1 October 2026
The 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave, KEC 2026, is scheduled to be held from 3 to 5 October 2026 at New Delhi under the theme "Resilience in an Age of Flux".
The Conclave is an initiative of the Institute of Economic Growth, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and was first convened in 2022.
The fifth edition will bring together more than 180 policymakers, economists, academics, financial experts and international thought leaders, including over 80 international participants from around 30 countries.
Vice President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan will deliver the inaugural address on October 3, 2026.
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the special address at the special plenary "Resilience in an Age of Flux: India's Economic Priorities", and Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar the special concluding address at the session "India and the World: Adaptive by Design".
Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra will deliver the special address in the plenary "Central Banking in an Age of Flux", chaired by former European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, while P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, delivers the keynote at the opening plenary "A World Priced for Risk" chaired by Lord Nicholas Stern.
The Institute of Economic Growth was founded by Professor V.K.R.V. Rao in 1952. N. K. Singh is President of its Board of Trustees, Michael Debabrata Patra is Chairman of the Board of Governors and Professor Sabyasachi Kar is Director.
Earlier editions carried the themes "Redefining the Future" (2022), "Navigating a World on Fire" (2023), "The Indian Era" (2024) and "Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times" (2025).
Edition and dates:
5th Kautilya Economic Conclave, 3 to 5 October 2026
Venue:
New Delhi
Theme:
Resilience in an Age of Flux
Organisers:
Institute of Economic Growth, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance
Participation:
More than 180 participants, including over 80 international participants from around 30 countries
Why it matters for exams: Themes, venues and organisers of major policy conclaves, and the offices of the speakers at them, are standard current affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IEG Institute of Economic Growth — A Delhi-based economic research institute founded in 1952 that convenes the Kautilya Economic Conclave.
30 September 2026
The Union Cabinet approved higher Minimum Support Prices for six rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season. Wheat rises by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal. Safflower gets the largest increase, ₹675, to ₹7,215. Rapeseed and mustard rise by ₹413 to ₹6,613, lentil by ₹390 to ₹7,390, barley by ₹136 to ₹2,286 and gram by ₹83 to ₹5,958. The decision keeps the 2018-19 Budget policy of fixing MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
Wheat MSP:
₹2,610 per quintal
Wheat increase:
₹25
Safflower increase:
₹675
Marketing season:
2027-28
Why it matters for exams: MSP figures and the 1.5 times cost policy are common in agriculture and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
The Union Cabinet approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III with a total outlay of ₹1,86,405 crore. Of this, ₹1,36,378 crore is for Intra-State Transmission Systems and ₹50,000 crore for 50 GWh of battery energy storage. Central financial assistance is ₹54,082 crore. The scheme will facilitate evacuation of 135 GW of renewable energy and the projects are targeted to be set up by 2032-33.
Total outlay:
₹1,86,405 crore
Intra-State transmission:
₹1,36,378 crore
Battery storage:
₹50,000 crore for 50 GWh
Central financial assistance:
₹54,082 crore
Renewable evacuation:
135 GW
Why it matters for exams: Large power-sector schemes with outlays and capacity targets are common in economy and current affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
2 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his Jayanti on 2 October 2026.
He highlighted Gandhi's emphasis on Swadeshi, with Khadi as the foremost example.
He urged citizens to purchase at least one Khadi product on 2nd October and take pride in calling it Swadeshi.
He expressed hope that Gandhi's timeless message would continue to guide society towards a better society and a Viksit Bharat, a developed India.
The statement was issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
Date of observance:
2 October 2026
Example of Swadeshi cited:
Khadi
Issuing office:
Prime Minister's Office
Why it matters for exams: Gandhi Jayanti observances and the Swadeshi-Khadi link are recurring one-mark questions in state and central exams.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Swadeshi Swadeshi — The principle of using goods made in one's own country, central to Gandhi's economic thinking.
Khadi Khadi — Hand-spun, hand-woven cloth promoted by Gandhi as the symbol of self-reliance.
2 October 2026
The Government of India, in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh, has identified 28 places and features located in the UT of Ladakh by standard place and feature names on the official map of the Survey of India.
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced this on 2 October 2026.
The names include the peaks Atisha Giri, Kanishka Peak and Zorawar Peak.
They also include Chapchingal Pass, Shachmirk Pass and Skamri Glacier.
The release said that identifying them formally on the Survey of India map of the UT of Ladakh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness.
Places and features identified:
28
Map authority:
Survey of India
Ministry:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Why it matters for exams: Official place-name standardisation in a border Union Territory combines map authority, Home Ministry powers and physical geography in one question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Survey of India Survey of India — India's national survey and mapping organisation, which publishes the country's official maps.
UT Union Territory — A region administered directly by the Union government.
2 October 2026
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari released the first tigress in Buxa Tiger Reserve under the Tiger Reintroduction Programme on 2 October 2026.
The tigress, identified as T138, was brought from Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar.
The step begins a phased reintroduction effort to create the conditions in which a tiger population can establish, breed and ultimately become viable and self-sustaining.
Recovery work since 2018 included releasing over 800 chital as prey and restoring about 380 hectares of grassland.
The programme works with 64 community committees on community dialogue, livelihood opportunities and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
Tigress:
T138
Brought from:
Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar
Chital released since 2018:
over 800
Grassland restored:
about 380 hectares
Community committees:
64
Why it matters for exams: Tiger translocation between named reserves, with prey-base and habitat figures, is standard environment-section material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Chital Spotted deer — A deer species released in large numbers to build the prey base for tigers.
MoEFCC Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — The Union ministry in charge of wildlife and forest policy.
2 October 2026
The Department of Commerce has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme up to 31st December 2026.
The extension was made through Notification No. 41/2026-27 dated 30th September 2026.
The scheme shall be available for exports made by Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) Units, Advance Authorisation (AA) Holders, Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units and Export Oriented Units (EOUs).
RoDTEP refunds embedded, un-rebated Central, State and local duties, taxes and levies borne on exported products.
Existing RoDTEP rates and value caps remain unchanged during the extension period.
The announcement was issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 2 October 2026.
Extended up to:
31st December 2026
Notification:
Notification No. 41/2026-27 dated 30th September 2026
Covered units:
DTA Units, AA Holders, SEZ Units and EOUs
Why it matters for exams: RoDTEP is the main WTO-compatible export remission scheme, and its validity date and covered categories are frequently asked.
UPSCSSCBank
In plain words
RoDTEP Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products — A scheme that refunds taxes and levies hidden in the cost of exported goods.
DTA Domestic Tariff Area — The part of India outside special economic zones, where normal customs duties apply.
EOU Export Oriented Unit — A unit set up to produce goods wholly or mainly for export.
2 October 2026
The Department of Commerce has extended the operational timelines of Component II of the RELIEF intervention through Notification No. 37/2026-27 dated 30 September 2026.
RELIEF stands for Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation.
It was launched on 19 March 2026 and operates under the Export Promotion Mission framework.
It is a targeted intervention to support Indian exporters affected by extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premia and war-related export risks arising from West Asia maritime disruptions.
Component II provides 95 per cent ECGC risk coverage for shipments to specified regions, for policies obtained on or after 16 March 2026.
It covers Full Container Load, Less than Container Load and Reefer containers, excluding energy shipments, and premium rates shall not be increased beyond the pre-disruption level.
The release is dated 2 October 2026.
Launched on:
19 March 2026
Notification:
Notification No. 37/2026-27 dated 30 September 2026
ECGC risk coverage:
95%
Policies covered:
obtained on or after 16 March 2026
Why it matters for exams: RELIEF links trade policy, the Export Promotion Mission and ECGC credit insurance in a single scheme question.
UPSCBank
In plain words
ECGC Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India — A state-owned company that insures Indian exporters against payment and shipment risks.
Reefer container Refrigerated container — A temperature-controlled shipping container used for perishable cargo.
2 October 2026
APEDA facilitated the export of 1 MT of popped (phool) makhana from Purnea in Bihar to Greece, in an announcement dated 2 October 2026.
The consignment was sourced from Indo Global Export, Belouri, Purnea, and exported by S. S Foods Exports Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
It moved from Mundra Port in India to Piraeus Port in Greece.
India exported more than 7000 MT of makhana and value-added makhana products valued at USD 22 million during FY 2025-26 across more than 20 international destinations.
Bihar accounts for about 80-85 per cent of India's makhana production, grown over 35,000 hectares spanning 10 districts.
The crop is supported by Bihar Agricultural University and the ICAR-National Research Centre for Makhana.
Quantity:
1 MT of popped (phool) makhana
Route:
Mundra Port to Piraeus Port, Greece
Makhana exports FY 2025-26:
more than 7000 MT, USD 22 million
Bihar's share of production:
about 80-85 per cent
Why it matters for exams: A named first-time export route plus the makhana export value and Bihar's production share give three separate factual hooks.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
APEDA Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority — The body under the Commerce Ministry that promotes exports of scheduled agricultural and processed foods.
Makhana Fox nut — The popped seed of the prickly water lily, grown mainly in ponds in north Bihar.
2 October 2026
NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal and with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organised a National Workshop on SDG Budgeting in Kolkata on 29 September 2026 under NITI Aayog's State Support Mission; the release was issued on 2 October 2026.
Participants came from 32 States and Union Territories.
The 'Guide on Mapping State Budgets to the SDGs', developed jointly by NITI Aayog, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and UNDP, was discussed at the workshop as a practical framework for aligning State budgets with the Goals.
West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta and NITI Aayog Member R. Balasubramaniam attended, with CAG K. Sanjay Murthy and Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran joining virtually.
Haryana, Odisha, Meghalaya and West Bengal shared their SDG budget tagging experience.
West Bengal mapped its budget to the goal level of the SDGs for the first time and integrated the exercise into its Integrated Financial Management System.
Venue:
Kolkata
Workshop date:
29 September 2026
States and UTs represented:
32
Guide discussed:
Guide on Mapping State Budgets to the SDGs
Partners:
NITI Aayog, CAG and UNDP
Why it matters for exams: SDG budget tagging at the state level connects NITI Aayog, the CAG and UNDP in one governance question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SDG Sustainable Development Goals — The seventeen global goals adopted by UN members for 2030.
UNDP United Nations Development Programme — The UN's development agency, which works with Indian states on SDG planning.
Budget tagging SDG budget tagging — Marking budget lines against specific goals so spending can be traced to outcomes.
2 October 2026
The Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will not meet the Chief Justice of India and Supreme Court judges.
The informal interaction had been proposed for 6 October 2026, and it was called off after objections were raised; the position became public on 1 October 2026.
The committee is chaired by Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament P. P. Chaudhary.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal had opposed the proposal, saying it was unprecedented and unconstitutional and that it would breach the separation of powers because sitting judges could later rule on the validity of the Bills.
The two Bills together provide a framework for holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously.
The committee had earlier consulted former Chief Justices, retired Supreme Court judges and legal experts.
Date proposed for the meeting:
6 October 2026
JPC Chairperson:
P. P. Chaudhary
Bills under examination:
Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Why it matters for exams: The episode is a clean illustration of separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary on a pending constitutional amendment.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
JPC Joint Parliamentary Committee — A committee with members from both Houses, set up to examine a specific Bill or subject.
Separation of powers Separation of powers — The principle that the legislature, executive and judiciary keep to their own spheres.
2 October 2026
The Press Information Bureau issued a backgrounder on innovation in India's public toilets on 2 October 2026, with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as its reference; the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on 2 October 2014 and the feature marks its completing twelve years.
The Toilets 2.0 initiative, begun in 2022 under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, works to make Community and Public Toilets safe, clean and inviting for everyone.
In Navi Mumbai, the Aspirational Toilets at Sector 14, Koparkhairane use 426 square metres of recycled plastic sheeting, including 5.3 metric tonnes of single-use plastic, and are used by about 8,000 to 9,000 visitors a day.
Bengaluru's Sthree Toilet at the KSRTC Majestic bus terminal is built from a scrap bus and serves women exclusively, and has proved especially helpful for mothers travelling with young children.
Bhopal's Freshrooms are sensor-based smart lounges; the Smart Lounge at 10 Number Market covers 800 to 1,000 square feet and serves 500 to 1,000 visitors a day.
In Tirupati, the Pink Toilet Complex serves 12,000 to 15,000 users daily and the Common Public Toilet Complex near the railway station caters to 20,000 to 25,000 devotees daily.
Swachh Bharat Mission launched:
2 October 2014
Toilets 2.0 begun:
2022, under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban
Navi Mumbai single-use plastic reused:
5.3 metric tonnes
Tirupati Common Public Toilet Complex users:
20,000-25,000 daily
Why it matters for exams: The Swachh Bharat Mission launch date and the Toilets 2.0 initiative under SBM-Urban are standard scheme facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
SBM-U Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban — The urban arm of the national sanitation mission, run by the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.
CT/PT Community and Public Toilets — Shared toilet facilities for neighbourhoods and for people on the move.