Current affairs for UPSC
Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
GS3 · Internal security / defenceThe Indian Navy launched Shreyas (Yard 3040), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, at GRSE Kolkata on 10 October 2026. NGOPVs are being built at two shipyards, GSL Goa and GRSE Kolkata, for surveillance, search and rescue, offshore asset protection, disaster relief and anti-piracy. Shreyas means best or most excellent in Sanskrit.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ship names and shipyards. · Mains GS-III: defence indigenisation.
10 Oct 2026GS3 · Environment (biodiversity governance)The National Biodiversity Authority distributed ₹2.02 crore of Access and Benefit-Sharing money, paid by seed companies using crops such as rice, tomato and okra, among 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 UT councils by cultivation area. Its total ABS disbursement has now reached ₹202 crore, ahead of CBD COP 17 in Yerevan from 19 October 2026.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ABS, KMGBF targets, COP 17 venue. · Mains GS-III: biodiversity conservation and benefit-sharing.
10 Oct 2026GS2 · Social justice (tribal rights)On 9 October 2026 the Tribal Affairs Ministry held the second regional review of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in Kolkata with eight States. Nationally, over 54 lakh claims have been filed, about 25 lakh titles given, about 11 lakh are pending and over 18 lakh rejected. The focus is quick disposal, record updating, CFR rights and PVTG habitat rights.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FRA provisions, PVTG habitat rights. · Mains GS-II: welfare of STs; GS-III: forest governance.
10 Oct 2026GS3 · Environment (air pollution)A CAQM team visited Amritsar and Tarn Taran, two Punjab hotspots of paddy stubble burning, on 9-10 October 2026 and reviewed crop residue machinery, baler supply chains and control rooms. CAQM flying squads are deployed in 18 Punjab districts from 1 October to 30 November 2026 to check burning during harvest.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CAQM, in-situ/ex-situ. · Mains GS-III: air pollution, crop residue.
10 Oct 2026GS3 · DefenceMangrol, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard, was set for commissioning on 12 October 2026 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. It has over 80% indigenous content, carries the Abhay hull-mounted sonar and Maareech torpedo decoy, and uses waterjet propulsion for shallow coastal waters.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ship systems and names. · Mains GS-III: defence indigenisation, maritime security.
9 Oct 2026GS3 · Economy (national income)The National Statistics Office has released a draft guideline for States and UTs to estimate Gross State Domestic Product from the expenditure side, with base year 2022-23. Today some States compile government consumption and capital formation, but none estimates private consumption. Comments are invited till 28 October 2026.
UPSC angle: Prelims: GDP measurement concepts. · Mains GS-III: national income accounting.
9 Oct 2026GS3 · Cyber securityAt an ITU roundtable during India Mobile Congress 2026, India welcomed ITU's proposal for joint trials to verify caller identity across borders. The MoS said C-DOT's ASTR tool has cut over 82 lakh fraudulent connections, Sanchar Saathi has about 25 million downloads, and the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator prevented suspected losses above ₹5,000 crore in 15 months.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ASTR, Sanchar Saathi, ITU. · Mains GS-III: cyber security.
9 Oct 2026GS2 · Health governanceThe Health Ministry has proposed amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 so that drug retailers, wholesalers and distributors also need prior Central Government sanction to advertise Schedule H, H1 and X medicines. Manufacturers already face this rule. The draft, G.S.R. 861(E) of 28 September 2026, follows DTAB advice and is open for comments for 30 days.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Drug schedules, DTAB. · Mains GS-II: health regulation; GS-III: AMR.
9 Oct 2026GS2 · International relationsThe 15th Joint Committee reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement met in Jakarta from 6 to 9 October 2026, co-chaired by India and Malaysia. It told all sub-committees to speed up pending chapters with firm, time-bound deliverables. Three of eight sub-committees met, including rules of origin. The next meeting is in India in January 2027.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ASEAN members, AITIGA. · Mains GS-II: regional groupings; GS-III: trade policy.
9 Oct 2026GS2 · IROn 8 October 2026 India condemned attacks over the previous days on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which killed and injured civilians. MEA said targeting civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable and expressed solidarity with the people and government of Saudi Arabia.
UPSC angle: Prelims: places in news. · Mains GS-II: India-West Asia relations.
8 Oct 2026 
