UPSC current affairs · Thursday

Current Affairs, 24 September 2026

9 issues picked from 60 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

Basic Customs Duty on Edible Oils. India cuts import duty on crude edible oils to curb inflation, keeping refining differential.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). DDU-GKY 2.0 extends placement to six months and adds retention support and digital tools.
Quantum Measure Theory. Indian physicists measured a quantum measure of 1.17, exceeding the ordinary probability limit of one.
Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. TDB gives GalaxEye ₹63.84 crore under RDI Fund for SAR-optical imaging satellite.
Nidhi Companies (Companies Act, 2013). MCA warns public: Nidhi deposits are uninsured; check the company is a declared Nidhi.
Make in India. Make in India turns twelve, with higher output and new schemes in chips, phones, magnets and parks.
BioE3 Policy and PLA Biodegradable Plastic. Minister launches sugar-based PLA bioplastic under BioE3; BIRAC funds a 100 TPA pilot plant.
DRDO Technology Development Fund (TDF) and Quantum Dilution Refrigerator. DRDO's first high-value TDF deal funds an Indian start-up's quantum-grade dilution refrigerator.
FSSAI Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales Regulations, 2011. FSSAI drafts rule barring the name 'Paneer' for analogue products not derived from milk.

Economy

Basic Customs Duty on Edible Oils

GS3 Economy · Inflation and trade policyGS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026 the Government cut Basic Customs Duty on crude sunflower, soybean and palm oil to ease prices, and kept the crude-refined gap at 19.25%.
What it is: Basic Customs Duty (BCD) is a tax on imports levied under the Customs Act, 1962 and the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. India imports a large share of its edible oil needs, so import duty changes directly affect landed cost and retail prices. The government uses duty changes on crude and refined oils to balance consumer prices, farmers' interests and domestic refining.

Sunflower oil cut: BCD on crude sunflower oil was cut from 10% to nil.
Soybean and palm oil: BCD on crude soybean oil and crude palm oil was cut from 10% to 5%.
Industry advisory: Industry was asked to revise Price to Distributors and MRP at once to pass on the benefit.
Legal basis: Customs duty is levied under the Customs Act, 1962 and the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

Don’t confuse with Basic Customs Duty vs Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess: BCD is the base import tax; the cess is a separate levy added on some goods, including edible oils, and is not the subject of this cut.

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, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, 24 Sep, 12:43 IST · Release 295184

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Skill developmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, PIB published a explainer on DDU-GKY 2.0 ahead of the scheme's 12th anniversary on 25 September. It reports scheme progress and the features of the May 2025 guidelines.
What it is: DDU-GKY is the Ministry of Rural Development's placement-linked skilling scheme for poor rural youth. It runs under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). Training is given by Project Implementing Agencies, with State Rural Livelihoods Missions supporting implementation.

Scheme type: DDU-GKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme giving placement-linked skill training to poor rural youth.
Training duration: Courses last from 3 to 12 months.
Targets for 2026-28: All 31 participating States/UTs have been allocated over 9 lakh targets for the two years 2026-28.
Delivery mode: Training is in PPP mode, in NSQF-aligned courses, as per demand.
Deadline for PIA allocation: States/UTs must allocate targets to PIAs by 31 October 2026.
Ministry: The scheme is run by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Launch and parent mission: DDU-GKY began on 25 September 2014 under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, run by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Placement duration: Minimum placement duration rises from three months of continuous employment to six months. Continuous and non-continuous employment, including wage, self and gig work, are covered.
Type of scheme: DDU-GKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for poor rural youth, offering placement-linked skill training.
Coverage and period: Targets have been allocated to all 31 participating States/UTs for the two-year period 2026-28.
First phase numbers: 1,164 batches with 34,920 youth start in October 2026 in 14 States/UTs, against a target of 3,57,112 to be trained by 31 December 2027.
Implementing agencies and deadline: States/UTs must allocate targets to Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) by 31 October 2026.

Don’t confuse with DDU-GKY vs DAY-NRLM: DAY-NRLM is the parent rural livelihoods mission (self-help groups); DDU-GKY is its placement-linked skilling arm.

Don’t confuse with DDU-GKY vs PMKVY: PMKVY is the Ministry of Skill Development's general skilling scheme; DDU-GKY targets poor rural youth and is under Rural Development.

Don’t confuse with DDU-GKY vs RSETI: DDU-GKY gives placement-linked wage employment training to youth aged 15-35. RSETIs give free residential training to rural youth aged 18-50 for self-employment.

Don’t confuse with Roshni vs Himayat: Roshni serves LWE-affected districts, later extended to Aspirational Districts. Himayat serves Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

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 Headquarters, 24 Sep, 10:47 IST · Release 295178

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Quantum Measure Theory

GS3 Science and TechnologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, the Ministry of Science & Technology reported that Raman Research Institute (RRI) researchers made the first experimental measurement of a quantum measure above one (about 1.17), published in the journal Quantum.
What it is: Quantum Measure Theory (QMT) describes a quantum system through its possible histories, not just its state at one time. It assigns a generalized measure to sets of histories, including interference between them. Unlike ordinary probability, this measure can exceed one.

Who did it: The experiment was done at the Raman Research Institute, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
The result: The measured quantum measure was about 1.17, close to the predicted value of about 1.18 after allowing for apparatus imperfections.
Method: An 'event-filter' used polarisation to tell photon routes apart and select a chosen set. The distinguishing information was then erased so the routes could interfere.
Key caveat: No probability above one was measured. The detector probability stays below one; only the quantum measure exceeds one.
Quantum gravity link: QMT was developed partly by Rafael Sorkin in the search for quantum gravity. This experiment does not test a theory of quantum gravity.
Polarisation: Polarisation is the orientation in which light waves oscillate.

Don’t confuse with Quantum measure vs probability: The quantum measure includes interference between histories and can exceed one. The detection probability is an ordinary probability and stays between 0 and 1.

Don’t confuse with Experiment vs test of quantum gravity: The experiment makes QMT measurable in the lab. It does not test or confirm any theory of quantum gravity.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting science topic from an Indian institute (RRI), but too specialised; UPSC sci-tech questions favour concepts, 57 of 327 in Prelims.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 24 Sep, 15:07 IST · Release 295187

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

GS3 Science and technology policyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under DST, signed an agreement with GalaxEye Space Solutions, Bengaluru. It gives ₹63.84 crore from the RDI Fund to build an OptoSAR multisensor satellite.
What it is: The RDI Scheme funds private-sector research and innovation in sunrise and strategic areas, to help turn deep science into products. Money flows through a Rs 1 lakh crore fund (RDIF) to second-level fund managers such as the Technology Development Board. These managers lend or invest in eligible technology enterprises (ETEs).

Who runs it: RDIF is managed by an Independent Business Unit housed within ANRF, under the Department of Science and Technology.
Who gets the money: SLFMs channel capital to Eligible Technology Enterprises working at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above.
Launch: The Rs 1 lakh crore scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2025.
Approval chain: Proposals went to the ANRF Executive Council and then to the EGoS for approval, after evaluation and an Expert Advisory Committee interaction.
Private matching: SLFMs are expected to mobilise private capital equal to the RDIF contribution.
Matching funds rule: TDB releases RDI money only against matching funds the ETE raises from non-government sources.
Call to reopen: The call is paused only for now and will reopen after all proposals received till 30 September are assessed.
Form of funding: The support is given as Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD), a debt instrument that can convert to equity, not a grant.
Technology readiness target: The project aims to raise the technology from TRL-4 and above to TRL-8.
Priority area: The project fits the RDI Fund's priority area of advanced and reusable launch vehicles and propulsion innovation within Space Technologies.
Full-system reusability: The project moves beyond recovering only the first stage towards reusing the whole system, to cut costs and space debris.
Earlier Agnikul work: Agnikul developed the Agnilet engine, a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine made in-house.
Form of support: The money is given as Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD), not a grant.
SAR vs optical: SAR can operate regardless of daylight and can image through cloud cover. Optical imaging is affected by cloud and illumination.
Technology readiness: The funding is meant to take the technology from TRL-6 to TRL-9, that is, from a demonstrated prototype to a proven system in operation.
Intended uses: The satellite is meant for surveillance, human and vehicle detection and target classification, in varied weather and light.
Fund managers: TDB and BIRAC are the designated Second-Level Fund Managers. They issued calls on 4 and 13 February 2026.
Eligibility: Start-ups, companies and industry-led R&D projects developing technologies at TRL 4 and above in strategic and sunrise sectors can get funding.
Mode: The scheme works at national level through a competitive, proposal-based mechanism.
NM-ICPS: The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems has an outlay of Rs 3,660 crore and 25 Technology Innovation Hubs.
Fund size and period: BIRAC will deploy Rs 2,000 crore over up to five years, with scope for expansion.
Approval and launch: The RDI initiative was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2025 and launched in November 2025 under ANRF, anchored by DST.
Technology readiness and instruments: The fund backs technologies from TRL-4 to TRL-9 through equity, convertible instruments and long-term debt.
Link to BioE3: The fund complements the BioE3 Policy and targets biopharma, bio-industrial manufacturing, bioenergy, blue economy and biocomputation.
Bioeconomy target: India's bioeconomy is put at 165.7 billion dollars in 2024, with targets of 300 billion dollars by 2030 and 1 trillion dollars by 2047.
Fund size: The RDI Fund is a Rs 1 lakh crore initiative to catalyse private sector-led research and innovation.
Roles of the first fund managers: TDB handles projects across all sunrise and strategic sectors. BIRAC oversees biotechnology and allied areas.
Initial allocation: TDB and BIRAC get Rs 2,000 crore each in the first quarter, so the initial allocation is Rs 4,000 crore.
Approval route: The Empowered Group of Secretaries approved the two managers on 12 January, in line with the decision of the ANRF Executive Council.

Don’t confuse with RDIF vs ANRF: ANRF is the statutory research body; RDIF is the Rs 1 lakh crore fund run by a business unit inside it.

Don’t confuse with SLFM vs ETE: SLFMs are intermediaries that receive RDIF money; ETEs are the firms that finally receive funding.

Don’t confuse with RDIF vs SLFM: RDIF is the main fund; second-level fund managers like TDB take money from it and pass it on to ETEs.

Don’t confuse with Allocation vs disbursement: Allocation is what the fund sets aside; disbursement depends on ETEs raising matching funds and sending demand notices.

Don’t confuse with RDI Fund vs TDB: The RDI Fund is the Rs 1 lakh crore pool. TDB is one of the second-level fund managers that deploys money from it to firms.

Don’t confuse with TRL-4 vs TRL-8: TRL is a 1-9 scale of technology maturity. TRL-4 is lab validation of components, while TRL-8 is a complete, qualified system.

Don’t confuse with SAR vs EO imaging: SAR is active microwave imaging that works at night and through cloud. EO imaging is usually passive, relies on sunlight and is blocked by cloud.

Don’t confuse with RDI Scheme vs NM-ICPS: RDI funds private-sector R&D via fund managers; NM-ICPS is a DST mission funding hubs in academic institutions.

Don’t confuse with TDB vs BIRAC: Both are RDI fund managers; BIRAC focuses on biotechnology, TDB on commercialising indigenous technology.

Don’t confuse with RDI Scheme vs ANRF: ANRF is the body under which the RDI initiative runs. The RDI Scheme is the funding programme for private-sector research.

Don’t confuse with BIRAC vs DBT: BIRAC is the industry-research support agency linked to the Department of Biotechnology. It is the fund manager here, not the department.

Don’t confuse with RDI Fund vs Fund of Funds for Startups: The RDI Fund finances technology enterprises in research and innovation through second-level managers. The Fund of Funds for Startups (SIDBI-run) invests in startups through venture funds.

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

Provides long-term patient capital for high-risk private R&D, addressing a financing gap.
Supports technological sovereignty and reduces dependence on imported technology.
Gives long-tenor, low-cost finance to private deep-tech research, where risk keeps lenders away.
Strong response (about 330 proposals) shows demand for deep-science funding.
Gives long-term finance to private space firms for risky, capital-heavy technology that ordinary lenders avoid.
Reusable launchers can lower launch costs and space debris, strengthening India's position in the space economy.
Builds indigenous, all-weather, high-resolution Earth-observation capability for surveillance and civil use.
Shows the RDI Fund helping private firms through the late-stage gap between development and deployment.
Raises private R&D, which is low in India relative to GDP.
Supports strategic self-reliance in deep-tech, AI, biotech and energy transition.
Gives patient capital to long-gestation, high-risk biotech research that private lenders often avoid.
Helps move lab research to industrial-scale products and supports the BioE3 push.
Raises low private-sector R&D spending by sharing the risk of high-risk, long-gestation research.
Helps turn laboratory research into products by linking labs, startups and industry.

Problems

Private R&D spending in India is low, and investors may be wary of high-risk, long-gestation projects.
Matching private capital must be mobilised, and fund managers must be selected and monitored well.
Limited evaluation capacity: only about 150 projects assessed in seven months, causing a call closure.
Disbursal is slowed by the time ETEs need to raise matching funds.
Reusable launch technology is technically hard, especially controlled descent and restart, and carries high failure risk.
Debt-type support must be repaid or converted, which pressures start-ups with no early revenue.
Moving from TRL-6 to TRL-9 is costly and risky, and needs long testing and validation.
Commercial viability and demand for the data are uncertain.
Private firms may hesitate to take risk on long-gestation, uncertain research.
Capacity of fund managers to evaluate many proposals and track outcomes.
Risk of low private co-investment and slow deployment in high-risk deep-tech.
Biotech scale-up needs advanced infrastructure and regulatory clarity.
Private firms may be slow to take up high-risk research, and projects past TRL-4 may leave out early-stage research.
Guidelines have needed revision after stakeholder queries, which suggests clarity and speed are concerns.

Way forward

Onboard more fund managers and track outcomes such as products commercialised.
Link funding to industry-academia partnerships and clear transparency norms.
Add more fund managers and evaluation capacity, as DST/ANRF plans to assign more SLFMs.
Communicate call closures clearly to avoid misreading and keep investor confidence.
Tie disbursement to technical milestones and independent testing, with IN-SPACe and ISRO facilities support.
Track outcomes of RDI-funded projects publicly to judge whether they move technology from lab to market.
Link such funded projects to government demand, such as defence and agriculture users, to help commercialisation.
Track outcomes of RDI-funded projects so that later funding can be targeted better.
Use outcome-based monitoring and third-party evaluation of funded projects.
Link industry, academia and start-ups through ANRF missions and hubs.
Speed up approvals and align the fund with BioE3 biomanufacturing hubs.
Track outcomes by technology readiness level and publish deployment data.
Keep the process transparent and simple, and revise guidelines on feedback.
Track measurable outcomes for industry and society.

Put in your answer

RDI Fund example: TDB-DST's ₹63.84 crore OCD support to GalaxEye shows how the RDI Fund backs private strategic-technology projects.

RDI Scheme: Rs 1 lakh crore over six years to incentivise private R&D in strategic sectors.

NM-ICPS: Rs 3,660 crore mission with 25 hubs backing deep-tech start-ups.

Bioeconomy growth: India's bioeconomy rose from 28 billion dollars in 2012 to 165.7 billion dollars in 2024, according to BIRAC's MD.

BIRAC ecosystem: BIRAC reports more than 100 bio-incubation centres and over 10 lakh square feet of incubation space.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 12

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

1.The RDI Fund is managed by an Independent Business Unit housed within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
2.The first cohort of Second Level Fund Managers consists only of Alternative Investment Funds.
3.Second Level Fund Managers under the RDI Fund channel capital to enterprises working at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above.
4.Second Level Fund Managers are expected to mobilise private capital equal to the RDIF contribution.
5.Proposals from prospective fund managers are finally approved by the Executive Council of ANRF, with no further approval needed.
6.The RDI Scheme was launched in November 2025.
7.The RDI Scheme has a total outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore spread over six years.
8.The Technology Development Board and BIRAC are the Second-Level Fund Managers under the RDI Scheme.
9.The RDI Scheme funds only technologies at the earliest research stage, below TRL 4.
10.Under the RDI Scheme, funds are allocated to states on a state-specific quota basis.
11.The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs in academic institutions.
12.The Anusandhan National Research Foundation runs state-specific programmes for each state, including Jharkhand.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 24 Sep, 15:54 IST · Release 295191

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Nidhi Companies (Companies Act, 2013)

GS3 Economy · Financial regulationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued an advisory cautioning the public against high-return promises by non-compliant Nidhi Companies. It reiterated that Form NDH-4 filing is mandatory and that only 395 firms are declared Nidhis.
What it is: Nidhi companies are mutual-benefit companies that take deposits from and lend only to their members. They are regulated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under Section 406 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Nidhi Rules, 2014. Their purpose is to build thrift and savings among members.

Regulator: Nidhi companies are regulated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the Companies Act, 2013 and Nidhi Rules, 2014, not by the RBI for deposit insurance.
Members only: They can accept deposits from and lend to their members only.
No deposit insurance: Deposits in Nidhi companies are not insured by the DICGC, so recovery after failure or fraud can be hard.
Form NDH-4: A company wishing to function as a Nidhi must apply in Form NDH-4 to be declared or updated as a Nidhi.
Declared Nidhis: 395 companies are declared Nidhis by the Central Government, and the list is on the MCA website.

Don’t confuse with Nidhi company vs NBFC: Nidhi companies deal only with their members and are regulated by MCA. NBFCs lend to the public and are regulated by the RBI.

Don’t confuse with Section 620A (1956 Act) vs Section 406 (2013 Act): Section 620A of the 1956 Act provided for declaration of Nidhis by the Central Government. Section 406 of the 2013 Act governs Nidhis now, with declaration restored from 2019.

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: Lasting topic on deposit safety; facts like NDH-4 and no DICGC cover exist, but UPSC rarely asks about such advisories.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, 24 Sep, 17:11 IST · Release 295199

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Make in India

GS3 Industry and ManufacturingPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, PIB marked twelve years of Make in India, which was launched on 25 September 2014, with a review of output, investment and new schemes.
What it is: Make in India is a national initiative launched in September 2014 to make India a global hub for manufacturing, design and innovation. It works through easier investment and business rules, better infrastructure and support for innovation. It was later expanded as Make in India 2.0, which covers 27 sectors.

Claimed outcomes: The Prime Minister said the initiative has led to more manufacturing, more investment and more exports.
Reach: The Prime Minister said the change is visible across sectors.
Launch year: Make in India was launched in 2014.
Make in India 2.0: The later phase covers 27 sectors.
Launch: Make in India was launched on 25 September 2014 to make India a global manufacturing, design and innovation hub.
PLI schemes: PLI schemes reward incremental production and sales across 14 sectors, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals and automobiles.
National Single Window System: NSWS is a common digital platform for finding and applying for approvals, covering Central and State approvals.
PM GatiShakti: The National Master Plan was launched in October 2021. It uses geospatial data for coordinated infrastructure planning.

Don’t confuse with Make in India vs Atmanirbhar Bharat: Make in India (2014) is a manufacturing and investment initiative. Atmanirbhar Bharat is a wider self-reliance vision announced in 2020.

Don’t confuse with Make in India vs PLI: Make in India is the umbrella campaign. PLI is one scheme under it that pays incentives on incremental sales.

Don’t confuse with NSWS vs India Industrial Land Bank: NSWS handles approvals online. The Land Bank maps industrial land and parks.

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: Flagship scheme with 12-year review; launched 25 September 2014, 27 sectors (15 manufacturing, 12 services). Standing facts, but no new provision.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 24 Sep, 17:25 IST · Release 295201

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

BioE3 Policy and PLA Biodegradable Plastic

GS3 Science and Technology · BiotechnologyGS3 EnvironmentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, Dr. Jitendra Singh formally launched the commercial use of PLA-based biodegradable plastic at the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi. The effort is led by Balrampur Chini Mills under the BioE3 framework, with a BIRAC grant for a pilot facility.
What it is: Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer made from lactic acid, which is obtained by fermenting plant sugars such as those from sugarcane. BioE3 is the government's biotechnology policy framework for Economy, Environment and Employment. It aims to move bio-based manufacturing from laboratory research to commercial production.

BioE3 expansion: BioE3 stands for Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment.
Funding body: BIRAC, under the Department of Biotechnology, is giving a ₹75 crore grant for the pilot facility.
Location: The pilot facility will be at BCML's complex at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.
Feedstock: The PLA venture converts renewable sugar-based feedstock into PLA and bioplastics.
Bioeconomy size: The Minister said India's bioeconomy grew from about US$10 billion in 2014 to nearly US$195 billion.

Don’t confuse with PLA vs conventional plastics: PLA is made from renewable plant sugars. Conventional plastics such as polyethylene come from petrochemicals.

Don’t confuse with DBT vs BIRAC: DBT is the ministry department. BIRAC is the agency under DBT that funds and supports biotech industry research and start-ups.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on bio-based plastics under BioE3; concept-based sci-tech questions are common (57 in Prelims), but facts here are thin.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 24 Sep, 17:57 IST · Release 295210

Issue page →

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

Defence and security

DRDO Technology Development Fund (TDF) and Quantum Dilution Refrigerator

GS3 Science and Technology · Defence technologyGS3 Quantum technologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, DRDO signed its first high-value deep tech project agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) with start-up Zero mK India Private Limited, to build a 20 mK dilution refrigerator indigenously.
What it is: The Technology Development Fund is a DRDO scheme that supports industry, including start-ups and MSMEs, in developing defence and dual-use technologies. A dilution refrigerator is a cryogenic machine that reaches millikelvin temperatures, which many quantum computing platforms need in order to work. India has depended on imports for these machines.

First high-value deep tech agreement: The agreement with Zero mK India Private Limited is the first high-value deep tech project agreement under TDF.
Rs 500 crore corpus: The deal is the first under a Rs 500 crore corpus approved earlier by the Raksha Mantri for deep-tech and cutting-edge projects.
What a dilution refrigerator does: It is a cryogenic system that reaches millikelvin temperatures, needed to operate and test several quantum computing platforms.
Link to National Quantum Mission: The project aligns with the National Quantum Mission and aims to cut dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure.
Monitoring lab: The Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) of DRDO monitors, mentors and supports the project.

Don’t confuse with TDF vs iDEX: TDF is run by DRDO and funds technology development projects by industry. iDEX is the Defence Innovation Organisation's scheme under the Ministry of Defence for start-ups and innovators solving armed forces problems.

Don’t confuse with Millikelvin vs Kelvin scale: 20 mK is 0.02 kelvin, far colder than liquid helium at about 4 K, which is why dilution refrigerators are needed for quantum devices.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: First deep-tech TDF agreement under the Rs 500 crore corpus, linked to the National Quantum Mission; defence hardware rarely reaches Mains.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 24 Sep, 19:15 IST · Release 295218

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

FSSAI Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales Regulations, 2011

GS2 Governance · Food safety and consumer protectionPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 24 September 2026, FSSAI released a draft amendment to the 2011 Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales Regulations. It would bar the term 'Paneer' for products not made from milk.
What it is: The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 are made under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They list foods and ingredients whose sale is prohibited or restricted. FSSAI is the statutory regulator set up under the 2006 Act.

Parent regulations: The Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales Regulations were notified in 2011 and have been amended from time to time.
Proposed change: A new clause is to be inserted under Regulation 2.1.1 covering paneer made of constituents not derived from milk.
Effect on existing licensees: Products licensed or registered under the 'Analogue in Dairy Context' category must stop using the word 'Paneer' in name, label or marketing.
Draft stage and consultation: The draft is taken up for consideration only after 60 days from the date the Gazette copies are made public; objections and suggestions are invited.
Legal basis: The draft is issued with the previous approval of the Central Government under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Don’t confuse with Draft vs final regulation: This is only a draft open to public comment. It has no legal force until finally notified.

Don’t confuse with Analogue product vs adulterated product: An analogue is a lawful substitute sold under its own category. The issue is misleading naming, not adulteration.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Draft rule only; lasting topic on food labelling, with a legal basis but little chance of a direct question until notified.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 24 Sep, 19:23 IST · Release 295219

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

PBSHABD is Prasar Bharati's free news feed service, launched March 2024; Prasar Bharati came into existence on 23 November 1997 under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990.
The 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA, the India-France bilateral naval exercise, began at Toulon, France, with INS Trishul taking part.
India and the Netherlands signed two tripartite MoUs for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat, at the 9th India International Water Week.
INS Sudarshini, a sail training ship, made the first Atlantic crossing by the ship on its 10-month Lokayan 26 expedition covering about 22,000 nautical miles.

Source: PIB, 24 Sep

What we left out: 47 of 60 releases

Speeches without a decision (5)
Sports congratulations (5)
Ceremonies and campaigns (16)
Condolences and ex-gratia (1)
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Practise the day’s news

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

1Basic Customs Duty on Edible OilsMCQ · 7 true or false
2Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)MCQ · 5 true or false
3Research Development and Innovation (RDI) SchemeMCQ · 12 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Government recently cut Basic Customs Duty on crude edible oils to ease prices while keeping a 19.25% duty gap between crude and refined oils. Examine how import duty changes are used to balance consumer interests, farmers' interests and domestic refining. What are the challenges of relying on import duty to manage edible oil prices, and what is the way forward for edible oil self-reliance?

From: Basic Customs Duty on Edible Oils

Write and get it marked

Keep reading

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Wednesday, 23 September 2026Election Commission of India and Article 324 · KAVACH Automatic Train Protection · IMEI Tampering and Telecommunications Act, 2023 and 9 more

The day after

Friday, 25 September 2026Government Market Borrowing and Sovereign Green Bonds · Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) · Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR) and 6 more

All days

Practice · 3 Mains question