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 — Sugar-based ethanol dropped from 2026-27 blending tender; 30% trade-margin cap on 137 anti-cancer drugs; CERT-In warns of rogue AI agents
- Tue 20 Oct — Rubio begins India visit as trade deal nears; SC declares internet access a fundamental right for children; RBI tightens overseas-investment checks as rupee slides
- Wed 21 Oct — Rubio says India–US trade deal 'very close'; India–NZ FTA in force; Rajnath at SCO: no double standards on terror
- Thu 22 Oct — Core sector hits new-series high of 7.9%, RBI minutes rule out near-term rate cuts, and India–Poland summit talks in New Delhi
- Fri 23 Oct — RBI minutes back 'calibrated tightening' at 5.50% repo; UNEP says 1.5°C overshoot unavoidable; India–Poland target 2x trade by 2030
All topics — key facts for revision
19 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ECONOMY Sugar-based ethanol kept out of 2026-27 blending tender
- Tender seeks about 11 billion litres of ethanol for E20 blending from November.
- Bids allowed for maize, broken/damaged rice, FCI surplus rice and C-heavy molasses.
- Maize-based ethanol price cut from ₹71.86 to ₹68.86 per litre.
- Goal: protect sugar stocks and domestic sugar prices in a deficient-monsoon year.
SCI-TECH Space economy to reach USD 40-45 billion in 7-8 years
- Space sector opened to private players in 2020, with IN-SPACe as the single-window authoriser.
- India now has 400+ space start-ups.
- FDI rules eased in 2024: up to 100% for satellite components, 74% automatic route for satellite manufacturing and 49% for launch vehicles.
- The decadal vision targets about 8% of the global space economy by 2033.
SCI-TECH CERT-In flags AI agents accessing Indian firms' systems
- Agents used exposed credentials, public code repositories and over-permissive cloud roles.
- Agentic tools cut the time from intrusion to impact from days to hours.
- None of the affected firms in the disclosed cases detected the access themselves.
- Advice: least privilege, MFA, credential rotation and logs kept for 180 days.
DEFENCE Exercise KONKAN-26 concludes off Plymouth, UK
- India: stealth frigate INS Trishul. UK: HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class anti-submarine frigate.
- Drills: anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, weapon firings and tactical manoeuvres.
- Conducted with the Royal Navy's Fleet Operational Standards and Training team.
- Supports the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and India-UK Vision 2035.
ENVIRONMENT India's carbon market goes live: should India join OCCCM?
- OCCCM was launched in May 2026 in Florence by the EU, China and Brazil.
- Other members include Germany, the UK, Canada, France, Norway, Singapore, Türkiye and New Zealand.
- The case for joining: the EU's CBAM carbon border tax and the rise of climate clubs.
- CCTS covers energy-intensive sectors such as aluminium, cement, steel and refineries.
REPORT WTO raises 2026 trade forecast to 3.9% on AI goods boom
- AI-related goods rose 67% year-on-year in H1 2026 and made up 47% of merchandise trade growth.
- 2027 merchandise trade forecast: 4.1% (from 2.6%).
- Services trade 2026: 3.3%, down from a 4.8% baseline, due to high aviation fuel costs.
- World GDP growth: 2.6% in 2026. Middle East trade is expected to fall sharply because of Strait of Hormuz disruption.
HEALTH NPPA caps trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30%
- MRPs may fall by up to 70%, depending on current price structures.
- This builds on the Feb 2019 pilot, which capped margins on 42 anti-cancer drugs at 30%.
- The tool is Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) under Para 19 of DPCO 2013 (extraordinary powers in the public interest).
- It aims to cut out-of-pocket expenditure on cancer care.
POLITY Supreme Court: fees for the full course must be fixed before admission
- Mid-course fee hikes are barred except in unforeseeable or extraordinary circumstances or after statutory changes.
- Fee fixation committees must work as continuing bodies.
- The Court cited NSSO data: professional course fees are 711% higher than fees for general programmes.
- Periodic revisions notified in advance remain allowed.
POLITY Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026 widen the pool of enumerators
- Teachers of aided and unaided private institutions and staff of banks and companies are now eligible.
- Aim: more field staff and a lighter burden on government schoolteachers.
- Census 2027 will be India's first digital Census and will include caste enumeration.
- Reference date: 1 March 2027. For snow-bound areas it is 1 October 2026.
IR India approves accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement
- Indian vessels can carry out authorised fishing for squid, toothfish and alfonsino.
- SIOFA covers high seas of the southern Indian Ocean. EEZs are excluded.
- Tuna is managed separately by the IOTC, not SIOFA.
- SIOFA was signed in 2006 and came into force in 2012.
SOCIETY Children online about 4.5 hours a day, finds study; Supreme Court reaffirms internet access as a right
- 97.6% of children go online from home, mostly on smartphones, for about 4.5 hours a day.
- About 47% had talked to unknown people online in the past six months.
- The most reported effects were anxiety, sleep problems and mood changes.
- The Court said children should not be treated as the problem, and stressed the duties of intermediaries.
20 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ECONOMY RBI tightens scrutiny of overseas investments as rupee slides
- Covers ODI above US$1 billion or above 4x the investor's net worth; banks must check valuations, premiums, share-swap ratios
- ODI hit US$26.7 bn in FY26 (almost double two years earlier); ~US$22.7 bn in Apr-Aug 2026
- Rupee closed at 94.91/$ on 19 Oct; record low 96.97 (May 2026); down 5%+ in 2026
- Forex reserves $726.0 bn (week to 9 Oct) vs record $785 bn (week to 4 Sep)
- Individuals capped at US$250,000/year under the LRS
ECONOMY IDBI Bank privatisation: 60.72% stake to Fairfax for ₹52,878 crore
- Stake sold 60.72%: Govt 30.48% + LIC 30.24% at ₹81/share (fair value ₹75.99)
- Govt + LIC to retain 34%; LIC to trim from 19% to 15% within 2 years
- Needs RBI 'fit and proper' test, CCI nod and an open offer (unless SEBI waives)
- Promoter cap in banks 26% - Fairfax gets up to 15 years to comply; 5-year lock-in
- Fairfax's CSB Bank stake to be merged or exited within 2 years
SCI-TECH DRDO tests Quantum Key Distribution on a live military network
- Developed under DRDO's Microelectronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Security cluster
- Production partner: Taqbit Labs, a Bengaluru start-up
- QKD detects any eavesdropping - interception disturbs the quantum state
- Builds on fibre-based QKD military field trials completed in July 2026
- Related: DRDO's ADRDE (Agra) flew a High-Altitude Platform to 21 km
ENVIRONMENT Sukhna and Sauj Jheel take India's Ramsar sites to 103
- Sukhna: reservoir at the base of the Outer Himalayas (Shivaliks); borders Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sukhna hosts common pochard (Vulnerable), Pallas's fish eagle and black pond turtle (Endangered)
- Sauj Jheel: shallow lake in the Ganga floodplain, near Saman Bird Sanctuary; 30,000+ waterbirds
- Sauj supports sarus crane and greater spotted eagle
- Both lie on the Central Asian Flyway
REPORT Global Hunger Index 2026: India ranked 100th of 122
- Child wasting rose to 19.0% (from 16.9%) - highest in South Asia
- Child stunting 29.3% - moved from 'very high' to 'high' category
- Undernourishment 9.8% (from 10.5%); under-5 mortality 2.7%
- Neighbours: Pakistan 106th (25.5); Bangladesh 19.2, Nepal 14.5, Sri Lanka 10.2 ('moderate')
- Global score 18.1 (moderate); Ministry of WCD contests the methodology
POLITY SC: Internet access a fundamental right, including for children
- Arose from Just Rights for Children Alliance applications after the 23 Sep 2024 CSEAM verdict
- Centre to set up a National Hash & URL List Database (in Sahyog Portal or separately); 3 human analysts verify entries
- Intermediaries: report unknown-origin CSEAM within 2 hours; acknowledge complaints in 24 hours
- Child mode, private-by-default accounts; forfeiture of paywalled CSEAM revenue; exemplary fines
- Curbs must pass legality, legitimate aim, proportionality; next hearing 10 Dec 2026
IR Rubio in India: trade deal 'very close', energy and defence on table
- Agenda: trade deal, energy, defence, critical & emerging tech, West Asia crisis
- Trade talks since early 2025; Rubio: 'very close', Jaishankar: nearing 'landing point'
- US recently suspended some sanctions on Russia and five big oil buyers, including India
- Wreath at the 26/11 Taj memorial (6 US nationals among victims); event for 250 years of US independence
- Frictions: punitive tariffs, H-1B fee hike, green-card processing curbs on IT firms
IR Polish PM Tusk's India visit to deepen strategic partnership
- Focus: defence manufacturing, trade, space, emerging tech, Russia-Ukraine, India-EU ties
- Poland aims to lift trade from ~$6.5 bn to $10 bn; business forums in Delhi (22 Oct) and Bengaluru (23 Oct)
- Ties raised to Strategic Partnership in Aug 2024 - first Indian PM visit in 45 years
- A five-year action plan covers defence, trade and technology
- Poland seeks links of its Łukasiewicz Research Network with CSIR and IITs
SOCIETY NSAP continued till 2030-31 as PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana
- NSAP → PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana; IGNOAPS → PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
- IGNWPS → PM Vidhawa Pension Yojana; IGNDPS → PM Divyangjan Pension Yojana; NFBS → PM Parivar Labh Yojana
- Disability threshold cut from 80% to 40%; minimum age removed (eligible from birth)
- Disability pension ₹375 (0-79 yrs), ₹625 (80+ yrs)
- Covers ~3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States/UTs; 100% central assistance
21 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →SCI-TECH Perseverance becomes the farthest-travelling vehicle on another world
- Part of Mars 2020 mission; explores Jezero crater, an ancient river delta–lake site.
- Previous holder Opportunity operated 2004–2018 on Mars.
- Next targets: Idubi (west of Jezero rim) and Rainbow Falls, a block of uplifted ancient crust.
- Mission extension approved till about end-2028; collects rock-core samples for future return.
- Carried Ingenuity, the first helicopter to fly on another planet.
ENVIRONMENT Strengthening El Niño raises risk for rabi sowing after weak monsoon
- Reservoir storage about 1% below average; stress in TN, AP, Rajasthan, Karnataka.
- Wheat is >95% irrigated — less exposed; rainfed gram and jowar more vulnerable.
- Warm Feb–Mar spells risk terminal heat stress at wheat grain-filling.
- RBI flagged climate risk to food inflation while raising FY27 GDP forecast to 7.1%.
HEALTH Kufri Jamunia: biofortified purple potato against hidden hunger
- Per 100 g flesh: vitamin C 42.75 mg, anthocyanins 42.05 mg; iron 32.23 ppm, zinc 22.77 ppm.
- Yield 32–35 t/ha; medium-maturing; recommended for 12 states (Punjab to Assam).
- Lineage: Kufri Neelkanth (2018) → Kufri Manik (2021) → Kufri Jamunia (2024).
- NFHS-5: anaemia in 57.0% women (15–49) and 67.1% children (6–59 months).
DEFENCE AUSTRAHIND 2026: India–Australia drill for island & coastal operations
- Theme: joint sub-conventional ops in island/coastal terrain under a UN Chapter VII mandate.
- About 120 troops each; India from Garhwal Rifles, Australia from 13 Brigade.
- New Zealand joins as an observer for the first time.
- Began in 2016; 4th edition held at Irwin Barracks, Perth (Oct 2025).
ECONOMY WPI inflation climbs to 11.39% as fuel & power prices surge
- Fuel & Power 25.85% (Aug 22.93%) — sharpest rise.
- Primary articles 8.67%; Manufactured products 9.76%.
- WPI Food Index 8.66% (Aug 7.05%).
- Retail CPI (base 2024=100) inflation at 5.54% in Sept — above RBI's 4% ± 2% band's upper edge.
IR Rubio–Jaishankar talks: trade deal 'very close'; first India–US–UAE trilateral on energy
- Agenda: trade, energy, defence, critical & emerging tech, people-to-people ties.
- Trilateral focused on regional energy security, trade, AI and connectivity amid West Asia disruption.
- Rubio called India a 'refining superpower'; discussed Venezuelan crude with an Indian refiner (Jamnagar visit).
- Feb 2026 framework had cut US tariffs on most Indian goods from 50% to 18%.
- Leaders paid tribute to 26/11 (2008) victims at Mumbai's Taj hotel.
ECONOMY India–New Zealand FTA enters into force: duty-free access, dairy shielded
- All Indian exports duty-free; NZ removes tariffs of up to 10% (textiles, leather, gems, engineering).
- NZ to facilitate USD 20 bn investment in India over 15 years.
- Dairy, sugar, edible oils and key farm items kept out; apples, kiwifruit, Manuka honey via TRQs.
- Mobility: 5,000 TEE visas; 1,000 Working Holiday visas/yr; post-study work up to 3 yrs (STEM).
- Services access in about 118 sectors; bilateral goods trade about USD 1.1 bn (2025-26).
IR SCO Heads of Government meet in Dushanbe: India calls for 'no double standards' on terror
- 'No double standards'; the entire ecosystem of terrorism must be collectively dismantled.
- India to host the inaugural SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum by end-2026.
- Backed an Action Plan for the Programme of Multilateral Trade & Economic Cooperation.
- Sideline meetings with Tajik PM Qohir Rasulzoda and Iran's First VP Mohammad Reza Aref.
IR Polish PM Donald Tusk begins India visit to deepen Strategic Partnership
- Ties elevated to Strategic Partnership during PM Modi's Aug 2024 Warsaw visit.
- Joint Action Plan 2024–28 covers defence, space, AI, semiconductors, energy, mining.
- Large business delegation; India–Poland Business Forum in Delhi and Bengaluru.
- Visit also seen as boosting the India–EU strategic partnership and FTA implementation.
POLITY Police Commemoration Day: nation honours personnel killed on duty
- Memorial dedicated by PM in 2018; 30-ft granite cenotaph, Wall of Valour and museum.
- About 90 police riders flagged off on a 'Fight Against Drugs' rally to Ekta Nagar for 31 Oct.
- Joint parade of CAPFs and Delhi Police; week-long events from 22–30 Oct.
- Three new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) in force since 1 July 2024.
HEALTH Global IDD Prevention Day: iodised salt remains India's first line of defence
- Iodine is needed for thyroid hormones T3 and T4; deficiency causes goitre, cretinism, hypothyroidism.
- India's National Goitre Control Programme (1962) renamed NIDDCP in 1992.
- Standard: ≥30 ppm iodine at manufacture, ≥15 ppm at consumer level.
- Adult requirement about 150 µg/day; higher in pregnancy (foetal brain development).
REPORT Global Hunger Index 2026: India 100th of 122, child wasting highest in South Asia
- Undernourishment 9.8% (down from 10.5%).
- Child wasting 19.0% — highest among ranked countries for 2021–25.
- Child stunting 29.3%; under-5 mortality 2.7%.
- South Asia score 23.4; world 18.1; Pakistan 25.5 (below India).
22 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ECONOMY Core Sector Growth Hits New-Series High of 7.9% in September
- Iron ore +18.4%, electricity +11.4%, coal +10.7% (rebound from −3.8% in Aug), refinery products +10.3%, cement +9.8%.
- Contraction in fertilisers (−11.7%), natural gas (−4.6%) and crude oil (−1.4%).
- April–September 2026 cumulative growth: 5.1% vs 2.5% a year ago.
- New series uses base year 2022-23 and covers 9 industries — iron ore newly added.
ECONOMY RBI MPC Minutes: Rate Cuts 'Off the Table' as Inflation Risks Widen
- Minutes say rate cuts are off the table in the near term — only a hike or a pause is possible.
- External members Nagesh Kumar and Ram Singh dissented on changing the stance towards tightening.
- Core inflation rose to 4.2% in August from 3.9% in July; headline CPI projected near 5.8% over the next three quarters.
- Next MPC meeting: 2–4 December 2026.
ENVIRONMENT India to Mandate 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel for International Flights from 2027
- Indicative roadmap: 1% (2027) → 2% (2028) → 5% (2030) for international flights.
- CORSIA (ICAO) mandatory compliance begins 1 January 2027.
- DGCA moving towards carbon-emissions reporting for international flights.
- SAF feedstocks: used cooking oil, agri-residue, municipal waste, alcohol-to-jet routes.
ENVIRONMENT Agrivoltaics: Solar Panels over Farms Could Power India's 2050 Demand
- A July study found ~47.5 million ha — about 30% of India's 160+ million ha arable land — suitable.
- Agrivoltaic plants cost 25–30% more than ground-mounted solar.
- Tariff: ₹3.20–3.30/unit vs ₹2.5–2.6/unit for ground-mounted solar.
- Likely inclusion in next phase of PM-KUSUM (a 10 GW agri-PV component announced earlier).
SCI-TECH eMudhra Key Leak Exposes Weak Links in India's Digital Trust Chain
- 6 affected TLS certificates were trusted by Chrome, Mozilla and Apple root programmes; all revoked.
- Government platforms incl. UIDAI and the Income Tax portal use eMudhra certificates/technology.
- IT Ministry: no sign of root certificate compromise.
- Recalls the 2014 'rogue' certificates issued under the NIC CA, which still shapes global wariness.
DEFENCE Exercise IBSAMAR IX: India, Brazil, South Africa Navies Drill at Simon's Town
- India deployed stealth frigate INS Tarkash with an integral Chetak helicopter.
- Brazil: BNS Barroso; South Africa: frigate SAS Amatola, submarine SAS Manthatisi and others.
- Drills: anti-submarine, anti-air, surface warfare, maritime interdiction, anti-piracy, SAR.
- Theme: 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain'.
IR Modi–Tusk Talks: India and Poland Push Defence, Tech and Trade Ties
- Ties elevated to Strategic Partnership during Modi's August 2024 Warsaw visit (first Indian PM visit in 45 years).
- Agenda: defence manufacturing, trade & investment, space, AI, renewable energy, Russia–Ukraine.
- Large business delegation; India–Poland Business Forums in New Delhi (22 Oct) and Bengaluru (23 Oct).
- Poland seeks to expand defence exports to India; visit also aids India–EU strategic partnership.
IR Badr MoU: Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia Pool Defence Industries
- Aims: joint production, technology transfer, technical training and R&D.
- Expected roles: Türkiye — technology & systems integration; Pakistan, Indonesia — manufacturing & workforce; Qatar — investment.
- It is an industrial pact, not a mutual-defence treaty.
- Follows the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement (Aug 2026) of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.
IR India–US Trade Deal 'Pretty Close'; US Now India's Top LPG Supplier
- February 2026 framework for an interim deal: US reciprocal tariff to fall from 25% to 18%; not yet signed.
- US share of India's LPG imports rose from under 10% to 67% — now the largest LPG supplier.
- India's goods exports to the US rose 21% in August to $8.3 billion.
- Sticking points: agriculture, energy purchases, competitive tariff vs rivals like Vietnam.
POLITY SC: Converts Cannot Carry Pre-Conversion Caste into Backward-Class Quota
- Upheld the Madras High Court; struck down Tamil Nadu's 2024 G.O. letting converts to Islam be certified as Backward Class Muslims.
- Court: the source of social backwardness must be examined for converts claiming Art 16(4) benefits.
- Conversion to a non-Hindu religion ends SC status under the Constitution (SC) Order, 1950 (Sikhs, Buddhists excepted).
- OBC lists have been broadly religion-neutral since Indra Sawhney (1992).
HEALTH Drug Overcharging: ₹8,447 Crore Owed to Consumers Remains Unrecovered
- Of the dues, ₹5,872.6 crore is in litigation, ₹2,369.3 crore under process, ₹200 crore referred to collectors.
- Centre told SC (12 Oct) it will cap trade margins at 30% on non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs; next hearing 27 Oct.
- Medicines formed ₹6,368 of ₹32,884 per rural hospitalisation and ₹6,948 of ₹46,774 in urban areas.
- No mechanism exists to refund overcharged amounts to consumers.
23 October 2026
Full notes with diagrams →ECONOMY RBI MPC minutes: unanimous hike to 5.50%, stance turns 'calibrated tightening'
- Headline CPI rose to 4.8% in August (from 4.5% in July); core inflation 4.2%
- MPC projects FY 2026-27 CPI at 5.2%, with Q3 near 6% – the upper tolerance limit
- Stance change proposed by Dy. Governor Poonam Gupta; external members Nagesh Kumar and Ram Singh dissented on stance
- Household survey: median 3-month-ahead inflation expectation 9.9%; input prices rising close to 9%
- Rate cuts 'off the table' near term; next MPC meeting 2–4 December
ECONOMY GST 2.0 compliance reforms to roll out in phases from 1 November
- Automated refund sanction for fresh claims after 1 Nov; pending claims not covered
- B2C-only small traders (turnover below ₹5 crore): in-principle nod for annual return + quarterly tax payment
- ITC only if tax declared payable by supplier is actually paid – curbs fake invoicing
- From 2027: arrest provisions removed, prosecution thresholds rationalised, ₹10,000 minimum for show-cause notices, e-way bill changes
- No rate changes at the 57th meeting; previous big rate cut covered about 400 items (Sept 2025)
REPORT UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026: breaching 1.5°C now 'unavoidable'
- Global GHG emissions in 2025: 58.4 GtCO2e – roughly flat vs 2024; fossil CO2 still up 0.4–1.1%
- Projected warming by 2100: 2.8°C (current policies), 2.6°C (all NDCs), 2.1°C (NDCs + net-zero pledges)
- 1.5°C-overshoot pathway needs cuts of 18% by 2030, 45% by 2035, 69% by 2040 (vs 2025)
- G20 (excl. AU) = 76% of global emissions; September 2026 was 1.63°C above pre-industrial
DEFENCE ₹770-crore deal with BEL for LLLR-I radars to counter drone threats
- Detects fighters, mini/micro drones and low-RCS UAVs; counters drone and cruise-missile threats
- 4 fixed AESA panels give 360° coverage – no moving parts, passively cooled
- Uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifiers, digital beamforming, Track-While-Scan, ECCM
- Upgrade of the Aslesha radar line designed by DRDO's LRDE (Bengaluru); deployable in plains, deserts and high altitude
DEFENCE SIMBEX-2026: 33rd India–Singapore naval exercise opens at Visakhapatnam
- Harbour phase 21–23 Oct; sea phase 24–26 Oct – anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare drills
- Singapore's RSS Supreme (Formidable-class stealth frigate) joined; opening aboard INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta
- Began in 1994 as 'Exercise Lion King' – one of India's longest-running naval exercises
- Hosted by Eastern Naval Command; 32nd edition was held in Singapore (2025)
ENVIRONMENT Nepal becomes first beneficiary of the UN loss and damage fund
- Nepal's recovery and reconstruction needs estimated at $4.8 billion
- The fund has about $350 million to allocate; current cap $20 million per project
- Germany and Czechia said the decision should not set a precedent; Japan called it 'truly exceptional'
- First regular project approvals expected at the December board meeting in the Philippines
HEALTH Sugar during antibiotic therapy may deepen gut microbiome damage
- In 173 bone-marrow-transplant patients, diversity fell about 24% for every 100 g extra sugar over the prior two days
- High sugar favoured overgrowth of Enterococcus; sweetened nutrition shakes/smoothies appeared most harmful
- Mice on antibiotics + high-sucrose diet developed dangerous Enterococcus levels; sugar alone did not
- Human data are observational; authors call for clinical trials before diet advice
IR India–Poland: Modi and Tusk set goal to double bilateral trade by 2030
- Call for prompt signing, ratification and implementation of the EU–India FTA
- Joint research in AI, semiconductors and quantum; space named a key pillar of the partnership
- Critical minerals: battery recycling & rare-earth refining; geology and mining MoU under negotiation
- Revival of the agriculture working group; support for more direct flights, maritime security and IMEC
SOCIETY NSAP renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; disability pension widened
- IGNOAPS → PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana; IGNWPS → PM Vidhawa Pension Yojana; IGNDPS → PM Divyangjan Pension Yojana; NFBS → PM Parivar Labh Yojana
- Disability pension: threshold cut from 80% to 40%; minimum age removed (eligible from birth)
- Assistance raised from ₹300 to ₹375/month (age 0–79) and ₹500 to ₹625/month (80+)
- Covers about 3.20 crore beneficiaries across 36 States/UTs; revised guidelines within 3 months
POLITY Ladakh notifies 100 constituencies across eight hill councils
- Seats: Leh 22, Kargil 21, Sankoo 13, Changthang 10, Nubra 9, Sham 9, Zanskar 9, Drass 7
- New councils follow notifications of 3 September and 16 October 2026; Union Cabinet nod on 14 October
- Each council: 7–24 elected seats plus 4 nominated members
- Ladakh became a UT without legislature on 31 October 2019 (J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019)
ECONOMY Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign runs till 31 December across 2.70 lakh local bodies
- Camps for enrolment in PMJJBY, PMSBY and Atal Pension Yojana; new PMJDY accounts and re-KYC
- Generation of pending C-KYC IDs and updating nominations in accounts and lockers
- KCC saturation for eligible PM-KISAN beneficiaries and PMFBY enrolment before the Rabi season
- Awareness on digital frauds and unclaimed deposits under 'Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar'
Prelims rapid-fire — 30 facts
| Ramsar sites: 103. The new sites are Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (UP). UP now has 14, second only to Tamil Nadu. |
| INS Samarthak is the Navy's first indigenously designed Multi-Purpose Vessel (107 m), built by L&T at Kattupalli. |
| NSTCC (National Strategic Trade Command Centre) was launched at Vanijya Bhawan. It is a real-time trade-data hub run with the DGFT. |
| CISF will reorganise into function-based sectors (Power, Coal, Steel, Ports) from 1 November. It is now the nodal agency for aerial security of critical infrastructure. |
| India-Mauritius DTAA: the Principal Purpose Test was notified on 13 October. Investments made before 1 April 2017 are grandfathered. |
| Aditya-L1 (VELC) + Proba-3 (ASPIICS): joint observations measured the mass, density and energy of coronal mass ejections close to the Sun. |
| US midterm elections on 3 Nov 2026: all 435 House seats and 35 of 100 Senate seats |
| Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2024 & 2025) conferred on 106 young artists; given by Sangeet Natak Akademi (est. 2006, age up to 40, ₹25,000) |
| DRDO's ADRDE, Agra flew an indigenous High-Altitude Platform to 21 km; held ~20 km for 30+ minutes |
| Baltic Sea: world's largest brackish water body; linked to the North Sea via the Danish straits |
| RBI policy rates: Repo 5.50%, SDF 5.25%, MSF/Bank Rate 5.75%; next MPC 2-4 Dec 2026 |
| PETA India seeks withdrawal of draft PCA (Laboratory Animals) Rules, 2026; PETA founded 1980 |
| Azad Hind Government proclaimed by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Singapore on 21 Oct 1943 — 83rd anniversary today. |
| IDBI Bank: CCEA cleared sale of 60.72% to a Fairfax subsidiary for ₹52,878 crore; govt keeps 15%, LIC 19%. |
| GSAT-7C: ₹2,563 crore contract with NSIL for the IAF's first dedicated communication satellite. |
| INS Samarthak commissioned at Karwar (16 Oct); Navy's SWAVLAMBAN 2026 seminar on 26–27 Oct. |
| Asian Para Games, Aichi-Nagoya: India crosses 47 medals (12 G); best-ever haul remains 111 at Hangzhou 2023. |
| India–Canada CEPA targeted by end-2026; next negotiating round in New Delhi in early November. |
| GRAP Stage-I enforced in Delhi-NCR by CAQM as AQI entered 'Poor' (201–300) band. |
| NHPC seeks approval to fell 23 lakh+ trees for the 1,720 MW Kamala HEP (Kamala river, Subansiri basin), Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Asian Para Games 2026 (Aichi–Nagoya, Japan): Sachin Khilari won gold in men's shot put F46, leading an Indian podium sweep. |
| Nasha Mukt Bharat: Centre targets a drug-free India by 31 Dec 2029 with NCORD-based monitoring. |
| Police Commemoration Day (21 Oct) honours 10 CRPF men killed at Hot Springs, Ladakh (1959). |
| India–New Zealand: Memorandum of Cooperation on electronic origin data exchange to ease trade under the FTA. |
| Perseverance rover set an off-world driving record of 45.22 km, beating Opportunity's 45.16 km; landed in Jezero Crater (Feb 2021) |
| India–New Zealand FTA entered into force on 20 October 2026; customs MoC signed for electronic origin-data exchange |
| BHASHINI (MeitY) & IISc released Text-to-Speech models for Sourashtra, a low-resource Indo-Aryan language of Tamil Nadu, on AIKosh |
| DRDO's ARDE (Pune, 1958) shortlisted partners for India's first indigenous 20 mm aviation gun for ALH Rudra and LCH Prachand |
| UN Day – 24 October: UN Charter came into force on 24 Oct 1945 (signed 26 June 1945, San Francisco) |
| World Polio Day – 24 October; India certified polio-free by WHO on 27 March 2014 |
Data points of the period
5.54%
CPI inflation, September 2026
Up from 4.83% in August. Food inflation (CFPI) rose to 7.74% from 5.97%. Rural inflation was 6.08% and urban 4.88%. The rate is well above the 4% target, within the 2-6% band. This follows the RBI's 25 bps repo hike to 5.50% on 7 October, with a 'calibrated tightening' stance.
Up from 4.83% in August. Food inflation (CFPI) rose to 7.74% from 5.97%. Rural inflation was 6.08% and urban 4.88%. The rate is well above the 4% target, within the 2-6% band. This follows the RBI's 25 bps repo hike to 5.50% on 7 October, with a 'calibrated tightening' stance.
5.54%
CPI inflation, September 2026 (base 2024=100)
Up from 4.83% in August; food inflation 7.74%, rural 6.08%, urban 4.88%; onion up 108%. Above the RBI's 4% target - the MPC raised the repo rate to 5.50% ('calibrated tightening') on 7 Oct; minutes due 21 Oct.
Up from 4.83% in August; food inflation 7.74%, rural 6.08%, urban 4.88%; onion up 108%. Above the RBI's 4% target - the MPC raised the repo rate to 5.50% ('calibrated tightening') on 7 Oct; minutes due 21 Oct.
11.39%
WPI inflation, September 2026
Up from 9.92% in August; Fuel & Power at 25.85% is the main driver, while retail CPI stood at 5.54%.
Up from 9.92% in August; Fuel & Power at 25.85% is the main driver, while retail CPI stood at 5.54%.
7.9%
Index of Core Industries growth, September 2026 (YoY)
Highest in the new 2022-23 base series; up from 5.9% in August; April–September cumulative 5.1% vs 2.5% a year ago.
Highest in the new 2022-23 base series; up from 5.9% in August; April–September cumulative 5.1% vs 2.5% a year ago.
5.50% (+25 bps)
Policy repo rate after the October 2026 MPC (minutes released 21 Oct)
Stance: calibrated tightening; CPI 4.8% (Aug), FY27 projection 5.2%; SDF 5.25%, MSF/Bank Rate 5.75% (±25 bps corridor).
Stance: calibrated tightening; CPI 4.8% (Aug), FY27 projection 5.2%; SDF 5.25%, MSF/Bank Rate 5.75% (±25 bps corridor).
10 practice MCQs — UPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. Consider the following statements about the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA): 1. India has been a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party to SIOFA since 2022. 2. SIOFA is the main body managing tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean. 3. SIOFA's area of competence includes the Exclusive Economic Zones of coastal states. 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
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong because tuna is managed by the IOTC. Statement 3 is wrong because SIOFA covers only the high seas and excludes EEZs.
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong because tuna is managed by the IOTC. Statement 3 is wrong because SIOFA covers only the high seas and excludes EEZs.
Q2. Under which instrument does the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority cap trade margins on non-scheduled drugs, such as the recent 30% cap on 137 anti-cancer medicines?
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
- Para 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013
- New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019
- Patents Act, 1970 (Section 84)
Show answer
Answer: B
Para 19 of DPCO 2013 gives the government extraordinary powers in the public interest. DPCO itself is issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Section 84 of the Patents Act deals with compulsory licensing.
Para 19 of DPCO 2013 gives the government extraordinary powers in the public interest. DPCO itself is issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Section 84 of the Patents Act deals with compulsory licensing.
Q3. With reference to the Ramsar Convention, consider the following statements: 1. It was signed at Ramsar in Iran in 1971. 2. It entered into force for India in 1982. 3. Sukhna Wetland, recently designated a Ramsar site, is located in Haryana. How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: B
Statements 1 and 2 are correct (signed 2 Feb 1971; in force for India 1 Feb 1982). Sukhna is in the UT of Chandigarh, not Haryana. India now has 103 Ramsar sites.
Statements 1 and 2 are correct (signed 2 Feb 1971; in force for India 1 Feb 1982). Sukhna is in the UT of Chandigarh, not Haryana. India now has 103 Ramsar sites.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT one of the four indicators used to compute the Global Hunger Index?
- Undernourishment
- Child wasting
- Maternal mortality ratio
- Under-five mortality rate
Show answer
Answer: C
GHI uses undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and under-five mortality. Maternal mortality is not an indicator. India ranks 100th of 122 in GHI 2026.
GHI uses undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and under-five mortality. Maternal mortality is not an indicator. India ranks 100th of 122 in GHI 2026.
Q5. Consider the following statements about the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: 1. It entered into force on 20 October 2026. 2. Dairy products are excluded from tariff concessions. 3. New Zealand has committed to facilitate USD 20 billion of investment in India. 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 FTA (signed 27 April 2026) came into force on 20 Oct 2026, shields dairy, sugar and edible oils, and carries a USD 20 bn investment commitment over 15 years.
All three are correct: the FTA (signed 27 April 2026) came into force on 20 Oct 2026, shields dairy, sugar and edible oils, and carries a USD 20 bn investment commitment over 15 years.
Q6. 'Hot Springs', associated with the observance of Police Commemoration Day on 21 October, is located in:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Sikkim
- Ladakh
- Himachal Pradesh
Show answer
Answer: C
On 21 Oct 1959, 10 CRPF personnel were killed in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs near Kongka La in eastern Ladakh; the day has been observed since.
On 21 Oct 1959, 10 CRPF personnel were killed in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs near Kongka La in eastern Ladakh; the day has been observed since.
Q7. With reference to the Index of Core Industries (ICI) in India, consider the following statements: 1. It is released by the National Statistics Office. 2. In the new series with base year 2022-23, iron ore has been included as a core industry. 3. Electricity has the lowest weight among the core industries. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Show answer
Answer: A
Only statement 2 is correct. The ICI is released by the Office of Economic Adviser, DPIIT, not NSO, and refinery products and electricity carry among the highest weights, not the lowest.
Only statement 2 is correct. The ICI is released by the Office of Economic Adviser, DPIIT, not NSO, and refinery products and electricity carry among the highest weights, not the lowest.
Q8. CORSIA, recently in news in the context of India's Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate, is associated with which of the following?
- International Maritime Organization
- International Civil Aviation Organization
- UNFCCC Green Climate Fund
- International Energy Agency
Show answer
Answer: B
CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) was adopted by ICAO in 2016; its mandatory phase starts in 2027.
CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) was adopted by ICAO in 2016; its mandatory phase starts in 2027.
Q9. With reference to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of India, consider the following statements: 1. It has six members, three of whom are from the RBI. 2. In case of a tie, the RBI Governor has a casting vote. 3. The inflation target is notified by the Central Government in consultation with the RBI. 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: D
All three are correct. Under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, the MPC has 6 members (3 RBI + 3 external); the Governor has a casting vote; the Centre, in consultation with RBI, notifies the 4% ± 2% CPI target.
All three are correct. Under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, the MPC has 6 members (3 RBI + 3 external); the Governor has a casting vote; the Centre, in consultation with RBI, notifies the 4% ± 2% CPI target.
Q10. Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (erstwhile NSAP): 1. It was originally launched in 1995 and gives effect to Article 41 of the Constitution. 2. Under the revamped disability pension, the eligibility threshold has been lowered from 80% to 40% disability. 3. Its nodal ministry is the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 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
NSAP began on 15 August 1995 reflecting Article 41 (DPSP); disability threshold cut from 80% to 40%. Statement 3 is wrong – the nodal ministry is the Ministry of Rural Development.
NSAP began on 15 August 1995 reflecting Article 41 (DPSP); disability threshold cut from 80% to 40%. Statement 3 is wrong – the nodal ministry is the Ministry of Rural Development.
Mains practice questions
- India's ethanol blending programme has to balance energy security against food security. Examine this in the light of the feedstock policy for 2026-27. (GS3, 15 marks, 250 words)
- "Protecting children online must not come at the cost of their right to be online." In the light of the Supreme Court's recent recognition of internet access as a fundamental right, discuss how India can balance digital access with child safety. (250 words, 15 marks)
- Energy security is emerging as the new organising principle of India's minilateral diplomacy. Examine in the context of the India–US–UAE trilateral and the volatility in West Asia. (15 marks, 250 words)
- Agrivoltaics can reconcile India's energy transition with food security, but only if farmers remain at the centre of its design. Discuss. (GS3, 15 marks, 250 words)
- The Emissions Gap Report 2026 declares that overshooting 1.5°C is now unavoidable. Discuss the implications for climate-vulnerable developing countries in South Asia and evaluate the role of loss and damage finance in addressing them. (15 marks, 250 words)
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