14 October 2026
The Ministry of Cooperation notified the Multi-State Co-operative Society (Auditor's Report) Order, 2026, known as MSCARO 2026, under Section 73(6) of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act as amended in 2023. The order is modelled on the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, or CARO, used in the corporate sector. The Ministry drew on suggestions from the Reserve Bank of India, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and multi-state cooperative societies. Auditors must report in a prescribed format on financial, administrative, governance and statutory compliance points, answering yes or no and adding comments. Areas covered include early warning signs of financial stress such as non-performing assets, overdue loans, liquidity, deposits and borrowings, protection of member funds and share capital, board composition and director eligibility, general and board meetings, statutory committees, related-party transactions and, where applicable, cybersecurity and anti-money laundering compliance. The Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies will use the findings to identify higher-risk societies and prioritise inspections, feeding into the CRCS portal. Implementation is phased: the initial phase covers large societies with a financial size above ₹1,000 crore, and the order is intended over the long term to extend to societies above ₹50 crore.
Order:
Multi-State Co-operative Society (Auditor's Report) Order, 2026
Legal provision:
Section 73(6) of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act (amended 2023)
Model:
CARO for companies
Initial phase threshold:
Above ₹1,000 crore
Long-term threshold:
Above ₹50 crore
Why it matters for exams: A new audit order under a named section of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, modelled on CARO and monitored by the Central Registrar, sits exactly where governance and cooperative-sector questions meet.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MSCARO Multi-State Co-operative Society (Auditor's Report) Order — An order setting the standard points an auditor must report on for a multi-state cooperative society.
CARO Companies (Auditor's Report) Order — The corresponding order for company auditors in the corporate sector.
CRCS Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies — The central authority that registers and regulates multi-state cooperative societies.
14 October 2026
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved payment of a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days' wages to railway employees. It covers 11,40,770 non-gazetted railway employees and will cost ₹2,009.61 crore. The maximum amount payable to an eligible employee for the 78 days is ₹17,951. The bonus is paid every year before the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays. Categories covered include track maintenance staff, loco pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, supervisors, technicians, technician helpers, pointsmen, ministerial staff and other Group 'C' staff. In 2025-26 Indian Railways loaded a record 1,670 million tonnes of freight and carried about 7.41 billion passengers.
Days of wages:
78 days
Employees covered:
11,40,770
Total cost:
₹2,009.61 crore
Maximum per employee:
₹17,951
Freight loaded 2025-26:
1,670 million tonnes
Why it matters for exams: The number of days, the number of employees and the maximum payable are the exact figures asked in economy and Railways questions each year.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PLB Productivity Linked Bonus — A bonus paid to railway staff linked to the system's measured productivity, expressed as a number of days' wages.
Non-gazetted Non-gazetted employees — Government staff whose appointments are not notified in the official Gazette, mainly Group 'C' and similar grades.
14 October 2026
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The programme is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its four components are renamed the Pradhan Mantri Vriddhavastha Pension Yojana (old age pension), the Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana (widow pension), the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana (disability pension) and the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana (family benefit). For the disability pension, monthly assistance rises to ₹375 for beneficiaries aged 0-79 and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above, the benchmark disability threshold falls from 80 per cent to 40 per cent, and the minimum age criterion becomes birth; detailed guidelines on eligibility, beneficiary numbers and rates are to be issued within three months. About 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 States and Union Territories are covered. The old age, widow and family benefit components continue in their existing form. NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995 and draws on Article 41 of the Constitution.
Total outlay:
₹53,428 crore
Period:
2026-27 to 2030-31
Beneficiaries:
About 3.20 crore
Disability threshold:
80% reduced to 40%
NSAP launch:
15 August 1995
Why it matters for exams: A renamed centrally funded pension programme with a fresh outlay, a new disability threshold and a constitutional anchor in Article 41 is standard material for scheme and Directive Principles questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NSAP National Social Assistance Programme — A fully centrally funded programme of pensions for the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities.
Article 41 Article 41 of the Constitution of India — A Directive Principle asking the State to secure public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement.
Benchmark disability Benchmark disability — A specified minimum percentage of a disability that makes a person eligible for benefits.
14 October 2026
Based on advance estimates, Singapore's economy grew 5.4 per cent year on year in the third quarter of 2026, moderating from 6.2 per cent in the previous quarter.
On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted basis, the economy expanded 1.1 per cent, easing from 1.5 per cent in the second quarter.
The manufacturing sector grew 7.5 per cent year on year, slower than the 12.9 per cent of the previous quarter.
Growth was supported by electronics, precision engineering, transport engineering and general manufacturing clusters, offsetting declines in chemicals and biomedical manufacturing.
The advance estimates were released by Singapore's trade ministry on 14 October 2026.
GDP growth, Q3 2026 (year on year):
5.4 per cent
GDP growth, Q2 2026:
6.2 per cent
Quarter on quarter, seasonally adjusted:
1.1 per cent
Manufacturing growth:
7.5 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Quarterly GDP readings of Asian economies, and the year-on-year versus quarter-on-quarter distinction, are standard economy-paper material.
UPSCBank
In plain words
Advance estimates First estimates published soon after a quarter ends — Early figures that are later revised when fuller data arrive.
14 October 2026
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen struck the Yemen Petroleum Company's al-Sabaha facility near the Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Tuesday night.
Coalition spokesperson Maj Gen Turki al-Maliki said missiles and drones aimed at Riyadh and other Saudi cities were intercepted.
Fires broke out at Saudi oil company Aramco's building in Dhahran, where it has its headquarters.
Thirteen people were killed when a missile hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday.
The IMF chief said the tit-for-tat attacks "have potentially negative spillovers for everybody, everywhere".
Depot struck:
Yemen Petroleum Company's al-Sabaha facility
Airport missile deaths:
13 killed
Coalition spokesperson:
Maj Gen Turki al-Maliki
Why it matters for exams: Gulf security and oil infrastructure are central to questions on West Asia and energy markets.
UPSC
In plain words
Houthis Iran-backed group controlling Sanaa — The Iran-backed Yemeni group that holds the capital Sanaa and fights the Saudi-led coalition.
Aramco Saudi national oil company — The state oil company of Saudi Arabia, headquartered in Dhahran.
14 October 2026
All-India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation for September 2026 is 11.39 per cent year on year (provisional), compared with 9.92 per cent in August 2026 (provisional).
The All Commodities index stands at 112.5, up from 110.8 in August 2026.
Year-on-year inflation is 8.67 per cent for Primary Articles, 25.85 per cent for Fuel and Power and 9.76 per cent for Manufactured Products.
The WPI Food Index shows inflation of 8.66 per cent, compared with 7.05 per cent in August 2026.
The series uses the base year 2022-23, and the figures for October 2026 will be released on 16 November 2026.
WPI inflation, September 2026:
11.39 per cent
WPI inflation, August 2026:
9.92 per cent
Fuel and Power:
25.85 per cent
Primary Articles:
8.67 per cent
Manufactured Products:
9.76 per cent
Why it matters for exams: WPI figures and their groups are asked in economy and banking papers, often alongside retail inflation.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
WPI Wholesale Price Index — A measure of price changes of goods at the wholesale stage.
Base year 2022-23 for the current WPI series — The year against which later prices are compared.
Background
Turkiye is a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The OECD was established on 30 September 1961.
The Organisation has 38 members.
Its headquarters is in Paris, where its Council meets.
Membership of the OECD is separate from membership of the European Union.
Turkiye's status:
Founding member
Established:
30 September 1961
Members:
38
Headquarters:
Paris
Why it matters for exams: Which bodies Turkiye belongs to, and which it does not, is a recurring country-focus question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — An inter-governmental economic organisation; India is a partner but not a member.
14 October 2026
Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced Turkiye's foreign trade figures in Istanbul on 3 October 2026.
Exports in the first nine months of 2026 were $211 billion, a record for the period and 5.2 per cent higher than a year earlier.
Imports over the same nine months were $282 billion, up 5.4 per cent.
The nine-month foreign trade deficit was $71.03 billion, 5.8 per cent wider than a year earlier.
September 2026 exports were $25.98 billion, the highest figure recorded for any September, up 15.4 per cent.
September imports were $31.21 billion and the monthly trade deficit was $5.23 billion, 24.8 per cent narrower than a year earlier.
Exports, January-September 2026:
$211 billion
Imports, January-September 2026:
$282 billion
Nine-month trade deficit:
$71.03 billion
September 2026 exports:
$25.98 billion
Why it matters for exams: Trade balances of major economies recur in questions on external sector comparisons.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Trade deficit Excess of imports over exports — The gap when a country buys more goods from abroad than it sells.
14 October 2026
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye's inflation data page records the consumer price index change for September 2026.
The annual change in the consumer price index was 29.73 per cent.
The monthly change was 1.84 per cent.
The figures are compiled and released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), which published them on 5 October 2026.
Annual inflation had been 31.51 per cent in August 2026, so the September reading was the first below 30 per cent since November 2021.
The Central Bank's Monetary Policy Committee states that it aims at a 5 per cent inflation target in the medium term.
Annual CPI change, September 2026:
29.73 per cent
Monthly CPI change:
1.84 per cent
Medium-term target:
5 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Inflation readings of major economies are standard comparison material in economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TurkStat Turkish Statistical Institute — Turkiye's national statistical office, which compiles the consumer price index.
14 October 2026
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye (CBRT) sets the country's policy rate, which is the one-week repo auction rate.
The rate stands at 37.00 per cent.
It was brought down to 37.00 per cent from 38.00 per cent on 23 January 2026.
The step before that had taken the rate from 39.50 per cent to 38.00 per cent on 12 December 2025.
The Monetary Policy Committee left the rate unchanged at its meeting on 10 September 2026, with the overnight lending rate at 40 per cent and the overnight borrowing rate at 35.5 per cent.
The Committee's next scheduled meeting is on 22 October 2026.
Policy rate:
37.00 per cent
Previous level:
38.00 per cent
In force since:
23 January 2026
Why it matters for exams: Policy rates of large emerging economies are set beside the RBI repo rate in economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CBRT Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye — Turkiye's central bank, whose Monetary Policy Committee fixes the policy rate.
Repo Repurchase agreement — A short-term loan against securities; the one-week repo auction rate is Turkiye's policy rate.
14 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India held an Overnight Variable Rate Reverse Repo auction under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility on 13 October 2026.
The notified amount was ₹1,50,000 crore for a tenor of one day.
Offers received totalled ₹71,580 crore and the entire amount offered was accepted.
The cut-off rate was 5.49 per cent and the weighted average rate was also 5.49 per cent.
Banks therefore parked less than half the notified amount with the central bank.
Notified amount:
₹1,50,000 crore
Amount accepted:
₹71,580 crore
Cut-off rate:
5.49%
Tenor:
1 day
Why it matters for exams: The Liquidity Adjustment Facility, repo and reverse repo are standard banking-awareness and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
VRRR Variable Rate Reverse Repo — An auction in which banks park surplus funds with the central bank at a rate decided by bidding.
LAF Liquidity Adjustment Facility — The window through which banks borrow from or park funds with the Reserve Bank on a day-to-day basis.
14 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India held an Open Market Operation sale of Government of India securities on 13 October 2026.
The aggregate amount notified was ₹25,000 crore and the total amount accepted was ₹25,000 crore.
Five securities were sold: 7.88% GS 2030, 6.10% GS 2031, 7.95% GS 2032, 7.26% GS 2033 and 7.18% GS 2033.
The cut-off yield on 7.18% GS 2033 was 7.3947 per cent, the highest among the securities accepted.
No amount was accepted in 7.10% GS 2034.
Settlement of the auction is on 14 October 2026.
Amount notified:
₹25,000 crore
Amount accepted:
₹25,000 crore
Highest cut-off yield:
7.3947% on 7.18% GS 2033
Settlement:
14 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Open Market Operations are a core instrument of monetary policy and a recurring question on how the central bank drains or adds rupee liquidity.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
OMO Open Market Operation — The central bank's purchase or sale of government securities to adjust rupee liquidity in the system.
G-Sec Government Security — A tradeable debt instrument issued by the central or a state government.
14 October 2026
The water level of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project has dropped to 61 per cent, with the Thulam rains bringing no substantial inflow for a week.
The Pampa dam stands at 970.75 metres against a full capacity of 986.332 metres, and the Kakki-Anathode dam at 970.425 metres against 981.450 metres. Total inflow into the reservoirs was 2.616 million cubic metres.
Generation is being confined largely to peak load hours, with only one or two generators running at very low loads during the day; the downstream Kakakad project, which runs on water released from Sabarigiri, is also operating at reduced load.
In talks with NTPC in New Delhi, the State sought up to 300 MW from NTPC's Sinnar project in Maharashtra at Rs 5.18 per unit and faster completion of a 27 MW NTPC solar project at Kayamkulam.
A memorandum of understanding is expected between KSEB, NTPC and NTPC Green Energy Ltd for a proposed 2,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System at Kayamkulam, with two 80 MWh units at Pothencode and Sreekandapuram expected by March 2027.
Sabarigiri storage:
61%
Pampa dam level:
970.75 metres (full 986.332 m)
Sought from NTPC Sinnar:
Up to 300 MW at Rs 5.18 per unit
Proposed BESS at Kayamkulam:
2,000 MWh
Why it matters for exams: Reservoir levels, hydel generation and inter-State power purchase are standard Kerala economy and geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BESS Battery Energy Storage System — Large battery installations that store electricity for release when demand peaks.
KSEB Kerala State Electricity Board — The State utility that generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Kerala.
Background
The Consulate General of India in Istanbul records historical connections between India and Turkiye, noting that the Sufi Philosophy of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi found resonance in the Indian sub-continent with its own traditions of Sufism and the Bhakti movement.
A Bilateral Trade Agreement between India and Turkiye was signed in 1973, followed by an Agreement on setting up an India-Turkiye Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) in 1983; under that Agreement JCETC meetings are held alternately in India and Turkiye, co-chaired by the trade ministers of the two countries.
Foreign Office Consultations at Secretary level were institutionalized through a Protocol signed in April 2000.
Bilateral trade grew by 28.99% during FY 2022-23, crossing USD 13.80 billion, making Turkiye India's 26th largest trading partner; trade in FY 2023-24 stood at USD 10.43 billion, making Turkiye India's 28th largest trading partner.
There are currently around 3000 estimated Indian nationals in Turkiye, around 1850 of them in Istanbul and adjoining provinces, and around 350 Indian students.
Bilateral Trade Agreement signed:
1973
JCETC agreement signed:
1983
Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations:
April 2000
Bilateral trade in FY 2022-23:
crossing USD 13.80 billion, a growth of 28.99%
Bilateral trade in FY 2023-24:
USD 10.43 billion
Estimated Indian nationals in Turkiye:
around 3000
Indian students in Turkiye:
around 350
Why it matters for exams: Country Focus questions on a foreign state almost always include its relationship with India, and the dated instruments of the India-Turkiye relationship are the kind of named agreement an examiner can test in one line.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
JCETC Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation — The India-Turkiye joint body set up by an agreement of 1983 to carry the economic and technical side of the relationship; its meetings are held alternately in the two countries and co-chaired by their trade ministers.
Foreign Office Consultations — Regular talks between the foreign ministries of two countries, institutionalized between India and Turkiye by a Protocol of April 2000.
Background
The Embassy of India in Doha describes the Indian community in Qatar as around 830,000 strong and vibrant, and records that Indians comprise the largest expatriate community in Qatar. India's diplomatic relations with Qatar were established in 1973, and the year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of that event; the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership during the State Visit of the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to India in February 2025. Energy is the spine of the relationship. Qatar is the largest supplier of LNG to India, which took 10.86 million tonnes of it for US$ 5.61 billion in FY 2025-26, and Qatar is also India's largest supplier of LPG. A long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement was signed in February 2024, during the visit of Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs to India Energy Week; the deal stipulates 7.5 MMTPA of supply by QatarEnergy to Petronet LNG for 20 years starting from 2028. In FY 2025-26 India's bilateral trade with Qatar stood at USD 13.91 billion, made up of Indian exports of USD 1.62 billion and imports of USD 12.29 billion, and in FY 2024-25 it was almost the same at USD 14.14 billion. Hydrocarbons dominate that trade: at US$ 10.81 billion in FY 2025-26 they accounted for 77.71% of overall bilateral trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Qatar on 14-15 February 2024, his second visit to the country.
Indian community in Qatar:
around 830,000; the largest expatriate community in Qatar
Diplomatic relations established:
1973; the 50th anniversary was marked in 2023
Strategic partnership:
elevated during the Amir's State Visit to India, February 2025
LNG from Qatar (FY 2025-26):
10.86 million tonnes for US$ 5.61 billion; Qatar is India's largest LNG supplier
QatarEnergy - Petronet LNG agreement (February 2024):
7.5 MMTPA of LNG for 20 years starting from 2028
Bilateral trade:
USD 13.91 billion in FY 2025-26 (exports 1.62, imports 12.29); USD 14.14 billion in FY 2024-25
Hydrocarbon share of trade (FY 2025-26):
US$ 10.81 billion, 77.71% of overall bilateral trade
Why it matters for exams: Kerala sends a very large share of the Indian workforce in Qatar, and the community size, the Petronet LNG contract and the bilateral trade figure are the numbers an examiner uses to test the India-Qatar relationship.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
MMTPA Million metric tonnes per annum — The unit in which long-term LNG supply contracts state their yearly volume.
Sale and purchase agreement SPA — The contract that fixes the volume, price basis and duration of an energy supply deal.
Background
Qatar's vast natural gas reserves are primarily in the giant offshore North Gas Field, known as South Pars, which is located on Iran's side of the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Energy Information Administration, citing the Oil & Gas Journal, records that Qatar holds 11% of the world's proved natural gas reserves and almost 30% of the Middle East's reserves. Qatar was one of OPEC's longest-standing members and left the organization in January 2019, saying it wanted to shift resources away from oil to natural gas. Qatari gas moves by pipeline as well as by ship: the country's exports include gas carried through the Dolphin Pipeline to the United Arab Emirates and Oman, and in 2021 Qatar shipped 2.04 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) through that pipeline. Between 2011 and 2021 its natural gas export capacity remained unchanged at 13.3 Bcf/d. In its brief of August 2023 the EIA reported that state-owned Qatar Energy planned to raise export capacity in stages to 19.7 Bcf/d once six new liquefaction trains linked to two new North Field LNG export terminal projects entered commercial service, with the major North Field expansion expected to be completed by 2028. Crude oil is the smaller side of the story: Qatar's crude oil production fell 18% between 2012 and 2017 and has been relatively flat since, hovering around 600,000 barrels per day.
Main gas field:
North Gas Field (offshore); known as South Pars on Iran's side of the Persian Gulf
Share of proved natural gas reserves (Oil & Gas Journal):
11% of the world's; almost 30% of the Middle East's
Left OPEC:
January 2019
Dolphin Pipeline:
To the United Arab Emirates and Oman; 2.04 Bcf/d in 2021
Gas export capacity, 2011 to 2021:
unchanged at 13.3 Bcf/d
Planned export capacity (EIA, August 2023):
19.7 Bcf/d after six new liquefaction trains; North Field expansion expected complete by 2028
Crude oil production:
around 600,000 barrels per day, after an 18% fall between 2012 and 2017
Why it matters for exams: Qatar's departure from OPEC in January 2019 is a standard trap in questions that list OPEC members, and the North Gas Field shared with Iran as South Pars is the single geographic fact behind Qatar's economy.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Bcf/d Billion cubic feet per day — The unit in which daily flows of natural gas, such as pipeline shipments and export capacity, are measured.
LNG train Liquefied natural gas train — One complete processing line at a plant that chills natural gas into liquid form for shipping.
OPEC Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries — A group of oil-exporting states that coordinates petroleum policy among its members.
Background
The Kolkata Port is the first Major Port as well as the only riverine port of the country.
It came to be governed by a Trust on 17th October, 1870, on appointment of the Commissioners for Improvement of the Port of Calcutta as per Act V of 1870.
On 3 June 2020 the Union Cabinet gave its approval to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, after the Board of Trustees of Kolkata Port Trust had passed a resolution to that effect on 25th February, 2020.
Several Indian major ports have been renamed in this way: Nhava Sheva Port Trust was renamed as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in the year 1989.
Tuticorin Port Trust was renamed as V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust in 2011.
Kandla Port Trust was renamed as Deendayal Port in 2017.
Present name:
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
Governed by a Trust from:
17th October, 1870
Enabling Act:
Act V of 1870
Union Cabinet approval for renaming:
3 June 2020
Distinction:
First Major Port and only riverine port of the country
Why it matters for exams: The renamed major ports are a favourite matching set, and Kolkata is the one port an examiner can describe as both the first major port and the only riverine port.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
Major Port — A port of India administered under central law rather than by the state government.
Riverine port — A port built on a river rather than on the open coast, so ships must sail upstream to reach it.
Background
The currency of Turkiye is the Turkish lira. Turkish lira banknotes are grouped into emission groups by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye. The Eighth Emission Group was put into circulation on 1 January 2005, printed for the decision to drop six zeros from the Turkish currency, and had 6 denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 New Turkish liras. The Council of Ministers was then authorised to remove the prefix "New" from the "New Turkish Lira" and the "New Kurus"; the measure was enacted upon promulgation in the Official Gazette of 5 May 2007 and took effect on 1 January 2009. The Ninth Emission Group banknotes were issued in 6 denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Turkish liras. The Central Bank's own Banknote Printing Plant began producing banknotes in 1958.
Currency:
Turkish lira
Eighth Emission Group in circulation from:
1 January 2005
Zeros dropped from the currency:
six
Prefix "New" removed with effect from:
1 January 2009
Ninth Emission Group denominations:
5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Turkish liras
Why it matters for exams: The name of a country's currency and the central bank that issues it are standard one-mark questions, and Turkey adds the extra hook of a currency that dropped six zeros and briefly carried the prefix New.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Emission group — A numbered family of banknotes issued by the Turkish central bank, each group replacing the design generation before it.
Kurus — The smaller currency unit named alongside the lira, which carried the prefix "New" until that prefix was removed with effect from 1 January 2009.
Denomination — The face value printed on a banknote, such as 200 Turkish liras.
13 October 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization opened its Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum with a record 20.16 billion US dollars in proposed agrifood investments.
The four-day event is part of the World Food Forum, a platform for transforming agrifood systems through youth, science and innovation, and investment.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said building resilience requires sustained investment in agrifood systems but too many opportunities are untapped because of high risks.
The proposed investments span staple crops, livestock, fisheries and high-value commodities such as coffee and cocoa.
The opening session featured a panel moderated by FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero with the agriculture ministers of Bhutan, Jordan, Mozambique and Tajikistan.
The Hand-in-Hand model brings together four pillars: governments, FAO, international financial institutions and private investors.
Proposed investments:
US$ 20.16 billion
FAO Director-General:
QU Dongyu
FAO Chief Economist:
Maximo Torero
Duration:
Four days
Why it matters for exams: FAO initiatives, their heads and headline investment figures are common in agriculture and international organisation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization — The UN specialised agency for food security and agriculture, headquartered in Rome.
Hand-in-Hand Initiative FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative — A country-led, data-driven FAO programme to identify and finance agrifood investment priorities.
13 October 2026
UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo said about 800 million young people entering the labour market in developing economies will not find jobs unless countries act.
Over the next 15 years, 1.2 billion young people will leave school for the labour market, and jobs are projected for only 400 million of them.
He spoke from Bangkok, where he was attending the World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings.
UNDP launched an Investment Accelerator to improve investment policies and build pipelines of investment-ready projects.
It also launched a Jobs for Prosperity Facility to identify job-rich sectors and align skills with employers' needs.
Both are backed by partnerships with the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Young people entering labour market (15 years):
1.2 billion
Projected jobs:
400 million
Without jobs:
800 million
Why it matters for exams: Demographic dividend, youth unemployment and UN development agencies are recurring economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
UNDP United Nations Development Programme — The UN's main development agency; it also publishes the Human Development Report.
EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development — A multilateral development bank founded in 1991, based in London.