Current Affairs, 17 April 2026

Type and ministry

RBM is a central sector scheme of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Implementing bodies

It is implemented through the Brahmaputra Board, the CWC and the NWDA.

Priority basins

CWC prioritises DPR preparation in the Indus, Brahmaputra, Barak and Teesta basins.

Brahmaputra Board work

The Board does anti-erosion work such as protecting Majuli Island, drainage development and raised platforms in flood-prone areas.

Don’t confuse with RBM Scheme vs National River Linking Project: RBM funds NWDA's studies and reports for river linking; it does not build the links itself.

Don’t confuse with Brahmaputra Board vs Central Water Commission: The Board plans and manages floods in the North East; the CWC prepares DPRs across the priority basins.

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.

1. 2013Mains GS3 · Q20Enumerate National Water Policy; Ganges pollution control strategies
2. 2015Mains GS3 · Q15Discuss Namami Gange and NMCG; reasons for mixed results
3. 2017Mains GS3 · Q8Discuss advantages and environmental impact of river linking
4. 2016Prelims Q23Key features of NGRBA, including river basin as unit of planning
5. 2014Prelims Q96Statements on Animal Welfare Board, NTCA, and NGRBA chairmanship

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

Draft notification

The draft is titled the Companies (Incorporation) Amendment Rules, 2026. It proposes changes to the 2014 Rules.

Comment deadline for draft rules

Comments with brief justification go through the MCA e-Consultation Module by 9 May 2026.

Role of IICA

MCA is running a consultation on the filing and compliance framework through the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.

Legal basis

The Rules are delegated legislation under the Companies Act, 2013, administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Don’t confuse with Companies Act, 2013 vs Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014: The Act is the parent law passed by Parliament. The Rules are subordinate legislation made by the Central Government under it, and can be amended by notification.

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 · Q1Challenges in implementing mandatory CSR under the Companies Bill 2013.
2. 2020Mains GS4 · Q4Distinguish laws and rules; discuss ethics' role in formulating them.
3. 2024Prelims Q50Statements on CSR rules: direct-benefit exclusion and absence of minimum spending.

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

Administered by

DGFT runs both the Advance Authorisation and DFIA schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy.

What the schemes allow

Duty-free import of inputs that are physically incorporated in export products.

Basis of authorisation

Authorisations are generally issued against notified SION. Where SION is absent, self-declared norms are examined and finalised by Norms Committees.

Norms Committees

Seven are operational under DGFT. They include technical authorities and domain experts from relevant Ministries.

Capacity increase

Ten more technical members were nominated, raising Technical Authorities from 12 to 22.

Outcome

From January to 7 April 2026, 38 meetings took up 3,925 cases and disposed of 1,770.

No application or fee

Exporters need not apply or pay any composition fee.

Schemes covered

Applies to Advance Authorisation, including Annual Requirement and Special Advance Authorisation, and to EPCG.

Compliance check

DGFT Regional Authorities verify EO compliance when issuing the EODC, or at closure or regularisation.

Don’t confuse with Advance Authorisation vs DFIA: Both allow duty-free import of inputs for exports under DGFT. DFIA is a separate authorisation scheme, so do not treat the two names as the same thing.

Don’t confuse with SION vs ad-hoc norms: SION are notified standard norms. Ad-hoc norms are fixed by Norms Committees when no SION exists.

Don’t confuse with Advance Authorisation vs EPCG: Advance Authorisation covers duty-free import of inputs used in export products. EPCG covers import of capital goods against an export obligation.

Don’t confuse with EO extension vs composition fee: The new extension is automatic and free. The existing FTP route lets exporters seek extensions on paying a composition fee.

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.

1. 2017Mains GS3 · Q2Why manufacturing failed labour-intensive exports; measures for labour-intensive exports.
2. 2015Mains GS3 · Q10Issues hindering Special Economic Zones' success in taxation, governing laws, administration.
3. 2025Mains GS3 · Q2Challenges to Indian economy from protectionism and bilateralism, and how to meet them.
4. 2020Prelims Q56Which statements on TRIMS, including quantitative import restrictions and trade-related measures, are correct?

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