Government Of India
Official policy releases, schemes, circulars, and Prelims practice questions from Government Of India distilled for UPSC Civil Services Examination.
🎯 Government Of India UPSC Practice Questions
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
According to the recent government notification, what is the primary purpose of the Union Cabinet's decision to set up a bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court in Ladakh?
- [A] To enhance access to justice for citizens residing in Ladakh's remote areas by reducing the time required to obtain legal services.
- [B] To create a completely separate High Court exclusively for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- [C] To limit judicial services to the capital city of Leh, excluding other remote regions.
- [D] To postpone the establishment of any High Court bench in Ladakh until further studies are completed.
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [A] To enhance access to justice for citizens residing in Ladakh's remote areas by reducing the time required to obtain legal services.
The notification states that the cabinet's decision to locate a bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court in Ladakh will make justice more accessible for residents of remote areas, reducing time to obtain legal services. The other options contradict the factual content of the brief.
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🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
According to the government’s regulatory reform mentioned in the briefing, which of the following best describes the new regulatory philosophy being adopted?
- [A] "Permitted unless prohibited" approach
- [B] "Prohibited unless permitted" approach
- [C] Regulation based on voluntary compliance
- [D] Self‑regulation by industry bodies
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [A] "Permitted unless prohibited" approach
The briefing states that the government is overhauling its regulatory philosophy from “prohibited unless permitted” to “permitted unless prohibited”. Hence, the new approach is "permitted unless prohibited". The other options either describe the old philosophy or are not mentioned in the text.
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Official Policy Notifications & Dossiers
30 Briefs-
PIB
Viksit Bharat G RAM G Act Replaces MGNREGA, Guaranteeing 125 Days of Rural Employment Annually
- The Viksit Bharat - Rozgar aur Aajeevika Guarantee Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G) replaced MGNREGA on July 1, 2026, enhancing the statutory wage employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days per financial year for rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.
- The initiative institutionalizes a 'Whole-of-Government' approach through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPP), leveraging GIS, PM Gati Shakti, and Yuktdhara across 318 permissible work categories centered on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood support, and climate resilience.
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RBI
Final redemption under Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme - Redemption Price for final redemption of SGB 2018-19 Series-II due on October 23, 2026
- The redemption price is calculated using the simple average of the closing price of 999 purity gold from the previous three business days, as published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd.
- The redemption price for the tranche due on October 23, 2026, is set at ₹14,425 per unit.
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RBI
Underwriting Auction for sale of Government Securities for ₹33,000 crore on October 23, 2026
- The Government of India announced an underwriting auction for the sale of Government Securities worth Rs 33,000 crore, scheduled for October 23, 2026.
- The auction will follow a multiple price-based method, with Primary Dealers submitting bids electronically through the Reserve Bank of India's e-Kuber system.
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PIB
DAY-NRLM Saras Mela 2026 Debuts in Vijayawada, Empowering 1,500 Women Entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis Nationwide
- Organized under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, the event features about 1,500 women Self-Help Group entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis from 34 states and union territories.
- The Lakhpati Didis initiative aims to ensure sustainable annual household incomes of at least ₹1 lakh, with the government setting an enhanced target of six million beneficiaries in February 2026.
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PIB
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence foils major cannabis smuggling bid, seizing 591 kilograms sourced from Nepal in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 591.3 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) smuggled from Nepal during an intelligence-based operation in Uttar Pradesh on October 17-18, 2026.
- The contraband was hidden inside specially fabricated secret cavities—one above the bonnet and another behind the driver's seat—of a intercepted truck traveling via Sonauli.
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PIB
Environment Ministry and WWF-India EIACP Launch Nationwide Green Diwali Campaign Urging Citizens to Avoid Firecrackers
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with WWF-India EIACP, launched a nationwide Green Diwali campaign from October 20 to November 8, 2026.
- The campaign specifically focuses on 130 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to promote eco-friendly celebrations in alignment with Mission LiFE.
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PIB
NAMASTE Scheme Empowers Nellore Sanitation Workers as Mechanized Entrepreneurs, Securing Sustainable Livelihoods Through Financial Assistance
- Under the NAMASTE scheme, sanitation workers in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh transitioned to mechanized sanitation entrepreneurs through the Swachhata Udyami Yojana (SUY).
- The beneficiaries received a total project financial assistance of Rs. 35.85 lakh, comprising Rs. 21.89 lakh in bank loans and Rs. 13.96 lakh as capital subsidy, to procure a mini jetting machine.
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PIB
Bureau of Indian Standards Hosts Nationwide Dialogue Sessions to Advance Quality Standards in AYUSH Systems
- A national seminar titled 'Pragati 2026' was held in Belagavi, Karnataka, focusing on standardisation, terminology, educational standards, and clinical guidelines in Ayurveda and Yoga.
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PIB
CSIR-NISCPR Concludes Two-Week Skill Training Program on Library Automation, Digitization, and Artificial Intelligence
- CSIR-NISCPR successfully concluded a two-week skill training program on library automation, digitization, and artificial intelligence from October 5-16, 2026, under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative (Phase III).
- The program focused on hands-on training for open-source tools like Koha ILMS, DSpace digital repository software, AI applications, metadata extraction, and text similarity checking using 'iThenticate'.
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PIB
India and Saudi Arabia Discuss Bilateral Power Interconnection Initiative to Strengthen Regional Energy Cooperation
- India and Saudi Arabia held a virtual bilateral meeting to review the progress of the bilateral power interconnection initiative and strengthen energy sector cooperation.
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PIB
India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to take effect on October 20, 2026, unlocking new export opportunities.
- The agreement includes an Agricultural Productivity Partnership featuring action plans for apples, kiwis, and honey, along with streamlined regulatory processes for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
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PIB
Union Secretary Sudhansh Pant Visits Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Mysuru to Empower Marginalized Artisans
- The ministry also promotes the 'BHARAT TULIP' initiative to expand market access and online sales for traditional artisans through digital platforms.
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PIB
DoPT Launches Special Campaign 6 Focusing on Cleanliness, Pendency Reduction, Record Management, and E-Waste Disposal on Swachh Bharat Diwas
- The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) launched Special Campaign 6 for institutionalizing cleanliness, reducing pending matters, and promoting e-waste management from October 2 to October 31, 2026.
- The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) acts as the nodal agency, utilizing the SCDPM 6 portal to track progress on VIP references, public grievances, and record management.
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PIB
Government Outlines Strategic Roadmap for Pumped Storage Projects to Meet Growing Grid Energy Storage Demands
- Pumped Storage Projects act as large-scale long-duration 'water batteries' and are classified based on stream connectivity into On-stream, Off-stream Open-loop, and Off-stream Closed-loop configurations.
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PIB
Lokayan 2026: Indian Navy Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini Departs from Salalah, Oman
- The port stop fostered professional interactions and sports activities, strengthening friendly ties and people-to-people relations between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.
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PIB
Special Campaign 6.0: Department of Posts Achieves Significant Progress in Grievance Redressal, Cleanliness, E-Waste Disposal, and Space Management
- The department launched 'Digipost', a phygital mail service in collaboration with Gujarat Police for delivering traffic e-challans, embodying citizen-centric governance.
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PIB
STPI Tech Conclave Highlights Transformative Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Assistive Technologies
- Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) under MeitY and the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) of IIT (BHU) organized a tech conclave on 'AI for Healthcare and Assistive Technologies' in Varanasi on October 18, 2026.
- The conclave highlighted Artificial Intelligence's transformative potential in improving healthcare accessibility, diagnostics, remote ICU monitoring, and AI-assisted surgical planning, backed by initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission.
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PIB
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Seizes 137 kg of Crystal Meth, Busted Coastal Drug Network in Tamil Nadu, Arrests Four
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 137 kg of high-purity crystal methamphetamine worth over Rs. 100 crore from Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, foiling a maritime drug trafficking attempt to Sri Lanka.
- Four individuals were arrested and remanded to judicial custody under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
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PIB
Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi Reviews Munsiyari Coldwater Cluster and Interacts with Trout Farmers in Uttarakhand
- Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Government of India has invested over Rs. 2,299 crores in coldwater fisheries across Himalayan states and Union Territories, authorizing over 5,600 raceways and critical infrastructure.
- Uttarakhand's Munsiyari coldwater fisheries cluster, supported by 'Johar Matsya Autonomous Cooperative' and ICAR-DCFR, achieved a milestone by making its first international export of Rainbow Trout to Nepal in June 2026.
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PIB
NCRTC Celebrates Three Successful Years of Namo Bharat Operations Along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor
- The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) celebrated 'Namo Bharat Day 2026' to mark three successful years of Namo Bharat train operations along the 82-kilometer Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.
- Since its launch by the Prime Minister on October 20, 2023, the corridor has recorded over 4.5 crore passenger journeys, with daily ridership exceeding 1.1 lakh and peaking near 1.68 lakh.
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PIB
ICAR-CPRI Develops Nutrient-Rich Biofortified Purple and Colored Potato Varieties to Enhance National Nutritional Security
- ICAR-CPRI developed biofortified colored potato varieties including Kufri Neelkanth, Kufri Manik, and Kufri Jamuniya to address hidden hunger and enhance nutritional security.
- Kufri Jamuniya yields 32-35 tonnes per hectare under recommended agricultural practices with excellent storage quality and medium dormancy.
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PIB
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Joins Vande Mataram Sesquicentennial Youth Dialogue and Leads Nationwide Plantation Drive
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan participated in a youth dialogue program marking 150 glorious years of Vande Mataram, highlighting the 'Mera Yuva Bharat' (MY Bharat) platform for nation-building.
- Emphasizing women's safety, the Minister noted that stringent punishments including the death penalty exist for heinous crimes against daughters, while stressing the need to expedite legal processes for timely justice.
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PIB
CAQM Reviews NCR Compliance and Enforcement Actions, Conducting 124 Inspections Between September 25 and October 9, 2026
- The Commission mandated flying squads to strictly prioritize inspections of 'Red' and 'Orange' category industries, specifically targeting operations involving furnaces and boilers, to curb severe industrial emissions.
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PIB
India-UK Bilateral Maritime Exercise Konkan 2026 Concludes Off Plymouth, UK, Enhancing Operational Interoperability
- Exercise Konkan-2026, a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the UK's Royal Navy, was conducted off Plymouth, UK, from October 8 to 15, 2026.
- Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Trishul and the UK Royal Navy's Duke-class anti-submarine warfare frigate HMS Sutherland participated in the four-day sea phase managed by Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST).
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PIB
MY Bharat and NSS Launch Second Month of Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan with Nationwide Yoga and Self-Defense Day
- The fifth-week events witnessed participation from 91,179 individuals across 183 institutions and community spaces, with women accounting for 57.1% of the total participants.
- Activities included 332 yoga sessions with 34,290 participants and 311 self-defense demonstrations reaching 31,507 participants, alongside community awareness drives.
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PIB
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Represent India at SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting in Tajikistan
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 19–20, 2026.
- The summit will focus on expanding multilateral economic cooperation, trade, investment, connectivity, innovation, and socio-cultural exchanges, alongside reviewing the organisation's financial and institutional functions.
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PIB
Supreme Court Constitutes High-Powered Inquiry Committee to Investigate July 2026 Violence Across Delhi and Other Locations
- The portal prioritizes matters concerning the use of pellet guns, targeted violence, harassment of women protestors, excessive violence by both sides, and property damage, while ensuring witness protection and confidentiality.
- Stakeholders can submit grievances, representations, or suggestions through the portal, via email at hpec2026.enquiry[at]nic[dot]in, by post, or in person at the HPEC office located at Shiksha Sadan, 17, Rouse Avenue Institutional Area, New Delhi 110002.
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PIB
World Menopause Day 2026: Ministry of Ayush Promotes Holistic Ayurvedic Approaches for Women's Menopausal Health and Preventive Care
- On World Menopause Day 2026 (18 October), the Ministry of Ayush emphasized a holistic Ayurvedic approach to women's menopausal health, focusing on awareness, preventive care, and research.
- Ayurvedic management of menopausal symptoms includes Rasayana therapy, dietary guidance, counseling, yoga, and meditation practices such as Setu Bandhasana, Shitali Pranayama, and Yoga Nidra.
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PIB
Department of Commerce Hosts Jaipur Outreach Program on Leveraging Free Trade Agreements to Accelerate Export Growth
- The Department of Commerce organized an awareness program in Jaipur on leveraging Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to boost export opportunities for Indian enterprises.
- India's total exports for April to September of FY 2026-27 are estimated at 476.20 billion US dollars, registering an estimated growth of 13.84 percent compared to the previous year.
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PIB
Indian Navy's First Training Squadron Departs Seychelles, Deepening Bilateral Maritime Cooperation and Regional Defense Ties
- The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, successfully concluded its port call at Port Victoria, Seychelles, on October 15, 2026.
- The deployment aimed to bolster bilateral defense cooperation, capacity building, and professional cross-training, including specialized training in firefighting and small arms handling for the Seychelles Defence Forces.