Current Affairs, 28 May 2026

In force since

The IK CEPA came into force in 2010. India's trade deficit with Korea has risen significantly since then.

Round and dates

The 12th round of upgrade talks was held in New Delhi from 25 to 27 May 2026.

Areas discussed

Talks covered trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin and origin procedures, investment, and SPS standards.

New sub-groups

Sub-groups will be formed on digital trade, supply chain cooperation and strategic industrial cooperation.

Time-bound aim

Both sides committed to conclude the upgrade in a time-bound manner.

Don’t confuse with CEPA vs FTA: An FTA mainly cuts tariffs on goods. A CEPA also covers services, investment and wider economic cooperation.

Don’t confuse with Rules of Origin vs SPS standards: Rules of origin decide which goods qualify for tariff concessions. SPS standards govern food safety and plant and animal health in trade.

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.

1. 2014Mains GS2 · Q17Impact on India of zero tariffs on IT products under ITAs?
2. 2013Mains GS2 · Q20Policy constraints inhibiting India-Japan economic ties below their potential?
3. 2025Mains GS3 · Q2Challenges to Indian economy as world shifts to protectionism and bilateralism; remedies?
4. 2016Prelims Q77Group of countries associated with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)?
5. 2017Prelims Q82Which two parties were negotiating the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)?
6. 2016Prelims Q41Statements on Trans-Pacific Partnership membership and its purpose; which are correct?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Who runs it

NeSDA is developed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

Basis

It draws on the UN e-Government Survey's Online Service Index, customised for India's federal structure.

Frequency

The assessment is biennial, held every two years.

Services assessed

NeSDA 2025 proposes 59 mandatory services for each State and UT and 43 for Central Ministries/Departments.

New addition

Services of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs are added to the focus sectors in NeSDA 2025.

Parameters

Parameters include accessibility, content availability, ease of use, information security and privacy, end service delivery, integrated service delivery, status tracking, Open Government Data, e-participation and emerging technologies.

Don’t confuse with NeSDA vs UN E-Government Survey: NeSDA is India's domestic DARPG assessment of States, UTs and Ministries. The UN E-Government Survey ranks countries and is published by the UN; NeSDA borrows its Online Service Index.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

1. 2024Mains GS2 · Q18Evaluate the role of the Interactive Service Model in e-governance for transparency and accountability.
2. 2023Mains GS2 · Q8What inadequacies hamper effectiveness, transparency and accountability in e-governance?
3. 2025Mains GS2 · Q7Examine whether e-governance projects are biased toward technology over user-centric design.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Handover

First instalment of 3 lakh houses worth ₹3,600 crore was handed over to Andhra Pradesh under PMAY-G 2.0 at Burripalem village, Guntur district.

3D printing pilot

The country's first pilot housing project using 3D concrete printing has 177 houses and costs ₹14 crore.

Allocation raised

Andhra Pradesh was first deemed eligible for 76,000 houses; the Centre raised this to 3 lakh after the Chief Minister's request.

Construction time

The 3D-printed houses are expected to be completed within six months.

Implementing ministry

PMAY-G is run by the Ministry of Rural Development as a Centrally sponsored scheme, with costs shared between Centre and states.

Predecessor

PMAY-G replaced Indira Awaas Yojana from April 2016.

Target and progress

The target is 4.95 crore houses. Approvals for 3.91 crore have been given and over 3.05 crore are complete.

Women's ownership

Nearly 75 per cent of sanctioned houses are in the name of women or in joint ownership.

Convergence

Houses are linked with amenities such as roads, electricity, drinking water, LPG connections and toilets through convergence with other schemes.

Start date

The scheme has been implemented since 1 April 2016.

Minimum house size

Houses must be at least 25 sq. m., with a dedicated area for hygienic cooking.

Inspections and audits

Block officers inspect about 10% of houses and district officers 2% at each stage. Each Gram Panchayat holds a social audit at least once a year.

Toilet support through convergence

Beneficiaries get Rs 12,000 for a toilet from SBM(G), the employment scheme or another dedicated source.

IT platform

AwaasSoft is the web-based MIS that covers beneficiary identification, sanction, fund release and monitoring.

Don’t confuse with PMAY-G vs PMAY-Urban: PMAY-G (Rural Development Ministry) serves rural households; PMAY-Urban (Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry) serves urban poor.

Don’t confuse with PMAY-G vs Indira Awaas Yojana: IAY was the older rural housing scheme; PMAY-G replaced it in 2016.

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.

1. 2013Mains GS2 · Q12Evaluate restructuring of centrally sponsored schemes for vulnerable sections
2. 2017Mains GS2 · Q17Discuss poverty alleviation programmes' performance and political will
3. 1997Prelims Q89Which programme includes housing and shelter upgradation schemes?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.