13 October 2026
The UAE Cabinet has approved a federal budget of Dh292.5 billion for 2027-2029, announced by Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on 12 October.
The 2027 annual budget is set at Dh90.1 billion.
Social development and social benefits take the largest share of the 2027 budget: Dh34.6 billion, or 38.4 per cent.
Government affairs receive Dh29.1 billion (32.3 per cent) and federal expenses Dh17.8 billion (19.7 per cent).
Sheikh Mohammed said the government's priorities remain education, health, housing, social services, quality of life and stability of the citizen.
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre said the economy grew 0.4 per cent to Dh961.9 billion in the first half of 2026.
Federal budget 2027-2029:
Dh292.5 billion
2027 annual budget:
Dh90.1 billion
Largest head (2027):
Social development: Dh34.6 billion (38.4 per cent)
Why it matters for exams: Federal budget size, its largest heads and who announced it are standard Gulf-economy questions, and the budget affects the Gulf jobs and remittances Kerala depends on.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Federal budget UAE federal government budget — It funds federal ministries and services, while each emirate keeps its own local budget.
FCSC Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre — The federal body that publishes UAE economic and statistical data.
Background
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
It was constituted under section 38 L (1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006.
The Minister in charge of the Ministry is the Chairperson and the Minister of State is Vice-Chairperson; three members of Parliament, the Secretary of the Ministry and other members sit on it.
It approves the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government and disallows ecologically unsustainable land use such as mining and industry within tiger reserves.
It may issue directions in writing to any person, officer or authority, who are bound to comply.
Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry that funds tiger range States for in-situ conservation in designated tiger reserves.
Legal basis:
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006
Constituted under:
Section 38 L (1)
Parent ministry:
Environment, Forests and Climate Change
Parliament members on the Authority:
3
Project Tiger:
Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Why it matters for exams: The NTCA's legal basis and powers, and the nature of Project Tiger, are recurring environment and governance questions in UPSC and PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Section 38 O Powers and functions of the Authority — It lets the Authority approve tiger conservation plans and issue binding written directions.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme Scheme funded with central support and run by States — Project Tiger is one, funding tiger range States.
Background
The district records say Kannur witnessed one of the longest and bloodiest resistance to British rule in India.
The revolt led by Pazhassi Raja in the 1792–1806 period kept a large part of the district in a state of war.
Payyannur was the main venue of the Salt Satyagraha in Malabar.
On 13 April 1930, a batch of Congress volunteers under the leadership of K. Kelappan started on foot from Kozhikode to the beaches of Payyannur and broke the salt laws there on April 21.
The Indian National Congress established a Malabar District committee in 1908, and a branch of the Communist Party of India was formally established at Pinarayi by the end of 1939.
St. Angelo Fort, about 3 km from Kannur town, was built in 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India; the Dutch captured it in 1663 and the British conquered it in 1790.
Pazhassi Raja revolt:
1792–1806
Payyannur march began:
13 April 1930
Salt law broken at Payyannur:
21 April
March led by:
K. Kelappan
St. Angelo Fort built:
1505
Why it matters for exams: Malabar's role in the freedom movement, the Pazhassi revolt and the Payyannur Salt Satyagraha are standard Kerala PSC history topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Salt Satyagraha Civil disobedience against the salt laws — At Payyannur, Congress volunteers broke the salt laws on April 21.
Pazhassi Raja Leader of the 1792–1806 revolt — His revolt kept a large part of Kannur district in a state of war.
Background
Pathanamthitta District, the thirteenth revenue district of Kerala, was formed with effect from the 1st November, 1982 vide G.O. (M.S) No.1026/82/RD dated 29.10.1982, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta.
It was carved out of the erstwhile Alleppey, Quilon and Idukki Districts and comprised 54 villages at formation.
The North Pamba Valley area and the area around Sabarimala Sannidhanam in Mlappara Village of Peerumade Taluk of the erstwhile Idukki District were included in its jurisdiction.
Taluk and divisional boundaries were notified vide G.O.(P) No.652/83/RD dated the 9th June, 1983: five Taluks, Thiruvalla, Mallappally, Ranni, Kozhenchery and Adoor, and two Revenue Divisions, Adoor and Thiruvalla.
Kozhenchery is the only Taluk whose headquarters, Pathanamthitta, differs from its Taluk name.
The district page explains that Pathanamthitta combines Pathanam and Thitta, which mean an array of houses on the river side.
Order of formation:
13th revenue district
Formed with effect from:
1 November 1982
Villages at formation:
54
Taluks notified:
5
Revenue Divisions:
Adoor and Thiruvalla
Why it matters for exams: District formation dates, parent districts and the Sabarimala link are frequent Kerala PSC questions on the state's districts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
G.O. (M.S) Government Order (Manuscript) — The Government Order that formed the district bears number 1026/82/RD.
Sabarimala Sannidhanam Sabarimala temple precinct — The area around it, in Mlappara Village of Peerumade Taluk, was transferred from the erstwhile Idukki District.
Background
Kozhikode district has a total area of 2344 Sq.Kms, which accounts for six percentage of the total area of the state.
Of this, 2004 Sq. Kms are rural area and 340 Sq. Kms urban.
The district consists of 2 revenue divisions (Vadakara and Kozhikode), 4 Taluks, 12 Blocks, 70 panchayats and 118 villages.
The four taluks are Kozhikode, Vadakara, Koyilandy and Thamarassery.
It has 7 municipalities and 1 corporation, Kozhikode.
The district comprises two parliamentary constituencies and 13 assembly constituencies; the 2011 census put its population at 30,86,293.
Area:
2344 sq km
Taluks:
4
Panchayats:
70
Villages:
118
Assembly constituencies:
13
Why it matters for exams: District-level administrative counts, with area, taluks and constituencies, are a staple of Kerala PSC general knowledge papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Taluk Sub-division of a district — A taluk groups villages within a district; Kozhikode has four of them.
Revenue division Group of taluks in a district — Kozhikode district has two revenue divisions, Vadakara and Kozhikode.
Background
The Knesset adopted Basic Law: Israel as the Nation State of the Jewish People by 62 votes to 55 on 19 July 2018.
The law says the right to exercise national self-determination in Israel is unique to the Jewish people.
It singles out Hebrew as the state's language; Arabic, recognised for decades as an official language alongside Hebrew, is given a 'special status'.
The law also describes Jerusalem, 'complete and united', as the capital of Israel.
On 8 July 2021 Israel's Supreme Court upheld the law, saying it did not negate Israel's democratic character, Al Jazeera reported.
The Supreme Court is again at the centre of Knesset election news in October 2026.
Law:
Basic Law: Israel as the Nation State of the Jewish People
Passed:
19 July 2018, by 62 votes to 55
Status of Arabic:
'Special status'
Upheld by Supreme Court:
8 July 2021
Why it matters for exams: Basic Laws, official languages and judicial review of constitutional-type laws are common country-profile and polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Basic Law a law of constitutional character passed by the Knesset — The Nation-State Law is one of Israel's Basic Laws.
Self-determination a people's right to decide its own political status — The law says Israel's national self-determination is unique to the Jewish people.
13 October 2026
On 16 September 2026 Israel and Morocco agreed to upgrade their diplomatic ties, raising their missions to embassies and appointing ambassadors to both countries.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met in New York at a meeting hosted by US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
They agreed to conclude two agreements by the end of 2026, one on investment protection and one on preventing double taxation.
They also agreed to expand air travel, including direct flights operated by carriers of both nations, and confirmed plans for high-level visits in the coming months.
The announcement came a day after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords; Al Jazeera notes that the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and Kazakhstan have joined them.
Date of agreement:
16 September 2026
Venue:
New York
Foreign ministers:
Gideon Sa'ar and Nasser Bourita
Agreements due:
Investment protection and double taxation, by end of 2026
Why it matters for exams: Diplomatic upgrades and the Abraham Accords are recurring West Asia and international-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Abraham Accords US-backed agreements to normalise ties between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority states — The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and Kazakhstan have joined.
Double taxation agreement a treaty that stops the same income being taxed in two countries — Israel and Morocco aim to conclude one by the end of 2026.
Background
In Israel the President is the head of state and the Prime Minister leads the government.
The BBC describes the presidency as a largely ceremonial post, notionally above party politics.
Israel's parliament elected Isaac Herzog to the post in 2021.
Benjamin Netanyahu, chairman of the Likud party, is Prime Minister.
No party has ever won an outright majority, so coalition-building is central; after an election the President asks the politician best placed to form a government to assemble a coalition, Al Jazeera explains.
The next Knesset election is on 27 October 2026.
President:
Isaac Herzog
Prime Minister:
Benjamin Netanyahu
Herzog elected by:
Parliament, in 2021
Role of the President:
Largely ceremonial
Why it matters for exams: Head of state versus head of government, and who invites a leader to form a government, are standard country-profile and polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Head of state the office that represents the country as a whole — In Israel this is the President, a largely ceremonial post.
Coalition an alliance of parties that together command a majority — No party has ever won an outright majority in Israel.
13 October 2026
On 2 October 2026 Israel's Supreme Court overturned the Central Elections Committee's disqualification of the two main Arab-majority lists, Ra'am (the United Arab List) and the Joint List, an alliance of Hadash, Ta'al and Balad.
Al Jazeera reports that the justices ruled unanimously on the two lists.
The court also voted 7-2 to reinstate Ofer Cassif, a Hadash member of the Knesset; two of the nine justices opposed that decision.
Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew from the race after the court told him that a majority of the nine justices favoured disqualifying him.
Deutsche Welle explains that under Israel's Basic Law a candidate or party can be barred for negating the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, for incitement to racism, or for support for armed struggle by a hostile state or a terrorist organisation.
Arab citizens make up around one fifth of Israel's population; the Knesset election is on 27 October 2026.
Ruling date:
2 October 2026
Lists allowed to run:
Ra'am and the Joint List
Vote to reinstate Ofer Cassif:
7-2
Knesset election:
27 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Judicial review of electoral decisions, the Central Elections Committee and the Basic Law grounds for disqualification are staple polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Central Elections Committee the panel that decides whether lists and candidates may stand in Knesset elections — Its disqualification of two Arab lists was overturned by the Supreme Court.
Joint List an alliance of the Hadash, Ta'al and Balad parties — It is one of the two Arab-majority lists the court allowed to run.
Basic Law a law of constitutional character passed by the Knesset — It sets the grounds on which a candidate or party can be barred from a Knesset election.
13 October 2026
The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA) has directed pharmacies operating from hospitals across the state to display price lists showing the actual purchase and sale rates of medicines from 1 November 2026, reported in early October 2026.
The move follows inspections of more than 200 pharmacies in 22 medical colleges and 30 government and private hospitals.
The inspections found MRPs as high as 67 times the price at which hospitals procure the medicines.
UPFSDA Commissioner and Secretary Roshan Jacob has written to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), seeking a review of trade margins and MRP fixation.
Retail pharmacies must also create public websites showing their licence number, appointed pharmacist, licensed premises and stock details, updated weekly.
The department pointed to the cost-plus model followed in some government medical colleges, where patients are charged on actual procurement cost rather than the printed MRP.
Price display starts:
1 November 2026
Pharmacies inspected:
more than 200
Medical colleges / hospitals covered:
22 / 30
Highest gap found:
67 times the procurement price
Regulator written to:
NPPA
Why it matters for exams: Drug price regulation, MRP and the role of the NPPA are standard health-policy and governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MRP Maximum Retail Price — The highest price at which a packaged product may be sold to a consumer, printed on the pack.
NPPA National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority — The national regulator for drug pricing.
13 October 2026
The New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida Authority) has drawn up a plan to develop 'New Noida' over around 20,000 hectares, reported in October 2026.
CEO Krishna Karunesh said land availability in the existing urban area has become limited; about 90 per cent of the present area, nearly 20,000 hectares in 168 sectors, is already developed.
Land acquisition for New Noida is expected to begin soon in phases.
The authority has set a target of 500,000-600,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030.
Around 120 projects worth nearly ₹35,000 crore are expected to be grounded at the fifth ground-breaking ceremony (GBC), covering data centres, electronics, commercial real estate, logistics and institutional development.
Three Metro corridors are proposed, and the state government is working on policy options for an additional floor area ratio (FAR) in existing Noida, which was established in 1976 as an industrial township near Delhi.
Planned area:
around 20,000 hectares
Jobs target by 2030:
500,000-600,000
Projects at fifth GBC:
around 120 projects, nearly ₹35,000 crore
Existing Noida:
168 sectors, about 90 per cent developed
Noida established:
1976
Why it matters for exams: Urban planning, industrial townships and development authorities are recurring topics in economy and governance papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Noida Authority New Okhla Industrial Development Authority — The development authority that plans and allots land in Noida.
FAR Floor Area Ratio — The ratio of total built-up floor area to plot area; a higher FAR permits taller construction.
13 October 2026
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transferred ₹493 crore in crop-loss assistance to the bank accounts of 9,18,091 farmers hit by floods, excessive rainfall, hailstorms and cyclones, at an event in Gorakhpur reported on 13 October 2026.
The money goes directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), with no middlemen in the disbursement.
Families whose houses were damaged get an additional ₹1.20 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, separate from the ₹493 crore.
For loss of human life, instructions have been issued to give ₹4 lakh to the family within 24 hours.
Procurement centres for paddy and coarse grains such as jowar, bajra and maize will open from 15 October in districts hit by excessive rain and waterlogging.
The Chief Minister said nearly ₹1,000 crore has already been given to disaster-affected farmers and citizens this monsoon season.
Crop-loss assistance:
₹493 crore
Farmers covered:
9,18,091
Extra housing aid (Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana):
₹1.20 lakh
Aid on loss of life:
₹4 lakh within 24 hours
Paid out this monsoon:
nearly ₹1,000 crore
Why it matters for exams: State disaster-relief schemes, Direct Benefit Transfer and crop-loss compensation are standard questions in governance and agriculture papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DBT Direct Benefit Transfer — Government benefits paid straight into the beneficiary's bank account, cutting out middlemen.
13 October 2026
The UN Security Council met on Colombia on 12 October 2026, where the UK Permanent Representative, Dame Sarah MacIntosh, delivered a statement.
She said thirteen peace signatories have been killed so far in 2026.
She said more than 11,000 former combatants remain demobilized, enrolled in reintegration programs and committed to the Peace Agreement.
As the Agreement approaches its 10th anniversary, she said the next five years, the final five years, will be critical.
She called the UN Verification Mission an essential tool for sustaining peace in Colombia.
The UK said it looks forward to presenting a draft resolution to the Council which would renew the mandate of the Mission.
Meeting date:
12 October 2026
Peace signatories killed in 2026:
thirteen
Former combatants still committed:
more than 11,000
Peace Agreement:
approaching its 10th anniversary
Why it matters for exams: UN Security Council meetings, UN missions and peace agreements such as Colombia's are standard world-affairs topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UN Verification Mission UN Verification Mission in Colombia — The UN mission whose mandate the UK plans to renew through a draft resolution.
Demobilization Disarming and standing down armed fighters — Here, former combatants who have left armed groups and joined reintegration programs.
13 October 2026
On 12 October 2026 the Foreign Ministers of 34 countries - Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States - and the High Representative of the European Union issued a joint statement on Iran, published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as regarding RAF Fairford and Iran state threats.
They condemn in the strongest terms Iran's use of violent attacks, including acts of lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks and other hybrid activities.
They recognise the United Kingdom's attribution of Iran's involvement in the incident at RAF Fairford on 27 September.
The UK has also concluded the incident demonstrates the IRGC's continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond its borders through covert networks and proxy actors.
The statement follows a recent campaign of attacks across Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and U.S. interests, claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI).
Iran has denied any responsibility for the Fairford incident; its ambassador to the UK told UK officials on 12 October that Tehran "categorically rejected" the allegations and is willing to cooperate with the investigation, according to Al Jazeera.
Statement date:
12 October 2026
Incident cited:
RAF Fairford, 27 September
Group claiming recent attacks:
HAYI
Published by:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Why it matters for exams: Joint statements by groups of states, and names such as the IRGC, are typical world-affairs and security questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IRGC Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — An Iranian force the UK says projects hostile activity abroad through covert networks and proxy actors.
HAYI Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya — The group that claimed the recent campaign of attacks across Europe named in the statement.
13 October 2026
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday 11 October 2026 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacks on each other's energy infrastructure.
His social media post read: "Effective immediately, there is an energy ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it."
He provided no details on its duration, how it would be enforced or which sites would be covered.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Axios he was not aware of any ceasefire and that the announcement was news to him, but that if Russia agrees to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree.
On 12 October Trump repeated that both sides had agreed. Zelenskyy said Ukraine supports an energy ceasefire and that Russian forces had struck at least six Ukrainian energy facilities since the announcement.
Al Jazeera reported that Russia has rejected any pause in fighting; Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said of Zelenskyy: "I do not think he deserves a respite."
Zelenskyy also offered to organise elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day halt in fighting.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen backed Zelenskyy's call for a ceasefire that would protect global food supplies and energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia.
Announced:
Sunday 11 October 2026
Announced by:
US President Donald Trump
Zelenskyy's election offer:
against a 60-day halt in fighting
Duration and enforcement:
not specified
Russia's response:
Rejected any pause in fighting, per Al Jazeera (13 October)
Why it matters for exams: Ceasefire announcements in the Russia-Ukraine war, and who announced and who confirmed them, are recurring world-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Energy ceasefire Halt on attacks on energy infrastructure — A limited truce covering power and fuel facilities rather than the whole front.
Axios US news outlet — The outlet that interviewed Zelenskyy about the announcement.
13 October 2026
Authorities in Pakistan announced a state of emergency in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday 11 October 2026.
It was invoked on Sunday under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, which deal with security, and effectively suspends the provincial government run by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the recommendations of the cabinet, which met under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Prime Minister's office cited the provincial government's "deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism".
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the provincial governor will take charge with an advisory council, initially for six months.
PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was arrested along with the party's president in the province; PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari called the move "more of a coup disguised as emergency".
Date announced:
Sunday 11 October 2026
Province:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Initial duration:
six months
Province administered by:
Governor with an advisory council
Why it matters for exams: Exams ask about changes of government and emergency provisions in neighbouring and world countries, and how a federal state treats a provincial government.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PTI Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf — The party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, which runs the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
State of emergency Constitutional emergency provisions — Here invoked under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan's Constitution, which deal with security.
13 October 2026
Ülle Madise took the oath of office as President of the Republic before the Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, on 12 October 2026.
Her oath includes the pledge to steadfastly defend the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Estonia.
Outgoing President Alar Karis placed the presidential chain of office, featuring the national coat of arms, around her neck.
Afterwards the two presidents signed the Riigikogu guestbook in the White Hall of Toompea Castle.
The Riigikogu had elected Madise on 2 September 2026 in the first round of voting, with 71 votes in favour.
Oath taken:
12 October 2026
Elected on:
2 September 2026
Votes in favour (first round):
71
Predecessor:
Alar Karis
Why it matters for exams: Changes of head of state and how presidents are chosen and sworn in are routine world-affairs questions; Estonia is an EU and NATO member.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Riigikogu Parliament of Estonia — The Estonian parliament, which elected Madise and received her oath.
Toompea Castle Seat of the Riigikogu in Tallinn — The castle where the presidents signed the Riigikogu guestbook after the ceremony.
13 October 2026
On Tuesday, 13 October 2026, the Supreme Court asked the Delhi government to obtain inputs from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on whether Jagtar Singh Hawara can be transferred from Tihar Jail in Delhi to a prison in Punjab. Hawara is serving a life sentence after being convicted in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B Varale heard his plea, filed primarily to enable him to meet his elderly mother. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, for the Delhi government, told the Court that a decision of this kind cannot be taken without IB inputs, relying on a Ministry of Home Affairs advisory on the transfer of high-risk prisoners between states, which provides for consultation with intelligence agencies; the Punjab government has filed an affidavit opposing the transfer. The Court said it would consider the request after the IB's assessment of the security and law-and-order implications, noting the Punjab government's objections. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves appeared for Hawara. The matter will be heard next on 3 November.
Convict:
Jagtar Singh Hawara
Case:
1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh
Present prison:
Tihar Jail, Delhi
Bench:
Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale
Why it matters for exams: Prisoner transfers between states, the role of the Intelligence Bureau and the Supreme Court's approach to security concerns are current-affairs and polity material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IB Intelligence Bureau — The agency whose inputs on the security and law-and-order effects of the transfer the Delhi government was asked to obtain.
ASG Additional Solicitor General — A senior law officer of the Union who appeared for the Delhi government.
13 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. He said, 'India does not grow at anyone's expense. We grow with the world and for the world.' Calling India the 'mother of democracy', he cited more than 100 languages, around 80,000 registered newspapers and publications, and over 1,000 satellite television channels. He said India's renewable energy capacity has reached approximately 300 gigawatts (GW), up from about 75 GW in 2014, or nearly four times more capacity. The Prime Minister said India's target of sourcing 40 per cent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 was achieved in November 2021, nine years ahead of schedule, and that India became the first G20 nation to do so. Business Standard reports that India's non-fossil power capacity, including nuclear power and large hydropower, stood at 304 GW at the end of August 2026, and that the remarks come ahead of the COP31 climate summit next month in Antalya, Turkey.
Renewable energy capacity:
Around 300 gigawatts (GW)
Non-fossil capacity, end of August 2026 (as reported by Business Standard):
304 GW
Pledge met:
40 per cent non-fossil installed capacity, nine years ahead of 2030, as stated by the Prime Minister
Registered newspapers and publications:
Around 80,000
Why it matters for exams: Headline energy and economy figures cited in the Prime Minister's address, and the climate-summit calendar, are frequent current-affairs questions.
UPSCSSCBank
In plain words
G20 Group of Twenty — The forum of major economies; the Prime Minister said India was the first member to meet its 40 per cent non-fossil pledge.
COP31 31st Conference of the Parties — The climate summit due next month in Antalya, Turkey.
13 October 2026
The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme 2026, notified on 29 June 2026, carries a transitional Amnesty for Provident Fund (PF) trusts. It offers a one-time chance to regularise, with retrospective effect, the exempt status of PF trusts recognised under the Income Tax Act, 1961 but lacking a formal exemption order under section 17 of the EPF&MP Act, 1952 or section 143 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The window runs for six months from notification and expires on 28 December 2026; operational guidelines were issued in a circular of 11 July 2026. Benefits include waivers of Code on Social Security requirements such as minimum employee headcount, corpus size and the 3-year compliance rule. After regularisation, establishments may comply either as exempt or as unexempt. EPFO is also coordinating with the Income Tax Department on data sharing to bring non-compliant trusts into the framework.
EPF Scheme 2026 notified:
29 June 2026
Amnesty window:
Six months, expiring 28 December 2026
Operational circular:
11 July 2026
Eligible trusts:
Income Tax-recognised PF trusts without a formal exemption order
Why it matters for exams: Social-security schemes, their deadlines and the statutes behind them (EPF&MP Act, Code on Social Security) are common in economy and governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
EPFO Employees' Provident Fund Organisation — The body urging eligible establishments to apply before the deadline.
Exempt establishment PF trust with an exemption order — An establishment that manages its own provident fund through a recognised trust under an exemption order.