Weekly at a glance
- 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
All topics — key facts for revision
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
Prelims rapid-fire — 36 facts
| 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). |
Data points of the period
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.
12 practice MCQs — UKPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. 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.
Q2. 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.
Q3. 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.
Q4. 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.
Q5. 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.
Q6. 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.
Q7. 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.
Q8. 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.
Q9. 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.
Q10. 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.
Q11. 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).
Q12. 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.
Mains practice questions
- 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)
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