# UPSC current affairs, 28 October 2026 URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/ Publisher: upsc.help (Pratidin), free and open-source UPSC Civil Services current affairs. Not affiliated with UPSC. Every fact was checked against the source reports by a separate review before publishing. ## Stories ### Supreme Court reserves order on why most medicines stay outside price control URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/sc-drug-price-control-reserved/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/sc-drug-price-control-reserved.md) Source: The Hindu, Page 12. UPSC papers: GS2, GS3 **In one line:** The Supreme Court has reserved orders on whether the Centre must extend price control beyond the essential medicines it now caps, after the Centre defended selective intervention. Prelims facts: - On 27 October 2026 a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta reserved orders on a plea to bring non-scheduled medicines under price control. - The Centre said scheduled (price-capped) medicines are 35% of the market by volume and 18% by price. - Paragraph 19 of the DPCO, 2013 lets the government fix prices of any drug in extraordinary circumstances in the public interest. - Makers of non-scheduled medicines set their own MRP but cannot raise it by more than 10% in 12 months. - The NLEM forms Schedule-I of the DPCO, 2013; the NPPA fixes ceiling prices for medicines in it. ### Supreme Court issues notice on news publishers' challenge to the data protection law URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/dpdp-act-news-publishers-sc-notice/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/dpdp-act-news-publishers-sc-notice.md) Source: Indian Express, Page 1. UPSC papers: GS2, GS3 **In one line:** The Supreme Court has agreed to examine whether India's data protection law, which has no exemption for journalism, unreasonably restricts the press and the right to information. Prelims facts: - On 27 October 2026 the Supreme Court issued notice on the Digital News Publishers Association's challenge to the DPDP Act, 2023 and DPDP Rules, 2025, returnable on 17 November. - The core grievance is the absence of a journalistic exemption; Section 17(2) exempts research, archiving and statistical processing but not journalism. - Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act to bar disclosure of personal information. - The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 had a journalistic exemption in Section 47; the 2022 draft dropped it. - In Puttaswamy (24 August 2017) the Supreme Court held privacy to be a fundamental right under Article 21 and Part III. ### Supreme Court issues notice on pleas against the six-stanza Vande Mataram orders URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/vande-mataram-six-stanza-sc-notice/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/vande-mataram-six-stanza-sc-notice.md) Source: The Hindu, Page 10. UPSC papers: GS2, GS1 **In one line:** The Supreme Court will examine whether the Centre's 2026 orders prescribing the full six-stanza Vande Mataram violate freedom of conscience and exceed executive power. Prelims facts: - On 27 October 2026 the Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on pleas challenging MHA orders of 28 January and 9 July 2026 that prescribe the six-stanza Vande Mataram. - The 28 January 2026 order prescribes the full version (about 3 minutes 10 seconds) on specified occasions and places Vande Mataram before the National Anthem when both are played. - In 1937 the Congress Working Committee adopted only the first two stanzas; on 24 January 1950 Rajendra Prasad gave the song equal status with Jana Gana Mana. - The Constitution refers only to the National Anthem (Article 51A(a)); a 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 extended its Section 3 to the National Song. - Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986) protected students who stood respectfully but did not sing the National Anthem. ### BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Delhi adopts declaration on West Asia, terror and sanctions URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/brics-parliamentary-forum-delhi-declaration/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-10-28/brics-parliamentary-forum-delhi-declaration.md) Source: Indian Express, Page 5. UPSC papers: GS2 **In one line:** Legislators from BRICS countries, meeting in New Delhi under India's chairship, unanimously adopted a declaration on West Asia, sanctions, terrorism and global governance. Prelims facts: - The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum met in New Delhi on 26 and 27 October 2026 under the theme 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development'. - Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the Forum; the joint declaration was adopted unanimously on 27 October 2026. - The declaration opposed unilateral coercive measures, including economic and secondary sanctions, and backed open trade, supply chains and energy flows. - It condemned the 22 April 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people and rejected double standards on terrorism. - The first BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held in 2015 under Russia's presidency; the 11th met in Brasília in 2025. ## Other articles in brief ### Supreme Court says it will examine pleas alleging unilateral Election Commission decisions The Hindu, Page 1 (News). On 27 October 2026 a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana heard petitions alleging that Election Commission decisions, including those linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, were taken unilaterally. When petitioners sought preservation of file notings, the CJI said, "We know everything, we will examine." Petitioners got 10 days to file a rejoinder, and the matter is tentatively listed for 17 November. Prelims facts: - On 5 October 2026 the Supreme Court issued notice but declined to pass an ex parte interim order suspending Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. - The petitioners asked for file notings to be preserved, saying they were crucial to deciding whether Commission decisions were unanimous or unilateral. Mains angle: GS2 constitutional bodies: raises questions of internal accountability and collective decision-making in the Election Commission during electoral roll revision. ### Arunachal minister meets representatives of 72 villages over proposed Siang project The Hindu, Page 4 (News). Arunachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing met representatives of 72 villages in East Siang district over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), after violent protests in Pasighat on 23 October. He said national priorities must be balanced with local interests and the project needs people's trust. Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said the pre-feasibility report is needed to establish the project's technical viability. Prelims facts: - The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is planned on the Siang river with a capacity of about 11,200 MW, for energy and water security and flood moderation. - Residents' concerns centre on the project's social and environmental impact, especially on the Adi community of the Siang valley. - In September the State Cabinet approved an empowered high-level committee, chaired by Ojing Tasing, to oversee pre-feasibility survey work. Mains angle: GS3 and GS1: large dams in the Northeast pit energy, water security and flood control against displacement and tribal consent; consultation and trust are central. ### India's coming investment in buildings, power and industry will set its emissions path The Hindu, Page 6 (Opinion). An opinion article argues that because much of India's housing, power networks and heavy industry is yet to be built, the next investment cycle will lock in its carbon future. It suggests building efficiently where technologies are mature, keeping flexibility where they are evolving, and using green public procurement and emissions-intensity thresholds in bidding. Prelims facts: - NITI Aayog estimates 86% of India's 2070 building stock is yet to be built. - The Ministry of Power plans about 590 GW of generation additions over 2023 to 2032. - India's crude steel capacity is about 200 million tonnes (2024-25), with a target of 300 million tonnes by 2030-31. Mains angle: GS3 climate and infrastructure: a late-developer advantage argument; avoiding carbon lock-in is cheaper than retrofitting, but high cost of capital is a constraint. ### Supreme Court Collegium recommends four judges as High Court Chief Justices The Hindu, Page 10 (News). On 26 October 2026 the Supreme Court Collegium recommended four judges as Chief Justices: Manash Ranjan Pathak (Gujarat), Puthichira Sam Koshy (Delhi), Tapabrata Chakraborty (Telangana) and Sudhir Singh (Uttaranchal). Delhi, Gujarat and Telangana had acting Chief Justices after their Chief Justices were elevated to the Supreme Court on 5 October. Prelims facts: - High Court judges, including Chief Justices, are appointed by the President under Article 217. - Acting Chief Justices of High Courts are appointed under Article 223. Mains angle: GS2 judiciary: illustrates the collegium's role in senior judicial appointments and the use of acting arrangements while regular appointments are pending. ### Nobel laureate Richard Roberts backs developing GM crops in Indian labs The Hindu, Page 10 (News). Richard J. Roberts, 1993 Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, backed developing GM crops in Indian laboratories and dismissed the idea that Indians adopting GM crops would become dependent on foreign companies. Bt cotton remains the only GM crop permitted in India, and the Supreme Court gave a split verdict on GM mustard in 2024. Prelims facts: - Bt cotton, approved in 2002, is the only GM crop in commercial cultivation in India. - In 2024 the Supreme Court gave a split verdict on the environmental release of GM mustard but asked the Centre to frame a national policy on GM crops. Mains angle: GS3 biotechnology: feeds the debate on GM and gene-edited crops, balancing food security and indigenous capability against biosafety and farmer-dependence concerns. ### India invites Pakistan to SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in Delhi Indian Express, Page 1 (News). India has invited all SCO members, including Pakistan, to the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from 20 to 22 November, the first such invitation since Operation Sindoor. The invitation went to Pakistan's Minister for National Heritage and Culture. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the forum on 20 October at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe. Prelims facts: - The forum is to be held at Purana Qila in Delhi. Mains angle: GS2 India and its neighbourhood: shows India separating its multilateral obligations as an SCO host from its bilateral stance on Pakistan. ### ICRA expects fresh bad loans to rise in FY27, with private banks under more pressure The Hindu, Page 13 (News). Rating agency ICRA expects fresh non-performing assets in the banking sector to rise in FY27, with private banks under more pressure than public sector banks. It projects fresh NPA generation at 2.5% for private banks against 0.8% for public sector banks. Stress is coming mainly from unsecured retail loans and MSME lending, though credit costs are expected to stay well below historical levels. Prelims facts: - ICRA projects fresh NPAs of about Rs 1.3 lakh crore for private banks and Rs 1 lakh crore for public sector banks in FY27. - ICRA expects private bank slippages to stay high in the second half of FY27. Mains angle: GS3 banking: asset quality risks are shifting to private banks through unsecured retail and MSME exposure, relevant to financial stability and credit growth. ### Infrastructure investment trusts seek a bigger share of household savings The Hindu, Page 13 (News). Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) are drawing more investors and could channel domestic savings into roads, power transmission networks and other infrastructure. InvITs work like mutual funds: a sponsor sets up the trust, which holds income-generating projects directly or through special purpose vehicles and distributes much of the cash flow to unit holders. Prelims facts: - InvITs are regulated by SEBI under the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014. - Listed InvIT units trade on stock exchanges, giving investors liquidity. Mains angle: GS3 infrastructure financing: InvITs let the state and developers recycle capital from completed assets while giving savers an income product, deepening capital markets. ### Semiconductor Laboratory chief says India must build capability across the chip value chain The Hindu, Page 14 (News). Speaking at the Semiconductor Summit 2026, the head of the Semiconductor Laboratory said India must reduce dependence on imported technologies and build capabilities beyond chip design, including R&D, manufacturing and specialised talent. The remarks come as India moves from the first phase of the India Semiconductor Mission to a second phase announced in the 2026-27 Budget. Prelims facts: - The India Semiconductor Mission was launched in 2021 under MeitY with an incentive outlay of Rs 76,000 crore. - India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, focuses on equipment, materials, indigenous chip IP and supply-chain resilience. Mains angle: GS3 technology and industrial policy: highlights the gap between chip design strength and weak capability in equipment, materials and fabrication. ### Supreme Court panel recommends carrying capacity studies for Himachal tourist hubs Indian Express, Page 6 (News). The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended carrying capacity assessments for tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh, completion of pending compensatory afforestation, and mandatory environmental clearance for hill roads of two or more lanes and railway lines. It wants a shift from case-by-case permissions to scientific capacity assessment and risk-sensitive planning. The State has been given time to respond. Prelims facts: - The CEC found compensatory afforestation of 30,462 ha against a target of 34,169 ha in Himachal Pradesh. - Of 1,007 hydropower projects in the State, 866 are below 10 MW, the CEC noted. - The Supreme Court asked the CEC in July 2026 to examine the State's ecology issues in a suo motu case begun in July 2025. Mains angle: GS3 disaster management and environment: carrying capacity, afforestation gaps and road and hydro construction in a fragile Himalayan state. ### Great Indian Bustard release programme continues after one bird is killed by a fox Indian Express, Page 9 (News). One of four captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released into Desert National Park in Jaisalmer this month, a six-month-old male, was killed by a fox on 18 October. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) paused the release of the remaining seven of the eleven birds identified for release to review protocols. The Indian Express reports the next batch is to be released soon; the other three released birds are reported safe. Prelims facts: - The released bustards come from the breeding centre at Sam in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. - Two bustards were released on 4 October and two more males on 14 October 2026 in Desert National Park. - The Great Indian Bustard is a critically endangered species. Mains angle: GS3 conservation: reintroduction of captive-bred birds faces natural predation risk, so release protocols and habitat management decide success. ### Jaishankar's Baku visit and India's reset with Azerbaijan Indian Express, Page 10 (Opinion). An opinion piece looks at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Baku on 23 October 2026, the first standalone ministerial visit to Azerbaijan in eight years. He met President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. The sides discussed trade, energy and transport corridors, including closer coordination on the International North-South Transport Corridor, after ties soured when Azerbaijan backed Pakistan. Prelims facts: - The western branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor runs through Azerbaijan. - India proposed more participation by Azerbaijani professionals in the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Mains angle: GS2 India and Eurasia: connectivity through the INSTC and energy ties make Azerbaijan relevant despite its alignment with Turkey and Pakistan. ### CBIC issues eight circulars to implement GST Council's administrative reforms Indian Express, Page 13 (News). The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs issued eight circulars to implement decisions of the 57th GST Council meeting. They set document lists for registration, recommend pre-show cause notice intimations where feasible, and require officers to establish intent to evade before invoking fraud or suppression provisions. Human oversight is mandatory when artificial intelligence is used in adjudication. Prelims facts: - The 57th GST Council approved scrapping arrest powers and raising the prosecution threshold from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore; these need Parliament to amend the law. - A circular recognises set-off of export receivables against import payables, under RBI directions, as a valid settlement for export of services. Mains angle: GS3 tax administration: a move from officer discretion to rule-based GST administration, aimed at reducing litigation and improving ease of doing business. ### Uttar Pradesh tightens rules on food colours after industrial dyes found in food Indian Express, Page 15 (Explained). Uttar Pradesh's Food Safety and Drug Administration issued guidelines on food colours after non-food-grade industrial dyes were found in chutney ahead of Diwali. Only colours approved for a food category may be used, within prescribed limits. The guidelines bar colours in green and red chutneys, ban Rhodamine-B in cotton candy and ice lollies, and require vendors to account for the colours they buy. Prelims facts: - The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 and set up FSSAI. - FSSAI regulations permit eight synthetic food colours, generally up to 100 ppm. Mains angle: GS2 health: weak enforcement of food safety standards at the vendor level; states are stepping up checks on adulterants. ### 33rd India-Singapore maritime exercise SIMBEX concludes PIB (Government release). The 33rd Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026) concluded after running from 21 to 26 October 2026. A harbour phase at Visakhapatnam (21 to 23 October) was followed by a sea phase in the Bay of Bengal (24 to 26 October) with anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare drills. RSS Supreme of the Republic of Singapore Navy took part. Prelims facts: - SIMBEX began in 1994 as Exercise Lion King. - The opening ceremony was held on board INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta at Visakhapatnam. Mains angle: GS3 and GS2: India-Singapore naval cooperation supports interoperability and India's Act East engagement in the Indian Ocean. ### India-Indonesia special forces exercise Garuda Shakti begins in Banyuwangi PIB (Government release). The 11th edition of Garuda Shakti, the India-Indonesia joint special forces exercise, is being held at Banyuwangi, Indonesia, from 27 October to 6 November 2026. The Indian contingent is from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). Training covers jungle special operations, including obstacle crossing, combat marksmanship, mountaineering and air assault, ending with a validation exercise. Prelims facts: - Garuda Shakti is a joint special forces exercise between India and Indonesia. - The Indian Army contingent for the 2026 edition is drawn from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). Mains angle: GS3 and GS2: defence diplomacy with Indonesia, a key maritime neighbour, builds interoperability in special operations in jungle environments. ### Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: government's umbrella scheme for senior citizens PIB (Government release). A PIB explainer sets out the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), the Social Justice Ministry's umbrella scheme for senior citizens, launched in 2021. For the quarter ending 30 September 2026, Rs 77.98 crore was released to 755 projects under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens. India had 10.38 crore people aged 60 and above in Census 2011, projected to reach about 23 crore by 2036. Prelims facts: - AVYAY is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and subsumed the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens. - Elderline, the national helpline for senior citizens, is 14567. - Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, launched in 2017 and now part of AVYAY, provides assistive living devices. Mains angle: GS2 vulnerable sections: India's ageing population needs care homes, assistive devices and caregivers; AVYAY is the main central framework. ### Carbon capture, utilisation and storage: India's plans for hard-to-abate sectors PIB (Government release). A PIB backgrounder presents carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) as key to India's net zero by 2070 target in hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, fertilisers and petrochemicals. The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 20,000 crore over five years for CCUS. An IIT Bombay field laboratory, opened in May 2026, can capture up to 3 tonnes of CO2 a day and will assess storage in Deccan Traps basalt. Prelims facts: - NITI Aayog released a CCUS policy framework in November 2022. - National CCUS centres were set up in 2022 at IIT Bombay and JNCASR, Bengaluru. - The Union Budget 2026-27 set aside Rs 20,000 crore over five years for CCUS in power, steel, cement, refineries and chemicals. Mains angle: GS3 climate change: CCUS is needed where emissions cannot be cut by renewables alone, but cost and storage geology remain challenges.