27 October 2026
India is hosting the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026. It is the first time India is hosting this meeting of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). The meeting opened with an international seminar titled Evolutions in Legal Metrology. CIML President Bob Joseph Matthew spoke on the role of legal metrology in fair trade and consumer protection. CIML First Vice-President Renee Hansson of Sweden chaired the seminar, and BIML Director Anthony Donellan spoke on harmonised standards, the OIML Certification System (OIML-CS) and digital transformation. Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare set out India's reforms, including the Jan Vishwas amendments of 2023 and 2026, the expansion of Government Approved Test Centres, the e-Maap National Portal, India's recognition as an OIML-CS Issuing Authority and the One Nation, One Time national time dissemination project. Ashutosh Agarwal, Director (Legal Metrology), presented the history of India's legal metrology system. An OIML Strategy Workshop is held on 27 October, and delegates visit CSIR-National Physical Laboratory on 28 October. The event is organised by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Meeting:
61st CIML meeting
Dates:
26 to 28 October 2026
Venue:
New Delhi
Why it matters for exams: OIML, CIML and BIML and the ministry that handles legal metrology in India are standard Science and Economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
OIML International Organization of Legal Metrology — An intergovernmental body that harmonises measurement laws and certification across countries.
CIML International Committee of Legal Metrology — The governing committee of the OIML, made up of one member from each member state.
BIML International Bureau of Legal Metrology — The permanent secretariat of the OIML.
27 October 2026
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to support flex fuel vehicles running on E85 and E100. The emission certification provisions now explicitly include E100 alongside E85, and a vehicle certified for these fuels must meet the emission and safety requirements laid down for its category. A flex fuel vehicle runs on a range of ethanol and petrol blends from a single tank; its fuel system components are chosen for the approved blends and the engine control system adjusts automatically to the fuel composition. E85 is a blend containing up to 85 per cent ethanol by volume, while E100 is predominantly ethanol. The ministry says greater use of domestically produced ethanol can reduce dependence on imported crude oil and can lower certain exhaust pollutants and lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the feedstock and the production process. E85 and E100 may be used only in vehicles specifically designed and certified for them; being compatible with E10 or E20 does not make a vehicle suitable for E85, and owners of existing vehicles are not required to switch or modify their vehicles. The notification also updates biodiesel provisions and makes technical corrections, and takes effect on the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
Rules amended:
Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
Ethanol in E85:
up to 85% by volume
Why it matters for exams: The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and what the E numbers in ethanol blends mean are standard Economy and Environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Flex fuel vehicle Flexible fuel vehicle — A vehicle that can run on different ethanol-petrol blends from one tank.
27 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 27 October 2026 and address the gathering. The conclave runs for three days, from 27 to 29 October 2026. It brings together scientists, researchers, academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, startups and international experts. Sessions are organised around 12 thematic areas, among them artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, climate and ocean sciences, and cover research priorities, national capabilities and the translation of scientific advances into practical application. An accompanying exhibition showcases indigenous scientific achievements and emerging technologies and includes about 150 deep-tech startup stalls, along with technology demonstrations, documentaries, information kiosks and augmented and virtual reality experiences. A new Global Connect Networking Event brings together more than 300 invited participants from academia, research institutions and industry in India and abroad to build international research partnerships and industry-academia collaboration.
Dates:
27 to 29 October 2026
Thematic areas:
12
Startup stalls:
about 150
Why it matters for exams: Bharat Mandapam as the venue and the full form of ESTIC are the durable facts here.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ESTIC Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave — A national conclave that brings researchers, industry and policymakers together on emerging technologies.
27 October 2026
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), the autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has reported the results of the sixth week of its 100 Weeks Campaign under the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Abhiyan. According to a provisional report, 2,11,139 young people and citizens took part across 36 States and Union Territories through 694 programmes, and the same number of pledges towards a drug-free India were taken. Activities during the week included symbolic Ravan Dahan and Mahishasur Vadh events themed on overcoming addiction, traditional sports, and Neighbourhood Youth Parliament sessions on the harms of substance abuse and on prevention. Partners in the campaign include FIT India, Brahma Kumaris, Heartfulness, FICCI, CIPU, ASSOCHAM and Project Point.
Participants:
2,11,139
Programmes:
694
States and UTs:
36
Why it matters for exams: MY Bharat and the ministry it belongs to are the durable facts; the campaign name recurs in current affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
MY Bharat Mera Yuva Bharat — An autonomous body set up to connect young people with government programmes and volunteering.
27 October 2026
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched a capacity building programme for medical and allied healthcare professionals engaged in drug de-addiction services on 26 October 2026 at Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi. The training runs under the Drug De-addiction Programme (DDAP) and follows the Vision Document on Narcotic Control 2026-2029 that was unveiled in June 2026. The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of AIIMS New Delhi coordinates the programme, working with five other DDAP institutions: NIMHANS Bengaluru, PGIMER Chandigarh, the Central Institute of Psychiatry at Ranchi, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi and AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The programme has weekly online live sessions for doctors and medical officers over 12 weeks with a capacity of 300 participants a week, self-paced online modules for doctors, nurses, community health officers, auxiliary nurse midwives, counsellors and psychologists, and five-day in-person training on a common curriculum. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is to build capacity for 10,000 service providers by 2028-29, with 2,000 in the current financial year, 3,000 in 2027-28 and 5,000 in 2028-29. More than 800 nominations have come through the National Health Mission. The second edition of the manual Substance Use Disorder: Manual for Physicians was released at the event; the first edition appeared in 2005.
Target:
10,000 service providers by 2028-29
DDAP institutions:
6
Why it matters for exams: NDDTC at AIIMS New Delhi, NIMHANS and the Central Institute of Psychiatry at Ranchi are standard institution questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NDDTC National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre — The AIIMS New Delhi centre that leads drug dependence treatment and training in India.
DDAP Drug De-addiction Programme — The Union Health Ministry programme that supports de-addiction treatment through designated institutions.
27 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has released the data on Overseas Direct Investment for the month of September 2026, covering investment made both under the Automatic Route and under the Approval Route. Overseas Direct Investment is investment made by Indian residents in joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries abroad, and the Reserve Bank publishes the figures every month. Under the Automatic Route an Indian party may invest abroad within the prescribed limit without prior approval, while proposals outside those conditions go through the Approval Route and require clearance. The release was issued on 26 October 2026 and signed by Ajit Prasad, Deputy General Manager (Communications), as press release 2026-2027/1389.
Data month:
September 2026
Press release number:
2026-2027/1389
Why it matters for exams: The difference between the Automatic Route and the Approval Route, and the fact that the RBI publishes ODI data, are standard Economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
ODI Overseas Direct Investment — Investment by Indian residents in joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries abroad.
27 October 2026
The Indian Air Force's Sarang Helicopter Display Team has arrived in Raipur to take part in the three-day Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav 2026 celebrations marking the state's foundation day. The team will perform an aerial display over the Sendh Lake area in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. Sarang flies the indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv and is known for precision flying and synchronised formations. The team carries peacock-inspired colours and the motto Inspire Through Excellence, and represents the Indian Air Force at national and international events. The Ministry of Defence says the display is intended to draw students and young people towards aviation.
Helicopter flown:
Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv
Motto:
Inspire Through Excellence
Why it matters for exams: The Sarang team, the ALH Dhruv and Chhattisgarh's foundation day are durable General Knowledge facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ALH Advanced Light Helicopter — An indigenously developed multi-role helicopter used by India's armed forces.
Background
The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis since 1987.
FSI assesses the country's forest and tree resources from interpretation of remote sensing satellite data together with the field based National Forest Inventory (NFI).
The report carries forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon stock, instances of forest fire and agroforestry.
The ISFR 2023 edition, released at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, is the 18th report in the series.
It puts the total forest and tree cover at 8,27,357 sq km, which is 25.17 percent of the geographical area of the country.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover by area, followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
By share of its own geographical area, Lakshadweep has the highest forest cover, followed by Mizoram.
The total mangrove cover of the country is 4,992 sq km.
Published by:
Forest Survey of India
Frequency:
Biennial, since 1987
Forest and tree cover:
8,27,357 sq km, 25.17 percent of the geographical area
Mangrove cover:
4,992 sq km
Why it matters for exams: Every forest question begins with who publishes the report and how often, and the top States by forest cover are asked in both prelims and descriptive papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
FSI Forest Survey of India — The organisation at Dehradun that assesses the country's forest and tree resources.
NFI National Forest Inventory — The field survey that supports the satellite based forest cover assessment.
Background
The Union Public Service Commission sets out on its own website the Articles of the Constitution that create and govern it. Article 315 provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States. Article 316 covers the appointment and term of office of members, and Article 317 the removal and suspension of a member. Article 318 gives the power to make regulations on the conditions of service of members and staff. Article 319 bars a member from holding other offices once he ceases to be a member. 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. The Commission's own page lists these as Article-315 through Article-323, and lists a Chairman together with its Members.
Provides for Public Service Commissions:
Article 315
Functions of Public Service Commissions:
Article 320
Removal and suspension of a member:
Article 317
Reports of Public Service Commissions:
Article 323
Why it matters for exams: The Articles 315 to 323 block is a standing Polity question for Kerala PSC and UPSC, and the UPSC itself is the body these Articles create.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
UPSC Union Public Service Commission — The central recruiting body for the All India Services and central services, created by Article 315.
Background
The office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India is created by Article 148 of the Constitution, as the institution sets out on its own website. The Comptroller and Auditor General is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, and can be removed from office only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. Before entering office he makes an oath or affirmation before the President, or before some person appointed in that behalf by the President, in the form set out in the Third Schedule. He is not eligible for any further office under the Government of India or under the Government of any State after he has ceased to hold office. The administrative expenses of his office, including all salaries, allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of persons serving in that office, are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India. Article 149 lays down his duties and powers, Article 150 the form of accounts of the Union and of the States, and Article 151 the audit reports.
Creates the office:
Article 148
Duties and powers:
Article 149
Audit reports:
Article 151
Form of the oath:
Third Schedule
Why it matters for exams: The security of tenure of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Articles 148 to 151 block are repeatedly asked in Polity papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
CAG Comptroller and Auditor General of India — The constitutional auditor of the Union and the States, whose office Article 148 creates.
Background
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes describes itself as a constitutional body established under Article 338 of the Constitution of India. Its stated object is to safeguard the rights and interests of the Scheduled Castes and the Anglo-Indian community. Its functions, duties and powers are laid down in clauses 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 of Article 338. It investigates and monitors all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under the Constitution, under any other law in force or under any order of the Government, and evaluates how those safeguards work. It presents reports on the working of those safeguards to the President, annually and at such other times as it thinks fit, and makes recommendations on the measures the Union or a State should take. Clause 10 of Article 338 says that references in the Article to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be construed as including references to other backward classes that the President specifies on receipt of the report of a Commission appointed under clause (1) of Article 340, and also to the Anglo-Indian community. The Commission runs state offices, one of them at Thiruvananthapuram. Its site lists the important Acts it works with, among them the PCR ACT 1955 and the POA Acts 1989.
Constitutional provision:
Article 338
Reports presented to:
The President of India
Clauses carrying its functions:
Clauses 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 of Article 338
Kerala office:
Thiruvananthapuram
Why it matters for exams: Article 338 and the body it creates are standard Polity questions, and the Commission's Thiruvananthapuram office makes it directly relevant to Kerala PSC.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
NCSC National Commission for Scheduled Castes — A constitutional body under Article 338 that watches over the safeguards given to the Scheduled Castes.
Background
The Union Cabinet approved the Ministry of Jal Shakti's proposal to restructure and reorient the Jal Jeevan Mission from infrastructure creation to service delivery for rural piped potable water supply. The mission period was extended up to December 2028, and the restructured mission is carried forward as JJM 2.0, which is to provide a tap water connection to all the 19.36 crore rural households in the country and have every Gram Panchayat certified as 'Har Ghar Jal'. For that restructuring the Cabinet approved enhancement of the total outlay to Rs. 8.69 lakh crore, with total central assistance of Rs. 3.59 lakh crore, enhanced from Rs. 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019-20 - an additional central share of Rs. 1.51 lakh crore. A Gram Panchayat certifies completion of works and declares itself 'Har Ghar Jal' only once in-village operation and maintenance mechanisms have been established by the State Government. The programme promotes 'Jal Utsav' as an annual, community-led maintenance and review event. From a baseline of 3.23 crore, or 17 per cent, of rural households with tap water connections in 2019, more than 12.56 crore additional households have since been given tap water connections. Of the 19.36 crore rural households identified by the States and Union Territories, around 15.80 crore, or 81.61 per cent, are reported to have tap water connections. The mission is to be taken forward through separate memoranda of understanding with States and Union Territories.
Total outlay approved:
Rs. 8.69 lakh crore
Total central assistance:
Rs. 3.59 lakh crore
Earlier central assistance:
Rs. 2.08 lakh crore
Additional central share:
Rs. 1.51 lakh crore
Ministry:
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Why it matters for exams: The ministry behind Jal Jeevan Mission, its outlay and the 'Har Ghar Jal' certification are frequently asked scheme facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
JJM Jal Jeevan Mission — The central mission for piped drinking water to every rural household, run by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.