24 September 2026
The Government of India reduced the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on major imported crude edible oils, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced on 24 September 2026. BCD on Crude Sunflower Oil was cut from 10% to Nil. BCD on Crude Soybean Oil and Crude Palm Oil was reduced from 10% to 5%. Duty on the respective refined oils was also lowered, while an import duty differential of 19.25% between crude and refined edible oils was maintained to support domestic refining. The step is meant to moderate domestic edible oil prices after a sharp rise in international prices. Industry was asked to revise the Price to Distributors (PTD) and Maximum Retail Price (MRP) so that the benefit reaches consumers.
BCD on crude sunflower oil:
10% to Nil
BCD on crude soybean and palm oil:
10% to 5%
Crude–refined duty differential:
19.25%
Why it matters for exams: Customs duty on edible oils is a recurring question on inflation control and India's dependence on imported vegetable oils.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BCD Basic Customs Duty — The basic duty levied on goods imported into India under the Customs Tariff.
MRP Maximum Retail Price — The highest price at which a packaged product may be sold to consumers.
Landed cost — The total cost of an imported good once it reaches the country, including duties and freight.
24 September 2026
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on 24 September 2026 that it has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme. The agreement is with the start-up Zero mK India Private Limited, Alwar, Rajasthan, for indigenous development of a 20 mK Dilution Refrigerator for Quantum Applications. It is the first high-value agreement under the Rs 500 crore corpus approved by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh for deep-tech and cutting-edge projects. Dilution refrigerators are cryogenic systems that reach temperatures in the millikelvin range, needed to run and test several quantum computing platforms. The project aligns with the National Quantum Mission and is monitored by the Director, Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL).
Start-up:
Zero mK India Private Limited, Alwar
Target temperature:
20 mK
Deep-tech corpus:
Rs 500 crore
Why it matters for exams: Links defence R&D funding, start-ups and the National Quantum Mission — a common area for science and technology questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TDF Technology Development Fund — A Ministry of Defence scheme run by DRDO that funds industry, especially MSMEs and start-ups, to develop defence technologies.
mK millikelvin — One-thousandth of a kelvin; 20 mK is just above absolute zero.
Dilution refrigerator — A cryogenic device that uses helium isotopes to cool samples to millikelvin temperatures.
SSPL Solid State Physics Laboratory — A DRDO laboratory in Delhi working on semiconductor and quantum materials.
24 September 2026
The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science & Technology announced on 24 September 2026 an agreement with GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited, Bengaluru, for financial support of ₹63.84 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. The project has a total approved cost of ₹247.69 crore. It aims to develop a multisensor satellite that fuses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imaging — GalaxEye's indigenous OptoSAR technology — for sub-0.5 metre high-resolution Earth observation. SAR can image through cloud cover and irrespective of daylight, complementing detailed optical imagery. The support is meant to take the technology from TRL-6 to TRL-9. TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the RDI Fund supports the stages between advanced development and deployment.
TDB support:
₹63.84 crore
Total approved cost:
₹247.69 crore
Resolution target:
sub-0.5 metre
Why it matters for exams: Private-sector space technology, SAR imaging and the RDI Fund are frequent science and technology topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TDB Technology Development Board — A statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology that funds commercialisation of indigenous technology.
SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar — A radar imaging technique that works day and night and through clouds.
RDI Fund Research Development and Innovation Fund — A government fund supporting private-sector research and development in strategic and emerging technologies.
TRL Technology Readiness Level — A 1–9 scale that rates how mature a technology is.
24 September 2026
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced on 24 September 2026 a draft amendment to restrict the sale of analogue products as "Paneer". The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026 would insert a new clause under Regulation 2.1.1 covering "paneer made of constituents not derived from milk". Products licensed or registered under the 'Analogue in Dairy Context' category would have to stop using the term "Paneer" in their name, labelling or marketing. The aim is that a food's name reflects its nature and composition so consumers are not misled. Objections and suggestions are invited; the draft will be taken up after 60 days from the date the Gazette copies are made available. It was issued with the Central Government's approval under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Regulation amended:
Regulation 2.1.1, FSS (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011
Comment period:
60 days
Parent Act:
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
Why it matters for exams: Food labelling, consumer protection and the role of FSSAI under the FSS Act, 2006 are standard exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — The statutory food regulator set up under the FSS Act, 2006, under the Health Ministry.
Analogue product — A product made to resemble a dairy item but using constituents not derived from milk.
Draft regulation — A proposed rule published for public objections before it is finalised.
24 September 2026
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh formally launched on 24 September 2026 the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA), at the Department of Biotechnology in New Delhi. The initiative is taken forward by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) framework. A ₹75 crore grant from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology, supports a 100 TPA pilot-scale R&D facility for PLA and co-polymers. The facility will be set up at BCML's integrated manufacturing complex at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh; BCML's commercial PLA venture is based on converting renewable sugar-based feedstock into PLA. The Minister said India's bioeconomy has grown from around US$10 billion in 2014 to nearly US$195 billion.
BIRAC grant:
₹75 crore
Pilot facility capacity:
100 TPA
Location:
Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh
Bioeconomy size:
about US$10 billion (2014) to nearly US$195 billion
Why it matters for exams: BioE3 policy, bioplastics and plastic-waste alternatives connect science, environment and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PLA Polylactic Acid — A biodegradable polymer made from lactic acid obtained by fermenting sugars.
BioE3 Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment — The Union Government's policy framework to promote high-performance biomanufacturing.
BIRAC Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council — A public-sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology that funds biotech start-ups and industry.
TPA tonnes per annum — A measure of yearly production capacity.
24 September 2026
Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and the Netherlands' Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management Jaap Slootmaker chaired a bilateral meeting on the Strategic Partnership on Water at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24 September 2026, on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026. Two tripartite MoUs were signed for the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat between the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Kalpasar Department of the Government of Gujarat and the Dutch institutions Deltares (technical support) and TU Delft (capacity building and training). The Kalpasar Project envisages a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water from the Narmada. A Letter of Intent for technical cooperation was signed on 16 May 2026 during the Prime Minister's visit to the Netherlands. Both sides drew parallels with the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands, a nearly 100-year-old structure now being renewed.
MoUs signed:
2 tripartite
Dutch partners:
Deltares, TU Delft
Rivers feeding Kalpasar:
Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar (plus Narmada water)
Letter of Intent:
16 May 2026
Why it matters for exams: Kalpasar, the Gulf of Khambhat rivers and India–Netherlands water cooperation are useful for geography and bilateral-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CWC Central Water Commission — India's apex technical body on water resources under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Tripartite MoU — A memorandum of understanding signed by three parties.
Afsluitdijk — A major dam and causeway in the Netherlands that closed off the Zuiderzee from the sea.
IIWW India International Water Week — An international water conference hosted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
23 September 2026
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities Meeting in New Delhi on 23 September 2026, the culmination of India's BRICS Chairship of the tax cooperation track. The meeting was hosted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Ten BRICS tax administrations took part: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Two new India-led Working Groups were established — on International Taxation and Transfer Pricing, and on Revenue Statistics. The BRICS Tax Cross-Learning Lab was launched, and the BRICS Young Tax Professionals Capacity Building Programme, first held in person at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, in April 2026, was made an annual feature. The BRICS Tax Progress Report 2026 was signed, and China was welcomed as the incoming Chair of the tax track for 2027.
Host:
Central Board of Direct Taxes
Tax administrations present:
10
New India-led working groups:
International Taxation and Transfer Pricing; Revenue Statistics
Incoming tax-track Chair (2027):
China
Why it matters for exams: India's BRICS chairship in 2026, the expanded BRICS membership and CBDT's role are likely exam material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CBDT Central Board of Direct Taxes — The statutory body under the Ministry of Finance that administers income tax and other direct taxes.
Transfer pricing — The prices set for transactions between related companies in different countries, which affect where profits are taxed.
BRICS — A grouping that began with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and has since expanded.
24 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), by an order dated September 24, 2026, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹3.10 lakh on Ola Financial Services Private Limited for non-compliance with certain directions on 'Know Your Customer (KYC)'. The penalty was imposed under section 30(1) read with section 26(6) of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. RBI's statutory inspection covered the company's operations from January 2025 to November 2025. After a show-cause notice and a personal hearing, RBI found sustained the charge that the company failed to carry out risk categorisation of certain customers. RBI said the action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and does not pronounce on the validity of any transaction with customers.
Penalty:
₹3.10 lakh
Law invoked:
Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
Inspection period:
January 2025 to November 2025
Why it matters for exams: RBI's enforcement powers and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 are common banking-awareness topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KYC Know Your Customer — Rules requiring financial firms to verify and assess the identity and risk profile of customers.
PSS Act Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 — The law under which RBI regulates and supervises payment systems in India.
Risk categorisation — Classifying customers as low, medium or high risk for money-laundering checks.
24 September 2026
The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament 2026 concluded at the Dr. BR Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi, on 24 September 2026. Minerva Public School (MPS) CISCE, Mohali, defeated MIC EMHSS (Maqdoomiya Islamic Cultural English Medium Higher Secondary School), Kerala, 3–2 to win the Junior Boys (U-17) title. Chetan Tiwari, Punshiba Meitei and Md Azam Khan scored for Mohali; Thoufeeq scored one of Kerala's goals. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff and Chairman of the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, presented the trophy; former cricketer Suresh Raina was Guest of Honour. The winners received Rs 5,00,000 and the runners-up Rs 3,00,000. A total of 83 matches were played in this category at five venues in Delhi. Saint Patrick's High School, Gumla, Jharkhand won the Junior Girls (U-17) title, and Manik Para Vivekanand Vidyapeeth, Jhargram, West Bengal won the Sub Junior Boys (U-15) title.
Edition:
65th
U-17 boys final:
MPS Mohali 3–2 MIC EMHSS, Kerala
Prize money (winners / runners-up):
Rs 5,00,000 / Rs 3,00,000
Matches in category:
83
Why it matters for exams: The Subroto Cup, run under the Indian Air Force's aegis, is a standard sports question, and a Kerala school reached the U-17 boys' final.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Subroto Cup — An inter-school football tournament started in 1960 and named after Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee.
CISCE Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations — The national board that conducts the ICSE and ISC examinations.
24 September 2026
The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi, advised on 24 September 2026 that consumers need not avoid tuna or other commercially available fish solely because of reports of parasitic infections in fish from a specific region. The advisory followed reports of parasites in skipjack tuna based on a study of fish from the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil. CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said fish examined by the Institute, including skipjack tuna, have not shown external manifestations of harmful parasitic infestation. Parasite presence varies between regions depending on ecological conditions and intermediate hosts such as copepods, and is even used to tell fish stocks apart. The Institute advised prompt and proper evisceration and thorough cooking, which kills parasites.
Institute:
ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi
Species in reports:
Skipjack tuna
Study region:
Atlantic Ocean off Brazil
Why it matters for exams: CMFRI is a Kochi-based ICAR institute often asked about in Kerala PSC papers, and the advisory touches food safety and marine fisheries.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute — An ICAR institute in Kochi, set up in 1947, that researches India's marine fisheries.
ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research — The apex body for agricultural research and education in India.
Copepod — A tiny crustacean that can act as an intermediate host for fish parasites.
Evisceration — Removing the internal organs of a fish during cleaning.