Why in News?

The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026 between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) concluded successfully. Indian Naval Ship INS Sahyadri departed Vladivostok, Russia, on 20 October 2026 following the exercise.

Key Highlights

• Participating Navies: Indian Navy and Russian Federation Navy.

• Location: Vladivostok, Russian Federation.

• Two Phases: The exercise comprised the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.

• Harbour Phase: Included senior-level interactions, cross-deck visits, expert exchanges, operational coordination activities, sports and cultural events.

• Sea Phase: Featured coordinated manoeuvring, integrated communications, helicopter operations and medical evacuation drills.

• Operational Cooperation: The exercise enhanced communication, coordination and interoperability between the two navies.

Significance

INDRA 2026 reinforces the longstanding defence and maritime partnership between India and Russia. The exercise promotes naval interoperability, professional cooperation and mutual understanding while contributing to maritime security and a stable maritime environment.

Why in News?

The Indian Navy’s INS Trishul concluded its port call at Lisbon, Portugal, on 21 October aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and operational coordination between the Indian and Portuguese navies.

Key Highlights

Professional Engagement: The visit facilitated knowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practices between the two navies.

Diplomatic Engagement: India’s Ambassador to Portugal visited the ship and interacted with its officers and crew.

Cultural Exchange: An onboard event brought together Portuguese and Brazilian naval officers, diplomats, members of the Indian diaspora and other dignitaries.

Overseas Deployment: The port call formed part of INS Trishul’s overseas deployment, promoting professional engagement and friendly relations with maritime partners.

Significance

The visit reinforces India–Portugal maritime relations through naval diplomacy, professional cooperation and cultural exchange.

Why in News?

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the corporate office of Sagar Mala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) at the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), New Delhi.

What is Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL)?

• SMFCL is India's first dedicated Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in the maritime sector.

• SMFCL is a specialized financial institution established to provide long-term financial support to India's maritime sector.

• It aims to strengthen maritime infrastructure, promote shipbuilding, and support port-led economic development.

India's Maritime Vision 2047: SMFCL plays an important role in achieving the objectives of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to transform India into a leading global maritime nation.

The initiative focuses on developing world-class ports, strengthening shipbuilding, improving coastal connectivity, and increasing India's participation in global maritime trade.

About NBFCs

• Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are financial institutions that offer many banking-like services, but they are not banks.

• They are registered under the Companies Act, 1956/2013, and are mainly regulated by the RBI. While banks are the core of India's formal financial system, NBFCs have become important for giving credit to underserved sectors, offering niche financial products and promoting financial inclusion, especially for people and areas not fully served by traditional banks.

• The deposit insurance facility of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is not available to the depositors of deposit-taking NBFCs.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India:

1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits. 

1. All the NBFCs operating in India have to be registered with the RBI. 

2. NBFCs form part of the payment and settlement system and can issue a check drawn on themselves.

3. The deposit insurance facility of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is not available to the depositors of deposit-taking NBFCs.  

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

a. 1 and 4 

b. 1, 2, and 3 

c. 4 only 

d. 2, 3, and 4

Why in News?

The 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 was recently held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on the theme "Powering the Global South." This is the first time the conference has been hosted in the Global South, and India is the first country in the region to host it.

Agrivoltaics: It means using the same land for both farming and solar power generation, so agriculture and electricity production happen together.

Organizer: Hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), with support from Germany’s BMUV Ministry, in partnership with Conexio-PSE.

Objective: To increase farmers' income, use land more efficiently, promote clean energy, and make agriculture more climate resilient.

Startup Innovation: The Agrivoltaics Pitch Hub gave startups a platform to showcase their technologies and connect with investors.

Knowledge Resources: India Agrivoltaics Alliance's Decision-Making Tool, IWMI's Book of Abstracts, and MNRE's AgriPV Policy Handbook were released.

Annadatas to Urjadatas: It aims to turn farmers from only food providers (Annadatas) into clean energy producers (Urjadatas), creating extra income.

PM-KUSUM Linkage: The government plans to launch a major agrivoltaics program under the next phase of PM-KUSUM so farmers can generate solar power along with farming.

India's Potential: India's agrivoltaic potential is estimated at 3,000 GW to nearly 14,000 GW, with Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, MP, Karnataka, and UP as high-potential states.

चर्चा में क्यों है FSDC?

1. हाल ही में भारत की वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण ने वित्तीय स्थिरता एवं विकास परिषद (Financial Stability and Development Council—FSDC) की 30वीं बैठक की अध्यक्षता की। इस बैठक में भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक (RBI) के गवर्नर तथा अन्य वित्तीय नियामकों के प्रतिनिधियों ने हिस्सा लिया।

2. बैठक में वैश्विक और घरेलू आर्थिक परिस्थितियों से उत्पन्न जोखिमों की समीक्षा की गई।

वर्तमान वैश्विक आर्थिक व्यवस्था में कई कारक भारत की वित्तीय स्थिरता को प्रभावित कर सकते हैं:

• भू-राजनीतिक तनाव और अंतरराष्ट्रीय संघर्ष।

• वैश्विक ब्याज दरों में बदलाव।

• अंतरराष्ट्रीय बॉन्ड यील्ड में वृद्धि।

• वित्तीय बाजारों में अस्थिरता।

• AI से जुड़े नए आर्थिक और वित्तीय जोखिम।

नोट: अंतरराष्ट्रीय बॉन्ड यील्ड में वृद्धि के सन्दर्भ में माना जाए कि यदि अमेरिकी बॉन्ड की यील्ड बढ़ जाती है तो ऐसी स्थिति में कुछ विदेशी निवेशक भारत जैसे उभरते बाजारों से पैसा निकालकर अमेरिकी बॉन्ड में निवेश करना अधिक आकर्षक समझ सकते हैं। बॉन्ड यील्ड का अर्थ होता है बॉन्ड की मौजूदा बाजार कीमत के मुकाबले उससे मिलने वाला प्रतिफल।

FSDC क्या है?

FSDC का पूरा नाम Financial Stability and Development Council है। हिंदी में इसे वित्तीय स्थिरता एवं विकास परिषद कहा जाता है।

यह भारत सरकार की एक शीर्ष-स्तरीय संस्था है, जिसका उद्देश्य देश की वित्तीय प्रणाली को स्थिर बनाए रखना, वित्तीय क्षेत्र के विकास को बढ़ावा देना तथा विभिन्न वित्तीय नियामकों के बीच समन्वय स्थापित करना है।

FSDC की स्थापना

• स्थापना: दिसंबर 2010

• अध्यक्ष: केंद्रीय वित्त मंत्री

• प्रमुख उद्देश्य: वित्तीय स्थिरता और वित्तीय क्षेत्र के नियमन में समन्वय

• प्रशासनिक सहयोग: वित्त मंत्रालय का आर्थिक कार्य विभाग (Department of Economic Affairs—DEA)

अभ्यास प्रश्न

'फाइनेंशियल स्टेबिलिटी एंड डेवलपमेंट काउंसिल' के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. यह नीति आयोग का एक अंग है। 

2. संघ का वित्त मंत्री इसका प्रमुख होता है।

3. यह अर्थव्यवस्था के समष्टि सविवेक (मैक्रो प्रूडेंशियल) पर्यवेक्षण का अनुवीक्षण करता है।

ऊपर दिए गए कथनों में से कौन सा/से सही है/हैं?

a. केवल 1 और 2

b. केवल 3

c. केवल 2 और 3

d. 1, 2 और 3 (IAS Pre 2016)

चर्चा में क्यों ?

23 अक्टूबर को राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मू छत्तीसगढ़ के जगदलपुर में आयोजित बस्तर दशहरा के पारंपरिक ‘मुरिया दरबार’ में शामिल हुईं.

महत्त्वपूर्ण पक्ष:

1. मुरिया दरबार बस्तर दशहरा का एक पारंपरिक जनसभा आयोजन है, जिसमें बस्तर क्षेत्र के जनजातीय प्रतिनिधि, पारंपरिक मुखिया, ग्रामीण समुदायों के प्रतिनिधि और प्रशासन से जुड़े लोग शामिल होते हैं। इसकी पहली दर्ज शुरुआत 1876 में मानी जाती है।

2. ऐतिहासिक रूप से, इस सभा में स्थानीय समुदाय अपनी समस्याएँ, शिकायतें और माँगें तत्कालीन बस्तर शासक के सामने रखते थे। वर्तमान समय में प्रशासनिक अधिकारी समुदायों की समस्याओं को सुनने और उनके समाधान की दिशा में कार्य करने की भूमिका निभाते हैं।

3. इस आयोजन में पारंपरिक पदाधिकारी, जैसे मांझी और मुखिया, समुदायों की समस्याओं और सामाजिक मामलों को सामने रखने में भूमिका निभाते हैं। समय के साथ शासन-व्यवस्था में बदलाव आया है, लेकिन पारंपरिक नेतृत्व की सांस्कृतिक भूमिका बनी हुई है।

मुरिया के बारे में

• मुरिया छत्तीसगढ़ के बस्तर क्षेत्र में रहने वाला एक प्रमुख आदिवासी समुदाय है। इसे गोंड समुदाय की एक प्रमुख उपशाखा के रूप में भी वर्णित किया जाता है। ‘मुरिया’ शब्द की उत्पत्ति के बारे में एक मत यह है कि हल्बी भाषा में ‘मुर’ का संबंध मूल या प्रारंभ से है। हालाँकि, इस शब्द की व्युत्पत्ति के बारे में अलग-अलग मत मिलते हैं।

चर्चा में क्यों?

न्यूयॉर्क सिटी काउंसिल ने 22 अक्टूबर को Romanch’s Law पारित किया है। इस कानून का मकसद न्यूयॉर्क शहर में घोड़ों द्वारा खींची जाने वाली पर्यटक गाड़ियों की परंपरा को समाप्त करना है।

इसके तहत 1 जून 2028 से ऐसी गाड़ियों का संचालन बंद करने की योजना है। यह फैसला पशु कल्याण, सार्वजनिक सुरक्षा, पर्यटन और श्रमिकों के रोजगार से जुड़ा एक महत्त्वपूर्ण उदाहरण है।

इस कानून का नाम Romanch’s Law क्यों रखा गया?

• इस कानून का नाम 18 वर्षीय भारतीय पर्यटक रोमांच महाजन (Romanch Mahajan) की याद में रखा गया है।

• इसी साल जून में न्यूयॉर्क के Central Park में एक घोड़ा अचानक बेकाबू हो गया। इस घटना में रोमांच महाजन गाड़ी से गिर गए और उनकी मृत्यु हो गई। इस दुर्घटना ने घोड़ों से खींची जाने वाली पर्यटक गाड़ियों की सुरक्षा पर चल रही बहस को और तेज कर दिया।

• इसके बाद इस कारोबार को समाप्त करने के लिए राजनीतिक और सामाजिक समर्थन बढ़ा तथा पहले से चल रहे विधायी प्रयास को Romanch’s Law के रूप में आगे बढ़ाया गया।

इस कानून की आवश्यकता क्यों पड़ी?

1. सार्वजनिक सुरक्षा

Central Park में पैदल चलने वालों, साइकिल चालकों और अन्य वाहनों की बढ़ती आवाजाही के कारण घोड़ों से चलने वाली गाड़ियों के साथ दुर्घटनाओं का जोखिम बढ़ता है। घोड़े के अचानक बेकाबू होने पर यात्रियों और राहगीरों की जान खतरे में पड़ सकती है।

2. पशु कल्याण (Animal Welfare)

गर्मी, ठंड, भारी यातायात और लगातार काम करने जैसी परिस्थितियाँ घोड़ों के स्वास्थ्य तथा आराम को प्रभावित कर सकती हैं। पशु अधिकार संगठनों ने लंबे समय से इस उद्योग की कार्यप्रणाली पर सवाल उठाए हैं।

चर्चा में क्यों?

1. National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) ने अमेरिका में आयोजित 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue में भारत की कृषि अनुसंधान क्षमता को प्रस्तुत किया।

2. भारत की अमीना नज़रीन ए. एस. ने $500 का Global Youth Institute Award पुरस्कार जीता।

3. यह कार्यक्रम 20–22 अक्टूबर 2026 को अमेरिका के डेस मोइनेस, आयोवा में आयोजित हुआ। इसकी थीम थी -Before Hunger Wins अर्थात् भूख के संकट को बढ़ने से पहले रोकना।

Global Youth Institute क्या है?

यह World Food Prize Foundation से जुड़ा एक युवा-केंद्रित कार्यक्रम है। इसमें विद्यार्थी खाद्य सुरक्षा, कृषि, पर्यावरण और पोषण से जुड़ी समस्याओं पर शोध एवं अपने विचार प्रस्तुत करते हैं।

इस कार्यक्रम का महत्त्व निम्नलिखित है:

1. युवा वैज्ञानिकों को प्रोत्साहन: कम उम्र में शोध और वैज्ञानिक सोच को बढ़ावा।

2. खाद्य सुरक्षा पर जागरूकता: भूख, कुपोषण और कृषि संबंधी समस्याओं को समझना।

3. वैश्विक सहयोग: अलग-अलग देशों के विद्यार्थियों और विशेषज्ञों के बीच विचारों का आदान-प्रदान।

4. नवाचार को बढ़ावा: स्थानीय कृषि समस्याओं के व्यावहारिक समाधान विकसित करना।

Why in News?

Union Minister for Education Shri Pralhad Joshi launched the registration portal for the fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 5.0), scheduled from 28 November to 12 December 2026, to strengthen cultural and civilisational ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

Key Highlights

Theme: “Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen” (Let Us Learn the Thirukkural).

Objective: Promote cultural exchange, linguistic diversity and the shared civilisational heritage of Tamil Nadu and Kashi under the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Organising Ministry: Ministry of Education, through the Department of Higher Education, in collaboration with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and other institutions.

Major Initiatives

Students' Engagement Programme: To be conducted across 1,000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to promote understanding of the Thirukkural.

Educational Outreach: Thirukkural experts will conduct interactive sessions, quizzes and orientation programmes in schools and colleges in Varanasi.

Digital Outreach: Technology will be used to make the teachings of the Thirukkural accessible to a wider audience.

Significance

Kashi Tamil Sangamam promotes national integration by strengthening the cultural, literary and educational connections between India's northern and southern regions. The fifth edition aims to introduce the ethical teachings of the Thirukkural to younger generations and advance the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Note: Thirukkural is the tamil literature composed by Saint Thiruvalluvar.

Why in news?

Recently, India called for stronger safeguards against Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferation and terrorist access to sensitive technologies at the UNGA First Committee discussion on "Other Weapons of Mass Destruction."

India's Position: Reaffirmed commitment to full and non-discriminatory implementation of CWC and BWC and stressed stronger international cooperation.

Emerging Risks: Advances in science and technology pose risks through misuse of dual-use technologies having both civilian and military use.

India-Sponsored Resolution: Since 2002, India has introduced a UNGA resolution on "Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs" to strengthen national and global measures.

Domestic Safeguards: India has the WMD Act, 2005, and export controls on sensitive dual-use materials and technologies.

CWC: Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Came into force in April 1997, banning the development, production, and use of chemical weapons. India ratified in 1996.

BWC: Biological Weapons Conventions Came into force in March 1975, banning biological and toxin weapons. India ratified in 1974.

UNSC Resolution 1540: Adopted in 2004 under Chapter VII, it requires states to prevent non-state actors from acquiring WMDs.

First Committee: Also called Disarmament and International Security Committee, deals with disarmament and global security threats.

Significance: Stronger safeguards can reduce proliferation risks, prevent WMD access to terrorists, and strengthen the global disarmament framework.

About UNGA

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main deliberative and policymaking body of the UN. Established in 1945 under the UN Charter, it is headquartered in New York and represents all member states.

Why in News?

India will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26–27 October 2026 at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi, under India's chairship. The forum will focus on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and promoting people-centric development.

Key Highlights

Host Country: India.

Venue: Central Hall, Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi.

Dates: 26–27 October 2026.

Theme: Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.

Inauguration: The conference will be inaugurated on 26 October, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend.

Chairperson: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Participants: Presiding officers, parliamentarians and dignitaries from BRICS member and partner countries.

Significance

The forum aims to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, encourage cooperation on global challenges and promote institutional resilience, responsible AI and sustainable development. It also provides India with an opportunity to deepen engagement with BRICS member and partner countries.

Why in News?

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited India from 21–23 October 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both countries agreed to strengthen their Strategic Partnership and double bilateral trade by 2030.

Key Highlights

Strategic Partnership: Established during PM Modi's visit to Poland in August 2024, supported by the India–Poland Action Plan 2024–2028.

Trade and Investment: Both countries set a target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030 and encouraged investment in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, mining and energy.

Defence Cooperation: Agreed to establish a Defence Industry Dialogue to promote technology collaboration, co-development and co-production.

Counter-Terrorism: Both countries agreed to initiate a counter-terrorism dialogue and strengthen cooperation against terrorist financing and cross-border terrorism.

Significance

The visit aims to strengthen India–Poland economic and strategic relations, expand trade and investment, enhance defence and technological cooperation, and promote collaboration on global challenges. It also reinforces India's engagement with Europe and its commitment to a rules-based international order.

Why in News?

President of India Droupadi Murmu attended the ‘Seva Samman Parv’ and ‘Yuva Prabodhan’ programmes during the Nuakhai festival in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on 22 October 2026. She highlighted the importance of agricultural traditions, social harmony, women's empowerment and youth participation in nation-building.

Key Highlights

Nuakhai Festival: Celebrates agricultural traditions, gratitude towards nature and community solidarity.

Food and Farmers: The President emphasised respecting food, recognising farmers' contributions and protecting natural resources.

Youth Empowerment: Encouraged young people to promote innovation, uphold ethical values and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Women Empowerment: Highlighted the importance of women's equal participation in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Naxalism: Noted the integration of Chhattisgarh's youth into the mainstream and the role of development in creating opportunities for affected communities.

Cultural Significance: Nuakhai Milan Samaroh promotes cultural heritage, social harmony and the transmission of traditional values to future generations.

Significance

Nuakhai highlights the relationship between agriculture, nature and community life. The President's message emphasised sustainable farming, women's empowerment, youth participation and inclusive development as important elements of India's progress towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Why in News?

Recently, the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) have called for stronger solidarity and coordinated action to contain the spreading Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.

Earlier, the Africa CDC and WHO had confirmed the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is critical because it involves a rare non-Zaire strain.

Strain Complexity: Genomic sequencing shows the outbreak is caused by a non-Zaire strain, which complicates treatment because existing Ebola vaccines and medicines were mainly developed to target the Zaire strain.

Now the outbreak has spread to three African regions, with confirmed cases reported in DRC, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria.

About Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

EVD, earlier called Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal disease affecting humans and primates.

It is caused by viruses of the Ortho ebolavirus genus of the Filoviridae family. Out of six known species, three cause major outbreaks: Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV).

First identified in 1976 during two simultaneous outbreaks in Yambuku, DRC (near the Ebola River) and Nzara, South Sudan.

Transmission: The natural host is fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family. Spreads from animals to humans through contact with blood and fluids of infected animals like bats, chimps, and gorillas. Human-to-human spread happens via direct contact with blood, bodily fluids of sick or dead patients, or contaminated objects like bedding.

Symptoms & Fatality: Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, kidney and liver failure, and bleeding. The average fatality rate is around 50%, varying from 25% to 90% depending on strain and treatment.

Treatment: No specific cure, but early supportive care with rehydration improves survival. Monoclonal antibodies Inmazeb and Ebanga are available for the Zaire strain.