UPSC current affairs · Friday

Current Affairs, 25 September 2026

9 issues picked from 73 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

Government Market Borrowing and Sovereign Green Bonds. Centre plans ₹7.86 lakh crore H2 borrowing, with ₹15,000 crore green bonds, across eight tenors.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). DDU-GKY 2.0 skill training batches for about 70,000 rural youth begin October 2026.
Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR). 6th cycle of tiger reserve management evaluation begins, adding solid waste management as a new criterion.
Make in India. PM marks 12 years of Make in India, citing more manufacturing, investment and exports.
Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. TDB gives Agnikul Rs 200 crore under RDI Fund for reusable launch vehicle.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. Arogya Manthan 2026 marks eight years of PM-JAY, launching data and claims tools.
TRAI Digital Connectivity Rating of Properties. TRAI launches online platform for rating properties' digital connectivity, searchable by buyers and tenants.
CGTMSE and TReDS. CGTMSE credit guarantee now covers invoice discounting on three TReDS platforms for micro and small enterprises.
National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC). NLMC held investor meets before e-auctioning 459 RINL non-core land parcels in Visakhapatnam in October.

Economy

Government Market Borrowing and Sovereign Green Bonds

GS3 Economy: Public financePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 25 September 2026, the Finance Ministry announced that the Centre will borrow ₹7,86,000 crore in the second half of FY 2026-27, including ₹15,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds.
What it is: The half-yearly borrowing calendar is the Centre's plan for raising money through dated securities, set with the RBI, which manages the government's debt. Sovereign Green Bonds are government securities whose proceeds go to green public projects. Ways and Means Advances are short-term RBI loans that cover temporary mismatches between government receipts and payments.

Greenshoe option: The Government keeps the right to retain extra subscription of up to ₹2,000 crore against each security.
WMA limit: RBI has fixed the WMA limit for H2 of FY 2026-27 at ₹50,000 crore.
Debt manager: The RBI acts as the debt manager of the Centre and conducts the auctions of government securities.

Don’t confuse with WMA vs market borrowing: WMA is a short-term RBI advance for temporary mismatches. Market borrowing through dated securities finances the fiscal deficit.

Don’t confuse with T-Bills vs dated securities: T-Bills are short-term (up to 364 days) discount instruments. Dated securities are longer-term and pay a coupon.

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 Finance, 25 Sep, 18:34 IST · Release 295291

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 25 September 2026 the Ministry of Rural Development said DDU-GKY 2.0 training batches will start in most States/UTs from October 2026, with about 70,000 youth in 2,015 batches in 24 States/UTs.
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, Ministry of Rural Development, 25 Sep, 09:31 IST · Release 295234

Issue page →

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

Species and protected area

Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR)

GS3 Environment and conservationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 25 September 2026, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the inception workshop for the 6th cycle of MEE-TR and released the MEE 2026 Technical Manual in New Delhi.
What it is: MEE-TR is a systematic assessment of how well each Tiger Reserve is managed to meet its conservation goals. It is run by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with the Wildlife Institute of India. India uses a framework adapted from the IUCN WCPA framework.

Who runs it: NTCA organised the exercise with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Framework: India adapts the IUCN WCPA framework, which assesses six elements: Context, Planning, Inputs, Processes, Outputs, Outcomes.
Cycles: MEE began in 2006. Cycles in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 covered 28, 39, 43, 50 and 51 reserves.
6th cycle coverage: The 6th cycle will cover all 58 Tiger Reserves.
New criterion: Solid Waste Management becomes a separate criterion, covering forest chowki waste, tourism waste and biomedical waste at rescue centres.

Don’t confuse with MEE vs tiger census: MEE rates management quality of reserves; the All India Tiger Estimation counts tigers and prey.

Species and protected areas: 12 Prelims questions since 2013; they test legal status, location and the year of designation.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 25 Sep, 14:00 IST · Release 295248

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 25 September 2026, the Prime Minister marked 12 years of 'Make in India' and said it has led to more manufacturing, investment and exports across sectors.
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: Lasting scheme on the syllabus, but this release is only a 12-year social media post with no new provisions or facts to test.

Source: PIB, Prime Minister's Office, 25 Sep, 11:15 IST · Release 295236

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 25 September 2026, the Technology Development Board (TDB) under DST signed an agreement with Agnikul Cosmos for Rs 200 crore of support from the RDI Fund to develop the reusable Agnibaan RLV.
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, 25 Sep, 15:09 IST · Release 295256

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

GS2 Health · Welfare schemesGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 25 September 2026, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 in New Delhi, marking eight years of AB PM-JAY and five years of ABDM. New digital tools such as the Secure Data Environment and an Auto-Adjudication Framework were launched.
What it is: Ayushman Vay Vandana is an extension of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to every citizen aged 70 years and above, whatever their income. It was launched by the Prime Minister on 29 October 2024. It is run by the National Health Authority and gives cashless hospital cover for secondary and tertiary care.

Eligibility: All citizens aged 70 and above are eligible, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Cover: Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
Top-up for covered families: Seniors in families already under PM-JAY get an extra top-up of up to ₹5 lakh a year, only for themselves.
Implementing agency: The National Health Authority implements it under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Most common procedure: Cataract surgery is the most availed procedure, about 20.1% of authorised treatments.
Highest value procedure: PTCA (coronary angioplasty) has the largest share of authorised value, about ₹649 crore.
Expansion to senior citizens: The scheme now covers all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Secure Data Environment: Developed by NHA with IISc Bengaluru, it gives governed access to de-identified PM-JAY and ABDM data for research, with outputs reviewed before release.
National Health Claims Exchange: NHCX seeks to put hospitals and insurers on one common digital platform for claims.
Scale of ABDM: More than 97.8 crore ABHAs have been created and over 121 crore health records linked.
Portability recognition: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat were recognised as top performers in claim settlement for inter-State portability.
Beneficiary identification: Families are identified from SECC 2011 deprivation and occupational criteria. Families earlier covered under RSBY are also included.
Expansion to elderly: On 11 September 2024 the scheme was extended to all citizens aged 70 and above, about 6 crore people.
Coverage: The scheme now operates in all 36 States/UTs.
Senior citizens: Citizens aged 70 and above are covered irrespective of socio-economic status: 6 crore people in 4.5 crore families.
ASHA and Anganwadi inclusion: About 37 lakh additional families of ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers were added in March 2024.
Portability: Beneficiaries can get cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital in the country. By 30 June 2026, 29.05 lakh inter-state admissions worth over Rs 8,383.97 crore were authorised.
Base families: The original PM-JAY targets 12 crore families, the bottom 40% of the population.
Expansion: In October 2024 the scheme was extended to 6 crore senior citizens aged 70+ from 4.5 crore families, regardless of socio-economic status.
Cards issued: More than 96.73 lakh Vay Vandana cards had been created across all States and UTs by 31.12.2025.
Launch: PM-JAY was launched in 2018 and is implemented by the National Health Authority.

Don’t confuse with Vay Vandana vs PM-JAY: PM-JAY covers eligible poor and vulnerable families; Vay Vandana covers all aged 70+ regardless of income.

Don’t confuse with Vay Vandana vs Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: Vay Vandana gives hospital cover; the Digital Mission builds a digital health ID and records system.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs ABDM: PM-JAY is the health assurance (insurance) scheme for hospital care. ABDM is the digital health ecosystem built on ABHA IDs and health records.

Don’t confuse with Ayushman Card vs ABHA ID: The Ayushman Card shows PM-JAY eligibility. The ABHA is a health ID that links a person's health records.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs PM-ABHIM: PM-JAY pays for hospital treatment of eligible families. PM-ABHIM builds health infrastructure such as health centres, labs and critical care blocks.

Don’t confuse with ABHA vs Ayushman card: ABHA is a digital health ID for anyone under ABDM. The Ayushman card shows eligibility for PM-JAY cover.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: PM-JAY gives cashless hospital cover. ABDM builds digital health records and infrastructure.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Health and Wellness Centres: Health and Wellness Centres (Ayushman Arogya Mandir) give primary care. PM-JAY covers secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Vay Vandana: PM-JAY targets poor families by socio-economic criteria; Vay Vandana covers all citizens aged 70+ regardless of income.

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

Gives financial protection to about 6 crore elderly, reducing out-of-pocket hospital spending.
Cashless cover reduces out-of-pocket spending for poor and elderly families.
Portability helps migrant workers use the scheme across States.
Gives cashless hospital care and cuts catastrophic out-of-pocket spending for poor families.
Moves India towards universal health coverage, with the elderly, ASHAs and gig-type urban workers brought in.
Links insurance with primary care, digital records and infrastructure under one Ayushman Bharat framework.
Portability protects migrant workers who fall ill away from home.
Cashless cover reduces out-of-pocket spending and moves India towards Universal Health Coverage.
Gives older people, who face high health costs, financial protection irrespective of income.

Problems

Cover is only for hospitalisation, so outpatient and medicine costs remain with families.
Claim processing and programme integrity need stronger checks, which is why auto-adjudication is being introduced.
Health data sharing needs consent and privacy safeguards, and ABHA adoption is yet to reach saturation.
Eligibility rests on SECC 2011 data, which may exclude newly poor families.
Uneven uptake and hospital empanelment across States, with risks of claim delays and fraud.
Cover is for inpatient care, while much household spending is on outpatient care and medicines.
States differ in how well they run the scheme, and some run their own schemes alongside it.
Empanelled hospitals may refuse patients or delay claims, so access on the ground can be uneven.
Hospital empanelment gaps and claim delays can limit access to cashless care.

Way forward

Widen coverage to outpatient care and strengthen monitoring of private hospital claims.
Strengthen NHCX, standard treatment protocols and common billing formats to improve quality and claims.
Improve continuity of care and referral systems while protecting personal data.
Update beneficiary databases and widen coverage to outpatient care.
Strengthen claim audit, grievance redress and timely payment to hospitals.
Expand public hospitals and primary care so the scheme does not rely only on private providers.
Improve awareness of portability and speed up claim settlement.
Further integrate state schemes with PM-JAY and monitor hospital conduct.
Widen empanelment and speed up claim settlement using digital systems.

Put in your answer

Beneficiary base: Around 6 crore seniors in about 4.5 crore families are targeted.

PM-JAY scale: More than 60 crore beneficiaries covered, over 13 crore hospital admissions, and treatment worth over Rs 2 lakh crore.

Standard treatment workflows: ICMR has developed more than 150 standard treatment workflows, and HTAIn under DHR assesses cost-effectiveness of health technologies.

Scale of PM-JAY: 13.25 crore admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore funded, with 38,000+ empanelled hospitals.

Digital health spine: Over 97.61 crore ABHA IDs operational, linking health records across providers.

Portability data: 29.05 lakh inter-state admissions worth over Rs 8,383.97 crore were authorised by 30 June 2026.

Senior citizen expansion: The scheme covers 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and above in 4.5 crore families, irrespective of income.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 19

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

1.Ayushman Vay Vandana is open to citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status.
2.It is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3.It covers outpatient consultations and medicines as its main benefit.
4.Senior citizens from families already covered under PM-JAY receive an additional top-up of up to ₹5 lakh per year meant only for themselves.
5.The top-up cover for seniors in covered families is shared with all family members.
6.Chronic haemodialysis is the most frequently availed procedure under the initiative.
7.Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, of which this is an extension, was launched in 2018.
8.AB PM-JAY is a centrally sponsored scheme.
9.Under AB PM-JAY, the Centre and States share funds in the ratio 60:40 for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
10.Rural beneficiaries under AB PM-JAY are identified using deprivation criteria from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011.
11.AB PM-JAY covers primary healthcare only, which is delivered at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
12.The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was launched in September 2021 and is built on ABHA digital health IDs.
13.Transgender persons covered under the SMILE initiative and workers covered under NAMASTE are among the additional categories eligible under AB PM-JAY.
14.Ayushman Vay Vandana card covers senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status.
15.AB-PMJAY provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
16.The Ayushman Vay Vandana card was introduced in October 2024 as an expansion of PM-JAY.
17.Female beneficiaries account for more hospital admissions than male beneficiaries under Ayushman Vay Vandana.
18.PM-JAY is implemented at the national level by the National Health Authority.
19.PM-JAY was launched in 2014 as a centrally sponsored scheme.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 25 Sep, 15:18 IST · Release 295258

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

TRAI Digital Connectivity Rating of Properties

GS3 Telecom and infrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 25 September 2026, TRAI launched the Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform, a portal and mobile app to rate and publish the digital connectivity of properties.
What it is: The Digital Connectivity Rating framework is a TRAI scheme to rate how well buildings are served by fibre, mobile networks, in-building solutions and Wi-Fi. It rests on TRAI regulations of 2024, amended in 2026. The aim is to make connectivity a visible attribute of a property, like a quality label.

Legal basis: The framework runs under the TRAI (Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity) Regulations, 2024, amended by a 2026 Amendment Regulation notified on 13 May 2026.
Parameters rated: Assessment covers fibre readiness, mobile network availability, in-building solutions and Wi-Fi infrastructure, with benchmarks that differ by property category.
Who does what: Property Managers apply and choose a registered Digital Connectivity Rating Agency (DCRA), which assesses the property. Consumers view the results.
Verification: Ratings are issued as digitally signed certificates that can be verified through a QR code. The platform uses eSign.
Field testing: Authorised DCRA staff use a dedicated mobile app to take in-building connectivity measurements. The data syncs with the web platform.
Regulator: TRAI is a statutory regulator for telecom, set up under the TRAI Act, 1997.
Star levels: Half-star levels were added, so the scale grows from five to nine levels.
Under-construction properties: They can now apply. A DCRA gives a 'Designed For' certificate at design stage, then an 'Installation Completed For' certificate after IBS installation, and the 'Final' rating once services are operational.
Optional audit: Managers of existing properties can engage a registered DCRA for an audit without entering the formal rating process.
DCRA conduct rule: A DCRA that provides DCI cannot assess properties where another DCRA provided the DCI.
NBCS 2026: References to the National Building Code, 2016 are replaced by the National Building Construction Standards, 2026 issued by BIS.

Don’t confuse with TRAI vs DoT: TRAI is the independent regulator that recommends and regulates tariffs and quality of service. The Department of Telecommunications is the government department that licenses and sets policy.

Don’t confuse with DCRA vs Property Manager: The DCRA is the registered agency that assesses and rates. The Property Manager is the owner or manager who applies for the rating.

Don’t confuse with DCRA vs IBS provider: A DCRA assesses and rates properties. An In-Building Solution provider installs the in-building network.

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: New TRAI platform under 2024 Regulations as amended in 2026. Lasting regulatory framework, but few facts UPSC is likely to turn into a question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Communications, 25 Sep, 16:00 IST · Release 295264

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

Scheme

CGTMSE and TReDS

GS3 Economy: MSME financePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 25 September 2026 the Ministry of MSME announced that CGTMSE guarantee cover is live on three TReDS platforms: M1xchange, RXIL and DTX (KredX). This follows the Union Budget 2026-27 announcement of 1 February 2026.
What it is: CGTMSE is the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises, which guarantees collateral-free loans to MSEs. TReDS is an RBI-regulated online platform where MSME invoices owed by corporates, Government departments and PSUs are discounted by financiers through competitive bidding. The new Special Provision links the two, so financiers get a guarantee on TReDS discounting.

Platforms covered: Guarantee cover is available on M1xchange, RXIL and DTX (KredX).
Guarantee cover: The guarantee covers 75% of the amount in default.
Exposure limits: Maximum exposure is ₹10 crore for an MSE buyer and ₹2 crore for an MSE seller, on a revolving basis.
Eligibility: Both the buyer and the seller must be Micro or Small Enterprises.
TReDS regulator and start: TReDS is regulated by the RBI and has operated since 2017.
Growth of TReDS: Invoice discounting rose from ₹40,000 crore in FY 2021-22 to ₹3.5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.

Don’t confuse with CGTMSE vs CGTMSE-style cover on TReDS: The regular CGTMSE scheme guarantees collateral-free loans to MSEs. The TReDS Special Provision guarantees financiers' invoice discounting facilities.

Don’t confuse with TReDS vs Factoring: TReDS is an RBI-regulated platform with multiple financiers bidding competitively. Factoring is a bilateral arrangement, usually with one factor.

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: Credit guarantee on TReDS invoice discounting via three platforms is a Budget follow-up. Lasting topic; few facts for statements.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises, 25 Sep, 17:28 IST · Release 295276

Issue page →

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

Economy

National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC)

GS3 Economy · Asset monetisationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 25 September 2026, NLMC finished a three-city investor outreach (Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Hyderabad) for the October e-auction of 459 RINL land parcels.
What it is: The National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC) is a Government of India company under the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance. It helps Central Public Sector Enterprises and other government agencies identify, prepare and monetise surplus land and building assets. It works through transparent, market-oriented processes such as e-auctions.

Parent body: NLMC is a Government of India company under the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance.
Mandate: It facilitates monetisation of surplus land and building assets of CPSEs and other government agencies.
Platform and consultant: Bidding ran on RailTel's E-Nivida platform, with Quikr India Private Limited as Transaction Consultant.
Parent department: NLMC works under the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance.
Role in this sale: NLMC facilitates the sale on behalf of the owner, HIL (India) Limited. It does not own the land.
Mode of sale: Two-stage process: e-tender, then e-auction, as an outright sale of freehold land.
Platform: The auction runs on the e-Nivida platform, with RailTel assisting on registration and the e-auction.
Ownership and control: NLMC is a 100% Government of India company under the administrative control of the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance.
RINL land on offer: 459 parcels totalling 93,572.21 square yards at HB Colony, Maddilapalem and Auto Nagar, Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam.
RINL status: RINL, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, is a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Steel.

Don’t confuse with NLMC vs NAMCL: NLMC deals with surplus land and buildings of CPSEs and government agencies. NARCL/NAMCL deal with stressed bank assets, not land.

Don’t confuse with NLMC vs National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP): NLMC sells surplus land and non-core assets of CPSEs and government bodies. The NMP is a wider NITI Aayog-led plan to lease operating infrastructure assets, such as roads and railways, to private players.

Don’t confuse with Monetisation vs disinvestment: Monetisation sells or leases assets, here land. Disinvestment sells government equity in a company.

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: Body on file; RINL land e-auction of 459 parcels is a new example, but the facts are routine and unlikely to be tested.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Finance, 25 Sep, 20:05 IST · Release 295305

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

A NIMAS (Dirang) team of 20 climbers summited 20 unclimbed peaks above 6,000 m in Ladakh in 23 days, a first recorded feat.
Govt approved a one-time interest-free loan of ₹50,000 per barn for about 44,000 FCV tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh (about ₹220 crore, via DBT).
ICG Ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai for Perth on 25 Sept 2026 for the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, with six sea riders from India, Japan, Australia and the US.

Source: PIB, 25 Sep

What we left out: 61 of 73 releases

Speeches without a decision (8)
Workshops and launches (1)
Sports congratulations (7)
Routine MoUs and meetings (4)
Routine train services (2)
Same issue as another release (3)
Ceremonies and campaigns (14)
Conferences and events (3)
Explainer features, no new decision (1)
Routine meetings (1)
Research findings only (2)
Beneficiary stories (3)
Routine export consignments (1)
Visits and meetings (1)
Training programmes (1)
Routine data releases (4)
Routine seizures (2)
Routine camps (1)
Appointments to small posts (1)
Webinars and quizzes (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Government Market Borrowing and Sovereign Green BondsMCQ · 5 true or false
2Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)MCQ · 5 true or false
3Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR)MCQ · 6 true or false
4Research Development and Innovation (RDI) SchemeMCQ · 12 true or false · Mains
5Ayushman Bharat PM-JAYMCQ · 19 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

10 marks · 150 words

The Centre has announced gross market borrowing of ₹7,86,000 crore for the second half of FY 2026-27, which includes ₹15,000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds. Discuss how the government's market borrowing is managed through the RBI, and examine its implications for the economy and for public debt management.

From: Government Market Borrowing and Sovereign Green Bonds

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