Background
The traditional Tripura Sarinda, a stringed musical instrument, has received the Geographical Indication tag.
With this, Tripura has four GI-tagged products.
The three recognised earlier are the Tripura Queen Pineapple, Risa and Pachra (also called Rignai), and Matabari Peda.
The Sarinda is a stringed musical instrument closely associated with the indigenous communities of the state.
A GI tag ties a product's name to a defined place of origin and the qualities that come from it.
GI products of Tripura:
four
Newest tag:
Tripura Sarinda
Earlier tags:
Queen Pineapple; Risa and Pachra (Rignai); Matabari Peda
Why it matters for exams: State-wise lists of GI-tagged products are a recurring general awareness topic, and Tripura's Queen pineapple is among the commonly asked entries.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GI Geographical Indication — A sign used on products with a specific geographical origin and qualities or a reputation due to that origin.
Sarinda Tripura Sarinda — A stringed musical instrument closely associated with the indigenous communities of Tripura.
Background
Mission Queen Pineapple is a convergence-led initiative for pineapple cultivation and value chain development around Tripura's GI-tagged Queen pineapple.
It carries an outlay of ₹236 crore.
The design has a central hub near Agartala airport with eight spoke collection centres across West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala districts.
The mission notes a farmgate price of ₹6–10 per kilogram for the fruit.
It targets converting nearly 60 percent of pineapple plant byproducts into value-added products.
It was launched by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia along with Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha and Agriculture Minister Shri Ratan Lal Nath.
Outlay:
₹236 crore
Spoke collection centres:
Eight
Farmgate price:
₹6–10 per kilogram
Why it matters for exams: GI products, horticulture missions and Tripura's district names are frequently asked together.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GI Geographical Indication — A tag that ties a product's name to its place of origin and qualities.
Hub and spoke Hub and spoke model — A central processing point served by smaller feeder collection centres.
1 October 2026
The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 55.1 in September 2026 from 52.8 in August.
Stronger domestic and overseas demand lifted new orders and output.
Electronic, food, pharmaceutical and textile products drove the sharper rise in new business.
Employment growth was the fastest since May.
Pranjul Bhandari, HSBC chief India economist, said the PMI rose as stronger demand lifted sales and production.
September PMI:
55.1
August PMI:
52.8
Expansion threshold:
Above 50
Why it matters for exams: PMI is a leading indicator of factory activity; a reading above 50 signals expansion.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PMI Purchasing Managers' Index — A survey index where above 50 means expansion and below 50 means contraction.
1 October 2026
From 1 October 2026, consumers must complete Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) to book LPG refills at the regulated Retail Selling Price with applicable subsidy.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said 27.43 crore consumers, 89.9 per cent of active domestic LPG consumers, had completed authentication.
BAA can be done during delivery through the OMC mobile application, at distributor showrooms, or through IndianOil ONE, HelloBPCL and HP PAY.
Consumers who do not complete BAA can receive LPG at the applicable market price, without any subsidy, in 5 kg or 10 kg cylinders.
The implicit subsidy for September 2026 is Rs 210 per 14.2 kg cylinder.
Effective from:
1 October 2026
Consumers authenticated:
27.43 crore (89.9 per cent)
September 2026 implicit subsidy:
Rs 210 per 14.2 kg cylinder
Why it matters for exams: Aadhaar-linked subsidy delivery and the role of oil marketing companies are common governance and economy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BAA Biometric Aadhaar Authentication — Verification of a consumer's identity using fingerprint or face data against Aadhaar.
OMC Oil Marketing Company — Firms such as IndianOil, BPCL and HPCL that sell LPG to households.
RSP Retail Selling Price — The price at which a refill is sold to the consumer.
1 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks - Interest Rate on Deposits) Second Amendment Directions, 2026 come into effect on 1 October 2026.
The notification, numbered RBI/2026-27/214, is dated 30 July 2026.
Banks must disclose bulk deposit rates on their website at 10:00 am, with a grace time of 10 minutes, latest by 10:10 am, on each business day.
Rates on deposits, including bulk deposits, must be uniform across all branches and for all customers.
Banks may offer a differential rate on bulk deposits by considering the differential run-off rate under the LCR framework.
The amendment modifies the earlier Directions dated 28 November 2025 and covers domestic rupee deposits and rupee deposits of non-residents.
Effective from:
1 October 2026
Notification number:
RBI/2026-27/214
Rate disclosure time:
10:00 am, latest 10:10 am
Earlier Directions amended:
28 November 2025
Why it matters for exams: RBI directions on deposit rates and the LCR framework are regular banking-regulation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Bulk deposit Large single-rupee term deposit — A term deposit above a size threshold set by RBI, usually from institutions or large depositors.
LCR Liquidity Coverage Ratio — It requires banks to hold enough high-quality liquid assets to survive a 30-day stress.
Run-off rate Assumed deposit outflow rate under LCR — The share of a deposit type assumed to leave the bank during a stress period.
30 September 2026
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported that the external current account recorded a surplus of US$ 133 million in August 2026.
The cumulative trade deficit reached US$ 7.2 billion during January-August 2026.
Workers' remittances increased by 10.0% year-on-year to US$ 749 million in August 2026, with cumulative remittances of US$ 6.1 billion for January-August 2026.
Tourism earnings were estimated at US$ 264 million in August 2026, while cumulative earnings during January-August 2026 declined by 10.0% to US$ 2.1 billion.
Gross official reserves, including the swap facility with the People's Bank of China, increased to US$ 6.9 billion by end August 2026.
Current account balance, August 2026:
Surplus of US$ 133 million
Trade deficit, January-August 2026:
US$ 7.2 billion
Workers' remittances, August 2026:
US$ 749 million
Tourism earnings, August 2026:
US$ 264 million
Gross official reserves, end August 2026:
US$ 6.9 billion
Why it matters for exams: Remittances, tourism and reserves are the three external props of Sri Lanka's recovery and are asked as a set.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Current account Record of a country's trade, services, income and transfers — A surplus means more foreign currency came in on these heads than went out.
GOR Gross official reserves — The foreign assets a central bank holds, counted before deducting liabilities.
30 September 2026
The Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 8.75%.
The decision was announced in Monetary Policy Review No. 5 of 2026, published on 30 September 2026.
Headline inflation stood at 8.0% (year-on-year) in August 2026.
The Central Bank said headline inflation is projected to remain in high single digits through Q1-2027, before easing towards the 5% target.
The Overnight Policy Rate is Sri Lanka's single policy interest rate.
Overnight Policy Rate:
8.75%
Decision:
Maintained at the current level
Review:
Monetary Policy Review No. 5 of 2026
Headline inflation in August 2026:
8.0%
Why it matters for exams: The Overnight Policy Rate is Sri Lanka's equivalent of the repo rate, and a hold at 8.75 per cent is the figure most often asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
OPR Overnight Policy Rate — The single policy interest rate through which the Central Bank of Sri Lanka signals its stance.
Monetary Policy Board The Central Bank of Sri Lanka's rate-setting body — It decides the policy rate, as the Monetary Policy Committee does in India.
30 September 2026
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported that Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2021=100) based headline inflation (year-on-year) remained unchanged at 8.0%.
Food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 8.7% in September 2026 from 8.5% in August 2026.
Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) remained unchanged at 7.7%.
Core inflation (Y-o-Y) accelerated to 5.4% in September 2026 from 5.1% in August 2026.
The Central Bank published the statement on 30 September 2026.
Headline inflation (Y-o-Y):
8.0%
Food inflation (Y-o-Y):
8.7%
Non-food inflation (Y-o-Y):
7.7%
Core inflation (Y-o-Y):
5.4%
Why it matters for exams: Sri Lanka's inflation path is the standard measure of how far its post-crisis recovery has gone, and the CCPI is the index examiners name.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CCPI Colombo Consumer Price Index — Sri Lanka's headline retail price index, with 2021 as its base year.
Core inflation Inflation excluding volatile food and energy prices — It shows the underlying price trend once volatile items are set aside.
30 September 2026
Bangladesh Bank announced its quarterly monetary policy statement for the October-December quarter of the 2026-27 fiscal year and left the repo rate unchanged at 9.50 per cent.
The Standing Lending Facility rate stays at 11.00 per cent and the Standing Deposit Facility rate at 7.50 per cent.
The decision was taken at the fourteenth meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee on 23 September 2026 and was presented by Deputy Governor Md Habibur Rahman.
The central bank said premature monetary easing could reignite inflation expectations, with headline inflation at 8.26 per cent in August 2026.
It also recorded private sector credit growth of 4.75 per cent in August 2026 and real GDP growth of 4.14 per cent for FY26.
Repo rate:
9.50 per cent
Standing Lending Facility rate:
11.00 per cent
Standing Deposit Facility rate:
7.50 per cent
Period covered:
October-December 2026
MPC meeting:
14th meeting, 23 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Policy rates of India's neighbouring central banks are standard comparison questions in bank and UPSC papers.
UPSCBank
In plain words
Repo rate Repurchase rate — The rate at which the central bank lends short-term money to commercial banks against securities.
MPC Monetary Policy Committee — The committee inside a central bank that decides the policy interest rate.
SLF Standing Lending Facility — A window where banks can borrow from the central bank at a rate above the repo rate.
30 September 2026
A Delhi High Court bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan has directed the Delhi Development Authority to process all pending applications for conversion of property from leasehold to freehold within two months.
The court said the applications must be decided under the policy that was in force when the applicants originally filed them.
The order was passed on 30 September 2026 in Delhi Development Authority v. Mala Sahni Seth & Another and connected matters, reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Del) 937.
The court recorded that 1,373 conversion applications filed between 2020 and 2026 remained pending and that the DDA had collected about Rs. 155.06 crore in conversion charges.
It also recorded that 308 applications had been approved but the conveyance deeds remained unexecuted, and that the IDLI portal had been non-functional since January 2026.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the DDA were directed to frame a policy for new applications and place it before the court at the next hearing on 11 December 2026, with senior officials to appear in person.
Time given to the DDA:
two months
Pending applications:
1,373
Conversion charges collected:
Rs. 155.06 crore
Next hearing:
11 December 2026
Why it matters for exams: The DDA, leasehold-to-freehold conversion and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recur in questions on urban governance in the capital.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DDA Delhi Development Authority — The statutory body that plans and develops land in Delhi.
Freehold Freehold title — Ownership of land without a time limit, as against a lease for a fixed term.
30 September 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced an allocation of Rs 1,200 crore for the Ghatal Master Plan in the current financial year. The flood control project is estimated to cost about Rs 1,500 crore in all, shared equally between the Centre and the state. It covers 11 blocks and five municipalities across Purba and Paschim Medinipur, an area of 1,659 sq km, spanning five assembly and three Lok Sabha constituencies. Excess water is to be channelled through canals and rivers into the Rupnarayan, the main drainage outlet. The plan was first drawn up in the 1970s at an estimated Rs 50 crore and had not been executed for about 50 years. The Chief Minister said work should be carried out on a war footing after Durga Puja and completed by June next year, before the monsoon begins.
Allocation this financial year:
Rs 1,200 crore
Total project cost:
About Rs 1,500 crore
Area covered:
1,659 sq km
Main drainage outlet:
Rupnarayan river
Original 1970s estimate:
Rs 50 crore
Why it matters for exams: River names, flood control plans and centre-state cost sharing are regularly combined in a single question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Master plan Flood control master plan — A single engineering plan covering drainage, embankments and channels for a whole flood-prone basin.
Block Community development block — The administrative unit below a subdivision in Indian districts, used for rural development work.
30 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of India released India's external debt data for the quarter ended June 2026.
At end-June 2026, India's external debt was placed at US$ 778.2 billion, an increase of US$ 15.4 billion over its level at end-March 2026.
The external debt to GDP ratio moderated to 20.8 per cent at end-June 2026 from 20.9 per cent at end-March 2026.
Valuation gains due to the appreciation of the US dollar against major currencies such as the Yen and the Euro amounted to US$ 0.9 billion; excluding that valuation effect, external debt would have increased by US$ 16.4 billion.
Long-term debt, with an original maturity of above one year, stood at US$ 624.7 billion, up US$ 11.2 billion over end-March 2026, while the share of short-term debt in total external debt rose to 19.7 per cent from 19.6 per cent.
US dollar-denominated debt remained the largest component with a share of 54.8 per cent, followed by debt denominated in the Indian rupee at 29.8 per cent, the Yen at 6.9 per cent, SDR at 4.1 per cent and the Euro at 3.5 per cent.
Loans remained the largest instrument-wise component at 34.3 per cent, and debt service stood at 5.6 per cent of current receipts, the same as at end-March 2026.
External debt at end-June 2026:
US$ 778.2 billion
Increase over end-March 2026:
US$ 15.4 billion
External debt to GDP ratio:
20.8 per cent
Long-term debt:
US$ 624.7 billion
Share of short-term debt:
19.7 per cent
Largest currency component:
US dollar, 54.8 per cent
Debt service:
5.6 per cent of current receipts
Why it matters for exams: External debt levels, the debt to GDP ratio and the short-term debt to reserves ratio are standard economy questions, and the currency composition of India's external debt is a frequent one-mark fact.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
SDR Special Drawing Rights — The International Monetary Fund's reserve asset, whose value is based on a basket of major currencies.
Debt service Debt service — Principal repayments plus interest payments made on external debt in a period.
Long-term debt Long-term debt — Debt with an original maturity of above one year.
30 September 2026
Twenty-two dairy companies submitted investment proposals worth ₹695.18 crore at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show, UPITS-2026.
The proposals are expected to create more than 2,500 jobs.
Ace International Ltd proposed ₹457 crore across Hathras, Aligarh and Agra, with about 1,500 jobs.
Carebro Innovators Pvt Ltd proposed ₹100 crore across Ayodhya, Lucknow, Meerut and Bareilly, with more than 250 jobs.
Anjum Dairy proposed ₹50 crore in Moradabad, Amroha and Rampur; Gwin Whey Protein ₹27 crore in Etah, Firozabad and Etawah; and Gauri Food and Beverages ₹14.65 crore in Jhansi.
The proposals were received under the Uttar Pradesh Dairy Development and Dairy Products Promotion Policy, 2022.
Milk Commissioner Dhanlakshmi K was among the officials associated with the exercise.
Total proposals:
₹695.18 crore
Companies:
22
Jobs expected:
over 2,500
Largest single proposal:
₹457 crore, Ace International Ltd
Why it matters for exams: Uttar Pradesh is the country's largest milk-producing state, and state-level investment policies and their figures are regular economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
UPITS Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show — An annual trade fair held by the Uttar Pradesh government to showcase the state's products and attract investment.
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
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
Singareni Collieries Company Limited and TGGENCO have drawn up a plan to supply 75,500 tonnes of coal a day to the State's thermal power plants.
Of this, 56,000 tonnes a day will move by 14 railway rakes and 19,500 tonnes a day by road.
Daily requirements are Yadadri 34,000 tonnes, Kothagudem 24,000 tonnes, Bhadradri 15,000 tonnes and Kakatiya 4,500 tonnes.
About 15.02 lakh tonnes were supplied to TGGENCO plants up to 28 September, against 11.44 lakh tonnes in the same period last year.
Officials link the higher demand to dry conditions associated with El Nino.
Daily coal plan:
75,500 tonnes
By rail:
56,000 tonnes (14 rakes)
By road:
19,500 tonnes
Supplied up to 28 September:
15.02 lakh tonnes
Why it matters for exams: Singareni and state power generation are staple Telangana economy and energy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SCCL The Singareni Collieries Company Limited — Coal-mining company serving Telangana's coal belt.
TGGENCO Telangana Power Generation Corporation — The State's power generation company that runs the thermal plants.
30 September 2026
China's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index climbed to 50.1 in September 2026 from 49.8 in August, the National Bureau of Statistics said. A reading above 50 reflects expansion. Of the 21 industries surveyed, 12 reported a PMI above the expansion threshold. The production sub-index rose to 51.7 and the new orders index stood at 50.5. A separate private survey, the RatingDog PMI, rose to 52.1 from 51.5.
Manufacturing PMI, September:
50.1
Manufacturing PMI, August:
49.8
Production sub-index:
51.7
Why it matters for exams: PMI is a standard economic indicator; knowing the 50 threshold is a common exam point.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PMI Purchasing Managers' Index — A monthly survey-based index where above 50 means expansion and below 50 means contraction.
Background
A proposed International Panel on Inequality would bring together independent evidence on the causes and consequences of widening disparities. The idea was in the spotlight at a 23 September event on the margins of the UN General Assembly's high-level week, convened by Brazil, Norway, South Africa and Spain. Secretary-General António Guterres said the richest 10 per cent of the world's population own 75 per cent of all wealth. Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz chairs the founding committee. The model is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC.
Share of wealth held by richest 10 per cent:
75 per cent
Event convened by:
Brazil, Norway, South Africa and Spain
Why it matters for exams: SDG 10 and the IPCC model for science-based global panels are useful for UN and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — The UN body that assesses the science of climate change for governments.
SDG 10 Sustainable Development Goal 10 — The goal to reduce inequality within and among nations.
30 September 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a phone call.
Modi said they reviewed bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and other areas.
They agreed to maintain close engagement to take the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership forward.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including efforts to advance global peace and security.
Leaders:
Narendra Modi and Donald Trump
Areas reviewed:
Trade, defence, energy, critical technologies
Partnership:
Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
Why it matters for exams: The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is a recurring international relations topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership India-US partnership framework — The name both leaders use for the India-US relationship.
30 September 2026
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday 30 September 2026, on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministerial.
Goyal said they had a productive discussion towards early conclusion of a mutually beneficial interim agreement under the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement.
The two sides had announced a framework for the first phase of the trade agreement in February 2026.
The meeting coincided with a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
Venue:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Met:
Piyush Goyal and Jamieson Greer
Framework announced:
February 2026
Why it matters for exams: India-US trade negotiations and the G20 trade track are standard topics for economy and international relations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
USTR United States Trade Representative — The US official who leads trade negotiations.