UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 27 October 2026

7 issues picked from 70 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

BRICS and India's 2026 Chairship. BRICS legislatures adopt New Delhi declaration on development, AI, UN reform and terrorism during India's chairship.
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS). PIB backgrounder explains CCUS projects, hubs, funding and pilots supporting India's Net Zero 2070 goal.
Convention on Biological Diversity and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. India reaffirms Global Biodiversity Framework commitment at CBD COP-17, seeking finance and technology support from developed countries.
UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport. India hosted UNESCO anti-doping Convention bodies and flagged a new amendment adding criminal penalties for doping violations.
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). CARA's Ranchi workshop pushes adoption of Divyaang children, completing its fifth regional consultation.
National Highways Fee Rules and Concessional Local Pass. Annual concessional toll pass for residents within 20 km of a plaza, from 1 November 2026.
Index of Industrial Production (IIP) base revision. MoSPI holds a workshop to align State IIP with the new 2022-23 base.

International relations

BRICS and India's 2026 Chairship

GS2 International relations · GroupingsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum met in New Delhi on 26-27 October 2026 and adopted a Joint Declaration, under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship (release posted 27 October 2026).
What it is: BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that works through three pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The chair rotates yearly and sets the agenda and theme. The BRICS Parliamentary Forum brings together legislatures of member countries for parliamentary diplomacy alongside the leaders' summit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

Why it matters

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

Problems

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

Way forward

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

Put in your answer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Test yourselfMains

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, 27 Oct, 17:41 IST · Release 2329065

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)

GS3 Environment and TechnologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 27 October 2026, PIB issued a backgrounder on CCUS as India's pathway to cut emissions in hard-to-abate sectors. It came as CSIR's ESTIC-2026 conclave began in New Delhi, with CCUS among its themes.
What it is: CCUS means capturing carbon dioxide from industrial sources, then using it or storing it underground. It is meant for sectors where emissions are hard to remove by electrification, such as steel, cement, refineries, chemicals and fertilisers. India is building a hub-and-cluster model, research centres and pilot test beds.

Storage formations: Permanent storage is in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers and basaltic rock.
Budget 2026-27 scheme: ₹20,000 crore over five years, announced in February 2026, for CCUS in power, steel, cement, refineries and chemicals.
Cluster regions: The DST CCUS Roadmap 2025 names the Gujarat coast, the Odisha–Jharkhand belt and Northeast India as potential cluster regions.
Blue vs green hydrogen: Green hydrogen is made by electrolysis of water using renewable power. Blue hydrogen uses natural gas or coal as feedstock.

Don’t confuse with CCU vs CCUS: CCU only captures and uses CO2. CCUS adds permanent geological storage.

Don’t confuse with Green vs blue hydrogen: Green hydrogen comes from water electrolysis with renewable power. Blue hydrogen comes from fossil fuels, with carbon capture.

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 syllabus topic on emissions and Net Zero. Science-tech Prelims questions are mostly about concepts, but this release gives few testable facts.

Source: PIB Backgrounder, 27 Oct, 11:42 IST · Release 2328830

Issue page →

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

International relations

Convention on Biological Diversity and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

GS3 Environment and BiodiversityGS2 International institutionsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 27 October 2026, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav gave India's national statement at the High-Level Segment of CBD COP-17 in Yerevan, Armenia. He backed full implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with finance and technology from developed countries.
What it is: OECMs are areas outside formal protected areas that still deliver lasting in-situ conservation of biodiversity. The concept comes from the Convention on Biological Diversity and is linked to Target 3 (30x30) of the Kunming-Montreal framework. India's I-OECM guidelines set a national process to recognise and report such sites.

Link to KM-GBF: The guidelines support India's work on Target 3 (30x30) of the KM-GBF and National Biodiversity Target 3 of the updated NBSAP (2024-2030).
Who prepared them: MoEFCC prepared the guidelines with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). NBA takes applications and decides with MoEFCC.
Recognition status: I-OECM recognition does not make an area protected and does not change its ownership or legal status.
Reporting database: Recognised sites will be published on the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas with UNEP-WCMC.
CBD protocols: The Cartagena Protocol (biosafety) and the Nagoya Protocol (access and benefit sharing) are the two protocols to the CBD.
Venue and host: COP-17 of the CBD is being held in Yerevan, Armenia. Armenia's Environment Minister, Hambardzum Matevosyan, is its President.
Cartagena Protocol report: India released its 5th National Report on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which concerns reporting and biosafety governance.
Nagoya Protocol: The Nagoya Protocol is the basis for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from using genetic resources.
Indian ABS institution: India's National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, implements ABS in India. It partnered in organising the side event.
Kunming-Montreal Framework: The framework was adopted in December 2022 at COP-15 (Montreal). It includes the '30 by 30' target to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030.
India's national targets: India's updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan turns the Global Biodiversity Framework into 23 National Biodiversity Targets and 142 indicators.
Digital sequence information: India supports sharing benefits from digital sequence information on genetic resources through the multilateral mechanism, including the Cali Fund.
India's protected area figures: India reported 1,134 Protected Areas, 103 Ramsar sites, 57 Biodiversity Heritage Sites and 18 Biosphere Reserves, 13 of them in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Network.

Don’t confuse with OECM vs protected area: A protected area has legal protection status. An OECM is recognised for effective conservation outcomes but its legal status stays unchanged.

Don’t confuse with Cartagena vs Nagoya Protocol: Cartagena covers biosafety of living modified organisms. Nagoya covers access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits.

Don’t confuse with Cartagena Protocol vs Nagoya Protocol: Cartagena deals with biosafety, the safe handling of living modified organisms. Nagoya deals with access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits.

Don’t confuse with Protected areas vs OECMs: Protected areas are formally designated for conservation. OECMs are other areas that deliver conservation outcomes through their management, even if conservation is not their main aim.

Don’t confuse with CBD vs Ramsar Convention: The CBD covers all biodiversity. The Ramsar Convention covers wetlands only. India counts 103 Ramsar sites.

Why it matters

Helps India move toward the 30x30 target by counting community and landscape-managed areas without new legal restrictions.
Gives formal recognition to sacred groves, community tanks and similar sites.
Recognising OECMs can help India count community and other managed lands towards its area-based conservation targets under the framework.
Showcasing ABS and biosafety reporting builds India's standing in global biodiversity negotiations.
COP-17 shows where India stands on finance and technology transfer, which decide whether the 2030 targets can be met.
India's updated national targets link its domestic plans to the global framework.

Problems

Sites must show measurable long-term outcomes, which needs local capacity and monitoring funds.
Recognition brings no legal protection, so threats to sites may continue.
Targets need sustained finance and capacity; the Minister stressed that adopting targets is not enough.
OECM recognition needs clear criteria and governance so that conservation outcomes are real and local communities benefit.
Developing countries want predictable finance and technology from developed countries, and gaps in these slow implementation.
Benefit sharing from digital sequence information is hard to track and enforce.

Way forward

Build capacity of Biodiversity Management Committees and State Boards, and use incentives and finance to sustain sites.
Run strong monitoring and verification so the sites count as real conservation.
Mobilise predictable finance and technology access, and strengthen South-South cooperation.
Judge progress by implementation and conservation outcomes, with community engagement and transparent reporting.
Operate the multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, including the Cali Fund, so funds reach local communities.
Strengthen village-level Biodiversity Management Committees and monitor progress against the 142 indicators.

Put in your answer

GEF-8 project demonstration sites: Six landscapes, including Gori Valley, Satkosia-Kalahandi and the Lakshadweep marinescape, will test the I-OECM guidelines.

Illustrative I-OECM sites: Examples include biodiversity parks, sacred groves, community-managed irrigation tanks, seagrass and seaweed beds, and fisheries seasonal ban areas.

Minister's test of progress: Progress should be measured by implementation, benefits delivered and sustained outcomes, not by announcements or resources mobilised.

Biological Diversity Act, 2002: India's law that created the NBA and put ABS into domestic practice, in line with the CBD.

India's national targets: India's updated NBSAP has 23 national targets and 142 indicators aligned to the global framework.

Local participation example: Village-level committees enable decentralised access and benefit sharing for local communities.

Restoration initiatives: MISHTI for mangroves and Amrit Dharohar for wetlands are cited as India's restoration efforts.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 27 Oct, 14:13 IST · Release 2328896

Issue page →

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

International relations

UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport

GS2 International InstitutionsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 27 October 2026, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the third COP10 Bureau meeting and the fourth Fund Approval Committee meeting under the UNESCO anti-doping Convention in New Delhi.
What it is: The UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport is a treaty adopted in 2005 that lets governments act on the World Anti-Doping Code. Its governing body is the Conference of Parties of States Parties, which has a Bureau to run its work between sessions. A voluntary Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport helps States Parties build anti-doping programmes.

Fund Approval Committee: The Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport has its own Approval Committee. It was chaired by Luke McCann, and met jointly with the Bureau. The Fund has an Operational Strategy for 2026-2031.
India's domestic law: The National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 and its 2025 Amendment came into force in July 2026. A further amendment with criminal provisions, covering coaches and supply chain stakeholders, is planned for the next Parliament session.
Discussion agenda: Talks covered a framework document on the roles of public authorities, anti-doping education and research via the National Compliance Platform, and resource mobilisation.
Convention basis: The Convention was adopted by UNESCO's General Conference in 2005 and entered into force in 2007.

Don’t confuse with UNESCO Convention vs WADA Code: The UNESCO Convention is a treaty binding governments. The World Anti-Doping Code is issued by WADA, a separate foundation, and binds sports bodies.

Don’t confuse with NADA vs NADA Act: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is India's testing body. The National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 is the law that gives the framework statutory backing.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: International agreement with India hosting the COP10 Bureau. Few facts a statement can turn on; the National Anti-Doping Act is a possible link.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, 27 Oct, 15:06 IST · Release 2328940

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

GS2 Polity · Statutory and regulatory bodiesGS1 Child welfarePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 27 October 2026, CARA held its Fifth Regional Consultative Workshop for the Eastern Zone in Ranchi, Jharkhand, to expand adoption of children with special needs.
What it is: The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is the nodal body for adoption in India under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It regulates in-country and inter-country adoptions and works through State Adoption Resource Agencies and Specialised Adoption Agencies. It is the Central Authority for India under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

Parent ministry: CARA functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Eastern Zone: The Eastern Zone covers Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Sikkim.
Workshop series: Earlier workshops were held for the Northern (Rajasthan), North-Eastern (Assam), Central (Madhya Pradesh) and Western (Maharashtra) zones.
Participating agencies: Participants included SARAs, Specialised Adoption Agencies, Child Care Institutions, DCPUs and Child Welfare Committees.
Legal basis: CARA is a statutory body under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which gave it statutory status.
Hague Convention: CARA is India's Central Authority for the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Theme 2026: The theme is 'Legal Adoption. Safe Childhood. Secure Future. Say No to Illegal Adoption!'
Shift in approach: Awareness workshops start in September 2026, no longer limited to November.
Stakeholders: The campaign involves Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Units, Specialised Adoption Agencies, police, health departments, judiciary and ASHA/ANM workers, among others.

Don’t confuse with CARA vs CWC: CARA regulates adoption nationally. Child Welfare Committees are district bodies under the JJ Act that decide on care and protection of individual children, including declaring a child legally free for adoption.

Don’t confuse with SARA vs SAA: SARA is the State-level agency coordinating adoption. A Specialised Adoption Agency is an institution that places children in adoption.

Don’t confuse with CARA vs Child Welfare Committee: CARA is the national adoption regulator. Child Welfare Committees are district-level bodies that decide on children in need of care and protection, including declaring them legally free for adoption.

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: CARA is a statutory body on the syllabus. Statutory bodies are only 7 of 327 Prelims questions, and this workshop has no new provision.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Women and Child Development, 27 Oct, 16:56 IST · Release 2328988

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Highways Fee Rules and Concessional Local Pass

GS3 InfrastructureGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 27 October 2026 the Road Transport Ministry announced a Concessional Local Pass for non-commercial vehicle owners living within 20 km of a National Highway fee plaza. It takes effect on 1 November 2026.
What it is: The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules set how user fees are fixed and collected on national highways. They are made under the National Highways Act, 1956 and are amended from time to time. The Concessional Local Pass is a new option within these rules for residents living near a fee plaza.

Eligibility: Non-commercial vehicle owners with a valid, functional FASTag who live within 20 km of the fee plaza.
Annual fee: Rs 1,500 for plazas outside municipal or local town limits and Rs 3,000 for plazas within them.
Exclusions: The pass is not available on closed-system highways or expressways, nor where a service road or alternative road exists.

Don’t confuse with Local Pass vs monthly pass: Residents can choose either the existing monthly pass or the new annual concessional Local Pass. The Local Pass is annual and valid for one named plaza only.

Don’t confuse with Open vs closed toll system: The Local Pass is not given on closed fee-collection systems, where fees depend on distance travelled between entry and exit.

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: New rule with a lasting topic and specific numbers (20 km, Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,000). Tolling is not a frequent UPSC question area.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, 27 Oct, 17:51 IST · Release 2329077

Issue page →

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

Economy

Index of Industrial Production (IIP) base revision

GS3 Indian EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 27 October 2026, MoSPI announced a three-day workshop (28–30 October 2026) at Thiruvananthapuram with the Kerala DES. It will help States and UTs prepare for the base revision of the State-level IIP, after the All-India IIP base moved to 2022-23.
What it is: The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) measures changes in the volume of industrial output against a base year. MoSPI compiles it for India. The base year has been revised to 2022-23=100, and the classification now follows NIC-2025.

Release schedule: Quick Estimates come out on the 28th of every month, or the next working day if that is a holiday.
Sectors: IIP has four sectors: Mining & Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity & Gas Supply, and Water Supply, Sewerage & Waste Management. Manufacturing carries the largest weight, about 76%.
Use-based classification: Use-based groups are Primary, Capital, Intermediate and Infrastructure/Construction goods, plus Consumer durables and non-durables. Capital goods grew 10.4% in September 2026.
Revision: The Quick Estimate is revised later. The August 2026 indices were finally revised with the September release.
New base year: MoSPI has moved the All-India IIP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
Base year meaning: The base year is the reference year against which later changes in production are measured.
Methodology changes: The revised series changes the item basket and weights, updates the factory panel, widens coverage to gas, water supply, sewerage and waste management, and allows factory substitution.
Who compiles State IIP: State Directorates of Economics and Statistics compile and release State-level IIP, while MoSPI gives technical guidance as the nodal ministry.
Link to growth estimates: IIP is an input in estimating overall economic growth.

Don’t confuse with IIP vs WPI: IIP measures the volume of industrial output (MoSPI). WPI measures wholesale price changes (Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT).

Don’t confuse with Quick Estimate vs final revision: The Quick Estimate comes in the first release and is revised later. The final revision comes with the release after next.

Don’t confuse with IIP vs Index of Eight Core Industries: The Eight Core Industries index covers only eight core sectors, which form a part of IIP. IIP covers mining, manufacturing and electricity at a wider level.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, 27 Oct, 18:05 IST · Release 2329092

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

The 11th edition of India-Indonesia special forces exercise Garuda Shakti began at Banyuwangi, Indonesia, running 27 October to 6 November 2026.
DPIIT launched the 6th National Startup Awards (NSA 6.0) under Startup India, with 20 sectoral categories and three special categories.
The Ministry of Culture signed an MoU with the Bibliothèque nationale de France under Gyan Bharatam Mission on manuscript digitisation and preservation.

Source: PIB, 27 Oct

What we left out: 60 of 70 releases

Visit schedules and meetings (6)
Ceremonies and campaigns (23)
Speeches without a decision (4)
Same issue as another release (10)
Review meetings (3)
Routine progress data (1)
Routine settlements (1)
Routine study findings (1)
Routine data releases (1)
Success stories (3)
Workshops and awareness events (1)
Recruitment notices (1)
Routine ship launches (2)
Conferences and forums (1)
Routine exercises (1)
Routine disaster updates (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1BRICS and India's 2026 ChairshipMCQ · 28 true or false · Mains
2Convention on Biological Diversity and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity FrameworkMCQ · 6 true or false
3Index of Industrial Production (IIP) base revisionMCQ · 6 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi in October 2026, held under India's BRICS Chairship, adopted a Joint Declaration that covers terrorism, UN reform, global governance and digital cooperation. Examine the significance of BRICS for India's foreign policy objectives and discuss the challenges India faces in using the grouping to advance its interests.

From: BRICS and India's 2026 Chairship

Write and get it marked

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Practice · 3 Mains question