2 Nov – 8 Nov 202626 Oct – 1 Nov 202619 Oct – 25 Oct 202612 Oct – 18 Oct 20265 Oct – 11 Oct 202628 Sep – 4 Oct 202621 Sep – 27 Sep 202614 Sep – 20 Sep 20267 Sep – 13 Sep 202631 Aug – 6 Sep 2026
Weekly at a glance
- Mon 28 Sep — Uttarakhand releases GEP report & STI Policy-2026; 121 trekkers rescued in Gangotri snowfall as Char Dham Yatra resumes; OECD lifts India FY27 growth to 7.1%
- Tue 29 Sep — Char Dham Yatra crosses a record 53.23 lakh pilgrims; 136 trekkers stranded by early snowfall in Uttarkashi; RBI MPC meets 5–7 Oct amid 4.82% CPI
- Wed 30 Sep — Early snowfall strands 180 trekkers as 1,500 Kedarnath pilgrims are rescued; Char Dham Yatra crosses 53 lakh; India's net FDI hits a 5-year high
- Thu 1 Oct — Vasundhara Tal gets Uttarakhand's first GLOF early-warning system; Census 2027 reference date for snow-bound Uttarakhand; UPSC turns 100 and Rabi MSP 2027-28 announced
- Fri 2 Oct — Uttarakhand clears 76 MW battery storage; High Court orders Mussoorie carrying-capacity plan; Centre approves ₹1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor-III
All topics — key facts for revision
28 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand releases GEP technical report & Science, Technology & Innovation Policy-2026
- GEP report values the state's natural capital — forests, water, biodiversity, soil conservation and carbon sequestration — in economic terms.
- CM directed that carbon-credit mechanisms be built into the STI policy to reward conservation.
- STI Policy-2026 focuses on Himalaya-specific research: glacier science, disaster management, energy, water, agriculture, health, plus IPR and start-ups.
- Instruction to make rainwater harvesting low-cost and locally adapted for common citizens.
- Nodal body: UCOST (Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology); partners incl. IIT Roorkee, ANRF and HESCO.
UTTARAKHAND Early Himalayan snowfall: 121 trekkers rescued at Gomukh-Tapovan; Char Dham Yatra resumes
- 136 people stranded in high passes: 89 expedition members, 18 at Kalindi Pass base camp, 29 at Auden's Col base camp.
- 3 helicopters positioned at Harsil; agencies: SDRF, NDRF, Police, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Forest Dept.
- Snowfall also reported at Kedarnath, Gangotri and Hemkund Sahib; Garhwal Commissioner ordered DMs to hold pilgrims at safe points.
- Yatra began 19 April; 2024 footfall exceeded 50.87 lakh (Badrinath 17.47 lakh, highest).
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham footfall snapshot: Badrinath & Kedarnath carry two-thirds of pilgrim load
- Badrinath 17.47 lakh, Kedarnath 15.03 lakh, Gangotri 7.95 lakh, Yamunotri 7.13 lakh (2024).
- Hemkund Sahib (Chamoli) recorded 3.26 lakh visitors.
- Yatra runs April-November; online registration is mandatory for all pilgrims.
- Shrines: Yamunotri & Gangotri — Uttarkashi; Kedarnath — Rudraprayag; Badrinath — Chamoli.
ECONOMY Uttarakhand's ~350 MW peak power deficit exposes hydro-dependence; NTPC-EDF pumped-storage JV
- UJVN Ltd hydro output down ~170 MW year-on-year: 1,094 MW → 912 MW in September.
- Central hydro share down ~90 MW; Tehri Pumped Storage Plant technical unavailability ~100 MW.
- UPCL (distribution utility) is trying to minimise cuts; state plans to recover dues from government offices.
- NTPC-EDF JV cites national target of 100 GW pumped-storage capacity by 2036.
UTTARAKHAND Bindukhatta revenue-village demand: 15,000 march; CM to place issue before cabinet
- Bindukhatta began as a British-era forest settlement for cattle rearing; residents hold community, not individual, rights.
- Demand pending since 1985; block & district Forest Rights Committees have cleared the claim under FRA 2006.
- File was sent back to the Nainital DM for re-examination, triggering the protest; markets at Car Road & Ghodanala shut in support.
- A proposed elephant corridor (2018) in the area has added to residents' fears of displacement.
POLITY Panchayat by-polls: voting on 12 October, results on 14 October
- Schedule: nominations 30 Sept-1 Oct; scrutiny 3 Oct; withdrawal 4 Oct; symbols 5 Oct; polling 12 Oct; counting 14 Oct.
- Uttarkashi: 1 Gram Pradhan & 2 Kshetra Panchayat member posts (Bhatwari) plus ward members.
- Ward posts by block: Naugaon 71, Bhatwari 39, Dunda 39, Mori 23, Chinyalisaur 21, Purola 6.
- Uttarakhand follows a three-tier system: Gram Panchayat — Kshetra Panchayat — Zila Panchayat (Haridwar polls held separately).
ENVIRONMENT NTCA clears second phase of tiger translocation from Corbett to Rajaji's western zone
- Aim: revive Rajaji's isolated western tiger population and ease human-tiger conflict around Corbett.
- Each tiger will be radio-collared after a health check.
- Soft release: 3-4 days in an acclimatisation enclosure, then ~3 months of radio monitoring.
- Rajaji's western part is cut off from the east by the Ganga, highways and settlements.
REPORT India climbs 9 places to 31st in WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
- Top 5: Japan (5.27), USA, Spain, Australia, France; lowest: Mali (2.75).
- India's strengths: price competitiveness, natural & cultural resources (top-10 for cultural World Heritage sites), better infrastructure.
- Weak spots: workforce skills, environmental sustainability, tourism infrastructure capacity.
- 101 of 110 economies improved scores; average rise 2.1%.
IR UNGA adopts first-ever declaration on sea-level rise; protects statehood & maritime zones
- Creates a presumption of continued statehood and preservation of maritime zones even if coastlines retreat.
- Four pillars: science & early warning, accessible finance, protection of livelihoods & heritage, international law.
- Global sea level rose ~6 mm in 2024 — the largest annual rise on record; ~770 million people live within 5 m of high tide.
- Relevance to India: Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Sundarbans; India has a ~11,000 km coastline (revised).
DEFENCE Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 enters operational phase at Jodhpur
- 2nd edition — the first was held in 2024; theme "Power in Partnership".
- Foreign participants: Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.
- Aircraft: F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130J, KC-30A; IAF fields Tejas, Su-30MKI, Rafale.
- Includes seminars, defence-industry tours and cultural exchanges.
POLITY Right to vote: statutory or fundamental? Deletion errors revive constitutional debate
- At present voting is a statutory right under RPA 1951 (Sec 62); Art 326 provides for universal adult suffrage at 18 years.
- Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006): right to vote is statutory, not fundamental.
- Justice Ajay Rastogi's 2023 dissent linked voting to Art 19(1)(a) and Art 21.
- Supreme Court (May 2026) upheld the ECI's authority to conduct the SIR.
29 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 hits record 53.23 lakh pilgrims; Gangotri sets all-time high
- Badrinath 18.10 lakh, Kedarnath 15.57 lakh, Gangotri 8.41 lakh (highest ever), Yamunotri 7.5 lakh+.
- Hemkund Sahib: 3,52,765 pilgrims, past 3 lakh for the first time in several years.
- Disaster management teams on 24x7 alert in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi.
- Second phase of the yatra began in mid-September after the monsoon.
UTTARAKHAND Early snowfall strands 136 climbers in Uttarkashi; multi-agency air rescue under way
- Stranded: 89 expedition members, 18 trekkers at Kalindi Pass, 29 at Auden's Col.
- Monday: 40 evacuated by 4 helicopters (29 from Auden's Col, 11 from Kalindi Khal); 9 more on Tuesday — 49 safe at Harsil helipad.
- Agencies: SDRF, ITBP, NDRF, NIM Uttarkashi, Forest, Police, Health; district control room led by the DM.
- Others still at camps near Mount Jogin and Kalindi base are being supplied rations and water.
POLITY Uttarakhand panchayat by-polls on 12 October; nominations open 30 September
- Schedule: nominations 30 Sept–1 Oct, scrutiny 3 Oct, withdrawal 4 Oct, symbols 5 Oct.
- Voting 12 Oct, counting 14 Oct.
- Uttarkashi ward vacancies: Naugaon 71, Bhatwari 39, Dunda 39, Mori 23, Chinyalisaur 21, Purola 6.
ENVIRONMENT SARRA to scientifically revive 54 historic naula-dhara water sources across Uttarakhand
- Ancient stone structures to be preserved with zero-cement structural engineering and stone corbelling.
- Tools: geo-tagging, GIS mapping, springshed and hydrogeological analysis.
- Contour trenches and recharge works in catchment (recharge) zones.
- Partners: UCOST, HNB Garhwal University, Watershed Management Directorate and gram panchayats.
UTTARAKHAND 120th All India Kisan Mela at GBPUAT Pantnagar from 3 to 6 October
- 400+ stalls; focus on drones, natural farming, agri-machinery, agri-startups, traditional crops and cattle care.
- Seeds on sale: 2,039 q wheat, 100 q oilseeds, 50 q lentil, 26 q gram, 5 q barley.
- 15% discount on basic price of breeder seed; horticulture and forestry planting material too.
SOCIETY Uttarakhand's Sania Joshi and Parth Vohra win silver at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
- Sania Joshi — silver in Retail Sales; Parth Vohra — silver in Industrial Design Technology.
- India: 6 silver medals and 20 Medallions for Excellence.
- About 1,400 competitors in 64 skill trades.
- Selected through IndiaSkills 2025-26 (state → regional → national rounds).
ECONOMY CPI climbs to 4.82% in August; RBI MPC meets 5–7 October with repo at 5.25%
- Current repo rate 5.25%, neutral stance (held in August).
- Poll: 35 of 61 economists expect a 25 bps hike to 5.50%.
- Inflation is now broad-based; policy transmission to loans is the key concern.
ECONOMY Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool builds a home-grown shield against war-risk premiums
- Underwriting capacity ₹13,906.50 cr (~US$1.5 bn); sovereign guarantee ₹12,980 cr.
- Covers Hull & Machinery, Cargo, Protection & Indemnity (P&I) and War Risk.
- By 7 Sept: 3,000 cargo-war, 92 hull war-risk, 3 P&I policies; war-risk premiums down 35–40%.
- Administered by GIC Re; tenure 10 years, extendable to 15.
SCI-TECH Rice-straw bio-bitumen moves towards highway standards; CSIR-IIP Dehradun a co-developer
- Bio-oil replaces 20–30% of the petroleum binder in bitumen.
- Made by pyrolysis of post-harvest rice straw (high heat, no oxygen).
- Field trial: 100 m on Jorabat–Shillong Expressway (NH-40), Meghalaya.
- Co-products: combustible gas, bio-pesticide fractions, high-grade carbon.
DEFENCE Exercise VARUNA 2026: INS Trishul joins French Navy at Toulon for 24th edition
- Bilateral naval exercise begun in 1993, named VARUNA in 2001.
- INS Trishul is a Talwar-class stealth frigate.
- Sea phase: anti-air, anti-submarine drills, cross-deck operations, replenishment at sea.
SOCIETY PM-AJAY: 18,093 SC-majority villages declared Adarsh Grams
- 18,093 villages declared Adarsh Gram; 47.79 lakh beneficiaries.
- Village eligibility: ≥40% SC population and total population ≥500.
- ₹1,730+ cr released (FY22–FY26); 785 hostels completed.
30 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Early Snowfall Strands 180 Trekkers on 10 High-Altitude Routes; 1,500 Kedarnath Pilgrims Rescued
- 180 trekkers on 10 routes: 137 on 9 treks in Uttarkashi and 43 at Khati–Pindari Glacier (Bageshwar).
- About 1,500 pilgrims evacuated from the Chhirbasa landslide zone near Gaurikund on the Kedarnath route amid rockfall.
- 19 trekkers airlifted from Kalindi Khal and 29 from Auden's Col to Harsil helipad; 8 helicopters deployed.
- SDRF, NDRF and DDRF coordinated; no casualties reported; foreign climbers were also stranded at Tapovan base camp.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra Crosses 53 Lakh Pilgrims; Gangotri Logs Highest-Ever Footfall
- Total 53,23,401 pilgrims against about 46 lakh in the same period last year.
- Badrinath 18.10 lakh, Kedarnath 15.57 lakh, Gangotri 8.41 lakh (record), Yamunotri 7.5 lakh.
- Hemkund Sahib: 3,52,765 devotees, above 3 lakh for the first time in several years; portals close on 10 October.
UTTARAKHAND SARRA to Revive 54 Historical Naulas and Dharas Across Uttarakhand
- Restoration uses cement-free stone masonry and corbelling — 'zero-cement' engineering that resists seismic damage.
- Teams trained in geo-tagging, GIS mapping and contour trenches in recharge zones.
- Work will run with village panchayats, linking water heritage ('Jal Mandir' architecture) with modern hydrogeology.
UTTARAKHAND Rajya Sabha Poll for One Uttarakhand Seat on 16 October
- Notification 29 September; last date for nominations 6 October; scrutiny 7 October; withdrawal 9 October.
- Polling and counting on 16 October; electors are the 70 elected MLAs of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.
- A by-election for 1 West Bengal seat will be held alongside.
UTTARAKHAND Garhwal Rifles Leads India at KAZIND-2026; Yudh Abhyas Concludes at Auli
- KAZIND: 28 September – 11 October; 60 Indian personnel; focus on counter-terrorism in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
- Drills include air mobility, UAS/counter-UAS, raids, cordon-and-search and a Joint Command Post.
- Yudh Abhyas 2026 (22nd edition) was hosted at Auli (Chamoli) — high-altitude training with the US Army.
UTTARAKHAND Pantnagar to Host 120th All India Kisan Mela from 3 October
- The fair is held twice a year; the 119th edition was held on 13–16 March 2026.
- Focus on drone spraying, precision farming, improved seed varieties and animal husbandry for plains and hill farmers.
- Stalls from agri-industries, state departments and KVKs, with direct seed sale to farmers.
ENVIRONMENT India Issues First PRAMAAN Certificates for Sustainable Forestry
- APFDC plantations covering 33,000 hectares certified for sustainable management.
- IFWCS was launched by MoEFCC in December 2023; operating agency: IIFM, Bhopal.
- Third-party audits by NABCB-accredited bodies; standards cover forest management, trees outside forests and chain of custody.
- Helps exporters comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
ECONOMY Sagarmala Finance Launches India's First Blue Bond
- Size ₹600 crore, including a ₹500 crore green-shoe option; tenor 10 years.
- Rated AA+ by ICRA and CARE.
- Proceeds for maritime lending, greenfield ports and coastal road networks, to be used within FY 2026-27.
ECONOMY Pashudhan Bima Portal Launched for Digital Livestock Insurance
- End-to-end online enrolment, premium payment and claims tracking.
- Available in 11 regional languages plus Hindi and English.
- Aims to cut paperwork and speed up settlement for small and marginal livestock keepers.
DEFENCE HAL Signs ₹2,491-Crore MoU with SkyPulse for 30 Civil Helicopters
- Phase 1 (2027–29): 10 helicopters; Phase 2 (2030 onwards): 20.
- Uses: HEMS (air ambulance), disaster response, search and rescue, tourism, UDAN routes and charters.
- Package includes MRO, training and spares support.
SOCIETY India Ranks 10th at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 with 6 Silver Medals
- 6 silver medals and 20 Medallions for Excellence.
- Silvers in Bakery (Smriti Nambiar — Best of Nation), Dental Prosthetics, Digital Interactive Media Design, Industrial Design Technology, Logistics and Retail Sales.
- Over 1,400 competitors from about 70 countries; next edition in Aichi, Japan (2028).
1 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND Uttarakhand begins installing its first glacial-lake early-warning system at Vasundhara Tal, Chamoli
- Sensors track water level, weather, snow depth, sub-surface temperature, ground movement and water flow; data travels via satellite due to poor mobile connectivity.
- Partners: CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, USDMA, the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme, SDRF, NDRF and ITBP.
- Uttarakhand has 344 glacial lakes (2023 assessment), of which 13 are high-risk; Vasundhara Tal is one of them.
- A lesson from the 2013 Kedarnath and 2021 Chamoli (Rishiganga) disasters, both linked to glacial/high-altitude hazards.
UTTARAKHAND Census 2027: Snow-bound Uttarakhand's population count frozen at 00:00 hrs, 1 October 2026; revisional round begins
- Self-enumeration window in these areas: 17–31 August 2026; enumeration: 1–30 September 2026.
- For the rest of India, the reference date is 00:00 hrs, 1 March 2027.
- India's 16th Census (8th since Independence) and the first digital census, with caste enumeration included.
- Notified by the MHA under the Census Act, 1948; Phase-I (Houselisting) began on 1 April 2026.
UTTARAKHAND Char Dham Yatra 2026 hits record 53.23 lakh pilgrims; Gangotri sees highest-ever footfall despite Chirbasa landslide
- Badrinath 18.10 lakh, Kedarnath 15.57 lakh, Gangotri 8.41 lakh (all-time high), Yamunotri 7.5 lakh.
- Hemkund Sahib: 3,52,765 devotees, the first time in several years above 3 lakh.
- Joint rescue by SDRF, NDRF and DDRF; pilgrims shifted to Gaurikund.
- District Magistrates empowered to suspend or regulate the yatra based on local weather and route conditions.
UTTARAKHAND Haridwar Kumbh 2027: Major works near completion; 32-sector, AI-enabled crowd plan for up to 20 crore devotees
- Expected footfall: up to 20 crore devotees over 90–100 days.
- Mela area split into 32 sectors for crowd control, entry-exit, security and disaster management.
- AI-based real-time alerts on crowd and traffic pressure; an integrated control room.
- Special arrangements for women and persons with disabilities; coordination with Akharas; Ganga cleanliness built in.
UTTARAKHAND Dehradun & Haridwar among 50 model cities under PRAGATI-50; Chief Secretary orders real-time monitoring of all STPs
- PRAGATI-50 runs under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 toward Garbage Free Cities; progress tracked via KPIs and reviews every two months.
- Add-ons: Swachh Bharat Test Bed & Innovation Centre at Durgapur (with CSIR-CMERI) and 13 startups onboarded via IIT Kanpur.
- Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board to monitor STPs of large commercial and group-housing complexes.
- DMs to review the 25-point programme monthly; data on Pirul collection and community income to be compiled.
UTTARAKHAND Rajya Sabha polls on 16 October: Uttarakhand's lone vacancy as Naresh Bansal's term ends; BJP finalising nominee
- Uttarakhand has 3 Rajya Sabha and 5 Lok Sabha seats; its 70-member Assembly forms the electoral college.
- Members are elected by elected MLAs through proportional representation by single transferable vote (STV).
- Open ballot for RS polls was introduced in 2003 by amending the RP Act, 1951.
- Term is 6 years; about one-third of members retire every 2 years (Art. 83(1)).
POLITY UPSC turns 100: PM releases commemorative coin, stamp and '100 Landmark Judgements' book at Bharat Mandapam
- Public Service Commission set up on 1 October 1926 on the Lee Commission (1924) recommendation; first Chairman Sir Ross Barker.
- Became the Federal PSC under the GoI Act, 1935; renamed UPSC on 26 January 1950.
- Releases: commemorative coin, postage stamp and the book '100 Landmark Judgements – Shaping the Policies of UPSC and PSCs in India'.
- 'Shatabdi Samaroh – Manthan' on 30 September discussed civil-service evolution and administrative innovation.
ECONOMY Rabi MSP 2027-28: Safflower up ₹675, mustard ₹413, lentil ₹390; wheat raised by just ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal
- New MSP (₹/qtl): Wheat 2,610, Barley 2,286, Gram 5,958, Lentil 7,390, Rapeseed-Mustard 6,613, Safflower 7,215.
- Margin over cost: wheat 106%, mustard 96%, lentil 92%, gram 59%, barley 58%, safflower 50%.
- Wheat production cost cited at ₹1,264/qtl, so MSP is more than double the cost.
- Wheat hike only ₹25 versus ₹160 last year — a nudge towards diversification into oilseeds and pulses.
ENVIRONMENT Cabinet clears ₹1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III to evacuate 135 GW renewables, with 50 GWh battery storage
- Central financial assistance: ₹54,082 crore (about 29%) to offset transmission charges.
- ₹1,36,378 crore for intra-state lines and substations; ₹50,000 crore for 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- New projects via Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB), upgrades on cost-plus; implemented by State Transmission Utilities.
- Supports the goal of 900 GW non-fossil capacity by 2035.
POLITY Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 comes into force today, replacing the colonial-era 1891 law
- Technology-neutral: recognises records in physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud forms.
- Digital records cannot be rejected solely for format; safeguards for authenticity, integrity and cyber-security.
- Certification via First & Second Schedules with manual, digital or electronic signatures as per the IT Act, 2000.
- Courts must record 'special cause' in writing before summoning bank officials where the bank is not a party.
REPORT WHO–UNICEF report: School drinking-water coverage in India jumps to 97%, but 5 crore children still lack school sanitation
- Schools with basic drinking water: 55% (2015) → 97% (2025), a 42-percentage-point jump.
- Basic sanitation coverage is 81%; about 5 crore (50 million) Indian children attend schools without sanitation services, the highest globally.
- India lacks 2025 data on handwashing facilities with soap and water.
- Report urges focus on usability and maintenance of toilets, not just construction.
2 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UTTARAKHAND UERC clears four mega battery-storage projects (76 MW/190 MWh) for Uttarakhand grid
- Sites: Dhakrani (Dehradun) 30 MW, Pathri (Haridwar) 16 MW, Khatima (Udham Singh Nagar) 15 MW, Tiloth (Uttarkashi) 15 MW.
- Approved tariffs of about ₹2.70–2.80 lakh per MW per month — reported lower than similar projects in Delhi and Punjab.
- Central Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹18 lakh per MWh, paid in 3 instalments from the Power System Development Fund (PSDF).
- Batteries will feed the grid in the evening peak (6–9 PM), cutting costly power-exchange purchases and grid-failure risk.
- Developers: Patanjali Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd (3 projects) and Army Infotek Ltd (Tiloth).
UTTARAKHAND High Court gives State 9 months to frame Mussoorie carrying-capacity plan
- PIL flagged unregulated construction, tree felling, traffic jams, water scarcity and sanitation stress.
- Tourist arrivals rose from about 8.5 lakh (2000) to about 30 lakh (2019) while parking and civic capacity lagged.
- Plan must factor in earlier National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions; petitioners may submit data to the Chief Secretary.
- Bench also asked the Tehri DM to act on safety at Tapovan Ganga ghats — orders within 8 weeks.
UTTARAKHAND Snowfall shuts Gangotri National Park treks; 260 brought back safely from Bhagirathi-II and Gaumukh routes
- Routes hit: Gangotri–Gaumukh–Tapovan, Kedartal, Kalindi trek; reopening only after safety checks.
- 67 airlifted (28–29 Sept) to Harsil helipad; 193 walked down with rescuers; incl. 9 climbers of the Bhagirathi-II expedition.
- Agencies: district administration, NDRF, ITBP (35th Bn), Mountain Rescue Team, Forest Dept — acting on an IMD orange alert.
- Monsoon withdrawing from most of Uttarakhand by 3 October, as per the state Met Centre.
UTTARAKHAND Rampur Tiraha firing anniversary: State pays homage to statehood martyrs
- Night of 1–2 Oct 1994: police fired on agitators heading to a Delhi rally at Rampur Tiraha, Muzaffarnagar (UP); several were killed.
- Preceded by the Khatima firing (1 Sept 1994) and Mussoorie firing (2 Sept 1994).
- Uttaranchal formed on 9 Nov 2000 as India's 27th state (UP Reorganisation Act, 2000); renamed Uttarakhand from 1 Jan 2007.
- Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), formed in 1979, led the political demand.
ENVIRONMENT Wildlife Week 2026 opens at FRI: ₹51,000 each for 18 citizens who braved wild-animal attacks
- A zoo at Haldwani (Nainital district) announced as a manifesto commitment.
- Officials told to develop at least one new tourism site per district without harming natural beauty.
- Ex-gratia for death in wildlife attacks was raised from ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh (Cabinet, Nov 2025) with free treatment for the injured.
- 2025 toll: bears — 5 deaths, 69 injured; leopards — 12 deaths, 88 injured.
SOCIETY ₹147 crore in monthly pensions to 9.93 lakh beneficiaries; free civil services coaching for divyang youth
- Schemes cited: Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (elderly welfare) and Deendayal Matri-Pitri Tirthatan Yojana (free pilgrimage).
- 23 senior citizens honoured, incl. Garhwali folk singer Padma Shri Madhuri Barthwal.
- Parents & Senior Citizens Maintenance Act, 2007 to be enforced; old-age homes strengthened in all districts.
- Next: State Cabinet meets at Banbasa (Champawat) on 4 Oct; tablets for Class 10 & 12 students of govt inter colleges likely on the agenda.
ENVIRONMENT Cabinet clears ₹1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III to integrate 135 GW renewables
- Split: ₹1,36,378 crore for intra-state transmission (InSTS) + ₹50,000 crore for 50 GWh of battery storage.
- Central support of ₹54,082 crore (~29%) to ease intra-state transmission charges.
- State Transmission Utilities (STUs) lead; new projects via competitive bidding, upgrades on cost-plus.
- Targets intermittency, grid congestion and curtailment of solar/wind at peak hours.
ECONOMY Rabi MSP 2027-28: oilseeds and pulses get the biggest hikes; wheat up just ₹25 to ₹2,610
- Safflower +₹675 → ₹7,215/qtl (highest); rapeseed-mustard +₹413 → ₹6,613.
- Lentil +₹390 → ₹7,390; barley +₹136 → ₹2,286; gram +₹83 → ₹5,958.
- Wheat +₹25 only → ₹2,610/qtl, yet the highest margin over cost at 106%.
- Other margins over cost: mustard 96%, lentil 92%, gram 59%, barley 58%, safflower 50%.
ECONOMY RBI MPC meets 5–7 October; first rate hike since 2023 on the table as CPI hits 4.82%
- CPI inflation 4.82% (August) — above the 4% target for the third straight month; WPI 9.92%.
- Pressures: high crude prices, geopolitical tension, rupee down about 6% vs the dollar in 2026, tightening by the US Fed and Bank of Japan.
- Repo unchanged at 5.25% for four reviews after 125 bps of cuts in 2025.
- A hike would be the first since February 2023.
SOCIETY Nation marks Gandhi's 157th and Shastri's 122nd birth anniversary
- 2 October is also the UN International Day of Non-Violence (UNGA resolution, 2007).
- Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on 2 Oct 2014; swachhata drives and shramdaan held across states.
- Gandhi born 1869, Porbandar; Shastri born 1904, Mughalsarai — gave the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' (1965).
- In 1929 Gandhi stayed at Kausani (Bageshwar), wrote his introduction to Anasakti Yoga and called it the 'Switzerland of India'.
IR India–Canada eye ~$70 billion trade in five years; Putin praises Modi's Ukraine peace ideas
- 5th round of CEPA talks opens in Ottawa; 4 rounds done; both sides target a deal by end-2026.
- Focus areas: LNG, critical minerals (EV battery inputs), aerospace, investment and research.
- India's stand on Ukraine: 'on the side of peace' — dialogue and diplomacy, no bloc alignment.
- The USA holds the G20 presidency in 2026.
SPORTS Asian Games 2026: India's women's recurve archers win maiden team gold, beat South Korea 5-3
- India beat China 5-1 in the semi-final to reach its first women's recurve team final.
- Decisive moment: a score correction in set four (an 8 upgraded to a 9) sealed 54 points for India.
- 20th Asian Games: 19 Sept–4 Oct 2026, Aichi & Nagoya, Japan; India sent 496 athletes in 36 sports.
- India's flag-bearers: Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat.
Prelims rapid-fire — 30 facts
| Khatima (Udham Singh Nagar): CM inaugurated a ₹7.23 crore gaushala at Haldighera and laid stones for 15 projects worth ₹108.84 crore (24 Sept). |
| STF Uttarakhand cyber helpline 1930 saved ~₹73 lakh from fraudsters in one week. |
| Mega Ports: JNPT, Paradip, Kandla (Deendayal), Mundra notified — criteria 150 MMT bulk cargo or 7.5 million TEUs; Mundra is the only private port. |
| Mandeep K. Bhandari (IAS 2001, AGMUT) appointed CBSE Chairperson. |
| Poompuhar (Mayiladuthurai, TN) underwater dig: West Asian torpedo-jar fragment, ring wells; habitation 5th-4th century BCE. |
| Lok Sabha has stayed adjourned sine die (not prorogued) for 46+ days since 13 Aug — third-longest ever; record 76 days (1987). |
| 46th Chess Olympiad: Held at Samarkand (Uzbekistan); India won silver (Open) and bronze (Women); golds went to hosts Uzbekistan and China. |
| Dehradun chill: Night minimum 18.4°C — coldest September night in about 14 years; Mukteshwar max 16.6°C (5°C below normal). |
| Health days: World Heart Day on 29 Sept; World Rabies Day on 28 Sept (death anniversary of Louis Pasteur; goal: zero dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030). |
| Green Highways Policy: Launched 2015; 1% of NH civil cost for plantation; NH network grew from 91,287 km (2014) to 1,46,572 km (Mar 2026). |
| Kandla e-Methanol: 150 TPD plant at Deendayal Port, Gujarat; cost ₹2,300 cr; Phase-I (50 TPD) by Jan 2027. |
| Arogya Manthan 2026: Marks 8 years of AB PM-JAY (launched 23 Sept 2018) and 5 years of ABDM. |
| Hemkund Sahib portals close for winter on 10 October after fresh snowfall. |
| Dehradun logged a September night low of 18.4°C, the coldest such night in about 14 years. |
| Bharat Renewable Energy Summit 2026: 2–5 November at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. |
| Tarang Shakti 2026 (2nd edition) multinational air exercise at AFS Jodhpur until 12 October. |
| Exercise Varuna (24th edition, India–France navies) under way at Toulon. |
| 30 September — International Translation Day (feast of St. Jerome). |
| 1 October: International Day of Older Persons — UNGA resolution 45/106 (1990); first observed in 1991. |
| 1 October is also National Voluntary Blood Donation Day in India (since 1975). |
| Hemkund Sahib (Chamoli) lies at about 4,632 m near Lokpal lake; footfall in 2026: 3,52,765. |
| Asian Games 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya): India's women's compound archery team won gold beating China 238-234. |
| UKPSC headquarters: Haridwar; constituted under Article 315 after the state's formation on 9 November 2000. |
| Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology is in Dehradun; it works under the Department of Science & Technology. |
| Uttarakhand State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan, Dehradun (1 Oct). |
| Dehradun Warriors won Uttarakhand Premier League Season 3, beating Haridwar in the final (1 Oct). |
| Haridwar Kumbh 2027: Mela Officer Sonika and IG Yogendra Rawat briefed the Governor on preparations incl. AI-based crowd management (30 Sept). |
| Monsoon withdrawal line: Gurdaspur–Chandigarh–Muzaffarnagar–Aligarh; Uttarakhand largely monsoon-free by 3 Oct. |
| Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Uttarakhand runs 17 Sept–17 Oct 2026 with 11 programmes linked to Viksit Bharat 2047. |
| 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave opens in New Delhi on 3 Oct. |
Data points of the period
7.1%
OECD forecast for India's real GDP growth, FY 2026-27
Raised by 80 bps from 6.3% (June); FY28 seen at 6.5%, inflation 4.7% (2026). Highest among major forecasters — ADB, S&P, Moody's 7.0%, Fitch 6.9%, RBI 6.7%. World growth: 2.9% (2026).
Raised by 80 bps from 6.3% (June); FY28 seen at 6.5%, inflation 4.7% (2026). Highest among major forecasters — ADB, S&P, Moody's 7.0%, Fitch 6.9%, RBI 6.7%. World growth: 2.9% (2026).
5.22% of GDP
India's tourism economy (World Tourism Day, 27 Sept 2026)
Tourism supports 8.46 crore jobs (2023-24); foreign exchange earnings ₹2.77 lakh crore and 2.53 crore foreign tourist visits in 2025; e-Visa now for 172 countries. For Uttarakhand, religious and adventure tourism (Char Dham, treks) is a core growth engine — WTD 2026 theme: "Digital Agenda and AI to Redesign Tourism".
Tourism supports 8.46 crore jobs (2023-24); foreign exchange earnings ₹2.77 lakh crore and 2.53 crore foreign tourist visits in 2025; e-Visa now for 172 countries. For Uttarakhand, religious and adventure tourism (Char Dham, treks) is a core growth engine — WTD 2026 theme: "Digital Agenda and AI to Redesign Tourism".
US$ 7.35 billion
India's net FDI inflow — July 2026
5-year high — the highest since May 2021 (US$ 8.80 bn) and up 64% year-on-year. Gross inflows were US$ 14.58 bn; April–July 2026 net FDI stood at US$ 13.4 bn against US$ 9.7 bn a year ago. Mauritius, UAE and US supplied about 70% of equity inflows.
5-year high — the highest since May 2021 (US$ 8.80 bn) and up 64% year-on-year. Gross inflows were US$ 14.58 bn; April–July 2026 net FDI stood at US$ 13.4 bn against US$ 9.7 bn a year ago. Mauritius, UAE and US supplied about 70% of equity inflows.
₹2.03 lakh crore (+14.7% YoY)
Gross GST collection, September 2026
Net GST after refunds rose 18.1% to ₹1.76 lakh crore; imports surged 26% to ₹65,525 crore and domestic GST grew 10.1% to ₹1.38 lakh crore. April–September gross: ₹12.46 lakh crore (+11.6%). State-wise domestic data show Uttarakhand at ₹1,277 crore, down 23% from ₹1,665 crore, while Assam (+88%) and UP (+18%) led growth.
Net GST after refunds rose 18.1% to ₹1.76 lakh crore; imports surged 26% to ₹65,525 crore and domestic GST grew 10.1% to ₹1.38 lakh crore. April–September gross: ₹12.46 lakh crore (+11.6%). State-wise domestic data show Uttarakhand at ₹1,277 crore, down 23% from ₹1,665 crore, while Assam (+88%) and UP (+18%) led growth.
₹2.04 lakh crore (+14.7% YoY)
Gross GST collection — September 2026
Gross ₹2,04,050 crore vs ₹1,77,279 crore in Sept 2025. Domestic ₹1.38 lakh crore (+10.1%), imports ₹65,525 crore (+25.9%); refunds ₹27,001 crore; net ₹1.77 lakh crore (+18.1%). H1 FY27 gross ₹12.46 lakh crore (+11.6%). GST came into force on 1 July 2017 (101st Amendment); GST Council under Article 279A.
Gross ₹2,04,050 crore vs ₹1,77,279 crore in Sept 2025. Domestic ₹1.38 lakh crore (+10.1%), imports ₹65,525 crore (+25.9%); refunds ₹27,001 crore; net ₹1.77 lakh crore (+18.1%). H1 FY27 gross ₹12.46 lakh crore (+11.6%). GST came into force on 1 July 2017 (101st Amendment); GST Council under Article 279A.
10 practice MCQs — UKPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the Gross Environment Product (GEP) of Uttarakhand, consider the following statements: 1. Uttarakhand was the first Indian state to launch a GEP Index. 2. The GEP Index is built on the four pillars of air, water, soil and forest. 3. The GEP technical report released in September 2026 covers the years 2023-24 and 2024-25. 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
All three are correct: Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP Index in July 2024 on four pillars (air, water, soil, forest), and the Sept 2026 technical report covers 2023-24 and 2024-25.
All three are correct: Uttarakhand launched India's first GEP Index in July 2024 on four pillars (air, water, soil, forest), and the Sept 2026 technical report covers 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Q2. Kalindi Pass and Auden's Col, recently in news due to stranded trekkers, are located in which district of Uttarakhand?
- Chamoli
- Pithoragarh
- Uttarkashi
- Rudraprayag
Show answer
Answer: c
Both high passes lie in the Gangotri region of Uttarkashi district; Kalindi Khal links Gangotri with Badrinath (Chamoli), and Auden's Col links Gangotri with the Bhilangna valley (Tehri).
Both high passes lie in the Gangotri region of Uttarkashi district; Kalindi Khal links Gangotri with Badrinath (Chamoli), and Auden's Col links Gangotri with the Bhilangna valley (Tehri).
Q3. With reference to the Char Dham Yatra 2026, which of the following shrines recorded its highest-ever pilgrim footfall this season?
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
- Gangotri
- Yamunotri
Show answer
Answer: c
Gangotri recorded 8.41 lakh pilgrims, its highest ever. Badrinath (18.10 lakh) had the largest absolute number; total footfall was 53,23,401.
Gangotri recorded 8.41 lakh pilgrims, its highest ever. Badrinath (18.10 lakh) had the largest absolute number; total footfall was 53,23,401.
Q4. Kalindi Khal, where climbers were stranded after early snowfall, is a high-altitude pass that connects:
- Gangotri and Badrinath
- Kedarnath and Badrinath
- Yamunotri and Har Ki Dun
- Pindari and Milam glaciers
Show answer
Answer: a
Kalindi Khal (~5,940 m) links the Gangotri region (Uttarkashi) with Badrinath/Mana (Chamoli). Auden's Col links Gangotri valley to the Khatling glacier (Tehri).
Kalindi Khal (~5,940 m) links the Gangotri region (Uttarkashi) with Badrinath/Mana (Chamoli). Auden's Col links Gangotri valley to the Khatling glacier (Tehri).
Q5. Consider the following pairs (Shrine — District): 1. Gangotri — Uttarkashi; 2. Kedarnath — Chamoli; 3. Badrinath — Chamoli; 4. Yamunotri — Tehri Garhwal. Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: a
Kedarnath is in Rudraprayag and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi; Gangotri (Uttarkashi) and Badrinath (Chamoli) are correctly matched.
Kedarnath is in Rudraprayag and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi; Gangotri (Uttarkashi) and Badrinath (Chamoli) are correctly matched.
Q6. With reference to PRAMAAN certification, consider the following statements: 1. It is issued under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme. 2. The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, is its operating agency. 3. It relies on self-declaration by growers without any third-party audit. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: b
PRAMAAN uses independent third-party audits by NABCB-accredited bodies, so statement 3 is wrong; statements 1 and 2 are correct.
PRAMAAN uses independent third-party audits by NABCB-accredited bodies, so statement 3 is wrong; statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Q7. With reference to Census 2027, consider the following statements: 1. For the snow-bound areas of Uttarakhand, the reference date is 00:00 hours of 1 October 2026. 2. 'Census' is a subject in the Concurrent List. 3. The Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
Statement 2 is wrong: Census is in the Union List (Entry 69). Statements 1 and 3 are correct — the snow-bound reference date is 1 October 2026 and the exercise is notified under the Census Act, 1948.
Statement 2 is wrong: Census is in the Union List (Entry 69). Statements 1 and 3 are correct — the snow-bound reference date is 1 October 2026 and the exercise is notified under the Census Act, 1948.
Q8. Which one of the following pairs of a Char Dham shrine and its district is NOT correctly matched?
- Kedarnath – Rudraprayag
- Badrinath – Chamoli
- Gangotri – Tehri Garhwal
- Yamunotri – Uttarkashi
Show answer
Answer: C
Gangotri lies in Uttarkashi district, like Yamunotri. Kedarnath is in Rudraprayag and Badrinath in Chamoli. In 2026, Gangotri recorded its highest-ever footfall of 8.41 lakh.
Gangotri lies in Uttarkashi district, like Yamunotri. Kedarnath is in Rudraprayag and Badrinath in Chamoli. In 2026, Gangotri recorded its highest-ever footfall of 8.41 lakh.
Q9. Arrange the following events of the Uttarakhand statehood movement in chronological order: 1. Mussoorie firing 2. Formation of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal 3. Rampur Tiraha firing 4. Khatima firing
- 2-4-1-3
- 4-1-2-3
- 2-1-4-3
- 4-2-1-3
Show answer
Answer: A
UKD (1979) → Khatima (1 Sept 1994) → Mussoorie (2 Sept 1994) → Rampur Tiraha (2 Oct 1994).
UKD (1979) → Khatima (1 Sept 1994) → Mussoorie (2 Sept 1994) → Rampur Tiraha (2 Oct 1994).
Q10. Consider the following statements about Minimum Support Price (MSP): 1. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is a statutory body. 2. MSP is announced for 22 mandated crops. 3. For RMS 2027-28, wheat received the highest absolute MSP increase. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
CACP is an attached office (not statutory). Wheat got the smallest hike (₹25); safflower got the highest (₹675).
CACP is an attached office (not statutory). Wheat got the smallest hike (₹25); safflower got the highest (₹675).
Mains practice questions
- "Uttarakhand's hydropower strength is also its seasonal vulnerability." In the light of the recent peak-hour power deficit, examine the state's energy challenges and suggest a diversified energy strategy. (200 words)
- "Traditional naula-dhara systems are Uttarakhand's first line of water security." In the light of SARRA's revival drive, discuss the causes of drying springs in the Himalaya and suggest a springshed-based strategy. (125 words)
- Record pilgrim footfall and growing high-altitude trekking are raising disaster exposure in Uttarakhand's upper Himalaya. Discuss the challenges and suggest a risk-management framework. (125 words, 8 marks)
- Glacial lakes are emerging as a major disaster risk in the Uttarakhand Himalaya. Discuss the causes of GLOF risk in the state and evaluate the role of early-warning systems in disaster risk reduction. (150 words, 10 marks)
- Over-tourism is straining Uttarakhand's hill towns. Discuss the need for carrying-capacity-based tourism regulation, citing recent judicial interventions, and suggest a framework for Mussoorie. (125 words, 8 marks)
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