UPSC current affairs, 5 October 2026

• Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections in the Election Commission.
• Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 allows a special revision of the electoral roll for any constituency.
• Article 326 provides for elections on the basis of universal adult suffrage.

Useful for questions on the Election Commission's powers over electoral rolls and the tension between roll purification and the right to vote; the view is the author's.

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: Use the author's argument that the SIR lacks explicit statutory backing under Section 21 to discuss the limits of the Commission's role in revising rolls.

• The 2026 US National Defense Strategy, as updated by Colby, lists four priorities: defending the US homeland, deterring China, gaining more support from allies and partners, and rebuilding the US defence industry.

Supports answers on India-US strategic ties and burden-sharing, arguing that India should plan for greater self-reliance in its own security.

• Terrestrial stilling, a decline in near-surface wind speeds, has been observed globally since the 1980s.
• The Venturi effect accelerates wind into gusts as it is funnelled through narrow gaps between tall buildings.
• Cities such as Stuttgart, Seoul and Hong Kong use computational fluid dynamics to plan for ventilation.

Gives an example for urban heat island mitigation: planning wind corridors and building form, not only green cover, can cool cities.

• The accord's four controls are internal controls, an AI-safety management team, an independent external auditor and an independent board committee to address reports.

Useful for contrasting voluntary industry commitments with binding regulation in AI governance, a debate India also faces.

• Agnipath, introduced in June 2022, recruits people aged 17.5 to 21 years as Agniveers for four years, including six months of training.
• Up to 25% of each batch can be retained in the regular cadre; the rest exit without pension or gratuity but receive a tax-free Seva Nidhi package.
• The Seva Nidhi is built from the Agniveer's monthly contributions, matched by the government.

Feeds questions on defence manpower reform, balancing a younger profile and lower pension costs against retention and combat experience.

• The Department of Military Affairs promulgated five Positive Indigenisation Lists comprising 509 items between August 2020 and October 2023.

An example of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence: using import embargoes to build domestic manufacturing capacity.

• The Strait of Hormuz is a vital conduit for Gulf oil and gas.

Relevant to India's energy security and its interests in West Asia, since disruption at Hormuz affects oil and gas supplies.

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: Cite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for Gulf oil and gas, to show the risk in India's energy ties with West Asia.

• The arrest was made on 3 October by the Counter Intelligence Cell of the Andhra Pradesh Police.

An example of social media being used for espionage, supporting answers on cyber and counter-intelligence threats to internal security.

2024 · GS3 · 15 marks Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies…

How to use it: Use the arrest as an example of hostile agencies using fake social media profiles to extract defence information, a security challenge of social media.

• The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) came into force in October 2025.
• TEPA targets $100 billion of investment and 10 lakh direct jobs in India over 15 years.
• A Prosperity Summit of India-EFTA business leaders was scheduled for 7 October 2026.

Shows India using bilateral trade agreements with investment commitments to attract capital and jobs, and to expand mobility for professionals.

2025 · GS3 · 10 marks What are the challenges before the Indian economy when the world is moving away from free trade and multilateralism to protectionism and bilateralism? How can these challenges be met?

How to use it: Cite India-EFTA TEPA, with its $100 billion investment and 10 lakh jobs targets, as an example of India using bilateral agreements as world trade turns protectionist.

• KJP21 is the third Indian-born female cheetah to give birth, and the father of her cubs is a male from Botswana.
• India's cheetah population stands at 60, including 41 born in India.

An example for evaluating Project Cheetah: births in the wild and new bloodlines are markers of whether reintroduction is becoming self-sustaining.

• The Sanchar Saathi portal of the Ministry of Communications was launched in May 2023.
• Chakshu is the Sanchar Saathi facility for citizens to report suspected fraud communications.

An example of citizen participation and digital tools to fight telecom and cyber fraud.

• Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) was incorporated on 4 October 1967.
• UCIL's Jaduguda site has an underground mine and a Technology Demonstration Pilot Plant.

Relevant to nuclear energy and energy security: domestic uranium supply underpins India's nuclear power programme.

• The project aims to take the technology from Technology Readiness Level 5 to TRL 9.
• The Technology Development Board functions under the Department of Science and Technology.

An example of state support for chip design to build a sovereign semiconductor ecosystem.

2025 · GS3 · 15 marks India aims to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. What are the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in India? Mention the salient features of the India Semiconductor Mission.

How to use it: Cite TDB's ₹130 crore support for BigEndian's AI vision chip as an example of public funding for indigenous semiconductor design.

• Coal India's offtake in April to September 2026 was 384.2 million tonnes, up 7.6% year on year.

Shows coal's continuing central role in India's power supply, relevant to the energy security versus transition debate.

2026 · GS3 · 15 marks Explain the key challenges for India's energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability?

How to use it: Use Coal India's 384.2 MT half-year offtake, nearly 79% of it to power, to show coal's central place in India's present energy security.