UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 1 September 2026

10 issues picked from 55 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

India's GDP growth and national income estimates. Q1 2026-27 real GDP grew 7.8%, led by investment, manufacturing and services; past years revised up.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). At SCO's 25th anniversary summit in Bishkek, India pressed on terrorism, connectivity and sovereignty, and offered to host a forum.
Sugar stock holding limits. Centre halves sugar dealers' stock limit to 2,000 quintals; Kolkata keeps 4,000.
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. Review shows 100 Dhan-Dhaanya districts' average score rising; monitoring to shift to farmer-level outcomes.
Watershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY 2.0). Minister reviews watershed scheme WDC-PMKSY 2.0, urges States to speed projects and show measurable outcomes.
Price Stabilization Fund and onion buffer stock. Onion buffer stock released via rail and road to 19 cities at Rs 35/kg.
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). CARA launched a year-round awareness campaign urging legal adoption and opposing illegal adoption.
SEED Scheme for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities. DWBDNC held Samavesh Utsav in Delhi showcasing SEED scheme outcomes and DNT artisans' crafts.
Jharia Master Plan. PM's Advisor reviews Jharia Master Plan rehabilitation, skilling and livelihood work for mine-fire-affected families in Dhanbad.
Improved Rice procurement under PMGKAY. Improved Rice with fewer broken grains will be procured under PMGKAY from KMS 2026–27.

Economy

India's GDP growth and national income estimates

GS3 Economy · Growth and national incomePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, PIB reported that India's real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 of 2026-27, with real GVA up 8.2%. Past GDP estimates for three years were revised up using new base year 2022-23 indices.
What it is: GDP is the value of final goods and services produced within the economy in a period. GVA measures the contribution of individual producers, industries or sectors. Real figures use constant prices and remove the effect of price changes, while nominal figures use current prices. MoSPI compiles these national accounts estimates.

Basis of revision: Revised annual estimates use new price and production indices with base year 2022-23, including the Output Producer Price Index and Banking Services Price Index.
Real GDP growth: Real GDP in Q1 2026-27 was ₹81.36 lakh crore, up 7.8% year on year.
Nominal GDP growth: Nominal GDP in Q1 was ₹88.27 lakh crore, up 10.3%.
New base year: The new series with base year 2022-23 was released on 27 February 2026.
Double deflation: The new series uses double deflation for manufacturing GVA: output and intermediate consumption are deflated separately using PPIs.

Don’t confuse with GDP vs GVA: GDP is at market prices and includes net product taxes. GVA is at basic prices and shows sectoral output.

Don’t confuse with Real vs nominal: Real GDP is at constant prices and removes inflation. Nominal GDP is at current prices.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB Headquarters, 1 Sep, 14:42 IST · Release 294156

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

International relations

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

GS2 International Relations · GroupingsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, PM Modi took part in the 26th SCO Heads of State Council summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (31 Aug-1 Sep), the organisation's 25th anniversary year. India said it will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum later this year.
What it is: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic and security grouping. It grew out of the Shanghai Five and was founded in 2001. Its highest body is the Council of Heads of State, and its permanent bodies include the Secretariat in Beijing and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.

Anniversary: The summit fell in SCO's 25th anniversary year.
India's three pillars: India's vision for SCO rests on Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
Civilisation Dialogue Forum: India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum later this year. It is India's flagship initiative for civilisational exchange among members.
English in the Charter: The Bishkek Declaration includes an India-backed initiative to make English an official language in the SCO Charter.
Founding and bodies: SCO was founded in 2001. Its Secretariat is in Beijing and RATS is in Tashkent.
26th SCO Summit: The 26th SCO Summit is being held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, and marks 25 years of the SCO.
India's membership: India has been a member of the SCO since 2017.
India's vision: India frames its approach to the region around Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, and stresses action against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Founding: The SCO was founded in 2001, growing out of the Shanghai Five.
Permanent bodies: The Secretariat is in Beijing and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is in Tashkent.
Highest body: The Council of Heads of State is the SCO's highest decision-making body.
Summit host and date: The 26th SCO Summit is held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on 31 August–1 September 2026.
25th anniversary and India's status: The summit marks 25 years of the SCO. India has been a full member since 2017.
India's priorities: Modi will put forward India's priorities of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity at the summit.

Don’t confuse with SCO vs BRICS: SCO is a Eurasian security and political grouping with a Charter and permanent bodies. BRICS is an informal grouping of emerging economies with no charter or secretariat.

Don’t confuse with RATS vs Secretariat: RATS, the anti-terror body, is in Tashkent. The Secretariat is in Beijing.

Don’t confuse with Secretariat vs RATS: The SCO Secretariat is in Beijing. RATS, the counter-terrorism body, is in Tashkent.

Don’t confuse with Shanghai Five vs SCO: The Shanghai Five was the earlier grouping. The SCO was formed from it in 2001.

Don’t confuse with SCO Secretariat vs RATS: The Secretariat is in Beijing; RATS, the anti-terror body, is in Tashkent.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

Why it matters

SCO gives India a platform on Central Asia, where it has no land access, and on counter-terrorism.
It lets India press its views on terrorism and on connectivity that respects sovereignty.
Initiatives such as the Civilisation Dialogue Forum add soft power in the region.
The SCO gives India a forum to engage Central Asia and raise terrorism and connectivity concerns.
The SCO gives India a forum to engage China, Russia and Central Asian states on security and connectivity.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines allow talks with Central Asian leaders.

Problems

India-China and India-Pakistan differences limit consensus, including on terrorism language and connectivity projects.
India's sovereignty objection to projects like the Belt and Road constrains cooperation.
Consensus decision-making and Chinese and Russian weight can dilute India's priorities.
India must balance its interests against China's and Russia's weight in the grouping.
India–China and India–Pakistan tensions complicate consensus on terrorism and connectivity.

Way forward

Use SCO for practical work such as counter-terror cooperation, trade and Chinese-free connectivity routes like Chabahar and INSTC.
Build outcomes in youth, start-ups, science and culture, where interests overlap.
Keep pressing for no double standards on terrorism while engaging Central Asian states bilaterally.
Use the SCO and bilateral visits together to deepen Central Asia ties on trade, energy and connectivity.
Use the SCO to push counter-terrorism cooperation and Central Asia connectivity while safeguarding India's sovereignty concerns.

Put in your answer

No double standards on terrorism: India's PM called for dismantling the terror ecosystem and urged no double standards in fighting terrorism.

Connectivity and sovereignty: India backs connectivity that links markets and trade but insists it respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Afghanistan: India linked Eurasian security to Afghanistan's stability and cited its development and humanitarian aid.

India's SCO framing: India anchors its SCO approach in Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.

India's SCO membership: India became a full SCO member in 2017, after joining as an observer earlier.

India's stated priorities: Security, Connectivity and Opportunity are the themes India will stress at the SCO.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Prime Minister's Office, 1 Sep, 20:54 IST · Release 294201

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Sugar stock holding limits

GS3 Agriculture, food prices and stock limitsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026 the Centre cut the stock holding limit for sugar dealers from 4,000 to 2,000 quintals, effective 15 September to 30 November 2026, to curb hoarding.
What it is: Stock holding limits are a price-control tool. The Centre caps how much of an essential commodity a trader can keep and for how long, so that hoarding and speculation do not push up prices. For sugar, the limits apply to dealers in the chain between mills and consumers.

Holding period: A dealer cannot hold sugar for more than 15 days from the date the stock is received.
General limit: A dealer can hold at most 1,000 quintals at any time and place in the country.
Validity: The limits run from 15 October 2026 to 30 November 2026.
Higher limit areas: Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas and Assam have a higher limit of 2,000 quintals because of regional supply and logistics needs.
Legal basis: Stock limits on essential commodities are usually imposed through orders under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
New limit: Dealers' limit falls from 4,000 to 2,000 quintals, valid 15 Sept to 30 Nov 2026.
Kolkata exception: Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas keep the 4,000 quintal limit, as they supply eastern India including the North-East.
Stock declaration: Stocks are declared and updated on the online portal of the Department of Food & Public Distribution.

Don’t confuse with Ex-mill price vs retail price: Ex-mill price is what mills charge when sugar leaves the factory. Retail price is what the consumer pays, after dealer, wholesaler and retailer margins.

Don’t confuse with Stock limit vs holding period: The limit caps the quantity held at a time. The holding period caps how long a given lot can be kept.

Don’t confuse with Stock limit vs buffer stock: A stock limit caps private holdings to curb hoarding; a buffer stock is held by the government to stabilise prices.

Don’t confuse with Stock limit vs export curbs: Stock limits act on domestic trade; export restrictions control outflow of supply.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, 1 Sep, 13:57 IST · Release 294152

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

GS3 Agriculture · SchemesGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. The average score of the 100 districts rose from 22.54 in April to 38.85 in July 2026.
What it is: PMDDKY is a six-year, district-focused agriculture scheme that began in 2025-26. It targets 100 districts that lag in productivity, cropping intensity and agricultural credit. It works by converging existing Central and State schemes and private participation, and tracks progress on a dashboard.

Approval and launch: Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 16 July 2025 for six years. The Prime Minister launched it on 11 October 2025.
Convergence: The scheme converges 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments, besides State schemes and private participation.
Three-tier structure: The District Samiti is headed by the Collector/DM and the State Samiti by the Chief Secretary. At national level, the National Executive Committee is headed by the Agriculture Minister and the National Monitoring Committee by the Secretary, DA&FW.
Monitoring: Progress is tracked through 121 indicators (74 output, 47 outcome) across 36 schemes. Output rankings are monthly on the PM-DDKY dashboard.
Score improvement: The average score of the 100 districts rose from 18.85 (April 2026) to 46.89 (August 2026).
District selection: 100 districts are chosen on three criteria: low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
Six objectives: Productivity, crop diversification and sustainable practices, post-harvest storage, irrigation, short- and long-term credit, and governance and service delivery.
Indicators: 121 indicators: 74 output and 47 outcome. Output indicators rank districts monthly on the dashboard.
Dates: Cabinet approval on 16 July 2025; launch by the Prime Minister on 11 October 2025.
Role of KVKs: Krishi Vigyan Kendras act as technical partners for capacity building and field interventions.
Selection criteria: Districts were chosen on three indicators: low crop productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
Aims: Higher productivity, crop diversification, sustainable practices, panchayat and block-level post-harvest storage, better irrigation and long- and short-term credit.
Who prepares the plan: The District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti prepares and implements the District Action Plan; it is headed by the district collector.
Launch and duration: Launched by the Prime Minister on 11 October 2025 for six years, covering 100 districts.
Model: Draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme, but is the first of its kind focusing only on agriculture and allied sectors.
Implementation: Runs through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, State schemes and private sector partnerships.
Role of Lead Banks: Lead Banks are to ensure success of KCC and PMFBY in these districts through specialised drives and financial inclusion efforts.

Don’t confuse with National Executive Committee vs National Monitoring Committee: The Agriculture Minister heads the Executive Committee; the DA&FW Secretary heads the Monitoring Committee.

Don’t confuse with Output vs outcome indicators: Monthly district rankings use output indicators; outcome indicator data is submitted yearly (FY 2025-26).

Don’t confuse with PM-DDKY vs Aspirational Districts Programme: Both target lagging districts with dashboards. PM-DDKY is farm-sector specific and converges 36 schemes. The Aspirational Districts Programme covers many sectors (health, education, etc.).

Don’t confuse with DDKY vs Aspirational Districts Programme: The Aspirational Districts Programme (NITI Aayog) covers many sectors; DDKY focuses only on agriculture and allied sectors.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Why it matters

Targets lagging districts, so it can cut regional gaps in farm productivity, irrigation and credit.
Convergence of 36 schemes avoids duplication and uses existing funds.
Targets agriculturally lagging districts, helping regional balance in farm incomes.
Convergence of many schemes reduces duplication and improves last-mile delivery.
Targets lagging districts, so it addresses regional disparity in farm outcomes.
Convergence of many schemes can cut duplication and fit local needs.
Targets lagging agricultural districts through convergence, so no large new spending stream is needed.
Brings in private and CSR resources, FPO linkages and manpower such as Young Professionals.

Problems

Convergence depends on coordination across Centre, States and many departments.
Early score gains rest on self-reported data and low starting scores, so lasting impact is uncertain.
Coordination across 11 Ministries, States and districts is hard to sustain.
Scores based on output tracking may not show real gains in farmers' incomes.
Coordination across 11 departments and many schemes is hard at district level.
Quality of District Action Plans and local capacity may vary.
Coordinating 36 schemes across 11 Departments is hard.
Private CSR funding is voluntary and may be small or uneven across districts.

Way forward

Verify district data independently and track outcome indicators such as farmer income.
Strengthen FPOs, post-harvest infrastructure and credit access, and extend CSR and private participation.
Move monitoring from activities and spending to farmer-level outcomes, as the Beneficiary Progress Module plans.
Involve farmers in District Dhan-Dhaanya Committees and use KVKs for extension.
Use the monthly dashboard rankings for timely course correction.
Build district-level capacity for planning and credit linkage.
Strong monitoring with district-level outcome tracking and rankings.
Long-term CSR engagement with capacity building, FPO linkages and market access.

Put in your answer

District score rise: Average district score rose from 18.85 to 46.89 between April and August 2026.

FPO Sangam: The December 2025 FPO Sangam brought together over 72 FPOs from 15 States and 33 districts.

CSR adoption: Department of Public Enterprises allowed CPSEs to adopt DDKY districts under CSR for FY 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Capacity building: From January to July 2026, 6,90,530 farmers and 88,961 extension workers were trained.

CSR convergence: The Department of Public Enterprises has included adoption of PM-DDKY districts for CPSE CSR activities in 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Convergence model: DDKY plans converge 36 Central Schemes of 11 Departments with state schemes and private participation.

CSR example: Canara Bank was felicitated for a Rs 50 lakh CSR grant to a DDKY district.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 26

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet for a period of six years beginning with 2025-26.
2.The districts under the scheme were selected on low productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
3.The State-level Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti is headed by the State Agriculture Minister.
4.The scheme is implemented through convergence of 36 Central schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments.
5.The National Monitoring Committee under the scheme is headed by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
6.District performance is ranked monthly on output indicators through the PM-DDKY dashboard.
7.Of the 121 monitoring indicators, 74 are outcome indicators and 47 are output indicators.
8.PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 100 districts selected on the basis of low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
9.The scheme is implemented through the convergence of 36 Central schemes of 11 Ministries and Departments.
10.The scheme is implemented only through Central schemes, with no role for State schemes or private-sector participation.
11.Among the scheme's six objectives are enhancing post-harvest storage capacity and improving irrigation infrastructure.
12.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2025 and launched in July 2025.
13.District performance on output indicators is ranked every month through the scheme's dashboard.
14.Districts under DDKY were identified using indicators of low crop productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement.
15.The District Action Plan under DDKY is prepared by the District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti.
16.The District Action Plans are made in convergence of 36 Central Schemes of 11 Departments.
17.The District DDKY Samitis are headed by the Chief Development Officer of the district.
18.DDKY provides for Central Nodal Officers assigned to each DDKY district for field visits and performance review.
19.DDKY plans exclude private sector participation and rely only on Central schemes.
20.PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 100 districts.
21.The scheme was launched for a period of ten years.
22.It is implemented mainly through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments.
23.The scheme is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors, drawing inspiration from the Aspirational Districts Programme.
24.The scheme aims to augment post-harvest storage only at the district headquarters level.
25.The scheme aims to facilitate both long-term and short-term agricultural credit.
26.The scheme is run by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 1 Sep, 16:28 IST · Release 294165

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Watershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY 2.0)

GS3 Agriculture · Irrigation and watershed developmentGS3 Drought and water managementPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed progress of WDC-PMKSY 2.0 and asked States to speed up projects towards a 'Drought-Free India'.
What it is: The Watershed Development Component is one part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). It funds watershed projects in rainfed and degraded areas to conserve soil and water, recharge groundwater and raise farm productivity. The Department of Land Resources in the Ministry of Rural Development runs it, with Centre-State funding.

Projects sanctioned: 1,220 projects covering 52.93 lakh hectares have been sanctioned under WDC-PMKSY 2.0.
Central share: Total sanctioned cost is ₹12,404 crore, of which the central share is ₹8,134 crore.
Water structures: 1.24 lakh water harvesting structures have been built or rejuvenated, such as check dams, percolation tanks and farm ponds.
Protective irrigation: Additional protective irrigation was created over 3.08 lakh hectares, helping rainfed farmers in drought.
Parent scheme: WDC is one of the components of PMKSY, along with Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme and Har Khet Ko Pani.
Outreach: The Ministry ran 'Watershed Yatra' and 'Watershed Festival' to make watershed development a mass movement.

Don’t confuse with WDC-PMKSY vs AIBP / Har Khet Ko Pani: WDC (Rural Development) does watershed and rainfed area work; AIBP and Har Khet Ko Pani are run by Jal Shakti for irrigation projects and water sources.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Rural Development, 1 Sep, 17:23 IST · Release 294173

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Price Stabilization Fund and onion buffer stock

GS3 Agriculture · Buffer stocks and price stabilisationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026 the Consumer Affairs Ministry said it has widened the calibrated release of onion buffer stock under the Price Stabilization Fund. Disposal began on 24 August 2026 and now uses Kanda Express rakes and road transport.
What it is: The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) is a central scheme under which a buffer stock of perishable farm produce such as onion and pulses is procured and later released to cool prices. Procurement is done from farmers and agencies like NAFED and NCCF carry out disposal. The aim is to protect consumers from price spikes and give farmers remunerative prices.

Disposal agencies: NAFED and NCCF carry out the sale of onions from the PSF buffer.
Retail price: Onions are sold at Rs 35 per kg through NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar outlets and mobile vans.
Reach: Retail intervention now covers 19 cities, with over 30 trucks dispatched.
Farmer payment: Rs 210 crore was paid directly to about 3,400 farmers.
Bulk sale route: 223 MT was sold in bulk via e-NAM and similar platforms at mandi prices; 446 MT through retail.
Kanda Express 2024-25: About 12,000 MT of buffer onions moved by 14 rakes to five cities.
Kanda Express 2025-26: Expanded to 86 rakes carrying about 88,000 MT to 16 cities.
Role of CWC: The Central Warehousing Corporation has been brought in for scientific storage and efficient distribution of buffer onions.
Implementing agencies: NAFED and NCCF procure and dispose of buffer stock under the PSF scheme, which is run by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Don’t confuse with PSF vs MSP: PSF buffers perishables like onion to stabilise prices; MSP is a declared floor price for notified crops.

Don’t confuse with NAFED vs NCCF: Both are cooperative agencies that handle PSF onion procurement and sale; they are separate bodies.

Don’t confuse with Price Stabilization Fund vs Market Intervention Scheme: PSF is run by the Department of Consumer Affairs for perishables such as onion and pulses. MIS is a separate scheme of the agriculture ministry that buys produce when prices fall.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on buffer stock and price control. Facts here are operational (rakes, cities, prices), so a question is unlikely.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, 1 Sep, 14:38 IST · Release 294155

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

GS2 Polity · Statutory and regulatory bodiesGS1 Child welfarePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, CARA launched the theme for Adoption Awareness 2026 on DD National. State/UT workshops start in September 2026, with one in Delhi on 10 September.
What it is: The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is the nodal body for adoption in India under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It regulates in-country and inter-country adoptions and works through State Adoption Resource Agencies and Specialised Adoption Agencies. It is the Central Authority for India under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

Parent ministry: CARA functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Eastern Zone: The Eastern Zone covers Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Sikkim.
Workshop series: Earlier workshops were held for the Northern (Rajasthan), North-Eastern (Assam), Central (Madhya Pradesh) and Western (Maharashtra) zones.
Participating agencies: Participants included SARAs, Specialised Adoption Agencies, Child Care Institutions, DCPUs and Child Welfare Committees.
Legal basis: CARA is a statutory body under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which gave it statutory status.
Hague Convention: CARA is India's Central Authority for the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Theme 2026: The theme is 'Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption!'
Shift in approach: Awareness workshops start in September 2026, no longer limited to November.
Stakeholders: The campaign involves Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Units, Specialised Adoption Agencies, police, health departments, judiciary and ASHA/ANM workers, among others.

Don’t confuse with CARA vs CWC: CARA regulates adoption nationally. Child Welfare Committees are district bodies under the JJ Act that decide on care and protection of individual children, including declaring a child legally free for adoption.

Don’t confuse with SARA vs SAA: SARA is the State-level agency coordinating adoption. A Specialised Adoption Agency is an institution that places children in adoption.

Don’t confuse with CARA vs Child Welfare Committee: CARA is the national adoption regulator. Child Welfare Committees are district-level bodies that decide on children in need of care and protection, including declaring them legally free for adoption.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Statutory body is on the syllabus, but today's item is an awareness theme with no new provision. Statutory bodies are only 7 of 327 Prelims questions.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Women and Child Development, 1 Sep, 16:52 IST · Release 294168

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

SEED Scheme for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities

GS2 Governance · Welfare of vulnerable sectionsGS1 Social empowermentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, the DWBDNC held 'SAMAVESH UTSAV' in New Delhi. Over 700 DNT beneficiaries took part and the event showcased SEED scheme success stories.
What it is: SEED is the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs). It is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It supports these communities in education, health, livelihood and housing.

Implementing body: The Development and Welfare Board for DNCs (DWBDNC) sits under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and implements welfare programmes for these communities.
Scheme timing: SEED was launched after the Board was set up, to supplement efforts for the communities' welfare and empowerment.
Focus areas: SEED interventions cover education, healthcare, livelihood and housing.
Board creation: The DWBDNC was constituted by an executive notification, not by a statute, in February 2019.
Event exhibition: Twenty stalls showcased DNT artisans from six States and UTs.

Don’t confuse with DNT vs NT/SNT: De-notified tribes were once listed under the colonial Criminal Tribes Acts and were de-notified in 1952. Nomadic and semi-nomadic groups are defined by their mobile way of life, and the two categories overlap.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting scheme for DNT communities. Today's event gives no new provisions, so no practice question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 1 Sep, 17:58 IST · Release 294177

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Jharia Master Plan

GS3 Environment and Mining · Mine fire management and rehabilitationGS2 RehabilitationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, Advisor to the Prime Minister Tarun Kapoor ended a two-day Dhanbad visit reviewing rehabilitation and livelihood work under the Jharia Master Plan at Belgaria and Karmatand townships.
What it is: The Jharia Master Plan is a government plan to deal with fires in the Jharia coalfield and to rehabilitate the families living in the unsafe areas. It is implemented by BCCL, a Coal India subsidiary, and the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA). Families are moved to townships such as Belgaria with housing, schools, health and skilling support.

Implementing agencies: The review covered work by JRDA and other departments under the plan, and BCCL runs its skill centres and townships.
Skilling with NSDC: BCCL's MSDI-IV centre runs with the National Skill Development Corporation to improve jobs for youth from rehabilitated families.
Training numbers: About 800 youth have finished training and over 250 are in training now.
Textile linkage: A Skill Development and Production Centre is being built by BCCL, JRDA, Jharkhand Government and Rajdhani Universal Fabrics, with textile training to follow.
Community livelihoods: Self-help groups showed products under JharShilp and Project Aarohi, supported by BCCL's CSR and JMP initiatives.

Don’t confuse with BCCL vs JRDA: BCCL is the Coal India subsidiary that mines coal and runs township and skill centres. JRDA is the authority for rehabilitation and development under the plan.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on Jharia mine fires and rehabilitation. The release is a review visit with no new facts, so a question is unlikely.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Coal, 1 Sep, 19:26 IST · Release 294194

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Improved Rice procurement under PMGKAY

GS2 Governance · Food security and PDSGS3 Food managementPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 1 September 2026, the Food Secretary chaired a conference of State Food Secretaries in New Delhi. It reviewed Improved Rice procurement under PMGKAY, which begins in KMS 2026–27 with tighter broken-grain limits.
What it is: Improved Rice is a procurement specification for rice supplied under PMGKAY and other welfare schemes. It tightens the permitted share of broken grains in rice the government buys from millers. PMGKAY gives free foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries through the Public Distribution System.

Raw rice limit: Raw rice procured will contain up to 10% broken grains, down from 25%.
Parboiled rice limit: Parboiled rice is limited to 5% broken grains, replacing 16%.
Start date: Procurement of Improved Rice starts from KMS 2026–27 and will expand progressively across procuring States.
Paddy estimate: Paddy procurement for KMS 2026–27 is fixed at 708.64 LMT in terms of paddy.
Best State: Andhra Pradesh was recognised for best implementation of the Improved Rice Scheme.

Don’t confuse with PMGKAY vs NFSA: NFSA, 2013 is the law giving entitlements. PMGKAY is a scheme that delivers free grain to NFSA beneficiaries.

Don’t confuse with SARTHAK-PDS vs SMART-PDS: SARTHAK-PDS is the 2026–31 umbrella scheme for State assistance. SMART-PDS is the technology layer it integrates.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Procurement and PDS reforms are on the syllabus. Broken-grain limits are specific facts, but this is a review meeting and Prelims scheme questions favour standing features.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, 1 Sep, 20:39 IST · Release 294198

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on wetlands conservation at the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum, held since 2008.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first non-medical woman officer in India's armed forces to reach the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
India Post Payments Bank marked its 9th Foundation Day with a customer base of 13.25 crore as of 31 March 2026, 77% in rural areas.
Ahmedabad became the third airport in India's international Hub and Spoke framework, after Varanasi and Amritsar, feeding Delhi as the hub.

Source: PIB, 1 Sep

What we left out: 41 of 55 releases

Speeches without a decision (6)
Routine railway project approvals (4)
Same issue as another release (7)
Routine bilateral meetings (2)
Routine administrative measures (1)
Visits and review meetings (1)
Ceremonies and campaigns (6)
Visit schedules (2)
Webinars and workshops (1)
Routine infrastructure projects (1)
Appointments and takeovers (3)
Routine exam notices (1)
Beneficiary stories (2)
Routine MoUs (2)
Quizzes and contests (2)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1India's GDP growth and national income estimatesMCQ · 5 true or false
2Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)MCQ · 6 true or false · Mains
3Sugar stock holding limitsMCQ · 6 true or false
4PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi YojanaMCQ · 26 true or false · Mains
5Watershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY 2.0)MCQ · 7 true or false

Mains question of the day

10 marks · 150 words

India's real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 of 2026-27, and estimates for the previous three years were revised up using new indices with base year 2022-23. In this context, discuss how GDP and GVA are measured, and examine the challenges in estimating national income accurately and what the data say about the drivers of growth.

From: India's GDP growth and national income estimates

Write and get it marked

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