UPSC current affairs, 10 September 2026

• The IRGC declared a new 'prohibited zone' in parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, threatening sanctions on non-compliant vessels.
• Jordan's army reported intercepting 18 Iranian missiles targeting its territory.

Energy security: attacks on tankers around the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel, showing how conflict in West Asia feeds directly into global oil prices.

2017 · GS2 · 15 marks The question of India's Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India's economic progress. Analyze India's energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries.

How to use it: Shows the risk to West Asian energy supplies: U.S.-Iran strikes on tankers around the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel.

• The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, strategically vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• The Red Sea and Bab-el Mandeb are strategic trade channels between Europe and Asia.
• The Houthis control northern Yemen and parts of its Red Sea coast.

West Asia security: a widening conflict touching the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and Bab-el Mandeb threatens trade routes between Europe and Asia and regional stability.

• BRICS has 10 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE.
• Iran sources more than 65% of its imports from BRICS members, and Ethiopia close to 45%.
• Russia's export reliance on BRICS rose between 2020 and 2023, partly driven by higher fuel imports by countries such as India.

BRICS and de-dollarisation: rising intra-bloc trade and talks on cross-border payments show BRICS trying to reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar.

2026 · GS2 · 10 marks "BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South." Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.

How to use it: Rising intra-BRICS trade, about one-fourth of global merchandise exports in 2024, and talks on cross-border payments to reduce dollar dependence show BRICS positioning itself as an alternative grouping.

• The NPR, prepared under the Citizenship Act, 1955, was first created in 2011 and updated in 2015 with data for 119 crore residents.
• Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948 provides that Census data is for statistical purposes and not admissible as evidence.
• 1951 Census data was used to prepare the NRC in undivided Assam.

Data governance and the Census: the officials' concerns show the tension between using the Census for statistics and linking it to identity registers, and the risk to data quality.

2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks Two parallel run schemes of the Government, viz the Adhar card and NPR, one of voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits, discuss whether or not both…

How to use it: Census 2027 questions on Aadhaar and other ID documents resemble earlier NPR data collection, and officials question collecting identity details already held in administrative databases.

• Article 371 currently has chapters A to J giving special provisions for 12 States.
• Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 after Article 370 was revoked.
• Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations for certain Union Territories.

Federalism and special provisions: the MHA's Article 371 route for Ladakh is set against continuing local demands for statehood and tribal status to protect land and culture in a Union Territory.

• Orangutans are native to Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia.
• All three orangutan species are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Wildlife trafficking: the rescue of exotic primates in Odisha shows India's exposure to illegal international wildlife trade and the need for coordination among enforcement agencies under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and CITES.

• Gaganyaan plans a three-member crew in a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission.
• The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned at an altitude of 400 to 450 km.
• The Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan) costs Rs 1,236 crore and is planned for launch on March 29, 2028.

International space cooperation: ESA ground-station support for Gaganyaan shows how partnerships help India's human spaceflight programme.

2017 · GS3 · 10 marks India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain…

How to use it: ESA ground stations will give continuous data and communication support to Gaganyaan, a three-member, three-day crewed mission, showing how partnerships address manned mission logistics.

• India's theme for its BRICS chairship rests on four pillars: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
• The summit agenda includes 'Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism'.
• Expected outcomes include initiatives on smart grids, energy storage, urban infrastructure and an MSME cooperation portal.

India as BRICS chair: bridging differences between members on opposite sides of a regional conflict tests India's ability to build consensus in an expanded grouping.

• The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell put the Indian crude oil basket at $108.91 a barrel as of September 8.
• India VIX, a market volatility measure, has risen almost 7%, according to the article.
• Foreign investors withdrew $1.3 billion from Indian markets in September, the article says.

External shocks and macroeconomic stability: high crude prices, rupee depreciation and foreign outflows show how global conditions drive volatility in Indian markets ahead of the next meeting of the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee.

• Russia reportedly seeks control of Crimea and Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk), and possibly Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, in settlement talks, the article says.
• US envoys including Jared Kushner presented new peace proposals in Moscow and Kyiv.

India's role in conflict resolution: the article frames the war's effects on global energy prices, food security, inflation and multilateral institutions as reasons for India to use its BRICS chairship for peace.

• The India-EU FTA aims to slash or eliminate tariffs on over 96% of traded goods, according to the article.
• The partnership gives India access to Europe's EUR 150 billion Security Action for Europe initiative for joint defence production.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa were chief guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations.

Strategic autonomy and multi-alignment: the India-EU FTA and defence partnership are an example of diversifying partners within a rules-based multipolar order.

• The 1995 Oslo II Accord divided the West Bank into Areas A, B and C.
• Area C, about 60% of the West Bank, is under full Israeli control.
• A 2022 UNCTAD report said settlements contributed $30 billion annually to Israel's economy between 2015 and 2020.

West Asia and the two-state solution: trade measures against settlements by the UK and others show growing pressure over settlement expansion and its effect on Palestinian statehood.

• Maize makes up 55 to 65% of broiler feed and soybean meal 25 to 30%.
• Feed costs account for 65 to 70% of egg production expenses.
• Livestock GVA rose from 34% of crop GVA in 2013-14 to 57% in 2023-24.

Food inflation: feed costs, El Nino and possible maize diversion for E20 ethanol blending show how supply-side factors drive protein inflation.

2024 · GS3 · 10 marks What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation.

How to use it: Shows a supply-side cause of high food inflation: rising maize and soybean meal feed costs and El Nino effects keeping egg, chicken and milk prices high.

• India joined 24 other nations in endorsing the Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security.
• The Department of Telecommunications will lead India's engagement on the initiative.
• India's domestic 6G efforts include the Bharat 6G Vision and the Bharat 6G Alliance.

Telecom and technology standards: joining a multinational 6G initiative lets India shape secure, interoperable next-generation networks in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.

• ORV Sagar Manthan has a projected service life of 30 years and will support work in the Southern Ocean and along Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges.
• The vessel supports Vertical-4 (Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration) of the Deep Ocean Mission.
• It can carry out multibeam bathymetry surveys and deploy Remotely Operated Vehicles and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.

Blue economy and self-reliance: an indigenously built research vessel strengthens India's deep ocean exploration under the Deep Ocean Mission.

• Aadhaar Face Authentication was launched in 2021 and has processed over 500 crore transactions.
• It uses AI/ML-based liveness detection and anti-spoofing.
• Its uses include Jeevan Pramaan, Ayushman Bharat onboarding, DBT schemes and PM Kisan.

Digital public infrastructure: face authentication tools ease onboarding in financial services and welfare delivery.

• India added 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity last year and has solarised 29 lakh pumps.
• Decentralised solar contributed 16.3 GW, including 8.7 GW of rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar.
• The 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference will be held on October 21 to 23, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Farm incomes and energy transition: agrivoltaics under PM-KUSUM offers farmers additional income streams while expanding decentralised renewable energy.

• Universal Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN) is a unique 14-digit identification number for every land parcel in India.
• Under DILRMP 3.0, 75 Sub-Registrar Offices will be upgraded to Registration Seva Kendras.
• DILRMP 3.0 has an outlay of Rs 565.50 crore for 2026 to 2031.

Land governance: digitised, georeferenced land records as Digital Public Infrastructure support ease of living and ease of doing business.

• The CeNS material combines aspartic acid, an amino acid, with perylene diimide (PDI).
• The molecules self-assemble into two-dimensional nanosheets in water, giving nearly 18% higher photocurrent than the bulk material.

Clean energy research: metal-free photocatalysts for solar-driven water splitting avoid expensive inorganic semiconductors and precious metals.

• Schools are selected through a Challenge Mode based on quality benchmarks and UDISE+ data.
• The scheme aims to develop over 14,500 exemplar schools and aims to benefit over 20 lakh students.
• PM SHRI schools follow NEP 2020's 5+3+3+4 curricular structure and use the DIKSHA platform.

School education reform: PM SHRI is a model for implementing NEP 2020 through exemplar schools that mentor neighbouring schools.

2020 · GS2 · 15 marks National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement.

How to use it: PM SHRI schools follow NEP 2020's 5+3+3+4 structure and mentor neighbouring schools, showing how the policy is restructuring school education on the ground.