Friday, 2 October 2026 · IST · National & International · 11 items · 2 MCQs
On Gandhi Jayanti (157th birth anniversary), Special Gram Sabhas launched the People's Plan Campaign 2026-27 while the RBI's MPC (5-7 October) is widely expected to raise the repo rate from 5.25% as CPI inflation hit 4.82%. September GST rose 14.7% to ₹2.04 lakh crore with imports driving growth, the PM addressed UPSC's centenary, and the ₹23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme and Andaman Sea offshore mineral auction were launched.
Today at a glance — things to remember
RBI MPC 5-7 Oct: repo at 5.25%; poll sees 25 bps hike to 5.50%.
The Monetary Policy Committee meets on 5-7 October; decision on 7 October. With CPI above 4% for three straight months, 8 of 10 economists polled expect a 25 bps hike.
Key facts
Repo rate 5.25% – unchanged for four consecutive reviews.
CPI Aug 2026: 4.82% (July 4.45%); food 5.95%; rural 5.23% vs urban 4.31%.
WPI Aug: 9.92% – pipeline pressure from energy prices and West Asia tensions.
Rupee has weakened about 6% vs the US dollar in 2026.
Way forward
Calibrated tightening with clear guidance; supply-side action on food and fuel so that rates are not the only tool.
Concept
MPC (Sec 45ZB, RBI Act) has 6 members (3 RBI + 3 Govt nominees); target CPI 4% ± 2%. Repo = rate at which RBI lends to banks against G-secs.
Bar chart comparing headline CPI, food CPI, rural and urban CPI for July and August 2026 against the 4% RBI target line, with WPI at 9.92% — StudyForGS
2. GOBARdhan scheme: ₹23,731 crore to scale up compressed biogas
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched the GOBARdhan Scheme to raise domestic CBG output nearly 10-fold and cut dependence on imported natural gas.
Key facts
Outlay ₹23,731 crore over 10 years (FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36).
CBG blending in CNG (transport) and PNG (domestic): 3% (FY27), 4% (FY28), 5% from FY29.
Six pillars: assured offtake, stable pricing, capital aid, pipelines, credit guarantee, technology.
Feedstock: cattle dung, crop residue, press mud, municipal organic waste.
Way forward
Link with stubble-burning control and organic manure markets; standardise feedstock aggregation at village level.
Concept
CBG = purified biogas (>90% methane), drop-in substitute for CNG. SATAT (2018) targeted 5,000 CBG plants; GOBAR-Dhan began under SBM-G (2018).
Pillar diagram of the six support pillars of the GOBARdhan scheme with a step chart showing CBG blending rising from 3% in FY27 to 5% from FY29 — StudyForGS
3. First offshore polymetallic blocks in Andaman Sea put on auction
ECONOMYUPSC: Prelims + Mains GS3
Syllabus linkage
GS3 – Mineral resources, critical minerals, blue economy. GS1 – Ocean resources. Prelims: polymetallic nodules, OAMDR Act.
Context
The Ministry of Mines launched e-auction of two offshore blocks on 1 October for Composite Licences (exploration + production).
Key facts
Blocks: Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01; area >1,632 sq km.
Law: OAMDR Act, 2002 (amended 2023) + Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024.
Way forward
Mandatory environmental baseline studies for deep-sea ecosystems; align with National Critical Mineral Mission.
Concept
Polymetallic nodules: potato-sized (2-8 cm) seabed lumps; hubs – Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Central Indian Ocean Basin. High-seas mining is regulated by ISA (Kingston); India runs Deep Ocean Mission.
4. PRAMAAN: India's first home-grown forest certificates issued
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav handed over the first certificates under the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS), branded PRAMAAN, for deforestation-free timber.
Key facts
First recipients: AP Forest Development Corporation (33,000 ha) and an Odisha bamboo farmer.
IFWCS launched December 2023; operated by IIFM Bhopal.
Audits by bodies accredited by NABCB (under Quality Council of India).
Standard aligned with National Working Plan Code 2023.
Way forward
Seek mutual recognition with global schemes to help exporters meet EU deforestation rules; extend to agroforestry SHGs.
Concept
Chain of custody = tracking certified wood from forest to final product. India's forest + tree cover: 25.17% of area; National Wildlife Week: 2-8 October.
INS Trishul joined the 24th edition of the India-France naval exercise VARUNA off Toulon, while HQ IDS marked 25 years of tri-service integration on 1 October.
Key facts
French side: carrier Charles de Gaulle, SSN Suffren, frigates Forbin and La Fayette.
Drills: anti-submarine, anti-surface, live firing; tribute at Mazargues War Memorial.
HQ IDS raised 1 Oct 2001 on Group of Ministers advice after Kargil Review Committee.
INS Tarkash made a goodwill call at Mombasa, Kenya.
Way forward
Use jointness gains to operationalise integrated theatre commands; deepen Indo-Pacific MDA sharing with France.
Concept
VARUNA began 1993 (named Varuna in 2001). Other India-France drills: Shakti (Army), Garuda (Air Force). CDS post created 2019.
Net GST ₹1.77 lakh cr (+18.1%); refunds ₹27,001 cr (-3%).
H1 FY27 gross: ₹12.46 lakh cr (+11.6%).
Top state: Maharashtra ₹29,986 cr; fastest: Assam (+88%).
Way forward
Track domestic consumption separately from import-led revenue; use GST Council to settle pending rate and compensation issues.
Concept
GST began 1 July 2017 via 101st Amendment; Art. 246A (concurrent taxing power), Art. 279A (GST Council). IGST applies on imports and inter-state supply.
Horizontal bar chart of September 2026 GST collections by state with year-on-year growth: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Telangana, Assam — StudyForGS
7. UPSC at 100: PM calls for 'Nation First, Citizen First' recruitment
POLITYUPSC: Prelims + Mains GS2
Syllabus linkage
GS2 – Constitutional bodies, civil services. GS1 – Modern history. Prelims: Art. 315-323, Lee Commission.
Context
PM Narendra Modi addressed the UPSC Centenary on 1 October; the Commission was set up on 1 October 1926.
Key facts
Two tests for selection: 'Nation First' and 'Citizen First'; assess motivation, not just knowledge.
Exam cycle shortened by about 100 days – called an equity reform.
Future officers must handle AI, information warfare and climate justice.
Recalled Sardar Patel's role in the 'steel frame'.
GoI Act 1919 provided for a PSC; Lee Commission (1924) recommended it; first Chairman Sir Ross Barker. Federal PSC (1935 Act) became UPSC on 26 Jan 1950. Removal under Art. 317.
Timeline of UPSC from the Government of India Act 1919 and Lee Commission 1924 to setting up on 1 October 1926, Federal PSC 1937, UPSC in 1950 and centenary in 2026 — StudyForGS
8. Special Gram Sabhas launch People's Plan Campaign 2026-27
On 2 October, Special Gram Sabhas across India discussed governance reforms and launched 'Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas' to prepare panchayat plans for 2026-27.
Key facts
Covers ~2.5 lakh+ Gram Panchayats plus block and district panchayats.
Output: GPDP, Block and District Panchayat Development Plans, uploaded on eGramSwaraj.
Plans linked to Localisation of SDGs (LSDGs) and Panchayat Advancement Index scores.
Way forward
Real fiscal devolution (own-source revenue) and quorum, women's and SC/ST attendance norms to make Gram Sabhas meaningful.
Concept
Art. 243A – Gram Sabha powers by State law; Art. 243G – planning for economic development (11th Schedule, 29 subjects). Campaign first held in 2018.
Flowchart of the People's Plan Campaign: special Gram Sabha on 2 October, needs assessment, GPDP drafting, approval and upload on eGramSwaraj, linked to SDG localisation — StudyForGS
9. AFSPA extended for six months in parts of the North-East
POLITYUPSC: Prelims + Mains GS2/GS3
Syllabus linkage
GS2 – Federalism, rights. GS3 – Internal security in the North-East. Prelims: AFSPA 1958, Sec 3.
Context
The Ministry of Home Affairs extended 'disturbed area' status in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for 6 months from 1 October 2026.
Key facts
Manipur: whole state except 13 police stations in 5 valley districts.
Nagaland: 9 districts + 21 police stations in 5 more districts.
Arunachal: Tirap, Changlang, Longding + 3 police stations of Namsai.
Way forward
Phased, review-based withdrawal as in Tripura (2015) and Meghalaya (2018); strengthen accountability for excesses.
Concept
Sec 3 lets the Centre/Governor declare 'disturbed areas'. Naga People's Movement (1997) upheld the Act; Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) advised repeal.
10. Putin praises Modi's Ukraine ideas; Swiss President's visit marks TEPA year one
At the Valdai Discussion Club on 1 October, Vladimir Putin said Modi has 'very good ideas' on a Ukraine settlement. Swiss President Guy Parmelin makes a State Visit (5-7 Oct).
Key facts
Putin invited Modi for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit in Russia.
India-EFTA TEPA in force since 1 October 2025; 2nd India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on 7 Oct.
TEPA: $100 bn investment pledge over 15 years, 1 million direct jobs.
Switzerland is India's largest EFTA trade & investment partner.
Way forward
Leverage strategic autonomy for quiet facilitation; monitor TEPA's investment-commitment delivery.
Concept
EFTA = Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein; not in the EU. TEPA was signed on 10 March 2024.
11. Gandhi Jayanti: Swachh Bharat Diwas and Special Campaign 6.0 begin
The nation marked the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and 122nd of Lal Bahadur Shastri on 2 October, which is also Swachh Bharat Diwas.
Key facts
Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 closed with 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' shramdaan.
Special Campaign 6.0 (DARPG): 2-31 October – pendency, e-waste, records.
SafaiMitra Suraksha camps reached 3.69 lakh beneficiaries in 3,870 ULBs.
Swachh Bharat Mission launched 2 October 2014.
Way forward
Shift from campaigns to behaviour + systems: source segregation, legacy-waste clearing and dignity of sanitation workers.
Concept
Gandhian ideas: Sarvodaya, Antyodaya, trusteeship, Swaraj. 2 October = International Day of Non-Violence (UNGA, 2007). Shastri gave 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'.
Mind-map with 2 October at the centre linking Gandhi Jayanti, Shastri Jayanti, Swachh Bharat Diwas, Special Campaign 6.0, Special Gram Sabhas and International Day of Non-Violence — StudyForGS
Data point of the day
₹2.04 lakh crore (+14.7% YoY)
Gross GST collections, September 2026 Imports grew 25.9% vs domestic 10.1%; domestic share fell to about 68% – a record low.
Prelims rapid-fire
5th Kautilya Economic Conclave: 3-5 Oct, New Delhi; theme 'Resilience in an Age of Flux'.
National Wildlife Week: 2-8 October every year, to promote wildlife conservation.
NHAI: Tamil Nadu's first barrierless Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling.
G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting opened in Milwaukee, USA (US G20 presidency).
1 October: International Day of Older Persons (UNGA res. 45/106, 1990).
Mazargues War Memorial (Marseille) honours 205 Indian soldiers of the World Wars.
Practice MCQs — UPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of India, consider the following statements:
1. It is constituted under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, 1934.
2. The Governor of RBI has a casting vote in case of a tie.
3. All six members are appointed by the Central Government.
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 MPC is under Sec 45ZB; the Governor has a casting vote. Only the 3 external members are appointed by the Centre; 3 are from RBI.
Q2. 'Sewell Rise' and 'West Sewell Ridge', recently in news, are associated with:
Hydrocarbon blocks in the Arabian Sea
Offshore polymetallic mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea
Undersea cables between India and Maldives
Coral reef protected areas in Lakshadweep
Show answer
Answer: B Both are offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea auctioned under the OAMDR Act, 2002 for polymetallic nodules and crusts.
Mains practice question
Q. GST collections are rising, but the share of domestic sources is falling. Examine what this divergence reveals about consumption demand and fiscal federalism in India. (15 marks, 250 words)
Hint / approach
Intro with Sep 2026 data (₹2.04 lakh cr; imports +25.9% vs domestic +10.1%) → causes (prices, rupee, rate rationalisation) → impact on states (IGST settlement, compensation-cess wind-down) → role of GST Council (Art. 279A) → way forward.
