UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 18 August 2026

7 issues picked from 32 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

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. New Section 9D stops States taxing mineral rights and lands except under Centre's conditions.
Positive Indigenisation Lists (Defence) and SRIJAN Portal. DDP notifies sixth Positive Indigenisation List of 405 DPSU and Coast Guard items for Indian industry.
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Priority Sector Lending. RRB loans grew 10.3% to ₹5.78 lakh crore; PSL achievement averaged 91.7% of ANBC.
Coconut Development Board and India's Coconut Sector. India leads world coconut output; exports rose 62 percent in 2025-26 under Coconut Development Board schemes.
Aadhaar Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for Children. UIDAI's school drive crosses 2 crore child biometric updates; MBU free till 30 September 2026.
BRICS and India's 2026 Chairship. India-chaired BRICS environment ministers adopt a joint statement with four outcome documents on sustainability.
Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections. Cabinet-level approval gives CGD firms extra cheap APM gas for each new billed household PNG connection.

Law and statutory body

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

GS3 Mining, Centre-State fiscal relationsGS2 FederalismPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 18 August 2026, PIB explained the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, which bars States from imposing fresh taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands except on conditions set by the Centre.
What it is: The MMDR Act, 1957 is the central law for regulating mines and developing minerals in India. It separates major minerals, which the Centre regulates, from minor minerals, which States regulate. The 2026 amendment adds a fiscal layer to this framework by limiting State levies on mineral rights and lands.

New Section 9D: No State may impose a tax, cess or other levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands, except as per conditions the Centre prescribes. This covers levies based on quantity, value, royalty or any other basis.
Past levies: Levies not paid or collected before the amendment applies are treated as invalid. Amounts already deposited or recovered are not refunded.
Section 13 rules: Section 13 is amended so the Centre can make rules prescribing the conditions for State levies.
Minor minerals: Nearly 50 minor minerals such as sand, granite and marble stay fully under State control. The Act does not affect them.
DMFs: District Mineral Foundations collections continue unchanged. The full DMF amount goes to local projects decided by the district administration.
Auction regime: The 2015 amendment ended discretionary allocation of concessions and brought in competitive auction, giving States auction premium.
Passage: Both Houses of Parliament passed the Bill on 13 August 2026.
Revenue split: About 90% of taxes and statutory payments in mining accrue to States, and this continues.
Levies: States levy around 14 types of charges on mining, including royalty, auction premium, dead rent, DMF contribution, GST and transit fee.
Auction premium: Auction premium is the amount quoted by the successful bidder. It became a State revenue source after the auction regime began in 2015.
Imports: India imported minerals worth Rs 10,12,529 crore in FY 2025-26.
Parent Act: Mining is governed by the MMDR Act, 1957, under which the Union controls mine regulation and mineral development.
Mineral-bearing lands: Union control now also covers mineral-bearing lands, identified by parameters the Centre prescribes.
Rule-making: Section 13 is amended so the Centre can make rules prescribing conditions or restrictions for State levies.
Parliamentary status: The bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament.

Don’t confuse with Major vs minor minerals: Major minerals such as coal and iron ore are regulated by the Centre. Minor minerals such as sand and granite are under States. The 2026 Act affects only the former's fiscal regime.

Don’t confuse with Royalty vs auction premium: Royalty is a statutory payment on mineral produced. Auction premium is the bid amount paid to the State after a block is auctioned.

Don’t confuse with Royalty vs tax on mineral rights: Royalty is paid under the MMDR Act's Second Schedule. The Bill's Section 9D covers levies on mineral rights and lands, including those based on royalty, and subjects them to Centre's conditions.

Don’t confuse with Section 9D vs Section 13: Section 9D restricts State levies. Section 13 is the Centre's rule-making power, amended to prescribe the conditions.

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.

Why it matters

Creates a uniform, predictable tax regime that can lower input costs for steel, cement and power and attract investment.
Supports energy and critical-mineral security by keeping strategic mineral projects viable.
Aims at a predictable fiscal regime for investors, to raise investment in mining and support Atmanirbhar Bharat.
May reduce import dependence, as minerals imports were Rs 10.12 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
Gives miners predictability and ends retrospective or unpredictable State levies.
Aims at a uniform national fiscal framework, supporting critical mineral security and lower input costs.

Problems

Curbs State fiscal autonomy over taxing mineral lands and rights, raising federalism concerns, especially for mineral-rich States.
Declaring past levies invalid may invite litigation, since it cuts across earlier judicial rulings on State taxing powers.
Federal concern: States may see caps on mineral taxation as intrusion into their fiscal autonomy.
Balancing national market uniformity with State revenue needs and mining-area communities.
Curbs State fiscal autonomy and may affect mineral-rich States' revenue, raising federalism concerns about the Union-State balance.
May face legal challenge over legislative competence, since State taxing powers on mineral rights and lands are in the State List, and over invalidating past levies.

Way forward

Frame the Section 13 rules after consulting States so conditions stay fair and clear.
Protect State revenue and DMF flows, and settle disputes through the Inter-State Council or GST Council-style consultation.
Consult States through forums such as the Inter-State Council or GST Council-type mechanisms on tax limits.
Keep the State revenue share and DMF funds for affected communities protected.
Frame Section 13 rules after consulting States, with clear, transparent limits on levies.
Compensate or share revenue with mineral-bearing States, and use the District Mineral Foundation for affected communities.

Put in your answer

State revenue share: In coal, States received 89.5 percent of the total in 2025-26, up from 55.6 percent in 2014-15.

Import bill: India imported minerals worth ₹10,12,529 crore in FY 2025-26.

State revenue data: Major mining States got over Rs 5 lakh crore in FY 2015-16 to FY 2025-26, against Rs 82,000 crore for the Centre.

Auction premium data: Major mining States collected over Rs 96 thousand crore in auction premium during 2020-21 to 2025-26.

Union control and public interest: Section 2 of the MMDR Act declares Union control of mine regulation and mineral development in the public interest, and the Bill widens it to mineral-bearing lands.

Retrospective levies invalid: The Bill invalidates uncollected past levies but allows no refund of amounts already recovered, a balance between miners and States.

Test yourselfMains

True or false?

1 of 17

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

1.Under the Act, States may impose levies on mineral rights only as per conditions or restrictions prescribed by the Central Government.
2.The Act requires States to refund all amounts of invalidated levies already collected before its commencement.
3.The power to prescribe conditions for State levies is given to the Central Government by an amendment to Section 13 of the MMDR Act.
4.The Act also brings the taxation of minor minerals such as sand and granite under Central conditions.
5.Under the MMDR Act, 1957, major minerals are regulated by the Centre and minor minerals by the States.
6.The National Critical Mineral Mission was approved in January 2025 with an outlay of ₹16,300 crore including ₹2,600 crore budgetary support.
7.The competitive auction regime for mineral concessions was introduced by the 2015 amendment to the MMDR Act, which gave States auction premium as a new income source.
8.About 90% of total taxes and statutory payments in mining accrue to the States.
9.Auction premium became a State revenue source after the auction regime was introduced in 2015.
10.Contribution to the District Mineral Foundation is among the levies States charge on mining operations.
11.From FY 2015-16 to FY 2025-26, revenue to the Centre from mining exceeded that to the major mining States.
12.The MMDR Act, 1957 is a central law enacted under the Union's power to regulate mines and mineral development in the public interest.
13.Under the MMDR Act, the State governments regulate major minerals, while the Centre regulates minor minerals.
14.The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 is the law governing mining in India.
15.Under the Bill, amounts already recovered by States as levies before commencement must be refunded to miners.
16.Levies not paid or collected by a State before the Amendment applies are treated as invalid.
17.The Union's control over mine regulation and mineral development in the MMDR Act is declared under Section 2.

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

Source: PIB Headquarters, 18 Aug, 20:29 IST · Release 293664

Issue page →

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

Defence and security

Positive Indigenisation Lists (Defence) and SRIJAN Portal

GS3 Defence indigenisationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 18 August 2026, the Department of Defence Production notified the sixth Positive Indigenisation List of 405 items, worth about Rs 3,070 crore, and put it on the SRIJAN Portal.
What it is: Positive Indigenisation Lists name defence items that DPSUs and Service bodies will stop importing and buy only from Indian industry once developed locally. The SRIJAN Portal, run by the Department of Defence Production, is where these items are offered to industry, including MSMEs and start-ups. Both support the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push in defence.

Sixth list: 405 items worth an estimated Rs 3,070 crore: LRUs, sub-systems, sub-assemblies, spares, components and raw materials.
Who the items are for: 16 items are of the Indian Coast Guard and 389 are of DPSUs.
SRIJAN Portal: Launched by DDP in August 2020 so DPSUs and Service Headquarters can offer items to industry, including MSMEs and start-ups, for indigenous development.
Routes to indigenise: DPSUs and ICG will use the 'Make' procedure and in-house development, with industry participation, especially MSMEs.
Results so far: More than 15,700 items indigenised, with about Rs 9,000 crore import substitution over five years.

Don’t confuse with PIL (defence) vs Negative Import List: Positive Indigenisation Lists name items DPSUs will source from Indian industry once developed. Import embargo lists ban the import of listed items by a date.

Don’t confuse with SRIJAN Portal vs iDEX: SRIJAN lists items for industry to indigenise. iDEX funds start-ups and innovators for defence innovation.

Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 18 Aug, 11:15 IST · Release 293635

Issue page →

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

Economy

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Priority Sector Lending

GS3 Economy: Banking and financial inclusionPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 18 August 2026, the Ministry of Finance said RRBs' gross loans outstanding rose 10.3% to ₹5.78 lakh crore in FY 2025–26. Their average Priority Sector Lending achievement was 91.7% of ANBC.
What it is: Regional Rural Banks are scheduled commercial banks set up under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 to give credit to small farmers, artisans and weaker sections in rural areas. They are jointly owned by the Centre, the sponsor bank and the State government. The RBI's Priority Sector Lending framework sets lending targets on Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) for sectors such as agriculture, MSMEs and weaker sections.

Loan growth: Gross loans outstanding of RRBs rose from ₹5,24,163 crore to ₹5,78,349 crore, a 10.3% increase.
PSL target: The overall PSL target for RRBs is 75% of ANBC. RRBs averaged 91.7%.
Ownership: RRB shareholding is held by the Centre (50%), the State government (15%) and the sponsor bank (35%).
Number and reach: 28 RRBs work through 22,158 branches across 26 States and 3 Union Territories, covering about 730 districts.
Business size: Total business of all RRBs has crossed Rs 12 lakh crore, more than that of a few individual public sector banks.
Profit: Net profit rose to Rs 7,720 crore (provisional, up to December 2025) from Rs 6,820 crore in FY 2024-25.
Priority Sector Lending: RRBs continue to meet all PSL targets and sub-targets.
Financial inclusion: RRBs opened over 45.68 lakh new PMJDY accounts in the current financial year.
Legal basis and ownership: RRBs were set up under the RRB Act, 1976. Ownership is Centre, sponsor bank and State government.

Don’t confuse with RRBs vs Cooperative banks: RRBs are scheduled commercial banks under the RRB Act, 1976 with Centre, State and sponsor bank ownership. Cooperative banks are owned by members and regulated under State cooperative laws and RBI.

Don’t confuse with ANBC vs gross loans: ANBC is the base for PSL targets. Gross loans outstanding is the total credit book.

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 Finance, 18 Aug, 16:17 IST · Release 293647

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

Economy

Coconut Development Board and India's Coconut Sector

GS3 Agriculture: HorticulturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 18 August 2026, PIB published a feature on India's coconut sector. It covers output, exports at ₹7,038.35 crore in 2025-26, Coconut Development Board schemes and the new Coconut Promotion Scheme.
What it is: The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is the central body for the integrated development of coconut cultivation and industry in India. It works under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and is headquartered in Kochi. It also acts as the Export Promotion Council for coconut products other than husk and fibre.

CDB set-up: CDB was established on 12 January 1981 under the Agriculture Ministry, with headquarters at Kochi.
India's global rank: India is first in coconut production and third in cultivation area, with 31.24 percent and 17.90 percent of global totals.
State leaders: Keralam has the largest area, Tamil Nadu leads production, and Andhra Pradesh has the highest productivity.
Copra procurement agencies: NAFED and NCCF are the Central Nodal Agencies for copra procurement.

Don’t confuse with Milling copra vs ball copra: Milling copra is used mainly for oil extraction. Ball copra is edible and used as a dry fruit and for religious purposes. Ball copra has the higher MSP.

Don’t confuse with Area vs production vs productivity leaders: Keralam leads in area, Tamil Nadu in production, and Andhra Pradesh in productivity. Do not mix them up.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Standing agricultural topic with state-wise leaders and a new Budget scheme, but no strong debate or recurring Prelims pattern.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 18 Aug, 11:51 IST · Release 293637

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Aadhaar Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for Children

GS2 Governance: Aadhaar and UIDAIPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 18 August 2026, UIDAI said its school drive has completed over 2 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) for children, covering about 1.56 lakh schools. MBU is free for ages 5-17 until 30 September 2026.
What it is: Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is the refresh of fingerprints, iris and photograph in a child's Aadhaar. Children under five are enrolled with only demographic data and a photograph. Biometrics are captured later because they are still developing at that age. UIDAI, the authority that issues Aadhaar, runs the process.

Ages for MBU: MBU is required when a child turns 5 and again at 15.
Enrolment below age five: Only demographic details and a photograph are captured for children below five. Fingerprints and iris are not taken.
UDISE+ link: UIDAI's integration with UDISE+ shows the MBU status of children at schools. UDISE+ is the education ministry's school data system.
Drive scale: The drive began in September 2025 and has covered over 1.56 lakh schools, with school camps run with State/UT education departments.

Don’t confuse with MBU vs demographic update: MBU refreshes biometrics (fingerprints, iris, photo). A demographic update changes details such as name, address or date of birth.

Don’t confuse with UDISE+ vs Aadhaar: UDISE+ is the school education data system. Aadhaar is the UIDAI identity number. The drive links the two to track MBU status.

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 governance topic with a rule on ages 5 and 15, linked to UDISE+. Little Prelims or Mains pull as a routine milestone.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Electronics & IT, 18 Aug, 14:36 IST · Release 293643

Issue page →

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

International relations

BRICS and India's 2026 Chairship

GS2 International relations · GroupingsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 18 August 2026, the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship, adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement and launched four Knowledge Compendiums.
What it is: BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that works through three pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The chair rotates yearly and sets the agenda and theme. The BRICS Parliamentary Forum brings together legislatures of member countries for parliamentary diplomacy alongside the leaders' summit.

Forum and theme: The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held in New Delhi on 26-27 October 2026 under the theme of people-centric development.
India's chairship: India's 2026 chairship carries the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'. India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit on 12-13 September 2026.
Three pillars: Cooperation runs across political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people pillars.
IPU and BRICS Plus: Members noted Russia's initiative to consider a BRICS Plus geopolitical group within the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Next chair: China will chair BRICS in 2027.
Counter-terrorism machinery: The declaration welcomes the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and its five subgroups, and calls for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the UN.
Event: The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026 was inaugurated by the Lok Sabha Speaker at Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex, New Delhi.
Theme: The theme is 'Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development'.
Four pillars: The two-day Forum discusses four pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
Summit link: The BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government in New Delhi, chaired by PM Modi, unanimously adopted a Joint Statement.
Modi's vision: PM Modi's vision is to make BRICS an 'ecosystem of solutions'.
Members at the meeting: Ten BRICS tax administrations took part: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the UAE.
New working groups: Two India-led Working Groups were set up: International Taxation and Transfer Pricing, and Revenue Statistics. They will continue beyond the Chairship.
Host body: The meeting was hosted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Ministry of Finance.
Next tax-track Chair: China is the incoming Chair of the BRICS tax cooperation track for 2027.
Institutional outcomes: The Young Tax Professionals programme became an annual feature. The Tax Cross-Learning Lab was launched. Terms of Reference of the BRICS Tax Support Network were approved.
UN tax negotiations: India stressed that BRICS views matter in the negotiations on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
Summit and host: The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, with India as chair in 2026.
Outcome document: The summit adopted the New Delhi BRICS Leaders' Declaration, setting shared priorities and direction for BRICS cooperation.
Reform of the UN: India's PM called for greater representation in global institutions, especially the UN Security Council.
BRICS financial institutions: BRICS has the New Development Bank (HQ Shanghai) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
Summit and theme: The XVIII BRICS Summit met in New Delhi on 12-13 September 2026. Its theme was Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
UNSC reform stand: China and Russia reiterated support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.
WTO dispute settlement: BRICS called for immediate restoration of a fully functioning two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement system and appointment of new Appellate Body members.
Share of global trade: BRICS accounts for nearly one-fourth of global trade, according to the Commerce Minister.
Intra-BRICS trade growth: Trade among BRICS countries rose from USD 84 billion in 2003 to nearly USD 1.2 trillion in 2024.
Strategy document: The BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy 2030 guides economic integration among members. The Jaipur Consensus was cited as a basis for a common BRICS mechanism to support MSMEs.
Startup and business bodies: India's Chairship has pushed the BRICS incubator network and the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund. The BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women's Business Alliance bring business into the BRICS process.
Original members: The original BRIC grouping was Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS.
India's earlier Chairships: India chaired BRICS in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The 2012 Delhi Summit proposed a development bank and laid the basis of the Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
Share of world: Members hold 49.5% of world population, 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
Host office: The meeting was hosted by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Main outcome: The meeting adopted Updated Operational Guidelines to guide result-oriented cooperation and joint efforts on global IP standards.
Patent cooperation study: Progress was noted on a study on reinforced patent examination cooperation to reduce backlogs and improve exchange of search results.
Traditional knowledge: The IP heads recognised the importance of protecting and preserving traditional knowledge and traditional systems of medicine.
Meeting: The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting was held in New Delhi under India's 2026 Chairship, led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
Chairship theme: India's chairship redefines BRICS as 'Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability', with a people-centric approach and the spirit of 'Humanity First'.
Four priorities: The environment track priorities are sustainable lifestyles; afforestation, forest fire management and disaster resilience; circular economy; and adaptation.
Outcome: The meeting adopted the Joint Ministerial Statement by consensus. It has four Outcome Documents, and four Knowledge Compendiums were launched.
Outcome documents: They cover a network of institutions on sustainable lifestyles, landscape management against desertification, forest fire preparedness, and community-based climate adaptation.
Decision-making: BRICS works by consensus and has no secretariat or charter; the chair rotates annually.
BRICS CONNECT: An India-proposed platform for technical cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity building among BRICS members, covering labour market intelligence, skills forecasting and social security.
Declaration priorities: The Declaration has four priorities: social security and formalisation, women's participation, employability and skills mapping, and digital technologies for all workers including gig and platform workers.
ILO occupations study: The ILO, with India and Brazil, is running a feasibility study on an International Reference Classification of Occupations; members are encouraged to join a pilot in Digital, Care and Green sectors.
Knowledge partners: ILO, the International Social Security Association and the UN Resident Coordinator's Office supported the technical deliberations.
Social protection coverage: ILO running estimates put India's social protection reach at 1 billion people.
Meeting and place: The 3rd BRICS Transport Ministers' Meeting was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on 11 July 2026 under India's chairship.
Working Group role: The Transport Working Group's senior officials finalised the agenda outcomes and the draft Declaration before ministers adopted it.
Declaration themes: The Declaration covers circularity in infrastructure, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, transport decarbonisation, urban mobility hubs, logistics supply chain cooperation and a BRICS Railway Research Network.
Decision by consensus: The Declaration was adopted unanimously, reflecting BRICS' consensus-based way of working.
Chair rotation: The BRICS chair rotates annually, and India will hand over these initiatives to the next chair.
New centre: The BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage was launched under the Energy Research Cooperation Platform. It is a voluntary platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Guiding principles: The BRICS Guiding Principles on Smart Grids and Energy Storage were adopted.
Other bodies present: The International Solar Alliance, the Global Biofuels Alliance and the New Development Bank took part in the deliberations.
Energy Track theme: India's Energy Track theme was "Sarveshaam Urjam" (Energy for All), with three priorities: energy security, energy access and equity, and technology and innovation.
Indore Declaration: The BRICS agriculture ministers adopted the joint declaration unanimously. It covers food security, farmer welfare, climate-resilient farming, trade and digital agriculture.
BRICS weight in agriculture: BRICS has nearly half the world's population, about 42% of global agricultural land and about 42% of global foodgrain output (as stated by the Minister).
Digital Agriculture Network: A BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will cover AI, geospatial technology and digital public infrastructure. IIT Delhi will coordinate it.
Agro-Ecology Centres of Excellence: A BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture was set up. India's centre is the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram.
Seed forum and AgriN: A Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems and BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) were announced.
Research platform: The existing BRICS Agricultural Research Platform is to be developed into a 'Knowledge-to-Action Hub'.

Don’t confuse with BRICS Summit vs BRICS Parliamentary Forum: The Summit is the leaders' executive-level meeting; the Parliamentary Forum is a meeting of legislature presiding officers and delegations.

Don’t confuse with Member vs partner countries: Members sign the declaration; partner countries are welcomed to take part in engagements but are a separate category.

Don’t confuse with BRICS tax track vs BRICS Summit: The Heads of Tax Authorities meeting is a sectoral track meeting under the Chair. The Summit is the leaders' annual meeting.

Don’t confuse with CBDT vs Department of Revenue: CBDT is a statutory body within the Department of Revenue. The Department sits in the Ministry of Finance.

Don’t confuse with New Development Bank vs Contingent Reserve Arrangement: The NDB funds infrastructure and sustainable development projects. The CRA is a liquidity backstop for members facing balance-of-payments pressure.

Don’t confuse with BRICS vs BRICS Plus/Partner countries: Members are the full BRICS grouping. Partner countries and Outreach/BRICS Plus invitees take part in engagements but are not full members.

Don’t confuse with BRICS vs New Development Bank: BRICS is the political-economic forum. The New Development Bank is its multilateral lender, headquartered in Shanghai.

Don’t confuse with BRICS Business Council vs BRICS Business Forum: The Business Council is a standing body of business leaders. The Business Forum is an event held during the Chairship.

Don’t confuse with Full member vs Partner Country: Full members (11) take part in the core structure. Partner countries such as Vietnam and Nigeria have a separate, structured engagement channel.

Don’t confuse with BRICS vs BIMSTEC: BIMSTEC is a Bay of Bengal regional grouping. It was invited to the 2016 Goa BRICS Outreach Summit but is a separate body.

Don’t confuse with IP BRICS vs WIPO: IP BRICS is a cooperation track among five or more member IP offices. WIPO is the UN agency that sets global IP rules and treaties.

Don’t confuse with Mission LiFE vs Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Mission LiFE promotes sustainable lifestyles and behaviour change. Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam is a tree-planting campaign. Both were cited as examples of public participation.

Don’t confuse with ILO vs ISSA: The International Labour Organisation is a UN specialised agency on labour standards. The International Social Security Association is a separate body of social security institutions.

Don’t confuse with BRICS vs BRICS+: BRICS refers to the core member grouping; 'BRICS+' is used for its wider outreach with partner and invited countries.

Don’t confuse with Ministerial Meeting vs Senior Officials' Meeting: Officials negotiate and finalise the text; ministers adopt it.

Don’t confuse with ISA vs GBA: The International Solar Alliance promotes solar energy. The Global Biofuels Alliance promotes biofuels. Both are India-backed bodies, and neither is a BRICS body.

Don’t confuse with NDB vs ERCP: The New Development Bank is the BRICS bank that finances projects. The Energy Research Cooperation Platform is a research and knowledge forum on energy.

Don’t confuse with Existing platform vs new networks: The Agricultural Research Platform is old and is being upgraded. The four networks and forums (agro-ecology centres, digital agriculture, seed rights forum, AgriN) are new.

Don’t confuse with Members vs partners: Delegates came from BRICS member and partner countries. Partner countries are not full members.

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

Parliamentary diplomacy adds a legislative layer to India's engagement with the Global South.
Shared positions on UN Security Council reform and terrorism, including the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam attack, support India's foreign policy goals.
Digital public infrastructure and AI cooperation let India share its technology model.
Parliamentary diplomacy adds a legislative layer to BRICS and helps turn summit commitments into laws and budgets.
It supports India's push to voice Global South concerns.
Permanent working groups let India shape BRICS positions on transfer pricing and tax data beyond its own year as Chair.
A common BRICS voice strengthens the Global South's say in global tax rules such as the UN tax convention talks.
Gives India a platform to push Global South concerns and UN Security Council reform.
Shows India's role in shaping multilateral rules through a non-Western-led grouping.
Gives the Global South a joint platform to push reform of the UN, IMF, World Bank and WTO.
Shows backing from China and Russia for India's UNSC aspirations.
Lets India shape agendas on health, digital public infrastructure, AI, disaster resilience and climate.
Gives India a platform to push for Global South priorities and a reformed multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.
Supports India's export push in engineering goods, electronics and pharmaceuticals, and promotes UPI and digital public infrastructure abroad.
Gives India a platform to voice Global South concerns and push reform of the IMF, World Bank and WTO.
Chairing lets India set the agenda on practical cooperation such as digital public infrastructure, health, MSMEs and counter-terrorism.
The NDB and CRA offer alternatives to Western-led financing.
Shared IP cooperation helps members shape global IP standards and voice Global South concerns.
Work on GIs and traditional knowledge supports protection and commercialisation of such products in BRICS markets.
Lets India push Global South concerns on climate finance, adaptation and equity.
Shares India's community-based models such as Mission LiFE across emerging economies.
Shows India using its chair to push a Global South, people-centric labour agenda.
BRICS CONNECT moves cooperation from policy dialogue to practical capacity building.
Sectoral tracks like transport give India a chance to shape BRICS' agenda on sustainable infrastructure and logistics.
Cooperation on SAF and decarbonisation links trade and connectivity with climate goals.
Lets India push the Global South view that countries need policy space and their own energy pathways.
Showcases India's clean energy and biofuel leadership and builds cooperation on smart grids, storage and hydrogen.
Gives India agenda-setting power on food security and Global South farm concerns during its chairship.
Links research, digital tools and seed conservation to climate-resilient farming across a bloc with large farmland and foodgrain share.

Problems

Members hold different views, with several in tension (for example, over West Asia and sanctions), so declarations stay general and consensus-based.
Expanded membership dilutes cohesion and makes common positions harder.
Members differ in political systems and national priorities, so parliamentary outcomes stay non-binding and hard to turn into action.
Members differ in tax systems, capacity and geopolitical interests, which makes common positions hard.
BRICS outcomes are non-binding and depend on each chair's follow-through.
Members differ in interests and geopolitical positions, which makes consensus hard.
Expansion of membership can dilute focus and cohesion.
Consensus is hard in a larger BRICS with diverse and sometimes conflicting interests.
India and China differ on some issues, and a BRICS stance on de-dollarisation and sanctions can strain India's ties with the West.
Many outcomes are voluntary and non-binding, so follow-through is uneven.
Non-tariff measures and regulatory barriers raise export costs and limit intra-BRICS trade.
Members differ in size, interests and geopolitics, which makes consensus on common payment or currency mechanisms hard.
A larger, more diverse membership makes consensus harder, as members have differing interests and rivalries.
Divergent positions among members, for example India and China, limit common stands on issues like terrorism and UN reform.
Most cooperation is voluntary and non-binding, so delivery depends on follow-through.
Members differ in IP regimes and in priorities, such as public health access versus patent protection.
Backlogs and uneven examination capacity slow cooperation.
Outcome documents are consensual and non-binding, so implementation depends on members.
Members differ on climate finance, energy transition and emission priorities.
The Declaration is non-binding; social protection expansion is left to nationally determined levels.
Members differ widely in labour markets and capacity, making common standards hard.
Consensus-based declarations are often broad and non-binding.
Members differ in economic structure and priorities, which makes implementation uneven.
BRICS members differ in energy mix and interests, so outcomes are consensus-based and voluntary.
The new centre is voluntary and non-binding, so impact depends on member participation and funding.
BRICS declarations are non-binding, so implementation depends on members' will and funding.
Members differ on trade, subsidies and seed or intellectual property rules, which may slow the Grain Exchange and seed forum.

Way forward

Turn declarations into concrete work such as the digital public infrastructure repository and pilot projects.
Use the IPU and the 2027 Chinese chairship to carry forward Global South priorities, while managing differences through consensus.
Use legislatures' oversight and budget roles to track Joint Statement commitments, and share best practices among parliaments.
Continue the work through the working groups and hand over smoothly to China in 2027.
Use shared tools such as peer learning and the Support Network to build capacity in member tax administrations.
Focus on concrete, deliverable outcomes such as capacity building and the proposed seafarers network.
Build consensus on institutional reform through coordinated positions in the UN and other forums.
Turn declarations into funded, time-bound projects through the NDB and working groups.
Use the chairship to link BRICS positions with G20 and other fora for reform.
Keep a balanced stance, including local-currency payments without hurting multilateral ties.
Simplify regulatory procedures, speed up customs clearance and recognise professional qualifications.
Link payment systems step by step and expand local-currency settlement.
Strengthen institutional mechanisms and turn declarations into funded, time-bound projects.
Settle a clear rotation formula and criteria for members and partners.
Use the Chairship to build consensus on reformed multilateralism and local-currency trade.
Use patent examination cooperation and shared search results to cut backlogs.
Review projects periodically so cooperation continues across chairships.
Turn principles into funded joint projects, training and technology exchange.
Track delivery through the knowledge network and the next chair's agenda.
Turn BRICS CONNECT into funded, time-bound programmes with measurable outcomes.
Extend the occupation classification pilot and share India's digital platforms such as e-Shram with partners.
Convert declaration themes into funded joint projects, such as the Railway Research Network.
Ensure continuity by handing over initiatives to the next chair with clear timelines.
Turn the guiding principles into pilot projects and shared standards.
Use the NDB and other bodies for affordable financing of clean energy in developing economies.
Set timelines, funding and national focal institutions for each network.
Link the networks to existing national schemes and farmer groups so that research reaches small farmers.

Put in your answer

Counter-terrorism stance: The declaration condemns the 22 April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir and calls for zero tolerance and no double standards.

UN reform: Members support comprehensive UN reform, including the Security Council, to make it more representative.

Digital public infrastructure: A proposal to launch a DPI repository and pilot projects for BRICS countries was noted.

Institutional continuity: India-led working groups and an annual training programme show how a chair can leave lasting mechanisms in BRICS.

Global South rule-shaper: The PM said BRICS can train young diplomats and policymakers from the Global South in negotiation skills and legal expertise, so they move from rule-taker to rule-shaper.

Partnership, not privilege: The PM urged turning the pyramid of privilege into a platform of partnership in global governance.

Terrorism stand: The Declaration condemns the 22 April 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, and rejects double standards on terrorism.

IMF quota reform: BRICS urged the 16th General Review of Quotas increases to take effect and quota realignment under the 17th review.

Opposition to unilateral sanctions and CBAM: BRICS opposes unilateral measures such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms.

Non-tariff barriers: Non-tariff measures impose higher export costs than tariffs for 88 per cent of countries. Useful to argue for regulatory simplification.

IP BRICS projects: New projects include an IP Awareness Series, a FinTech Innovation Monitor and a Industrial Property Commercialisation Forum, plus work on IP policies for public health.

India's new NDC: India's new Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031-2035 was cited as combining climate action with inclusive development and energy security.

Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: Cited as examples of combining ecological restoration, public participation and community ownership.

Labour Codes: India merged 29 labour laws into four Labour Codes in November 2025, cited as a worker-centric reform.

e-Shram: The portal gives unique identification and benefit access to over 317 million registered unorganised workers.

BRICS Transport Declaration 2026: Example of India using its chairship to push sustainable transport themes such as SAF, decarbonisation and logistics.

India's solar growth: Solar capacity rose from about 3 GW in 2014 to over 154 GW, per the Power Minister.

India's energy targets: India aims for over 400 GWh of energy storage by 2032 and 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.

BRICS share of agriculture: About 42% of global farmland and foodgrain production, and nearly half the world's population, as stated by the Minister.

Seed rights forum: The Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems focuses on protecting farmers' seed rights and indigenous seed diversity.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 28

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

1.BRICS cooperation rests on four pillars, including a separate defence pillar.
2.India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in September 2026.
3.Russia is to chair BRICS in 2027.
4.The declaration takes note of a proposal to set up a BRICS Plus geopolitical group within the Inter-Parliamentary Union, put forward by India.
5.The BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group operates through five subgroups.
6.The BRICS chair rotates every five years.
7.The XVIII BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi in September 2026.
8.The Declaration says BRICS cooperation rests on two pillars: political and security, and economic and financial.
9.China and Russia reiterated support for Brazil's and India's aspirations to play a greater role in the UN, including its Security Council.
10.India will chair BRICS in 2027 and host the XIX Summit.
11.BRICS called for restoring a two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement mechanism and appointing new Appellate Body members.
12.The Declaration supports Ethiopia's and Iran's bid for accession to the WTO.
13.The Declaration welcomes India's Chairship of the Kimberley Process in 2026.
14.The New Development Bank is headquartered in New Delhi.
15.The BRICS Presidency rotates annually according to the alphabetical order of member countries' names.
16.Indonesia joined as the eleventh full member of BRICS in January 2025.
17.The Partner Country category gives partner countries full membership rights in BRICS.
18.The acronym 'BRIC' was coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs.
19.The New Development Bank has its headquarters in New Delhi.
20.The Contingent Reserve Arrangement is meant to give short-term liquidity support to members facing financial instability.
21.The 13th BRICS Summit, hosted by India in 2021, was held in person in New Delhi.
22.The Indore Declaration was adopted unanimously by the BRICS agriculture ministers.
23.The BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will be coordinated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research headquarters in New Delhi.
24.The Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, is India's Centre of Excellence under the new BRICS agro-ecology network.
25.BRICS countries together hold about 42 per cent of global agricultural land, according to the Union Minister.
26.The BRICS Agricultural Research Platform was newly created at the Indore meeting.
27.The chair of BRICS rotates every year and sets the agenda for that year.
28.The BRICS Grain Exchange was formally established at the Indore meeting.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 18 Aug, 15:28 IST · Release 293645

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections

GS3 EnergyGS2 Government policiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 18 August 2026 the Government approved an Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections, effective 1 September 2026. It rewards City Gas Distribution firms for adding billed household piped gas connections.
What it is: It is a Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas scheme that rewards City Gas Distribution companies for adding active, billed household piped gas connections. The reward is extra cheap domestic gas, which lowers the firms' sourcing costs and so the cost of connecting homes.

Who gets the incentive: CGD entities get incentives for converting unbilled connections into active billed ones and for expanding the network into new areas.
Reward per connection: Each billed domestic connection added beyond the fixed threshold earns 200 SCM of additional APM gas.
Duration: The scheme runs in two tranches over six months.
Coverage: PNGRB has authorised entities in 309 Geographical Areas, which together span the whole mainland.
Payback period: The payback on capital for a domestic connection is expected to fall from about ten years to nearly three years.
Regulator: PNGRB is the statutory regulator for downstream natural gas and petroleum products, set up under the PNGRB Act, 2006.
Reward: Eligible CGD entities get an extra 200 SCM of APM gas for each incremental billed domestic PNG connection above a threshold set for each Geographical Area.
Who gets it: The incentive goes to City Gas Distribution companies, not to households directly.
How it cuts costs: The extra APM gas replaces costlier LNG that CGD firms buy for their CNG (Transport) segment.
Current base: India has 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections at present.

Don’t confuse with APM gas vs LNG: APM gas is domestic gas sold at a government-administered price. LNG is imported, costlier gas.

Don’t confuse with PNG vs CNG: PNG is piped gas for cooking at homes. CNG is compressed gas used as a transport fuel.

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 Petroleum & Natural Gas, 18 Aug, 21:13 IST · Release 293665

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

NHAI has extended the online FASTag Local Pass, bought via the Rajmargyatra app, to 121 toll plazas; residents within 20 km can apply.
CCEA approved the 135.87-km four-lane Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor of NH-15 on BOT Toll mode at Rs 8,970.20 crore.

Source: PIB, 18 Aug

What we left out: 23 of 32 releases

Speeches without a decision (8)
General explainers without new facts (1)
Routine local events (2)
Awards and name lists (1)
Ceremonies and campaigns (3)
Same issue as another release (4)
Visit schedules (1)
Event announcements (1)
Same issue on file, routine MoU (1)
Webinars and awareness sessions (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026MCQ · 17 true or false · Mains
2Positive Indigenisation Lists (Defence) and SRIJAN PortalMCQ · 6 true or false
3Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Priority Sector LendingMCQ · 7 true or false
4BRICS and India's 2026 ChairshipMCQ · 28 true or false · Mains
5Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG ConnectionsMCQ · 7 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 bars States from imposing fresh taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands except on conditions set by the Centre. Examine the main provisions of the Act and discuss its implications for Centre-State fiscal relations and for the mining sector.

From: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

Write and get it marked

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