How to use this material
Exam Tags & Source: Syllabus mapping for UPSC / TNPSC / SSC-RRB + clickable source link
Why in News: The news in 2–3 lines – read this first
▸ Sub-headings: Simple explanation + all facts, figures, names and years
GS Facts: Static GK linked to the news (blue box)
⚠ Exam Trap: Common confusions examiners use in options (orange box)
✍ Mains Angle: Probable Mains question with value points (purple box)
★ Important One-liners: Short news under each theme + Rapid Revision table. Highlighted = must-remember
✎ Top 5 Quiz: Day’s 5 most important MCQs at the end, with answer key
POLITY
★ Important One-liners
- PRESS COUNCIL OF INDIA RECONSTITUTED: The Centre reconstituted the Press Council of India (PCI) on
8 October 2026 by nominating 13 members – 6 editors and 7 working journalists (other than editors) – through a notification of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- Chairperson: Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (retd.)
- Existing 14 members: 5 MPs, 6 representatives of newspaper owners, and 3 experts from Bar Council of India, UGC and Sahitya Akademi
- Nominations under Section 5 and 6 of the Press Council Act, 1978
- PCI: statutory, autonomous body to preserve freedom of the Press and improve standards of newspapers and news agencies; first set up in 1966 (on the recommendation of the First Press Commission); re-established under the 1978 Act; Chairperson is traditionally a retired Supreme Court judge
- National Press Day: 16 November (PCI began functioning in 1966).
ECONOMY
57th GST Council Meeting
Why in News: The 57th meeting of the GST Council was held on 8 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. While the 56th meeting (2025) focused on rate rationalisation, the 57th meeting focused on process reforms – registration, returns, refunds and adjudication.
Biggest Headlines
- Arrest powers withdrawn: Complete withdrawal of arrest powers under GST by omitting Section 69 of the CGST Act, 2017.
- Prosecution threshold raised from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore.
- No show cause notice if tax involved is below ₹10,000 (CGST + SGST + IGST + Cess) – applies to pending cases too.
- Maximum general penalty (Section 125) cut from ₹25,000 to ₹10,000.
- Automatic refunds: 90% of refund for exports (zero-rated supplies) and inverted duty structure to be sanctioned automatically by the system.
A. Registration Reforms
- Auto-registration already given (rule 14A) where ITC passed on is not more than ₹2.5 lakh per month; now a comprehensive circular + FAQs and drop-down boxes in FORM GST REG-01 to reduce rejections.
- Amendments to registration details to be accepted automatically (rule 19) – except Principal Place of Business (PPoB); for rule-14A taxpayers, even PPoB changes are automatic.
- Cancellation: Applications in FORM GST REG-16 accepted automatically once returns are filed and dues paid (in two phases); system-based cancellation and revocation for non-filing of returns or bank details (new rule 23A).
- Small e-commerce sellers (rule 14B): Can register in other States by declaring the e-commerce operator’s (ECO) warehouse as their PPoB – no need to set up an office in every State.
B. Return Reforms (from April 2027 return)
- Better matching of GSTR-1/1A/IFF with GSTR-3B to reduce mismatches and notices.
- New facilities: Electronic Credit Reversal and Reclaim Statement (rule 86C) and Electronic Statement of tax paid on Reverse Charge (rule 86D).
- Invoice Management System (IMS): Recipient can accept, reject or keep pending an invoice before GSTR-2B is generated.
- Proposed mechanism to be put in the public domain for time-bound consultation.
C. Refund Reforms (Section 54)
- Phase 1: Full refund of excess cash ledger balance sanctioned automatically; acknowledgement time cut from 15 to 10 days (else deemed acknowledgement); 90% provisional refund for zero-rated and inverted duty claims – risk-based, automatic.
- Phase 2: Fully automated acknowledgement and full refund for zero-rated supplies.
- No scanned documents in FORM GST RFD-01; cap of 1.5 times domestic value for zero-rated turnover removed; ₹1,000 minimum refund threshold applies to total (CGST+SGST+IGST).
D. Dispute Resolution
- Reduced penalty of 5% in non-fraud cases if tax and interest are paid within 30 days (Sec 73) or 60 days (Sec 74A); minimum penalty of ₹10,000 removed in non-fraud cases.
- Pre-deposit cap of ₹40 crore (₹20 cr CGST + ₹20 cr SGST) for appeals where the order involves only penalty.
- Circular on quality and timely issue of notices and orders, and natural justice (personal hearings).
E. Input Tax Credit (ITC) and Exports
- Refund of accumulated ITC on input services (for inverted duty – ITC availed on/after 1 November 2026) and on capital goods (spread over 60 months; ITC on/after 1 April 2027).
- Blocked credits [Sec 17(5)] eased: ITC now allowed on outdoor catering, health and life insurance, telecom towers, pipelines outside factory, free samples, and goods destroyed on expiry.
- Export of services: Supplies to foreign branches/offices of the same entity (distinct persons) can qualify as exports; supplies to overseas buyers delivered in an SEZ/FTWZ to be treated as zero-rated.
F. Ease of Doing Business
- E-way bill: Vehicles can be intercepted only on specific intelligence with authorisation of an officer not below Joint Commissioner; no interception in transit States; no confiscation of goods in transit.
- IPR transfer (temporary or permanent) to be treated uniformly as supply of services.
- Late fee waiver for taxpayers with turnover up to ₹5 crore if the return is filed by the end of the due month.
- ARQP scheme (concept note): Optional Annual Return, Quarterly Payment for turnover ≤ ₹5 crore making only B2C supplies.
- E-invoicing extended to RCM purchases from unregistered persons and import of services for turnover ₹5 crore and above.
- GSTAT provisions to be aligned with the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.
G. Rate Changes and Clarifications
| Item / Service | Decision |
|---|---|
| Psyllium (Isabgol) seeds | NIL GST (fresh, chilled, frozen or dried) |
| Toys (heading 9503) | Concessional entry covers all toys – dolls, puzzles, etc. |
| Seaweed-based bio-stimulants | Classified as fertilisers (heading 3101) |
| Plastic, e-waste, tyre scrap, used cooking oil | Under RCM; 2% TDS on B2B supplies |
| Re-treaded tractor tyres | Rate aligned with new tractor tyres |
| EV passenger transport / rental | Optional 5% with restricted ITC |
| Delivery services via e-commerce | 5% without ITC |
| Helicopter seat-sharing (NE States, Sikkim, Bagdogra) | Exempt |
| Warehousing of seeds for sowing | Exempt |
| Curing of coffee by curers | Exempt |
| Upfront amount to NHAI under TOT model | Exempt |
GS Facts: GST Council
- Constitutional body under Article 279A (inserted by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016)
- Chair: Union Finance Minister; members: Union MoS (Finance) and State Finance Ministers
- Decisions by three-fourths majority of weighted votes – Centre 1/3, States 2/3
- GST launched on 1 July 2017
- GST 2.0 (56th meeting, Sept 2025): main slabs 5% and 18%, plus 40% for sin/luxury goods.
⚠ Exam Trap: The 57th meeting is about process reforms, not a new rate structure. Arrest powers were withdrawn (Sec 69 omitted); the prosecution threshold rose to ₹5 crore (not ₹2 crore). GST Council is a constitutional body (Art. 279A), not statutory.
✍ Mains Angle (UPSC)
Q. ‘From rate rationalisation to trust-based compliance’ – assess the significance of the 57th GST Council’s process reforms.
Value points: Decriminalisation, automation of refunds and registration, MSME working capital, litigation reduction, federal cooperation.
★ Important One-liners
- SERICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE AT JORHAT, ASSAM: Union MoS for Textiles Pabitra Margherita inaugurated a new Grainage Building and Cold Storage at the
CSB–Silkworm Seed Production Centre (SSPC), Rowriah, Jorhat
- Aims to modernise sericulture and strengthen rural livelihoods in the North-East
- Grainage: facility that produces disease-free silkworm eggs (DFLs) for farmers
- Central Silk Board (CSB): statutory body (1948), HQ Bengaluru, under Ministry of Textiles
- India is the 2nd largest silk producer (after China) and produces all four commercial silks – Mulberry, Eri, Tasar and Muga
- Muga silk (golden silk) of Assam has a GI tag.
SCHEMES
National SC-ST Hub
Why in News: The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) is emerging as a key scheme to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
About the Scheme
- Launched: 18 October 2016.
- Implemented by: National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), under the Ministry of MSME.
- Aim: Increase SC/ST-owned enterprises’ share in the MSME ecosystem and public procurement.
- Support: Training, mentoring, enterprise development, finance, technology and market linkages.
Achievements – Key Numbers
- Procurement from SC/ST MSEs: rose nearly 39 times – from ₹99.37 crore (2015-16) to ₹4,013.42 crore (2025-26) from 12,524 MSEs.
- Top 5 States: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam.
- Training (2025-26): 10,717 candidates through 47 institutions in 27 States (including 24 Aspirational Districts); women – 55%.
- Courses aligned to GeM and procurement: cafeteria and food production, welding, CAD/CAM, laundry, fashion designing and tailoring, bamboo-based work.
Major Components
- Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS): 25% capital subsidy, up to ₹25 lakh, on plant and machinery bought through bank credit.
- Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS): Registration with NSIC gives free tender sets and exemption from Earnest Money Deposit (EMD).
- Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS)
- Cost reimbursement (80%, max ₹1 lakh each): Bank loan processing fees, performance bank guarantee charges, and testing fees.
- Export Promotion Council membership: 80% reimbursement up to ₹20,000 per year.
Public Procurement Policy for MSEs
- Central Ministries, Departments and CPSEs must buy 25% of annual purchases from MSEs – of which 4% from SC/ST-owned MSEs and 3% from women-owned MSEs.
GS Facts: NSIC
- National Small Industries Corporation
- Set up in 1955
- A Miniratna CPSE under the Ministry of MSME
- Public Procurement Policy for MSEs Order, 2012 under the MSMED Act, 2006
- GeM (Government e-Marketplace) launched in 2016.
⚠ Exam Trap: Of the 25% MSE procurement target, 4% is for SC/ST MSEs and 3% for women MSEs – don’t add them to 25%. NSSH is run by NSIC, not SIDBI. The capital subsidy is 25%, capped at ₹25 lakh.
✍ Mains Angle (UPSC)
Q. How can public procurement be used as a tool for social inclusion? Illustrate with the National SC-ST Hub.
Value points: Assured demand, capacity building, finance access, women’s participation, persisting gaps in meeting the 4% target.
SCIENCE & TECH
PM Inaugurates 10th India Mobile Congress
Why in News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi, on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
Key Highlights
- Cheaper data: Cost of 1 GB mobile data fell from ₹268 (2014) to ₹8 (2026).
- Bharat 6G Alliance: 90 institutions; 7,700 patents, including 4,400 international patents.
Four Pillars of IMC 2026
- Srishti – Building the Future (innovation, next-gen infrastructure).
- Samvardhan – Fuelling Growth (tech-driven economic growth).
- Sashakt – Expanding Opportunities (inclusive digital access).
- Suraksha – Strengthening Trust (secure, resilient digital systems).
Coverage and Scale
- 9 sectors: 5G and 6G, AI-native networks, semiconductors, non-terrestrial (satellite) networks, cybersecurity, quantum communication, enterprise transformation, circular economy and ESG, electronics manufacturing.
- 4 new areas: Smart mobility, stadium experiences, industrial robotics, transport technology.
Key Terms
- Terahertz communication: Uses very high frequencies (roughly 0.1–10 THz) – expected backbone of 6G for ultra-fast data.
- Sovereign cloud: Cloud infrastructure where data stays within the country under its laws.
- Cell broadcast: Sends emergency alerts to all phones in an area at once – even when networks are congested.
- Non-terrestrial networks: Connectivity through satellites, high-altitude platforms and drones.
GS Facts: India Mobile Congress
- Asia’s largest telecom and tech event
- Organised by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)
- First held in 2017
- Bharat 6G Vision released in March 2023 – aims to make India a leading supplier of 6G IPR by 2030
- Bharat 6G Alliance launched in 2023.
⚠ Exam Trap: IMC is organised by the DoT and COAI (not TRAI or MeitY). The 10th edition was at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka – not Bharat Mandapam. All four pillars start with ‘S’ – Srishti, Samvardhan, Sashakt, Suraksha.
3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium
Why in News: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated the 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium 2026, organised by the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
Key Outcomes
- Five new MoUs exchanged by B6GA with: GSMA, one6G Association, GTI Alliance Ltd, 6G Industry Forum (6GIF) and VoICE.
- Nine Working Group white papers released by the Bharat 6G Alliance.
- Partnership network: Existing 10 global + 2 domestic MoUs/MoIs; with the new five, B6GA now has 17 collaborations.
About 6G
- Sixth-generation mobile technology, expected around 2030; promises speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G, ultra-low latency, and AI-native networks.
- Global standards are set by the ITU (IMT-2030 framework) and 3GPP.
GS Facts: ITU (International Telecommunication Union) – UN agency for ICT, HQ Geneva, est. 1865.
⚠ Exam Trap: This was the 3rd Bharat 6G Symposium, organised by the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA). The 5 new MoUs take B6GA to 17 collaborations. 6G standards are set by the ITU (IMT-2030) and 3GPP – not by B6GA.
★ Important One-liners
- IIT MADRAS TEAM AGNIRATH – 3rd AT SASOL SOLAR CHALLENGE 2026: Team AgniRath of IIT Madras secured 3rd place overall at the
Sasol Solar Challenge 2026 in South Africa
- Drove its solar car ‘Aagneya’ for 1,192.6 km over 8 days – from Johannesburg to Cape Town via Jeffreys Bay.
- WORLD HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL DAY – 8 OCTOBER: Observed every year on 8 October (10.08) – chosen to honour the atomic weight of hydrogen (1.008)
- Started in the USA in 2015 by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA); now observed globally
- India link: National Green Hydrogen Mission (January 2023; outlay ₹19,744 crore) targets 5 MMT green hydrogen production per year by 2030.
DEFENCE
★ Important One-liners
- EyeROV ‘TROUT’ – INDIA’S FIRST MILITARY-GRADE UNDERWATER ROV: Kochi-based marine robotics startup
EyeROV delivered two TROUT underwater
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems to the
Indian Navy – part of an order for
five
- TROUT: first military-grade ROV built in India, designed, made and qualified to military standards
- Uses: underwater inspection, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and recovery, detection and robotic intervention
- Developed under the iDEX DISC 7 SPRINT Challenge; nodal agency – Indian Navy.
ENVIRONMENT
★ Important One-liners
- NAMERI TIGER RESERVE GETS CA|TS ACCREDITATION:
Nameri Tiger Reserve (Assam) has been given
CA|TS Approved status under the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards framework – accorded on 10 September 2026 by the CA|TS International Executive Committee
- With this, all four tiger reserves of Assam – Kaziranga, Manas, Orang and Nameri – are now CA|TS Approved
- adjoins Pakke Tiger Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh); river Jia Bhoroli
- CA|TS: global accreditation tool assessing protection, habitat management, monitoring, administration and community participation; launched in 2013 by the Global Tiger Forum and partners like WWF.
- LADAKH LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST HIGH-ALTITUDE SNOW LEOPARD SAFARI: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagged off six vehicles for the
Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari
- Run by the Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature Conservation (SHAN) Society with the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, UT Ladakh
- routes across Hemis National Park, Changthang and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass
- Decision announced on 5 August 2026
- Snow leopard: IUCN – Vulnerable; Schedule I, WPA 1972
- SPAI 2023: India has 718 snow leopards; Ladakh has the most (477)
- Hemis NP – largest national park in India
- Project Snow Leopard – 2009.
HEALTH
★ Important One-liners
- JOSH TEAMS LAUNCHED UNDER TB MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAAN: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams to find
‘missing’ TB patients
- Teams of NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers to do household-level outreach in 55 districts across 11 States/UTs
- Each team: 5 NCC cadets
- 5 MY Bharat volunteers, under a Class-I officer
- Tasks: identify people with symptoms, encourage testing, support patients to complete treatment
- Joint effort of Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Defence
- MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) launched on 31 October 2023
- India’s TB elimination target – ahead of the SDG 2030 goal.
- SC ORDERS EXPERT PANEL ON UNETHICAL PHARMA MARKETING: The Supreme Court (Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta) on 8 October 2026 directed the Centre to set up an expert committee within two weeks
- Committee to consult stakeholders and submit recommendations within two months of its first meeting
- Will examine adequacy of existing laws and regulations, monitoring and enforcement, and measures for transparency and accountability
- Aim: ethical and affordable healthcare
INTERNATIONAL
India Joins 14 Economies in G20 Statement Against ‘Structural Excess Capacity’
Why in News: India joined the United States and 13 other economies in endorsing a joint ministerial statement on tackling structural excess capacity and production in key manufacturing sectors. It was released by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) after the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (30 September – 1 October 2026).
What is Structural Excess Capacity?
- When a country’s capacity to produce goods stays consistently higher than global demand – often driven by government subsidies and interventions.
- Result: excess production, cheap exports flooding other markets, and concentration of manufacturing in a few countries.
The 15 Signatories
- Argentina, Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Poland, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States.
- Note: China – widely seen as the main source of excess capacity in these sectors – is not a signatory.
Key Points of the Statement
- Excess capacity discourages market-based investment, weakens competition and hurts exports.
- Heavy dependence on one economy increases exposure to economic coercion, such as arbitrary export restrictions.
- Sectors of concern: Automobiles and EVs, batteries, chemicals, foundational semiconductors, solar panels.
- Calls on all countries to end non-market policies and practices that distort markets.
Next Steps
- Dedicated sectoral platforms for the five sectors.
- Senior officials met on the sidelines of the OECD Trade Committee; non-OECD countries invited to join.
- Technical-level talks before December 2026 to frame terms of reference and share non-confidential data.
- USTR Jamieson Greer: The issue was a key priority of the US G20 Presidency (2026).
Significance for India
- Protects India’s manufacturing push (PLI schemes in solar, batteries, semiconductors, EVs) from cheap dumped imports.
- Reduces supply-chain dependence – supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and China+1 strategies.
GS Facts: G20
- Formed in 1999 after the Asian Financial Crisis
- 19 countries
- EU
- African Union (AU joined at New Delhi Summit, 2023)
- Leaders’ summits since 2008
- India’s Presidency – 2023 (theme: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’)
- 2026 Presidency: USA.
India–Italy Step Up Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Terror Financing
Why in News: India and Italy held the 6th meeting of the India–Italy Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime on 6 October and the 2nd meeting of the India–Italy Permanent Task Force on Countering Financing of Terrorism on 7 October 2026 in New Delhi.
Key Discussions
- Cooperation against terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking and emerging regional and global terror threats.
- Countering misuse of new technologies – information, communication and financial technologies – for terrorist purposes.
- Enhancing capacity building and information exchange against non-traditional threats.
- Both condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, and the Pahalgam terror attack (22 April 2025).
- Multilateral cooperation: Through the UN, Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and FATF.
GS Facts: Counter-Terror Bodies
- FATF – set up in 1989 (G7 Paris Summit), HQ Paris; India a member since 2010
- GCTF – launched in 2011; India is a founding member
- India–Italy ties raised to Strategic Partnership in 2023; Italy: capital Rome, PM Giorgia Meloni.
⚠ Exam Trap: Two different meetings: the 6th JWG on Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime (6 Oct) and the 2nd Permanent Task Force on Countering Financing of Terrorism (7 Oct). FATF HQ is Paris; India became a member in 2010.
✍ Mains Angle (UPSC)
Q. ‘Non-market economic practices have become a security concern.’ Discuss with reference to the G20 statement on structural excess capacity.
Value points: Dumping, supply-chain concentration, economic coercion, WTO limits, India’s manufacturing strategy.
TAMILNADU
‘Kanavu Olympics’ Scheme Launched; ₹8.57 crore to Tamil Nadu Athletes
Why in News: Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the ‘Kanavu Olympics’ scheme in Chennai on Thursday (8 October 2026) and gave cheques worth ₹8.57 crore to 32 Tamil Nadu athletes – medallists of the 20th Asian Games and the 46th Chess Olympiad (Samarkand) and others.
About ‘Kanavu Olympics’ (Dream Olympics)
- Who: All Tamil Nadu athletes who win medals at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games, Commonwealth Games and Para Commonwealth Games.
- Benefit: ₹50 lakh per athlete per year for high-quality training to win Olympic medals.
Awards Given (₹8.57 crore in all)
- ₹8.25 crore – 18 medallists of the Asian Games and the 46th Chess Olympiad.
- ₹18 lakh – 12 players who won the National Sub-Junior Women’s Basketball championship.
- ₹14 lakh – special assistance for athletes going to the Asian Para Games.
- New incentive rates (Asian Games): Gold ₹75 lakh, Silver ₹50 lakh, Bronze ₹30 lakh (earlier ₹50 lakh, ₹30 lakh, ₹20 lakh). Chess Olympiad: men’s team (silver) ₹15 lakh each; women’s team (bronze) ₹10 lakh each.
Star Performers
- Vidya Ramraj (Athletics) – ₹1.55 crore: Won gold, silver and bronze – the first TN woman to win 3 medals at an Asian Games; ran 400 m hurdles in 54.75 s, breaking P.T. Usha’s 42-year-old national record.
- Kamalini (women’s cricket gold) and Washington Sundar (men’s cricket gold) – ₹75 lakh each.
- T.K. Vishal – silver (mixed 4×400 m relay) and bronze (men’s 4×400 m relay); Baranica Elangovan – bronze in women’s pole vault.
Tamil Nadu at Asian Games 2026
- 37 athletes from TN in 11 sports; 13 of them won 19 medals – 3 gold, 3 silver, 13 bronze.
GS Facts: Tamil Nadu Sports
- SDAT – Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu has 38 districts
- P.T. Usha’s old national record in 400 m hurdles (55.42 s) was set at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics
- 46th Chess Olympiad (2026) – Samarkand, Uzbekistan; 44th (2022) was held at Mamallapuram, TN.
⚠ Exam Trap: Kanavu Olympics gives ₹50 lakh per athlete per year – it is not a one-time award. ₹8.57 crore was the total given to 32 athletes. The 46th Chess Olympiad was in Samarkand; the 44th (2022) was in Mamallapuram.
AWARDS
Nobel Prize in Literature 2026: Canadian Poet Anne Carson
Why in News: Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature ‘for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature.’ The prize was announced by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm.
About Anne Carson
- Born: Toronto, Canada; age 76.
- Style: Draws on ancient Greek and Roman literature; her works blend poetry, essay and fiction.
- Career: Taught classics at several North American universities.
- Iceland link: Was in Iceland when informed; she and husband Robert Currie got Icelandic citizenship in 2022.
Major Works
- ‘Eros the Bittersweet’ – pleasure and pain of desire in ancient Greek literature.
- ‘Autobiography of Red’ – a verse novel.
- ‘Men in the Off Hours’ – won Canada’s Griffin Poetry Prize (2001).
- ‘Norma Jeane Baker of Troy’ – compares Marilyn Monroe and Helen of Troy.
- Translations: ‘If Not, Winter’ (fragments of Sappho), Sophocles’ ‘Electra’ and ‘Antigone’, Euripides’ ‘Bakkhai’.
Nobel 2026 – Key People and Facts
- Permanent Secretary, Swedish Academy: Ingrid Carlberg; Chair, Literature Committee: Anders Olsson.
- Prize money (2026): 12 million Swedish kronor (about USD 1.2 million).
- 2025 winner: Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai.
- 2026 so far: Medicine – optogenetics; Physics – Francis Halzen; Chemistry – Kagan and Soai; Peace (Friday) and Economics (Monday) yet to come.
GS Facts: Nobel Prize in Literature
- Awarded by the Swedish Academy
- First awarded in 1901 to Sully Prudhomme (France)
- Rabindranath Tagore (1913, for ‘Gitanjali’) – first Indian and first Asian Nobel laureate
- Previous Canadian winner: Alice Munro (2013).
⚠ Exam Trap: Anne Carson is Canadian (born in Toronto); she also holds Icelandic citizenship. The Literature prize is awarded by the Swedish Academy – not the Norwegian Nobel Committee. 2025 winner: László Krasznahorkai (Hungary).
★ Important One-liners
- RAMANUJAN PRIZE 2026 – PROF. MAHESH KAKDE (IISc): Prof. Mahesh Kakde of the
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru won the
Ramanujan Prize 2026 for contributions to
algebraic number theory
- Awarded jointly by ICTP (Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy) and the International Mathematical Union (IMU)
- Recognises his work on noncommutative Iwasawa theory and the Gross–Stark and Brumer–Stark conjectures – linked to Hilbert’s 12th problem (one of 23 problems listed by David Hilbert in 1900)
- The ICTP Ramanujan Prize is for young mathematicians from developing countries
- Different from the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize given by SASTRA University, Kumbakonam (TN)
- National Mathematics Day: 22 December (Ramanujan’s birthday).
SPORTS
★ Important One-liners
- FIFA WORLD RANKING – SPAIN STAY ON TOP:
Spain remain No. 1 (top since
July 2026, after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 final 1–0 in extra time)
- Top 7: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Portugal (up to 5th), Brazil, Morocco
- Africa now has 10 nations in the top 50
- 338 international matches played since the World Cup ended on 19 July 2026
- FIFA World Cup 2026: hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico; first with 48 teams
- FIFA HQ: Zürich, Switzerland.
RAPID REVISION
| Topic | Key Fact to Remember |
|---|---|
| 57th GST Council | 8 Oct 2026; arrest powers withdrawn (Sec 69 omitted) |
| GST prosecution threshold | Raised from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore |
| GST show cause notice | Not issued if tax < ₹10,000 |
| IMC 2026 | 10th edition; Yashobhoomi; 4 pillars – Srishti, Samvardhan, Sashakt, Suraksha |
| 1 GB data cost | ₹268 (2014) → ₹8 (2026) |
| Bharat 6G Symposium | 3rd edition; 5 MoUs; 9 white papers; 17 collaborations |
| National SC-ST Hub | Launched 18 Oct 2016; NSIC |
| SC/ST procurement target | 4% (within 25% MSE target) |
| G20 excess capacity | 15 signatories incl. India; Milwaukee |
| India–Italy | 6th JWG on CT; 2nd Task Force on CFT |
| Kanavu Olympics | ₹50 lakh/athlete/year; TN |
| Vidya Ramraj | 400 m hurdles 54.75 s – broke P.T. Usha’s record |
| Nobel Literature 2026 | Anne Carson (Canada) |
| Ramanujan Prize 2026 | Mahesh Kakde (IISc) – ICTP & IMU |
| Press Council | 13 new members; Chair Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai |
| EyeROV TROUT | First military-grade ROV of India; iDEX |
| Nameri TR | CA|TS approved; all 4 Assam TRs now CA|TS |
| Snow leopard safari | Ladakh – India’s first; SHAN Society |
| JOSH teams | NCC + MY Bharat; TB; 55 districts |
| World Hydrogen Day | 8 Oct (atomic weight 1.008) |
| Sasol Solar Challenge | IIT Madras AgniRath – 3rd; car ‘Aagneya’ |
TOP 5 QUIZ OF THE DAY
Q1. With reference to the recommendations of the 57th GST Council meeting, consider the following statements:
1. Arrest powers under GST are to be completely withdrawn.
2. No show cause notice will be issued if the tax involved is less than ₹10,000.
3. The monetary threshold for prosecution has been reduced from ₹5 crore to ₹1 crore.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q2. With reference to the GST Council, consider the following statements:
1. It is a constitutional body under Article 279A.
2. The Central Government has two-thirds weightage of votes in the Council.
3. It is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises, consider the following statements:
1. Central Ministries and CPSEs must procure at least 25% of their annual purchases from MSEs.
2. 4% of total procurement is earmarked for MSEs owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs.
3. The National SC-ST Hub is implemented by SIDBI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q4. Which of the following are signatories to the joint ministerial statement on structural excess capacity released after the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in 2026?
1. India
2. China
3. European Union
4. Türkiye
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q5. With reference to the ‘Kanavu Olympics’ scheme of Tamil Nadu, consider the following statements:
1. It provides ₹50 lakh per year to each eligible athlete for Olympic preparation.
2. Medallists of the Commonwealth Games and Para Commonwealth Games are also covered.
3. It is open only to Olympic medallists.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
Q1 – (a): The prosecution threshold has been raised from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore.
Q2 – (b): The Centre has one-third weightage; States together have two-thirds.
Q3 – (b): The National SC-ST Hub is implemented through the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).
Q4 – (b): Q1 – (b): China is not among the 15 signatories.
Q5 – (b): The scheme targets Asian Games, Para Asian Games, CWG and Para CWG medallists to prepare them for the Olympics.
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