Current affairs for UPSC

Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.

Latest current affairs

GS2 · Health regulation

FSSAI draft: only milk-derived products can be called “Paneer”

FSSAI has proposed a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, so that only products made from milk can be sold as "Paneer". Analogue products licensed under the "Analogue in Dairy Context" category would have to stop using the word. Comments are open for 60 days.

UPSC angle: Prelims: FSSAI's parent Act and ministry.

24 Sep 2026
GS3 · Biotechnology, plastic pollution

First commercial bio-based PLA plastic under BioE3: Balrampur Chini Mills pilot

On 24 September 2026 the Department of Biotechnology launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic made of Polylactic Acid (PLA) under the BioE3 framework. A ₹75 crore BIRAC grant supports a 100 TPA pilot R&D facility for PLA and co-polymers by Balrampur Chini Mills at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.

UPSC angle: Prelims: PLA feedstock; BioE3 expansion.

24 Sep 2026
GS2 · India–France

Exercise VARUNA 2026: INS Trishul at Toulon for 24th India–France naval exercise

INS Trishul reached Toulon, France, on 22 September 2026 for the 24th edition of VARUNA, the bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. It includes harbour and sea phases with cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sports, to build interoperability.

UPSC angle: Prelims: VARUNA = India–France navy.

24 Sep 2026
GS3 · Inflation, agriculture trade

Edible oil import duty cut: crude sunflower to nil, soybean and palm to 5%

On 24 September 2026 the Government cut Basic Customs Duty on crude sunflower oil from 10% to nil, and on crude soybean and crude palm oil from 10% to 5%. Duty on refined oils was cut too, but the 19.25% gap between crude and refined oils was kept to protect domestic refiners.

UPSC angle: Mains: Import duty cuts vs oilseed self-reliance: policy coherence.

24 Sep 2026
GS2 · India-ASEAN

ASEAN-India economic ministers meet in Manila; trade at $128.38 billion in 2025-26

India took part in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation in Manila, Philippines (PIB, 24 September 2026). The focus was the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). India-ASEAN trade reached USD 128.38 billion in 2025-26, 10.55% of India's total trade.

UPSC angle: Prelims: 11th ASEAN member; EAS members. · Mains: Why India seeks an AITIGA review.

24 Sep 2026
GS2 · IR

India rejects OIC Contact Group remarks on J&K

On 23 September 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs rejected references to India in the joint communique of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. It said the OIC has no locus standi on matters internal to India and that J&K and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India.

UPSC angle: Prelims: OIC. · Mains: India and the Islamic world.

23 Sep 2026
GS3 · Railways, safety technology

KAVACH 4.0 commissioned for the first time on South Central Railway

On 23 September 2026 Indian Railways said KAVACH Version 4.0 was commissioned for the first time on South Central Railway, over 108 route km of the Malkajgiri-Kamareddi section in Hyderabad Division. KAVACH is India's own Automatic Train Protection system, certified to Safety Integrity Level-4, which can brake a train if the loco pilot does not.

UPSC angle: Prelims: KAVACH = indigenous ATP.

23 Sep 2026
GS2 · Constitutional bodies

ECI: all decisions, including SIR, are unanimous decisions of the full Commission

On 23 September 2026 the Election Commission of India said all its decisions over the past year, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of rolls, were unanimous decisions of the full Commission. It said written notes and differing views by members are a normal part of deliberation before a final decision.

UPSC angle: Prelims: Art. 324; 2023 Act. · Mains: Independence of the ECI after the 2023 Act.

23 Sep 2026
GS3 · Economy data

Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey 2025-26: pilgrimage tops overnight trips

MoSPI released the Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey, July 2025 to June 2026, on 23 September 2026. Pilgrimage and religious travel made up 48% of overnight trips over the last 365 days. Uttar Pradesh had the highest share of visitor-trips, 15.7%. Business trips had the highest average spend per trip, Rs. 5,949.

UPSC angle: Prelims: which agency runs DTES (NSO, MoSPI).

23 Sep 2026
GS3 · Infrastructure

Dallirajhara–Rowghat rail line completed: iron ore link to Bhilai through Bastar

Indian Railways completed the last section, Taroki-Rowghat (17.5 km), of the 95 km Dallirajhara-Rowghat new line in south Chhattisgarh, with the CRS inspection and speed trial done (PIB, 23 September 2026). The single-line electrified broad-gauge line will carry iron ore to Bhilai Steel Plant and link remote areas to Raipur.

UPSC angle: Mains: Infrastructure as a tool against LWE.

23 Sep 2026

Monthly compilations