UPSC current affairs · Wednesday

Current Affairs, 13 May 2026

4 issues picked from 35 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

Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif Crops. Cabinet raises MSP for 14 Kharif crops for 2026-27, promising at least 50% margin.
Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects. Cabinet approves Rs.37,500 crore incentive scheme to gasify 75 MT coal and cut imports.
Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail. CCEA clears Rs 20,667 crore Ahmedabad–Dholera line, Indian Railways' first semi high-speed project.
Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report. DPIIT's seventh LEADS report ranks States and UTs on logistics in four tiers.

Economy

Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif Crops

GS3 AgricultureGS2 Farmer welfarePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 May 2026, the CCEA chaired by the Prime Minister approved higher MSPs for 14 Kharif crops for Marketing Season 2026-27.
What it is: MSP is a price announced by the Centre at which government agencies are ready to buy specified crops from farmers. It is set on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Since Budget 2018-19, the aim is an MSP of at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.

Approving body: The CCEA, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved MSP for 14 Kharif crops for Marketing Season 2026-27.
1.5 times formula: The increase follows the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
Highest increases: Sunflower Seed has the largest absolute rise (₹622 per quintal), then Cotton (₹557), Nigerseed (₹515) and Sesamum (₹500).
Paddy procurement: Paddy procurement was 8418 LMT in 2014-15 to 2025-26, against 4590 LMT in 2004-05 to 2013-14.
Recommending body: MSP is recommended by the CACP, a statutory-status-less expert body under the Agriculture Ministry; the decision is taken by the CCEA.

Don’t confuse with MSP vs FRP: MSP applies to notified crops; Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is the minimum price mills pay for sugarcane.

Don’t confuse with A2+FL vs C2 cost: A2+FL covers paid-out costs plus family labour; C2 adds rent and interest on owned land and capital.

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, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), 13 May, 15:23 IST · Release 288813

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects

GS3 Energy · Coal gasificationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 May 2026 the Union Cabinet approved a Rs.37,500 crore Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects. It also extended coal linkage tenure to up to 30 years for syngas projects.
What it is: The Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects is a Ministry of Coal scheme that backs conversion of domestic coal and lignite into syngas, methanol, ammonia, urea and hydrogen. It builds on the National Coal Gasification Mission and the earlier ₹8,500 crore incentive scheme. Projects are picked through rounds of applications under a Request for Proposal.

Outlay and approval: The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 13 May 2026 with a total outlay of ₹37,500 crore.
Capacity target: The national goal is 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030, of which 75 million tonnes is to come under this scheme.
Import substitution: LNG, urea, ammonia and methanol imports were about ₹2.77 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. The scheme aims to cut this dependence.
Earlier scheme: The ₹8,500 crore scheme approved in January 2024 has eight projects under implementation.
Implementing ministry: The scheme is run by the Ministry of Coal.
Approval and outlay: The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 13 May 2026 with an outlay of ₹37,500 crore.
Products targeted: The scheme promotes converting coal and lignite into syngas, methanol, ammonia and urea to reduce dependence on imported feedstock.
Rolling rounds: Rounds run on a rolling basis. The next round opens the day after one closes and stays open for two months.
Expected outcomes: The scheme is expected to catalyse about ₹2.5-3 lakh crore of investment across nearly 25 projects and about 50,000 jobs.
National target: The scheme supports the goal of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030.
Applicants so far: Talcher Fertilisers Limited and NTPC Limited have submitted applications through the online portal.
Incentive rate: Maximum incentive is 20% of the cost of plant and machinery, paid in four equal milestone-linked instalments.
Caps: Rs.5,000 crore per project, Rs.9,000 crore per product (except SNG and urea), Rs.12,000 crore per entity group.
Selection and technology: Projects are chosen by competitive bidding. The scheme is technology-agnostic but encourages indigenous technology.
Linkage reform: Coal linkage tenure goes up to 30 years under the syngas sub-sector of the Non-Regulated Sector linkage auction.

Don’t confuse with ₹37,500 crore scheme vs ₹8,500 crore scheme: The ₹37,500 crore scheme (approved May 2026) is the new, larger one. The ₹8,500 crore Financial Incentive Scheme (January 2024) is the earlier one, with eight projects under implementation.

Don’t confuse with Surface coal gasification vs Underground coal gasification: This scheme covers surface gasification of coal and lignite. Underground gasification converts coal in the seam without mining, and is a different technology.

Don’t confuse with Surface vs underground gasification: This scheme covers surface gasification in plants. Underground coal gasification converts coal in situ in the seam and is a separate effort.

Don’t confuse with New scheme vs 2024 scheme: The 2024 scheme had Rs.8,500 crore; the new one has Rs.37,500 crore and targets about 75 MT.

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

Gasification turns domestic coal into syngas, urea, methanol and ammonia, which can reduce import dependence and support energy security.
Investment is estimated at ₹2.5-3 lakh crore, with jobs across the value chain.
Cuts import dependence for feedstock such as methanol, ammonia and urea, helping energy and economic security.
Adds value to domestic coal and lignite and supports investment and jobs.
Cuts import dependence on LNG, urea, ammonia and methanol; the import bill of key substitutable products was about Rs.2.77 lakh crore in FY2025.
Mobilises an expected Rs.2.5-3.0 lakh crore investment and about 50,000 jobs in coal-bearing regions.
Builds indigenous technology capability and supports Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Problems

Projects are capital-intensive and need long preparation: feasibility, technology, environmental and financial planning.
Early reports of 'no takers' show doubts about commercial viability; only seven applications came in Round 1.
Projects are large and complex, needing long preparation: feasibility reports, technology choice and feedstock tie-ups.
Project economics and high capital needs may deter early applicants.
Gasification is capital-intensive and technology-heavy, and high-ash Indian coal complicates it.
Coal use conflicts with climate commitments and net-zero goals; gasification has high emissions and water needs unless paired with carbon capture.
Product cost may not compete with imports without continued subsidy.

Way forward

Evaluate applications transparently under the RFP and move selected projects to commissioning on time.
Keep rounds open at two-month intervals to draw more bidders and technology partners.
Use rolling rounds and outreach to bring in more developers and technology providers.
Assess participation after the full rounds close, and back projects with finance and feedstock linkages.
Pair gasification with carbon capture and use, and track emissions and water use.
Invest in R&D and pilots for indigenous technology suited to high-ash coal.
Ensure assured coal supply, offtake and pricing certainty for downstream products.

Put in your answer

Import bill: Imports of LNG, urea, ammonia and methanol were about ₹2.77 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. Use this to argue the case for gasification.

2030 target: The target is 100 million tonnes of gasification capacity by 2030, with 75 million tonnes under the scheme.

Scheme outlay: ₹37,500 crore scheme to promote coal and lignite gasification, approved on 13 May 2026.

Import dependence: Ammonia is about 100% imported, methanol 80-90%, and LNG over 50%.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 13

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

1.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet with a total outlay of ₹37,500 crore.
2.The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
3.The scheme promotes conversion of coal and lignite into products such as methanol, ammonia and urea.
4.Under the scheme, application rounds are held once a year, with a fixed single window.
5.Each application round remains open for two months.
6.The scheme is linked to the target of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030.
7.The scheme provides a financial incentive of up to 20% of the cost of plant and machinery.
8.The incentive is paid as a single upfront grant at project approval.
9.Incentive for any single project under the scheme is capped at Rs.5,000 crore.
10.The scheme mandates the use of indigenous gasification technology only.
11.Incentives under the scheme are in addition to incentives under the commercial coal mining regime.
12.Projects under the scheme are selected through transparent competitive bidding.
13.The National Coal Gasification Mission aims at 100 MT of coal gasification by 2030.

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

Source: PIB, Cabinet, 13 May, 15:29 IST · Release 288815

Issue page →

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

In the news

Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail

GS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 May 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line project, costing about Rs 20,667 crore, to be completed by 2030-31.
What it is: The Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)–Dholera line is a new double-line railway of about 134 km in Gujarat. It is meant to link Ahmedabad with the Dholera Special Investment Region, the upcoming Dholera Airport and the Lothal maritime heritage complex. It is planned as a pilot for semi high-speed rail elsewhere in India.

Cost and timeline: Estimated cost is about Rs 20,667 crore, with completion targeted by 2030-31.
First of its kind: It will be Indian Railways' first semi high-speed project, using indigenously developed technology.
Length and area: The line adds about 134 km to the Indian Railways network and covers Ahmedabad district in Gujarat.
Planning framework: The project is planned on the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
Reach: It will improve connectivity to about 284 villages with a population of about 5 lakh.

Don’t confuse with Semi high-speed vs bullet train: The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail is a separate bullet train project, built with Japanese assistance. The Ahmedabad–Dholera line is a semi high-speed line built with indigenous technology.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: India's first semi high-speed rail line is worth a card, but project approvals rarely appear as questions; places and infrastructure projects almost never reach Mains.

Source: PIB, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), 13 May, 15:34 IST · Release 288817

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Report or index

Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report

GS3 Economy · LogisticsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 May 2026 in New Delhi, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal released the LEADS 2025 report, the seventh edition, at the LEAPS Awards 2025 ceremony. The report moves to a four-tier ranking of States and UTs.
What it is: Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) is a yearly assessment by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It benchmarks the logistics performance of States and Union Territories. It works as a reform tool under the National Logistics Policy and PM GatiShakti.

Publisher: LEADS is DPIIT's flagship assessment of logistics performance across States and UTs. DPIIT is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Edition: LEADS 2025 is the seventh edition and uses a more rigorous method than before.
Objective indicators: About 59% weightage goes to objective indicators.
Four tiers: The earlier three-tier classification is replaced by four tiers: Exemplars, High Performers, Accelerators and Growth-Seekers.
Policy link: LEADS supports cooperative and competitive federalism and sits under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and National Logistics Policy.

Don’t confuse with LEADS vs LEAPS: LEADS is the State and UT logistics performance report. LEAPS is the DPIIT awards scheme for logistics firms and institutions.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Annual logistics index released; routine report, UPSC rarely asks (reports are 4% of Prelims).

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 13 May, 20:33 IST · Release 288834

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

Cabinet approved lease extension for Nagpur airport to be licensed to GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited for 30 years under PPP.
India and Chile reaffirmed early conclusion of their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), under negotiation.
HD KSOE, NSHIP-TN and SMFCL signed an MoU for a 2.5 million GT greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi under the India-ROK VOYAGES framework.
Three Tamil Nadu bronzes, including a Chola Shiva Nataraja (c. 990 CE), were repatriated from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art.
MDoNER launched the Rs 189.79 crore Mizoram Ginger Mission for ginger cultivation and value chain development.

Source: PIB, 13 May

What we left out: 26 of 35 releases

Speeches without a decision (3)
Ceremonies and campaigns (5)
Seminars and conferences (4)
Explainers without new decision (1)
Hackathons and awards events (1)
Same issue as another release (4)
Routine fund releases (1)
Routine MoUs (3)
Visit schedules (4)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif CropsMCQ · 7 true or false
2Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification ProjectsMCQ · 13 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

Minimum Support Price is meant to ensure remunerative prices to farmers, yet it covers few crops and few farmers effectively. Discuss the provisions of the MSP system, including the 1.5 times cost norm, and critically examine the challenges in its implementation and the way forward.

From: Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif Crops

Write and get it marked

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