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 — Mega ports notified, DRDO's 30-kW laser, Russia backs India's UNSC bid & Census 2027 phase-1 nears completion
- Tue 29 Sep — Brent crosses $107 as Hormuz stays choked; SC refuses to stay UPI MDR; RBI completes ₹1 lakh crore OMO sale
- Wed 30 Sep — Centre cuts edible-oil import duty; net FDI hits 5-year high; Supreme Court flags 10x mark-ups on cancer drugs
- Thu 1 Oct — Cabinet clears ₹1.86 lakh crore PM-DHARA grid scheme and Rabi MSP 2027-28; GST crosses ₹2 lakh crore; UPSC turns 100
- Fri 2 Oct — RBI set for a possible rate hike as inflation climbs; GST crosses ₹2 lakh crore; UPSC turns 100; ₹23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme launched
All topics — key facts for revision
28 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →DEFENCE DRDO's 30-kW laser weapon moves towards mass production
- Engagement range up to ~5 km; truck-mounted mobile platform.
- Targets drone swarms, fixed-wing UAVs and surveillance sensors; trials completed in August 2025.
- 2-kW system already in production (BEL & private firms); 10-kW (~2 km) units ordered.
- R&D under way on 50-kW and 100-kW variants.
SCI-TECH ₹200 crore push for fully reusable 'Agnibaan' rocket
- Funding via Optionally Convertible Debentures under the RDI Fund.
- Aim: move tech from TRL-4 to TRL-8 – beyond first-stage recovery to full-system reuse.
- Semi-cryogenic propulsion with deep throttling & restart; controlled descent & recovery.
- Agnikul earlier built Agnilet – a single-piece 3D-printed engine.
SCI-TECH IIT Delhi unveils India's first indigenous micro-GPU
- Written entirely in RTL (Register Transfer Level) with a custom floating-point engine.
- Prototyped on a Spartan-7 FPGA; led by Prof. Jayadeva & Prof. Kaushik Saha.
- Uses: industrial displays, low-cost HMIs, e-rickshaw dashboards, e-readers.
- Roadmap: 8–16 core vector GPU and a 65 nm ASIC proof-of-concept.
ECONOMY Centre notifies India's first four 'mega ports'
- Criteria: 150 MMT/yr cargo (bulk) or 7.5 million TEUs/yr (container).
- Status valid for 5 years, subject to periodic review.
- Mundra (Gujarat) is the only private port; Paradip (Odisha) the only east-coast one.
- Status based on cargo volume, not ownership.
ENVIRONMENT Pygmy hog numbers climb to 190+ in Assam
- World's smallest wild pig; India's only endemic wild suid.
- Programme began in 1995; since 2020, six groups reintroduced into Manas NP.
- Only viable wild population: Manas National Park (Assam).
- Threats: grassland burning and conversion to tea estates.
ECONOMY NTPC–EDF 50:50 JV to build pumped storage & clean power
- Focus: pumped storage, hydropower, renewables, transmission & distribution.
- Aligns with India's target of ~100 GW pumped storage by 2036.
- Signed by NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh and EDF CEO Bernard Fontana.
- Project pipeline and investment not yet disclosed.
ECONOMY OECD raises India's FY27 growth forecast to 7.1%
- FY26: 7.8% → FY27: 7.1% (from 6.3%) → FY28: 6.5%.
- Inflation seen at 4.7% (FY27) and 4.2% (FY28).
- World growth: 2.9% (2026) and 3.0% (2027).
- Risk: West Asia conflict, weaker purchasing power in H2 2026.
REPORT India jumps 9 places to 31st in WEF tourism index
- 10th edition; covers 110 economies (119 in 2025).
- Top 5: Japan (5.27), USA, Spain, Australia, France; lowest Mali (2.75).
- India's strengths: low travel costs, cultural & natural resources.
- World Tourism Day 2026 theme centred on digital & AI in tourism.
POLITY Census 2027: phase-1 nears completion, 32 crore+ families recorded
- India's first fully digital census; self-enumeration in 16 languages.
- Caste enumeration included (Cabinet approval 30 April 2025).
- Population Enumeration: Feb 2027 (snow-bound areas: Sept 2026).
- Outlay ₹11,718.24 crore; covers 36 States/UTs, ~6.4 lakh villages.
IR UNGA-81: Russia backs India & Brazil for permanent UNSC seats
- Lavrov: more seats for Asia, Africa, Latin America; no extra Western seats (named Germany, Japan).
- Mauritius, Portugal and Marshall Islands also voiced support for India / G4.
- Jaishankar flagged the Global South's '4F' crisis – food, fuel, fertiliser, finance.
- India active in 9 of 11 UN peacekeeping mandates; attacks on seafarers condemned.
IR India hosts 2nd Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission
- Members: India, USA, Japan, Australia; aim – coast-guard interoperability.
- 1st mission (2025) was aboard US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton.
- India chosen as 2026 host at Quad FMs' meeting, New Delhi (26 May 2026).
- Reflects India's MAHASAGAR vision for a free, open, rules-based Indo-Pacific.
DEFENCE Tarang Shakti 2026: operational phase begins at Jodhpur
- 2nd edition (1st in 2024); runs 26 Sept – 12 Oct 2026.
- Foreign air forces incl. Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh; many observers.
- Assets: F-35, Rafale, F-16, A400M, KC-30A, C-130J; IAF Tejas, Su-30MKI.
- Drills: counter-air, BVR combat, air-to-air refuelling, Combat SAR.
29 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ECONOMY Brent Crosses $107 as Hormuz Disruption Persists; Rupee Near 96/$
- India imports about 89% of its crude needs – every $10/bbl rise widens the import bill.
- Hormuz carried about one-fifth of global oil before the conflict began in late February; transits fell to 132 in a week vs about 130 per day earlier.
- OMCs (IOC, BPCL, HPCL) are absorbing losses; annual under-recoveries estimated at ₹64,000 crore.
- FPIs pulled out ₹5,353 crore in one session; US 10-year yield at about 5.24%.
- Q1 FY27 CAD widened to $4.2 bn (0.5% of GDP) from $3.4 bn; oil imports rose to $60.6 bn.
SCI-TECH India's First Port-Based E-Methanol Plant at Kandla
- Capacity 150 tonnes/day; investment ₹2,300 crore – Phase I (50 t/day) by Jan 2027, Phase II (100 t/day) by Mar 2027.
- JV: Deendayal Port Authority (76%) + Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (24%).
- Feedstock: renewable power + water + biogenic CO₂ via green hydrogen.
- Cost about $750/tonne vs global rate of about $1,300/tonne; to bunker ships on the Asia–Europe corridor.
- Expected to create 3,500+ direct and indirect jobs.
DEFENCE Tarang Shakti 2026: US F-35 Debuts in an Indian Exercise
- 7 foreign air forces: USA, France, Australia, UAE, Germany, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka; 32 observer nations (40+ countries overall).
- US F-35A stealth fighter's first-ever appearance in an Indian military exercise.
- IAF fields Rafale, Su-30MKI, Tejas, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, AWACS and tankers.
- Focus: interoperability, network-centric operations and showcasing Make in India platforms.
ENVIRONMENT Delhi's Winter Pollution Action Plan: 50% WFH, No PUCC No Fuel
- No PUCC, No Fuel extended to all 500 ANPR-equipped fuel stations from 1 Oct.
- Non-BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi barred from 1 Nov; 50% work-from-home for offices.
- Ban on demolition and outdoor construction; parking fees doubled (except Metro sites).
- 150 new e-buses take the fleet to 700+; weekly hotspot checks and daily AQI bulletins.
ENVIRONMENT NHAI Makes Greenery a Condition for Highway Completion
- ≥80% plantation of available Right of Way (ROW) and ≥90% sapling survival at inspection.
- Dead plants must be replaced with saplings of similar age and growth.
- NH network grew from 91,287 km (2014) to 1,46,572 km (Mar 2026) – about 61% rise.
- 3.61 crore saplings planted along 1.32 lakh km of highways (as of July 2026).
HEALTH Aarogya Manthan 2026: 8 Years of PM-JAY, 5 Years of ABDM
- PM-JAY: 13 crore+ hospital admissions worth ₹2 lakh crore+; about 49 crore Ayushman Cards; all seniors 70+ covered.
- ABDM: 97.8 crore ABHAs, 121 crore+ linked records, 5.6 lakh facilities registered.
- Launched NHPR Mobile App, NHCX payer guide, Secure Data Environment app and auto-adjudication framework.
POLITY SC Refuses to Stay MDR on UPI Merchant Payments Above ₹2,000
- MDR applies to specified person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI payments above ₹2,000 from 15 Oct 2026.
- Standard rate 0.4% (capped at ₹300); essential services (railways, fuel, insurance, farm inputs) flat ₹5; capital-market payments 0.02%.
- Government says about 96% of merchant transactions are unaffected.
- Court asked whether the charge is a tax or a fee; counter-affidavits due in 4 weeks.
POLITY J&K Assembly Passes Resolution Seeking Restoration of Statehood
- Resolution recalls earlier House resolutions of June 2000 and November 2024.
- CM flagged UT-status limits: restricted departmental powers and pending business rules.
- Members were urged to withdraw eight amendments seeking restoration of Article 370.
- A state-level resolution is not binding; only Parliament can restore statehood.
SOCIETY CJI Opens India's First Victim Rights Centre in Patna
- Single-window case management: compensation, legal aid, medical help, counselling, rehabilitation.
- Also launched: a Transgender Helpline, a VRC booklet and multi-utility vehicles for remote villages.
- Aims to end the process becoming a "second injury" for victims.
- Recalled NALSA v. Union of India (2014) – recognition of the third gender.
IR At UNGA, India Warns 'Everything Is Being Weaponised'
- Flagged weaponisation of finance, trade and technology hurting the Global South.
- Zero tolerance for state-sponsored terrorism; called for accountability.
- Backed a two-state solution in West Asia; concern over the Ukraine war in its 5th year and Gulf shipping attacks.
- India supports about 600 projects in 78 countries; called the 1945 order outdated – ended with "Peace is the path".
30 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ECONOMY Centre slashes import duty on edible oils ahead of festive season
- Crude palm & soybean oil: BCD 10% → 5%; effective duty (with cess) 16.5% → 11%.
- Crude sunflower oil: BCD 10% → 0%; effective duty now 5.5%.
- Refined palm & soybean: 32.5% → 27.5%; refined sunflower: 32.5% → 22.5%.
- India imports nearly two-thirds of its vegetable-oil needs — mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Russia and Ukraine.
ECONOMY Sulphur price shock threatens phosphatic fertiliser supply
- About 92% of global sulphur is a by-product of oil & gas processing.
- India imported 2.25 MMT in 2025, of which ~90% (2.02 MMT) came from West Asia; import bill rose ~2.5x to $638 million.
- Russia has curbed sulphur exports and China has restricted sulphuric-acid exports.
- Sulphuric acid converts rock phosphate into DAP & SSP; nickel processing for EV batteries adds to global demand.
SCI-TECH BioE3 push: ₹75-crore grant for India's PLA bio-plastic R&D facility
- Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a bio-based, compostable thermoplastic made from corn starch or sugarcane.
- Process chain: sugar → fermentation → lactic acid → lactide → polymerisation → PLA.
- Uses: food packaging, medical sutures, 3D-printing filaments and disposables.
- Complements BCML's planned commercial plant, pitched as India's first integrated PLA facility.
DEFENCE Japan urges India to fast-track UNICORN naval stealth-mast project
- UNICORN = Unified Complex Radio Antenna: a single integrated mast housing many antennas (LINK-16, IFF, UHF, TACAN) to cut radar cross-section.
- Fitted on Japan's Mogami-class frigates; Japanese partners include NEC and Yokohama Rubber.
- Indian Navy plans a UNICORN derivative for its next-generation warships.
- Japan cites China's military spending and Russia–North Korea cooperation as drivers.
ENVIRONMENT India's first PRAMAAN certificates for sustainable forestry issued
- Recipients: Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (33,000 ha of plantations) and an Odisha bamboo farmer.
- Scheme launched by MoEFCC in December 2023; operated by IIFM, Bhopal.
- Three streams: Forest Management, Trees Outside Forests and Chain of Custody.
- Audits by bodies accredited by NABCB (under the Quality Council of India); standard linked to the National Working Plan Code 2023.
ENVIRONMENT Study: degraded ancient grasslands never regrow the same way
- Secondary grasslands host taller, resource-acquisitive species instead of slow-growing, deep-rooted ancient flora.
- Altered soil nutrients and pH block the return of original species.
- Grasslands store about one-third of terrestrial carbon, mostly below ground.
- Warns against labelling grasslands as 'wastelands' for plantations or solar parks.
HEALTH Supreme Court flags steep mark-ups on essential and cancer drugs
- A cancer drug with a price-to-retailer of ~₹2,700 carried an MRP of ₹27,000 — a ~10x (900%) mark-up.
- DPCO 2013 caps only scheduled (NLEM) drugs — about 18% of medicines; ~82% non-scheduled drugs face only a 10% annual MRP-hike cap.
- A non-scheduled statin cost ~₹214/strip vs ~₹70 for a price-controlled combination.
- Court also flagged private hospitals forcing purchases from in-house pharmacies; Centre cited Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
IR India attends SCO meeting in Islamabad under Pakistan's chairship
- India attends all SCO meetings despite minimal ties with Pakistan; EAM visited Islamabad for the SCO Heads of Government meet (Oct 2024).
- SCO has 10 members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus (2024), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
- India–Pakistan frictions resurfaced at the UNGA over Kashmir; Türkiye is seeking a closer SCO role.
- EAM S. Jaishankar: with the US and China in competitive mode, nations must de-risk and diversify partnerships.
SOCIETY Literacy for All: India at 81.1% as ULLAS nears its target
- ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (2022–27): outlay ₹1,037.90 crore, target 5 crore learners aged 15+; 4.03 crore registered.
- Fully literate: Ladakh, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, A&N Islands, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, J&K.
- PLFS 2025: urban 89%, rural 77.4%; rural female literacy only 70.3% — the key gap.
- NIPUN Bharat (2021) targets foundational literacy & numeracy by 2026–27; higher-education GER ~30% vs NEP goal of 50% by 2035.
REPORT WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026: India climbs to 31st
- Top 5: Japan, USA, Spain, Australia, France.
- India's strengths: price competitiveness, cultural & natural resources, well-distributed demand; among top 10 for World Heritage cultural sites.
- Weak spots: workforce skills, environmental sustainability and tourism-infrastructure quality.
- 101 of 110 economies improved their scores between 2024 and 2026.
REPORT Status of Policing in India Report 2026: digital-fraud victims left stranded
- 72% of victims recovered no money; only 51% filed a formal complaint.
- 27% of those with registered complaints reported paying bribes; bribe-payers recovered money about 3x more often.
- Poor victims were 4x more likely to pay bribes; 42% found case registration difficult.
- Official crime data: cybercrime cases rose 17.9% — 86,420 (2023) → 1,01,928 (2024).
1 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ENVIRONMENT PM-DHARA: ₹1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III to evacuate 135 GW
- ₹1,36,378 crore for Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) + ~₹50,000 crore for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Central Financial Assistance: ₹54,082 crore; targets 135 GW RE evacuation and 50 GWh BESS by FY 2032-33.
- Greenfield lines via Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) on BOOM model; brownfield upgrades on cost-plus basis.
- Executed by State Transmission Utilities (STUs); aims to cut RE curtailment caused by weak state grids.
ECONOMY Rabi MSP 2027-28: oilseeds and pulses get the biggest boost, wheat up ₹25
- Wheat ₹2,610/qtl (+₹25), highest margin over cost at 106%.
- Biggest hike: Safflower +₹675 (₹7,215); Rapeseed-Mustard +₹413 (₹6,613); Masur +₹390 (₹7,390).
- Gram ₹5,958 (+₹83); Barley ₹2,286 (+₹136).
- Margins over cost: mustard 96%, masur 92%, gram 59%, barley 58%, safflower 50% – all above the 1.5x norm.
DEFENCE PRAHAAR counter-terror strategy: new Extradition Portal, push for police-station-level response
- 7 pillars: Prevention, Response, Aggregating capacities, Human rights & rule of law, Attenuating enabling conditions, Aligning global efforts, Recovery & resilience.
- Extradition Portal links MHA, MEA, CBI and state police to bring back fugitives faster.
- 288 fugitives extradited from 36 countries during 2019-2026.
- Cross-border gangster-terror network: 40+ modules busted, 100+ FIRs, 350 arrests in 15 states.
ENVIRONMENT PRAMAAN: first national forest-certification certificates handed over
- IFWCS launched by MoEFCC in 2023; operated through IIFM, Bhopal.
- Certifies Forest Management, Trees Outside Forests (ToF) and Chain of Custody of wood products.
- Voluntary, market-based tool; helps exporters meet legality norms such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
ECONOMY GST mop-up crosses ₹2 lakh crore in September 2026, up 14.7%
- Domestic GST ₹1.38 lakh crore (+10.1%); imports ₹65,525 crore (+26%).
- Refunds ₹27,001 crore (−3%); net GST ₹1.76 lakh crore (+18.1%).
- H1 FY27 (Apr-Sep): gross ₹12.46 lakh crore (+11.6%), net ₹10.66 lakh crore (+10.4%).
POLITY UPSC turns 100: PM releases coin, stamp and landmark-judgements book
- Released a commemorative coin, postage stamp and the book '100 Landmark Judgements' on PSC policies.
- 1926 PSC set up on the Lee Commission (1924) advice; first chairman Sir Ross Barker.
- GoI Act 1935 created the Federal PSC; it became UPSC on 26 Jan 1950.
- Chairman Dr Ajay Kumar stressed 'Trust, Transparency and Technology'.
POLITY Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 in force, replacing the 1891 colonial law
- 'Bankers' books' now include records in any data-storage form, including electronic/digital.
- Certified copies admissible without originals if correctly derived and with no tampering.
- Bank officers need not testify where the bank is not a party – only on court order for special cause.
- Centre may extend the Act to other financial-sector entities by notification; recognises digital and electronic signatures.
POLITY Centre steps in on Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh
- Mahanadi rises near Sihawa (Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh) and drains into the Bay of Bengal in Odisha.
- Odisha objects to upstream barrages in Chhattisgarh reducing lean-season flows to Hirakud dam.
- Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in March 2018 under the ISRWD Act 1956.
- Officials of both states met on 31 Aug 2026 to explore an amicable settlement.
IR Modi-Trump phone call reaffirms India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
- Leaders also discussed regional developments and global peace and security.
- Comes as Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal negotiates a bilateral trade agreement with USTR Jamieson Greer.
- India seeks tariffs no higher than competitors; friction persists over Russian oil imports.
- Possible meetings at the ASEAN summit (Nov) and G20 summit (Dec, USA).
IR Jaishankar warns of a 'major food crisis' as conflicts choke supply chains
- Ukraine war and the Iran-Gulf conflict are disrupting Black Sea grain and shipping routes.
- Fertiliser supply hit by disruptions in West Asia and Russia; energy markets 'very tight'.
- Global South faces costlier food, freight and fertiliser plus weaker capital flows; a possible Super El Niño adds risk.
REPORT WHO-UNICEF report: 50 million Indian children lack sanitation at school
- Globally 244 million children lacked school sanitation; India's share is about 20%.
- India: 12 million lack drinking water and 20 million lack hygiene services at school.
- Others: Nigeria 34 mn, Ethiopia 26 mn, DR Congo 11 mn, Indonesia 8 mn.
- India cut schools without sanitation by 14%, but the world is off-track for universal school WASH by 2030.
SOCIETY Five new sites on India's UNESCO Tentative List; total rises to 78
- Bagh Cave Paintings (MP) – Buddhist rock-cut caves with murals akin to Ajanta.
- Udayagiri Caves (MP) – Gupta-era rock-cut shrines, famed Varaha panel.
- Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley (MP) and Ginnorgarh (MP) hill fort.
- Sites of Satyagraha – a transnational serial proposal with South Africa on Gandhi's struggles.
2 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ECONOMY RBI MPC meets 5-7 Oct: first rate hike of the cycle on the cards
- 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.
ENVIRONMENT GOBARdhan scheme: ₹23,731 crore to scale up compressed biogas
- 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.
ECONOMY First offshore polymetallic blocks in Andaman Sea put on auction
- Blocks: Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01; area >1,632 sq km.
- Contain polymetallic nodules & crusts – cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, REEs.
- Law: OAMDR Act, 2002 (amended 2023) + Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024.
ENVIRONMENT PRAMAAN: India's first home-grown forest certificates issued
- 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.
DEFENCE VARUNA 2026 off Toulon; HQ Integrated Defence Staff turns 25
- 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.
ECONOMY GST crosses ₹2 lakh crore again; imports outpace domestic
- Domestic ₹1.38 lakh cr (+10.1%); imports ₹65,525 cr (+25.9%).
- 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%).
POLITY UPSC at 100: PM calls for 'Nation First, Citizen First' recruitment
- 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'.
POLITY Special Gram Sabhas launch People's Plan Campaign 2026-27
- 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.
POLITY AFSPA extended for six months in parts of the North-East
- 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.
IR Putin praises Modi's Ukraine ideas; Swiss President's visit marks TEPA year one
- 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.
SOCIETY Gandhi Jayanti: Swachh Bharat Diwas and Special Campaign 6.0 begin
- 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.
Prelims rapid-fire — 30 facts
| Yudh Abhyas 2026 (22nd, India–USA Army) concludes 28 Sept – held at Auli & Mahajan Field Firing Range. |
| SAT-SAAW: MoD–BDL contract of ₹810.79 crore for 160 smart anti-airfield weapons for the IAF. |
| Asian Games 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya): India's men's kabaddi beat Iran 40–34 for a 9th title; women won 37–34. |
| Sawan Barwal: marathon silver – India's first Asiad marathon medal since 1982, with a national record. |
| 28 Sept: World Rabies Day (Louis Pasteur's death anniversary) and Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary (1907). |
| 28 Sept: International Day for Universal Access to Information – proclaimed by UNESCO (2015), UNGA (2019). |
| 29 Sept – World Heart Day and World Rabies Day (death anniversary of Louis Pasteur). |
| Bio-bitumen via pyrolysis of rice straw – developed by CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP; bio-oil blended at 20–30% with bitumen; trial on NH-40 (Jorabat–Shillong). |
| National Rabi Conference (28–29 Sept, New Delhi): push for pulses & oilseeds in rice-fallow lands; water-based crop planning. |
| PM-AJAY (FY 2021–22) merged 3 schemes; Adarsh Gram villages need ≥40% SC population; 47,243 villages covered. |
| ADMM-Plus maritime drill at Subic Bay, Philippines – INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish took part. |
| PM E-DRIVE: ₹221.13 crore for testing upgrades at GARC, Chennai (scheme outlay ₹10,900 crore, till 31 Mar 2028). |
| Pashudhan Bima Portal — Launched by the Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairying for digital livestock insurance under the National Livestock Mission; in Hindi, English + 11 regional languages. |
| KAZIND 2026 — India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise at Oskemen, Kazakhstan (28 Sep–11 Oct 2026); focus on counter-terrorism and drone (UAS) ops. |
| Begonia rajvikramanii — New begonia species from Rosemala forests, Kollam (Kerala) in the Western Ghats; grows on wet rocky cliffs. |
| Modhera Sun Temple — Built under Solanki king Bhimadeva I (early 11th century) in Mehsana, Gujarat; Maru-Gurjara style with Surya Kund. |
| Bodhana Sivanandan — Became the youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster (age 11) at the 46th Chess Olympiad, Samarkand. |
| Blue bond — Sagarmala Finance Corporation launched a ₹600 crore, 10-year blue bond to fund port & maritime projects. |
| PM-DHARA full form: Developing Harmonised & Accelerated Renewable Energy Access |
| Safflower MSP 2027-28: ₹7,215/qtl – highest absolute hike (+₹675) |
| First chairman of PSC (1926): Sir Ross Barker |
| Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal set up: March 2018 |
| International Day of Older Persons: 1 October |
| Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct) – also International Day of Non-Violence |
| 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. |
Data points of the period
7.1%
OECD forecast: India GDP growth, FY 2026-27
Raised by 80 bps from 6.3%; highest among major forecasters. FY28 seen at 6.5%, inflation 4.7% in FY27.
Raised by 80 bps from 6.3%; highest among major forecasters. FY28 seen at 6.5%, inflation 4.7% in FY27.
₹1,00,000 crore
RBI OMO sale completed (Sept 2026)
Three tranches – ₹50,000 cr (17 Sept), ₹25,000 cr (21 Sept), ₹25,000 cr (28 Sept) – to drain surplus liquidity after FCNR(B) inflows above $132 bn; the last auction (G-secs maturing 2029–2032) was covered over 2.7 times. OMO sale = RBI sells G-secs to absorb rupee liquidity (a quantitative tool).
Three tranches – ₹50,000 cr (17 Sept), ₹25,000 cr (21 Sept), ₹25,000 cr (28 Sept) – to drain surplus liquidity after FCNR(B) inflows above $132 bn; the last auction (G-secs maturing 2029–2032) was covered over 2.7 times. OMO sale = RBI sells G-secs to absorb rupee liquidity (a quantitative tool).
US$ 7.35 bn
Net FDI inflows into India, July 2026
Highest monthly net FDI in 5 years, up 64% from $4.5 bn in July 2025. Gross inflows $14.6 bn. April–July FY27 net FDI $13.4 bn vs $9.7 bn a year ago (+38%). Mauritius, UAE and US ≈ 70% of equity inflows; communication, financial and computer services led.
Highest monthly net FDI in 5 years, up 64% from $4.5 bn in July 2025. Gross inflows $14.6 bn. April–July FY27 net FDI $13.4 bn vs $9.7 bn a year ago (+38%). Mauritius, UAE and US ≈ 70% of equity inflows; communication, financial and computer services led.
₹2.03 lakh crore
Gross GST collection – September 2026
+14.7% YoY; net GST ₹1.76 lakh crore (+18.1%); imports +26%
+14.7% YoY; net GST ₹1.76 lakh crore (+18.1%); imports +26%
₹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.
Imports grew 25.9% vs domestic 10.1%; domestic share fell to about 68% – a record low.
10 practice MCQs — UPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the 'mega ports' recently notified in India, consider the following statements: 1. They were notified under the Indian Ports Act, 2025. 2. All four notified mega ports are located on the west coast. 3. Mega port status is granted permanently once notified. 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: A
Only 1 is correct. Paradip (Odisha) is on the east coast, so 2 is wrong; status is valid for 5 years with periodic review, so 3 is wrong.
Only 1 is correct. Paradip (Odisha) is on the east coast, so 2 is wrong; status is valid for 5 years with periodic review, so 3 is wrong.
Q2. The only viable wild population of the pygmy hog, recently in news, is found in which of the following protected areas?
- Kaziranga National Park
- Manas National Park
- Dudhwa National Park
- Jaldapara National Park
Show answer
Answer: B
The pygmy hog survives in the wild only in Manas National Park, Assam, where captive-bred groups have been reintroduced since 2020.
The pygmy hog survives in the wild only in Manas National Park, Assam, where captive-bred groups have been reintroduced since 2020.
Q3. With reference to the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI notified in September 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It applies to all person-to-person (P2P) UPI transfers above ₹2,000. 2. The standard rate is 0.4%, capped at ₹300. 3. Payments for essential services such as railways and fuel attract a flat charge of ₹5. How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is wrong – MDR applies only to specified person-to-merchant (P2M) payments above ₹2,000, not P2P. Statements 2 (0.4%, cap ₹300) and 3 (flat ₹5 for essential services) are correct.
Statement 1 is wrong – MDR applies only to specified person-to-merchant (P2M) payments above ₹2,000, not P2P. Statements 2 (0.4%, cap ₹300) and 3 (flat ₹5 for essential services) are correct.
Q4. Consider the following pairs regarding recent developments: 1. Tarang Shakti 2026 – Multinational air exercise hosted at Jodhpur. 2. E-methanol – Produced from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide. 3. Strait of Hormuz – Connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: B
Pairs 1 and 2 are correct. The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman; the Red Sea–Gulf of Aden link is the Bab-el-Mandeb.
Pairs 1 and 2 are correct. The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman; the Red Sea–Gulf of Aden link is the Bab-el-Mandeb.
Q5. With reference to Polylactic Acid (PLA), consider the following statements: 1. It is produced by fermentation of plant-derived sugars followed by polymerisation. 2. It readily biodegrades in open soil and seawater within a few weeks. 3. BIRAC, which funds bio-innovation, functions under the Department of Biotechnology. 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
PLA is made by fermenting sugars into lactic acid and polymerising it (1 correct). It degrades mainly under industrial composting conditions (~58°C), not quickly in soil or seawater (2 wrong). BIRAC is a PSU under the Department of Biotechnology (3 correct).
PLA is made by fermenting sugars into lactic acid and polymerising it (1 correct). It degrades mainly under industrial composting conditions (~58°C), not quickly in soil or seawater (2 wrong). BIRAC is a PSU under the Department of Biotechnology (3 correct).
Q6. Consider the following statements about the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): 1. Belarus is its most recent full member. 2. Its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is headquartered in Tashkent. 3. India has never held the SCO chairmanship. 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
Belarus joined in 2024 as the 10th member (1 correct). RATS is based in Tashkent (2 correct). India chaired the SCO in 2023 and hosted a virtual summit (3 wrong).
Belarus joined in 2024 as the 10th member (1 correct). RATS is based in Tashkent (2 correct). India chaired the SCO in 2023 and hosted a virtual summit (3 wrong).
Q7. With reference to the Minimum Support Prices announced for Rabi Marketing Season 2027-28, consider the following statements: 1. Safflower received the highest absolute increase. 2. The margin over cost of production for wheat exceeds 100%. 3. MSPs are recommended by NITI Aayog. 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
Safflower got +₹675/qtl and wheat's margin is 106%. MSPs are recommended by the CACP, not NITI Aayog, so statement 3 is wrong.
Safflower got +₹675/qtl and wheat's margin is 106%. MSPs are recommended by the CACP, not NITI Aayog, so statement 3 is wrong.
Q8. The first Public Service Commission in India, set up on 1 October 1926, was established on the recommendation of which of the following?
- Islington Commission
- Lee Commission
- Simon Commission
- Aitchison Commission
Show answer
Answer: B
The Lee Commission (1924) recommended a PSC, set up on 1 Oct 1926 with Sir Ross Barker as chairman; the GoI Act 1935 later created the Federal PSC.
The Lee Commission (1924) recommended a PSC, set up on 1 Oct 1926 with Sir Ross Barker as chairman; the GoI Act 1935 later created the Federal PSC.
Q9. 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.
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.
Q10. '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.
Both are offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea auctioned under the OAMDR Act, 2002 for polymetallic nodules and crusts.
Mains practice questions
- Growing support for India's permanent membership has not translated into UNSC reform. Examine the obstacles to reform and suggest a strategy for India. (15 marks, 250 words)
- Repeated disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz expose the vulnerability of India's energy security and external sector. Examine, and suggest short- and long-term measures. (GS3, 15 marks, 250 words)
- Unregulated trade margins on non-scheduled medicines undermine the right to health. Critically examine India's drug price regulation framework and suggest reforms. (250 words, GS2)
- "Transmission, not generation, has become the binding constraint on India's energy transition." Discuss in the light of the PM-DHARA scheme. (15 marks, 250 words)
- 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)
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