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.
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.
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 Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 approved state guidelines for financial assistance towards the promoter's contribution under the central sector scheme 'Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)'.
For collective entities — FPOs, FPCs, PACS and cooperatives — the state will bear the entire 10 per cent mandatory promoter's contribution.
For individual beneficiaries such as farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, startups and SHGs, the state will bear 5 per cent and the beneficiary the remaining 5 per cent.
The Cabinet also approved a rent-based or pro bono model for a state-of-the-art Spices Board laboratory at Ulubari in Guwahati.
State share for collectives:
entire 10%
State share for individuals:
5%
Spices Board lab site:
Ulubari, Guwahati
Why it matters for exams: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the role of FPOs and PACS are standard agriculture-economy topics in UPSC and state exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AIF Agriculture Infrastructure Fund — A central financing facility for post-harvest and farm infrastructure projects.
FPO Farmer Producer Organisation — A collective of farmers registered to market produce and buy inputs together.
PACS Primary Agricultural Credit Society — A village-level cooperative that gives short-term farm credit.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 approved a 20 per cent Durga Puja bonus for eligible workers and employees of tea gardens under the state-owned Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said 548 of the state's 807 tea gardens had already announced a 20 per cent bonus.
The Cabinet also added 17 October 2026 as an additional Durga Puja holiday for state government employees.
The Chief Minister said the Durga Puja holiday will now run from October 17 to October 20.
Bonus:
20 per cent
Gardens already paying 20%:
548 of 807
Additional holiday:
17 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Assam is India's largest tea-producing state; tea-garden labour welfare and state PSUs like ATCL are recurring state-focus topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ATCL Assam Tea Corporation Limited — A state-owned company that runs tea estates in Assam.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 approved implementation of the Assam Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation (SWIFT) Project.
The total estimated cost is Rs 796.88 crore.
An Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan will bear Rs 637.504 crore and the Government of Assam Rs 159.376 crore.
Restoration and rehabilitation work will be undertaken on at least 102 derelict community beels (wetlands).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said people in the fishery business will benefit.
Total cost:
Rs 796.88 crore
ADB loan:
Rs 637.504 crore
State share:
Rs 159.376 crore
Beels to be restored:
at least 102
Why it matters for exams: Externally aided state projects (ADB), their cost-sharing and the wetland (beel) ecology of the Brahmaputra valley are exam-relevant.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ADB Asian Development Bank — A Manila-based multilateral bank that lends for development in Asia.
SWIFT Assam Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation Project — Assam's ADB-aided project to restore beels and develop fisheries.
Beel — A lake or wetland in the floodplains of Assam.
21 September 2026
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Centenary Conference of the UPASI (United Planters' Association of Southern India) Tea Research Foundation at Coonoor, The Nilgiris, on 21 September 2026.
The Foundation has completed 100 years of service to the tea industry.
He called for more research, modernised tea factories and strong Indian tea brands instead of bulk tea.
He urged value addition and attention to the welfare of plantation workers.
He asked UPASI to use its centenary year to expand its tea research network.
Institution:
UPASI Tea Research Foundation
Milestone:
100 years
Venue:
Coonoor, The Nilgiris
Why it matters for exams: Plantation crops of the Nilgiris and Western Ghats, tea research bodies and the tea economy are asked in Kerala PSC and UPSC geography and economy.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UPASI United Planters' Association of Southern India — An association of plantation owners in south India that runs a tea research foundation.