9 October 2026
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on a visit to Singapore from 9 to 11 October.
She will meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
A Roundtable with Hedge Fund and Portfolio Fund Managers and a series of Government-to-Business meetings are part of the programme.
One-to-one meetings are planned with GIC, Temasek, DBS Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, British International Investment, IHH Healthcare and MUFG.
Singapore is India's largest source of foreign direct investment, with cumulative inflows of USD 194.68 billion from April 2000 to March 2026.
The discussions cover trade and investment, digital financial connectivity, capital markets, taxation, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, skilling and aviation.
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and GIFT City are cited as routes for Singaporean capital into India.
Visit dates:
9 to 11 October 2026
Cumulative FDI from Singapore:
USD 194.68 billion (April 2000 to March 2026)
President of Singapore:
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Why it matters for exams: India-Singapore economic ties and the FDI figure are standard questions on India's external sector.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GIC Government of Singapore Investment Corporation — Singapore's sovereign wealth fund that manages the government's foreign reserves.
Temasek Temasek Holdings (P) Limited — A Singapore state-owned investment company with large holdings in Indian companies.
NIIF National Investment and Infrastructure Fund — India's sovereign-backed fund set up to channel domestic and foreign capital into infrastructure.
GIFT City Gujarat International Finance Tec-City — India's international financial services centre at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
9 October 2026
The Permanent Missions of India and Mali to the United Nations jointly organised a World Cotton Day event at UN Headquarters in New York on 7 October 2026.
The theme was 'Cotton for Sustainability: Livelihoods, Value Addition and Partnership'.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 7 October as World Cotton Day through resolution 75/318.
Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative of India, delivered the welcome remarks, and Ambassador Issa Konfourou of Mali also spoke.
Members of Parliament Asit Kumar Mal and L. K. Sudhish, and Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles, represented India.
Singla described India as a major cotton producer and consumer and outlined the Mission for Cotton Productivity and the Kasturi Cotton Bharat initiative on productivity, quality and traceability.
Dr Keshav R. Kranthi, Chief Scientist of the International Cotton Advisory Committee, and Angelica Jacome of the FAO Liaison Office with the UN took part.
World Cotton Day:
7 October
UN General Assembly resolution:
75/318
Theme:
Cotton for Sustainability: Livelihoods, Value Addition and Partnership
Permanent Representative of India:
Harish Parvathaneni
Why it matters for exams: United Nations observance days, the resolution that created them and India's cotton schemes are frequently asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Kasturi Cotton Bharat Kasturi Cotton Bharat initiative — An Indian branding and traceability programme for cotton run with the trade.
ICAC International Cotton Advisory Committee — An intergovernmental body of cotton producing and consuming countries.
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization — The United Nations agency for food and agriculture.
Permanent Mission Permanent Mission to the United Nations — A country's standing diplomatic office at the United Nations.
9 October 2026
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified a draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, inserting sub-rule (22) under Rule 65.
The draft provides that no advertisement of drugs specified in Schedule H, Schedule H1 or Schedule X shall be made without the prior sanction of the Central Government.
The requirement already applies to manufacturers and would now extend to licence holders who sell, stock, exhibit, offer for sale or distribute such drugs.
The draft was notified as G.S.R. 861(E), dated 28 September 2026, after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board.
It follows the recommendations of the 93rd meeting of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, held on 16 February 2026.
Objections and suggestions are invited within 30 days of the date on which copies of the Gazette are made available to the public.
The Ministry states that the aim is to curb unauthorised promotion of prescription medicines and to reduce risks from inappropriate self-medication.
Rules amended:
Drugs Rules, 1945 - Rule 65, sub-rule (22)
Draft notification:
G.S.R. 861(E), dated 28 September 2026
Comment period:
30 days
DTAB meeting:
93rd meeting, 16 February 2026
Why it matters for exams: The Drugs Rules, 1945 and its schedules on prescription medicines are a standing part of health governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DTAB Drugs Technical Advisory Board — The statutory body that advises the Centre and States on technical matters under the drugs law.
Schedule H1 Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 — A list of medicines, including certain antibiotics, whose sale must be recorded in a separate register.
Schedule X Schedule X of the Drugs Rules, 1945 — A list of narcotic and psychotropic medicines needing stricter licensing and record keeping.
G.S.R. General Statutory Rules — The prefix used to number subordinate legislation published in the Gazette of India.
9 October 2026
The Ministry of Coal has said that daily supplies of coal to the power sector have risen by around 36% from the September low.
October is averaging about 9% higher than September in despatch to the power sector.
Rail loading is averaging over 465 rakes per day in October, and the target of 470 rakes was met on three consecutive days.
The depletion of coal stock at power plants slowed from 0.243 MT/day in September to 0.116 MT/day in October.
The drawdown of stock has therefore fallen by more than half.
The Ministry notes that rebuilding of coal stock at the plants has not yet started.
Rise from September low:
around 36%
October over September:
about 9% higher
Rail loading in October:
over 465 rakes per day
Stock depletion:
0.243 MT/day in September to 0.116 MT/day in October
Why it matters for exams: Coal despatch and rake movement figures are the standard measures of India's power fuel logistics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Rake Railway rake — A full train load of wagons used to move bulk cargo such as coal.
MT Million tonnes — The unit in which bulk coal volumes are reported.
9 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India will conduct a 10-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction for a notified amount of ₹1,50,000 crore on Friday, October 09, 2026.
The auction window is from 09:30 AM to 10:00 AM and the date of reversal is Monday, October 19, 2026.
The Reserve Bank said the decision follows a review of liquidity conditions in the banking system.
The auction is conducted under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility, through which the Reserve Bank absorbs or injects funds.
A reverse repo auction absorbs surplus liquidity from banks, with the rate discovered through competitive bidding rather than fixed in advance.
Operational guidelines remain those set out in the Reserve Bank's press release of February 13, 2020.
The release carries the reference 2026-2027/1288 and is dated October 08, 2026.
Notified amount:
₹1,50,000 crore
Tenor:
10 days
Auction window:
09:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Date of reversal:
October 19, 2026
Why it matters for exams: VRRR auctions are the Reserve Bank's main tool for absorbing surplus liquidity and are asked as a monetary policy instrument.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
VRRR Variable Rate Reverse Repo — An auction in which banks park surplus funds with the Reserve Bank at a rate set by bidding.
LAF Liquidity Adjustment Facility — The Reserve Bank's window for daily absorption and injection of liquidity in the banking system.
Reverse repo Reverse repurchase agreement — A transaction in which the central bank borrows from banks against government securities.
9 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹5 lakh (Rupees Five Lakh only) on The Monghyr-Jamui Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Bihar.
The penalty is for non-compliance with the Reserve Bank's Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.
The order was passed on September 25, 2026.
The action followed a statutory inspection by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development with reference to the bank's financial position as on March 31, 2026.
The penalty was imposed under the powers vested in the Reserve Bank under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The Reserve Bank said the action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement the bank has entered into with its customers.
Penalty:
₹5 lakh
Bank:
The Monghyr-Jamui Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Bihar
Date of order:
September 25, 2026
Inspection reference date:
March 31, 2026
Why it matters for exams: The sections of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 used for penalties and NABARD's inspection role are regular banking awareness questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KYC Know Your Customer — The Reserve Bank's customer identification and verification requirements for banks.
NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development — The apex development bank that inspects co-operative and regional rural banks.
Section 47A Section 47A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 — The provision that empowers the Reserve Bank to impose monetary penalties on banks.
9 October 2026
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard the Jharkhand Director General of Police appointment matter in Prakash Singh & Ors. v. Union of India, WP(C) No. 310/1996.
The Court prima facie found that a provision allowing an officer with less than six months of residual service to be considered for appointment as Director General of Police runs contrary to the Prakash Singh directions.
The rules in question are the Selection and Appointment of Director General and Inspector General of Police, Jharkhand (Head of Police Force) Rules, 2025, notified in January 2025.
The Court directed notice to the serving Director General of Police, Tadasha Mishra, so that she can be heard, since annulment of the rule would unsettle her appointment.
Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran, the amicus curiae, was asked to examine the validity and source of power of the Jharkhand rule and whether other States have similar provisions.
The Union Public Service Commission was directed to assist the amicus curiae, and the matter was listed after one week.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Jharkhand and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Union.
Case:
Prakash Singh & Ors. v. Union of India, WP(C) No. 310/1996
Bench:
Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V Mohana
Rules questioned:
Jharkhand (Head of Police Force) Rules, 2025
Amicus curiae:
Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran
Why it matters for exams: The Prakash Singh directions on police reform, including the two-year tenure and UPSC panel for the DGP, are a core polity topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Amicus curiae Amicus curiae — A lawyer appointed by a court to assist it rather than to represent a party.
DGP Director General of Police — The head of a State police force.
Prakash Singh judgment Prakash Singh v. Union of India — The 2006 Supreme Court judgment that laid down binding directions for police reform in the States.
UPSC Union Public Service Commission — The constitutional body that, under the Prakash Singh directions, empanels officers for appointment as DGP.
9 October 2026
In the suo motu case In Re: Recent Rape Incidents in Delhi NCR, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran issued a set of directions in an order dated October 5.
Drivers and assistants of government and private buses, app-based aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido, and private cabs and autos must be verified, with their names and photographs displayed inside the vehicles.
Uniforms or visible identification are to be prescribed and unauthorised sub-letting of vehicles barred, with vehicle seizure and driver suspension for non-compliance.
The Commissioner of Police and the Chief Secretary must file a joint report on dedicated control-room command centres and real-time response protocols.
Weekly reports covering the preceding three months were sought on the Shishtachar Squads, with status reports on Operation Nirbheek and the Nazuk Scheme.
Police were directed to remove unlawfully parked heavy vehicles that create blind spots and to act against unauthorised liquor shops and eateries supplying liquor.
Preventive policing is to be built into police induction and refresher training through the Bureau of Police Research and Development.
Amicus curiae Senior Advocate Liz Mathew cited a 2020 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General showing a 39 per cent vacancy in active police station and beat patrol duties in Delhi. The next hearing is on November 16.
Case:
In Re: Recent Rape Incidents in Delhi NCR
Bench:
Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran
Vacancy cited by amicus:
39 per cent
Next hearing:
November 16
Why it matters for exams: Suo motu jurisdiction and continuing mandamus style directions to the executive are a recurring theme in judiciary questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Suo motu Suo motu — A court taking up a matter on its own, without a petition from a party.
Shishtachar Squads Shishtachar Squads — Delhi Police units deployed against harassment of women in public places.
BPR&D Bureau of Police Research and Development — The central body for police research, training and modernisation.
CAG Comptroller and Auditor General — The constitutional auditor of the Union and the States under Article 148.
9 October 2026
In Chittibarika Chandra Shekar & Ors. v. State of Telangana, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran held that a refusal to marry, even if followed by suicide, does not by itself amount to abetment under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code.
The Court found no material to show that the appellants had instigated the deceased.
It held that the refusal was not intended to drive her to suicide and that knowledge of such a consequence could not be attributed to the appellants.
The bench observed that people react differently to situations, and that a breakup ending in suicide cannot always be termed an abetment to suicide.
The appeal arose from a criminal revision before the Telangana High Court; the woman was in a consensual relationship with the first appellant.
The Court quashed the criminal proceedings against all six appellants.
The judgment is reported as 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 1029.
Case:
Chittibarika Chandra Shekar & Ors. v. State of Telangana
Bench:
Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran
Provision:
Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code
Citation:
2026 LiveLaw (SC) 1029
Why it matters for exams: Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code and the ingredients of instigation are a standard criminal law question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Abetment Abetment of suicide — Instigating, conspiring in or intentionally aiding an act of suicide.
Section 306 IPC Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code — The offence of abetment of suicide, punishable with imprisonment up to ten years.
Criminal revision Criminal revision — A High Court's power to re-examine an order of a subordinate criminal court.
Quash Quashing of proceedings — A court order ending a criminal case before trial concludes.
9 October 2026
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) held its 9th Anniversary Celebration on 7 October 2026 at the Prime Minister's Museum and Library in New Delhi.
CTIL functions within the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and was established to strengthen India's trade capacity.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, in a video address, said rigorous legal thinking was more important than ever as sustainability-linked trade measures and digital trade reshape the global trade agenda.
Prof. James J. Nedumpara, Head of CTIL and WTO India Chair, said the Centre has provided more than 4,000 legal opinions and taken part in negotiations on nearly 10 free trade agreements.
Justice P. S. Narasimha of the Supreme Court of India said international investment law has shifted from protecting foreign investment towards recognising States' regulatory freedom.
Yashvir Singh, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, highlighted CTIL's support for India's engagement in the G20 and BRICS.
The ninth anniversary issue of the CTIL Magazine, 'The Emerging Sustainability Landscape: Responding to Shifting Winds', and a special edition of the newsletter Investment Law Compass were released.
Legal opinions provided:
more than 4,000
Free trade agreements:
nearly 10
Host institution:
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
Head of CTIL:
Prof. James J. Nedumpara
Why it matters for exams: CTIL is the Government's dedicated trade law centre and is asked about alongside India's free trade agreements and WTO work.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CTIL Centre for Trade and Investment Law — The Commerce Ministry's trade law centre housed at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
IIFT Indian Institute of Foreign Trade — A deemed university set up by the Government for research and training in international trade.
FTA Free trade agreement — A treaty between countries to reduce tariffs and other barriers to trade between them.
WTO India Chair World Trade Organization India Chair — A WTO-supported academic chair for teaching and research on trade policy in India.
Background
ISRO's own FAQ says it has seven major Centres, besides several other Units, Facilities and Laboratories across the country.
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) at Thiruvananthapuram handles the design and development of launch vehicle technology.
The U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) at Bengaluru designs and develops satellites, while the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) at Sriharikota provides the launch base infrastructure.
The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) develops liquid stages and the cryogenic stage; the Space Applications Centre (SAC) at Ahmedabad works on sensors for communication and remote sensing satellites; the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) at Hyderabad receives, processes and disseminates remote sensing data.
The Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) at Bengaluru executes the Gaganyaan programme.
Major ISRO Centres:
Seven
Launch base:
SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota
Launch vehicle technology:
VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram
Satellite design:
URSC, Bengaluru
Why it matters for exams: Which centre does what, and where it sits, is a staple of science and technology questions in competitive examinations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Cryogenic stage Cryogenic upper stage — The upper rocket stage that burns super-cold liquid fuels, developed at LPSC.
Background
The UPSC's own website lists its Constitutional Provisions as Articles 315 to 323.
Article 315 provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States.
Article 316 covers appointment and term of office of members, and Article 317 covers removal and suspension of a member.
Article 318 empowers regulations on conditions of service of members and staff; Article 319 prohibits members from holding certain offices after they cease to be members.
Article 320 sets out the functions of Public Service Commissions, Article 321 the power to extend those functions, Article 322 their expenses and Article 323 their reports.
Articles:
315 to 323
Removal and suspension of a member:
Article 317
Functions:
Article 320
Why it matters for exams: Article numbers and what each covers are asked directly in polity papers, and Kerala PSC and UPSC aspirants meet this body constantly.
Kerala PSCUPSC