UPSC current affairs · Monday

Current Affairs, 26 October 2026

10 issues picked from 58 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

ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus). Rajnath Singh to attend 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu; India co-chairs counter-terrorism group.
National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC). NCMC reviews cyclone ARNAB preparedness before expected landfall on Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026.
Defence Acquisition Council and Acceptance of Necessity. DAC grants AoN for Rs 2.12 lakh crore of military purchases; 82% from Indian industry.
Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and Flex Fuel (E85/E100) Vehicles. MoRTH amends CMVR to certify E85/E100 flex fuel vehicles; existing vehicles unaffected.
Immersive Technologies and AVGC-XR. India backs immersive technologies through the AVGC-XR framework, IICT, school labs and state policies.
National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. PIB profiles an SC student's overseas postgraduate study funded by the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme.
BRICS and India's 2026 Chairship. India hosts the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, urging parliaments to turn summit commitments into action.
TRAI Recommendations on ALTD and FAST Services. TRAI recommends a light-touch licence for apps distributing linear TV channels over the internet, including FAST.
PARIVARTAN Scheme (Delhi-NCR vehicle replacement). MoRTH holds a Transport Mela in Delhi to push old truck and bus replacement under PARIVARTAN.
International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and CIML. India hosts OIML's 61st CIML meeting for the first time, in New Delhi.

International relations

ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus)

GS2 International groupingsGS3 Defence cooperationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 26 October 2026, the Defence Ministry said Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh will lead India's delegation to the 13th ADMM-Plus at Cebu, Philippines, on 28-29 October 2026.
What it is: ADMM-Plus is the defence forum where the ten ASEAN members meet eight dialogue partners, including India and the US. It builds practical defence cooperation through Experts Working Groups on set themes. ADMM is the base ASEAN body; ADMM-Plus extends it to outside powers.

Venue of this meeting: The ADMM-Plus meeting at which the ministers met was held in Cebu, Philippines, in October 2026.
Bilateral on the sidelines: India and the US reviewed the 10-year India-US Defence Framework and the Major Defence Partnership.
Terrorism stand: India called for zero tolerance towards states that support, train or fund terrorist groups. The US backed India against cross-border terrorism.
Membership: ADMM-Plus has the ten ASEAN states plus eight partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the US.
First meeting: The inaugural ADMM-Plus was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 12 October 2010.
Frequency: Since 2017, ADMM-Plus ministers have met every year.
India's role: India co-chairs the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for 2024-2027.
ADMM status: The ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN.
Areas of cooperation: ADMM-Plus has seven EWG areas: maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping, military medicine, humanitarian mine action and cyber security.
Co-chair duties: Co-chairs set objectives and guidelines at the start, hold at least two EWG meetings a year, and run an exercise for all members in the third year.
Launch: ADMM-Plus was launched in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2010. Its first meeting was held there.

Don’t confuse with ADMM vs ADMM-Plus: ADMM has only the ten ASEAN members. ADMM-Plus adds the eight dialogue partners.

Don’t confuse with ADMM-Plus vs East Asia Summit: ADMM-Plus is a defence ministers' forum. The East Asia Summit is a leaders' summit on political, security and economic issues.

Don’t confuse with ADMM-Plus vs ASEAN Regional Forum: ARF is a wider foreign-ministry security dialogue; ADMM-Plus is a defence ministers' forum for practical cooperation.

Don’t confuse with ADMM-Plus vs ARF: ADMM-Plus is a defence-ministry forum for practical cooperation. The ASEAN Regional Forum is a wider foreign-policy security dialogue.

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

It gives India a platform to build defence ties with ASEAN and the major Indo-Pacific powers.
Sideline bilaterals such as the India-US meeting advance defence industry, technology and maritime cooperation.
Gives India a defence platform with ASEAN and major powers, supporting the Act East policy.
India's co-chair role in counter-terrorism shows its voice on regional security.
Strengthens India's Act East policy and its defence ties with ASEAN.
Co-chairing builds India's role in regional counter-terrorism cooperation and the Indo-Pacific security architecture.

Problems

Great-power rivalry, including US-China competition, limits consensus in ASEAN-led forums.
Dependence on ASEAN consensus keeps outcomes mostly to practical cooperation and dialogue.
Members differ on issues such as the South China Sea, which can limit consensus.
The forum is consultative, so outcomes are mostly cooperation rather than binding commitments.
Members differ on threat perceptions and on relations with major powers, which limits deeper cooperation.
Activities are mostly dialogues and exercises with no binding commitments.

Way forward

India should use the Experts Working Groups to deepen cooperation in maritime security and counter-terrorism.
India should keep its Indo-Pacific partnerships balanced with ASEAN centrality.
Deepen practical work through EWG exercises and capacity building.
Use the sidelines for bilateral ties that support an open, rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Move from table-top and field exercises toward more intelligence and information sharing.
Link ADMM-Plus work with other forums such as the East Asia Summit and ARF.

Put in your answer

India-US defence framework: The 10-year India-US Defence Framework is an example of deepening bilateral defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Indo-Pacific vision: India describes its partnership with the US as a cornerstone for a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.

India-ASEAN timeline: India became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 1992; ADMM-Plus began in 2010.

Counter-terrorism EWG: India co-chairs the counter-terrorism EWG with Malaysia for 2024-2027.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 26 Oct, 13:45 IST · Release 2328397

Issue page →

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

Environment

National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)

GS3 Disaster ManagementPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 26 October 2026, Cabinet Secretary Dr T. V. Somanathan chaired an NCMC meeting to review preparedness for cyclonic storm 'ARNAB' in the Bay of Bengal, expected to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October.
What it is: The National Crisis Management Committee is the top committee at the Centre for coordinating response to major crises and disasters. It is headed by the Cabinet Secretary. It reviews preparedness and gives directions to Central ministries and States when a serious disaster threatens.

Chair: The Cabinet Secretary chaired this NCMC meeting.
Forecast landfall: The storm was forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm.
Forecasting agency: IMD briefed the committee on the storm's track and intensity.
Response forces: NDRF and SDRF teams were on standby, with armed forces and Coast Guard ready.
Fishermen advisory: Fishermen were told not to go to sea from 26 to 29 October.

Don’t confuse with NCMC vs NDMA: NCMC is a Cabinet Secretary-led committee for crisis coordination. NDMA is the statutory apex disaster body under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, headed by the Prime Minister.

Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Cabinet Secretariat, 26 Oct, 15:10 IST · Release 2328434

Issue page →

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

Defence and security

Defence Acquisition Council and Acceptance of Necessity

GS3 Security · DefencePrelims

Why in news: On October 26, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals worth about Rs 2.12 lakh crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
What it is: The Defence Acquisition Council is the Defence Ministry's highest body for approving capital acquisitions for the armed forces. Acceptance of Necessity is its first, in-principle approval, given before the detailed procurement steps like tendering and contract signing.

Who chaired: The DAC meeting on October 26, 2026 was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Indigenous share: About 82% of the procurements cleared under these AoNs will be from Indian industry.
LMRH users: The Light Multi Role Helicopters will be used by both the Army and the Air Force.
Navy decoy system: The Active Offboard Decoy System is meant to strengthen defence against modern anti-ship missiles.
Weather radar: The Air Force will get a Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar System for high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas.
DAC head: The Defence Minister is the chairman of the DAC, which was set up in 2001 after the Kargil Review Committee recommendations.

Don’t confuse with AoN vs contract signing: AoN is the in-principle approval by the DAC. Contract signing happens later, after tendering and trials, with the Contract Negotiation Committee and the final sanction by the competent financial authority.

Don’t confuse with DAC vs Cabinet Committee on Security: The DAC, headed by the Defence Minister, approves the need for acquisitions. Very large contracts need final sanction from the CCS, chaired by the Prime Minister.

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

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 26 Oct, 16:21 IST · Release 2328486

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and Flex Fuel (E85/E100) Vehicles

GS3 Energy · BiofuelsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 26 October 2026, MoRTH said it has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, expressly including E100 alongside E85 in emission certification for flex fuel vehicles.
What it is: The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 are subordinate rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. They cover vehicle registration, construction, equipment, safety and emission standards. MoRTH amends them through Gazette notifications to bring in new vehicle and fuel technologies.

Rules amended: The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 were amended by MoRTH to support flex fuel vehicles using E85 and other high ethanol fuels.
E100 added: Emission certification provisions now expressly include E100 alongside E85.
Meaning of E85: E85 is a petrol-ethanol blend with up to 85 per cent ethanol by volume. The number shows the ethanol share.
Commencement: The rules take effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
Parent law: The CMVR are framed under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Don’t confuse with E20 vs E85/E100: E20 is a 20 per cent ethanol blend for general vehicles. E85/E100 is only for vehicles specially designed and certified for it.

Don’t confuse with Flex fuel vehicle vs E20-compatible vehicle: A flex fuel vehicle is designed for a range of blends in one tank. An E20-compatible vehicle is not necessarily fit for high ethanol blends.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, 26 Oct, 18:38 IST · Release 2328642

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Immersive Technologies and AVGC-XR

GS3 Science and TechnologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 26 October 2026, PIB issued a backgrounder on immersive technologies (VR, AR, MR) and the AVGC-XR push, ahead of the ESTIC-2026 conclave on 27–29 October 2026.
What it is: Immersive technologies create interactive digital experiences that blend or replace the physical world. They include Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality, together called Extended Reality (XR). In India they are promoted through the AVGC-XR framework of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, covering animation, visual effects, gaming, comics and XR.

XR forms: Extended Reality covers Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality. VR creates a fully digital environment. AR adds digital information over the real surroundings.
IICT: The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, is the National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR. It was set up in 2025 on the Task Force's recommendation.
AVGC Content Creator Labs: Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹250 crore for labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges. IICT is the nodal agency.
AVGC Promotion Task Force: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting constituted it in April 2022. It brings together industry, academia and Government.
GENESIS: MeitY's scheme supports startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. It was launched in 2022 and aims to support about 1,600 startups over five years.

Don’t confuse with VR vs AR vs MR: VR replaces the real world with a digital one. AR overlays digital information on the real world. MR lets digital objects interact with the physical surroundings.

Don’t confuse with GENESIS vs AVGC Content Creator Labs: GENESIS is a MeitY startup-support scheme. The Content Creator Labs are a Budget 2026-27 school and college initiative run through IICT under the information and broadcasting side.

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 tech topic with AVGC-XR and IICT facts, but backgrounder gives no fresh decision; science-tech is 17% of Prelims news questions, mostly on concepts.

Source: PIB Backgrounder, 26 Oct, 11:33 IST · Release 2328338

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

GS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 26 October 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment published a case story of an SC postgraduate student who studied abroad under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme in 2023-24.
What it is: The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme is a Central scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It helps selected students from Scheduled Caste and similar disadvantaged groups to study for master's and PhD degrees abroad. It pays tuition and a yearly maintenance allowance.

Run by: The scheme is run by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
Support given: The scholarship covers tuition fees and gives an annual maintenance allowance. In this case the allowance was £9,900.
Target group: The case highlights its role in helping Scheduled Caste students pursue higher education abroad.
Remaining gap: Rising living costs abroad still made managing expenses hard for the beneficiary despite the allowance.

Don’t confuse with NOS vs Padho Pardesh: NOS is a scholarship with tuition and maintenance support. Padho Pardesh was an interest subsidy scheme on education loans for overseas study for minority students.

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 for SC students, but this is a beneficiary story with no new provisions; schemes are 16% of Prelims news questions, yet no fresh facts here.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 26 Oct, 15:07 IST · Release 2328432

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 26 October 2026, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, during India's 2026 BRICS Chairship.
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.

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, Lok Sabha Secretariat, 26 Oct, 15:24 IST · Release 2328441

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

TRAI Recommendations on ALTD and FAST Services

GS3 Science and Technology · CommunicationsGS2 Regulatory bodiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 26 October 2026, TRAI released its Recommendations on an authorisation framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services, including FAST services. This followed a reference from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dated 15 December 2025.
What it is: TRAI is the statutory regulator for telecom and broadcasting, set up under the TRAI Act, 1997. It advises the government through recommendations, which are not binding. ALTD services are apps, websites or smart-TV interfaces that bundle scheduled TV channels and stream them over the internet.

Trigger: MIB referred the matter to TRAI under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, which covers recommendations to the government.
Legal basis: ALTD is proposed as a distinct sub-category of Television Channel Distribution Services under Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Rules: The terms and conditions should be notified as Rules under Section 56 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, with an online portal for processes.
Authorisation terms: The framework has a national service area, 20 years initial validity, renewal for 10-year periods, a ₹10,000 processing fee and a ₹1 lakh entry fee. There is no authorisation fee, bank guarantee or security deposit.
OEM and OS duties: MIB should keep a Master ALTD app repository. OEMs and OS providers must make available only authorised apps and file annual compliance reports.

Don’t confuse with TRAI recommendations vs binding rules: TRAI recommendations are advisory. The Central Government decides and notifies the Rules.

Don’t confuse with ALTD vs FAST: FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) is one kind of service. ALTD is the wider term that includes FAST.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: TRAI recommendations on regulating app-based linear TV and FAST services; lasting regulatory topic but recommendations are non-binding and rarely tested.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Communications, 26 Oct, 16:13 IST · Release 2328480

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PARIVARTAN Scheme (Delhi-NCR vehicle replacement)

GS3 Environment and pollutionGS2 Government schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 26 October 2026, MoRTH announced a Transport Mela under the PARIVARTAN Scheme at the Vehicle Inspection Unit near DTO Burari, North Delhi, on 28 October 2026.
What it is: PARIVARTAN is a Cabinet-approved scheme to replace over 2 lakh old trucks and buses meeting BS-IV or older norms in Delhi and NCR districts of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Owners get loan, tax, price and fuel or cash incentives to buy BS-VI or electric vehicles. The aim is to cut transport air pollution and emissions.

Event: MoRTH and the Delhi Government hold the Mela at the Vehicle Inspection Unit near DTO Burari, North Delhi, on 28 October 2026.
Participants: OEMs and dealers, scrapping facilities (RVSFs), banks, NBFCs, oil marketing companies and city gas distribution entities will give guidance on scrapping, finance, purchase and fuel benefits.
Incentives: Minimum 8% OEM discount, 5% interest subvention on loans, 100% road tax concession for 10 years, one-time EV benefits, monthly fuel vouchers and registration fee waiver, as applicable.
Registrations: About 40,000 beneficiaries have registered on the PARIVARTAN portal so far.
Funding and implementation: Funded through NCRPB under MoHUA; implemented by MoRTH.
Outlay: Total outlay ₹9,585 crore, of which ₹5,041 crore is central budgetary support.
Fuel vouchers / EV incentive: BS-VI diesel/CNG buyers get monthly fuel vouchers of ₹1,200-4,800 for five years; EV buyers get a one-time ₹64,000 to ₹2.56 lakh.
Implementation and funding: MoRTH is the implementing ministry. Funding is routed through the NCRPB.
Incentive package: Incentives include 5% interest subvention on loans, a minimum 8% OEM discount, tax concessions, registration fee waivers, fuel vouchers and one-time aid for electric vehicles and CoD trading.
State notifications: Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi notified a ten-year Motor Vehicle Tax concession and registration fee waiver.
OEM MoUs: 11 OEMs with over 95% of commercial vehicle market share signed MoUs with MoRTH to give the discount.
Digital platform: An integrated platform links VAHAN, V-Scrap, DigiELV, PFMS, lenders and fuel voucher systems.
OEM discount: Under the MoU, DICV will give an 8 per cent discount on the ex-showroom price of eligible trucks and buses.
Electric vehicle cap: For electric vehicles, the discount is capped at the discount for an ICE vehicle of the same GVW category.
Central support: The Centre gives 5 per cent interest subvention and fixed monthly fuel vouchers for five years.
State support: Participating states give up to 100 per cent motor vehicle tax concession for ten years and waive registration fees.
Manufacturers on board: Ashok Leyland, Switch Mobility, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra and SML Mahindra signed earlier; together they hold 85% of the truck and bus market.
Tata Motors MoU: MoRTH signed an MoU with Tata Motors for the replacement scheme in the Delhi-NCR region.
Other OEMs: Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility signed earlier in the week. With Tata, the three hold about 50% of the truck and bus market.
Funding and implementing bodies: Funded through NCRPB under MoHUA; implemented by MoRTH and MoPNG with Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Beneficiaries: About 2.07 lakh owners: 1.91 lakh trucks and 16,329 buses.
Scrapping rule: BS-III or older vehicles must be scrapped at registered facilities; BS-IV vehicles may be scrapped or sold outside NCR in non-NCAP cities or towns.
Central benefits: 5% interest subvention on loans for five years and monthly fuel vouchers up to Rs 4,800.
Monitoring: An Empowered Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary monitors it; District Collectors/Magistrates implement at district level.

Don’t confuse with PARIVARTAN vs Vehicle Scrappage Policy: The national Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021) sets up scrapping and fitness rules for old vehicles. PARIVARTAN is a Delhi-NCR scheme giving financial incentives for replacing old trucks and buses.

Don’t confuse with PARIVARTAN vs PM E-DRIVE: PARIVARTAN is a Delhi-NCR scheme to replace old BS-IV trucks and buses; PM E-DRIVE is a national scheme promoting electric vehicles.

Don’t confuse with MoHUA vs MoRTH: MoHUA approved the guidelines, but MoRTH implements the scheme.

Don’t confuse with NCRPB vs CAQM: NCRPB is a statutory planning body that channels the funds. It is not the Commission for Air Quality Management.

Don’t confuse with OEM discount vs government incentives: The 8% discount comes from the manufacturer. Interest subvention and fuel vouchers come from the Centre. Tax and registration relief come from states.

Don’t confuse with BS-IV vs BS-VI: These are Bharat Stage emission norms; BS-VI is stricter. India moved directly from BS-IV to BS-VI in 2020.

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

Targets old, high-emitting diesel trucks and buses, a major source of Delhi-NCR air pollution.
Links scrapping, finance and fuel players, which can speed up fleet renewal.
Faster removal of old polluting heavy vehicles can cut transport emissions in the Delhi-NCR airshed.
Targets old, high-emitting heavy vehicles, a major source of NCR transport pollution.
Pairs scrappage with clean-vehicle uptake, supporting BS-VI and EV transition.
Cuts emissions from old heavy vehicles, a major source of Delhi-NCR air pollution.
Pushes adoption of BS-VI and electric commercial vehicles and supports the auto sector.
Faster retirement of BS-IV and older heavy vehicles can cut particulate and NOx emissions in the NCR.
Manufacturer participation lowers buyer cost and speeds up the shift to BS-VI and electric vehicles.
Targets a big pollution source: trucks and buses are 36% of transport PM2.5 with 3% of the fleet.
Combines Centre, State and manufacturer incentives, which makes replacement more affordable for owners.
Supports the shift to BS-VI and electric vehicles and formal scrapping.

Problems

Small truck and bus owners may find upfront costs and paperwork hard even with subsidies.
Low uptake: about 40,000 registrations so far against a target of over 2 lakh vehicles.
Owners of old commercial vehicles may find the upfront cost and loan access hard despite incentives.
Scheme covers only NCR, so older vehicles may shift to other regions.
Small truck and bus owners may find it hard to finance replacement even with subsidies.
Depends on consistent state action and on scrapping old vehicles properly rather than reselling them elsewhere.
Smaller owners may find the cost of a new vehicle hard to meet even with incentives.
Success depends on states giving tax and fee relief, and on scrapping the old vehicles rather than reselling them elsewhere.
Small fleet owners may still struggle with the upfront cost even after the discounts.
Success depends on states offering tax and fee relief and on scrapping old vehicles properly.
Small truck operators may still find the upfront cost and loan access hard even with incentives.
Sale of BS-IV vehicles outside NCR may only move pollution to other cities.
Vehicles are only one source; dust, biomass burning and industry also drive NCR pollution.

Way forward

Run outreach camps and simplify the portal to raise registrations.
Expand charging and clean-fuel infrastructure so replacement vehicles are practical.
Strengthen scrapping and registration checks so replaced vehicles leave the road.
Expand charging and CNG infrastructure along freight corridors.
Ensure transparent digital delivery and verified scrapping through V-Scrap and DigiELV.
Expand charging and clean-fuel infrastructure for electric and CNG replacements.
Ensure certified scrapping and tracking of replaced vehicles.
Build charging infrastructure and easy finance for small operators.
Ensure verified scrapping of old vehicles through registered scrapping facilities.
Expand charging infrastructure and bring more manufacturers into the scheme.
Strengthen scrapping and vehicle-testing infrastructure and enforce against old vehicles.
Expand EV charging and CNG supply along freight corridors.
Use the digital portal to track real emission cuts and pair the scheme with action on other pollution sources.

Put in your answer

Incentive package: Cite the mix of OEM discount, interest subvention and road tax concession as an example of demand-side incentives for cleaner transport.

Outlay: Rs 9,585 crore total, with Rs 5,041 crore from the Centre.

Industry buy-in: 11 OEMs with over 95% of commercial vehicle market share signed MoUs.

Incentive design: The scheme combines OEM discount, central interest subvention and fuel vouchers, and state tax relief, an example of centre-state-industry cooperation on air pollution.

Layered incentive design: The scheme combines OEM discount, central interest subvention and fuel vouchers, and state tax waivers, a useful example of cooperative federalism in pollution control.

Transport share of NCR pollution: ARAI-TERI 2018 source apportionment: transport contributes 14% of PM2.5, 40% of CO and 63% of NOx in Delhi-NCR.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 19

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

1.The scheme targets replacement of trucks and buses conforming to BS-IV or older norms.
2.The scheme is funded through the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
3.The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
4.Eligible buyers get a 100% road tax waiver for 10 years.
5.Buyers of electric vehicles receive monthly fuel vouchers for five years.
6.Participating OEMs are to give a discount of at least 8% on the ex-showroom price.
7.The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the implementing ministry for the PARIVARTAN Scheme.
8.Funding for the scheme is routed through the Central Pollution Control Board.
9.The scheme provides a 5% interest subvention on loans taken to buy replacement vehicles.
10.The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 9,585 crore, including central budgetary support of Rs 5,041 crore.
11.The states granted Motor Vehicle Tax concession for five years under the scheme.
12.The scheme's digital platform is to interface with VAHAN and the Public Financial Management System.
13.The scheme is implemented mainly by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
14.Owners of BS-IV trucks and buses may either scrap them or sell them outside NCR in non-NCAP cities or towns.
15.The Centre provides a 5% interest subvention on loans for five years under the scheme.
16.State governments may give up to 100% motor vehicle tax concession on used replacement vehicles.
17.Participating vehicle manufacturers are to offer an 8% discount on ex-showroom prices.
18.In Delhi, buses bought under the scheme may be BS-VI diesel or CNG.
19.The Empowered Committee monitoring the scheme is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, 26 Oct, 18:42 IST · Release 2328646

Issue page →

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

International relations

International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and CIML

GS2 International OrganisationsGS3 Consumer protectionPrelims and Mains

Why in news: India is hosting the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026. It is the first time India hosts this OIML meeting.
What it is: The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is an intergovernmental body that works to harmonise the legal rules for measuring instruments used in trade, health and safety. CIML is its steering committee, made up of member-state representatives. The International Bureau of Legal Metrology (BIML) is its secretariat.

BIML: The International Bureau of Legal Metrology is the OIML secretariat. Its Director, Anthony Donellan, spoke at the meeting.
OIML-CS and India: India has been recognised as an OIML-CS Issuing Authority. This helps Indian test results gain international acceptance and helps manufacturers reach global markets.
Smart Recommendations: OIML's Smart Recommendations initiative aims to develop machine-readable technical standards.
Legal metrology in India: In India, legal metrology is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

Don’t confuse with OIML vs BIPM: OIML deals with legal metrology, the regulation of measuring instruments in trade. BIPM (International Bureau of Weights and Measures) maintains the SI system and works on scientific metrology.

Don’t confuse with CIML vs BIML: CIML is the committee of member-state representatives. BIML is the secretariat bureau that supports it.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: International body with a first-time India hosting; lasting topic, but the release carries few testable facts and UPSC rarely asks about it.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, 26 Oct, 19:12 IST · Release 2328661

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

TDB-DST signed a ₹116 crore RDI Fund agreement with Manastu Space for a hydrogen peroxide-based green propulsion system.

Source: PIB, 26 Oct

What we left out: 47 of 58 releases

Ceremonies and greetings (1)
Same issue as another release (8)
Events and curtain raisers (4)
Greetings and congratulations (1)
Shared articles and opinion (2)
Routine schedules (1)
Ceremonies and lectures (1)
Promotional storefront (1)
Speeches without a decision (3)
Ceremonies and campaigns (15)
Routine naval visits (1)
Routine data (1)
Routine drive tests (1)
Beneficiary stories (1)
Routine meetings (1)
Events and workshops (1)
Sports and routine events (1)
Routine case outcomes (1)
Events and fairs (1)
Courtesy meetings (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus)MCQ · 7 true or false
2National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)MCQ · 6 true or false
3Defence Acquisition Council and Acceptance of NecessityMCQ · 5 true or false
4Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and Flex Fuel (E85/E100) VehiclesMCQ · 6 true or false
5BRICS and India's 2026 ChairshipMCQ · 28 true or false · Mains
6PARIVARTAN Scheme (Delhi-NCR vehicle replacement)MCQ · 19 true or false · Mains

Keep reading

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Sunday, 25 October 2026Ramsar Sites in India and Glaw Lake · Urban Governance Reforms and Urbanisation in India

The day after

Tuesday, 27 October 2026BRICS and India's 2026 Chairship · Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) · Convention on Biological Diversity and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and 4 more

All days

Practice · 6