Current Affairs, 10 July 2026

Mandate

All operating CPSEs must route settlement of invoices for goods and services bought from MSMEs through RBI-authorised TReDS platforms.

Compliance

CPSEs must disclose details of invoices settled through TReDS and get a statutory auditor's certificate on registration and compliance.

Nature of financing

Financing on TReDS is collateral-free and without recourse to the seller, with financiers bidding competitively.

Platforms

Five platforms operate: RXIL, M1xchange, Invoicemart, C2treds and DTX.

Growth

Invoice discounting rose from ₹40,000 crore in FY 2021-22 to ₹3.47 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.

Regulator and start

TReDS is RBI-regulated and has been operational since 2017.

Don’t confuse with TReDS vs Samadhaan: TReDS finances invoices through discounting. MSME Samadhaan is a portal to file complaints on delayed payments.

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.

1. 2023Mains GS3 · Q1Comment on government policies for MSME-led manufacturing share in GDP
2. 2026Prelims Q93Statements on M1xchange's role: collateral loans, invoice discounting, credit rating

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Origin

TKDL was set up in 2001 by CSIR together with the Ministry of AYUSH.

Content and languages

It holds over 5.2 lakh formulations and practices from Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga, in five international languages.

Access

With Australia, eighteen patent offices now have access under Non-Disclosure Agreements.

Impact

Prior art from TKDL has led to more than 375 patent applications being revoked, rejected, amended, withdrawn or abandoned.

Purpose of the Australia deal

IP Australia can use TKDL to find prior art when examining patent applications under Australian law.

Don’t confuse with TKDL vs Biological Diversity Act benefit sharing: TKDL is a defensive prior art database against wrongful patents. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 regulates access to biological resources and sharing of benefits.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

1. 2015Mains GS3 · Q14Pros and cons of open-sourcing TKDL medicinal formulations database
2. 2019Mains GS3 · Q15How India protects traditional medicine knowledge from pharmaceutical patenting

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Alcohol threshold

The exemption is removed for formulations with more than 12% v/v ethyl alcohol in quantities above 30 mL.

Schedule K

Schedule K exempted items such as tinctures of cardamom, ginger and other aromatic preparations from licensing requirements.

Schedule H1

Schedule H1 mandates sale only against a Registered Medical Practitioner's prescription and stricter record-keeping.

Licensing law

Such products must now get licences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Reason

Some formulations have alcohol up to 80-90% v/v, making them prone to misuse for intoxication; some States also sent references.

Parent Act

The Drugs Rules, 1945 are framed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Notification

Pregabalin was brought under Schedule H1 by Gazette Notification G.S.R. 377(E) dated 13 May 2026.

Change in class

Pregabalin moves from the existing Schedule H to the stricter Schedule H1.

Retail record-keeping

Retailers must keep a separate register of prescriptions and sales.

Labelling

Manufacturers must show the Schedule H1 warning label prominently on packs.

Legal basis

The Drugs Rules, 1945 are framed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which also supplies the penalties.

Don’t confuse with Schedule H vs Schedule H1: Schedule H drugs need a prescription; Schedule H1 adds stricter record-keeping of sales.

Don’t confuse with Schedule K vs Schedule H1: Schedule K lists exemptions from licensing; Schedule H1 imposes prescription and record controls.

Don’t confuse with Drugs Rules vs NDPS Act: Schedule H1 sits under the Drugs and Cosmetics law. It is not the same as controlled substances listed under the NDPS Act, 1985.

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.

1. 2013Mains GS3 · Q14Define Fixed Dose Drug Combinations and discuss their merits and demerits.
2. 2014Mains GS3 · Q11Whether non-prescription antibiotic use causes drug-resistant diseases, and what monitoring mechanisms exist.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Exemption

IFSC units in GIFT City need no licence under Section 11 to charter foreign vessels for EXIM and international trade.

Licensing authority

The licence that is no longer needed was issued by the Director General of Shipping.

Coastal trade untouched

The exemption does not change the cabotage regime or safeguards for coastal shipping.

Effect and definition

The notification is effective immediately. IFSC is defined by Section 3(1)(g) of the IFSCA Act, 2019.

IFSC regulator

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) is the unified regulator for IFSCs, set up under the 2019 Act.

Don’t confuse with Cabotage vs EXIM chartering: Cabotage covers coastal trade between Indian ports and stays restricted; this exemption covers only chartering for EXIM and international trade.

Don’t confuse with IFSCA vs SEBI/RBI: IFSCA regulates financial services within IFSCs; SEBI and RBI regulate them in the domestic area.

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.

1. 2025Mains GS3 · Q20Why maritime security is vital to protect India's sea trade; challenges and way forward.
2. 2016Mains GS1 · Q19Problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.
3. 2023Mains GS2 · Q20IMO's role in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security.
4. 2026Prelims Q24How Vizhinjam port shifts India's maritime trade and reduces foreign dependence.
5. 2026Prelims Q35Statements on Sagarmala's port-led growth, coastal shipping gains, and Sagarmala 2.0.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Egmont membership

The award entry was picked from submissions by 182 member jurisdictions, and India's case was one of two finalists.

Egmont Secure Web

FIU-IND used the Egmont Secure Web to exchange intelligence with counterpart FIUs and trace cross-border crypto transactions.

Origin of the case

The case began with intelligence from I4C, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.

Enforcement follow-up

On FIU-IND's report, the ED searched 13 locations and filed two prosecution complaints under PMLA, 2002.

FIU-IND status

FIU-IND is India's central agency for receiving and analysing suspicious transaction information. It was set up in 2004 and reports to the Economic Intelligence Council chaired by the Finance Minister.

Don’t confuse with Egmont Group vs FATF: Egmont is a network of FIUs for sharing intelligence. FATF sets global AML/CFT standards and assesses countries.

Don’t confuse with FIU-IND vs ED: FIU-IND analyses transaction reports and shares intelligence. ED investigates and prosecutes offences under PMLA.

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.

1. 2026Mains GS3 · Q20Discuss counterfeit currency and money laundering as terror funding; FATF role and compliance.
2. 2013Mains GS3 · Q21Money laundering as a threat to economic sovereignty; its significance for India and control steps.
3. 2021Mains GS3 · Q9How emerging technologies and globalisation aid money laundering; national and international countermeasures.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Governing Body chair

The 7th Governing Body meeting was chaired by the Union Environment Minister at CASFOS, Coimbatore.

Audit by CAG

The CAG certified the FY 2024-25 accounts of National Authority CAMPA, giving a true and fair view.

Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana

New scheme with Rs 3,000 crore over 2026-27 to 2030-31 for about 15,000 sacred groves.

MISHTI extension

MISHTI extended to 2029 with an extra Rs 500 crore, taking the outlay to Rs 600 crore.

Digital APO

For FY 2026-27, States and UTs must submit Annual Plans of Operation only online.

Legal basis

CAMPA derives from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016, which created the National and State funds and authorities.

Don’t confuse with National CAMPA vs State CAMPA: The National Authority oversees policy and the National Fund. State Authorities manage State Funds and prepare plans of operation.

Don’t confuse with CA vs NPV: Compensatory afforestation is planting to replace diverted forest land. Net Present Value is a payment for the loss of forest ecosystem services.

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.

1. 2025Mains GS4 · Q2Ethical dilemmas in clearing projects in sensitive border areas
2. 2019Prelims Q68Statements on CAF Authority levels and mandatory people's participation in afforestation

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Feedstock widened in 2018

The National Policy on Biofuels (May 2018) extended raw materials beyond sugarcane to maize and surplus grain.

E10 target met early

India met its E10 target in June 2022, five months ahead of schedule.

Standards

Ethanol and blended petrol must meet BIS specifications at every stage.

Crude import dependence

India imports about 88.5% of the crude oil it consumes.

Production capacity

Capacity grew nearly fivefold, from 421 crore litres in 2014 to about 2,000 crore litres in 2026.

Octane rating

Ethanol has a research octane number of about 108.5 against 84.4 for petrol.

Rice for ethanol

Only surplus rice, as determined and permitted by the DFPD after food security needs, goes to ethanol.

E85 composition

E85 has 80-85 per cent ethanol and 14-19 per cent petrol. It is meant only for flex-fuel vehicles.

Flex-fuel vehicles

FFVs can run on blends from E20 to E100.

Blending progress

Blending rose from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 20 per cent, five years ahead of schedule. It saved over ₹1.84 lakh crore in foreign exchange.

Implementing ministry

The EBP Programme is run by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through oil marketing companies.

Blending level

Ethanol blending rose from under 1.5% in 2013-14 to 20% in 2025-26, five years ahead of the target.

Flex-fuel range

Flex-fuel vehicles can run on ethanol-petrol blends from E20 up to E100.

E85 standard

E85 is identified as the mono-fuel standard for flex-fuel vehicles under BIS specifications.

Capacity growth

Ethanol production capacity grew nearly five-fold, from 421 crore litres in 2014 to about 2000 crore litres in 2026.

Outlet rollout

The plan proposes 50-100 FFV-ready outlets initially, about 500 by December 2026 and about 5,000 by end-2027.

NITI Aayog classification

NITI Aayog classifies ethanol-based flex-fuel vehicles as Zero-Emission Vehicles.

Don’t confuse with E10 vs E20: E10 is 10% ethanol in petrol (met June 2022); E20 is 20% (reached 2025-26).

Don’t confuse with Flex fuel vehicle vs E20-compliant vehicle: Flex fuel vehicles run on blends up to E85 or pure ethanol. E20-compliant vehicles are designed for up to 20% ethanol.

Don’t confuse with E20 vs E85: E20 is 20 per cent ethanol petrol, the standard fuel for ordinary compatible vehicles. E85 is for flex-fuel vehicles only.

Don’t confuse with Flex-fuel vs electric vehicles: FFVs run on ethanol blends in an engine. EVs use batteries and depend on imported batteries and critical minerals.

Don’t confuse with Flex-fuel vs blended-petrol vehicles: Flex-fuel vehicles are built to handle a wide range of ethanol blends. Ordinary vehicles run on limited blends such as E20.

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.

1. 2025Mains GS3 · Q6Clean technology and biotechnology for energy independence by 2047
2. 2022Mains GS3 · Q12Feasibility of 50% renewable energy by 2030; subsidy shift
3. 2023Mains GS3 · Q6Microorganisms' ways to address the current fuel shortage
4. 2020Prelims Q84Which materials are permitted raw materials for biofuel production under National Biofuel Policy
5. 2025Prelims Q60Which petroleum-sector activities include marketing and sale of products
6. 2025Prelims Q63Compares Brazil and US ethanol production and their feedstocks: sugarcane versus corn
7. 2025Prelims Q45Identify which listed substances, including ethanol, have stated uses

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Legal basis

BoPS is being set up as a statutory body under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.

Head and ministry

A Director General will head it, and it works under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Functions

It handles regulation and inspection of the security of ships and port facilities.

Cyber focus

It will share security information, with a special focus on cyber security, and have a division to protect port IT systems.

Private security

Only licensed private agencies, with CISF-trained personnel, should guard ports.

Nabhmitra app

The ISRO-developed Nabhmitra app is to be promoted among fishermen.

Don’t confuse with BoPS vs CISF: BoPS is a regulator under the Ports Ministry. CISF is a central armed force under the Home Ministry that trains and guards.

Don’t confuse with Nabhmitra vs NavIC: Nabhmitra is an ISRO-developed app for fishermen. NavIC is India's regional navigation satellite system.

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.

1. 2022Mains GS3 · Q10Maritime security challenges in India and organisational, technical, procedural initiatives to improve it.
2. 2025Mains GS3 · Q20Maritime security's importance for sea trade; challenges and way forward.
3. 2023Mains GS2 · Q20IMO's role in environment protection and maritime safety and security.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.