Background
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has begun drawing up to 800 MW from the Himachal Power Corporation at ₹14.5 per unit, about 28 crore units in October 2026, after a deficient monsoon cut the State's own generation. Most of KSEB's own generation is hydroelectric, so it rises and falls with the water stored in the State's dams. Under a 'swap' arrangement, KSEB buys power from other States at the summer peak and returns the same power during the monsoon, when its hydel stations generate more. Because Kerala's peak demand comes at night, about 95 per cent of the Himachal supply is taken at night. The State electricity regulatory commission had allowed KSEB to buy power at a maximum of ₹10 per unit, and permission is needed for any purchase above that ceiling. KSEB's position is that in an emergency it may approach the commission for approval within 10 days of starting the purchase. The additional expenditure for October 2026 at ₹14.5 per unit is put at ₹410 crore.
Purchase price:
₹14.5 per unit
Quantity:
Up to 800 MW; about 28 crore units in October 2026
Regulatory ceiling already allowed:
₹10 per unit
Additional expenditure for October 2026:
₹410 crore
Share of supply taken at night:
About 95 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Examiners use Kerala's hydel dependence and inter-State power purchase to test how a State's electricity board, its regulatory commission and the monsoon are linked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KSEB Kerala State Electricity Board — The State's electricity utility, which generates, transmits and distributes power in Kerala.
Swap arrangement Inter-State power swap — Power taken from another State in one season and returned in kind in another season, instead of being paid for in cash alone.
5 October 2026
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, in the post since August 2024, resigned, citing "personal reasons". The president's office accepted the resignation on Sunday 4 October, and a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB named Hamid Bovard, 62, chief executive of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) since 2024, as acting oil minister while the government picks a permanent replacement. According to The National, the government said the price change addressed a daily petrol deficit of about 10 million litres. From 7 September, petrol above the 110-litre monthly subsidised quota costs 100,000 rials a litre; the first 60 litres cost 15,000 rials a litre and the next 50 litres 30,000 rials. Per the central bank chief, the US naval blockade has cut Iranian crude exports to zero.
Resigned:
Mohsen Paknejad, Oil Minister
Acting minister:
Hamid Bovard, NIOC chief executive
Daily petrol deficit (government figure):
About 10 million litres
Price above 110-litre quota:
100,000 rials a litre
Why it matters for exams: Appointments and resignations in the ministry of a major oil producer, and fuel subsidy pricing under blockade, are common economy-current-affairs questions.
UPSC
In plain words
NIOC National Iranian Oil Company — Iran's state oil company, which Hamid Bovard has headed since 2024.
5 October 2026
Haryana has set up a dedicated Merlion Desk to fast-track investment proposals from Singapore, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on 5 October 2026.
He made the announcement during a fireside chat at the SING Forum in Singapore, where he was on a visit to attract foreign investment.
State officials had identified about 20 to 30 major companies before the visit and held virtual meetings with prospective investors.
Several companies submitted investment proposals and expressions of investment intent during the visit.
The Chief Minister told the forum that Haryana has more than 270 Global Capability Centres and a strong automotive ecosystem.
Investment proposals in the state are handled by the Haryana Enterprise Promotion Centre through a strengthened Single Window System, and half of the eligible incentives are to be paid within seven working days.
Companies identified before the visit:
About 20 to 30
Global Capability Centres in Haryana:
More than 270
Why it matters for exams: State-level investment promotion desks and single window systems are asked about in economy and governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Merlion The lion-fish emblem of Singapore — Haryana named its Singapore investment desk after the city-state's national emblem.
GCC Global Capability Centre — An offshore unit that runs technology, finance or research work for a multinational parent.
5 October 2026
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced that International Monetary Fund staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the Seventh Review under the 4-year Extended Fund Facility arrangement.
The announcement was published on 5 October 2026.
A staff-level agreement is the stage before the IMF Executive Board considers the review.
Sri Lanka has been a member of the IMF since 29 August 1950, with a quota of SDR 578.8 million.
Review:
Seventh Review
Arrangement:
4-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF)
Stage reached:
Staff-level agreement
IMF membership:
29 August 1950
Why it matters for exams: The IMF programme is the frame within which every Sri Lankan economic decision is now taken, and review numbers are directly asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
EFF Extended Fund Facility — An IMF lending arrangement for countries needing medium-term support alongside structural reform.
Staff-level agreement Agreement between IMF staff and national authorities — It must still be approved by the IMF Executive Board before money is released.
SDR Special Drawing Right — The IMF's unit of account, in which member quotas are stated.
5 October 2026
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence carried out an intelligence-led operation along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Cooch Behar District.
The suspects were intercepted near Chowdhurihat while travelling on two motorcycles.
Officers recovered 72 gold biscuits of 116 grams each, totalling 8.3 kg of foreign-origin gold.
The seized gold is valued at approximately Rs. 12.37 crore.
The gold was concealed in specially tailored cloth waist belts worn by two of the persons.
Four individuals were apprehended and the gold was seized under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Further investigation is under way to identify the syndicates distributing the contraband gold.
Gold seized:
8.3 kg
Value:
approximately Rs. 12.37 crore
Gold biscuits:
72, of 116 grams each
District:
Cooch Behar
Persons apprehended:
Four
Why it matters for exams: Customs enforcement bodies, the Customs Act, 1962 and gold smuggling routes are frequently asked in economy and internal security sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DRI Directorate of Revenue Intelligence — The apex anti-smuggling intelligence agency under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
5 October 2026
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will inaugurate the 8th edition of Windergy India on 8 October 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre; the three-day show runs from 7 to 9 October 2026.
India added a record 6.05 GW of wind capacity in FY 2025-26, taking cumulative capacity to 58.52 GW by August 2026.
Another 28 GW is under implementation, towards the goal of 100 GW by 2030.
The event will have about 400 exhibitors from over 20 countries and country pavilions from Denmark, Germany and Spain.
Cumulative wind capacity (Aug 2026):
58.52 GW
Capacity added in FY 2025-26:
6.05 GW
Under implementation:
28 GW
Target for 2030:
100 GW
Why it matters for exams: Renewable-energy capacity figures and the 2030 targets are frequent economy and environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
GW Gigawatt — A unit of power equal to one thousand megawatts.
MNRE Ministry of New and Renewable Energy — The Union ministry responsible for renewable energy such as wind and solar.
5 October 2026
Coal India Limited's total coal offtake in the first six months of FY 2026-27 reached 384.2 million tonnes (MT), up 27.2 MT or 7.6% from 357.0 MT a year earlier, the Ministry of Coal said.
Second-quarter offtake rose 12.05% to 186.04 MT, and September supplies were 61.20 MT against 54.40 MT in September 2025.
Power-sector despatch in H1 was 302.8 MT against 285.4 MT, nearly 79% of the total.
CIL liquidated 63 MT of pithead coal stocks in the half-year.
H1 FY27 offtake:
384.2 MT
Growth:
7.6%
Power-sector despatch:
302.8 MT
Pithead stock liquidated:
63 MT
Why it matters for exams: Coal production and power-sector supply figures are standard economy and energy-security questions.
UPSCSSCBank
In plain words
MT Million tonne — A unit equal to ten lakh tonnes used for coal figures.
Offtake Coal offtake — The quantity of coal lifted and despatched from mines to consumers.
5 October 2026
The National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI released the key findings of the first-ever National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), conducted from July 2025 to June 2026.
The survey covered 14,274 villages and 10,377 urban blocks and collected data from 4,92,023 households and 20,34,371 persons.
Two-wheelers are the main mode for 42.6% of workers commuting to a fixed workplace; 87.6% of students reach school within 30 minutes.
The average monthly commuting cost is ₹785 per worker, with urban workers paying ₹1,044 against ₹612 for rural workers.
A trip is counted only if it covers more than 1 km.
Survey period:
July 2025 – June 2026
Households covered:
4,92,023
Workers by two-wheeler:
42.6%
Average monthly commute cost:
₹785
Why it matters for exams: New national surveys and their headline indicators are favourite statistics and reports questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
NSO National Statistics Office — The agency under MoSPI that conducts national sample surveys and releases official statistics.
MoSPI Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation — The Union ministry responsible for official statistics.
5 October 2026
On 30 September 2026 Japan's Ambassador to India, Keiichi Ono, and the then MoEFCC Secretary, Tanmay Kumar, jointly launched the Operational Manual for the India-Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in New Delhi.
The mechanism aims to promote low-carbon technologies, mobilise climate finance and support emission reductions and removals in India.
It operationalises bilateral cooperation under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on 7 August 2025 and the Rule of Implementation was adopted on 8 June 2026.
The manual covers the whole project cycle, from a Project Idea Note to the issuance and authorisation of JCM credits.
Launched on:
30 September 2026
Legal basis:
Article 6.2, Paris Agreement
MoC signed:
7 August 2025
Why it matters for exams: India-Japan agreements and Paris Agreement Article 6 carbon-market mechanisms are recurring environment and international-relations topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
JCM Joint Crediting Mechanism — A bilateral scheme under which emission reductions achieved by projects are credited between the two countries.
MoEFCC Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — The Union ministry responsible for environment and climate policy.
5 October 2026
The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science & Technology, signed an agreement with BigEndian Semiconductors of Bengaluru.
It will provide ₹130 crore in financial assistance against a total project cost of ₹260 crore.
The VeerAI project aims to take an indigenous AI Vision System-on-Chip from TRL-5 to TRL-9.
The funding is through Optional Convertible Debt (OCD), under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
The camera-focused chip targets surveillance, especially CCTV systems, first, and later defence, automotive, industrial and medical uses.
TDB assistance:
₹130 crore
Total project cost:
₹260 crore
Project:
VeerAI
Readiness target:
TRL-5 to TRL-9
Why it matters for exams: Semiconductor self-reliance and the role of the Technology Development Board are common Science & Technology and economy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SoC System-on-Chip — A single chip that carries the main functions of a system.
TRL Technology Readiness Level — A scale that rates how mature a technology is, from TRL-1 to TRL-9.
5 October 2026
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a vigilance enquiry into the Kerala State Transport Project contract for the development of the MC Road, saying he found substance in the complaint after examining it.
The contract was worth Rs 215 crore for 127 kilometres of road and went to the PATI-BEL Consortium.
The complaint was given by KPCC member Malayinkeezhu Venugopal.
A special team led by the Vigilance Director will carry out the enquiry.
Four vigilance enquiries were ordered in 2006 into the project, covering consultancy awarded to foreign firms, construction lapses, pricing for demolished property and payments for maintenance work.
A Comptroller and Auditor General report put wasteful expenditure and fraud connected with the project at Rs 92.7 crores.
Gyanesh Kumar, now the Chief Election Commissioner, was Kerala's Public Works Secretary in the period of the contract and was moved out of that post in November 2006.
Contract value:
Rs 215 crore
Road length:
127 kilometres
Contractor:
PATI-BEL Consortium
CAG figure:
Rs 92.7 crores
Why it matters for exams: The Kerala State Transport Project, the role of the Vigilance Directorate and CAG audit findings are standard Kerala PSC governance material.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
KSTP Kerala State Transport Project — A State road upgrading programme that rebuilt major Kerala highways including the MC Road.
MC Road Main Central Road — The inland highway running from Thiruvananthapuram to Angamaly through central Kerala.
CAG Comptroller and Auditor General of India — The constitutional auditor of the accounts of the Union and the States.
Vigilance Directorate Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Kerala — The State agency that enquires into corruption by public servants in Kerala.
5 October 2026
Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman met online on 4 October 2026 and agreed to maintain September 2026 required production for November 2026.
It is the second month in a row that the seven have left their targets unchanged, pausing the gradual increases they had made over the previous six months.
Their combined output target stays at about 31 million barrels per day.
The seven will meet again on 1 November 2026, keeping to their practice of reviewing market conditions every month.
These seven are the subset of OPEC+ that had been making voluntary production adjustments on top of the group's wider targets.
Meeting date:
4 October 2026
November output target:
31 million barrels per day
Countries taking part:
Seven
Next meeting:
1 November 2026
Why it matters for exams: OPEC+ output decisions move crude prices and feed directly into India's import bill, so the dates, the countries and the figures are standard current-affairs material.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
OPEC+ Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and partner producers — A grouping of OPEC's members together with non-OPEC oil producers such as Russia and Kazakhstan that set output levels jointly.
bpd barrels per day — The standard unit for crude oil production, one barrel being about 159 litres.
5 October 2026
Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), a public sector enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy, celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Year on 4 October 2026, six decades after its incorporation on 4 October 1967.
The celebrations at Jaduguda were attended as Chief Guest by Ms. Seema Jain, Member-Finance of the Atomic Energy Commission.
She visited the Technology Demonstration Pilot Plant and the proposed new site of the Dark Matter Laboratory at the 815-metre level of the Jaduguda underground mine. The laboratory belongs to the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, an aided institution of the Department of Atomic Energy.
A first-of-its-kind Journalists' Workshop was held at the Information Centre, Narwapahar, along with a DAE Technology Exhibition for school students.
Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, sent greetings; the gathering paid homage to Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha and the pioneers of India's uranium mining capability.
Incorporated on:
4 October 1967
Depth of the proposed Dark Matter Laboratory:
815-metre level
Chief Guest:
Ms. Seema Jain, Member-Finance, Atomic Energy Commission
Venue:
Jaduguda
Why it matters for exams: UCIL, Jaduguda and the Dark Matter Laboratory are standard atomic-energy questions, and the 815-metre depth is a ready one-liner.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
UCIL Uranium Corporation of India Limited — The public sector company that mines and processes uranium ore for India's nuclear power programme.
DAE Department of Atomic Energy — The central department, under the Prime Minister, that runs India's atomic energy programme.
Dark Matter Laboratory — An underground laboratory sited deep in a mine so that rock shields the detectors from cosmic rays.
Background
India and Peru established diplomatic relations in March 1963.
India opened its resident mission in Lima in September 1969, and the first resident ambassador took charge in November 1973.
Trade between India and Peru in the financial year 2025-26 was US$ 10.02bn.
Of that, India's exports were worth US$ 1.15bn and imports from Peru were US$ 8.87bn.
India sends Peru automobiles, motorcycles, three-wheelers, polyester and cotton yarns, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel products and plastic products.
India buys gold, copper, synthetic filaments, phosphates of calcium, fresh grapes and fish flour from Peru.
The Indian community in Peru numbers around 500, including persons of Indian origin.
Diplomatic relations established:
March 1963
Indian mission in Lima opened:
September 1969
Bilateral trade, FY 2025-26:
US$ 10.02bn
India's exports to Peru:
US$ 1.15bn
India's imports from Peru:
US$ 8.87bn
Indian community in Peru:
around 500
Why it matters for exams: India's bilateral relations with individual countries, with the year relations began and the trade balance, are directly asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PIO Person of Indian Origin — A foreign citizen of Indian ancestry, counted along with Indian nationals in community figures abroad.
Background
National Waterway-1 is the river Ganga, which connects Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. National Waterway-2 is the river Brahmaputra, which provides alternate waterway connectivity to the North-Eastern Region through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route. Ongoing projects on National Waterway-1 and National Waterway-2 aim at capacity augmentation of these waterways. Movement of goods through National Waterway-2 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route and through National Waterway-1 is seen as helpful in unlocking the economic potential of the North-Eastern Region. A pilot movement of 200 tonnes of Food Corporation of India food grain ran from Patna in Bihar to Pandu in Guwahati, Assam, via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route, covering 2,350 km, and a further pilot carried 1,798.27 tonnes of thermo-mechanically treated steel bars. In 2021-22, 319 vessels carrying 51,210 tonnes of stone aggregates and coal sailed from Dhubri in India to Chilmari in Bangladesh.
National Waterway-1:
River Ganga
National Waterway-2:
River Brahmaputra
Cross-border pair:
Dhubri (India) and Chilmari (Bangladesh)
Why it matters for exams: Which river is which National Waterway, and the Dhubri-Chilmari link, are directly askable one-mark facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NW National Waterway — A river or canal stretch declared a national waterway for cargo and passenger movement.
Background
Bab el-Mandeb is the strait connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Yemen lies on its Asian side, while Djibouti and Eritrea lie on the African side.
The islands in and around the strait include Perim, also called Mayun, as well as Greater Hanish, Lesser Hanish and Jabal Zuqar.
It is the third busiest oil chokepoint in the world, after the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Hormuz.
About one-tenth of the world's seaborne oil trade passes through it.
Houthi forces have enforced blockades on Israel-linked shipping passing through the strait.
Connects:
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Countries on the shores:
Yemen; Djibouti and Eritrea
Share of seaborne oil trade:
About one-tenth
Why it matters for exams: Maritime chokepoints are asked in both geography and economy papers, and Bab el-Mandeb is the gateway to the Suez route.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Chokepoint Narrow shipping passage — A narrow sea passage through which a large share of world trade must pass, and which can be closed or disrupted easily.
Background
The European Free Trade Association has four member states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in New Delhi on 10 March 2024 and entered into force on 1 October 2025. Under the agreement the parties aim to mobilise USD 100 billion of investments in India over fifteen years, supported by an investment facilitation mechanism, and to support one million direct jobs. India and EFTA together account for a combined gross domestic product of about USD 5.4 trillion. The agreement covers cooperation in areas such as precision manufacturing, clean technologies and trade in services, which has roughly doubled in the last decade.
Member states:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
Signed:
10 March 2024, New Delhi
Entered into force:
1 October 2025
Investment aim:
USD 100 billion over fifteen years
Why it matters for exams: The four EFTA states and the TEPA investment commitment are among the most asked trade agreement facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TEPA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement — The name given to the India-EFTA agreement, which pairs tariff concessions with an investment commitment.
5 October 2026
President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin is on a state visit to India from 5 to 7 October 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He holds bilateral talks with the Prime Minister on 5 October covering trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, mobility and culture. He also calls on President Droupadi Murmu, who hosts an official banquet, and meets External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. On 7 October he takes part in the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit, held on the first anniversary of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. India and Switzerland established diplomatic relations on 14 August 1948 through a Treaty of Friendship.
Visitor:
Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation
Dates:
5 to 7 October 2026
Summit:
Second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit, 7 October
Diplomatic relations since:
14 August 1948
Why it matters for exams: State visits, the office of the Swiss President and the India-EFTA agreement are regular objective questions in both PSC and UPSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
EFTA European Free Trade Association — A four-country European bloc of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, separate from the European Union.
5 October 2026
The fifth round of negotiations on the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is being held in Ottawa from 5 to 9 October 2026. The two sides are working to conclude the agreement by the end of 2026. The fourth round concluded in New Delhi on 18 September 2026. Bilateral trade in 2025-26 was USD 7.95 billion, down 8.23 per cent from USD 8.7 billion in 2024-25. India's exports to Canada rose 10.63 per cent to USD 4.67 billion, while imports from Canada fell 26.14 per cent to USD 3.28 billion. Canada's Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai in September 2026 to review the progress of the talks, and is to visit New Delhi later in October 2026 with a delegation of 300 business representatives.
Round:
Fifth
Venue and dates:
Ottawa, 5 to 9 October 2026
Bilateral trade 2025-26:
USD 7.95 billion
India's exports:
USD 4.67 billion
Why it matters for exams: CEPA rounds, the partner country and the trade figures are standard economy questions, and India-abroad trade talks recur in interviews.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CEPA Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement — A trade agreement that covers goods, services and investment together, going wider than a plain tariff deal.
5 October 2026
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the first international cargo voyage from Dibrugarh on 5 October 2026. The consignment is methanol produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited. The vessel sails from the Bogibeel Terminal at Dibrugarh to Pangaon Port in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The route runs along National Waterway-2, the river Brahmaputra, and then along the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. According to the Press Information Bureau, this is the first time since Independence that a cargo consignment sails from Dibrugarh to a foreign port.
Cargo:
Methanol from Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited
Waterway:
National Waterway-2 (river Brahmaputra)
From:
Bogibeel Terminal, Dibrugarh
To:
Pangaon Port, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Why it matters for exams: National Waterway numbering, the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route and Brahmaputra connectivity are standing favourites in geography and economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IBPR Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route — An agreed set of river routes on which Indian and Bangladeshi vessels may carry cargo through each other's waters.
PIB Press Information Bureau — The Government of India's official agency for issuing press releases.