2 Nov – 8 Nov 202626 Oct – 1 Nov 202619 Oct – 25 Oct 202612 Oct – 18 Oct 20265 Oct – 11 Oct 202628 Sep – 4 Oct 202621 Sep – 27 Sep 202614 Sep – 20 Sep 20267 Sep – 13 Sep 202631 Aug – 6 Sep 2026
Weekly at a glance
- Mon 19 Oct — UP doubles Farmers' Scholarship seats; Mainpuri's Sauj Jheel becomes UP's 14th Ramsar site; HC orders panchayat polls in 3 months
- Tue 20 Oct — Vijayadashami in Gorakhpur, Etawah's Ajeet Singh wins Asian Para Games silver, and UP doubles farmers' children scholarship seats
- Wed 21 Oct — Allahabad HC orders STF check of all UP basic-school teachers' documents; UP Council polls on 23 Oct; UP-AI Mission, ₹1,725 cr skill zones and SAF Policy-2026 lead the state's big decisions
- Thu 22 Oct — UP hikes three police allowances on Police Commemoration Day; TET made mandatory for aided-school TGTs; MLC graduate-teacher polls on 23 Oct
- Fri 23 Oct — UP Legislative Council polls on 11 graduate & teacher seats today; Ganga Expressway cuts travel time by up to 10 hours; UP meets record 32,673 MW power demand
All topics — key facts for revision
19 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE Navratri push: “Sashakt Nari, Samridh Uttar Pradesh” — women-empowerment scorecard
- Anganwadi workers' monthly honorarium raised from ₹3,000 to ₹12,000 (four-fold), with health insurance cover.
- More than 1.20 crore women are linked to self-help groups (SHGs) in UP.
- 4 lakh+ women in 31 districts are members of women-led dairy producer companies — Balinee, Samarthya, Kashi, Baba Gorakhnath, Srijani.
- Take-home ration (THR) production handed to SHG women; BC Sakhi brings banking to gram panchayats; Lakhpati Didi targets sustainable incomes.
UP-SCHEME CM Farmers' Scholarship Scheme: seats doubled, grant raised to ₹60,000
- Seats per agricultural university/institute: 45 → 90; per agricultural college: 15 → 30.
- Annual grant per student raised from ₹36,000 to ₹60,000.
- Covers UG & PG courses in agriculture, home science, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry.
- Coverage: 11 agri universities/institutes and 61 agri colleges; about ₹22.90 crore paid to 6,454 students (2017-18 to 2025-26).
UP-ENVIRONMENT Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri) declared Ramsar site — India 103, UP 14
- Sauj Jheel: shallow lake in the Ganga floodplain, Mainpuri district; Ramsar Site No. 2603.
- Part of a wetland network with nearby Saman Bird Sanctuary — Mainpuri is now the only UP district with two Ramsar sites.
- UP's tally rises to 14, second only to Tamil Nadu.
- Supports waterbirds, sacred lotus (*Nelumbo nucifera*) and wild sugarcane (*Saccharum spontaneum*).
- Ramsar Convention: signed 2 Feb 1971 at Ramsar (Iran), in force 1975; World Wetlands Day = 2 Feb.
UP-POLITY Allahabad HC: hold panchayat polls within 3 months on existing 27% OBC quota
- Polls to be held under the existing reservation, including 27% OBC; cannot wait for the Dedicated Backward Classes Commission (formed 18 May 2026).
- OBC-reserved seats must not be treated as open seats merely because the inquiry is pending.
- Terms of earlier bodies ended May 2026; the 25 May 2026 order making outgoing pradhans Administrators was upheld.
- Challenge to Sections 12(3-A) and 12-BB(3) of the UP Panchayat Raj Act, 1947 under Article 243-E rejected.
- State must give the SEC staff, funds and security.
UP-ECONOMY UP Cabinet's 39-proposal package: AI Mission, ₹1,725-cr skill zones, SAF policy
- UP Artificial Intelligence Mission (UP-AIM): society under IT & Electronics Dept; 100+ AI use cases, 100 AI startups, 5 lakh youth trained, AI centres in all 75 districts.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Skill Training & Employment Zone scheme: ₹1,725 crore over 3 years; 9 zones (hub-and-spoke); phase 1 at Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Jhansi.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Policy-2026: 5 years; nodal agency UPNEDA; 100% electricity-duty exemption up to 10 years.
- UP Startup Procurement Scheme-2026 creates a UP Startup E-Marketplace; interest-waiver scheme on old tax dues; Model Building Regulations, 2026 approved.
UP-INFRA New Noida (DNGIR) sets up 3 circles to develop 80 villages
- Area 209.11 sq km across 80 villages between Dadri (Gautam Buddha Nagar) and Khurja (Bulandshahr).
- Master Plan 2041; planned population about 6 lakh.
- Four phases: 2023-27, 2027-32, 2032-37, 2037-41.
- Compensation: phases 1–2 on Greater Noida model (6% abadi plot); phases 3–4 on YEIDA model (7%).
UP-CULTURE 10th Ayodhya Deepotsav (5–7 Nov) to light 33 lakh diyas
- 33 lakh earthen lamps along ~2 km of the Saryu riverfront incl. Ram Ki Paidi; dates 5–7 Nov 2026.
- About 65 lakh wicks and 55,000 litres of oil; ~34,000 volunteers.
- Cultural programmes on a special stage at Ram Ki Paidi; focus on security, traffic and cleanliness.
NATIONAL · ECONOMY Ethanol 2026-27: zero sugar diversion — sugar-based feedstocks excluded
- Procurement shifts to maize, damaged foodgrains, surplus FCI rice and C-heavy molasses.
- Reasons: record retail sugar prices, weak cane yields in Maharashtra/Karnataka, festive buffer stocks.
- India has already achieved E20 blending; capacity ~2,000 crore litres; E25/E27 and flex-fuel under study.
- UP angle: India's top cane state loses the juice/B-heavy route — distilleries must pivot to grain and C-heavy molasses.
NATIONAL · POLITY Supreme Court: children have a fundamental right to access the Internet
- Right flows from Article 21 read with Article 19(1)(a); builds on Anuradha Bhasin (2020).
- Suggested parental consent, age-appropriate safeguards and a 'child mode' for social-media accounts.
NATIONAL · ECONOMY PLFS 2025: rural female labour-force participation jumps to 45.9%
- Rural female LFPR 33% → 45.9%; urban 23.3% → 27.7%.
- Biggest gains: Arunachal Pradesh (+8.28 rural, +5.24 urban); Lakshadweep declined.
- Rise is largely self-employment/unpaid family work — quality of jobs remains a concern.
20 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-CULTURE Vijayadashami at Gorakhnath Temple: Tilakotsav and the Nath-tradition Vijay procession
- Morning worship of Guru Gorakhnath, then Tilakotsav where devotees receive blessings.
- At 4 pm the Vijay procession leaves the temple in Nath-sect attire, stopping at Mansarovar Temple.
- At Mansarovar Ramlila Ground the CM performs the coronation of Lord Ram (Rajyabhishek) and aarti.
- Ends with a community feast open to all castes; minority-community residents welcome the procession with garlands.
UP-GOVERNANCE 'Shri Krishna Puri': homes for the poor on mafia-freed land at Kasari-Masari, Prayagraj
- Site: Kasari-Masari, Prayagraj; colony to be named 'Shri Krishna Puri'.
- Continues the state model of building homes for the poor on land freed from mafia (seized-asset reuse).
- CM urged people to 'burn' social evils — drug addiction, dowry, caste discrimination, family discord — with Ravan's effigy.
UP-SPORTS Asian Para Games 2026: Etawah's Ajeet Singh Yadav wins javelin F46 silver in India's 1-2 finish
- Ajeet Singh Yadav (Etawah, UP) — silver, 65.02 m; Rinku Hooda — gold, 65.11 m (men's javelin F46).
- Ajeet is a Paris 2024 Paralympics silver medallist and 2023 World Para Athletics champion.
- India had 11 medals (4G-5S-2B) and was 4th in the table on 19 Oct; other golds — Mona Agarwal (shooting), Nishad Kumar, Soumya.
- UP's 'Padak Lao, Pad Pao' policy offers direct government jobs to medal winners.
UP-SCHEME Mukhyamantri Krishak Chhatravritti Yojana: seats doubled, grant raised to ₹60,000 a year
- Run by the UP State Agricultural Produce Market Board (Mandi Parishad).
- Annual grant: ₹36,000 → ₹60,000 (+₹24,000).
- Seats per institution: universities/institutes 45 → 90; agricultural colleges 15 → 30.
- Covers 11 agri universities/institutes and 61 agri colleges — Agriculture, Home Science, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry.
- Track record: 6,454 students got about ₹22.90 crore between 2017-18 and 2025-26.
UP-INFRA ₹22.45 crore Doppler weather radar network across five UP cities
- Sites: Azamgarh, Varanasi (installed) + Lucknow, Jhansi, Aligarh (work under way).
- Cost: ₹22.45 crore — about ₹19.50 crore for radars + ₹2.95 crore civil works.
- Each radar covers roughly 250–500 km; aims to warn farmers and save crops and livestock.
- Complements central radars and UP's automatic weather station network.
UP-SCHEME Kanya Sumangala and Mission Shakti: life-cycle support for the girl child
- MKSY: ₹25,000 in six stages — birth, immunisation, Class 1, Class 6, Class 9 and graduation/diploma.
- ₹1 lakh assistance at marriage (CM's statement).
- Safety: women help desks and a separate room in every police station, 1090 helpline, women beat police.
- 1.29 lakh girls received self-esteem training under Mission Shakti (16 Oct).
UP-GOVERNANCE UP Cabinet (39 proposals): UP-AI Mission, skill zones, aviation-fuel policy and startup procurement
- UP-AI Mission (UP-AIM): society under IT dept; 5 lakh youth to be AI-skilled, 100+ AI startups, AI centres in all 75 districts.
- Sardar Patel Skill Training & Employment Zone Scheme: ₹1,725 crore, 9 zones (hub-and-spoke).
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy-2026 (nodal: UPNEDA) — feedstock from crop residue, municipal waste, non-edible oilseeds.
- UP Startup Procurement Scheme-2026 (startup e-marketplace) and Interest Waiver Scheme-2026 (3 months).
UP-GOVERNANCE Renamings: Bhadohi becomes 'Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi'; Jewar airport to bear PM Modi's name
- Bhadohi → Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi — reportedly its 5th renaming in 32 years.
- Sant Ravidas (15th-century Bhakti saint) was born near Varanasi; Bhadohi is India's hand-knotted carpet hub (GI tag).
- Noida International Airport, Jewar (Gautam Buddha Nagar) to be named after PM Narendra Modi.
- Same Cabinet: paddy procurement policy for KMY 2026-27; SH-84 (Mainpuri) to be four-laned.
UP-CULTURE 10th Ayodhya Deepotsav (6–7 Nov) to stage Ramlila in Malayalam, Assamese and Dogri for the first time
- 10th edition on 6–7 November 2026; Ramlila on 10–15 stages across Ayodhya.
- First-ever troupes performing in Malayalam (Kerala), Assamese (Assam), Dogri (J&K); Uttarakhand and Bengal troupes too.
- Philippines troupe confirmed; foreign troupes invited via ICCR.
- Russian artists in Ayodhya also marked the birth centenary of Gennadi Pechnikov, celebrated as 'Russia's Ram' (19 Oct).
NATIONAL NSAP renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; continued to 2030-31 with ₹53,428 crore
- Outlay ₹53,428 crore; about 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States/UTs.
- Sub-schemes renamed: PM Vridhavastha, Vidhawa, Divyangjan Pension Yojanas and PM Parivar Labh Yojana.
- Disability pension: eligibility threshold 80% → 40% (in line with RPwD Act, 2016); age criterion from birth; ₹375 (0–79 yrs), ₹625 (80+).
- NSAP began 15 Aug 1995, implementing Article 41 (public assistance in old age, disablement).
ECONOMY Retail inflation rises to 5.54% in September; UP at 6.08%
- All-India CPI: 5.54% (Aug: 4.83%); rural 6.08%, urban 4.88%.
- Food inflation (CFPI): 7.74% (Aug: 5.97%).
- Uttar Pradesh: 6.08% (rural 6.71%, urban 4.73%) — above the national average.
- RBI's target: 4% ± 2% — September is close to the 6% upper band.
21 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-JUDICIARY Allahabad HC orders STF verification of documents of all UP basic-school teachers
- Order of 16 Oct 2026 by Justice Vinod Diwakar; STF found cases where 10 or more people were employed against one set of documents.
- All teachers of Classes 1-8 must submit appointment letters and educational documents to the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) within one week.
- BSA forwards papers to the STF range office; ADGP (STF) supervises verification; officers liable to be held personally accountable for laxity.
- Teachers must file notarised affidavits naming relatives who held BSA-level or higher posts; compliance hearing on 4 Nov 2026.
UP-POLITY UP Legislative Council biennial polls on 23 Oct for 11 graduate & teacher seats
- 11 seats: 5 Graduates' and 6 Teachers' constituencies; polling on 23 Oct 2026, 8 am-4 pm.
- UP Vidhan Parishad has 100 members; members serve 6 years, with one-third retiring every 2 years (hence 'biennial').
- Under Art. 171, 1/12 of members are elected by graduates of 3 years' standing and 1/12 by teachers of secondary schools and above.
- Voting uses the single transferable vote system of proportional representation.
UP-CULTURE 'Wings Over Ganges': IAF's first air show over the Ganga at Varanasi's Namo Ghat
- Venue Namo Ghat, Varanasi; latest schedule 22-25 Oct 2026; marks the 94th anniversary of the IAF (founded 8 Oct 1932).
- Suryakiran team flies 9 Hawk Mk 132 jets (built by HAL under licence); Sarang helicopter display team also performs.
- Line-up includes Tejas, LCH Prachand, Rafale, Su-30MKI, C-295, IL-76/IL-78 and AN-32.
- Organisers expect 20-30 lakh visitors, boosting boats, hotels and riverfront tourism.
UP-SCHEME UP Cabinet sets up the Uttar Pradesh AI Mission (UP-AIM); Lucknow pitched as India's first AI City
- UP-AIM is an independent society under the IT & Electronics Department.
- Targets: 100+ AI use cases (25-30 scaled up), 100 AI startups, 5 lakh AI-skilled youth and 50,000 forward-deployed AI professionals.
- AI centres in all 75 districts; Noida and Lucknow are being built as Deep Tech hubs under the startup policy.
- Gautam Buddha Nagar already hosts 12 IT/ITES SEZs; 7 Software Technology Parks are functional in the state.
UP-SCHEME ₹1,725 crore Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Skill Training & Employment Zone scheme approved
- Outlay ₹1,725 crore over 3 years; 9 zones covering all 75 districts on a hub-and-spoke model.
- Phase-1 centres (10-25 acres, 4-lane connectivity): Lucknow, Kanpur (PPP), Gorakhpur (GIDA), Gautam Buddha Nagar (NOIDA/YEIDA), Jhansi (BIDA).
- Courses: basic skills for non-technical graduates, upgrades for ITI/polytechnic/engineering youth, and foreign-language training for overseas jobs.
- AI-driven analytics, digital dashboards, hostels and placement cells at each centre.
UP-ECONOMY UP Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2026 cleared
- Feedstock: rice husk, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, municipal waste, non-edible oilseeds; routes incl. pyrolysis, gasification and Alcohol-to-Jet.
- Unit classes by investment: Large ₹200-500 cr, Mega ₹500-1,500 cr, Ultra-mega above ₹1,500 cr.
- Incentives: stamp-duty relief, net SGST reimbursement, interest subsidy, 100% electricity-duty exemption for up to 10 years.
- Nodal agency UPNEDA; policy valid for 5 years.
UP-GOVERNANCE Bhadohi becomes 'Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi'; Jewar airport to be 'Narendra Modi International Airport'
- Bhadohi, carved out of Varanasi, became UP's 65th district on 30 June 1994; it was renamed back to plain 'Bhadohi' on 6 Dec 2014.
- Named after Sant Ravidas (15th-16th c. Bhakti poet of Kashi; 40 of his verses are in the Guru Granth Sahib); his 650th birth-anniversary year is being marked.
- Bhadohi is India's 'Carpet City' — hand-knotted carpet holds a GI tag.
- Noida International Airport, Jewar (Gautam Buddha Nagar) to be renamed Narendra Modi International Airport.
UP-CULTURE 10th Ayodhya Deepotsav (5-7 Nov) to light 33 lakh diyas along Ram Ki Paidi
- 10th edition, 5-7 Nov 2026; target 33 lakh earthen diyas over a ~2 km stretch of Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu ghats.
- About 34,000 volunteers plus ~34,000 students; ~65 lakh wicks, 55,000 litres of oil, 150 kg camphor.
- Deepotsav began in 2017 with about 1.71 lakh diyas and has set successive world records.
- Ayodhya lies on the right bank of the Saryu (Ghaghara); part of the Ramayana Circuit under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
ECONOMY Centre halts sugar-based ethanol procurement for 2026-27 — a key watch for UP's cane belt
- PSU oil firms' joint tender for ~11 billion litres for the supply year from 1 Nov 2026 excludes ethanol from cane juice, sugar, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses.
- Allowed: C-heavy molasses, damaged food grains, surplus FCI rice, maize and other feedstocks under the National Policy on Biofuels.
- India hit E20 (20% blending) in 2025, five years ahead of the original 2030 target.
- Mills may sell sugar made in Oct 2026 across Oct-Nov over and above monthly quotas.
NATIONAL India-New Zealand FTA enters into force; Rubio says India-US trade deal is 'very close'
- India-NZ FTA in force from 20 Oct 2026: duty-free access for Indian exports; NZ gains access for wood, wool, sheep meat; US$20 bn investment commitment.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met EAM S. Jaishankar in Mumbai on 20 Oct; also held a US-India-UAE trilateral.
- Feb 2026 framework had cut US tariffs on most Indian goods to 18% from 50%.
- Rubio urged India to buy more US and Venezuelan crude and toured the Jamnagar refinery (Gujarat).
SOCIAL Global Hunger Index 2026: India ranked 100th of 122, still in the 'serious' category
- Score 24.1; rank 100/122 (last year 102/123); 'serious' band is 20.0-34.9.
- Child wasting 19.0% (up from 16.9%) — highest in South Asia; child stunting 29.3% (down from 35.6%).
- Undernourishment 9.8% (from 10.5%); under-5 mortality 2.7%.
- GHI uses four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality.
22 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-GOVERNANCE UP raises three police allowances on Police Commemoration Day
- Motorcycle allowance for Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors raised from ₹700 to ₹1,000 per month.
- Uniform allowance for PPS cadre officers raised from ₹6,400 to ₹15,000; SIM allowance for field-duty constables/head constables from ₹2,000 to ₹2,500.
- Women in UP Police rose from about 10,000 to 45,000; over 2.26 lakh personnel recruited and training capacity raised to 60,000 at a time.
- Six UP personnel were among the 154 police personnel across India who died on duty in the past year; three new women PAC battalions have been raised.
- Police Commemoration Day (21 Oct) marks the 1959 Hot Springs (Ladakh) ambush in which ten CRPF personnel were killed.
UP-EDUCATION TET made mandatory for TGT posts in aided secondary schools
- For the first time, passing TET (upper-primary level, Classes 6-8) is compulsory for TGT recruitment in aided schools.
- Other qualifications: graduation with 50% in the subject (or PG with 45%) plus an NCTE-recognised B.Ed.
- Candidates may obtain a valid TET certificate by 30 June 2027.
- The UP Education Service Selection Commission has been asked to include the revised eligibility in its next notification.
UP-POLITY Polling for 11 graduate and teacher MLC seats on 23 October
- 11 seats across graduate and teacher constituencies; 152 candidates in the fray.
- Over 14.81 lakh voters and 2,697 polling booths; polling 8 am-4 pm on 23 Oct, counting on 27 Oct.
- Seats include the Varanasi Division graduate and teacher constituencies; process to be completed by 31 Oct.
- Voting is by single transferable vote (preferential ballot).
UP-GOVERNANCE ECI freezes transfers of UP roll-revision staff for SSR-2027
- Exercise is a Special Summary Revision (SSR) under Section 21, RP Act 1950, with 1 Jan 2027 as qualifying date.
- Draft roll on 12 Nov 2026; claims and objections till 11 Dec; final roll on 4 Jan 2027.
- DEOs, EROs and AEROs are deemed on deputation to ECI under Section 13CC; posts must not be left vacant.
- Separately, the Commission ordered a probe into alleged voter-list irregularities in Pilibhit.
UP-ECONOMY Gulf-based retail group plans another ₹10,000 crore investment in UP
- Group has already invested about ₹10,000 crore in UP and plans another ₹10,000 crore; four more projects are under way.
- New 1 lakh sq ft hypermarket in Greater Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar) inaugurated by state ministers; its earlier UP outlet is in Lucknow.
- The group sources fruits, vegetables and food products from UP for export.
UP-SCHEME 20% reservation for former Agniveers in four UP services
- 20% reservation for former Agniveers in police, forest, prison and transport department recruitment.
- Upper age limit raised from 25 to 28 years (3-year relaxation).
- Exempted from written and physical tests; only a medical test; original category reservation continues.
UP-INFRA 1,725 AC electric buses for 18 UP cities
- 1,725 AC e-buses in 18 cities on a Gross Cost Contract model with private operators for 12 years.
- Fares to be fixed by the state government; municipal corporations and the Noida Authority to give depot land free.
- Cities include Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Jhansi and Noida (incl. Jewar).
- At present 743 e-buses run in 15 municipal corporations.
UP-SCHEME UP notifies Sustainable Aviation Fuel Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2026
- Units classed as Large (₹200-500 cr), Mega (₹500-1,500 cr) and Ultra-mega (above ₹1,500 cr).
- Incentives: 100% electricity-duty exemption for 10 years, stamp duty relief, net SGST reimbursement, interest and skill subsidies.
- UPNEDA is the nodal agency; policy valid for 5 years.
- Feedstock: agricultural residue, municipal waste and non-edible oilseeds, adding to farm incomes.
UP-SCHEME UP Startup Procurement Scheme-2026 with a dedicated e-marketplace
- A UP Startup E-Marketplace will list startups' products and services for departments to buy.
- Run by the UP Startup Mission; purchases from departments' approved budgets.
- Open to enterprises registered under the UP Startup Policy.
- UP has about 96 lakh MSMEs, around 14.2% of India's enterprises.
NATIONAL NSAP continued till 2030-31 and renamed PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana
- Outlay ₹53,428 crore; about 3.20 crore beneficiaries; 100% centrally funded.
- IGNOAPS, IGNWPS, IGNDPS and NFBS renamed as PM Vridhavastha, Vidhawa, Divyangjan Pension and PM Parivar Labh Yojana.
- Disability pension: benchmark disability lowered from 80% to 40%, minimum age removed; ₹375 (0-79 yrs) and ₹625 (80+).
ECONOMY RBI MPC minutes: unanimous hike to 5.50%, stance split 4:2
- All six members voted for a 25 bps hike in repo rate to 5.50%.
- Shift to a 'calibrated tightening' stance passed 4:2; two external members preferred neutral.
- September CPI inflation 5.54%, near the upper end of the 4% ± 2% target band.
23 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →UP-POLITY UP Legislative Council: voting today for 11 Graduates' & Teachers' seats
- 11 seats: 5 Graduates' (Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Allahabad-Jhansi) + 6 Teachers' (Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Bareilly-Moradabad, Gorakhpur-Faizabad).
- About 152 candidates, over 14.81 lakh voters and 2,697 polling booths; counting on 27 October 2026.
- Special casual leave declared for eligible graduate/teacher voters among employees in Lucknow.
- Varanasi Division seats: notification 29 Sept; the Divisional Commissioner is the Returning Officer.
UP-GOVERNANCE Lucknow hosts 'Sadhana Shrinkhala-2026' under Mission Karmayogi
- Third regional workshop (after Vijayawada & Guwahati) for 12 States/UTs: 8 states incl. UP + Chandigarh, Delhi, J&K, Ladakh.
- Roadmap to be linked with the Unnati portal, which connects 700+ government training institutions.
- Four focus areas: governance & leadership, operational efficiency, faculty capacity, digital/AI transformation.
UP-SECURITY 'TechSangam' International Dialogue-26 opens at UPSIFS, Lucknow
- Day 1: digital trust, data security, AI in forensic investigation; Day 2 (24 Oct): CM is chief guest; National Quantum Mission presentation.
- Discussions anchored in the DPDP Act, 2023 and Viksit Bharat-2047 goals.
- Student sessions on banking cyber-security, insurance fraud and cyberbullying evidence.
UP-INFRA Ganga Expressway: 594 km corridor cutting travel time by up to 10 hours
- ~594 km, six-lane (expandable to 8), access-controlled; cost about ₹36,230 crore; passes through 12 districts.
- Meerut-Prayagraj time cut from 10-12 hrs to ~6 hrs; trucks Saharanpur-Prayagraj 20-22 hrs to 11-12 hrs.
- Planned: 3.5 km emergency airstrip at Shahjahanpur and a ~2,635 ha manufacturing & logistics corridor.
- A 74.467 km greenfield link (₹8,585.51 cr, UPEIDA) will join Noida International Airport, Jewar to the expressway via Bulandshahr.
UP-ECONOMY UP meets record 32,673 MW peak power demand; cheap PM-KUSUM solar approved
- Record 32,673 MW met on 24 June 2026 vs 12,327 MW (2014) and 16,110 MW (2017).
- Supply schedule: 24 hrs district HQ, 21.5 hrs tehsil HQ, 18 hrs rural areas.
- UPERC approved 10 PPAs (19.7 MW) under PM-KUSUM Component C-2 (feeder-level solarisation) at ₹2.91-2.99/unit; lowest bid from Chitrakoot.
UP-ECONOMY ₹56.26 crore incentives cleared for four industrial units across UP
- Gorakhpur unit - ₹25.97 cr (largest); food-processing unit, Barabanki - ₹12.77 cr; cement units at Hamirpur - ₹10.11 cr and Amethi - ₹7.41 cr.
- Units span Purvanchal, Madhyanchal and Bundelkhand, supporting balanced regional growth.
- Incentives are quarter-wise reimbursements for 2025-26 and early 2026-27.
UP-SCHEME Two free LPG refills for Ujjwala families; 1,725 AC e-buses for 18 cities
- About 1.86 crore Ujjwala households; expected cost about ₹2,143 crore for FY 2026-27.
- Phase 1: Oct-Dec 2026 (Diwali); Phase 2: Jan-Mar 2027 (Holi); Aadhaar-linked bank account & authentication required; subsidy via DBT.
- 1,725 AC electric buses for 18 cities on Gross Cost Contract model: Lucknow & Kanpur 300 each, Varanasi 250, Gorakhpur 150.
UP-LAW & ORDER Gangsters Act: property action crosses ₹15,233 crore; homes for poor on seized land
- Value rose from ₹1,800 cr (Aug 2021) to ₹15,233 cr (Oct 2026); total includes attachment, not only final confiscation.
- 148 flats built on freed land: 76 at Lukarganj, Prayagraj (PMAY-U) and 72 EWS flats at Dalibagh, Lucknow.
- Kasari-Masari, Prayagraj: 1,200 homes under Padmalok Awas Yojana (foundation 15 Oct 2026) - would take total to 1,348.
UP-CULTURE 10th Ayodhya Deepotsav (5-7 Nov) to light 33 lakh diyas; Ashfaqullah Khan remembered
- 10th Deepotsav, 5-7 Nov 2026: 33 lakh diyas on a ~2 km stretch from Ram Ki Paidi to Saryu ghats; ~34,000 volunteers.
- Materials: ~65 lakh wicks, 55,000 litres of oil, 150 kg camphor.
- Ashfaqullah Khan (b. 22 Oct 1900, Shahjahanpur), HRA member, took part in Kakori train action (9 Aug 1925); hanged at Faizabad Jail, 19 Dec 1927.
NATIONAL NSAP revamped as 'PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana' with ₹53,428 crore outlay
- Outlay ₹53,428 crore; about 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States/UTs.
- Sub-schemes renamed: PM Vridhavastha, PM Vidhawa, PM Divyangjan Pension Yojana and PM Parivar Labh Yojana.
- Disability pension: benchmark disability 80% → 40%, eligibility from birth; ₹375/month (0-79 yrs), ₹625 (80+).
SCI-TECH ISRO to launch NVS-03 navigation satellite on 30 October
- NVS-03: 3rd of the NVS series and 12th satellite of IRNSS/NavIC; launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
- NavIC covers India and about 1,500 km beyond its boundary for positioning, navigation and timing.
Prelims rapid-fire — 30 facts
| Renaming: Bhadohi district renamed Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi (Cabinet, Oct 2026) |
| Rajya Sabha: All 10 UP seats filled unopposed: BJP 8, SP 2; BSP left with no UP member; outgoing terms end 25 Nov |
| Award: UP 1st in PMAY-U Beneficiary-Led Construction; 3rd in PMAY-U 2.0 grounding (5 Oct) |
| Urban rules: Model Building Regulations, 2026: no FAR cap on roads >45 m; deemed approval in 60 days; high-rise audit every 5 years |
| Sports: Major Dhyan Chand Sports University, Meerut; “Medal Lao, Naukri Pao” = govt jobs for medallists |
| Festival: 19 Oct: Maha Navami public holiday in UP; CM performed Kanya Pujan at Gorakhnath Temple, Gorakhpur |
| Asian Para Games 2026 host — Aichi–Nagoya, Japan (18–24 Oct); India 11 medals (4G-5S-2B), 4th on 19 Oct |
| Sports-job policy (UP) — 'Padak Lao, Pad Pao' — direct govt jobs for medal winners |
| Vindhyavasini Dham, Mirzapur — 25 lakh+ devotees in a single Navratri day (CM) |
| Model Building Regulations-2026 — Simplified map/plot approvals in industrial development authority areas |
| UP Interest Waiver Scheme-2026 — 3 months; interest/penalty waiver on old tax dues up to 31 Dec 2025 |
| Mandi Parishad (UP) — Runs Krishak Chhatravritti; 2026-27 spending provision ₹3,025.49 crore |
| Ujjwala refills: 2 free LPG refills (Diwali & Holi) in FY27 for PMUY families; cost ₹2,142.78 cr |
| e-Buses: 1,725 AC electric buses for 18 cities (incl. Noida-Jewar) on a 12-year operator contract |
| AYUSH interns: Stipend of Ayurveda, Unani & Homeopathy interns doubled to ₹15,000/month |
| Startups: Startup Procurement Scheme-2026: e-marketplace run by UP Startup Mission for govt purchases |
| Tax relief: Interest Waiver Scheme-2026: 3-month window to clear old tax dues (up to 31 Dec 2025) without interest/penalty |
| Anganwadi: Workers & helpers to get 3 sarees a year instead of 2 — 3,80,290 beneficiaries |
| Suhas L.Y. (UP-cadre IAS) won bronze in men's singles SL4 para-badminton at the 5th Asian Para Games, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. |
| Three new women PAC battalions are named after Uda Devi Pasi, Jhalkari Bai Kori and Avanti Bai Lodhi. |
| Internship stipend for Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy interns doubled from ₹7,500 to ₹15,000 a month; 1,714 interns benefit. |
| Ayodhya's 10th Deepotsav is planned for 5-7 Nov 2026 at Ram ki Paidi and the Saryu riverfront. |
| UP now has the Police Commissionerate system in 7 cities and a cyber police station in every district. |
| 21 Oct also marks the Azad Hind Government proclaimed by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943. |
| Renaming: Bhadohi district to be renamed Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi (UP Cabinet, 9 Oct 2026). |
| Naming: Noida International Airport, Jewar to be named after PM Narendra Modi (UP Cabinet decision). |
| Tech mission: UP-AIM (UP AI Mission): train 5 lakh youth in AI, AI centres in all 75 districts, back 100+ AI startups. |
| Green policy: UP Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy-2026: nodal agency UPNEDA; feedstock - crop residue, MSW, non-edible oils. |
| Sports: Suhas L.Y. (IAS, UP Sports Dept.) won bronze in men's singles SL4 para-badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026. |
| Festival: Ayodhya Ramlila 2026 staged in Delhi for the first time (10-20 Oct); organisers claim 74 crore+ views across 57 countries. |
Data points of the period
India 103 | UP 14
Ramsar sites
Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri) is Ramsar Site No. 2603; UP is second only to Tamil Nadu.
Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri) is Ramsar Site No. 2603; UP is second only to Tamil Nadu.
39 proposals
UP Cabinet, 9 Oct 2026
One meeting cleared the AI Mission, ₹1,725 cr skill zones, SAF Policy-2026, two renamings and free LPG refills.
One meeting cleared the AI Mission, ₹1,725 cr skill zones, SAF Policy-2026, two renamings and free LPG refills.
about 45,000
Women in UP Police
Up from about 10,000 before 2017, as stated by the state government on Police Commemoration Day 2026.
Up from about 10,000 before 2017, as stated by the state government on Police Commemoration Day 2026.
32,673 MW
UP record peak power demand met
Met on 24 June 2026 - about 2.7 times the 2014 peak of 12,327 MW.
Met on 24 June 2026 - about 2.7 times the 2014 peak of 12,327 MW.
10 practice MCQs — UPPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. Sauj Jheel, which took India's Ramsar tally to 103 in October 2026, is located in which district of Uttar Pradesh — the only UP district that now has two Ramsar sites?
- Etawah
- Mainpuri
- Unnao
- Hardoi
Show answer
Answer: B
Sauj Jheel lies in the Ganga floodplain of Mainpuri, which already had Saman Bird Sanctuary; UP now has 14 Ramsar sites.
Sauj Jheel lies in the Ganga floodplain of Mainpuri, which already had Saman Bird Sanctuary; UP now has 14 Ramsar sites.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT a part of the Supreme Court's 'triple test' for OBC reservation in local bodies?
- A dedicated commission to inquire into backwardness
- Specifying quota proportion local-body-wise
- Total SC/ST/OBC reservation not exceeding 50%
- Approval of the quota by the State Legislature by two-thirds majority
Show answer
Answer: D
The triple test (Vikas Kishanrao Gawali, 2021) = dedicated commission + local-body-wise proportion + 50% cap; no legislative two-thirds approval is required.
The triple test (Vikas Kishanrao Gawali, 2021) = dedicated commission + local-body-wise proportion + 50% cap; no legislative two-thirds approval is required.
Q3. With reference to the Mukhyamantri Krishak Chhatravritti Yojana of Uttar Pradesh, consider the following statements: 1. It is implemented by the State Agricultural Produce Market Board (Mandi Parishad). 2. The annual grant has been raised to ₹60,000. 3. Seats per agricultural college have been raised from 15 to 30. 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: the Mandi Parishad runs the scheme, the grant rose from ₹36,000 to ₹60,000, and seats rose 15 → 30 in colleges (45 → 90 in universities/institutes).
All three are correct: the Mandi Parishad runs the scheme, the grant rose from ₹36,000 to ₹60,000, and seats rose 15 → 30 in colleges (45 → 90 in universities/institutes).
Q4. Under Uttar Pradesh's ₹22.45 crore Doppler weather radar project, radars have already been installed at which of the following pairs of cities?
- Lucknow and Jhansi
- Azamgarh and Varanasi
- Aligarh and Lucknow
- Jhansi and Varanasi
Show answer
Answer: B
Azamgarh and Varanasi radars are installed; work is under way at Lucknow, Jhansi and Aligarh.
Azamgarh and Varanasi radars are installed; work is under way at Lucknow, Jhansi and Aligarh.
Q5. With reference to the recent renaming in Uttar Pradesh, consider the following statements: 1. Bhadohi was created as a separate district out of Varanasi in 1994. 2. Bhadohi's hand-knotted carpet holds a Geographical Indication tag. 3. Sant Ravidas, after whom the district is named, was a disciple of Guru Nanak. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
Bhadohi became UP's 65th district on 30 June 1994 after being carved out of Varanasi, and its hand-knotted carpet is GI-tagged. Statement 3 is wrong: Sant Ravidas is traditionally linked with Ramananda's Bhakti tradition, not as a disciple of Guru Nanak, though his verses are in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Bhadohi became UP's 65th district on 30 June 1994 after being carved out of Varanasi, and its hand-knotted carpet is GI-tagged. Statement 3 is wrong: Sant Ravidas is traditionally linked with Ramananda's Bhakti tradition, not as a disciple of Guru Nanak, though his verses are in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Q6. Under Article 171 of the Constitution, what fraction of the members of a State Legislative Council is elected by electorates consisting of teachers?
- One-third
- One-sixth
- One-twelfth
- One-fifth
Show answer
Answer: C
Article 171: one-third by local bodies, one-third by MLAs, one-twelfth by graduates, one-twelfth by teachers (secondary level and above) and about one-sixth nominated by the Governor. UP's Council has 100 members.
Article 171: one-third by local bodies, one-third by MLAs, one-twelfth by graduates, one-twelfth by teachers (secondary level and above) and about one-sixth nominated by the Governor. UP's Council has 100 members.
Q7. With reference to the UP Cabinet decision of October 2026 on former Agniveers, consider the following statements: 1. They will get 20% reservation in police, forest, prison and transport department recruitment. 2. Their upper age limit has been raised to 28 years. 3. They are exempted from the physical test but must clear the written examination. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B
Former Agniveers get 20% reservation and the age limit rises from 25 to 28 years. They are exempted from both the written and physical tests and need only a medical test, so statement 3 is wrong.
Former Agniveers get 20% reservation and the age limit rises from 25 to 28 years. They are exempted from both the written and physical tests and need only a medical test, so statement 3 is wrong.
Q8. The National Social Assistance Programme, continued till 2030-31, has been renamed as which of the following, and to what level has the benchmark disability criterion for disability pension been lowered?
- Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; 40%
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Suraksha Yojana; 40%
- Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; 60%
- Pradhan Mantri Kalyan Pension Yojana; 80%
Show answer
Answer: A
NSAP is now the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (₹53,428 crore, 2026-27 to 2030-31). The benchmark disability criterion was cut from 80% to 40%, in line with the RPwD Act 2016.
NSAP is now the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (₹53,428 crore, 2026-27 to 2030-31). The benchmark disability criterion was cut from 80% to 40%, in line with the RPwD Act 2016.
Q9. With reference to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, consider the following statements: 1. It has 100 members. 2. One-twelfth of its members are elected by teachers who have taught for at least three years in institutions not lower than secondary school. 3. One-sixth of its members are nominated by the Governor. 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
UP Council has 100 members; Art. 171(3)(c) gives 1/12 to teachers (3+ years, secondary level and above) and Art. 171(3)(e) 1/6 nominated by the Governor. Today 11 graduate & teacher seats go to polls.
UP Council has 100 members; Art. 171(3)(c) gives 1/12 to teachers (3+ years, secondary level and above) and Art. 171(3)(e) 1/6 nominated by the Governor. Today 11 graduate & teacher seats go to polls.
Q10. The Ganga Expressway connects Meerut with Prayagraj. Which one of the following districts does it NOT pass through?
- Hardoi
- Unnao
- Kanpur Nagar
- Sambhal
Show answer
Answer: C
Its 12 districts are Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj - Kanpur Nagar is not on the route.
Its 12 districts are Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj - Kanpur Nagar is not on the route.
Mains practice questions
- “Women's collectives are becoming the backbone of rural transformation in Uttar Pradesh.” Examine with reference to SHGs, women-led dairy companies and BC Sakhi. (125 words)
- Uttar Pradesh's girl-child and women-safety schemes now follow a 'life-cycle' approach. Examine with reference to Kanya Sumangala Yojana and Mission Shakti. (UPPSC GS-V, 125 words)
- "Skilling, not just degrees, will decide whether Uttar Pradesh reaps its demographic dividend." Evaluate the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Skill Training & Employment Zone scheme and the UP AI Mission in this light. (200 words)
- Police modernisation in Uttar Pradesh has combined personnel welfare with capacity building. Examine the key measures taken and the challenges that remain. (125 words, GS-V)
- "Expressways are becoming the growth spine of Uttar Pradesh." Examine this statement with reference to the Ganga Expressway and the state's industrial-corridor strategy. (UPPSC GS-VI, 125 words)
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