UPSC current affairs · Saturday

Current Affairs, 5 September 2026

6 issues picked from 24 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

Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). ECLGS 5.0 gives government-backed guarantees for extra working capital to MSMEs, non-MSMEs and airlines.
Zonal Councils. Amit Shah to chair 28th Western Zonal Council meeting in Goa on 7 September.
National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit Sharing. NBA's ABS payouts pass ₹200 crore; ₹8.23 crore goes to States for four crops.
Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects. Coal Ministry says gasification scheme has takers; first round closes 7 September 2026.
Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDH). IIT Kharagpur's affordable healthcare CRTDH moves from DSIR grant support to a self-sustaining model.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). NCSC gives Punjab seven days to explain alleged SC reservation denial in lecturer recruitment.

Scheme

Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)

GS3 Economy · MSME creditGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 5 September 2026, PIB reported progress under ECLGS 5.0, approved on 5 May 2026. By 20 August 2026, guarantees of ₹2,50,024 crore had been issued against a ₹2.55 lakh crore cap.
What it is: ECLGS is a credit guarantee scheme started in 2020 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package to ease COVID-19 stress on businesses. The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company runs it. Lenders give extra working capital loans backed by a government guarantee. ECLGS 5.0 revives it for shocks from external disruptions.

Implementing agency: NCGTC implements the scheme. It gives guarantees to Member Lending Institutions, which lend the extra credit.
Cap and validity: The scheme runs till 31 March 2027 or until guarantees of ₹2.55 lakh crore are issued, whichever is earlier.
Guarantee cover: MSMEs get 100% cover and non-MSMEs get 90%. No guarantee fee is charged to lenders.
Access: Borrowers apply through the Jan Samarth Portal.
Target credit: The scheme aims to add ₹2,55,000 crore of credit to existing borrowers facing liquidity stress from the West Asia crisis.
Share of MSMEs and PSBs: MSMEs hold 96% of guarantees by number and 86% by amount; Public Sector Banks account for 96% of guarantees.
Lenders covered: PSU banks, private banks, RRBs, SFBs and NBFCs take part as lenders.
Implementing body: NCGTC runs ECLGS and acts as guarantee trustee.
Who runs it: NCGTC gives the guarantee to Member Lending Institutions.

Don’t confuse with EBLR vs MCLR: EBLR is an external benchmark for floating-rate loans, e.g. retail and micro and small enterprise loans. MCLR is a bank's internal reference rate, set by the bank.

Don’t confuse with ECLGS vs CGSE: CGSE is the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters. Borrowers who took extra credit under it cannot claim ECLGS 5.0 for that amount.

Don’t confuse with ECLGS vs CGTMSE: CGTMSE guarantees collateral-free loans to micro and small enterprises on a standing basis; ECLGS is a crisis-time scheme giving extra working capital loans to existing borrowers.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB Headquarters, 5 Sep, 10:27 IST · Release 294319

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Zonal Councils

GS2 Polity · Inter-state relationsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 28th Western Zonal Council meeting in Panaji, Goa, on 7 September 2026, as announced on 5 September 2026.
What it is: Zonal Councils are advisory bodies for Centre-State and inter-State cooperation. They were set up under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, and not by the Constitution. They discuss common issues such as security, economic and social planning, and border or transport disputes.

Legal basis: Five Zonal Councils exist under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. They are statutory, not constitutional.
Western Zonal Council members: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Chair and Vice-Chair: The Union Home Minister is Chairman. The Chief Ministers of the member States serve as Vice-Chairman by rotation, one per year.
Composition: Each State sends its Chief Minister and two senior Ministers as members.
Nature of role: The role is advisory. Unresolved issues go from the Chief Secretaries' Standing Committee to the Council.
Number of Councils: There are five Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western and Southern. The North Eastern Council is a separate body set up by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971.
Meeting: The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting was held at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, chaired by the Union Home Minister.
Record since 2014: 70 Zonal Council meetings since 2014 resolved 1,445 of 1,869 issues, about 80%.
Meeting frequency: Meetings rose from an average of two and a half a year in 2004-2014 to six a year now.
Southern Zone members: Besides the states, the Southern Council attendees included Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Southern Zonal Council members: It has five states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Telangana) and three UTs (Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep).
Standing committee: Each council has a standing committee of Chief Secretaries. State-proposed issues are first discussed there, and the remaining ones go to the council.
Secretariat: The meeting is organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat of the Ministry of Home Affairs, with Tamil Nadu as host.
Members of the Central Zone: The Central Zonal Council covers Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Who organised the meeting: The Inter-State Council Secretariat, which works under the Ministry of Home Affairs, organised it with Chhattisgarh as host.
Issues taken up: The release says 1,729 issues were discussed in 2014-2026, with nearly 80% resolved.

Don’t confuse with Zonal Councils vs Inter-State Council: Zonal Councils are statutory, set up by the 1956 Act. The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body under Article 263, created by Presidential order in 1990.

Don’t confuse with Zonal Councils vs North Eastern Council: The North Eastern Council is set up by a separate 1971 Act and is not one of the five Zonal Councils.

Don’t confuse with Zonal Council vs Inter-State Council: Zonal Councils are statutory (1956 Act) and regional. The Inter-State Council is set up under Article 263 by the President and is national.

Don’t confuse with Zonal Council vs NITI Aayog Governing Council: Zonal Councils are advisory regional forums chaired by the Home Minister. The Governing Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes all Chief Ministers.

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.

Why it matters

They give a regular forum to resolve Centre-State and inter-State issues without litigation.
They support cooperative federalism by bringing Chief Ministers and Union Ministers together.
Provide a regular forum for cooperative federalism and settling inter-State disputes outside courts.
Allow Centre and states to coordinate on security, water, and social-sector issues.
They give a regular forum for Centre-State and inter-State dialogue, supporting cooperative federalism.
They help resolve regional disputes such as water sharing and reorganisation issues without litigation.
Gives a regular forum for Centre-State and inter-State dialogue, supporting cooperative federalism.
Helps settle border, water and transport issues without litigation, and monitors development work.

Problems

They are only advisory, so decisions are not binding and follow-up depends on political will.
Meetings can be irregular and States may use them unevenly.
Councils are only advisory, so their recommendations are not binding on states.
Hard issues such as river water sharing remain pending despite meetings, and political differences between Centre and states can slow progress.
Their role is only advisory, so decisions are not binding and follow-up depends on political will.
Meetings were irregular in some periods, and contested issues may stay unresolved.
Meetings depend on the Centre's initiative, and implementation of decisions is hard to track.

Way forward

Set up a mechanism to track decisions and report action taken.
Hold regular meetings and link them to the Inter-State Council.
Set up follow-up monitoring of decisions and publish the status of pending issues.
Combine Zonal Councils with the Inter-State Council and ministries like Jal Shakti to resolve water disputes.
Set regular meeting schedules and track the implementation of decisions through the standing committees.
Link Zonal Council outcomes with the Inter-State Council and NITI Aayog for follow-up.
Set up a mechanism to track follow-up on decisions and report publicly on how many issues are resolved.
Hold meetings on a fixed schedule so that forum use does not depend on political will.

Put in your answer

Meetings since 2014: 70 meetings of Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees have been held from June 2014 to date.

Issues discussed: Councils have discussed fast track special courts, ERSS-112, food safety, banking access in villages, and cybercrime.

Meeting record: 70 meetings since 2014 resolved about 80% of 1,869 issues, against two and a half meetings a year earlier.

Inter-State Council: Article 263 allows the President to establish an Inter-State Council to investigate and advise on inter-State disputes and coordination.

Article 263: Article 263 provides for an Inter-State Council to coordinate between States and the Centre, a constitutional contrast to statutory Zonal Councils.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 20

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

1.The Western Zonal Council includes Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
2.The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each Zonal Council.
3.The Vice-Chairman of a Zonal Council is the Union Minister of State for Home.
4.Zonal Councils have binding powers to settle disputes between member States.
5.Issues raised by States are first taken up by a Standing Committee at the level of Chief Secretaries.
6.There are six Zonal Councils under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, including the North Eastern Council.
7.Zonal Councils are constitutional bodies established under an Article of the Constitution.
8.The Union Home Minister chairs each Zonal Council.
9.The Southern Zonal Council meeting held in Mahabalipuram was its 31st meeting.
10.Since 2014, about 80% of issues taken up in Zonal Council meetings have been resolved.
11.Zonal Councils currently hold an average of two and a half meetings a year.
12.The Vice-Chairman of each Zonal Council is the Chief Minister of a state in that zone, holding the post by rotation for one year.
13.The Southern Zonal Council has its own members from Delhi and Goa.
14.Zonal Councils were established by the Constitution of India as permanent inter-State bodies.
15.The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 provided for the establishment of five Zonal Councils.
16.The Southern Zonal Council includes Maharashtra and Goa as member states.
17.Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are Union Territories represented in the Southern Zonal Council.
18.The Vice-Chairman of a Zonal Council is the Governor of the host state.
19.Recommendations of Zonal Councils are binding on the member states.
20.The Central Zonal Council includes Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Home Affairs, 5 Sep, 15:27 IST · Release 294326

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects

GS3 Energy · Coal gasificationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 5 September 2026 the Ministry of Coal rebutted press reports that the ₹37,500 crore coal/lignite gasification scheme got no applications. It said the first-round window closes on 7 September 2026 and that TFL and NTPC have applied.
What it is: The Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects is a Ministry of Coal scheme that backs conversion of domestic coal and lignite into syngas, methanol, ammonia, urea and hydrogen. It builds on the National Coal Gasification Mission and the earlier ₹8,500 crore incentive scheme. Projects are picked through rounds of applications under a Request for Proposal.

Outlay and approval: The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 13 May 2026 with a total outlay of ₹37,500 crore.
Capacity target: The national goal is 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030, of which 75 million tonnes is to come under this scheme.
Import substitution: LNG, urea, ammonia and methanol imports were about ₹2.77 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. The scheme aims to cut this dependence.
Earlier scheme: The ₹8,500 crore scheme approved in January 2024 has eight projects under implementation.
Implementing ministry: The scheme is run by the Ministry of Coal.
Approval and outlay: The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 13 May 2026 with an outlay of ₹37,500 crore.
Products targeted: The scheme promotes converting coal and lignite into syngas, methanol, ammonia and urea to reduce dependence on imported feedstock.
Rolling rounds: Rounds run on a rolling basis. The next round opens the day after one closes and stays open for two months.
Expected outcomes: The scheme is expected to catalyse about ₹2.5-3 lakh crore of investment across nearly 25 projects and about 50,000 jobs.
National target: The scheme supports the goal of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030.
Applicants so far: Talcher Fertilisers Limited and NTPC Limited have submitted applications through the online portal.
Incentive rate: Maximum incentive is 20% of the cost of plant and machinery, paid in four equal milestone-linked instalments.
Caps: Rs.5,000 crore per project, Rs.9,000 crore per product (except SNG and urea), Rs.12,000 crore per entity group.
Selection and technology: Projects are chosen by competitive bidding. The scheme is technology-agnostic but encourages indigenous technology.
Linkage reform: Coal linkage tenure goes up to 30 years under the syngas sub-sector of the Non-Regulated Sector linkage auction.

Don’t confuse with ₹37,500 crore scheme vs ₹8,500 crore scheme: The ₹37,500 crore scheme (approved May 2026) is the new, larger one. The ₹8,500 crore Financial Incentive Scheme (January 2024) is the earlier one, with eight projects under implementation.

Don’t confuse with Surface coal gasification vs Underground coal gasification: This scheme covers surface gasification of coal and lignite. Underground gasification converts coal in the seam without mining, and is a different technology.

Don’t confuse with Surface vs underground gasification: This scheme covers surface gasification in plants. Underground coal gasification converts coal in situ in the seam and is a separate effort.

Don’t confuse with New scheme vs 2024 scheme: The 2024 scheme had Rs.8,500 crore; the new one has Rs.37,500 crore and targets about 75 MT.

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

Gasification turns domestic coal into syngas, urea, methanol and ammonia, which can reduce import dependence and support energy security.
Investment is estimated at ₹2.5-3 lakh crore, with jobs across the value chain.
Cuts import dependence for feedstock such as methanol, ammonia and urea, helping energy and economic security.
Adds value to domestic coal and lignite and supports investment and jobs.
Cuts import dependence on LNG, urea, ammonia and methanol; the import bill of key substitutable products was about Rs.2.77 lakh crore in FY2025.
Mobilises an expected Rs.2.5-3.0 lakh crore investment and about 50,000 jobs in coal-bearing regions.
Builds indigenous technology capability and supports Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Problems

Projects are capital-intensive and need long preparation: feasibility, technology, environmental and financial planning.
Early reports of 'no takers' show doubts about commercial viability; only seven applications came in Round 1.
Projects are large and complex, needing long preparation: feasibility reports, technology choice and feedstock tie-ups.
Project economics and high capital needs may deter early applicants.
Gasification is capital-intensive and technology-heavy, and high-ash Indian coal complicates it.
Coal use conflicts with climate commitments and net-zero goals; gasification has high emissions and water needs unless paired with carbon capture.
Product cost may not compete with imports without continued subsidy.

Way forward

Evaluate applications transparently under the RFP and move selected projects to commissioning on time.
Keep rounds open at two-month intervals to draw more bidders and technology partners.
Use rolling rounds and outreach to bring in more developers and technology providers.
Assess participation after the full rounds close, and back projects with finance and feedstock linkages.
Pair gasification with carbon capture and use, and track emissions and water use.
Invest in R&D and pilots for indigenous technology suited to high-ash coal.
Ensure assured coal supply, offtake and pricing certainty for downstream products.

Put in your answer

Import bill: Imports of LNG, urea, ammonia and methanol were about ₹2.77 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. Use this to argue the case for gasification.

2030 target: The target is 100 million tonnes of gasification capacity by 2030, with 75 million tonnes under the scheme.

Scheme outlay: ₹37,500 crore scheme to promote coal and lignite gasification, approved on 13 May 2026.

Import dependence: Ammonia is about 100% imported, methanol 80-90%, and LNG over 50%.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 13

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

1.The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet with a total outlay of ₹37,500 crore.
2.The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
3.The scheme promotes conversion of coal and lignite into products such as methanol, ammonia and urea.
4.Under the scheme, application rounds are held once a year, with a fixed single window.
5.Each application round remains open for two months.
6.The scheme is linked to the target of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030.
7.The scheme provides a financial incentive of up to 20% of the cost of plant and machinery.
8.The incentive is paid as a single upfront grant at project approval.
9.Incentive for any single project under the scheme is capped at Rs.5,000 crore.
10.The scheme mandates the use of indigenous gasification technology only.
11.Incentives under the scheme are in addition to incentives under the commercial coal mining regime.
12.Projects under the scheme are selected through transparent competitive bidding.
13.The National Coal Gasification Mission aims at 100 MT of coal gasification by 2030.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Coal, 5 Sep, 11:22 IST · Release 294322

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDH)

GS3 Science & Technology · InnovationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 5 September 2026, DSIR Secretary and CSIR DG Dr N. Kalaiselvi inaugurated the sustainable phase of the DSIR-CRTDH on Affordable Healthcare at IIT Kharagpur. The Hub has ended its grant-supported phase and now runs on its own earnings.
What it is: The Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDH) scheme of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) sets up shared research and technology facilities in academic institutions. MSMEs, startups and innovators use them to develop and translate technologies. The Hub at IIT Kharagpur focuses on affordable healthcare and medical devices.

Scheme owner: The CRTDH scheme is run by DSIR under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Host and start year: The Affordable Healthcare Hub is hosted at IIT Kharagpur and was established in 2019.
Sustainable phase: After the grant phase, the Hub meets operating costs through user fees, industry sponsorships and translational partnerships.
Users served: The facility supports MSMEs, startups, innovators and other stakeholders with infrastructure and technical expertise.
Output so far: Working from a 5,000 sq ft facility, the Hub has facilitated over 20 technology transfers.

Don’t confuse with DSIR vs CSIR: DSIR is a department under the Ministry of Science and Technology. CSIR is a separate research council with many labs. The same person currently heads both.

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: A DSIR scheme hub moving to a self-sustaining model is a lasting topic, but it has few testable facts. Schemes are tested for features, yet this one is niche.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 5 Sep, 16:40 IST · Release 294331

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

GS2 Polity · Constitutional bodiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 5 September 2026, the NCSC issued a notice to Punjab's Chief Secretary over alleged denial of SC reservation in recruitment for 1,013 Lecturer posts, seeking a reply within seven days.
What it is: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body under Article 338. It monitors safeguards for Scheduled Castes, inquires into complaints of deprivation of their rights, and advises on their socio-economic development.

Constitutional basis: The NCSC acts under Article 338 of the Constitution, which makes it a constitutional body.
Civil court powers: If no reply comes in time, the Commission can use civil court powers and summon officials to appear in person.
Subject of complaint: The complaint concerns 1,013 Lecturer posts in the Punjab Education Department, where roster rules were allegedly not followed.
Origin of the body: The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 split the joint commission for SCs and STs into separate National Commissions for SCs and STs.
Reporting: The Commission presents its annual report to the President, who has it laid before Parliament, with state-related matters also sent to the state governments concerned.
Composition: The report was presented by the Chairman, Shri Kishor Makwana, three Members and the Secretary.
Report content: The report reviews how the constitutional provisions work. It draws on reviews, spot visits and consultations with Central and State Governments.
Origin: The 89th Constitutional Amendment (2003) split the earlier joint SC/ST Commission into the NCSC (Article 338) and the NCST (Article 338A).

Don’t confuse with NCSC vs NCST: NCSC (Article 338) covers Scheduled Castes; the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is under Article 338A.

Don’t confuse with NCSC vs National Commission for Safai Karamcharis: The Safai Karamcharis commission is a statutory body, not a constitutional one, and covers sanitation workers.

Don’t confuse with Article 338 vs 338B: Article 338B is the National Commission for Backward Classes, made constitutional by the 102nd Amendment.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 5 Sep, 19:29 IST · Release 294337

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

Dr. Dinesh Sharma has been appointed Lt. Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the President.

Source: PIB, 5 Sep

What we left out: 17 of 24 releases

Ceremonies and campaigns (6)
Speeches without a decision (6)
Visit schedules (1)
Routine data (1)
Inaugurations with nothing new (2)
Training and webinars (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)MCQ · 9 true or false · Mains
2Zonal CouncilsMCQ · 20 true or false · Mains
3National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit SharingMCQ · 53 true or false · Mains
4Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification ProjectsMCQ · 13 true or false · Mains
5National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)MCQ · 7 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

ECLGS 5.0, approved on 5 May 2026, had by 20 August 2026 issued guarantees of ₹2,50,024 crore against a cap of ₹2.55 lakh crore. Discuss the main provisions of the scheme and examine its significance and challenges in supporting MSMEs and businesses hit by external shocks.

From: Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)

Write and get it marked

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