Pratidin

UPSC current affairs, 26 September 2026

Saturday. The 5 stories from The Hindu, The Indian Express and PIB that UPSC can ask about, and 20 more articles in brief, each with Prelims facts, a Mains angle and the previous-year questions on the topic.

Today's 5 stories

Polity and governanceThe Hindu, Page 12GS3GS2Must read

AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal for six more months

The Union Home Ministry has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months, from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, unless it is withdrawn earlier. The notifications, issued on 25 September after a fresh review of the law and order situation, declare these areas 'disturbed' under Section 3 of the Act. The Ministry cited continuing security challenges in the North-East, particularly the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur.

Prelims facts
  • AFSPA was enacted in 1958; under Section 3, the Governor of a State, the Administrator of a Union Territory or the Central Government can declare an area 'disturbed'.
  • In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997), the Supreme Court upheld AFSPA but required disturbed-area declarations to be reviewed periodically, before six months expire.
  • The Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy Committee (set up in 2004, report in 2005) recommended repealing AFSPA and moving the necessary powers into the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Read the full story, model answer and deep dive

Society, justice and ethicsThe Hindu, Page 11GS1GS2Must read

Census 2027: no decision yet on how open-field caste entries will be sorted

The Union government has not yet decided how caste data collected through an open field in Census 2027 will be sorted and tabulated, The Hindu reported. In the population enumeration phase, respondents who are not Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes will write their caste name freely, and can also choose a 'no caste' option. Officials said a proposal on classification will be prepared by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, go to the Union Home Secretary, and then be decided by the Ministry or the Union Cabinet.

Prelims facts
  • The Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, and 'Census' is a Union subject (Entry 69 of the Union List).
  • Every Census since 1951 has enumerated Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; the 1931 Census was the last to count all castes.
  • The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Read the full story, model answer and deep dive

EconomyThe Hindu, Page 1GS3

Centre and banks to settle UPI subsidy once merchant charges begin

The Union government and banks will decide the size of the subsidy for UPI and RuPay debit card payments after a merchant discount rate (MDR) on some UPI payments takes effect on 15 October 2026, The Hindu reported. The Finance Ministry is consulting the Indian Banks' Association and traders' bodies such as the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on the change. The Union Budget for 2026-27 has set aside ₹2,000 crore to promote low-value BHIM-UPI and RuPay debit card transactions.

Prelims facts
  • The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which runs UPI, RuPay and BHIM, was set up in 2008 by the RBI and the Indian Banks' Association under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
  • The merchant discount rate is the fee a merchant pays its bank for accepting digital payments; it has been zero for UPI and RuPay debit cards since January 2020.
  • The 2024-25 incentive scheme for low-value BHIM-UPI payments had an outlay of ₹1,500 crore and paid 0.15% on small-merchant payments up to ₹2,000.

Read the full story, model answer and deep dive

International relationsThe Hindu, EditorialGS3GS2

Should India review its nuclear doctrine without changing its core?

An opinion article in The Hindu argued that India should revisit its nuclear doctrine to test it against a changed security environment, without necessarily revising its core principles. The doctrine has remained largely unchanged since it was operationalised in 2003. Since then, China's military rise has accelerated, Pakistan's nuclear posture has evolved, disruptive technologies have reshaped deterrence and geopolitical competition has become more multipolar. The piece suggests a review that reaffirms the principles while updating the capabilities and systems that make them credible.

Prelims facts
  • The Nuclear Command Authority, set up on 4 January 2003, has a Political Council chaired by the Prime Minister, the only body that can authorise nuclear use, and an Executive Council chaired by the National Security Adviser.
  • India conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran in May 1998 (Pokhran-II); the National Security Advisory Board released the Draft Nuclear Doctrine on 17 August 1999.
  • The 2003 doctrine replaced the 1999 draft's 'punitive' retaliation with 'massive' retaliation designed to inflict unacceptable damage.

Read the full story, model answer and deep dive

Environment and geographyIndian Express, Page 7GS3

Expert panel backs green clearance for the Subansiri Upper hydro project

The Union Environment Ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has recommended environmental clearance for NHPC's 1,605 MW Subansiri Upper hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Express reported. The recommendation is conditional. Final clearance depends on the project getting forest clearance for about 2,733 hectares of forest land, and NHPC must prepare a site-specific, time-bound Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Management Plan. The EAC flagged that the impact would go beyond forest loss, affecting biodiversity, habitat continuity, wildlife movement and ecosystem services.

Prelims facts
  • Environmental clearance is granted under the EIA Notification, 2006, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Category A projects are appraised by sectoral Expert Appraisal Committees of the Union Environment Ministry.
  • Diversion of forest land for non-forest use needs separate approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, renamed the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 in 2023.
  • Money collected for compensatory afforestation is managed under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016, through CAMPA.

Read the full story, model answer and deep dive

Every other article worth knowing

The Hindu

Op-ed: India should regulate lotteries accountably instead of banning them

The Hindu, Page 8OpinionGS2Prelims

The author argues that India should regulate lotteries rather than ban them, since prohibition pushes players to matka, satta and offshore portals that lack audits, age limits and consumer protection, and costs governments revenue from lottery surpluses and GST. The article proposes two amendments to the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998: clarifying Section 5 on the consent of the destination State, and a new Section 4A for multi-State common lotteries. It cites Kerala's public-operator model, which channels surpluses into healthcare and welfare.

Prelims facts
  • Lotteries come under Entry 40 of the Union List, and the governing law is the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998.
  • In B.R. Enterprises vs State of U.P. (1999), the Supreme Court treated lotteries as res extra commercium, outside the fundamental right to trade.
  • Kerala's State-run lottery model generated ₹2,883.80 crore in FY 2023-24; lotteries are legal in nearly 80% of countries.
Mains angle

Governance and Centre-State relations: the author argues that controlled legality earns revenue and protects consumers better than prohibition, which feeds black markets.

Source summary

Editorial: Karnataka's rejection of the Kasturirangan Report on Western Ghats ESAs

The Hindu, Page 8EditorialGS1GS3Prelims

The Karnataka Assembly unanimously rejected the Kasturirangan Report's recommendations on Western Ghats conservation, objecting to its 2012 remote-sensing data and to whole revenue villages being placed in Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) if 20% of their land is sensitive. Karnataka has the largest proposed ESA share, 20,668 sq km covering 1,449 villages, and wants time for a fresh forest survey. The editorial says the Centre's 2024 decision to allow State-by-State ESA notification has raised pressure on Karnataka to offer an alternative.

Prelims facts
  • The Kasturirangan Report (2013) proposed about 37% of the Western Ghats (around 60,000 sq km) as ESA; the Gadgil Report (2011) had proposed the entire 1,29,037 sq km.
  • The Western Ghats span six States (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Kerala reduced its proposed ESA from 9,993 sq km to 8,805 sq km.
Mains angle

Conservation versus livelihoods: the dispute shows how ecological protection in a biodiversity hotspot collides with fears over livelihoods and displacement, which the editorial says are allegedly fanned by vested interests including mining.

Asked before

2016 · Prelims 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of Western Ghats

How to use it: Karnataka's rejection of the Kasturirangan Report, a successor to the Gadgil Report, shows both reports deal with protecting the Western Ghats through Ecologically Sensitive Areas.

Source summary

Haryana villages set up community vigils against drug peddling

The Hindu, Page 9OpinionGS2GS3Prelims

Villages in Haryana are organising community vigils against drug trafficking. In Rajthal village in Hansi district, residents keep a round-the-clock 'thekri pehra' and the gram panchayat has imposed ₹1 lakh fines for drug peddling. The drug problem has spread from border districts into farming areas, fuelling thefts and safety fears for women. The article notes gaps in State-supported rehabilitation, which focuses on de-addiction more than long-term recovery and social reintegration.

Prelims facts
  • Per the Magnitude of Substance Use in India-2019 report, Haryana ranks third nationally for opioid-related problems, with 5.9 lakh people affected.
  • The Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau has registered 2,353 FIRs and arrested 6,256 people under the NDPS Act, 1985.
  • The Punjab Village and Small Towns Patrol Act, 1918 is a historical precedent for community patrols.
Mains angle

Drug abuse and internal security: community vigilance and panchayat action can supplement policing, but weak rehabilitation and reintegration limit lasting recovery.

Source summary

Declaration in voter registration Form 6 changed since Bihar's Special Intensive Revision

The Hindu, Page 10GS2Prelims

The declaration part of Form 6, the application for new voter registration, was changed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. Applicants must give documents based on their birth year (before 1987, 1987 to 2004, or after 2004) and parents' citizenship details; later phases added a declaration on whether the applicant or parents were in earlier SIR rolls. The ECI says it added a separate form (Annexure D) rather than amending Form 6. Two Election Commissioners raised concerns in May and August 2026; the Supreme Court's May 27, 2026 ruling upheld the ECI's power to add the form.

Prelims facts
  • Form 6 is the application form for new voter registration with the Election Commission of India.
  • The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 are framed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Ministry of Law and Justice has the authority to amend them.
  • In ADR vs ECI (May 27, 2026), the Supreme Court held that the SIR and the new declaration form are within the ECI's statutory mandate under the Representation of the People Act.
Mains angle

Electoral rolls and citizenship: the birth-year document rules show the ECI's revision process moving into citizenship verification, raising questions of inclusion and of its powers.

Asked before

2026 · GS2 · 10 marks Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of the voters?

How to use it: The SIR's Form 6 changes, requiring birth-year documents and parents' citizenship details and upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2026, show the ECI examining citizenship while revising rolls.

Source summary

French Rafales and A400Ms arrive in Jodhpur for exercise Tarang Shakti

The Hindu, Page 12GS2GS3Prelims

France has sent four Rafale F4 fighters, three A330 MRTT Phénix tanker transport aircraft and two A400M Atlas aircraft to Jodhpur for Tarang Shakti, India's largest multinational air combat exercise, from September 28 to October 12. French participation is part of Mission Pégase 26, which covers over 40,000 km across three continents. Scenarios include counter-air operations, air defence and air-to-air refuelling.

Prelims facts
  • Tarang Shakti is India's largest multinational air combat exercise; this edition runs from September 28 to October 12.
  • Mission Pégase 26 (September 8 to October 15) is France's seventh long-range air projection exercise.
  • India and France hold the bilateral exercises Garuda (air), Varuna (sea) and Shakti (land).
Mains angle

India-France defence ties: joint air exercises such as Tarang Shakti build interoperability and deepen bilateral defence cooperation.

Source summary

The Indian Express

PM may visit several nations in December to close trade pacts; new model BIT sent to Cabinet Secretariat

Indian Express, Page 1GS2GS3Prelims

PM Narendra Modi may make a multi-nation visit in December, possibly to the US, Canada and at least two European countries, to finalise trade deals. The India-EU FTA is to be signed in Brussels on December 16, 2026, India and Canada aim for a full CEPA by the end of 2026, and officials call the India-US BTA '90% complete'. The Finance Ministry has forwarded a new model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to the Cabinet Secretariat that aims to shorten the 2016 model's local remedy period and to exclude tax provisions.

Prelims facts
  • India's 2016 model BIT required five years of local remedies before international arbitration; the 2024 India-UAE BIT set three years.
  • India and Canada aim for $50 billion annual bilateral trade by 2030; CEPA talks are in their fourth round with two chapters concluded.
  • India's overall FDI inflows in FY2025-26 were a record $94.53 billion.
Mains angle

Trade and investment policy: a more investor-friendly BIT that still protects the sovereign right to tax, alongside new FTAs, shows India balancing FDI needs with regulatory space.

Source summary

India and Liberia launch a UN group on the safety of shipping and seafarers

Indian Express, Page 7GS2GS3Prelims

India and Liberia launched the 'Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers' on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and will co-chair it. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called attacks on seafarers 'indefensible' and 'unacceptable'. The voluntary group of ship-owning, ship-registry and seafarer-supplying nations aims to strengthen existing frameworks, after incidents such as an Indian sailor's death on MV Cape Dao in the Gulf of Oman.

Prelims facts
  • India is a major source of seafarers, and Liberia has the largest shipping registry by tonnage.
  • Maritime shipping carries about four-fifths of global trade, valued at USD 35 trillion last year.
  • Nearly two million seafarers operate the world's merchant fleet.
Mains angle

Maritime security: attacks on civilian shipping in the Red Sea, Black Sea and Gulf region threaten trade and Indian seafarers, and India is using UN coalitions to push for protection.

Source summary

Op-ed: A weakened United Nations is bad news for India

Indian Express, Page 12OpinionGS2Prelims

The author argues that a weakened UN, held back by great-power rivalry and the veto in the Security Council, as over Ukraine and Gaza, does not suit a rising India. India seeks a non-permanent UNSC seat for 2028-29 against Tajikistan, and has co-founded Partners for Multilateralism. The author says the UN still matters as a universal forum for smaller nations and for humanitarian relief, but its Secretariat needs procedural streamlining and better financial management.

Prelims facts
  • India is contesting a UNSC non-permanent seat for 2028-29 against Tajikistan, in an election due in June 2027.
  • India co-founded Partners for Multilateralism with Brazil, Canada, Kenya, the EU, Australia and Barbados.
  • India has contributed over 275,000 personnel to UN peacekeeping operations.
Mains angle

UN reform: the author argues that the veto often paralyses the Security Council, and notes that India backs Council reform with permanent seats for itself and African nations.

Asked before

2025 · GS2 · 15 marks "The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West…

How to use it: Great-power rivalry and the veto blocking Security Council action on Ukraine and Gaza illustrate the confrontation that keeps UN reform unresolved, as the question asks.

Source summary

Editorial: India's growth holds near 7%, but inflation clouds the outlook

Indian Express, Page 12EditorialGS3Prelims

The editorial notes that the Asian Development Bank, S&P Global, the OECD and Moody's have raised India's full-year growth forecast to about 7% after a strong first quarter, helped by 6.3% IIP growth in April to July, a nearly 30% rise in central capital expenditure and 17.8% merchandise export growth in April to August. It warns that inflation, which S&P Global expects to average 5.1%, and a possible El Niño may lead the RBI to raise rates by 25 basis points this fiscal year.

Prelims facts
  • The Index of Industrial Production grew 6.3% in April to July, and merchandise exports grew 17.8% in April to August.
  • S&P Global expects average inflation of 5.1%, and rate increases of 25 basis points are anticipated this fiscal year.
  • The OECD expects growth momentum to weaken before recovering in 2027.
Mains angle

Growth and price stability: the RBI must balance support for growth against inflation risks, including a possible El Niño that could cut farm output and raise food inflation.

Asked before

2019 · GS3 · 10 marks Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments.

How to use it: Growth near 7% alongside expected 5.1% inflation, El Niño risks to food prices and likely rate hikes shows strong growth alone need not mean the economy is in good shape.

Source summary

Op-ed: The Election Commission's independence begins with how members are appointed

Indian Express, Page 13OpinionGS2Prelims

A two-judge Supreme Court Bench, Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma, disagreed on the 2023 law on appointing election commissioners and referred the challenge to a Constitution Bench. The 2023 Act replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister on the selection committee, departing from the Anoop Baranwal (2023) arrangement. The author argues that neutrality is the ECI's constitutional purpose and notes that the law could be read down to require unanimous selection decisions.

Prelims facts
  • Article 324(2) allows Parliament to make a law on appointing the CEC and Election Commissioners; none was enacted for about seven decades until 2023.
  • The CEC and other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 put a Cabinet minister in place of the CJI on the selection committee.
  • The Mohinder Singh Gill judgment (1978) is cited on the neutrality of the Election Commission.
Mains angle

Institutional independence: the author argues that an executive-dominated selection panel undermines the neutrality that free and fair elections, part of the basic structure, depend on.

Source summary

NHAI issues design rules for India's 50,000 km high-speed corridor plan

Indian Express, Page 15GS3Prelims

NHAI has issued guidelines for designing and building high-speed corridors (access-controlled expressways) to bring uniformity to Detailed Project Reports and construction. India plans 50,000 km of such corridors by 2036-37 under Vision 2047, against about 3,052 km as of December 2023. The rules mandate Multi-lane Free Flow tolling, a 1-metre RCC boundary wall along the right of way, no at-grade intersections, and traffic estimates validated with GST portal and toll data.

Prelims facts
  • India targets 50,000 km of high-speed corridors by 2036-37; about 3,052 km existed as of December 2023.
  • The NHAI guidelines require Multi-lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling and allow access only through designed ramps.
  • Lane configuration (4-lane or 6-lane) is to depend on traffic volume measured in Passenger Car Units (PCU).
Mains angle

Infrastructure: standard design norms aim to fix inconsistent project reports and improve safety, which matters for the quality of a large expressway build-out.

Source summary

France's EDF pitches European Pressurised Reactors as India opens nuclear power

Indian Express, Page 15GS3Prelims

France's state-owned Électricité de France (EDF) met officials from the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Central Electricity Authority, NTPC and NPCIL to discuss deploying European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs) in India, as India opens its civil nuclear sector to private players. Talks also covered regulatory reform, pumped hydro storage and a local supply chain. The Department of Atomic Energy has released draft rules under the SHANTI Act for public consultation.

Prelims facts
  • The SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Act will replace the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
  • India targets 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047; NTPC plans 30 to 50 GW, including through joint ventures with NPCIL.
  • EPRs are advanced third-generation pressurised water reactors.
Mains angle

Energy security: opening nuclear power to private players is tied to the 100 GW target for 2047, and EDF argues that a large multi-reactor programme would build supplier confidence and economies of scale.

Source summary

How Taiwan shapes US-China relations

Indian Express, Page 16ExplainedGS2Prelims

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the US, Beijing stressed Taiwan as its main concern and urged the US to oppose 'Taiwan independence'. US policy rests on the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which makes the US Taiwan's main arms supplier. A proposed $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan has been paused, worrying Taiwan and regional allies. Taiwan's importance has grown as home to TSMC, the world's leading semiconductor manufacturer.

Prelims facts
  • The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 set up unofficial US-Taiwan relations and commits the US to help Taiwan's self-defence.
  • Before 1979 the US recognised Taiwan as the legitimate representative of China; the Three Joint Communiqués led to US-China mutual recognition.
  • Through the Six Assurances, the US affirmed continued support to Taiwan with no end date for arms sales.
Mains angle

Indo-Pacific security: Taiwan's role in global semiconductor supply chains and the US arms commitment to it make the island central to US-China rivalry and regional stability.

Source summary

How the Election Commission handles dissent among its three members

Indian Express, Page 16ExplainedGS2Prelims

An investigation found that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections at least 14 times in 10 months, including on IT infrastructure and voter enrolment forms. The ECI says its decisions were unanimous and treats objections as part of deliberation. The explainer recalls earlier dissent, such as clashes between CEC T.N. Seshan and other Commissioners in the 1990s and Ashok Lavasa's 2019 dissent notes on Model Code of Conduct violations.

Prelims facts
  • The ECI derives its powers from Article 324 and is a three-member body in which the CEC and two ECs have equal voting power.
  • Section 18 of the 2023 Act on election commissioners says ECI business is to be transacted unanimously, or by majority if members differ.
  • In T.N. Seshan vs Union of India (1995), the Supreme Court affirmed the equal status of all three members.
Mains angle

Institutional transparency: recording and disclosing dissent in a multi-member ECI bears on public trust in its decisions.

Source summary

Press Information Bureau

6th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves launched

PIBGovernment releaseGS3Prelims

The Union Environment Minister launched the 6th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR), covering all 58 tiger reserves, and released the Technical Manual for MEE-TR 2026 at an inception workshop organised by the NTCA with the Wildlife Institute of India. This cycle adds Solid Waste Management as a new criterion and stresses field evidence, management outcomes, emerging threats and digital information systems.

Prelims facts
  • MEE of tiger reserves began in 2006; five cycles have been completed, and the 6th covers all 58 tiger reserves.
  • India's MEE framework is adapted from the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas framework.
  • Over 85,000 sq km in India is designated for tiger conservation.
Mains angle

Conservation governance: periodic, evidence-based evaluation of tiger reserves tests whether protected areas meet their conservation objectives.

Source summary

CGTMSE credit guarantee cover goes live on TReDS for small enterprises

PIBGovernment releaseGS3Prelims

The MSME Ministry has made the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) cover live on the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), meeting a Union Budget 2026-27 announcement. It gives financiers a 75% guarantee on the amount in default for eligible invoices, cutting their risk and easing working capital for MSEs hit by delayed payments. Invoice discounting on TReDS grew from ₹40,000 crore in FY 2021-22 to ₹3.5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.

Prelims facts
  • CGTMSE cover on TReDS is 75% of the amount in default, and both buyer and seller must be Micro or Small Enterprises.
  • Maximum exposure is ₹10 crore for an MSE buyer and ₹2 crore for an MSE seller, on a revolving basis.
  • TReDS is an RBI-regulated platform operating since 2017; the cover is available on M1xchange, RXIL and DTX (KredX).
Mains angle

MSME finance: credit guarantees on receivables address delayed payments and working capital shortages, a key constraint on MSME growth.

Asked before

2023 · GS3 · 10 marks Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard.

How to use it: CGTMSE's 75% guarantee on TReDS invoices, easing working capital for MSEs facing delayed payments, is a current policy example for MSME-led manufacturing growth.

Source summary

₹200 crore RDI Fund support to Agnikul Cosmos for reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle

PIBGovernment releaseGS3Prelims

The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science and Technology has signed an agreement with Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited to provide ₹200 crore from the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund for developing Agnibaan RLV, a fully reusable launch vehicle. The design uses a lightweight upper stage and a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system capable of deep throttling and restart, aimed at frequent, low-cost launches.

Prelims facts
  • The ₹200 crore is given through Optionally Convertible Debentures from the RDI Fund.
  • The project aims to raise Agnibaan RLV from Technology Readiness Level 4 to TRL 8 (TRL runs on a scale of 1 to 9).
  • Agnikul earlier developed the Agnibaan orbital launch vehicle and the Agnilet, a 3D-printed rocket engine.
Mains angle

Space sector reform: public R&D funding for private launch vehicles builds indigenous capability in reusable space transport.

Source summary

PLI schemes for bulk drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical devices: progress so far

PIBGovernment releaseGS3Prelims

Three PLI schemes under the Department of Pharmaceuticals have strengthened domestic manufacturing and reduced import dependence. The Bulk Drugs scheme has commissioned 39 projects making 28 APIs and Key Starting Materials, with sales of ₹3,792.49 crore as of June 2026. The Pharmaceuticals scheme attracted ₹46,744 crore of investment, above target, with cumulative sales of ₹4,02,869 crore including ₹2,57,370 crore of exports. The Medical Devices scheme has enabled domestic production of 57 high-end devices.

Prelims facts
  • The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs (₹6,940 crore) targets 41 critical APIs, Key Starting Materials and Drug Intermediates.
  • The PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals has an outlay of ₹15,000 crore and has created 1,21,294 jobs.
  • The PLI Scheme for Medical Devices (₹3,420 crore) gives a 5% incentive on incremental sales for five years.
Mains angle

Industrial policy: PLI outcomes in pharma and devices show how output-linked incentives can cut import dependence on critical inputs, in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Asked before

2025 · GS3 · 15 marks Discuss the rationale of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. What are its achievements? In what way can the functioning and outcomes of the scheme be improved?

How to use it: Pharma PLI investment of ₹46,744 crore, 39 bulk-drug projects and 57 domestically made medical devices are concrete achievements to cite on the PLI scheme.

Source summary

9th India International Water Week ends with focus on climate-resilient water management

PIBGovernment releaseGS1GS3Prelims

The 9th India International Water Week 2026 concluded in New Delhi on the theme 'Climate Resilient Water Management'. Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil listed people's participation, science and technology, and international cooperation as key takeaways. The week included the 2nd India International WASH Conference and an India-Africa Roundtable on WASH, released capacity-building modules for Gram Panchayat and Village Water and Sanitation Committee members under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and discussed Sujalam Bharat as digital public infrastructure for rural drinking water.

Prelims facts
  • The 9th India International Water Week 2026 had the theme 'Climate Resilient Water Management'.
  • Releases included the 1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects, 7th Minor Irrigation Census, 2nd Census of Water Bodies and 1st Census of Springs.
  • Sujalam Bharat is envisioned as the digital public infrastructure for rural drinking water.
Mains angle

Water governance: the Jal Jeevan Mission's shift from building assets to reliable service delivery, with Gram Panchayats as service institutions, illustrates participatory water management.

Source summary

ARIES study finds accretion-disk X-rays in blazars Mrk 421 and Mrk 501

PIBGovernment releaseGS3Prelims

Researchers from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) studied four TeV blazars with NASA's NICER and NuSTAR telescopes and found an additional X-ray emission component from the accretion disk in Mrk 421 and Mrk 501 during low-activity periods. This challenges models that attribute all blazar X-rays to jets. The study, in The Astrophysical Journal, adds to understanding of how supermassive black holes power active galaxies.

Prelims facts
  • Blazars are active galactic nuclei, powered by supermassive black holes, with a relativistic jet pointed towards Earth.
  • The ARIES team used NASA's NICER and NuSTAR space telescopes to study four TeV blazars.
  • This is the first indication of such a disk contribution for Mrk 501; it had been reported earlier for Mrk 421.
Mains angle

Indian contributions to astronomy: research institutes using international space telescopes add to basic science on black holes and galaxies.

Source summary