16 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India's Bulletin Weekly Statistical Supplement puts India's total foreign exchange reserves as on October 9, 2026 at ₹70,22,417 crore, or US$ 726,027 million. Total reserves fell by US$ 8,578 million over the week. Foreign currency assets stood at US$ 597,605 million, down US$ 7,142 million over the week. Gold reserves were US$ 105,094 million, down US$ 1,319 million, and Special Drawing Rights were US$ 18,548 million. Against end-March 2026, total reserves were higher by US$ 34,920 million, and against the same week a year earlier they were higher by US$ 28,244 million. The Supplement also reports loans and advances to State Governments at ₹58,569 crore as on October 9, 2026. The data are provisional, and any difference is due to rounding off.
Total reserves:
US$ 726,027 million (₹70,22,417 crore) as on October 9, 2026
Weekly change:
down US$ 8,578 million
Foreign currency assets:
US$ 597,605 million
Gold:
US$ 105,094 million
SDRs:
US$ 18,548 million
Why it matters for exams: The four components of India's foreign exchange reserves and the weekly Reserve Bank release that reports them are a standing question in banking and economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
SDR Special Drawing Rights — An international reserve asset allocated to member countries, counted as one component of a country's foreign exchange reserves.
WSS Weekly Statistical Supplement — A weekly Reserve Bank publication carrying the central bank's balance sheet items and reserve data.
16 October 2026
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, released a decadal report on its foundation day. It says 37,74,524 patients were treated across its healthcare network between October 2016 and September 2026. About 30,37,077 of them were seen at the main Sarita Vihar campus in New Delhi, which handles roughly 3,000 outpatients a day and runs a 200-bed inpatient department. Affiliated and outreach centres accounted for about 7.37 lakh patients; these include a satellite centre in Goa, Safdarjung Hospital, UPSC Building, the National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar, the IAS training centre at Mussoorie and a centre at Kevadia, Ekta Nagar. Director Prof. (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati said patient numbers rose from about 1.23 lakh in 2020 to over 5.40 lakh by September 2026. AIIA is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Ayush.
Total patients:
37,74,524
Period:
October 2016 to September 2026
Main campus patients:
about 30,37,077
Inpatient beds:
200
Director:
Prof. (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati
Why it matters for exams: AIIA is the apex Ayush institute and its figures are quoted in questions on India's traditional medicine infrastructure.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
AIIA All India Institute of Ayurveda — An autonomous apex Ayurveda institute at Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, under the Ministry of Ayush.
Background
These figures sit behind the education and health notices the Union Territory Administration published in October 2026, including an interview notice from Government College, Daman.
The Administration's own profile of the Union Territory gives Daman a literacy rate of 88.06 per cent, Diu 83.46 per cent and Dadra and Nagar Haveli 76.2 per cent, with female literacy in Dadra and Nagar Haveli at 64.3 per cent.
The sex ratio is 1,031 in Diu, 774 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and 534 in Daman.
The child sex ratio is 926 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 897 in Daman and 929 in Diu.
Most of these population and literacy figures are drawn from the 2011 Census.
The profile lists Gujarati, Marathi, Portuguese and Hindi for all three districts, with Varli and Kokni additionally for Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Literacy, Daman:
88.06%
Literacy, Diu:
83.46%
Literacy, Dadra and Nagar Haveli:
76.2%
Sex ratio, Diu:
1,031
Why it matters for exams: A sex ratio above 1,000 in one district and far below it in the next, within one small Union Territory, is exactly the contrast an examiner uses.
UPSCSSC
In plain words
Sex ratio Sex ratio — The number of females per thousand males in a population.
Child sex ratio Child sex ratio — The number of girls per thousand boys in the age group 0 to 6 years.
Background
This geography underlies the notices the Union Territory Administration published in October 2026, which come from offices in Daman, Silvassa and Diu.
The Union Territory has three districts: Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli covers 491 sq. km, Daman 72.00 sq. km and Diu 40.00 sq. km.
Their populations are 343,709, 191,173 and 52,074 respectively, and their densities are 700, 2,655 and 1,302 persons per sq. km.
Each district has its own municipal council: Silvassa Municipal Council, Daman Municipal Council and Diu Municipal Council.
The Daman Ganga river is listed for all three districts, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli lies on the western side of the foothills of the Western Ghats with 204 sq. km of forest cover.
Area of Dadra and Nagar Haveli:
491 sq. km
Area of Daman:
72.00 sq. km
Area of Diu:
40.00 sq. km
Population of Dadra and Nagar Haveli:
343,709
Why it matters for exams: Areas, populations and densities of the three districts are the most quotable facts about this Union Territory.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Population density Population density — The number of persons living in each square kilometre of an area.
16 October 2026
Statistics South Africa's Quarterly Labour Force Survey put the official unemployment rate at 33.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, up 0.9 percentage points from 32.7 per cent in the first quarter.
The number of unemployed rose by 345,000 to 8.5 million, while employment fell by 16,000 to 16.7 million.
The labour force grew by 329,000, or 1.3 per cent.
Among those aged 15 to 34, the unemployment rate rose 1.5 percentage points to 47.4 per cent, with 5.0 million unemployed youth.
Trade added 70,000 jobs and construction 39,000, while community and social services lost 57,000 and mining 26,000.
The survey was released on 11 August 2026.
Official unemployment rate:
33.6 per cent
Previous quarter:
32.7 per cent
Unemployed persons:
8.5 million
Youth unemployment (15-34):
47.4 per cent
Why it matters for exams: South Africa has one of the world's highest recorded unemployment rates, and the QLFS is the survey examiners compare with India's PLFS.
UPSCBank
In plain words
QLFS Quarterly Labour Force Survey — Stats SA's household survey that measures employment and unemployment every quarter.
Discouraged job-seeker Discouraged work-seeker — Someone who wants work but has stopped looking because they believe no suitable job is available.
16 October 2026
The World Health Organization has published the second edition of its investment case, Funding a tuberculosis-free future, on screening and preventive treatment.
The document is a modelling study of the costs and benefits of tuberculosis screening together with tuberculosis preventive treatment.
It covers four countries: Brazil, Georgia, Kenya and South Africa.
It finds that relatively modest investments can achieve significant health and economic benefits in all four countries.
The return is up to 54 United States dollars for each dollar invested.
The investment case is meant to help countries seek more resources to scale up screening and preventive treatment towards the targets set by Heads of State at the 2023 United Nations High-Level Meeting on tuberculosis.
Return on investment:
up to US$ 54 for each dollar invested
Countries modelled:
Brazil, Georgia, Kenya and South Africa
Edition:
second edition
Why it matters for exams: Tuberculosis targets, preventive treatment and the 2023 United Nations High-Level Meeting are standard health-policy questions, and the return-on-investment figure is quotable.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TPT Tuberculosis preventive treatment — Medicine given to a person infected with tuberculosis bacteria but not yet ill, to stop the disease developing.
Investment case Investment case — A costed argument showing what a health intervention would cost and what it would return, used to seek funding.
16 October 2026
A working paper of the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that 29.4 per cent of abstracts of United States science, technology, engineering and mathematics doctoral dissertations filed from January to May 2026 contained artificial-intelligence-generated text.
Such text first appeared in 2023 at 1.7 per cent of abstracts and rose to 18.8 per cent in 2025.
Mathematical and computer sciences had the highest share at 36 per cent.
About 41 per cent of dissertations by graduates educated in non-English-speaking countries had AI-generated abstracts, against 23 per cent from English-speaking countries.
Among graduates who did their undergraduate studies in the United States, those with AI-generated abstracts were 17 per cent less likely to be employed in academia and 16 per cent more likely to be employed in industry.
The team analysed abstracts from more than 226,000 doctoral graduates between January 2019 and May 2026 using the detection service Pangram, and the paper has not been peer reviewed.
Share with AI-generated text, Jan to May 2026:
29.4 per cent
Share in 2023:
1.7 per cent
Highest field:
mathematical and computer sciences, 36 per cent
Dissertations analysed:
more than 226,000
Why it matters for exams: Academic integrity and the spread of generative artificial intelligence are live education-policy themes, and the figures here are the kind an examiner quotes.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NBER National Bureau of Economic Research — A United States research organisation whose working papers circulate findings before peer review.
STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — The group of academic disciplines often treated together in education and workforce policy.
16 October 2026
A report of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks shows a more than ninefold rise in patent filings for Ayush innovations.
Between 2014-15 and 2025-26 a total of 4,077 patent applications were filed and 711 patents granted.
Annual filings rose from 63 to 590, an increase of 836.5 per cent, with a peak of 606 in 2022-23.
From 2020-21 to 2025-26 there were 2,854 applications, which is 70 per cent of all filings, and 657 grants, which is 92.4 per cent of all grants.
Individuals filed 2,113 applications, or 51.9 per cent, and educational institutions filed 995; together they account for 76.3 per cent of filings.
Maharashtra leads the States with 744 filings and 142 grants.
Applications filed, 2014-15 to 2025-26:
4,077
Patents granted:
711
Growth in annual filings:
836.5 per cent
Leading State:
Maharashtra, 744 filings
Why it matters for exams: It links the Ayush systems with the intellectual property machinery, and examiners ask which office grants patents in India and under which ministry it sits.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ayush Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy — The group of traditional and non-allopathic medical systems administered by a separate Union ministry.
DPIIT Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade — The department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry under which the patent office works.
16 October 2026
The 121st issue of Sarvekshana, the bi-annual Journal of Official Statistics, was released by the National Statistical Systems Training Academy of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The journal disseminates research based on National Sample Survey data and other official statistics and is circulated among researchers, ministries and national and international institutions.
The issue carries three peer-reviewed technical papers.
They cover the impact of in-kind social transfers on the level of living of Indian households, the role of factory size in efficiency using Annual Survey of Industries 2022-23 data, and a simulation study on adopting PPS circular systematic sampling in the Annual Survey of Industries.
The issue also presents highlights of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2025 and the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2025, both covering January to December 2025.
Issue:
121st
Technical papers:
3
Surveys highlighted:
ASUSE 2025 and PLFS 2025
Why it matters for exams: Sarvekshana, NSSTA and the surveys MoSPI runs are regularly tested in statistics and economy sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
NSSTA National Statistical Systems Training Academy — The MoSPI academy that trains statistical personnel and publishes Sarvekshana.
ASUSE Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises — A survey of India's unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises.
Background
The Central Bank of Kuwait's main policy instrument is the discount rate, the rate at which it lends to local banks.
The Central Bank reduced the discount rate by 25 basis points from 3.75 per cent to 3.50 per cent, effective 11 December 2025, and it has stood at that level since.
The stated aim of the cut was to keep pace with developments in the local economy, stimulate economic activity and maintain the financial stability of banks and financial institutions.
The Central Bank said its indicators showed sustained relative stability of the Kuwaiti dinar exchange rate against major currencies and described the dinar as an attractive store of domestic savings.
It added that it would keep monitoring developments and use available monetary policy and macroprudential tools in a gradual and balanced approach.
The Kuwaiti dinar is among the world's highest-valued currencies.
Policy instrument:
Discount rate
Current level:
3.50 per cent
Size of the cut:
25 basis points
Why it matters for exams: Banking exams ask for the name of each central bank's policy rate, and Kuwait's is the discount rate rather than a repo rate.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Discount rate the Central Bank of Kuwait's policy lending rate — The rate at which the Central Bank lends to local banks, Kuwait's main policy rate.
16 October 2026
A new United Nations report finds that fewer than half of the national targets set to protect the world's plants, animals and ecosystems are on track.
It was launched in Yerevan, Armenia, days before countries gather there for the COP17 biodiversity conference.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed in Montreal in 2022, set out a goal of protecting at least 30 per cent of land, inland waters, coasts and oceans by 2030.
Even if current commitments are met, only 26 per cent of land and 12 per cent of the ocean would be protected by that deadline, the report finds.
Nearly 90 per cent of parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have set national targets and more than half have drawn up plans to deliver them, while more than 70 per cent have reported on results.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the launch that the war on nature has not yet ended, and that biodiversity must be part of every decision across policies, regulations and budgets.
Land protected by 2030 on current commitments:
26 per cent
Ocean protected by 2030 on current commitments:
12 per cent
COP17 venue:
Yerevan, Armenia
Why it matters for exams: The 30 by 2030 target, the Kunming-Montreal framework and the COP17 venue are examinable environment facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity — The 1992 treaty on conserving biodiversity and sharing the benefits of genetic resources.
16 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has released the Scheduled Banks' Statement of Position in India as on September 30, 2026. Total deposits of scheduled commercial banks stood at ₹28,395,692.65 crore and bank credit, excluding inter-bank advances, at ₹22,994,657.51 crore. For all scheduled banks taken together, deposits were ₹28,955,375.06 crore and bank credit ₹23,509,866.26 crore. The statement compares the position with the corresponding reporting Friday of the previous year, October 3, 2025, and with the previous fortnight ended September 15, 2026. The statement is compiled fortnightly from the returns that scheduled banks file with the Reserve Bank.
Deposits of scheduled commercial banks:
₹28,395,692.65 crore
Bank credit of scheduled commercial banks:
₹22,994,657.51 crore
Reporting date:
September 30, 2026
Why it matters for exams: Aggregate deposit and credit figures are the standard way banking questions test the size and growth of the Indian banking system.
UPSCSSCBank
In plain words
Scheduled bank A bank included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 — Such banks must meet capital and other conditions and can borrow from the Reserve Bank.
Background
A senior citizens care Bill has just gone before the Kerala Assembly and been sent to a subject committee, and these are the numbers and the existing law behind it.
Kerala's population aged 60 and above is projected at 18.7 per cent, against 11.4 per cent nationally.
Population projections cited in the State's Elderly Budget expect that group to double, from 4.2 million in 2011 to 8.4 million by 2036.
Over the same period the working-age share is projected to fall from 62 per cent to 59.5 per cent, so a smaller working-age base will support a larger dependent one.
The Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, which covered over 31,000 people aged 60 and above, found 52 per cent of Kerala's elderly living with two or more chronic conditions, against 23 per cent nationally.
It also found 91 per cent of those diagnosed with hypertension in the State were receiving treatment.
The central Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act already lets parents who cannot support themselves claim maintenance from their children, and lets States set up old age homes.
Himachal Pradesh enacted its own law on the maintenance of parents and dependants, and Tamil Nadu has prescribed minimum standards for old age homes run by voluntary organisations.
Share aged 60 and above in Kerala:
18.7%
All-India share aged 60 and above:
11.4%
Projected growth of the 60-plus group:
4.2 million in 2011 to 8.4 million by 2036
Working-age share:
62% falling to a projected 59.5% by 2036
Elderly with two or more chronic conditions:
52% in Kerala against 23% nationally (LASI)
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's demographic transition and the central maintenance law are asked together whenever a question turns to ageing and social security.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
LASI Longitudinal Ageing Study in India — A large national survey of people aged 60 and above and their health.
Dependency burden Load of dependents on the working-age population — The ratio of those outside working age to those within it.
15 October 2026
Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics released its Consumer Price Index report for September 2026 on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Headline inflation stood at 14.63 per cent year on year, against 15.39 per cent in August 2026 and 20.98 per cent in September 2025, a fall of 6.35 percentage points over the year. Month on month the headline rate was 0.06 per cent, down from 0.71 per cent in August. Food inflation was 19.59 per cent year on year, against 20.16 per cent in September 2025, and the month-on-month food rate was minus 1.55 per cent, against 1.02 per cent in August. Core inflation, which leaves out volatile farm produce and energy, was 12.95 per cent year on year with a month-on-month rate of 1.11 per cent. The Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau is Prince Adeyemi Adeniran.
Headline inflation, September 2026:
14.63 per cent
Headline inflation, August 2026:
15.39 per cent
Food inflation, year on year:
19.59 per cent
Core inflation, year on year:
12.95 per cent
Month-on-month headline rate:
0.06 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Country-focus questions regularly pair a nation's statistical agency with its latest inflation print, and Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics is the body named in such questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
NBS National Bureau of Statistics — Nigeria's official statistical agency, which compiles and publishes the Consumer Price Index.
CPI Consumer Price Index — An index of the prices of a basket of goods and services bought by households, used to measure inflation.
Background
The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises the former French establishments of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, which lie scattered in South India. It is a Union Territory with a legislature and extends over an area of 479 square kilometres. Its total population is 12,44,464 with a literacy rate of 86.55, as per the 2011 Census (Provisional). The main languages spoken are Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English and French. Puducherry town, the capital of the Territory and once the headquarters of the French in India, lies on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, bounded on the east by the sea and on the other three sides by Tamil Nadu.
Area:
479 sq km
Population (2011 Census, Provisional):
12,44,464
Literacy rate:
86.55
Four former French establishments:
Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam
Why it matters for exams: Area, population and literacy of Puducherry and its status as a Union Territory with a legislature are standard Kerala PSC and UPSC facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Union Territory with legislature UT having its own Legislative Assembly — A Union Territory that, unlike most, has an elected Assembly and a Council of Ministers.
15 October 2026
The World Health Organization has confirmed that Egypt remains the first country to hold gold tier status on the path to elimination of hepatitis C, after an assessment of its progress between 2023 and 2025. WHO first granted Egypt that status, stating that Egypt had become the first country to achieve gold tier status on the path to elimination of hepatitis C as per WHO criteria. Achieving the gold tier means a country has fulfilled the programmatic requirements that reduce new hepatitis C infections and deaths to levels that position it to end the epidemic. Egypt reduced the prevalence of hepatitis C from 10 percent to 0.38 percent in just over a decade. Its 100 million seha, or 100 million healthy lives, campaign resulted in the testing of over 60 million people and treatment of more than 4.1 million people, with a 99 percent cure rate among those treated. Locally manufactured direct-acting antiviral treatments were a key factor. Egypt established the National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis in 2006 to lead the national response.
Prevalence fall:
10% to 0.38%
People tested:
Over 60 million
People treated:
More than 4.1 million
Cure rate:
99 percent
National Committee set up:
2006
Why it matters for exams: Egypt's hepatitis C model and the WHO gold tier criterion are set in public health and reports questions in both PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Gold tier WHO gold tier status on the path to elimination — A WHO grade given when a country has met the programmatic requirements that cut new hepatitis C infections and deaths enough to end the epidemic.
DAA Direct-acting antiviral — A class of medicines that attacks the hepatitis C virus directly; Egypt manufactured them locally for its campaign.
15 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India released preliminary balance of payments data for August 2026 on 15 October 2026.
The current account recorded a net deficit of US$ 5.2 billion in August 2026, against US$ 6.1 billion in August 2025.
For April-August 2026, the cumulative current account deficit widened to US$ 18.3 billion from US$ 12.8 billion a year earlier.
Net merchandise trade showed a deficit of US$ 26.6 billion in August 2026.
Net services recorded a surplus of US$ 16.5 billion in the month.
The capital account recorded a net inflow of US$ 50.6 billion in August 2026, against US$ 0.5 billion in August 2025.
Current account deficit, August 2026:
US$ 5.2 billion
Cumulative deficit, April-August 2026:
US$ 18.3 billion
Net services surplus, August 2026:
US$ 16.5 billion
Why it matters for exams: Current account deficit figures and the distinction between current and capital accounts are core economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
BoP Balance of Payments — A statement of all economic transactions between residents of a country and the rest of the world.
15 October 2026
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin for September 2026 on 15 October 2026.
The unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above remained steady at 5.0 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points from September 2025.
The Labour Force Participation Rate was 55.5 per cent, against 55.6 per cent in August 2026.
Urban female labour force participation rose from 25.4 per cent to 25.9 per cent, its highest level since October 2025.
The Worker Population Ratio stood at 52.7 per cent, with urban WPR at 47.2 per cent.
The estimates are based on information collected from 3,70,513 persons.
Unemployment rate (15+):
5.0 per cent
Labour Force Participation Rate:
55.5 per cent
Worker Population Ratio:
52.7 per cent
Persons surveyed:
3,70,513
Why it matters for exams: PLFS indicators such as LFPR, WPR and the unemployment rate are directly asked in economy and statistics sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
LFPR Labour Force Participation Rate — The share of the population that is either working or seeking work.
CWS Current Weekly Status — A reference period of the seven days preceding the survey date.
15 October 2026
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released trade data for September 2026 on 15 October 2026.
India's total exports during April-September 2026-27 are estimated at US$ 476.20 billion, a growth of 13.84 per cent over US$ 418.31 billion a year earlier.
Total imports in the same period are estimated at US$ 551.13 billion, a growth of 15.68 per cent.
Merchandise exports in September 2026 were US$ 44.40 billion against US$ 36.08 billion in September 2025.
The services trade surplus for April-September 2026-27 is estimated at US$ 102.71 billion.
Exports of electronic goods grew 70.44 per cent, the fastest among major categories.
Total exports April-September 2026-27:
US$ 476.20 billion
Total imports April-September 2026-27:
US$ 551.13 billion
Trade balance:
-US$ 74.93 billion
Electronic goods export growth:
70.44 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Half-yearly trade figures and the trade deficit are standard economy questions in Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Merchandise trade Trade in physical goods — Trade in physical goods, as distinct from services trade.
15 October 2026
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index for September 2026 on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The index for all urban consumers rose 0.6 per cent for the month on a seasonally adjusted basis, after a 0.4 per cent rise in August.
Over the 12 months ending September the index rose 3.7 per cent before seasonal adjustment, up from 3.4 per cent in August.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 per cent for the month, the same as in August, and 2.6 per cent over the year.
The energy index rose 5.2 per cent for the month and 20.4 per cent over the year, with gasoline up 9.1 per cent for the month and 34.2 per cent over the year, while food was unchanged for the month and up 2.5 per cent over the year.
Monthly change:
0.6 per cent
12-month change:
3.7 per cent
All items less food and energy:
2.6 per cent over the year
Gasoline over the year:
34.2 per cent
Why it matters for exams: The split between headline and core inflation, and the role of energy, are standard questions on any inflation release.
UPSCBank
In plain words
CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers — The main United States consumer price measure, covering urban households.
Core inflation All items less food and energy — The price index with the most volatile items removed, used to read the underlying trend.