UPSC current affairs · Monday

Current Affairs, 6 April 2026

7 issues picked from 27 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

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and Three-Stage Nuclear Programme. PFBR at Kalpakkam attains criticality, advancing stage two and paving the way for thorium use.
India's Fisheries and Seafood Exports. Budget 2026-27 gives fisheries record support; PMMSY remains the main scheme driving production, exports and digital governance.
Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE). NSO starts first annual survey of incorporated services firms, using GSTN data, covering about 1.21 lakh enterprises.
TRAI Consultation on ALTD and FAST Services. TRAI seeks public comments on regulating app-based linear TV and FAST services.
Wind Energy in India. India added a record 6.05 GW of wind power in 2025-26.
Kavach Automatic Train Protection System. Railways sanctions ₹1,364.45 crore for Kavach locomotives, fibre backbone and electronic interlocking in four zones.
Mineral Concession Rules and MMDR Amendment Act, 2025. New mineral concession rules let leaseholders add adjoining area and associated minerals, and sell more captive-mine output.

Science and technology

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and Three-Stage Nuclear Programme

GS3 Science and Technology - Nuclear EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 6 April 2026 the Prime Minister congratulated scientists and engineers as the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attained criticality, advancing the second stage of India's nuclear programme.
What it is: The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor is a 500 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. It was designed by IGCAR and is built by BHAVINI. It uses Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel and breeds Pu-239 from a U-238 blanket, which links India's PHWR stage to the thorium stage.

Criticality date and place: PFBR, built at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, attained first criticality on 6 April 2026.
Fuel and breeding: PFBR uses MOX fuel and a U-238 blanket to breed Pu-239, producing more fuel than it consumes.
Stage one: Stage one uses natural uranium in PHWRs, followed by reprocessing of spent fuel to recover plutonium.
Stage three: Thorium-232 is converted into fissile U-233, which fuels the third stage. This follows only after adequate FBR capacity exists.
Uranium resources: AMD has established 4,42,800 tonne in situ U3O8, and uses AI/ML for mineral potential mapping.
Thorium role: Thorium-232 is fertile, not fissile. It must be converted to U-233 in a breeder reactor using plutonium before it can be used as fuel.
Hydrogen first: On 26 June 2026 IGCAR produced hydrogen using nuclear heat. It coupled a BARC-developed Cu-Cl thermochemical cycle to the sodium loop of FBTR.
Fuel and coolant: PFBR is a 500 MWe sodium-cooled reactor using U-Pu MOX fuel, at Kalpakkam. It is built by BHAVINI.
Heat source: The plant uses nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor at IGCAR, Kalpakkam.
Technology developer: The Cu–Cl process was developed indigenously by BARC, Mumbai. BARC and IGCAR built the plant jointly.
Why Cu–Cl: It is considered promising for its relatively lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency.
IGCAR: IGCAR has led India's Fast Breeder Reactor programme since its establishment in 1971.
PFBR: The 500 MWe PFBR is the flagship of the second stage of the three-stage programme.
Three stages: Stage 1: PHWRs on natural uranium. Stage 2: fast breeder reactors using plutonium. Stage 3: thorium-based reactors using U-233.
What was commissioned: A 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at HWBF, Vadodara, a step towards industrial-scale indigenous nuclear-grade sodium production.
Link to the three stages: Nuclear-grade sodium is a critical material for the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.
Deuterated compounds plant: The Versatile Deuterated compounds Production Plant is meant for indigenous production of high-purity deuterated solvents.
Coolant in fast reactors: Fast breeder reactors such as PFBR use liquid sodium as coolant, since water would slow the neutrons.
Capacity and place: The PFBR is an indigenously designed 500 MWe reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. It achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026.
Who built it: IGCAR developed the reactor and BHAVINI built it. It uses uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel to produce more fuel than it consumes.
Global position: Russia is the only country operating commercial fast breeder reactors now. India is in the advanced stage of commissioning its own.
Stage link: The PFBR marks the second stage and paves the way for use of India's thorium reserves in the third stage.
Coolant and breeding: The PFBR uses liquid sodium as coolant. It breeds plutonium-239 from a uranium-238 blanket.
Nuclear Mission and SMRs: The Nuclear Mission has an allocation of Rs 20,000 crore. Five SMRs are planned by 2033.
Criticality: First criticality means the start of a controlled fission chain reaction. PFBR reached it on 6 April 2026.
Who designed and built it: IGCAR, an R&D centre of DAE, did the design. BHAVINI, a DAE PSU, built and commissioned it.
Thorium link: The blanket is designed to later hold Thorium-232, which transmutes into Uranium-233 to fuel the third stage.
Regulator: AERB cleared the reactor after reviewing plant safety systems before criticality.
Milestone: The PFBR at Kalpakkam attained criticality, meaning a self-sustaining chain reaction was achieved.
Breeding capability: The reactor can generate more fuel than it consumes.
Link to thorium: The achievement paves the way for using India's thorium reserves in the third stage.
Who designs and builds: PFBR was designed by IGCAR and is built by BHAVINI.
Reactor type and fuel: It is a 500 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor using Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel with a U-238 blanket that breeds Pu-239.

Don’t confuse with PFBR vs PHWR: PFBR is a fast breeder (stage two, sodium-cooled, MOX fuel). PHWRs are stage one, use natural uranium and heavy water.

Don’t confuse with Fertile vs fissile: U-238 and Th-232 are fertile and become fissile Pu-239 and U-233. These fissile isotopes sustain the chain reaction.

Don’t confuse with FBTR vs PFBR: FBTR is the small test fast reactor at Kalpakkam. PFBR is the 500 MWe prototype power reactor.

Don’t confuse with BARC vs IGCAR: BARC (Mumbai) developed the Cu–Cl process. IGCAR (Kalpakkam) runs FBTR and leads the fast reactor programme.

Don’t confuse with Heavy water vs deuterated compounds: Heavy water (D2O) is the moderator and coolant in PHWRs. Deuterated compounds, such as deuterated solvents, are used in research and specialised applications.

Don’t confuse with Moderator vs coolant: PHWRs use heavy water as moderator. Fast reactors use no moderator and use liquid sodium as coolant.

Don’t confuse with Criticality vs commercial operation: First criticality means the chain reaction is self-sustaining. Grid power and commercial operation come later.

Don’t confuse with First criticality vs grid connection: Criticality is the start of a self-sustaining chain reaction. Power generation and grid supply come later, after power-raising tests.

Don’t confuse with Fast breeder vs thermal reactor: A thermal reactor slows neutrons with a moderator. A fast reactor uses fast neutrons with no moderator and can breed fuel.

Don’t confuse with Criticality vs power generation: Criticality means a sustained chain reaction begins. Grid power supply comes later, after further tests and power raising.

Don’t confuse with Fast breeder vs PHWR: PHWRs are heavy water moderated and use natural uranium. Fast reactors use fast neutrons, no moderator, and a liquid metal coolant.

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.

Why it matters

Starts the second stage, moving India toward using its large thorium reserves for long-term energy security.
Builds indigenous capacity, with nearly 90% domestic manufacturing of PFBR equipment.
Reduces dependence on imported uranium and improves energy security.
Opens the route to using India's large thorium reserves.
Shows nuclear heat can serve non-electric uses such as clean hydrogen, supporting decarbonisation and energy security.
Links the fast reactor stage of the three-stage programme to the National Green Hydrogen Mission goals.
Domestic nuclear-grade sodium cuts import dependence for the second stage of the programme.
Supports strategic self-reliance in critical materials.
Starts stage two of the three-stage programme, a step to thorium use.
Helps the 100 GW nuclear target by 2047 and clean energy goals.
Closes the gap between the PHWR stage and thorium use, bringing India closer to using its large thorium reserves.
Gets more energy from limited uranium and gives low-carbon base-load power.
Builds indigenous capability in fuel cycle, materials and reactor engineering, supporting self-reliance.
Advances India's closed fuel cycle by reusing plutonium and breeding fuel.
Opens the route to using vast thorium reserves, aiding energy security.
Shows indigenous design and engineering capability in advanced nuclear technology.

Problems

The third stage depends on adequate FBR capacity being installed first, which is slow.
Sodium coolant handling and strict safety standards raise complexity.
Thorium use at scale needs enough plutonium as driver fuel, which takes time.
Sodium coolant needs careful handling, and FBRs need advanced materials and strict regulatory clearances.
It is only a technology demonstrator. Scale-up and cost competitiveness with electrolysis are unproven.
Handling sodium-cooled fast reactor heat and corrosive Cu–Cl chemistry needs advanced materials and safety systems.
Sodium reacts violently with water and air, so handling needs strict safety measures.
Scaling up from a prototype cell to industrial output must keep the purity nuclear use requires.
High capital cost and long construction delays of fast reactors.
Sodium coolant is hazardous because it reacts with water and air, so safety needs are high.
Sodium coolant reacts with air and water, so safety and leak control are demanding.
Fast reactors cost more and the project ran far beyond its original schedule.
Closed fuel cycle needs reprocessing, plutonium handling and waste management, with proliferation and public concerns.
High cost and long delays in building the prototype.
Sodium coolant is highly reactive, which raises safety and engineering concerns.
Reprocessing and fuel fabrication for closed cycle are complex.

Way forward

Scale up FBR capacity and reprocessing in step with the fleet-mode PHWR build-out.
Continue uranium exploration with AI/ML and advanced surveys to support early stages.
Complete low power physics experiments, obtain step-wise regulatory clearance, and raise power to grid synchronisation.
Continue R&D on molten salt reactors and thorium fuel cycles before large-scale deployment.
Use the plant's operating data to optimise the process, then build pilot-scale units coupled to larger reactors.
Expand fast reactor capacity, including PFBR, to supply high-temperature heat.
Scale the prototype to industrial production with quality assurance.
Build up fast reactor capacity so the second stage can lead to the thorium stage.
Move from the prototype to commercial fast reactors while keeping safety standards high.
Develop the thorium stage and the fuel cycle, with SMRs and private participation under the SHANTI Act.
Run power-raising tests and grid synchronisation under AERB oversight, with transparent safety reporting.
Scale to commercial fast breeder reactors only after cost, safety and performance are proven.
Build reprocessing and fuel fabrication capacity and move toward thorium use.
Move from prototype to commercial fast reactors after proven operation.
Strengthen reprocessing capacity and independent safety oversight.
Build thorium-stage research and fuel cycle step by step.

Put in your answer

Domestic content: IGCAR helped achieve nearly 90% domestic manufacturing of PFBR equipment and systems.

Capacity target: Installed nuclear capacity is to rise from 8780 MW to 22480 MW by 2031/32.

Domestic manufacturing: Nearly 90% of PFBR's equipment and systems were made domestically.

Nuclear hydrogen: Nuclear-heat hydrogen supports decarbonisation of fertilisers, refineries, transport and steel, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

FBTR experience: FBTR has served for more than four decades as a platform for fuels, materials and sodium technology, laying the base for PFBR.

Three-stage nuclear programme: Use it as an example of indigenous supply chain building for the second stage, from PHWRs through fast breeders to thorium.

Nuclear power target: India aims for 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.

SMR plan: Five SMRs are planned by 2033 under the Nuclear Mission, with SHANTI Act enabling private participation.

Closed fuel cycle: The reactor uses a closed fuel cycle that recycles nuclear materials, improving sustainability and reducing waste.

Three-stage programme: Use the stage-wise link: PHWR, then fast breeders, then thorium reactors, to explain India's long-term energy strategy.

Institutions: IGCAR designed the PFBR and BHAVINI builds it, an example of indigenous capacity in a public-sector model.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 42

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

1.The first stage of India's three-stage programme uses Fast Breeder Reactors with thorium as fuel.
2.In the third stage, Uranium-233 bred from Thorium-232 is the intended fuel.
3.The PFBR at Kalpakkam is a 500 MW reactor implemented by NPCIL.
4.The three-stage programme is based on a closed fuel cycle involving reprocessing of spent fuel.
5.Fast breeder reactors use a moderator such as heavy water to slow neutrons for breeding.
6.The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research is a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy.
7.In India's three-stage nuclear programme, the second stage uses plutonium from reprocessed PHWR spent fuel in Fast Breeder Reactors.
8.Thorium-232 is a fissile material that can be used directly as reactor fuel.
9.The third stage of the programme relies on Uranium-233 bred from Thorium-232.
10.PFBR uses water as its primary coolant.
11.PFBR was designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research.
12.Uranium-233 fabricated as fuel for the KAMINI reactor was obtained from irradiated thoria pins.
13.PFBR is being built by NPCIL.
14.The newly inaugurated hydrogen facility at Kalpakkam draws process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.
15.The Copper–Chlorine thermochemical process used in the facility was developed indigenously by BARC.
16.The Cu–Cl cycle is regarded as promising mainly because it needs extremely high operating temperatures compared with other cycles.
17.IGCAR was established in 1971 and has been at the forefront of India's Fast Breeder Reactor programme.
18.The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor is the flagship of the first stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.
19.The third stage of India's nuclear programme is based on thorium, with U-233 as the fissile material.
20.In the Cu–Cl cycle, the hydrogen is produced by chemical reactions that split water, with heat supplied by the reactor.
21.The first stage of India's three-stage programme uses fast breeder reactors fuelled with plutonium.
22.The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam is a 500 MWe reactor designed indigenously.
23.The PFBR is built by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, which also designed it.
24.The PFBR uses uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel and produces more fissile fuel than it consumes.
25.The PFBR is the third stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme and runs mainly on thorium.
26.In the PFBR, fertile uranium-238 in a blanket is converted into fissile plutonium-239.
27.The PFBR uses heavy water as both moderator and coolant.
28.Russia is currently the only country operating commercial fast breeder reactors.
29.The PFBR uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel in its core.
30.In the PFBR, fertile Uranium-238 in the blanket is converted into fissile Plutonium-239 by fast neutrons.
31.The PFBR was built and commissioned by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research.
32.The blanket of the PFBR is designed to eventually use Thorium-232, which is transmuted into Uranium-233.
33.The PFBR uses heavy water as moderator and coolant.
34.In India's three-stage nuclear programme, the first stage uses pressurised heavy water reactors fuelled by natural uranium.
35.The third stage of India's nuclear programme is based on Plutonium-239 fuel.
36.The PFBR at Kalpakkam has attained criticality, which marks progress in the second stage of India's nuclear programme.
37.The PFBR is capable of producing more fissile fuel than it consumes.
38.The PFBR directly uses thorium as its main fuel, making it a third-stage reactor.
39.The PFBR uses sodium as coolant.
40.The PFBR is built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
41.In the fast breeder reactor, a U-238 blanket is converted to Pu-239.
42.The first stage of India's nuclear programme uses fast breeder reactors with plutonium fuel.

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

Source: PIB, Prime Minister's Office, 6 Apr, 22:14 IST · Release 287541

Issue page →

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

Economy

India's Fisheries and Seafood Exports

GS3 Agriculture and allied sectorsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 6 April 2026, PIB published a backgrounder on India's fisheries sector. It notes the highest-ever Budget 2026-27 support of Rs 2,761.80 crore and a Rs 2,500 crore allocation for PMMSY.
What it is: India's fisheries policy runs on the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), launched in 2020 as the successor to the Blue Revolution scheme of 2015. It takes a value-chain approach covering production, cold chain, traceability and fisher welfare. Sub-schemes such as PM-MKSSY and the FIDF handle formalisation, insurance and infrastructure credit.

PMMSY allocation: PMMSY is the central pillar of fisheries development, with Rs 2,500 crore allocated for 2026-27.
PM-MKSSY: A Central Sector sub-scheme under PMMSY, running 2023-24 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs 6,000 crore. It targets formalisation, insurance and institutional finance.
National Fisheries Digital Platform: Launched in September 2024 under PM-MKSSY. It gives work-based digital identities to fishers and is a single-window system for credit, insurance and traceability.
Output growth: Fish production rose from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013-14 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25. India is the second-largest fish producer.
Export value: Marine product exports rose from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25, led by shrimp worth ₹43,334 crore.
Top market: The US is the largest destination, with 36.42% of export value in 2024-25.
Value-added share: Value-added products rose from 2.5% to 11% of the export basket, worth USD 742 million.
US compliance: India got a comparability finding under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act in 2025. This keeps exports flowing beyond the December 2025 deadline.
Import permits: The Sanitary Import Permit system is digitised and linked to the National Single Window System. Approval time fell from 30 days to 72 hours.
Fish production: Fish production rose from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
FIDF: Fund of ₹7,522.48 crore for long-term infrastructure finance, with 3% interest subvention. Validity was extended to March 2026.
Credit Guarantee Fund: A ₹750 crore fund managed by NABSanrakshan gives collateral-free cover on loans up to ₹12.5 crore.
NFDP: A single-window digital platform with about 30 lakh stakeholders registered, giving access to credit, insurance, cooperatives, markets and incentives.
Success fee under PM-MKSSY: Component 1A gives borrowers a one-time incentive of up to ₹5,000 to offset documentation and processing costs.

Don’t confuse with PMMSY vs PM-MKSSY: PMMSY (2020) is the umbrella scheme. PM-MKSSY (2023-24 to 2026-27) is a Central Sector sub-scheme under it, focused on formalisation, insurance and credit.

Don’t confuse with Blue Revolution vs PMMSY: The Blue Revolution (2015) was the earlier fisheries push. PMMSY (2020) was launched to build on it, with more focus on post-harvest management and traceability.

Don’t confuse with Turtle Excluder Devices vs Marine Mammal Protection Act: TEDs are nets fitted to shrimp trawlers to release sea turtles and address limits on wild-caught shrimp. The MMPA deals with marine mammal by-catch.

Don’t confuse with FIDF vs KCC for Fisheries: FIDF finances long-term infrastructure with interest subvention; KCC meets short-term working capital needs.

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.

Why it matters

Fisheries has the highest share (about 7.43%) of agricultural GVA among agriculture and allied sectors, and supports food security, jobs and exports.
Seafood exports reached Rs 62,408 crore in FY 2024-25, led by frozen shrimp, which adds to foreign exchange earnings.
Exports earn foreign exchange and support about 30 million fishers and fish farmers at the primary level.
Shifting to value-added products can raise returns per unit and cut dependence on frozen shrimp.
Formal credit through digital channels can reduce reliance on moneylenders and help formalise a fragmented sector.
A bankable fisheries sector supports export earnings, nutrition and livelihoods for nearly 3 crore people.

Problems

Export dependence on frozen shrimp and a few markets such as the US and China exposes earnings to trade shocks.
Informal, small-scale fishers have limited access to credit, insurance and formal markets.
Heavy reliance on shrimp and on the US market exposes exporters to trade and tariff shocks.
Rules on by-catch, traceability and food safety in importing countries raise compliance costs for small fishers.
The sector stays capital-constrained at the grassroots; only 350 NFDP loans had been approved against over 19,000 requests.
Small and informal fishers may lack records, collateral or digital access.

Way forward

Expand formalisation through NFDP registration, FFPOs and insurance coverage.
Strengthen traceability and sustainability compliance to diversify products and export markets.
Expand processing, cold chains and certification to raise value-added exports.
Diversify into the UK, EU, ASEAN and West Asia, and speed up TED deployment.
Widen bank onboarding beyond the 12 nationalised banks and keep building banker capacity.
Link credit with insurance, cold chain and traceability to improve repayment and export quality.

Put in your answer

Production growth: Fish output more than doubled to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25, a 106% rise over FY 2013-14.

Exports: Seafood exports reached Rs 62,408 crore in FY 2024-25, with frozen shrimp dominant.

Sustainable EEZ rules: Rules and guidelines for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the EEZ and High Seas were notified in 2025.

Export growth: Marine exports more than doubled from ₹30,213 crore (2013-14) to ₹62,408 crore (2024-25).

PMMSY: PMMSY backs seed, brackish-water aquaculture, traceability, cold chains and harbours.

GST cut: GST on key fish products was cut from 12% to 5%, helping consumption and competitiveness.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Same lasting topic as a card on file; the release is a Budget explainer with fisheries data and PMMSY outlays. Schemes are 16% of news-linked Prelims questions, but this release adds little that is new.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 6 Apr, 11:45 IST · Release 287514

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Report or index

Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)

GS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 6 April 2026, the NSO under MoSPI launched the first Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE), with reference year 2024-25, and released a user guide for it.
What it is: ASISSE is an annual enterprise survey run by the National Statistics Office to build official data on companies and LLPs in the services sector. It fills a gap: registered manufacturing is covered by the Annual Survey of Industries and unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises by ASUSE. Together the three surveys cover the non-agricultural economy.

Who runs it: The National Statistics Office (NSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation conducts the survey.
Coverage: It covers companies under the Companies Act, 1956/2013 and LLPs under the LLP Act, 2008 in the services sector.
Sampling frame and size: The GSTN database is the sampling frame; more than 1.21 lakh enterprises will be surveyed.
Legal basis: It is conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, as amended in 2017 and by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.
Companion surveys: ASI covers registered manufacturing and ASUSE covers the unincorporated non-agricultural sector (excluding construction).

Don’t confuse with ASISSE vs ASUSE: ASISSE covers incorporated services firms (companies, LLPs); ASUSE covers unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises.

Don’t confuse with ASISSE vs ASI: ASI covers registered manufacturing; ASISSE covers incorporated services.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A first-ever MoSPI survey of services enterprises using the GSTN frame; worth knowing, but routine surveys rarely draw questions (reports are 4% of Prelims).

Source: PIB, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, 6 Apr, 16:00 IST · Release 287523

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

TRAI Consultation on ALTD and FAST Services

GS3 Science and TechnologyGS2 Statutory bodiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 6 April 2026, TRAI released a Consultation Paper on a regulatory framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) services, including FAST services. It follows 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 under the TRAI Act, 1997. ALTD services are apps that deliver linear TV channels through pre-installed, downloadable or web-based applications. FAST services are free, ad-supported streaming channels that fall in this group and currently lack a dedicated framework.

Trigger: MIB referred the matter to TRAI under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, on 15 December 2025.
ALTD defined: ALTD covers application providers distributing linear TV channels via pre-installed apps, downloadable mobile or smart TV apps, or web-based apps.
Scope of inputs: The paper seeks views on authorisation terms, service provisioning, and obligations of broadcasters, content providers and aggregators placing channels on ALTD platforms.
Deadlines: Comments are due by 4 May 2026 and counter comments by 18 May 2026.
TRAI's role: TRAI was set up by the TRAI Act, 1997. Its recommendations to the government are advisory, not binding.

Don’t confuse with Recommendations vs. regulations: A TRAI consultation paper and its recommendations are advisory. Binding rules come only when the government accepts them or TRAI issues regulations.

Don’t confuse with FAST vs. OTT on-demand: FAST offers scheduled linear channels free with ads. On-demand OTT services let users pick content, often by subscription.

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: Consultation paper for regulating app-based linear TV, sent under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act. A consultation is not a final rule, so a question is unlikely.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Communications, 6 Apr, 16:47 IST · Release 287524

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Wind Energy in India

GS3 EnergyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 6 April 2026, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said India added a record 6.05 GW of wind capacity in FY 2025-26. Cumulative installed wind capacity has crossed 56 GW.
What it is: Wind energy is India's second-largest renewable source after solar. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy leads policy, and the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai, does resource assessment and testing. India has a long coast and strong wind belts in the western and southern states, so it has both onshore and offshore potential.

Gross potential: Estimated gross wind potential is 695.5 GW at 120 m and 1,163.9 GW at 150 m hub height.
Record addition: A record 6.05 GW was added in 2025-26, beating 4.15 GW in 2024-25.
Offshore VGF: Viability Gap Funding of ₹6,853 crore is approved for 1,000 MW offshore wind, 500 MW each off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Contracts for Difference: A 500 MW CfD pilot has been launched. CfD reduces price volatility and gives revenue certainty to developers.
Targets: India aims for 100 GW wind capacity by 2030 and 156 GW by 2036.
Global rank and capacity: India ranks fourth globally in wind energy, with over 56.1 GW installed and 28 GW more under implementation.
Potential: Wind potential at 150 m hub height is estimated at nearly 1164 GW.
Peak-hour role: About 45% of wind generation occurs in peak demand hours, so it complements solar.
CfD pilot: A 500 MW pilot under the Contracts for Difference model has been launched to give revenue certainty.
Cumulative capacity: Total installed wind capacity has crossed 56 GW.
Lead states: Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra contributed most of the addition during the year.
ISTS waiver: The government gives a graded waiver of Inter-State Transmission System charges until June 2028 to promote wind power.
2030 target: The addition supports India's target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
NIWE: The National Institute of Wind Energy is in Chennai and is an autonomous institution under MNRE.

Don’t confuse with Viability Gap Funding vs Generation Based Incentive: VGF is a capital support to make a project viable (here offshore wind). GBI pays per unit of electricity generated.

Don’t confuse with Contracts for Difference vs fixed-tariff PPA: CfD settles the gap between a strike price and market price to give revenue certainty. A fixed-tariff PPA fixes the price paid by the buyer.

Don’t confuse with RPO vs ALMM: Renewable Purchase Obligation makes distribution companies and large buyers procure a share of renewable power, creating demand. ALMM lists approved models and manufacturers, promoting domestic manufacturing.

Don’t confuse with Onshore vs offshore wind: Onshore turbines are on land, with most Indian capacity in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Offshore turbines are at sea and are at an early stage in India.

Don’t confuse with ISTS waiver vs RCO: The ISTS waiver cuts transmission charges for renewable power. The Renewable Consumption Obligation requires designated consumers to use a minimum share of renewable energy.

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.

Why it matters

Wind generates about 45% of its output in peak demand hours, complementing solar and aiding grid reliability.
Domestic manufacturing (about 24 GW capacity, 70-80% indigenisation) supports energy security and industrial growth.
Wind peaks in evening and night hours, balancing solar and easing peak demand.
Domestic manufacturing above 24 GW a year supports energy security and the net-zero 2070 goal.
Wind complements solar because it often generates at different times of day, which helps grid balance.
It helps India move towards 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.

Problems

Regulatory, land, transmission and implementation delays slow projects; a Task Force was set up in January 2026 to address them.
Offshore wind is new in India and needs finance, ports and supply chains.
Deviation Settlement Mechanism penalties, curtailment and transmission delays hurt developers.
Few new wind tenders and costly finance slow the pace of capacity addition.
Transmission readiness and grid integration of variable power remain constraints.
Good land sites are limited, and land acquisition is difficult.

Way forward

Strengthen transmission, storage-linked round-the-clock models and AI-based forecasting.
Expand into emerging states such as Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha and develop offshore leasing areas.
Expand Green Energy Corridor transmission, repower old turbines and promote wind-solar-storage hybrid and round-the-clock projects.
Mobilise low-cost long-term finance through blended finance, credit enhancement and CfD.
Build transmission alongside projects and expand wind-solar hybrids and storage.
Develop offshore wind and repower old turbines to raise output from existing sites.

Put in your answer

Wind capacity growth: Installed capacity rose 2.66-fold from 21.04 GW to 56.09 GW between March 2014 and March 2026.

Offshore wind support: ₹6,853 crore VGF for 1,000 MW offshore wind off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

India-UK cooperation: An India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce was launched in February 2026.

Manufacturing base: Annual wind manufacturing capacity exceeds 24 GW, with 70–80% indigenisation.

Policy measures: Policy tools include a wind component in RPO, Late Payment Surcharge rules, ALMM and Green Energy Open Access.

Capacity data: India has over 56.1 GW of installed wind capacity, ranking fourth globally.

Policy support measures: Concessional customs duty on components, ISTS waiver till June 2028, competitive bidding and separate wind RCO.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Record 6.05 GW wind addition in 2025-26; cumulative capacity above 56 GW. Topic is already on file, so it adds data to that card rather than creating a new one.

Source: PIB, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 6 Apr, 17:28 IST · Release 287527

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Kavach Automatic Train Protection System

GS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 6 April 2026, the Ministry of Railways approved projects worth ₹1,364.45 crore for Kavach, optical fibre backbone and electronic interlocking across Southern, Northern, North Central and South Central Railway zones.
What it is: Kavach is India's indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system. It uses on-board equipment, trackside devices and radio communication to help a train stop automatically if the driver fails to act, and to prevent collisions. It was developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) with Indian industry partners.

Kavach umbrella work: The work is part of an umbrella programme to provide Kavach with an LTE communication backbone on balance routes, costing ₹27,693 crore in the 2024-25 Pink Book.
Electronic interlocking: Panel interlocking will be replaced at 35 stations in Guntakal Division and 14 in Nanded Division of South Central Railway, on HDN/HUN routes.
Developer of Kavach: Kavach was developed indigenously by RDSO, the Railways' research and standards body, with Indian industry.
Safety level: Kavach needs the highest safety certification, SIL-4.
Adoption: Kavach became the National ATP system in July 2020.
Version 4.0 upgrades: Better location accuracy, better signal aspect information in big yards, station-to-station Kavach interface on OFC, and direct interface with Electronic Interlocking.
Components: Implementation needs station Kavach, RFID tags along the track, telecom towers, optical fibre cable and loco Kavach.
Trackside coverage: Trackside work is taken up on 24,427 RKm covering Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal, high density network and identified sections.
Sections commissioned: Vadodara–Virar (344 km, Western Railway), Tuglakabad Junction Cabin–Palwal (35 km, Northern Railway) and Manpur–Sarmatanr (93.3 km, East Central Railway).
Technologies used: Kavach combines microprocessors, GPS and radio communication; it alerts the loco pilot and applies brakes automatically if needed.
Protections offered: Protects against Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), side, head-on and rear-end collisions, overspeeding, and gives level crossing gate information.
Developer: Kavach was developed by RDSO, the research and standards body of Indian Railways under the Ministry of Railways.

Don’t confuse with Electronic interlocking vs Kavach: Interlocking prevents conflicting signals and routes at stations. Kavach is an on-board and trackside system that controls train speed and braking.

Don’t confuse with Kavach vs ABS/CTC: Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) and Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) manage train movement and line capacity. Kavach adds automatic collision protection.

Don’t confuse with Kavach vs Electronic Interlocking: Interlocking controls points and signals at stations to prevent conflicting moves. Kavach is an ATP system that brakes the train itself.

Don’t confuse with Kavach vs TCAS: TCAS (Train Collision Avoidance System) was the earlier name for Kavach in trials; do not confuse it with the aircraft system of the same acronym.

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.

Why it matters

Kavach reduces collisions caused by signal passed at danger and human error.
A fibre backbone and electronic interlocking give reliable communication and cut manual intervention, supporting high-density routes.
Reduces accidents from human error such as signal passing.
Indigenous SIL-4 technology supports self-reliance in rail safety.
Improves rail safety by preventing collisions and overspeeding even in low visibility.
Promotes self-reliance and the Indian signalling industry.

Problems

Fitting Kavach on thousands of locomotives and thousands of route km is costly and slow.
It needs reliable telecom, fibre and interlocking first, so works must be coordinated across zones.
Heavy cost: about Rs 50 lakh per km trackside and Rs 80 lakh per loco.
Deployment is slow: 1,452 RKm commissioned against 24,427 RKm taken up.
Large network to cover and locomotives to fit, so rollout is slow and costly.
Needs integration with existing signalling and interlocking systems and trained staff.

Way forward

Complete the fibre and interlocking groundwork before or with Kavach rollout, prioritising high-density routes.
Track progress and fund works on a time-bound basis.
Speed up OFC, tower and loco fitment, and train more staff.
Prioritise high-density routes, then extend to the wider network.
Prioritise high-density routes and fit locomotives in step with track installation.
Keep independent safety assessment and ongoing upgrades based on operational feedback.

Put in your answer

Kavach 4.0 locomotive allocation: ₹208.81 crore for 232 locomotives in Southern Railway shows the scale of fitment cost.

Electronic interlocking umbrella work: A ₹15,164 crore umbrella work covers electronic interlocking at balance stations on HDN/HUN routes where Kavach/ABS/CTC is sanctioned.

Cost: Trackside and station equipment cost about Rs 50 lakh per km; loco equipment about Rs 80 lakh per loco.

Kavach 4.0 coverage: 1,306.3 route km of Kavach 4.0 commissioned across five zones after this addition.

Head-on collision test: On Manpur–Sarmatanr, a head-on collision test saw the train stop automatically, validating the system.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Railways, 6 Apr, 17:47 IST · Release 287529

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Mineral Concession Rules and MMDR Amendment Act, 2025

GS3 Mining and MineralsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 6 April 2026 the Ministry of Mines said it had notified the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 30 March 2026. They set out how contiguous area and associated minerals can be added to mining leases.
What it is: The Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession Rules are made under the MMDR Act, 1957. They govern how mineral concessions are granted and operated. The ASP of a mineral grade is used to work out royalty and auction premium payable by miners.

Notification: The Third Amendment Rules, 2026 were notified on 10 April 2026 by the Ministry of Mines.
Run-of-mine: Run-of-mine is raw, unprocessed material from the mineralised zone of a lease area. Royalty is chargeable on lumps and fines after initial screening if processing lowers its economic value.
Parent law: The rules are framed under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Contiguous area cap: A one-time extension of a mining lease (ML) can add contiguous area of up to 10% of the existing area. For a composite licence (CL) the cap is 30%. This applies to deep-seated minerals.
Payment for added area: For an auctioned ML or CL, the holder pays 10% of the auction premium on minerals dispatched from the added area. For a lease granted without auction, the holder pays an extra amount equal to the royalty.
Associated minerals: The State Government must permit the inclusion of another mineral, including a minor mineral, in a mining lease within 30 days of the application.
Minor mineral leases: Future minor mineral leases (other than sand) can be granted only after exploration up to G3 level. If a major mineral is found, the State auctions the area as a major mineral block.
Captive mine sales: The limit on sale of minerals from captive mines is removed. Sale is allowed after meeting the needs of the linked end-use plant. If the plant runs below full capacity, only the quantity equal to what the plant consumes in a financial year may be sold.
Effective date of Act amendment: The MMDR Amendment Act, 2025 took effect on 1 September 2025.

Don’t confuse with ASP vs MSP: ASP here is the average sale price of a mineral grade used to compute royalty and premium. MSP is the government's minimum support price for crops.

Don’t confuse with Threshold value vs reserve price: Threshold value is the grade limit below which ore counts as waste. Reserve price is the minimum bid price in a mineral block auction.

Don’t confuse with Mining lease vs composite licence: A mining lease allows extraction of a mineral. A composite licence covers both prospecting and mining. The contiguous-area cap is 10% for a mining lease and 30% for a composite licence.

Don’t confuse with Major vs minor minerals: Major minerals are regulated mainly by the Centre under the MMDR Act. Minor minerals, such as sand, are notified by the Centre, but the State Governments make the rules for them and grant the leases.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Second Amendment Rules 2026 allow contiguous area (up to 10% for ML, 30% for CL) and associated minerals in leases. Laws are 7% of Prelims; rule-level changes are rarely asked.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Mines, 6 Apr, 19:29 IST · Release 287536

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation set up India's first Municipal Textile Recovery Facility at Belapur under SBM-Urban 2.0.
Government e Marketplace (GeM) reached cumulative GMV of Rs 18.4 lakh crore, crossing Rs 5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
Mazagon Dock is building 14 Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard; keel of FPV-4 laid on 6 April 2026.

Source: PIB, 6 Apr

What we left out: 17 of 27 releases

Routine agreements and MoUs (2)
Routine election schedules (1)
Research studies without a policy (1)
Ceremonies and campaigns (2)
Foundation stones and speeches (1)
Routine data releases (2)
Speeches without a decision (2)
Workshops and webinars (1)
Seminars and visit schedules (1)
Routine drive tests (1)
Same issue as another release (1)
Routine appointments (1)
Local incidents (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and Three-Stage Nuclear ProgrammeMCQ · 42 true or false · Mains
2Kavach Automatic Train Protection SystemMCQ · 11 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality, advancing the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme. Discuss the significance of fast breeder reactors in the three-stage programme and examine the technical, economic and safety challenges in moving to the thorium-based third stage.

From: Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and Three-Stage Nuclear Programme

Write and get it marked

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