENT Himalayan disaster preparedness in focus this monsoon
- Key hazards: cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, GLOF, earthquakes (Seismic Zone IV–V).
- GLOF = Glacial Lake Outburst Flood — sudden release from a moraine-dammed lake.
- USDMA/SDMA is the state nodal body; SDRF the state force.
- Follows the DM cycle: mitigation → preparedness → response → recovery.
- Early warning + hazard mapping are core mitigation tools.
ENVIRONMENT Uttarakhand's Gross Environment Product (GEP) model
- Uttarakhand = first state (2024) to launch a GEP index.
- Measures the value of air, water, forest and soil.
- Complements economic output with ecological value.
- Feeds payment-for-ecosystem-services thinking for hill states.
- Strengthens the state's Green Bonus demand.
IR India chairs 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
- New Delhi Declaration adopted by consensus.
- Expanded bloc includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE with the founders.
- Focus on governance reform & economic cooperation.
- Bharat Mandapam also hosted the 2023 G20 Summit.
- BRICS' bank is the New Development Bank (NDB), HQ Shanghai.
ECONOMY RBI holds repo at 5.25%, lifts FY27 growth view
- Repo rate: 5.25% (unchanged); stance neutral.
- FY27 GDP growth projection raised to 6.7%.
- SDF 5.00%, MSF/Bank Rate 5.50%.
- MPC = 6 members (3 RBI + 3 external); majority vote.
- Inflation target: 4% (±2%) under flexible inflation targeting.
SCI-TECH ISRO launches GISAT-1A (EOS-05) on GSLV
- A geostationary Earth-observation satellite.
- Launched by GSLV (cryogenic upper stage).
- Aids disaster monitoring, agriculture & forestry.
- Replaces GISAT-1, lost in a 2021 failure.
- Enables near-real-time imaging of a fixed region.
DEFENCE India in Ex Veer Guardian-2026 & Yudh Abhyas
- Veer Guardian-2026 (India–Japan air) at Jodhpur, 9–22 Sep 2026.
- IAF flew Tejas, Su-30 MKI, Rafale; Japan F-2A.
- Yudh Abhyas 2026 (India–US army) held near the LAC.
- First deployment of the US MLIDS counter-drone system.
- Yudh Abhyas began in 2004.
SOCIETY India win 8th Women's T20 Asia Cup; Asian Games open
- India won the Women's T20 Asia Cup — a record 8th title (Dubai, 13 Sep).
- Shafali Verma hit the tournament's fastest fifty (24 balls).
- 2026 Asian Games: Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, 19 Sep–4 Oct.
- India's contingent: 508 athletes across 37 sports.
- 16 September = World Ozone Day (Montreal Protocol, 1987).
17 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND CM Dhami launches month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'
- Runs 17 September to 17 October 2026 across all 13 districts.
- 11 major programmes planned around service, participation, dialogue and innovation.
- Targets students, youth, women, beneficiaries and public representatives.
- Aim: showcase scheme benefits and real-life beneficiary impact stories.
POLITY Nainital High Court raps state on encroachment, teacher transfers
- Court sought a clear status report on drain encroachment removal.
- Directed the Education Director to respond on teacher transfer grievances.
- Nainital is the seat of the Uttarakhand High Court (est. 2000).
- Reflects growing use of judicial oversight over hill-town civic issues.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 crosses 50 lakh pilgrims as phase-2 begins
- Gangotri & Yamunotri opened 19 Apr; Kedarnath 22 Apr; Badrinath 23 Apr.
- Yatra routes kept operational; repairs on in landslide-hit stretches.
- Traffic surge and congestion expected in vulnerable zones post-Sep 15.
- Char Dham lies in the eco-sensitive Higher Himalaya, prone to GLOF/landslides.
POLITY UCC Uttarakhand: 4.7 lakh+ marriages registered online
- First state in independent India to enforce a Uniform Civil Code.
- Online portal enables marriage, divorce, live-in & will registration.
- UCC Amendment 2026 eased documentation and live-in registration rules.
- UCC flows from Article 44 — a Directive Principle of State Policy.
ECONOMY Homestay scheme offers up to ₹15 lakh to curb hill 'palayan'
- Incentives support construction & upgrade of village homestays.
- Aim: jobs, rural revival and reverse migration in hill districts.
- Complements Uttarakhand's push for year-round, off-season tourism.
- Migration ('palayan') has emptied many 'ghost villages' in the hills.
ENVIRONMENT Uttarakhand runs India's first Gross Environment Product (GEP)
- GEP values four components: air, water, forest and soil.
- First-of-its-kind environmental valuation by any Indian state.
- Links ecology with economy for evidence-based green policy.
- Reinforces Uttarakhand's identity as a Himalayan ecological state.
ECONOMY Cabinet raises EPFO wage ceiling to ₹25,000
- Ceiling hiked ₹15,000 → ₹25,000; last revised in 2014.
- Set to cover an extra ~51 lakh employees under EPF/EPS.
- Estimated annual cost to government: about ₹11,339 crore.
- Widens formal-sector social security and pension base.
REPORT State of India's Environment 2026 report released
- Tracks air & water pollution, forest cover and climate trends.
- Flags rising extreme weather and Himalayan disaster risk.
- A widely-cited data compendium for policy and exams.
- Complements the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) debate.
POLITY Mining amendment reignites fiscal-federalism debate
- 2024 SC verdict affirmed states can tax mineral-bearing land.
- Amendment may cap levies via Entry 50, List II limits.
- Mineral-rich states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand most affected.
- Touches core of Union vs. State financial autonomy.
IR India lodges protest after Pakistan warship collision at sea
- Incident occurred in the North Arabian Sea; only minor damage, no casualties.
- India cited breach of a 1991 bilateral military agreement clause.
- Both sides lodged counter-protests through diplomatic channels.
- Highlights need for stronger maritime confidence-building measures.
18 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand launches month-long 'Seva Sankalp' service campaign
- 11 flagship programmes, including Seva Setu doorstep scheme camps and Aashirwad Ka Diya.
- The Seva First Innovation Challenge uses IIT/IIM experts as jury and mentors.
- Guiding theme: 'Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Jan-Jan Ke Dwar' (government at the citizen's doorstep).
- Targets students, women, youth, beneficiaries and elected representatives.
POLITY Uttarakhand HC pulls up Nainital admin over 'epidemic-like' water crisis
- 2 deaths and 250+ people fell ill across villages such as Jeolikote, Chhina and Sariyatal.
- Peyjal Nigam told to fast-track a Kumaon water-testing lab; the pollution board to sample 20-25 sources in 6 days.
- The DM must ensure tanker supply of potable water; ₹4 lakh released for ELISA tests.
ENVIRONMENT Expert teams study 5 high-risk glacial lakes amid GLOF fears
- 5 critical lakes: Vasudhara (Chamoli), a Dharchula cluster and a Joshimath lake.
- The state has 450 glacial lakes; 13 are Category-A (maximum risk).
- Teams from the Wadia Institute, CWC and C-DAC assess natural dams and downstream risk.
UTTARAKHAND Haridwar gears up for Kumbh 2027; financial powers delegated
- The Mela Officer can sanction works up to ₹1 crore; the Garhwal Commissioner up to ₹5 crore.
- 250 new State Transport buses were approved to boost Kumbh-period mobility.
- Focus areas: crowd management, sanitation and riverfront (ghat) safety.
ENVIRONMENT Gross Environment Product: Uttarakhand's green-accounting model in focus
- GEP values four resources - air, water, soil and forests - as an ecological balance-sheet.
- It complements GDP by pricing ecosystem services, a form of 'green GDP'.
- It supports payment-for-ecosystem-services and eco-sensitive-zone planning.
IR India chairs the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
- Modi-Xi: reaffirmed that 'differences must not become disputes' and stressed border peace.
- Modi-Putin: cooperation on defence, energy and space; India invited to the annual summit in Russia.
- The New Delhi Declaration urged restraint on West Asia and humanitarian access to Gaza.
SCI-TECH ISRO launches EOS-05, its first dedicated GEO imaging satellite
- At 2,367 kg, it is the heaviest payload ever flown by a GSLV.
- It operates near 36,000 km for continuous observation of the same region.
- It aids cyclone, flood and forest-fire tracking and disaster response, with a 7+ year life.
SCI-TECH ESA and ISRO deepen ties on Gaganyaan, Moon and Venus
- ESA will provide ground-station support for Gaganyaan (3 crew, 400 km orbit, 3-day mission).
- The Venus Orbiter Mission is set for March 2028, costs ₹1,236 crore and carries 19 payloads.
- Cooperation extends to the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station and lunar exploration.
REPORT India ranks 131st on the Global Gender Gap Index 2026
- India retained its 131st rank; gaps persist in economic participation and health.
- Iceland remains No. 1, as it has for well over a decade.
- The index scores four sub-indices: economy, education, health and political empowerment.
ECONOMY RBI holds the repo rate at 5.5% with a neutral stance
- Repo rate: 5.5%; policy stance: neutral.
- GDP growth is projected at around 6.8% for the year.
- The inflation-targeting band remains 4% (+/- 2%).
19 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND CM Yuva Vidyarthi Manthan-2026: DBT scheme to fund tablets for govt-school students
- Event: CM Yuva Vidyarthi Manthan-2026, held in Dehradun on 18 September 2026.
- New DBT scheme to fund tablets for Class 10 & 12 government-school students.
- CM coined “In-G” (Indian Generation) for today's youth in place of “Gen Z”.
- 140 student competition winners felicitated; ideas spanned tourism, ecology & migration.
- Framed within India's Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand certified India's sixth fully literate state under ULLAS
- Scheme: ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme).
- Full-literacy bar: 95% adult literacy among those aged 15+.
- Uttarakhand is the 6th fully literate state.
- Earlier certified: Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim.
- Ladakh was the first UT so certified.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 crosses 50 lakh registrations; autumn phase resumes
- Registrations in 2026 crossed 50 lakh (5 million).
- Four shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath.
- Registration is free; Aadhaar mandatory, with QR-code e-pass verification.
- Extra counters: 30 in Rishikesh, 20 in Haridwar; daily darshan caps enforced.
- “Yatrimitras” posted at checkpoints for QR scanning.
UTTARAKHAND Revised Homestay policy adds Community-Based Tourism to curb palayan
- Scheme: Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Homestay (from 2015), now revised.
- New Community-Based Tourism Unit: 8–10 homestays across 1–6 villages.
- Room cap raised from 6 to 8 rooms; up to 24 beds per property.
- Over 5,000 active homestays operate statewide.
- Aimed at reverse migration (palayan roktham) and hill self-employment.
POLITY Uniform Civil Code: Uttarakhand model to expand across NDA states
- UCC targeted for 21 NDA-ruled states by 2029.
- Uttarakhand operational since 2025; Amendment Ordinance 2026 in force.
- Basis: Article 44 (non-justiciable Directive Principle).
- Covers marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationship registration.
- Enacted UCCs exempt Scheduled Tribes.
ENVIRONMENT Gross Environment Product: Uttarakhand's green-GDP model in focus
- GEP = value of ecosystem services, alongside conventional GDP.
- Uttarakhand is India's first state to adopt GEP.
- Four components: air (GAP), water (GWP), soil (GSP), forest (GFP).
- Recognises the Himalayas as a water tower and carbon sink.
- Supports demand for green bonus / GST-style ecological compensation.
REPORT NITI Aayog's India Electric Mobility Index 2025: Delhi tops the states
- Released by NITI Aayog with WRI India.
- Top scorers: Delhi (84), Maharashtra (78), Karnataka (73).
- Manipur (46) leads the hilly / north-eastern category.
- 29 of 36 states & UTs have notified EV policies.
- Madhya Pradesh is the biggest gainer (+16 ranks).
ECONOMY MDR returns to high-value UPI payments from 15 October 2026
- MDR of 0.4% on person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions above ₹2,000.
- Fee capped at ₹300 for transactions of ₹75,000+.
- Essential sectors (railways, telecom, fuel): flat ₹5 per transaction.
- 97.5% of UPI transactions remain free; only 2.5% high-value P2M affected.
- App share: PhonePe ~46%, Google Pay ~32%.
ECONOMY Western Dedicated Freight Corridor goes fully operational
- WDFC: 1,506 km (Dadri to JNPT); with EDFC 1,337 km = 2,843 km total.
- Daily trains rose from 247 (2023-24) to 443 (Aug 2026); WDFC at 88% capacity.
- India's logistics cost: ~7.97% of GDP (2023-24).
- Freight cost per tonne-km: ₹1.96 rail vs ₹11.03 road.
- Aligned with PM GatiShakti and Sagarmala.
IR US House bill threatens up to 100% tariff on India over Russian oil
- Bill authorises tariffs of up to 100% on India over Russian oil imports.
- Targets Russia's “shadow fleet” of ageing, opaquely-owned tankers.
- Shadow fleet moves sanctioned oil outside price-cap arrangements.
- Tests India's strategic autonomy and energy-security calculus.
- Comes amid wider India-US trade-deal negotiations.
HEALTH Stem-cell therapy for autism restricted to approved trials only
- Advisory (16 Sept): stem-cell therapy for ASD only within approved trials.
- Triggered by a Supreme Court judgment (30 Jan 2026).
- Basis: National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017 (ICMR & DBT).
- ICMR: evidence does not support stem-cell therapy over behavioural therapies for ASD.
- Aims to curb unproven, costly treatments.
DEFENCE Sanjukta Parasor becomes first woman IG of CRPF's CoBRA
- First woman IG of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action).
- 2006-batch IPS, Assam-Meghalaya cadre; the “Iron Lady of Assam”.
- CoBRA is a 10-battalion jungle-warfare unit raised in 2008.
- Specialises in anti-Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) operations.
- Marks growing women's leadership in central armed police forces.
20 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra enters historic second phase; CM prays at Badrinath
- 66,07,749 pilgrims registered for the 2026 Yatra; a record 50,56,160 visited in phase one (to 14 Sept)
- Shrine-wise phase-1 footfall: Badrinath 17.36 lakh, Kedarnath 14.98 lakh, Gangotri 7.89 lakh, Yamunotri 7.08 lakh, Hemkund Sahib 3.22 lakh
- Second phase focuses on smooth travel, CCTV-based crowd management and road repair
- Badrinath master plan progresses within the 6-month Himalayan construction window
UTTARAKHAND House of Himalayas drives women's products to global markets
- House of Himalayas — a common brand for women's products from all 13 districts
- Mukhyamantri Sashakt Behna Yojana converts SHGs into enterprises; Mukhyamantri Udyamshala builds skills
- Collateral-free loans to SHGs and interest-free loans to women entrepreneurs
- Retail centre coming up on Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun; products sold at airports, stations & online
DEFENCE 22nd India-US Yudh Abhyas 2026 opens at Auli
- 22nd edition; runs 15-28 September 2026
- Venues: Auli (Chamoli, Uttarakhand) for mountain warfare and Mahajan (Rajasthan) for desert terrain
- About 600 personnel each from the Indian and US armies participate
- Focus: Integrated Battle Groups, interoperability, drones and autonomous surveillance systems
ENVIRONMENT Expert teams intensify GLOF-risk study of Uttarakhand glacial lakes
- Uttarakhand has about 450 glacial lakes; 13 are classified sensitive, 5 taken up for ground study
- Category A (highest risk): Vasudhara Tal (Chamoli), and Mambag, Syuntiankitta & Pyungru (Dharchula)
- Agencies: USDMA, NDMA, CWC, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, C-DAC
- Study assesses natural dams, water levels and downstream GLOF risk
POLITY Uttarakhand HC calls Nainital water crisis 'epidemic-like'
- Division Bench termed the situation 'epidemic-like'; 2 deaths and over 250 people fell ill
- Affected villages include Jeolikote, Ganja, Virbhatti, Chhina, Beluakhan and Sariyatal
- Court ordered tanker water, a complaint helpline, and a water-testing lab for Kumaon
- Pollution board told to sample 20-25 water sources within 6 days
ENVIRONMENT Uttarakhand's Gross Environment Product: valuing nature
- Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to measure Gross Environment Product (GEP)
- GEP tracks four ecosystem services: air, water, soil and forest
- It complements GDP by valuing ecological health alongside economic output ('green GDP')
- Supports payments-for-ecosystem-services and eco-sensitive-zone planning
ECONOMY Cabinet raises EPFO wage ceiling to Rs 25,000
- Wage ceiling raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month - first revision since 2014
- About 51 lakh additional employees expected to come under coverage
- Estimated five-year expenditure: about Rs 56,696 crore
- Higher ceiling raises both PF savings and pension base for formal workers
ECONOMY Zero MDR notified for UPI and RuPay debit cards
- Zero MDR on UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 and on RuPay debit-card payments
- Notified under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
- Keeps small-merchant acceptance of digital payments free of transaction cost
- NPCI operates both UPI and RuPay
DEFENCE DAC clears Rs 1.10 lakh crore defence acquisitions
- Proposals worth about Rs 1.10 lakh crore cleared; 98% to be sourced from Indian industry
- Chaired by the Defence Minister; clearance is an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)
- Includes CBRN recce vehicles, high-mobility vehicles, Arudhra radars and marine gas turbines
- Aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat self-reliance push in defence
SCI-TECH SEMICON India 2026 showcases chip-making push
- Held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi (17-19 September 2026) with 600+ exhibitors
- Over 300 international firms participated
- 12 semiconductor projects approved; 3 units began commercial production
- Advances the India Semiconductor Mission for domestic chip fabrication
IR India deepens ties with MERCOSUR and Vietnam
- India-MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol enabling electronic Certificates of Origin
- MERCOSUR bloc: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay (South American customs union)
- India and Vietnam designated 2027 the 'Year of Friendship', marking 55 years of ties
- India-Vietnam set a USD 25 billion bilateral trade target by 2030
21 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026: phase-1 sets record, second phase underway
- Phase-1 footfall: 50.56 lakh pilgrims (as of 14 Sept); total registrations: 66.08 lakh.
- Shrine-wise: Badrinath 17.37 L, Kedarnath 14.99 L, Gangotri 7.90 L, Yamunotri 7.08 L, Hemkund Sahib 3.23 L.
- The four dhams: Yamunotri (Yamuna, Uttarkashi), Gangotri (Bhagirathi, Uttarkashi), Kedarnath (Mandakini, Rudraprayag), Badrinath (Alaknanda, Chamoli).
- Second phase began 15 September 2026; mandatory online registration continues for crowd control.
POLITY Uttarakhand HC clears path to shift from Nainital to Haldwani
- Bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit dismissed the challenge (early Sept 2026).
- Nainital cited for 'acute lack of space and inadequate infrastructure', high living costs and poor connectivity for litigants.
- Full court (19 June) approved shifting to ~73 hectares of forest land in the Tarai-Central Forest Division near Rudrapur.
- Site is ~10 km from the elephant corridor; forest de-reservation and statutory clearances still pending.
UTTARAKHAND Homestay policy powers 'reverse palayan' in the hills
- 537 beneficiaries received ₹79.28 crore subsidy over four years.
- Over 5,000 homestays now operate statewide; ~6,500 migrants returned, ~22% taking up homestays.
- Subsidy: 50% (max ₹15 lakh) in hills, 25% (max ₹7.5 lakh) in plains; only Uttarakhand natives eligible.
- A Trekking Traction Centre Homestay sub-scheme aided 258 applicants under 'My Plan, My Government'.
POLITY Uttarakhand UCC: first-mover reform completes rollout
- UCC came into force 27 January 2026; Uttarakhand is the first state to implement one post-Independence.
- Common rules on marriage, divorce, succession and inheritance; polygamy and halala barred; equal inheritance for daughters.
- Live-in relationships require mandatory registration; a dedicated UCC portal handles filings.
- Scheduled Tribes are exempted; rooted in Article 44 (DPSP) directive for a uniform civil code.
ENVIRONMENT Gross Environment Product: Uttarakhand values its nature
- Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP to value ecological wealth alongside economic output.
- GEP measures four services: air, water, soil and forest.
- Aligns with the state's push on eco-sensitive zones, green bonuses and Himalayan resilience.
- Complements Green GDP accounting and the demand for a Green Bonus for Himalayan states.
ECONOMY Retail inflation climbs to 4.82%, repo held at 5.25%
- CPI August 2026: 4.82%, up from 4.45% in July; food inflation 5.95%.
- Repo rate: 5.25% (neutral stance); positive real policy rate.
- Credit growth 19.1% vs deposit growth 17.8%; credit-deposit ratio 80.3%.
- GDP growth 7.8%; inflation stays within the RBI 4% (+/-2%) band.
IR US law authorises 100% tariff on buyers of Russian oil
- Law authorises 100% tariffs on importers of Russian oil, atop existing duties.
- US takes ~20% of India's goods exports; Russia supplied 51%+ of India's oil imports (July 2026).
- Requires a written waiver justification to the US Congress.
- Sharpens India's energy-security vs market-access trade-off.
SCI-TECH Semiconductor Mission Phase 2: ₹1.27 lakh crore push
- Government commitment: ₹1.27 lakh crore under Phase 2; ~₹1 lakh crore investor interest received.
- Widens scope to design, fabrication, equipment and materials (from assembly/testing).
- Five-year goal: chips for automobiles, power systems and appliances.
- Advances Atmanirbhar Bharat and cuts import dependence in electronics.
REPORT NITI Aayog Electric Mobility Index 2025: Delhi tops
- Delhi 1st (score 84, up from 77); Maharashtra 2nd (78), Karnataka 3rd (73).
- Covers 36 states/UTs across 16 indicators.
- Signals accelerating EV adoption and charging-infra rollout.
- Feeds India's net-zero-by-2070 and clean-mobility goals.
SOCIETY EPFO wage ceiling raised to ₹25,000 a month
- Wage ceiling raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000/month, effective 17 September 2026.
- EPS pension contribution capped correspondingly (~₹2,080).
- Expands retirement-savings coverage for more formal workers.
- Administered by EPFO under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
ECONOMY GIFT City jumps to 37th in Global Financial Centres Index
- GIFT City rose to 37th (from 46th) in GFCI 40.
- New York topped, followed by London and Hong Kong.
- GIFT City hosts India's first IFSC, regulated by IFSCA.
- Boosts India's ambition as a global fintech and bullion gateway.
Prelims rapid-fire — 91 facts
| First state to implement a UCC → Uttarakhand (Act 2024) |
| SCO's newest official language → English |
| RBI repo rate → 5.25%; Governor → Sanjay Malhotra |
| India's first Gross Environment Product (Green GDP) → Uttarakhand |
| New GDP base year → 2022-23 (from 2011-12) |
| Teachers' Day honours → Dr S. Radhakrishnan (Bharat Ratna 1954) |
| Teelu Rauteli — legendary Garhwali woman warrior commemorated by a state pension/award. |
| GLOF stands for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, a key Himalayan hazard. |
| GEP (Gross Environment Product) — Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to adopt it. |
| Article 44 (DPSP) directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code. |
| Tax buoyancy > 1 means tax revenue grows faster than GDP. |
| AK-203 rifles are manufactured at Korwa, Amethi (UP) by the India-Russia JV IRRPL. |
| Winter Corbett-region tourism festivals promote off-season Kumaon tourism and 'Vocal for Local'. |
| The 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards was held in Chandigarh. |
| The National Biodiversity Authority crossed ₹200-crore cumulative Access & Benefit-Sharing disbursement. |
| India's U-20 men's football team qualified for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup after 20 years. |
| The IAF Sarang helicopter display team performed at the El Alamein Airshow, Egypt. |
| Tamil Nadu began Phase-3 underwater archaeology at Poompuhar. |
| International Literacy Day is observed on 8 September (UNESCO). |
| ISRO launched earth-observation satellite EOS-05 via GSLV on 4 Sep 2026. |
| PM-KISAN extended to 2030–31 with a ₹3.15 lakh crore outlay (₹6,000/yr). |
| Semicon India Programme 2.0 notified with a ₹1.27 lakh crore outlay. |
| Uttarakhand Cabinet: job security for 7,000+ UPNL staff; FY 2026–27 budget ₹1.11 lakh crore. |
| A Japanese agency upgraded India's sovereign rating to A- (from BBB+) on 2 Sep 2026. |
| Uttarakhand Budget 2026-27 size? ₹1.11 lakh crore (GYAN model). |
| First state to enforce a UCC? Uttarakhand (27 Jan 2025). |
| GEP values which four domains? Air, water, soil and forest. |
| Venue of the 18th BRICS Summit? Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. |
| RBI repo rate (Aug 2026)? 5.25%, neutral stance. |
| Poshan Maah 2026 theme? 'Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari'. |
| Sheetal Devi won compound gold at the World Archery Para Series (Ahmedabad); India finished 2nd overall. |
| Uttarakhand's GYAN model targets Gareeb, Yuva, Annadata, Nari. |
| PM-SETU approved ₹735.7 cr for 3 new ITI clusters (Bhiwadi, Medchal, Meerut). |
| New lichen species Buellia maharajensis found in Mathikettan Shola NP, Kerala. |
| Char Dham = Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath (Uttarakhand). |
| Dr Vinaya Prakash Singh re-elected APPU Secretary-General (2027–30). |
| GalaxEye (India) won a US patent for OptoSAR — fusing optical + SAR for all-weather imaging. |
| SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) is Uttarakhand's dedicated rescue unit for Himalayan disasters. |
| The Char Dham comprises Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. |
| Uttarakhand pioneered accounting for Gross Environment Product (GEP) alongside GSDP. |
| DFCCIL operates India's Dedicated Freight Corridors under the Ministry of Railways. |
| PMMVY completed 10 years in 2026; POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in 2018. |
| India's forex reserves are held largely as Foreign Currency Assets by the RBI. |
| Char Dham Yatra second phase begins Sep 15, 2026. |
| Himalaya Diwas is observed every year on September 9. |
| Bhu-Aadhaar is a 14-digit unique land parcel ID (ULPIN). |
| ISRO's CE20 cryogenic engine was tested at 220 kN thrust for LVM3. |
| The first BRICS Summit was held in 2009 at Yekaterinburg, Russia. |
| Uttarakhand was the first state to launch a Gross Environment Product (GEP) index (2024). |
| The Kishau Multipurpose Project is on the Tons river, largest tributary of the Yamuna. |
| Uttarakhand is India's first state to launch a Gross Environment Product (GEP) index (2024). |
| The Char Dham: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. |
| August 2026 CPI inflation = 4.82%; RBI target 4% (±2%). |
| India hosted the 11-member BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. |
| Uttarakhand's UCC took effect on 27 Jan 2025; online marriage registrations crossed 4.7 lakh. |
| Seismic zones covering most of Uttarakhand: Zone IV & V. |
| Char Dham by 2026 footfall: Kedarnath > Badrinath > Yamunotri > Gangotri. |
| State bird / animal of Uttarakhand: Himalayan Monal / Alpine Musk Deer. |
| Repo rate (Aug 2026): 5.25%; SDF 5.00%, MSF 5.50%. |
| 18th BRICS Summit venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. |
| World Ozone Day: 16 September; treaty: Montreal Protocol (1987). |
| Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: runs 17 Sep–17 Oct 2026 in Uttarakhand. |
| Char Dham Yatra 2026: crossed 50 lakh pilgrims; target 60 lakh. |
| EPFO wage ceiling: raised to ₹25,000 (from ₹15,000), effective 17 Sep. |
| India Q1 FY27 GDP: 7.8%, above RBI's 7% forecast. |
| UCC Uttarakhand: first state to implement; 4.7 lakh+ marriages registered. |
| GEP: Uttarakhand launched India's first Gross Environment Product. |
| GSLV-F17 launched EOS-05 on 4 Sept 2026 - India's first GEO imaging satellite. |
| Venus Orbiter Mission: ₹1,236 crore, launch March 2028, 19 payloads. |
| Uttarakhand's GEP (air, water, soil, forests) was India's first green-GDP model. |
| The Kumbh Mela is on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list (2017). |
| Iceland tops the Global Gender Gap Index 2026; India is 131st. |
| RBI repo rate: 5.5%; inflation target 4% (+/- 2%). |
| ULLAS = Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme). |
| Uttarakhand's four Dhams: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. |
| GEP components: air (GAP), water (GWP), soil (GSP), forest (GFP). |
| UPI MDR of 0.4% applies on P2M above ₹2,000 from 15 Oct 2026. |
| WDFC runs Dadri → JNPT, length 1,506 km. |
| CoBRA (raised 2008) is the CRPF's jungle-warfare, anti-LWE force. |
| Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; India has fielded about 508 athletes. |
| Vasudhara Tal (Chamoli) is a Category-A GLOF-risk glacial lake in Uttarakhand. |
| House of Himalayas is the common brand for women's SHG products from all 13 UK districts. |
| The EPFO wage ceiling was raised to Rs 25,000 - the first revision since 2014. |
| Dhiraj Bommadevara became the first Indian male recurve archer to win the World Cup Final. |
| The 22nd Yudh Abhyas is held at Auli (Uttarakhand) and Mahajan (Rajasthan). |
| GOBARdhan: Compressed Biogas (CBG) priced at ₹2,110/MMBTU (₹98/kg), with ₹10/kg support for 10 years. |
| Karnataka gave Tulu additional official-language status in Dakshina Kannada & Udupi; ₹82 lakh/yr for translation. |
| NPCI: UPI transactions above ₹2,000 to attract 0.4% MDR from 15 Oct 2026; below ₹2,000 stay free. |
| Arthur M. Bueche Award 2026 went to Indian-American Sethuraman Panchanathan - a first for an Indian-origin scientist. |
| Registration of Births & Deaths (Amendment) Act 2026 effective 1 Oct 2026; digital birth certificate as single document. |
| Swachhata Hi Seva 2026: 17 Sept-2 Oct, theme 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat'. |
Data points of the period
₹1.11 lakh cr
Uttarakhand Budget 2026-27 (GYAN model)
Theme GYAN = Garib, Yuva, Annadata, Nari. Gender budget ₹19,692 cr; Kumbh infra ₹1,027 cr; food security ₹1,300 cr; road development ₹400 cr; tourism ₹100 cr.
Theme GYAN = Garib, Yuva, Annadata, Nari. Gender budget ₹19,692 cr; Kumbh infra ₹1,027 cr; food security ₹1,300 cr; road development ₹400 cr; tourism ₹100 cr.
₹147.05 crore / 9,91,914 beneficiaries
Data Point of the Day — Social Security Reach
Uttarakhand's single-day, one-click DBT pension release (Sep 2026): State share ₹140.11 cr + Centre share ₹6.94 cr, covering NSAP and eight state pension categories.
Uttarakhand's single-day, one-click DBT pension release (Sep 2026): State share ₹140.11 cr + Centre share ₹6.94 cr, covering NSAP and eight state pension categories.
₹1.11 lakh crore
Uttarakhand State Budget, FY 2026-27
Roughly a 10% increase over the previous fiscal; 28 cabinet proposals were cleared alongside — including an Advanced Apple Nursery scheme, a Honey Production Policy 2026 and a treated-water reuse policy.
Roughly a 10% increase over the previous fiscal; 28 cabinet proposals were cleared alongside — including an Advanced Apple Nursery scheme, a Honey Production Policy 2026 and a treated-water reuse policy.
≈ 19.80 lakh in 34 days
Char Dham Yatra 2026 — cumulative pilgrim footfall
Kedarnath led with 7,82,136 pilgrims, followed by Badrinath 5,24,218; a single-day peak of 89,079 devotees underlines rising pilgrim-tourism pressure and the crowd-management challenge in Uttarakhand's fragile hills.
Kedarnath led with 7,82,136 pilgrims, followed by Badrinath 5,24,218; a single-day peak of 89,079 devotees underlines rising pilgrim-tourism pressure and the crowd-management challenge in Uttarakhand's fragile hills.
₹1.11 lakh crore
Uttarakhand Budget 2026-27 size
Presented on 10 March 2026 by CM Dhami on the 'GYAN' model (Garib-Yuva-Annadata-Nari). Key heads: Annapurti food security ₹1,300 crore, PM Matsya Sampada ₹160.13 crore, PM Awas (rural) ₹298.35 crore, Mission Apple ₹42 crore.
Presented on 10 March 2026 by CM Dhami on the 'GYAN' model (Garib-Yuva-Annadata-Nari). Key heads: Annapurti food security ₹1,300 crore, PM Matsya Sampada ₹160.13 crore, PM Awas (rural) ₹298.35 crore, Mission Apple ₹42 crore.
₹1,11,703 crore
Uttarakhand Budget 2026-27 outlay
Capex ₹46,714 cr • Gender budget ₹19,692 cr • ~10% YoY rise • themed on the GYAN model.
Capex ₹46,714 cr • Gender budget ₹19,692 cr • ~10% YoY rise • themed on the GYAN model.
≈ $682.2 billion
India's Foreign Exchange Reserves
As of late July 2026 — enough to cover about 11 months of imports and roughly 89% of external debt; the all-time high was about $704.89 billion (Sep 2024).
As of late July 2026 — enough to cover about 11 months of imports and roughly 89% of external debt; the all-time high was about $704.89 billion (Sep 2024).
₹1.11 lakh crore
Uttarakhand Budget FY 2026-27
The State Cabinet cleared a budget of about Rs 1.11 lakh crore for 2026-27, approving 28 proposals with a green-growth focus.
The State Cabinet cleared a budget of about Rs 1.11 lakh crore for 2026-27, approving 28 proposals with a green-growth focus.
4.82%
India retail (CPI) inflation, August 2026
Up from 4.45% in July and above the RBI's 4% target (band 2–6%) for a third straight month; food inflation at 5.95%.
Up from 4.45% in July and above the RBI's 4% target (band 2–6%) for a third straight month; food inflation at 5.95%.
₹1,99,853 crore
GST collection — August 2026
Record August mop-up, up 14.8% YoY; domestic GST ₹1.37 lakh cr (+9.3%), import GST up 29%; the Apr–Aug FY27 total is ₹10.42 lakh cr (+11%).
Record August mop-up, up 14.8% YoY; domestic GST ₹1.37 lakh cr (+9.3%), import GST up 29%; the Apr–Aug FY27 total is ₹10.42 lakh cr (+11%).
7.8%
India GDP Growth — Q1 FY27 (Apr–Jun 2026)
India's real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 FY27, beating the RBI's 7% forecast. Growth was led by manufacturing (+9.2%) and services (+10%), while mining contracted 2.4% — signalling resilient momentum despite global headwinds.
India's real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 FY27, beating the RBI's 7% forecast. Growth was led by manufacturing (+9.2%) and services (+10%), while mining contracted 2.4% — signalling resilient momentum despite global headwinds.
₹3,81,889 crore
Uttarakhand GSDP, 2025-26
Projected to rise about 12% to ₹4,27,716 crore in 2026-27; the state targets 70 million tourists a year by 2030.
Projected to rise about 12% to ₹4,27,716 crore in 2026-27; the state targets 70 million tourists a year by 2030.
₹1.11 lakh crore
Uttarakhand Budget, FY 2026-27
Cleared by the state cabinet (25 Feb 2026) — about a 10% rise over the previous year, with continued thrust on infrastructure, tourism and hill development.
Cleared by the state cabinet (25 Feb 2026) — about a 10% rise over the previous year, with continued thrust on infrastructure, tourism and hill development.
66,07,749
Char Dham Yatra 2026 - Pilgrim Registrations
Total pilgrims registered for the 2026 Char Dham Yatra; a record 50.56 lakh completed darshan in the first phase alone.
Total pilgrims registered for the 2026 Char Dham Yatra; a record 50.56 lakh completed darshan in the first phase alone.
50.56 lakh pilgrims
Char Dham Yatra 2026 - Phase 1
Highest-ever first-phase footfall; total registrations touched 66.08 lakh, with the yatra reopening for its second phase on 15 September 2026.
Highest-ever first-phase footfall; total registrations touched 66.08 lakh, with the yatra reopening for its second phase on 15 September 2026.
30 practice MCQs — UKPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. Which one of the following is NOT one of the four shrines of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand?
- Badrinath
- Kedarnath
- Vaishno Devi
- Gangotri
Show answer
Answer: C
The Char Dham of Uttarakhand comprises Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Vaishno Devi is in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Char Dham of Uttarakhand comprises Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Vaishno Devi is in Jammu & Kashmir.
Q2. With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider: (1) India became a full member in 2017. (2) English was recently added as an official language. (3) Its headquarters is in Moscow. Which are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A
India joined as a full member in 2017 and English was added as an official language; however, the SCO headquarters (Secretariat) is in Beijing, not Moscow.
India joined as a full member in 2017 and English was added as an official language; however, the SCO headquarters (Secretariat) is in Beijing, not Moscow.
Q3. With reference to the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), consider the following statements: 1. It is a fully state-funded scheme. 2. It gives concrete shape to Article 41 of the Constitution. 3. It includes old-age, widow and disability pension components. 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: B
NSAP is a Centre-sponsored scheme (not fully state-funded), so statement 1 is wrong. It operationalises Article 41 (DPSP) and includes old-age, widow and disability pensions, so 2 and 3 are correct.
NSAP is a Centre-sponsored scheme (not fully state-funded), so statement 1 is wrong. It operationalises Article 41 (DPSP) and includes old-age, widow and disability pensions, so 2 and 3 are correct.
Q4. Consider the following with reference to disaster management in Uttarakhand: 1. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is chaired by the Chief Minister. 2. GLOF refers to flooding caused by the sudden release of water from a glacial lake. 3. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is headed by the District Magistrate. 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: D
Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the SDMA is chaired by the CM and the DDMA by the DM/Collector; GLOF is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. All three statements are correct.
Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the SDMA is chaired by the CM and the DDMA by the DM/Collector; GLOF is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. All three statements are correct.
Q5. Consider the following about Gross Environment Product (GEP): (1) Uttarakhand was the first Indian state to launch a GEP index. (2) GEP measures the value of air, water, forest and soil. (3) GEP replaces Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Which of the above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A
GEP complements — it does not replace — GSDP; it is an ecological measure valuing ecosystem services across air, water, forest and soil. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
GEP complements — it does not replace — GSDP; it is an ecological measure valuing ecosystem services across air, water, forest and soil. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
Q6. With reference to the RBI's August 2026 monetary policy, which statement is correct?
- Repo rate was raised to 5.50%
- Repo rate was kept at 5.25% with a neutral stance
- FY27 GDP growth was cut to 6.0%
- The CPI inflation target was scrapped
Show answer
Answer: B
The MPC held the repo rate at 5.25% (neutral stance), raised FY27 GDP to 6.7% and trimmed CPI to 5.0%; the 4% (±2%) inflation target remains in force.
The MPC held the repo rate at 5.25% (neutral stance), raised FY27 GDP to 6.7% and trimmed CPI to 5.0%; the 4% (±2%) inflation target remains in force.
Q7. With reference to Gross Environment Product (GEP), consider the following statements: 1. Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to launch a GEP index. 2. GEP assesses the value of air, water, soil and forest. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Uttarakhand is the first state to launch a GEP (green-GDP) index, valuing four ecosystem services — air, water, soil and forest. Both statements are correct.
Uttarakhand is the first state to launch a GEP (green-GDP) index, valuing four ecosystem services — air, water, soil and forest. Both statements are correct.
Q8. Which one of the following is NOT part of Uttarakhand's Char Dham?
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
- Dwarka
- Gangotri
Show answer
Answer: C
Uttarakhand's Char Dham comprises Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Dwarka (Gujarat) is part of the national char-dham, not Uttarakhand's.
Uttarakhand's Char Dham comprises Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Dwarka (Gujarat) is part of the national char-dham, not Uttarakhand's.
Q9. With reference to the Gross Environment Product (GEP), consider the following statements: (1) Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to launch a GEP index. (2) GEP assesses the health of air, water, soil and forest. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP, valuing air, water, soil and forest — a green-GDP measure. Both statements are correct.
Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP, valuing air, water, soil and forest — a green-GDP measure. Both statements are correct.
Q10. Consider the following about BRICS in 2026: (1) India holds the BRICS chair and hosts the 18th Summit. (2) BRICS currently has 11 member countries. Which is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
India chairs BRICS in 2026 and hosts the 18th Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi; BRICS has 11 members after the 2024 expansion. Both are correct.
India chairs BRICS in 2026 and hosts the 18th Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi; BRICS has 11 members after the 2024 expansion. Both are correct.
Q11. Consider the following about Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code (UCC): (1) Uttarakhand was the first state to implement a UCC. (2) It provides for registration of live-in relationships. (3) Scheduled Tribes are excluded from its ambit. 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. The UCC (in force 27 Jan 2025) is India's first state UCC; it mandates live-in registration and exempts Scheduled Tribes.
All three are correct. The UCC (in force 27 Jan 2025) is India's first state UCC; it mandates live-in registration and exempts Scheduled Tribes.
Q12. The Gross Environment Product (GEP) index, first launched by an Indian state, values which of the following ecological services?
- Air and water only
- Air, water, soil and forest
- Only forest cover
- Carbon credits alone
Show answer
Answer: B
Uttarakhand's GEP values four services — air, water, soil and forest — as a green-GDP style measure.
Uttarakhand's GEP values four services — air, water, soil and forest — as a green-GDP style measure.
Q13. With reference to Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra, consider the following: 1. Kedarnath and Badrinath lie in the Garhwal Himalaya. 2. The four shrines are all dedicated to Lord Shiva. 3. The Yatra typically runs from the summer months to November. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: a
Kedarnath (Shiva) and Badrinath (Vishnu) are in Garhwal, so statement 2 is wrong (Badrinath is a Vishnu shrine); the Yatra runs roughly April/May to November.
Kedarnath (Shiva) and Badrinath (Vishnu) are in Garhwal, so statement 2 is wrong (Badrinath is a Vishnu shrine); the Yatra runs roughly April/May to November.
Q14. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in the news, is: 1. Chaired by the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister). 2. The apex body for capital procurement in the Ministry of Defence. 3. Empowered to grant 'Acceptance of Necessity' (AoN). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: d
The DAC is headed by the Defence Minister, is the apex procurement body and grants AoN — all three are correct.
The DAC is headed by the Defence Minister, is the apex procurement body and grants AoN — all three are correct.
Q15. Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to launch a Gross Environment Product (GEP) index. It primarily assesses the health of which of the following?
- Air, Water, Soil and Forest
- GDP, GNP, NNP and Per-capita income
- Roads, Rail, Power and Telecom
- Wheat, Rice, Pulses and Millets
Show answer
Answer: A
GEP is a green-accounting metric that measures the ecological value of four natural resources — air, water, soil and forest. Uttarakhand launched it in 2024.
GEP is a green-accounting metric that measures the ecological value of four natural resources — air, water, soil and forest. Uttarakhand launched it in 2024.
Q16. With reference to the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, consider the four dhams. Which one is NOT part of the Char Dham circuit?
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
- Hemkund Sahib
- Gangotri
Show answer
Answer: C
The Char Dham are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Hemkund Sahib is a revered Sikh shrine but is not one of the four dhams.
The Char Dham are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Hemkund Sahib is a revered Sikh shrine but is not one of the four dhams.
Q17. The Kishau Multipurpose Project, recently in the news, is being built on which river?
- Alaknanda
- Tons
- Bhagirathi
- Sharda (Kali)
Show answer
Answer: B
The Kishau dam is on the Tons, the largest tributary of the Yamuna, on the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border.
The Kishau dam is on the Tons, the largest tributary of the Yamuna, on the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border.
Q18. Consider the following about Gross Environment Product (GEP): 1) Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to launch a GEP index. 2) It measures the economic value of ecosystem services such as air, water, soil and forest. Which is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Both statements are correct — Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP index (2024), valuing air, water, soil and forest ecosystem services.
Both statements are correct — Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP index (2024), valuing air, water, soil and forest ecosystem services.
Q19. With reference to the Gross Environment Product (GEP), consider the following: (1) Uttarakhand was the first Indian state to launch a GEP index. (2) GEP measures the value of air, water, forest and soil. Which is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Uttarakhand (2024) launched India's first GEP index, which values air, water, forest and soil — so both statements are correct.
Uttarakhand (2024) launched India's first GEP index, which values air, water, forest and soil — so both statements are correct.
Q20. Consider the Char Dham shrines and their rivers. Which pair is correctly matched?
- Kedarnath – Alaknanda
- Badrinath – Mandakini
- Gangotri – Bhagirathi
- Yamunotri – Saraswati
Show answer
Answer: C
Gangotri lies on the Bhagirathi (a headstream of the Ganga). The correct pairs are Kedarnath–Mandakini, Badrinath–Alaknanda and Yamunotri–Yamuna.
Gangotri lies on the Bhagirathi (a headstream of the Ganga). The correct pairs are Kedarnath–Mandakini, Badrinath–Alaknanda and Yamunotri–Yamuna.
Q21. Consider the following about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India: 1. Uttarakhand was the first state in independent India to implement a UCC. 2. The UCC is explicitly mentioned as a Fundamental Right in Part III of the Constitution. 3. Article 44 relates to the Uniform Civil Code. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
Uttarakhand was the first state to implement a UCC (2025). Article 44 (a DPSP, not a Fundamental Right) deals with the UCC, so statement 2 is wrong.
Uttarakhand was the first state to implement a UCC (2025). Article 44 (a DPSP, not a Fundamental Right) deals with the UCC, so statement 2 is wrong.
Q22. With reference to the Gross Environment Product (GEP), which was in the news, consider the following: 1. It is India's first initiative of its kind, launched by Uttarakhand. 2. It assigns economic value to ecological services such as air, water, forest and soil. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
GEP, launched by Uttarakhand, is India's first 'green GDP' that values ecosystem services of air, water, forest and soil. Both statements are correct.
GEP, launched by Uttarakhand, is India's first 'green GDP' that values ecosystem services of air, water, forest and soil. Both statements are correct.
Q23. With reference to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) in Uttarakhand, consider the following statements: 1. The state has classified its glacial lakes into risk categories A, B and C. 2. Category-A lakes carry the maximum risk. 3. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology is among the agencies studying them. 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: D
Uttarakhand's ~450 glacial lakes are tiered A/B/C; the 13 Category-A lakes are highest-risk; the Wadia Institute, CWC and C-DAC are among the study agencies. Hence all three are correct.
Uttarakhand's ~450 glacial lakes are tiered A/B/C; the 13 Category-A lakes are highest-risk; the Wadia Institute, CWC and C-DAC are among the study agencies. Hence all three are correct.
Q24. EOS-05, recently launched by ISRO, is best described as:
- A navigation satellite in low Earth orbit
- India's first dedicated imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit
- A communication satellite launched by the PSLV
- A lunar orbiter
Show answer
Answer: B
EOS-05, launched on GSLV-F17 at 2,367 kg (the heaviest GSLV payload), is India's first dedicated Earth-imaging satellite headed to geosynchronous orbit (~36,000 km) for continuous observation.
EOS-05, launched on GSLV-F17 at 2,367 kg (the heaviest GSLV payload), is India's first dedicated Earth-imaging satellite headed to geosynchronous orbit (~36,000 km) for continuous observation.
Q25. With reference to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Directive Principle urging the State to secure a UCC is contained in Article 44. 2. Uttarakhand was the first state to make a UCC operational. 3. The enacted state UCCs apply uniformly to Scheduled Tribes as well. 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
Article 44 (DPSP) urges a UCC (St.1 correct). Uttarakhand made a UCC operational first (St.2 correct). Enacted UCCs exempt Scheduled Tribes, so St.3 is wrong.
Article 44 (DPSP) urges a UCC (St.1 correct). Uttarakhand made a UCC operational first (St.2 correct). Enacted UCCs exempt Scheduled Tribes, so St.3 is wrong.
Q26. Consider the following statements about the Char Dham Yatra: 1. The four Dhams are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. 2. Registration for the yatra requires a paid fee and Aadhaar. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: A
The four Dhams are correctly listed (St.1). Registration is free (though Aadhaar is mandatory), so St.2 is wrong.
The four Dhams are correctly listed (St.1). Registration is free (though Aadhaar is mandatory), so St.2 is wrong.
Q27. With reference to glacial lakes of Uttarakhand, consider the following pairs (lake : district): 1. Vasudhara Tal : Chamoli 2. Kedartal : Uttarkashi 3. Mambag : Dharchula How many pairs are correctly matched?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: C
All three are correct. Vasudhara Tal (Chamoli) is Category-A; Kedartal (Uttarkashi) is Category-B; Mambag lies in Dharchula (Pithoragarh).
All three are correct. Vasudhara Tal (Chamoli) is Category-A; Kedartal (Uttarkashi) is Category-B; Mambag lies in Dharchula (Pithoragarh).
Q28. Consider the following statements about the recent EPFO wage-ceiling revision: 1. The mandatory-coverage wage ceiling was raised to Rs 25,000 per month. 2. It was the first such revision since 2014. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Both are correct. The ceiling rose from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, the first revision since 2014, bringing about 51 lakh more employees under EPFO.
Both are correct. The ceiling rose from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, the first revision since 2014, bringing about 51 lakh more employees under EPFO.
Q29. With reference to the Char Dham Yatra, consider the following shrine-river pairs: 1. Kedarnath - Mandakini 2. Badrinath - Alaknanda 3. Yamunotri - Bhagirathi. Which of the pairs is/are correctly matched?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A
Kedarnath lies on the Mandakini and Badrinath on the Alaknanda. Yamunotri is the source area of the Yamuna, not the Bhagirathi (which is linked to Gangotri). Hence 1 and 2 only.
Kedarnath lies on the Mandakini and Badrinath on the Alaknanda. Yamunotri is the source area of the Yamuna, not the Bhagirathi (which is linked to Gangotri). Hence 1 and 2 only.
Q30. The 'Gross Environment Product (GEP)', recently in news, was launched first by which Indian state, and it primarily values which of the following?
- Sikkim; only forest cover
- Uttarakhand; air, water, soil and forest services
- Himachal Pradesh; hydropower output
- Kerala; coastal ecosystems only
Show answer
Answer: B
Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP, valuing four ecosystem services - air, water, soil and forest - as a green counterpart to GDP.
Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP, valuing four ecosystem services - air, water, soil and forest - as a green counterpart to GDP.
Mains practice questions
- Record pilgrim footfall on the Char Dham route poses growing challenges for disaster management and Himalayan ecology in Uttarakhand. Examine and suggest a sustainable pilgrimage-tourism framework. (250 words)
- Direct benefit transfer (DBT) has transformed the delivery of social-security pensions in hill states like Uttarakhand. Discuss its benefits and the challenges that remain in ensuring last-mile delivery. (250 words)
- The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand faces a rising frequency of GLOF and cloudburst-driven disasters. Discuss the structural and ecological factors behind this, and suggest a disaster-resilient development model for the state. (250 words)
- Uttarakhand's fragile Himalayan geography makes it acutely vulnerable to monsoon disasters. Examine the state's institutional disaster-management framework and suggest measures to reduce risk from cloudbursts, flash floods and GLOF events. (250 words)
- The 2026 Char Dham Yatra has again exposed the tension between pilgrimage tourism and Himalayan ecological fragility in Uttarakhand. Discuss the challenges of crowd and disaster management, and suggest a carrying-capacity based framework. (250 words)
- Rising pilgrim footfall on the Char Dham route highlights the tension between religious tourism and Himalayan ecological fragility. Discuss with reference to carrying capacity and disaster management. (250 words)
- Uttarakhand's fragile Himalayan geography makes disaster management a governance priority. In this light, examine the institutional mechanisms and preventive measures needed to make the Char Dham Yatra safe and sustainable. (150 words)
- Uttarakhand's Himalayan geography exposes it to recurring disasters such as cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. Examine the state's disaster-management preparedness with reference to recent initiatives.
- Uttarakhand faces a recurring trade-off between pilgrimage-driven tourism and Himalayan ecological fragility. Discuss with reference to Char Dham Yatra crowd management and disaster resilience.
- Uttarakhand faces recurring cloudbursts, flash floods and GLOF events. Critically examine the adequacy of the state's disaster-management framework and suggest measures to build Himalayan resilience. (250 words)
- Pilgrimage tourism is both an economic opportunity and an ecological challenge for Uttarakhand. In the light of the Char Dham Yatra, discuss the measures needed to balance faith, livelihoods and Himalayan sustainability. (150 words)
- Recurrent GLOF and cloudburst events expose the fragility of Himalayan states. Discuss the disaster-management measures Uttarakhand needs, integrating early-warning technology and community preparedness. (250 words)
- “Reverse migration (palayan roktham) in Uttarakhand's hills depends less on subsidies and more on building rural livelihood ecosystems.” Critically examine with reference to the state's homestay and tourism policy.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) have emerged as a recurring threat to Uttarakhand's Himalayan region. Examine the causes and discuss the measures needed to strengthen the state's disaster-preparedness. (250 words)
- Uttarakhand's homestay policy is being projected as a tool against 'palayan' (out-migration). Examine how tourism-led livelihood models can address hill-region migration, and the risks they must guard against.
Preparing for Uttarakhand PCS (UKPSC)?
Read the daily edition every day at 3 PM, practise free Static GK MCQs and track your syllabus micro-topic by micro-topic.