Daily Current Affairs — 15 October 2026

Thu · 7 topics · 10 stories · 7 Prelims MCQs

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01

Cabinet Approves Extension and Renaming of National Social Assistance Programme

Story 1Business Standard ↗

Union Cabinet Approves Extension of National Social Assistance Scheme Till FY31

  • The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31, renaming it as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana and modifying eligibility criteria.
  • The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet in New Delhi, restructuring four major sub-schemes to provide enhanced social security pensions to eligible elderly, widowed, and disabled beneficiaries across India.
  • The scheme has been sanctioned a total financial outlay of ₹53,428 crore for five years, aimed at extending welfare coverage and enhanced financial assistance to over 3.2 crore beneficiaries.
  • The reform renames old-age, widow, disability, and family benefit sub-schemes while broadening disability pension eligibility criteria to lower the benchmark disability threshold and expand the target demographic.
  • Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates the State to make effective provision for securing public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
Story 2PIB ↗

Union Cabinet Restructures Disability Pensions under Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

  • The Department of Rural Development obtained Cabinet approval to revise benchmark disability criteria and increase pension rates under the newly renamed Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.
  • The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, approved structural changes covering 3.2 crore total beneficiaries across the social assistance framework.
  • Divyangjan assistance rates were revised to ₹375 for ages 0-79 years and ₹625 for 80 years and above, while lowering benchmark disability criteria from 80% to 40%.
  • The minimum age criterion for disability pension was removed to cover beneficiaries from birth, while old age, widow, and family benefit schemes continue in their existing financial structures.
  • The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 establishes statutory rights and mandates reasonable accommodation, non-discrimination, and social security measures for benchmark disabled individuals.

Key definitions

Benchmark Disability: A condition where a person possesses not less than 40% of a specified disability as certified by a designated medical authority under the RPwD Act, 2016.
Social Assistance: Non-contributory tax-financed social security safety nets provided by governments to protect vulnerable citizens against poverty and vulnerability.

Prelims Facts

The National Social Assistance Programme has been renamed as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The benchmark disability criterion under the Divyangjan pension scheme was lowered from 80% to 40%.
The minimum age criterion for receiving disability pension under the restructured scheme is now from birth.

Mains Framework

The Union Cabinet's approval of ₹53,428 crore for Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana reinforces India's constitutional obligation towards universal social assistance for vulnerable populations.

Dimensions

Inclusivity

Lowering disability threshold from 80% to 40% and removing minimum age barriers expands coverage to marginalized groups.

Financial Adequacy

Escalating pension rates to ₹375 (0-79 years) and ₹625 (80+ years) offers partial relief against inflationary pressures.

Administrative Efficiency

Standardising sub-schemes under unified branding streamlines implementation across rural and urban local bodies.

Way forward

Implement indexation of monthly pensions to inflation, ensure direct benefit transfers via Aadhaar-enabled payment systems, and conduct regular social audits.

Key terms
National Social Assistance ProgrammePradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata YojanaPradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension YojanaBenchmark DisabilityDirective Principles of State Policy
Acts & articles
Article 41Article 38Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
02
GS-3 · ECONOMY

Wholesale Price Index Inflation Surges to Series High of 11.39% in September 2026

Story 1The Hindu ↗

Wholesale Price Inflation Surges to Record High of 11.4% in September 2026

  • Wholesale price inflation jumped to a series-high of 11.4% in September 2026, recording its highest level under the new 2022-23 base year series.
  • The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the figures in New Delhi, highlighting that core non-food manufactured goods accounted for over half of the monthly inflation uptick.
  • Headline WPI inflation rose 147 basis points from August 2026, reaching a 49-month high under the historical 2011-12 base year comparison framework.
  • Ongoing conflict in West Asia and maritime blockades along the Strait of Hormuz caused global crude oil and fertiliser costs to surge, creating severe domestic price spillovers.
  • The Wholesale Price Index measures average price changes in goods sold at the wholesale level, aiding macro-economic policy formulation alongside the Consumer Price Index used by RBI.
Story 2Business Standard ↗

Fuel and Minerals Drive Wholesale Inflation to 11.39% in September

  • The all-commodities Wholesale Price Index rose to 112.5 in September from 110.8 in August 2026, pushing headline WPI inflation to 11.39% on broad-based gains.
  • Data compiled by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed India's Producer Price Index (PPI) for goods output similarly increased to 112.5, driving PPI inflation to 11.39%.
  • Fuel and power inflation surged to 25.85%, supported by a 57.32% spike in crude petroleum and natural gas, while coal and lignite inflation expanded to 9.31%.
  • Mineral oil inflation nudged higher to 40.02%, while electricity prices continued to contract at 0.43%, reflecting an easing from the 1.73% contraction recorded in August 2026.
  • Inflation targeting in India operates under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, which empowers the Monetary Policy Committee to maintain headline CPI within a flexible target band.

Key definitions

Wholesale Price Index (WPI): An index measuring the average change in prices of goods sold and traded in bulk by wholesale businesses in India.
Core Inflation: A measure of inflation that excludes volatile food and energy price components from headline inflation calculations.

Prelims Facts

Wholesale price inflation reached 11.39% in September 2026, the highest level under the 2022-23 base year series.
Crude petroleum and natural gas inflation surged to 57.32% in September 2026 due to West Asia geopolitical disruptions.
Non-food manufactured goods accounted for over half of the 147 basis points monthly increase in headline WPI.

Mains Framework

The surge in September 2026 wholesale price inflation to 11.39% underscores India's vulnerability to global energy price shocks and imported supply chain disruptions.

Dimensions

External Geopolitical Vulnerability

Conflict in West Asia and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz drove crude petroleum inflation to 57.32%.

Input Cost Transmission

Core WPI gains signal rising input costs for domestic manufacturers, threatening subsequent pass-through to retail CPI.

Industrial Output Pressure

High fuel (25.85%) and mineral oil (40.02%) costs squeeze corporate operating margins and dampen private capital expenditure.

Way forward

Diversify energy import routes, expand strategic petroleum reserves, lower domestic logistics bottlenecks, and maintain vigilant monetary coordination.

Key terms
Wholesale Price IndexProducer Price IndexCore InflationStrait of HormuzCost-Push Inflation
Acts & articles
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
03
GS-3 · ENVIRONMENT

Kerala Launches India's First Ecosystem Red List Assessment

Story 1The Hindu ↗

Kerala Initiates India's First Red List Assessment for Threatened Ecosystems

  • The Kerala State Biodiversity Board launched India's first Ecosystem Red List assessment project to shift conservation efforts from species-centric preservation to landscape-level habitat management.
  • The project covers critical habitats across Kerala, including tropical riparian evergreen forests in the southern Western Ghats, myristica swamps, shola-grasslands, and coastal mangroves.
  • Tropical riparian evergreen forests in the region suffered an 83% loss over the past century, classifying them as Critically Endangered under IUCN risk assessment criteria.
  • Habitat destruction driven by dam construction, invasive plantations, and climate extremes threatens these vital ecosystems with complete structural collapse within the next 20 to 40 years.
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 established State Biodiversity Boards to implement conservation, sustainable use of biological components, and equitable sharing of biological resource benefits.

Key definitions

Red List of Ecosystems (RLE): A global standard established by IUCN to assess the conservation status and collapse risk of ecosystems.
Myristica Swamps: Freshwater swamp forests dominated by wild nutmeg trees, endemic to the Western Ghats region.

Prelims Facts

Kerala is the first Indian state to initiate a systematic Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE).
Tropical riparian evergreen forests in the southern Western Ghats have lost 83% of their extent over the last century.
Myristica swamps and shola-grassland mosaics are critical threatened habitats evaluated under this project.

Mains Framework

Kerala's pioneering Red List Assessment of Ecosystems transitions biodiversity governance from reactive species preservation to proactive, landscape-scale habitat conservation.

Dimensions

Ecological Threat Assessment

Identifies habitats facing structural collapse, such as riparian forests suffering an 83% decline over 100 years.

Policy Paradigm Shift

Complements species-level Red Data Books with holistic ecosystem health monitoring under standardized IUCN metrics.

Climate Resilience & Adaptation

Protects vital carbon sinks and hydrology buffers like myristica swamps and high-altitude shola grasslands.

Way forward

Replicate ecosystem Red List assessments across other biodiversity hotspots in India and integrate findings into state land-use planning.

Key terms
IUCN Red List of EcosystemsRiparian ForestsMyristica SwampsShola MosaicsBiological Diversity Act
Acts & articles
Biological Diversity Act, 2002Article 48A
04
GS-2 · POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Supreme Court Directs Mandatory Travel Insurance for Offline Railway Tickets

Story 1The Hindu ↗

Supreme Court Mandates Travel Insurance for Offline Railway Ticket Buyers

  • The Supreme Court issued a binding directive requiring Indian Railways to extend travel insurance benefits, currently exclusive to online purchasers, to counter ticket buyers.
  • A Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan in New Delhi set an implementation deadline of October 27, 2026, across all railway stations.
  • The order bridges inequality in insurance coverage, ensuring millions of counter ticket passengers pay a nominal fee to receive insurance protections matching online bookings.
  • The Bench cautioned that any failure to establish counter-based insurance mechanisms would place direct liability squarely on the Railway Board for uncompensated travel mishaps.
  • Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws, barring arbitrary discrimination in government benefit delivery systems.

Key definitions

Equal Protection of the Laws: A constitutional principle under Article 14 requiring equal treatment of persons in similar circumstances without arbitrary distinction.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL): Judicial proceedings initiated in courts for the protection of public interest and enforcement of constitutional rights of disadvantaged groups.

Prelims Facts

The Supreme Court mandated travel insurance on offline counter tickets nationwide starting October 27, 2026.
The order eliminates the disparity where travel insurance was exclusively available to online ticket buyers.
The ruling places direct personal liability on the Railway Board in case of non-implementation.

Mains Framework

The Supreme Court's mandate requiring insurance on counter-sold railway tickets enforces constitutional equity by extending financial protection to low-income rail passengers.

Dimensions

Constitutional Equity (Article 14)

Removes digital discrimination by providing counter buyers identical coverage to online ticket holders.

Social Safety Net

Extends affordable financial security to passengers belonging to socio-economically marginalized strata.

Administrative Accountability

Enforces strict institutional accountability by fixing direct liability on the Railway Board for non-compliance.

Way forward

Automate counter ticketing software to integrate insurance opting seamlessly, alongside mass public awareness campaigns.

Key terms
Article 14Equal Protection of LawsRailway BoardPassenger SafetyPublic Welfare
Acts & articles
Article 14Railways Act, 1989
05
GS-3 · INFRASTRUCTURE & ENERGY

Government Approves Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority

Story 1PIB ↗

Union Cabinet Approves Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority

  • The Central Government approved setting up the Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority to serve as a specialised institutional framework for integrated transport planning and research.
  • Operating at the national level, ITLA will conduct long-term research, project appraisals, data analytics, and post-implementation impact evaluations across multi-modal transport networks.
  • ITLA is tasked with formulating a comprehensive National Transport Master Plan to guide long-term infrastructure investment decisions and reduce overall national logistics costs.
  • The authority will complement existing national infrastructure platforms, specifically integrating with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and the framework of the National Logistics Policy.
  • Multi-modal transport integration seeks to reduce logistics costs to below 8-9% of GDP, enhancing export competitiveness and supporting the broader PM GatiShakti infrastructure initiative.

Key definitions

National Transport Master Plan: A long-term strategic blueprint designed to integrate roads, railways, ports, and airways into a unified logistics network.
Multi-Modal Logistics: The transportation of goods under a single contract using at least two different modes of transport to optimize speed and cost.

Prelims Facts

The Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) was approved on 6 October 2026 as a national apex body for transport planning.
ITLA will prepare the comprehensive National Transport Master Plan.
ITLA works in synergy with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and the National Logistics Policy.

Mains Framework

The establishment of ITLA creates a dedicated institutional apex body to institutionalize multi-modal transport planning and lower India's national logistics overheads.

Dimensions

Institutional Integration

Overcomes departmental silos by offering unified research, appraisal, and monitoring across road, rail, air, and port projects.

Data-Driven Infrastructure Planning

Formulates a National Transport Master Plan using advanced spatial and supply chain analytics.

Economic Competitiveness

Supports the National Logistics Policy objective of reducing logistics costs to single-digit GDP percentages.

Way forward

Ensure smooth Centre-State coordination in land acquisition and inter-ministerial data sharing through digital platforms.

Key terms
ITLANational Transport Master PlanPM GatiShaktiNational Logistics PolicyMulti-Modal Connectivity
Acts & articles
PM GatiShakti Framework
06
GS-3 · AGRICULTURE

Centre Constitutes Panel to Study Sugarcane Farmers' Demands

Story 1The Hindu ↗

Centre Formulates Panel to Examine Sugarcane Prices and Mill Viability

  • The Union Food Ministry constituted a four-member panel to evaluate demands raised by sugarcane growers regarding higher remunerative prices and cultivation cost calculations.
  • Headed by former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, the committee was formed in New Delhi following delegations from sugarcane farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
  • The four-member panel will review cultivation costs, market realisations, and the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) required to maintain financial viability for sugar mills.
  • The initiative addresses widespread farmer agitation and highway blockades, assessing Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) revisions against rising agricultural input expenses and milling economics.
  • Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane is fixed by the Central Government under the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966, based on CACP recommendations.

Key definitions

Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP): The statutory minimum price that sugar mills must pay to sugarcane farmers, fixed annually by the Central Government.
Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of Sugar: The floor price fixed by the government below which sugar mills cannot sell white sugar in the domestic market.

Prelims Facts

A four-member panel headed by Ramesh Chand was set up by the Food Ministry on 13 October 2026.
The panel evaluates both cultivation costs for farmers and ex-mill MSP for sugar mill viability.

Mains Framework

The constitution of the Ramesh Chand panel highlights the complex economic balance between ensuring fair returns for sugarcane farmers and maintaining financial solvency for sugar mills.

Dimensions

Farmer Economics

Evaluates rising cultivation costs (A2+FL and C2 metrics) against FRP realisations to address rural distress.

Mill Financial Health

Balances FRP hikes with revisions to the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar to prevent mill arrears.

Policy Reform

Addresses structural issues in the sugar sector including ethanol blending diversion, water-use efficiency, and price stabilization.

Way forward

Transition toward revenue-sharing pricing models recommended by the Rangarajan Committee while promoting sustainable crop diversification.

Key terms
Fair and Remunerative PriceMinimum Selling Price of SugarCACPSugarcane (Control) Order 1966Ramesh Chand Committee
Acts & articles
Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966Essential Commodities Act, 1955
07
GS-3 · ECONOMY

IMF Upgrades India's FY27 Growth Forecast to 7%

Story 1Business Standard ↗

IMF Raises India's FY27 Economic Growth Projection to 7 Percent

  • The International Monetary Fund revised India's FY27 GDP growth forecast upwards to 7%, citing resilient domestic demand, expanding markets, and robust service sector activity.
  • Released in Washington, the IMF's latest World Economic Outlook also upgraded India's FY28 growth estimate by 30 basis points to 7.0%.
  • The IMF projects consumer price index inflation for India to average 5.0% in FY27 before easing to 4.4% in FY28, slightly below RBI's 5.2% estimate.
  • Favourable demographics, structural economic reforms, and expanding domestic consumption continue to position India among the fastest-growing major global economies despite external headwinds.
  • The World Economic Outlook is a bi-annual report published by the International Monetary Fund analyzing global economic developments, growth projections, and financial stability risks.
Story 2Mint ↗

Rupee Slippage Temporarily Impacts India's Nominal Dollar GDP Ranking

  • Despite real GDP growth upgrades, rupee depreciation against the US dollar temporarily reduced India's nominal dollar GDP, shifting its global ranking to sixth behind the UK.
  • Analysis of IMF database updates shows that currency fluctuations triggered by West Asia conflicts weighed on nominal GDP projections calculated in dollar terms.
  • India demonstrated a 7.8% GDP expansion in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with the IMF projecting average growth of 10.7% between FY28 and FY32.
  • Regaining higher global GDP rankings requires maintaining nominal annual growth above 10% in current dollar terms, offsetting currency pressures and external trade shocks.
  • Nominal GDP measures economic output using current market prices without adjusting for inflation, whereas Real GDP adjusts for price changes to reflect constant volume growth.

Key definitions

Real GDP: An inflation-adjusted measure reflecting the total value of all goods and services produced by an economy in a given year.
Nominal GDP: The market value of goods and services produced in a country, evaluated at unadjusted current market prices.

Prelims Facts

The IMF upgraded India's FY27 GDP growth forecast by 60 basis points to 7.0%.
India's real GDP grew by 7.8% in the first quarter of FY27.
Rupee depreciation against the US dollar temporarily shifted India's nominal dollar GDP ranking to sixth globally behind the UK.

Mains Framework

The IMF's growth upgrade to 7% highlights India's strong domestic consumption resilience, even as exchange rate volatility impacts its nominal dollar-denominated global ranking.

Dimensions

Real Growth Resilience

Driven by 7.8% Q1 expansion, robust service exports, and expanding domestic demographic demand.

Nominal Dollar Divergence

Rupee depreciation caused by global geopolitical conflicts temporarily lowered nominal dollar GDP estimates.

Inflation Dynamics

IMF projects CPI inflation at 5.0% for FY27, easing to 4.4% in FY28, providing macroeconomic stability.

Way forward

Sustain high real growth through structural manufacturing reforms, export diversification, and managing currency volatility.

Key terms
Real GDPNominal GDPWorld Economic OutlookRupee DepreciationDemographic Dividend
Acts & articles
IMF Articles of Agreement

Editorial of the day

India's China+1 lessons lie within its own States

“India’s China+1 lessons lie within its own States”

The authors argue that global supply chain diversification under China+1 strategies targets specific sub-national states with robust industrial ecosystems rather than India as a monolithic entity. State-level governance, infrastructure, and localized supplier networks determine manufacturing competitiveness.

Key arguments

  • Global manufacturing giants like Foxconn and Tata Electronics choose specific state industrial ecosystems such as Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu and Hosur in Karnataka rather than 'India' as a monolithic entity.
  • Key investment factors including speedy land allotment, power supply reliability, single-window clearances, and supplier density are governed directly at the state level.
  • Sub-national policy competition between Indian states offers more relevant lessons for industrial scale-up than studying external models like Vietnam or Mexico.

The other side

  • National-level trade agreements, tariffs, customs regulations, and central Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes remain vital entry conditions for foreign investors.
  • Persistent inter-state disparities in infrastructure and fiscal capacity prevent inland or lesser-developed states from capturing global supply chain relocations equally.
Way forward

India must deepen cooperative and competitive federalism by empowering states to create plug-and-play industrial parks and streamlined regulatory environments.

Use it inGS-3: Industrial policy, manufacturing, and investment models; Essay: Federalism and economic development.

Mains practice questionTo fully capitalise on global 'China+1' supply chain shifts, India must focus on sub-national state capacity rather than relying solely on central policies. Discuss. (250 words)

Read the editorial · The Hindu ↗

Prelims in Focus

Places, schemes, species and terms from today’s news — quick facts to revise.

Species

Jeypore Ground Gecko

  • Endangered nocturnal gecko endemic to Eastern Ghats in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Presumed extinct for 130 years until its rediscovery in 2010 in Koraput district.
Place

Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road

  • A 298-km strategic road constructed by BRO in Ladakh through Zanskar Valley.
  • Connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh, providing all-weather mobility.
Organisation

Maritime State Development Council (MSDC)

  • Apex body for integrated maritime growth and coordinated port policy formulation.
  • Notified as a statutory consultative body under Indian Ports Act, 2025 in May 2026.
Technology

GSAT-7C Satellite

  • Communication satellite approved by DAC for the Indian Air Force.
  • Provides real-time beyond-line-of-sight connectivity for Software Defined Radios.
Term

Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026

  • Legislation coming into force on October 1, 2026, replacing 1891 Act.
  • Provides technology-neutral framework for digital and electronic banking records.
Organisation

National Culture Fund (NCF)

  • Trust under Ministry of Culture enabling public-private partnerships in heritage.
  • Signed MoA with HAL and ASI for conserving Hampi, Taj Mahal, and Bekal Fort.

Practice MCQs — Test Your Understanding

7 questions · UPSC Prelims pattern · Tap an option to check your answer

SOCIAL ISSUESCabinet Approves Extension and Renaming of National Social Assistance Programme

Union Cabinet Restructures Disability Pensions under Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

Q1Consider the following statements regarding the recently approved Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (formerly NSAP): 1. The Union Cabinet approved its continuation for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. 2. The benchmark disability threshold under the Divyangjan pension scheme has been lowered from 80% to 40%. 3. The minimum age criterion for disability pension has been fixed at 18 years. Which of the statements given above are correct?

ECONOMYWholesale Price Index Inflation Surges to Series High of 11.39% in September 2026

Fuel and Minerals Drive Wholesale Inflation to 11.39% in September

Q2With reference to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data for September 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Headline WPI inflation rose to 11.39% driven by gains in food, fuel, and manufactured goods. 2. Crude petroleum and natural gas inflation reached 57.32% in September 2026. 3. The base year for the new WPI series is 2011-12. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

ENVIRONMENTKerala Launches India's First Ecosystem Red List Assessment

Kerala Initiates India's First Red List Assessment for Threatened Ecosystems

Q3Consider the following statements regarding India's first Ecosystem Red List assessment project launched by Kerala: 1. It uses IUCN criteria to evaluate ecosystem threat levels and structural collapse risks. 2. Tropical riparian evergreen forests in the southern Western Ghats were found to have suffered an 83% loss over the past century. 3. The initiative is executed under the statutory provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by CPCB. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

POLITY & GOVERNANCESupreme Court Directs Mandatory Travel Insurance for Offline Railway Tickets

Supreme Court Mandates Travel Insurance for Offline Railway Ticket Buyers

Q4Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court directive on railway travel insurance: 1. The Supreme Court mandated travel insurance on offline railway tickets sold across station counters starting October 27, 2026. 2. Prior to this directive, travel insurance was provided across counters while online buyers had no access to insurance. 3. Non-compliance with the directive places direct legal liability on the Railway Board. Which of the statements given above are correct?

INFRASTRUCTURE & ENERGYGovernment Approves Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority

Union Cabinet Approves Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority

Q5Which of the following statements best describes the primary objective of the Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) approved by the Union Cabinet?

AGRICULTURECentre Constitutes Panel to Study Sugarcane Farmers' Demands

Centre Formulates Panel to Examine Sugarcane Prices and Mill Viability

Q6Who heads the four-member panel constituted by the Union Food Ministry in October 2026 to examine sugarcane prices and sugar mill viability?

ECONOMYIMF Upgrades India's FY27 Growth Forecast to 7%

Rupee Slippage Temporarily Impacts India's Nominal Dollar GDP Ranking

Q7With reference to the IMF's October 2026 World Economic Outlook projections, consider the following statements: 1. India's GDP growth forecast for FY27 was raised to 7.0%. 2. India's Q1 FY27 real GDP growth stood at 7.8%. 3. India's global nominal GDP ranking temporarily shifted to fourth place due to rupee appreciation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims PYQs on today’s topics

Real questions UPSC has asked on these issues — attempt them after reading the topics.

Topic 02 · Wholesale Price Index Inflation Surges to Series High of 11.39% in September 2026
UPSC Prelims 2020

Consider the following statements :
1. The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
2. The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does.
3. Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. a1 and 2 only
  2. b2 only
  3. c3 only
  4. d1, 2 and 3
Practise the set: Growth, Development, Schemes and Indices · Q5
Topic 05 · Government Approves Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority
UPSC Prelims 14 Oct 2026

Consider the following statements regarding the Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA):
1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 6 October 2026 as an apex institution for transport planning.
2. It is tasked with preparing a comprehensive National Transport Master Plan.
3. It works independently and replaces the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. a1 only
  2. b1 and 2 only
  3. c2 and 3 only
  4. d1, 2 and 3
Practise the set: Current Affairs Practice · Q15
Topic 07 · IMF Upgrades India's FY27 Growth Forecast to 7%
UPSC Prelims 14 Oct 2026

According to the IMF's World Economic Outlook released in October 2026, what is the upgraded GDP growth forecast for India for FY27?

  1. a6.4%
  2. b6.7%
  3. c7.0%
  4. d7.8%
Practise the set: Current Affairs Practice · Q14