Current affairs
News for UPSC, SSC and defence exams, with the reason it matters.
Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III with 50 GWh battery storage
- The Union Cabinet approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) on 30 September 2026.
- It will strengthen intra-state transmission to carry up to 135 GW of renewable power.
- It also adds 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for grid flexibility.
Why it matters
[Policy] Solar and wind power is useless if it cannot reach consumers. GEC-III builds the state-level wires and adds battery storage for non-solar hours. It supports the 900 GW non-fossil target for 2035. Expect questions on GEC phases and BESS.
Rabi MSP 2027-28: wheat up only ₹25 to ₹2,610; safflower gets the biggest hike
- On 30 September 2026, the CCEA raised wheat MSP by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal for 2027-28.
- This is wheat's smallest absolute MSP hike since 2010-11.
- Safflower got the biggest hike, ₹675, taking it to ₹7,215 per quintal.
Why it matters
[Data] MSP figures change every season, so exams test the latest numbers. The tiny wheat hike and big oilseed hikes signal a push towards oilseeds. The rule of at least 1.5 times cost dates from the 2018-19 Budget.
Asked before: CDS (II) 2018 asked which crop got the largest percentage MSP increase.
GOBARdhan Central Sector Scheme launched with ₹23,731 crore for compressed biogas
- Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched the GOBARdhan Central Sector Scheme on 1 October 2026.
- The Cabinet approved it on 6 August 2026, with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore over ten years.
- It aims to raise compressed biogas (CBG) output nearly ten-fold, to about 5 MMSCMD.
Why it matters
[Policy] India imports nearly half of its natural gas. This scheme turns farm and cattle waste into home-grown gas. It also makes the Petroleum Ministry the single nodal ministry for biogas. Expect questions on the blending targets and the six support tools.
Asked before: NDA (I & II) 2020 asked which gas makes up the largest share of biogas.
India’s GDP grows 7.8% in April-June 2026 quarter (Q1 FY27)
- India's GDP grew 7.8% in April-June 2026, the first quarter of FY27.
- It was faster than 6.9% in Q1 of last year.
- It was slower than 8.6% in January-March 2026.
Why it matters
[Data] Quarterly GDP data is released by the NSO under MoSPI. A high base can make one sector shrink, as in mining.
Asked before: UPSC Mains 2021 (GS-III) asked how India's GDP computing method changed after 2015.
Gross FDI inflows hit a 15-year high of $30.7 billion in April-June 2026
- India got $30.7 billion in gross FDI in April-June 2026, as per RBI data.
- It is the highest quarterly inflow in data going back 15 years.
- Net FDI for the quarter was $7.8 billion, the highest since June 2022.
Why it matters
[Data] Gross and net FDI are different measures. Gross counts all money coming in. Net subtracts repatriation and outward FDI by Indian firms.
Asked before: CDS (I) 2022 asked which kind of investment counts as Foreign Direct Investment.
India’s domestic defence production hits a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26
- India's domestic defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.
- It was about Rs 43,000 crore in 2013-14.
- Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar gave the figure at a national aerospace and defence manufacturing conference in New Delhi.
Why it matters
[Indian Economy] Higher home production means India buys fewer weapons abroad and saves foreign exchange. It is the core aim of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
CBDT notifies FAST-DS, a foreign asset disclosure scheme for small taxpayers
- The Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers-Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) opened on 16 August 2026.
- Declarations can be made online until 31 December 2026.
- Undisclosed assets up to ₹1 crore attract an effective 60% tax.
Why it matters
[Economy] It targets students, young professionals and returning NRIs. Declarants get immunity from prosecution under the Black Money Act, 2015. It was announced in the 2026-27 Budget.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2021 asked about the main worry caused by black money in India.
India’s defence production reaches record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26
- Defence production rose from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.
- Public sector units made about 76%; the private sector made 24%.
- Defence exports hit a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26.
Why it matters
[Security] Higher home production cuts import dependence. India now has 145 defence exporters selling to over 80 countries. Rajnath Singh shared the data on 14 August 2026.
WPI inflation eases to 9.78% in July 2026, first fall under the new base year
- WPI inflation eased to 9.78% in July 2026 from 9.87% in June.
- It is the first month-on-month fall under the new 2022-23 base year.
- Fuel and power inflation fell to 20.05% from 27.41%.
Why it matters
[Economy] The West Asia war and the Hormuz blockade pushed up crude and fertiliser prices. WPI tracks producer-level prices. The gap with CPI at 4.45% shows costs not yet passed on to shoppers.
Asked before: CDS II 2023 asked which factors raised Wholesale Price Inflation in 2021-22.
Parliament passes MMDR Amendment Bill limiting State taxes on mineral rights
- The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 12 August and the Rajya Sabha on 13 August 2026.
- It restricts States' powers to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing land.
- The Centre says it ensures uniform mineral rates across the country.
Why it matters
[Federalism] The Opposition said the Bill hurts fiscal federalism. The Centre said States now get about 88% of mineral revenue. The debate links to the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that let States tax mineral rights.
Retail inflation rises to a 19-month high of 4.45% in July 2026
- CPI inflation rose to 4.45% in July 2026, up from 4.38% in June.
- It is the highest level in 19 months.
- Food and beverages inflation rose to 5.2%.
Why it matters
[Economy] CPI is the RBI's inflation target measure. The target is 4%, with a band of 2% to 6%. Inflation is still inside the band but rising.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2015 asked which body brings out the CPI for Industrial Workers.
Parliament passes NCDC (Amendment) Bill to widen lending to the cooperative sector
- The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 11 August and the Rajya Sabha on 12 August 2026.
- It amends the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962.
- NCDC can now give loans and grants directly to cooperative societies.
Why it matters
[Economy] Many agencies that help cooperatives are not registered as cooperatives. NCDC could not fund them before. The change widens credit for the cooperative sector without new budget support.
Government approves one billion polymer banknotes each of ₹10 and ₹20 for field trials
- The government approved polymer banknotes of ₹10 and ₹20 for field trials.
- One billion pieces of each note will be printed for the trial.
- The RBI sent the proposal under Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934.
Why it matters
[Economy] Polymer notes last longer than paper notes. They are also harder to fake. Section 25 of the RBI Act lets the Centre approve a note's design, form and material.
Asked before: NDA II 2017 asked which waves are used to detect forgery in currency notes.
Government notifies 11 more international ports for e-Visa entry, taking the total to 88
- The Home Ministry notified 11 more ports for foreigners holding an e-Visa.
- The new ports are 9 land ports and 2 airports, Bhopal and Tirupati.
- New land ports include Attari (Road), Moreh, Dawki, Agartala and Gede.
Why it matters
[Policy] More land ports help visitors from neighbouring countries. India now issues about 78% of its visas as e-Visas. The facility began in 2014 for 43 countries.
RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, raises FY27 growth forecast to 6.7%
- The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate at 5.25% on 5 August 2026.
- The vote was unanimous, and the stance stayed neutral.
- The SDF rate stays at 5.00%, and the MSF and Bank Rate at 5.50%.
Why it matters
[Economy] The repo rate is the rate at which the RBI lends to banks. The six-member MPC sets it. The inflation target is 4%, with a band of 2% to 6%.
Cabinet extends PM-KISAN till 2030-31 with an outlay of about ₹3.15 lakh crore
- The Cabinet approved PM-KISAN for five more years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
- The total outlay is ₹3,15,614 crore.
- Eligible farmer families get ₹6,000 a year in three equal instalments.
Why it matters
[Policy] PM-KISAN began in February 2019. It is a Central Sector Scheme, so the Centre pays the full cost. The money goes straight to bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer.